Azimuthal anisotropy analysis of walkaround vertical seismic profiling vertical seismic profiling: a case study from Saudi Arabia

Understanding fracture orientations is important for optimal field development of fractured reservoirs because fractures can act as conduits for fluid flow. This is especially true for unconventional reservoirs (e.g., tight gas sands and shale gas). Using walkaround Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) technology presents a unique opportunity to identify seismic azimuthal anisotropy for use in mapping potential fracture zones and their orientation around a borehole. Saudi Aramco recently completed the acquisition, processing and analysis of a walkaround VSP survey through an unconventional tight gas sand reservoir to help characterize fractures. In this paper, we present the results of the seismic azimuthal anisotropy analysis using seismic traveltime, shear‐wave splitting and amplitude attenuation. The azimuthal anisotropy results are compared to the fracture orientations derived from dipole sonic and image logs. The image log interpretation suggests that an orthorhombic fracture system is present. VSP data show that the P‐wave traveltime anisotropy direction is NE to SW. This is consistent with the cemented fractures from the image log interpretation. The seismic amplitude attenuation anisotropy direction is NW to SE. This is consistent with one of the two orientations obtained using transverse to radial amplitude ratio analysis, with the dipole sonic and with open fracture directions interpreted from image log data.     

地震各向异性——多组裂隙对横波偏振的影响

通过对多分量地震资料的分析,我们发现随着频率的增加横波分裂时差减小.对于深部接收的VSP数据来说快横波的偏振方向保持不变,而对于浅层接收的VSP数据来说偏振方向却存在一个最大可以达到20°的旋转.尽管多尺度随机分布微裂隙岩石物理模型已经成功地模拟并解释了横波分裂时差随频率变化的现象,却不能解释与频率相关的横波分裂.据推测,如果微裂隙的排列方向和大裂隙的排列方向不同,利用低频信息获得的偏振方向将指示裂隙主方向,而利用高频信息获得的偏振方向则指示微裂隙方向.在背景多孔隙介质中存在多组裂隙的情况下,推导出垂直入射条件下横波偏振方向的解析式,给出了系统研究横波在介质中传播的方法.研究结果表明,横波偏振方向会随着频率的变化而变化,并且在入射方位、角度一定的条件下,是裂隙方位和密度的函数,这些认识可能有助于揭示观测到的、依赖频率变化的横波偏振现象.     

ANISOTROPY DETECTED IN SHALLOW CLAYS USING SHEAR-WAVE SPLITTING IN A VSP SURVEY1

Shear waves can provide valuable information about seismic anisotropy. On entering an anisotropic medium, a shear wave generally splits (shear-wave splitting) into a fast and a slow quasi-shear wave with polarizations fixed by the elastic properties of the medium and direction of travel. If the medium contains planar discontinuities with common normals, the fast shear wave will be suitably propagated if its polarization lies in the plane of the discontinuities. Measuring this polarization, using a VSP geometry with oriented three-component geophones in the borehole, offers the possibility of monitoring the orientation and density of the discontinuities as a function of depth. Such a shear-wave VSP was carried out in an uncased 0.3 m diameter borehole drilled to a depth of 120 m in the north of The Netherlands. The upper 80 m of the sequence, consisting of a glacial till and sands and clays of Pleistocene age, was studied. The clays in this sequence have been subjected to glacial deformation and as a result are overconsolidated and locally fissured. In our shallow VSP experiment, shear-wave splitting and therefore anisotropy was identified at various geophone depths for one source offset. Hodograms showed a consistent polarization of the fast shear-wave component over a large depth interval. Under the assumption that the anisotropy was caused by planar discontinuities with common normals, this polarization direction gives the strike of the fissures in this interval. The polarization direction of the fast S-wave did not correspond exactly with the strike which was obtained from geological information on the fissures. The geological information was from undisturbed oriented 70 mm core samples taken at 3 m intervals in the borehole. The discrepancy, however, could be explained in terms of dipping fissures, and such a dip was confirmed by the geological and geotechnical information. The orientation of fissures is an important factor in the directional deformation and strength characteristics of clays as far as geotechnical behaviour is concerned. This study thus illustrates a practical application of shear-wave splitting observed in shallow shear-wave VSP for geology and geotechnical engineering.     

