Pore Fluid Research Articles

Porosity estimation based on the shear modulus inversion of seismic shear wave

Reliable estimation of subsurface porosity is necessary for hydrocarbon reservoir characterization and fluid identification. Porosity estimations from seismic data can provide the lateral distribution of subsurface porosity, but the results may be highly nonunique because subsurface elastic properties (such as velocity and density) can be affected by both porosity and pore fluids. Since shear modulus is insensitive to pore fluid content, it can be effectively used to estimate porosity. We present a novel porosity estimation method using the reflected SH-wave (SH-SH wave), whose propagation characteristics depend mainly on shear modulus and S-wave velocity. We derive a new analytical expression for the SH-SH wave reflection coefficient, which acts as a function of shear modulus and S-wave velocity in its natural logarithm form. This new approximation has high accuracy, and both coefficients corresponding to shear modulus and S-wave velocity are “model-parameter independent”; thus, there is no need for prior estimation of any model parameter during inversion. Numerical analysis shows shear modulus inverted from the SH-SH wave has lower uncertainty, lower ill-conditioning, and lower requirements of data incident angle than that of the PP-wave. Furthermore, the highly correlated rock physics relationships between porosity and shear modulus facilitate accurate porosity estimation. A field data application shows that high-resolution porosities of fine structures can be reliably recovered using the proposed method.

Learning a general model of single phase flow in complex 3D porous media

Modeling effective transport properties of 3D porous media, such as permeability, at multiple scales is challenging as a result of the combined complexity of the pore structures and fluid physics—in particular, confinement effects which vary across the nanoscale to the microscale. While numerical simulation is possible, the computational cost is prohibitive for realistic domains, which are large and complex. Although machine learning (ML) models have been proposed to circumvent simulation, none so far has simultaneously accounted for heterogeneous 3D structures, fluid confinement effects, and multiple simulation resolutions. By utilizing numerous computer science techniques to improve the scalability of training, we have for the first time developed a general flow model that accounts for the pore-structure and corresponding physical phenomena at scales from Angstrom to the micrometer. Using synthetic computational domains for training, our ML model exhibits strong performance (R 2 = 0.9) when tested on extremely diverse real domains at multiple scales.

Numerical investigation of fluid flow behavior in steel cord with lattice Boltzmann methodology: The impacts of microstructure and loading force.

Steel cord materials were found to have internal porous microstructures and complex fluid flow properties. However, current studies have rarely reported the transport behavior of steel cord materials from a microscopic viewpoint. The computed tomography (CT) scanning technology and lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) were used in this study to reconstruct and compare the real three-dimensional (3D) pore structures and fluid flow in the original and tensile (by loading 800 N force) steel cord samples. The pore-scale LBM results showed that fluid velocities increased as displacement differential pressure increased in both the original and tensile steel cord samples, but with two different critical values of 3.3273 Pa and 2.6122 Pa, respectively. The original steel cord sample had higher maximal and average seepage velocities at the 1/2 sections of 3D construction images than the tensile steel cord sample. These phenomena should be attributed to the fact that when the original steel cord sample was stretched, its porosity decreased, pore radius increased, flow channel connectivity improved, and thus flow velocity increased. Moreover, when the internal porosity of tensile steel cord sample was increased by 1 time, lead the maximum velocity to increase by 1.52 times, and the average velocity was increased by 1.66 times. Furthermore, when the density range was determined to be 0-38, the pore phase showed the best consistency with the segmentation area. Depending on the Zou-He Boundary and Regularized Boundary, the relative error of simulated average velocities was only 0.2602 percent.

Predicting the compressive strength of tight sandstone based on the low field NMR and pseudo-triaxial compression measurements

The compressive strength is very important for petroleum and other engineering studies. However, the effect of pore size and fluid distribution on the rock’s strength is not fully understood. We developed comprehensive research to study the controlling factors of the compressive strength based on low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and pseudo-triaxial compression test for tight sandstones. The relationship between the compressive strength and the NMR obtained parameters are investigated completely, aiming for a better estimation of the compressive strength using the NMR data. The result shows that the rock’s strength is strongly controlled by the pore size distribution and the fluid existing state. Generally, the compressive strength is negatively correlated with the average transversal relaxation time, the movable water saturation, and the porosity, but positively correlated with the irreducible water saturation. The result reveals that the rock with larger pore radius and higher percentage of movable fluid is easier to reach the failure state. Further, the precision of the empirical model by multiple regression of the geometric mean of the relaxation time and the porosity is greatly improved compared with the model established by the brittle minerals, which is potentially to be use for geophysical prospecting when the NMR logging data is available.

