Squirt flow in fully saturated rocks

Velocity/frequency dispersion and attenuation in fully saturated rocks are estimated by employing the squirt-flow mechanism of solid/fluid interaction. The frequency dependence of squirt-induced pressure in soft cracks is linked with the porosity and permeability of soft pore space, and the characteristic squirt-flow length. These unknown parameters are combined into one expression that is assumed to be a fundamental rock property that does not depend on frequency. The appropriate value of this expression for a given rock can be found by matching theoretical predictions with the experimental measurements of attenuation or velocity. The model is applied to D'Euville Limestone, Navajo Sandstone, and Westerly Granite. The model realistically predicts the observed velocity/frequency dispersion, and attenuation. -from Authors