Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The objective of my ongoing research is to establish factors that affect the distribution, abundance and composition of organic matter in sedimentary rocks and the potential for  storage and production of gas in organic rich strata (coalbed methane and gas shales).  My research program integrates and applies novel experimental laboratory and analytical methodologies and study of recent organic rich deposits to the interpretation of ancient strata.   During the next five years the overall theme of my ongoing research program will continue but will further incorporate geomechanical studies with our recognition that the gas storage and flow properties of unconventional gas reservoirs is closely linked to the mechanical stratigraphy of the rocks. During the next five years my research program will comprise:1) experimental laboratory studies will quantify the effects of pressure, temperature, stress and strain on diagenesis, fabric, permeability and diffusion rates and storage of gas in organic matter and mudrocks.2) ongoing studies of  the sedimentology of black shales will expand to include evaluation of gas shale resources and those factors that effect gas capacity, content and sequestration potential for greenhouse and other gases (i.e. flue gas, hydrogen sulphide and oxides of sulphur).3)organic maturation of shales and coals.  Documenting and interpreting the levels of organic maturation in Western Canadian Basin will be continued.  This research is directed toward using maturation data and numerical models to better understand the tectonic and thermal history of strata and oil/gas generative history.4)investigation of the geomechanical properties of gas shales and coals will be undertaken in order to understand the interrelationship between shale and coal fabric, composition and mechanical properties and permeability and/diffusion.  These studies will investigate the complex interplay between mineralogy, fabric and pore structure and reservoir characteristics with varying effective stress.  Part of the goal of this work in to marry the lithostratigraphy with mechanical stratigraphy of the strata.