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From amplitude anomalies to physical properties: A quantitative approach

Journal Article · · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)
OSTI ID:6851278
 [1]
  1. Japan National Oil Corp., Chiba (Japan)

Seismic amplitude anomalies are important exploration targets for oil and gas. Bright spots and amplitude vs. offset (AVO) anomalies are especially attractive because the change of acoustic impedance suggested by a bright spot and the change of Poisson's ratio suggested by an AVO anomaly often relate to the existence of hydrocarbon. On the other hand, there are bright spots and AVO anomalies that do not related to hydrocarbon. Acoustic impedance and Poisson's ratio are not direct indicators of hydrocarbon; they are indirect indicators. One of the problems in evaluating seismic amplitude anomalies is that the understanding of physical properties of reservoirs is qualitative. Table 1 shows that each physical property is affected by four kinds of lithologies, but it does not show the effect of each lithology quantitatively. This article quantitatively investigates basic behaviors of acoustic impedance and Poisson's ratio by model calculation using modified Gassmann's equation. The modification of Gassmann's equation and the subsequent derivation of simplified expressions of acoustic impedance and (Vp/Vs)[sup 2], which directly relates to Poisson's ratio, are shown in the accompanying article. The purpose of modification and simplification is to give explorationists a handy tool to evaluate reservoir physical properties quantitatively.

OSTI ID:
6851278
Journal Information:
Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 92:43; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English