Signatures in flowing fluid electric conductivity logs

Flowing fluid electric conductivity logging provides a means to determine hydrologic properties of fractures, fracture zones, or other permeable layers intersecting a borehole in saturated rock. The method involves analyzing the time-evolution of fluid electric conductivity (FEC) logs obtained while the well is being pumped and yields information on the location, hydraulic transmissivity, and salinity of permeable layers. The original analysis method was restricted to the case in which flows from the permeable layers or fractures were directed into the borehole (inflow). Recently, the method was adapted to permit treatment of both inflow and outflow, including analysis of natural regional flow in the permeable layer. A numerical model simulates flow and transport in the wellbore during flowing FEC logging, and fracture properties are determined by optimizing the match between simulation results and observed FEC logs. This can be a laborious trial-and-error procedure, especially when both inflow and outflow points are present. Improved analyses methods are needed. One possible tactic would be to develop an automated inverse method, but this paper takes a more elementary approach and focuses on identifying the signatures that various inflow and outflow features create in flowing FEC logs. The physical insight obtained provides a basis for more efficient analysis of these logs, both for the present trial and error approach and for a potential future automated inverse approach. Inflow points produce distinctive signatures in the FEC logs themselves, enabling the determination of location, inflow rate, and ion concentration. Identifying outflow locations and flow rates typically requires a more complicated integral method, which is also presented in this paper.     

Characterization of an unstable rock mass based on borehole logs and diverse borehole radar data

Unstable rocky slopes are major hazards to the growing number of people that live and travel though mountainous regions. To construct effective barriers to falling rock, it is necessary to know the positions, dimensions and shapes of structures along which failure may occur. To investigate an unstable mountain slope distinguished by numerous open fracture zones, we have taken advantage of three moderately deep (51.0–120.8 m) boreholes to acquire geophysical logs and record single-hole radar, vertical radar profiling (VRP) and crosshole radar data. We observed spallation zones, displacements and borehole radar velocity and amplitude anomalies at 16 of the 46 discontinuities identified in the borehole optical televiewer images. The results of the VRP and crosshole experiments were disappointing at our study site; the source of only one VRP reflection was determined and the crosshole velocity and amplitude tomograms were remarkably featureless. In contrast, much useful structural information was provided by the single-hole radar experiments. Radar reflections were recorded from many surface and borehole fracture zones, demonstrating that the strong electrical property contrasts of these features extended some distance into the adjacent rock mass. The single-hole radar data suggested possible connections between 6 surface and 4 borehole fractures and led to the discovery of 5 additional near-surface fracture zones. Of particular importance, they supplied key details on the subsurface geometries and minimum subsurface lengths of 8 of the 10 previously known surface fracture zones and all of the newly discovered ones. The vast majority of surface fracture zones extended at least 40–60 m into the subsurface, demonstrating that their depth and surface dimensions are comparable.     

On the retrieval of moment tensors from borehole data

The complete moment tensors of seismic sources in homogeneous or vertically inhomogeneous isotropic structures cannot be retrieved using receivers deployed in one vertical borehole. The complete moment tensors can be retrieved from amplitudes of P‐waves, provided that receivers are deployed in at least three boreholes. Using amplitudes of P‐ and S‐waves, two boreholes are, in principle, sufficient. Similar rules also apply to transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry. In the case of limited observations, the inversion can be stabilized by imposing the zero‐trace constraint on the moment tensors. However, this constraint is valid only if applied to observations of shear faulting on planar faults in isotropic media, which produces double‐couple mechanisms. For shear faulting on non‐planar faults, for tensile faulting, and for shear faulting in anisotropic media, the zero‐trace constraint is no longer valid and can distort the retrieved moment tensor and bias the fault‐plane solution. Numerical modelling simulating the inversion of the double‐couple mechanism from real data reveals that the errors in the double‐couple and non‐double‐couple percentages of the moment tensors rapidly decrease with increase in the number of boreholes used. For noisy P‐ and S‐wave amplitudes with noise of 15% of the top amplitude at each channel and for a velocity model biased by 10%, the errors in the double‐couple percentage attain 25, 13 and 6% when inverting for the double‐couple mechanism from one, two and three boreholes.     

钻孔雷达与数字摄像在地质勘探中的综合应用

由于地质条件的特殊性和复杂性,利用传统的现场钻探手段来准确地评价岩体质量仍存在一系列的问题:钻探岩心提供的是一维信息,很难准确获知地质结构的空间特征以及周围岩体的地质信息;钻进过程中机械扰动导致岩芯破碎等因素也可能使得岩心不能正确反映岩体地质特征.本文将钻孔地质雷达和数字钻孔成像两种勘察方法结合起来,对钻孔孔壁以及周围...     