利用横波分裂分析方法研究地壳各向异性综述

利用横波分裂分析获取地下介质的各向异性参数,已成为研究壳幔介质变形特征最为有效的方法之一。本文首先介绍横波分裂理论方程的推导过程;然后阐述目前几种较为常用的拾取横波分裂参数的方法;最后总结近年来横波分裂分析方法的发展现状及其在地壳介质各向异性研究方面取得的成果。我们认为尽管横波分裂分析方法被广泛应用于地壳介质各向异性研究,但是它也存在一些固有的局限性,期望未来能发展一种更为可靠、有效的方法以及数据处理流程来准确拾取横波分裂参数。     

Modelling frequency-dependent seismic anisotropy in fluid-saturated rock with aligned fractures: implication of fracture size estimation from anisotropic measurements

Measurements of seismic anisotropy in fractured rock are used at present to deduce information about the fracture orientation and the spatial distribution of fracture intensity. Analysis of the data is based upon equivalent-medium theories that describe the elastic response of a rock containing cracks or fractures in the long-wavelength limit. Conventional models assume frequency independence and cannot distinguish between microcracks and macrofractures. The latter, however, control the fluid flow in many subsurface reservoirs. Therefore, the fracture size is essential information for reservoir engineers. In this study we apply a new equivalent-medium theory that models frequency-dependent anisotropy and is sensitive to the length scale of fractures. The model considers velocity dispersion and attenuation due to a squirt-flow mechanism at two different scales: the grain scale (microcracks and equant matrix porosity) and formation-scale fractures. The theory is first tested and calibrated against published laboratory data. Then we present the analysis and modelling of frequency-dependent shear-wave splitting in multicomponent VSP data from a tight gas reservoir. We invert for fracture density and fracture size from the frequency dependence of the time delay between split shear waves. The derived fracture length matches independent observations from borehole data.     

不同尺度裂缝对弹性波速度和各向异性影响的实验研究

裂缝广泛分布于地球介质中并且具有多尺度的特点,裂缝尺度对于油气勘探和开发有着重要的意义.本文制作了一组含不同长度裂缝的人工岩样,其中三块含裂缝岩样中的裂缝直径分别为2 mm、3 mm和4 mm,裂缝的厚度都约为0.06 mm,裂缝密度大致相同(分别为4.8%、4.86%和4.86%).在岩样含水的条件下测试不同方向上的纵横波速度,实验结果表明,虽然三块裂缝岩样中的裂缝密度大致相同,但是含不同直径裂缝岩样的纵横波速度存在差异.在各个方向上,含数量众多的小尺度裂缝的岩样中纵横波速度都明显低于含少量的大尺度裂缝的岩样中纵横波速度.尤其是对纵波速度和SV波速度,在不同尺度裂缝岩样中的差异更明显.在含数量多的小尺度裂缝的岩样中纵波各向异性和横波各向异性最高,而含少量的大尺度的裂缝的岩样中的纵波各向异性和横波各向异性较低.实验测量结果与Hudson理论模型预测结果进行了对比分析,结果发现Hudson理论考虑到了裂缝尺度对纵波速度和纵波各向异性的影响,但是忽略了其对横波速度和横波各向异性的影响.     

