iCRAG PhD studentship TP4.3PhD1
Hierarchical sedimentary characterisation and modelling of submarine channels.
This study is concerned with characterising multiple scales of geometry within channels,
investigating different tools for building reservoir models of them, and using flow simulation
modelling to assess the importance of different types and scales of reservoir heterogeneity
on hydrocarbon production flow in channelized deposits. The PhD study has a generic focus
and is not targeted towards any particular hydrocarbon field. Similarly, the sedimentological
focus of the project is also deliberately broad, encompassing depositional environments
hosting hydrocarbon accumulations ranging from the most distal portions of submarine
channel systems at the turbidite channel to lobe transition, through to shallow marine delta
and incised valley fill channels, to fully terrestrial meandering and braided river deposits. The
aim is to identify the key heterogeneities in different settings, and the optimal means of
including these heterogeneities in conventional, up-scaled, reservoir flow simulation models.
Analysis of oil industry 3D seismic data and targeted fieldwork in Ireland, France and Spain,
will supplement a quantitative synthesis of channel geometries from the literature. A range of
industry standard, public domain and in-house geological modelling approaches will be
applied to build channel models, with the potential also to develop new approaches.
Implications on reservoir production of assumptions and approaches made in the modelling
will be assessed by flow simulation.
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
geological modelling, flow modelling and reservoir characterisation. 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 fieldwork expenses. To apply, please send a full CV and
contact details for 3 academic referees, together with a letter of motivation, to Dr Tom
Manzocchi at Tom.Manzocchi@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.