The Edinburgh Research Partnership
in Engineering and Mathematics
ECOSSE
Subsurface Science and Engineering
Earth’s subsurface provides many of the resources that we require – energy, water, minerals and a storage capacity. It is also the source of major
threats, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and rapidly-releasable greenhouse gases and stored contaminants. To tackle these problems
requires an integrated and quantitative study of the fundamental scientific processes involved and an understanding of the practical measures that
can be undertaken to secure energy supply and mitigate hazards, while at the same time minimising our impact on the planet.
Vision
Mission
To combine expertise in subsurface Science and Engineering to tackle some of the major challenges facing society in energy, environment and
resource management.
Objectives
To generate new understanding about the physical, chemical, structural, hydraulic, and transport processes operating in the Earth’s subsurface,
and to apply the results into practical applications that address societal needs, including resource exploitation, environmental protection, and
amelioration of threats arising from natural and man-made processes.
Thematic Programmes
1. Carbon Storage
Using multidisciplinary skills associated with subsurface
exploration and reservoir management to ameliorate climate change
through subsurface storage.
2. Carbonate Reservoirs
Establishing a major centre of excellence in understanding and
managing carbonate reservoirs (now containing some 60% of the
world’s proven oil and gas reserves) and aquifers (a primary source
of potable water in many arid areas).
4. Sub-surface Geosystems
3. Reservoir Imaging
Developing revolutionary new science and technology to enable the
subsurface to be explored and monitored using geophysical data.
This involves detecting and quantifying new rock and pore fluid
properties, constraining currently detected properties with greater
certainty, and informing advanced geological interpretation.
Developing and improving our understanding of petroleum systems
to enhance petroleum recovery, especially in the UK Continental
Shelf. Combining expertise to locate and quantify new exploration,
appraisal and development opportunities.
6. Enabling Technology
5. Reservoir modelling
Improving the accuracy and utility of forecasting the response of
subsurface reservoirs to changes induced by engineering practice.
Integrating expertise in numerical modelling and data analysis, with
a key aim being to quantify and reduce uncertainty.
Providing state-of-the art integrated International-standard facilities for
supporting analytical, experimental and numerical research. A big
challenge is the fact that carbonates and reservoir cap rocks are often
difficult materials to handle and maintain experimental control at
appropriate pressures and temperatures.
Exemplar Projects
The Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage Consortium of 8 industrial
sponsors is a membership grouping where annual fees provide
support for ECOSSE PhD studentships and develop two-way
Knowledge Transfer links (£450k).
Heriot-Watt University EH14 4AS
RESURGE aims to use novel statistical forecasting techniques to
improve reservoir modelling and understanding of the effects of geomechanics, with funding from the DBERR, Schlumberger, and
Reservoir Dynamics Ltd. (£432k).
www.erp.ac.uk
University of Edinburgh EH9 3LA