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Finite-difference modelling of anisotropic wave scattering in discrete fracture model

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Abstract

The presence of fractures in reservoir rocks causes scattering of seismic wave energy. In this paper, we utilize the finite-difference modelling technique to study these scattering effects to gain more insights into the effects and assess the validity of using anisotropic wave scattering energy as a diagnostic tool to characterize fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs. We use a simplified fractured reservoir model with four horizontal layers with a fractured-layer as the third layer. The fractures are represented by grid cells containing equivalent anisotropic medium by the use of the linear slip equivalent model. Our results show that the scattered energy, quantified through estimates of the seismic quality factor (Q) is anisotropic, exhibiting a characteristic elliptical (\(\cos 2\theta \)) variations relative to the survey azimuth angle \(\theta \). The fracture normal is inferred from the minor axis of the Q ellipse. This direction correlates with the direction of maximum wave scattering. Minimum wave scattering occurs in the fracture strike direction inferred from the major axis of the Q ellipse. These results provide more complete insights into anisotropic wave scattering characteristics in fractured media and thus, validate the practical utility of using anisotropic attenuation attribute as an additional diagnostic tool for delineation of fracture properties from seismic data.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria for sponsoring Ekanem’s studies at the University of Edinburgh. We also appreciate the sponsors of Edinburgh Anisotropy Project for their support and permission to publish this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B. 1167, MkpatEnin, Nigeria

    A M Ekanem

  2. School of Geosciences and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, 8 Xindu Avenue, Chengdu, 610500, P.R. China

    Y Xu

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  1. A M Ekanem
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Correspondence to A M Ekanem.

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Corresponding editor: M Radhakrishna

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Ekanem, A.M., Xu, Y. Finite-difference modelling of anisotropic wave scattering in discrete fracture model. J Earth Syst Sci 127, 40 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-018-0942-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-018-0942-3

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