Analysis of natural fractures and effect of deformation intensity on fracture density in Garau formation for shale gas development within two anticlines of Zagros fold and thrust belt, Iran

In the Lurestan structural province, deformation intensity is increased from the Kabir-Kuh anticline in the southern part of the Lurestan structural province to the Khoram-Abad anticline in the northeastern part of the province. In the Kabir-Kuh anticline, lithology has played the most important role in fracture intensity, so that in some places even with increasing bedding thickness, we observe an increase in fracture intensity instead of the expected decreasing fracture intensity. While in Khoram-Abad anticline bedding thickness has the most important effect on fracture intensity, and lithology has a minor role. In both investigated areas, fracture length is increased with changing texture from mudstone to wackstone and also from wackstone to packstone.