Carbon Storage in the Sub-Surface Environment

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• synthesise data, results and interpretation in report and oral form
• integrate disparate datasets to solve a single problem
• work in a team
• evaluate risk

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analyse subsurface data constraining Earth structure and sediment/rock properties;
• Use industry standard software to interpret geophysical and geological data;
• Construct a very succinct industry targeted presentation.
• Evaluate this data into a coherent subsurface geological model;
• Evaluate this data for fluid flow and storage;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• integrate basin resource data with literature
• be able to estimate the probability of subsurface carbon storage being viable given real geological data
• use industry standard seismic interpretation, wireline logging and subsurface modelling software

You will use examples and data sets from the United Kingdom.

There will be three strands within the module. The taught component will involve a series of introductory lectures and labs on carbon capture and storage, petrophysics and log correlation, seismic interpretation and correlation, basin subsidence and associated evolution of sediment/rock properties, risking of geological models, and on the role of carbon capture and storage, green energy and hydrocarbons in the wider energy sector. This will reinforce knowledge learned earlier in the degree and introduce new skills.

You will complete individual based practicals in the following:

Geophysical: Use of Petrel for interpretation of seismic lines and for tying well log data to seismic data.

Sedimentological: Use of industry standard wireline logging software (IC2018) will be used to digitally inspect and manipulate data such as gamma ray, sonic, neutron and density data, and use these to interpret physical rock types, petrophysical properties, poroperm, regional stratigraphy, and understand basin history.

These strands are not mutually exclusive. Once you have completed the individual practicals you will work to integrate these datasets with geological model risking within a group. Within the group you are likely to initially work within a discipline specific strand. Following acquisition of specific data you will then integrate it within a multi-disciplinary team to formulate an industry style joint presentation.

Formal Lectures: 45-minute lectures will provide an introduction to the theory underlying each sub-discipline. Each lecture systematically covers the main concepts and topics by the use of PowerPoint presentations and mini practicals. Where relevant, lecturers' own research/commercial experience in the appropriate fields is brought into the lecturing sessions. References to relevant journal articles are provided as essential reading for each lecture.

Practical sessions: each week of lectures is supported by a data handling practical so students learn how to apply the methodologies and interpret the data in terms of geological history and resource potential.

Support: is provided by staff and/or technical labs.

Presentations: Oral presentation of 15 minutes duration.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.