2017 RCRL Prospective Research Directions - PowerPoint Presentation

1. 2017 RCRL Prospective Research DirectionsCarbonate Reservoir Characterization Research Laboratory (RCRL)Bureau of Economic GeologyThe University of Texas at Austin1

2. Research Statement OverviewThe RCRL group has unique expertise that addresses various research questions in carbonate shelf to basin systems and at scale of investigation from nanopores to basinal architectureResearch questions and exploration and exploitation tools are developed using both subsurface datasets and outcrop analogs. We emphasize quantifying what we observe so that our research is applicable and valuable in providing predictive relationships and conceptual tools for reservoir characterizationOur research-focus areas, themes, and topics have been developed out of our experience and feedback from our sponsorshipDuring our 30 years of existence, we have found that the most valuable research was developed from feedback and collaboration with our sponsor companies2

3. RCRL StaffCharles Kerans (PI)- Carbonates, sequence stratigraphy, carbonate reservoirsRobert Loucks (PI) - Carbonate depositional systems, pore networks, karstXavier Janson – Carbonate stratigraphy, 3D seismic, geomodeling, geomechanicsChris Zahm – Carbonates and fracture systems, fluid flow, geomechanicsF. Jerry Lucia – Carbonate reservoirs, petrophysics and rock fabricsJosh Lambert – Digital Outcrop TechnicianStephaine Lane – Program CoordinatorAssociated StaffSteve Ruppel – Carbonate reservoir characterizationGregory Frebourg – Sedimentology and biostratigraphyHongliu Zeng – Seismic imaging of carbonate systemsDonnie Brookes – Geomechanic Laboratory TechnicianCarla Sanchez – Seismic interpretationEvan Sivil – Geochemical laboratory

4. Interface OpportunitiesAnnual Review Meeting (held in 3Q in Austin) 1-day Premeeting Core Workshop2-day Technical Presentations (live broadcast)3-day Postmeeting Field TripSpring Training Week (conducted 2Q, location TBD)Rotate between field workshop, targeted core workshop, or “a la carte” short courses. Mentor ActivitiesRCRL sponsors office visits (domestic and international)Sponsor visits to Austin Hosting Visiting Scientists for collaboration*Company-specific projects*Targeted consulting on datasets or field trips*__________________________________________* costs in addition to the annual membership fee

5. 2017 RCRL Research Initiatives by Scale and Time5ScalePaleozoicMesozoicCenozoicPlatform-to-Basin SystemsTectonics and stratigraphy of Early Permian Basin, West TexasShelf to basin framework of the CBP to Midland BasinRegional synthesis of Lower Cretaceous platform architectureLaramide reactivation of Paleozoic inherited tectonicsBack arc Miocene platforms of Mut and Adana BasinsSeismic stratigraphy and morphology, NW Shelf AustraliaReservoir ArchitectureStratigraphic architecture of Wolfcampian syntectonic platform, Wylie Mtns.Mixed siliciclastic-carbonate influx and differential compaction effect on reservoir facies, CBP to Midland BasinRamp crest to intrashelf facies of the Ft. Stockton embaymentAlbian marine microbialite and associated rudist moundsFault related fracture zones in Albian-age outcropsCarbonate geobody distribution of isolated platforms and deepwater depositsIcehouse facies distributions, sediment accumulation, and diagenetic Rock PropertiesAcoustic and mechanical measurements of carbonate pores and matrix propertiesMechanical stratigraphy evolution of Icehouse strata: Penn. & Pleistocene Reservoir properties digital database of GOM carbonatesAcoustic and mechanical characterization of carbonate propertiesRock-strength evolution of grainstones and reefal facies, San Salvador and TCIMarine vs. meteoric cements and the impact on rock strengthPore Network CharacterizationWolfbone, Wolfcamp, & Avalon pore networksMicroCT and imaging of micropores of Wolfbone & AvalonPore types and networks of Albian microbialitesDiagenetic alteration of porosity in Miocene to Pleistocene grainstones

