First Break August 2024 - Near Surface Geo & Mining

Near Surface Geo & Mining

EAGE NEWS Presidential interview

CROSSTALK

INDUSTRY

CONNECTING OUR HISTORY TO OUR FUTURE

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CHAIR EDITORIAL BOARD

Clément Kostov (cvkostov@icloud.com)

EDITOR Damian Arnold (arnolddamian@googlemail.com)

MEMBERS, EDITORIAL BOARD

• Lodve Berre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (lodve.berre@ntnu.no) Philippe Caprioli, SLB (caprioli0@slb.com) Satinder Chopra, SamiGeo (satinder.chopra@samigeo.com)

• Anthony Day, PGS (anthony.day@pgs.com)

Applied shallow geophysics (seismic and electrical resistivity imaging) to geotechnical foundation design (Central Texas, USA) FIRST BREAK ® An EAGE Publication

• Peter Dromgoole, Retired Geophysicist (peterdromgoole@gmail.com)

• Kara English, University College Dublin (kara.english@ucd.ie)

• Stephen Hallinan, Viridien (Stephen.Hallinan@viridiengroup.com)

• Hamidreza Hamdi, University of Calgary (hhamdi@ucalgary.ca)

Gwenola Michaud, GM Consulting (gmichaud@gm-consult.it)

Fabio Marco Miotti, Baker Hughes (fabiomarco.miotti@bakerhughes.com)

• Martin Riviere, Retired Geophysicist (martinriviere@btinternet.com)

• Angelika-Maria Wulff, Consultant (gp.awulff@gmail.com)

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Andrew McBarnet (andrew@andrewmcbarnet.com)

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ISSN 0263-5046 (print) / ISSN 1365-2397 (online)

Editorial Contents

3

Sp ecial Topic: Near Surface Geo & Mining

39 Borehole GPR – Applications and advantages

Jaana Gustafsson, Paul Lehmann, Jesper Emilsson, Johan Friborg and Andreas Viberg

47 Integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigation for the rehabilitation of a water storage reservoir in Crete, Greece

Christos Orfanos, Konstantinos Leontarakis, George Apostolopoulos and Haralambos Gouvas

55 High-frequency FWI Imaging: repurposing seismic data for imaging shallow hazards Hung Dinh, Thomas Latter, Mike Townsend, Nils Grinde, Ståle Høgden, Nicholas Robb, Marte Aksland and Alexander Bertrand

65 Advanced seismic imaging solutions for hardrock site evaluation and characterisation across scales

Nicoleta Enescu and Calin Cosma

71 Insights gained from two decades of seismic reflection profiling for mineral exploration in Finland

Suvi Heinonen and Viveka Laakso

77 Applied shallow geophysics (seismic and electrical resistivity imaging) to geotechnical foundation design (Central Texas, USA)

Hector R. Hinojosa and Jorge E. Rangel

89 Smart Exploration Research Centre: Knowledge and innovation for exploration of critical raw materials

Alireza Malehmir, Magdalena Markovic, Myrto Papadopoulou, Karin Högdahl, Maria Ask, Maria Strømme, Iain Pitcairn, Tina Martin, Thomas Zack, Jaroslaw Majka, Mats Svensson and Ronne Hamerslag

95 Integrated structural health assessment of industrial buildings in areas of high seismic risk

Gwenola Michaud, Roberto Zamparo and Alessandro Brovelli

101 Data acquisition and lessons learnt from geophysical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) surveys in northern Canada

Irina Nizkous and Ross Penner

105 A joint analysis of Rayleigh and Love waves using MASW for site characterisation

Juan José Hellín-Rodríguez, Pedro Martínez-Pagán, Ignacio Valverde-Palacios, Antonio García-Jerez, Koya Suto, Marcos Antonio Martínez-Segura and Koichi Hayashi

111 Tailings pond outfiltration monitoring with electrical conductivity surveying Pauli J. Saksa

118 Calendar

cover: Ultrahigh-resolution seismic survey at a quick-clay landslide site in southwest Sweden to check retrieval of non-aliased shear-wave reflections. Photo courtesy of Alireza Malehmir.

European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers Board 2024-2025

Near Surface Geoscience Circle

Andreas Aspmo Pfaffhuber Chair

Florina Tuluca Vice-Chair

Esther Bloem Immediate Past Chair

Micki Allen Contact Officer EEGS/North America

Hongzhu Cai Liaison China

Deyan Draganov Technical Programme Officer

Eduardo Rodrigues Liaison First Break

Hamdan Ali Hamdan Liaison Middle East

Vladimir Ignatev Liaison CIS / North America

Musa Manzi Liaison Africa

Myrto Papadopoulou Young Professional Liaison

Catherine Truffert Industry Liaison

Mark Vardy Editor-in-Chief Near Surface Geophysics

Oil & Gas Geoscience Circle

Yohaney Gomez Galarza Chair

Johannes Wendebourg Vice-Chair

Lucy Slater Immediate Past Chair

Wiebke Athmer Member

Alireza Malehmir Editor-in-Chief Geophysical Prospecting

Adeline Parent Member

Matteo Ravasi YP Liaison

Jonathan Redfern Editor-in-Chief Petroleum Geoscience

Robert Tugume Member

Anke Wendt Member

Martin Widmaier Technical Programme Officer

Sustainable Energy Circle

Carla Martín-Clavé Chair

Giovanni Sosio Vice-Chair

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Sanjeev Rajput Vice-President

Laura Valentina Socco President

Martin Widmaier Technical Programme Officer

Andreas Aspmo Pfaffhuber Chair Near Surface Geoscience Circle

Maren Kleemeyer Education Officer

Yohaney Gomez Galarza Chair Oil & Gas Geoscience Circle

Carla Martín-Clavé Chair Sustainable Energy Circle

Diego Rovetta Membership and Cooperation Officer

Peter Rowbotham Publications Officer

Christian Henke Secretary-Treasurer

Geoscience’s responsibility in the energy transition era

Incoming EAGE president Valentina Socco shares her goals for her term in office.

What will be your priorities as EAGE president?

It is a great honour and a great responsibility to be president of EAGE. The Association has taken a clear path toward energy transition and this trend must be sustained together with the commitment toward ensuring energy security. Beside these two pillars, many other applications of geosciences are emerging in various fields of great importance for society ranging, among others, from climate change adaptation to resilient and sustainable infrastructure, from mineral exploration to groundwater and coastal environment characterisation and monitoring. Giving space to all this in an integrated framework is my major task. The task will become more meaningful if we are able to engage and involve in our work a growing number of students and young professionals that represent the future of the Association, industry and academia.

Italian-born Laura Valentina Socco is a full professor in applied geophysics at the Department of Engineering of Environment, Land and Infrastructures (DIATI) at the Politecnico di Torino, where she took her civil engineering MSc in 1992 and her PhD in Environmental Geo-engineering in 1996. In 2014 she received the EAGE’s Conrad Schlumberger Award. She has been an SEG honorary lecturer and in 2019 received the SEG outstanding educator award.

Prof Socco was editor-in-chief of Geophysics from 2017 to 2019.

Moreover, I think we could better value the huge knowledge repository represented by EarthDoc through the application of AI that may transform our publication archive into a modern research tool.

What led you into a life in geoscience?

When I graduated as a civil engineer I knew I wanted to be a researcher and that I wanted to bring my engineering competence into applied sciences. The opportunity of starting to work with the geophysics research team of my department with a short research scholarship came by chance, and it was the beginning of a passionate relationship with this discipline and its fascinating multi-scale, multi-physics world.

In which areas are near surface geoscience technologies relevant to the energy transition?

In spite of being always very active in the field that we call near surface geoscience, I have always perceived this name as a limitation more than as a clear definition. Near surface can be few metres, a few hundreds of metres or a few kilometres. One of the marvellous things of geoscience and geophysics in particular, is that many methods and techniques are easily scalable and can be equally useful in a multitude of problems and applications. In this sense, the methods which are traditionally associated with near surface can be of paramount importance for energy transition.

To mention just a few examples, shallow marine geophysics can provide essential information for the design of windfarms, the integration of multi-physics approaches can improve our comprehension and management of geothermal fields, improved mineral exploration can help ensure the supply of raw materials which are essential to green transition, emerging technologies that exploit existing or newly deployed fibre-optics networks can lead to the monitoring of dynamic properties of the subsurface that are

extremely relevant for gas storage and other energy transition-related activities. I think we are just at the beginning of the integration of our traditional fields of activities in a more comprehensive framework aimed at creating a more sustainable world.

Can more be done to make the geoscience community more divers/inclusive?

A lot has been done to make EAGE an inclusive and diverse community. But this objective is one of those that requires tireless effort and continuous commitment, because diversity and inclusion are concepts that evolve with society’s evolution. Our commitment to these values should always have a priority position in our agenda. I still see space for improvement in terms of gender balance, and feel that in times of geopolitical instability, like the present, the care and the attention toward our members wherever they live and operate becomes extremely important.

During your career what have been your most rewarding research projects?

Research is a fantastic job. I always say to students who are thinking of approaching a research career that they have to be ready to dig in the darkness and not feel uneasy by unanswered questions. So, every new project is a challenge and I tend to fall in love with new scientific and technical problems no matter what their size or budget. It is therefore hard to identify the most rewarding among all the projects I have carried out in a long career and in many different fields of application.

What certainly makes some projects special though are the people with whom we work. I could mention two projects of the more recent part of my career that have been particularly of interest. The first is Smart Exploration, a large consortium funded by the European Union to develop new and sustainable mineral exploration techniques. Among the 27 partners of the consortium, EAGE was in charge of dissemination and communication, and the project achievements are visible in the very nice project website that is kept alive beyond the life of the project. The cooperative environment, the continuous exchange and cross fertilisation among different expertise made this project special and extremely fruitful from the scientific and human point of view.

More recently, my research team had the privilege to be involved in one of the geophysical campaigns supported by the Odysseus Unbound foundation, that has the task of searching Homer’s Ithaca. The challenge of matching geological time with literature time is fascinating and the field work with a great international team from different research institutions was an extremely rewarding experience.

As a university teacher do you have any concerns about attracting a new generation of students into the geoscience and engineering disciplines?

Attracting talented young students into the world of applied geoscience and related engineering disciplines is s a challenge. As chair of my department education programmes for the last six years, I have spent a lot of time in communication and dissemination campaigns with this aim. I think one of our missions as EAGE is to facilitate the needed cooperation between industry and academia to convey to new generations the proper messages about the role of geoscience and engineering in ensuring energy transition and sustainability and about the opportunities they can have in this field. Communicating with new generations also means being ready to listen to their concerns and needs and seriously take them into account in defining our strategies. This is a very clear task for me during my presidential term.

