Comprehensive methodology for detecting fracture aperture in naturally fractured formations using mud loss data

Based on the mathematic model previously published in JPSE (Xia et al., 2015. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 129, 254-267), this paper develops a methodology that optimizes the fracture characteristics based on recording mud loss data. The methodology poses the prediction problem as history matching, where the outer optimization shell involves the length and the aperture of the fractures intersecting the wellbore. The proposed methodology systematically integrates a Fracture Generation Module, a Mud Loss Simulator, and a Global Optimization Module. The suggested methodology is automated and accurate for field development. We end this paper with some case studies to illustrate the applicability of this methodology.