Geomechanical Controls on Fracture Development in Chalk and Marl in the Danish North Sea: Understanding and Predicting Fracture Systems

This book summarizes new discoveries on fracturing in chalk. Based on studies on the Danish North Sea, this book shows how observations from outcrop analogues, core and seismic data can be used to characterize the density, distribution and geometry of natural fractures in chalk and marl. Laboratory experiments on chalk samples reveal the controls on the geomechanical properties of chalk and thus on the growth of natural fractures. Finally, various modeling techniques are employed to investigate the mechanical deformation in the chalk structures of the Danish North Sea and to predict fracture distribution and geometry in the subsurface. An understanding of fracture density, distribution and geometry is essential for planning efficient fluid extraction or injection strategies and CO2 sequestration. This book provides the necessary knowledge.