PhD Vacancies in Fault Damage and Petrophysics in Carbonate Reservoirs

Highlights:

1. Carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs are highly heterogeneous in their internal fabric and structure, mainly due to the variety of depositional and diagenetic processes that affect these rocks. This intrinsic heterogeneity presents major challenges when characterising the physical properties of a reservoir, either from reflection seismic or well log data. An additional factor in many regions is due to the effects of fractures; variations in fracture patterns around faults provide an extra source of heterogeneity in fractured carbonate reservoirs. This project will quantify the key petrophysical properties of faulted carbonate reservoirs, in particular the porosity and seismic velocities. This is a fully-funded Joint Industry Project with Total and BG Group as project partners, brokered by the Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF).
2. The students will be trained in: detailed field mapping and sampling of carbonate-hosted faults, with at least two European field sites; laboratory microstructural and microchemical analysis of carbonates, including optical and electron microscopy, image analysis, and the interpretation of stable isotope and fluid inclusion data; carbonate reservoir geology and petrophysics. Frequent meetings with the industry partners are integral to this project. Generic skills training will be provided through the University of Aberdeen SkillsForge. Upon completion, the students will be very well placed for a career in industry or academia.
3. The School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen has a sustained, international track record in applied geoscience and engineering research, and provides a centre for knowledge exchange with the local Energy industry. The School is expanding and has world class researchers in Structural Geology and Tectonics, Sedimentology, Petroleum Geology and Geophysics. The University of Aberdeen is investing heavily in the future, with a new state-of-the-art Sports Centre opened in 2009, and a new £57m libraryscheduled to open in 2011.
4. Applications are invited from Home/EU candidates only due to funding body eligibility criteria.
5. Fees will be paid at UK/EU rates.  A maintenance grant of a minimum of £13,290 per annum, based on 2009/2010 rates, will be awarded.
6. Application Deadline: 31 May 2010
7. Start Date: Autumn 2010; but scope to start in July 2010
8. Application Procedure
9. Formal applications can be completed online: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/postgraduate/apply.shtml.  
10. You should apply for MSc with a view to transfer to PhD in Geology, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct College for processing.  Please note, you should apply at least 4 days before the deadline to allow us to contact you for further information, if required.  All applications received up to, and including the closing date, will be processed.
11. Informal academic enquiries should be directed to  Dr D Healy, with a copy of your current CV.  All general enquiries should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit.
12. Supervisor: Dr Dave Healy, Dr Ian Alsop, Dr Joyce Neilson