SA

Title: Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Saline Aquifers

Presenter: Phil Ringrose

Location: Ayre’s House, 288 North Tce, Adelaide

Date: Thursday 8th February

Cost: ASEG members use coupon code PESA-ASEGMEMBER for SEG membership rates for the course

Please register for this event at: https://seg.org/shop/product/?id=b1b051ba-bfb3-ee11-a569-00224822f0a9

It is my pleasure to invite you to the upcoming SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course, on Thursday 8th February at Ayres House, 288 North Tce, Adelaide.

We have Phil Ringrose speaking on “Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Saline Aquifers”

PESA will be hosting the SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC) on “Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Saline Aquifers – Building Confidence by Forecasting and Monitoring” presented by Phil Ringrose. This one-day short course will be held in Adelaide on Thursday, February 8^th 2024. In this course, the science and technology underpinning CO2 storage in deep saline aquifer formations is reviewed using insights from several industrial-scale projects. The main factors, which limit storage capacity are analyzed - constraints governed by flow dynamics, injectivity, pressure development, and geomechanics. Then, this physical basis provides a framework for determining how to optimize monitoring methods.

All those interested in understanding the state of play in saline aquifer CO2 storage technology will benefit from this course. The primary target audience is multi-disciplinary subsurface teams, and the content covers relevant aspects of geoscience, geophysics, and reservoir engineering.

Philip S. Ringrose is a Specialist in reservoir geoscience at Equinor and Adjunct Professor in CO2 Storage at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He has been engaged with many CCS project developments over the last 15 years and has published widely on reservoir geoscience and fluid flow in rock media, including the textbooks Reservoir Model Design and How to Store CO2 underground.

Ringrose holds a BSc in geology from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in applied geology from University of Strathclyde in Scotland.  He is a member of SEG, EAGE, and the Geological Society (London), and was the 2014-2015 President of the EAGE. In 2018 he was appointed as Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh and in 2020 he was elected as a member of The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS).

Title: Modern use of electromagnetics in Nickel exploration

Presenter: Andrew Fitzpatrick

Location: Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Date: Tuesday 13th February

Time: 5:30 pm for a 6:15 pm start

Cost: Members & students free, non-members $10, includes finger food & drinks

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-sant-branch-technical-talk-andrew-fitzpatrick-february-13th-tickets-804479448687?aff=oddtdtcreator

Overview:

The talk will cover the use of ground and airborne electromagnetic (EM) techniques in the search for magmatic Nickel deposits in Australia. The talk will cover several examples of how EM can be used.  1) The talk will show examples of airborne EM being used as a first pass targeting technique across belt scales. 2)  Provide an empirical study on how deep ground EM sees through conductive regolith cover. 3) methods to increase the depth investigation of ground methods, and 4) a feasibility forward modelling study of deploying an underground transmitter loop within a mine.

Bio:

Andrew Fitzpatrick (PhD) is the exploration project manager for Northern Australia at IGO. He joined IGO in 2017 as chief geophysicist and now manages the greenfields nickel projects across Australia. Andrew has over 20 years’ experience in the application of geophysics for mineral/groundwater exploration in government, academia, applied research, and the private mining sector. Andrew is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in Exploration Geophysics at Curtin University.

We are delighted to share with you the details for an upcoming SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC) being hosted by the ASEG. 

This course will be run virtually over two days. 

Who: Dr Mark E Willis, Chief Scientific Advisor of Borehole Seismics at Halliburton

What: Distributed acoustic sensing for seismic measurements – what geophysicists and engineers need to know - DISC course

Where: Virtually. There will be a streaming of the virtual course in Brisbane at Anglo-American office, Brisbane, QLD. Please contact Tim.Dean.Geo@gmail.com if you would like to join the streaming (ensuring that you also register for the virtual DISC)

When: September 12th and 13th 2023, 9am - 1pm ACST each day. 

Cost: $250 USD for SEG and ASEG members which includes access to software and a copy of the accompanying e-book. ASEG members need to use the code emailed to them, or contact secretary@aseg.org.au. Registration cost for non-members is $375 USD.

Register: Please register here by September 12th.

