scholarly journals Simulation of the effect of stress-induced anisotropy on borehole compressional wave propagation

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. D205-D216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinding Fang ◽  
Michael C. Fehler ◽  
Arthur Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Stress Concentration ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Wave Amplitude ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Azimuthal Variation ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Velocity Region

Formation elastic properties near a borehole may be altered from their original state due to the stress concentration around the borehole. This can lead to an incorrect estimation of formation elastic properties measured from sonic logs. Previous work has focused on estimating the elastic properties of the formation surrounding a borehole under anisotropic stress loading. We studied the effect of borehole stress concentration on sonic logging in a moderately consolidated Berea sandstone using a two-step approach. First, we used an iterative approach, which combines a rock-physics model and a finite-element method, to calculate the stress-dependent elastic properties of the rock around a borehole subjected to an anisotropic stress loading. Second, we used the anisotropic elastic model obtained from the first step and a finite-difference method to simulate the acoustic response of the borehole. Although we neglected the effects of rock failure and stress-induced crack opening, our modeling results provided important insights into the characteristics of borehole P-wave propagation when anisotropic in situ stresses are present. Our simulation results were consistent with the published laboratory measurements, which indicate that azimuthal variation of the P-wave velocity around a borehole subjected to uniaxial loading is not a simple cosine function. However, on field scale, the azimuthal variation in P-wave velocity might not be apparent at conventional logging frequencies. We found that the low-velocity region along the wellbore acts as an acoustic focusing zone that substantially enhances the P-wave amplitude, whereas the high-velocity region caused by the stress concentration near the borehole results in a significantly reduced P-wave amplitude. This results in strong azimuthal variation of P-wave amplitude, which may be used to infer the in situ stress state.

scholarly journals Upscaling of elastic properties in carbonates: A modeling approach based on a multiscale geophysical data set

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Fortin ◽  
Cedric Bailly ◽  
Mathilde Adelinet ◽  
Youri Hamon
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Ultrasonic Measurements ◽  
Seismic Scale

<p>Linking ultrasonic measurements made on samples, with sonic logs and seismic subsurface data, is a key challenge for the understanding of carbonate reservoirs. To deal with this problem, we investigate the elastic properties of dry lacustrine carbonates. At one study site, we perform a seismic refraction survey (100 Hz), as well as sonic (54 kHz) and ultrasonic (250 kHz) measurements directly on outcrop and ultrasonic measurements on samples (500 kHz). By comparing the median of each data set, we show that the P wave velocity decreases from laboratory to seismic scale. Nevertheless, the median of the sonic measurements acquired on outcrop surfaces seems to fit with the seismic data, meaning that sonic acquisition may be representative of seismic scale. To explain the variations due to upscaling, we relate the concept of representative elementary volume with the wavelength of each scale of study. Indeed, with upscaling, the wavelength varies from millimetric to pluri-metric. This change of scale allows us to conclude that the behavior of P wave velocity is due to different geological features (matrix porosity, cracks, and fractures) related to the different wavelengths used. Based on effective medium theory, we quantify the pore aspect ratio at sample scale and the crack/fracture density at outcrop and seismic scales using a multiscale representative elementary volume concept. Results show that the matrix porosity that controls the ultrasonic P wave velocities is progressively lost with upscaling, implying that crack and fracture porosity impacts sonic and seismic P wave velocities, a result of paramount importance for seismic interpretation based on deterministic approaches.</p><p>Bailly, C., Fortin, J., Adelinet, M., & Hamon, Y. (2019). Upscaling of elastic properties in carbonates: A modeling approach based on a multiscale geophysical data set. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 124. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018391</p>

Effects of ellipsoidal heterogeneities on wave propagation in partially saturated double-porosity rocks

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. WC71-WC81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weitao Sun ◽  
Fansheng Xiong ◽  
Jing Ba ◽  
José M. Carcione
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Lagrange Equations ◽  
Wave Dissipation ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
The Impact

Reservoir rocks are heterogeneous porous media saturated with multiphase fluids, in which strong wave dissipation and velocity dispersion are closely associated with fabric heterogeneities and patchy saturation at different scales. The irregular solid inclusions and fluid patches are ubiquitous in nature, whereas the impact of geometry on wave dissipation is still not well-understood. We have investigated the dependence of wave attenuation and velocity on patch geometry. The governing equations for wave propagation in a porous medium, containing fluid/solid heterogeneities of ellipsoidal triple-layer patches, are derived from the Lagrange equations on the basis of the potential and kinetic energies. Harmonic functions describe the wave-induced local fluid flow of an ellipsoidal patch. The effects of the aspect ratio on wave velocity are illustrated with numerical examples and comparisons with laboratory measurements. The results indicate that the P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation depend on the aspect ratio of the ellipsoidal heterogeneities, especially in the intermediate frequency range. In the case of Fort Union sandstone, the P-wave velocity increases toward an upper bound as the aspect ratio decreases. The example of a North Sea sandstone clearly indicates that introducing ellipsoidal heterogeneities gives a better description of laboratory data than that based on spherical patches. The unexpected high-velocity values previously reported and ascribed to sample heterogeneities are explained by varying the aspect ratio of the inclusions (or patches).

