Brittleness index and seismic rock physics model for anisotropic tight-oil sandstone reservoirs

Brittleness analysis becomes important when looking for sweet spots in tightoil sandstone reservoirs. Hence, appropriate indices are required as accurate brittleness evaluation criteria. We construct a seismic rock physics model for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs with vertical fractures. Because of the complexities in lithology and pore structure and the anisotropic characteristics of tight-oil sandstone reservoirs, the proposed model is based on the solid components, pore connectivity, pore type, and fractures to better describe the sandstone reservoir microstructure. Using the model, we analyze the brittleness sensitivity of the elastic parameters in an anisotropic medium and establish a new brittleness index. We show the applicability of the proposed brittleness index for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs by considering the brittleness sensitivity, the rock physics response characteristics, and cross-plots. Compared with conventional brittleness indexes, the new brittleness index has high brittleness sensitivity and it is the highest in oil-bearing brittle zones with relatively high porosity. The results also suggest that the new brittleness index is much more sensitive to elastic properties variations, and thus can presumably better predict the brittleness characteristics of sweet spots in tight-oil sandstone reservoirs.

Prediction of brittleness based on anisotropic rock physics model for kerogen-rich shale

The construction of a shale rock physics model and the selection of an appropriate brittleness index （B/） are two significant steps that can influence the accuracy of brittleness prediction. On one hand, the existing models of kerogen-rich shale are controversial, so a reasonable rock physics model needs to be built. On the other hand, several types of equations already exist for predicting the BI whose feasibility needs to be carefully considered. This study constructed a kerogen-rich rock physics model by performing the self- consistent approximation and the differential effective medium theory to model intercoupled clay and kerogen mixtures. The feasibility of our model was confirmed by comparison with classical models, showing better accuracy. Templates were constructed based on our model to link physical properties and the BL Different equations for the BI had different sensitivities, making them suitable for different types of formations. Equations based on Young＇s Modulus were sensitive to variations in lithology, while those using Lame＇s Coefficients were sensitive to porosity and pore fluids. Physical information must be considered to improve brittleness prediction.

The construction of shale rock physics model and brittleness prediction for high-porosity shale gas-bearing reservoir

Due to the huge differences between the unconventional shale and conventional sand reservoirs in many aspects such as the types and the characteristics of minerals,matrix pores and fluids,the construction of shale rock physics model is significant for the exploration and development of shale reservoirs.To make a better characterization of shale gas-bearing reservoirs,we first propose a new but more suitable rock physics model to characterize the reservoirs.We then use a well A to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed rock physics model of shale gas-bearing reservoirs.Moreover,we propose a new brittleness indicator for the high-porosity and organic-rich shale gas-bearing reservoirs.Based on the parameter analysis using the constructed rock physics model,we finally compare the new brittleness indicator with the commonly used Young’s modulus in the content of quartz and organic matter,the matrix porosity,and the types of filled fluids.We also propose a new shale brittleness index by integrating the proposed new brittleness indicator and the Poisson’s ratio.Tests on real data sets demonstrate that the new brittleness indicator and index are more sensitive than the commonly used Young’s modulus and brittleness index for the high-porosity and high-brittleness shale gas-bearing reservoirs.

Acoustic-electrical properties and rock physics models for shale-oil formations:prediction of reservoir properties of interbedded sandstone and shale layers

In recent years,the Yanchang shale-oil formations of the Ordos Basin are rich in reserves with complex lithology and structure characteristics,low porosity and low permeability,and weak anomalies for oil and water discriminations,have been the key targets of unconventional oil/gas resource exploration and development in the relevant areas.The joint acoustic-electrical(AE)properties can be used to interpret reservoir lithology,mineralogy,pore structure,and fluid saturation.To conduct tests of thin section analysis,X-ray diff raction,and ultrasonic and electrical experiments at diff erent pressures and saturation degrees,cores from the shale-oil formations in the Q area of the basin are collected.The variations in AE properties with respect to clay content,porosity,pressure(microfracture),and saturation are analyzed.The experimental results indicate that the rock physics behaviors of sandstones with diff erent clay contents vary significantly.The AE properties of clean sandstones are basically dependent on the microfractures(pressure),while for muddy sandstones,the clay content is an important factor affecting the responses.The target reservoir consists of interbedded sandstone and shale layers.The AE equivalent medium equations and the Gurevich theory are applied to establish the joint models for the diff erent lithologies and simulate the variations in AE properties with respect to fluid type,pore structure,and mineral components.The three-dimensional joint templates of clean and muddy sandstones,as well as shale,are developed based on the elastic and electrical attributes and then calibrated using the experimental and well-log data.The reservoir properties are estimated with the templates and validated by the log data.The results indicate that the joint templates based on lithology characteristics can eff ectively characterize the properties of interbedded sandstone and shale layers.Furthermore,the combined application of AE data provides more beneficial information for the assessment of rock properties,leading to precise estimates that conform with the actual formation conditions.

