Overview
Background
Professor Joan Esterle is the Chair of the Vale-UQ Coal Geoscience Program. Her research interests are varied but focussed on how geological history impacts on coal measures behaviour during mining, processing and utilisation. She also develops 3D models for the distribution of sedimentary strata that can be used to predict geohazards in coal mines or reservoir behaviour in conventional and non conventional gas resources, and for geosequestration. In addition to working with Vale and other industry partners, she conducts multi-client studies through the Australian Coal Research Program (ACARP), The Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research (ANLECRD), and the UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas (CCSG).
She received her PhD from The University of Kentucky, USA, in 1990. She worked for 17 years with CSIRO, followed by GeoGAS-Runge Group before joining the UQ full time in 2010. Current projects include:
- CCSG Surat Geological Framework and Faults and Fractures
- ACARP Rangal Supermodel-Bowen Basin and Cenozoic Fault Reactivation
- ANLEC Outcrop Analogue Modelling for CO2 Sequestration
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Research) of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky
Works
Search Professor Joan Esterle’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Gas-water flow in fractured coal revealed by multimodal imaging
Xi, Wen, Kumaran, Aaron Uthaia, Gholami, Yaser Hadi, Armstrong, Ryan T., Jing, Yu, Esterle, Joan, Lieband, Klaus Regenauer and Mostaghimi, Peyman (2024). Gas-water flow in fractured coal revealed by multimodal imaging. International Journal of Coal Geology, 293 104586, 104586. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2024.104586
2024
Journal Article
High-precision CA-IDTIMS U-Pb chronostratigraphy in the Bowen Basin, eastern Australia, calibration of deep-time climate change, super-volcanism and mass extinction
Metcalfe, Ian, Denyszyn, Steven, Mundil, Roland, Esterle, Joan and Shi, Guang R. (2024). High-precision CA-IDTIMS U-Pb chronostratigraphy in the Bowen Basin, eastern Australia, calibration of deep-time climate change, super-volcanism and mass extinction. Gondwana Research, 133, 335-347. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.07.001
2024
Journal Article
Insights on the regional thermal evolution from semianthracite petrology of the Fengfeng coalfield, China
Wang, Na, Esterle, Joan S., Rodrigues, Sandra, Hower, James C. and Dai, Shifeng (2024). Insights on the regional thermal evolution from semianthracite petrology of the Fengfeng coalfield, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 290 104548, 104548. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2024.104548
2024
Journal Article
Spatial modelling and classification of altered coal using random forest-based methods at Moatize Basin, Mozambique
Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan, Tivane, Manuel and Travassos, Daniel (2024). Spatial modelling and classification of altered coal using random forest-based methods at Moatize Basin, Mozambique. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 215 105279, 105279. doi: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2024.105279
2024
Journal Article
Palynostratigraphy and Bayesian age stratigraphic model of new CA-ID-TIMS zircon ages from the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Australia
Sobczak, K., Cooling, J., Crossingham, T., Holl, H.G., Reilly, M., Esterle, J., Crowley, J.L., Hannaford, C., Mohr, M.T., Hamerli, Z. and Hurter, S. (2024). Palynostratigraphy and Bayesian age stratigraphic model of new CA-ID-TIMS zircon ages from the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Australia. Gondwana Research, 132, 150-167. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.04.012
2024
Journal Article
Detrital or reset? <sup>40</sup> Ar/ <sup>39</sup> Ar dating of mica from the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin
Crossingham, T., Sobczak, K., La Croix, A. D., Esterle, J., Dalton, H. and Hayes, P. (2024). Detrital or reset? 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of mica from the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 71 (4), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2024.2319105
2024
Journal Article
Geochemical and mineralogical responses to thermal alteration by an igneous intrusion in the Dashucun Coal Mine of the Fengfeng coalfield, Hebei, North China
Wang, Na, Dai, Shifeng, Esterle, Joan, Moore, Tim and Zhao, Lei (2024). Geochemical and mineralogical responses to thermal alteration by an igneous intrusion in the Dashucun Coal Mine of the Fengfeng coalfield, Hebei, North China. Applied Geochemistry, 160 105877, 105877. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105877
2024
Journal Article
Contribution of mine borehole data toward high-resolution stress mapping: An example from northern Bowen Basin, Australia
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Heidbach, Oliver, Mukherjee, Saswata and Esterle, Joan (2024). Contribution of mine borehole data toward high-resolution stress mapping: An example from northern Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 173 105630, 105630. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2023.105630
2023
Other Outputs
Utilising Hyperspectral Imagery Scanning for Geotechnical Characterisation
Savinova, Katerina, Barbosa, Karina, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan and Cook, Nick (2023). Utilising Hyperspectral Imagery Scanning for Geotechnical Characterisation. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Coal Research.
