Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Rock Physics Model'

In this thesis, I propose the following: - The P and S-wave velocities can provide a suitable link between reservoir parameters and rock properties using core, log and seismic data. - The pore aspect ratios as key parameters of rock geometry can be used to explain the different responses of elastic properties in clay-sand rocks (especially for thin and varying lithology formations). The use of fixed aspect ratio for physical velocity models will result in obvious errors in the prediction of elastic moduli and velocities (in particular for formations at shallow depth, or in loose and thin layers). - The time-average equation (Wyllie et al., 1956) ignored the effects of pore geometry, degree of consolidation fluid and clay content. It results in a hidden defect in the transformation between porosity (form core and well-log) and velocity (from seismic) when the rock contains clay. - The current models of Gassmann (1951), Kuster & Toksöz (1974) and Xu-White (1995) have some difficulties in calculating elastic moduli for rocks containing aligned pores and minerals in anisotropic formations. To investigate these, I first use method of multiple regression and artificial networks to establish an empirical correlation between reservoir parameters and P and S-wave velocities. This correlation includes porosity, clay content, aspect ratio and velocities, which can be used as an extension of the empirical model of Han et al (1956). Second, in order to overcome the weakness of empirical models, physically realistic theoretical models are established. The first theoretical model is the isotropic dual porosity model (IDP). The aim of the IDP is to develop a general rock physical model that provides a satisfactory integrated approach to the evaluation and prediction of reservoir parameters and rock properties for the purpose of reservoir characterization. Third, because the IDP model does not consider the effects of pore orientation, clay content and velocity anisotropy etc., a refined anisotropic dual porosity model (ADP) is then developed for anisotropic porous media.

Master of Science
Department of Geology
Abdelmoneam Raef
This study focuses on characterizing subsurface rock formations of the Wellington Field, in Sumner County, Kansas, for both geosequestration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the saline Arbuckle formation, and enhanced oil recovery of a depleting Mississippian oil reservoir. Multi-scale data including rock core plug samples, laboratory ultrasonic P-&S-waves, X-ray diffraction, and well log data including sonic and dipole sonic, is integrated in an effort to evaluate existing rock physics models, with the objective of establishing a model that best represents our reservoir and/or saline aquifer rock formations. We estimated compressional and shear wave velocities of rock core plugs for a Mississippian reservoir and Arbuckle saline aquifer, based on first arrival times using a laboratory setup consisting of an Ult 100 Ultrasonic System, a 12-ton hydraulic jack, and a force gauge; the laboratory setup is located in the geophysics lab in Thompson Hall at Kansas State University. The dynamic elastic constants Young’s Modulus, Bulk Modulus, Shear (Rigidity) Modulus and Poisson’s Ratio have been calculated based on the estimated P- and S-wave velocity data. Ultrasonic velocities have been compared to velocities estimated based on sonic and dipole sonic log data from the Wellington 1-32 well. We were unable to create a transformation of compressional wave sonic velocities to shear wave sonic for all wells where compressional wave sonic is available, due to a lack of understandable patterns observed from a relatively limited dataset. Furthermore, saturated elastic moduli and velocities based on sonic and dipole sonic well logs, in addition to dry rock moduli acquired from core plug samples allowed for the testing of various rock physics models. These models predict effects of changing effective (brine + CO₂ +hydrocarbon) fluid composition on seismic properties, and were compared to known values to ensure accuracy, thus revealing implications for feasibility of seismic monitoring in the KGS 1-32 well vicinity.

