Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
Emeritus Professor

Joan Esterle

Email: 

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

Geology

Qualifications

  • Masters (Research) of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Petroleum and Coal Geology, University of Kentucky

Search Professor Joan Esterle’s works on UQ eSpace

253 works between 1986 and 2025
All (253) Journal Article (140) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (94) Book (1) Other Outputs (15) Edited Outputs (1)

81 - 100 of 253 works

2019

Journal Article

Automated classification of metamorphosed coal from geophysical log data using supervised machine learning techniques

Maxwell, Kane, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Esterle, Joan (2019). Automated classification of metamorphosed coal from geophysical log data using supervised machine learning techniques. International Journal of Coal Geology, 214 103284, 103284. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2019.103284

Automated classification of metamorphosed coal from geophysical log data using supervised machine learning techniques

2019

Journal Article

Sedimentary and drainage evolution of the Condamine Valley Transition Zone (eastern Australia)

Manchee, P., Bianchi, V., Shaanan, U. and Esterle, J. (2019). Sedimentary and drainage evolution of the Condamine Valley Transition Zone (eastern Australia). Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 66 (4), 531-545. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2018.1550112

Sedimentary and drainage evolution of the Condamine Valley Transition Zone (eastern Australia)

2019

Journal Article

Use of FTIR, XPS, NMR to characterize oxidative effects of NaClO on coal molecular structures

Jing, Zhenhua, Rodrigues, Sandra, Strounina, Ekaterina, Li, Mengran, Wood, Barry, Underschultz, Jim R., Esterle, Joan S. and Steel, Karen M. (2019). Use of FTIR, XPS, NMR to characterize oxidative effects of NaClO on coal molecular structures. International Journal of Coal Geology, 201, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2018.11.017

Use of FTIR, XPS, NMR to characterize oxidative effects of NaClO on coal molecular structures

2019

Conference Publication

Thermal maturation & uplift in the Moatize Basin, Mozambique

Esterle, Joan, Rodrigues, Sandra, Ward, Valerie and Rajabi, Mojtaba (2019). Thermal maturation & uplift in the Moatize Basin, Mozambique. 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Organic Petrology, Bloomington, Indiana, United States, 7-11 September 2019. Society for Organic Petrology.

Thermal maturation & uplift in the Moatize Basin, Mozambique

2018

Journal Article

A preliminary study of oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: effects of sodium hypochlorite oxidation on subbituminous and bituminous Australian coals

Jing, Zhenhua, Mahoney, Shilo A., Rodrigues, Sandra, Balucan, Reydick D., Underschultz, Jim, Esterle, Joan S., Rufford, Thomas E. and Steel, Karen M. (2018). A preliminary study of oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: effects of sodium hypochlorite oxidation on subbituminous and bituminous Australian coals. International Journal of Coal Geology, 200, 36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2018.10.006

A preliminary study of oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: effects of sodium hypochlorite oxidation on subbituminous and bituminous Australian coals

2018

Journal Article

The stratigraphic significance of paralic deposits in the Precipice–Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland

La Croix, Andrew D., Bianchi, Valeria, Reilly, Mark, Esterle, Joan, Wang, Jiahao, Gonzalez, Sebastian and Copley, Jeff (2018). The stratigraphic significance of paralic deposits in the Precipice–Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland. ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2018 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1071/aseg2018abm3_3c

The stratigraphic significance of paralic deposits in the Precipice–Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland

2018

Journal Article

Lithotype-based modelling and simulations of coal degradation conditioned by both high and low energy breakage

Shi, Fengnian, Liu, Hongping, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan, Nguyen, Anh K. and Manlapig, Emmanuel (2018). Lithotype-based modelling and simulations of coal degradation conditioned by both high and low energy breakage. Fuel, 232, 405-414. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.05.125

Lithotype-based modelling and simulations of coal degradation conditioned by both high and low energy breakage

2018

Journal Article

Palaeoenvironmental changes recorded in the palynology and palynofacies of a Late Permian Marker Mudstone (Galilee Basin, Australia)

