Quantifying the Effects of Sediment Deposition, Compaction and Pore Fluid on Rock Properties and Seismic Signatures

Primary sediment compositon (provenance), depositional environments and mechanical and chemical compaction have strong impact on the physical and seismic properties of the subsurface. By trying to quantify relations between geological processes and geophy sical (seismic) parameters, we will increase the possibility to obtain lithology, reservoir architecture and fluid contacts from geophysical data. The main challenge is to invert geophysical data into rock properties and fluid saturation so that estimate s of reservoir parameters can be made prior to drilling. The physical properties of rocks are also important in relation to modelling the development of sedimentary basins and the adherent subsurface stress distribution which is critical for drilling. Thi s project will consist of 6 activities: 1) Quantification of compaction processes and related rock physics properties based on experimental laboratory compaction of artificial and natural samples. These results will be compared to in situ well log data (P -wave and S-wave velocities and density). 2) Develop improved strategies for modeling effects of mechanical and chemical compaction on seismic and electromagnetic properties of sedimentary rocks. 3) Further study the effect of depositional trends, like so rting, texture, packing and bedding configuration on rock physics properties and seismic signatures. 4) Particular focus on the rock physics and seismic properties of shallow and unconsolidated sediments. 5) Study the effect of pore fluids on rock physics properties of heterogeneous, clay-rich reservoir rocks. 6) Design new schemes for estimation/inversion of petrophysical and reservoir properties from rock physics data and seismic attributes. The project will be a cooperative project and include particip ation from Stanford University, Colorado School of Mines, University of Bergen, University of Oslo and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute. Hydro and Statoil will also participate and support the project.