P and SV waves 3-D Numerical Modeling of AVOA from Heterogeneous Fractured Reservoirs

Abstract

We study the effects of fracture-induced anisotropy and lateral fracture density heterogeneity on the reflected P and SV wave amplitude variation with offset and azimuth (AVOA), using 3-D finite-difference simulations. The models show that for an isotropic layer overlying on a fractured reservoir, the anisotropic behavior of AVOA depends on fracture density as well as the contrast in elastic properties between the reservoir layer and the overlying material. It is also verified that the SV wave is more sensitive to fractures than the P wave. The sensitivity of AVOA to spatial variations of fracture density is also investigated.