Wheeler, Alexander, Van de Wetering, Nikola, Esterle, Joan S. and Götz, Annette E. (2018). Palaeoenvironmental changes recorded in the palynology and palynofacies of a Late Permian Marker Mudstone (Galilee Basin, Australia). Palaeoworld, 29 (2), 439-452. doi: 10.1016/j.palwor.2018.10.005

Palaeoenvironmental changes recorded in the palynology and palynofacies of a Late Permian Marker Mudstone (Galilee Basin, Australia)

2018

Journal Article

Petrographic and Raman spectroscopic characterization of coal from Himalayan fold-thrust belts of Sikkim, India

Ghosh, Santanu, Rodrigues, Sandra, Varma, Atul Kumar, Esterle, Joan, Patra, Sutapa and Dirghangi, Sitindra S. (2018). Petrographic and Raman spectroscopic characterization of coal from Himalayan fold-thrust belts of Sikkim, India. International Journal of Coal Geology, 196, 246-259. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2018.07.014

Petrographic and Raman spectroscopic characterization of coal from Himalayan fold-thrust belts of Sikkim, India

2018

Journal Article

Comparison of sequential indicator simulation, object modelling and multiple-point statistics in reproducing channel geometries and continuity in 2D with two different spaced conditional datasets

Zhou, Fengde, Shields, Daren, Tyson, Stephen and Esterle, Joan (2018). Comparison of sequential indicator simulation, object modelling and multiple-point statistics in reproducing channel geometries and continuity in 2D with two different spaced conditional datasets. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 166, 718-730. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2018.03.043

Comparison of sequential indicator simulation, object modelling and multiple-point statistics in reproducing channel geometries and continuity in 2D with two different spaced conditional datasets

2018

Journal Article

Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology of Permian strata in the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia

Phillips, L. J., Verdel, C., Allen, C. M. and Esterle, J. S. (2018). Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology of Permian strata in the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 65 (4), 465-481. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2018.1467261

Detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology of Permian strata in the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia

2018

Other Outputs

Acquisition of coal quality by semi-automatic analysis of Corescan® HCI-3 system (hyperspectral) and other images

Manlapig, Emmy, Shi, Frank, Nguyen, Anh K., Jackson, John, Joan Esterle, Rodrigues, Sandra, Liu, Hongping and Pretorius, Sion (2018). Acquisition of coal quality by semi-automatic analysis of Corescan® HCI-3 system (hyperspectral) and other images. Australia: Australian Coal Association Research Program.

Acquisition of coal quality by semi-automatic analysis of Corescan® HCI-3 system (hyperspectral) and other images

2018

Journal Article

Mapping a coastal transition in braided systems: an example from the Precipice Sandstone, Surat Basin

Bianchi, V., Zhou, F., Pistellato, D., Martin, M., Boccardo, S. and Esterle, J. (2018). Mapping a coastal transition in braided systems: an example from the Precipice Sandstone, Surat Basin. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 65 (4), 483-502. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2018.1455156

Mapping a coastal transition in braided systems: an example from the Precipice Sandstone, Surat Basin

2018

Journal Article

The application of natural landform analogy and geology-based spoil classification to improve surface stability of elevated spoil landforms in the Bowen Basin, Australia-a review

Emmerton, Bevan, Burgess, Jon, Esterle, Joan, Erskine, Peter and Baumgartl, Thomas (2018). The application of natural landform analogy and geology-based spoil classification to improve surface stability of elevated spoil landforms in the Bowen Basin, Australia-a review. Land Degradation and Development, 29 (5), 1489-1508. doi: 10.1002/ldr.2908

The application of natural landform analogy and geology-based spoil classification to improve surface stability of elevated spoil landforms in the Bowen Basin, Australia-a review

2018

Journal Article

Style and intensity of Late Cenozoic deformation in the Nagoorin Basin (eastern Queensland, Australia) and implications for the pattern of strain in an intraplate setting