New membership fees for 2024

As we chart a sustainable future for the Association and endeavour to continue offering members the same level of services, benefits, and support, it has become necessary to adjust the EAGE annual dues. This will be done gradually over the course of the next few years, subject to a yearly review by the EAGE Board.

The new fee structure, which will come into effect from 1 October 2024, will place the regular membership at

€85 per year, while the retired membership and the student membership will remain unchanged (€40 and €25 per year respectively).

All members (and prospective members) will have the opportunity of securing future years of membership at the current fees until 30 September 2024. In order to keep EAGE accessible to all, a number of support options are available for members who find it difficult to meet the fees but wish to

stay connected with the Association. These include a membership fee waiver and a 50% membership fee discount under the EAGE Economic Hardship Programme, as well as the opportunity for first-year sponsored membership for students.

If you have questions regarding EAGE membership or about any of the support programmes mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch via membership@eage.org.

Valentina Socco: active participant in Oslo.

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Opening the call for nominations for 2025 EAGE Achievement Awards

Everhard Muijzert, incoming chair of the EAGE Awards Committee, writes: The EAGE Awards are among the highest peer recognitions that geoscientists and engineers can achieve in their professional careers. These awards are especially meaningful because the nominations come from peers — educators, students, colleagues, co-workers, and other professionals. The EAGE Awards Committee invites all members to nominate the most deserving members for the 2025 Achievement Awards. The deadline for nominations is 31 October 2024.

This year, the EAGE is thrilled to include the Marie Tharp Sustainable Energy Young Professional Award for young scientists for the second time. The Marie Tharp Award is dedicated to promising and creative talents among the next generation of leaders who are committed to the idea of transforming energy systems and speed up the global energy transition. Competition for this recognition is fierce, with its first winner chosen from over 15 nominees from nine different countries, to be announced at the upcoming EAGE GET Conference in November in Rotterdam.

The EAGE Achievement Awards now feature two young scientist awards (the Marie Tharp and the established Arie van Weelden). Furthermore, there are three prestigious award categories for outstanding and lifetime contributions to the advancement of geoscience and engineering disciplines with specific focus on resource exploration and development, geophysics, petroleum geosciences and engineering (Desiderius Erasmus, Conrad Schlumberger and Alfred Wegener Awards). The year 2025 also marks a special milestone, celebrating 70 years since the first recipients of the Arie van Weelden and Conrad Schlumberger Awards. A full list of past winners can be found on the EAGE website.

Most awards are given to a single recipient each year. Finally, Honorary Membership can be awarded to multiple individuals for their exceptional service to the geoscience and engineering community and/or the Association.

All EAGE members are encouraged to nominate candidates who would be worthy recipients of these awards. When considering potential nominees, think about those who have made significant impacts on their geoscience and engineering disciplines and communities. Nominees are often still active contributors, but you

might also identify someone who made a significant early career contribution. Please make sure to comply with the specific nomination requirements and focus areas for each award.

A strong nomination package includes one or more supporting letters detailing the nominee’s professional impact and significance. These letters can be written by any peer, including past educators, tutors, students, colleagues and clients, and do not need to come from EAGE members.

rigour, the two most recent Desiderius Erasmus and two most recent Alfred Wegener awardees, as well as the past five EAGE presidents. Care is taken that the Committee reflects the diversity of EAGE and has expert knowledge in all of EAGE disciplines. We would like to thank outgoing committee members: Tiziana Vanorio (former chair), Gijs Vermeer, and Matthew David Jackson.

The EAGE Best Paper Awards are another important group of honours highlighting

Nominating nominees does require some serious input and the Awards Committee values your time and effort. The workload is often shared with multiple people contributing to the nomination letter and providing additional references.

The Awards Committee carefully considers all nominations and selects awardees for each category. Recommendations are then sent to the EAGE Board who may or may not approve them, but the Board does not select awardees themselves. The Awards Committee and Board especially welcome nominations reflecting the diversity of EAGE in terms of discipline, gender, and geographic distribution.

The EAGE Awards Committee comprises esteemed EAGE members with a long history of academic excellence and

excellence in publications and presentations. The selection for these is carried out by the Awards Committee later in the year, in co-ordination with the EAGE Publications Officer, the editors of EAGE journals and the EAGE Technical Programme Officer.

Finally, the EAGE Awards Committee wishes to emphasise the significant impact these awards can have on recipients’ careers. We encourage you to take the time to identify and nominate candidates who have positively impacted your work and career and whom you hold in high esteem. Detailed nomination requirements for all achievement awards can be found on our website eage.org/awards.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the remarkable achievements within our community.

Amazing success of Oslo Annual leaves lasting legacy

Our 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition, held in Oslo from 10-13 June 2024, successfully united professionals, academia, and industry leaders under the theme ‘Technology and Talent for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future’. The event was distinguished by its advanced technology, dynamic sessions, and strong industry participation. Norwegian companies, notably our host Equinor, and the Norwegian Continental Shelf provided an ideal backdrop for discussions.

The Opening Ceremony celebrated the Annual’s rich history and recognised outstanding achievements with the announcements of 2024 Award winners, Best Local Chapters of the Year and Laurie Dake winners. The conference continued to be a platform for sharing research intersecting geoscience, engineering, and energy.

For the first time, delegates used headsets for presentations and discussions, creating a technologically advanced, immersive environment. This innovation fostered a silent, attentive, and highly interactive atmosphere, and enhanced what was generally regarded by participants as an exceptional and comprehensive Technical Programme covering the latest developments relevant to our geoscience and engineering community.

Our expanded Strategic Programme comprised 11 curated sessions addressing all the hot topics of the day including leadership, exploration strategies, digitalisation, and talent development in the energy sector. Industry leaders from Equinor, Viridien, Wintershall Dea, Petronas, Petrobras, ENI, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Vår Energi, BP, NZTC, SLB, TGS, Baker Hughes, Shearwater, PGS, CGG, CNPC, Chevron, IRIS Instruments, NTNU, and Aker BP all participated. Highlights included the Opening Session ‘Fireside Chat’ between Philippe Mathieu (EVP EPI, Equinor) and Andrew

speakers

McBarnet, EAGE editor emeritus, and a very well received discussion panel with young professionals from leading companies providing perspectives on the varying definitions of energy security and their career options in the energy transition era.

The Exhibition was exceptionally busy and appreciated by participating companies who reported numerous existing and potential clients visiting their stands. Of note was the launch of CGG’s new Viridien identity and the 20th anniversary of Geo Expro, first launched at the EAGE Annual 2004 in Paris, both occasions underlining the enduring value that the event represents.

On the floor, two dedicated Exhibition zones stood out. The Digital Transformation Area highlighted advancements in digital technologies revolutionising the energy sector. The Spotlight Series ‘An open-source regulator’, thanks to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, showcased the impact of open data and success stories of its use. The Energy Transition Area sessions focused on balancing sustainability with energy affordability and the role of geoscience in these changes.

Memorable moments here included presentations by winners of the Hackathon ‘Coding to Net-Zero’ and the interactive tool for navigating careers in the evolving energy landscape newly developed by the EAGE Education Committee and the five Technical Communities on energy transition topics.

Workshops, short courses, and field trips offered participants deeper knowledge and hands-on experiences. Workshops covered data science in geosciences, advanced seismic interpretation, and reservoir engineering. Short courses addressed microseismic monitoring, natural geologic hydrogen exploration, and geothermal energy production. Field trips

Attendees were immersed in an engaging environment that highlighted innovation and collaboration, making this year’s conference unforgettable.

explored the Oslo Rift, the Norwegian Continental Shelf, and the Oslo region’s geology.

Once again, the Community Programme activities attracted significant interest, particularly the ‘Geo-secrets of Norway’ talk, CV advice and professional photography sessions, and the ever-popular GeoQuiz.

The Conference Evening at the amazing Bygdøy was the best attended in our history with partygoers enjoying traditional Norwegian music and cuisine while exploring the country’s maritime heritage through the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, and Norwegian Maritime Museum.

For such a successful event we extend heartfelt thanks to all delegates, speakers, session chairs, exhibitors, Local Advisory Committee and, most important, our sponsors for their fantastic support.

Stay tuned for our forthcoming Annual in Toulouse, where we will continue to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector. Mark your calendar for 2-5 June 2025!

HIGHLIGHTS OF EAGE ANNUAL 2024

LOOKING BACK AT AN AMAZING WEEK IN OSLO

KICKING OFF WITH ENERGY

A spectacular start at the Opening Ceremony

HIGHLIGHTS OF EAGE LOOKING AMAZING

DYNAMIC TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

Sessions that spark engaging discussions, provide valuable insights, and inspire new ideas

EAGE ANNUAL 2024 BACK AT AN WEEK IN OSLO

STRATEGIC PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

Expert leaders exploring key issues and driving progress in our industries

EXHIBITION BUZZ

A central point for strategic talks, major business news, product showcases, cooperation deals, and connecting with peers

Thank you for making EAGE Annual 2024 unforgettable. Here’s a look back at some of the event’s most engaging moments! Scan the QR code for the event report!

HONOURING THE BEST

Highlighting notable contributions and student accomplishments

INSPIRING EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

Our workshops and short courses fostered fresh knowledge and honed existing skills

ADVANCING CAREERS

Innovative activities focused on nurturing members’ professional advancement and personal development

HIGHLIGHTS OF EAGE LOOKING BACK AT WEEK IN EAGE ANNUAL RELIVING THE WEEK IN

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Field trips that offer new perspectives and memorable experiences

EAGE ANNUAL 2024 AT AN AMAZING IN OSLO

CELEBRATION NIGHT

Relive the joy and camaraderie of the Conference Evening

THE INCREDIBLE IN OSLO

What they said about the Oslo Annual

We live in times of upheaval, and that focuses on the importance of energy for society. I think it was a great theme that EAGE chose for this Annual and I was happy to represent Equinor as host company. The people, the enthusiasm, the willingness to contribute and to find ways forward has been an inspiration. So it’s really something that energises me as I go back to my day job.

Erling Vågnes

SVP Subsurface Exploration Production International, Equinor

EAGE 2024 Local Advisory Committee Chair

We have a new challenge: to explore how our members can engage effectively to raise awareness about balancing energy sustainability and energy security, and how geoscience can contribute to the energy sector and other key societal advancements. I think about infrastructure, climate change, and natural risk protection. There are many emerging topics where we can provide answers. This is where our role lies.

Laura Valentina Socco

Full Professor Applied Geophysics, Politecnico di Torino

EAGE President (2024-2025)

It has been fantastic to see so many people attending, to be amongst so many geoscientists, and see the energy in the room. The theme of this year’s conference was really energising. It sets us on the way to that transition that we’re all in.

