岩石物理驱动的储层裂缝参数与物性参数概率地震反演方法

长波长假设条件下,各向同性背景地层中发育一组平行排列的垂直裂缝可等效为具有水平对称轴的横向各向同性（HTI）介质.基于不同观测方位的岩石地震响应特征变化,宽方位地震数据不仅可实现裂缝岩石弹性参数与各向异性参数的预测,同时也蕴含着丰富的孔隙度等储层物性参数信息.本文结合实际地震资料提出了贝叶斯框架下岩石物理驱动的储层裂缝参数与物性参数概率地震联合反演方法,首先基于AVAZ反演裂缝岩石的弹性参数与各向异性参数,并在此基础上通过统计岩石物理模型表征孔隙度、裂缝密度等各向异性介质储层参数与裂缝岩石参数的相互关联,并采用马尔科夫链蒙特卡洛（MCMC）抽样方法进行大量样本的随机模拟,使用期望最大化（EM）算法估计后验条件概率分布,最终寻找最大后验条件概率对应的孔隙度、裂缝密度等HTI裂缝介质储层参数即为反演结果.测井及实际地震数据处理表明,该方法能够稳定合理地从方位地震资料中获取裂缝岩石弹性参数与各向异性参数,并提供了一种较为可靠的孔隙度、裂缝密度等裂缝介质储层参数概率地震反演方法.     

Seismic inversion for underground fractures detection based on effective anisotropy and fluid substitution

Underground fractures play an important role in the storage and movement of hydrocarbon fluid. Fracture rock physics has been the useful bridge between fracture parameters and seismic response. In this paper, we aim to use seismic data to predict subsurface fractures based on rock physics. We begin with the construction of fracture rock physics model. Using the model, we may estimate P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and fracture rock physics parameters. Then we derive a new approximate formula for the analysis of the relationship between fracture rock physics parameters and seismic response, and we also propose the method which uses seismic data to invert the elastic and rock physics parameters of fractured rock. We end with the method verification, which includes using well-logging data to confirm the reliability of fracture rock physics effective model and utilizing real seismic data to validate the applicability of the inversion method. Tests show that the fracture rock physics effective model may be used to estimate velocities and fracture rock physics parameters reliably, and the inversion method is resultful even when the seismic data is added with random noise. Real data test also indicates the inversion method can be applied into the estimation of the elastic and fracture weaknesses parameters in the target area.     

Azimuthally pre-stack seismic inversion for orthorhombic anisotropy driven by rock physics

Based on the long-wavelength approximation, a set of parallel vertical fractures embedded in periodic thin interbeds can be regarded as an equivalent orthorhombic medium. Rock physics is the basis for constructing the relationship between fracture parameters and seismic response. Seismic scattering is an effective way to inverse anisotropic parameters. In this study, we propose a reliable method for predicting the Thomsen’s weak anisotropic parameters and fracture weaknesses in an orthorhombic fractured reservoir using azimuthal pre-stack seismic data. First, considering the influence of fluid substitution in mineral matrix, porosity, fractures and anisotropic rocks, we estimate the orthorhombic anisotropic stiffness coefficients by constructing an equivalent rock physics model for fractured rocks. Further, we predict the logging elastic parameters, Thomsen’s weak parameters, and fracture weaknesses to provide the initial model constraints for the seismic inversion. Then, we derive the P-wave reflection coefficient equation for the inversion of Thomsen’s weak anisotropic parameters and fracture weaknesses. Cauchy-sparse and smoothing-model constraint regularization taken into account in a Bayesian framework, we finally develop a method of amplitude variation with angles of incidence and azimuth (AVAZ) inversion for Thomsen’s weak anisotropic parameters and fracture weaknesses, and the model parameters are estimated by using the nonlinear iteratively reweighted least squares (IRLS) strategy. Both synthetic and real examples show that the method can directly estimate the orthorhombic characteristic parameters from the azimuthally pre-stack seismic data, which provides a reliable seismic inversion method for predicting Thomsen’s weak anisotropic parameters and fracture weaknesses.     

