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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

121 - 138 of 138 works

2005

Book Chapter

Long-term numerical simulation of a portfolio of possible sites for geological storage of carbon dioxide in Australia

Ennis-King, Jonathan, Bradshaw, John, Gibson-Poole, Catherine, Hennig, Allison, Lang, Simon, Paterson, Lincoln, Root, Robert, Sayers, Jacques, Spencer, Lynton, Streit, Jürgen and Undershultz, Jim (2005). Long-term numerical simulation of a portfolio of possible sites for geological storage of carbon dioxide in Australia. Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. (pp. 711-719) Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1016/B978-008044704-9/50072-0

Long-term numerical simulation of a portfolio of possible sites for geological storage of carbon dioxide in Australia

2005

Journal Article

Pressure distribution in a reservoir affected by capillarity and hydrodynamic drive: Griffin Field, North West Shelf, Australia

Underschultz, J (2005). Pressure distribution in a reservoir affected by capillarity and hydrodynamic drive: Griffin Field, North West Shelf, Australia. Geofluids, 5 (3), 221-235. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-8123.2005.00112.x

Pressure distribution in a reservoir affected by capillarity and hydrodynamic drive: Griffin Field, North West Shelf, Australia

2005

Conference Publication

Conducting comprehensive analyses of potential sites for geological CO2 storage

Gibson-Poole, C. M., Root, R. S., Lang, S. C., Streit, J. E., Hennig, A. L., Otto, C. J. and Underschultz, J. (2005). Conducting comprehensive analyses of potential sites for geological CO2 storage. 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Vancouver, Canada, 5 September 2004. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-008044704-9/50068-9

Conducting comprehensive analyses of potential sites for geological CO2 storage

2003

Journal Article

Hydrodynamics to assess hydrocarbon migration in faulted strata - methodology and a case study from the North West Shelf of Australia

Underschultz, JR, Otto, CJ and Cruse, T (2003). Hydrodynamics to assess hydrocarbon migration in faulted strata - methodology and a case study from the North West Shelf of Australia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 78-9, 469-474. doi: 10.1016/S0375-6742(03)00123-7

Hydrodynamics to assess hydrocarbon migration in faulted strata - methodology and a case study from the North West Shelf of Australia

2003

Journal Article

A pressure and fluid dynamic study of the Southern North Sea Basin

Simmelink, HJ, Underschultz, JR, Verweij, JM, Hennig, A, Pagnier, HJM and Otto, CJ (2003). A pressure and fluid dynamic study of the Southern North Sea Basin. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 78-9, 187-190. doi: 10.1016/S0375-6742(03)00105-5

A pressure and fluid dynamic study of the Southern North Sea Basin

2000

Other Outputs

Hydrogeology of heavy oil and tar sand deposits: water flow and supply, migration and degradation, field trip notes

Barson, D, Bartlett, R, Hein, F, Fowler, M, Grasby, S, Reidiger, C and Underschultz, J (2000). Hydrogeology of heavy oil and tar sand deposits: water flow and supply, migration and degradation, field trip notes. Natural Resources Canada/ESS/Scientific and Technical Publishing Services.

Hydrogeology of heavy oil and tar sand deposits: water flow and supply, migration and degradation, field trip notes

1995

Journal Article

Large-scale underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous succession, Southwestern Alberta basin

Bachu, Stefan and Underschultz, J. R. (1995). Large-scale underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous succession, Southwestern Alberta basin. AAPG Bulletin, 79 (7), 989-1004. doi: 10.1306/8d2b21a5-171e-11d7-8645000102c1865d

Large-scale underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous succession, Southwestern Alberta basin

1995

Journal Article

Large-Scale Underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous Succession, Southwestern Alberta Basin

Bachu, S and Underschultz, JR (1995). Large-Scale Underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous Succession, Southwestern Alberta Basin. Aapg Bulletin-American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 79 (7), 989-1004.

