GL5572: SUBSURFACE STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION (2023-2024)

This course will allow students with skills and knowledge to understand the geoscience aspects of subsurface for storage of energy (from renewable sources in the form of compressed air and hydrogen), and for the safe and long-term storage and sequestration of CO₂. Lectures and Practical Exercises will provide students with the skills and knowledge to:

• Recognise the role of CO₂ for EOR (enhanced oil recovery);
• Discuss the considerations required for safe abandonment of petroleum wells.
• Evaluate the controls on fluid flow through porous media in the subsurface;
• Recognise the geological requirements and limitations of different subsurface storage types (short-term intermittent, long-term storage, and sequestration).
• Integrate geological observations to map the distribution of potential subsurface storage sites in the subsurface;
• Perform a seal capacity review at a potential subsurface storage site;
• Evaluate the capacity, and therefore economic feasibility, of a potential subsurface storage site;
• Present a MMV (measurement, monitoring and verification) plan for a potential subsurface storage site;
• Interpret 4D seismic data for its application in monitoring subsurface storage sites;

The first portion of the course uses a mix of lectures, practical exercises and seminars provided by both academic and industry experts and will provide students with an overview of the theory of safe and effective subsurface storage.

An independent research project will allow the student to familiarise themselves with the theories taught in lectures and apply them to a real example case study. The assessed short essay will prepare the student for the GL5907 Projects in Energy Geoscience through exposure to conducting a literature review and synthesising information.

The course concludes with an assessed group project which is designed to emulate how a subsurface storage site would be evaluated by a technical team in industry and allows students to apply the previous course learnings to a real-world data-set using industry standard softwares.

In addition to the technical skills and expertise developed through this course, additional transferrable skills to be developed on this course include:

• Group work and interpersonal skills;
• Project- and self-management skills;
• Communication skills.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

More Information about Week Numbers

There are no assessments for this course.