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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

61 - 80 of 138 works

2019

Conference Publication

Water-gas flow in laminated and heterogeneous coal-interburden systems: the effects of gas solubility

Sedaghat, Mohammad, Owen, Des, Underschultz, James, Hurter, Suzanne, Hayes, Phil and Garnett, Andrew (2019). Water-gas flow in laminated and heterogeneous coal-interburden systems: the effects of gas solubility. SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18-19 November 2019. Tulsa, OK, United States: Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. doi: 10.15530/ap-urtec-2019-198320

Water-gas flow in laminated and heterogeneous coal-interburden systems: the effects of gas solubility

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

Conference Publication

Impact of sequence stratigraphy on static and dynamic reservoir models: examples from the Precipice-Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland

La Croix, Andrew D., Honari, Vahab, Gonzalez, Sebastian, Underschultz, Jim and Garnett, Andrew (2018). Impact of sequence stratigraphy on static and dynamic reservoir models: examples from the Precipice-Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland. 1st Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference – Exploration Innovation Integration, Sydney, NSW Australia, 18-21 February 2018. Clayton South, VIC Australia: CSIRO. doi: 10.1071/aseg2018abm1_3c

Impact of sequence stratigraphy on static and dynamic reservoir models: examples from the Precipice-Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland

2018

Conference Publication

CO2 sequestration-EOR in Yanchang oilfield, China: Estimation of CO2 storage capacity using a two-stage well test

Honari, Vahab, Underschultz, Jim, Wang, Xingjin, Garnett, Andrew, Wang, Xiangzeng, Gao, Ruimin and Liang, Quansheng (2018). CO2 sequestration-EOR in Yanchang oilfield, China: Estimation of CO2 storage capacity using a two-stage well test. 2018 Applied Energy Symposium and Forum, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, CCUS 2018, Perth, WA, Australia, 27 - 29 June, 2018. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2018.11.003

CO2 sequestration-EOR in Yanchang oilfield, China: Estimation of CO2 storage capacity using a two-stage well test

2018

Journal Article

Fractionation processes of δ13C in a soil-shallow groundwater system of a potential CO2 sequestration site: Wandoan, QLD, Australia

Siller, Adrian, Hofmann, Harald, Underschultz, Jim, Baublys, Kim and Hudson, Nick (2018). Fractionation processes of δ13C in a soil-shallow groundwater system of a potential CO2 sequestration site: Wandoan, QLD, Australia. Applied Geochemistry, 96, 191-203. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2018.06.009

Fractionation processes of δ13C in a soil-shallow groundwater system of a potential CO2 sequestration site: Wandoan, QLD, Australia

2018

Journal Article

Numerical modelling of coal seam depressurization during coal seam gas production and its effect on the geomechanical stability of faults and coal beds

Zhang, Yanhua, Underschultz, Jim, Langhi, Laurent, Mallants, Dirk and Strand, Julian (2018). Numerical modelling of coal seam depressurization during coal seam gas production and its effect on the geomechanical stability of faults and coal beds. International Journal of Coal Geology, 195, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2018.05.008

Numerical modelling of coal seam depressurization during coal seam gas production and its effect on the geomechanical stability of faults and coal beds

2018

Journal Article

Oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: swelling and solubilisation behaviour of unconfined coal particles in oxidants

Jing, Zhenhua, Balucan, Reydick D., Underschultz, Jim R. and Steel, Karen M. (2018). Oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: swelling and solubilisation behaviour of unconfined coal particles in oxidants. Fuel, 221, 320-328. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.02.071

Oxidant stimulation for enhancing coal seam permeability: swelling and solubilisation behaviour of unconfined coal particles in oxidants

2018

Journal Article

Coal seam gas associated water production in Queensland: actual vs predicted

Underschultz, J. R., Vink, S. and Garnett, A. (2018). Coal seam gas associated water production in Queensland: actual vs predicted. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 52, 410-422. doi: 10.1016/j.jngse.2018.02.010

Coal seam gas associated water production in Queensland: actual vs predicted

2018

Other Outputs

Using managed aquifer recharge for carbon storage: a feasibility study 7-1115-0268

Khan, C., Pearce, J. K., Zhou, F., Wolhuter, A., Golding, S. D. and Underschultz, J. (2018). Using managed aquifer recharge for carbon storage: a feasibility study 7-1115-0268. Barton, ACT Australia: ANLEC R&D.

