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Professor Jim Underschultz
Professor

Jim Underschultz

Email: 

Overview

Background

With >35 years of experience, more than 100 publications on the subject, Jim has built a reputation in petroleum hydrogeology, unconventional hydrocarbons and carbon storage research. He is currently President of Petroleum Hydrogeology International and is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland. He is Science Leader Storage for ANLEC R&D, Chair of the Geotechnical Reference Group for the CTSCo Surat CCS Project and sits on the Science Advisory Committee for the Peter Cook Centre for CCS Research. Previously, Jim was Professorial Chair of Petroleum Hydrodynamics at the University of Queensland with the Centre for Coal Seam Gas. He was General Manager Science for ANLEC R&D with an annual research budget of ~$18 million AUS applied to more than 50 active research projects supporting Australia’s CCS demonstration. He was CSIRO Theme Leader for the Unconventional Petroleum and Geothermal Energy R&D program with more than 50 Full Time Equivalents and an annual budget of ~$16 million/yr AUS. He sat on the Sustainable Energy for the Square Kilometre Array geothermal project control group, the Australian Mirror Committee of ISO for Carbon Capture and Storage and he managed the hydrodynamics and geochemistry discipline group within the Australian Cooperative Research Centre on CO2 (CO2CRC). Recently, Jim’s research has focused on petroleum hydrodynamics of faulted strata and the incorporation of hydrodynamics into seals analysis (both top and fault seal). His research has varied application to conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, mining and carbon storage. Jim has an interest in measurement, monitoring and verification (MM&V) systems for assessing reservoir and seal performance. He gained practical field experience on the design and implementation of MM&V strategies for SECARB Cranfield, Otway, Frio and In Salah carbon storage projects. Jim has advised the Canadian, New Zealand, Victorian and West Australian governments and Chevron on carbon storage projects and research programs. Jim has had media training whilst at the University of Queensland and CSIRO, he has experience with community engagement, senate estimates inquiries, and he has worked extensively with executive management teams and Boards of Directors. He has >2100 citations, an h-index of 24 and an i10-index of 51 on Google Scholar.

Jim Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jim-underschultz/86/737/553

Jim ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jim_Underschultz

Availability

Professor Jim Underschultz is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Alberta
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Alberta

Research interests

  • Fluid flow in porous media and hydrodynamic seals analysis

    Recently Jim’s research has focused on petroleum hydrodynamics of faulted strata and the incorporation of hydrodynamics into seals analysis with application to both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, geothermal energy and carbon storage. At the Centre for Coal Seam Gas Jim has an interest in research on: - CSG Reservoir performance and compartmenalisation - CSG water quality forecasting - Hydrodynamic systems analysis

Research impacts

Jim's early research in Canada, pioneered the characterisation of hydrodynamic systems in thrust fold belts that contributed to successful development of some Canadian foothills conventional gas discoveries.

Jim's work on the initial assessment of coal bed methane potential in Alberta helped form the pre-competative data that provided the foundation of a new resource type to be developed. His work on faults and hydrodynamics brought him to Australia to assist in the first hydrodynamic assessment of Australia's NW Shelf that provided industry a basis for pre-drill de-risking of fault seals.

Jim translated his knowledge of seals analysis unconventional gas to applications for Carbon Storage, teaming up with Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory and participating in the Frio carbon storage pilot in Texas.

His experience provided him the opportunity to take a leading role in the development of carbon storage research in Australia, including the design and execution of Australia’s first carbon storage demonstration at the CO2CRC Otway site in Victoria. The success of Otway led to Australia's investment in the CCS Flagship program.

Jim's current research associated with hydrodynamic processes relating to Coal Seam Gas in Australia is helping lay the foundation for de-risking uncertainty in production performance and aquifer integrity. This supports Australia's ability to capture a share of the rapidly developing international gas market and enables a global shift from coal to gas.