Analysis of cementitious pore solutions with very high time resolution by coupling cross flow filtration and ICP-OES

Pore solution analysis is a powerful tool for understanding reactions that occur during the cement hydration. Crossflow filtration of cement paste provides more detailed insight into reactions and reaction pathways compared to standard methods for gaining pore fluid. In particular, the large time resolution for the analysis enables the characterization of fast processes like adsorption kinetics and hydration reactions of aluminate phases in unprecedented detail. A direct comparison of the crossflow filtration results with those obtained using a filter press showed no significant difference in pore solution composition. With this method, it is possible to analyze the complex reaction patterns of cementitious reactions in great detail during the first minutes of hydration. This is especially important for chemically admixed systems.

Tracing the Scale of Fluid Flow in Subduction Zone Forearcs: Implications from Fluid-Mobile elements

Despite the importance of fluids in subduction zone processes, the extent of mass transfer and fluid circulation from the subducting plate through the forearc region remain unclear. To estimate the fluid budget and scale of fluid circulation in subducted sediments, we assess the distribution and retention of fluid-mobile elements (FME) in metamorphically equivalent metapelites from the Kodiak complex (Alaska) and the Shimanto Belt (Japan). The temperature range of interest is 230–350 °C, i.e., encompasses the base of the seismogenic zone. We examine the Li, B, Rb, Sr, Cs, and Ba concentrations in the bulk rock, as well as in fluid inclusion and individual minerals by (LA-) ICP-MS.The whole-rock composition in metapelites from Kodiak shows no significant loss of FME, which is in contrast to Shimanto where between 10 and 55% of FME (particularly Li, B and Cs) are leached out of rocks. The FME budget in Kodiak is consistent with a redistribution of elements between metamorphic illite and chlorite, whereas in Shimanto the loss of Li, B and Cs as temperature increases is the result of decreasing concentrations in illite and chlorite. The semi-quantitative analysis of fluid inclusions composition is consistent with a significant enrichment in all analyzed trace elements relative to seawater and interstitial pore fluids of seafloor sediments.Combining the fluid composition with the whole-rock composition, mass balance calculations were performed for B, Cs, and Ba. In the Kodiak complex the mass balance calculations are consistent with closed-system behavior, wherein the fluid is an insignificant reservoir for FME. Conversely, in the Shimanto Belt the mass balance calculations are consistent with open-system behavior, wherein large amounts of fluid percolated through rocks and the mass water-rock ratios correspond to 0.5–2.2. We infer that such an open system behavior was promoted by a larger amount of internal strain and the proximity to a large-scale fault zone. Moreover, fluid compositions observed in this study exhibit similarities to the composition to mud volcano fluids. This similarity is consistent with extensive, focused fluid circulation originating from depths of at least 15 km and ascending to the surface through a substantial damage zone associated with an out-of-sequence thrust.

Geochemical and mineralogical features as indicators of sulfate-methane transition zones in shallow gas-bearing offshore sediments from Zhoushan

Subsurface shallow gas, primarily composed of biogenic methane (>95%), is highly-enriched in global offshore sediments. The redox conditions of methane-rich pore fluid play a crucial role in shaping the geochemical signatures associated with the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and vertical displacement of sulfate-methane transition zones (SMTZs) within deep sedimentary records. However, long-period, and continuous records of AOM and SMTZs in shallow gas-bearing offshore sediments are sparse. Here, we employed a comprehensive analyses of iron sulfide, elemental, and stable isotopies on a 63-m drilled sediment core (JC-1) from offshore Zhoushan. Four different layers U1−U4 were identified in 11.5−24 mbsf, 24−42 mbsf, 42−51 mbsf, and 51−63 mbsf, respectively, as revealed by the lithofacies and sedimentary structures. By comparing the pyrite contents, total sulfur to total organic carbon ratios, and δ34S-chromium-reducible sulfur values, the commonly seen organoclastic sulfate reduction occurred in U1 and U2, whereas significant AOM activities were found in U1 and U4. Further, the peaks of total sulfur to total organic carbon ratios, sulfur contents, and multiple positive δ34S-chromium-reducible sulfur values indicated the presence of AOM in SMTZs at 18.3, 52, and 59 mbsf. These intervals were featured by a sub-oxic or anoxic condition with strong methane seepages, evident from the scarcity of metals and the enrichment of Mo/Al and U/Al ratios. The presence of multiple SMTZs was consistent with the pore-water data of the adjacent YS4 and YS7 cores. In light of these findings, it is prudent to exercise caution when utilizing geochemical indicators, such as trace element proxies and the δ34S values of sulfide minerals, to comprehend the progression of fluctuating depositional settings in reaction to sea-level fluctuations and shallow gas reservoirs. This study provides a new perspective to better understand the evolution of unsteady depositional environments in response to sea-level changes and shallow gas reservoirs.

