The Lamar University Electronic Journal of Student Research

Fall 2007

Brief Summary of a Doctoral Dissertation in

Geophysics
Dissertation Title: Analysis of acoustic full waveforms in order to
increase our knowledge about the elastic and reservoir parameters of
rocks by Kamila Wawrzyniak

Dr.Kamila Wawrzyniak
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection
Department of Geophysics
AGH University of Science and Technology
Cracow, Poland

Dr. Norman L. Butler

Lecturer in English
Foreign Languages Department
AGH University of Science and Technology

William Allan Kritsonis, PhD

Professor and Faculty Mentor
PhD Program in Educational Leadership
The Whitelowe R. Green College of Education
Prairie View A&M University
Member of the Texas A&M University System
Visiting Lecturer (2005)
Oxford Round Table
University of Oxford, Oxford, England
Distinguished Alumnus (2004)
College of Education and Professional Studies
Central Washington University

_____________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
This is a brief summary of a doctoral dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of
Engineering which was defended with distinction on 4 June 2007. The degree
was granted by the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental
Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology.
_____________________________________________________________________

This work is about the application of time-frequency methods to acoustic

full waveform (AFW) processing. The goals of the research were the precise
determination of acoustic waves from AFW, wave field decomposition into separate
waves and the identification of zones of different elastic parameters. It was assumed
that the proper identification of P, S and Stoneley waves and interference-free waves
extracted from AFW were necessary conditions for the reliable and accurate
determination of elastic and reservoir properties of rocks.

The first part of the research includes the theoretical background of time-
frequency methods, information on full waveform acoustic logs and a brief
description of the data. The second part is devoted to a detailed description of the
time-frequency analyses of acoustic full waveforms. Discrete wavelet transforms,
continuous wavelet transforms and matching pursuit algorithms were applied to AFW
processing. The simulations, the developed methodology and the results of each
method were discussed in detail. With regard to the proposed methods, matching
pursuits revealed the best resolutions and marked wave extractions possible. The
results were used for transit interval time calculations (DTP, DTS and DTSt), which
were compared with their counterpart parameters obtained from the original
waveforms (i.e. not decomposed with matching pursuit algorithms). Additionally,
time-frequency decompositions were used for the determination of the frequency
content of each wave packet. Time-frequency representations of AWF were also used
to improve qualitative interpretations. On the basis of the continuous wavelet,
transform time-depth-frequency plots for a given frequency were constructed..
Furthermore, continuous wavelet transforms and matching pursuit decompositions
were used to calculate the instantaneous attributes that indicated local changes in the
geological formation.

The procedures used in this research are innovative and universal. They
can be successfully applied to acoustic full waveforms recorded with different sonic
tools. The procedures can be adapted to other types of acoustic measurements, seismic
data and any other geophysical signals that are characterized by changeable frequency
and time.