Course description: Geoscientists and engineers are very comfortable using seismic data sets acquired with geophones, hydrophones, and accelerometers because we have a long, well-defined set of standards for acquiring, processing, and interpreting them. However, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) seismic measurements are rapidly augmenting, and in some cases replacing, the data from these conventional tools. Technologists are frequently unaccustomed to using DAS seismic data sets since it directly acquires relative strain or strain rate measurements and not the more familiar pressure, displacement, velocity, and acceleration data. There are also acquisition parameter selections that must be made to optimize the acquired data to accomplish the purpose of the seismic survey. This course is designed to build an intuition and understanding of the value, limitations, and applications of DAS seismic technology. In addition to the lecture and accompanying book, software will be provided, which will allow the student to interactively explore DAS seismic technology.

For more details visit Current DISC - SEG.

Please come and join us for an afternoon filled with drinks, good food, great people and the Melbourne Cup! Join us in the Premiership Suite at Adelaide Oval, for an afternoon of fun as we celebrate the race that stops a nation. Try your luck in the Calcutta Sweep or bypass the draw and claim your prize as best dressed!

2 course lunch and 4 hour drinks package included. Bookings close Monday 23rd October 2022. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please direct further inquiries to : sa-ntpresident@aseg.org.au

Registration: Here

Title: A seismic source field trial in the Bass Strait: testing the impact of several different source configurations on geophysical quality, received sound and direct impact on scallops and lobsters

Presenter: Jon Cocker

Location: Ayre’s House, 288 North Tce, Adelaide

Date: Thursday 27th July

Time: 12 pm for a 12:30 pm start

Cost: ASEG members $60, Students $25, non-members $75

Please register for this event at: https://pesa.com.au/events/pesa-sa-nt-julytechnical-luncheon-a-seismic-source-field-trial-in-the-bass-strait-testing-the-impact-of-several-different-source-configurations-on-geophysical-quality-received-sound-and-di/?mc_cid=0b440b5b69&mc_eid=20402cfdd8

Overview:

Beach Energy acquired a seismic source technology field trial in Dec 2021 in the shallow waters (50-80m) of the Bass Strait. The trial consisted of eight source tests acquired along two 2D lines, including: a full-size array (2480 cu.in.) with Sercel G-GUN II in a wide-tow triple source configuration, eSourceTM (2098 & 1049 cu. in.), reduced size (300, 700 & 1260 cu.in.), and Distributed Source tests including Shearwaters Apparition test (140 & 340 cu.in.). A test of a 70 cu.in. airgun was also recorded during a whale mitigation procedure. The aim of the field trial is to investigate whether any of these source options:

1. Provide the required geophysical data quality

2. Significantly alter the received anthropogenic sound levels (SPL and SEL)

3. Changes the impacts on benthic invertebrates via analysis of scallop and lobster specimens placed on the seafloor

This combined data will then be used to determine if any of the alternative source options are suitable replacements for conventional full-sized arrays and if any provide a meaningful reduction to potential impact on marine organisms.

The study was performed in conjunction with the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies, Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, Curtin University, and the Department of Natural Resources & Environment Tasmania.

Scallop and lobster specimens as a model species for crustaceans and molluscs were placed on the seabed below the full array (triple and single source), both eSource arrays and one control location. The specimens were assessed over 6 months for physical damage, chronic effects and survival, pH, refractive index, total and differential haemocyte cell counts, DNA damage and biochemistry. Lobsters were also assessed for righting ability. The results will not be available until Q4 2023. Noise loggers were collocated with the specimens to measure received sound.

The data processing was completed by Shearwater. The results show that all options result in lower S/N raw shot gathers; but also, that modern processing algorithms are able to compensate for most of this through noise attenuation, deblending and designature. eSource (2098 and 1049 cu.in.) and the reduced source size options provide very similar final stack and migrated gather quality to the full array. Both apparition tests (140 & 340 cu.in.) were very similar in 2D stack quality but with slightly lower S/N below 4Hz and above 64Hz. The data quality of the other distributed source tests was better in the shallow but worse in the deep due to poor randomisation achieved. There are differences in gather quality that require further investigation. These results demonstrate that alternative sources and/or smaller volumes have the potential to meet survey objectives whilst reducing impact on marine life.

Bio:

Jon Cocker has been the Manager of Geophysics at Beach Energy since 2019. Prior to that he has held numerous other positions including Chief Geophysicist at DownUnder GeoSolutions and Seismic Acquisition R&D Team Leader at Chevron USA.