Seismic anisotropy in a hydrocarbon field estimated from microseismic data

The study of seismic anisotropy in exploration seismology is gaining interest as it provides valuable information about reservoir properties and stress directions. In this study we estimate anisotropy in a petroleum field in Oman using observations of shear‐wave splitting from microseismic data. The data set was recorded by arrays of borehole geophones deployed in five wells. We analyse nearly 3400 microearthquakes, yielding around 8500 shear‐wave splitting measurements. Stringent quality control reduces the number of reliable measurements to 325. Shear‐wave splitting modelling in a range of rock models is then used to guide the interpretation. The difference between the fast and slow shear‐wave velocities along the raypath in the field ranges between 0–10% and it is controlled both by lithology and proximity to the NE‐SW trending graben fault system that cuts the field formations. The anisotropy is interpreted in terms of aligned fractures or cracks superimposed on an intrinsic vertical transversely isotropic (VTI) rock fabric. The highest magnitudes of anisotropy are within the highly fractured uppermost unit of the Natih carbonate reservoir. Anisotropy decreases with depth, with the lowest magnitudes found in the deep part of the Natih carbonate formation. Moderate amounts of anisotropy are found in the shale cap rock. Anisotropy also varies laterally with the highest anisotropy occurring either side of the south‐eastern graben fault. The predominant fracture strikes, inferred from the fast shear‐wave polarizations, are consistent with the trends of the main faults (NE‐SW and NW‐SE). The majority of observations indicate subvertical fracture dip (>70° ). Cumulatively, these observations show how studies of shear‐wave splitting using microseismic data can be used to characterize fractures, important information for the exploitation of many reservoirs.     

乌海地区剪切波分裂研究

根据乌海地区构造环境,采用SAM方法研究乌海地区地壳各向异性特征,使用乌海地震台2014年1月至2020年6月数字地震波形进行分析。根据65个有效地震记录,得到乌海地区剪切波分裂参数,其中快剪切波平均优势偏振方向为NE63.1°±46.4°,慢剪切波平均时间延迟为（1.13±0.66）ms/km。乌海地震台快剪切波偏振显示出4个优势偏振方向,分别为NE、EW、NNE、NNW向。将得到的各向异性结果与研究区应力场和地质构造进行分析,认为研究区周边复杂的剪切波分裂变化是主压应力场、原地主压应力、断裂带分布共同作用的结果。     

横波各向异性在裂缝和应力分析中的应用

针对裂缝性和低孔低渗地层的横波各向异性特征,反演得到横波各向异性参数,研究了裂缝的发育程度、方位和有效性,并对低孔低渗地层的应力场分布状态和方位进行了综合评价;通过对反演得到的快、慢弯曲波形进行频散分析以及计算单极横波各向异性大小,确定了引起横波各向异性的原因,并结合常规测井资料、岩心及FMI成像资料对分析结果进行了验证和对比,最后对研究区8口典型井的横波各向异性进行了综合处理和评价,得到了该区的横波各向异性特征以及和总的应力场走向.结果表明,利用横波的各向异性参数可以有效的评价裂缝的发育程度、走向及有效性,并能准确的确定地应力分布状态和最大水平应力方位.     

利用含可控裂缝人工岩样研究裂缝密度对各向异性的影响

利用新方法制作出含可控裂缝的双孔隙人工砂岩物理模型,具有与天然岩石更为接近的矿物成分、孔隙结构和胶结方式,其中裂缝密度、裂缝尺寸和裂缝张开度等裂缝参数可以控制以得到实验所需要的裂缝参数,岩样具有真实的孔隙和裂缝空间并可以在不同饱和流体状态下研究流体性质对于裂缝介质性质的影响.本次实验制作出一组具有不同裂缝密度的含裂缝人工岩样,对岩样利用SEM扫描电镜分析可以看到真实的孔隙结构和符合我们要求的裂缝参数,岩样被加工成八面棱柱以测量不同方向上弹性波传播的速度,用0.5 MHz的换能器使用透射法测量在饱和空气和饱和水条件下各个样品不同方向上的纵横波速度,并得出纵横波速度、横波分裂系数和纵横波各向异性强度受裂缝密度和饱和流体的影响.研究发现流体对于纵波速度和纵波各向异性强度的影响较强,而横波速度、横波分裂系数和横波各向异性强度受饱和流体的影响不大,但是对裂缝密度的变化更敏感.     

Azimuthal anisotropy in lithosphere on the Chinese mainland from observations of SKS at CDSN

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Shear wave splitting and polarization anomaly with deep seismic sounding data

In this paper we study the S wave basement velocity structure and S wave splitting and polarization anomalies using the three component records of deep seismic sounding in the Three Groges Dam area, and further discuss the methods to study the anisotropy of crustal medium, the direction of regional tectonic stress field, and the physical indicator of potential earthquake sources using shear wave splitting and polarization anomalies. It has been demonstrated by analyzing the DSS data in the Three Gorges Dam area that S wave splitting and polarization anomalies are reliable means for studying seismic anisotropy of crustal medium and the direction of regional tectonic stress field. At the same time, it has been shown that DSS data are very useful for widening S wave observing window and distinguishing anomalous body, because DSS data have the advantage that the source position is known prior and S wave ray path can be traced exactly. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,15, 1–3, 1993.     