Babaahmadi, Abbas, Rosenbaum, Gideon, Sliwa, Renate, Esterle, Joan and Rajabi, Mojtaba (2018). Style and intensity of Late Cenozoic deformation in the Nagoorin Basin (eastern Queensland, Australia) and implications for the pattern of strain in an intraplate setting. Geological Magazine, 156 (4), 1-15. doi: 10.1017/S0016756817001078

Style and intensity of Late Cenozoic deformation in the Nagoorin Basin (eastern Queensland, Australia) and implications for the pattern of strain in an intraplate setting

2018

Journal Article

U–Pb geochronology and palynology from Lopingian (upper Permian) coal measure strata of the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia

Phillips, L. J., Crowley, J. L., Mantle, D. J., Esterle, J. S., Nicoll, R. S., McKellar, J. L. and Wheeler, A. (2018). U–Pb geochronology and palynology from Lopingian (upper Permian) coal measure strata of the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 65 (2), 153-173. doi: 10.1080/08120099.2018.1418431

U–Pb geochronology and palynology from Lopingian (upper Permian) coal measure strata of the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia

2018

Other Outputs

Structure Supermodel 2017 - Fault Characterisation in Permian to Jurassic Coal Measures

Sliwa, Renate , Babaahmadi, Abbas and Esterle, Joan (2018). Structure Supermodel 2017 - Fault Characterisation in Permian to Jurassic Coal Measures. Australia: Australian Coal Association Research Program.

Structure Supermodel 2017 - Fault Characterisation in Permian to Jurassic Coal Measures

2018

Conference Publication

Towards understanding phosphorus distribution in coal: A case study from the Bowen Basin

Davis, B., Rodrigues, S. and Esterle, J. (2018). Towards understanding phosphorus distribution in coal: A case study from the Bowen Basin. Australian Exploration Geoscience Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 18-21 February 2018.

Towards understanding phosphorus distribution in coal: A case study from the Bowen Basin

2018

Conference Publication

Identification of coal phyterals in the Middle Permian, Moatize Formation, Mozambique

Van de Wetering, N., Esterle, J., Rodrigues, S. and Gotz, A. (2018). Identification of coal phyterals in the Middle Permian, Moatize Formation, Mozambique. 70th Meeting of the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23-29 September 2018.

Identification of coal phyterals in the Middle Permian, Moatize Formation, Mozambique

2018

Conference Publication

δ13C of coals from the Moatize Basin, Mozambique: evidence for global carbon isotope anomaly associated with the deglaciation of Gondwana

Van de Wetering, N., Esterle, J., Rodrigues, S. and Golding, S. (2018). δ13C of coals from the Moatize Basin, Mozambique: evidence for global carbon isotope anomaly associated with the deglaciation of Gondwana. Australian Geoscience Council Convention, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 14-18 October 2018.

δ13C of coals from the Moatize Basin, Mozambique: evidence for global carbon isotope anomaly associated with the deglaciation of Gondwana

