Fractal Characterization on Three-Dimensional Tortuosity of Fault Tectonic

Faults, as a kind of fracture tectonics, play a role in reservoir closure or provide oil and gas transportation channels. The accurate understanding of the distribution characteristics of faults is significant for oil and gas exploration. The traditional fractal dimension for fault number (<i>D_f3</i>) cannot comprehensively characterize the complexity and heterogeneity of fault network distribution. In this paper, a fractal characterization method on three-dimensional (3D) tortuosity of fault tectonics is proposed based on 3D seismic exploration. The methodology is described in detail to establish the model on the fractal dimension for the 3D tortuosity of fault tectonics. The results show the proposed method of estimation of the <i>D_T3</i> displaying high accuracy and rationality. Compared with the traditional fractal dimension <i>D_f3</i>, the proposed <i>D_T3</i> can comprehensively characterize the fractal characteristics of faults network systems in the 3D space. This study achieves a breakthrough in the fractal characterization of the 3D tortuosity of fault tectonics. It is worth further study for establishing an analytical fractal equation based on the <i>D_T3</i> and oil or gas transfer, which can provide the theoretical foundation and technical support for oil and gas exploration.