The velocity and attenuation anisotropy of shale at ultrasonic frequency

The velocity and attenuation anisotropy of dry and oil-saturated shale were measured at laboratory ultrasonic frequency by using the transmission technique. Our purpose is to find the variation rules of wave velocity and attenuation in different directions as a function of effective pressure in dry and oil-saturated situations, and those intrinsic factors that result in such anisotropy. Using x-ray diffraction techniques and a scanning electron microscope, the causative factors for the velocity anisotropy are found to be mainly due to the alignment of clay mineral and microcracks. The attenuation of P- and S-waves also shows apparent directional dependence, but different from that of velocities. Attenuation anisotropy can be interpreted in terms of grain and pore geometry. For dry shale samples, the dominant attenuation mechanism is phase hysteresis due to static friction. On one hand, the Biot flow plays a key role in causing wave attenuation for the P-wave propagating parallel to bedding for fluid-saturated samples. On the other hand, the fluid-related attenuation is mainly attributed to the mechanisms of squirt flow for the P-wave propagating vertical to bedding.