Elastic and Frictional Properties of Fault Zones in Reservoir-Scale Hydro-Mechanical Models - A Sensitivity Study

The proper representation of faults in coupled hydro-mechanical reservoir models is challenged, among others, by the difference between the small-scale heterogeneity of fault zones observed in nature and the large size of the calculation cells in numerical simulations. In the present study we use a generic finite element (FE) model with a volumetric fault zone description to examine what effect the corresponding upscaled material parameters have on pore pressures, stresses, and deformation within and surrounding the fault zone. Such a sensitivity study is important as the usually poor data base regarding specific hydro-mechanical fault properties as well as the upscaling process introduces uncertainties, whose impact on the modelling results is otherwise difficult to assess. Altogether, 87 scenarios with different elastic and plastic parameter combinations were studied. Numerical modelling results indicate that Young’s modulus and cohesion assigned to the fault zone have the strongest influence on the stress and strain perturbations, both in absolute numbers as well as regarding the spatial extent. Angle of internal friction has only a minor and Poisson’s ratio of the fault zone a negligible impact. Finally, some general recommendations concerning the choice of mechanical fault zone properties for reservoir-scale hydro-mechanical models are given.