One-dimensional chain of quantum molecule motors as a mathematical physics model for muscle fibers

A quantum chain model of multiple molecule motors is proposed as a mathematical physics theory for the microscopic modeling of classical force-velocity relation and tension transients in muscle fibers. The proposed model was a quantum many-particle Hamiltonian to predict the force-velocity relation for the slow release of muscle fibers, which has not yet been empirically defined and was much more complicated than the hyperbolic relationships. Using the same Hamiltonian model, a mathematical force-velocity relationship was proposed to explain the tension observed when the muscle was stimulated with an alternative electric current. The discrepancy between input electric frequency and the muscle oscillation frequency could be explained physically by the Doppler effect in this quantum chain model. Further more, quantum physics phenomena were applied to explore the tension time course of cardiac muscle and insect flight muscle. Most of the experimental tension transient curves were found to correspond to the theoretical output of quantum two- and three-level models. Mathematical modeling electric stimulus as photons exciting a quantum three-level particle reproduced most of the tension transient curves of water bug Lethocerus maximus.

Physics-based seismic analysis of ancient wood structure:fault-to-structure simulation

Based on the domain reduction method,this study employs an SEM-FEM hybrid workflow which integrates the advantages of the spectral element method(SEM)for flexible and highly efficient simulation of seismic wave propagation in a three-dimensional(3D)regional-scale geophysics model and the finite element method(FEM)for fine simulation of structural response including soil-structure interaction,and performs a physics-based simulation from initial fault rupture on an ancient wood structure.After verification of the hybrid workflow,a large-scale model of an ancient wood structure in the Beijing area,The Tower of Buddhist Incense,is established and its responses under the 1665 Tongxian earthquake and the 1730 Yiheyuan earthquake are simulated.The results from the simulated ground motion and seismic response of the wood structure under the two earthquakes demonstrate that this hybrid workflow can be employed to efficiently provide insight into the relationships between geophysical parameters and the structural response,and is of great significance toward accurate input for seismic simulation of structures under specific site and fault conditions.

Maximum initial primary wave model for low-Froude-number reservoir landslides based on wave theory

The impulse waves induced by large-reservoir landslides can be characterized by a low Froude number.However,systematic research on predictive models specifically targeting the initial primary wave is lacking.Taking the Shuipingzi 1#landslide that occurred in the Baihetan Reservoir area of the Jinsha River in China as an engineering example,this study established a large-scale physical model(with dimensions of 30 m×29 m×3.5 m at a scale of 1:150)and conducted scaled experiments on 3D landslide-induced impulse waves.During the process in which a sliding mass displaced and compressed a body of water to generate waves,the maximum initial wave amplitude was found to be positively correlated with the sliding velocity and the volume of the landslide.With the increase in the water depth,the wave amplitude initially increased and then decreased.The duration of pressure exertion by the sliding mass at its maximum velocity directly correlated with an elevated wave amplitude.Based on the theories of low-amplitude waves and energy conservation,while considering the energy conversion efficiency,a predictive model for the initial wave amplitude was derived.This model could fit and validate the functions of wavelength and wave velocity.The accuracy of the initial wave amplitude was verified using physical experiment data,with a prediction accuracy for the maximum initial wave amplitude reaching 90%.The conversion efficiency(η)directly determined the accuracy of the estimation formula.Under clear conditions for landslide-induced impulse wave generation,estimating the value ofηthrough analogy cases was feasible.This study has derived the landslide-induced impulse waves amplitude prediction formula from the standpoints of wave theory and energy conservation,with greater consideration given to the intrinsic characteristics in the formation process of landslide-induced impulse waves,thereby enhancing the applicability and extensibility of the formula.This can facilitate the development of empirical estimation methods for landslide-induced impulse waves toward universality.

