A time-lapse feasibility workflow incorporating core calibrated 4D rock physics models

Rock physics analysis is a useful tool in time-lapse seismic feasibility studies and can help to assess the effect of pressure and saturation changes on the elastic parameters which the seismic data is sampling. Calibration using velocity measurements made on dry core data at varying pressure conditions allows for forward modelling of the expected seismic response at different effective pressures and hydrocarbon saturation levels. In this study we show that incorporating pressure effects produces nonnegligible changes to the elastic properties of the reservoir rock. Changes of up to 9-10% to acoustic and shear impedance respectively are observed in the most prospective reservoir interval and would be detectable by good quality 4D seismic data.