Geologists and Geographers Making a Difference!

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Bureau ofEconomic GeologyEnergy, Environment,
Education
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BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

• Established in 1909

• Oldest research unit of The University of Texas
  at Austin
• Geological Survey of Texas

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Bureau of Economic Geology

• Provides extensive advisory, technical, and
  informational services

• Conducts basic and applied research
• Energy
• Industrial Associates
• Basin analysis
• Reservoir Characterization
• Environmental and Earth Systems
• Airborne Geophysics
• Coastal and environmental studies
• Geologic mapping
• Hydrogeology
• Geologic sequestration
• Education and Outreach

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Cores Austin Facility
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A million wireline logs
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Start with the rocks! Outcrop research
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Reservoir Characterization

• Rock-based
• Multi-disciplinary teams
• Data Integration
• Global studies

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Basin Analysis

• Regional look at basin architecture
• Oil and gas play potential
• Modern concepts
• Multidiscipline teams
• Core, log, seismic, and production data

Several recent projects for PEMEX
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Veracruz Basin, Mexico
Modified from Beaubouef et al (1999)
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FRAC Previously Invisible Microfractures
Fracture
Transmitted Light CL
Match point
Steve Laubach, FRAC, BEG
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Multicomponent Seismic Research
P
Z
Z
Z
X
X
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9C 3D Seismic Data P, SV and SH
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Multicomponent Seismic Applications
Converted-wave (shear) data provides superior
imaging of this section
And much more stratigraphic detail
P-P wave
P-SV wave
Offshore Gulf of Mexico
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Salt Tectonics Research
The Applied Geodynamics Laboratory (AGL) carries
out geologic studies, physical modeling,
mathematical modeling, and computer visualization
to test concepts and generate new hypotheses in
salt tectonics.
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Airborne Topographic Lidar

• Mirror sweeps laser across the ground
• Range is determined by return time of reflected
  laser pulse
• Aircraft position is determined using GPS
• Pointing direction of laser determined with
  Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU)
• Data streams recorded and synchronized for post
  processing.

GPS satellites
Aircraft GPS
ALTM laser
and IMU
Laser scan lines
GPS ground
reference station
Flight direction
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Comparison of USGS Topographic Map and Lidar DEM
30m x 30m USGS DEM of Oak Hill area derived from
124,000 topographic map.
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Tegucigalpa, Honduras El Berrinche Landslide
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CO2 Sequestration

• CO2 contributes to climate change
• Geologic sequestration is one way to reduce
  atmospheric releases of CO2
• Critical assessment of geologic and engineering
  aspects of CO2 sequestration is needed

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GCCC Vision Statement

• The GCCC seeks to impact global levels of GHG
  in the atmosphere by doing science and
  engineering studies that will support reduction
  of CO2 and methane emissions and enable the
  development of an economically viable,
  multifaceted, CO2 sequestration industry in the
  Gulf Coast

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Why the Gulf Coast?
Image shows concentrations of stationary sources
of CO2 superimposed on the thickness of the
subsurface
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GCCC Industry Partners

NRG
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Other GCCC Collaborators

• DOE-NETL
• Southeast Regional Sequestration Partnership
  (SECarb) Southwest Regional Sequestration
  Partnership
• Environmental research, NGOs
• Environmental Defense, National Resources Defense
  Council Houston Sierra Club
• Other research teams
• National labs, NETL, LBNL,LLNL, ORNL, PNL USGS
  HARC UT ESI Louisiana Geological Survey,
  Australian CO2CRC
• Mike Moore (Falcon Environmental) GCCC
  consultant in carbon credits markets
• UT Department of Petroleum Engineering,
  internationally recognized leaders in CO2
  enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research.

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Core Competencies

• Conducting large scale field projects that
  demonstrate the viability of geologic
  sequestration of CO2
• Establishing best practices for CO2 Monitoring,
  Measurement and Verification using risk analysis
• Economic modeling of the future CO2 value chain
  for the Gulf Coast
• Using next generation reservoir characterization
  to optimize CO2 EOR

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Source-Sink OpportunitiesExplored in GIS
Oil and gas fields, play outlines
Refineries, chemical plants
Existing CO2 pipeline
Coal-fired power plants
Gas and oil -fired power plants
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Field Demonstration - Monitoring at Frio Pilot
Gas wells
Access tubes, gas sampling
Downhole sampling U-tube Gas lift
Wireline logging

Radial VSP Cross well Seismic, EM
Tracers
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Observation Well
Injection Well
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Main GCCC Results to Date

• Quantification of CO2 market for EOR in GIS
  (spatial inventory)
• Successful field demonstration (Frio I Project)
  of monitoring and modeling techniques to measure
  subsurface storage of CO2, assure public and
  environmental safety and effectiveness of this
  process
• Demonstration of significance of two phase
  trapping in assuring permanence of CO2 storage
• Development of enhanced screening methodology for
  EOR prospects