Using a non-integer moment of the impulse response to estimate the half-space conductivity

The nth-order moments of the electromagnetic impulse response are useful for interpreting electromagnetic data. We have derived an analytic expression for the half-order moment of a conductive half-space. By inverting this expression, the measured half-order moment can be used to estimate an apparent conductivity of the ground. The first-order moment can also be used to estimate the half-space conductivity. A sensitivity analysis indicates that for an airborne EM configuration, the half-order moment will be most sensitive to material in the top 26–48 m, while the first-order moment will be sensitive to deeper material (down to depths between 66 and 127 m).     

Hydraulic head applications of flow logs in the study of heterogeneous aquifers

Permeability profiles derived from high-resolution flow logs in heterogeneous aquifers provide a limited sample of the most permeable beds or fractures determining the hydraulic properties of those aquifers. This paper demonstrates that flow logs can also be used to infer the large-scale properties of aquifers surrounding boreholes. The analysis is based on the interpretation of the hydraulic head values estimated from the flow log analysis. Pairs of quasi-steady flow profiles obtained under ambient conditions and while either pumping or injecting are used to estimate the hydraulic head in each water-producing zone. Although the analysis yields localized estimates of transmissivity for a few water-producing zones, the hydraulic head estimates apply to the far-field aquifers to which these zones are connected. The hydraulic head data are combined with information from other sources to identify the large-scale structure of heterogeneous aquifers. More complicated cross-borehole flow experiments are used to characterize the pattern of connection between large-scale aquifer units inferred from the hydraulic head estimates. The interpretation of hydraulic heads in situ under steady and transient conditions is illustrated by several case studies, including an example with heterogeneous permeable beds in an unconsolidated aquifer, and four examples with heterogeneous distributions of bedding planes and/or fractures in bedrock aquifers.     

利用成像测井自动判别礁滩储层沉积相和岩性

礁滩储层是我国海相碳酸盐岩油气勘探的重要目标,也是我国油气产能的重要接替领域之一。由于礁滩储层储集空间类型多样,非均质性极强,依靠常规测井判别其沉积相和岩性非常困难。成像测井能够清晰地反映礁滩储层的结构组分和沉积构造,为沉积相和岩性的判别提供了可靠的依据。在对大量礁滩储层的成像和岩心对比观察的基础上,我们提出了9种典型的成像解释模式,建立了利用成像解释模式自动判别礁滩储层沉积相和岩性的方法并研制了相应的处理软件。该方法在塔中和川东北地区礁滩储层的实际应用中取得了良好的效果。     

Identification of coal seam strata from geophysical logs of borehole using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System

Different parameters obtained through well-logging geophysical sensors such as SP, resistivity, gamma–gamma, neutron, natural gamma and acoustic, help in identification of strata and estimation of the physical, electrical and acoustical properties of the subsurface lithology. Strong and conspicuous changes in some of the log parameters associated with any particular stratigraphy formation, are function of its composition, physical properties and help in classification. However some substrata show moderate values in respective log parameters and make difficult to identify or assess the type of strata, if we go by the standard variability ranges of any log parameters and visual inspection. The complexity increases further with more number of sensors involved.An attempt is made to identify the type of stratigraphy from borehole geophysical log data using a combined approach of neural networks and fuzzy logic, known as Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System. A model is built based on a few data sets (geophysical logs) of known stratigraphy of in coal areas of Kothagudem, Godavari basin and further the network model is used as test model to infer the lithology of a borehole from their geophysical logs, not used in simulation. The results are very encouraging and the model is able to decipher even thin cola seams and other strata from borehole geophysical logs. The model can be further modified to assess the physical properties of the strata, if the corresponding ground truth is made available for simulation.     

Comparison of upscaling methods to estimate hydraulic conductivity

A hydraulic field test program was performed at a hard rock laboratory (Asp? HRL) on the Swedish east coast to test upscaling theories. The test program investigated the rock volume around a borehole located at a depth of approximately 340 m below sea level. Hydraulic packer tests were performed at various scales, from 2 m to the entire borehole length of 296 m. From this set of data the predictive ability of different upscaling methods could be evaluated. The comparison of the evaluated "true" field scale hydraulic conductivity with the upscaled hydraulic conductivity yielded that the majority of the upscaling methods tested in this paper predict the large scale values with significant accuracy. However, the ability to predict rapidly decreases when the variance of the natural logarithm of hydraulic conductivity of the subsamples is larger than one. Such a variance is consistently found in the crystalline rocks at the tested site at the 2 m scale. However, at scales of 10 m and larger, a variance larger than one is uncommon. Therefore, it is concluded that there exists a smallest possible scale for use of hydraulic pumping test results for estimating the effective hydraulic conductivity at scales typical for regional flow.     

