Estimation of Thomsen＇s anisotropic parameters from walkaway VSP and applications

Estimation of Thomsen's anisotropic parameters is very important for accurate time-to-depth conversion and depth migration data processing. Compared with other methods, it is much easier and more reliable to estimate anisotropic parameters that are required for surface seismic depth imaging from vertical seismic profile(VSP) data, because the first arrivals of VSP data can be picked with much higher accuracy. In this study, we developed a method for estimating Thomsen's P-wave anisotropic parameters in VTI media using the first arrivals from walkaway VSP data. Model first-arrival travel times are calculated on the basis of the near-offset normal moveout correction velocity in VTI media and ray tracing using Thomsen's P-wave velocity approximation. Then, the anisotropic parameters δ and ε are determined by minimizing the difference between the calculated and observed travel times for the near and far offsets. Numerical forward modeling, using the proposed method indicates that errors between the estimated and measured anisotropic parameters are small. Using field data from an eight-azimuth walkaway VSP in Tarim Basin, we estimated the parameters δ and ε and built an anisotropic depth-velocity model for prestack depth migration processing of surface 3D seismic data. The results show improvement in imaging the carbonate reservoirs and minimizing the depth errors of the geological targets.

P-SV wave elastic impedance and fluid identification factor in weakly anisotropic media

The P-SV wave reflection coefficients in VTI and HTI media were obtained by approximation of the Jilek（2002a and b）equation in orthotropic anisotropic media.An approximate equation for P-SV wave elastic impedance can be derived from the combination of the new coefficients with S-wave elastic impedance（Duffaut et al.,2000）.On this basis, the fluid identification factor in weakly anisotropic media was constructed and used to identify the Castagna and Smith（1994）lithologic combination and achieved good results. Finally,we specifically analyzed the anisotropic parameter impacts P-SV wave elastic impedance and fluid factor trends.

Inversion of walkaway VSP data in the presence of lateral velocity heterogeneity

Multi-azimuth walkaway vertical seismic profiling is an established technique for the estimation of in situ slowness surfaces and inferring anisotropy parameters.Normally,this technique requires the assumption of lateral homogeneity,which makes the horizontal slowness components at depths of downhole receivers equal to those measured at the surface.Any violations of this assumption,such as lateral heterogeneity or nonzero dip of intermediate interfaces,lead to distortions in reconstructed slowness surfaces and,consequently,to errors in estimated anisotropic parameters.In this work,we relax the assumption of lateral homogeneity and discuss how to correct vertical seismic profile data for weak lateral heterogeneity.We describe a procedure of downward continuation of recorded traveltimes that accounts for the presence of both vertical inhomogeneity and weak lateral heterogeneity,which produces correct slowness surfaces at depths of downhole receivers,noticing that sufficiently dense receiver coverage along a borehole is required to separate influences of vertical and lateral heterogeneity on measured traveltimes and obtain accurate estimates of the slowness surfaces.Once the slowness surfaces are found and a desired type of anisotropic model to be inverted is selected,the corresponding anisotropic parameters,providing the best fit to the estimated slownesses,can be obtained.We invert the slowness surfaces of P-waves for parameters of the simplest anisotropic model describing dipping fractures(transversely isotropic medium with a tilted symmetry axis).Five parameters of this model,namely,the P-wave velocity V0 in the direction of the symmetry axis,Thomsen's anisotropic coefficients e and d,the tilt n,and the azimuth b of the symmetry axis,can be estimated in a stable manner when maximum source offset is greater than half of receiver depth.

The VMI study on angular distribution of ejected electrons from Eu 4f^76p_(1/2)6d autoionizing states

The combination of a velocity mapping imaging technique and mathematical transformation is adopted to study the angular distribution of electrons ejected from the Eu 4f76p1/26 d autoionizing states, which are excited with a three-step excitation scheme via different Eu 4f76s6d8 D J（J = 5/2, 7/2, and 9/2） intermediate states. In order to determine the energy dependence of angular distribution of the ejected electrons, the anisotropic parameters are measured in the spectral profile of the 6p1/26 d autoionizing states by tuning the wavelength of the third-step laser across the ionic resonance lines of the Eu 6s＋→ 6p＋. The configuration interaction is discussed by comparing the angular distributions of ejected electrons from the different states. The present study reveals the profound variations of anisotropic parameters in the entire region of autoionization resonance, highlighting the complicated nature of the autoionization process for the lowest member of6p1/26 d autoionization series.