An efficient multi-field dynamic model for 3D wave propagation in saturated anisotropic porous media

An efficient multi–field coupled dynamic model for saturated anisotropic porous materials is proposed here. The mathematical formulation of the dynamic deformation–diffusion problem is developed starting from the mixture theory and the definition of the effective stress for anisotropic poro–elasticity, taking into account also the fluid phase compressibility and anisotropic permeability. The effective stress principle is properly extended through the Biot tensor to predict the coupling between the shear stress of the solid skeleton and the pore fluid pressure. Numerical solution of the coupled problem is obtained by inf-sup stable Finite Element spaces. A fundamental issue for the computational efficiency of the coupled model is the numerical solution of the resulting large–size and non–symmetric discrete problem. In this work, we develop a fully implicit monolithic solver based on the Bi–Conjugate Gradient Stabilized (Bi-CGStab) algorithm accelerated via an ad–hoc Multi–Physics Reduction (MPR) preconditioning technique. The proposed advances are implemented in the 3D GeoMatFem research code and several numerical analyses are performed to test the potential and computational efficiency of the proposed tool. In particular, we focus on 3D wave propagation applications in fully saturated single and multi-layered anisotropic media. Numerical results show that our implementation is able to identify the shear wave splitting phenomenon due to the different degree of material symmetry between the solid phase and the whole porous material.

Genesis mechanism of laumontite cement and its impact on the reservoir of siliciclastic rock: A case study of Jurassic Shaximiao Formation in central Sichuan Basin, China

Laumontite cement's genesis and impacts on reservoir quality in sedimentary basins have long been studied in sedimentology and petroleum geology. This study aims to analyze the petrological and geochemical properties of laumontite in the Shaximiao Formation, Sichuan Basin, China, and to determine the evolutionary process behind the formation of laumontite. Approximately 175 million years ago, huge volume of volcanic materials filled the Sichuan Basin. During the burial diagenesis phase, the hydrolysis of volcanic particles and alteration of plagioclase provided the necessary ions—Ca2+, Al3+, Si4+, Fe3+—facilitating the formation of laumontite. Simultaneously, the hydrolysis of volcanic substances released ions like Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+, elevating the PH of pore fluids, and fostering the requisite alkaline conditions for laumontite. Additionally, the dehydration of smectite to illite in nearby mudstones generated Ca2+-rich fluids, migrating into sandstones. The hydrolysis of volcanic particles combined with the Ca2+-rich fluids migrating into sandstones led to the abundant formation of laumontite within temperatures ranging from 60 to 100 °C. During this phase, the formation of laumontite accelerates the densification of the reservoir, leading to a reduction in porosity. In the meso-diagenetic period, organic acids from the underlying formations penetrate the sandstones through fractures, creating secondary pores and dissolution-related grain-edge fractures, significantly enhancing reservoir permeability.

Direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulent channel flows over porous boundaries

The impact of porous boundaries on skin friction and heat transfer in compressible turbulent channel flows is explored through direct numerical simulations. Utilizing the volume-averaged Navier–Stokes equations for the porous media, we examine flows at Mach numbers Mb=0.3 and Mb=1.5, with friction Reynolds numbers ranging from 176 to 220, across three permeability levels: 0 (impermeable), 1.6×10−5, and 1.0×10−4. Our findings reveal a dual impact of porous boundaries on skin friction: a direct reduction due to averaged slip velocity at the interface and an indirect increase from amplified Reynolds shear stress due to enhanced wall-normal permeability. This permeability weakens the wall-blocking effect, leading to intensified wall-normal velocity fluctuations and consequently higher Reynolds stress. Additionally, the Mach number significantly influences flow structures, particularly at higher permeabilities, where it disrupts near-wall streaks at Mb=0.3 but has a diminished effect at Mb=1.5. Thermal analysis confirms the validity of the generalized Reynolds analogy for the mean temperature in these flows, with the turbulent Prandtl number approximating 1, in line with the strong Reynolds analogy. Moreover, a strong spatial correlation between heat flux and wall shear stress fluctuations underscores the intertwined dynamics of momentum and thermal transport at the porous–fluid interface.

