Electroseismic and Seismoelectric Measurements of Rock Samples in a Water Tank

An electromagnetic wave or a seismic wave can induce seismic or electric waves due to the electrokinetic conversion based on the electric double layer in a fluid-saturated porous medium. In this paper, we observe the acoustic fields generated around the electrodes excited by an electric pulse in a water tank. The electroseismic or seismoelectric waves are measured in the water tank system to confirm that the recorded seismic or electric signals are induced in porous samples due to the electrokinetic conversions. The electroseismic and seismoelectric frequency-responses in Berea sandstone and Westerly granite samples are measured at frequency range of 15 kHz to 150 kHz. The experimental measurements show that the effects of the electric source, background noises, and electroseismic or seismoelectric conversions are separated very clearly. We calculate the electroseismic and seismoelectric normalized coupling coefficients in the rock samples and compare them with the theoretical calculation. The variation trends of the normalized coupling coefficients are in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The measurement method in this paper could be used to investigate other electroseismic and seismoelectric properties for petroleum exploration applications.Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Earth Resources LaboratoryMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Borehole Acoustics and Logging Consortiu