AG-858 Geological constraints on subsurface energy and CCS (10 ECTS)

Grade:	Letter grade (A through F)
Course Cost:	c. 1000 NOK (depending on options and prices for field localities)
Course Capacity Min/Max:	10/20 students
Language of instruction:	English
Examination support material:	Bilingual dictionary between English and mother tongue

How to apply

Course requirements

Enrolment in a PhD program in geology, geosciences or petroleum geotechniques. The applicant must have documented relevant field experience.

Academic content

This course will focus on a broad understanding of subsurface characterization and reservoir management within CCS, geothermal energy and other energy storage solutions, and encompass a broad insight into geological understanding of sustainable energy solutions, zero emissions and clean energy for the future.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the students will have a good overview and insight into the local and regional geology of Svalbard and the Barents Sea, including large-scale tectonics and carbonate and siliciclastic sedimentology. Students will have a broad understanding of various sustainable energy solutions and their associated subsurface constraints. The students will also have detailed insight into local pilot projects in CCS (Longyearbyen CO2 Lab) and geothermal energy with the potential to implement knowledge: assessment, mapping, capacity, risks, to other places.

In addition PhD students will have the ability to understand, discuss and convey the complexity of the energy transition and the role of subsurface energy solutions and CCS within the broader context.

Upon completing the course, the students will:

Knowledge

Understand the fundamentals of CCS, UHS, CAES, geothermal energy, the interdisciplinary connections, and role within the energy transition.
Understand storage plays (reservoir and seal systems), storage mechanisms, assess reservoir-seal quality from field observations and discuss challenges of storage options.
Know about the local and regional geology of Svalbard and the Barents Sea and its potential for CCS and Geothermal Energy including arctic considerations.

Skills

Evaluate reservoir-seal systems from maps and field observations and calculate the storage capacity based on geophysical information and surface maps
Compare storage plays based on various geological criteria with an understanding of phase behavior and trapping mechanisms.
Discuss potential fluid migration pathways, perform structural de-risking of faults, and evaluate seal-integrity.
Basic understanding and use of Petrel software for seismic interpretation and fault de-risking.
Improved field-skills in sedimentology and structural geology including logging, fault-mapping and fracture characterization.

General competences

Work as part of a team
Communicate complex ideas more simply
Write a scientific report
Make assessments based on own insight and group competencies.

Learning activities

Field-work: 3-5 days in the field working on sedimentological and structural geology field-skills, deeper understanding of regional and local geology and application towards CCS and geothermal energy
Written report: Assessment of Longyearbyen CCS potential, based on group-work, building on realistic assessment scenario, promoting improved analysis, scientific writing and working as a team.
Group-work: Seminars and excercises using real data, working as a group to assess/solve actual geological contraints and issues and use towards written report (includes logging, seismic interpretation, capacity estimates etc)

Course materials/Curriculum

Articles and book chapters (available on canvas)
Petrel

Summary

Lectures/exercises (students active): 40 hours
Seminars (students active): 14 hours
Field excursion/field based data analysis (students active): 2-3 days
Work on field/lab, logs, reports, assignments during course period: 4 days

Compulsory learning activities

All compulsory learning activities must be approved in order to sit the exam.

Written report and presentation (group-work) counting 50% of grade
PhD compulsory additional oral presentation

Assessment

All assessments must be passed in order to pass the course.

Each assessment is graded, and subsequently combined into a single grade. Partial grades for each assessment will be available.

Method	Duration	Percentage of final grade
Written report and presentation		50 %
Written examination	3 hours	50 %