Abstract:

The opening and sealing properties of faults are closely related to reservoir formation or destruction.Based on the coupling of pressure of fault surface and fluid pressure,a quantitative mathematical model of the fault opening and sealing is developed,and the fault sealing coefficient could be calculated.The factors influencing the fault opening and sealing properties include structural stress,strike,dip angle and depth of the fault,the lithology of each wall and fluid pressure.Fault sealing property decreases as fluid pressure coefficient increases,structural compress stress and Poisson's ratio decrease.The influence of dip angle and depth of the fault on the sealing property is controlled by structural stress.