Cover -- CONTENTS -- Preface -- List of Contributors -- CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO COMPACTION/SUBSIDENCE-INTRODUCTION TO TECTONICS AND SEDIMENTATION -- Introduction to tectonics -- Composition of the globe -- Movement of sections (plates) of the lithosphere -- Continental margins -- Introduction to sedimentation -- Source and fragmentation of rocks -- Classification of sands -- Genetic classification of sands on the basis of grain-size distributions -- Physical properties of sands and sandstones -- Nomenclature -- References -- CHAPTER 2. COMPACTION OF ARGILLACEOUS SEDIMENTS -- Introduction -- Clay mineral diagenesis -- Mathematical description of compaction -- Restoration modeling -- Flow of fluids through argillaceous media -- Chemistry of interstitial fluids -- Fluid chemistry compaction -- diagenetic models -- Compaction effects on the expulsion of hydrocarbons -- Experimental compaction results -- Hydrocarbons -- geochemical and migration models -- Stresses in sediments -- Tectonic overcompaction -- Compressibilities of sand and clayey sediments -- Experimental values -- Compaction of carbonates -- References -- CHAPTER 3. STRESSES IN SEDIMENTS -- Compaction -- Laboratory and mathematical analysis of compaction -- Subsidence of depositional basins -- Basins and geosynclines -- Hydrogeological cycle -- Subsidence as a result of fluid withdrawal -- Nomenclature -- Recommended bibliography -- References -- CHAPTER 4. POSSIBLE IMPACT OF SUBSIDENCE ON GAS LEAKAGE TO THE SURFACE FROM SUBSURFACE OIL AND GAS RESERVOIRS -- Introduction -- Current theories of fluid-solid force interaction: a critical review -- Fracturing due to subsidence -- Mechanisms of gas seepage from pools -- Summary -- References -- CHAPTER 5. SUBSIDENCE STUDIES IN ITALY -- General introduction -- Measurements -- The geotechnical features of sediments -- Modelling of the phenomenon -- Impact of subsidence on an area and remedies -- Case history of the Po Delta -- Venice case history -- Ravenna case history -- Bologna case history -- Modena case history -- Other cases of subsidence -- Acknowledgements -- References -- CHAPTER 6. SUBSIDENCE IN THE WILMINGTON OIL FIELD, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Introduction -- Geology -- Structure -- Drilling and completion methods -- Subsidence -- Results of laboratory tests -- Field measurement of compaction and subsidence -- Repressurization and rebound -- Effects of water injection -- References and bibliography -- CHAPTER 7. SUBSIDENCE IN VENEZUELA -- Introduction -- Bolivar coastal fields (Tfa Juana, Lagunillas, Bachaquero) -- Orinoco Belt subsidence -- References -- CHAPTER 8. RESERVOIR COMPACTION AND SURFACE SUBSIDENCE IN THE NORTH SEA EKOFISK FIELD -- Introduction -- Discovery and exploration in the North Sea -- Production -- Ekofisk Field description -- Platforms sinking -- Causes of subsidence -- Measurements of subsidence -- Temporary remedial measures -- Permanent remedial measures -- Characteristics of the Ekofisk reservoir rocks -- Mechanics of the Ekofisk reservoir rocks -- Constitutive modeling of the reservoir.