A STUDY ON FLUID SUBSTITUTION MODELING

AN APPLICATION OF BIOT- GASSMANN EQUATION

Dr. R. Prasad*, E&D Directorate, ONGC, Dehradun;

Email: rprasad83@gmail.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drprasad83/

Summary
Study of rock physics is very essential for proper understanding of amplitude anomaly and AVO modeling.
This study is aimed at to present basics of Gassmann equation and to evolve a simple method for its
applications to calculate Seismic properties of porous rocks. The method was elucidated with model
examples and step by step calculations. Different elastic modulus of porous rock, first with water as
saturating fluid and then replacing some water with gas, were calculated. The result was then used for
calculation of compressional wave velocity (VP), shear wave velocity (VS) and Poisson’s ratio (σ) of gas
substituted porous sands. Results were analyzed and found that amplitude & Poisson’s ratio anomaly
alone can not guarantee for commercial charging of reservoir.
Introduction
Gassmann’s (1951) equations are very powerful tool in Rock Physics to investigate the effect of pore fluid
composition on seismic properties of porous rock. These equations provide a means to calculate the bulk
modulus of fluid saturated porous rock using the known bulk moduli of the solid matrix, dry rock frame and
porosity. This is ultimately used to calculate acoustic velocity and Poisson’s ratio, which are useful for pore
fluid substitution and AVO modeling studies. The equations also express that shear modulus of porous
rock is not influenced by fluid saturation and amplitude & Poisson’s ratio anomaly alone can not guarantee
for commercial charging of reservoir.
P- WAVE AND S- WAVE VELOCITY
For non-porous rock P-wave and S-wave velocity is given by

VP = [{K +(4/3)µ}/ρ] ½ ------------------------------------------------- (1)

VS = [µ/ρ] ½ --------------------------------------------------------------(2)

Where, K = Bulk modulus

µ = Shear modulus
ρ =Density
In case of porous rock saturated with fluid, rock properties are contributed by three elements of porous
rock (Fig. 1)
1. Rock matrix Dry Rock
2. Dry rock frame and, Frame

3. Pore- fluid

Fig. 1

Pore/Fluid
Rock Matrix

Therefore, K, µ and ρ in equations (1) and (2) are replaced by bulk modulus (Kb), shear modulus (µb) and
bulk density (ρb) of fluid saturated rock volume. Kb is the function of bulk modulus of rock matrix, dry rock
frame and pore fluid. ρb is the function of density of rock matrix and pore fluid along with porosity of Rock
volume. Therefore, the expression for P and S-wave velocities for the porous rock saturated with fluid are
given by
VP = [{Kb +(4/3) µb} / ρb] ½ ---------------------------------------------------------(3)

½
VS = [ µb / ρb ] --------------------------------------------------------(4)
The bulk density of saturated rock ρb is given by

ρb = Фρfl + (1-Ф)ρm = Ф[ ρw Sw+ ρhc (1-Sw) ] + (1-Ф)ρm ---------------------------------(5)

where, ρfl and ρm are fluid and matrix densities respectively and Ф is porosity of rock volume .

1
BIOT-GASSMANN EQUATIONS

Expression for calculating elastic constant of porous rock was first given by Biot (1941). Using
Lame’ parameters he showed that
λ b = λ dry + KP ----------------------------------------------------------------(6)

Where, λb = First Lame’s parameter for saturated rock

λ dry = First Lame’s parameter for dry rock frame

KP = Pore space modulus, as called by Murphy et al (1993)

On the other hand Gassmann using bulk and shear modulus of porous rock, saturated with pore fluid

derived that

K b = K dry + KP ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- (7)

