Energy-Related Research at UTIG

The Institute for Geophysics has a number of projects that focus on energy. Sponsored by industry and NSF, UTIG leading researchers employ cutting-edge technology to advance our knowledge on high-priority issues, from human land- and energy-use practices to geohazard mapping to hydrocarbon exploration.

UTIG Projects
Time-Lapse Seismics - With support from industry and NSF, in collaboration with the ICES Center for Subsurface Modeling, we are developing computational methods for time-lapse seismic data and reservoir production data. This includes improved methods of subsurface imaging as well as inversion for dynamic reservoir characterization including fractured reservoirs. Dr. Mrinal Sen and Dr. Paul Stoffa are the principal investigators for this project.

Fluid Flow in Basins - The GeoFluids Consortium is sponsored by nine energy companies and supports research on fluid flow at human and geological timescales with implications for hydrocarbon migration, entrapment, exploitation, and geological hazards. Dr. Peter Flemings is the director of the GeoFluidsIV Consortium.

Gulf Basin and Caribbean Deep Water Petroleum Exploration - Two industry consortia fund the assembly and maintenance of comprehensive databases of maps, well logs, technical reports, and other information relevant to the evolution of the Gulf Basin and deep water petroleum exploration in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. William Galloway is lead PI for the Gulf of Mexico Basin Depositional Synthesis. Dr. Paul Mann is the PI for Caribbean Basins, Tectonics, & Hydrocarbons.

Gas Hydrates - Several projects are in progress or pending on mapping and assessing gas hydrates and on developing a theoretical understanding of how hydrates form, how they may be economically produced, and their impact on geohazards. UTIG scientists conducting gas hydrate research include Drs. Nathan Bangs, Matt Hornbach, Pulliam, and Mrinal Sen.

Ocean Bottom Seismology - Field experiments are being planned that employ multi-component ocean bottom seismographs and advanced processing techniques to accurately map conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs.

PLATES - This is an industry-sponsored consortium that utilizes plate reconstruction software and a global, digital, geographic database to produce a self-consistent, global plate model describing the Earth's tectonic evolution from Late NeoProterozoic to present day. PLATES investigators are Lawrence Lawver, Ian Dalziel, and Ian Norton.

Models of Climate, including human land and energy practices - This NSF-sponsored project involves computer modeling of factors influencing past and future climate, including human land and energy use practices. Dr. Charles Jackson and Dr. Rob Scott are the principal investigators for this project.