Introduction to coupled-process simulation with FracMan®

Sunday 20th September

Course instructors (WSP)

Kyle Mosley is a numerical modeller at WSP, based in the UK. He has over 15 years of experience in numerical simulation of subsurface processes in a variety of contexts, including for nuclear waste disposal, oil & gas/CCUS and mining projects. His primary specialisms lie in coupled process (THMC) modelling, model history matching and uncertainty quantification. He is also involved in a range of software development work, including on WSP’s FracMan® subsurface modelling software and through contributions to the open-source flow and transport simulator, PFLOTRAN. His academic background is in mathematics and geophysics.

Dan Roberts is a numerical modeller in the WSP UK Geoscience Team. He has 14 years of experience in coupled simulation of subsurface processes in oil & gas, CCS, and more recently in nuclear waste disposal. His specialist areas are in geomechanical modelling, geomaterial characterisation, and coupled simulation for CO₂ storage. He has led research initiatives into stress characterisation for de-risking storage sites, and developing modelling workflows for assessing induced seismicity. Dan holds a master’s degree in civil engineering, and a PhD in geomechanics.

Course description

This half-day workshop provides a practical introduction to coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) process modelling in fractured rock systems using the FracMan® subsurface modelling package. Participants will learn some of the fundamentals of discrete fracture network (DFN) theory, DFN characterization and generation, model construction, and coupled-process simulation. The course also explores the GUI-based integration between FracMan and the open-source subsurface flow and reactive transport code, PFLOTRAN, demonstrating how advanced flow and transport simulations can be incorporated into DFN-based workflows. Through hands-on exercises using real modelling examples, participants will develop the skills needed to build, run, and interpret coupled-process simulations in fractured rock environments.

About FracMan: As the world’s first commercially available discrete fracture network software, FracMan® has a heritage of more than 30 years of applications to fractured rock systems for mining, hydrogeology, civil engineering, geothermal, oil & gas and nuclear waste disposal projects. It offers unparalleled capabilities in fracture data analysis, DFN generation, rock mechanics and geotechnical analysis, and simulation of groundwater flow and solute transport through fracture systems.

Practicalities: Participants should come prepared with a laptop and charger to be able to follow along with interactive elements of the course. Temporary FracMan trial licences will be provided to facilitate this. Mid-morning refreshments will be provided. Participation is free of charge, however spaces are limited so be sure to sign up soon!