Rainfall-triggered waste dump instability analysis based on surface 3D deformation in physical model test

Landslide is the second largest natural disaster after earthquake. It is of significance to study the evolution laws and failure mechanism of landslides based on its surface 3D deformation information. Based on the rainfall-triggered waste dump instability model test, we studied the failure mechanisms of the waste dump by integrating surface deformation and internal slope stress and proposed novel parameters for identifying landslide stability. We developed a noncontact measurement device, which can obtain millimeter-level 3D deformation data for surface scene in physical model test;Then we developed the similar materials and established a test model for a waste dump. Based on the failure characteristics of slope surface, internal stress of slope body and displacement contours during the whole process, we divided the slope instability process in model test into four stages: rainfall infiltration and surface erosion, shallow sliding, deep sliding, and overall instability. Based on the obtained surface deformation data, we calculated the volume change during slope instability process and compared it with the point displacement on slope surface. The results showed that the volume change can not only reflect the slow-ultra acceleration process of slope failure, but also fully reflect the above four stages and reduce the fluctuations caused by random factors. Finally, this paper proposed two stability identification parameters: the volume change rate above the slip surface and the relative velocity of volume change rate. According to the calculation of these two parameters in model test, they can be used for study the deformation and failure mechanism of slope stability.

Impacts of New Implementing Strategies for Surface and Model Physics Perturbations in TREPS on Forecasts of Landfalling Tropical Cyclones

To improve the ensemble prediction system of the tropical regional atmosphere model for the South China Sea(TREPS) in predicting landfalling tropical cyclones(TCs), the impacts of three new implementing strategies for surface and model physics perturbations in TREPS were evaluated for 19 TCs making landfall in China during 2014–16. For sea surface temperature(SST) perturbations, spatially uncorrelated random perturbations were replaced with spatially correlated ones. The multiplier f, which is used to form perturbed tendency in the Stochastically Perturbed Parameterization Tendency(SPPT) scheme, was inflated in regions with evident convective activity(f-inflated SPPT). Lastly, the Stochastically Perturbed Parameterization(SPP) scheme with 14 perturbed parameters selected from the planetary boundary layer, surface layer, microphysics, and cumulus convection parameterizations was added. Overall, all these methods improved forecasts more significantly for non-intensifying than intensifying TCs. Compared with f-inflated SPPT,the spatially correlated SST perturbations generally showed comparable performance but were more(less) skillful for intensifying(non-intensifying) TCs. The advantages of the spatially correlated SST perturbations and f-inflated SPPT were mainly present in the deterministic guidance for both TC track and wind and in the probabilistic guidance for reliability of wind. For intensifying TCs, adding SPP led to mixed impacts with significant improvements in probability-matched mean of modest winds and in probabilistic forecasts of rainfall;while for non-intensifying TCs, adding SPP frequently led to positive impacts on the deterministic guidance for track, intensity, strong winds, and moderate rainfall and on the probabilistic guidance for wind and discrimination of rainfall.

Physical model investigation on effects of drainage condition and cement addition on consolidation behavior of tailings slurry within backfilled stopes

Estimation of stressses within the tailings slurry during self-weight consolidation is a critical issue for cost-effective barricade design and efficient backfill planning in underground mine stopes.This process requires a good understanding of self-weight consolidation behaviors of the tailings slurry within practical stopes,where many factors can have significant effects on the consolidation,including drainage condition and cement addition.In this paper,the prepared tailings slurry with different cement contents(0,4.76wt%,and 6.25wt%)was poured into1.2 m-high columns,which allowed three drainage scenarios(undrained,partial lateral drainage near the bottom part,and full lateral drainage boundaries)to investigate the effects of drainage condition and cement addition on the consolidation behavior of the tailings slurry.The consolidation behavior was analyzed in terms of pore water pressure(PWP),settlement,volume of drainage water,and residual water content.The results indicate that increasing the length of the drainage boundary or cement content aids in PWP dissipation.In addition,constructing an efficient drainage boundary was more favorable to PWP dissipation than increasing cement addition.The final stable PWP on the column floor was not sensitive to cement addition.The final settlement of uncemented tailings slurry was independent of drainage conditions,and that of cemented tailings slurry decreased with the increase in cement addition.Notably,more pore water can drain out from the cemented tailings slurry than the uncemented tailings slurry during consolidation.