Works

Search Professor Jim Underschultz’s works on UQ eSpace

136 works between 1989 and 2024

1 - 20 of 136 works

2024

Journal Article

Effects of geological heterogeneity on gas mixing during underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in braided-fluvial reservoirs

Bo, Zhenkai, Hörning, Sebastian, Underschultz, Jim R., Garnett, Andrew and Hurter, Suzanne (2024). Effects of geological heterogeneity on gas mixing during underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in braided-fluvial reservoirs. Fuel, 357 129949, 1-18. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129949

Effects of geological heterogeneity on gas mixing during underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in braided-fluvial reservoirs

2023

Conference Publication

Accounting green and blue hydrogen in a net cash flow model for techno-economic assessment on underground hydrogen storage in Australia

Bo, Z., Hurter, S., Hoerning, S., Underschultz, J. and Garnett, A. (2023). Accounting green and blue hydrogen in a net cash flow model for techno-economic assessment on underground hydrogen storage in Australia. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-15 November 2023. Houston, TX USA: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217336-ms

Accounting green and blue hydrogen in a net cash flow model for techno-economic assessment on underground hydrogen storage in Australia

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

Integrating palynostratigraphy with zircon geochronology in the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation to improve stratigraphic correlation within the Great Artesian Basin, Australia

2022

Journal Article

Geological storage of CO2 and acid gases dissolved at surface in production water

Pearce, J. K., Khan, C., Golding, S. D., Rudolph, V. and Underschultz, J. R. (2022). Geological storage of CO2 and acid gases dissolved at surface in production water. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 210 110052, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.110052

Geological storage of CO2 and acid gases dissolved at surface in production water

2022

Journal Article

Predicted CO2 water rock reactions in naturally altered CO2 storage reservoir sandstones, with interbedded cemented and coaly mudstone seals

Pearce, J.K., Dawson, G.W., Golding, S.D., Southam, G., Paterson, D.J., Brink, F. and Underschultz, J.R. (2022). Predicted CO2 water rock reactions in naturally altered CO2 storage reservoir sandstones, with interbedded cemented and coaly mudstone seals. International Journal of Coal Geology, 253 103966, 103966. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2022.103966

Predicted CO2 water rock reactions in naturally altered CO2 storage reservoir sandstones, with interbedded cemented and coaly mudstone seals

2022

Journal Article

Core characterisation and predicted CO2 reactivity of sandstones and mudstones from an Australian oil field

Pearce, J.K., Brink, F., Dawson, G.W., Poitras, J., Southam, G., Paterson, D.J., Wolhuter, A. and Underschultz, J.R. (2022). Core characterisation and predicted CO2 reactivity of sandstones and mudstones from an Australian oil field. International Journal of Coal Geology, 250 103911, 103911. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103911

Core characterisation and predicted CO2 reactivity of sandstones and mudstones from an Australian oil field

2021

Journal Article

CO2 mineral trapping comparison in different regions: predicted geochemical reactivity of the Precipice Sandstone reservoir and overlying Evergreen Formation

Pearce, J. K., La Croix, A. D., Brink, F. J., Hayes, P. J. and Underschultz, J. R. (2021). CO2 mineral trapping comparison in different regions: predicted geochemical reactivity of the Precipice Sandstone reservoir and overlying Evergreen Formation. Petroleum Geoscience, 27 (3) petgeo2020-106, petgeo2020-106. doi: 10.1144/petgeo2020-106

CO2 mineral trapping comparison in different regions: predicted geochemical reactivity of the Precipice Sandstone reservoir and overlying Evergreen Formation

2021

Journal Article

Influence of porosity on the reactivity of inertinite and vitrinite toward sodium hypochlorite: implications for enhancing coal seam gas development

Jing, Zhenhua, Gao, Shuai, Rodrigues, Sandra, Underschultz, Jim, Strounina, Ekaterina, Pan, Songqi, Wu, Songtao, Li, Yong, Balucan, Reydick and Steel, Karen M. (2021). Influence of porosity on the reactivity of inertinite and vitrinite toward sodium hypochlorite: implications for enhancing coal seam gas development. International Journal of Coal Geology, 237 103709, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2021.103709

Influence of porosity on the reactivity of inertinite and vitrinite toward sodium hypochlorite: implications for enhancing coal seam gas development

