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
- Doctor of Philosophy of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky
Works
Search Professor Joan Esterle’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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.
2022
Conference Publication
The storytelling of the organic matter in petroleum systems
Rodrigues, Sandra, Golding, Sue, Esterle, Joan and Mao, Xiaoxiao (2022). The storytelling of the organic matter in petroleum systems. Dorothy Hill Women in Science and Environmental Sciences Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 7-9 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Creating a Digital Petrographic Atlas of Australian Coals – maintaining the knowledge
Esterle, Joan, Rodrigues, Sandra, Congo, Tara and Golding, Suzanne (2022). Creating a Digital Petrographic Atlas of Australian Coals – maintaining the knowledge. Dorothy Hill Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-9 November 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Understanding the coal-to-coke transformation
Congo, Tara, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan, Somasundaram, Singaram and Steel, Karen (2022). Understanding the coal-to-coke transformation . Dorothy Hill Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-9 November 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Geochronology and sediment provenance of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin, Australia: implications for the palaeogeography of eastern Gondwana
Sobczak, Kasia, La Croix, Andrew D., Esterle, Joan, Hayes, Phil, Holl, Heinz-Gerd, Ciesiolka, Rachael, Crowley, James L. and Allen, Charlotte M. (2022). Geochronology and sediment provenance of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin, Australia: implications for the palaeogeography of eastern Gondwana. Gondwana Research, 111, 189-208. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2022.08.003
2022
Journal Article
A deep learning system for collotelinite segmentation and coal reflectance determination
Santos, Richard Bryan Magalhães, Augusto, Karen Soares, Iglesias, Julio César Álvarez, Rodrigues, Sandra, Paciornik, Sidnei, Esterle, Joan S. and Domingues, Alei Leite Alcantara (2022). A deep learning system for collotelinite segmentation and coal reflectance determination. International Journal of Coal Geology, 263 104111, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.104111
2022
Journal Article
Origins of clay-rich strata in Cenozoic paleochannel deposits: an example from Suttor Formation, Queensland
Yu, T., Cooling, J., Esterle, J., Chadwick, T. and Babaahmadi, A. (2022). Origins of clay-rich strata in Cenozoic paleochannel deposits: an example from Suttor Formation, Queensland. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 70 (1), 40-59. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2023.2127122
2022
Journal Article
Integrating palynostratigraphy with zircon geochronology in the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation to improve stratigraphic correlation within the Great Artesian Basin, Australia
La Croix, Andrew D., Sobczak, Kasia, Esterle, Joan S., Bianchi, Valeria, Wang, Jiahao, He, Jianhua, Hayes, Phil, Underschultz, Jim R. and Garnett, Andrew (2022). Integrating palynostratigraphy with zircon geochronology in the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation to improve stratigraphic correlation within the Great Artesian Basin, Australia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 144 105845, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2022.105845
2022
Other Outputs
Influence of inertinite and volatile release characteristics on viscosity development and fusibility during coking
Steel, Karen , Congo, Tara , Somasundaram, Singaram , Esterle, Joan , Rodrigues, Sandra , Sakurovs, Richard , Blach, Tomasz , Mahoney, Merrick and Jenkins, David (2022). Influence of inertinite and volatile release characteristics on viscosity development and fusibility during coking. Australia: ACARP.
2022
Conference Publication
Petrographic evidence for hydrocarbon generation from coals in the Laura Basin, Australia
Rodrigues, S., Congo, T., Esterle, J. and Foley, E. (2022). Petrographic evidence for hydrocarbon generation from coals in the Laura Basin, Australia. 73rd Annual Meeting of the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology, New Delhi, India, 18-25 September 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
I am generating but not yet producing
Rodrigues, S., Golding, S., Esterle, J., Mao, X. and Coffa, A. A. (2022). I am generating but not yet producing. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology, Online, 12-16 September 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Using coal petrology to track hydrocarbon generation in the Parvadeh coalfield Tabas, Iran
Esmailpour, R., Rodrigues, S. and Esterle, J. (2022). Using coal petrology to track hydrocarbon generation in the Parvadeh coalfield Tabas, Iran. The 2022 PESA Symposium Energy for the future , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9 September 2022.
2022
Other Outputs
Composition and maturation in the Toolebuc Formation: a petrographic and geochemical approach
Rodrigues, Sandra, Golding, Sue and Esterle, Joan (2022). Composition and maturation in the Toolebuc Formation: a petrographic and geochemical approach. -:
2022
Journal Article
Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of selected coal seams from the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene Guaduas Formation, Eastern Cordillera Basin, Colombia
Moore, Tim A., Dai, Shifeng, Huguet, Carme, Pearse, Jillian, Liu, Jingjing, Esterle, Joan S. and Jia, Rongkun (2022). Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of selected coal seams from the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene Guaduas Formation, Eastern Cordillera Basin, Colombia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 259 104042, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.104042
2022
Journal Article
Petrology of the Parvadeh coals, Tabas Basin, Iran
Esmailpour, R., Alipour, S., Ardejani, F. Doulati, Rodrigues, S. and Esterle, J. (2022). Petrology of the Parvadeh coals, Tabas Basin, Iran. International Journal of Coal Geology, 258 104028, 1-20. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.104028
2022
Conference Publication
In-situ Stress Pattern of the Bowen Basin, Queensland
Rajabi, Mojtaba, Esterle, Joan, Mukherjee, Saswata and Sliwa Renate (2022). In-situ Stress Pattern of the Bowen Basin, Queensland. 2021 Bowen Basin Symposium, Mackay, QLD, Australia, 28-30 March 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Spectral library for coal (ACARP Project)
Rodrigues, Sandra, Fonteneau, Lionel, Esterle, Joan and Martini, Brigette (2022). Spectral library for coal (ACARP Project). Bowen Basin Symposium, Mackay, QLD, Australia, 28-30 March 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
Geological characterisation of the southern Denison Trough for CO2 sequestration
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: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
High value bio-coke for low emission steel production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
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
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition, northern Surat Basin, Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, 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
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