Title: Application of shallow electromagnetics surveys (Loupe EM) to support management of environmental water to floodplains on the River Murray in SA

Presenter: Mike Hatch

Location: Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Date: Thursday 15th June

Time: 5:30 pm for a 6:15 pm start

Cost: Members & students free, non-members $10, includes finger food & drinks

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sa-nt-aseg-technical-talk-dr-mike-hatch-tickets-638393160127

Overview:

I have been working with colleagues at Flinders University and the University of Adelaide, on a project collecting large amounts of shallow electromagnetic data using the relatively new Loupe system. Specifically, we have been working on the Pike and Katarapko floodplains in the Riverland of South Australia: the first two surveys were run in May and December 2021, and the last in June 2022. Another round of surveying will be completed by the end of June 2023. This ongoing project is intended to investigate and monitor changes to the shallow groundwater system, and the potential expansion and contraction of the low salinity groundwater lenses over Pike River and Katarapko Creek floodplains following both controlled and uncontrolled flooding events. Both floodplains have within the last two years been fitted with barrages and regulators that allow for planned, artificial flooding when there is available water flowing in the Murray. Our work is intended to measure the extent and longevity of floodplain freshening that occurs after these events. Both areas were artificially flooded in mid- to late-2021 so we were able to collect one set of “baseline” data before flooding and one post-flood data set. The dataset will be especially interesting, as, as most of you will know, the Murray has naturally flooded to its highest levels since the huge floods in 1956.

Bio:

Mike completed a PhD at the University of Adelaide in 2012 in geosciences, specialising in near-surface geophysics. Much of his research has been applied to using electromagnetic methods to image the salinity distribution in the near-river environment, mostly on and adjacent to the Murray River in South Australia. He has worked for almost 30 years collecting electrical and electromagnetic data, much of it for the mineral exploration industry. At present he splits his time between a position at the University of Adelaide as a contract researcher, Zonge Engineering (with whom he has worked for quite a while), and as the Australian rep for Vista Clara, an American company that specialises in the use of NMR to locate water in the subsurface. And he is trying to learn how to play golf too late in life.

Title: ‘Surface and Borehole Seismic Monitoring of CO2 Geological Storage'
Presenter: Prof. Roman Pevzner

Location: Balcony Room, Hotel Richmond, 128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Date: Wednesday 24th May

Time: 12 pm for a prompt start

Cost: Members & students free, non-members $10, includes finger food & drinks

Registration: There is no registration for this event

Abstract:

Geological carbon capture and storage (CCS) or sequestration is a critical component of CO2 emission reduction, which aims to alleviate the global climate change. Geological carbon storage always requires a subsurface monitoring program to address two main goals: (1) surveillance at the reservoir level to verify compliance of the growing CO2 plume with the original plan and (2) early detection of adverse effects, such as leakage of the injected fluid from the containment zone or significant induced seismicity associated with the injection.

Seismic methods play an important role in achieving both goals. Change in CO2 saturation in the pore space inside of the storage reservoir or in the overburden results in the change of elastic properties detectable through changes in seismic reflectivity or travel times. Induced seismicity generates a direct signal usually associated with propagation of the pressure front.

The range of seismic methods — which can be deployed — includes surface and borehole active time-lapse seismic surveys with re-deployable or permanently mounted source and receiver arrays and passive monitoring, e.g. using any components of the wave field originated from the seismic sources beyond our control. Many CO2 geosequestration sites are located near large sources of CO2 emission, such as populated areas with existing infrastructure. As such, the monitoring strategy must accommodate sharing the land (or ocean) with other users and have a minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, geosequestration is a form of waste disposal, which must be cost efficient. All these factors make CCS a leader in innovation, being an early adopter of such disruptive technologies as distributed fibre optic sensing and permanent reservoir monitoring. Small-scale demonstration projects focusing on testing and development of CCS technologies play a critical role in this innovation.

This lecture is based on Australian CCS projects, such as CO2CRC Otway Project and CSIRO In-situ Lab Project, which showcase evolution of the seismic monitoring technology from conventional land 4D seismic to continuous or on demand monitoring using permanent downhole and near-surface geophone and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) arrays. We discuss how monitoring objectives can be achieved using various acquisition geometries, including land 4D, 4D vertical seismic profiling (VSP), and offset VSP, all of which can be implemented using conventional and permanently mounted seismic sources. Also covered is automation of data acquisition and analysis, as well as passive data analysis.

