Characterisation of the Subsurface

This module focusses on the structural and sedimentological architecture of the rocks in the Earth that are important for Geo-Energy Engineering applications. The properties of these sediments and rocks, as well as their variabilities at all scales, are assessed and quantified. Knowledge of the various processes taking place in the Earth and at the Earth's surface help the students to assess and predict subsurface architecture and properties and model these. The units consists of understanding and modelling of how subsurface reservoirs are build up with respect to reservoir properties and facies distribution. How can such changes in properties and distributions be correlated to variations in sedimentary deposition due to past climate fluctuations within different tectonic settings? How can those changes be complemented within the structural framework in the subsurface, including tectonics, deformation, compaction, faulting, folding and stress states?

Particular attention will be placed to heterogeneity, variations and the issue of scale and uncertainty in subsurface characterization. Furthermore, the students will be taught how process-based understanding of sedimentary and tectonic processed is used to accurately populate subsurface reservoir models and how to accurately predict variations in these properties (both in space and in time). Finally, geomodelling approaches and choices will be discussed needed to depict the properties in 3D space for reservoir engineering purposes.