The Vertical Transverse Isotropy of a sequence of Lower Coastal Plain sediments undergoing mechanical compaction has been estimated from a group of wells drilled at a range of inclinations relative to the geologic bedding. Estimates of Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters have been made as a function of the volume of clay. Anisotropy increases with clay content. In shales the Thomsen parameters ϵ and γ are greater than 0.25 but δ is strongly negative. There are significant uncertainties in estimating all parameters, especially for rocks with low clay content due to the paucity and variable quality of the available data and the requirement to make many assumptions. The positive correlation between contrasts in ϵ and contrasts in acoustic impedance, Vp/Vs, and density results in the enhancement of the Amplitude Variation with Offset (AVO) response of reservoir sands below shales, especially at high angles. The negative δ suppresses changes in AVO below 30°. The delineation of gas in reservoir sands through prestack simultaneous inversion is not impacted by ignoring the anisotropy in this case study. Acoustic impedance plays a key role in the detection of gas in these reservoirs and is unaffected by ignoring anisotropy. Errors in predicting Vp/Vs can be minimized by estimating wavelets whilst assuming isotropy. Errors in predicting density, however, can be significant. It is not expected that ignoring anisotropy will be suitable for all geologic scenarios and forward modelling is recommended to understand the full implications.
Read full abstract