Pressure-dependent seismic velocities based on effective compliance theory and an asperity deformation model

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. D229-D243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Gao ◽  
Richard L. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Dependence ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Hertzian Contact ◽  
Deformation Model ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Power Law Distribution ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Effective Compliance

Seismic velocities of rocks depend strongly on confining pressure, which is often explained by the fracture compliances changes within the rocks. It is important to have an accurate model describing the relations between confining pressure and seismic velocities for applications such as time-lapse reservoir characterization. We propose a new model to address this problem by combining the existing effective compliance theory with new solutions for the pressure dependence of fracture compliances. Specifically, we assume the fracture contact surface can be represented by a set of elastic hemispheres with radii following power-law distribution, and the pressure dependence of seismic velocities can be expressed through pressure-dependent normal and tangential fracture compliances that are derived from Hertzian contact theory. Joint data fittings of P- and S-wave velocity laboratory data show that our model is accurate. We also implement fluid substitution using our model to explain the similar stress-induced velocity variations of fluid-saturated fractured rocks.

Field measurements of fracture characteristics on a wave-cut platform

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. T453-T462
Author(s):  
Thomas Loriaux ◽  
James Verdon ◽  
J.-Michael Kendall ◽  
Alan Baird ◽  
James Wookey
Keyword(s):  
High Tide ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Effective Density ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Fracture Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

We have used seismic refraction surveys of a wave-cut platform from a field site in South West England to characterize the impact of natural fracture networks on seismic velocities and anisotropy. Time-lapse surveys were performed as the high tide ebbed to investigate the seismic effects of the water draining from the rock. We also deployed a drone to map the fracture sets from the air. Azimuthal variations in the P- and S-wave velocities reflect the orientation of the main east–west-oriented joint set. Seismic velocities increased as the water drained, an effect attributed to a reduction in the effective density of the medium. The ratio of fracture normal ([Formula: see text]) to tangential ([Formula: see text]) compliance ([Formula: see text]), which can be used as a proxy for fracture saturation and permeability, was observed to increase from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], primarily driven by a drop in [Formula: see text]. These variations are attributed to a decrease in the water content of the main fracture set as the tide retreats.

The effect of microstructure and nonlinear stress on anisotropic seismic velocities

Geophysics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. D41-D51 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Verdon ◽  
Doug A. Angus ◽  
J. Michael Kendall ◽  
Stephen A. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Time Lapse ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoir ◽  
Fluid Saturation ◽  
Nonlinear Stress ◽  
Intrinsic Shape ◽  
Saturation Effects ◽  
Stress Dependent

Recent work in hydrocarbon reservoir monitoring has focused on developing coupled geomechanical/fluid-flow simulations to allow production-related geomechanical effects, such as compaction and subsidence, to be included in reservoir models. To predict realistic time-lapse seismic signatures, generation of appropriate elastic models from geomechanical output is required. These elastic models should include not only the fluid saturation effects of intrinsic, shape-induced, and stress-induced anisotropy, but also should incorporate nonlinear stress-dependent elasticity. To model nonlinear elasticity, we use a microstructural effective-medium approach in which elasticity is considered as a function of mineral stiffness and additional compliance is caused by the presence of low-aspect ratio displacement discontinuities. By jointly inverting observed ultrasonic P- and S-wave velocities to determine the distribution of such discontinuities, we assessed the appropriateness of modeling them as simple, planar, penny-shaped features. By using this approximation, we developed a simple analytical approach to predict how seismic velocities will vary with stress. We tested our approach by analyzing the elasticity of various sandstone samples; from a United Kingdom continental shelf (UKCS) reservoir, some of which display significant anisotropy, as well as two data sets taken from the literature.

Elasticity of high‐porosity sandstones: Theory for two North Sea data sets

Geophysics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Dvorkin ◽  
Amos Nur
Keyword(s):  
Lower Bound ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Pressure Dependence ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
The Other ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Critical Porosity ◽  
The North

We have analyzed two laboratory data sets obtained on high‐porosity rock samples from the North Sea. The velocities observed are unusual in that they seem to disagree with some simple models based on porosity. On the other hand, the rocks are unusually poorly‐cemented (for laboratory studies, at least), and we investigate the likelihood that this is the cause of the disagreement. One set of rocks, from the Oseberg Field, is made of slightly cemented quartz sands. We find that we can model their dry‐rock velocities using a cementation theory where the grains mechanically interact through cement at the grain boundaries. This model does not allow for pressure dependence. The other set of rocks, from the Troll Field, is almost completely uncemented. The grains are held together by the applied confining pressure. In this case, a lower bound for the velocities can be found by using the Hertz‐Mindlin contact theory (interaction of uncemented spheres) to predict velocities at a critical porosity, combined with the modified Hashin‐Strikman lower bound for other porosities. This model, which allows for pressure‐dependence, also predicts fairly large Poisson’s ratios for saturated rocks, such as those observed in the measurements. The usefulness of these theories may be in estimating the nature of cement in rocks from measurements such as sonic logs. The theories could help indicate sand strength in poorly consolidated formations and predict the likelihood of sand production. Both theoretical methods have analytical expressions and are ready for practical use.