The primary focus of this dissertation is to develop a predictive rock physics theory that establishes relations between rock properties and the observed seismic and to present the results of different seismic characterization techniques to interpret a tight gas sand reservoir off the south coast of South Africa using as input rock physics analysis and inverted seismic outcomes. To perform the aims and goals of this study a workflow that involves the execution of three main processes was implemented: (1) rock physics modelling, (2) a simultaneous seismic inversion, and (3) seismic reservoir characterization techniques. First, a rock physics model was generated as a bridge between the seismic observables (density, Vp and Vs) and reservoir parameters such as fluid content, porosity and mineralogy. In situ and perturbational log - derived forward modelling was performed. Both in situ and perturbational forward modelling were used to generate synthetic seismic gathers, which were used to study the AVA attribute responses. Overall, the effect of fluid fill on this tight gas sand seismically is modest compared with the effect of porosity changes. Second, there follows a detailed description of a workflow implemented to simultaneously invert P and S pre - stack seismic data. The derived elastic properties (acoustic impedance, Vp/Vs and density) were then used in combination with the rock physics analysis to characterize seismically the reservoir. The predicted acoustic impedance and Vp/Vs volumes show a good tie with the log data. However, the density outcome was of limited quality compared with the two mentioned above. Finally, using outcomes from rock physic s analysis and/or inverted data, four seismic techniques to characterize the reservoir were conducted. The techniques involved are: (1) AVO cross - plotting to generate a good facies property based on AVO attributes (intercept - gradient) and rock physics in the area of study , (2) rock physics templates (RPTs) to compute discrete rock property volumes (litho - Sw, litho - porosity) using a collection of curves that cover all possible "what if" lithology - fluid content - porosity scenarios for the reservoir and the inverted data, (3) a lithological classification to calculate litho - facies probability volumes based on a litho - facies classification using petrophysical cut - off s , multivariate probability functions (PDFs) and inverted data, and (4) an extended elastic impedance (EEI) inversion to derive rock property volumes (Vclay, porosity) based on AVO attributes (intercept, gradient). Despite differences in the input and theory behind each technique, all outcomes share parallels in the distribution of good and poor facies or reservoir and non - reservoir zones.

Resumo: O interesse pela exploração petrolífera em armadilhas associadas à halocinese motivou a realização deste trabalho, que teve como objetivo caracterizar e descrever a evolução halocinética da região centro-norte da Bacia de Santos. Dados sísmicos e de poços foram utilizados na determinação do arcabouço estrutural-estratigráfico e na evolução cinemática do sal, por meio de técnicas de restauração palinspática. O contexto geológico-estrutural estabelecido serviu de alicerce para análise da dinâmica do sal em experimentos físicos análogos em caixa de areia com silicone. A área foi palco de intensa atividade halocinética a partir do Albiano, em resposta à distensão provocada pela abertura do Atlântico Sul e pela sobrecarga sedimentar, especialmente durante o Senoniano, quando imensas cunhas clásticas progradantes adentraram a bacia e expulsaram a espessa camada de sal, resultando numa extensa zona de falhas antitéticas, cujo bloco baixo consiste numa cicatriz da halocinese. Concomitantemente, falhas lístricas sintéticas se desenvolveram na porção norte da área, coexistindo dois sistemas de cisalhamento que resultou na instalação da zona de acomodação da distensão. No Paleoceno-Eoceno, importante sedimentação adentrou na porção sul da área exercendo sobrecarga diferencial sobre os diápiros adjacentes às mini-bacias senonianas, resultando na remobilização do sal e na inversão das mini-bacias para anticlinal tipo casco de tartaruga
Abstract: The interest in petroleum traps associated to salt tectonics was the motivation to conduct this work. The objective of the thesis is to characterize and explain the halokinetic evolution of north-central region of Santos Basin. Seismic data and wells were used to construct the structural-stratigraphic framework leading to halokinetics evolution by using palinspatic restoration techniques. The structural geologic framework was the basis of salt dynamics analyses using silicone in sandbox analogues experiments. The studied area underwent intense halokinetic activities since Albian age in response to stretching associated to Atlantic South opening and sediment loading. During Senonian huge prograding clastics wedges entered the basin expelling thick layer of salt creating an extensive antithetic fault zone, known as Cabo Frio Fault Zone, where the hangingwall rests on a salt weld. Two sets of synthetic listric fault developed concomintantly in the northern portion of area, producing an accommodation zone. During Paleocene-Eocene an important sedimentation event estabilished in the southern area causing differential loading on diapirs adjacent to senonian mini basins, resulting in salt remobilization and inversion of mini basins to form turtle structures
Orientador: Chang Hung Kiang
Coorientador: Jean Letouzey
Banca: Claudio Ricomini
Banca: Mario Luis Assine
Banca: Sidnei Pires Rostirolla
Banca: Flavio Luis Fernandes
Doutor

Static and dynamic interaction mechanism of the retained soil-compressible geofoam buffer and yielding retaining structures requires further investigation. The present study, initiated on this motive, discusses the results of 1-g physical model tests and numerical analyses of cantilever retaining walls with and without deformable geofoam buffers between the wall and cohesionless granular backfill. 0.7m high walls with various wall thicknesses were utilized in the physical modeling. Dynamic tests were carried out by using a laminar container placed on a uni-axial shaking table. Influence of buffer thickness, geofoam type and wall flexibility as well as base excitation characteristics on the lateral earth pressures and flexural wall deflections were under concern. Outcomes of the analyses performed with FLAC-2D (v6.0) finite difference code were validated against the results of the physical model tests. It was observed that the arching effect induced in the retained soil by the lateral compression of the lower half of the geofoam buffer has a positive effect, as this zone is able to absorb a portion of the total unbalanced lateral force exerted by the backfill thus causing a reduction in the static and seismic lateral wall pressures. Relative thickness and stiffness of the geofoam buffer appear to be the most dominant factors affecting the reduction in earth thrust. Lateral earth pressure coefficients determined from physical model tests were compared with those calculated using methods available in the literature. Good agreement was observed between the predictions. Graphs were provided to estimate the static and dynamic lateral earth pressure coefficients for various combinations of wall stiffness and buffer characteristics. Analysis of a 6m high prototype cantilever wall subjected to an excitation recorded in August 17, 1999 Kocaeli earthquake by finite difference method exhibited the contribution of geofoam buffers on seismic performance of cantilever earth retaining walls. It was observed that the presence of an EPS geofoam inclusion provides a reduction of the permanent flexural wall deflections as well as total seismic thrust likely to be experienced by the wall during an earthquake.

