| Research work described in detail in this dissertation solves the computer simulation problem of induction tool response to dipping fractures. The presence of fractures in underground formations is common due to both natural and artificial causes. These fractures complicate the well logs obtained in such formations and pose a challenge to practical formation evaluation in the petroleum industry. Induction log, as a major component of available well logs, is sensitive to fractures filled with Oil Base Mud (OBM) when the fracture is not perfectly horizontal. Induction response to a vertical fracture has been studied before. The new contribution of this dissertation is the extension to the arbitrarily dipping angle. To accomplish this efficiently, a 3D numerical modeling technique has been developed with distinct features for high-speed and economical 3D computer simulations. The modeled induction logs have been used to illustrate the impact a dipping fracture can make on interpretation of induction logs.;In this research work, we have proven the effectiveness of an equivalence principle in modeling fractures. With this equivalence principle, we modeled fractures as thin as 0.01 in, which has never been seen in published literature until this work. We have also discovered that for accurate interpretation of fracture properties based on induction logs, the effect of fracture orientation must be considered. |
