Estimation of Pore Structure for Heterogeneous Reservoirs Based on the Theory of Differential Poroelasticity

Abstract

The complex seismic responses of heterogeneous reservoirs can be related to the fabric structure, pore/microcrack shape, mineral composition and fluid distribution of the rock in situ. The pore structure refers to the geometric shape, size, spatial distribution and interconnectedness of pores, microcracks and throats. It is closely related to the storage space of reservoirs and the spatial distribution of oil/gas. Understanding the pore structure is crucial for the development of processes to increase oil/gas production capacity. Six dolomite samples from the Gaoshiti-Moxi Longwangmiao Formation are sorted out for measurements, and the ultrasonic and seismic attenuation are determined by using the spectral ratio method and the enhanced frequency shift method, respectively. When predicting the pore structure, we assume that the aspect ratio and volume fraction of pores and microcracks correspond to a normal distribution. On this basis, a model with the Voigt–Reuss–Hill average (VRH), differential effective medium (DEM) theory and infinituple-porosity media (IPM) theory is proposed. The acoustic wave responses in terms of reservoir porosity and standard deviation of normal distribution are analyzed, and multiscale 3D rock physics templates (RPT) are created. The calibrations of the templates are performed with the ultrasonic and seismic data, and then the templates are applied to the field data. The results show that the estimated porosity and pore structure (corresponding to the mean aspect ratio and standard deviation of a normal distribution, respectively) are in substantial agreement with the log data and the actual gas production results.