Lithosphere (Jan 2022)

Estimation of the Squirt-Flow Length Based on Crack Properties in Tight Sandstones

  • Chunfang Wu,
  • Jing Ba,
  • Lin Zhang,
  • José M. Carcione

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2113/2022/9744530
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2021, no. Special 3

Abstract

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AbstractTight sandstones have low porosity and permeability and strong heterogeneities with microcracks, resulting in small wave impedance contrasts with the surrounding rock and weak fluid-induced seismic effects, which make the seismic characterization for fluid detection and identification difficult. For this purpose, we propose a reformulated modified frame squirt-flow (MFS) model to describe wave attenuation and velocity dispersion. The squirt-flow length (R) is an important parameter of the model, and, at present, no direct method has been reported to determine it. We obtain the crack properties and R based on the DZ (David-Zimmerman) model and MFS model, and how these properties affect the wave propagation, considering ultrasonic experimental data of the Sichuan Basin. The new model can be useful in practical applications related to exploration areas.