Les structures de combustion constituent un témoin de la fréquentation humaine et leur étude permet d'appréhender un aspect du mode d'occupation d'un lieu donné. Ainsi, pour compléter les approches classiques qui s'intéressent à la typologie des foyers, à la fréquence des feux, à la nature des combustibles, etc., une caractérisation thermique de ces structures a été proposée. Elle s'appuie sur les impacts thermiques enregistrés par les sédiments soumis aux feux et plus précisément sur les modifications des propriétés de thermoluminescence (TL) et de magnétisme avec la chauffe.Le site-laboratoire est celui de la grotte de Fraux (Dordogne), occupée à l'Âge du bronze, dont le statut et le mode d'occupation pose question puisqu'elle présente tant des vestiges domestiques (sols de circulation, foyers, mobiliers) que des vestiges symboliques (manifestations pariétales, dépôts de mobilier). La place importante des foyers parmi ces vestiges a induit une étude spécifique de ces structures. En effet, ce site recèle plus d'une soixantaine de structures de combustion et, aspect important pour notre approche archéométrique, présente un état de conservation exceptionnel puisque la grotte est restée fermée depuis l'occupation de l'Âge du bronze.L'étude de certains foyers de la grotte des Fraux a permis de tester le potentiel de paléothermomètres fondés sur ces deux propriétés indépendantes à savoir la TL des grains de quartz et le magnétisme des oxydes de fer contenus dans les sédiments. Le paléothermomètre TL a été élaboré en comparant les signaux TL d'échantillons provenant de foyers archéologiques à ceux de références thermiques chauffées en laboratoire. Pour le magnétisme deux pistes ont été exploitées : les températures de déblocage de l'aimantation rémanente et l'évolution de la signature magnétique -minéralogie et taille de grain) avec la chauffe. La détermination des paléotempératures atteintes par les sédiments substrats des structures de combustion apporte une première indication sur leur intensité de chauffe. Afin d'étalonner ces informations paléothermométriques en termes d'énergie mise en jeu, des feux expérimentaux ont été réalisés. Ils ont permis de comparer les impacts thermiques entre feux archéologiques et feux expérimentaux, de construire un échantillonnage d'histoire thermique connue, mais aussi d'estimer les températures atteintes, les épaisseurs de sédiments affectés, les quantités de combustibles consommés pendant un temps donné, la quantité d'énergie dégagée par la combustion... Ces expérimentations ont aussi servi de base à une modélisation de la propagation de la chaleur dans les sédiments. Les simulations effectuées dans ce modèle numérique permettent alors d'estimer un temps minimal de fonctionnement des structures de combustion.Nous disposons ainsi d'un nouvel outil pour la caractérisation thermique de foyers archéologiques.

