The main objective of the proposed research is

• To make possible quantitative predictions of stress effects on rock properties by use of 3D petrographical (grain and pore scale) image data, through refinement and application of the Numerical Rock Physics & Rock Mechanics Laboratory established in the past PETЯUS research project, and through use of the e-Core technology developed by the Trondheim-based company “Numerical Rocks”. Quantitative comparison with experimental data is a necessary part of the development of this technology.

Further objectives are

• To make it possible to use the Numerical Laboratory up to normal laboratory core scale.
• To apply the Numerical Laboratory to selected petroleum technology challenges such as stress path dependent wave velocities (associated with 4D seismics) and fluid flow (including single and multi-phase permeability), long term (creep) deformation in reservoir rock, thermomechanical effects on rock behaviour, and modes of strain localization under various stress regimes.