Wave propagation in heterogeneous porous media formulated in the frequency-space domain using a discontinuous Galerkin method

Biphasic media with a dynamic interaction between fluid and solid phases must be taken into account to accurately describe seismic wave amplitudes in subsurface and reservoir geophysical applications. Consequently, the modeling of the wave propagation in heteregeneous porous media, which includes the frequency-dependent phenomena of the fluid-solid interaction, is considered for 2D geometries. From the Biot-Gassmann theory, we have deduced the discrete linear system in the frequency domain for a discontinuous finite-element method, known as the nodal discontinuous Galerkin method. Solving this system in the frequency domain allows accurate modeling of the Biot wave in the diffusive/propagative regimes, enhancing the importance of frequency effects. Because we had to consider finite numerical models, we implemented perfectly matched layer techniques. We found that waves are efficiently absorbed at the model boundaries, and that the discretization of the medium should follow the same rules as in the elastodynamic case, that is, 10 grids per minimum wavelength for a P0 interpolation order. The grid spreading of the sources, which could be stresses or forces applied on either the solid phase or the fluid phase, did not show any additional difficulties compared to the elastic problem. For a flat interface separating two media, we compared the numerical solution and a semianalytic solution obtained by a reflectivity method in the three regimes where the Biot wave is propagative, diffusive/propagative, and diffusive. In all cases, fluid-solid interactions were reconstructed accurately, proving that attenuation and dispersion of the waves were correctly accounted for. In addition to this validation in layered media, we have explored the capacities of modeling complex wave propagation in a laterally heterogeneous porous medium related to steam injection in a sand reservoir and the seismic response associated to a fluid substitution.