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O interesse pela exploração petrolífera em armadilhas associadas à halocinese motivou a realização deste trabalho, que teve como objetivo caracterizar e descrever a evolução halocinética da região centro-norte da Bacia de Santos. Dados sísmicos e de poços foram utilizados na determinação do arcabouço estrutural-estratigráfico e na evolução cinemática do sal, por meio de técnicas de restauração palinspática. O contexto geológico-estrutural estabelecido serviu de alicerce para análise da dinâmica do sal em experimentos físicos análogos em caixa de areia com silicone. A área foi palco de intensa atividade halocinética a partir do Albiano, em resposta à distensão provocada pela abertura do Atlântico Sul e pela sobrecarga sedimentar, especialmente durante o Senoniano, quando imensas cunhas clásticas progradantes adentraram a bacia e expulsaram a espessa camada de sal, resultando numa extensa zona de falhas antitéticas, cujo bloco baixo consiste numa cicatriz da halocinese. Concomitantemente, falhas lístricas sintéticas se desenvolveram na porção norte da área, coexistindo dois sistemas de cisalhamento que resultou na instalação da zona de acomodação da distensão. No Paleoceno-Eoceno, importante sedimentação adentrou na porção sul da área exercendo sobrecarga diferencial sobre os diápiros adjacentes às mini-bacias senonianas, resultando na remobilização do sal e na inversão das mini-bacias para anticlinal tipo casco de tartaruga
The interest in petroleum traps associated to salt tectonics was the motivation to conduct this work. The objective of the thesis is to characterize and explain the halokinetic evolution of north-central region of Santos Basin. Seismic data and wells were used to construct the structural-stratigraphic framework leading to halokinetics evolution by using palinspatic restoration techniques. The structural geologic framework was the basis of salt dynamics analyses using silicone in sandbox analogues experiments. The studied area underwent intense halokinetic activities since Albian age in response to stretching associated to Atlantic South opening and sediment loading. During Senonian huge prograding clastics wedges entered the basin expelling thick layer of salt creating an extensive antithetic fault zone, known as Cabo Frio Fault Zone, where the hangingwall rests on a salt weld. Two sets of synthetic listric fault developed concomintantly in the northern portion of area, producing an accommodation zone. During Paleocene-Eocene an important sedimentation event estabilished in the southern area causing differential loading on diapirs adjacent to senonian mini basins, resulting in salt remobilization and inversion of mini basins to form turtle structures

Les métaux précieux (tels que l'or et l'argent), et les métaux de base (tels que le cuivre et d'autres) sont extraits du sous-sol par excavation, en créant des vides de différentes tailles appelés (chantiers d’abattage) qui sont reliés entre eux par des galeries (de circulation et de soutirage). Dans le cas de l’exploitation par chambres-remblayées, ces vides ou chambres sont généralement remplis avec du remblai en pâte cimenté (RPC) qui est un mélange fait des rejets de concentrateur (appelés résidus), d’un agent liant (ex. ciment) et de l’eau de malaxage. Vu que le RPC est déposé à l’état liquide (mélange solide-liquide) dans les chantiers d’abattage, il est nécessaire d’utiliser un ouvrage de retenue afin de le contenir pendant le remblayage. Cet ouvrage de retenue est appelé barricade et peut être construit en bois, en béton, en briques, en béton projeté ou à partir des roches stériles disponibles sous terre et qui sont issues du développement des galeries. Les barricades construites à partir des roches stériles sont les plus courantes au Québec et au Canada car elles sont économiques, disponibles (sous terre) et favorisent le drainage de l'eau lors du remblayage; ce qui favorise la consolidation gravitaire du RPC, et donc, la réduction de la pression interstitielle. À ce jour, peu d'informations existes sur les caractéristiques réelles in situ de ces barricades (telles que leur granulométrie, leur résistance à la rupture, le mécanisme probable de leur rupture et les dimensions standards utilisées) afin d’appuyer leur conception de manière à assurer la sécurité des travailleurs et des équipements miniers; ce qui contribuerait à la diminution du cycle de minage, et par conséquent, à l'augmentation de la productivité minière. Les travaux de cette thèse se sont appuyés sur les modélisations physiques et numériques afin de mieux comprendre le comportement géomécanique complexe des barricades de roches stériles. Un modèle physique à l'échelle réduite d’un chantier d’abattage a été développé et construit à partir de plaques en plexiglass translucides, afin de simuler le remblayage dans les mines souterraines. Une méthodologie spécifique a été développée pour l’exécution des essais : instrumentation du modèle réduit à l’aide de capteurs de pression (totale et interstitielle), calibrage des capteurs, remplissage du modèle réduit avec du RPC, suivi en continu des essais avec des caméras haute définition. Les essais réalisés ont permis de mettre en évidence le principal mécanisme probable de rupture des barricades de roches stériles, ainsi que l’estimation de la pression maximale au moment de leur rupture. L'effet de la distribution de la taille des particules de roches stériles sur la stabilité et l’intégrité des barricades de roches stériles à la suite de la poussée exercée par le RPC a également été analysé. Une partie des essais réalisés sur le modèle réduit a été modélisée à l’aide du code de calculs numériques Geostudio 2018 (GeoSlope Intl.) par calibrage avec les résultats expérimentaux. Les résultats des simulations réalisées reproduisaient correctement le comportement général observé lors des essais sur le modèle réduit, avec une différence significative au niveau des valeurs des pressions. Des solutions analytiques simplifiées basées sur l’équilibre limite ont également été proposées sur la base des observations expérimentales pour l’analyse de stabilité (par rapport au glissement et au frottement) des barricades de roches stériles. Des recommandations ont été proposées afin de pousser cette étude plus loin en incluant l’effet de différents facteurs (ex. la position de la barricade dans la galerie de soutirage, la viscosité et le seuil d’écoulement du remblai ou son pourcentage de solides, les paramètres de cisaillement des barricades de roches stériles, l’effet d'arche, etc.)