Investigation of upper crust anisotropy in Ghaen-Birjand region, east-central Iran

IntroductionWhenpropagatingthroughananisotropicmedium,ashearwavesplitsintotwo(quasi)shearwaveswithdifferentpropagationspeedsandpolarizedorthogonally.Owingtotherecentdevel-opmentofseismicobservationsystem,detectionofshearwavessplittingwithverysmalldelaytimesbetweenfasterandslowershearwavesbecameavailableandprovidedpowerfulapproachfordetectionofcrustalanisotropy.Crampin(1978)emphasizedtheroleofalignedmicrocracksasacauseofcrustalanisotropyandpointedoutthatforverticallyalignedmicrocracksthedirecti…     

EXAMINATION OF A SPECTRAL METHOD FOR MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF ANISOTROPY1

The most diagnostic effect of anisotropy on shear waves is shear-wave splitting. This phenomenon creates a distinctive signature in the 3D particle motion. Methods to extract the effects of anisotropy from shear-wave data attempt to measure details of this motion. Many techniques have been published recently which process the shear waves in the time or frequency domain. Here we examine the way in which information on the interference effects between the split shear waves is contained within the frequency domain, and suggest some criteria which may be used in future processing algorithms. The time-delay between the split shear waves, and the polarization direction of the leading shear wave can be converted into easily measured features from analysis of the Fourier spectrum of the shear-wave signal on each component of motion. These features arise in the spectral interference patterns which are formed by the interaction between the two closely-spaced and similar waveforms. The interference patterns are interpreted for synthetic and observed seismogram data.     

Fluid-dependent shear-wave splitting in a poroelastic medium with conjugate fracture sets

The dependence of shear‐wave splitting in fractured reservoirs on the properties of the filling fluid may provide a useful attribute for identifying reservoir fluids. If the direction of wave propagation is not perpendicular or parallel to the plane of fracturing, the wave polarized in the plane perpendicular to the fractures is a quasi‐shear mode, and therefore the shear‐wave splitting will be sensitive to the fluid bulk modulus. The magnitude of this sensitivity depends upon the extent to which fluid pressure can equilibrate between pores and fractures during the period of the deformation. In this paper, we use the anisotropic Gassmann equations and existing formulations for the excess compliance due to fracturing to estimate the splitting of vertically propagating shear waves as a function of the fluid modulus for a porous medium with a single set of dipping fractures and with two conjugate fracture sets, dipping with opposite dips to the vertical. This is achieved using two alternative approaches. In the first approach, it is assumed that the deformation taking place is quasi‐static: that is, the frequency of the elastic disturbance is low enough to allow enough time for fluid to flow between both the fractures and the pore space throughout the medium. In the second approach, we assume that the frequency is low enough to allow fluid flow between a fracture set and the surrounding pore space, but high enough so that there is not enough time during the period of the elastic disturbance for fluid flow between different fracture sets to occur. It is found that the second approach yields a much stronger dependence of shear‐wave splitting on the fluid modulus than the first approach. This is a consequence of the fact that at higher wave frequencies there is not enough time for fluid pressure to equilibrate and therefore the elastic properties of the fluid have a greater effect on the magnitude of the shear‐wave splitting.     

基于二维三分量伪谱法模拟数据的EDA介质中横波分裂研究

为了检测定向裂隙介质中横波分裂的方位属性特征,分析地震属性随裂隙密度和方位变化,采用人工吸收边界和反周期扩展边界,用伪谱法获得不同裂隙密度和不同方位地质模型三分量地面记录;应用时频分析和剪切波偏振分析研究由于裂隙方位和密度引起的横波分裂.结果显示,裂隙密度和方位决定着横波分裂的时差和偏振.快慢横波的延迟时间随裂隙密度增大而增加,不同方位相同裂隙密度的横波分裂时差有微小的变化.在45°方位检测时间延迟时间最大.通过时频分析,可以看到不同方位的瞬时主频有显著的变化,在横波分裂处瞬时主频有明显变化.因此,瞬时主频和快横波的偏振以及延迟时间可以作为裂隙方位和密度的指示.     

