- Why are fracture corridors frequently encountered in fractured reservoirs ?
- What is their typology ?
- What is their spatial distribution ?
- What is their mechanical origin ?

- How are various scale fractures associated with folds organized in 3D?
- What is the timing and degree of complexity of their development?
- Is there a  kinematical and mechanical link with structures at various scales (joints, fracture corridors, faults, decollements)? 
- Is curvature analysis really relevant for their localization and intensity?

- From compiling fault zone structures in various lithologies, we propose to demonstrate that there is not an infinity of fault types so fault structure (and associated properties) can be predicted in function of lithology and tectonic context.
- That would mean that a few of the numerous potential factors controlling fault zone structure are dominant. What are  they ?
- Finally, what mechanisms control the relative importance and structure of fault cores and damage zones in fractured reservoirs ?
 
 

Mechanism of fracture network formation remains a major challenge. To address this problem we propose a pragmatic research program of specific physical experiments based on traditional and recently developed new physical modelling techniques. A new class of scaled brittle materials allows us a direct study of fracturing process in multilayer physical models. 

- The ultimate purpose is to create a bank of standard fracture patterns based on the experiments conducted under various 3-D loading conditions corresponding to different tectonic contexts.
- The next step in approaching the reality is the introduction of fluids within the multilayer system, which considerably modify fracturing. 
- This totally innovative program will help filling the gap between field data, geomechanics, geometric and dynamic numerical modelling.