How it works. AAPG is committed to the advancement of the
science of petroleum geology. We are making it possible for you
to review current research (both ongoing and proposed). We
encourage you to review the topics, summaries, and then to click
the links for the full proposals. You will find the researchers'
contact information, and you may contact the researcher directly
in order to fund or otherwise support their efforts.
Overview: http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/overview.pdf
Application: http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/application.doc
EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS TOOLS /
TECHNIQUES / TECHNOLOGIES
UTILIZATION OF
CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHIC PROXIES FOR GENERATING SEQUENCE
STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORKS IN MUDROCKS AND SHALES
Researcher: Bryan Turner This research will integrate
geochemistry, sedimentary petrology and diagenesis,
sedimentology, and stratigraphy. In addition to
providing data for sediment source area, secondary
alteration, and environmental conditions at the
sediment-water interface; chemostratigraphic datasets
can be applied to help refine and generate sequence
stratigraphic frameworks within apparently homogeneous
mudrocks. Recent technological advances allow for
practical collection and analysis of detailed
chemostratigraphic profiles from outcrop and core
samples. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/turner.jpeg http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/turner.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/turner2.pdf MODELING OF FLUID
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE IN ORGANIC-RICH SHALE
Researcher: Ali Takbiri Borujeni Conventionally, transport of
single-phase fluid flow through porous media is
introduced to the reservoir simulators as intrinsic
permeability, which is a property of porous media and
independent of the fluid type. The current problem with
the permeability is that the laboratory measurements
taken with the matrix core plugs indicate a
heterogeneous and anisotropic quantity, which is
sensitive to effective stress, pore pressure,
temperature, and the measurement fluid type. In
addition, these are source rocks that are often
identified as naturally occurring nanoporous materials.
The nanoscale pores and capillaries that make up a
significant portion of the total pore volume are
changing the nature of the discussion of fluid storage
and transport and bringing new molecular level
non-Darcian transport effects into the simulation, such
as pore-diffusion and surface-diffusion effects of fluid
molecules in the capillaries. Although we have advanced
significantly in our understanding of transport in
nanoscale capillaries and in trying these results to
laboratory experiments by use of core plugs, an overall
permeability responding to the impact of local phenomena
is yet to be achieved . Therefore, new models are needed
to describe fluid transport and sorption in nanopores. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/borujeni.pdf
ROBOTIC SECURITY ROVER Researcher: Michael
Nash
A rover that cannot get mechanically 'stuck' (e.g. Tipped over
or hung up on its side) with a mechanically-oriented camera
system so no matter if the thing is driving on its 'top' or
bottom, the camera will be right-side up. Cameras are on a 180
degree rotated servo so when they flip to right-side-up they
revolve 180 to face back to in front of the vehicle http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/nash.pdf
LIFEVIEW'S PRTISP (PULSE
RESONANCE THERMAL INJECTED SYNGAS PROCESS) RESERVOIR
STIMULATION TECHNOLOGY
Researcher: Harold Nikipelo PRTISP, is a combination of 4
(four) existing heavy oil recovery processes: 1) steam
flooding, 2) gas injection, 3) pulse technology and 4)
toe-to-heel (TTH)/ inverted 5 spot short distance oil
displacement (SDOD) process. Each of the processes is either
currently being used commercially or validated fully (or to
some extent) and separately. Lifeview believes any of these
four processes, if applied individually and separately,
constrains optimized oil recovery, while the combination of
these processes, if integrated properly and applied
effectively, could accelerate fluid flow in porous media and
increase oil recovery significantly. Your well or entire field may qualify for a
free application / trial of the PRTISP process. Contact
Harold Nikipelo (hnikipelo@me.com) for details.
