Estimates of Individual Fracture Compliances Along Boreholes From Full‐Waveform Sonic Log Data

An important seismic attenuation mechanism in fractured environments is related to energy conversion into reflected and transmitted waves at fracture interfaces. Using full-waveform sonic (FWS) log data, we show that it possible quantify transmission losses across a set of fractures from time delays amplitude differences the critically refracted P-wave as compared intact sections along borehole. In presence fractures, coefficient associated with given obtained by combining information on multiple receivers source positions linear system equations for all intersecting Fracture compliance computed inferred based slip model. For validation, use synthetic FWS data numerical simulations wave propagation water-filled borehole surrounded low-permeability rocks discrete fractures. The methodology then applied field acquired boreholes penetrating granodioritic host rock. We our estimations mechanical are consistent previously reported values, which were estimated individual one method valid only isolated single Comparison between estimates transmissivity profiles previous hydraulic characterizations suggests proposed may also allow locate most permeable borehole, which, turn, opens perspective enhancing design effectiveness subsequent testing fracturing experiments.