Geomechanical modelling and permeability simulation. For the Whitby Mudstone (Xxxxxxx 2016) a upscaling simulation workflow was developed. The simulation has been performed using the research and development software package roxolTM (xxx.xxxxx.xx), which is based on the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). Based on statistical data, which was used to generate statistical distinct fracture networks by means of a newly developed fracture network generator for roxol of increasing size, the resulting bulk permeability of the domains was analysed. As can be seen in Figure 17, permeability increases with model area approaching asymptotically constant values for the permeability tensor. This bulk permeability of the representative elementary volume may be considered as bulk rock mass permeability as needed for large scale reservoir engineering and geomechanical simulations.
