Dynamic Elastic Properties Measurement and Analysis of Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation Shale in Sichuan Basin

Abstract

Summary Detailed experimental studies on the seismic properties of shale samples from different reservoirs have been conducted both in the laboratory and in situ under different conditions. In a previous study, Johnston and Wang (1981) measured the ultrasonic velocity anisotropy of Cretaceous shale in the Willison basin under undrained conditions. There are also indications that it is not only the amount of clay or organics, but also the shale maturity that controls the anisotropy (Vanorio et al., 2008; Ahmadov, 2010). Understanding the physical and petrophysical properties of shales and its influence factors are crucial as they strongly influence interpretations in seismic exploration, sonic logs, and microseismic monitoring. In spite of the growing interest in shale gas reservoirs for hydrocarbon exploration and production, and the strong influence that the petrophysical properties have on seismic response, there is still little laboratory data reported in the literature on the acoustic properties of shale samples from typical shale gas reservoir in China. Here, we present laboratory dataset for the Late Ordovician to the Early Silurian Wufeng-Longmaxi black shale in the southeast of the Sichuan Basin.