Andreas Aspmo Pfaffhuber

CEO & Founder, EMerald Geomodelling Chair EAGE NSG Circle (2024-2025)

It’s been a great experience. And for us, it’s been a special moment because we’ve introduced our new name, Viridien. It was well attended with good representation of industry players, which means a good moment to interact with our stakeholders, our clients, and our partners.

Sophie Zurquiyah CEO, Viridien

Geosciences are bigger than energy because they integrate all the information together. It’s not about oil and gas anymore. It’s about wind farms. It’s about solar panels. It’s about geothermal. It’s about nuclear fusion. It’s about hydrogen. So when we use our geoscience and engineering technologies to nurture these technologies, I think we are heading towards a sustainable future.

Sanjeev Rajput

General Manager & Global Head-Reservoir Geoscience/ Geophysics, Petronas

EAGE Vice President (2024-2025)

It was the first time in 20 years that we were welcoming the EAGE Annual in Norway. It was really important for us and I’m so glad to see that it was a real success. People were really eager to participate, to meet us, to come to Norway. So I would say that all our objectives have been met. We’re extremely satisfied and happy with this fantastic, positive atmosphere and collaboration. Very good technology was presented along with an extremely insightful strategic programme. I can’t wait to see the same positive energy next year.

Severine Pannetier-Lescoffit

Chief Geophysicist, Equinor

EAGE 2024 Local Advisory Committee Member

It was good to have the conference back in Norway after so many years. It was impressive to see a very professional and inspiring exhibition, and really well attended event. The technical programme was of very high quality, a lot of attention to the workshops, good technical sessions, and dedicated sessions. It was really good to see.

Martin Widmaier

Chief Geophysicist, Sales & Services, TGS

EAGE Technical Programme Officer (2024-2025)

The event offered a really great opportunity to network with people that you already know from the industry, but also get to know new people across different companies to see what kind of exciting work that they’re doing, especially with the perspective of a young professional in this industry moving at such a dynamic pace.

Mahad Nadeem Junjua

Data Scientist, Wintershall Dea

It has been a forum for great minds to come together, to think about the energy trilemma, the challenge we have as a global state, and how we can work together to resolve this. It’s also a place where we can encourage geoscientists and subsurface professionals to see there’s still a bright future and career ahead, beyond this decade and decades to come … a place for young individuals to be inspired and mentored.

Julya Bonkat

Subsurface Manager, Competence Centre, Equinor

We are very proud of the way the Oslo Annual turned out to be such a success, and it’s great to have such positive feedback. I therefore thank all our staff for making it possible. Looking forward already to Toulouse next year.

Marcel van Loon CEO, EAGE

Enhance your geological storage expertise with the EAGE Masterclass CO2 Storage 2024

EAGE’s Masterclass CO2 Storage 2024 event on 30 September to 3 October promises to be an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your understanding of geological CO2 storage through a comprehensive programme of short courses led by renowned experts.

Hosted at the BP Sunbury Learning Centre, just a short distance from the Heathrow Airport, the Masterclass offers three distinct courses, each designed to cover critical technical aspects of CO2 storage. Attendees can choose to focus on a single course or maximise their learning with an all access pass, ensuring a robust and multi-faceted educational experience.

The intensive two-day course Risk Assessment of CO2 Storage by Understanding Coupled Thermo-hydro-chemical-mechanical Processes by Andreas Busch and Eric Mackay (Heriot-Watt University) on 30 September and 1 October will explore the complexities of assessing CO2 storage risks by examining coupled phenomena, including reservoir conformance and storage

integrity. The instructors will give insights into the effects of pressure, temperature, and geochemistry on subsurface storage and sealing formations, equipping participants with the knowledge to evaluate the technical viability of CO2 storage projects.

On 2 October, Prof Philip Ringrose (NTNU) will present a course on CO2 Storage Project Design and Optimisation (Saline Aquifers). He will guide attendees through the intricacies of designing and optimising CO2 storage projects in sandstone saline aquifer systems. This course

‘We’re

according to Doster who will provide a comprehensive overview of flow mechanics, utilising principles such as Darcy’s law and mass conservation to explain fluid movement in reservoirs. Participants should leave with a solid foundation in flow mechanics applicable to geological CO2 storage.

The EAGE Masterclass CO2 Storage represents a unique opportunity for professionals to advance their expertise in this critical area of environmental science and engineering. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or new to the field, these courses

excited to present a Masterclass series featuring CO2 Storage experts. Embrace the unique opportunity for in-depth learning and direct engagement with specialists at these in-person courses.’

Maren Kleemeyer, EAGE Education Officer

will cover essential topics such as project timelines, site characterisation, trapping mechanisms, fluid dynamics, storage capacity estimation, well design, CO2 transport, geomechanical considerations, and long-term storage assurance methods.

Flow Mechanics for Geological CO2 Storage presented by Florian Doster (Heriot-Watt University) on 3 October closes the trio of outstanding courses being offered.

Understanding the fundamentals of flow in porous media is crucial for the successful planning and operation of CO2 storage,

offer valuable knowledge and practical skills to enhance your capabilities and contribute to the advancement of CO2 storage technologies.

Secure your place at the EAGE Masterclass CO2 Storage 2024 event and be part of the forefront of CO2 storage innovation.

For more information and to register

F. HASIUK & S. ISHUTOV

Visions of AI — past, present and future

EAGE Local Chapter Netherlands hosted an online event on 23 May featuring Marieke van Hout and Dr Paul de Groot from dGB Earth Sciences. The theme of the event was the past, present, and future of AI in seismic studies. Van Hout briefly introduced the history of dGB, the company behind the opensource software OpendTect. De Groot took over the wheel and continued discussing the development of AI in seismic studies.

De Groot reviewed AI definitions (e.g., neural networks, shallow networks, deep networks, etc.) and the corresponding history from Turing machine. He added that machine learning (ML) is famous for finding complex relationships and structures in data sets, however, ML has experienced peaks and troughs in popularity, a phenomenon known as the Gartner’s hype cycle. He believes we have to embrace the trend of AI with caution.

He reviewed the current progress of ML developments in the geoscience

world through various applications. For example, an unsupervised vector quantizer was used for 3D waveform segmentation to see hidden geology patterns. Meanwhile, popular shallow multi-layer perceptrons (MLP) can be applied to all kinds of seismic object detection tasks, e.g., faults, channels, salt, chimneys, etc. Rock porosity prediction and missing logs prediction were also achieved by quantitative MLP. As for deep networks, de Groot also demonstrated seismic classification by imageto-point workflows. Image-to-image workflows, e.g., U-Net, was discussed for 3D salt body prediction as well as for pseudo-3D volume conversion.

De Groot showed some pre-trained models and their huge potential inside OpendTect for cleaning up seismic data, removing migration smiles, and eliminating multiples. Thus, he believes that acceleration through new models could help people decrease time, efforts, and costs. Regarding the future of AI development, his conclusion was that both

interactive workflows and foundation models have the potential to play a significant role in the near future. He also highlighted that machine models cannot replace geoscientists; however, human interpreters must acquire new skills to use this technology effectively. Many questions were fired after the talk from the many audiences participating. One raised the possibility of digitalising vintage seismic documents using AI technology. Accuracy and repeatability of AI methods were also discussed. Some were wondering about the potential use in the field of civil engineering or construction. The role of synthetic/tank data and physics-informed elements in training AI models were raised as well by our audience. The recorded video can be found in the EAGE YouTube channel. Those interested in remaining updated on chapter initiatives are encouraged to follow the Chapter’s LinkedIn page and express their interest for joining by reaching out to eageLCNetherlands@gmail.com.

Best ‘Newcomer’ LC Kuwait reflects on journey so far

Ever since their grand relaunch ceremony in April 2023, Local Chapter Kuwait has been on a truly remarkable journey. Over 100 individuals from 16 diverse companies united to celebrate the restart of the local EAGE community. That first gathering wasn’t just an ordinary event: it served as a fantastic connecting opportunity, bringing together professionals from different disciplines of geoscience and engineering.

On that occasion the new LC team shared their vision for the coming years. It was just the beginning of a series of activities that led to winning the coveted title of ‘Best EAGE Local Chapter of the Year’ in the ‘Newcomer’ category, reserved to communities younger than two years.

Mohamed Dawwas Al-Ajmi, president of the Chapter, said the award ‘highlighted the exceptional efforts of our board members and their commitment to volunteer work. It inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and pursuing our ambitious vision for the future’.

One special achievement for LC Kuwait was the organisation of monthly webinars, featuring presenters from around the world who covered a wide range of topics, providing valuable insights and knowledge to professionals and students. The Local Chapter was very keen on making these technical sessions accessible anytime, anywhere and regularly published recordings.

The members also distinguished themselves for their outreach work to create awareness of geoscience and its applications among younger generations, for example, presenting a lecture and a tour in Ahmad Al–Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition, enabling high school students to witness real-world applications of science.

‘Geoscience is often neglected in our educational system as many schools choose to give less priority to geoscience-related subjects in their curriculums, thus, students miss out on the opportunity to learn and discover its fascination’, says Hajar Al-Wazzan, vice president, LC Kuwait. ‘We believe that students should be more engaged by introducing Earth Science as an

enjoyable and interactive subject to help shape a brighter future for geoscience in Kuwait and gain it the recognition it deserves.’

The Chapter’s work included facilitating the creation of a new Student Chapter. ‘This opens a new gate for us to connect academia and industry’, says Fatemah Basha, communication officer. ‘Empowering students and young professionals is one of our main aims.’

A highlight of the past year was holding of a debate ‘Geologists vs. Engineers, friends or enemies’ aimed to bridge the gap between geoscientists and engineers by highlighting the roles of both professions, particularly in the context of drilling in the oil and gas industry. The conclusion was that we will need both the geologist’s brains and the engineer’s muscles!

Looking ahead, the team is brimming with fresh ideas and planning a wide variety of technical and social activities in the coming year. So there will be something for everyone to look forward to.

Underground sun shines in Prague

In May Local Chapter Czech Republic welcomed Markus Pichler, a senior reservoir engineer, subsurface energy storage development, RAG Austria, to tell the story of his company’s Underground Sun Storage project.

The meeting attracted a mixed audience including energy regulators, government advisors, researchers and gas storage geoscientist, all interested in hearing Pichler’s insights regarding his company’s development of underground hydrogen storage technology.

storage. The origin of the name of the project reflects the capacity to store solar energy underground when it is in over-supply and to use it when needed.

