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An Alternative Approach to Acquiring Permeability from Ultrasonic S-Wave.
Guangquan Li1, Li Wang2, Zhongyuan Liu1
1Department of Geophysics, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650504, China.
Ground Water
|July 25, 2025
Summary
This study introduces ultrasonic shear (S-) waves as a novel method to measure rock matrix permeability, offering an alternative to traditional seepage experiments. The findings show S-wave permeability closely matches Darcy permeability in sandstones.
Area of Science:
- Hydrogeology
- Geophysics
- Rock Physics
Background:
- Accurate quantification of water interaction between rock fractures and matrix is crucial in hydrogeology.
- Traditional methods for measuring Darcy permeability (kD) of rock matrix using seepage experiments can be time-consuming and complex.
- Understanding rock matrix permeability is essential for various subsurface applications, including groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using ultrasonic shear (S-) wave measurements to determine the Darcy permeability (kD) of rock matrix.
- To compare S-wave permeability (ks) derived from ultrasonic measurements with traditional kD values.
- To validate the applicability of Biot theory for S-wave propagation in saturated, isotropic rock free of fractures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultrasonic shear (S-) wave velocity (Vs) and quality factor (Qs) measurements on dry and water-saturated Navajo and Berea sandstone samples.
- Applied Biot theory to model the relationship between S-wave properties and fluid-related parameters.
- Fitted ultrasonically measured Vs and Qs with Biot theory model outputs to derive low-frequency S-wave permeability (ks).
Main Results:
- Low-frequency ks values derived from S-wave measurements were found to be consistent with independently measured Darcy permeability (kD) for both Navajo sandstone (0.107-0.115 D vs. 0.1 D) and Berea sandstone (0.081 D vs. 0.075 D).
- The study demonstrated that Biot theory is applicable to S-wave propagation in isotropic, unfractured, saturated rocks.
- Ultrasonic S-wave measurements provide a viable alternative approach for determining rock matrix permeability.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic S-wave analysis, interpreted through Biot theory, offers a reliable and alternative method for measuring rock matrix Darcy permeability.
- This technique bypasses the limitations of traditional seepage experiments, providing faster and potentially more accurate permeability assessments.
- The findings support the broader application of wave-based methods in hydrogeological characterization and subsurface fluid flow studies.
