Vp/Vs—A POTENTIAL HYDROCARBON INDICATOR

Abstract

Theoretically and experimentally, the shear‐wave velocity of a porous rock has been shown to be less sensitive to fluid saturants than the compressional wave velocity. Thus, observation of the ratio of the seismic velocities for waves which traverse a changing or laterally varying zone of undersaturation or gas saturation could produce an observable anomaly which is independent of the regional variation in compressional wave velocity. One source of shear‐wave data in reflection seismic prospecting is mode conversion of P waves to shear waves in marine areas of high water bottom P-wave velocity. A relatively simple interpretative technique, based on amplitude variation as a function of the angle of incidence, is a possible discriminant between shear and multiple compressional arrivals, and data for a real case are shown. A normal moveout velocity analysis, carefully coupled with this offset discriminant, leads to the construction of a shear‐wave reflection section which can then be correlated with the usual compressional wave section. One such a section has been constructed, the variation in the ratio of the seismic velocities can be mapped, and potentially anomalous subsurface regions observed.