In geophysics, it is important to have good knowledge of rock physical properties in many applications related to reservoir production and underground storage. The aim of the Rock Physics course is to study the important physical properties in these contexts, in particular acoustic and electric properties and their couplings with deformation. In the first part of the course, the methods to calculate average physical properties of porous heterogeneous media such as rocks will be presented. The second part will be dedicated to rock deformation, stress-induced damage and its coupling with physical properties such as permeability. In the last parts of the course, electrical and acoustic properties of rocks will be presented, in particular variations due to lithology, in situ conditions and anisotropy problems.

The student will be able to calculate average properties of an effective medium using several techniques, and to interpret conventional rock deformation experiments. He will also be able to interpret sonic and electric logs.