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UK Geoenergy Observatories: New Facilities to Understand the Future Energy Challenges
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019, Jun 2019, Volume 2019, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Summary
The subsurface is likely to play a key role in the future decarbonisation of energy supplies through Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), aquifer storage of heat and compressed air, and the extraction of geothermal energy.
However, the heterogeneity of the subsurface and lack of detailed knowledge of its static and dynamic properties makes modelling the efficacy of new technologies difficult. Geoscientists require new experimental facilities where subsurface properties can be studied at unprecedented detail to underpin realistic simulations.
The British Geological Survey, on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council, is developing two new experimental facilities. The planned UK Geoenergy Observatory at Ince Marshes in Cheshire is designed to allow a volume of rock to be profiled in-situ, so that geophysical data and micro-scale rock properties can be related to macro-scale fluid transport. The facility will consist of four bespoke arrays of newly-drilled and extensively-cored boreholes, and will characterize the subsurface in greater detail than has previously been possible.
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