利用qP波慢度和偏振矢量计算 弱各向异性介质参数

提出了一种使用慢度矢量分量和偏振矢量计算变井源距垂直地震剖面(walkaway VSP)钻孔中接收点附近介质弱各向异性(WA)参数的方法. 假定介质是任意弱各向异性介质, 从一般公式中得到了只有一条观测剖面情况下的反演公式. 如果知道了慢度矢量的垂直分量和偏振矢量, 可以通过反演得到与剖面和钻孔所在平面相关的WA参数, 反演过程不用进行射线追踪, 与上覆介质无关. 用合成数据检验了公式和方法的正确性, 并把它们应用于在爪哇海地区得到的一条变井源距垂直地震剖面的弱各向异性参数反演中.      

Seismic characterization of reservoirs with multiple fracture sets using velocity and attenuation anisotropy data

Knowledge about the spatial distribution of the fracture density and the azimuthal fracture orientation can greatly help in optimizing production from fractured reservoirs. Frequency-dependent seismic velocity and attenuation anisotropy data contain information about the fractures present in the reservoir. In this study, we use the measurements of velocity and attenuation anisotropy data corresponding to different seismic frequencies and azimuths to infer information about the multiple fracture sets present in the reservoir. We consider a reservoir model with two sets of vertical fractures characterized by unknown azimuthal fracture orientations and fracture densities. Frequency-dependent seismic velocity and attenuation anisotropy data is computed using the effective viscoelastic stiffness tensor and solving the Christoffel equation. A Bayesian inversion method is then applied to measurements of velocity and attenuation anisotropy data corresponding to different seismic frequencies and azimuth to estimate the azimuthal fracture orientations and the fracture densities, as well as their uncertainties. Our numerical examples suggest that velocity anisotropy data alone cannot recover the unknown fracture parameters. However, an improved estimation of the unknown fracture parameters can be obtained by joint inversion of velocity and attenuation anisotropy data.     

Anisotropic elastic full‐waveform inversion of walkaway vertical seismic profiling data from the Arabian Gulf

Borehole seismic addresses the need for high‐resolution images and elastic parameters of the subsurface. Full‐waveform inversion of vertical seismic profile data is a promising technology with the potential to recover quantitative information about elastic properties of the medium. Full‐waveform inversion has the capability to process the entire wavefield and to address the wave propagation effects contained in the borehole data—multi‐component measurements; anisotropic effects; compressional and shear waves; and transmitted, converted, and reflected waves and multiples. Full‐waveform inversion, therefore, has the potential to provide a more accurate result compared with conventional processing methods. We present a feasibility study with results of the application of high‐frequency (up to 60 Hz) anisotropic elastic full‐waveform inversion to a walkaway vertical seismic profile data from the Arabian Gulf. Full‐waveform inversion has reproduced the majority of the wave events and recovered a geologically plausible layered model with physically meaningful values of the medium.     

Characterization of dipping fractures in a transverselyisotropic background

Although it is believed that natural fracture sets predominantly have near‐vertical orientation, oblique stresses and some other mechanisms may tilt fractures away from the vertical. Here, we examine an effective medium produced by a single system of obliquely dipping rotationally invariant fractures embedded in a transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI) background rock. This model is monoclinic with a vertical symmetry plane that coincides with the dip plane of the fractures. Multicomponent seismic data acquired over such a medium possess several distinct features that make it possible to estimate the fracture orientation. For example, the vertically propagating fast shear wave (and the fast converted PS‐wave) is typically polarized in the direction of the fracture strike. The normal‐moveout (NMO) ellipses of horizontal reflection events are co‐orientated with the dip and strike directions of the fractures, which provides an independent estimate of the fracture azimuth. However, the polarization vector of the slow shear wave at vertical incidence does not lie in the horizontal plane – an unusual phenomenon that can be used to evaluate fracture dip. Also, for oblique fractures the shear‐wave splitting coefficient at vertical incidence becomes dependent on fracture infill (saturation). A complete medium‐characterization procedure includes estimating the fracture compliances and orientation (dip and azimuth), as well as the Thomsen parameters of the VTI background. We demonstrate that both the fracture and background parameters can be obtained from multicomponent wide‐azimuth data using the vertical velocities and NMO ellipses of PP‐waves and two split SS‐waves (or the traveltimes of PS‐waves) reflected from horizontal interfaces. Numerical tests corroborate the accuracy and stability of the inversion algorithm based on the exact expressions for the vertical and NMO velocities.     

