Quantifying the influence of pressure on the effective elastic rock properties is important for applications in rock physics and reservoir characterization. Here I investigate the relationship between effective pressure and seismic velocities by performing inversion on the laboratory-measured data from a suite of clastic, carbonate and igneous rocks, using different analytic and discrete inversion schemes. I explore the utility of a physical model that models a natural fracture as supported by asperities of varying heights, when an effective pressure deforms the tallest asperities, bringing the shorter ones into contact while increasing the overall fracture stiffness. Thus, the model is known as the ?asperity-deformation? (ADM) or ?bed-of-nails? (BNM) model. Existing analytic solutions include one that assumes the host rock is infinitely more rigid than the fractures, and one that takes the host-rock compliance into account. Inversion results indicate that although both solutions can fit the data to within first-order approximation, some systematic misfits exist as a result of using the rigid-host solution, whereas compliant-host inversion returns smaller and random misfits, yet out-of-range parameter estimates. These problems indicate the effects of nonlinear elastic deformation whose degree varies from rock to rock. Consequently, I extend the model to allow for the pressure dependence of the host rock, thereby physically interpreting the nonlinear behaviors of deformation. Furthermore, I apply a discrete grid-search inversion scheme that generalizes the distribution of asperity heights, thus accurately reproduces velocity profiles, significantly improves the fit and helps to visualize the distribution of asperities. I compare the analytic and numerical asperity-deformation models with the existing physical model of elliptical ?pennyshape? cracks with a pore-aspect-ratio (PAR) spectrum in terms of physical meaning and data-fitting ability. The comparison results provide a link and demonstrate the consistency between the use of the two physical models, making a better understanding of the microstructure as well as the contact mechanism and physical behaviors of rocks under pressure. ADM-based solutions, therefore, have the potential to facilitate modeling and interpretation of applications such as time-lapse seismic investigations of fractured reservoirs.

[pt] As reservas de óleos pesados têm obtido grande importância devido à diminuição das reservas de óleos leves e ao aumento dos preços do petróleo. Porém, precisa-se de aumentar a viscosidades destes óleos pesados para que possam fluir até superfície. Para reduzir a viscosidade foi escolhida a técnica de recuperação térmica SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) pelos seus altos valores de recobro. A redução da viscosidade é atingida pela transmissão de calor ao óleo pela injeção de vapor, porém uma parte deste calor é transmitida à rocha. Esta transmissão de calor junto com a produção de óleo geram uma variação no estado de tensões no reservatório o que por sua vez geram fenômenos geomecânicos. Os simuladores convencionais avaliam de uma forma muito simplificada estes fenômenos geomecânicos, o que faz necessários uma abordagem mais apropriada que acople o escoamento dos hidrocarbonetos e a transmissão de calor com a deformação da rocha. As mudanças no reservatório, especialmente a variação da saturação, afetam as propriedades sísmicas da rocha, as quais podem ser monitoradas para acompanhar o avanço da frente de vapor. A simulação fluxo-térmica-composicional-geomecânica é integrada à sísmica de monitoramento 4D da injeção de vapor (a través da física de rochas). Existe uma grande base de dados, integrada por propriedades dos fluidos do reservatório (PVT) (usado no arquivo de entrada de simulação de fluxo) e uma campanha de mecânica das rochas. Foram simulados vários cenários geomecânicos considerando a plasticidade e variação da permeabilidade. Foram avaliadas várias repostas geomecânicas e de propriedades de fluidos no pico de pressão e final do processo SAGD. A resposta geomecânica pode ser observada, porém foi minimizada devido à baixa pressão de injeção, sendo o mecanismo de transmissão de calor um fator importante na produção de óleo (pela redução da viscosidade) e a separação vertical entre poços. Foi também significativa à contribuição da plasticidade no aumento da produção de hidrocarbonetos. A impedância acústica foi calculada usando a Equação de substituição de fluidos de Gassmann. Os sismogramas sintéticos de incidência normal (para monitorar o avanço da frente o câmara de vapor) mostraram a área afetada pela injeção de vapor, porém com pouca variação devida principalmente à rigidez da rocha. / [en] The heavy oil reserves have gained importance due to the decreasing of the present light oil reserves. Although it is necessary to reduce the oil viscosity and makes it flows to surface. For its high recovery factor the SAGD (Steam Assited Gravity Drainage) thermal process was selected. The viscosity reduction is achieved by heat transfer from steam to oil, but some part of this heat goes to rock frame. This heat transfer together with oil production change the initial in-situ stress field what creates geomechanical effects. The conventional flux simulators have a very simplified approach of geomechanical effects, so it is necessary to consider a more suitable approach that considers the coupling between oil flux and heat transfer with rock deformation. The changes within the reservoir, specially the saturation change, affect the seismical rock properties which can be used to monitor the steam chamber growth. The flux-thermal geomechanics is integrated to steam chamber monitoring 4D seismic (through the rock physics). There is a great data base, integrated by reservoir fluid properties (PVT) (used in reservoir simulation dataset) and a rock mechanics campaign. Several scenaries were simulated considering the plasticity and permeability variation. Several geomechanical responses and flux properties at peak pressure and end of SAGD process were evaluated. The geomechanical response can be observed, but was minimized due to low steam injection pressure, being the heat transfer an important in oil production (for the viscosity reduction) and the vertical well separation, too. The plasticity has a significant contribution in the increment of oil production. Acoustic impedance was calculated by using Gassmann fluid substitution approach. 