Calculation of elastic properties in lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples

In-situ elastic properties in deep boreholes are controlled by several factors, mainly by lithology, petrofabric, fluid-filled cracks and pores. In order to separate the effects of different factors it is useful to extract lithology-controlled part from observedin-situ velocities. For that purpose we calculated mineralogical composition and isotropic crack-free elastic properties in the lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples. We use a new technique of petrophysical modeling based on thermodynamic approach. The reasonable accuracy of the modeling is confirmed by comparison with the observations of mineralogical composition and laboratory measurements of density and elastic wave velocities in upper crustal crystalline rocks at high confining pressure. Calculations were carried out for 896 core samples from the depth segment of 6840–10535m. Using these results we estimate density and crack-free isotropic elastic properties of 554 lithology-defined layers composing this depth segment. Average synthetic P- wave velocity appears to be 2.7% higher than the velocity from Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), and 5% higher than sonic log velocity. Average synthetic S-wave velocity is 1.4 % higher than that from VSP. These differences can be explained by superposition of effects of fabric-related anisotropy, cracks aligned parallel to the foliation plain, and randomly oriented cracks, with the effect of cracks being the predominant control. Low sonic log velocities are likely caused by drilling-induced cracking (hydrofractures) in the borehole walls. The calculated synthetic density and velocity cross-sections can be used for much more detailed interpretations, for which, however, new, more detailed and reliable seismic data are required.     

Thomsen's parameters from p‐wave measurements in a spherical sample‡

The aim of this paper is to understand the seismic anisotropy of the overburden shale in an oilfield in the North West Shelf of Western Australia. To this end, we first find the orientation of the symmetry axis of a spherical shale sample from measurements of ultrasonic P‐wave velocities in 132 directions at the reservoir pressure. After transforming the data to the symmetry axis coordinates, we find Thomsen's anisotropy parameters δ and ? using these measurements and measurements of the shear‐wave velocity along the symmetry axis from a well log. To find these anisotropy parameters, we use a very fast simulated re‐annealing algorithm with an objective function that contains only the measured ray velocities, their numerical derivatives and the unknown elasticity parameters. The results show strong elliptical anisotropy in the overburden shale. This approach produces smaller uncertainty of Thomsen parameter δ than more direct approaches.     

Elastic constants and velocity surfaces of indurated anisotropic shales

The velocities of two Devonian-Mississippian shales have been measured to confining pressures of 200 MPa in a laboratory study of anisotropy and wave propagation. Both samples were found to be transversely isotropic at elevated pressures with the main symmetry axis perpendicular to bedding. The elastic constants of the shales were used to calculate phase and group velocity surfaces as a function of angle to the bedding normal. Multiple velocity measurements in non-symmetry directions, not undertaken in previously published studies of shales, have been used to confirm features observed on calculated velocity surfaces. It is demonstrated that velocities measured in non-symmetry directions are phase velocities. Group velocities were found to be significantly lower than the corresponding phase velocities of the shales due to their high anisotropies. Shear wave splitting was found to be negligible for propagation directions within approximately 30° of the bedding normals.     

Quantifying Damage, Saturation and Anisotropy in Cracked Rocks by Inverting Elastic Wave Velocities

Crack damage results in a decrease of elastic wave velocities and in the development of anisotropy. Using non-interactive crack effective medium theory as a fundamental tool, we calculate dry and wet elastic properties of cracked rocks in terms of a crack density tensor, average crack aspect ratio and mean crack fabric orientation from the solid grains and fluid elastic properties. Using this same tool, we show that both the anisotropy and shear-wave splitting of elastic waves can be derived. Two simple crack distributions are considered for which the predicted anisotropy depends strongly on the saturation, reaching up to 60% in the dry case. Comparison with experimental data on two granites, a basalt and a marble, shows that the range of validity of the non-interactive effective medium theory model extends to a total crack density of approximately 0.5, considering symmetries up to orthorhombic. In the isotropic case, Kachanov's (1994) non-interactive effective medium model was used in order to invert elastic wave velocities and infer both crack density and aspect ratio evolutions. Inversions are stable and give coherent results in terms of crack density and aperture evolution. Crack density variations can be interpreted in terms of crack growth and/or changes of the crack surface contact areas as cracks are being closed or opened respectively. More importantly, the recovered evolution of aspect ratio shows an exponentially decreasing aspect ratio (and therefore aperture) with pressure, which has broader geophysical implications, in particular on fluid flow. The recovered evolution of aspect ratio is also consistent with current mechanical theories of crack closure. In the anisotropic cases—both transverse isotropic and orthorhombic symmetries were considered—anisotropy and saturation patterns were well reproduced by the modelling, and mean crack fabric orientations we recovered are consistent with in situ geophysical imaging. Our results point out that: (1) It is possible to predict damage, anisotropy and saturation in terms of a crack density tensor and mean crack aspect ratio and orientation; (2) using well constrained wave velocity data, it is possible to extrapolate the contemporaneous evolution of crack density, anisotropy and saturation using wave velocity inversion as a tool; 3) using such an inversion tool opens the door in linking elastic properties, variations to permeability.     

