Practical Applications of the T-Matrix Approach to Fractured Porous Rocks

Abstract

Abstract Hydrocarbon reservoirs generally are composed of rocks with pores and cracks that are filled with different fluids: gas, water, oil, etc. The fluids filling the pores have a significant impact on the effective characteristics of the reservoir. Methods of Effective Medium Theory (EMT) can simulate the effective elastic properties of porous-fractured media, such as rocks. The practical applications of EMT methods for fractured porous rocks are important for fracking, reservoir property prediction using seismic data and understanding the AVO properties of reservoirs. To date, a huge number of different EMT approaches exist and it is very difficult to choose the best one. Each of the most popular EMT methods for the modeling of effective elastic properties of reservoir rocks, of course, generate different results. However, different conclusions on method’s applicability are drawn from the differences in the experimental and theoretical results. The main goal of the paper is to find the most optimal method of effective medium theory. It can be shown that the T-matrix approach is the most general, modern and adequate for the rock physics applications. A practical application of the T-matrix approach was developed for the inverse problem with a special choice of comparison body. Also, other theories exist for simulation the effective proprieties of rocks: poroelasticity, contact models etc. The EMT has a close connection with these theories. A connection between the Effective Medium Theory and Poroelasticity are shown. Our conclusions are verified on experimental data. As an example of practical utilization of the T-matrix approach mathematical models for the effective elastic properties of carbonate reservoir rocks including oolitic limestone are constructed.