DIAGENETIC CONTROLS ON RESERVOIR QUALITY AND PETROPHYSICAL
PROPERTIES IN THE LOWER TRIASSIC MONTNEY FORMATION - A MAJOR
UNCONVENTIONAL LIQUIDS AND GAS PLAY IN WESTERN CANADA - WITH
IMPLICATIONS FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTION Researcher: Noga Vaisblat The Montney Formation is a major resource play developed
largely in siltstones. This proposed research investigates
the relationship between diagenesis and reservoir quality and
attempts to identify critical factors that distinguish
conventional from unconventional hydrocarbon accumulations.
The study will encompass sedimentary petrology, geochemistry, and
petrophysics. In order to up-scale results obtained from small
scale samples and create a predictive model for reservoir quality,
data will be integrated with well logs into Gamls software.
• Description of the mineralogical composition
of the Montney and the paragenesis of diagenetic phases.
• Build a robust basin-wide model for reservoir
quality in the Montney Formation.
• Assessment of porosity, permeability and other
petrophysical properties of the Montney reservoir.
• Integration of small scale analyses results
(mineralogical composition and porosity) with down-hole logs to
create an upscaled lithological model of the basin with predicted
porosity distribution.
• Build models that relate fluid type and fluid
distribution to petrophysical properties. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/vaisblat1.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/vaisblat2.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/vaisblat.jpeg
ENVIRONMENTAL, TECHNICAL, SOCIETAL, AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF
SHALE GAS EXPLOITATION Researcher: Hossein Maazallahi Increasing populations and subsequently increasing
energy demands have resulted in a demand for finding new
unexploited fossil fuel resources. It is increasingly claimed that
the world is entering a ‘golden age of gas’, with the exploitation
of unconventional resources expected to transform gas markets
around the world (McGlade, Speirs, & Sorrell, 2013). The
output of this study will benefit society, environment and active
companies in the field of shale gas.
The project is separated into four parts with the main focus on
environmental and technical impacts of shale gas exploitation:
study technical impacts, physical properties of shale formation
will be studied which is directly related to geoscience. This part
also covers engineering as it's related to drilling process of
shale formation.
1- Can gas leakage from shale formation affect
vegetation? If so, how much is it significant?
2- Is it possible for gas to reach water
aquifers from shale formation?
3- What is the optimum pressure of hydraulic
fracturing based on the formation?
4- What is the willing to accept of society?
5- What is the best economic analysis to study
shale gas exploitation? http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/maazallahi.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/maazallahi.jpeg
REGIONAL
STUDIES (focus on identifying new plays, sweet spots, etc.)
MULTISCALE
STRATIGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION AND MODELING OF THE
WUFENG-LONGMAXI SHALE FORMATION IN THE SICHUAN BASIN,
CHINA Researcher: Hang Deng This research emphasizes
sedimentology, stratigraphy, sedimentary petrology, as
well as organic and inorganic geochemistry with
applications to mudrock studies. This research attempts
to investigate the outcrop analogue of the
Wufeng-Longmaxi formation and employ current analytical
methods for sample analysis to understand the
stratigraphic variations of the formation, allowing for
a better prediction of the subsurface features.
The objectives of this research project are:
Document and
interpret the outcrop-based stratigraphic variations
of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale formation in the
Sichuan Basin with comparison to the subsurface
data, allowing for better understanding the
subsurface.
Interpret the
depositional environment, depositional processes and
controls that form the sedimentary facies, identify
high-frequency stratigraphic cycles, and define the
stratigraphic architecture of the formation.
Generate a
depositional model with sequence stratigraphic
analysis to illustrate the stratigraphic evolution
of the Wufeng-Longmaxi formation, allowing for
better understanding the formation and predicting
the stratigraphic variations in the areas with
limited data control.
Generate a
Petrel (TMSchlumberger) model with input from the
collected data for better understanding the local
property variations of the formation, provide a
petrophysical model that may help with statistically
modeling the regional variations of the formation
characteristics.
