
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
2010
Journal Article
Hydrodynamic considerations for carbon storage design in actively producing petroleum provinces: An example from the Gippsland Basin, Australia
Hortle, Allison, Trefry, Christine, Michael, Karsten and Underschultz, Jim (2010). Hydrodynamic considerations for carbon storage design in actively producing petroleum provinces: An example from the Gippsland Basin, Australia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 106 (1-3), 121-132. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2010.01.011
2010
Journal Article
Evaluating hydrocarbon trap integrity during fault reactivation using geomechanical three-dimensional modeling: An example from the Timor Sea, Australia
Langhi, Laurent, Zhang, Yanhua, Gartrell, Anthony, Underschultz, Jim and Dewhurst, David (2010). Evaluating hydrocarbon trap integrity during fault reactivation using geomechanical three-dimensional modeling: An example from the Timor Sea, Australia. Aapg Bulletin, 94 (4), 567-591. doi: 10.1306/10130909046
2010
Conference Publication
Importance of mineral sequestration during CO2 gas migration: A case study from the Greater Gorgon area
Tenthorey, Eric, Boreham, Chris, Hortle, Alison, Underschultz, James and Golding, Suzanne (2010). Importance of mineral sequestration during CO2 gas migration: A case study from the Greater Gorgon area. 10th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 19-23 September, 2010. PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.481
2010
Conference Publication
Mineral sequestration of naturally occurring CO2 in rankin trend gases, Carnarvon Basin, Australia
Tenthorey, E., Boreham, C., Hortle, A. and Underschultz, J. (2010). Mineral sequestration of naturally occurring CO2 in rankin trend gases, Carnarvon Basin, Australia. 72nd EAGE Conference and Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010, Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010. Netherlands: EAGE Publications BV. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.201400927
2010
Conference Publication
Geochemical monitoring and geochemical modeling of the CO2CRC Otway Project CO2 storage pilot, Victoria, Australia
Kirste, D., Perkins, E., Boreham, C., Stalker, L., Schacht, U. and Underschultz, J. (2010). Geochemical monitoring and geochemical modeling of the CO2CRC Otway Project CO2 storage pilot, Victoria, Australia. Conference on Goldschmidt 2010 - Earth, Energy, and the Environment, Knoxville TN, United States, 13-18 June 2010. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon Press.
2009
Journal Article
Regional study on potential CO2 geosequestration in the Collie Basin and the Southern Perth Basin of Western Australia
Varma, Sunil, Underschultz, Jim, Dance, Tess, Langford, Robert, Esterle, Joan, Dodds, Kevin and van Gent, Dominique (2009). Regional study on potential CO2 geosequestration in the Collie Basin and the Southern Perth Basin of Western Australia. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26 (7), 1255-1273. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.05.001
2009
Journal Article
Estimation of submarine groundwater discharge into Geographe Bay, Western Australia
Varma, Sunil, Turner, Jeffrey and Underschultz, Jim (2009). Estimation of submarine groundwater discharge into Geographe Bay, Western Australia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101 (1), 107. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.12.034
2009
Journal Article
The impact of formation water flow on the CO2 storage capacity in the Offshore Gippsland Basin, Australia
Hortle, Allison, Trefry, Christine and Underschultz, Jim (2009). The impact of formation water flow on the CO2 storage capacity in the Offshore Gippsland Basin, Australia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101 (1), 48. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.12.043
2009
Journal Article
Fluid flow behaviour in reactivated hydrocarbon traps: assessing fluid circulation along natural complex fault systems using numerical fluid flow simulation
Langhi, Laurent, Zhang, Y., Gartrell, A., Underschultz, J.R. and Dewhurst, D.N. (2009). Fluid flow behaviour in reactivated hydrocarbon traps: assessing fluid circulation along natural complex fault systems using numerical fluid flow simulation. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101 (1), 57. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.11.021
2009
Journal Article
Numerical simulation of extensional fault reactivation and fluid flow: generic models related to the Timor Sea
Zhang, Yanhua, Gartrell, A., Underschultz, J.R., Dewhurst, D.N. and Langhi, L. (2009). Numerical simulation of extensional fault reactivation and fluid flow: generic models related to the Timor Sea. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101 (1), 124. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.12.008