Where, K b = Bulk modulus of the fluid saturated porous rock volume

Kdry = Bulk modulus of dry rock frame and KP = β2M ,
Where β is called Biot coefficient defined by the following equation,
β = (1- Kdry/ Km) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (8)
and M is given by the expression,
1/M = (β-Ф)/Km + Ф/ Kfl -----------------------------------------------------------------------(9)
Km and Kfl are Bulk modulus of rock matrix and saturating fluid respectively.
By using relations between elastic constants i.e. λ = K + (2/3) µ, it may be written that
λ b= Kb+ (2/3)µ b --------------------------------------------------------------(10)
and λ dry= Kdry + (2/3)µdry ------------------------------------------------------------(11)
Therefore, using equation (7), equation (10) may be written as
λ b = K dry + (2/3)µ b + KP ------------------------------------------------ -----------(12)
Using equations (6) and (12), we obtain
λ dry = K dry + (2/3)µ b -------------------------------------------------------------- -(13)
µ b = µdry [from equations (11) and (13)] ---------------------------------------------------(14)
The relation µ b = µdry is a natural outcome of fluid property that fluid does not possess shear modulus.
Therefore, equations for P-wave and S- wave velocity using equation (6) may be written as
VP = [{Kdry +(4/3) µdry + KP }/ ρ b] ½ ----------------------------------- (15)
VS = [ µdry / ρ b ] ½ ----------------------------------------(16)
Equations (15) and (16) are the Gassmann equations for porous rock. And where
KP = β2M = β2/[Ф/ Kfl + (β-Ф)/ Km ] ---------------------------------------------------(17)
The contribution of KP to VP is quite significant at high porosities where frame modulus is relatively weak.
At low porosities, where Kdry → Km and β→ 0, the effect of the KP is insignificant. The Biot-Gassmann
relations are valid through the consolidation transition at porosity Ф0. If Ф ≥ Ф0 and the grains are
suspended in fluid, then Kdry = 0, µ = 0, β = 1 and KP is given by Wood’s (1941) formula
1/ KP = Ф/ Kfl + (1- Ф)/ Km

In this case, the fluids and solids behave like springs connected in series. A similar relation describes the
dependence of Kfl on the fluid saturations:
1/Kfl = Sw / KW + (1-SW )/ Khc
KW and Khc are bulk modulus of water and hydrocarbon respectively. Sw is water saturation. Dividing
equation (15) by (16), the square of the velocity ratio VP/VS may be expressed in terms of the elastic
modulus as
R2 = Kdry/µ + KP/µ + 4/3

2
This equation shows that R2 is always greater than 1.33. The ratio Kdry/µ is independent of pore fluid. KP/µ
represents the pore fluid contribution, which is an important factor at high porosity and is insignificant at low
porosity. For gas saturated sands KP/µ ≈ 0 and above equation reduces to R2 = Kdry/µ + 4/3

APPLICATION OF G ASSMANN EQUATIONS

The main application of Biot-Gassmann equations is to investigate the effect of pore fluid on VP and VS
(Fluid substitution modeling), which are very useful in predicting the seismic behavior of porous rock.

Effect of pore fluid on VP and VS (Fluid substitution modeling)

Bulk modulus of dry rock frame Kdry is very useful parameter for modeling studies. DRY FRAME
bulk modulus ( Kdry ) may be calculated by one of the following method.
It may be estimated by velocity measurement on controlled humidity dried core and using
acoustic velocity equation.
It may be estimated by using empirical relationships of Geertsma(1961), Kraif et al.(1990)
or Nur et al.(1991)
The value of Kdry of the porous rock may be estimated by directly using Gassmann
equations if following four parameters of porous rock matrix and pore fluids are known.
i. Bulk modulus of fluid Saturated porous rock (K b )
ii. Porosity (Ф)
iii. Bulk modulus of Fluid ( Kf )
iv. Bulk modulus of Matrix ( Km )

Model Example-1

100 % Water Saturated Sand Model

VSH = 0.15, Vsand = 0.85, VP = 3470 m/sec

ρb = 2.29 gm/cc, Ф = 0.22, SW = 100 %,
VS = 1933 m/sec ( using Castegna-Greenberg
Transform for shaley sandstone)

i. Bulk modulus of fluid saturated porous rock (K b ): Bulk modulus of fluid

saturated porous rock (Kb), may be calculated using eqns. 3 & 4 and if VS is not
available it can be estimated by Castegna-Greenberg Transform for shaley
sandstone as below

VS = 0.804 VP – 0.856 km/sec

= 1.933 Km/sec
K b = ρb( VP2 – 4/3 VS2) = 16.165 Gpa, Also µ = ρb VS2 = 8.55 GPa and σ = 0.275

ii. Porosity (Ф): Porosity Ф is derived from log data or core samples, in this case
Ф = 0.22 given.

