9. Analysis of the Velocity Dispersion and Attenuation Behavior of Multifrequency Sonic Logs

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessAdvances in Near-surface Seismology and Ground-penetrating Radar9. Analysis of the Velocity Dispersion and Attenuation Behavior of Multifrequency Sonic LogsAuthors: Ludovic BaronKlaus HolligerLudovic BaronInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author and Klaus HolligerInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandInstitute of Geophysics , University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch9 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit Abstract Modern slim-hole sonic-logging tools designed for surficial environmental and engineering applications allow for measurements of the phase velocity and the attenuation of P-waves at multiple emitter frequencies over a bandwidth covering five to 10 octaves. One can explore the possibility of estimating the permeability of saturated surficial alluvial deposits based on the poroelastic interpretation of the velocity dispersion and frequency-dependent attenuation of such broadband sonic-log data. Methodological considerations indicate that for saturated, unconsolidated sediments in the fine silt to coarse sand range and typical nominal emitter frequencies ranging from approximately 1 to 30 kHz, the observable P-wave velocity dispersion should be sufficiently pronounced to allow for reliable first-order estimations of the underlying permeability structure based on the theoretical foundation of poroelastic seismic-wave propagation. Theoretical predictions also suggest that the frequency-dependent attenuation behavior should show a distinct peak and detectable variations for the entire range of unconsolidated lithologies. With regard to the P-wave velocity dispersion, results indicate that the classical framework of poroelasticity allows for obtaining first-order estimates of the permeability of unconsolidated clastic sediments with granulometric characteristics ranging between fine silts and coarse sands. The results of attenuation measurements are more difficult to interpret because the inferred attenuation values are systematically higher than the theoretically predicted ones, and the form of their dependence on frequency is variable and is only partially consistent with theoretical expectations. Permalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch9FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byImpedance loading an acoustic source in a borehole located in a fluid‐saturated porous medium16 July 2021 | Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 69, No. 7How gas-hydrate saturation and morphology control seismic attenuation: A case study from the south Hydrate RidgeAoshuang Ji, Tieyuan Zhu, Héctor Marín-Moreno, and Xiong Lei7 April 2021 | Interpretation, Vol. 9, No. 2Estimation of Fracture Compliance From Attenuation and Velocity Analysis of Full‐Waveform Sonic Log Data9 March 2019 | Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 124, No. 3Acoustic wave attenuation in the gas hydrate-bearing sediments of Well GC955H, Gulf of Mexico25 November 2017 | Marine Geophysical Research, Vol. 39, No. 4Local and global fluid effects on sonic wave modesElliot J. H. Dahl and Kyle T. Spikes6 October 2017 | GEOPHYSICS, Vol. 82, No. 6Analysis of velocity dispersion using full-waveform multichannel sonic logging data: A case study28 June 2016 | Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 64, No. 4Attenuation of sonic waves in water-saturated alluvial sediments due to wave-induced fluid flow at microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic scales6 August 2015 | Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 203, No. 1Acoustic reflection logging for open and cased holes14 November 2014 | Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 63, No. 2 Advances in Near-surface Seismology and Ground-penetrating RadarISBN (print):978-1-56080-224-2ISBN (online):978-1-56080-225-9Copyright: 2010 Pages: 509 publication data© 2010 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisherPublisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished in print: 01 Jan 2010 CITATION INFORMATION Ludovic Baron and Klaus Holliger, (2010), "9. Analysis of the Velocity Dispersion and Attenuation Behavior of Multifrequency Sonic Logs," Geophysical Developments Series : 153-166. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560802259.ch9 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...