Low‐frequency symmetric waves in fluid‐filled boreholes and pipes with radial layering

Abstract

ABSTRACTMany tasks in geophysics and acoustics require estimation of mode velocities in cylindrically layered media. For example, acoustic logging or monitoring in open and cased boreholes need to account for radial inhomogeneity caused by layers inside the borehole (sand screen, gravel pack, casing) as well as layers outside (cement, altered and unaltered formation layers). For these purposes it is convenient to study a general model of cylindrically layered media with inner fluid layer and free surface on the outside. Unbounded surrounding media can be described as a limiting case of this general model when thickness of the outer layer is infinite. At low frequencies such composite media support two symmetric modes called Stoneley (tube) and plate (extensional) wave. Simple expressions are obtained for these two mode velocities valid at zero frequency. They are written in a general form using elements of a propagator matrix describing axisymmetric waves in the entire layered composite. This allows one to apply the same formalism and compute velocities for n‐layered composites as well as anisotropic pipes. It is demonstrated that the model of periodical cylindrical layers is equivalent to a homogeneous radially transversely isotropic media when the number of periods increases to infinity, whereas their thickness goes to zero. Numerical examples confirm good validity of obtained expressions and suggest that even small number of periods may already be well described by equivalent homogeneous anisotropic media.