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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Future Geoenergy Resources (PGGE11225)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThe geological subsurface is used as both a source of fluids (water, oil, gas); a sink (CO2; waste water; nuclear waste) and a store (compressed air; hydrogen; natural gas). All such industrial operations risk either damaging nearby subsurface resources, or creating pollution at the Earth's surface, and must be conducted in a manner which minimises these risks. The course introduces both the issues and the technical background to the responsible utilisation of these subsurface resources.
Course description The geological subsurface is used as both a source of fluids (water, oil, gas); a sink (CO2; waste water; nuclear waste) and a store (compressed air; hydrogen; natural gas). All such industrial operations risk either damaging nearby subsurface resources, or creating pollution at the Earth¿s surface, and must be conducted in a manner which minimises these risks. The course introduces both the issues and the technical background to the responsible utilisation of these subsurface resources.

Practitioners involved in the utilisation of subsurface resources should be aware of the issues involving the exploitation of these resources, such as the unintentional contamination of adjacent resources, or leakage of pollution to the Earth's surface. The course covers the technical background to fluid containment in the subsurface, concentrating on the role of sealing rocks (shales) and the techniques used for tracing any alleged pollution. Applications include geological carbon storage; geothermal energy production; hydraulic fracturing for shale oil and gas and energy storage using geological formations.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. A broad, integrated knowledge of the range of future GeoEnergy Resources and the geological constraints associated with using them
  2. A Critically understand geomechanical controls on the subsurface injection of fluids
  3. Familiarity with common tools used to monitor GeoEnergy Resources
  4. Introductory knowledge of GeoEnergy sites and enhanced presentation skills
Reading List
Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air, 2009, by MacKay, DJC. Free to download here: https://www.withouthotair.com/

Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future Paperback, 2011, by Everett, Boyle & Peake

Li et al., 2015 - A review on hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoir, by, Petroleum (journal) v. 1, p.8 - 15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405656115000140

Amid et al. 2016 - Seasonal storage of hydrogen in a depleted natural gas reservoir, Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 41, 5549:5558 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036031991531781X

Luo et al., 2014 - Overview of current development in compressed air energy storage technology, by, Energy Procedia, v. 62, p. 603 611. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214034547

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Critical thinking - some subsurface technologies are controversial, all require expert knowledge to assess independently.

Group working for preparation of a presentation

Presentation skills

Technical knowledge
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Stuart Gilfillan
Tel: (0131 6)51 3462
Email: stuart.gilfillan@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kathryn Will
Tel: (0131 6)50 2624
Email: Kath.Will@ed.ac.uk
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