A simplified approach to directly consider intact rock anisotropy in Hoek——Brown failure criterion

Many rock types have naturally occurring inherent anisotropic planes, such as bedding planes, foliation,or flow structures. Such characteristic induces directional features and anisotropy in rocks＇ strength anddeformational properties. The HoekeBrown （HeB） failure criterion is an empirical strength criterionwidely applied to rock mechanics and engineering. A direct modification to HeB failure criterion toaccount for rock anisotropy is considered as the base of the research. Such modification introduced a newdefinition of the anisotropy as direct parameter named the anisotropic parameter （Kb）. However, thecomputation of this parameter takes much experimental work and cannot be calculated in a simple way.The aim of this paper is to study the trend of the relation between the degree of anisotropy （Rc） and theminimum value of anisotropic parameter （Kmin）, and to predict the Kmin directly from the uniaxialcompression tests instead of triaxial tests, and also to decrease the amount of experimental work. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theoretical dispersion curves for borehole real-valued wave modes in vertically transverse isotropic formations

The dispersion curves of real-valued modes in a fluid-filled borehole are widely used in acoustic well logging.The accurate dispersion curves are the precondition of theoretical analysis and inversion process.Generally,these curves can be obtained by solving the conventional dispersion equation for isotropic formations and most vertically transverse isotropy(VTI)formations.However,if the real-valued solutions exist when the radial wavenumbers for the formation quasi-P and quasi-S equals to each other,the existed methods based on the conventional dispersion equation could lead to incorrect results for some VTI formations.Few studies have focused on the influence of these real-valued solutions on dispersion curve extraction.To remove these real-valued solutions,we have proposed a modified dispersion equation and its corresponding solving process.When solving the dispersion equation,the Scholte wave velocity of VTI formation at high frequency is used as the initial guess.The two synthetic examples including fast and slow VTI formations validate that these real-valued solutions do not contribute to the wavefield,and the new dispersion curve extraction method is suitable for all kinds of VTI formations.Consequently,the method can provide reliable dispersion curves for both theoretical analysis and anisotropic parameters inversion in VTI formations.

Study on anisotropy of Longmaxi shale using hydraulic fracturing experiment

Hydraulic fracturing reservoir reconstruction technology is crucial in the development of shale gas exploitation techniques.Large quantities of high-pressure fluids injected into shale reservoirs significantly alter compressional(P)and shear(S)wave velocities,rock mechanical parameters,and anisotropic characteristics.In this study,differentiated hydraulic fracturing petrophysical experiments were carried out on Longmaxi Formation shale under pseudo-triaxial stress loading conditions.The effects of stress loading methods,and water-rock physical and chemical reactions on P-and S-wave velocities and rock mechanical parameters were compared.The experimental results showed that isotropic stress loading may increase the P-and Swave velocities and Young’s modulus of dry shale kldnsample.Furthermore,it may lead to a weakening of the corresponding anisotropy.In contrast,differential stress loading was able to improve the anisotropy of Young’s modulus and accelerate the decrease in the compressive strength of shale in the vertical bedding direction.The water-rock physical and chemical reactions prompted by hydraulic fracturing was found to"soften"shale samples and reduce Young’s modulus.The influence of this"soften"effect on the compressional and shear wave velocities of shale was negligible,whilst there was a significant decrease in the anisotropy characteristics of Thomsen parameters,Young’s modulus,and Poisson’s ratio.The negative linear relationship between the Poisson’s ratios of the shale samples was also observed to lose sensitivity to stress loading,as a result of the"soften"effect of fracturing fluid on shale.The results of this study provide a reliable reference point and data support for future research on the mechanical properties of Longmaxi shale rocks.