Mechanical-Chemical-Mineralogical Controls on Permeability Evolution of Shale Fractures

Figure 12

Schematic illustration of pressure solution in contacting asperities and free-face dissolution in noncontacting areas. (a) Pressure solution occurs in contacting asperities and decreases the fracture aperture and (b) mineral dissolution at the free face contributes to the fracture aperture increase.

(a)

(b)