2021

Journal Article

Carbon storage potential of North American oil and gas produced water injection with surface dissolution

Khan, Chawarwan, Pearce, Julie K., Golding, Suzanne D., Rudolph, Victor and Underschultz, Jim R. (2021). Carbon storage potential of North American oil and gas produced water injection with surface dissolution. Geosciences, 11 (3) 123, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/geosciences11030123

Carbon storage potential of North American oil and gas produced water injection with surface dissolution

2021

Conference Publication

A comprehensive, up-to-date evidence base to inform public, planning and policy for Australia’s Great Artesian Basin

Ordens, Carlos Miraldo, McIntyre, Neil, Undershultz, Jim and Hayes, Phil (2021). A comprehensive, up-to-date evidence base to inform public, planning and policy for Australia’s Great Artesian Basin. Congress on Geoethics and Groundwater Management, Porto, Portugal, 18-22 May 2020. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-59320-9_85

A comprehensive, up-to-date evidence base to inform public, planning and policy for Australia’s Great Artesian Basin

2020

Journal Article

Quantifying and modelling the effects of pre-existing basement faults on folding of overlying strata in the Surat Basin, Australia: Implications for fault seal potential

He, Jianhua, La Croix, Andrew D., Gonzalez, Sebastian, Pearce, Julie, Ding, Wenlong, Underschultz, Jim R. and Garnett, Andrew (2020). Quantifying and modelling the effects of pre-existing basement faults on folding of overlying strata in the Surat Basin, Australia: Implications for fault seal potential. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 198 108207, 108207. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.108207

Quantifying and modelling the effects of pre-existing basement faults on folding of overlying strata in the Surat Basin, Australia: Implications for fault seal potential

2020

Journal Article

Long term reactivity of CO2 in a low salinity reservoir-seal complex

Pearce, J. K., La Croix, A. D., Underschultz, J. R. and Golding, S. D. (2020). Long term reactivity of CO2 in a low salinity reservoir-seal complex. Applied Geochemistry, 114 104529, 104529. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104529

Long term reactivity of CO2 in a low salinity reservoir-seal complex

2020

Journal Article

Chemical stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: laboratory study into permeability variation and coal structure examination

Jing, Zhenhua, Balucan, Reydick D., Underschultz, Jim R., Pan, Songqi and Steel, Karen M. (2020). Chemical stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: laboratory study into permeability variation and coal structure examination. International Journal of Coal Geology, 219 103375, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2019.103375

Chemical stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: laboratory study into permeability variation and coal structure examination

2020

Journal Article

Preface: Advances in hydrogeologic understanding of Australia's Great Artesian Basin

Ordens, Carlos Miraldo, McIntyre, Neil, Underschultz, Jim R., Ransley, Tim, Moore, Catherine and Mallants, Dirk (2020). Preface: Advances in hydrogeologic understanding of Australia's Great Artesian Basin. Hydrogeology Journal, 28 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s10040-019-02107-8

Preface: Advances in hydrogeologic understanding of Australia's Great Artesian Basin

2020

Journal Article

Flow system of the Hutton sandstone in the northern Surat Basin, Australia

Vink, Sue, Underschultz, Jim, Guiton, Sam, Xu, Juan and Honari, Vahab (2020). Flow system of the Hutton sandstone in the northern Surat Basin, Australia. Hydrogeology Journal, 28 (1), 89-102. doi: 10.1007/s10040-019-02097-7

Flow system of the Hutton sandstone in the northern Surat Basin, Australia

2020

Conference Publication

Evaluation of CO injectivity for CO-EOR using a two-stage well test approach: case study of a Chinese tight oil reservoir

Honari, Vahab, Wang, Xiangzeng, Underschultz, Jim, Garnett, Andrew, Wang, Xingjin, Johnson, Raymond, Ribeiro, Ayrton, Sedaghat, Mohammad, Gao, Ruimin, Liang, Quansheng and Hurter, Suzanne (2020). Evaluation of CO injectivity for CO-EOR using a two-stage well test approach: case study of a Chinese tight oil reservoir. SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Virtual, 17-19 November. Richardson, TX, United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/202374-ms

