Use of Conditional Simulation, Mechanical Theory, and Field Observations to Characterize the Structure of Faults and Fracture Networks

We present a method that links physical theory for the origin of a fracture system to field observations. The method generates simulations of a physically-based stochastic model that are conditioned on field observations. Two examples using stochastic models that are qualitatively based on elasticity theory are presented. The first is a three-dimensional model of small left-lateral strike-slip faults based on cohesive zone fracture mechanics and conditioned on surface trace maps. The second is a two-dimensional stochastic model of a strata bound fracture network conditioned on well test data.

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