Issue 1 | March 2012

Rock mechanics laboratory

CSIRO's rock mechanics laboratory is a world-class facility, located in Perth, Western Australia.

CSIRO’s rock mechanics laboratory located at the Australian Resources Research Centre in Perth is one of the leading geomechanics and rock physics laboratories in the world.
Much of the equipment has been designed and custom built by CSIRO providing unique facilities for research and testing for exploration, development and production scenarios. These services are being applied to the oil and gas industry, the geothermal industry and for the geological storage of carbon dioxide.
The laboratory is used by CSIRO’s Shale Research Centre to conduct experimental and theoretical research on shale properties and problems that directly address industry challenges. The capability was also previously used in the highly successful Integrated Predictive Evaluation of Traps and Seals (IPETS) project which delivered real benefits to industry partners through new workflows and tools for exploration programs.
Rock mechanics will also play an integral role in the new National Geosequestration Laboratory supporting Australia’s first Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships project, the South West Hub.
The laboratory has recently commissioned a new high pressure, high temperature test rig, the HPHT-Triax, the only one of its kind in Australia. It measures the mechanical properties of reservoir samples exposed to extreme conditions, and will provide critical insights for exploration and production industries.
According to Petroleum Geoscience Program Leader, Dr Dave Dewhurst, laboratory testing is the only direct way to acquire mechanical properties of rocks. “Accurate determination of rock mechanical properties can improve exploration, drilling and completion design and reservoir management,” he says.
“Results from our testing can ultimately benefit industry by optimising well placement, maximising production and recovery, and minimising downtime and reservoir loss.”
Find out more about the rock mechanics laboratory.