Elastic reflectivity vectors and the geometry of intercept-gradient crossplots

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 762-769
Author(s):  
Patrick Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Property ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Well Log Analysis

Reflectivities of elastic properties can be expressed as a sum of the reflectivities of P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, and density, as can the amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) parameters, intercept, gradient, and curvature. This common format allows elastic property reflectivities to be expressed as a sum of AVO parameters. Most AVO studies are conducted using a two-term approximation, so it is helpful to reduce the three-term expressions for elastic reflectivities to two by assuming a relationship between P-wave velocity and density. Reduced to two AVO components, elastic property reflectivities can be represented as vectors on intercept-gradient crossplots. Normalizing the lengths of the vectors allows them to serve as basis vectors such that the position of any point in intercept-gradient space can be inferred directly from changes in elastic properties. This provides a direct link between properties commonly used in rock physics and attributes that can be measured from seismic data. The theory is best exploited by constructing new seismic data sets from combinations of intercept and gradient data at various projection angles. Elastic property reflectivity theory can be transferred to the impedance domain to aid in the analysis of well data to help inform the choice of projection angles. Because of the effects of gradient measurement errors, seismic projection angles are unlikely to be the same as theoretical angles or angles derived from well-log analysis, so seismic data will need to be scanned through a range of angles to find the optimum.

Identification of gas hydrate dissociation from wireline-log data in the Shenhu area, South China Sea

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. B125-B134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiujuan Wang ◽  
Myung Lee ◽  
Shiguo Wu ◽  
Shengxiong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Well Log ◽  
Hydrate Dissociation ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
P Wave Velocity

Wireline logs were acquired in eight wells during China’s first gas hydrate drilling expedition (GMGS-1) in April–June of 2007. Well logs obtained from site SH3 indicated gas hydrate was present in the depth range of 195–206 m below seafloor with a maximum pore-space gas hydrate saturation, calculated from pore water freshening, of about 26%. Assuming gas hydrate is uniformly distributed in the sediments, resistivity calculations using Archie’s equation yielded hydrate-saturation trends similar to those from chloride concentrations. However, the measured compressional (P-wave) velocities decreased sharply at the depth between 194 and 199 mbsf, dropping as low as [Formula: see text], indicating the presence of free gas in the pore space, possibly caused by the dissociation of gas hydrate during drilling. Because surface seismic data acquired prior to drilling were not influenced by the in situ gas hydrate dissociation, surface seismic data could be used to identify the cause of the low P-wave velocity observed in the well log. To determine whether the low well-log P-wave velocity was caused by in situ free gas or by gas hydrate dissociation, synthetic seismograms were generated using the measured well-log P-wave velocity along with velocities calculated assuming both gas hydrate and free gas in the pore space. Comparing the surface seismic data with various synthetic seismograms suggested that low P-wave velocities were likely caused by the dissociation of in situ gas hydrate during drilling.

scholarly journals Estimating uniaxial compressive strength, density and porosity of rocks from the p-wave velocity measurements in-situ and in the laboratory

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-528
Author(s):  
André Cezar Zingano ◽  
Paulo Salvadoretti ◽  
Rafael Ubirajara Rocha ◽  
João Felipe Coimbra Leite Costa
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Uniaxial Compressive Strength ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Velocity Measurements ◽  
P Wave Velocity

Origin of the temporal evolution of elastic properties during laboratory seismic cycle.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Paglialunga ◽  
François X. Passelègue ◽  
Mateo Acosta ◽  
Marie Violay
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Seismic Damage ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Cycle ◽  
Stick Slip ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Confining Pressures ◽  
Thermally Treated

