Course content

The course will focus on relations between physical (primarily acoustical, mechanical and hydraulic) properties of porous rocks and their microstructure, plus effects of external variables such as stresses. Topics included in the lectures will be. Biot's theory of poroelasticity. Effective medium theory for solids containing cracks/inclusions. Description of porous media as grain packs. Anisotropy. Upscaling; fractals, self-organised criticality.

Learning outcome

The course shall give a fundamental understanding of the connection between different rock physical properties and the possibilities and limitations associated with existing rock physics relations, plus make the participant able to contribute to further development of theoretical models.

Learning methods and activities

The course will be held next time autumn 2011. Lectures and exercises. The students will perform a literature study and present it orally. In addition, a limited research work will be performed by the students in groups. These exercises count 25% of the mark for this course.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

MSc degree in Petroleum Engineering/Applied Geophysics or approval by lecturer.

Course materials

Compendiums, offprints.

Credit reductions