Low But Persistent Organic Carbon Content of Hyperarid River Deposits and Implications for Ancient Mars

AbstractMars has many well‐exposed fluvial ridges and fluvio‐deltaic basins; in two of these locations, the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers are currently searching for signs of habitability. The distribution of organic carbon that might persist in ancient fluvial deposits present on Mars is not well understood. In this study, we set out to assess the preservation potential of organic carbon in a hyperarid fluvial environment with observations and analyses of the Amargosa River in Death Valley, California (United States). The lower reaches of the Amargosa River in Badwater Basin are nearly devoid of plants and contain low gradient, meandering channels, making them a valuable terrestrial analog for early martian fluvial systems. We analyzed sediment taken from fluvial deposits exposed in cutbanks of two bends of a meandering channel. We found total organic carbon abundances that were on average 0.15% up to a meter below the surface. X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy analyses revealed a suite of high redox potential mineral phases (including iron and manganese oxides) mixed with detrital and authigenic silicates, carbonate, and sulfate salts at or close to redox equilibrium with pore fluids in contact with the atmosphere. This finding highlighted that organic carbon can persist in fluvial deposits at low abundance despite oxidizing conditions and saturated sediments and suggested that ancient fluvial deposits on Mars may retain traces of organics in fine‐grained deposits if they are present during deposition.

Investigation of pore structure evolution and damage characteristics of high temperature rocks subjected to liquid nitrogen cooling shock

Liquid nitrogen (LN2) can be utilized in the development of enhanced geothermal systems, as well as for deep/ultra-deep hydrocarbon reservoir stimulation, fire suppression, and other high-temperature geological projects. It is a crucial issue in the utilization of LN2 to investigate the pore structure evolution, permeability, and damage characteristics of high-temperature rocks under the influence of LN2 cooling shock. These rocks were first slowly heated to 150∼600°C and held for 2 h, followed by LN2 or natural cooling. The evolution of pore volume in high-temperature rocks affected by liquid nitrogen cooling was quantified. T2 cutoff values were determined through centrifugal tests, while the contents of irreducible and mobile fluids were estimated. Based on the aforementioned analysis as well as changes in irreducible fluid saturation, pore throat, tortuosity, and permeability, this study examines the closure and development of pores along with permeability behavior. The findings suggest that, despite a more pronounced decrease in porosity at lower heating temperatures, LN2 cooling specimens exhibit superior pore connectivity and permeability compared to those cooled naturally. LN2 stimulation not only induces crack initiation and propagation but also results in further cooling induced densification based on heating densification. 225°C is considered to be the optimal temperature for cooling contraction induced densification in this study. At higher heating temperatures, the damage to rock cooled with LN2 is more severe than that of naturally cooled. This results in a greater increase in porosity, movable fluid content and proportion, and permeability of LN2 cooled specimens compared to naturally cooled specimens. The damage mechanism can be better understood by the constructed damage model that coordinates the pore increase/decrease and mutual pore transformation from the perspective of pore evolution.

A new framework to characterize and unify the impact load exerted by flow-type mass movements

AbstractA wide range of flow-type mass movements occur in nature. Depending on the solid fraction of these flows, they can be characterized as stream flows (flash floods), hyper-concentrated flows (debris floods), debris flows, and dry debris avalanches. A key scientific challenge in mitigating these hazards is estimating the impact force that they exert on protection structures. In this study, a new framework (Nfric - Fr2 - $$\alpha$$ α  relationship) is proposed to characterize and unify the impact behavior for a wide spectrum of flow-type mass movements. The friction number Nfric characterizes the ratio of grain-contact to fluid-viscous stresses for the wide range of flow types. Solid–fluid interaction regulates the pore fluid pressure, thereby governing the rheology of the flows and the degree of static loading exerted on a barrier. The Froude number Fr2 (in squared form) macroscopically characterizes the flow inertia relative to the earth’s gravitational field. Finally, the dynamic pressure coefficient $$\alpha$$ α is used to quantify the impact force in a dimensionless manner. As compared to existing guidelines, which recommend a wide range of $$\alpha$$ α without considering the flow composition, the newly proposed framework in this study estimates the dynamic impact force by considering the effects of solid–fluid interaction. Findings from this study could further enhance the design of flow-type mass movement mitigation structures.