Precious metals (such as gold and silver), and base metals (such as copper and others) are mined from the underground by excavation, creating voids of various sizes called (stope) which are interconnected by galleries or drifts (for circulation and draw point). In the case of cut-and-fill mining, these voids are usually filled with cemented paste backfill (CPB) which is a mixture made of concentrator mill tailings, of a binding agent (e.g., cement) and mixing water. Since the CPB is placed in the liquid state (solid-liquid suspension) in the underground stopes, it is necessary to use a retaining structure to contain it during backfilling. This retaining structure is called a barricade and can be constructed from wood, concrete, bricks, shotcrete or from waste rock available underground and which come from the drift’s development. Barricades built from waste rock are the most common in Quebec and Canada because they are economical, readily available (underground) and promote water drainage during backfilling, which promotes self-weight consolidation of the CPB, and therefore, reduction of pore water pressure. To date, little information exists on the real in situ characteristics of these barricades (such as their grain size distributions, their failure strength, the probable mechanism of their rupture and the standard dimensions used) to support their design in a meaningful way to ensure the safety of workers and mining equipment, which would contribute to the reduction of the mining cycle, and consequently, to the increase of mining productivity. The work of this thesis project was based on physical and numerical modeling to better understand the complex geomechanical behavior of waste rock barricades. A reduced-scale physical model of a mine stope was developed and constructed from translucent plexiglass plates to simulate backfilling in underground mines. A specific methodology was developed for the execution of the tests: instrumentation of the reduced-scale model using pressure sensors (total and pore water), calibration of the sensors, filling of the reduced-scale model with CPB, continuous monitoring of the tests using high-definition cameras. The tests carried out have made it possible to highlight the main probable mechanism of rupture of the waste rock barricades, as well as the estimation of the maximum pressure at the time of their rupture. The effect of waste rock particle size distribution on the stability and integrity of waste rock barricades due to the CPB pressure was also analyzed. Part of the tests carried out on the reduced-scale model were modeled using the Geostudio 2018 numerical code (GeoSlope Intl.) through calibration with the experimental results. The results of the simulations performed reproduced well the general behavior observed during the tests on the reduced-scale model, but with a significant difference in the pressure values. Simplified analytical solutions based on limit equilibrium have also been proposed based on experimental observations for the stability analysis (with respect to sliding and friction) of waste rock barricades. Some recommendations were proposed to take this study further by including the effect of various factors (e.g., the position of the barricade in the drift or draw point, the viscosity, and the shear yield stress of the backfill or its solids mass concentration, the shear parameters of the waste rock barricades, the arching effect, etc.)

