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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Jim Underschultz is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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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.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
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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
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The governance of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional resources: the elements, form and effectiveness of the regulations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vlado Vivoda
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Extending the life of gas fields by re-purposing for hydrogen storage to support Australia's energy transition
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Suzanne Hurter, Dr Sebastian Hoerning
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Oxidant stimulation of coal seams to increase coal seam permeability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
An investigation of numerical facies models for coal seam gas reservoirs; Walloon Subgroup, Surat Basin
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle
Media
Enquiries
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