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Professor Jim Underschultz
Professor

Jim Underschultz

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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

138 works between 1989 and 2025

21 - 40 of 138 works

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

2019

Journal Article

Early Jurassic palaeoenvironments in the Surat Basin, Australia – marine incursion into eastern Gondwana

La Croix, Andrew D., He, Jianhua, Bianchi, Valeria, Wang, Jiahao, Gonzalez, Sebastian and Undershultz, Jim R. (2019). Early Jurassic palaeoenvironments in the Surat Basin, Australia – marine incursion into eastern Gondwana. Sedimentology, 67 (1) sed.12649, 457-485. doi: 10.1111/sed.12649

Early Jurassic palaeoenvironments in the Surat Basin, Australia – marine incursion into eastern Gondwana

2019

Journal Article

Towards the development of a baseline for surface movement in the Surat Cumulative Management Area

Masoudian, Mohsen S., Leonardi, Christopher, Chen, Zhongwei and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Towards the development of a baseline for surface movement in the Surat Cumulative Management Area. The APPEA Journal, 59 (1), 95-114. doi: 10.1071/aj18181

Towards the development of a baseline for surface movement in the Surat Cumulative Management Area

2019

Other Outputs

Seismic interpretation – geophysics

Gonzalez, Sebastian, He, Jianhua, Underschultz, Jim and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Seismic interpretation – geophysics. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Seismic interpretation – geophysics

2019

Other Outputs

Pressure constraints on injection

Rodger, Iain, Altaf, Ifti, Underschultz, Jim and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Pressure constraints on injection. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Pressure constraints on injection

2019

Other Outputs

Sector model for carbon dioxide injection simulations – gridding and upscaling

Rodger, Iain, Gonzalez, Sebastian and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Sector model for carbon dioxide injection simulations – gridding and upscaling. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Sector model for carbon dioxide injection simulations – gridding and upscaling

2019

Other Outputs

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Executive summary

Garnett, Andrew, Underschultz, Jim and Ashworth, Peta (2019). Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Executive summary. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Executive summary

2019

Other Outputs

DST analysis

Honari, Vahab, Harfoush, Ahmed, Underschultz, Jim and Wolhuter, Alexandra (2019). DST analysis. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

DST analysis

2019

Other Outputs

Precipice sandstone hydraulic property estimation from observed MAR responses

Hayes, Phil, Nicol, Chris and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Precipice sandstone hydraulic property estimation from observed MAR responses. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Precipice sandstone hydraulic property estimation from observed MAR responses

2019

Other Outputs

Regional groundwater model

Hayes, Phil, Nicol, Chris and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Regional groundwater model. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Regional groundwater model

2019

Other Outputs

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: China engagement: Special edition

Garnett, Andrew, Underschultz, Jim, Ashworth, Peta, Honari, Vahab and Johnson, Ray (2019). Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: China engagement: Special edition. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: China engagement: Special edition

2019

Other Outputs

Sequence stratigraphy of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin

La Croix, Andrew, Wang, Jiahao, Gonzalez, Sebastian, He, Jianhua, Underschultz, Jim and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Sequence stratigraphy of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Sequence stratigraphy of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin

2019

Other Outputs

Regional static model

Gonzalez, Sebastian, Harfoush, Ahmed, La Croix, Andrew, Underschultz, Jim and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Regional static model. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Regional static model

2019

Other Outputs

Notional injection site identification report

Wolhuter, Alexandra, Garnett, Andrew and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Notional injection site identification report. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Notional injection site identification report

2019

Other Outputs

Risk register report

Honari, Vahab, Garnett, Andrew and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Risk register report. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Risk register report

2019

Other Outputs

Palynological analysis of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin

La Croix, Andrew, Hannaford, Carey and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Palynological analysis of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Palynological analysis of the Precipice Sandstone and Evergreen Formation in the Surat Basin

2019

Other Outputs

Multiphase behaviour – relative permeability and capillary pressures

Rodger, Iain, Sedaghat, Mohammad and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Multiphase behaviour – relative permeability and capillary pressures. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Multiphase behaviour – relative permeability and capillary pressures

2019

Other Outputs

Fluid model

Ribeiro, Ayrton Soares , Rodger, Iain and Underschultz, Jim (2019). Fluid model. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Fluid model

2019

Other Outputs

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Extended socio-economic-technical summary

Garnett, Andrew, Underschultz, Jim and Ashworth, Peta (2019). Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Extended socio-economic-technical summary. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage: Extended socio-economic-technical summary

2019

Other Outputs

Flow modelling of the managed aquifer recharge areas

Sedaghat, Mohammad, Pearce, Julie, Underschultz, Jim and Hayes, Phil (2019). Flow modelling of the managed aquifer recharge areas. The University of Queensland Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP) Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

Flow modelling of the managed aquifer recharge areas

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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