Pore type variations account for complex velocity-porosity relationship and intensive permeability heterogeneity and consequently low oil and gas recovery in carbonate reservoir. However, it is a challenge for geologist and geophysicist to quantitatively estimate the influences of pore type complexity on velocity variation at a given porosity and porosity-permeability relationship. A new rock physics-based integrated approach in this study was proposed to quantitatively characterize the diversity of pore types and its influences on wave propagation in carbonate reservoir. Based on above knowledge, permeability prediction accuracy from petrophysical data can be improved compared to conventional approach. Two carbonate reservoirs with different reservoir features, one is a shallow carbonate reservoir with average high porosity (>10%) and another one is a supper-deep carbonate reservoir with average low porosity (<5%), are used to test the proposed approach. Paleokarst is a major event to complicate carbonate reservoir pore structure. Because of limited data and lack of appropriate study methods, it is a difficulty to characterize subsurface paleokarst 3D distribution and estimate its influences on reservoir heterogeneity. A method by integrated seismic characterization is applied to delineate a complex subsurface paleokarst system in the Upper San Andres Formation, Permian basin, West Texas. Meanwhile, the complex paleokarst system is explained by using a carbonate platform hydrological model, similar to modern marine hydrological environments within carbonate islands. How to evaluate carbonate reservoir permeability heterogeneity from 3D seismic data has been a dream for reservoir geoscientists, which is a key factor to optimize reservoir development strategy and enhance reservoir recovery. A two-step seismic inversions approach by integrating angle-stack seismic data and rock physics model is proposed to characterize pore-types complexity and further to identify the relative high permeability gas-bearing zones in low porosity reservoir (< 5%) using ChangXing super-deep carbonate reservoir as an example. Compared to the conventional permeability calculation method by best-fit function between porosity and permeability, the results in this study demonstrate that gas zones and non-gas zones in low porosity reservoir can be differentiated by using above integrated permeability characterization method.

Although carbonates hold more than 60 percent of the world's oil reserves, they, nevertheless, exhibit much lower average recovery factor values than terrigenous sandstone reservoirs. Thus, utilization of advanced enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques such as high pressure CO2 injection may normally be required to recover oil in place in carbonate reservoirs. This study addresses how different rock types can influence the seismic monitoring of CO2 sequestration in carbonates. This research utilizes an elastic parameter, defined in a rock physics model of poroelasticity and so-­called as the frame flexibility factor, to successfully quantify the carbonate pore types in core samples available from the Great Bahama Bank (GBB). This study shows that for carbonate samples of a given porosity the lower the frame flexibility factors the higher is the sonic wave velocity. Generally, samples with frame flexibility values of <4 are either rocks with visible moldic pores or intraframe porosity; whereas, samples with frame flexibility values of >4 are rocks with intercrystalline and microporosity. Hence, different carbonate pore geometries can be quantitatively predicted using the elastic parameters capable of characterizing the porous media with a representation of their internal structure on the basis of the flexibility of the frame and pore connectivity. In this research, different fluid substitution scenarios of liquid and gaseous CO2 saturations are demonstrated to characterize the variations in velocity for carbonate-specific pore types. The results suggest that the elastic response of CO2 flooded rocks is mostly governed by pore pressure conditions and carbonate rock types. Ultrasonic P-­wave velocities in the liquid-­phase CO2 flooded samples show a marked decrease in the order of 0.6 to 16 percent. On the contrary, samples flooded with gaseous-­phase CO2 constitute an increase in P-­wave velocities for moldic and intraframe porosities, while establishing a significant decrease for samples with intercrystalline and micro-­porosities. Such velocity variations are explained by the stronger effect of density versus compressibility, accounting for the profound effect of pore geometries on the acoustic properties in carbonates. The theoretical results from this research could be a useful guide for interpreting the response of time-­lapse seismic monitoring of carbonate formations following CO2 injection at depth. In particular, an effective rock-­physics model can aid in better discrimination of the profound effects of different pore geometries on seismic monitoring of CO2 sequestration in carbonates.

Quantifying the influence of pressure on the effective elastic rock properties is important for applications in rock physics and reservoir characterization. Here I investigate the relationship between effective pressure and seismic velocities by performing inversion on the laboratory-measured data from a suite of clastic, carbonate and igneous rocks, using different analytic and discrete inversion schemes. I explore the utility of a physical model that models a natural fracture as supported by asperities of varying heights, when an effective pressure deforms the tallest asperities, bringing the shorter ones into contact while increasing the overall fracture stiffness. Thus, the model is known as the ?asperity-deformation? (ADM) or ?bed-of-nails? (BNM) model. Existing analytic solutions include one that assumes the host rock is infinitely more rigid than the fractures, and one that takes the host-rock compliance into account. Inversion results indicate that although both solutions can fit the data to within first-order approximation, some systematic misfits exist as a result of using the rigid-host solution, whereas compliant-host inversion returns smaller and random misfits, yet out-of-range parameter estimates. These problems indicate the effects of nonlinear elastic deformation whose degree varies from rock to rock. Consequently, I extend the model to allow for the pressure dependence of the host rock, thereby physically interpreting the nonlinear behaviors of deformation. Furthermore, I apply a discrete grid-search inversion scheme that generalizes the distribution of asperity heights, thus accurately reproduces velocity profiles, significantly improves the fit and helps to visualize the distribution of asperities. I compare the analytic and numerical asperity-deformation models with the existing physical model of elliptical ?pennyshape? cracks with a pore-aspect-ratio (PAR) spectrum in terms of physical meaning and data-fitting ability. The comparison results provide a link and demonstrate the consistency between the use of the two physical models, making a better understanding of the microstructure as well as the contact mechanism and physical behaviors of rocks under pressure. ADM-based solutions, therefore, have the potential to facilitate modeling and interpretation of applications such as time-lapse seismic investigations of fractured reservoirs.

