Experimental Approach to Asses Fault-Seal Potential of Shale Smear

To quantify the fault-seal potential of shale smear, a series of laboratory experiments of Takahashi [2003] has been performed on permeability change during deformation of simulated shale smear. Accompanying the field observation, the author tried to apply the experimental methodology to natural sandstone-shale successions. This shows preliminary results of experimentally shale smear reproducing with continuous permeability monitoring, using natural sandstone-shale interbedded specimens obtained from Miri oil field (Upper Miri Formation, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia), and the results of field observations at Airport Road outcrop in the same oil field.