THE EARLY DAYS OF SUBSURFACE MODELS
I recently spoke to a geologist who was heavily involved with the introduction of the first generations of reservoir modelling software. He told me how maps from static reservoir models were printed and subsequently digitalized by the reservoir engineers in order to “import” them into their dynamic modelling software. It took a while before some code was developed to convert the static modelling output files directly into a dynamic modelling input file. It beautifully illustrates the incremental steps taken to arrive at the fully linked and integrated modelling software we have today.
MOVING ACROSS THE WORLD FOR A DEGREE IN GEOPHYSICS
I had just arrived at an evening talk in Aberdeen when a student from the local university introduced himself to me. The reason for him to move to Aberdeen and enroll in a master’s course in geophysics was that in his home country, Australia, there wasn’t something available along those lines. The reason for that is as follows. In mining, which is the most important employer for geoscience graduates, seismic acquisition has traditionally not been an important aid for exploration. But that situation is changing according to the student. In pursuit for more mineral riches, against a backdrop of the easy ones being found already, companies are now looking deeper and are planning to use seismic data to find additional resources.
“I’M NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO YOU”
It was a first for me. Attending the GeoTHERM conference in February, I visited the Eavor stand in an attempt to hear more about the Geretsried project in southern Germany. An employee with a prominent Eavor sweater approached me, and we shook hands. Then he asked about my affiliation, upon which I told him about the GEO EXPRO magazine. He then replied swiftly, saying that he was not allowed to talk to me, and referred to a colleague from communication. Strict instructions, he said. I have been at many stands at many conferences, but this never occurred to me before. What is the point of being there when you can’t talk to the press? I found it all a bit odd, and it makes you wonder if the company is hiding something.
SHALLOW GEOTHERMAL IS BOOMING IN ICELAND
In contrast to drilling deep for geothermal energy, the geological risks for shallow geothermal are minor or even non-existent, as loops are based on conductive heat transfer and do not draw fluids from the subsurface. In Iceland, where even shallow geothermal projects tap into >100° C formations, the drilling of closed loops for single house developments is, therefore, a no-brainer. The demand for these loops is now such that drillers are booked up for more than two years in advance.
