Projects in Unconventional and conventional reservoir characterization combine

petrophysical and geophysical data with stratigraphy and sedimentology. In the potential

unconventional strata in the Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin we will be measuring the

acoustic velocity and resistivity within the context of stratigraphic succession. The assessment

of petrophysical properties of ramp carbonates in Apulia is another project. A study of the

velocity in dolostones is intended to document the importance of pore structure for velocity

variations. Testing and applying a new method for increasing the visualization of lithoclasts,

fractures and faults is an attempt to increase the reliability of seismic interpretation from 3D

cubes.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Testing the seal capacity of rocks

with experiments run for weeks on end is the main laboratory effort. Although results are

forthcoming, we plan to add more pressure chambers and advanced monitoring of changes in

velocity and chemical composition of the pore fluids that will improve the experimental setup

and output. Long overlooked and thus underestimated is the production of carbonate by fish.

Because this precipitation occurs within the fish, it is removing carbon from the seawater –

permanently if not all is dissolved before it reaches the seafloor. Determining the dissolution

rate of ichthyocarbonates is therefore important and will be studied this year.

Project Objectives:

• Re-design an experimental set-up that allows for CO2-Brine saturation prior to CO2 injection.

• Evaluate how the pre saturated CO2-Brine mixture alters the seal capacity of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic samples.

• Run experiments to assess the amount of dissolution and possible breach of samples.

Project Objectives:

• Analyze the middle to late Eocene carbonate system of the Apulia Carbonate Platform.

• Conduct Acoustic velocity, Resistivity and Digital image analysis for a reservoir characterization.

• Identify the mineralogy to better understand variations in the petrophysical properties of the measured samples.

Project Objectives:

• Apply the PondView Method to visualize sedimentologic and structural features in high-resolution 3D GPR cube in the Madonna della Mazza quarry.

• Visualize facture network in quarry using the StratiPondView method.

• Compare the results with outcrop and the short cores drilled in the quarry.

• Contrast and compare the sonic velocity and permeability of dolomite and calcite samples.

• Quantify pore structures of the measured samples using Digital Image Analysis (DIA) parameters and theoretically-derived parameters from the Extended Biot Theory.

• Assess the respective impact of mineralogy and pore geometry on acoustic velocity of carbonate rocks predominantly composed of dolomite and calcite.

• Re-design an experimental set-up that allows for CO2-Brine saturation prior to CO2 injection.

• Evaluate how the pre saturated CO2-Brine mixture alters the seal capacity of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic samples.

• Run experiments to assess the amount of dissolution and possible breach of samples.

• Determine amount and distribution of organic matter in carbonate produced by marine fish.

• Quantify the overlooked contribution of ichthyocarbonate-associated organic matter in the biological pump, which sequesters CO2 in the ocean.

• Test the hypothesis that organic matter content plays a role in ichthyocarbonate dissolution.