Amoco Corporation

Thompson J Taylor

Leon A Thomsen

Kenneth E Hanson

A method is disclosed for obtaining an estimate of the shear velocity in a formation material. Utilizing compressional velocity (V.sub.p) and density (.rho.) of the formation material, formation aggregate mineral parameters and formation pore fluid parameters together with a relationship that the frame bulk modulus/frame shear modulus is approximately equal to the bulk modulus of the aggregate mineral grains/shear modulus of the aggregate mineral grains, to obtain an estimate of the shear wave velocity (V.sub.s) of the formation material. The present invention is primarily designed for use in the areas where shear wave velocity (V.sub.s) measurements are unobtainable due to unconsolidated formations, and specifically, wherein the acoustic velocity of formation fluids and/or wellbore fluids is greater than the desired shear wave velocity.

Method of shear wave velocity estimation

Subterranean fault-related facture systems are located and identified and the direction of action of paleostresses causing the fault-related fracture system can be determined from a record representative of depth, dip angle, and dip direction of subterranean generally planar formation features intersecting a borehole and from information relating to borehole diameter, dip angle, and dip direction.

Growing community of inventors

Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Thompson J Taylor