Background

Background

I obtained my BSc degree in Geological Engineering from Hacettepe University (Ankara, Turkey) in 2003. This was followed by MSc and PhD studies in Osmangazi University (Eskisehir, Turkey), focusing on the evolution of sedimentary basins and their infills. These studies mainly focused on Neogene terrestrial infill of graben systems in western Anatolia (MSc) and Late Cretaceous deep-marine sediments of NW Turkey (PhD). The latter has also incorporated the control of sea-level fluctuations and palaeoceanography conditions on sedimentation. 

In 2012, I have moved to Lincoln, UK to join an oil and gas consultancy company (Badley Ashton), where my work has focused on evolution of pore systems in clastic petroleum reservoirs. Here, my main research interest diverted to post depositional evolution of pore systems of clastic reservoirs with an emphasis on authigenic clay formation. 

Current PhD students

• Alison Hendry - Interaction between solid, liquid and biological components of the natural porous media
• supervised by; Dr. Sanem Acikalin, Dr. Cees van der Land, Dr. Sven Lahme and Prof. Ian Head (Newcasle Uni

• Claire McGhee - How depositional properties dictate the early diagenetic pathways and reservoir quality of sandstones?
• supervised by; Dr. Sanem Acikalin (NCL), Prof. Richard Worden (Liverpool Uni) and Dr. Cees van der Land (NCL)

• Stephen Gundu - The impact of hydrocarbon emplacement on carbonate diagenesis
• supervised by; Dr. Cees van der Land, Dr. Sanem Acikalin (Newcastle Uni)

• Dimitrios Charlaftis - Assessing HPHT sandstone reservoir quality: identifying the reality
• supervised by; Dr. Stuart Jones (Durham Uni), Dr. Philip Dyer (Durham Uni), Dr. Pablo Cubillas (Durham Uni), Dr. Sanem Acikalin (Newcastle Uni), Dr. Mark Osborne (BP)

• Bello Abdulwahab - Evaluationg Reservoir Quality of Turbidite Channels
• supervised by; Dr. Stuart Jones (Durham Uni), Jon Gluyas (Durham Uni), Sanem Acikalin (Newcastle Uni)
  

Memberships

International Association of Sedimentologist – IAS

American Association of Petroleum Geologist – AAPG

Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain - PESGB

Chamber of Geological Engineers of Turkey  – TJK

Research

As a geologist, I am interested in the various aspects and the evolution of clastic sedimentary systems - including their depositional processes, interaction with the depositional environment and ecology as well as the post depositional diagenetic alterations. Following bullet points summarise the ongoing and current research interests.

Sedimentary structures, like bedforms, are key palaeo-environmental indicators, therefore recognition of these bedforms from sedimentary cores taken from hydrocarbon wells yield important information about the structure of the reservoirs.

• Recently, I have worked on recognising supercritical-flow bedforms in sediment cores. My research focusses on the question whether texture is the key for the recognition?  

Clays (both detrital and authigenic) often form a dominant control on the quality of hydrocarbon reservoirs (on porosity and permeability).

• My recent work has focussed on; What are the key parameters for early diagenetic chlorite formation in siliciclastic hydrocarbon reservoirs?  This is important to understand as early chlorite often preserves pore space and hence the storage capacity of the reservoir.

• Recently I am working on a case study investigating the changes in weathering conditions following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction which was caused by a massive meteorite impact.

Previously Involved Research Projects

2009-2011: Palaeoclimatic investigation of Sunnet Lake lacustrine archives in NW Anatolia with sedimentological, geochemical and palaeoecological tools. – Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University

2007-2009: Investigation of Cretaceous – Tertiary succession at Central Sakarya Region in terms of source area and palaeoclimatology - Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University

2007-2010: Desertification, mitigation and remediation of land – DESIRE / EU- FP6

2005-2007: Sequence stratigraphy of the Late Cretaceous – Palaeogene deposits at the Central Sakarya region (NW Anatolia) – Funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)

2004-2006: Stratigraphic, sedimentologic and tectonic evolution of the Karacasu and Bozdogan Cross Grabens (West Anatolia) - Funded by Scientific Research Council - Eskisehir Osmangazi University

Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching

CEG1603 – Introduction to the Sedimentary Record

CEG2603 – Structural Geology (Module Leader)

