Correlation Of Outcrop, Seismic, Core Plugs And Thin Sections In Cretaceous Carbonate Rocks From Wasia Group In The U.A.E

Abstract Previous study, of a geological and petrophysical investigation from an outcrop in the UAE, found a potential correlation between acoustic velocities and fracture density. However, it was not clear what could be the effect of this correlation in the seismic response. The aim of this paper is to extend this previous study to better understand its results and to investigate their significance in the seismic response. To achieve this purpose, we correlated geological and geophysical parameters at four different scales: outcrop, seismic, core plugs and thin sections. We acquired a seismic line on the top of an outcrop. From the same outcrop we examined 17 core plugs and 30 thin sections along different locations. We found that acoustic velocities, measured in the lab, decrease with increase in fracture density. This result was supported by the outcomes of the outcrop-seismic correlation where changes in fracture density were found to be an important factor that affects the seismic response in carbonate rocks. Such correlation can lead to better understanding of the seismic response which can result in an improvement in seismic interpretation of areas with similar geological conditions.