Seismic monitoring of permeability reduction due to biopolymer formation in unconsolidated materials

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessSEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2011Seismic monitoring of permeability reduction due to biopolymer formation in unconsolidated materialsAuthors: Tae‐Hyuk KwonJonathan B. Ajo‐FranklinTae‐Hyuk KwonLawrence Berkeley National LaboratorySearch for more papers by this author and Jonathan B. Ajo‐FranklinLawrence Berkeley National LaboratorySearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/1.3627663 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract In this study, we investigate the P‐wave seismic signature of microbial biopolymer production in unconsolidated sediments. We performed a column experiment that involved the stimulated growth of Leuconostoc mesenteroides in a sucrose‐rich media; in these conditions, L. mesenteroides produces large quantities of dextran, a viscous biopolymer. During the experiment, we monitored changes in permeability, P‐wave velocity, and P‐wave attenuation using the ultrasonic pulse transmission method. Permeability reductions from 5.3 D to 230 mD were observed after 20 days of growth due to generation of insoluble biopolymer filaments and biomass. Measured P‐wave signatures indicate that while biopolymer accumulation generates a negligible change in P‐wave velocity, a clear attenuation signature, as measured by amplitudes and centroid frequency, can be produced.Permalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/1.3627663FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByAnalysis of laboratory data on ultrasonic monitoring of permeability reduction due to biopolymer formation in unconsolidated granular media18 August 2015 | Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 64, No. 2Preliminary Study of Geophysical Monitoring of Bioclogging Caused by Bacterial Biopolymer Accumulation in Sands25 March 2014Geomechanical and Thermal Responses of Hydrate-Bearing Sediments Subjected to Thermal Stimulation: Physical Modeling Using a Geotechnical Centrifuge12 July 2013 | Energy & Fuels, Vol. 27, No. 8 SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2011ISSN (print):1052-3812 ISSN (online):1949-4645Copyright: 2011 Pages: 4424 Publisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished: 08 Aug 2011 CITATION INFORMATION Tae‐Hyuk Kwon and Jonathan B. Ajo‐Franklin, (2011), "Seismic monitoring of permeability reduction due to biopolymer formation in unconsolidated materials," SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts : 2282-2286. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.3627663 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...