Quantifying hydraulically induced fracture height and density from rapid time-lapse DAS VSP

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Zhao ◽  
Mark E. Willis ◽  
Tanya Inks ◽  
Glenn A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Rock Physics ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Fracture Properties ◽  
Vsp Data ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Fracture Height

Several recent studies have advanced the use of time-lapse distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in horizontal wells for determining hydraulically stimulated fracture properties. Hydraulic fracturing in a horizontal well typically generates vertical fractures in the rock medium around each stage. We model the hydraulically stimulated formation with vertical fracture sets about the lateral wellbore as a horizontally transverse isotropic (HTI) medium. Rock physics modeling is used to relate the anisotropy parameters to fracture properties. This modeling was used to develop an inversion for P-wave time delay to fracture height and density of each stage. Field data from two horizontal wells were analyzed, and fracture height evaluated using this technique agreed with microseismic analysis.

Impacts of kerogen content and fracture properties on the anisotropic seismic reflectivity of shales with orthorhombic symmetry

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. ST1-ST7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yang ◽  
Xiaoyang Wu ◽  
Mark Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Transverse Isotropy ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Orthorhombic Symmetry ◽  
Anisotropic Rock ◽  
Weak Anisotropy ◽  
Fracture Properties ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Axis Of Symmetry ◽  
Physics Modeling

Shale often has strong intrinsic anisotropy, which can be described by transverse isotropy with a vertical axis of symmetry. When vertical fractures are present, shale is likely to exhibit orthorhombic symmetry. We used anisotropic rock-physics models to describe the orthorhombic properties of fractured shale, and we determined that composition and fracture properties had an impact on the azimuthal amplitude variations. Interpretation of azimuthal reflectivity variations was often performed under simplified assumptions. Although the Rüger equation was derived for weak anisotropy and for transverse isotropy with a horizontal axis of symmetry, our results indicated that the orthorhombic response can be well described by the Rüger equation. However, ambiguities could be introduced into the interpretation of parameters. We suggested that careful rock-physics modeling was important for interpreting the anisotropic seismic response of fractured shale.

CO2 messes with rock physics

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-432
Author(s):  
Manika Prasad ◽  
Stanislav Glubokovskikh ◽  
Thomas Daley ◽  
Similoluwa Oduwole ◽  
William Harbert
Keyword(s):  
Pore Space ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Saline Aquifers ◽  
Carbonate Cement ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Seismic Anomalies ◽  
Wave Induced

Seismic techniques are the main monitoring tools for CO2 storage projects, especially in saline aquifers with good porosity. The majority of existing commercial and pilot CO2 injections have resulted in clear time-lapse seismic anomalies that can be used for leakage detection as well as refinement of the reservoir models to conform with the monitoring observations. Both tasks are legal requirements imposed on site operators. This paper revisits the rock-physics effects that may play an important role in the quantitative interpretation of seismic data. First, we briefly describe a standard approach to the rock-physics modeling of CO2 injections: Gassmann-type fluid substitution accounts for the presence of compressible CO2 in the pore space, and dissolution/precipitation of the minerals changes the pore volume. For many geologic conditions and injection scenarios, this approach is inadequate. For example, dissolution of the carbonate cement may weaken the rock frame, wave-induced fluid flow between CO2 patches can vary the magnitude of the seismic response significantly for the same saturation, the fluid itself might undergo change, and the seal might act as a sink for CO2. Hence, we critically review the effects of some recent advances in understanding CO2 behavior in the subsurface and associated rock-physics effects. Such a review should help researchers and practitioners navigate through the abundance of published work and design a rock-physics modeling workflow for their particular projects.

A rock-physics investigation of unconsolidated saline permafrost: P-wave properties from laboratory ultrasonic measurements

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. WA233-WA245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Dou ◽  
Seiji Nakagawa ◽  
Douglas Dreger ◽  
Jonathan Ajo-Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Seismic Properties ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Wave Properties

Saline permafrost is sensitive to thermal disturbances and is prone to subsidence, which renders it a major source of geohazard in Arctic coastal environments. Seismic methods could be used to map and monitor saline permafrost at scales of geotechnical interests because of the ice-content dependencies of seismic properties. We have developed a comprehensive study of the ultrasonic P-wave properties (i.e., velocity and attenuation) of synthetic saline permafrost samples for a range of salinities and temperatures, and measurements conducted on a fine-grained permafrost core obtained from Barrow, Alaska. The resulting data consist of P-wave properties presented as functions of temperature and salinity. Notable observations include the following: P-wave velocities showed marked reductions in the presence of dissolved salts and complex variations resulting from the water-to-ice phase transitions; strong P-wave attenuation was present in the temperature intervals in which the samples were partially frozen. When presented as functions of ice saturation, the data sets lead us to two key findings: (1) neither a purely cementing nor a purely pore-filling model of the pore-scale distributions of ice could adequately fit the observed velocity data and (2) although the velocities increase monotonically with increasing ice saturations, P-wave attenuation reaches a maximum at intermediate ice saturations—contrary to the ordinary expectation of decreasing attenuation with increasing velocities. The observed ice-content dependencies of P-wave properties, along with the implications on the probable pore-scale distributions of ice, provide a valuable basis for rock-physics modeling, which in turn could facilitate seismic characterizations of saline permafrost.

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