Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and

Environmental Effects

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Conjecturing Gross Lithologic Information Using

Elastic Moduli Obsessed by Rock Physics as Tool. A
Case Study for Khewra Sandstone, Fortabbas Area,
Pakistan

F. Rehman, S. Rehman, M. F. Ullah, M. Kashif, N. Ahsan & M. Abbas

To cite this article: F. Rehman, S. Rehman, M. F. Ullah, M. Kashif, N. Ahsan & M. Abbas
(2014) Conjecturing Gross Lithologic Information Using Elastic Moduli Obsessed by Rock
Physics as Tool. A Case Study for Khewra Sandstone, Fortabbas Area, Pakistan, Energy
Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 36:16, 1786-1792, DOI:
10.1080/15567036.2011.559527

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2011.559527

Published online: 18 Jun 2014.

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Energy Sources, Part A, 36:1786–1792, 2014
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 1556-7036 print/1556-7230 online
DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2011.559527

Conjecturing Gross Lithologic Information Using

Elastic Moduli Obsessed by Rock Physics as Tool.
A Case Study for Khewra Sandstone,
Fortabbas Area, Pakistan

F. Rehman,1;2 S. Rehman,2 M. F. Ullah,2 M. Kashif,2 N. Ahsan,3 and M. Abbas3

1
Department of Geophysics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
3
Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Rock physics is a significant tool to describe lithologic characteristics of subsurface rock units.
In the present study, seismic lines have been used to depict lithologic characteristics of Khewra
Sandstone. Interval velocity was used to calculate elastic parameters. The study revealed that Vp/Vs
ratio contour values indicate mixing of shale content increases and overall lithology is not clean
sandstone. Bulk density indicates water saturation. Bulk modulus values and shear modulus range
below typical sandstones.

Keywords: bulk modulus, elastic parameters, rock physics, shear modulus

INTRODUCTION

Rock physics is a requisite tool for a resourceful elucidation, providing the basic liaison between
the lithology, fluid, and depositional environments of the reservoir (Avseth et al., 2005). Rock
physics describes physical behavior of rock by establishing a relationship between material
properties and seismic responses. Determination of true relations between material properties
and seismic signatures can put “flesh on the bones” of a seismic interpretation (Peeters, 2001).
These properties include rigidity, compressibility, porosity, and volume of shale, which will affect
how seismic waves physically travel through the rocks.
The present study has been carried out using seismic lines (931-FABS-33, 931-FABS-34,
931-FABS-35, 931-FABS-36, and 931-FABS-37). Initially using Dix average velocity depth,
conversion of reflectors was done. Then interval velocity was calculated using interval velocity
reaming seismic parameters: shear wave velocity, Poisson’s ratio, bulk density, P-wave impedance,
S-wave impedance, bulk modulus, and shear modulus. The contour maps were generated using
a geostatistical method following the Kriging interpolation technique. The advantage of kriging,

Address correspondence to Faisal Rehman, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100,
Pakistan. E-mail: faisal.rehman@uos.edu.pk

1786
 CONJECTURING GROSS LITHOLOGIC INFORMATION 1787

as an interpolation technique, is that every estimate is accompanied by a corresponding kriging

standard deviation. Thus, for any contour map of values, a companion map of “reliability” can be
produced.

Vp AND Vs AND THEIR RATIO

Numerous geological factors affect the velocities of seismic waves. A better understanding of the
relationship between wave velocities and geology can be a useful tool to decipher the lithologic
information (Castagna et al., 1985).
Primary wave velocity was calculated directly from interval velocity. The shear wave velocity
was not acquired during the geophysical survey. The most common method of shear velocity
prediction is defined by Castagna et al. (1985). They derived an empirical relationship between
P-wave and S-wave velocity. The parameters of the linear relationship between Vp and Vs were
derived from worldwide data. This empirical relationship became known as the Mudrock equation.
P-wave velocity is itself not a good indicator of lithology, but combined with shear wave
velocity, their behavior and their ration provide good information about lithology as well as pore
fluid and porosity (e.g., Tatham, 1982; Domenico, 1984).
Compaction rate and burial depth also affect Vp/Vs ratio. Unconsolidated sands normally show
lower Vp/Vs ratios than carbonates. The difference in Vp/Vs ratio provides a tool for lithology
discrimination (McCormack et al., 1985). The values of Vp/Vs ratio for most of the consolidated
rocks lies between 1.5 to 2.0. The typical range for sandstone ranges from 1.66 to 1.99 (Kuster
and Toksöz, 1974; Gregory, 1977; Eastwood and Castagna, 1983; McCormack et al., 1984). It has
been long recognized that Vp/Vs can be used as a lithology indicator. Shales, if assumed isotropic,
always have higher Vp/Vs ratios than reservoir sands. Vp/Vs equals 1.5 to 1.7 in sandstones and
is greater than 2 in shales (Potter et al., 1996). Figure 1 is Vp/Vs ration contour map for study
area.