低孔隙度泥页岩应力依赖的各向异性裂纹演化特性研究

本文在实验室对所获取的东营地区层理发育的低孔隙度页岩和泥岩的各向异性裂纹演化特性进行了研究,获得了各向同性条件下泥页岩的力学与超声波响应特性,分析了应力幅度对于页岩声波速度和各向异性的影响.主要结论包括:(1)泥页岩在循环载荷下存在滞后效应,表明其经历了去压实或油气产生导致的超压;(2)泥岩和页岩具有不同程度的各向异性,随着各向同性压力的增高微裂隙逐渐闭合,样品的各向异性程度减弱;(3)分析了岩石韧度和裂纹损伤参数随压力的变化特征,相比泥岩,页岩各向异性程度更高,随压力变化更明显,其裂纹导致的附加各向异性更强;(4)分析了各向异性岩石的动态弹性模量特征,由于软裂隙空间的闭合,动态弹性模量在低压条件下都随着围压的增加有硬化趋势.     

气煤弹性各向异性系数实验测试

气煤裂隙丰富,具有弹性各向异性,确定气煤弹性各向异性类型与大小,对煤田各向异性研究具有重要意义. 本文在对气煤煤样孔隙率测试的基础上,测量了顺煤层面、垂直于煤层面、与煤层面成45°三个方向上纵波速度（V_P）和横波速度（V_SH、V_SV）,计算弹性常数. 对于具有垂向对称轴横向各向同性模型,各向异性系数平均值|ε|≤0.2、|δ|≤0.2和|γ|≤0.2,表明气煤是弱各向异性介质;对于横向对称轴横向各向异性模型,各向异性系数平均值ε(V)≈δ(V),按照Thomsen观点气煤各向异性是由椭圆裂隙引起弹性各向异性.本文还讨论了各向异性系数与孔隙率的关系,表明各向异性的大小与孔隙率之间有一定的关系. 因此当煤层厚度与其顶底板岩性不变或变化很小,可以认为气煤各向异性主要由裂隙引起的,气煤各向异性大小和方向能够反映煤的裂缝密度和方位.     

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.     

Perturbation‐based moveout approximations in anisotropic media

The moveout approximations play an important role in seismic data processing. The standard hyperbolic moveout approximation is based on an elliptical background model with two velocities: vertical and normal moveout. We propose a new set of moveout approximations based on a perturbation series in terms of anellipticity parameters using the alternative elliptical background model defined by vertical and horizontal velocities. We start with a transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis. Then, we extend this approach to a homogeneous orthorhombic medium. To define the perturbation coefficients for a new background, we solve the eikonal equation with horizontal velocities in transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis and orthorhombic media. To stabilise the perturbation series and improve the accuracy, the Shanks transform is applied for all the cases. We select different parameterisations for both velocities and anellipticity parameters for an orthorhombic model. From the comparison in traveltime error, the new moveout approximations result in better accuracy comparing with the standard perturbation‐based methods and other approximations.     

Ray–Kirchhoff multicomponent borehole seismic modelling in 3D heterogeneous, anisotropic media

Kirchhoff–Helmholtz (KH) theory is extended to synthesize two-way elastic wave propagation in 3D laterally heterogeneous, anisotropic media. I have developed and tested numerically a specialized algorithm for the generation of three-component synthetic seismograms in multi-layered isotropic and transversely isotropic (TI) media with dipping interfaces and tilted axes of symmetry. This algorithm can be applied to vertical seismic profile (VSP) geometries and works well when the receiver is located near the reflector interface. It is superior to ray methods in predicting elliptical polarization effects observed on radial and transverse components. The algorithm is used to study converted-wave propagation for determining fracture-related shear-wave anisotropy in realistic reservoir models. Results show that all wavefront attributes are strongly affected by the anisotropy. However, it is necessary to resolve a trade-off between the effects of fractures and formation dip prior to converted-wave interpretation. These results provide some assurance that the present scheme is sufficiently versatile to handle shear wave behaviour due to various generalized rays propagating in complex geological models.     