The initial project used a hydrogen admixture of 10% natural gas and addressed numerous scientific questions such as wellbore integrity, storage integrity, energy loss, mixing and dissolution issues associated with hydrogen/methane storage. To cut the long story short, despite numerous concerns, Pichler convinced the audi-

Pichler started his story describing the motivation for the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier which could potentially be transported and stored within existing energy infrastructure. The aim of the initial research was to find out if existing natural gas storage facilities were suitable for hydrogen

ence that no significant deterioration was observed when testing hydrogen storage in a depleted natural gas reservoir. The slightly more diffusive character of hydrogen compared to methane did not result in measurable hydrogen losses during the runtime of the project.

Another aspect of hydrogen storage is public acceptance for hydrogen storage projects. In general, they are regarded as positive compared to classic natural gas storage which in the light of lowering fossil dependence is seen as critical. As this aspect was only covered within the scope of a research project, the implications for an actual large scale commercial project are not yet completely understood. However, the project showed how important transparent communication and public engagement are if large scale energy infrastructure projects should be developed and built.

Final thoughts were devoted to a second option of renewable energy storage combining storage of hydrogen and CO2. When these two gasses are injected together into the reservoir naturally occurring microbes convert it to methane which is three times more storable than hydrogen. For this purpose, the underground sun conversion project and its follow-up projects have been conducted. Apart from using CO2, another benefit of this method is that renewable energy can be stored while no changes to the current gas infrastructure are necessary. Currently the process is not yet competitive with the direct storage of hydrogen or the alternative which is surface methanation.

LC Kuwait received the recognition at the 2024 Annual.

Markus Pichler makes the case for hydrogen.

Experience a rich combination of dedicated sessions at GET 2024

The EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition is coming up in just three months. Join us from 4-7 November 2024, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This year’s event will feature dedicated sessions across four major technical conferences, each addressing critical aspects of the energy transition and associated technologies. Building on the success and positive feedback from last year’s sessions, these focused discussions will provide valuable insights into the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in CCS, geothermal energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and offshore wind energy. Attendees will benefit from the comprehensive knowledge shared by industry experts, gaining a deeper understanding of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions that contribute significantly to the global effort towards a sustainable energy future.

Here’s a detailed overview of what each conference will cover

Carbon Capture and Storage Conference

The dedicated sessions for the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Conference focus on various facets of the CCS value chain and hub development. These sessions will explore the complexities and challenges of implementing CCS projects, emphasising the importance of technical, economic, environmental, safety, and societal considerations. Key discussions will include the advantages of CCS hubs in reducing costs and risks, the role of reservoir modelling in understanding CO2 plume behaviour, and the challenges of multizone evaluations. Additionally, the conference will explore synergies and barriers for CCS projects in future hubs, the current challenges and future of monitoring CCS fields, and the importance of well integrity during CO2 storage operations. Another session will address the opportunities and challenges of storing CO2 in depleted fields, focusing on injectivity, containment, and the integrity of existing facilities.

Geothermal Energy Conference

The Geothermal Energy Conference will highlight critical sessions on the opportunities and challenges associated with geothermal energy development. Topics will include the extraction of critical minerals from geothermal fluids, such as lithium, to support the energy transition. The conference will also review the past, present, and future of geothermal power in Europe, highlighting the lessons learned from previous projects and the potential for untapped geothermal resources. Another session will focus on geophysical data acquisition to accelerate geothermal development in urban environments, showcasing best practices and lessons learned from recent projects. The conference will also discuss new horizons in geothermal energy, investigating breakthrough solutions and novel technologies that could significantly lower costs and increase energy outputs, including offshore geothermal developments.

Hydrogen and Energy Storage Conference

Sessions at the Hydrogen & Energy Storage Conference will cover the pivotal role of underground hydrogen storage in providing flexibility and robustness to renewable energy systems. Attendees will learn from various pilot projects in different geological environments, gaining insights into the remaining uncertainties and de-risking requirements. Case studies on Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) and Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) will highlight their scalability, efficiency, and environmental impacts. Another session will discuss strategies for minimising hydrogen emissions from storage operations, including innovative monitoring techniques. A panel discussion is planned on the hydrogen economy, exploring the challenges and opportunities from source to market while other sessions will cover the latest developments in natural hydrogen, from its source to market.

Offshore Wind Energy Conference

The Offshore Wind Energy Conference will offer sessions on optimising the decommissioning strategies for offshore wind farms, highlighting the importance of geoscience perspectives. These sessions will address the environmental sustainability and efficient resource utilisation during decommissioning. Another session will focus on wind and metocean measurements, emphasising the importance of accurate data for offshore wind farm design and operation. The alignment of offshore wind development with regulatory frameworks and geosciences will also be discussed, considering environmental and archaeological impacts. The conference will also explore how to bridge the gap between geophysical and geotechnical data for offshore wind engineering, aiming to support cost-efficient site characterisation strategies. Finally, the conference will address the challenges and opportunities in UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) risk management for offshore wind projects, where the need for improved detection capabilities and environmental impact mitigation is significant.

Visitor passes are still free and sign up with our early bird fee before 1 September to save significantly on access to the full GET 2024 conference and exhibition. Consider an all-access pass to benefit from all side activities, including workshops, field trips, and short courses. Learn more at eageget.org.

Dedicated session at GET 2023.

PRE- AND POST-CONFERENCE

ACTIVITIES

SHORT COURSES

– CO2 Storage Project Design and Optimisation (Saline Aquifers)

– Geophysical Monitoring of CO2 Storage

– Reservoir Engineering of Geothermal Energy Production

– Exploration of Subsurface Natural Geologic Hydrogen and Stimulation for Its Enhanced Production

– An Introduction to Offshore Wind

– Public Engagement for Geo-energy

WORKSHOPS

– Appropriation of the Subsurface and its Usage

– CCS and Geothermal at Its Core: Geological Risk Assessment for Geothermal and CCS on Core Material

FIELD TRIPS

– Porthos – First Large-Scale Project to store CO2 under the Sea

– The Rijswijk Centre For Sustainable Geo-Energy (Rcsg), Energy

Cave And Delft Campus Geothermal Project and Laboratories

– Hystock Hydrogen Storage of Gasunie in Zuidwending

– AYOP IJmuiden, Shell Noordzee Wind Farm, and TENNET’s visitor center

DIVERSE TECHNICAL PROGRAMMES 4

“The programme focuses on creating a coherent theme around hubs. In Rotterdam, projects are taking shape, scaling up operations. We’ve structured the programme to highlight the North Sea and projects in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, and potentially Denmark, forming a regional hub for CO2 storage.”

BEN DEWEVER

Senior Geoscientist Carbon Capture and Storage Capability team, Shell

DEDICATED

SESSIONS TO BE A KEY HIGHLIGHT

• CCS value chain and hub development: perspective and challenge

• Synergies or barriers for CCS projects in future hubs

• Reservoir modelling in a CCS hub context

• Opportunities and challenges of CO2 storage in depleted Fields

• The future of monitoring and the current challenges

• The opportunities & risk of wells in CCS operations

“Attendees of the conference will be able to participate in sessions focused on finding different ways to overcome both technical and sociological obstacles. By sharing insights from different fields, we can identify common challenges, such as the social licence to operate in an area, which is not a technical issue but is very important for discussion.”

ALL ACCESS PASS

Gain full access to all events, including short courses, field trips, and workshops.

CHECK

“The programme and dedicated sessions will focus on hydrogen storage piloting, with industry representatives sharing insights, learnings, and highlighting knowledge gaps for commercial scale deployment. Another focus is natural hydrogen, gaining attention for its disruptive potential.

“With focus on the recent advancements and innovations in both qualitative and quantitative geo-modeling & characterization techniques along with the use of AI (and machine learning) in addressing the challenges in offshore wind, EAGE GET will play an important role in bringing minds together for achieving a unified global success.”

GEHRIG SCHULTZ COO | Geoscience EPI Group

• Opportunities and challenges of critical mineral extraction from geothermal fluids

• Unlocking European geothermal power: past, present and future

• Geophysical data-acquisition to accelerate geothermal development in the urban environment

• New horizons

KARIN DE BORST

Subsurface Specialist Shell

SANKET BHATTACHARYA Seismic Business Development Manager, Fugro

• Underground hydrogen storage pilot projects

• Case studies and pilot projects for storage

• Understanding hydrogen emissions: strategies for sustainable storage operations

• The hydrogen economy – from source to market

• Natural hydrogen: from source to market

• Optimizing decommissioning strategies for offshore wind farms

• Wind and metocean measurements for offshore wind farm design

• Aligning offshore wind development and regulatory frameworks

• Geophysical and geotechnical data for offshore wind engineering

• Uxo risk management: challenges & opportunities

SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

“GET2024 provides a unique platform to engage, interact, and exchange ideas. As we gather in Rotterdam, I look forward to engaging in lively discussions that will influence the field of geosciences in our dynamic and constantly changing world. Together, we will address challenges, capitalise on opportunities, and collaboratively build a lasting and sustainable future.”

YOLANDE VERBEEK

Chair, Executive Committee

COO, EBN

STRATEGIC PROGRAMME

RESILIENT VALUE CHAINS FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION

4-7 NOVEMBER 2024

ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

STUDENT PROGRAMME

A programme designed to engage students in energy transition through interactive learning, career development, and recognition.

ENERGY INNOVA TORS A four-day programme for students to explore the technical, economic, and societal facets of energy transition.

BRIDGING THE GAP: SOCIETAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION

DIGITALIZING THE ENERGY TRANSITION: INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY, MARKETS, AND TALENT

Discover how to build resilient CCS, Hydrogen, Geothermal, and Wind value chains focusing on business models, partnerships, regulations, and risk management.

Gain insights on enhancing societal engagement and boosting energy literacy and lobbying skills from psychology, environmental management, and education perspectives.

Explore AI-driven digital innovations for decarbonizing systems, scaling technologies, unlocking markets, and the need for policy support and skilled workforce.

Three days, four technical programmes, an extensive exhibition, engaging pre- and post-conference activities like short courses, field trips and workshops. Ensuring a comprehensive programme for each key topic while maintaining GET’s unique focus on integration within energy transition.

SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS

Sign up for a week-long free exhibition and meet key players from around the world, including major energy companies, service providers, consultancies, licensing bodies, government sectors, and innovative startups.

CHECK OUR SPONSORSHIP OPTIONS HERE

MARIE THARP AWARD

Field trips add to what makes GET 2024 special

We have not forgotten the value that field trips can bring to an event. This is why GET 2024 intends to enhance participants experience by providing three different exciting, informative, and enjoyable field trips. Each one will be associated with one of the four parallel technical conferences at the event, e.g., carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, hydrogen and energy storage, and offshore wind energy.

