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Rock characterization integrating free-free resonant column measurements and X-ray computed tomography imaging

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Abstract

This study addresses the innovative integration of free-free resonant column measurements (FFRC) of body wave velocities in rock specimens with the X-ray microcomputer tomography (micro-CT or μ-CT) imaging. FFRC seismic measurements combined with μ-CT scanning is a novelty manner to execute and interpret dynamic rock core characterization in laboratory. FFRC measurements covers unconstrained compression and shear wave velocities (Vc and Vs) as well as quality factors (Qc and Qs), which were evaluated in the ranges of frequency from ~ 3 to ~ 10 kHz for Berea sandstone specimens and from ~ 10 to ~ 20 kHz for Indiana limestone samples. In addition, the propagation velocity of constrained compression waves, Vp, were measured for all the specimens using direct-travel times. The μ-CT scanning provided micro-structural rock parameters such as porosity, profiles of coefficients of attenuation, as well as pore-size and grain-size distributions. Also, resonance testing allowed us to evaluate the integrity of the rock cores, which could be independently confirmed by using μ-CT scanning along the specimens. Finally, FFRC combined with μ-CT might provide quantitative information to clarify atypical seismic results of rock cores.

Article highlights

  • We studied and presented the novel integration of unconfined free-free resonant column (FFRC) testing with X-ray micro tomography imaging (μ-CT) for characterizing rock samples in laboratory.

  • FFRC testing on rocks involved measurements of unconstrained compression and shear wave velocities (Vc and Vs) as well as quality factors (Qc and Qs). Wave velocities and quality factors were determined in the range of frequency from ~ 3 to ~ 10 kHz for Berea sandstone specimens, while a range of frequency from ~10 to ~20 kHz corresponded to Indiana limestone specimens. The ranges of resonant frequencies measured are near to the conventional frequency range of field well-logging information (~10 kHz). This fact could be valuable since dynamic rock properties are frequency-dependent, particularly if FFRC is compared with high frequency ultrasonic measurements (~ 1 MHz) that are extensively used in laboratory.

  • The combination of FFRC and μ-CT results might permit to interpret quantitatively atypical seismic results of rock specimens. We found that for a specific Berea sandstone specimen, the wave velocities were up to 40% slower than rest of the sandstone samples and also had the lowest Qc of 44. The abnormal behavior might be explained by the lower density and bigger porosity of the specimen, which was confirmed by obtaining a peak intensity (number of voxels) of about 2.6 times smaller than the peak for a typical rock sample and the μ-CT analyses permitted to estimated global porosity of about 30% greater than the typical values .

  • The rock specimens were determined to be integral and homogeneous through the FFRC testing and μ-CT analyses, since response curves of the rock specimens exhibited one well defined peak, while the profiles of coefficient of attenuation were constant along the specimens.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Sectorial Fund SENER (Secretary of Energy)-CONACyT (National Council of Science and Technology in Mexico)-Hydrocarbons for granting the acquisition of the experimental equipment through the project 249984 Center of Technology for Deep Water (CTAP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Technologies for Exploration and Production (CTEP), Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Camino de Terracería 800, San José Novillero, 94286, Boca del Río, Veracruz, México

    Celestino Valle-Molina, Luis Alberto Alcázar-Vara, Ignacio Cortés, Pedro Salgado-Díaz & Edgar Ramírez-Jaramillo

  2. Center of Technologies for Exploration and Production (CTEP), Conacyt/Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Camino de Terracería 800, San José Novillero, 94286, Boca del Río, Veracruz, México

    José Jairo Ordaz-Jiménez & Cecilia Chacón

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  1. Celestino Valle-Molina
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  2. Luis Alberto Alcázar-Vara
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  3. José Jairo Ordaz-Jiménez
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Correspondence to Celestino Valle-Molina.

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Valle-Molina, C., Alcázar-Vara, L.A., Ordaz-Jiménez, J.J. et al. Rock characterization integrating free-free resonant column measurements and X-ray computed tomography imaging. Geomech. Geophys. Geo-energ. Geo-resour. 8, 164 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-022-00476-1

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