任意空间取向TI介质中体波速度特征分析

基于任意空间取向TI介质(简称ATI)中体波速度和偏振解析解,通过模型数值计算给出ATI介质中体波群速度和相速度的变化特征,说明TI空间取向与测线方位对速度的影响。研究表明,体波群速度图案和相速度图案相对TI对称轴固定,随TI对称轴倾角及其相对测线方位角的变化呈现出一定的对称性和重复性;可以针对ATI地区的地质情况,给出体波群速度和相速度变化图案,为进一步的理论研究提供便捷。此结果也可以直接用于VSP(垂直地震剖面)和井间地震资料的分析研究     

Weak-anisotropy approximations of P-wave phase and ray velocities for anisotropy of arbitrary symmetry

We test the accuracy of the previously derived weak-anisotropy approximations of the P-wave phase and ray (group) velocities. The formulae are of varying accuracy, and are applicable to weak or moderate anisotropy of arbitrary symmetry and orientation. They have a form of expressions for squares of phase velocity depending on the phase-velocity direction and of ray velocity depending on the ray-velocity direction. Both velocities are expressed in terms of three elements of the rotated Christoffel matrix, which depend linearly on the parameters specifying the medium, the weak-anisotropy parameters. The least accurate formulae are fully independent of the choice of a reference isotropic medium and depend linearly on weak-anisotropy parameters. The most accurate formulae depend only slightly on the ratio of S- and P-wave velocities of a reference medium, their dependence on weak-anisotropy parameters being quadratic. We show that the accuracy of the formulae is quite high, in fact, in some cases, it is close to the accuracy of the socalled anelliptic approximations, very accurate approximations based on a perturbation of the elliptical anisotropy.     

非零偏VSP弹性波叠前逆时深度偏移技术探讨

非零偏VSP地震资料是一种多分量资料,处理非零偏VSP资料,弹性波叠前逆时深度偏移技术无疑是最适合的处理技术.本文从二维各向同性介质的弹性波波动方程出发,研究了对非零偏VSP资料进行叠前逆时深度偏移的偏移算法,讨论了逆时传播过程中的边值问题和数值频散问题及其相应的解决方案;采用求解程函方程计算得到地下各点的地震波初至时间作为成像时间,实现了非零偏VSP资料的叠前逆时深度偏移.最后进行了模型试算和非零偏VSP地震资料的试处理,结果表明该方法不受地层倾角限制,较适用于高陡构造地区或介质横向速度变化较大地区的非零偏VSP地震资料处理.     

Comparison of DC sensitivity patterns for anisotropic and isotropic media

Many rocks possess electrical properties with a clearly expressed anisotropy. The anisotropic character of the rocks is often overlooked in forming the Fréchet derivatives or sensitivity functions for parameter updating during the inversion of DC resistivity data. In this study we have compared the sensitivity patterns for an isotropic, homogeneous model with that for a transversely isotropic (i.e. anisotropic) model having a tilted axis of symmetry using a pole–pole array. The sensitivity functions are expressed in terms of the derivatives of the electric potential U with respect to the average conductivity σ_m (geometric mean of the longitudinal and transverse conductivities) and the coefficient of anisotropy λ. Results are plotted in both cross-section form and plan view for various dip and strike angles of the axis of symmetry. The derivative dU/dλ decreases more rapidly than the isotropic value dU/dσ, and shows pronounced asymmetry and weakening of magnitude with increasing dip of the plane of symmetry. The derivative dU/dσ_m also exhibits the asymmetric pattern (except for vertical and horizontal dip cases). The positive region between the electrodes only extends to a small depth compared to the isotropic derivative, even in the case of a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI medium). The ratio of this anisotropic derivative to the isotropic derivative, when plotted as a function of position and depth shows prominent differences in both the sign and the magnitude of the sensitivities, especially for steep dips and for strongly anisotropic rocks. The plot highlights the dangers of an isotropic assumption. Even for mildly anisotropic rocks (λ < 1.2) the possibility for error in interpretation is considerable. Combined borehole and surface measurements are needed to diagnose anisotropy. Further work is needed to design optimal electrode configurations in anisotropic situations.     