Field Trip 1: HyStock hydrogen storage of Gasunie in Zuidwending

Explore the advancements in hydrogen storage with a visit to the EnergyStock installation of HyStock. The field trip offers a deep dive into the near future of hydrogen storage, showcasing the company’s plans and addressing the challenges faced. HyStock will share knowledge and results from the lifecycle hydrogen test of a cavern (200 bar) and demonstrate its hydrogen value chain installation, including a 3MW solar facility, 1 MW PEM electrolyser, compressor 300b, trailer load station, 100% H2 heater, and fleet owner HRS.

Field Trip 2: The Rijswijk Centre for Sustainable Geo-Energy (RCSG), Energy Cave, and Delft Campus Geothermal Project and Laboratories

This field trip enables you to find about the innovative world of geo-energy technologies with a visit to the Rijswijk Centre for Sustainable Geo-energy (RCSG). The Energy Cave in Rijswijk serves as a meeting point for discussing the energy transition. The Delft Subsurface Urban Energy Laboratory addresses critical questions regarding geothermal energy in urban environments, including project density, energy extraction longevity, efficient energy system design, seasonal thermal energy storage, and avoiding adverse impacts.

Field Trip 3: Porthos – First large-scale project to store CO2 under the sea

Witness the future of carbon capture and storage with a visit to the Porthos project, the first large-scale initiative to store CO2 beneath the North Sea. Porthos is developing a system where CO2 from industry in the Port of Rotterdam is transported and stored in empty gas fields offshore. The CO2 will be supplied to a collective pipeline, pressurised in a compressor station, and transported via an offshore pipeline to a platform in the North Sea, then pumped into empty gas fields situated more than 3 km beneath the sea. Porthos aims to store around 37 Mton of CO2, approximately 2.5 Mton per year for 15 years, with operations expected to start in 2026.

Field trip 4: AYOP IJmuiden, Shell Noordzee Wind Farm, and TENNET’s visitor centre

Join us for a full-day field trip exploring the Netherlands’ offshore wind industry. We’ll start at AYOP in IJmuiden, where you’ll learn about initiatives supporting offshore wind companies near the new North Sea wind farms. Next, enjoy a boat trip to the Shell Noordzee Wind Farm with an onboard presentation and lunch (weather permitting). This wind farm, operational since 2007, was the first 100+ MW wind farm in the Dutch North Sea. Finally, visit TENNET’s visitor centre for a presentation on connecting offshore wind farms to the Dutch grid, including a tour of the transformer station.

To participate in one of our field trips, you will need to register with our all-access pass, which also provides access to short courses, workshops, and the full conference and exhibition. Learn more at eageget.org/field-trips/.

‘Energy Transition Student Days’ at GET 2024 offers hands-on learning opportunity

What are the intricacies of developing a Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) project or a geothermal development plan? How do these compare to traditional oil fields in terms of energy content, emissions, profitability, and stakeholder considerations?

The ‘Energy Transition Student Days’ during the EAGE GET 2024 presents a conference designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the technical, economic, and societal aspects of the energy transition.

The student event will run from 4 to 7 November 2024, during the EAGE GET conference and will be led by two distinguished instructors: Dr Raymond

Franssen, and Dr Manuel Willemse. While a basic knowledge of earth sciences is preferred, it is not required. The learning process combines lectures, practical team exercises, and class discussions, ensuring a thorough understanding reinforced by hands-on experience.

Participants will be given a subsurface map, a well profile, and other key data. Working in teams, they will be tasked to create a development plan for underground resources. This learning process involves reading maps, creating production profiles, discussing how geology affects project feasibility, and tackling both technical and non-technical challenges. By examining

projects from multiple angles, participants will see how their work can contribute to achieving the Paris Climate goals and national targets, especially in the context of the Netherlands.

This is a unique opportunity to advance understanding and skills in this vital field. Whether you are a student of earth sciences, engineering, or policy, the course offers valuable insights and practical experience to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition.

For more information and to register, visit the EAGE GET 2024 website. Secure your place today and contribute to shaping a sustainable energy future.

Journal launches themed issue for early career geoenergy researchers

Geoenergy is inviting contributions to a thematic collection showcasing the breadth of innovative research in the field of geoenergy by emerging leaders in the field. In the race to realise the transition to a sustainable energy future, early career scientists are paving the way. By repurposing existing methodologies for novel applications and developing entirely new techniques, research led by early career scientists is driving change. Our hope is that this will offer an independent voice to early career researchers, stimulate and foster a network of these scientists, and further encourage multi-disciplinary research in the diverse field of geoenergy.

The collection is offering opportunities for PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, academic tenure track researchers (assistant professors, or equivalent occupying the position for less than eight years), and early career scientists in the industry sector (less than 10 years of experience), to submit novel research papers in the broad field of sustainable geoenergy. The thematic collection follows the scope of Geoenergy, hence we encourage submissions of geoscience articles with applications in geothermal energy, energy storage, hydrogen exploration, critical minerals and raw materials, CO2 sequestration and sustainability.

Besides the targeted group of scientists, the uniqueness of the proposed collection lies in the promotion of the scientific independence of early career researchers and hence their willingness to develop out-of-the-box fundamental and

this thematic collection suggest limiting the number of experienced co-authors to one professor and/or one associate professor (or equivalent).

We will give publication priority to original ideas developed by multi-disciplinary teams of early career researchers, which may also involve master’s or undergraduate students.

Submission

Expressions of interest to publish should be sent to the Geoenergy Editorial Office (geoenergy@geolsoc.org.uk) no later than 30 November 2024.

Please include the following information: title, list of authors, abstract, commitment to transform this intention of publishing into a paper. Authors of accepted intentions will then be invited to submit a full manuscript within six months, which

EAGE Student Calendar

will enter a standard peer review process (note that invitations to submit do not guarantee acceptance after peer review). We expect the full thematic collection to be complete by the end of 2025.

Guest editors for this special issue are Pierre-Olivier Bruna, TU Delft, Netherlands; Sian Evans, University of Oslo, Norway; and Guofeng Song, TU Delft, Netherlands.

Following publication, the guest editors are also motivated to organise a special workshop on this thematic collection, which would be preliminarily scheduled for 2026. For any queries please contact the Geoenergy Editorial Office.

Full details on this thematic collection

Enrich research in the diverse field of geoenergy led by early career scientists. (image credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay).

Near Surface Geoscience 2024 is nearly here

Just one month before the EAGE Near Surface Geoscience Conference and Exhibition 2024 takes place on 8-12 September in Helsinki. This event stands out as a premier gathering in the world for the near-surface geoscience community featuring the 30th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics (see accompanying article), the 5th Conference on Geophysics for Mineral Exploration and Mining, and the 4th Conference on Airborne, Drone, and Robotic Geophysics.

NSG2024 presents a rich technical programme with over 35 sessions across three parallel meetings, exploring a broad spectrum of geophysical topics including discussions on climate change impacts, geothermal energy, CO2 storage, and advanced monitoring for nuclear waste. Sessions will also cover geohazard studies, engineering geology, and the role of geophysics in achieving sustainable development goals. Special features include the latest in airborne, drone, and robotic geophysics, as well as new advances in rock physics and mineral exploration.

In the exhibition area you can expect a hub of activity, featuring more than 30 leading companies from around the world. Those attending will have the opportunity to engage first-hand with technologies and services aiming to further understanding

of the near surface. From state-of-the-art equipment to innovative software solutions, the exhibition will be a key resource for anyone looking to stay abreast of advancements in the field.

NSG2024 also offers specialised workshops Digital Outcrop Modelling, the Transient Electromagnetic Method, and Hard Rock Physics providing participants with hands-on experience and insights into integrating these methods into their own work, bridging the gap between theory and application.

An extra benefit of the event are the great field trips on offer, such as the Geowalk in the World Heritage site of Suomenlinna, the exploration of Salpausselkä Geopark, and the Tytyri Mine Experience. These trips are more than just educational - they are immersive experiences that highlight the geological splendour of Finland and provide contextual understanding that enhances the conference’s learning opportunities.

If you’re keen to explore the realm of near-surface geoscience, don’t miss NSG2024 in Helsinki. This year, we are excited to introduce the All Access Pass for the first time. To learn more about the conference, review all available pass options, and register, visit www.eagensg.org. Make sure to secure your spot by the regular registration deadline on 20 August.

Celebrating 30 years of near surface geoscience innovation

The European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics at NSG2024 will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in Helsinki, celebrating three decades of innovation and fostering a global conversation on geophysical methods crucial for addressing environmental and engineering challenges.

NSG conferences have expanded to cover a wide range of geoscience topics, including environmental studies, archaeology, engineering, and mining, with investigation depths from 10 cm to 1000 m. New specialised conferences were introduced alongside the main event to attract diverse participants, starting successfully in Athens in 2014. These additions boosted EAGE member engagement and delegate participation, with notable success in shallow marine geophysics, MASW workshops, and near-surface seismic.

George Apostolopoulos , former NSG Division chair (20182020), said: ‘From its inception, the Near Surface Geoscience Division, now Circle, has benefited from the integration of EEGS and EAGE experiences, facilitating substantial growth in applied geophysics outside the traditional oil and gas sectors. This strategic integration has not only broadened the conference’s scope but also enriched its impact, paving the way for the initiation of specialised forums.

Alireza Malehmir, NSG Division chair from 2020 to 2022, pointed to the tangible impacts of the event’s broadened focus. ‘The shallow subsurface retains a vast history of what has happened above and below, offering insights into water and mineral searches and the study of active tectonics.’ His engagement with the field began through studies on quick-clay land-

slides, a journey that showcases how near-surface geophysics directly benefits the understanding and mitigation of geohazards.

Andi A. Pfaffhuber, the current NSG Circle chair, referred to changing dynamics within the geophysics community. ‘Traditionally, non-energy geophysics did not attract the same level of attention or resources as those in oil, gas, or mineral exploration. However, the recent shift towards sustainable energy exploration is merging these previously distinct areas.’

The EAGE NSG conferences continue to improve and expand. Although autonomous, they align with EAGE’s broader goals of energy diversity, green environment, mineral exploration, climate change mitigation, water resources management, and coastal engineering activities.

JOIN US!

• Hands-on Workshops

35+ Technical Programme Sessions

30+ Exhibitors

Dedicated Student Activities

• Special Talks

• Exciting Field Trips

“The shallow subsurface retains a vast history of what has happened above and below, offering insights into water and mineral searches and the study of active tectonics.”

- Alireza Malehmir

NSG Division Chair (2020-2022)

- George Apostolopoulos

NSG Division Chair (2018-2020)

- Esther Bloem

NSG Circle Chair (2022-2024)

“The field of Near Surface Geoscience is diverse, but the geoscientists and engineers working in this field share the same curiosity, trying to understand and predict subsurface processes in relation to human activities.”

