Extended poroelastic impedance

Linearized approximations to the P-wave reflectivity as a function of the incidence angle (called amplitude variation with offset) involve the extraction of band-limited reflectivity terms that are a function of changes in the elastic constants of the earth across each lithologic interface. The most common of these extracted reflectivities are the intercept and gradient, usually labeled [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The extended elastic impedance (EEI) method uses a rotation angle [Formula: see text] to map [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] into a new reflectivity corresponding to a particular elastic parameter. The success of EEI depends on finding an optimum value for the angle [Formula: see text]. This value is usually calculated by correlating the EEI result over a range of [Formula: see text] angles with various elastic parameters and then finding the best correlation coefficient. We have developed a new approach for the interpretation of the EEI method, which incorporates the Biot-Gassmann poroelastic theory and attaches a physical meaning to the [Formula: see text] angle. We call this method extended poroelastic impedance (EPI). The main advantage of the EPI method is that the [Formula: see text] angle is now interpreted as a parameter that is dependent on the dry-rock properties of the reservoir, rather than a parameter whose value is estimated empirically. The method is evaluated by numerical and synthetic seismic examples and by application to field data from a gas sand reservoir.