Geology

This guide presents resources and materials needed for research in geology.

Library Research Guide

Geology Theses in K-REx [K-State Research Exchange]

Theses 2004 to present
Theses authored by K-State Geology graduates 2004 to the present
Theses before 2004
Theses authored by K-State Geology graduates before 1974

Selected Theses Featuring Geographically Close Work and Current Research Topics

A laboratory investigation into rock physics and fracture potential of the Woodford shale, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma
The Woodford shale in west-central Oklahoma is an organic and silica rich shale that is a prolific resource play producing gas and liquid hydrocarbons (Gupta et al., 2013). Unconventional shale wells are only producible due to modern hydraulic fracturing techniques. Production surveys from unconventional reservoirs show significant variability between wells and even between fracking stages (Kennedy, 2012). The production potential of a particular shale appears to be related to its brittleness and kerogen content "sweetness". Thus, brittleness analysis becomes important when choosing which shales to produce. A rocks brittleness index can be related directly to elastic properties derived from P- and S-wave velocities, as well as, its specific mineral makeup.
Incorporating seismic attribute variation into the pre-well placement workflow, a case study from Ness County, Kansas, USA
3D seismic surveys have become the backbone of many exploration programs because of their high resolution and subsequent success for wildcat test wells. There are occasions when the predicted subsurface geology does not agree with the actual geology encountered in the drilled well. A case in point occurred during the drilling of several wells based upon a 3D seismic survey in Ness County, Kansas, where the predicted Cherokee Sand did not meet the expectations. By better understanding the subsurface geologic features in the subject area, this study will attempt to answer the question “what went wrong?”
Chemistry of brine in an unconventional shale dominated source bed understanding water- organic material-mineral interactions during hydrocarbon generation
The exploration and development of unconventional shale plays provide an opportunity to study the hydrocarbon generation process. These unconventional plays allow one to investigate the interactions between the fluid, mineral, and organic material that occur in a hydrocarbon-generating source bed, before any changes in composition that may occur during secondary migration or post migration processes. Previous studies have determined the chemical constituents of formation waters collected from conventional reservoirs after secondary migration has occurred. This investigation targets formation waters collected from the Woodford shale that acts as both source and reservoir, therefore samples have yet to experience any changes in composition that occur during secondary migration.