Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia

Title: ROCK ANISOTROPY AND BRITTLENESS FROM LABORATORY ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENTS IN THE SERVICE OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Authors: Moska Rafal, Kasza Piotr and Maslowski Mateusz
DOI: 10.13168/AGG.2018.0005
Journal: Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia, Vol. 15, No. 1 (189), Prague 2018
Full Text: PDF file (0.8 MB)
Keywords: ultrasonic laboratory measurements, elastic anisotropy, brittleness index
Abstract: Ultrasonic velocity anisotropy in the rock provides information of variability of the dynamic elastic moduli. Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio calculated from waves velocities can be used to determine brittleness index, which is usually used to predict rock susceptibility for hydraulic fracturing. This paper describes laboratory ultrasonic measurements carried out in order to improve hydraulic fracturing designing. The research was conducted over two types of rock: shale and limestone. The samples were cut out perpendicularly and parallel to the bedding planes. Next they were tested for effective porosity and mineral composition using XRD method. Directionally depended seismic velocities revealed noticeable anisotropy of laminated shale, caused by orientation of the bedding planes and weak anisotropy of limestone. Based on the velocities, dynamic elastic moduli and its anisotropy coefficients were determined. Calculations of brittleness index based on Young’s modulus to Poisson’s ratio relation and three types of mineral composition brittleness indexes, revealed strong variability in brittleness for both kind of tested formations. These results show, that different types of brittleness indexes should be used complementary, to better describe fracability of the rock.