The study of reservoir and repository performance requires the integration of many different fields in Earth sciences, among them rock physics and geomechanics. The aim of this book is to emphasize how rock physics and geomechanics help to get a better insight into important issues linked to reservoir management for exploitation of natural resources, and to repository safety assessment for hazardous waste storage in geological environment. The studies presented here deal with the hydromechanical coupling in fractured rocks, the key experiments in safety assessment of repositories, the development of damaged zones during excavation in a shaley formation, the influence of temperature on the properties of shales, the poroelastic response of sandstones, the development and propagation of compaction bands in reservoir rocks, imaging techniques of geomaterials, the characterization and modelling of reservoirs using 4D seismic data, the mechanical behaviour of fractured rock masses, the petrophysical properties of fault zones, models for rock deformation by pressure solution and the elastic anisotropy in cracked rocks.

Natural hazards events such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions involve activation of coupled thermo-hydro-chemo-mechanical processes in rocks. The present book assembles unpublished contributions to the 7th Euro-Conference on Rock Physics and Geomechanics, held in 2007 in Erice, Italy. It presents new laboratory data, theoretical and numerical rock physics models and field observations relevant to the study of natural hazards. In particular, several papers are devoted to rock failure and explore the relationship between the competing deformation micro-mechanisms. Several others investigate shear-induced anisotropy of mechanical and/or transport properties, both in large-scale geologic objects and in laboratory samples. The remaining papers treat various aspects of rock physics and their industrial applications such as geothermics and reservoir characterization.

Physics of Fluid Flow and Transport in Unconventional Reservoir Rocks Understanding and predicting fluid flow in hydrocarbon shale and other non-conventional reservoir rocks Oil and natural gas reservoirs found in shale and other tight and ultra-tight porous rocks have become increasingly important sources of energy in both North America and East Asia. As a result, extensive research in recent decades has focused on the mechanisms of fluid transfer within these reservoirs, which have complex pore networks at multiple scales. Continued research into these important energy sources requires detailed knowledge of the emerging theoretical and computational developments in this field. Following a multidisciplinary approach that combines engineering, geosciences and rock physics, Physics of Fluid Flow and Transport in Unconventional Reservoir Rocks provides both academic and industrial readers with a thorough grounding in this cutting-edge area of rock geology, combining an explanation of the underlying theories and models with practical applications in the field. Readers will also find: An introduction to the digital modeling of rocks Detailed treatment of digital rock physics, including decline curve analysis and non-Darcy flow Solutions for difficult-to-acquire measurements of key petrophysical characteristics such as shale wettability, effective permeability, stress sensitivity, and sweet spots Physics of Fluid Flow and Transport in Unconventional Reservoir Rocks is a fundamental resource for academic and industrial researchers in hydrocarbon exploration, fluid flow, and rock physics, as well as professionals in related fields.

A significantly expanded new edition of this practical guide to rock physics and geophysical interpretation for reservoir geophysicists and engineers.

The emphasis in Rock Mechanics for Resources, Energy and Environment is on the application of rock mechanics to the extraction of natural resources, securing energy supplies and protecting the environment surrounding rock that is subject to engineering activities. The book will be of interest to rock mechanics researchers as well as to professionals who are involved in the various branches of rock engineering.

This book contains the lectures given at the 2009 Symposium on Mechanics in Natural Solids held in Horto, Greece. It delivers a paradigm for the interconnection of the mechanics of soil, rock, ice and snow and for the interdisciplinary nature of the research.

This lively introduction to geologic fracture mechanics provides a consistent treatment of all common geologic structural discontinuities. It explores the formation, growth and interpretation of fractures and deformation bands, from theoretical, field and lab-based perspectives, bridging the gap between a general textbook treatment and the more advanced research literature. It allows the reader to acquire basic tools to interpret discontinuity origins, geometries, patterns and implications using many of the leading and contemporary concepts known to specialists in the field. Problem sets are provided at the end of each chapter, and worked examples are included within each chapter to illustrate topics and enable self-study. With all common geologic structures including joints, hydrofractures, faults, stylolites and deformation bands being discussed from a fresh perspective, it will be a useful reference for advanced students, researchers and industry practitioners interested in structural geology, neotectonics, rock mechanics, planetary geology, and reservoir geomechanics.