Skip to main content
Log in

Prestack forward modeling of tight reservoirs based on the Xu–White model

  • Published:
Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inversion methods for conventional reservoirs cannot be used in tight reservoirs because of small differences in wave impedance between tight reservoirs and surrounding rocks. Tight reservoirs in western China are characterized by strong heterogeneity; thus, it is difficult to predict favorable zones using conventional reservoir inversion methods. In this study, we propose an inversion method based on the Xu–White model. First, we modify the test parameters of the Xu–White model until model P- and S-wave velocities and density values agree with well-logging data. Then, we calculate P- and S-wave velocities, density, and Poisson ratio for different lithologies and oil saturation and construct different geological models for interbedded sand and shale. Subsequently, we use approximations to Zoeppritz equations to perform prestack forward modeling and analyze the response characteristics of prestack gathers for different physical properties, lithology, and oil saturation. We analyze the response of thirteen types of elastic parameters to porosity, clay content, and oil saturation. After the optimization of the real prestack gathers in the Z area of western China, we select an elastic parameter that is the most sensitive to lithology and oil saturation to predict the distribution of oil-producing reservoirs with high accuracy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aki, K., and Richards, P. G., 1980, Quantitative Seismology: Theory and Methods: W. H. Freeman and Company, the San Francisco, 100–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bill, G., Marco, P., and John, V., 2010, Seismic petrophysics and isotropic-anisotropic AVO methods for unconventional gas exploration: The Leading Edge, 29(12), 1500–1508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruce, S. H., Robin, P., and Geoffrey, C., 2002, 3-D seismic horizon-based approaches to fracture-swarm sweet spot definition in tight-gas reservoirs: The Leading Edge, 21(1), 28–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, J. Y., Song, Z. X., and Su, L., 2012, Error analysis of shear-velocity prediction by the Xu-White model: Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 55(2), 589–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ba, J., Yan, X. F., Chen, Z. Y., et al., 2013, Rock physics model and gas saturation inversion for heterogeneous gas reservoir: Chinese J. Geophys.(in Chinese), 56(5),1696–1706.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Huang, T. F., and Liu, E. R., 2009, Petrophysics: University of Science and Technology of China Press, Hefei, 310–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, B. J., Xu, T. J., and Li, S. G., 2012, Research and application of frequency dependent AVO analysis for gas recognition: Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 55(2), 608–613.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gassmann, F., 1951, Elastic waves through a packing of spheres: Geophysics, 16(1), 673–685.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James, J. R., 2007, Developing new 3D seismic fracture interpretation methods for tight gas reservoirs: The Leading Edge, 26(2), 162–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keys, R. G., and Xu, S. Y., 2002, An approximation for the Xu-White velocity model: Geophysics, 67(5), 1406–1414.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuster, G. T., and Toksöz, M. N., 1974, Velocity and attenuation of seismic waves in two phase media: Part 1: Theoretical formulation: Geophysics, 39(1), 587–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Militzer, B., Wenk, H. R., Stackhouse, S., Stixrude, L., 2011, First-principles calculation of the elastic moduli of sheet silicates and their application to shale anisotropy: American Mineralogist, 96(1), 125–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiao, Y.D., Gao, Y.F., and An, H.W., 2007, Technology of optimized shear wave velocity prediction based on Xu-White model: Journal of Oil and Gas Technology(in Chinese), 29(5), 100–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiao, S. R., Zhang, H., and Zhao, S., 2008, Reservoir prediction techniques and their application to tight sandstones of the Xujiahe Formation in DY area, western Sichuan Basin: Oil & Gas Geology ( in Chinese), 29(6), 774–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sait, B., and Matthew, J. P., 2013, Fault and fracture distribution within a tight-gas sandstone reservoir: Mesaverde Group, Mamm Creek Field, Piceance Basin, Colorado, USA: Petroleum Geoscience, 19(3), 203–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuey R. T., 1985, A simplification of the Zoeppritz equations: Geophysics, 50(4), 609–614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xavier, E. R., Kurt, J. M., and Joël, H. L., 2011, Inversion and attribute-assisted hydraulically induced microseismic fracture characterization in the North Texas Barnett Shale: The Leading Edge, 30(3), 292–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S. Y., and Payne, M. A., 2009, Modeling elastic properties in carbonate rocks: The Leading Edge, 28(1), 66–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S. Y., and White, R. E., 1995, A new velocity model for clay-sand mixtures: Geophysical Prospecting, 43(1), 91–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S. Y., and White, R. E., 1996, A physical model for shear-wave velocity prediction: Geophysical Prospecting, 44(5),687–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, X. F., Yao, F. C., Cao, H., et al., 2011, Analyzing the mid-low porosity sandstone dry frame in central Sichuan based on effective medium theory: Applied Geophysics, 8(3), 163–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S. G., and Zhou, X. X., 1995, Forward model for AVO characteristic stack section and the application: Oil Geophysical Prospecting (in Chinese), 30(6), 772–774.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, H., Ba, J., Carcione, J., et al., 2014, Rock physics modeling in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs: Porosity estimation and hydrocarbon detection: Applied Geophysics, 11(1), 9–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, X. D., 1991, Forward AVO method and its application: Oil Geophysical Prospecting (in Chinese), 26(6), 766–776.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chao Zhu.

Additional information

Zhu Chao received his B.E. from China university of Petroleum (Beijing) in 2009. He is presently an engineer at PetroChina Hangzhou Research Institute of Geology. His research mainly focuses on seismic interpretation and reservoir prediction.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhu, C., Guo, QX., Gong, QS. et al. Prestack forward modeling of tight reservoirs based on the Xu–White model. Appl. Geophys. 12, 421–431 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-015-0505-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-015-0505-1

Keywords

Navigation