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.     

基于地震属性各向异性的火山机构识别技术

本文通过对地震资料的分方位处理,分别提取各方位的地震属性,筛选出最具代表性的地震属性,通过属性方位椭圆拟合,求取该属性椭圆的"扁率",用椭圆"扁率"来表征储层的各向异性,并在此基础上识别火山机构.本文提出了基于地震属性各向异性的火山机构识别方法,利用叠前地震资料分方位提取地震属性,并对方位地震属性值进行椭圆拟合,利用椭...     

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.     

The 3D shear experiment over the Natih field in Oman: the effect of fracture-filling fluids on shear propagation

This is the final paper in a series on the 3D multicomponent seismic experiment in Oman. In this experiment a 3D data set was acquired using three-component geophones and with three source orientations. The data set will subsequently be referred to as the Natih 9C3D data set. We present, for the first time, evidence demonstrating that shear waves are sensitive to fluid type in fractured media. Two observations are examined from the Natih 9C3D data where regions of gas are characterized by slow shear-wave velocities. One is that the shear-wave splitting map of the Natih reservoir exhibits much larger splitting values over the gas cap on the reservoir. This increase in splitting results from a decrease in the slow shear-wave velocity which senses both the fractures and the fracture-filling fluid. Using a new effective-medium model, it was possible to generate a splitting map for the reservoir that is corrected for this fluid effect. Secondly, an anomaly was encountered on the shear-wave data directly above the reservoir. The thick Fiqa shale overburden exhibits a low shear-wave velocity anomaly that is accompanied by higher shear reflectivity and lower frequency content. No such effects are evident in the conventional P-wave data. This feature is interpreted as a gas chimney above the reservoir, a conclusion supported by both effective-medium modelling and the geology.
With this new effective-medium model, we show that introduction of gas into vertically fractured rock appears to decrease the velocity of shear waves (S2), polarized perpendicular to the fracture orientation, whilst leaving the vertical compressional-wave velocity largely unaffected. This conclusion has direct implications for seismic methods in exploration, appraisal and development of fractured reservoirs and suggests that here we should be utilizing S-wave data, as well as the conventional P-wave data, as a direct hydrocarbon indicator.     

Separation of split shear waves based on a hodogram analysis of HTI media

Although the shear-wave birefringence phenomenon affects the imaging of converted shear waves, it also provides a considerable amount of information on subsurface fracture development. Therefore, it is significant to separate split shear waves before seismic interpretation and reservoir prediction. In this paper, we propose a new method of split shear waves separation based on the polarization directions derived from hodogram analysis. Through the hodogram analysis, we find that the split shear-wave particle motions are within the range of a specific and fixed rectangle, which have relations with the fracture azimuth in strata. In addition, we found that a couple of split shear waves can only be fitted to the unique trajectory rectangle through the theoretical derivation. Based on this, we establish the trajectory rectangle through the wave vector calculation and calculate the fracture azimuth according to the fact that the one edge of the trajectory rectangle is along or perpendicular to the fracture azimuth. Synthetic data analysis shows that the calculation accuracy of fracture azimuth under the constraint of trajectory rectangle is less affected by the time delay between split shear waves than using the method of eigenvector–eigenvalue decomposition (EED). Therefore, we can obtain better results for separation of split shear waves using our method than using EED. Eventually, we propose an approach of layer stripping to deal with the problem that shear wave split several times due to the situation that different strata have different fracture azimuths. Synthetic data test indicates that our method can achieve higher calculation efficiency and faster convergence speed than the conventional eigenvector–eigenvalue decomposition method, even though the data are of a low signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, field data applications show the effectiveness and potential of our method.     

Interval anisotropic parameter estimation from walkaway vertical seismic profiling data

This paper presents a new explicit method for the estimation of layered vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) anisotropic parameters from walkaway VSP data. This method is based on Dix‐type normal moveout (NMO) inversion. To estimate interval anisotropic parameters above a receiver array, the method uses time arrivals of surface‐related double‐reflected downgoing waves. A three‐term NMO approximation function is used to estimate NMO velocity and a non‐hyperbolic parameter. Assuming the vertical velocity is known from zero‐offset VSP data, Dix‐type inversion is applied to estimate the layered Thomsen anisotropic parameters ?, δ above the receivers array. Model results show reasonable accuracy for estimates through Dix‐type inversion. Results also show that in many cases we can neglect the influence of the velocity gradient on anisotropy estimates. First breaks are used to estimate anisotropic parameters within the walkaway receiver interval. Analytical uncertainty analysis is performed to NMO parameter estimates. Its conclusions are confirmed by modelling.     

