Petroleum Geophysics

Rock Physics: Principles and Applications

Lectures and practical sessions
PGH-214-GEOPH

Lecture #5

Lecture outcome
During this lecture, we will learn:
1. Effect of hydrocarbon on the bulk density
2. Relationship between the bulk density and P-wave velocity
3. Relationship between the P-wave and S-wave velocities

Do you see seismic amplitude anomalies?

Seismic cross section

Well B

Well A

P-wave velocity section

Low Vp

High Vp

Effect of hydrocarbon presence on the bulk density

Pore fluid effect on bulk density

b Plot
Gas Saturation - Rho

Waterbearing sand

2.4

b (g/cc)
Rho

2.35
2.3
2.25
2.2
2.15
2.1
2.05
0

20

40

60

80

100

Gas Saturation (%)

The bulk density of the rock decreases gradually with increasing in the hydrocarbon saturation.
There is a significant difference in the bulk density between the live gas and residual gas saturated rocks.
The bulk density could be used to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation.
When seismic data inverted into bulk density, then it can be used to define the hydrocarbon accumulations

Pore fluid effect on bulk density

Marlin Field, Gulf of Mexico

Pore fluid effect on bulk density

Marlin Field, Gulf of Mexico

GR

Density

High density
(water)

Low density
(gas)

Relationship between the bulk density and P-wave

seismic velocity

Relationship between P-wave velocity and bulk density

Gardners equation relation (1974)
where b is bulk density in g/cc,

Vp is the P wave velocity in km/s,

and d and f are constants.

Gardners equation is applicable only for

the water-bearing reservoirs. It is not
applicable in the hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Relationship between P-wave velocity and bulk density

According to the following equation, the P-wave velocity has reverse relationship
with the bulk density. How can the Gardners equation be valid ?!

The Gardners equation (proportional relationship between the P-wave velocity and
bulk density) is valid as the velocity is not only controlling by the bulk density of
the rock but it is mainly affecting by the bulk and shear moduli of the rock.

Relationship between P-wave velocity and bulk density

Castagna et al modification (1993)

Relationship between P-wave velocity and bulk density

Castagna et al (1993) Vp-Density relationship

Ahmed Hafez et al, 2013

The constants (d and f) of the Gardners equation are highly depending on
the lithology . Theses constants are vary from one sedimentary basin to
another due to subsidence history and compaction diagenesis.

Relationship between the P-wave seismic velocity and Swave seismic velocity

Relationship between P-wave and S-wave velocities

Castagna et al (1985)

Mudrock line

Quartz point:
Vp = 6.03 km/s
Vs= 4.1 km/s

Water point:
Vp = 1.5 km/s
Vs= 0 km/s
Where Vp and Vs in km/s

The mudrock line also called Castagna's equation or Castagna's relation, is

an empirical linear relation between seismic P-wave velocity and S-wave velocity in brinesaturated clastic rocks (sands, sandstones and shales).

Relationship between P-wave and S-wave velocities

Ahmed Hafez et al, 2013

The mudrock line slope is varying from one basin to another. Therefore, it
is strongly recommended to build a mudrock line for each basin per each
stratigraphic level.

Relationship between P-wave and S-wave velocities

6

Mudrock line
(water sand and shale)

5
Vp (km/s)

4
3

Gas sand
Vp/Vs ~1.5

2
1
0

2
Vs (km/s)

Gas sand points are deviated from the mudrock line because the gas sand reservoirs
have lower P-wave velocity than the shale and water sand.

Relationship between P-wave and S-wave velocities

6
5
Shaly gas sand

Vp (km/s)

4
3

Clean gas sand

2
1
0

2
Vs (km/s)

The increasing of the shale/clay content of the sand reservoirs are resulting in increasing in
the VpVs ratio and so that the deviation from the mudrock line will decrease