Register      Login
Exploration Geophysics Exploration Geophysics Society
Journal of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Determination of a rock physics model for the carbonate Fahliyan Formation in two oil wells in southwestern Iran

SeyedBijan Mahbaz 1 4 Hadi Sardar 2 Hossein Memarian 3
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

1 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.

2 Geo-Engineering Lab, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Faculty of Mining Engineering, University College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

4 Corresponding author. Email: bijan.mahbaz@gmail.com

Exploration Geophysics 43(1) 47-57 https://doi.org/10.1071/EG11006
Submitted: 17 January 2011  Accepted: 2 December 2011   Published: 7 February 2012

Abstract

Geophysical methods, especially seismic inversion, have improved considerably in recent years. The prediction of elastic behaviour is important to decrease risk in mining operations. The investigation of rock physics is a way to predict rock behaviours, especially reservoir geomechanical parameters. The first step in rock physics studies is to diagnose and introduce a suitable rock physics model. In this paper, we review rock physics models, such as the Rymer–Greenberg–Castagna model, and we compare them with real data trends in two oil wells of a carbonate reservoir (the Fahliyan Formation) in the Zagros Basin of southwestern Iran using sonic, density and porosity logs. After omitting the effect of water saturation and clay content, the best model for clean carbonate of the Fahliyan Formation was developed in two oil wells (A1 and A2).

Key words: elastic parameters, Fahliyan Formation, geomechanical parameters, Iran, rock physics, Rymer–Greenberg–Castagna model.


References

Adam, L., Batzle, M., and Brevik, I., 2005, Gassmann’s fluid substitution paradox on carbonates: seismic and ultrasonic frequencies: Presented at the 75th Annual International Meeting, SEG, 24, 1521–1524.

Anselmetti, F. S., and Eberli, G. P., 1993, Controls on sonic velocity in carbonates: Pure and Applied Geophysics, 141, 287–323
Controls on sonic velocity in carbonates:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Asquith, G., and Krygowski, D., 1982, Basic well log analysis, AAPG Methods in Exploration Series, No. 16.

Assefa, S., McCann, C., and Sothcott, J., 2003, Velocity of compressional and shear waves in limestones: Geophysical Prospecting, 51, 1–13
Velocity of compressional and shear waves in limestones:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Avesth, P., Mukerji, T., and Mavko, G., 2005, Quantitative seismic interpretation: Cambridge University Press.

Baechle, G. T., Weger, R. J., Eberli, G. P., Massaferro, J. L., and Sun, Y.-F., 2005, Changes of shear moduli in carbonate rocks: implications for Gaussmann applicability: The Leading Edge, 24, 507–510
Changes of shear moduli in carbonate rocks: implications for Gaussmann applicability:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Castagna, J. P., Batzle, M. L., and Kan, T. K., 1993, Rock physics: the link between rock properties and AVO response, in J. P. Castagna, and M. M. Backus, eds., Offset-dependent reflectivity—theory and practice of AVO analysis: Investigations in Geophysics Series: Soc Expl Geophys, 8, 135–171.

Domenico, S. N.,, 1984, Rock lithology and porosity determination from shear and compressional wave velocity: Geophysics, 49, 1188–1195
Rock lithology and porosity determination from shear and compressional wave velocity:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dong, W., Tura, A., and Sparkman, G., 2003, An introduction—carbonate geophysics: The Leading Edge, 22, 637–638
An introduction—carbonate geophysics:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Guest, S., Van der Kolk, C., and Potters, H., 1998, The effect of fracture filling fluids on shear-wave propagation: 68th Annual International Meeting, SEG Expanded Abstracts, 948–951.

James, G. A., and Wynd, J. G., 1965, Stratigraphic nomenclature of Iranian Oil Consortium agreement area: AAPG Bulletin, 49, 2182–2245

Kazemzadeh, E., Nabi-Bidhendi, M., Keramati Moezabad, M., Rezaee, M. R., and Saadat, K., 2007, Determination of Archie coefficients in different petrofacieses of carbonate rocks using seismic wave velocity deviation logs: Journal of Earth and Space Physics, 33, 51–65

Nur, A., and Simmons, G., 1998, Stress-induced velocity anisotropy in rocks: an experimental study: Journal of Geophysical Research, 103, 6667–6674

Prasad, M., and Nur, A., 2003, Velocity and attenuation anisotropy in reservoir rocks: 73rd Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 22, 1652–1655.

Prasad, M., Nur, A., Mavko, G., and Dvorkin, J., 2000, Acoustic properties of petroliferous liquids, in M. Levy, H. Bass, and R. Stern, eds., Handbook of Elastic Properties of Solids, Liquids, and Gases, Volume IV: Elastic Properties of Fluids: Liquids and Gases: Academic Press.

Rafavich, F., Kendall, C. H., and Todd, T. P., 1984, The relationship between acoustic properties and the petrographic character of carbonate rocks: Geophysics, 49, 1622–1636
The relationship between acoustic properties and the petrographic character of carbonate rocks:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Spikes, K. T., and Dvorkin, J. P., 2003, Model-based prediction of porosity and reservoir quality from P- and S-wave data: Geophysical Research Letters, 30, 2029–2032
Model-based prediction of porosity and reservoir quality from P- and S-wave data:Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Spikes, K. T., and Dvorkin, J. P., 2004, Reservoir and elastic property prediction away from well control: Stanford Rock Physics Laboratory.