Sustainable Energy Geoscience, _MSc

30 Credit Points

By the end of this course, the student should:

• Understand the Petrophysical rock properties that affect fluid storage and movement (Porosity, Permeability, Saturation, Mineralogy).
• Understand the primary wireline and LWD logging tools: Measurement, Fundamental physical principles, and applications.
• Understand the theory of seismic signal description.
• Appreciate the main processes involved in a typical seismic data-processing suite.
• Understand the basic concepts of seismic stratigraphy and the interpretation of seismic data.

30 Credit Points

The course aims to develop practical geological skills applicable to the extraction and sequestration of fluids in the subsurface, embracing the subdisciplines of tectonics and structural geology together within clastic and carbonate sedimentology, stratigraphy, and diagenesis; The main basin-forming processes with be introduced to provide context for the sedimentary geology. The basics of structural geology for trap definition and characterisation are developed and applied, deducing structural styles on seismic images and examples of how deformation influences reservoir behavior and trapping mechanisms. The course will show how structural, sedimentological and stratigraphic knowledge is crucial in both exploration and development activities, and is fundamental in making predictive models. It will impart a practical knowledge of depositional environments which form hydrocarbon reservoirs and targets for CO2 sequestration, linking these together using the techniques of sequence stratigraphy as applied to siliciclastic and carbonate settings. The origin and effects of reservoir fluids and subsequent diagenesis will also be covered.

15 Credit Points

By the end of this course, students will be aware of issues in relation to team work, particularly communication, diversity, and organisation. They will be able to communicate technical interpretation effectively by oral, written and electronic methods. They will utilise knowledge gained in the field and classroom to complete a number of industry-facing tasks through assessments based on real life scenarios utilising field-based data and concepts derived from lectures and field observations. These skills will be developed on two fieldtrips, one of which will focus on the exceptional geology exposed in Utah.

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

15 Credit Points

This course aims to provide students with a good grounding in the role that geoscientists will play in the drive to net-zero. The course will focus on different resources the Earth can provide to support the energy transition, particularly critical economic minerals and sustainable oil and gas extraction. Lectures and Practical Exercises will introduce the skills required to evaluate a geological resource. There will be a strong focus on the sustainable, ethical and economic arguments for utilising these resources and their importance for integrated energy systems.

15 Credit Points

Through lectures delivered by academics and industry professionals, you will develop a general understanding of the role of fluid flow, heat transfer, and fractures in different geothermal systems. You will gain practical experience in reservoir modelling and sustainable reservoir management using industry standard computing software. During a field trip to a geothermal site, you will learn about risks and pitfalls in practice. An independent research project provides an opportunity to expand your knowledge on a representative geothermal field.

15 Credit Points

Lectures and practical exercises will provide you with the knowledge and skills to de-risk the subsurface for storage of energy (in the form of compressed air and hydrogen), and for the safe and long-term storage and sequestration of CO2. Seminars will introduce case-study examples of storage within porous rocks, evaporites and volcanics. The course concludes with a group project that is designed to emulate how a subsurface storage site would be evaluated by a technical team in industry.

60 Credit Points

In the final project you are expected to undertake and complete a study of a subsurface problem applicable to the energy industry. The project is an extended, independent, self-directed, piece of practical work integrating and reinforcing the material taught on the programme, and giving a detailed insight into the demands of, and ways of working in the energy industry. The project forms a major part of the MSc’s employability strategy.