Geomechanical-numerical modelling of basin-scale CO2 storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical component of proposed pathways to limit global warming, though considerable upscaling is required to meet emissions reductions targets. Quantifying and managing the risks of fault reactivation is a leading barrier to scaling global CCS projects because CO2 injection into reservoirs can result in increased pore fluid pressure and temperature changes, which can reduce the strength of rocks and faults, and induce brittle failure. This can result in induced seismicity, whilst hydraulic fracturing of overlying sealing formations could provide pathways for CO2 leakage. Consequently, identifying favourable geomechanical conditions to minimise deformation of reservoirs and seals represents a key challenge in the selection and de-risking of safe and effective sites for CCS projects. This project aims to use various types of geological and geomechanical data to develop geomechanical models to predict continues description of stress tensor in the Cooper Basin of Australia and investigate the fault characteristics in the present-day stress regime.

This PhD project forms part of an ARC Linkage Project, which is a collaborative project between The University of Queensland, the University of Adelaide, the World Stress Map Team (Germany), and leading resource and energy companies across Australia. The successful candidate will benefit from close supervision and collaboration with leading researchers in Australia and Germany. In addition, the student will have access to world-class geomechanical modelling workflow, developed by the World Stress Map team, for the successful completion of the project.

Please note that secured funding is available for regular research visits, including opportunities for international travel.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of subsurface geology, geomechanics, and/or geophysics would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You’ll demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of Geology, Geophysics, Geomechanics and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of borehole data analysis, geological and/or geomechanical modelling, and programming is highly desirable.

To be considered for this scholarship, please email the following documents to Dr Mojtaba Rajabi m.rajabi@uq.edu.au:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Academic transcript/s
• Evidence for meeting UQ's English language proficiency requirements e.g. TOEFL, IELTS

Please note the following: Submitting the above documents does not constitute a full application for admission into The University of Queensland's PhD program. If you are selected as the preferred applicant, you will then be invited to submit a full application for admission. You can familiarise yourself with the documents required for this process on the UQ Study website.