6. 2017 RCRL Research Topics6Platform-Scale Stratigraphy and GeomorphologyMiocene carbonate platform in the Mut and Adana Basins, south TurkeyMultiscale seismic stratigraphy and geomorphology of Tertiary of mixed-carbonate siliciclastic Northwest Shelf Australia.Cretaceous regional architecture of Lower Cretaceous margins around GOMPlatform-to-basin architecture of Lower Permian in Delaware BasinShelf and basin stratigraphic frameworks of the Central Basin Platform and Midland BasinMesozoic tectonics and impact on Mesozoic and Paleozoic sections

7. 72017 RCRL Research TopicsReservoir Architecture and Intra-Play EvolutionCarbonate geobody distribution in Tertiary isolated platform and deep-water depositsPleistocene frameworks as analogs for structurally modified carbonate cycle developmentRamp-crest to Intrashelf basin facies distribution and stratigraphic architecture Fort Stockton embayment (Central/West Texas)Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Segovia microbial mounds and associated rudist moundsFracture network associated with fault-damage zonesStratigraphic architecture of Lower Permian syntectonic platform margins in the Delaware BasinInfluence of siliciclastics influx and differential compaction on the distribution of stratigraphic trap and reservoir facies in the Permian strata of the Central Basin Platform through the Midland Basin, West Texas

8. 8Pore Network CharacterizationMicropore (tight carbonate reservoir) general synthesisReservoir Properties Digital Database of GOM carbonatesMicro-CT Scan and other ultrahigh-resolution imaging of micropores in carbonatesPore network of Lower Permian (Wolfbone and Avalon) mixed slope to basinal deposits in the Delaware BasinStructural and Geomechanical CharacterizationMechanical and acoustic characterization of pore-network and matrix structure in carbonate rocksModeling of natural, early formed fracture systems Chemostratigraphic Analyses of Carbonate SystemsChemolithostratigraphy of the Wolfbone and Avalon in the Delaware basinAge constraints of modern facies, West Caicos2017 RCRL Research Topics

9. FundingParticipation in the RCRL Industrial Associates Program for 2017 is: $55,000 per year for 2017 only, or $50,000 per year for 2017 and 2018 with 2-year agreementWe encourage sponsors to commit to a 2-year agreement so that we can better plan a longer-range research program and reduce the time and effort in securing agreements. Agreement is such that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) would be signed agreeing to a 2-year commitment, and payment would be due at the beginning of each year.9

10. RCRL Website: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/rcrl/index.php 13+ years database of research results Annual meeting presentations and video broadcast archiveLarge database and geological synthesisGoogle Fusion database of digital results (photos, redraft sections, gocad models, porosity and permeability data, thin sections photos) is available from the main website.Carbonate reservoir-quality database based on core-plug porosity and permeability analysesApprox. 10,000 values from the Jurassic and Cretaceous strata from the GOM. Data searchable by geographic location, formation, lithology, depth, temperature, etc.On-the-fly scattergrams for visual inspectionSelected data can be transferred to an Excel sheet for further statistical analysisData TransferRCRL Student Theses

11. Participating 2016 RCRL Industrial Associate Sponsors

12. How to Participate in the RCRL Industrial Associates Program?Contact Charles Kerans (co-Principal Investigator) or Robert Loucks (co-Principal Investigator) for more information on becoming or maintaining membership within the Carbonate RCRL program:Dr. Charles Kerans, Professor and Senior Research ScientistRobert Goldhammer Chair in Carbonate GeologyDepartment of Geological Sciences and Bureau of Economic GeologyJackson School of Geosciences Email: ckerans@jsg.utexas.edu Office: +1 512 471 4282OrDr. Robert Loucks, Senior Research ScientistBureau of Economic GeologyJackson School of GeosciencesEmail: bob.loucks@beg.utexas.eduOffice: +1 512 471 036612