Inference of ground surface temperature history from subsurface temperature data: Interpreting ensembles of borehole logs

Ground surface temperature histories (GSTHs) inferred from borehole temperaturedepth (T-z) data are often degraded, to a various extent, by random or systematic noise in theT-z data and in the measurements of thermophysical properties of the earth. To minimize the effects of noise, and hence improve the fidelity of the inferred GSTH, a plausible approach is to perform a simultaneous inversion, of theT-z logs in a region, or alternatively, to invert the individualT-z logs and then average the resulting GSTHs. Averaging and simultaneous inversion are conceptually different: whereas an averaging can always be peformed, a simultaneous inversion is predicated on the assumption of a common transient component of the GSTH in all theT-z logs. In this work we examine and compare the two approaches, using a time domain inverse formulation based on the method of least squares. We consider a set of scenarios: (a) multipleT-z logs from a single borehole, (b) multiple boreholes from a single site, (c) multiple boreholes in similar climatological settings, and (d) multiple boreholes in different climatological settings. We show that for (a), (b) and (c), averaging and simultaneous inversion yield nearly identical results. For boreholes in different settings, the assumption of a common transient GSTH may be invalid and averaging and simultaneous inversion give divergent results.     

Numerical simulation of subsurface characterization methods: application to a natural aquifer analogue

Information from an outcrop is used as an analogue of a natural heterogeneous aquifer in order to provide an exhaustive data set of hydraulic properties. Based on this data, two commonly used borehole based investigation methods are simulated numerically. For a scenario of sparse sampling of the aquifer, the process of regionalization of the borehole hydraulic conductivity values is simulated by application of a deterministic interpolation approach and conditioned stochastic simulations. Comparison of the cumulative distributions of particle arrival times illustrates the effects of the sparse sampling, the properties of the individual investigation methods and the regionalization methods on the ability to predict flow and transport behaviour in the real system (i.e. the exhaustive data set).     

三种阵列声波测井数据频散分析方法的应用与比较

针对正交偶极声波测井检测地层各向异性和确定构造应力中频散分析的必要性,本文利用合成和实测阵列声波测井数据分析和比较了三种频散分析方法：Prony方法、同态处理方法和谱域加权相似法. 这三种频率域处理方法提取得到了合理的、一致的慢度结果. 谱域加权相似法只能用于每一频率下单一波模式的慢度估计;同态处理方法还可以同时估计单一波模式的衰减、幅度和初相位;利用SVD_TLS算法确定波模式的阶数后,Prony方法可以有效地估计每一频率下多个模式的上述参数. 另外,通过谱域加权相似法对正交偶极声波测井阵列数据进行频散分析,观察到了弯曲波频散曲线的交叉现象,从而确定出了对应地层所受最大水平主应力的方向.     

Stochastic inverse method for estimation of geostatistical representation of hydrogeologic stratigraphy using borehole logs and pressure observations

An approach is presented for identifying statistical characteristics of stratigraphies from borehole and hydraulic data. The approach employs a Markov-chain based geostatistical framework in a stochastic inversion. Borehole data provide information on the stratigraphy while pressure and flux data provide information on the hydraulic performance of the medium. The use of Markov-chain geostatistics as opposed to covariance-based geostatistics can provide a more easily interpreted model geologically and geometrically. The approach hinges on the use of mean facies lengths (negative inverse auto-transition rates) and mean transition lengths (inverse cross-transition rates) as adjustable parameters in the stochastic inversion. Along with an unconstrained Markov-chain model, simplifying constraints to the Markov-chain model, including (1) proportionally-random and (2) symmetric spatial correlations, are evaluated in the stochastic inversion. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the simplifying constraints can facilitate the inversion at the cost of spatial correlation model generality. Inverse analyses demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, indicating that despite some low parameter sensitivities, all adjustable parameters do converge for a sufficient number of ensemble realizations towards their “true” values. This paper extends the approach presented in Harp et al. (doi:, 2008) to (1) statistically characterize the hydraulic response of a geostatistical model, thereby incorporating an uncertainty analysis directly in the inverse method, (2) demonstrate that a gradient-based optimization strategy is sufficient, thereby providing relative computational efficiency compared to global optimization strategies, (3) demonstrate that the approach can be extended to a 3-D analysis, and (4) introduce the use of mean facies lengths and mean transition lengths as adjustable parameters in a geostatistical inversion, thereby allowing the approach to be extended to greater than two category Markov-chain models.     

