On Frequency-Dependent Rock Experiments: A Comparative Review

Abstract

Rock properties are environment-and condition-dependent which render field-laboratory comparisons ambiguous for a number of known and unknown reasons that constitute the upscaling problem. Unknowns are first transformed into knowns in a controlled environment (laboratory) and second in a volatile environment (field). Causality-bound dispersion and attenuation are respectively defined as rock properties that are frequency-and distance-dependent: dispersion implies non-zero attenuation and vice versa. Forced-Oscillation (FO), Resonant Bar (RB), and Pulse-Transmission (PT) are the customary techniques to measure rock properties at Hz, kHz, and MHz frequencies. Notably FO has emerged as the current champion in bridging the fieldlaboratory void in recent years. Not only is FO probing seismic (Hz) frequencies but with ∼ 10 −6 strain amplitudes it is also similar to field seismic. RB and PT are concisely however FO is verbosely elaborated by chronologically compiling most (if not all) FO studies on sedimentary rocks and comparing all available FO measurements on reference materials such as lucite, aluminium, and PEEK. First of its kind, this inter-laboratory comparison may serve as a reference for others who seek to verify their own results. Differences between FO are discussed with alternative strain and stress sensors being the focal points. Other techniques such as Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS), Laser UltraSonics (LUS), and Differential Acoustic Resonance Spectroscopy (DARS) that are similar to FO, RB, and PT are also described. Only time will tell what the future holds for FO but plausible improvements for the future are ultimately given which may elevate it even further.