Work

A rock physics model for the characterization of organic-rich shale from elastic properties

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Kerogen content and kerogen porosity play a significant role in elastic properties of organic-rich shales. We construct a rock physics model for organic-rich shales to quantify the effect of kerogen content and kerogen porosity using the Kuster and Toksöz theory and the self-consistent approximation method. Rock physics modeling results show that with the increase of kerogen content and kerogen-related porosity, the velocity and density of shales decrease, and the effect of kerogen porosity becomes more obvious only for higher kerogen content. We also find that the Poisson’s ratio of the shale is not sensitive to kerogen porosity for the case of gas saturation. Finally, for the seismic reflection responses of an organic-rich shale layer, forward modeling results indicate the fifth type AVO responses which correspond to a negative intercept and a positive gradient. The absolute values of intercept and gradient increase with kerogen content and kerogen porosity, and present predictable variations associated with velocities and density.

Source: Petroleum Science

DOI: 10.1007/s12182-015-0029-6

Authors: Ying Li, Zhi-Qi Guo, Cai Liu, Xiang-Yang Li, Gang Wang

Institutions: Jilin University, British Geological Survey, China University of Petroleum, Beijing

Language: English

Topic: Seismic Imaging and Inversion Techniques

Subfield: Geophysics

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Environment Research Council

Awards: G5369106109, G5587233281, G625956131