Bio:

Roman Pevzner joined Curtin University (Perth, Western Australia) in 2008 as an associate professor in the Discipline of Exploration Geophysics progressing to professor in 2018. Previously he headed the software development department in DECO Geophysical service company from 2002–2008. At the same time, Roman has also conducted research and teaching at the Geological Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Seismometry and Geo-acoustics Department. Roman Pevzner has received his PhD in Geophysics (2004), Masters of Science in Geophysics (2001), and Bachelor of Science in Geology (1999) from Lomonosov Moscow State University.

His main areas of interest include subsurface monitoring using active and passive seismic methods, borehole seismic, distributed fiber optic sensing for geophysical applications, and CO2 geosequestration. Roman has co-authored 75 journal papers and more than 170 refereed conference publications.

The SPE, ASEG, YPP and PESA invite you to join us for another night of networking, nibbles and drinks at the Havelock Hotel.

Admission includes drinks and nibbles. All welcome!

$15 for student members of any of ASEG, SPE or PESA

$25 for members of any of ASEG, SPE or PESA

$40 for non-members

Register here.

Title: Using NMR to Characterize Aquifer Properties in In-Situ Mining: An Australian Uranium Case Study

Presenter: Nick Jervis-Bardy

Location: Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Date: Wednesday 12th April

Time: 5:30 pm for a 6:15 pm start

Cost: Members & students free, non-members $10, includes finger food & drinks

We have Nick Jervis-Bardy from Orica: Digital Solutions speaking on ‘Using NMR to Characterize Aquifer Properties in In-Situ Mining: An Australian Uranium Case Study’

https://fasttimesonline.co/using-nmr-to-characterize-aquifer-properties-in-in-situ-mining-an-australian-uranium-case-study/

Bio:

Nick has 8 years of experience working as a geophysicist in mining and exploration. This includes three years at Heathgate Resources where he specialised in Borehole Magnetic Resonance (BMR) logging, processing, QAQC, and database management. He provided geophysical and technical support to wireline logging, geology, hydrogeology, resource analysis, and production planning departments. Nick is currently working in a half business development and half technical role for Orica: Digital Solutions supporting BMR rental customers and consulting projects.

HPC is increasingly being used in solid Earth Geophysics in Europe and AuScope has organised this Special Seminar with Arnau Folch, leader of the EU ChEESE Program

ChEESE is the EU Centre of Excellence for Exascale in Solid Earth and develops translational research capabilities in High Performance Computing to the Exascale in geophysics, enabling multiscale, multiphysics and multi-hazard analysis.

In this seminar, Arnau will present the results of ChEESE-1P Exascale Pilot Demonstrators, including:

·  Rapid probabilistic forecasts of tsunami inundations; 

·  Earthquake source prediction; and

·  The atmospheric volcanic ash dispersal models validated in real time against high-resolution geostationary satellite data.

And, introduce ChEESE-2P and highlight its role in an ecosystem of projects that are shaping Europe’s Digital Future, including:

·  A Digital Twin for GEOphysical Extremes (DT-GEO);

·  Destination Earth (DestinE); and 

·  European Plate Observing System (EPOS)

Date: February 6th from 12 pm to 1:30 pm AEST.

Please register here via Eventbrite.

Background

The first phase (ChEESE-1P) ran from 2018-2022 and addressed scientific and technical computational challenges in moving existing systems to Exascale in seismology, tsunami science, volcanology, and magnetohydrodynamics. ChEESE-1P initiated the optimisation of 10 Community flagship European codes for the European pre-Exascale and Exascale supercomputers and developed 12 Pilot Demonstrators (PD) that enabled services oriented to critical aspects of geohazards, including hazard assessment, urgent computing, and early warning forecasting.

Following the success of ChEESE-1P, a second 4-year phase (ChEESE-2P) with funding of € 7.8 million was launched in January 2023. Arnau will lead a team of Earth and Computer Scientists across multiple programs that will further develop the ChEESE-1P codes and new codes in geodynamics and glaciology.

We are delighted to be hosting Arnau and welcome you to join us in what will surely be a great seminar.