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.     

基于地震横波分裂理论的火成岩裂缝检测

定向地下裂缝是低渗透率油气藏油气的储集空间和运移通道,对油气的开采有着重要的意义.本文基于横波分裂理论,提出了比值法叠后快、慢横波分离方法,通过分离后的快、慢横波的振幅差异和时间延迟可求取地下介质的裂缝走向方位和密度以及各向异性系数.该方法被应用到松辽盆地某气田对火成岩储层裂缝走向方位和密度进行了检测,检测结果与区域应力场和实钻数据具有较好的一致性.     

Nature of the scattered seismic response from zones of random clusters of cavities and fractures in a massive rock

The scattering of elastic energy by random clusters of fractures and/or cavities in a massive rock is studied. The interpretation of the scattered seismic response reveals crucial information about the clusters of inhomogeneities (fractures/cavities), which may correspond to reservoirs. The study is based on a new two‐dimensional numerical‐modelling method that relaxes the constraints on the location and orientation of the inhomogeneities, accounts for inhomogeneities that have almost no volume but a finite surface area (fractures) and improves the accuracy of the calculation when the size of the inhomogeneities is comparable to the mesh size. It is shown that the nature of the seismic response of zones of diffuse fracturing and/or cavities is associated with the non‐uniformity of micro‐inhomogeneities in such zones; accumulations of these micro‐inhomogeneities are known as clusters. The relationship between the non‐uniformity of micro‐inhomogeneities and the strength of the seismic response has been established and measured. Considerable differences in the structure of the seismic response of zones of diffuse fracturing and diffuse cavities have been identified. Converted PS‐waves dominate in the scattered wavefield associated with fractures. This is explained, as the modelling results show, by a greater transparency of fluid‐filled fractures, which reduces the reflected energy of compressional waves. The wavefield associated with cavities is characterized by the predominance (in terms of strength) of compressional PP‐waves. The strength of converted PS‐waves in the scattered wavefields for both media is approximately the same. On the whole, according to the results of the modelling, the energy of the scattered response of fractured reservoirs is considerably less (about two times) than that of cavernous reservoirs.     

Multiple scattering of seismic waves in fractured media: Crosscorrelation as a probe of fracture intensity

This paper presents the theory which describes how the lateral correlation of vertical displacement is influenced by multiple scattering of seismic waves caused by the presence of fluid-filled fractures, along with an observational methodology to show how to extract fracture-related quantities (e.g. fracture porosity, degree of anisotropy of the fractures, change in orientation of the fractures, density of fluid filling the fractures) from seismic data using the theoretical development as an underpinning framework. A simple physical picture is given of the basic process, as well as some rough order of magnitude estimates to show that the parameters quantifying the size of the multiple scattering fall squarely in the seismic regime.These calculations serve to create a basis to determine, by seismic means ahead of the drill, (1) the degree of fracturing of reservoir rocks (such as the Monterey shale), and (2) the type of fluid filling the fractures.     

FRACTURE CHARACTERIZATION FROM NEAR-OFFSET VSP INVERSION

A global optimization method incorporating a ray-tracing scheme is used to invert observations of shear-wave splitting from two near-offset VSPs recorded at the Conoco Borehole Test Facility, Kay County, Oklahoma. Inversion results suggest that the seismic anisotropy is due to a non-vertical fracture system. This interpretation is constrained by the VSP acquisition geometry for which two sources are employed along near diametrically opposite azimuths about the well heads. A correlation is noted between the time-delay variations between the fast and slow split shear waves and the sandstone formations.     

Numerical analysis of seismic wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous multifractured media

Elastic wave propagation and attenuation in porous rock layers with oriented sets of fractures, especially in carbonate reservoirs, are anisotropic owing to fracture sealing, fracture size, fracture density, filling fluid, and fracture strike orientation. To address this problem, we adopt the Chapman effective medium model and carry out numerical experiments to assess the variation in P-wave velocity and attenuation, and the shear-wave splitting anisotropy with the frequency and azimuth of the incident wave. The results suggest that velocity, attenuation, and anisotropy vary as function of azimuth and frequency. The azimuths of the minimum attenuation and maximum P-wave velocity are nearly coincident with the average strike of the two sets of open fractures. P-wave velocity is greater in sealed fractures than open fractures, whereas the attenuation of energy and anisotropy is stronger in open fractures than sealed fractures. For fractures of different sizes, the maximum velocity together with the minimum attenuation correspond to the average orientation of the fracture sets. Small fractures affect the wave propagation less. Azimuth-dependent anisotropy is low and varies more than the other attributes. Fracture density strongly affects the P-wave velocity, attenuation, and shear-wave anisotropy. The attenuation is more sensitive to the variation of fracture size than that of velocity and anisotropy. In the seismic frequency band, the effect of oil and gas saturation on attenuation is very different from that for brine saturation and varies weakly over azimuth. It is demonstrated that for two sets of fractures with the same density, the fast shear-wave polarization angle is almost linearly related with the orientation of one of the fracture sets.     

Elastic wave velocities in a granitic geothermal reservoir

Geothermal resources have potential for providing cost-effective and sustainable energy. Monitoring of production-induced changes in geothermal reservoirs using seismic waves requires understanding of the elastic properties of the rock and how they change due to injection of fluids and opening and closing of natural and hydraulic fractures. P- and S-wave velocities measured in a granitic geothermal reservoir using sonic logging are systematically lower than those predicted using the composition of the rock. Cracks may occur in granitic rocks from tectonic stresses and from the thermal expansion mismatch between differently oriented anisotropic crystals. An isotropic orientation distribution of microcracks causes a significant reduction in both the P- and S-velocities, consistent with the observed sonic P- and S-velocities. Vertical fractures cause a difference in the velocity of vertically propagating shear waves polarized parallel and perpendicular to the fractures. An assumption that the lower measured velocities are caused by the presence of vertical fractures is inconsistent with the sonic data. This is because vertical fractures cause a decrease in slow S-wave velocity that greatly exceeds the decrease in P-wave velocity, in contrast to the observed data. The growth of vertical fractures in the geothermal reservoir may be monitored using the difference in velocity of the fast and slow shear waves, while the change in P-velocity in a crossplot of measured P- and slow S-velocities is useful for estimating the ratio of the normal-to-shear compliance of the fractures.     

Fluid identification based on P-wave anisotropy dispersion gradient inversion for fractured reservoirs

Fluid identification in fractured reservoirs is a challenging issue and has drawn increasing attentions. As aligned fractures in subsurface formations can induce anisotropy, we must choose parameters independent with azimuths to characterize fractures and fluid effects such as anisotropy parameters for fractured reservoirs. Anisotropy is often frequency dependent due to wave-induced fluid flow between pores and fractures. This property is conducive for identifying fluid type using azimuthal seismic data in fractured reservoirs. Through the numerical simulation based on Chapman model, we choose the P-wave anisotropy parameter dispersion gradient (PADG) as the new fluid factor. PADG is dependent both on average fracture radius and fluid type but independent on azimuths. When the aligned fractures in the reservoir are meter-scaled, gas-bearing layer could be accurately identified using PADG attribute. The reflection coefficient formula for horizontal transverse isotropy media by Rüger is reformulated and simplified according to frequency and the target function for inverting PADG based on frequency-dependent amplitude versus azimuth is derived. A spectral decomposition method combining Orthogonal Matching Pursuit and Wigner–Ville distribution is used to prepare the frequency-division data. Through application to synthetic data and real seismic data, the results suggest that the method is useful for gas identification in reservoirs with meter-scaled fractures using high-qualified seismic data.     

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.     

Acquisition and processing of pure and converted shear waves generated by compressional wave sources

The most common source of seismic energy onshore is a vertical impact on the earth's surface or an explosion at some depth in a borehole. These sources produce mainly compressional waves. Here it is shown how these sources can be used to generate shear waves either by conversion in the depth or in the immediate vicinity of the source itself. The use of theoretical seismograms can help to identify the individual onsets especially on the horizontal components of the earth's movement. Due to the more complex raypath, converted waves need a special data processing. The spectral behaviour can be improved by spectral balancing followed by a spiking deconvolution. As the CDP-concept is no longer applicable for converted PS-waves a special sorting for a common conversion point (CCP) is applied. The identification and analysis of the individual waves can be simplified by a detailed polarization analysis taking into account the full dynamic behaviour of the observed waves. Prestack depthmigration of converted PS waves allows to deduce additional information on the material properties of reflecting horizons. The depth-migration of individual shot gathers is achieved in the frequency-space domain. Thus the kinematic and dynamic aspects of these secondary waves is a valuable tool for a better understanding of the elastic behaviour of the subsurface.