Ultrasonic Investigation of Elastic Anisotropy in Duvernay Shales

Summary Laboratory measurements of anisotropy in shales have been increasingly important in hydrocarbon exploration as focus shifts from conventional reservoirs to shale-gas reservoirs. In this study, the elastic properties of Duvernay shales are investigated through ultrasonic measurements on core samples. Results show that the material is of a vertical transverse isotropic nature with observations showing a greater stiffness parallel to the foliation plane. Study of the dynamic elastic moduli yields evidence that the greater source of anisotropy within the sample is due to intrinsic properties such as the preferential alignment of minerals and fine sediment layering.