Fluvial Research Group SCHOOL OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT


Research Themes & Methods

Research within FRG-ERG-SMRG is arranged into a series of broad themes that together enable concepts in sedimentology and stratigraphy to be successfully applied to improve subsurface reservoir and mineral reserve characterisation. A variety of methods are employed within these research themes.

Themes

  • Techniques for establishing sediment system type from 1D core.
  • Prediction of fluvial, aeolian, lacustrine and marine sedimentary architecture through development of relational databases.
  • Discerning between autocyclic and allocyclic controls on sedimentary architecture.
  • Numerical and flume-based modelling of fluvial, aeolian, lacustrine and marine processes.
  • Sequence stratigraphy and techniques in subsurface reservoir correlation.
  • The relative roles of eustasy, tectonics, climate and sediment supply in controlling sedimentary system architectural style: examples from subsurface, modern & ancient systems.
  • Small-scale and large-scale styles of fluvial, aeolian, lacustrine and marine system interaction.
  • Diagenetic impacts on reservoir quality.

Methods

  • Experimental modelling of sedimentary system evolution using physical and numerical techniques.
  • High-resolution outcrop architectural studies in both modern and ancient sedimentary environments.
  • Sequence stratigraphy for analysis of basin-scale system response to changes in external controlling parameters.
  • 3D seismic-stratigraphic interpretation of large-scale basin-fill successions.
  • Development of reservoir-scale models for testing effects of geometry on connectivity of geo-bodies.
  • Fluvial Architecture Knowledge Transfer System (FAKTS) - a relational database.
  • Shallow-Marine Architecture Knowledge Store (SMAKS) - a relational database.
  • Database of Aeolian Sedimentary Architecture (DASA) - a relational database.
  • Point-Bar Stratigraphic Architecture Numerical Deduction (PB-SAND) - a forward stratigraphic model for prediction of sedimentary architecture.
  • Dune Architecture & Stratigraphic Heterogeneity (DASH) - a forward stratigraphic model for prediction of sedimentary architecture.