Elastic Dispersion Derived from a Combination of Static and Dynamic Measurements

Utilization of laboratory tests for calibration and interpretation of data from seismic surveys requires knowledge about elastic dispersion in the range from seismic to ultrasonic frequencies. Data on such dispersion are hard to obtain because it requires specially designed equipment and also relies on simplifying assumptions about rock symmetry. A new method for estimation of dispersion in this frequency range is presented here. This method requires only standard rock mechanical equipment with ultrasonic velocity measurements, and is based on comparison of static and dynamic data. A key element in this method is a procedure for elimination of strain amplitude as a source for differences between static and dynamic moduli. High-quality data is necessary, but the required accuracy is not extreme. Application of the method on one partly saturated shale and two dry sandstone samples indicates that dispersion increases with clay content, and decreases with stress.