美国Cove Fort-Sulphurdale地热区地震震源机制和各向异性研究

Cove Fort-Sulphurdale位于美国犹他州中西部, 是一个地质特征独特的地热资源富集区． 为了有效开发地热资源, 有必要了解该地区的应力分布和裂缝分布． 本文在前人工作的基础上使用地震资料, 利用波形匹配、 P波极性和横纵波振幅比联合约束反演的方法, 研究该地区地震的震源机制解; 同时结合该地区的横波分裂分析研究, 确定该地区的应力分布和断层/裂隙走向． 波形反演结果显示, 实际数据与模拟数据的波形匹配度非常高, 且二者的P波初动极性和横纵波振幅比也都非常相近． 由震源机制分析得出的断层面走向大部分趋于南北向, 与美国区域应力图显示的最大水平主应力指向(南北方向), 具有较好的一致性, 符合目前研究对该地区的构造认知． 横波分裂分析结果也表明如果各向异性主要是由该地区的断裂构造所引起, 那么该地区的主要断层或裂缝的方向可能为南北向．      

煤样的超声速度和衰减各向异性测试实例

我们利用脉冲传输技术对某一煤层采集的岩样,加工成两类模型（22个8面体和两个20面柱体样品）做超声P波和S波测试.测试分析结果表明：煤样中定向排列的裂隙存在产生明显的速度各向异性、横波分裂和衰减各向异性.同时还发现纵波的动力学特征变化比运动学特征更明显,纵波衰减随裂隙方位的变化明显大于横波.这为利用纵波属性的变化进行裂隙检测和预测提供可靠实验依据.     

Fluid‐dependent shear‐wave splitting in fractured media

Azimuthal anisotropy in rocks can result from the presence of one or more sets of partially aligned fractures with orientations determined by the stress history of the rock. A shear wave propagating in an azimuthally anisotropic medium splits into two components with different polarizations if the source polarization is not aligned with the principal axes of the medium. For vertical propagation of shear waves in a horizontally layered medium containing vertical fractures, the shear‐wave splitting depends on the shear compliance of the fractures, but is independent of their normal compliance. If the fractures are not perfectly vertical, the shear‐wave splitting also depends on the normal compliance of the fractures. The normal compliance of a fluid‐filled fracture decreases with increasing fluid bulk modulus. For dipping fractures, this results in a decrease in shear‐wave splitting and an increase in shear‐wave velocity with increasing fluid bulk modulus. The sensitivity of the shear‐wave splitting to fluid bulk modulus depends on the interconnectivity of the fracture network, the permeability of the background medium and on whether the fracture is fully or partially saturated.     

南极长城站地壳和上地幔各向异性分析

利用我国第24次和第25次南极科学考察队于2008年2月—2010年3月南极长城站记录到的地震事件数据进行剪切波分裂研究. 选取近震事件对Sg波进行剪切波分裂计算,结果表明快波偏振方向有两个,分别为北东向和近南北向; 慢波延迟时间的范围为1.45—5.17 ms/km,平均值为3.54 ms/km.同时选取长城站记录到的远震数据SKS波震相进行剪切波分裂计算,得出上地幔快波偏振方向优势取向为北东向, 慢波延迟时间平均值为1.60 s. 剪切波分裂结果显示长城站地区地壳和上地幔具有明显的各向异性, 并显示长城站地区地壳与上地幔快波偏振方向几乎平行,表明壳幔变形的一致关系.另外,地壳和上地幔各向异性的快波偏振方向不仅与长城站附近的海沟方向平行,同时也与绝对板块的运动方向平行.该结果进一步说明了绝对板块的运动是构成上地幔各向异性的主要原因.