Modeling of liquid film thickness around Taylor bubbles rising in vertical stagnant and co-current slug flowing liquids

The hydrodynamic study of the liquid film around Taylor bubbles in slug flow has great significance for understanding parallel flow and interaction between Taylor bubbles.The prediction models for liquid film thickness mainly focus on stagnant flow,and some of them remain inaccurate performance.However,in the industrial process,the slug flow essentially is co-current flow.Therefore,in this paper,the liquid film thickness is studied by theoretical analysis and experimental methods under two conditions of stagnant and co-current flow.Firstly,under the condition of stagnant flow,the present work is based on Batchelor's theory,and modifies Batchelor's liquid film thickness model,which effectively improves its prediction accuracy.Under the condition of co-current flow,the prediction model of average liquid film thickness in slug flow is established by force and motion analysis.Taylor bubble length is introduced into the model as an important parameter.Dynamic experiments were carried out in the pipe with an inner diameter of 20 mm.The liquid film thickness,Taylor bubble velocity and length were measured by distributed ultrasonic sensor and intrusive cross-correlation conductivity sensor.Comparing the predicted value of the model with the measured results,the relative error is controlled within 10%.

Packet Scheduling in Rechargeable Wireless Sensor Networks under SINR Model

Two packet scheduling algorithms for rechargeable sensor networks are proposed based on the signal to interference plus noise ratio model.They allocate different transmission slots to conflicting packets and overcome the challenges caused by the fact that the channel state changes quickly and is uncontrollable.The first algorithm proposes a prioritybased framework for packet scheduling in rechargeable sensor networks.Every packet is assigned a priority related to the transmission delay and the remaining energy of rechargeable batteries,and the packets with higher priority are scheduled first.The second algorithm mainly focuses on the energy efficiency of batteries.The priorities are related to the transmission distance of packets,and the packets with short transmission distance are scheduled first.The sensors are equipped with low-capacity rechargeable batteries,and the harvest-store-use model is used.We consider imperfect batteries.That is,the battery capacity is limited,and battery energy leaks over time.The energy harvesting rate,energy retention rate and transmission power are known.Extensive simulation results indicate that the battery capacity has little effect on the packet scheduling delay.Therefore,the algorithms proposed in this paper are very suitable for wireless sensor networks with low-capacity batteries.

Hydrodynamic Performance of a Newly-Designed Pelagic and Demersal Trawls Using Physical Modeling and Analytical Methods for Cameroonian Industrial Fisheries

This study proposed the newly-designed Pelagic and demersal trawls for the fishing vessels operating in Cameroonian waters in pelagic and demersal fishing grounds. The engineering performances of both trawls were investigated using physical modelling method and analytical method based on the predicted equations. In a flume tank, a series of physical model tests based on Tauti’s law were performed to investigate the hydrodynamic and geometrical performances of both trawls and to assess the applicability of the analytical methods based on predicted equations. The results showed that in model scale, the working towing speed and door spread for the pelagic trawl were 3.5 knots and 1.85 m, respectively, and for the bottom trawl net they were 4.0 knots and 1.8 m. At that speed and door spread, the drag force, net opening height, and wing-end spread of the pelagic model trawl were 36.73 N, 0.89 m, and 0.86 m, respectively, and the swept area was 0.76 m2. Bottom trawl speed and door spread were 30.43 N, 0.38 m, and 0.45 m, respectively, and the swept area was 0.25 m2. The maximum difference between the experimental and analytical results of hydrodynamic performances was less than 56.22% and 41.45%, respectively, for pelagic and bottom trawls, the results of the geometrical performances obtained using predicted equations were close to the experimental results in the flume tank with a maximum relative error less than 12.85%. The newly developed pelagic and bottom trawls had advanced engineering performance for high catch efficiency and selectivity and could be used in commercial fishing operations in Cameroonian waters.

