Acoustic Emission Experiments and Microcrack Modelling on Porous Rock

To exploit the full potential of passive seismic data we study the acoustic emissions (AEs) that are generated as a result of microcracking or movement on microcracks in stressed rock. Microcracking is directly related to the release of stored strain energy inside stressed rock and coalesce of microcracks might result in macroscopic fractures. Therefore, studying AEs and microcracking in rock samples may aid the interpretation of microseismic events recorded around e.g. oil fields. Our work focuses on experimental measurements of AEs with corresponding numerical modelling in order to characterize the AE intensity and capability of typical intact or fractured reservoir rock like sandstone and chalk.