Combined rock mechanics, rock physics and CT image

quantification of physical processes

Johnsen istein 1, Soldal Magnus 1
1 : Norwegian Geotechnical institute (NGI)
PO box 3930 Ullevl Stadion, 0855 Oslo
www.ngi.no

Anisotropy and heterogeneity of rocks on all scales has significant importance in seismic imaging,
seismic attribute analyses, AVO analysis, interpretation of sonic log data, EM monitoring and
CSEM, and has become increasingly important knowledge and input for developing rock physics
models in sedimentary basins. Recent years technological advances on seismic and tools and
down-hole sonic logging tools calls for better understanding and description of anisotropy and
heterogeneity and benchmark laboratory testing.
Driven by a general demand for complete sets of both static and dynamic moduli data from an
often small and fragile volume of core material implies testing on small core samples for which
we have strived to develop different experimental setups that join traditional triaxial rock
mechanics and geophysics with as little compromise on the respective types of measurements
as possible.
While axial acoustic velocity measurements have been a standard attribute in addition to axial
and radial LVDT strain measurements in our triaxial testing rigs for a while, the increased interest
in anisotropy studies pushes instrumentation in our triaxial setups further by equipping core plugs
with sonic transducers along two or more orthogonal directions.
Concerning impact of core scale heterogeneity on fluid saturation and geophysical response it
is valuable to measure locally. In order to resolve resistivity effects along the axis during
progression of fluid displacement front during two phased fluid substitution a multi electrode
sleeve and logging device have recently been produced and utilized. The system allows for
sequential probing of resistivity between four ring electrodes and end caps.
Introducing direct time lapse visualization of physical process such as rock deformation and fluid
substitution in combination with mechanical and rock physics testing offers a unique opportunity
to correlate physico-mechanical response with quantitative 3D image analysis. For this purpose
a 30MPa isotropic and a 70MPa deviator triaxial carbon fiber cell has been used, both fully
equipped with resistivity and sonic velocity measuring device.
We present our research and development efforts on integrated experimental designs through
different case studies.

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