MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering

The unit covers topics related to advanced numerical modelling of flow in subsurface porous systems including: (i) Concept and calculation of transmissibility for reservoir simulation; (ii) Radial transmissibility; (iii) Upscaling absolute permeability using analytical and numerical methods; (iv) Two-phase flow discretisation and simulation related to waterflooding, CO2 injection into aquifers and underground hydrogen storage; (v) Stratified (layered) reservoirs and Dykstra-Parsons model for stratified reservoirs; and (vi) Radial flow modelling for single and two-phase flow.

The unit aims to: (i) provide an understanding of advanced numerical methods employed to solve flow and transport processes in subsurface porous systems with emphasis on CO2/H2 storage and geothermal heat recovery, (ii) develop skills required for upscaling and two-phase flow in subsurface porous systems, and (iii) expand the application of numerical mathematics of solving partial differential equations for flow to radial coordinates.

Students will be able to:

• Define transmissibility and calculate it for flow simulation
• Derive radial transmissibility for radial coordinates for flow in reservoirs with various types of boundary conditions
• Derive numerical and analytical upscaling methods to increase efficiency of numerical simulations for flow
• Describe two-phase flow equations for CO2-water or water-hydrocarbon systems
• Apply IMPES algorithm for solving multiphase flow and determine flow performance 
• Apply radial flow of single-phase liquid (traditional application for undersaturated oil reservoirs, but applicable to geothermal brine sources)
• Apply radial flow of single-phase gas (traditional application for natural gas reservoirs, but applicable to H2 injection/storage in depleted gas reservoirs)
• Apply radial fractional flow analysis and analytical solutions for two-phase CO2 storage in brine aquifers
• Practice with industry-standard software applications, develop computer codes and write a group report
   

Lectures provide fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module and will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment.

Synchronous sessions will support the lecture material with Q&A and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts. Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

50% Final exam

50% Group project

Feedback on problems and examples, feedback on coursework and exams, and model answers will be provided through the virtual learning environment. A discussion board provides a opportunity to discuss topics related to the material presented in the module.

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.