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Optimising biomass addition in premium coking coals
    Anglo American Steelmaking Coal Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    High value biocoke for low emission steel production
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Tracking the Carbonisation Performance of Vitrinite Macerals
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Geological Assessment Southern Denison Trough
    Denison Gas (Qld) Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Coal matrix shrinkage and its effects on cleat porosity, permeability and late life coal behaviour
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    A guideline towards standardising structure interpretation in ATV/OTV logs
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Hyperspectral characterisation of coal and evaluation of coal quality spectral predictive features
    Plotlogic Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Utilising hyperspectral drill core scanning for geotechnical characterisation
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Australian Coal Petrographic Atlas: Maintaining the Knowledge
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Influence of inertinite and volatile release characteristics on viscosity development and fusibility during coking
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Reducing the Subjectivity of CMRR Calculation Using Machine Learning
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    In-situ Characterisation of Coal from Coal Seam Gas Developments (ARC Linkage Project led by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Testing the Surat Basin two deposition centre hypothesis: Part A Zircon geochronology
    Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Integrating In Situ Stress Patterns with Basin to Local Scale Structures in the Nebo Synclinorium, Bowen Basin
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Topsoil deficits in site rehabilitation accelerated transformation of spoils to functional soils
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Analysis of the stable isotype characteristics of a coalbed methane field in the Cesar Rancheria Basin, Colombia and implications for gas saturation and production
    Drummond Energy Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    The Jundah Project
    Bridgeport Energy (QLD) Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Coal spectral libraries for scanning devices
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Advanced Environmental Technologies for Increasing Coal Seam Permeability
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Regional geological study of the Hutton Sandstone
    Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Workflow improvement of Arrow's Regional Facies Model
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Physical and chemical interactions occurring between macerals during cokemaking and their influence on coke strength
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Regional geological model update
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Controls on Fluorine and Phosphorus Distribution in Bowen Basin Coals
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) - Achieving excellence in isotope geochemistry and geochronology
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Integrated geological analysis of coalbed methane fields
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Guidelines for estimating rock mass strength from laboratory properties (ACARP grant administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2023
    Vale-UQ Coal Geosciences Programs
    Vale Exploration Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Coals as methane bioreactors: significance of microbial methane generation in coal seams for coal seam gas (CSG) production and CO2 geosequestration
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Hyperspectral scanning of Precipice Outcrop
    Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Understanding faults and fractures in the surat basin
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Provision of hydrology research to better include faults and aquitards in Australian regional groundwater models to improve assessment of impacts of CSG extraction
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Supermodel 2015 - Fault characterisation in Permian to Jurassic coal measures
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Water chemistry atlas for CSG fields- Phase 2
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Lithofacies analysis of permian and triassic strata - Galilee Basin
    Adani Mining Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Precipice sandstone outcrop study
    Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    Surat Geological Framework Model
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014
    True triaxial cell for advanced testing of porous media
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    A water chemistry atlas for CSG fields: Discovering value beyond baseline monitoring
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Construction and updating of Surat Cumulative Management Area geological model
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Preparation of Geological Models for Upscaling
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Regional Stratigraphic Framework for Rangal-Baralaba-Bandanna Coal Measures in Bowen and Galilee Basins
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Regional Stratigraphic Framework for Rangal-Baralaba-Bandanna Coal Measures in Bowen and Galilee Basins
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Enhancement of the Coal Seam Gas Water Production Tool: Data collation and preparation
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Understanding, characterising, and managing solids production in CSG producing wells (Centre for Coal Seam Gas Research Project)
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Characterisation and differentiation of th eRangal and Moranbah coal members in the central Bowen Basin
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Ecological & hydrogeological survey of Great Artesian Basins
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Future gas through bioconversion of stranded and waste coal
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Scales of geological heterogeneity within the Walloon Coal Measures
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Characterisation of Coal from ATP814 to Support CBM Production
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Coals as methane bioreactors: significance of microbial methane generation in coal seams for coal seam gas (CSG) production and CO2 geosequestration
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011
    GC-IRMS for stable isotope ratio analysis of complex gas and liquid mixtures
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Instrumentation for elemental analysis of geological and environmental samples
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Understanding origin, recharge and flow regimes of coal seam waters to better constrain aquifer interactions
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Coal microstructure characterisation for advanced coal technologies
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Fully automated and OH&S compliant geological, biological, and environmental preparation facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Controls on flow pathways in coal seam reservoirs
    CRC for Greenhouse Gas Technologies
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Dynamic Gas Permeability Investigations of Highly Stressed Coals
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Understanding salt dynamics to facilitate water reuse on coal mine sites
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Constraints on Timing and Evolution of Gas Distribution in the Surat Basin
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant

Availability

Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Geological characterisation of the southern Denison Trough for CO2 sequestration

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Julie Pearce

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Reservoir characterisation in the southern Denison Trough for carbon dioxide storage

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Julie Pearce

  • 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

    Reservoir properties of the Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Emeritus Professor Sue Golding

  • Doctor Philosophy

    High value bio-coke for low emission steel production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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