Fractal analysis of single-phase water and polymer solution flow at high rates in open and horizontally displaced rough fractures

The percentage of planar flow wetted area representing invasion percolation and pressure drop changed remarkably with rock types. Both parameters were controlled by grain size and the surface roughness of fractures. Increasing degree of the roughness caused a decrease in permeability and area wetted by fluid. Models generated from bigger grain size rocks showed more channeling and a lower percentage of fluid wetted areas as well as lower pressure drop (higher permeability). The variogram fractal dimension showed better agreements among other methods for both fluid (water and polymeric solution) and fracture types (joint and horizontally displaced).