Using managed aquifer recharge for carbon storage: a feasibility study 7-1115-0268

2018

Book Chapter

Economic synergies from tighter agri-business and coal seam gas integration

Mehreen, Syeda U. and Underschultz, Jim R. (2018). Economic synergies from tighter agri-business and coal seam gas integration. Agriculture Value Chain. (pp. 199-224) edited by Gokhan Egilmez. London, United Kingdom: InTechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.73195

Economic synergies from tighter agri-business and coal seam gas integration

2018

Conference Publication

A review of recent advances in cost-effective infrastructure system design of the CO2 distribution to CCS injection wells

Dashti, Hossein, Underschultz, Jim, Garnett, Andrew, Honari, Vahab, Sedaghat, Mohammad and Rudolph, Victor (2018). A review of recent advances in cost-effective infrastructure system design of the CO2 distribution to CCS injection wells. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2018, APOGCE 2018, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 23 - 25 October 2018. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/192059-MS

A review of recent advances in cost-effective infrastructure system design of the CO2 distribution to CCS injection wells

2018

Conference Publication

A review of current knowledge with geomechanical fault reactivation modelling: The importance of CO2 mechano-chemical effects for CO2 sequestration

Altaf, Iftikhar, Towler, Brian, Underschultz, James, Hurter, Suzanne and Johnson, Raymond (2018). A review of current knowledge with geomechanical fault reactivation modelling: The importance of CO2 mechano-chemical effects for CO2 sequestration. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2018, APOGCE 2018, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 23 - 25 October 2018. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/192024-MS

A review of current knowledge with geomechanical fault reactivation modelling: The importance of CO2 mechano-chemical effects for CO2 sequestration

2018

Journal Article

Geochemistry of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone

Pearce, J. K., Altaf, I., Kirste, D., Golding, S. D., Dawson, G. K. W. and Undershultz, J. (2018). Geochemistry of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone. ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2018 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1071/aseg2018abw8_4b

Geochemistry of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone

2017

Journal Article

Linking capillary and mechanical seal capacity mechanisms

Underschultz, J. R. (2017). Linking capillary and mechanical seal capacity mechanisms. Petroleum Geoscience, 23 (1), 3-9. doi: 10.1144/petgeo2016-032

Linking capillary and mechanical seal capacity mechanisms

2017

Conference Publication

Incorporating fault properties in groundwater flow models: Gloucester basin NSW, Australia

Underschultz, J., McCallum, J., Banks, E., Mukherjee, S., Xu, H., Noorduijn, S., Copley, J. and Wolhuter, A. (2017). Incorporating fault properties in groundwater flow models: Gloucester basin NSW, Australia. 79th EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2017, Paris, France, 12-15 June 2017. Houten, Netherlands: European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.201700638

Incorporating fault properties in groundwater flow models: Gloucester basin NSW, Australia

2017

Book Chapter

Carbon capture and storage

Underschultz, Jim, Dodds, Kevin, Michael, Karsten , Sharma, Sandeep , Wall, Terry and Whittaker, Steve (2017). Carbon capture and storage. Sustainability in the mineral and energy sectors. (pp. 437-452) edited by Sheila Devasahayam, Kim Dowling and Manoj K. Mahapatra. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315369853-23

Carbon capture and storage

2017

Book Chapter

Unconventional gas

Underschultz, Jim (2017). Unconventional gas. Sustainability in the mineral and energy sectors. (pp. 545-560) edited by Sheila Devasahayam, Kim Dowling and Manoj K. Mahapatra. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781315369853-28

Unconventional gas

2016

Journal Article

Coexistence opportunities for coal seam gas and agribusiness

Mehreen, Syeda and Underschultz, Jim (2016). Coexistence opportunities for coal seam gas and agribusiness. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21 (5), 1344-1355. doi: 10.1111/jiec.12521

Coexistence opportunities for coal seam gas and agribusiness

2016

Journal Article

Assessing aquitard hydraulic performance from hydrocarbon migration indicators: Surat and Bowen basins, Australia

Underschultz, J. R., Pasini, P., Grigorescu, M. and de Souza, T. L. (2016). Assessing aquitard hydraulic performance from hydrocarbon migration indicators: Surat and Bowen basins, Australia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 78, 712-727. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.09.025

Assessing aquitard hydraulic performance from hydrocarbon migration indicators: Surat and Bowen basins, Australia

2016

Journal Article

An overview of the coal seam gas developments in Queensland

Towler, Brian, Firouzi, Mahshid, Underschultz, James, Rifkin, Will, Garnett, Andrew, Schultz, Helen, Esterle, Joan, Tyson, Stephen and Witt, Katherine (2016). An overview of the coal seam gas developments in Queensland. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 31, 249-271. doi: 10.1016/j.jngse.2016.02.040

An overview of the coal seam gas developments in Queensland

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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