iii. Bulk modulus of saturating fluid ( Kfl ): It is measured directly from pore fluid
recovered from reservoir, or it is estimated from empirical calculations [ Batzle &
Wang (1992)]
For water Kfl = 2.2 GPa

iv. Bulk modulus of rock Matrix ( Km)

Km may be calculated from core samples, knowing the mineral compositions,
or
Log data may be used to calculate clay and sand volume fractions. Once
volume fractions are known, Km is estimated by VOIGT, REUSS, HILL’ S (VRH)
method.
VOIGT method
KV = F1K1 + F2K2

3
 Where, F1 and K1 are volume fraction and bulk modulus of first mineral and F2
and K2 are volume fraction and bulk modulus of second mineral and KV is
estimated bulk modulus of combined rock matrix using Voigt’s method of
volume mixing. In the above example F1= 0.85, F2=0.15,
K1 = 40 GPa, K2 = 25 GPa and KV = 37.75 GPa

REUSS method
1/KR = F1/K1 + F2/K2

KR is estimated bulk modulus of combined rock matrix using Reuss’ method of

volume mixing. For the above example,
KR = 36.70 GPa
KVRH is average of KR and KV as suggested by Hill.
KVRH = ½(KR + KV) = 37.23 GPa = Km
Once the above parameters are known, the K may be calculated using
dry
Kb = Kdry + KP, rearranged as follows.
Kdry =KM {(Kb/ KM) *(1-Ф) +Ф (Kb / Kfl) – 1} / {(Kb/ KM) + Ф (Km/ Kfl - 1) - 1}

For the above example, Km = 37.230 GPa, Kb = 16.165 GPa, Ф = 0.22, Kfl = 2.2 GPa,
therefore,

Kdry = 12.10 GPa

Model Example-2

Water is replaced by 70 % Gas in above Sand Model

VSH = 0.15, Vsand = 0.85, VP = ? VS = ? ρb = ?,

Ф = 0.22, SW = 30%, Sg= 70%

Let us investigate the effect of pore fluid composition on the acoustic velocity of porous rock when brine
saturation is reduced from 100% to 30% in the above model example i.e. gas saturation is 70%. For this
following new parameters are required to be calculated after fluid substitution, they are new bulk density
(ρb* ) and new bulk modulus Kb* of porous fluid saturated rock using the following equations

ρb* = Фρfl + (1-Ф)ρm = Ф[ ρw Sw+ ρhc (1-Sw) ] + (1-Ф)ρm

Kb* = Kdry + KP*

Calculation of ρb*
ρm may be estimated using the calculated values of ρb, ρfl and Ф or directly from
mineral compositions using VRH mixing method.
ρb = ρm ( 1- Ф) + ρfl Ф
ρm = ( ρb - ρfl Ф )/ ( 1- Ф)
For the given values of model parameter in step-1 (ρb = 2.29 gm/cc, ρfl = 1.09
gm/cc and Ф = 0.22 )
ρm = 2.63 gm/cc
ρfl may be estimated using the calculated values of ρW and ρhc
( SW = 0.30, ρW = 1.09 gm/cc and ρhc = 0.1 gm/cc)
ρfl= SW ρW + (1-SW)ρhc
= 0.397 gm/cc
Therefore, using ρb* = ρm ( 1- Ф) + ρfl Ф
ρb* = 2.14 gm/cc

Calculation of Kb*

4
 Kb* = Kdry + KP*
KP* = β2M = β2/[Ф/ Kfl* + (β-Ф)/ Km ]
Kfl* may be estimated using ( SW = 0.30, KW = 2.2 GPa and Khc =0.02 GPa )
1/Kfl* = SW/ KW + (1-SW)/ Khc
Kfl* = 0.03 GPa
β = 1- (Kdry / KM), since Kdry= 12.10 GPa and KM= 37.23GPa , therefore
β = 0.675 and KP* = 0.062 GPa
Therefore, Kb* = Kdry + KP*= 12.10 + 0.062 = 12.16 GPa
Calcu
Sw ρb VP ρb VP Vs VP/ Vs σ
gm/cc km/sec m.gm / km/sec lation
cc.sec of
0 2.07 3.369 6974 2.031 1.65933 0.214836 new P
6991 and
0.05 2.08 3.361 2.025 1.659406 0.214877 S-
0.1 2.09 3.352 7006 2.020 1.65949 0.214922 wave
0.15 2.11 3.344 7056 2.015 1.659585 0.214973 veloci
0.2 2.12 3.335 7070 2.010 1.65969 0.215030 ty (
7087 VP* &
0.25 2.13 3.327 2.005 1.65981 0.215095 VS* )
0.3 2.14 3.319 7103 1.999 1.659946 0.215168 V
0.35 2.15 3.311 7119 1.994 1.660103 0.215253 *
P =
*
0.4 2.16 3.303 7134 1.989 1.660286 0.215351 [(K b +

