The development of synthetic CIPS sandstones for geophysical research

Abstract

This paper describes recent developments in the manufacturing of synthetic sandstones for a range of geophysical research applications. The artificial rocks, known as CIPS (Calcite In-situ Precipitation System) can be fabricated with systematic, controllable and reproducible variations in a single parameter, while keeping all other parameters constant. CIPS rocks have been shown to reproduce the acoustic and geomechanical response observed in natural sandstones, and provide us with the experimental capability necessary to validate theoretical and numerical modelling predictions of geophysical properties. Existing and potential research applications range from theoretical studies in seismic wave propagation, petrophysics, NMR, geomechanics and analog reservoir modelling.