“From its inception, the Near Surface Geoscience Division-Circle has benefited greatly from the integration of EEGS and EAGE experiences, facilitating substantial growth in applied geophysics outside the traditional oil and gas sectors.”

Find out more

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN HELSINKI

Sven Treitel (1929-2024)

Sven Treitel, one of the most significant geophysicists of his generation, died in April aged 95. He made enormous contributions to signal processing, finite-difference modelling, geophysical inverse theory and more. To those lucky enough to have worked with Treitel, his personal legacy is even more notable. He was that rare individual whose grace, wisdom and sense of fun touched practically everyone he met.

For three decades Treitel was the guiding spirit of geophysics at the Amoco Research Lab, having joined Pan American Petroleum Research Centre in Tulsa in 1960 before it was renamed by Amoco. He kept the same office until his retirement in the mid-1990s.

He was instrumental in bringing in talented scientists and creating a true research atmosphere – partly pure research, but also industrial research producing results useful in oil and gas exploration. Treitel did not accomplish this all by himself. The head of the Lab and the head of geophysical research were co-conspirators; to their credit, they made heavy use of his guidance. He also earned the respect of senior levels at Amoco management, not always fully reciprocated. He sometimes jokingly referred to the Lab’s large satellite dish as a monitoring instrument for signs of intelligence in upper management.

Treitel is probably best known as one of the early developers of digital signal processing. An entire generation of geophysicists learned from the Robinson-Treitel Reader, written with his fellow Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduate Enders Robinson. The book introduced a broad audience to the possibilities of digital data analysis in geophysical applications.

One of his most important papers was Predictive Deconvolution: Theory and Practice by K. L. Peacock and Sven Treitel, published in Geophysics in 1969. The method described in the paper was immediately adopted by the industry for routine processing of seismic data and was sometimes known as ‘gap decon-

volution’. Given its significance, Treitel years later admitted to a colleague that he was surprised at getting permission from Amoco to publish. His self-deprecating theory was that the examples in the paper weren’t that impressive, so management did not really appreciate its importance.

Treitel was wont to say he experienced three dictatorships in his life before the age of 30. Born in Freiburg, Germany, in 1929 to a Jewish family, he moved with his parents to Spain in the mid-1930s to escape the Nazi oppression, finally settling in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduating from Lincoln School (the American International School of Buenos Aires), he worked for a year to earn his fare to the United States, and then enrolled as a college student at MIT. In 1958, he completed his PhD in geophysics while working with research colleagues inspired by mathematics professor Norbert Wiener. According to an MIT account, they theorised that a computer could process seismograms more accurately than grad students with magnifying glasses. To prove it, at night they employed MIT’s Whirlwind Computer, which the US Air Force commandeered during the day, until the sponsors closed the project down in 1957.

His first job, with Chevron, took him to Cuba until the Castro revolution in 1959. On learning that he spoke Spanish (he was also fluent in English, German,

French, Hebrew and Yiddish) the new regime offered him a post, which he declined. This led to his return to the US with his wife Renata, and the start of his long and distinguished career with Amoco.

During his lifetime, Treitel received numerous awards. From SEG, he was a four-time winner of the Best Paper in Geophysics, recipient of the Reginald Fessenden Award (1969), Honorary Membership (1983), and the society’s highest honour, the Maurice Ewing Medal, (1989). EAGE recognised his achievements with the Conrad Schlumberger Award in 1969 and Desiderius Erasmus Award in 2007, in combination with Honorary Membership. The German government’s Alexander von Humboldt Prize allowed him to spend a year as a Visiting Scholar at the Geophysical Institute in Karlsruhe. After its discovery in 2001, asteroid 54820 Svenders was named in honour of Sven Treitel and Enders Robinson, so they could continue their storied collaboration indefinitely in the heavens. In 2012 Treitel received the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal from the American Geosciences Institute.

Upon his retirement in 1994, a twoday ‘SvenFest’ symposium with speakers from all over the world, was held in his honour. In 2024, he was nominated to the US National Academy of Engineering.

Treitel remained active with SEG very late in life. For example, in 2022 he participated in the SEG initiative to help Ukrainian geophysicists and students who suffered after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Treitel is survived by his wife, Renata, his children, Geoffrey and Corinna, his granddaughter, Isabella, and his sonin-law, Krister.

Remembered by Joseph Dellinger, John Etgen, Sergey Fomel, Samuel Gray, Peter Hubral, Evgeny Landa, KurtMarfurt, Tijmen Jan Moser, Leon Thomsen, Ilya Tsvankin and Anton Ziolkowski, with additional material from SEG sources, gratefully acknowledged.

Sven Treitel (5 March 1929 – 8 April 2024).

Challenge ahead for our Critical Minerals Technical Community

Anna Lim, Pierre Josso, Chris Nind, Aline Melo, and Ebbe Hartz explain

the role of EAGE’s

recently created Critical Minerals Technical Commmunity.

The new Critical Minerals Technical Community (CMTC) is committed to a multi-disciplinary approach to advance the collective understanding of mining, past and present, and contribute to a better future. We intend to leverage diverse expertise in forging and disseminating new ideas and solutions that balance economic, environmental, and social interests with the goal of promoting sustainable mineral resource management. This means analysis of the current space of knowledge and ideas, proactive stakeholder engagement, and targeted communication efforts.

Mineral resources are indispensable to modern economies and are integral to the global push towards mass deployment of technologies capable of harnessing renewable sources of energy. However, the development of these resources often involves complex interactions between various stakeholders including scientists, industries, policymakers, and the public. We believe that enhancing collaboration across these groups can drive a more balanced and grounded understanding of minerals and their role in our society, which in turn can lead to effective, and sustainable mineral resource management.

Perspectives and misconceptions

We need to challenge entrenched practices and misconceptions, for example the belief that economic development is invariably at odds with environmental conservation. By fostering a culture that values and seeks out varied viewpoints, stakeholders can discover innovative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.

Inclusive discussions require a proactive approach to include under-represented groups thereby ensuring that all stakeholder interests are considered. This not only enriches the dialogue but also strengthens the decision-making processes, making them more robust against biases and oversights.

Bridging disciplines

The complexity of modern mineral resource development transcends traditional boundaries. While geology, geophysics, and geochemistry are fundamental for understanding minerals, integrating fields like materials science and biology can provide insights into the environmental impacts, for instance, biotechnological opportunities in mining. Moreover, reaching outside of natural sciences, for example, incorporating economic and history considerations, ensures that decisions are not only economically viable but take account of past lessons and societal trends.

This expansive multi-disciplinary approach should not be seen as complicating the process. By challenging and examining the conventional wisdom and embracing a broader and more dynamic perspective, stakeholders can uncover innovative solutions that respect both the environment and economic realities. The goal is to forge pathways that are not only technically feasible but also socially and economically strategic, ensuring that mineral resource development is sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Communication

Effective communication of scientific facts and theories is essential to public understanding and acceptance of mineral resource projects. Strategies need to be developed to communicate complex scientific ideas in accessible language that can engage and educate a non-specialist audience, thereby bridging the gap between scientific research and public knowledge.

Public perception gaps

The public often perceives the push for renewable energy as a purely ‘green shift’, overlooking the role of mining and mineral

The EAGE Technical Community on Critical Minerals led a conversation on raw materials criticali assessment at the EAGE Annual in Oslo.

resources in enabling this transition. It is imperative to address these perception gaps by highlighting how responsible mineral development is crucial to sustainable energy initiatives. For the mining industry itself, filling this gap is essential in providing an acceptable pathway to deposit development. Engagement with the public, landowners and local communities should be an integral part of the exploration phase, in other words, co-design of the project opportunities rather than a fait-accompli once a mineral deposit has been found and an economic assessment developed.

The biggest challenge continues to be gaining public acceptance of new projects rather than the finding of new viable

resources. In the national push for security of supplies heavy industries such as mining are coming in contact with frontier environments and communities that have not experienced such exposure in generations. Breaking the legacy of poor mine management is therefore essential to achieve the scale of development required by the energy transition.

In this era of information overload and misinformation, it is crucial to consolidate and disseminate accurate, objective facts about mineral resource development. Researching, verifying, and sharing scientifically reviewed information will be vital in informing public debates and policy-making, something to which our Technical Community can contribute.

Caribbean energy opportunities in the spotlight

EAGE’s inaugural Caribbean Energy Opportunities Conference on 6-8 November 2024 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago will highlight the dynamic and complex energy landscape of the Caribbean region. It is intended to be a central gathering for industry professionals and academics alike to focus on the unique geological and tectonic characteristics that define the Caribbean and the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

Participants will explore a range of issues including prospectivity in complex geological environments, frontier exploration areas and the region’s increasingly productive E&P history. Complex exploration in foreland basins, carbonate reservoirs and hydrocarbon-rich turbidite reservoirs, all of which are essential to understanding the petroleum potential of these areas, will be discussed.

A highlight of the conference will be the in-depth basin analysis sessions. Experts will present research on basin modelling, source-to-sink dynamics and geochemical studies, providing insights into the petroleum systems of the Caribbean and northern South Atlantic basins. Part of this will be the importance of Cretaceous-Cenozoic source rocks, which are critical to future exploration and production efforts.

The conference will also address the role of energy transition in the region, exploring the synergies and potential of geothermal energy in the Caribbean and the Guyana-Suriname Basin. This focus underlines the conference’s commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative energy solutions for the future.

We invite researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders to join us in this wide-ranging dialogue and shaping the future of energy in the Caribbean. Secure your registration by 30 September to take advantage from the discounted fee.

The EAGE Student Fund supports student activities that help students bridge the gap between university and professional environments. This is only possible with the support from the EAGE community. If you want to support the next generation of geoscientists and engineers, go to donate.eagestudentfund.org or simply scan the QR code. Many thanks for your donation in advance!

Caribbean tectonic map.

Jack wouldn’t trade his life of geoscience Personal Record Interview

Ian Jack refers to himself as ‘mostly retired’ after an eventful and influential career with seismic contractor GSI and as a technology adviser at bp. His visionary advocacy of 4D seismic was topic of the first SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course (DISC). Ever the adventurer, student years included a trip with friends to Turkey on a double decker bus.

Ian Jack

Post-war upbringing

My father was killed in the 1939-45 war so my brother and I were brought up in Scotland in somewhat straitened circumstances during our early years. However, this made us independent and our schooling was assisted by scholarships thanks to funds set up through the generosity of former pupils.