Scanning anisotropy parameters in horizontal transversely isotropic media

The horizontal transversely isotropic model, with arbitrary symmetry axis orientation, is the simplest effective representative that explains the azimuthal behaviour of seismic data. Estimating the anisotropy parameters of this model is important in reservoir characterisation, specifically in terms of fracture delineation. We propose a travel‐time‐based approach to estimate the anellipticity parameter η and the symmetry axis azimuth ? of a horizontal transversely isotropic medium, given an inhomogeneous elliptic background model (which might be obtained from velocity analysis and well velocities). This is accomplished through a Taylor's series expansion of the travel‐time solution (of the eikonal equation) as a function of parameter η and azimuth angle ?. The accuracy of the travel time expansion is enhanced by the use of Shanks transform. This results in an accurate approximation of the solution of the non‐linear eikonal equation and provides a mechanism to scan simultaneously for the best fitting effective parameters η and ?, without the need for repetitive modelling of travel times. The analysis of the travel time sensitivity to parameters η and ? reveals that travel times are more sensitive to η than to the symmetry axis azimuth ?. Thus, η is better constrained from travel times than the azimuth. Moreover, the two‐parameter scan in the homogeneous case shows that errors in the background model affect the estimation of η and ? differently. While a gradual increase in errors in the background model leads to increasing errors in η, inaccuracies in ?, on the other hand, depend on the background model errors. We also propose a layer‐stripping method valid for a stack of arbitrary oriented symmetry axis horizontal transversely isotropic layers to convert the effective parameters to the interval layer values.     

Seismic characterization of vertical fractures described as general linear-slip interfaces

Fluid flow in many hydrocarbon reservoirs is controlled by aligned fractures which make the medium anisotropic on the scale of seismic wavelength. Applying the linear‐slip theory, we investigate seismic signatures of the effective medium produced by a single set of ‘general’ vertical fractures embedded in a purely isotropic host rock. The generality of our fracture model means the allowance for coupling between the normal (to the fracture plane) stress and the tangential jump in displacement (and vice versa). Despite its low (triclinic) symmetry, the medium is described by just nine independent effective parameters and possesses several distinct features which help to identify the physical model and estimate the fracture compliances and background velocities. For example, the polarization vector of the vertically propagating fast shear wave S₁ and the semi‐major axis of the S₁‐wave normal‐moveout (NMO) ellipse from a horizontal reflector always point in the direction of the fracture strike. Moreover, for the S₁‐wave both the vertical velocity and the NMO velocity along the fractures are equal to the shear‐wave velocity in the host rock. Analysis of seismic signatures in the limit of small fracture weaknesses allows us to select the input data needed for unambiguous fracture characterization. The fracture and background parameters can be estimated using the NMO ellipses from horizontal reflectors and vertical velocities of P‐waves and two split S‐waves, combined with a portion of the P‐wave slowness surface reconstructed from multi‐azimuth walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data. The stability of the parameter‐estimation procedure is verified by performing non‐linear inversion based on the exact equations.     

First-order perturbation approximation for rock elastic moduli in transversely isotropic media

Seismic anisotropy is a relatively common seismic wave phenomenon in laminated sedimentary rocks such as shale and it can be used to investigate mechanical properties of such rocks and other geological materials. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are the most common mechanical properties determined in various rock engineering practices. Approximate and explicit equations are proposed for determining Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio in anisotropic rocks, in which the symmetry plane and symmetry axis of the anisotropy are derived from the constitutive equation of transversely isotropic rock. These equations are based on the media decomposition principle and seismic wave perturbation theory and their accuracy is tested on two sets of laboratory data. A strong correlation is found for Young’s modulus in two principal directions and for Poisson’s ratio along the symmetry plane. Further, there is an underprediction of Poisson’s ratio along the symmetry axis, although the overall behavior follows the trend of the measured data. Tests on a real dataset show that it is necessary to account for anisotropy when characterizing rock mechanical properties of shale. The approximate equations can effectively estimate anisotropic Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, both of which are critical rock mechanical data input for hydraulic fracturing engineering.     

