Improved hydrogen geological storage via zeta potential measurements. Hydrogen is a clean fuel which has the potential to revolutionize the energy supply chain by complete decarbonisation. An estimated 50-fold increase in the global hydrogen market is expected by 2050, totalling AUD$16.3 trillion. However, the key barrier to a hydrogen economy is hydrogen storage, as hydrogen is highly volatile, compressible and flammable. Underground hydrogen storage, i.e. storage of hydrogen in sedimentary geo ....Improved hydrogen geological storage via zeta potential measurements. Hydrogen is a clean fuel which has the potential to revolutionize the energy supply chain by complete decarbonisation. An estimated 50-fold increase in the global hydrogen market is expected by 2050, totalling AUD$16.3 trillion. However, the key barrier to a hydrogen economy is hydrogen storage, as hydrogen is highly volatile, compressible and flammable. Underground hydrogen storage, i.e. storage of hydrogen in sedimentary geologic formations, is a potential option to solve this problem. In this project we will provide fundamental data required to establish hydrogen underground monitoring techniques, and to develop associated large-scale models with which underground hydrogen storage efficiency and security can be predicted.Read moreRead less
Pore scale characterisation of the wettability of petroleum reservoir core material: Towards optimised recovery of hydrocarbon reserves. In most oil reservoirs more than 50% of original oil in place remains unrecovered. A major factor contributing to suboptimal recovery is insufficient knowledge of the rock wettability. Even a small improvement in recovery will have substantial economic benefit. The proposed project aims to characterise wettability in hydrocarbon bearing rocks using advanced 3D ....Pore scale characterisation of the wettability of petroleum reservoir core material: Towards optimised recovery of hydrocarbon reserves. In most oil reservoirs more than 50% of original oil in place remains unrecovered. A major factor contributing to suboptimal recovery is insufficient knowledge of the rock wettability. Even a small improvement in recovery will have substantial economic benefit. The proposed project aims to characterise wettability in hydrocarbon bearing rocks using advanced 3D imaging hardware and understand implications to oil displacement and recovery via state-of-the-art computational tools. Scientifically, this will be a leading edge research achievement enhancing Australian competitiveness in petroleum engineering research and will help Australia become a world leader in the export-oriented petroleum research services industry.Read moreRead less
Experimental Verification of the Predictive Value of Microtomography-Based Network Models for Multiphase Flow Properties of Petroleum Reservoir Rocks. Australia's oil and gas reserves are primarily dependent on exploration and development in remote offshore deep waters where the operational costs are highest. This is precisely the area where the emerging microtomography-based network model technology will have the most economic impact. The outcome will be of immense scientific interest to the n ....Experimental Verification of the Predictive Value of Microtomography-Based Network Models for Multiphase Flow Properties of Petroleum Reservoir Rocks. Australia's oil and gas reserves are primarily dependent on exploration and development in remote offshore deep waters where the operational costs are highest. This is precisely the area where the emerging microtomography-based network model technology will have the most economic impact. The outcome will be of immense scientific interest to the national/international community which has long been studying network models to understand multiphase flow in petroleum reservoirs. This will place Australia in the forefront of this technology. Furthermore, modelling studies of groundwater remediation and geosequestration of greenhouse gases which require a multiphase model will benefit from the project.Read moreRead less
A new geomechnical tool for the evaluation of hydrocarbon trap integrity. Hydrocarbon exploration drilling is an intrinsically high risk, high cost activity. Even once a potential reservoir is located there remains the possibility that under recent geological activity the trap has become breached and leaked due to failure of overlying or adjacent rock. This Project will develop a technique that builds on current predictive techniques, and numerical modelling methods, to produce a series of sub-s ....A new geomechnical tool for the evaluation of hydrocarbon trap integrity. Hydrocarbon exploration drilling is an intrinsically high risk, high cost activity. Even once a potential reservoir is located there remains the possibility that under recent geological activity the trap has become breached and leaked due to failure of overlying or adjacent rock. This Project will develop a technique that builds on current predictive techniques, and numerical modelling methods, to produce a series of sub-surface geomechanical models for four important petroleum basins. This new and integrated geomechanical approach will improve current predictive capabilities for detecting breached traps, thus enhancing prospectivity in the major petroleum provinces of Australia.Read moreRead less
Computational Rock Physics. Knowledge of the quantitative relationships between rock and fluid properties, and seismic characteristic is necessary to improve the determination of fluid saturation and accurately monitor recovery of oil and gas. The proposed project aims to develop these relationships by teaming up two Australian-based experts in 3D seismic image analysis and theoretical rock physics, with a global company at the forefront of the industry. Developing these relationships will be a ....Computational Rock Physics. Knowledge of the quantitative relationships between rock and fluid properties, and seismic characteristic is necessary to improve the determination of fluid saturation and accurately monitor recovery of oil and gas. The proposed project aims to develop these relationships by teaming up two Australian-based experts in 3D seismic image analysis and theoretical rock physics, with a global company at the forefront of the industry. Developing these relationships will be a cutting edge research achievement, will directly impact on exploration, interpretation and production decisions within the oil and gas industry in Australia and globally, and greatly advance Australia's reputation as a leader in petroleum research services and training.Read moreRead less