University to seismic company

I was interested in audio technology and electronics, and while at school and university I built things like amplifiers (valves/ tubes of course at that time!) and progressed to a helium-neon laser and into holograms which was exciting. I enjoyed travel, and in my last year at university I purchased a double-decker bus and drove it to Turkey and the Balkans with some friends which was quite eventful. I graduated in physics and had a job offer from the BBC but also one from the seismic contractor GSI which paid much more, looked interesting, and so in 1968 I was an instrument engineer on a land seismic crew in the Middle East.

Learning on the job

The seismic method was interesting and was developing fast so it was quite a stimulating technological environment. One of the visitors to the crew had brought a copy of Geophysics and I was drawn to the 1964 paper by Robinson and Treitel. This led me to manoeuvre myself into seismic data processing and analysis which for GSI Middle East was in Beirut. I always find it embarrassing to be in a country without much knowledge of the language, so I enrolled in night school

for Arabic lessons for several semesters. Then I was sent off to Dallas to be part of a team working on GSI’s new processing and analysis system. There I enjoyed a desk adjacent to a fantastic young lady (Eleanor, my wife to be) who had joined the company the week after me. We moved with the first production computer to Holland, and of course the two of us attended night school to learn Dutch. However, the days of mainframe computers were numbered as emerging supercomputers could be anywhere. We moved to England where GSI was establishing itself in Bedford, and the mainframe was relocated to Austin, Texas.

Transfer to bp

BP advertised. It looked attractive. I liked the people who interviewed me, I thought the job was a good match, and they processed my application in just a few days. I also interviewed with BNOC in Glasgow who seemed to be in a complete shambles.

Highlights of your career

Marriage and children. I’ve had a fantastic time in geophysics with experience at the sharp end, in data processing, software development, and in R&D management. My year as the inaugural SEG DISC instructor was ‘full on’ as I had to do it plus my own job at bp, but very rewarding. I presented the course in about 25 locations worldwide, some twice. Being elected a vice-president of the SEG gave me a useful perspective on a professional society. At bp I became its inaugural ‘distinguished adviser’ and manoeuvred myself into the

Reservoir Engineering department, able to influence the integration of the geoscience disciplines and work with contractors to develop technologies the industry needed.

Technology vision realised?

Mostly. I pushed for improved land seismic cost/efficiency, adoption of 4D seismic, and integration of disciplines. In my study I have a Stryde node weighing 150 gm that can be deployed cheaply and efficiently by the thousand. 4D is now routinely adopted and old discipline silos have been largely swept away by modern asset team structure. Land seismic is still challenged by the very low frequencies. Ocean bottom seismic was another of my favourite subjects. At the EAGE Annual in Oslo I was impressed by the number of nodes on display.

Communication skills

These probably developed out of my year as DISC instructor. It was important to communicate the value of 4D to the senior managers and accountants.

Future for geoscientists?

We will need geoscience graduates for all sorts of reasons and over many disciplines. But universities are struggling to attract students without mentioning oil and gas exploration.

You are ‘mostly retired’

This means enjoying watching the industry change, progress and adapt. And meeting the very many friends I’ve made in the business over 56 years, and making new ones.

15

1 October 2024 23rd European IOR+ Symposium

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First EAGE Workshop on the Triassic and Jurassic Plays in Northwest Europe

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CROSSTALK

BY ANDREW M c BARNET

BUSINESS

Showing what geoscience can do

The energy and enthusiasm witnessed at our Annual Conference & Exhibition in Oslo could leave no doubt that meeting the challenge of energy transition was the main preoccupation and conversation point for participants. Few panels or technical presentations went without the issue of sustainability being raised in some form.

For EAGE as an organisation this has to be welcome vindication of its decision some years ago to promote the society as a leader in steering the geoscience and engineering community towards finding and realising solutions to the world’s climate change crisis. Yet the contradictions and frustrations of this mission were as evident as ever for anyone who cared to take a step back.

Commendable excitement generated at our society gatherings by what geoscience technology can contribute to moving the energy transition forward has to confront a stubborn reality.

We have to be honest with ourselves. Progress is still painfully slow, while the scope of geoscience disciplines equipped to contribute to the energy transition era is still unclear. This is not as unnerving as it may seem because – like it or not – anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that the oil and gas industry is set to be a major source of energy for decades to come. In other words adapting to new energy scenarios is not going to change the outlook for geoscientists overnight. What was remarkable about listening to the views of the young professionals featured in the Opening Day panel session at the Annual was how sanguine they all were about future energy scenarios, and not in the least worried about their career prospects.

money. Where companies choose to invest will determine the opportunities, hopefully through research and development that is something that geoscientists can influence. Also, before long, we may see governments taking a much firmer hand on the direction of climate change mitigation.

‘A highly appropriate topic for the Oslo meeting’

Our Annual in Oslo was probably as good an indication as any of the current technology focus in geoscience. A rough guide by the numbers shows that out of nearly 150 oral and poster sessions at the Annual this year, E&P oil and gas unsurprisingly continues to be the main focus. Fifteen were actually labelled Energy Transition, additionally, nine of the 13 Dedicated Sessions focused on a theme related to energy transition aspirations. Easily the most prominent topic in the energy transition discussions was carbon capture and storage (CCS), followed by geothermal with hydrogen, critical minerals and offshore wind receiving some attention along with decarbonisation issues (which were doubtless referred to in much of the Technical Programme). Short courses at the event also covered CCS, geothermal and deepsea mining indicating a need for education on developments in these fields. Highlighting CCS makes perfect sense because the expertise needed comes straight out of the oil and gas E&P playbook involving geological investigation, seismic surveying and monitoring techniques.

The tricky question for the geoscience community is to identify exactly where its expertise can best be employed to further the energy transition. The answer to that is not obvious. For a start too many technologies are still nascent, and their geoscientific component, if any, is still to be determined. More pragmatically, it will probably be a matter of following the

CCS was also a highly appropriate topic for the Oslo meeting given Norway’s pioneering role in trying to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. The discussion in the Strategic Programme on ‘Transformation from O&G province to broader energy super basin’ provided a great insight into government and industry forward thinking on what can be done in the energy transition area. The vital ingredients for such an energy hub are energy security guaranteed by plentiful oil and gas, emphasis on low carbon production enabled by ‘co-located’ access to renewable energy plus the possibility of CCS at scale. Norway has all these requirements – huge oil and gas reserves,

electrification of offshore installations powered by the country’s hydro and offshore wind power, and capacity for plentiful CO2 storage offshore.

Similar conditions exist in a number of other oil and gas provinces around the world, but Norway is the first nation to explicitly target an energy super basin with the UK following in its footsteps in all but name. In both cases the respective governments are pressing the case for renewable sources of energy and CCS deployment offshore, and it may be that to maximise the benefits of a super basin, government support and regulation (such as planned licensing sites) are going to be essential.

You have to assume that there is something in this for the oil and gas (energy) industry to stray outside its traditional E&P business model to pursue energy-related projects yielding a much smaller return on investment. It may be a misreading, but you could get the impression that companies were a little fuzzy on this score. Phillipe Mathieu, the senior executive who represented Equinor in the Opening session ‘fireside chat’, made it clear that the company’s energy transition initiatives were not ‘philanthropic’, i.e., were intended to provide a reasonable return as they gain traction. The energy super basin panellists concurred that integrating all the elements involved was a good economic proposition (not defined in detail), but also agreed that it had to be done, which bore something of a moral responsibility rather than a commercial vibe.

be removed from the atmosphere by mid-century if the world is to meet the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target. That is a big ask and CCS may not be the favoured option. On the plus side, according to a Wood Mackenzie estimate, planned global CCS capacity at the end of Q1 2024 stood at 1.5 billion tonnes, 50% of which is in the early stage of devlopment.

‘CCS initiatives need to be put into perspective’

In its 4th New Technologies Outlook Wood Mackenzie ranks technologies likely to make a low carbon impact. CCS is reported to be making steady progress with support from Big Oil. The analysis ordered 243 technologies across ten transition themes at various stages of development scored on six metrics: maturity, pace of change, cost of carbon abatement, carbon offset potential, policy support and dependency (the potential for other nascent technologies to piggy-back). Topping the rankings with technologies already disrupting the market are identified as transport (passenger and light commercial electric vehicles, electric buses and fast charging infrastructure); power generation from fixed offshore wind, and the crystalline silicon p-type cells (as well as the newer n-type) set to underpin solar’s future dominance. The value of lithium-ion batteries for short duration energy storage is also a contender.

So far Norway earns full marks for its vision and the support it has received from the energy industry. It is hard not to be impressed by the Northern Lights project as the first ever cross-border, open-source CO2 transport and storage infrastructure network. Heavy industry across Europe will be able to store their CO2 safely 2500 m under the seabed at the Aurora storage complex offshore Norway. Captured CO2 will be shipped to the onshore Øygarden receiving terminal, western Norway before transport to its subsea destination. Final commissioning of Phase One of the project is due any time now with a planned capacity of up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year with the hope of adding a further 3.5 million tonnes depending on market demand.

Northern Lights is a partnership between Equinor, Shell and Total, and is a key component of Longship, the Norwegian Government’s full-scale CCS project, with the hope of capturing and storing a possible 0.8 Mtpa of C02 by 2024 from a cement factory in Brevik and the Fortum Oslo Varme waste-to-energy district heating facility in Oslo (depending on funding). The Longship project boasts close cooperation between Gassnova, the state enterprise for CCS, and industrial partners.

Excitement surrounding Norwegian measures and indeed the pipeline of CCS initiatives around the world need to be put into perspective. They are a start, but a 2024 State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report co-led by researchers at the University of Oxford found that around 7-9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year will need to

More salutary is what this all means in the context of energy transition. Recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates investment in ‘clean energy’ by both governments and private industry reached more than $1.7 trillion in 2023. This included spending not just the $659 billion on renewable power (wind, solar, etc.) but also electric vehicles, battery storage, nuclear, carbon capture and more. More generally governments and industry worldwide from 2015 to 2023 have spent $11.7 trillion (inflation-adjusted) on clean energy. This is basically the equivalent of all the goods and services produced in Germany, Japan and the UK combined in 2023, according to the Fraser Institute, a Canadian research organisation, which asks what was the return on investment.

One answer comes from the recently published Statistical Review of World Energy, previously a bp publication now published by the Energy Institute. It states that 2023 was a second consecutive record year for global primary energy consumption as it grew 2%, reaching 620 exajoules (EJ). Its growth rate was 0.6% above its ten-year average and over 5% above its 2019 pre-Covid level. Whilst a new record in the consumption of fossil fuels (in absolute terms) was recorded, in 2023 it fell to 81.5% compared to almost 81.9% in 2022. With demand for natural gas, a relatively low carbon-intensive fossil fuel, remaining flat, the increased use of more carbon-intensive oil and coal meant that energy-related greenhouse gas emissions also reached a record high, exceeding 40 GtCO2e for the very first time.

