P-and SV-wave dispersion and attenuation in saturated microcracked porous rock with aligned penny-shaped fractures

P-and SV-wave dispersion and attenuation have been extensively investigated in saturated poroelastic media with aligned fractures.However,there are few existing models that incorporate the multiple wave attenuation mechanisms from the microscopic scale to the macroscopic scale.Hence,in this work,we developed a unified model to incorporate the wave attenuation mechanisms at different scales,which includes the microscopic squirt flow between the microcracks and pores,the mesoscopic wave-induced fluid flow between fractures and background(FB-WIFF),and the macroscopic Biot's global flow and elastic scattering(ES)from the fractures.Using Tang's modified Biot's theory and the mixed-boundary conditions,we derived the exact frequency-dependent solutions of the scattering problem for a single penny-shaped fracture with oblique incident P-and SV-waves.We then developed theoretical models for a set of aligned fractures and randomly oriented fractures using the Foldy approximation.The results indicated that microcrack squirt flow considerably influences the dispersion and attenuation of P-and SV-wave velocities.The coupling effects of microcrack squirt flow with the FB-WIFF and ES of fractures cause much higher velocity dispersion and attenuation for P waves than for SV waves.Randomly oriented fractures substantially reduce the attenuation caused by the FB-WIFF and ES,particularly for the ES attenuation of SV waves.Through a comparison with existing models in the limiting cases and previous experimental measurements,we validated our model.

A seismic elastic moduli module for the measurements of low-frequency wave dispersion and attenuation of fluid-saturated rocks under different pressures

Knowledge about the seismic elastic modulus dispersion,and associated attenuation,in fluid-saturated rocks is essential for better interpretation of seismic observations taken as part of hydrocarbon identification and time-lapse seismic surveillance of both conventional and unconventional reservoir and overburden performances.A Seismic Elastic Moduli Module has been developed,based on the forced-oscillations method,to experimentally investigate the frequency dependence of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio,as well as the inferred attenuation,of cylindrical samples under different confining pressure conditions.Calibration with three standard samples showed that the measured elastic moduli were consistent with the published data,indicating that the new apparatus can operate reliably over a wide frequency range of f∈[1-2000,10^(6)]Hz.The Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the shale and the tight sandstone samples were measured under axial stress oscillations to assess the frequency-and pressure-dependent effects.Under dry condition,both samples appear to be nearly frequency independent,with weak pressure dependence for the shale and significant pressure dependence for the sandstone.In particular,it was found that the tight sandstone with complex pore microstructure exhibited apparent dispersion and attenuation under brine or glycerin saturation conditions,the levels of which were strongly influenced by the increased effective pressure.In addition,the measured Young's moduli results were compared with the theoretical predictions from a scaled poroelastic model with a reasonably good agreement,revealing that the combined fluid flow mechanisms at both mesoscopic and microscopic scales possibly responsible for the measured dispersion.

Sensitivity of seismic attenuation and dispersion to dynamic elastic interactions of connected fractures: Quasi-static finite element modeling study

Prediction of seismic attenuation and dispersion that are inherently sensitive to hydraulic and elastic properties of the medium of interest in the presence of mesoscopic fractures and pores,is of great interest in the characterization of fractured formations.This has been very difficult,however,considering that stress interactions between fractures and pores,related to their spatial distributions,tend to play a crucial role on affecting overall dynamic elastic properties that are largely unexplored.We thus choose to quantitatively investigate frequency-dependent P-wave characteristics in fractured porous rocks at the scale of a representative sample using a numerical scale-up procedure via performing finite element modelling.Based on 2-D numerical quasi-static experiments,effects of fracture and fluid properties on energy dissipation in response to wave-induced fluid flow at the mesoscopic scale are quantified via solving Biot's equations of consolidation.We show that numerical results are sensitive to some key characteristics of probed synthetic rocks containing unconnected and connected fractures,demonstrating that connectivity,aperture and inclination of fractures as well as fracture infills exhibit strong impacts on the two manifestations of WIFF mechanisms in the connected scenario,and on resulting total wave attenuation and phase velocity.This,in turn,illustrates the importance of these two WIFF mechanisms in fractured rocks and thus,a deeper understanding of them may eventually allow for a better characterization of fracture systems using seismic methods.Moreover,this presented work combines rock physics predictions with seismic numerical simulations in frequency domain to illustrate the sensitivity of seismic signatures on the monitoring of an idealized geologic CO_(2) sequestration in fractured reservoirs.The simulation demonstrates that these two WIFF mechanisms can strongly modify seismic records and hence,indicating that incorporating the two energy dissipation mechanisms in the geophysical interpretation can potentially improving the monitoring and surveying of fluid variations in fractured formations.

Dispersion attenuation structure of the crust around the Weifang-Jiashan segment of the Tanlu fault zone in North China

On the condition that the velocity ratio of compressive wave to shear wave is stable during the propagating process of seismic wave, this paper develops an estimation method for medium quality factor based on single station＇s travel time difference between direct S and P waves and the first period signal of direct P wave. 8 774 high SNR wave data altogether recorded by 75 stations are analyzed. The results show that： （1） under the normal regional stress field, the quality factors QmsP in the stable tectonic area are higher than that in the active tectonic area around the Weifang-Jiashan section and its surrounding area in the Tanlu fault zone; （2） in the Juxian-Tancheng section the seismic wave attenuation is relatively quick, and the media is relatively broken, suggesting no tectonic stress accumulation; （3） the Xinyi-Sihong section is currently locking and in accumulating elastic strain energy stage, which has the deep environment and conditions of strong earthquake generation similar to those of the 1668 M8.5 Tancheng strong earthquake.