2023
Conference Publication
3D geomechanical-numerical model of northern Bowen basin: implications for fault characteristics in the present-day stress regime
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Sliwa, Renate and Esterle, Joan (2023). 3D geomechanical-numerical model of northern Bowen basin: implications for fault characteristics in the present-day stress regime. 2nd EAGE Workshop on Fluid Flow in Faults and Fracture - Modelling, Uncertainty and Risk, Canberra, ACT Australia, 15-16 August 2023. Utrecht, the Netherlands: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.202373016
2023
Journal Article
Before and after: A visual glimpse into the coking behaviour of coal macerals
Congo, Tara, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan, Steel, Karen and Maranha, Silvio (2023). Before and after: A visual glimpse into the coking behaviour of coal macerals. Fuel, 343 127979, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2023.127979
2023
Conference Publication
The contribution of mine data for multi-scale geomechanical analysis
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Sliwa, Renate and Esterle, Joan (2023). The contribution of mine data for multi-scale geomechanical analysis. 26th World Mining Congress (WMC 2023), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26-29 June 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: 26th World Mining Congress.
2023
Conference Publication
The Development of an Automated Method for Classifying Coal Banding from Core Images
Nguyen, A., Rodrigues, S., Manlapig, E., Nguyen, K. and Esterle, J. (2023). The Development of an Automated Method for Classifying Coal Banding from Core Images. 26th World Mining Congress, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26-29 June 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Spatial modelling using geographic quantile regression forest in multi-domain deposits
Maxwell, K., Rajabi, M., Esterle, J. and Tivane, M. (2023). Spatial modelling using geographic quantile regression forest in multi-domain deposits. 26th World Mining Congress (WMC2023), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26-29 June 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: 26th World Mining Congress.
2023
Journal Article
Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning. International Journal of Coal Geology, 274 104292, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104292
2023
Other Outputs
Integrating In-Situ Stress Patterns with Basin to Local Scale Structures in the Nebo Synclinorium, Bowen Basin
Mojtaba Rajabi, Renate Sliwa and Joan Esterle (2023). Integrating In-Situ Stress Patterns with Basin to Local Scale Structures in the Nebo Synclinorium, Bowen Basin. ACARP Project C29011 Brisbane, QLD Australia: ACARP.
