Doug Schmitt

Professor and Stephen and Karen Brand Endowed Chair of Unconventional Energy

schmitt@purdue.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Associated website(s):

Personal website , Geodata Science Initiative , Geology and Geophysics

Education
Ph.D. Geophysics, California Institute of Technology, 1987
M.S. Geophysics, California Institute of Technology, 1984
B.S. Distinction/Physics, University of Lethbridge, 1980

Research Interests
Experimental rock physics and mechanics. Porous media characterization. Scientific Drilling (geophysical logging and crustal stress determination). Near-surface and borehole seismology. Optical interferometry for deformation analysis.

Selected Professional Experience

1989-2017 Professor of Geophysics and Physics, Dept. of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
2002-2016 Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Rock Physics
2013-present '111' Professor, Dept. of Gephysics and Information Technology, China University of Petroleum, Beijing.
2005 Visiting Scientist, Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra.
1996-1997 Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Geophysikalisches Institut, Uni-Karlsruhe.
1980-1981 Exploration Geophysicist, Texaco Canada Resources, Ltd., Calgary.

Selected Publications

(Bold indicates advised student)

Wang, W., D.R. Schmitt, W. Lei, A program to forward model the failure pattern around the wellbore in elastic and strength anisotropic rock formations, Int. J. Rock Mech. & Min. Sci., 151, 16 pp., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022 .105035, 2022.
Nixon, C., D.R. Schmitt, R. Kofman, J. Lofi, S.P.S. Gulick, S. Saustraup, G.L. Christensen, and D.A. Kring, Borehole Seismic Observations from the Chicxulub Impact Drilling: Implications for Seismic Reflectivity and Impact Damage, G3, 2021GC009959, accepted Nov. 12, 2021.
Shen, L., D.R. Schmitt, and R. Schultz, Frictional stabilities on induced earthquake fault planes at Fox Creek, Alberta: A pore fluid pressure dilemma, Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 8753–8762, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083566 , 2019.
Malehmir, R., and D.R. Schmitt, Acoustic Reflectivity from Variously Oriented Orthorhombic Media: Analogies to Seismic Responses from a Fractured Anisotropic Crust , J. Geophys. Res., 122, doi: 10.1002/2017JB014160, 17pp., 2017. ( Analysis of laboratory reflectivity tests from an anisotropic material with implications for seismological studies using amplitude versus offset techniques.)
Martinez, J. , and D.R. Schmitt, A comparative study of the anisotropic dynamic and static elastic moduli of unconventional reservoir shales: Implications for geomechanical investigations , Geophysics, 81, D245-D261, 10.1190/geo2015-0427.1, 2016. ( This paper is one example in a series of following contributions that examines the role that rock anisotropy plays in seismic and stress-related geomechanical investigations ).
Schmitt, D.R. and B.C. Haimson, Hydraulic Fracturing Stress Measurements in Deep Holes, Chapter 6, in Rock Mechanics and Engineering, Vol. 1, ed., X-T. Feng, CRC Press, 183-225, 2016. ( A review of methods for quantitative determination of crustal stress using hydraluic fracturing. )
Schmitt, D.R., INVITED PAPER, Seismic Properties , for inclusion in Vol 11. Paper 190. Geophysical Properties of the Near Surface Earth: Seismic Properties, 'Treatise on Geophysics', 2nd Edition, ed. G. Schubert, pp. 44, 2015. ( This is a large review paper on seismic aspects of rock physics that contains many examples from my research.)
Njiekak, G., D.R. Schmitt, H. Yam, and R.Kofman , CO ₂ rock physics as part of the Weyburn-Midale geological storage project , 16 pp., Int. J. Greenhouse gas control, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.02.007 , 16, S118-S133 2013. ( This is the first contribution to demonstrate the effects of the differing phase transformations of CO ₂ on elastic wave propagation in rocks.)
Bouzidi, Y . and D.R. Schmitt, Incidence-angle Dependent Acoustic Reflections from Liquid Saturated Porous Solids, Geophysical Journal International, 191, 1427-1440, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05695.x, 14 pp., 2012., ( This fundamental study validated existing theories of reflectivity from porous media and has important implications for the interpretation of seismic field studies of reflectivity.)
Schmitt, D.R., C.A. Currie, and L. Zhang , Crustal stress determination from boreholes and rock cores: Fundamental principles , INVITED REVIEW PAPER, Tectonophysics, , doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2012.08.029 , 580, 1-26, 2012. ( This is a large and modern review of the techniques employed to constrain stress magnitudes from boreholes, it borrows heavily from much of my earlier work for examples.)
Schijns, H., D.R.Schmitt, P.J. Heikkinen and I.T. Kukkonen, Seismic anisotropy in the crystalline upper crust: Observations and modeling from the Outokumpu scientific borehole, Finland, Geophys. J. Int., 189, 541-553, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2012.05358.x, 2012. ( This paper combines laboratory and field measurements to show that cracks must be included in the determination of crustal anisotropy.)
Cholach, P.Y., J.B. Molyneux, and D.R. Schmitt, Flin Flon belt seismic anisotropy: Elastic symmetry, heterogeneity, and shear wave splitting , Can. J. Earth Sci., 42, 533-544, 2005. ( This was a large study of an ensemble of highly sheared metamorphic rocks the results of suggest that researchers should take care in interpreting teleseismic shear wave splitting observations.)
Mah, M. and D. R. Schmitt, Determination of the complete elastic stiffnesses from ultrasonic phase velocity measurements , J. Geophys. Res., 108, DOI10.1029/2001JB001586, pp. 11, 2003. ( In this paper we developed both an array experimental approach and apply it to the determination of the complete set of elastic constants from a complex material.)
Kebaili, A. and D.R. Schmitt, Velocity anisotropy observed in wellbore seismic arrivals: combined effects of intrinsic properties and layering? Geophysics, 61, 12-20, 1996. ( This is the first example of where we were able to collect borehole seismic data an extract from it the seismic anisotropy, the slant-stack methods developed here have been used in later laboratory and field studies in my group.)
Schmitt, D.R., and M.D. Zoback, Diminished pore pressure in low porosity rock under tensional failure: Apparent strengthening by dilatancy , J. Geophys. Res., 97, 273-286, 1992. ( This was the last of a series of contributions looking at the various effects influencing the initial failure of rock during hydraulic fracture stimulation.)
Schmitt, D.R., and T.J. Ahrens, Shock temperatures in silica glass: implications for modes of shock deformation, phase transformation, and melting with pressure , J. Geophys. Res., 94, 5851-5871, 1989. ( In this paper we optically measured the temperatures from quartz under high pressure shock compression and showed interesting features that are possibly related to the kinetics and enthalpy’s of phase transition of quartz.)