Disputas: Nazmul Haque Mondol

Prøveforelesning

Bedømmelseskomité

Prof. Andrew C. Aplin, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, University of Newcastle
PhD Per Avseth, Self-employed
Prof. Annik Myhre, Dep. of Geosciences, University of Oslo

Leder av disputas:  Nils Roar Sælthun

Veileder:  Prof. Knut Bjørlykke og Dr. Jens Jahren

Sammendrag

Oil and gas is for the most part found in sandstones and limestones but the most common rock in sedimentary basins is mudstones. Seismic signal travel through thick sequences of mudstones but their physical properties have not yet been well known. Interpretation of seismic data and modeling of compaction and fluid flow and subsidence in sedimentary basins require better information about the physical properties of mudstones. The aim of this research is to understand the factors that control the compaction behavior and physical properties changes of mudstones as a function of depth. The present study includes both natural and experimental compaction and accompanying changes in physical properties such as porosity, permeability, density and velocity of mudstones. The natural compaction behavior and physical properties changes were investigated by well log analyses from the Northern North Sea, Haltenbanken and Barents Sea, Offshore Norway. The experimental compaction deals exclusively for mechanical compaction of synthetic mudstones. Mudstones consist mostly of clay minerals and we have therefore compacted different types of clay minerals in the laboratory under conditions equivalent to 4-5 Km depth. Consolidation tests were performed at the NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute). For the first time we have demonstrated how different types of clays and their mixtures compact and their physical properties changes as a function of depth. Our results will have practical use in petroleum exploration and production and may also have implications for fluid flow modeling, waste disposal and engineering practice including structural design and slope stability analysis. Much of this study has been financially supported by the Research Council of Norway (NFR) within the framework of PETROMAKS (Programme for the Optimal Management of Petroleum Resources) through the project title "Petrophysical Properties of Mudstones and Sandstones and their Seismic Responses".

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