Azimuthal seismic reflection characteristics with quality factor Q in viscoelastic horizontal transverse isotropic media

Abstract

Abstract In seismic exploration, a precise description of the seismic reflection property is critical for reservoir prediction and fluid identification. In the study of seismic wave transmission effects, taking into account both the viscoelastic and anisotropic properties of a medium is compatible with the features of the earth. Moreover, it is advantageous to the characterization of complicated reservoirs. According to the elastic medium foundation and the imaginary component with quality factor Q, seismic reflection properties of viscoelastic media are described in the complex domain. The complex wave number is expressed by phase velocity and Q. The attenuation angle is introduced when the complex wave number is represented by a propagation vector and an attenuation vector. The exact velocity and polarization direction of a viscoelastic medium are expressed using a complex stiffness matrix incorporating Q matrix elements. The quasi-Zoeppritz equation for viscoelastic horizontal transverse isotropic (VHTI) media is derived by using boundary conditions based on the wave function of viscoelastic media. The numerical simulation of reflectivity reveals that the reflection coefficient in a viscoelastic medium is clearly different from that of an elastic medium. Moreover, the difference in reflection coefficient in various orientations has distinct characteristics.