The Effect of Fines Particles on Production and Permeability of cbm Reservoirs. Coalbed methane (cbm) energy resources in Australia exceed $20b in value. One of the production issues with recovering cbm is fines that are created or exist in the coal, which block gas flow to the recovery wells and damage downstream equipment. Understanding how fines are created and migrate within gas wells and then overcoming this problem, the purpose of this research, could deliver additional gas production wort ....The Effect of Fines Particles on Production and Permeability of cbm Reservoirs. Coalbed methane (cbm) energy resources in Australia exceed $20b in value. One of the production issues with recovering cbm is fines that are created or exist in the coal, which block gas flow to the recovery wells and damage downstream equipment. Understanding how fines are created and migrate within gas wells and then overcoming this problem, the purpose of this research, could deliver additional gas production worth over $1.8billion and reduce maintenance costs related to cbm extraction by $25m per year.Read moreRead less
Modelling the capillary entrapment phenomena and integrity of geological reservoirs for clean energy, water and waste management technologies. This project will improve our understanding of non-linear flow and fracture phenomena in porous media which is prerequisite for the development of new emerging technologies targeting the reduction of the greenhouse gas emission and development of effective waste and water management solutions including coal gasification, in-situ storage of natural and non ....Modelling the capillary entrapment phenomena and integrity of geological reservoirs for clean energy, water and waste management technologies. This project will improve our understanding of non-linear flow and fracture phenomena in porous media which is prerequisite for the development of new emerging technologies targeting the reduction of the greenhouse gas emission and development of effective waste and water management solutions including coal gasification, in-situ storage of natural and non-hydrocarbon gases, underground disposal of hazardous wastes and vadose zone remediation. The project will result in a dramatic improvement of the predictive tools for traditional ground water management, irrigation and petroleum recovery applications. It has the strength to place Australia in the forefront of these technologies. Read moreRead less
Mudstones as methane sources: gas production from coal seam interburden. Carbonaceous mudstones associated with coal measures already exploited for gas present an attractive reservoir of methane. This project seeks to provide methods for accessing this gas. Mudstone associated with coal seam gas developments are very extensive and gas quantities may exceed even that in the coal itself. Further infrastructure and access permits are already in place for coal seam gas recovery. Unlike shale, which ....Mudstones as methane sources: gas production from coal seam interburden. Carbonaceous mudstones associated with coal measures already exploited for gas present an attractive reservoir of methane. This project seeks to provide methods for accessing this gas. Mudstone associated with coal seam gas developments are very extensive and gas quantities may exceed even that in the coal itself. Further infrastructure and access permits are already in place for coal seam gas recovery. Unlike shale, which is fissile, mudstone is much softer, more malleable and plastic, and consequently will respond abnormally to hydraulic fracturing and propping, so new methods proposed to be developed in this project are needed for stimulation.Read moreRead less
Selective wellbore coatings to control fines damage in coal seam gas wells. This project aims to develop a completely new approach to control solids production in coal seam gas wellbores using a selective phase-inversion polymer coating. The approach will take advantage of the low permeability of mudrocks to form a protective barrier across clay-rich layers while remaining permeable across the gas-producing coal seams. The production of fine solids is a key technical issue affecting the producti ....Selective wellbore coatings to control fines damage in coal seam gas wells. This project aims to develop a completely new approach to control solids production in coal seam gas wellbores using a selective phase-inversion polymer coating. The approach will take advantage of the low permeability of mudrocks to form a protective barrier across clay-rich layers while remaining permeable across the gas-producing coal seams. The production of fine solids is a key technical issue affecting the productivity of coal seam gas wells in Queensland, and leads to 10-15 days’ production downtime a year. The expected outcomes of the project include fundamental understanding of the solids breakage phenomena, a predictive tool to classify potential solids risks in coal seam gas wells, and a novel rock-selective wellbore coating technology to control solids production. The potential economic impacts from the project are lower gas production costs and improved gas supply security.Read moreRead less
Managing Fresh-Water Resources in Saline Environments. Australian industry and urban developments often rely on a secure supply of fresh water. In many situations, the fresh water occurs adjacent to large expanses of saline water. This poses special constraints on how the fresh water can be recovered. This project undertakes careful mathematical modelling of fresh water recovery from reservoirs and from within islands (where it may be the only practical source of drinking water). The injecti ....Managing Fresh-Water Resources in Saline Environments. Australian industry and urban developments often rely on a secure supply of fresh water. In many situations, the fresh water occurs adjacent to large expanses of saline water. This poses special constraints on how the fresh water can be recovered. This project undertakes careful mathematical modelling of fresh water recovery from reservoirs and from within islands (where it may be the only practical source of drinking water). The injection and extraction of ground water in novel "mineral leaching" mining technology will also be investigated.Read moreRead less