Exact elastic impedance tensor for isotropic media

The existing expressions of elastic impedance,as the generalized form of acoustic impedance,represent the resistance of subsurface media to seismic waves of non-normal incidence,and thus include information on the shear-wave velocity.In this sense,conventional elastic impedance is an attribute of the seismic reflection and not an intrinsic physical property of the subsurface media.The derivation of these expressions shares the approximations made for reflectivity,such as weak impedance contrast andisotropic or weakly anisotropic media,which limits the accuracy of reflectivity reconstruction and seismic inversion.In this paper,we derive exact elastic impedance tensors of seismic P-and S-waves for isotropic media based on the stress-velocity law.Each componentof the impedance tensor represents a unique mechanical property of the medium.Approximations of P-wave elastic impedance tensor components are discussed for seismic inversion and interpretation.Application to synthetic data and real data shows the accuracy and robust interpretation capability of the derived elastic impedance in lithology characterizations.     

Azimuthal Seismic Amplitude Variation with Offset and Azimuth Inversion in Weakly Anisotropic Media with Orthorhombic Symmetry

Seismic amplitude variation with offset and azimuth (AVOaz) inversion is well known as a popular and pragmatic tool utilized to estimate fracture parameters. A single set of vertical fractures aligned along a preferred horizontal direction embedded in a horizontally layered medium can be considered as an effective long-wavelength orthorhombic medium. Estimation of Thomsen’s weak-anisotropy (WA) parameters and fracture weaknesses plays an important role in characterizing the orthorhombic anisotropy in a weakly anisotropic medium. Our goal is to demonstrate an orthorhombic anisotropic AVOaz inversion approach to describe the orthorhombic anisotropy utilizing the observable wide-azimuth seismic reflection data in a fractured reservoir with the assumption of orthorhombic symmetry. Combining Thomsen’s WA theory and linear-slip model, we first derive a perturbation in stiffness matrix of a weakly anisotropic medium with orthorhombic symmetry under the assumption of small WA parameters and fracture weaknesses. Using the perturbation matrix and scattering function, we then derive an expression for linearized PP-wave reflection coefficient in terms of P- and S-wave moduli, density, Thomsen’s WA parameters, and fracture weaknesses in such an orthorhombic medium, which avoids the complicated nonlinear relationship between the orthorhombic anisotropy and azimuthal seismic reflection data. Incorporating azimuthal seismic data and Bayesian inversion theory, the maximum a posteriori solutions of Thomsen’s WA parameters and fracture weaknesses in a weakly anisotropic medium with orthorhombic symmetry are reasonably estimated with the constraints of Cauchy a priori probability distribution and smooth initial models of model parameters to enhance the inversion resolution and the nonlinear iteratively reweighted least squares strategy. The synthetic examples containing a moderate noise demonstrate the feasibility of the derived orthorhombic anisotropic AVOaz inversion method, and the real data illustrate the inversion stabilities of orthorhombic anisotropy in a fractured reservoir.     

基于统计岩石物理模型的各向异性页岩储层参数反演

提出了各向异性页岩储层统计岩石物理反演方法.通过统计岩石物理模型建立储层物性参数与弹性参数的定量关系,使用测井数据及井中岩石物理反演结果作为先验信息,将地震阻抗数据定量解释为储层物性参数、各向异性参数的空间分布.反演过程在贝叶斯框架下求得储层参数的后验概率密度函数,并从中得到参数的最优估计值及其不确定性的定量描述.在此过程中综合考虑了岩石物理模型对复杂地下介质的描述偏差和地震数据中噪声对反演不确定性的影响.在求取最大后验概率过程中使用模拟退火优化粒子群算法以提高收敛速度和计算准确性.将统计岩石物理技术应用于龙马溪组页岩气储层,得到储层泥质含量、压实指数、孔隙度、裂缝密度等物性,以及各向异性参数的空间分布及相应的不确定性估计,为页岩气储层的定量描述提供依据.     

基于贝叶斯线性AVAZ的TTI介质裂缝参数反演

裂缝储层岩石物理参数的准确获得对地下裂缝预测具有重要意义,而叠前方位AVA地震反演是获得裂缝岩石物理参数的有效手段.假设地下岩石为倾斜横向各向同性（TTI）介质,本文从裂缝岩石物理等效模型的构建出发,从测井数据中估计出纵横波相对反射系数和裂缝柔度参数.通过推导含裂缝柔度的方位各向异性反射系数公式,基于贝叶斯反演框架建立了P波线性AVAZ反演方法.合成地震数据应用表明基于贝叶斯理论的TTI介质裂缝柔度反演方法具有一定抗噪性,可以降低裂缝柔度估测的不确定性,为地下裂缝预测提供有力的依据.     

储层弹性与物性参数地震叠前同步反演的确定性优化方法

储层弹性与物性参数可直接应用于储层岩性预测和流体识别,是储层综合评价和油气藏精细描述的基本要素之一.现有的储层弹性与物性参数地震同步反演方法大都基于Gassmann方程,使用地震叠前数据,通过随机优化方法反演储层弹性与物性参数;或基于Wyllie方程,使用地震叠后数据,通过确定性优化方法反演储层弹性与物性参数.本文提出一种基于Gassmann方程、通过确定性优化方法开展储层弹性和物性参数地震叠前反演的方法,该方法利用Gassmann方程建立储层物性参数与叠前地震观测数据之间的联系,在贝叶斯反演框架下以储层弹性与物性参数的联合后验概率为目标函数,通过将目标函数的梯度用泰勒公式展开得到储层弹性与物性参数联合的方程组,其中储层弹性参数对物性参数的梯度用差分形式表示,最后通过共轭梯度算法迭代求解得到储层弹性与物性参数的最优解.理论试算与实际资料反演结果证明了方法的可行性.     

Bayesian seismic inversion for estimating fluid content and fracture parameters in a gas-saturated fractured porous reservoir

Understanding the effects of in situ fluid content and fracture parameters on seismic characteristics is important for the subsurface exploration and production of fractured porous rocks. The ratio of normal-to-shear fracture compliance is typically utilized as a fluid indicator to evaluate anisotropy and identify fluids filling the fractures, but it represents an underdetermined problem because this fluid indicator varies as a function of both fracture geometry and fluid content. On the bases of anisotropic Gassmann's equation and linear-slip model, we suggest an anisotropic poroelasticity model for fractured porous reservoirs. By combining a perturbed stiffness matrix and asymptotic ray theory, we then construct a direct relationship between the PP-wave reflection coefficients and characteristic parameters of fluids(P-and S-wave moduli) and fractures(fracture quasi-weaknesses), thereby decoupling the effects of fluid and fracture properties on seismic reflection characterization.By incorporating fracture quasi-weakness parameters, we propose a novel parameterization method for elastic impedance variation with offset and azimuth(EIVOA). By incorporating wide-azimuth observable seismic reflection data with regularization constraints, we utilize Bayesian seismic inversion to estimate the fluid content and fracture parameters of fractured porous rocks. Tests on synthetic and real data demonstrate that fluid and fracture properties can be reasonably estimated directly from azimuthal seismic data and the proposed approach provides a reliable method for fluid identification and fracture characterization in a gas-saturated fractured porous reservoir.     

随机地震反演关键参数优选和效果分析(英文)

随机地震反演技术是将地质统计理论和地震反演相结合的反演方法,它将地震资料、测井资料和地质统计学信息融合为地下模型的后验概率分布,利用马尔科夫链蒙特卡洛(MCMC)方法对该后验概率分布采样,通过综合分析多个采样结果来研究后验概率分布的性质,进而认识地下情况。本文首先介绍了随机地震反演的原理,然后对影响随机地震反演效果的四个关键参数,即地震资料信噪比、变差函数、后验概率分布的样本个数和井网密度进行分析并给出其优化原则。资料分析表明地震资料信噪比控制地震资料和地质统计规律对反演结果的约束程度,变差函数影响反演结果的平滑程度,后验概率分布的样本个数决定样本统计特征的可靠性,而参与反演的井网密度则影响反演的不确定性。最后通过对比试验工区随机地震反演和基于模型的确定性地震反演结果,指出随机地震反演可以给出更符合地下实际情况的模型。     

Constructing a discrete fracture network constrained by seismic inversion data

Rock fractures are of great practical importance to petroleum reservoir engineering because they provide pathways for fluid flow, especially in reservoirs with low matrix permeability, where they constitute the primary flow conduits. Understanding the spatial distribution of natural fracture networks is thus key to optimising production. The impact of fracture systems on fluid flow patterns can be predicted using discrete fracture network models, which allow not only the 6 independent components of the second‐rank permeability tensor to be estimated, but also the 21 independent components of the fully anisotropic fourth‐rank elastic stiffness tensor, from which the elastic and seismic properties of the fractured rock medium can be predicted. As they are stochastically generated, discrete fracture network realisations are inherently non‐unique. It is thus important to constrain their construction, so as to reduce their range of variability and, hence, the uncertainty of fractured rock properties derived from them. This paper presents the underlying theory and implementation of a method for constructing a geologically realistic discrete fracture network, constrained by seismic amplitude variation with offset and azimuth data. Several different formulations are described, depending on the type of seismic data and prior geologic information available, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach are compared. Potential applications of the method are numerous, including the prediction of fluid flow, elastic and seismic properties of fractured reservoirs, model‐based inversion of seismic amplitude variation with offset and azimuth data, and the optimal placement and orientation of infill wells to maximise production.     

怀来、 延庆及其周边地区地壳 介质各向异性研究

提出了利用人工爆破P波走时反演地壳介质方位各向异性参数的方法. 在假定介质是弱各向异性介质的情况下, 使用扰动理论得到了线性化的反演公式, 其中待反演的弱各向异性参数是P波走时的线性函数. 如果在反演公式中参考走时取相同震中距接收点的P波平均走时, 那么所获得的弱各向异性参数与参考介质速度的选取无关. 反演得到的弱各向异性参数可以看作是不同震中距和不同深度范围内介质的等效弱各向异性参数. 等效弱各向异性参数在一定程度上反映了不同深度范围内水平方向相速度随方位的变化. 这种变化可能是不同时期构造应力作用的结果. 2007年中国地震局在首都圈怀来地区实施了一次大吨位人工爆破实验, 以爆破点为中心, 布设了高密度的地震观测台网和台阵. 台站相对于爆破点具有360°的全方位覆盖, 所得到的地震记录数据为研究怀来、 延庆地区地壳介质P波方位各向异性提供了必要条件. 我们通过走时反演获得了与水平方位相关的弱各向异性参数, 并对弱各向异性参数进行坐标变换, 得到了能够直观描述岩石弱各向异性的具有水平对称轴的横向各向同性介质, 给出了对应的3个独立弱各向异性参数及其对称轴方位, 讨论了介质各向异性与构造应力场的关系. 结果表明该地区地壳介质存在明显的方位各向异性, 其最大值约为4.6%.      

Constraining the anisotropy structure of the crust by joint inversion of seismic reflection travel times and wave polarizations

In the context of wide-angle seismic profiling, the determination of the physical properties of the Earth crust, such as the elastic layer depth and seismic velocity, is often performed by inversion of P- and/or S-phases propagation data supplying the geometry of the medium (reflector depths) or any other structural parameter (P- or S-wave velocity, density...). Moreover, the inversion for velocity structure and interfaces is commonly performed using only seismic reflection travel times and/or crustal phase amplitudes in isotropic media. But it is very important to utilize more available information to constrain the non-uniqueness of the solution. In this paper, we present a simultaneous inversion method of seismic reflection travel times and polarizations data of transient elastic waves in stratified media to reconstruct not only layer depth and vertical P-wave velocity but also the anisotropy feature of the crust based on the estimation of the Thomsen’s parameters. We carry out a checking with synthetic data, comparing the inversion results obtained by anisotropic travel-time inversion to the results derived by joint inversion of seismic reflection travel times and polarizations data. The comparison proves that the first procedure leads to biased anisotropic models, while the second one fits nearly the real model. This makes the joint inversion method feasible. Finally, we investigate the geometry, P-wave velocity structure and anisotropy of the crust beneath Southeastern China by applying the proposed inversion method to previously acquired wide-angle seismic data. In this case, the anisotropy signature provides clear evidence that the Jiangshan-Shaoxing fault is the natural boundary between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks.     

Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for target-oriented and interval-oriented amplitude versus angle inversions with non-parametric priors and non-linear forward modellings

In geophysical inverse problems, the posterior model can be analytically assessed only in case of linear forward operators, Gaussian, Gaussian mixture, or generalized Gaussian prior models, continuous model properties, and Gaussian-distributed noise contaminating the observed data. For this reason, one of the major challenges of seismic inversion is to derive reliable uncertainty appraisals in cases of complex prior models, non-linear forward operators and mixed discrete-continuous model parameters. We present two amplitude versus angle inversion strategies for the joint estimation of elastic properties and litho-fluid facies from pre-stack seismic data in case of non-parametric mixture prior distributions and non-linear forward modellings. The first strategy is a two-dimensional target-oriented inversion that inverts the amplitude versus angle responses of the target reflections by adopting the single-interface full Zoeppritz equations. The second is an interval-oriented approach that inverts the pre-stack seismic responses along a given time interval using a one-dimensional convolutional forward modelling still based on the Zoeppritz equations. In both approaches, the model vector includes the facies sequence and the elastic properties of P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and density. The distribution of the elastic properties at each common-mid-point location (for the target-oriented approach) or at each time-sample position (for the time-interval approach) is assumed to be multimodal with as many modes as the number of litho-fluid facies considered. In this context, an analytical expression of the posterior model is no more available. For this reason, we adopt a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to numerically evaluate the posterior uncertainties. With the aim of speeding up the convergence of the probabilistic sampling, we adopt a specific recipe that includes multiple chains, a parallel tempering strategy, a delayed rejection updating scheme and hybridizes the standard Metropolis–Hasting algorithm with the more advanced differential evolution Markov chain method. For the lack of available field seismic data, we validate the two implemented algorithms by inverting synthetic seismic data derived on the basis of realistic subsurface models and actual well log data. The two approaches are also benchmarked against two analytical inversion approaches that assume Gaussian-mixture-distributed elastic parameters. The final predictions and the convergence analysis of the two implemented methods proved that our approaches retrieve reliable estimations and accurate uncertainties quantifications with a reasonable computational effort.     

叠前反演和地震吸收技术在复杂天然气藏地震预测中的应用

针对某复杂断块天然气目标储层,在岩石物理分析的指导下,综合利用地质、地震、测井等资料,提出了一套面向复杂天然气藏的叠前地震预测技术.首先基于地震岩石物理分析得到的初始横波信息,采用叠前贝叶斯非线性三参数反演得到了井旁控制点处精确纵横波速度和密度信息,然后通过叠前/叠后联合反演技术实现了面向目标的弹性阻抗体反演及含气储层敏感参数直接提取,最后结合小波变换时频谱分析的方法从叠前地震资料中估算地层吸收参数值,提高天然气藏识别精度.实际应用表明,综合各种叠前地震预测技术,可以大大提高对复杂天然气藏的识别精度,降低勘探风险.     

