Frequency-dependent Anisotropy of Rocks with Complex Fracture Networks

Fracture models which are commonly used to interpret seismic anisotropy tend to be more simple than those used by geologists to characterise fracture networks. Frequency dependence of seismic anisotropy provides a new avenue for constraining more complex fracture models from our seismic data. In this paper we present a new model for calculating the frequency-dependent anisotropic properties of rocks with complex fracture systems. Analysis of the model suggests attributes which can be related to important properties of the fracture networks, particularly scale-lengths, connectivities and fluid saturations.