CO2 flow through a fractured rock volume: Insights from field data, 3D fractures representation and fluid flow modeling

We then compare the AM results to those generated by inputting the same fracture parameters into commercial DFN models. Our results highlight that these latter generally underestimate permeability values (by about two orders of magnitude) and hide fault-related anisotropies observed in the field, which instead are very well defined by the AM. The models were applied to a study site in the Latera caldera (Central Italy), where geologically produced CO2 leaks to the atmosphere along an exposed fault, and to simulate gas release through a fractured reservoir. Simulated leakage correlates well with field measurements that show CO2 spot anomalies at fault and fracture intersections and indicate how gas migration pathways are controlled by discontinuity permeability, complex fracture orientations, and fracture positions within the analyzed rock volume.