Cauchy prior distribution-based AVO elastic parameter estimation via weakly nonlinear waveform inversion

Cauchy priori distribution-based Bayesian AVO reflectivity inversion may lead to sparse estimates that are sensitive to large reflectivities. For the inversion, the computation of the covariance matrix and regularized terms requires prior estimation of model parameters, which makes the iterative inversion weakly nonlinear. At the same time, the relations among the model parameters are assumed linear. Furthermore, the reflectivities, the results of the inversion, or the elastic parameters with cumulative error recovered by integrating reflectivities are not well suited for detecting hydrocarbons and fuids. In contrast, in Bayesian linear AVO inversion, the elastic parameters can be directly extracted from prestack seismic data without linear assumptions for the model parameters. Considering the advantages of the abovementioned methods, the Bayesian AVO reflectivity inversion process is modified and Cauchy distribution is explored as a prior probability distribution and the time-variant covariance is also considered. Finally, we propose a new method for the weakly nonlinear AVO waveform inversion. Furthermore, the linear assumptions are abandoned and elastic parameters, such as P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity, and density, can be directly recovered from seismic data especially for interfaces with large reflectivities. Numerical analysis demonstrates that all the elastic parameters can be estimated from prestack seismic data even when the signal-to-noise ratio of the seismic data is low.     

Reservoir parameter inversion based on weighted statistics

Variation of reservoir physical properties can cause changes in its elastic parameters. However, this is not a simple linear relation. Furthermore, the lack of observations, data overlap, noise interference, and idealized models increases the uncertainties of the inversion result. Thus, we propose an inversion method that is different from traditional statistical rock physics modeling. First, we use deterministic and stochastic rock physics models considering the uncertainties of elastic parameters obtained by prestack seismic inversion and introduce weighting coefficients to establish a weighted statistical relation between reservoir and elastic parameters. Second, based on the weighted statistical relation, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations to generate the random joint distribution space of reservoir and elastic parameters that serves as a sample solution space of an objective function. Finally, we propose a fast solution criterion to maximize the posterior probability density and obtain reservoir parameters. The method has high efficiency and application potential.     

Integrating basin modeling with seismic technology and rock physics

We explore the link between basin modelling and seismic inversion by applying different rock physics models. This study uses the E‐Dragon II data in the Gulf of Mexico. To investigate the impact of different rock physics models on the link between basin modelling and seismic inversion, we first model relationships between seismic velocities and both (1) porosity and (2) effective stress for well‐log data using published rock physics models. Then, we build 1D basin models to predict seismic velocities derived from basin modelling with different rock physics models, in a comparison with average sonic velocities measured in the wells. Finally, we examine how basin modelling outputs can be used to aid seismic inversion by providing constraints for the background low‐frequency model. For this, we run different scenarios of inverting near angle partial stack seismic data into elastic impedances to test the impact of the background model on the quality of the inversion results. The results of the study suggest that the link between basin modelling and seismic technology is a two‐way interaction in terms of potential applications, and the key to refine it is establishing a rock physics models that properly describes changes in seismic signatures reflecting changes in rock properties.     

致密砂岩气藏裂隙-孔隙型弹性岩石物理模板研究:以川西坳陷A区为例

相对于常规砂岩,致密砂岩在岩石物理性质、力学性质等方面具有明显差异,并呈现出很强的非均质性.岩石物理模型能将储层参数与地震特性信息联系起来,因此可以作为致密砂岩储层参数与地震特性信息转换的桥梁.常规的岩石物理模型通常只考虑单一因素(例如非均匀性,单一孔隙,单一尺度等),建立的岩石物理模板并不适用于致密砂岩.本文针对高饱和气、微裂隙发育、非均质性强的致密砂岩储层,利用Voigt-Reuss-Hill模型计算混合矿物的弹性模量,采用微分等效介质(DEM)模型描述含裂隙、孔隙岩石的骨架弹性模量,基于Biot-Rayleigh波动方程构建了岩石物理弹性模板,给出了致密砂岩储层弹性参数与物性的关系.基于测井数据和实验数据对岩石物理弹性模板进行校正,并将校正后的岩石物理弹性模板结合叠前地震资料应用于川西地区储层孔隙度与裂隙含量预测.结果显示,反演裂隙含量、孔隙度与储层试气报告、测井孔隙度基本吻合,表明该模板能够较合理地应用于致密砂岩储层孔隙度及裂隙含量解释中.