Dual attenuation peaks revealing mesoscopic and microscopic fluid flow in partially oil-saturated Fontainebleau sandstones

2020 ◽  
Vol 224 (3) ◽  
pp. 1670-1683
Author(s):  
Liming Zhao ◽  
Genyang Tang ◽  
Chao Sun ◽  
Jianguo Zhao ◽  
Shangxu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Seismic Analysis ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Seismic Attenuation ◽  
Fluid Distribution ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
And Shifts

SUMMARY We conducted stress–strain oscillation experiments on dry and partially oil-saturated Fontainebleau sandstone samples over the 1–2000 Hz band at different confining pressures to investigate the wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) at mesoscopic and microscopic scales and their interaction. Three tested rock samples have similar porosity between 6 and 7 per cent and were partially saturated to different degrees with different oils. The measurement results exhibit a single or two attenuation peaks that are affected by the saturation degree, oil viscosity and confining pressure. One peak, exhibited by all samples, shifts to lower frequencies with increasing pressure, and is mainly attributed to grain contact- or microcrack-related squirt flow based on modelling of its characteristics and comparison with other experiment results for sandstones. The other peak is present at smaller frequencies and shifts to higher frequencies as the confining pressure increases, showing an opposite pressure dependence. This contrast is interpreted as the result of fluid flow patterns at different scales. We developed a dual-scale fluid flow model by incorporating the squirt flow effect into the patchy saturation model, which accounts for the interaction of WIFFs at microscopic and mesoscopic scales. This model provides a reasonable interpretation of the measurement results. Our broad-frequency-band measurements give physical evidence of WIFFs co-existing at two different scales, and combining with modelling results, it suggests that the WIFF mechanisms, related to pore microstructure and fluid distribution, interplay with each other and jointly control seismic attenuation and dispersion at reservoir conditions. These observations and modelling results are useful for quantitative seismic interpretation and reservoir characterization, specifically they have potential applications in time-lapse seismic analysis, fluid prediction and reservoir monitoring.

scholarly journals Reconstruction scheme for excitatory and inhibitory dynamics with quenched disorder: application to zebrafish imaging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Chicchi ◽  
Gloria Cecchini ◽  
Ihusan Adam ◽  
Giuseppe de Vito ◽  
Roberto Livi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Information ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Light Sheet ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Inhibitory Neurons ◽  
Mean Field Approximation ◽  
Directed Network ◽  
Dynamical Regime ◽  
Power Law Distribution

AbstractAn inverse procedure is developed and tested to recover functional and structural information from global signals of brains activity. The method assumes a leaky-integrate and fire model with excitatory and inhibitory neurons, coupled via a directed network. Neurons are endowed with a heterogenous current value, which sets their associated dynamical regime. By making use of a heterogenous mean-field approximation, the method seeks to reconstructing from global activity patterns the distribution of in-coming degrees, for both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, as well as the distribution of the assigned currents. The proposed inverse scheme is first validated against synthetic data. Then, time-lapse acquisitions of a zebrafish larva recorded with a two-photon light sheet microscope are used as an input to the reconstruction algorithm. A power law distribution of the in-coming connectivity of the excitatory neurons is found. Local degree distributions are also computed by segmenting the whole brain in sub-regions traced from annotated atlas.

Constraints on the composition of the crust and uppermost mantle in northwestern Canada: Vp/Vs variations along Lithoprobe's SNorCLE transect

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1205-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Fernández-Viejo ◽  
Ron M Clowes ◽  
J Kim Welford
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Uppermost Mantle ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Slave Craton ◽  
Crustal Composition

Shear-wave seismic data recorded along four profiles during the SNoRE 97 (1997 Slave – Northern Cordillera Refraction Experiment) refraction – wide-angle reflection experiment in northwestern Canada are analyzed to provide S-wave velocity (Vs) models. These are combined with previous P-wave velocity (Vp) models to produce cross sections of the ratio Vp/Vs for the crust and upper mantle. The Vp/Vs values are related to rock types through comparisons with published laboratory data. The Slave craton has low Vp/Vs values of 1.68–1.72, indicating a predominantly silicic crustal composition. Higher values (1.78) for the Great Bear and eastern Hottah domains of the Wopmay orogen imply a more mafic than average crustal composition. In the western Hottah and Fort Simpson arc, values of Vp/Vs drop to ∼1.69. These low values continue westward for 700 km into the Foreland and Omineca belts of the Cordillera, providing support for the interpretation from coincident seismic reflection studies that much of the crust from east of the Cordilleran deformation front to the Stikinia terrane of the Intermontane Belt consists of quartzose metasedimentary rocks. Stikinia shows values of 1.78–1.73, consistent with its derivation as a volcanic arc terrane. Upper mantle velocity and ratio values beneath the Slave craton indicate an ultramafic peridotitic composition. In the Wopmay orogen, the presence of low Vp/Vs ratios beneath the Hottah – Fort Simpson transition indicates the presence of pyroxenite in the upper mantle. Across the northern Cordillera, low Vp values and a moderate-to-high ratio in the uppermost mantle are consistent with the region's high heat flow and the possible presence of partial melt.

