Geosciences and Subsurface Technologies
Unlocking our petroleum producing reservoirs
Continued
development of innovative subsurface technologies is addressing the
main engineering and geological barriers to the commercially viable
exploitation of complex reservoirs.
WA:ERA's critical mass of over 35 geoscience researchers are employing their substantial expertise to characterise and develop challenging reservoirs for optimal production.
Core scientific
capabilities being applied to improve effectiveness in targeting
oil exploration and maximise the return on investment in
hydrocarbon production, include applied geology and tectonics,
drilling and wellbore mechanics, high performance computing, 3D and
4D visualisation, geochronology and petroleum and environmental
geochemistry.
"We will increasingly need to get smarter about developing
our energy sources (hydrocarbon or otherwise), while simultaneously
finding new ways to protect our precious environment."
Professor David Lumley, Woodside-Chevron Chair in Petroleum
Geoscience.
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Research snapshot: The Seafloor Stability Joint Industry Project is seeking to develop a broad understanding of deep crustal and shallow geological processes such as tectonic folding, faulting and warping, submarine land-sliding and mass gravity flows, ground failures and secondary hazards, that are actively shaping the North West Shelf. The project will be a milestone in the understanding of geohazard processes in the Western Australian marine environment, benefiting the offshore industry by providing information to support planning and assessment of development options. |
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Shales are fine grained rocks that can act as barriers to fluid flow underground, causing problems in wellbore stability, pore pressure prediction, seal integrity and seismic imaging. The CSIRO Shale Research Centre conducts experimental and theoretical research addressing critical issues related to clay-rich sediments and rocks. |
