Sensitivity of elastic wave velocities to reservoir stress path

Abstract

The change in pore pressure due to the production of hydrocarbons leads to changes in the stresses acting on the reservoir. Reservoir stress path is defined as the ratio of the change in effective horizontal stress to the change in effective vertical stress from the initial reservoir conditions, and strongly influences the depletion‐induced compaction behavior of the reservoir. The change in elastic wave velocities due to production is shown to be sensitive to reservoir stress path. This suggests that measurements of elastic wave velocities, amplitude versus offset, etc., may be used to monitor the reservoir stress path. Sensitivity of elastic wave velocities to reservoir stress path.