2023
Conference Publication
From pointwise data toward a continuous description of 3D stress tensor: an example from the Northern Bowen Basin
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Ziegler, Moritz, Sliwa, Renate and Esterle, Joan (2023). From pointwise data toward a continuous description of 3D stress tensor: an example from the Northern Bowen Basin. 4th Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference (AEGC 2023), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 13-18 March 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Characterisation of coal using hyperspectral core scanning systems
Rodrigues, Sandra, Fonteneau, Lionel and Esterle, Joan (2023). Characterisation of coal using hyperspectral core scanning systems. International Journal of Coal Geology, 269 104220, 1-22. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104220
2023
Journal Article
Reservoir lithofacies study of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia as a potential unconventional target
Mao, Xiaoxiao, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan S. and Golding, Suzanne D. (2023). Reservoir lithofacies study of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia as a potential unconventional target. International Journal of Coal Geology, 265 104163, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.104163
2022
Conference Publication
Petrographic characterization of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin: organic components and nanometer-scale pore types
Mao, Xiaoxiao, Rodrigues, Sandra, Golding, Sue and Esterle, Joan (2022). Petrographic characterization of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin: organic components and nanometer-scale pore types. Dorothy Hill Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-9 November 2022.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir characterisation in the southern Denison Trough for carbon dioxide storage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julie Pearce
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production of high strength metallurgical coke from coal-biomass blends for low emission steel production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tara Congo, Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
High value bio-coke for low emission steel production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tara Congo, Associate Professor Karen Steel
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
The Development of an Automated Method for Classifying Coal Banding from Core Images
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Synthetic Rock Mass Modelling of a Large Mine Slope Failure
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Variability in stress, fracture and key coal reservoir parameters in the Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Spatiotemporal variation in the Permian-Triassic pre- and post-extinction palynology of the Bowen and Galilee basins (Australia)
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition, northern Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Stable Isotope and Molecular Composition of Coalbed Production Gas and Waters of a Coalbed Methane Field in the Cesar Rancheria Basin, Colombia: Implications for Gas Origins and Distribution
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of P- and F-bearing minerals in Bowen Basin coals: Implications for source and emplacement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Alternative methods for geomechanical characterisation of sub-bituminous coal, Surat Basin, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Stratigraphic architecture of Lopingian (upper Permian) strata in the Galilee Basin, NE Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating Coal Petrology, Geochemistry and Geochronology to Understand Spatial Variation in the Walloon Subgroup
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Controls on Sediment Distribution in the Late Permian Rangal Coal Measures of the Nebo Synclinorium
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation of numerical facies models for coal seam gas reservoirs; Walloon Subgroup, Surat Basin
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jim Underschultz
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Pre-Permian basement and lithological controls on the development of the Jellinbah Thrust Belt: Insight from a new palinspastic reconstruction
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
PORE STRUCTURE CHANGES FROM WOOD TO VITRAIN: A CASE STUDY FROM NEW ZEALAND COAL
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Stratigraphic architecture and coal character of Late Permian Fort Cooper Coal Measures, Bowen Basin, Queensland.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Biogenic Methane in Indonesian Coal: Assessing the Potential using Culture Enrichment, Molecular Phylogenetic and Isotopic Analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
The role of hydrogeology, in situ stress and temperature logs in the distribution and delineation of coal seam gas regimes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Controls on spatial variability of methanogenesis in the Walloon Subgroup, eastern Surat Basin, Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2010
Master Philosophy
Analysis of Gas and Water Production Pathways in Coal Seams
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
-
2023
Master Philosophy
X-ray Transparent Cell to examine the effect of methane adsorption on coal cleat volume
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Failure of the Hard Roof and the Impact on Coal Burst Occurrence
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
CO2-water-rock interactions in low-salinity reservoir systems
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding, Dr Julie Pearce
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Formation Evaluation using Petrophysical Logs & Digitalisation Technology to Improve Reservoir Characterisation, Resources Estimation and Conceptual Well Design for Coal Seam Gas Field Development Planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jim Underschultz
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Numerical Investigation of Mechanisms of Ultrasonic Wave Stimulation-Induced Mechanical Vibration and Variation of Cleat Width in Coal Seam Gas Reservoirs
Associate Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Natural caving systems as potential analogues to mining induced caving
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tony Webster
-
2015
Master Philosophy
Subsurface architecture of the Texas Orocline and its influence on in situ stresses in the overlying Surat Basin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gideon Rosenbaum
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
The geometry, kinematics, and reactivation history of major fault systems in eastern Australia: Implications for deformation phases from the Permian to Cenozoic
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gideon Rosenbaum
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Modifying Subterranean Fluid Flow Patterns Using Barriers to Improve Pre-Drainage in Coal Mining
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Carbon dioxide sequestration in coal: The relationships between coal structure, texture, and mineralogy, and the role of mineral reactivity with carbonic acid
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding
Media
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