Fracture geometry and orientation correl (1)

Secondary permeability created by fractures is an interesting property regarding reservoir purposes. In the Umbria-Marche Apennines, these fractures have been digitized using software named Digifract. The goal of this research is to correlate these fractures to the lithology and their relative position regarding the two main structures found in the area: the Sibillini thrust and the Fiastrone anticline. The lithology consists of Mesozoic carbonate formations, which sometimes contain marls and cherts, and a siliciclastic turbidite formation. Digifract is used to quantify and analyze fractures, determining fracture height, density, and orientation. Cherts and marls act as fracture boundaries in the carbonate formations, while shale layers prevent fractures from propagating in the siliciclastic turbidite formation. The fracture density in the formations increases as bedding thickness decreases, with the Maiolica and Scaglia Rossa Formations exhibiting the largest fracture density. Conversely, the Laga and Calcare Massiccio Formations show the largest fracture heights. In the footwall of the Sibillini thrust, a distinction is made between fault-controlled and stress-controlled fracture zones, with the largest fracture density found on the crest of the Fiastrone anticline and the greatest fracture height on its limbs.