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Fracture characterization from near-offset VSP inversion

Journal Article · · Geophysical Prospecting
 [1];  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. British Geological Survey, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
  2. Conoco, Inc., Ponca City, OK (United States)

A global optimization method incorporating a ray-tracing scheme is used to invert observations of shear-wave splitting from two near-offset VSPs recorded at the Conoco Borehole Test Facility, Kay County, Oklahoma. Inversion results suggest that the seismic anisotropy is due to a non-vertical fracture system. This interpretation is constrained by the VSP acquisition geometry for which two sources are employed along near diametrically opposite azimuths about the well heads. A correlation is noted between the time-delay variations between the fast and slow split shear waves and the sandstone formations.

OSTI ID:
438884
Journal Information:
Geophysical Prospecting, Journal Name: Geophysical Prospecting Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 45; ISSN GPPRAR; ISSN 0016-8025
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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