FIGURE 1 Vp/Vs ratio contours.

1788 F. REHMAN ET AL.

FIGURE 2 Bulk density contours.

BULK DENSITY

Bulk density was calculated using Gardner et al.’s (1974) classic relationship. Theoretically, with
bulk density the seismic velocities do not have to increase. Furthermore, an increase in bulk
density by addition of gas/water will also decrease the seismic velocities in partly filled pores
(Wang, 2001). Density is one of the finest indicators of clay content among a choice of rock
physics parameters (Xu et al., 2009).
There are empirical relationships that relate that seismic velocity increases with increasing
bulk density. An increase in bulk density will lower the velocities of seismic waves. However, the
increase in density is consummated by an increase in rigidity and incompressibility, which in turn
will eventually result in an increase in acoustic wave velocities (Domenico, 1974; Wyllie et al.,
1956, 1958).
The bulk densities calculated for Khewra sandstones in the project area range from 2.16 to 2.54
g/cc. Bulk densities have been plotted for drawing the contour of these densities (Figure 2). The
contour map clearly indicates variation of bulk densities. At several vibrosie points, bulk density
is sufficiently low as indicated by closure of contours.

POISSON’S RATIO

Poisson’s ratio is an evaluation of Vp/Vs in which its values range between 0 to 0.5. The Poisson’s
ratio can be a functional pointer of lithology, and the average is 0.25 for the Earth’s crust and
upper mantle. There exists a strong interlinking between Poisson’s ratio and the whole volume of
cracks (Lees and Wu, 2000). Compressional and shear waves velocities have a direct relationship
with Poisson’s ratio.
The Poisson’s ratio values calculated for Khewra sandstones in the project area range from 0.22
to 0.43. Poisson’s ratios have been plotted for drawing the contour of these values (Figure 3). The
contour map clearly indicates a variation of Poisson’s ratio. At several vibrosie points, Poisson’s
ratio is sufficiently low as indicated by closure of the contours.
 CONJECTURING GROSS LITHOLOGIC INFORMATION 1789

FIGURE 3 Poisson’s ratio contours.

P-WAVE AND S-WAVE IMPEDANCE

The product of compressional wave velocity and shear waves velocity with density are respectively
called PI (P-impedance) and SI (S-impedance).
These impedances and density are fundamental parameters of basic rock physics that can be
consequentially obtained from surface seismic data (Xu et al., 2009).
Velocity and impedance of rocks decrease with increasing porosity. Many types of sandstone
contain clays. The effect of clays on seismic properties depends further on the position of the
clay particles in the rock and on the clay type. If the clays are part of the rock matrix and if the
clays are more compressible than quartz, velocity and impedance will decrease as clay content
increases (Diallo et al., 2003).
The P and S wave’s impedance were calculated using P-wave velocity and S-wave velocity
multiplying with bulk density respectively (Figures 4 and 5). In short, these impedances reflect
the overall behavior involving density and velocity.

BULK MODULUS AND SHEAR MODULUS

The dependence of elastic moduli of rocks is directly linked with the elastic moduli of rock
solid, pore geometry, and the elastic moduli of pore fluids (Zhang and Bentley, 2003). Different
geological materials, such as Dolomite, sandstone, and shale, have diverse mineral compositions
and thus have different elastic moduli and velocities (Castagna et al., 1985; Han et al., 1986;
Kowallis et al., 1984; Tosaya and Nur, 1982).
Bulk modulus and shear modulus were calculated using standard formulae. The bulk modulus
values calculated for Khewra sandstones in the project area range from 10 to 26. Values of bulk
modulus have been plotted for drawing the contour of these values (Figure 6). The contour map
clearly indicates a variation of bulk modulus by closure of contours. These values lie below the
typical ranges of clean sandstones’ values.
1790 F. REHMAN ET AL.

FIGURE 4 P-wave impedance.

FIGURE 5 S-wave impedance.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The following results can be deduced from the above contour values for different elastic moduli for
gross lithology. Vp/Vs ratio contour values range from 1.65 to 2.75 indicating that sandstone with
mixing of shale content, which increases laterally and overall lithology, is not clean sandstone.
 CONJECTURING GROSS LITHOLOGIC INFORMATION 1791

FIGURE 6 Bulk modulus contours.

FIGURE 7 Shear modulus contours.

The velocities of clean sandstone are significantly higher as discussed earlier. Clean sandstones
have a much higher shear moduli than do shaley sandstones with the same porosities. Bulk density
ranges from 2.16 to 2.54, which indicates water saturated lithology. Poisson’s ratio values range
from 0.22 to 0.43. Bulk modulus values and shear modulus range below typical sandstones values,
which confirms the above mentioned statement (Figures 6 and 7). Poisson’s ratio values range
between sandstone and shale values.
1792 F. REHMAN ET AL.

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