On the Fidelity of “CORK” Borehole Hydrologic Observatory Pressure Records

Abstract

Long-term formation pressure monitoring in Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) boreholes using evolving Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kit (CORK) hydrologic observatory technology has led to unanticipated applications as a result of the growing duration of recording intervals and the improvement of measurement fidelity. Current capabilities provide geologically meaningful observations over a broad range of time scales from static state to 1 Hz, allowing investigations of many coupled hydrologic, geodynamic, and seismologic phenomena. In this review, we present observations that provide constraints on current limits to recording fidelity, and examples of how leakage can affect pressure observations.

Keywords

• Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kit (CORK)