iCRAG PhD studentship TP4.2PhD4
Controls on clay distribution at bed-level in deep-water sandstones; implications for
permeability and hydrocarbon drainage
Emerging evidence suggests clays play an important role in modulating turbulence in
sediment gravity flows and this can have important implications for the nature of the
deposits. Texture and particularly the abundance of detrital clay is often the dominant control
on reservoir quality in deep-water sandstones. This project will focus on the details of the
clay distribution and clay segregation mechanisms from pore to bed scale, and link these to
sediment gravity flow processes, reservoir quality and petrophysical character. The project
will focus at several levels: (1) detailed petrographical and XRF profiling of sediment gravity
flow deposits including clay-rich types with a pore-scale analysis of the clay morphology,
composition and distribution; (2) petrophysical analysis of stacked event beds to determine
the extent to which different bed types (turbidites, transitional flow deposits and hybrid event
beds) can be distinguished on conventional petrophysical logs, and (3) reservoir zone level
with the investigation of conceptual reservoir models for clay-rich sand distribution and flow
modelling to explore drainage efficiency in successions made up of mixtures of different
types of event bed. The study will utilise both industry subsurface and behind-outcrop core
datasets.
Applications are invited from motivated and high-achieving geoscience graduates with a first
or strong second class (upper) division first degree. The successful candidate will join a
large applied research group at University College Dublin and receive a broad training in
deep-water sedimentology, petrography, petrophysics and reservoir modelling. The position
is fully funded for four years and brings with it a stipend of €17,000/year plus fees together
with provision for conference and external course attendance. To apply, please send a full
CV and contact details for 3 academic referees, together with a letter of motivation, to Prof
Peter Haughton at Peter.Haughton@ucd.ie from whom further particulars may also be
requested. The deadline for applications is 30th April 2015 for a 1st September 2015 start-up.
iCRAG is funded under the SFI Research Centres Programme and is co-funded under the
European Regional Development Fund.