Defining an Effective Damage Zone from the Topological Connectivity of Deformation Bands

Abstract:

The length, intensity, and geometrical and topological characteristics of the deformation bands in the damage zone have been analysed along the length of the Bartlett Fault, Utah and through its linked section to the Moab Fault. Samples were also collected at each location for porosity and permeability analysis to understand the effect of the deformation bands on the fluid flow characteristics of the damage zone. Significant changes in deformation band density and connectivity occur along strike of the fault, creating zones of high connectivity in damage zones. The complexity of the damage zone and the connectivity of the deformation bands can change permeability along and across faults. Changes in intensity and strike of the deformation bands occur, particularly in linkage damage zones or remnant linkage damage zones. In these areas the intensity of deformation bands often increases, but in some cases decreases.

To estimate fluid flow reduction around sandstone reservoirs, we define an ‘effective damage zone’, as the damage zone volume around the fault core that is topologically connected. This effective damage zone can be used to predict compartments of reduced permeability in and around the fault damage zone. We calculated the width of an effective damage zone using proportion of connecting nodes in the damage networks, and the distance from the fault at which the network is not connected.

The geometry of deformation bands in the damage zone (parallel to the fault strike) results in directional differences in fluid flow reduction through the networks. Fault normal flow would be reduced significantly more than fault parallel flow if the deformation bands were connected. An increase in the proportion of deformation bands to matrix, moving towards the fault, along with increases in connectivity would result in very low fault normal permeability within the effective damage zone. Changes in fault geometry, segmentation and linkage are important controlling factors for fluid flow and strain localization depending on the evolution and interaction of the Bartlett Fault and the Moab Fault in the study area.