Pure P- and S-wave equations in transversely isotropic media

Pure-mode wave propagation is important for applications ranging from imaging to avoiding parameter tradeoff in waveform inversion. Although seismic anisotropy is an elastic phenomenon, pseudo-acoustic approximations are routinely used to avoid the high computational cost and difficulty in decoupling wave modes to obtain interpretable seismic images. However, such approximations may result in inaccuracies in characterizing anisotropic wave propagation. We propose new pure-mode equations for P- and S-waves resulting in an artefact-free solution in transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis. Our approximations are more accurate than other known approximations as they are not based on weak anisotropy assumptions. Therefore, the S-wave approximation can reproduce the group velocity triplications in strongly anisotropic media. The proposed approximations can be used for accurate modelling and imaging of pure P- and S-waves in transversely isotropic media.     

Physical constraints on c13 and δ for transversely isotropic hydrocarbon source rocks

Based on the theory of anisotropic elasticity and observation of static mechanic measurement of transversely isotropic hydrocarbon source rocks or rock‐like materials, we reasoned that one of the three principal Poisson's ratios of transversely isotropic hydrocarbon source rocks should always be greater than the other two and they should be generally positive. From these relations, we derived tight physical constraints on c₁₃, Thomsen parameter δ, and anellipticity parameter η. Some of the published data from laboratory velocity anisotropy measurement are lying outside of the constraints. We analysed that they are primarily caused by substantial uncertainty associated with the oblique velocity measurement. These physical constraints will be useful for our understanding of Thomsen parameter δ, data quality checking, and predicting δ from measurements perpendicular and parallel to the symmetrical axis of transversely isotropic medium. The physical constraints should also have potential application in anisotropic seismic data processing.     

利用随钻正交偶极子声波测井评价地层各向异性的数值研究

在随钻测井条件下,由于钻铤占据了井孔内的大部分空间,充液井孔中沿着井轴方向传播的模式波的特性与电缆测井非常不同.本文建立了随钻正交偶极子测井声学模型,采用三维有限差分方法模拟了偶极子声源在随钻条件下各向异性地层井孔内激发的声场,研究了地层的声学各向异性在随钻正交偶极子声波测井中的响应特征.数值模拟结果表明,在随钻测井条件下,对于井轴同TI地层对称轴垂直的情况,弯曲波分裂现象仍然存在,通过正交偶极子测量方式和合适的反演算法能够准确有效地确定地层的快横波方位角,可以考虑采用同正演理论相结合的反演算法来获得地层的快、慢横波速度及声学各向异性信息;对于井轴同介质对称轴呈一定夹角的TI地层井孔,情况变得非常复杂,不同井斜倾角下弯曲波的速度的变化趋势并非同对应的地层横波速度的变化趋势完全一致,不过在一定的频段内,地层横波速度仍然是弯曲波的最主要控制因素.对于本文研究的模型,当井轴同介质对称轴的夹角大于大于60°时,此时获得的弯曲波的各向异性值基本能够反映对应角度下地层横波速度的各向异性信息.     

Simulation of full-waveform log in saturated cracked formations using Hudson's approach

We study the propagation of elastic waves that are generated in a fluid‐filled borehole surrounded by a cracked transversely isotropic medium. In the model studied the anisotropy and borehole axes coincide. To obtain the effective elastic moduli of a cracked medium we have applied Hudson's theory that enables the determination of the overall properties as a function of the crack orientation in relation to the symmetry axis of the anisotropic medium. This theory takes into account the hydrodynamic mechanism of the elastic‐wave attenuation caused by fluid filtration from the cracks into a porous matrix. We have simulated the full waveforms generated by an impulse source of finite length placed on the borehole axis. The kinematic and dynamic parameters of the compressional, shear and Stoneley waves as functions of the matrix permeability, crack orientation and porosity were studied. The modelling results demonstrated the influence of the crack‐system parameters (orientation and porosity) on the velocities and amplitudes of all wave types. The horizontally orientated cracks result in maximal decrease of the elastic‐wave parameters (velocities and amplitudes). Based on the fact that the shear‐ and Stoneley‐wave velocities in a transversely isotropic medium are determined by different shear moduli, we demonstrate the feasibility of the acoustic log to identify formations with close to horizontal crack orientations.