scholarly journals How Nanopores Influence Dry-Frame VP Pressure Sensitivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Raj ◽  
Priyank Jaiswal ◽  
Yulun Wang ◽  
G. Michael Grammer ◽  
Ralf J. Weger
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Model ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Pore Shape ◽  
Pressure Sensitivity ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Shape Distribution ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
The Individual

This paper investigates how nanopore size distribution influences dry-frame P-wave velocity (VP) pressure sensitivity. The study uses a set of twenty-three samples belonging to a single vertical core from the Mississippian-age Meramec formation of the mid-continent US. Individual samples had their facies interpreted, composition estimated, He-gas porosity (ΦHe) determined, and P-wave and S-wave transit times systematically measured for dry core-plugs in a 5–40 MPa loading and unloading cycle. Data from the unloading cycle were linearized in the log scale, and the slope of the best fitting line was considered as a representative of the dry-frame VP pressure sensitivity. A series of photomicrographs from each sample were analyzed using image processing methods to obtain the shape and size of the individual pores, which were mostly in the nanopore (10−6–10–9 m) scale. At the outset, the pore-shape distribution plots were used to identify and discard samples with excessive cracks and complex pores. When the remaining samples were compared, it was found that within the same facies and pore-shape distribution subgroups VP pressure sensitivity increased as the dominant pore-size became smaller. This was largely independent of ΦHe and composition. The paper postulates that at the nanopore scale in the Meramec formation, pores are mostly isolated, and an increase in the confining pressure increased the bulk moduli of the fluids in the isolated pores, which in turn increased the VP pressure sensitivity. The study proposes incorporating this effect quantitatively through a dual-fluid model where the part of the fluid in unconnected pores is considered compressible while the remaining is considered incompressible. Results start to explain the universal observation of why the presence of microporosity quintessentially enhances VP pressure sensitivity.

scholarly journals Potentials and pitfalls of permafrost active layer monitoring using the HVSR method: A case study in Svalbard

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Köhler ◽  
Christian Weidle
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Spectral Ratio ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Hvsr Method ◽  
Changing Noise

Abstract. Time-lapse monitoring of the sub-surface using ambient seismic noise is a popular method in environmental seismology. We assess the reliability of the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method for monitoring seasonal permafrost active layer variability in northwest Svalbard. We observe complex HVSR variability between 1 and 50 Hz in the record of a temporary seismic deployment covering frozen and thawn soil conditions between April and August 2016. While strong variations are due to changing noise conditions, mainly affected by wind speed and degrading coupling of instruments during melt season, a seasonal trend is observed at some stations that has most likely a sub-surface structural cause. A HVSR peak emerges close to the Nyquist frequency (50 Hz) in beginning of June which is then gradually gliding down, reaching frequencies of about 15–25 Hz in the end of August. This observation is consistent with HVSR forward-modeling for a set of structural models that simulate different stages of active layer thawing. Our results reveal a number of potential pitfalls when interpreting HVSRs and suggest a careful analysis of temporal variations since HVSR seasonality is not necessarily related to changes in the sub-surface. We compile a list of recommendations for future experiments, including comments on network layouts suitable for array beamforming and waveform correlation methods that can provide essential information on noise source variability. In addition, we investigate if effects of changing noise sources on HVSRs can be avoided by utilizing a directional, narrow-band (4.5 Hz) repeating seismic tremor which is observed at the permanent seismic broadband station KBS in the study area. A significant change of the radial component HVSR shape during summer months is observed for all tremors. We show that a thawn active layer with very low seismic velocities would affect Rayleigh wave ellipticities in the tremor frequency band.

Quaternary sodic and potassic intraplate volcanism in northeast China controlled by the underlying heterogeneous lithospheric structures

Geology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingli Fan ◽  
Qi-Fu Chen ◽  
Yinshuang Ai ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Mingming Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lithospheric Mantle ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Potassic Volcanism

The origin and mantle dynamics of the Quaternary intraplate sodic and potassic volcanism in northeast China have long been intensely debated. We present a high-resolution, three-dimensional (3-D) crust and upper-mantle S-wave velocity (Vs) model of northeast China by combining ambient noise and earthquake two-plane wave tomography based on unprecedented regional dense seismic arrays. Our seismic images highlight a strong correlation between the basalt geochemistry and upper-mantle seismic velocity structure: Sodic volcanoes are all characterized by prominent low seismic velocities in the uppermost mantle, while potassic volcanoes still possess a normal but thin upper-mantle “lid” depicted by high seismic velocities. Combined with previous petrological and geochemical research findings, we propose that the rarely erupted Quaternary potassic volcanism in northeast China results from the interaction between asthenospheric low-degree melts and the overlying subcontinental lithospheric mantle. In contrast, the more widespread Quaternary sodic volcanism in this region is predominantly sourced from the upwelling asthenosphere without significant overprinting from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle.

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