Advanced Sonic Measurements

for Geomechanics

Figure 3

Dr Chee Tan – MEA Geomechanics Advisor

Kuala Lumpur Deepwater Technology Hub
Shear Anisotropy Mechanisms in Boreholes
Stress-
Stress-Induced Intrinsic Intrinsic
Max.
stress

Min.
stress
Stress Shales, bedding Fractures
(transverse isotropic vertical) (transverse isotropic horizontal)
VS(r,θ) VS(θ) VS(θ)
 Near-Wellbore Alteration/Damage Characterization
Near-wellbore stress concentrations cause radial velocity variations

Plastic yielding/failure Can also change radial velocity

Invasion of mud filtrate/mud particles distributions
 Dispersion Analysis Curves
• Provide insight into commonly observed complex acoustical signatures
 Examples of Dispersion Analysis Curves
Homogeneous Isotropic Inhomogeneous Isotropic
Far Damaged,
From Stoneley HI model Near
Failure Failure
Dipole flexural

Vp,s Vp,s(r)
Compressional

Homogeneous Anisotropic (TI) Inhomogeneous Anisotropic

Intrinsic Stress-
- Shales Induced
- Fractures

Vp,s(θ) Vp,s(r,θ)
 Dipole Radial Profiling
Application unique to Sonic Scanner with its wide frequency band

Stress relaxation
(softening)
Stress relaxation
DRP
HI
Stress concentration
(stiffening) Stress concentration
Radial Profiling in Isotropic Horizontal Stress
- No anisotropy
Shale - Isotropic horizontal stress distribution
- Presence of stress concentration
(stiffening) around borehole
- Low level to absence of yielded zone

- No anisotropy
Sand - Isotropic horizontal stress distribution
- Absence of stress concentration
(softening) around borehole
1 BH radius
- Altered zone to 1 borehole radius (yielded
zone)
 Radial Profiling in Anisotropic Horizontal Stress
3 borehole radii

Anisotropic horizontal stress:

Stress concentration in min
horizontal stress direction slight to absence of alteration

Stress relaxation in max Failure point

horizontal stress direction
Plastic
1.5 borehole zone
radii
Yield point
Crossing dispersion curves: stress
anisotropy Elastic
zone

Absence of stress
concentration in min
horizontal stress direction
close to borehole
Anisotropic horizontal stress:
Stress relaxation in max considerable alteration
horizontal stress direction

1.5 borehole
radii

Cross-over: stress anisotropy

Horizontal Stress Determination
with Sonic Scanner
 Three Shear Moduli Method
BestDT 3D Anisotropy
Sonic Scanner for Geomechanics
c44_ortho /c55_ortho/
c66_ortho
Sonic Scanner QC, Vmud Data Audit & SHmax from Results
Processing Interval Three Shear QC
Selection Moduli

DTc
DTs Litho SH
Sh Azim Biot’s coef. QC
Sv, PP,Sh Ae/Aem

Stonefish (1D MEM Building)

Pore Min Max

Zones/ Elastic Strength
Overburden Pressure Hori. Stress Hori. Stress
Litho Properties Properties
& Azimuth
 Key Inputs

Three shear moduli
– C44, C55, C66

MEM Parameters
– Overburden stress
– Minimum horizontal stress
– Pore pressure & Biot’s constant

Sonic Scanner data requirements
– Slowness accuracy 2 to 3%
– Well inclination <15o & good hole
shape
– Good estimate of mud slowness
 SHmax and Output QC

SHmax results and its QC flags

– SHmax/Shmin (1.0 -1.5)
– SHmax/Sv (0.5 -1.1)
– SHmax>Shmin>Pp
– Mohr-Coulomb model validation

Improve 1D-MEM building and
calibration
Velocity Dispersion Gradient (VDG)
Method
BestDT Sonic Scanner for GeoMechanics
Dispersion curves Vs(i)
Sonic Scanner QC, Vmud Data Audit & Results
SH Gradient
Processing Interval
Selection
(VDG) QC

DTc
DTs Litho SH_grad
Sh Azim Biot’s coef. QC
Sv, PP

Stonefish (1D MEM Building)

Min/Max
Zones/ Elastic Strength Pore
Overburden Pressure Hori. Stress
Litho Properties Properties
& Azimuth
 Key Inputs

Sonic Scanner dispersion curves

Shear slowness, compressional
slowness, formation density, hole
diameter, mud slowness & mud density

MEM parameters
– Overburden stress
– Pore pressure
– Biot’s constant

Sonic Scanner data requirements
– Slowness accuracy 2 to 3%
– Well inclination <15o & good hole shape
– Wideband & high quality dispersions
– Good estimate of mud slowness
 SHmax Gradient and Outputs QC

SHmax Gradient results and its QC flags

– SHmax gradient (Between PPG & SigV)
– SHmax/Sv (0.5 -1.1)
– SHmax > Pp
– Mohr-Coulomb model validation

Improve 1D-MEM building and calibration
Mechanical Earth Model Validation
FMI Image
Caliper Static Dynamic
Mechanical Earth Model Validation (Cont’d)
MEM & Predicted Failure Sonic Scanner Measurement

Observation
Model Prediction
&
Measurement

Calibration History Match

 Sonic
SonicScanner
ScannerBefore Fracturing
After Fracturing
Fast Shear DTSM Fast
Energy Azimuth DTSM Slow Stoneley SFA Fast SPR Fast SWF Fast SFA Slow SPR Slow SWF Fast

Fracture Height: 62 ft
Fracture Orientation: N50oE
Fracture Depth: Estimated
from Radial Profiling
Field Example
Key Challenges for Hydraulic Fracturing Job

– High Temperature and High Pressure

– Presence of Natural Fractures and Fissures
– High Young’s Modulus and High Fracture Gradient
– High Breakdown Pressure due to Stiff Rocks
– Formation Heterogeneity and Complex Geological Setting
– Limited Core/Laboratory Test Data for Calibration
– Low Success Rate in Previous Fracturing Campaign
 Sonic Scanner Anisotropy & Dispersion Analysis
Top of Reservoir
 VDG Application and Results

Mechanical Stratigraphy

Mechanical Earth Model

(MEM)

Homogeneous Zone
Identification

Average Horizontal
Stress Gradient
Estimation
 Post-Fracturing Data Analysis
Breakdown Pressure (BDP) Comparison Metric Units
Predicted BDP Using Measured Bottom Hole
Percentage Difference
Zone Adopted Workflow BDP During Frac
(Predicted vs Actual) (%)
(kPa) Execution (kPa)
Upper 113892 102997 10.58
Middle 114388 110761 3.27
Lower 107741 92420 16.58
Measured
breakdown
pressure
Breakdown Pressure (BDP) Comparison English Units
Predicted BDP Using Measured Bottom Hole
Percentage Difference
Zone Adopted Workflow BDP During Frac
(Predicted vs Actual) (%)
(psi) Execution (psi)
Upper 16518 14938 10.58
Middle 16590 16064 3.27
Lower 15626 13404 16.58
 Thank You
Any Further Questions