Structural diagenesis, resource plays, the Highlands of Scotland and curriculum development
Stephen E. Laubach,
Bureau of Economic Geology,
AAPG Distinguished Lecturer
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - 11:30am
Location: Telus Convention Centre - Calgary, Alberta
The cut-off date for ticket sales is noon on Thursday, April 5th, 2012.
CSPG Member Ticket Price: $42.00 + GST.
NON-MEMBER Ticket PRICE: $45.00 + GST.
Each CSPG Technical Luncheon session is 1 APEGGA PDH Credit.
Abstract
Structural diagenesis is the study of the relationships between deformation or deformational structures and chemical changes to sediments. In shale resource plays, in tight gas sandstones, and in many other rocks the cross disciplinary structural diagenetic approach to fracturing, fault growth, compaction and other mechanical processes is a key to unlocking scientific knowledge about a part of the Earth's interior that is of great intrinsic and practical interest and a perspective that is increasingly important in the geoscience curriculum.
Using examples from core-based studies of shales and tight gas sandstones from Texas, Colorado, and Argentina, and outcrop examples from NW Scotland, this talk shows how this approach leads to new insights into fracture growth rates, how natural fractures evolve, how they may impact production, and how the surprisingly heterogeneous attributes of fractures can be better predicted and efficiently diagnosed. Some important remaining challenges are outlined that have implications for industry practice and for student training.
Biography
Stephen E. Laubach is a geologist at the Bureau of Economic Geology with expertise in structure, fractures, diagenesis, fluid flow, and rock mechanics. His research focuses on chemical and mechanical interactions in rock. He has worked on geological and engineering issues pertaining to tight gas, shale gas, and coalbed methane since 1986. He supervises graduate students in the Jackson School of Geosciences Department of Geological Sciences and was first chair of the Jackson School Energy Geoscience Education and Research Group in 2008-2009.
Dr. Laubach served as a member of the Committee on Advanced Drilling Technologies, National Research Council from 1992–1994 and is a member of the National Research Council Committee to Assess the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory. He co-chaired the first North American Rock Mechanics Symposium in 1994. He was a Distinguished Lecturer for the Society of Petroleum Engineers in 2004 and was a Member of the Geological Society of America Panel on energy and mineral resources policy in 2007–2008. He is Elected Editor of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2010-present) and is a Member of the AAPG Executive Committee.