My long-term research goal is to better understand geologic controls on subsurface fluid movement as applied to (1) migration, over geologic time, of hydrocarbons into a reservoir; (2) migration of hydrocarbons and water through a reservoir during field production, in order to reliably identify remaining resources; and (3) the fate of carbon dioxide injected into subsurface settings. A better understanding of these controls will decrease financial risks associated with energy exploration and production and decrease environmental risks associated with the disposal of fossil-fuel by-products.

In a subsurface setting, geologic controls are primarily the porosity, permeability, and heterogeneity of the formation, along with faults and fractures. The first three properties are largely imparted at the time of deposition. Improved understanding of depositional systems and high-frequency sequence stratigraphy will assist in predicting these characteristics in between-well areas. Vertical movement of fluids into and out of formations is strongly controlled by faults and fractures and capillary characteristics of shales that form top seals of reservoirs. Sequence stratigraphy can again play a predictive role in evaluating fluid movement (migration and seal) because the characteristics of shales that form top seals or that are incorporated into fault gouge to form fault seals depend on their depositional setting. Preliminary observations suggest that thin shales deposited during major (third-order) flooding events are more effective seals than much thicker shales deposited during minor (fifth-order) flooding events. This finding has immediate impact on charge/seal predictions for hydrocarbon exploration and leakage evaluation of potential carbon dioxide sequestration targets.

B.S. Geology, California State University at Long Beach, 1980

M.S. Geology, California State University at Long Beach, 1989

Ph.D. Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, in progress

Knox, P. R., and Hovorka, S. D., 2001, Geological sequestration of greenhouse gases: Opportunities for industry-academe research partnerships: Houston Geological Society Bulletin, v. 43, no. 5, p. 26–33.

Knox, P. R., and Barton, M. D., 1999, Chapter 5, Predicting interwell heterogeneity in fluvial-deltaic reservoirs: effects of progressive architecture variation through a depositional cycle from outcrop and subsurface observations, in Schatzinger, R., and Jordan, J., eds., Reservoir characterization—recent advances: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 71, p. 57–72.

Knox, P. R., White, W. G., Holtz, M. H., and Paine, J. G., 1998, Reservoir characterization advisor—fluvial-deltaic systems: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, 6 diskettes + 35-p. text.

Knox, P. R., 1997, Application of outcrop analogs to fluvial-deltaic reservoirs II: example from Gulf of Mexico reservoirs, Frio Formation, South Texas, in Shanley, K. W., and Perkins, B. F., eds., Shallow marine and nonmarine reservoirs: sequence stratigraphy, reservoir architecture and production characteristics: Gulf Coast Section, Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Foundation Eighteenth Annual Research Conference, p. 127–138.

Walker, J. L., and Knox, P. R., 1994, Zilker Park walking tour guidebook: a recreational visit to the Edwards Limestone: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, 48 p., plus 2 maps and brochure in pocket.

Judging Committee, Chair, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas, 2002

Steering Committee, Assistant, Reservoir Models Technical Program, Fourth International Reservoir Characterization Technical Conference, Houston, Texas, 1997

Audio-Visual Committee, Assistant, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas, 1994

Paul R. Knox
Research Associate
Bureau of Economic Geology
The University of Texas at Austin
University Station, Box X
Austin, Texas 78713-8924
E-mail: paul.knox@beg.utexas.edu
Telephone: 512-471-7313