Delaney, Daniel
(2013)
Ultrasonic Seismic Wave Attenuation, Petrophysical Models and Work Flows for Better Subsurface Imaging, Energy Exploration, and Tracking of Sequestrated Carbon Dioxide.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Parameters related to seismic and ultrasonic elastic waves traveling through a porous rock
material with compliant pores, cracks and isometric pores are subject to variations, which are dependent on the physical properties of the rock. The goal of this research is to understand these variations in rhyolite and carbonate samples. Understanding these materials is relevant to enhanced oil recovery, enhanced geothermal, and CO2 storage activities. Experiments simulating subsurface conditions were performed in the COREFLOW laboratory at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) with varied pore-filling fluids, effective pressures (0.01 to 50 MPa), and temperatures (21° to 80° C). P, S1 and S2 ultrasonic velocities were measured using a New England Research (NER) Autolab 1500 device, allowing calculation of the lame parameters (Bulk modulus (K), Young’s modulus (E), Lamè’s first parameter (λ), Shear modulus (G), Poisson’s ratio (ν), P-wave modulus (M)). Using an aluminum reference core and the ultrasonic waveform data collected, we employed the spectral ratio method to estimate the quality factor for the P seismic wave. The quality factor (Q) is a dimensionless value that represents the attenuation of a seismic wave as it travels through a rock. Carbonate samples were tested dry (atmospheric gas as pore fluid) as well as saturated with deionized water, oil, and CO2. Understanding wave attenuation and the elastic nature of
iv
these materials and sensitivity to physical change will be a powerful tool for better subsurface imaging, tracking sequestered CO2, and energy exploration.
Our research indicates porosity, heterogeneities, temperature, pressure and pore filling fluids are physical controls on wave attenuation and shifts λρ-μρ space. The effects of temperature and pressure on elatic attenuation and λρ-μρ are less significatnt than porosity and rock hetergeneities. The presence of fluids causes a distinct shift in λρ which provides isight into subsurface exploration such as AVO classifaction. Our results will prove useful in enhancing subsurface imaging, analysis and exploration.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
22 September 2013 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
25 July 2013 |
| Approval Date: |
22 September 2013 |
| Submission Date: |
5 September 2013 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
116 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Geology and Planetary Science |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Geophysics, Attenuation, Elastic, Petrophysics, seismic, wave, |
| Date Deposited: |
22 Sep 2013 21:01 |
| Last Modified: |
22 Sep 2018 05:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19748 |
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