Research Interests

Structural geology; fracture analysis

Geology of unconventional gas resources

Structural petrology; fluid inclusion and cathodoluminescence studies

Application of borehole-imaging geophysical logs to stress and fracture evaluation

Structural evolution of North American Cordillera

Rock mechanics

 
Education

B.S. Geology, Tufts University, 1978

M.S. Geology, University of Illinois—Urbana, 1983

Ph.D. Geology, University of Illinois—Urbana, 1986
 
Selected Publications

Laubach, S. E., and Ward, M. E., 2006, Diagenesis in porosity evolution of opening-mode fractures, Middle Triassic to Lower Jurassic La Boca Formation, NE Mexico: Tectonophysics, v. 419, nos. 1-4, p. 75-97.

Philip, Z. G., Jennings, J. W., Jr., Olson, J., Laubach, S. E., and Holder, Jon, 2005, Modeling coupled fracture-matrix fluid flow in geomechanically simulated fracture networks: Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, v. 8, no. 4, p. 300–309.

Laubach, S. E., Olson, J. E., and Gale, J. F. W. 2004, Are open fractures necessarily aligned with maximum horizontal stress? Earth & Planetary Science Letters, v. 222, no. 1, p. 191-195.

Laubach, S. E., Reed, R. M., Olson, J. E., Lander, R. H., and Bonnell, L. M., 2004, Coevolution of crack-seal texture and fracture porosity in sedimentary rocks: cathodoluminescence observations of regional fractures: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 26, no. 5, p. 967-982.

Laubach, S. E., 2003, Practical approaches to identifying sealed and open fractures: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 87, no. 4, p. 561–579.

Laubach, Steve, Marrett, Randy, and Olson, Jon, 2000, New directions in fracture characterization: The Leading Edge, v. 19, no. 7, p. 704–711.

Laubach, S. E., Marrett, R. A., Olson, J. E., and Scott, A. R., 1998, Characteristics and origins of coal cleat: a review: International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 35, p. 175–207.

Laubach, S. E., 1997, A method to detect natural fracture strike in sandstones: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 81, no. 4, p. 604–623.

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Selected Committees

Member, Petroleum Group Committee, Geological Society of London, 2007-present

Chair, AAPG Academic Liaison Committee,  2004 – 2007

Editorial Board, AAPG Bulletin, 2000–2002

Editorial Board, SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering, 1998-present

Member, Committee on Advanced Drilling Technologies, National Research Council 1992–1994

JSG Structural Diagenesis Initiative

 
 
Awards

Distinguished Lecturer, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2003–2004

Jules Braunstein Memorial Award, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1999

Outstanding Technical Editor, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1999

Energy Minerals Division Best Paper Award, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1992

Energy Minerals Division Best Poster Award, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2006
 
Contact

Stephen E. Laubach, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Bureau of Economic Geology
The University of Texas at Austin
University Station, Box X
Austin, Texas 78713-8924
Office: 512-471-6303 Petrography: 512-475-9553
FAX: 512-471-0140 SEM Lab: 512-475-8786
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/indassoc/fraccity/index.htm
E-mail:

 
Professional Summary (Word format)
October 2003