Petrophysical properties of mudstones and sandstones and their seismic response.

The aim of the project is to understand the main factors controlling the degree of sediment compaction (porosity loss) in sedimentary basins and the change in physical characteristics such as compressibility and seismic velocities. We will use data from m echanical experiments combined with wire line logs and geochemical and mineralogical data from offshore wells to formulate quantitative relations among stress, temperature and petrophysical properties. The purpose of this study is to be able to predict th e porosity and velocity of sediments as a function of the burial history. This would provide a better basis for the interpretation of seismic field data. To analyze the ability of seismic data to reflect petrophysical variations at laboratory and well-log scales, we will generate controlled seismic reservoir data. These data will be imaged employing modern processing methods like prestack depth migration and will form the basis of a systematic performance test of various commonly used seismic attributes.