7150 4/3 µ
0.45 2.17 3.295 1.984 1.660501 0.215467
)/ ρb* ]
0.5 2.18 3.287 7166 1.979 1.660758 0.215605 ½
0.55 2.19 3.280 7183 1.974 1.661072 0.215773 =
7198 3.320
0.6 2.20 3.272 1.970 1.661461 0.215982 km/se
0.65 2.21 3.265 7216 1.965 1.661959 0.216249 c
0.7 2.23 3.259 7268 1.960 1.662616 0.216600
0.75 2.24 3.252 7284 1.955 1.663526 0.217086 VS* =
7305 [µ /
0.8 2.25 3.247 1.950 1.664868 0.217799
7331 ρb* ] ½
0.85 2.26 3.244 1.946 1.667044 0.218949
= 2.0
0.9 2.27 3.244 7364 1.941 1.671186 0.221116 km/se
c
New Poisson’s ratio, σ = 0.215
Table-1

5
 0.95 2.28 3.257 7426 1.936 1.682147 0.226719
1.00 2.29 3.470 7946 1.933 1.726957 0.274916

(Parameters used for calculation: Ø= 0.22, ρw = 1.09 gm/cc, Kw =2.20 GPa, Kg= 0.02 GPa,
Kdry =12.10 GPa, µ =8.55 GPa, Km = 37.23 GPa, β = 0.675)

After70% gas saturation VP is decreased from 3.47 km/sec to 3.32 km/sec and VS is slightly increased from
1.933 km/sec to 2.00 km/sec and Poisson’s ratio decreased from 0.275 to 0.215. The calculations can be
repeated for any value of SW and corresponding VP & VS can be calculated. Table-1 shows the result of
calculations.
σ
3.4

3.2
0.3

3 0.25
VP km/sec
2.8 0.2

2.6 0.15
2.4 0.1
Poisson’s Ratio (σ)
2.2
VS Km/sec
0.05
2
0
1.8 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Water saturation SW → Water saturation SW →

Figure 2 Figure 3
Fig.2 and 3 show the variation of acoustic velocities and Poisson’s ratio with respect to water saturation
respectively.

Conclusions
There is a total of 12% decrease in P-wave acoustic impedance when water saturation changes from
100% to 0%. Out of this 7% decrease is only within 100% to 90% change of water saturation. Similarly
there is a total of 22 % decrease in Poisson’s ratio, out of which 20% decrease is within 100% to 90%
change of water saturation. Therefore, amplitude & Poisson’s ratio anomaly alone can not guarantee for
commercial charging of reservoir sands.

6
References

Castagna, J.P, Batzle, M.L and Eastwood, R.L, 1985, Relationship between compressional and shear
wave velocities in clastic silicate rocks: Geophysics, 50, 571-581.

Greenberg, M.L., and Castagna, J.P., 1992, Shear wave velocity estimation in porous rocks: Theoretical
formulation, preliminary verification and applications: Geophysical Prospecting, 40, 195-210.

Han, D.H., Nur, A., and Morgan, D., 1986, Effects of porosity and clay content on wave velocities in
sandstones: Geophysics, 51,2093-2107.

Hilterman, J.H., 2001, Seismic Amplitude Interpretation, Distinguished Instructor Series, No. 4, SEG &
EAGE.

Krief, M., Garat, J., Stellingwerff, J., and Ventre, J.,1990, A petrophysical interpretation using velocities of
P and S waves ( Full waveform sonic), The Log Analyst, 31,355

Murphy, W., Andrew, R., and Hsu, K., 1993, Modulus decomposition of compressional and shear velocities
in sand bodies, Geophysics, 58, 227-239.