CEG2608 – Geological Field Mapping

CEG0000 - Engineering Geology

Publications

• Vellekoop J, Woelders L, Acikalin S, Smit J, van de Schootbrugge B, Yilmaz IÖ, Brinkhuis H, Speijer PR. Ecological response to collapse of the biological pump following the mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Biogeosciences 2017, 14, 885-900.
• Acikalin S, Vellokoop J, Yilmaz IO, Ocakoglu F, Smit J, Altiner SO, Goderis S, Vonhof H, Speijer R, Woelders L, Fornaciari E, Brinkhuis H. Geochemical and palaeontological characterization of a new K-Pg Boundary locality from the Northern branch of Neo-Tethys: Mudurnu-Göynük Basin, NW Turkey. Cretaceous Research 2015, 52(Part A), 251-267.
• Acikalin S, Ocakoglu F, Yilmaz IO, Vonhof H, Hakyemez A, Smit J. Stable isotopes and geochemistry of a Campanian-Maastrichtian pelagic succession, Mudurnu–Göynük Basin, NW Turkey: Implications for palaeoceanography, palaeoclimate and sea-level fluctuations. Palaeoceanography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2016, 441(Part 3), 453-466.
• Ocakoglu F, Oybak-Donmez E, Akbulut A, Tunoglu C, Kir O, Acikalin S, Erayik C, Yilmaz IO, Leroy S. A 2800-year multi-proxy sedimentary record of climate change from lake Çubuk (Göynük, Bolu, NW Anatolia). The Holocene 2016, 26(2), 205-221.
• Ventra D, Cartigny MJB, Bijkerk JF, Acikalin S. Supercritical-flow structures on a Late Carboniferous delta front: Sedimentological and paleoclimatic significance. Geology 2015, 43(8), 731-734.
• Safak U, Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Ostracoda assemblage and the environmental characteristics of the Eocene Succession of the Central Sakarya Region. Micropaleontology 2015, 61(1-2), 49-68.
• Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Alcalá M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Darkohd M, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fernandez F, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pozo A, Prat C, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Ritsema C, Romanenko V, Sebega R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Salvati L. An exploratory analysis of land abandonment drivers in areas prone to desertification. Catena 2015, 128, 252-261.
• Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J. Unveiling soil degradation and desertification risk in the Mediterranean basin: a data mining analysis of the relationships between biophysical and socioeconomic factors in agro-forest landscapes. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 2015, 58(10), 1789-1803.
• Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcala M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and Selection of Indicators for Land Degradation and Desertification Monitoring: Methodological Approach. Environmental Management 2014, 54(5), 951-970.
• Kairis O, Kosmas C, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcala M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Sole-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, deVente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: Types of degradation, causes and implications for management. Environmental Management 2014, 54(5), 971-982.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Ozsayin E, Dirik RK. Tectonosedimentary evolution of the Karacasu and Bozdogan basins in the Central Menderes Massif, W Anatolia. Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences 2014, 23(4), 361-382.
• Ocakoglu F, Kir O, Yilmaz IO, Acikalin S, Erayik C, Tunoglu C, Leroy SAG. Early to Mid-Holocene lake level and temperature records from terraces of Lake Sunnet in NW Turkey. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 2013, 369, 175-184.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Yilmaz IO, Safak U, Gokceoglu C. Evidence of orbital forcing in lake-level fluctuations in the Middle Eocene oil shale-bearing lacustrine successions in the Mudurnu-Göynük Basin, NW Anatolia (Turkey). Journal of Asian Erath Sciences 2012, 56, 54-71.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gunes G, Ozkes S, Dirik K, Ozsayin E. Was the 1899 Menderes Valley earthquake a double earthquake? Historical and paleoseismological constrains. Journal of Asian Earth Science 2013, 67-68, 187-198.
• Yilmaz IO, Altiner D, Tekin UK, Tuysuz O, Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Cenomanian – Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE2) in the Sakarya Zone, northwestern Turkey: Sedimentological, cyclostratigraphic, and geochemical records. Cretaceous Research 2010, 31 (2), 207-226.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Field evidences of secondary surface ruptures occurred during the 20 February 1956 Eskişehir earthquake in the NW Anatolia. Journal of Earth System Science 2010, 119 (6), 1-11.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gokceoglu C, Karabacak V, Cherkinsky A. A multistory gigantic subaerial debris flow in an active fault scarp in NW Anatolia, Turkey: anatomy, mechanism and timing. The Holocene 2009, 19 (6), 955-965.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S. Late Pleistocene fault-induced uplift and consequent fluvial response in Eskişehir Fault Zone, NW Anatolia -->. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 2009, 53 (1), 121-136.
• Zorku K, Gokceoglu C, Ocakoglu F, Nefeslioglu H, Acikalin S. Prediction of uniaxial compressive strength of sandstones using petrography-based models. Engineering Geology 2008, 96 (3-4), 141-158.
• Ocakoglu F, Acikalin S, Gokceoglu C, Nefeslioglu HA, Sonmez H. Back-analysis of the source of the 1956 Eskisehir Earthquake using attenuation equation and damage data. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment 2007, 66 (3), 353-360.
• Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, deVente J, Kelly C, Colantoni A, Carlucci M. Assessing the effectiveness of sustainable land management policies for combating desertification: A data mining approach. Journal of Environmental Management 2016, 183(Part 3), 754-762.