Large-Scale Underpressuring in the Mississippian-Cretaceous Succession, Southwestern Alberta Basin

1995

Journal Article

Geothermal Regime and Thermal History of the Llanos Basin, Colombia

Bachu, S, Ramon, JC, Villegas, ME and Underschultz, JR (1995). Geothermal Regime and Thermal History of the Llanos Basin, Colombia. Aapg Bulletin-American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 79 (1), 116-129.

Geothermal Regime and Thermal History of the Llanos Basin, Colombia

1994

Journal Article

Flow of Formation Waters in the Cretaceous-Miocene Succession of the Llanos Basin, Colombia

Villegas, ME, Bachu, S, Ramon, JC and Underschultz, JR (1994). Flow of Formation Waters in the Cretaceous-Miocene Succession of the Llanos Basin, Colombia. Aapg Bulletin-American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 78 (12), 1843-1862.

Flow of Formation Waters in the Cretaceous-Miocene Succession of the Llanos Basin, Colombia

1993

Journal Article

Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, Northeastern Alberta Basin

Bachu, S and Underschultz, JR (1993). Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, Northeastern Alberta Basin. Aapg Bulletin-American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 77 (10), 1745-1768.

Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, Northeastern Alberta Basin

1993

Conference Publication

Deep Waste Injection, Western Canada - Analysis of Data and Requirements for Numerical-Simulation

Underschultz, JR and Lytviak, AT (1993). Deep Waste Injection, Western Canada - Analysis of Data and Requirements for Numerical-Simulation. International Conf On Application of Geographic Information Systems in Hydrology and Water Resources Management ( Hydrogis 93 ), Vienna Austria, Apr 19-22, 1993. WALLINGFORD: INT ASSOC HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES.

Deep Waste Injection, Western Canada - Analysis of Data and Requirements for Numerical-Simulation

1993

Journal Article

Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, northeastern Alberta basin

Bachu, Stefan and Underschultz, J. R. (1993). Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, northeastern Alberta basin. AAPG Bulletin, 77 (10), 1745-1768. doi: 10.1306/bdff8f24-1718-11d7-8645000102c1865d

Hydrogeology of Formation Waters, northeastern Alberta basin

1992

Journal Article

Regional-scale porosity and permeability variations, Peace River arch area, Alberta, Canada

Bachu, Stefan and Underschultz, J. R. (1992). Regional-scale porosity and permeability variations, Peace River arch area, Alberta, Canada. Aapg Bulletin-American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 76 (4), 547-562. doi: 10.1306/bdff886c-1718-11d7-8645000102c1865d

Regional-scale porosity and permeability variations, Peace River arch area, Alberta, Canada

1991

Journal Article

Tectonic loading in the Canadian Cordillera as recorded by mass accumulation in the Foreland Basin

Underschultz, JR and Erdmer, P (1991). Tectonic loading in the Canadian Cordillera as recorded by mass accumulation in the Foreland Basin. Tectonics, 10 (2), 367-381. doi: 10.1029/90TC02442

Tectonic loading in the Canadian Cordillera as recorded by mass accumulation in the Foreland Basin

1990

Journal Article

Regional Subsurface Hydrogeology, Peace River Arch Area, Alberta and British-Columbia

Hitchon, B, Bachu, S and Underschultz, JR (1990). Regional Subsurface Hydrogeology, Peace River Arch Area, Alberta and British-Columbia. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 38A, 196-217.

Regional Subsurface Hydrogeology, Peace River Arch Area, Alberta and British-Columbia

1990

Journal Article

Hydrogeology, geopressures and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin

Hitchon, B., Underschultz, J. R., Bachu, S. and Sauveplane, C. M. (1990). Hydrogeology, geopressures and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, 38 (2), 215-235.

Hydrogeology, geopressures and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin

1989

Other Outputs

Hydrogeology, geopressures, and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort - Mackenzie Basin

Hitchon, B., Sauveplane, C. M., Underschultz, J. R. and Bachu, S. (1989). Hydrogeology, geopressures, and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort - Mackenzie Basin. Natural Resources Canada/ESS/Scientific and Technical Publishing Services.

Hydrogeology, geopressures, and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort - Mackenzie Basin

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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