2D Synthetic seismograms, normal incidence (to monitor the steam camera front advance), showed the area affected by steam injection, but with little variation due principally to rock stiffness.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Pressure drop within a field can be attributed to several factors. Pressure drop occurs when fractional forces cause resistance to flowing fluid through a porous medium. In this thesis, the sciences of petrophysics and rock physics were employed to develop understanding of the physical processes that occurs in reservoirs. This study focussed on the physical properties of rock and fluid in order to provide understanding of the system and the mechanism controlling its behaviour. The change in production capacity of wells E-M 1, 2, 3, 4&5 prompted further research to find out why the there will be pressure drop from the suits of wells and which well was contributing to the drop in production pressure. The E-M wells are located in the Bredasdorp Basin and the reservoirs have trapping mechanisms of stratigraphical and structural systems in a moderate to good quality turbidite channel sandstone. The basin is predominantly an elongated north-west and south-east inherited channel from the synrift sub basin and was open to relatively free marine circulation. By the southwest the basin is enclose by southern Outeniqua basin and the Indian oceans. Sedimentation into the Bredasdorp basin thus occurred predominantly down the axis of the basin with main input direction from the west. Five wells were studied E-M1, E-M2, E-M3, E-M4, and E-M5 to identify which well is susceptible to flow within this group. Setting criteria for discriminator the result generated four well as meeting the criteria except for E-M1. The failure of E-M1 reservoir well interval was in consonant with result showed by evaluation from the log, pressure and rock physics analyses for E-M1.iv Various methods in rock physics were used to identify sediments and their conditions and by applying inverse modelling (elastic impedance) the interval properties were better reflected. Also elastic impedance proved to be an economical and quicker method in describing the lithology and depositional environment in the absence of seismic trace.

The field of geosciences, including geophysics, plays a crucial role in addressing society's pressing concerns related to energy demand, climate change, resource preservation, and environmental protection. Reactive systems encountered in this context are characterized by intricate interactions among various phases, environmental conditions, physical and chemical processes. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of these processes and quantitatively evaluating reactive systems necessitates a holistic scientific approach. This approach encompasses efficient categorization of reactive systems, the development of appropriate experimental and computational tools, and the collection and dissemination of relevant data. In this context, this thesis contributes to geophysics and petrophysics with a focus on reactive systems. It presents and interprets laboratory datasets that address various complex aspects of rock behavior, including the presence of graphite, resulting anisotropy, and the challenging petrophysical characteristics of carbonate rocks. This compilation of research results provides a multifaceted perspective on the complex nature of rocks, including their mineralogical, physical, and chemical properties. It thus contributes to a deeper comprehension of electrical rock properties and their practical utility. Upon examining carbonate rocks and the response of graphitic schist to CO$_\mathrm{2}$ under reservoir conditions, it becomes clear that the impact of increased reactivity in a system on geophysical parameters varies depending on the specific characteristics of the rocks and systems under investigation. Consequently, geophysical methods aiming at a quantitative assessment of reactive systems must exhibit robustness and efficiency in order to be effectively applied in a site- and system-specific manner. Expanding on this foundation, computational methods have been developed to aid in the quantitative analysis of reactive processes in laboratory experiments. These methods also serve as tools for gaining insights into the origin of rock properties and the impact of microstructure variation. Furthermore, inversion techniques are introduced in conjunction with custom-designed experiments within the field of petrophysics. The resultant software tool is made publicly accessible. The research further delves into the exploration of how physical properties of rocks are influenced by their microstructure, as well as how the stochastic nature of pore space geometry can introduce variability and uncertainty in rock physics data. This investigation was carried out through microstructure modeling and finite element simulations. Leveraging these tailored computational techniques allowed for a comprehensive understanding of laboratory data, facilitating robust generalizations and contextualization for field applications and site-specific integrated interpretation. To illustrate the application in a complex natural reactive system, a field study focusing on coastal fumarolic vents in volcanic terrain was carried out and is presented. The challenges, prospects and visualization strategies for integrating simulation or inversion results from different methods are examined. Effective evaluation of complex sites requires open access to existing knowledge, including laboratory datasets. Consequently, this work documents and provides openly accessible examples of complex multi-method laboratory datasets to facilitate better understanding, re-evaluation and application in the field. Finally, the handling of multi-reactive systems in field applications is discussed. It involves the integration of three-dimensional subsurface models with petrophysical insights related to multi-reactive systems. These models are calibrated using additional complementary data from surface or borehole sources. This integrated approach enables a quantitative assessment of site-specific multi-reactive systems.