Large-scale complex physical modeling and precisionanalysis

Large-scale 3D physical models of complex structures can be used to simulate hydrocarbon exploration areas. The high-fidelity simulation of actual structures poses challenges to model building and quality control. Such models can be used to collect wideazimuth, multi-azimuth, and full-azimuth seismic data that can be used to verify various 3D processing and interpretation methods. Faced with nonideal imaging problems owing to the extensive complex surface conditions and subsurface structures in the oil-rich foreland basins of western China, we designed and built the KS physical model based on the complex subsurface structure. This is the largest and most complex 3D physical model built to date. The physical modeling technology advancements mainly involve 1） the model design method, 2） the model casting flow, and 3） data acquisition. A 3D velocity model of the physical model was obtained for the first time, and the model building precision was quantitatively analyzed. The absolute error was less than 3 mm, which satisfies the experimental requirements. The 3D velocity model obtained from 3D measurements of the model layers is the basis for testing various imaging methods. Furthermore, the model is considered a standard in seismic physical modeling technology.

The analysis of frequency-dependent characteristics for fluid detection: a physical model experiment

According to the Chapman multi-scale rock physical model, the seismic response characteristics vary for different fluid-saturated reservoirs. For class I AVO reservoirs and gas-saturation, the seismic response is a high-frequency bright spot as the amplitude energy shifts. However, it is a low-frequency shadow for the Class III AVO reservoirs saturated with hydrocarbons. In this paper, we verified the high-frequency bright spot results of Chapman for the Class I AVO response using the frequency-dependent analysis of a physical model dataset. The physical model is designed as inter-bedded thin sand and shale based on real field geology parameters. We observed two datasets using fixed offset and 2D geometry with different fluid- saturated conditions. Spectral and time-frequency analyses methods are applied to the seismic datasets to describe the response characteristics for gas-, water-, and oil-saturation. The results of physical model dataset processing and analysis indicate that reflection wave tuning and fluid-related dispersion are the main seismic response characteristic mechanisms. Additionally, the gas saturation model can be distinguished from water and oil saturation for Class I AVO utilizing the frequency-dependent abnormal characteristic. The frequency-dependent characteristic analysis of the physical model dataset verified the different spectral response characteristics corresponding to the different fluid-saturated models. Therefore, by careful analysis of real field seismic data, we can obtain the abnormal spectral characteristics induced by the fluid variation and implement fluid detection using seismic data directly.

Rock physics inversion based on an optimized MCMC method

Rock physics inversion is to use seismic elastic properties of underground strata for predicting reservoir petrophysical parameters.The Markov chain Monte Carlo(MCMC)algorithm is commonly used to solve rock physics inverse problems.However,all the parameters to be inverted are iterated simultaneously in the conventional MCMC algorithm.What is obtained is an optimal solution of combining the petrophysical parameters with being inverted.This study introduces the alternating direction(AD)method into the MCMC algorithm(i.e.the optimized MCMC algorithm)to ensure that each petrophysical parameter can get the optimal solution and improve the convergence of the inversion.Firstly,the Gassmann equations and Xu-White model are used to model shaly sandstone,and the theoretical relationship between seismic elastic properties and reservoir petrophysical parameters is established.Then,in the framework of Bayesian theory,the optimized MCMC algorithm is used to generate a Markov chain to obtain the optimal solution of each physical parameter to be inverted and obtain the maximum posterior density of the physical parameter.The proposed method is applied to actual logging and seismic data and the results show that the method can obtain more accurate porosity,saturation,and clay volume.

Quantitative characterizations of anisotropic dynamic properties in organic-rich shale with different kerogen content

Understanding the quantitative responses of anisotropic dynamic properties in organic-rich shale with different kerogen content(KC)is of great significance in hydrocarbon exploration and development.Conducting controlled experiments with a single variable is challenging for natural shales due to their high variations in components,diagenesis conditions,or pore fluid.We employed the hot-pressing technique to construct 11 well-controlled artificial shale with varying KC.These artificial shale samples were successive machined into prismatic shape for ultrasonic measurements along different directions.Observations revealed bedding perpendicular P-wave velocities are more sensitive to the increasing KC than bedding paralleling velocities due to the preferential alignments of kerogen.All elastic stiffnesses except C_(13)are generally decreasing with the increasing KC,the variation of C_(1) and C_(33)on kerogen content are more sensitive than those of C_(44)and C_(66).Apparent dynamic mechanical parameters(v and E)were found to have linear correlation with the true ones from complete anisotropic equations independent of KC,which hold value towards the interpretation of well logs consistently across formations,Anisotropic mechanical parameters(ΔE and brittlenessΔB)tend to decrease with the reducing KC,withΔB showing great sensitivity to KC variations.In the range of low KC(<10%),the V_(P)/V_(S) ratio demonstrated a linearly negative correlation with KC,and the V_(P)/V_(S) ratio magnitude of less than 1.75may serve as a significant characterization for highly organic-rich(>10%)shale,compilation of data from natural organic rich-shales globally verified the similar systematic relationships that can be empirically used to predict the fraction of KC in shales.

