Mechanistic Models of Unconventional Reservoirs

Abstract

Rock physics models are mathematical relations between porosity, composition and elastic properties of a rock. Unlike in conventional silisiclastic rocks where seismic-to-rock properties are predicted successfully by rock physics models, their application in unconventional reservoirs such as shale, hydrate and carbonates is not fully understood. In light of the vast untapped potential of unconventional resources, their exploration will be easier if a suitable rock physics models become available for quantitative interpretation of seismic data. In this thesis generic, rock physics models that were developed for conventional siliciclastic systems have been used to infer rock properties such as porosity, composition, fluid saturation and pore pressure in shale, gas hydrates and carbonates. Results indicate that elastic properties of these rocks including shale and gas hydrates which can be viewed as grain assemblages can be best predicted by Hashin Shtrikman bounds. For rocks with non-spherical pores and a rather unified matrix such as carbonates where grain-to-grain contacts are not very clear, the Kuster and Toksoz model provide a good description of their dry elastic properties.