Patent ID: 8184502

Claim:
An analytical method for modeling anisotropic elastic properties of a subsurface region comprising mixed fractured rocks and other geological bodies, in order to predict fluid flow or mass transport or for seismic interpretation in the subsurface region, comprising: (a) developing an analytical anisotropic micro rock physics model for the subsurface region by an iterative optimization process that compares data from a well log survey or laboratory measurements of core samples from the subsurface region to corresponding data calculated using an assumed anisotropic rock physics model that is updated in the optimization process, wherein the model simulates shale anisotropy via preferred orientations of clay-related pores, fracture anisotropy via alignment of fractures, and stress-induced anisotropy via preferred orientations of microcracks; (b) calculating an elastic stiffness/compliance tensor, comprising at least three anisotropy parameters, at selected discrete depth intervals using the anisotropic rock physics model; (c) generating a one-dimensional layered earth model, said 1D earth model being of a coarse scale suitable for simulating elastic and transport properties; (d) averaging the elastic stiffness/compliance tensor within each layer of the 1D layered earth model using an analytical upscaling theory able to treat at least orthorhombic anisotropy, thereby generating an upscaled anisotropic 1D model of elastic properties of the subsurface region; (e) generating a synthetic seismic response from the subsurface region using the upscaled anisotropic 1D model; and (f) using the synthetic seismic response for seismic interpretation, or for prediction of fluid flow or of mass transport in the subsurface region.