Han Tongcheng
Joint Elastic Electrical Properties of Artificial Porous Sandstone With Aligned Fractures
Geophysical Research Letters, ISSN: 0094-8276
https://doi.org/10.1002/2018GL077541
Abstract: Seismic and electromagnetic surveys are among the most important geophysical applications to understand the subsurface Earth. Joint interpretation of the independent but complementary exploration data can provide geophysical parameters needed to better assess the rocks. However, cross?property relationship between the elastic and electrical properties of fractured porous rocks, the key to the successful joint interpretation of seismic and electromagnetic data in anisotropic formations, is poorly understood. Here we use dedicated laboratory experiments and theoretical modeling to show how elastic velocity and electrical conductivity are linked in porous sandstone with aligned fractures and how the joint properties are affected by the fractures. The P and SH wave velocities are found to be approximately linearly correlated with electrical conductivity when measured in varying directions, and the linear trends are determined by the geometry and amount of the fractures in the rocks. The results provide a pathway to successful joint interpretation in fractured rocks.