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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

101 - 120 of 138 works

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

Hydrodynamic considerations for carbon storage design in actively producing petroleum provinces: An example from the Gippsland Basin, Australia

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

Evaluating hydrocarbon trap integrity during fault reactivation using geomechanical three-dimensional modeling: An example from the Timor Sea, Australia

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

Importance of mineral sequestration during CO2 gas migration: A case study from the Greater Gorgon area

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

Mineral sequestration of naturally occurring CO2 in rankin trend gases, Carnarvon Basin, Australia

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.

Geochemical monitoring and geochemical modeling of the CO2CRC Otway Project CO2 storage pilot, Victoria, Australia

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

Regional study on potential CO2 geosequestration in the Collie Basin and the Southern Perth Basin of Western Australia

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

Estimation of submarine groundwater discharge into Geographe Bay, Western Australia

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

The impact of formation water flow on the CO2 storage capacity in the Offshore Gippsland Basin, Australia

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

Fluid flow behaviour in reactivated hydrocarbon traps: assessing fluid circulation along natural complex fault systems using numerical fluid flow simulation

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

Numerical simulation of extensional fault reactivation and fluid flow: generic models related to the Timor Sea

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

Numerical modelling of strain localisation and fluid flow during extensional fault reactivation: Implications for hydrocarbon preservation

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

Using 3D geomechanical modelling to evaluate stress-related fault seal risk – s Timor Sea case study

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

Geochemical monitoring at the CO2CRC Otway Project: tracer injection and reservoir fluid acquisition

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

Recent advances in well-based monitoring of CO2 sequestration

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

Site characterisation of a basin-scale CO(2) geological storage system: Gippsland Basin, southeast Australia

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

The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees, and Barrow sands, Exmouth Sub-basin, Northwest Shelf Australia: identifying seals and compartments

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

Application of hydrodynamics to sub-basin-scale static and dynamic reservoir models

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

Hydrodynamics and membrane seal capacity

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

The hydrodynamics of fields in the Macedon, Pyrenees and Barrow Sands, Exmouth sub-basin: identifying seals and compartments

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

Multi-disciplinary approach to fault and top seal appraisal; Pyrenees-Macedon oil and gas fields, Exmouth Sub-basin, Australian Northwest Shelf

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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