Dipole shear anisotropy logging

Abstract

Parametric inversion is used to advantage in a technique and apparatus for borehole logging to determine properties of anisotropic formations, and a dispersion function that varies with frequency is used in the modeling of the formations. An embodiment of the method includes the following steps: providing a logging device that is moveable through the borehole; exciting a sonic source at a transmitter location on the logging device to establish flexural waves in the surrounding formations; measuring at each of a plurality of receiver locations on the logging device, which are spaced at a respective plurality of distances from the transmitter location, orthogonal wave components of split flexural waves that have travelled through the formations; computing, for each of the plurality of distances and for multiple frequencies, model orthogonal wave components which would result from the superposition of model split-flexural waves having selected wave parameters including respective fast and slow model slownesses which are variable functions of frequency and model polarizations; determining an error value which depends on the differences, at each of the plurality of receiver locations, between measured wave components and the model composite waves; modifying the model parameters; iteratively repeating the computing, determining, and modifying steps to reduce the error; and storing the ultimately modified model parameters as being indicative of properties of the formations.