Abstract: Vertical shear acoustic energy anisotropy of a subterranean formation is measured from a core sample of such formation. The core sample is shaped by having its outer surface cut to provide a pair of flat or planar surfaces along parallel spaced-apart planes. A pair of planar shear transducers are placed in contact with the pair of planar outer surfaces, one of the transducers being a transmitting transducer and the other being a receiving transducer. Shear acoustic energy is transmitted through the core sample in a basically elliptical pattern having an azimuthal direction within a plane parallel to the planar outer surfaces of the core sample. Any differences in travel time, attenuation, waveform or other acoustic properties for the acoustic energy transmissions in a plurality of differing azimuthal directions are a measure of the shear acoustic energy anisotropy of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Acoustic energy anisotropy is measured in a core sample from a subterranean formation. The core sample is shaped by having its outer surface cut to provide a plurality of pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces about the length of the core sample. A pair of planar transducers are successively placed in contact with each of the pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces, one of the transducers being a transmitting transducer and the other being a receiving transducer. Compressional or shear acoustic energy is transmitted through the core sample in the aximuthal directions that are perpendicular to each of the pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces of the core sample. Any differences in travel time, attenuation, waveform or other acoustic properties for the acoustic energy transmissions in the plurality of differing azimuthal directions are a measure of the compressional or shear acoustic energy anisotropy of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: A system for measuring ultrasonic (50 Khz-10 Mhz) velocity and attenuation in core samples employs transmitting and receiving transducers for generating and receiving ultrasonic energy in a core sample. The transducer and core sample are contained in a high pressure cell. The transducers are isolated from the high pressure of the cell by suitable housings, allowing the transducers to operate at ambient pressure.