Provide an
analogue for exploration and production of other
unconventional reservoirs in the United States and
other countries.
http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/hangdeng.pdf
Interview: http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/interview-hangdeng.pdf
COMPREHENSIVE PETROPHYSICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL
INTEGRATION STUDIES, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BASINS
Researcher: Michael Holmes This project will integrate petrophysical and
geochemical analyses of reservoirs of major importance
in the Rocky Mountain area, including (but not
restricted to) the Bakken, Niobrara and Mesa Verde. As
available, geophysical data interpretations will be
incorporated. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/dolanholmes.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/dolanholmes1.jpeg STACKED PAY EXTENSION SERIES: Central
Oklahoma (Lincoln, Oklahoma, Cleveland, McClain Counties) Researcher: AAPG
partnered with appropriate affiliated society, geological
library Goal: Find new “stacked with unconventionals” plays which have
multiple zones of previously unproducible unconventional
resources, which can now be produced using new technologies of
identification of zones, combined with horizontal drilling and the
latest innovations in multi-stage hydraulic fracturing.
This research project utilizes the unique resources of AAPG and
affiliated society repositories and expertise in order to complete
an in-depth investigation of new potential for additional oil and
gas production using a combination of new information and new
technology. The final product will be a report and a set of maps /
cross-sections / diagrams that identify newly prospective areas
and also recommend the types of technologies (along with a
workflow) needed to successfully drill, complete, and produce the
new zones. This research project will identify 100 wells
with in-depth information, along with at least 150 wells with less
information, for a total of 250 wells in the study area. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/OK-prospect-gen.pdf
BASIN ANALYSIS:
LACUSTRINE SHALES / NORTHWEST CHINA Researcher: Wan Yang Siliciclastic and carbonate petrography,
sedimentology, depositional systems, sequence stratigraphy,
using outcrop, well, and seismic data. Petroleum systems
analysis on characterization of source and reservoir rocks,
and primary and secondary migration pathways. Basin analysis
involving provenance analysis, stratigraphic architecture, and
basin-filling history. Paleoclimatic conditions and their
control on sedimentation, stratigraphy, and quality and
distribution of source and reservoir rocks. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/yang.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/yang.jpeg
EXPLORATION TOOLS / TECHNIQUES / TECHNOLOGIES
NEW BIOSTRATIGRAPHY TOOL Researcher: Onema Adoja
Quaternary sea level change has been recognised as an important
control on fluvio-deltaic systems. However, it has been difficult
to confidently link observed stratigraphic and sedimentological
signatures to climatic forcing, given the strong overprinting of
sea level and marine processes on delta morphology (Overeem et
al., 2005).
Therefore, the thrust of my research is to develop a
biostratigraphy age model as a tool to enhance the best precision
required to pinned down the age and sedimentary stratigraphy along
the shallow offshore of Niger Delta, Nigeria. (Pleistocene -
Holocene). http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/adojah.pdf
THE
CENTRAL BALEARICS SOURCE-TO-SINK SYSTEM Researcher: Antonio Capó Esteva
Source-to-sink studies relate long-term variations in sediment
flux to evolution of erosional depositional systems, caused by
a combination of mechanisms operating on individual events to
large-scale basin fills. Relationships between catchments,
shelves/slopes and sediment distribution provide insights into
segment scale development. Modern systems can improve the
knowledge on internal and external development of
source-to-sink systems over different time scales. This can be
used to predict similar relationships in systems where data
from individual segments is missing.
The main goals include the following:
[1] To investigate how an input population of grains is
partitioned into different depositional segments, and over
what transport length scales this takes place; [2] to
investigate the notion that down-system fining in sedimentary
successions is driven by sediment mass extraction; [3] to
describe sedimentary bodies and patterns in every depositional
segment in order to establish relationships between segments;
[4] to calculate present to past erosion rates through river
analysis, numerical modelling, terrace and cosmogenic dating
methods and volumetric and structural reconstructions; [5] to
link erosion rates with sedimentation patterns and study area
particular climatic and lithologic characteristics. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/capoesteva.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/capoesteva1.jpg http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/capoesteva2.jpg
SUBSEISMIC CLINOFORM STRATIGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION OF SHALLOW-WATER PROGRADATIONAL SEQUENCES:
CASE STUDY OF "AB" FIELD NIGER DELTA BASIN, NIGERIA Researcher: Chibuzo Valeria Ahaneku Subseismic clinoform analysis involves interpretation of
seismic data without visible seismic clinoforms. In
environments having shallow water depth and less
accommodation, the clinoforms are thinner and more difficult
to identify using seismic data. These subseismic clinoforms
have received much less attention from seismic interpreters.
