4D seismic monitoring and surveillance of offshore CO2 storage operations

CO2 underground storage is an acknowledged way of offsetting the global emissions of greenhouse gases. It is a safe, mature technology and is ready for broad implementation. Injection is into saline aquifers identified as appropriate for storage. The re-use of depleted oil or gas reservoirs from a single field or clusters of fields will also contribute significantly to this effort. The assessment of areal monitoring techniques such as 4D seismic, forms a key component in preparing the MMV plan for such projects. 4D seismic surveys in the offshore environment create value due to their relatively moderate cost and comprehensively proven track record when monitoring fluid changes in North Sea geology. These surveys provide areal information with which to image plume development, the evolution of pressure build up within the reservoir, and contribute to leakage and caprock integrity evaluation. Detailed technical assessment of the capability of the seismic to monitor a given site is therefore of critical importance.

With this objective, this project addresses the key challenge of evaluating CO2 saturation using time-lapse seismic surveys. This is important to quantify volumetrics, conformance monitoring, and also evaluate early assessment of likely leakages. The study will investigate ways of modelling CO2 saturating the pore space of reservoir rocks, and the role of geological heterogeneity at the pore-scale to macro-scale over operational lifetime to post-closure. It will also consider the leakage detection outside the reservoir, and the possibility of pre-stack analysis for detection purposes. The project updates existing methodologies on fluid flow modelling, rock and fluid physics, and seismic modelling in our existing toolbox developed over several decades. Field seismic data will be available from past projects to calibrate the behaviour, in combination with geological, geophysical and reservoir engineering information donated from companies working on CO2 projects. You will join the ETLP research team which has twenty-five years of experience in quantitative 4D seismic interpretation and is funded by a number of energy and service companies.

You will work on this PhD project supervised by a multi-disciplinary team led by Prof Colin MacBeth.

Eligibility

This project is available to ALL students, whether home, EU or overseas. The successful candidate should have a strong interest in applied research and possess at minimum a masters AND undergraduate degree in Geophysics, Reservoir Engineering, Physics or a similarly relevant field. Formally four years of university study including a minimum of one year at an advanced level are required. Programming skills are an essential requirement of this project, whilst some experience of fluid flow simulation and seismic analysis is also necessary. Several additional years of experience working in industry on reservoir-related projects is desirable.

Funding

This is a full scholarship which will cover tuition fees (Home and Oversees) and provide an annual stipend (paid in line with UKRI recommended rates, £19,237 in 2024-25) for 42 months. Thereafter, candidates will be expected to pay a continuing affiliation fee (currently £130) whilst they complete writing up their thesis.

How to Apply

To apply you must complete our online application form.

Please select PhD Applied Geoscience as the programme and include the full project title, reference number (EGIS2025-CM2) and supervisor name on your application form. Ensure that all fields marked as ‘required’ are complete.

Once have entered your personal details, click submit. You will be asked to upload your supporting documents. You must complete the section marked project proposal; provide a supporting statement (1-2 A4 pages) documenting your reasons for applying to this particular project, outlining your suitability and how you would approach the project. You must also upload your CV, a copy of your degree certificate and relevant transcripts and an academic reference in the relevant section of the application form.

You must also provide proof of your ability in the English language (if English is not your mother tongue). We require an IELTS certificate showing an overall score of at least 6.5 with no component scoring less than 6.0, or a TOEFL certificate with an overall score of at least 85, including reading 20, listening 19, speaking 20 and writing 21. Alternatively, if you have received an English-taught Bachelors or Masters degree from one of the countries listed on the UK Government Guidance under ‘Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English’, and it was obtained less than five years from your intended start date, you should provide evidence of your award that clearly states it was delivered and assessed in English language.

For more information on our specific activities or project details please visit our website: https://etlp.hw.ac.uk or contact Colin MacBeth at C.MacBeth@hw.ac.uk

Please contact egis-pgr-apps@hw.ac.uk for technical support with your application.

Timeline

The closing date for applications is 15 March 2025 and we expect interviews to take place on 20 March. Applicants must be available to start in either May or September 2025.

References

MacBeth, C., Toh, S.Y., Kopydlowska, B. H., and Jafarizadeh, F. (2024). Evaluation of signals from monitoring CO2 injection in the North Sea using 4D seismic. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition
Toh, S. Y., and MacBeth, C. (2024). Assessment of the 4D seismic signals from monitoring CO2 injection into North Sea gas fields. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition
Kopydlowska, B., & MacBeth, C. (2024). Assessing 4D Seismic Signal and its Value Across Saline Aquifer CCS Sites in the UK. 85th EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition.