Fluid Transport in Fractures of Caprocks for CO2 Storage

This is dual PhD degree at Heriot-Watt and Ghent Universities.

In order to understand leakage from deep CO2 storage reservoirs, the flow along fracture networks and fault zones needs to be quantified under varying pore pressure and stress conditions. This is particularly needed as a first step to quantify leak rates from such reservoirs and to support general risk assessment. An important topic is the understanding of the coupling between stress and permeability of fractures having different mineralogy, aperture size, roughness, tortuosity or angle to bedding. Data and knowledge generated from such measurements can directly feed into small-scale modelling and further into upscaling to the reservoir scale.

This project with a major focus on laboratory studies will be performed at two labs, at the Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland (HWU) and PProGRess, Department of Geology, Ghent University, Belgium (UGhent), as a dual PhD degree. Fracture flow experiments on a variety of samples and different pore pressure and stress conditions, will be performed at HWU along with matrix permeability measurements. Selected samples will then be tested in a high pressure/high temperature flow cell using X-ray CT imaging to better understand the flow path characteristics in relation to flow rates, feeding into model developments (UGhent). We currently anticipate the successful candidate to perform her/his research at HWU for a total of 2 years and at UGhent for 1 year. This project may further involve field work in Europe and elsewhere, for sample collection and fracture network mapping and therefore requires the ability and willingness to travel.

This project will be integrated in the EU/UK-funded DETECT project (“Determining the risk of CO2 leakage along fractures of the primary caprock using an integrated monitoring and hydro-mechanical-chemical approach”), where Heriot-Watt University is partnering with Shell, RWTH Aachen University and Risktec Solutions which includes a team of several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students.

To be eligible, applicants should have a BSc/MSci 2:1 and/or Masters (MSc) at Merit/Distinction level (>60%) and/or evidence of significant relevant professional experience equivalent to Masters level. Applicants with a geomaterials/physics/applied geoscience/civil engineering related qualification and an interest in petrophysical, geomechanical or X-ray physical methods are particularly encouraged. Applicants should further have a strong motivation to succeed in scientific research, excellent presentation and scientific writing skills as well as very good to excellent English language skills.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Andreas Busch (HWU): [Email Address Removed] or Prof Veerle Cnudde (UGhent): [Email Address Removed]