Petrophysical evaluation and its application to AVO based on conventional and CMR-MDT logs

常规测井为 AVO 分析提供了基础的资料, 成为联系岩石物理与地震资料的桥梁。然而如果储层存在有复杂的流体系统, 如地层被严重地层流体侵入、电阻率响应低及盐水矿化度复杂等的现象, 则常规测井无法提供高质量的测井资料, 导致得出错误的弹性计算结果, 使 AVO 结果与地震资料不吻合。中国渤海湾地区第三系裂缝性储层复杂, 我们利用常规测井和核磁共振测井与模块地层动态测试相结合的组合仪完成了地层评价和储层描述。研究结果表明岩石物理学家利用上述方法技术可以获得诸如空隙度、渗透率、含水饱和度、束缚流体以及空隙压力等重要的储层参数并进一步综合应用这些结果和以实验室测量数据为基础的岩性分析结果进行在地震域岩石物理研究和 AVO 分析。     

InterPACIFIC project: Comparison of invasive and non-invasive methods for seismic site characterization. Part II: Inter-comparison between surface-wave and borehole methods

The InterPACIFIC project was aimed at assessing the reliability, resolution, and variability of geophysical methods in estimating the shear-wave velocity profile for seismic ground response analyses. Three different subsoil conditions, which can be broadly defined as soft-soil, stiff-soil, and hard-rock, were investigated. At each site, several participants performed and interpreted invasive measurements of shear wave velocity (Vs) and compression wave velocity (Vp) in the same boreholes. Additionally, participants in the project analysed a common surface-wave dataset using their preferred strategies for processing and inversion to obtain Vs profiles. The most significant difference between the invasive borehole methods and non-invasive surface wave methods is related to resolution of thin layers and abrupt contrasts, which is inherently better for invasive methods. However, similar variability is observed in the estimated invasive and non-invasive Vs profiles, underscoring the need to account for such uncertainty in site response studies. V_S,30 estimates are comparable between invasive and non-invasive methods, confirming that the higher resolution provided by invasive methods is quite irrelevant for computing this parameter.     

Miniaturization of the flowing fluid electric conductivity logging technique

An understanding of the hydraulic properties of the aquifer and the depth distribution of salts is critical for evaluating the potential of ground water for conjunctive water use and for maintaining suitable ground water quality in agricultural regions where ground water is used extensively for irrigation and drinking water. The electrical conductivity profiles recorded in a well using the flowing fluid electric conductivity (FEC) logging method can be analyzed to estimate interval-specific hydraulic conductivity and estimates of the salinity concentration with depth. However, operating irrigation wells commonly allow limited access, and the traditional equipment used for FEC logging cannot fit through the small access pipe intersecting the well. A modified, miniaturized FEC logging technique was developed for use in wells with limited access. In addition, a new method for injecting water over the entire screened interval of the well reduces the time required to perform FEC logging.     

井下地震计方位角检测技术应用研究

本文利用波形相关分析法对井下地震计方位角检测精度及一致性进行分析研究.研究中在地表布设地震计进行不同距离、不同频带多套地震计方位角检测对比测试,并在四川泸州、宁夏灵武、陶乐、河南安阳、清丰、陕西定边等6个分别安装井下甚宽频带、宽频带、短周期地震计的台站,进行地表同台址不同频带多套地震计与井下地震计方位角检测及一致性对比测试.根据全球噪声模型1~10 s之间存在明显的噪声峰值的特点,对测试数据进行0.2~0.3 Hz带通滤波和仿真处理,通过分析得出,对于不同地震计组合,测试地震计方位角检测结果一致性较好,根据地表不同距离、不同频带地震计组合的检测精度和地脉动记录的特点,认为井下地震计方位角检测精度优于4°.     

Hydraulic bridges in unsaturated coarse granular media: Influence of bridge size and conductivity on flow through clasts

Unsaturated flow in coarse granular media must pass through hydraulic bridges (e.g., pendular water, porous connections) that form a physical connection between adjoining clasts. Previous studies suggest that volumetric flow through a porous clast (Q) will be linearly dependent on the cross-sectional area of the hydraulic bridges, and understate the importance of bridge conductivity. Numerical simulations were performed to explore steady-state flow through a spherical clast with identical bridges located at the top and bottom. The cross-sectional area of the bridges relative to that of the clast (A_r) was varied across six orders of magnitude. The ratio of hydraulic conductivity between bridges and clasts (K_b/K_c) was varied across 12 orders of magnitude to consider resistive, neutral, and conductive bridges. Results show that hydraulic bridges place a primary control on both Q and flux distribution within the clast. For neutral and conductive bridges (K_b/K_c ≥1), A_r is the dominant factor in determining Q, while K_b/K_c is the primary control for resistive bridges (K_b/K_c < 1). For all bridges, Q shows a non-linear dependency on both A_r and K_b/K_c. The intra-clast flow distribution shifts outwards as A_r increases. Conductive bridges promote this process and resistive bridges impede it.     

地震矩张量反演在地震观测报告中的应用

针对我国地震工作的实际需要,从１９９５年起,《中国地震台网目录和地震矩张量解》刊登了国内较大地震和全球大震的地震矩张量解和震源机制解。同时在《中国地震年报》上也刊登国内及邻区较大地震的地震长张量解和震源机制解。为了方便用户使用,本文对有关参数进行了说明。