Interpretation of deltaic deposits needs to go beyond the
recognition of seismic clinoforms. This research aims to study
the subseismic clinoforms of shallow-water deltas by
integrating geological and geophysical data sets. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/ahaneku.pdf
DISTRIBUTION AND SUCCESSION OF
ENCRUSTING FORAMINIFERA AT CAT ISLAND, BAHAMAS:
IMPLICATIONS FOR FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES IN THE GEOLOGIC
RECORD
Researcher: Christopher Smith This project involves research of
the distribution and ecological succession of modern
encrusting foraminifera in order to obtain an actualistic
model to better understand ancient encrusting foraminifera.
There are implications not only for paleontology, but for
sequence stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental analysis as
well. A better understanding of ancient encrusting
foraminifera would be a substantial aid in the search for
natural resources in carbonate formations. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/smith.pdf
QUANTIFYING
AND PREDICTING NATURALLY FRACTURED RESERVOIRS BEHAVIOUR USING
INTEGRATED GEOCELLULAR AND CONTINUOUS FRACTURE MODELS IN A NIGER
DELTA FIELD, NIGERIA
Researcher: David Anomneze Structural model is a geometric framework of the
reservoir, providing the boundaries for the facies and
petrophysical models. This forms a basis for the reservoir
simulation grid which is crucial in reserves estimation. In order
to create accurate fracture models, there is need to understand
the fracture initiation, propagation, interaction and termination.
Fractures initiate at points of brittle failure within the rock
layer and propagate in directions determined by the local
orientation of principal stress. The propagation of a fracture is
constrained by the stress field near fracture tips. For two
fractures of unequal areas subjected to the same driving stress,
the larger joint will meet the propagation criterion first. For
joints with equal areas in a spatially varying stress-field, the
joint subjected to the greatest driving stress will propagate
first. Interactions between nearby fractures influence fracture
growth and termination, and consequently the fracture pattern.
Interaction between close fractures forces their propagation paths
to converge towards each other. This has a significant effect on
the connectivity of the fracture pattern which in turn is expected
to have a first-order impact on flow. All these fracture
relationships will be evaluated and quantified for their possible
implication on fracture connectivity, flow direction and
concentrations. An added interest in this research will be to
focus on fracture prediction around faults. All these, impact
positively in reserves additions and reservoir optimization. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/anomeze.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/anomeze1.jpeg http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/anomeze2.jpeg
MODELS
& CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES
RELATIONSHIPS OF ICHNOFACIES
AND ICHNOFABRICS IN MISSISSIPPIAN CARBONATE AND CHERT
LITHOFACIES OF SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS AND NORTHERN OKLAHOMA Researcher: Rebecca C. Dorward My research is an ichnological study of 5-6
Mississippian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic units in cores
from southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma and the
development of an ichnofacies model. Several researchers
have shown that trace fossils can serve as a control on
fluid flow, porosity and permeability, similar to fracture
porosity that can enhance production. Porosity and
permeability enhancement of bioturbated zones within cores
is the focus of my research. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/dorwood.pdf
PORE NETWORK, MINERALOGICAL, AND DIAGENETIC
CHARACTERIZATION OF PALEOZOIC SHALES AND MUDSTONES
IN THE ILLINOIS BASIN: EXPERIMENTAL RESPONSES TO
CO2
Researcher: Jared Freiburg In the Illinois Basin
there are three major shale formations (New Albany,
Maquoketa, Eau Claire) among numerous minor mudstone
units. This study will identify shale and mudstone
pore networks, controls on pore networks, and the
response (pore network, mineralogical, and organics)
to CO2 via ultra-high resolution microscopic
three-dimensional mapping. Shale and mudstone
samples will be investigated before and after
brine/rock/CO2 interaction experiments at variable
pressures and temperatures simulating different
depths within the basin. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/freiburg.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/freiburg1.jpeg http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/freiburg2.jpeg
WELL-LOG SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY OF 8 (P-W)
FIELDS WITHIN THE COASTAL SWAMP DEPO-BELT, NIGER
DELTA BASIN, NIGERIA
Researcher: Kelvin Ikenna Chima This research will
integrate well-logs, high resolution
biostratigraphic, 3D seismic and core data (if
available) to build a chronostratigraphic framework
of the 8 selected fields, correlate and map the
reservoirs, seals and structural, and stratigraphic
traps within the depositional sequences.
