Reflection coefficients of P‐waves in partially saturated fractured media. (14th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Kang; Peng, Suping; Lu, Yongxu; Cui, Xiaoqin
• Is Part Of: Geophysical prospecting. Volume 69:Number 8/9(2021)
• Page Start: 1678
• Page End: 1688
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14
• Subjects: Anisotropy -- Attenuation -- Dispersion -- Fractured medium -- Rock physics; Prospecting -- Geophysical methods -- Periodicals; 622.15
• DOI: 10.1111/1365-2478.13140
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-8025

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Wave‐induced fluid flow, an important mechanism in seismic wave attenuation, is considered in the amplitude variation with the offset technique. In a fractured marine carbonate reservoir, fractures and pores develop simultaneously, such that wave‐induced flow is an important mechanism in attenuation caused by the fluid flow between pores as well as between pores and fractures. However, these two types of attenuation are typically investigated separately or studies assume that the pores and fractures are dry or saturated by the same fluid. Rock pores are usually saturated by a mixture of two or more fluids, such that the fracture and pore filling fluids may be different. During variation with offset reservoir prediction and fluid identification, the influence that the porosity, fracture, and fluid have on the P‐wave reflection coefficient should be considered. The patchy saturation model can describe the seismic wave dissipation caused by the wave‐induced flow between pore fluids, whereas the Norris model can describe seismic wave dissipation caused by the fluid flow between fractures and pores. This study considers both the patchy saturation model and Norris model to calculate the amplitude variation with the offset P‐wave reflection coefficient under different conditions. Combining the saturation and Norris models forms a new model, which is regarded as a transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetric axis, and can be extended to any incident angle through the relaxation function and the high‐ and low‐frequency elastic limits of the stiffness tensor, where the complete effective stiffness tensor of the new model can be obtained. Finally, the amplitude variation with offset reservoir technology is used to determine the influence of model parameters on the reflection coefficient of P‐waves under different angles and frequencies, including fracture weakness, fluid saturation and pore fluid saturation.