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A surge of interest in the geomechanics and petrophysical properties of mudrocks (shales) has taken place in recent years following upon the development of a shale gas industry in the United States and with the prospect of similar developments in the UK and elsewhere.
Compared to most other rock types, geomechanical and microstructural studies on mudstones are more demanding owing to their fine grain size, complex mineralogy and difficulties in handling. The need to develop an industry that is efficient and satisfies public concerns demands that the fullest possible understanding of the mechanical and petrophysical behaviour of these rocks be obtained and applied to engineering and environmental questions.
The scope of this meeting encompasses studies of strength and frictional behaviour, time-dependent creep, hydraulic fracture development, permeability, electrical conductivity and acoustic wave propagation. These can be inferred from laboratory measurements, new imaging techniques such as FIB-SEM, X-ray tomography and acoustic emission, and field/borehole data. All of these properties are extremely sensitive to mineralogy, microstructure, diagenetic history and rock anisotropy.
Contributions are welcomed from academia and from industry that help develop understanding of the behaviour of these rocks.
A draft programme is now available to view online. Please note: This may be amended prior to the conference.
Registration for this meeting is now open. To register, please use the online registration form. Alternatively, you can complete the Paper Registration Form and return this to Ruth Houlsby.
Click here for more information about other events connected to the GSL's Year of Mud
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