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Oil and gas wells and their integrity: Implications for shale and unconventional resource exploitation (2014)
Journal Article
Davies, R., Almond, S., Ward, R., Jackson, R., Adams, C., Worrall, F., …Whitehead, M. (2014). Oil and gas wells and their integrity: Implications for shale and unconventional resource exploitation. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 56, 239-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2014.03.001

Data from around the world (Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK and the USA) show that more than four million onshore hydrocarbon wells have been drilled globally. Here we assess all the reliable datasets (25)... Read More about Oil and gas wells and their integrity: Implications for shale and unconventional resource exploitation.

Induced Seismicity and Hydraulic Fracturing for the Recovery of Hydrocarbons (2013)
Journal Article
Davies, R., Foulger, G., Bindley, A., & Styles, P. (2013). Induced Seismicity and Hydraulic Fracturing for the Recovery of Hydrocarbons. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 45, 171-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.03.016

We compile published examples of induced earthquakes that have occurred since 1929 that have magnitudes equal to or greater than 1.0. Of the 198 possible examples, magnitudes range up to 7.9. The potential causes and magnitudes are (a) mining (M 1.6... Read More about Induced Seismicity and Hydraulic Fracturing for the Recovery of Hydrocarbons.

Hydraulic fractures: How far can they go? (2012)
Journal Article
Davies, R., Mathias, S., Moss, J., Hustoft, S., & Newport, L. (2012). Hydraulic fractures: How far can they go?. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 37(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2012.04.001

The maximum reported height of an upward propagating hydraulic fracture from several thousand fracturing operations in the Marcellus, Barnett, Woodford, Eagle Ford and Niobrara shale (USA) is ∼588 m. Of the 1170 natural hydraulic fracture pipes image... Read More about Hydraulic fractures: How far can they go?.

Deepwater canyons: An escape route for methane sealed by methane hydrate (2012)
Journal Article
Davies, R., Thatcher, K., Mathias, S., & Yang, J. (2012). Deepwater canyons: An escape route for methane sealed by methane hydrate. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 323-324, 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2011.11.007

Three-dimensional seismic imaging and modelling of gas hydrates from offshore of west Africa (Mauritania) shows that submarine canyons on stable continental slopes can capture and release methane that is sealed by methane hydrate. We demonstrate this... Read More about Deepwater canyons: An escape route for methane sealed by methane hydrate.

Influence of stratigraphic setting and simple shear on layer-bound compaction faults offshore Mauritania (2011)
Journal Article
Ireland, M., Goulty, N., & Davies, R. (2011). Influence of stratigraphic setting and simple shear on layer-bound compaction faults offshore Mauritania. Journal of Structural Geology, 33(4), 487-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2010.11.005

We have used three-dimensional seismic data to examine the geometry of layer-bound compaction faults on the Mauritanian continental margin. The faults deform a fine-grained Neogene unit which mantles buried canyons. Above the canyons, most layer-boun... Read More about Influence of stratigraphic setting and simple shear on layer-bound compaction faults offshore Mauritania.

Methane recycling between hydrate and critically pressured stratigraphic traps, offshore Mauritania (2010)
Journal Article
Davies, R., & Clarke, A. (2010). Methane recycling between hydrate and critically pressured stratigraphic traps, offshore Mauritania. Geology, 38(11), 963-966. https://doi.org/10.1130/g31058.1

Three-dimensional seismic reflection data from offshore Mauritania reveal a base hydrate reflection, beneath which are 56 stratigraphically trapped gas accumulations (~0.08 Gt methane). Only 2 are sealed by the base of the hydrate (~0.004 Gt methane)... Read More about Methane recycling between hydrate and critically pressured stratigraphic traps, offshore Mauritania.