Modeling the efects of fracture infll on frequency‑dependent anisotropy and AVO response of a fractured porous layer

In a fractured porous hydrocarbon reservoir,wave velocities and refections depend on frequency and incident angle.A proper description of the frequency dependence of amplitude variations with ofset(AVO)signatures should allow efects of fracture inflls and attenuation and dispersion of fractured media.The novelty of this study lies in the introduction of an improved approach for the investigation of incident-angle and frequency variations-associated refection responses.The improved AVO modeling method,using a frequency-domain propagator matrix method,is feasible to accurately consider velocity dispersion predicted from frequency-dependent elasticities from a rock physics modeling.And hence,the method is suitable for use in the case of an anisotropic medium with aligned fractures.Additionally,the proposed modeling approach allows the combined contributions of layer thickness,interbedded structure,impedance contrast and interferences to frequency-dependent refection coefcients and,hence,yielding seismograms of a layered model with a dispersive and attenuative reservoir.Our numerical results show bulk modulus of fracture fuid signifcantly afects anisotropic attenuation,hence causing frequencydependent refection abnormalities.These implications indicate the study of amplitude versus angle and frequency(AVAF)variations provides insights for better interpretation of refection anomalies and hydrocarbon identifcation in a layered reservoir with vertical transverse isotropy(VTI)dispersive media.

Intrinsic and attenuative dispersion characteristics of direct P-waves in and near the source area of the 1999 MW7.6 Chi-Chi,Taiwan,earth-quake before and after the mainshock

Based on the measurement of the arrival time of maxima magnitude from band-pass filtering signals which were determined using a new Morlet wavelet multiple-filter method, we develop a method for measuring intrinsic and attenuative dispersion of the first cycle direct P-wave. We determine relative group delays of spectral components of direct P-waves for 984 ray paths from SML and ALS stations of the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau Seismic Network （CWBSN）. Using continuous relaxation model, we deduce a new transfer function that relates intrinsic dispersion to attenuation. Based on the genetic algorithm （GA）, we put forward a new inversion procedure for determining which is defined the flat part of quality factor Q（ω） spectrum, τ1 and τ2 parameters. The results indicate that ① The distribution of Om values versus epicentral distance and depth show that Qm values linearly increase with increasing of epicentral distance and depth, and Qm values is clearly independent of earthquakes magnitude; ② In the different depth ranges, Qm residual show no correlation with variations in epicentral distance. Some significant changes of Qm residual with time is likely caused by pre-seismic stress accumulation, and associated with fluid-filled higher density fractures rock volume in the source area of 1999 Chi-Chi Taiwan earthquake. We confirm that Qm residual with time anomaly appears about 2.5 years before the Chi-Chi earthquake; ③ A comparison of Qm residual for different depth range between SML and ALS stations show that the level of stress has vertical and lateral difference; ④ The area near observation station with both anomalously increasing and decreasing averaged Qm residual is likely an unstable environment for future strong earthquake occurrence. This study demonstrates the capability of direct P-waves dispersion for monitoring attenuation characteristics and its state changes of anelastic medium of the Earth at short propagation distance using seismograms recorded from very small events.

Stress dependence of elastic wave dispersion and attenuation in fluid-saturated porous layered media

The fluid-saturated porous layered(FSPL)media widely exist in the Earth's subsurface and their overall mechanical properties,microscopic pore structure and wave propagation characteristics are highly relevant to the in-situ stress.However,the effect of in-situ stress on wave propagation in FSPL media cannot be well explained with the existing theories.To fill this gap,we propose the dynamic equations for FSPL media under the effect of in-situ stress based on the theories of poroacoustoelasticity and anisotropic elasticity.Biot loss mechanism is considered to account for the stress-dependent wave dispersion and attenuation induced by global wave-induced fluid flow.Thomsen's elastic anisotropy parameters are used to represent the anisotropy of the skeleton.A plane-wave analysis is implemented on dynamic equations yields the analytic solutions for fast and slow P waves and two S waves.Modelling results show that the elastic anisotropy parameters significantly determine the stress dependence of wave velocities.Vertical tortuosity and permeability have remarkable effects on fast and slow P-wave velocity curves and the corresponding attenuation peaks but have little effect on S-wave velocity.The difference in velocities of two S waves occurs when the FSPL medium is subjected to horizontal uniaxial stress,and the S wave along the stress direction has a larger velocity,which implies that the additional anisotropy other than that induced by the beddings appears due to horizontal stress.Besides,the predicted velocity results have the reasonable agreement with laboratory measurements.Our equations and results are relevant to a better understanding of wave propagation in deep strata,which provide some new theoretical insights in the rock physics,hydrocarbon exploration and stress detection in deep-strata shale reservoirs.

A wave propagation model with the Biot and the fractional viscoelastic mechanisms

Energy loss in porous media containing fluids is typically caused by a variety of dynamic mechanisms.In the Biot theory,energy loss only includes the frictional dissipation between the solid phase and the fluid phase,resulting in underestimation of the dispersion and attenuation of the waves in the low frequency range.To develop a dynamic model that can predict the high dispersion and strong attenuation of waves at the seismic band,we introduce viscoelasticity into the Biot model and use fractional derivatives to describe the viscoelastic mechanism,and finally propose a new wave propagation model.Unlike the Biot model,the proposed model includes the intrinsic dissipation of the solid frame.We investigate the effects of the fractional order parameters on the dispersion and attenuation of the P-and S-waves using several numerical experiments.Furthermore,we use several groups of experimental data from different fluid-saturated rocks to testify the validity of the new model.The results demonstrate that the new model provides more accurate predictions of high dispersion and strong attenuation of different waves in the low frequency range.