Evaluation of CO injectivity for CO-EOR using a two-stage well test approach: case study of a Chinese tight oil reservoir

2019

Journal Article

Multi-tracer and hydrogeophysical investigation of the hydraulic connectivity between coal seam gas formations, shallow groundwater and stream network in a faulted sedimentary basin

Banks, Eddie W., Hatch, Michael, Smith, Stan, Underschultz, Jim, Lamontagne, Sébastien, Suckow, Axel and Mallants, Dirk (2019). Multi-tracer and hydrogeophysical investigation of the hydraulic connectivity between coal seam gas formations, shallow groundwater and stream network in a faulted sedimentary basin. Journal of Hydrology, 578 124132, 124132. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124132

Multi-tracer and hydrogeophysical investigation of the hydraulic connectivity between coal seam gas formations, shallow groundwater and stream network in a faulted sedimentary basin

2019

Journal Article

Widespread nearshore and shallow marine deposition within the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin, Australia

La Croix, Andrew D., Wang, Jiahao, He, Jianhua, Hannaford, Carey, Bianchi, Valeria, Esterle, Joan and Undershultz, Jim R. (2019). Widespread nearshore and shallow marine deposition within the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin, Australia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 109, 760-790. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.06.048

Widespread nearshore and shallow marine deposition within the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin, Australia

2019

Journal Article

Reservoir modelling notional CO2 injection into the precipice sandstone and evergreen formation in the Surat Basin, Australia

La Croix, Andrew D., Harfoush, Ahmed, Rodger, Iain, Gonzalez, Sebastian, Undershultz, Jim R., Hayes, Phil and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Reservoir modelling notional CO2 injection into the precipice sandstone and evergreen formation in the Surat Basin, Australia. Petroleum Geoscience, 26 (1), petgeo2019-058. doi: 10.1144/petgeo2019-058

Reservoir modelling notional CO2 injection into the precipice sandstone and evergreen formation in the Surat Basin, Australia

2019

Journal Article

The 3D Water Atlas: a tool to facilitate and communicate new understanding of groundwater systems

Wolhuter, Alexandra, Vink, Sue, Gebers, Andre, Pambudi, Friska, Hunter, Jane and Underschultz, Jim (2019). The 3D Water Atlas: a tool to facilitate and communicate new understanding of groundwater systems. Hydrogeology Journal, 28 (1), 361-373. doi: 10.1007/s10040-019-02032-w

The 3D Water Atlas: a tool to facilitate and communicate new understanding of groundwater systems

Funding

Current funding

  • 2016 - 2025
    UQ Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project
    Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development & Demonstration Fund
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2016 - 2017
    Using Managed Aquifer Recharge for Carbon Storage - a Feasibility Study
    Australian National Low Emissions Coal Research and Development
    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

Supervision

Availability

Professor Jim Underschultz is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Characterisation and parameterisation of uncertainty induced by faults in regional groundwater models

    UQ collaboration with the CSIRO

    Sedimentary basins host important groundwater resources in Australia. Due to their large size, groundwater can be important to multiple users from multiple industries, including the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry. Regional scale groundwater modelling is critical to understand water movement within sedimentary basins and to predict cumulative impacts from groundwater pumping on water users and the environment.

    Regional groundwater models are based on hydrogeological conceptualisations developed using 3D geological models and knowledge of aquifer and aquitard properties and boundary conditions. However, the representation of geological structures such as faults and the hydraulic property attribution of aquifers and aquitards in groundwater models are often informed by sparse data, resulting in large scale uncertainties of the model impact predictions.

    Available PHD Topic: Characterisation and parameterisation of uncertainty induced by faults in regional groundwater models

    This PhD project will focus on the characterisation and representation of the macroscopic hydraulic properties of faults in regional scale groundwater models and quantification of associated uncertainties. The student will apply methods from groundwater and petroleum system approaches for solving a real-world problem of quantifying uncertainty induced by geological structures in the simulation of hydrological variables using a regional scale groundwater model in co-operation with Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA), University of Queensland (UQ) and CSIRO.

Media

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au