Backus averaging, scattering and drift¹

Abstract

Differences between traveltimes from sonic to seismic frequencies, commonly known as drift, can be attributed to a combination of multiple scattering and absorption. The portion due to scattering can be estimated directly by calculating synthetic seismograms from sonic logs. A simple alternative approach is suggested by the long-wave equivalent averaging formulae for the effective elastic properties of a stack of thin layers, which gives the same traveltime delays as the lowfrequency limit of the scattering dispersion. We consider the application of these averaging formulae over a frequency-dependent window with the hope of extending their use to frequencies higher than those allowed by the original validity conditions. However, comparison of the time delay due to window-averaging with the scattering dispersion predicted by the O'Doherty-Anstey formula reveals that it is not possible to specify a form of window that will fit the dispersion across the spectrum for arbitrary log statistics. A window with a width proportional to the wavelength squared matches the behaviour at the low-frequency end of the dispersive range for most logs, and allows an almost exact match of the drift across the entire spectrum for exponential correlation functions.We examine a real log, taken from a hole in nearly plane-layered geology, which displays strong quasi-cyclical variations on one scale as well as more random, smaller-scale fluctuations. The details of its drift behaviour are studied using simple models of the gross features. The form of window which gave a good theoretical fit to the dispersion for an exponential log correlation function can only fit the computed drift at high or low frequencies, confirming that there are at least two significant scale-lengths of fluctuation. A better overall fit is obtained for a window whose width is proportional to the wavelength. The calculated scattering drift is significantly less than that observed from a vertical seismic profile, but the difference cannot be wholly ascribed to absorption. This is because the source frequency of the sonic tool is not appropriate for its resolution (receiver spacing) so that the scattering drift from sonic to seismic frequencies cannot be fully estimated from the layer model derived from the log.