2009
Journal Article
Numerical modelling of strain localisation and fluid flow during extensional fault reactivation: Implications for hydrocarbon preservation
Zhang, Y., Gartrell, A., Underschultz, J. R. and Dewhurst, D. N. (2009). Numerical modelling of strain localisation and fluid flow during extensional fault reactivation: Implications for hydrocarbon preservation. Journal of Structural Geology, 31 (3), 315-327. doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2008.11.006
2009
Conference Publication
Using 3D geomechanical modelling to evaluate stress-related fault seal risk – s Timor Sea case study
Langhi, L., Zhang, Y., Gartrell, A., Underschultz, J. and Dewhurst, D. (2009). Using 3D geomechanical modelling to evaluate stress-related fault seal risk – s Timor Sea case study. 2nd EAGE International Conference on Fault and Top Seals - From Pore to Basin Scale 2009 , Montpellier, France, 21 - 24 September 2009. Netherlands: EAGE Publications BV. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.20147216
2009
Conference Publication
Geochemical monitoring at the CO2CRC Otway Project: tracer injection and reservoir fluid acquisition
Stalker, Linda, Boreham, Chris, Underschultz, Jim, Freifeld, Barry, Perkins, Ernie, Schacht, Ulrike and Sharma, Sandeep (2009). Geochemical monitoring at the CO2CRC Otway Project: tracer injection and reservoir fluid acquisition. 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-9), Washington, United States, 16-20 November 2008. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2009.01.276
2009
Conference Publication
Recent advances in well-based monitoring of CO2 sequestration
Freifeld, Barry M., Daley, Thomas M., Hovorka, Susan D., Henninges, Jan, Underschultz, Jim and Sharma, Sandeep (2009). Recent advances in well-based monitoring of CO2 sequestration. 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-9), Washington, United States, 16-20 November 2008. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2009.01.296
2008
Journal Article
Site characterisation of a basin-scale CO(2) geological storage system: Gippsland Basin, southeast Australia
Gibson-Poole, C. M., Svendsen, L., Underschultz, J., Watson, M. N., Ennis-King, J., van Ruth, P. J., Nelson, E. J., Daniel, R. F. and Cinar, Y. (2008). Site characterisation of a basin-scale CO(2) geological storage system: Gippsland Basin, southeast Australia. Environmental Geology, 54 (8), 1583-1606. doi: 10.1007/s00254-007-0941-1
2008
Conference Publication
The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees, and Barrow sands, Exmouth Sub-basin, Northwest Shelf Australia: identifying seals and compartments
Underschultz, J. R., Hill, R. A. and Easton, S. (2008). The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees, and Barrow sands, Exmouth Sub-basin, Northwest Shelf Australia: identifying seals and compartments. Collingwood, VIC, Australia: C S I R O. doi: 10.1071/EG08010
2007
Journal Article
Application of hydrodynamics to sub-basin-scale static and dynamic reservoir models
Underschultz, J. R., Otto, C. and Hennig, A. (2007). Application of hydrodynamics to sub-basin-scale static and dynamic reservoir models. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 57 (1-2), 92-105. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2005.10.014
2007
Journal Article
Hydrodynamics and membrane seal capacity
Underschultz, J. (2007). Hydrodynamics and membrane seal capacity. Geofluids, 7 (2), 148-158. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-8123.2007.00170.x
2007
Journal Article
The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees and Barrow Sands, Exmouth sub-basin: identifying seals and compartments
Underschultz, J. R., Hill, R.A. and Easton, S. (2007). The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees and Barrow Sands, Exmouth sub-basin: identifying seals and compartments. ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2007 (1), 1-28. doi: 10.1071/aseg2007ab152
2006
Journal Article
Multi-disciplinary approach to fault and top seal appraisal; Pyrenees-Macedon oil and gas fields, Exmouth Sub-basin, Australian Northwest Shelf
Bailey, Wayne R., Underschultz, Jim, Dewhurst, David N., Kovack, Gillian, Mildren, Scott and Raven, Mark (2006). Multi-disciplinary approach to fault and top seal appraisal; Pyrenees-Macedon oil and gas fields, Exmouth Sub-basin, Australian Northwest Shelf. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 23 (2), 241-259. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2005.08.004
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
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