Pore fluid salinity effects on post-stabilization performance of cement-treated Marl

Soil improvement using chemical admixtures has been extensively investigated in the recent past and these admixtures are abundantly being used on various construction projects. However, there is a need to elucidate the long-term performance of stabilized geomaterials under aggressive pore fluid environments such as high salinity of groundwater in coastal areas. This study presents the effects of the concentration of pore fluid salinity on the post-stabilization behavior of cement-treated Marl specimens to brine solution from Sabkha deposits and rejected water from a water treatment plant. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS), mineralogy, chemical, and microstructural evaluations have been carried out in this regard. minerals like albite and muscovite completely leached out of the samples after 28 days of soaking in a saline environment. A new mineral Attapulgite was formed at various concentration levels of the pore fluid. Significant changes in the chemical composition were also observed in various phases of the experiments. Moreover, at all salinity levels, the UCS initially increased to a maximum of 75 % which later reduced to a value less than the original strength whereas the elastic modulus (E50) increased as the soaking period progressed. Lastly, it is emphasized that the engineering properties of treated soils exposed to aggressive pore fluids should be carefully assessed for a reliable prediction of the long-term performance of geotechnical structures.

State of the Art on Fe Precipitation in Porous Media: Hydrogeochemical Processes and Evolving Parameters

The mixing of terrestrial groundwater and seawater creates dynamic reaction zones in intertidal areas, where land-derived Fe(II) is oxidized to Fe(III) and then precipitates as Fe hydroxides at the groundwater–seawater interface. These hydrogeochemical processes contribute to the formation of iron bands at the saltwater wedge (SW) and beneath the upper saline plume (USP). This study provides a comprehensive review of physical and geochemical processes at field scale in coastal areas, explores the impact of mineral precipitation on pore structure at pore scale, and synthesizes reactive transport modeling (RTM) approaches for illustrating continuum-scale soil physio-chemical parameters during the evolution of porous media. Upon this review, knowledge gaps and research needs are identified. Additionally, challenges and opportunities are presented. Therefore, we reach the conclusion that the incorporation of observational data into a comprehensive physico-mathematical model becomes imperative for capturing the pore-scale processes in porous media and their influence on groundwater flow and solute transport at large scales. Additionally, a synergistic approach, integrating pore-scale modeling and non-invasive imaging, is equally essential for providing detailed insights into intricate fluid–pore–solid interactions for future studies, as well as facilitating the development of regional engineering-scale models and physio-chemical coupled models with diverse applications in marine science and engineering.

Effect of temperature and salt concentration of pore fluid on the behaviour of an expansive soil during drying and wetting cycles

ABSTRACT A study was conducted on the effects of temperature and salt concentration of pore fluid on the properties of an expansive soil during drying and wetting cycles. The experimental tests were performed on modified and conventional odometers at constant and variable temperatures under 10 kPa surcharge pressure. Distilled water and solutions of sodium chloride and calcium chloride with concentration of 250 g/litre were used for making samples and distilled water was used for inundating samples during the wetting stage. The results showed that the swelling potential is decreased with increasing the number of cycles for both constant and variable temperature conditions. It was revealed that the potential of swelling is a function of salt concentration of pore fluid of the sample and the effect of temperature on the potential of shrinkage and swelling is negligible. The variation of void ratio with water content is dependent on the salt concentration of pore fluid and the position of void ratio-water content curve is a function of temperature. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests showed that the structure of soil is changed during drying and wetting cycles which results in the reduction of potential of shrinkage and swelling.