Paleobathymetric data from benthic forams and log
signatures will be used to interpret the
depositional environments and system tracts of
sediments penetrated by the selected wells.
Structural and stratigraphic traps will be
interpreted on the 3D seismic data. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/chima.pdf http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/chima1.jpeg
BUILDING
DYNAMIC MODELS FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF
PALYNOLOGICAL DATA IN TURBIDITE FAN DEPOSITS Researcher: Ndubuisi Ukpabi The rhythmic
patterns in depositional models displayed by
continental and marine species are key to
understanding the depositional sequences of the
subsurface. Application of spatial array of facies
(continental and marine) distributions in time and
space may significantly show how laterally displayed
the geometry of any sedimentary facies are, this will
guide the determination of the reservoir architecture
and configuration not only in terms of
sedimentological characteristics but also in terms of
unique sequences separated from sequences similar in
sedimentological characteristics (correlation based on
bio-markers). Visual display of these rhythmical model
or simply put sand chasing/tracking in maps using
ArcGIS will solve most subsurface geological problems
as subsurface geological attributes will be displayed
in map view. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/ndubuisi.pdf DISTRIBUTION AND
CALCIUM-CARBONATE PRODUCTION RATES OF ENCRUSTING
FORAMINIFERA AT THE OUTER ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS
Researcher: Ronald Lewis The Bahamian platform is
a classic locale for research on shallow-water
carbonates, and benthic foraminifera have played a
key role in sedimentary geology in general and
hydrocarbon exploration in particular for decades.
Yet many aspects of modern-day foraminifera are in
need of study. The proposed research continues the
author's work on benthic foraminifera across
carbonate platforms with an emphasis on encrusting
species as indicators of paleoenvironment and as
contributors to the calcium-carbonate budget. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/lewis.pdf
WATER SOLUTIONS
IDENTIFICATION OF NEW GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
WITHIN THE CHEYENNE BASIN, NORTHEASTERN COLORADO
Researcher: Theresa Jehn-Dellaport Our project is focused on
researching and identifying the extent and
availability of groundwater resources within the
previously named Upper Laramie, Laramie-Fox Hills,
and Pawnee aquifers within the Cheyenne Basin,
Northeastern Colorado. This project is based heavily
on geology, hydrogeology, and geographic information
science with an underlying understanding of Colorado
Water Law. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/jehndellaport.pdf GEOMECHANICS
CAUSES OF SEALS FAILURE IN
DEEP WATER EXPLORATION PLAYS
Researcher: Selim Simon Shaker It is a comprehensive study with
tremendous benefits for deep water exploration. It assesses
the risk of a prospect by integrating the geological
building blocks into the subsurface geopressure. Correlating
the producing wells with the dry holes in the same fairway
sheds light on the viability of trapping hydrocarbon vs.
breached seal. Dry holes provide valuable information as
much as the discovery wells. Justify the success or failure
beginning from the prospect generation to the completion
phase is a keystone of this study. http://education.aapg.org/researchlauncher/shaker.pdf