Information for Candidates
Heriot-Watt University
Institute of Petroleum Engineering
Industry-funded Post Doctoral Research Assistantship on Coupling Geomechanical
Simulation to Seismic Anisotropy for Fault and Fracture Identification
Post Details
Carbonate rocks host over 60% of the world’s remaining hydrocarbon resources. In many
cases the reservoirs are fractured. As a result of the geological history of the field and the
current in-situ stress, the initial boundary conditions provide a constraint on the faulting and
fracture development. Geomechanical modelling can be used to detect regions of high
stress and the orientation of the stress field. The orientation of the stress field can
sometimes be detected by modern seismic acquisition techniques. It is at predicting,
modelling and detecting this phenomena that this project is targeted.
The aim of this project is to develop the capability of linked geomechanics and seismic
interpretation to better predict fault and fracture systems and their sealing/leakage potential.
The key starting step is a pre-existing geomechanically- and seismically-constrained
damage tensor as a fracture predictor (Hall and Lewis 2007, Hall et al 2007). This project
will focus on improving the method, extending it to fault systems in which both dilation and
compaction are common. Particular focus is also placed on carbonate rock deformation
types (faults and fractures) that deform in an inherently simpler fashion than do clastics.
Seismic anisotropy signatures have been used to identify potential, but non-unique, aligned
distributions of rock damage such as fracture sets and faults. By replacing the seismic-only
approach with a linked geomechanics-seismic approach, considerably higher confidence
fracture interpretations have been produced (Lewis et al 2009). The work proposed here:
1. Develops appropriate geomechanical material parameters for carbonate rocks
(generic limestones and dolomites, potentially chalk)
2. Advances the geomechanical response aspects by incorporating new laboratory
work on shear zones (e.g. Charalampidou et al 2010) and uses geomechanical
simulations (with 1. above) to identify of damage/dilation/compaction suites in fault
zones.
3. Upgrades the damage tensor approach proposed by Hall et al (2007) and Hall and
Lewis (2007)
4. Tests the predictions via coupled geomechanical and fluid flow simulations.
A suitable carbonate Case Example is of interest but in its absence, good progress can be
made via a generic approach.
The project aims to deliver:
1. Library of geomechanical parameters for carbonate rocks (at least generic
limestones and dolomites)
2. Seismic anisotropy study of Case Example if provided.
3. Prediction of fault, fracture, fracture corridor distribution (with open/closed) in
generic or Case Study using a linked geomechanics-seismic approach.
4. Update of the damage tensor approach of Hall et al. (2007) and Hall and Lewis
(2007) in a form usable.
5. Coupled geomechanical and fluid flow simulations for subset of generic or case
examples.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
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A good first degree in a numerate science subject
A PhD (or close to completion) in petroleum geology, hydrogeology, geophysics,
physics, petroleum engineering, or related subject area
Experience of Geoscience experimentation
Experience of Fortran, IDL or MATLAB programming and Linux/Unix
Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Good written and oral English language
Desirable
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Experience of presenting scientific projects/concepts to a range of audiences
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Experience of programming
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Experience of modelling
Informal enquiries
Informal inquiries are welcome: please contact Dr Helen Lewis (helen.lewis@pet.hw.ac.uk ,
+44 131 3691).
Heriot-Watt University
For information about Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, please visit http://www.hw.ac.uk
Institute of Petroleum Engineering
For information about IPE at Heriot-Watt University, please visit http://www.pet.hw.ac.uk/
Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University was established in 1975 to satisfy the
growing requirement for professional Petroleum Engineers as North Sea production rapidly
expanded. The Institute is recognised as a world-leading institution in upstream oil and gas
research. The funding of this position is through industry within the new International
Centre for Carbonate Reservoirs established by Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh
University. For more information on ICCR go to http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/iccr
The position is primarily a research position but IPE currently has nearly 50 research staff
and 80 PhD students, with ambition to grow these – including through the ICCR.
The candidate will also get involved in interactions with the MSc student body and there are
opportunities to develop teaching and mentoring skills. The Institute has a worldwide
teaching footprint in Petroleum Engineering As a measure of our success, some 2,500 MSc
graduates now work within the international oil industry. Industry played a key role in
defining a 12-month programme, as exemplified by the MSc in Petroleum Engineering, MSc
[PE], which is recognised as an important route into a career in the industry. The MSc [PE]
programme attracts applications from more than 800-900 students annually, from which a
class of about 90 is selected. A distance learning version of the MSc [PE] programme is
also available, offering greater convenience and flexibility for students who prefer to remain
in employment while undertaking a course of study. In addition, the MSc Petroleum
Engineering course is now offered at the Dubai Campus.
The MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and Management, MSc [REM], was developed from
innovative research at Heriot-Watt and concentrates on the integration of geoscience and
reservoir engineering, leading to better understanding and management of petroleum
reservoirs. This course is popular with numerate graduates from the earth sciences and
those with engineering backgrounds. About 150 applications are received annually and
from these a class of 25 students is selected. More than 250 MSc [REM] graduates now
work in the oil industry.
A number of years ago, the MSc Petroleum Engineering by distance learning was launched.
The content, exams and degree are identical to the residential Petroleum Engineering
course, but this option allows individuals to study for a recognised degree during their
professional careers.
An Approved Learning Partner (ALP), was established at Tomsk Polytechnic University,
Siberia, and approximately 50 students are now studying there for our MSc in Petroleum
Engineering and 20-25 students are studying for our MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and
Management.
In 2005, the MSc in Geoscience for Subsurface Exploration Appraisal and Development
(GeoSEAD) was launched in conjunction with the Universities of Edinburgh and Newcastle
Upon-Tyne and this is a further vehicle for participation of ICCR research staff in the taught
courses.
Terms of employment
The position is available for 24 months.
Salary: Grade 6/7, £23,566 - £35,646
Application Procedure:
Apply online at http://www.hw.ac.uk/hr/v_index.php
Please quote reference number 157/10.
Closing date 15 October 2010
Interviews late October/early November.
The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no
appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of
any contract between the University and any individual.