Evolution of anisotropic capillarity in unsaturated granular media within the pendular regime

While the shear behavior of granular soils is directly related to the microstructure of contacts which often leads to the coaxiality between Cauchy stress and Satake fabric tensors, it is generally accepted by the geomechanics and geotechnical engineering community that the capillary effects are isotropic. At low saturation levels, however, the pore fluid tends to form interparticle menisci that can also manifest an anisotropic structure, which may result in the development of anisotropic capillarity in wetted granular media. To study the interplay between the solid grain contacts and the liquid bridges at the micro-scales, this study adopts a coupled discrete element method that utilizes a linear contact model combined with a capillary model, and explores their effects by conducting a series of numerical experiments. The distributions of contact and capillary force orientations during the experiment are further investigated to better understand how their alignments affect the global response of the granular assembly subjected to a deviatoric loading. The results indicate that the global shear stress response is not only affected by the contact fabric but also by the network of liquid bridges, and we also observe that the particles may lose contact while the pendular menisci may not be destroyed during the elastic unloading.

An Experimental Investigation into the Role of an In Situ Microemulsion for Enhancing Oil Recovery in Tight Formations

Surfactant huff-n-puff (HnP) has been shown to be an effective protocol to improve oil recovery in tight and ultratight reservoirs. The success of surfactant HnP for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process depends on the efficiency of the designed chemical formula, as the formation of an in situ microemulsion by surfactant injection is considered to be the most desirable condition for achieving an ultra-low interfacial tension during the HnP process. In this work, we conducted experimental studies on the mechanism of in situ microemulsion EOR in the Mahu tight oil reservoir. Salinity scan experiments were carried out to compare different surfactants with crude oil from the Mahu reservoir, starting with the assessment of surfactant micellar solutions for their ability to form microemulsions with Mahu crude oil and examining the interfacial characteristics. Subsequently, detailed micromodels representing millimeter-scale fractures, micron-scale pores, and nano-scale channels were utilized to study the imbibition and flowback of various surfactant micellar solutions. Observations of the in situ microemulsion system revealed the mechanisms behind the enhanced oil recovery, which was the emulsification’s near-miscibility effect leading to microemulsion formation and its performance under low-interfacial-tension conditions. During the injection process, notable improvements in the micro-scale pore throat heterogeneity were observed, which improved the pore fluid mobility. The flowback phase improved the channeling between the different media, promoting a uniform movement of the oil–water interface and aiding in the recovery of a significant amount of the oil phase permeability.

Investigation of kinetics and mechanisms of metallic beryllium corrosion for the management of radioactive wastes

AbstractActivated beryllium wastes are produced by the nuclear industry and have to be managed as radioactive waste during decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities. One potential approach to the management of these wastes is their encapsulation and stabilization in cementitious matrices. The main issue with this conditioning is aqueous corrosion, leading to the hydrogen production and potential crack formation leading to a loss of confinement. To evaluate the suitability of different cement formulations, such as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) or magnesium phosphate cement for encapsulation of metallic beryllium, the corrosion behaviour of beryllium metal was investigated in solutions with different pHs. In alkaline solutions representative of OPC pore fluids (i.e. NaOH solutions with pH between 12.5 and 14), corrosion rates increase drastically with increasing pH. Investigations of the surface of the corroded beryllium samples by scanning electron microscopy indicate that pitting corrosion is the main corrosion mechanism under these conditions. Graphical abstract

Predicting sandstone water abundance using seismic dispersion attribute inversion: A case study of Yuwang coal mine, China

AbstractPredicting the water abundance of coal‐bearing strata is crucial for ensuring mining safety. However, owing to the dispersion and attenuation characteristics caused by pore fluid flow, it is difficult to estimate the water abundance of coal seam roof aquifers using seismic data. To overcome this challenge, we provide the relationship between the frequency‐dependent seismic wave velocity and water saturation based on the Chapman fracture model and the mixing fluid model. We propose a seismic dispersion attribute technique that can use dispersion information as an indicator of water abundance. Numerical experiment results show that the water saturation of the sandstone aquifer is positively correlated with the dispersion attribute. The results of low‐frequency rock physical experiments are roughly consistent with those predicted by the model for the given parameters. Using seismic dispersion attribute inversion and the frequency slice wavelet transform method, we predicted the water abundance of sandstone in the coal seam roof of the Yuwang coal mine in Yunnan Province, China. The predicted sandstone water abundance was compatible with the actual water‐rich scenario observed in well logs and downhole drilling in the study area. Therefore, the method proposed herein has the potential to quantitatively determine the water abundances of sandstone aquifers in coal seam roofs.