<p>Recent seismological observations highlighted that earthquakes are associated to drops in elastic properties around the fault zone (Brenguier et al., 2008). This drop is often attributed to co-seismic damage produced at the rupture tip, and can mostly be observed at shallow depths. However, it is known that in the upper crust, faults are surrounded by a zone of damage (Caine, Evans, & Forster, 1996). Because of this, the origin of the velocity change associated to earthquakes, as well as its recovery in the months following the rupture remains highly debated.</p><p>We conducted stick-slip experiments to explore the evolution of elastic waves velocities during the entire seismic cycle. The tests were run on saw-cut La Peyratte granite samples presenting different initial degrees of damage, obtained through thermal treatment. Three types of samples were studied: not thermally treated, thermally treated at 650 °C and thermally treated at 950 °C. Seismic events were induced in a triaxial configuration apparatus at different confining pressures ranging from 15 MPa to 120 MPa. Active acoustic measurements were carried through the whole duration of the tests and P-wave velocities were measured.</p><p> </p><p>The evolution of P-wave velocity follows the evolution of the shear stress acting on the fault, showing velocity drops during dynamic slip events. The evolution of the P-wave velocity drops with increasing confining pressure shows two different trends; the largest drops can be observed for low confining pressure (15 MPa) and decrease for intermediate confining pressures (up to 45 MPa), while for confining pressures of 60 MPa to 120 MPa, drops in velocity slightly increase with confining pressure.</p><p>Our results highlight that at low confining pressures (15-45 MPa), the change in elastic velocity is controlled by the sample bulk properites (damage of the medium surrounding the fault), while for higher confining pressures (60-120 MPa), it might be the result of co-seismic damage.</p><p>These preliminary results bring a different interpretation to the seismic velocity drops observed in nature, attributed to co-seismic damage. In our experiments co-seismic damage is not observed, except for high confining pressures (laboratory equivalent for large depths), while the change in P-wave velocity seems to be highly related to combined stress conditions and initial damage around the fault for low confining pressures (laboratory equivalent for shallow depths).</p>

P-wave velocity differences between surface-derived and core samples from the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane: Implications for in situ velocities at great depths

Geology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 651-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengsi Sun ◽  
Shaocheng Ji ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Matthew Salisbury ◽  
Hartmut Kern
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Ultrahigh Pressure ◽  
Core Samples ◽  
P Wave Velocity

scholarly journals Analisis Model Kecepatan Gelombang-P pada Coal-Seam Gas Studi Kasus Cekungan Sumatera Selatan, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120
Author(s):  
Harnanti Yogaputri Hutami ◽  
Fitriyani Fitriyani ◽  
Tiara Larasati Priniarti ◽  
Handoyo Handoyo
Keyword(s):  
Coal Seam ◽  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Coal Seam Gas ◽  
P Wave Velocity

The rock physics model is one effective yet challenging way to investigate the coal-seam gas potential in Indonesia. However, because of the complex conditions of the Coal-Seam Gas Reservoirs, it is difficult to establish models. Despite the scarce modeling, this study aims to estimate the relation of gas-saturated within pores of coal seam to the elastic properties of rock, which is P-wave velocity. First, the coal seam minerals are applied to quantify matrix moduli using the Voigt-Reuss-Hill Average method. Pride’s simple equation is used to estimate the elastic properties of the coal seam at dry condition (zero gas saturation). Finally, Biot-Gassmann’s theory is applied to determine the elastic properties of coal seam with fully gas saturated. As the result, the proposed model showed that there is a significant negative correlation between gas content with both density and P-wave velocity of the coal seam. Finally, this P-wave velocity model of gas-saturated coal seams should be properly useful as the quick look for identifying coal seam gas potentials. 

Pore-scale modeling of elastic wave propagation in carbonate rocks

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. D51-D63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zizhen Wang ◽  
Ruihe Wang ◽  
Ralf J. Weger ◽  
Tianyang Li ◽  
Feifei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Porous Media ◽  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Elastic Wave ◽  
Pore Structure ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Scale Modeling ◽  
P Wave Velocity

The relationship between P-wave velocity and porosity in carbonate rocks shows a high degree of variability due to the complexity of the pore structure. This variability introduces high uncertainties to seismic inversion, amplitude variation with offset analysis, porosity estimation, and pore-pressure prediction based on velocity data. Elastic wave propagation in porous media is numerically modeled on the pore scale to investigate the effects of pore structure on P-wave velocities in carbonate rocks. We built 2D models of porous media using pore structure information and the similarity principle. Then, we simulated normal incidence wave propagation using finite element analysis. Finally, the velocity was determined from received modeled signals by means of crosscorrelation. The repeatability and accuracy of this modeling process was verified carefully. Based on the modeling results, a simple formulation of Sun’s frame flexibility factor ([Formula: see text]), aspect ratio (AR, the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis), and pore density was developed. The numerical simulation results indicated that the P-wave velocity increases as a power function as the AR increases. Pores with small AR ([Formula: see text]) or large [Formula: see text] created softening effects that decrease P-wave velocity significantly. The P-wave velocity of carbonate rocks was dispersive; it depends on the ratio of the wavelength to pore size ([Formula: see text]). Such scale-dependent dispersion was more evident for carbonate rocks with higher porosity, lower AR, and/or lower P-wave impedance of pore fluids. The P-wave velocity of carbonate rocks with complicated pore geometries (low AR, high [Formula: see text], small [Formula: see text]) was much lower than that of rocks with simple pore geometries (high AR, small [Formula: see text], large [Formula: see text]) at low and high [Formula: see text]. The pore-scale modeling of elastic wave properties of porous rocks may explain the poor velocity-porosity correlation in carbonate rocks.

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