Worldwide interest in gas production from shale formations has rapidly increased in recent years, mostly by the successful development of gas shales in North America. The Haynesville Shale is a productive gas shale resource play located in Texas and Louisiana. It produces primarily through enhanced exposure to the reservoir and improved permeability resulting from horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Accordingly, it is important to estimate the reservoir properties that influence the elastic and geomechanical properties from seismic data. This thesis estimates pore shapes, which affect the transport, elastic, and geomechancial properties, from wellbore seismic velocity in the Haynesville Shale. The approach for this work is to compare computed velocities from an appropriate rock physics model to measured velocities from well log data. In particular, the self-consistent approximation was used to calculate the model-based velocities. The Backus average was used to upscale the high-frequency well log data to the low-frequency seismic scale. Comparisons of calculated velocities from the self-consistent model to upscaled Backus-averaged velocities (at 20 Hz and 50 Hz) with a convergence of 0.5% made it possible to estimate pore aspect ratios as a function of depth. The first of two primary foci of this approach was to estimate pore shapes when a single fluid was emplaced in all the pores. This allowed for understanding pore shapes while minimizing the effects of pore fluids. Secondly, the effects of pore fluid properties were studied by comparing velocities for both patchy and uniform fluid saturation. These correspond to heterogeneous and homogeneous fluid mixing, respectively. Implementation of these fluid mixtures was to model them directly within the self-consistent approximation and by modeling dry-rock velocities, followed by standard Gassmann fluid substitution. P-wave velocities calculated by the self-consistent model for patchy saturation cases had larger values than those from Gassmann fluid substitution, but S-wave velocities were very similar. Pore aspect ratios for variable fluid properties were also calculated by both the self-consistent model and Gassmann fluid substitution. Pore aspect ratios determined for the patchy saturation cases were the smallest, and those for the uniform saturation cases were the largest. Pore aspect ratios calculated by Gassmann fluid substitution were larger because the velocity is inversely related to the aspect ratio in this particular modeling procedure. Estimates of pore aspect ratios for uniform saturation were 0.051 to 0.319 with the average of 0.171 from the velocity modeling using the self-consistent model. For patchy saturation, the aspect ratios were 0.035 to 0.296 with a mean of 0.145. These estimated pore aspect ratios from the patchy saturation case within the self-consistent model are considered the most reasonable set of values I determined. This is because the most likely in-situ fluid distribution is heterogeneous due to the extremely low permeability of the Haynesville Shale. Estimated pore aspect ratios using this modeling help us to understand elastic properties of the Haynesville Shale. In addition, this may help to find zones that correspond to optimal locations for fracturing the shale while considering brittleness and in-situ stress of the formation.
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Monitoring of the seafloor for gas hydrate dissociation around boreholes during hydrocarbon production is likely to involve seismic methods because of the strong sensitivity of P-wave velocity to gas in sediment pores. Here, based on geomechanical models, we apply commonly used rock physics modeling to predict the seismic response to gas hydrate dissociation with a focus on P-impedance and performed sensitivity tests. For a given initial gas hydrate saturation, the mode of gas hydrate distribution (cementation, frame-bearing, or pore-filling) has the strongest effect on P-impedance, followed by the mesoscopic distribution of gas bubbles (evenly distributed in pores or “patchy”), gas saturation, and pore pressure. Of these, the distribution of gas is likely to be most challenging to predict. Conceptual 2-D FD wave-propagation modeling shows that it could be possible to detect gas hydrate dissociation after a few days.