Analysis of PS-converted wave seismic data in the presence of azimuthal anisotropy
Abstract
Shear-wave splitting and azimuthal variations of seismic attributes are two major
anisotropic effects induced by vertically-aligned fractures. They both have influences
on seismic data processing and interpretation, and provide information on fracture
properties. Azimuthal variations in P-wave data have been intensively studied to
improve imaging and obtain fracture parameters. However, azimuthal variations in
PS-converted wave seismic data, particularly the velocity variation in PS-converted
wave data, have not been well studied. Shear-wave splitting has been frequently used
to estimate fracture directions and densities. However, its influence on the azimuthal
variations of PS-converted wave data has also lacked a proper analysis. In this thesis,
I analyse the anisotropic behaviour of PS-converted wave seismic data in the
presence of azimuthal anisotropy, which includes the azimuthal variation of the PSconverted
wave and PS-converted wave splitting.
First, I demonstrate the robustness of PS-converted wave splitting for fracture
characterisation. PS-converted wave seismic data is also influenced by the splitting
effect due to its upgoing shear-wave leg. This important feature enables the
application of shear-wave splitting analysis to PS-converted wave seismic data. I use
synthetic data to show the necessity for separation of the split PS-converted waves.
Then I apply the PS-converted wave splitting analysis to Sanhu 3D3C land seismic
data. By separation of the fast and slow PS-converted waves and compensation for
the time delays, the imaging quality has been improved. Dominant fracture properties
obtained from the splitting analysis show a good correlation with the stress-field data.
However, this work is accomplished by assuming only one set of vertical fractures in
processing a given time window. In future work a specific layer-stripping algorithm
could be constructed and applied. .
Second, I study azimuthal variations of velocities in PS-converted wave seismic data.
It involves two major parts: analysing azimuthal variations of NMO velocities to
improve imaging, and examining the sensitivity of azimuthal variations to different
fluid saturations. For a layer with HTI anisotropy induced by a set of vertical
fractures, seismologists usually analyse the azimuthal behaviour exhibited on the
radial and transverse components, on which PS-converted wave data are recorded.
However, PS-converted waves also undergo shear-wave splitting, which complicates
the azimuthal variations of PS-converted wave data. I demonstrate that it is essential
to separate the fast P-SV1 wave from the slow P-SV2 wave, before applying any
azimuthal analysis. I derive an equation describing the azimuthal variation in PSconverted
wave NMO velocities, which shows the variation can be approximated
into an ellipse. Based on this theory, I build a workflow to analyse the azimuthal
variations of velocities in PS-converted wave data and apply this workflow to
synthetic data. The imaging quality can be improved by using this workflow.
Different fluid saturations in fractures have different influences on the azimuthal
variations of both P-wave and PS-converted wave data. I perform a numerical study
to understand how dry or water-saturated fractures control the azimuthal variations.
Through theoretical and synthetic studies, I find that the azimuthal variation of
velocities in PS-converted wave data is sensitive to different fluid saturations. By
analysing the azimuthal variation, the fracture properties can also be estimated, but
results are not as robust as those from PS-converted wave splitting analysis. I find
that azimuthal variations of fast P-SV1 and slow P-SV2 waves show in-phase
characteristics in dry fractures, but exhibit out-of-phase characteristics in water-saturated
fractures. This important feature could open a new application for using
PS-converted wave seismic data to distinguish oil-filled fractures from gas-filled
fractures. In cases where multiple HTI layers are involved, I have developed a
specific layer-stripping method to analyse both azimuthal variations and splitting
effects of PS-converted waves. By applying this method to synthetic data, the
fracture properties of each HTI layer can be estimated.
The analysis of azimuthal variations in PS-converted wave velocities is applied to
Daqing 3D3C land data. By using azimuthal velocity models in the PS-converted
wave seismic data processing, the imaging quality is improved, especially in the
anticline area where intensive fractures are likely to be developed. Furthermore, all
fracture information obtained from analysis of azimuthal variations and splitting
effects is compared with the stress-field data. The results from splitting analysis
show a better correlation with the stress-field study.
Finally, it is important to conclude that the analysis of PS-converted wave splitting is
a robust method to estimate fracture directions and densities. However, it is not
sensitive to different fluid saturations, which limits its application to fractured
reservoir characterisation. Azimuthal variations of PS-converted wave seismic data
can be analysed to improve imaging quality. Moreover their sensitivity to fluid
saturations may provide a new way to discriminate between oil-filled and gas-filled
fractures. However, the analysis of azimuthal variations is not as robust as the
analysis of splitting effects, and it may require appropriate calibration with other
fracture characterisation methods.