Abstract
The characterization of the reservoir rock's geomechanical properties is critical to address wellbore instabilities and subsidence-related issues. To address these issues, lab-derived dynamic and static elastic properties are essential to match the in-situ rock properties. In this study, as part of a new integrated workflow P-wave and S-wave velocities are congregated using ultrasonic transducers for the core plugs, which constitutes mainly carbonates, shales, and both. Mineral composition, shale anisotropy, seismic velocities, and cross plots are studied to understand shear wave splitting. During this study, as a part of 1D mechanical Earth models, rock elastic properties are calculated for 60 wells using petrophysical logs (gamma, density, acoustic and caliper). Also, triaxial loading tests are conducted on 14 specimens collected from the same wells, static Poisson's ratio and static Young's modulus are computed from the stress-strain curves. The major differences are observed between static and dynamic elastic properties calculated from well logs and lab tests. Cohesion and friction angle for rock samples are estimated from the triaxial tests under different confining pressures. The objective of this study is to compare the elastic properties derived from the ultrasonic method with well logs and fill the gaps in the 1D geomechanical model. The combined analysis of elastic properties from different methods provides exciting insights on wellbore stability in anisotropic rock.
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Abbreviations
- PR dy :
-
Dynamic Poisson’s ratio
- E dyn :
-
Dynamic Young’s modulus (GPa)
- K :
-
Bulk modulus (GPa)
- G, µ :
-
Shear modulus (GPa)
- 1D MEM:
-
One-dimensional mechanical Earth model
- V p, υ p :
-
Compressional wave velocity (m/s)
- V s, υ s :
-
Shear wave velocity (m/s)
- UVW:
-
Ultrasonic wave velocity (m/s)
- ISRM:
-
International Society of Rock Mechanics
- T p :
-
Travelling time (sec)
- σ 1 :
-
Vertical load (psi)
- σ 2, σ 3 :
-
Horizontal loads (psi)
- kN:
-
Kilo Newton
- Co :
-
Cohesion
- µ i :
-
Coefficient of internal friction angle
- ASTM:
-
American Society for Testing and Materials
- E sat :
-
Static Young’s modulus
- UCSlimestone :
-
Unconfined compressive strength of limestone
- UCSshale :
-
Unconfined compressive strength of shale
- mD:
-
Milli Darcy
- YM :
-
Young’s modulus
- PR :
-
Poisson’s ratio
- MPa:
-
Mega Pascals
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Acknowledgements
Authors extend their gratitude to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Baker Hughes for their continuous support to make this research work possible and thank ONGC-Mumbai and CEWELL-Baroda for providing data for this research under the PAN IIT project. We also thank our supervisor for his uninterrupted support and for providing the lab facilities for conducting the experiments.
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Venkatesh Ambati: Performed the lab and analytic calculations and computations, implemented and interpreted the study, and contributed in the write-up of initial and final version of the paper. Shashank Sharma: Carried out the lab experiments, contributed in analytical work, visualization, data curation, and write-up of the initial version. Nagendra Babu M: Contributed in data analysis, interpreting the results and worked on the final draft preparation. Rajesh R Nair: Designed the study, project administration, interpretation of complete results, write-up of final version of the manuscript and overall supervision of the work.
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Communicated by N V Chalapathi Rao
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Ambati, V., Sharma, S., Babu, M.N. et al. Laboratory measurements of ultrasonic wave velocities of rock samples and their relation to log data: A case study from Mumbai offshore. J Earth Syst Sci 130, 176 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01696-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01696-x