The reflection coefficient of a layer exhibiting high attenuation caused by interlayer flow
Published in
71st EAGE Conference & Exhibition — Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Date of publication
08 June 2009
Abstract
The interlayer-flow model (1D White’s model) is a physically based model for wave attenuation in the low-frequency range. We use the analytical solution of the interlayer-flow model, and a 1D analytical solution for the frequency-dependent reflection coefficient of an elastic layer embedded in an elastic medium, to study the reflection coefficient of a layer exhibiting high attenuation. We are specifically interested on the combined effect of (both frequency-dependent) attenuation (caused by the interlayer-flow) and tuning (constructive and destructive interferences of the waves reflected from the top and bottom of the layer). The result could be a significant reflection coefficient of a layer with high attenuation, when the real part of impedance contrast between the layer and the elastic background medium is negligible. I.e., reflection only due to attenuation and a geometric effect (the layer thickness). Our study of reflections from a layer exhibiting high attenuation caused by interlayer flow could be applied to hydrocarbon reservoirs.
