"Reservoir Characterisation, Geochemistry and Mechanical Stratigraphy of Gas and Oil Producing Shales"

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The unprecedented rapid growth of hydrocarbon production from shales over the last decade has resulting in a paradigm shift in the energy sector that has immediate and long term global implications. This growth in production has, however, markedly outpaced our understanding of geological processes that determine reservoir properties, how to measure these properties, how to predict and design for optimum development of the resource, and how to recognize and mitigate environmental impact of development. The proposed research will address these issues, and in particular, develop predictive models of hydrocarbon source and reservoir quality based on detailed geological and engineering studies that will include lithological, petrophysical and geomechanical analyses of major gas and oil producing shales. The research includes development of better methods of reservoir characterisation, establishment of important effective stress laws for fine grained strata and understanding impact of geomechanical stratigraphic on hydraulic fracturing. Engineering aspects and environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing will be explored including chemistry of flow back water. The research involves integration of field studies of ancient strata, laboratory analyses, experiments, and numerical modeling. The proposed research will involve collaboration with industry, university colleagues and government agencies and provides the opportunity for training of highly qualified personnel in a field in which there is currently a critical shortage.