Case study on the mechanics of NPR anchor cable compensation for large deformation tunnel in soft rock in the Transverse Mountain area,China

A study was conducted to analyze the deformation mechanism of strongly weathered quartz schist in the Daliangshan Tunnel,located in the western Transverse Mountain area.A large deformation problem was experienced during the tunnel construction.To mitigate this problem,a support system was designed incorporating negative Poisson ratio(NPR)anchor cables with negative Poisson ratio effect.Physical model experiments,field experiments,and numerical simulation experiments were conducted to investigate the compensation mechanical behavior of NPR anchor cables.The large deformations of soft rocks in the Daliangshan Tunnel are caused by a high ground stress,a high degree of joint fracture development,and a high degree of surrounding rock fragmentation.A compensation mechanics support system combining long and short NPR anchor cables was suggested to provide sufficient counter-support force(approximately 350 kN)for the surrounding rock inside the tunnel.Comparing the NPR anchor cable support system with the original support system used in the Daliangshan tunnel showed that an NPR anchor cable support system,combining cables of 6.3 m and 10.3 m in length,effectively prevented convergence of surrounding rock deformation,and the integrated settlement convergence value remained below 300 mm.This study provides an effective scientific basis for resolving large deformation problems in deeply buried soft rocks in western transverse mountain areas.

The influence of inter-band rock on rib spalling in longwall panel with large mining height

In order to improve rib stability,failure criteria and instability mode of a thick coal seam with inter-band rock layer are analysed in this study.A three-dimensional mechanical model is established for the rib by considering the rock layer.A safety factor is defined foy the rib,and it is observed that the safety factor exhibits a positive correlation with the thickness and strength of the inter-band rock.A calculation method for determining critical parameters of the rock layer is presented to ensure the rib stability.It is revealed that incomplete propagation of the fracture at the hard rock constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the rib stability.The influence of the position of the inter-band rock in the coal seam on failure mechanism of the rib was thoroughly investigated by developing a series of physical models for the rib at the face area.The best position for the inter-band rock in the coal seam is at a height of 1.5 m away from the roof line,which tends to provide a good stability state for the rib.For different inter-band rock positions,two ways of controlling rib by increasing supports stiffness and flexible grouting reinforcement are proposed.

A flexible ultra-broadband multi-layered absorber working at 2 GHz-40 GHz printed by resistive ink

A flexible extra broadband metamaterial absorber(MMA)stacked with five layers working at 2 GHz–40 GHz is investigated.Each layer is composed of polyvinyl chloride(PVC),polyimide(PI),and a frequency selective surface(FSS),which is printed on PI using conductive ink.To investigate this absorber,both one-dimensional analogous circuit analysis and three-dimensional full-wave simulation based on a physical model are provided.Various crucial electromagnetic properties,such as absorption,effective impedance,complex permittivity and permeability,electric current distribution and magnetic field distribution at resonant peak points,are studied in detail.Analysis shows that the working frequency of this absorber covers entire S,C,X,Ku,K and Ka bands with a minimum thickness of 0.098λ_(max)(λ_(max) is the maximum wavelength in the absorption band),and the fractional bandwidth(FBW)reaches 181.1%.Moreover,the reflection coefficient is less than-10 dB at 1.998 GHz–40.056 GHz at normal incidence,and the absorptivity of the plane wave is greater than 80%when the incident angle is smaller than 50°.Furthermore,the proposed absorber is experimentally validated,and the experimental results show good agreement with the simulation results,which demonstrates the potential applicability of this absorber at 2 GHz–40 GHz.