No escaping the feeling that we continue to live in the parallel universes of the constantly challenging shift to energy transition and our relentless consumption of fossil fuels.

Views expressed in Crosstalk are solely those of the author, who can be contacted at andrew@andrewmcbarnet.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Net zero by 2050 looks increasingly unlikely warns bp in Energy Outlook

The Paris climate agreement of limiting global temperature rises to below 2 centigrade will be difficult to achieve because of growing emissions and poor energy efficiency, says bp in its 2024 Energy Outlook.

reduce emissions on a rapid and sustained basis, the greater the risk of a costly and disruptive adjustment pathway later,’ says the report. ‘Government ambitions and provisions in support of the energy transition have grown in recent years, but further

The energy giant said that carbon emissions have grown by 0.8% a year for the past four years (2019-2023). If emissions were maintained at close to recent levels the carbon budget estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit global temperature rises to 2% would be exhausted by the early 2040s.

‘The carbon budget is running out. The longer the delay in taking decisive action to

global policy action is needed to achieve a Paris-consistent pathway.’

The target has been further undermined because progress on improving energy efficiency has been ‘disappointing’, improving at around a quarter of the rate currently being targeted by global leaders, said bp.

Energy efficiency, measured as the amount of energy used per unit of

economic activity, has improved by an annual average of just over 1 per cent over the past four years, BP estimates, slower than the previous decade and much weaker than the 4% annual rate targeted in the energy efficiency pledge at the last United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP.

Investment in low carbon energy has risen by 50% since 2019, rising to $1.9 trillion in 2023, although investment has lagged in emerging markets because of the cost of financing. ‘The energy additions from low carbon sources have not, however, been sufficient to meet the growth in energy demand, meaning the use of fossil fuels has risen’. However, bp predicts that energy efficiency will improve under both its Current Trajectory and Net zero scenario, increasing by an average of 2.1% and 3.4%, respectively, which would also be better than a typical rate of 1.6% over the past 25 years. This will be driven by significant global increases in wind and solar power generation.

Fossil fuel consumption reached a new high in 2023, driven by primarily by rising oil consumption. Oil demand has been 0.5 million barrels a day higher since 2019, driven by demand from emerging economies. Demand in developed economies is 2 million barrels a day lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic and

Sercel sells software to ExxonMobil

enters OBN market

Searcher starts survey offshore Brazil

bp said that oil demand would remain high for the next 10 to 15 years.

5.5 million barrels a day below its historic peak in 2005.

Oil and gas investment totalled $550 billion in 2023, ‘Although upstream investment remains below its peak in the early 2010s, production has continued to grow steadily, supported by improving productivity of investment,’ says the report.

‘Oil demand declines over the outlook but continues to play a significant role in the global energy system for the next 10-15 years. This requires continuing investment in upstream oil (and natural gas).’

Under BP’s current trajectory, carbon emissions will peak around the middle of this decade but decline by only 25% by 2050. Under the Net Zero scenario CO2 emissions would decline by around 95% by 2050.

‘The single biggest element accounting for the faster transition pathway in Net Zero is the quicker and more comprehensive decarbonisation of the global power system. The average carbon intensity of global power falls by a little over 60% over the first half of the outlook in Net Zero compared with a fall of a little over 35% in Current Trajectory. By 2050, the

TGS launches 3D onshore survey in the US

TGS is preparing a multi-client onshore 3D seismic survey on the western flank of the Appalachian Basin in the US, aligning with the most prospective trend of the Utica-Point Pleasant formation and Clinton sands.

The 206 km2 Birmingham 3D survey will target multiple exploration zones, including the Ordovician Trenton and Black River, Cambrian reservoirs, Ordovician Utica/Point Pleasant and Silurian Clinton sands. ‘This area is characterised by world-class source rocks in the Devonian Marcellus and Ordovician Utica formations,’ said TGS.

Birmingham sits just up-dip of the Point Pleasant-Utica condensate and light oil trend imaged by TGS’ Utica Merge 3D and will target the underexplored oil window of the Point Pleasant. Deep-rooted structures will be mapped, which are crucial for understanding hydrocarbon trapping, facies changes, basin heat flow and accurately landing horizontals, the company added.

TGS will leverage its data on 73,857 wells and 144,597 logs in the Ohio portion of the Appalachian Basin. Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS, said: ‘The Birmingham 3D survey represents a significant investment towards understanding the full potential of the Appalachian Basin. Alongside

our other supporting products in the region, such as our extensive well log library and interpretive products, we are confident this survey will provide valuable insights for our clients.’

The acquisition of Birmingham 3D is scheduled to commence in early Q4 2024. Preliminary products are expected to be available by Q1 2025, and final data by Q3 2025.

Meanwhile, TGS has released the Dynamic Matching FWI (DM FWI) volume for West Kermit 3D in the Delaware Basin. The final new data volumes include time reprocessing and a fully integrated depth model, featuring diving wave and reflection DM FWI.

The West Kermit 3D seismic survey spans 1054 km2 across Loving and Winkler Counties, Texas, and aids in evaluating and developing prolific multi-target Delaware Basin acreage. The FWI product enhances the structural image of the main reservoir zones, the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring intervals. TGS will provide imaging below the problematic dissolution fill zone and interpretation of the revised Rustler and Salado horizons. The enhanced image now shows visible depositional transitions from the Capitan Reef to the basin clastic deposits of the Delaware Mountain Group.

global power sector in aggregate in Net Zero is entirely decarbonised, whereas in Current Trajectory it reaches only the same reduction in emissions as achieved in Net Zero by the mid-2030s. This faster and more complete decarbonisation of the power sector accounts for between 40-45% of the difference between Current Trajectory and Net Zero over the outlook’.

The remaining differences between Current Trajectory and Net Zero can be accounted for by the different pace of the sectors in which energy is ultimately used – industry, transport, and buildings –reducing their carbon emissions.

Fugro wins wind site geodata contract offshore Japan

Fugro has won a site characterisation contract for a wind farm development off the coast of the Japanese cities of Murakami and Tainai, Niigate Prefecture, Japan.

The offshore wind farm off the country’s west coast will be developed by a consortium of RWE, Mitsui & Co. and Osaka Gas. Fugro’s Geo-data will contribute to the detailed design of future turbine foundations and cable routes.

The fieldwork started in May 2024 and is being performed from the Fugro jack-up platform, the Amberjack and two of Fugro’s vessels The Equator and The Mariner. All are equipped with Fugroowned geophysical, geotechnical and positioning systems, which will acquire geo-data to enable the detailed design of turbine foundations and cable routes.

Fugro vessel The Equator.

Sercel sells Marlin software to ExxonMobil

Sercel has sold its Marlin vessel monitoring and alert system to ExxonMobil to support its offshore operations in Guyana.

As part of the wider Sercel Marlin software suite for optimising offshore operations, the Marlin system represents ‘a significant advance in offshore operational safety’, claimed Sercel. The system is designed to protect floating production storage and offloading platforms (FPSOs)

and other high-value assets against a wide range of marine risks, even in the most challenging marine environments. The solution’s real-time monitoring and proactive intelligence capabilities deliver insights into vessel movements, operational parameters, and potential risks, enabling operators to make more informed decisions and enhance operational safety, said Sercel.

Meanwhile, Sercel has also sold and delivered its GPR300 ocean bottom nodal solution for $20 million. The solution will be deployed by a major customer on an upcoming seismic survey project in the North Sea.

Sercel GPR nodes feature the QuietSeis MEMS technology, which provides broadband signal sensing capability, fidelity, and ultra-quiet performance. ‘The GPR300 excels in shallow water depths down to 300 m and has a compact, lightweight design for easy manual handling and simplified deployment and retrieval,’ said Sercel.

Shearwater signs seismic research agreement with Petrobras

Shearwater GeoServices and Brazilian oil giant Petrobras have signed an agreement for joint development and execution of scientific research and technology innovation within seismic processing and acquisition focused on data quality, value and acquisition efficiency.

The five-year agreement comes in addition to previously announced co-operation between the two companies on Marine Vibroseis and Reveal software licensing. The deal establishes a governance platform supporting Petrobras’ and Shearwater’s joint effort to innovate technologies that improve insights to the subsurface and enhance data value, while also reducing the time, cost and environmental impact of seismic acquisition projects.

‘This co-operation seeks to bolster our engagement in geophysical R&D and innovation, thereby accelerating the

exploration and development of energy resources. By leveraging advanced technologies together, we aim to significantly enhance geophysical technologies and achieve superior operational efficiency, ultimately driving innovation and sustainability within the industry,’ said Roberta Mendes, general manager of R&D&I at Petrobras.

Company executives seal the deal.

Marlin software protects FPSOs.

BRIEFS

Based on preliminary reporting from operating units, TGS is expecting IFRS revenues for the second quarter of 2024 to be $224 million, compared to $206 million in Q2 2023. POC revenues are expected to be $215 million, compared to $241 million in Q2 2023.

Zanzibar has extended the deadline for bids for the country’s first licensing round for eight offshore oil and gas blocks. The deadline has been extended from September to December 2024 for interested parties to submit their proposals.

Deltic Energy has accepted one of the two licences that were provisionally awarded in Tranche 3 of the UK’s 33rd Offshore Licensing Round. Licence P2672 is located to the west of the West Sole gas field and covers blocks 47/5e, 47/10c and 48/6c and contains the Pharos and Teviot discoveries. Deltic’s preliminary evaluation suggests that the Pharos discovery and the Blackadder prospect are in fact a single Leman sandstone structure.

CNOOC has started production on the first ‘green design’ oilfield offshore China – Wushi 23-5 Oilfields Development Project. Located in the Beibu Gulf of the South China Sea, the project is expected to achieve a peak production of 18,100 barrels of light crude per day in 2026. It is the first oilfield in the South China Sea powered from shore. The project will realise full-process recovery and utilisation of the associated gas through integrated natural gas treatment.

Spanish energy company Repsol is reported to be in talks to merge its UK North Sea oil and gas business with private equity-backed NEO Energy. It would be the latest consolidation effort by companies that operate in the basin amid greater tax pressures. The company would have output of more than 110,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day, making it one of the largest producers in the UK North Sea.

EMGS enters OBN market with Barents Sea survey

EMGS has entered the ocean bottom node (OBN) market and is carrying out a fully pre-funded OBN seismic survey in the Barents Sea. The survey, in collaboration with Velocitas Geo Solutions, marks EMGS’ first venture into seismic node projects. The survey, set to commence in the third quarter of 2024, will be conducted using the vessel Atlantic Guardian and is expected to take two weeks to complete. The total contract value is $1 million.

‘EMGS aims to leverage this project to gain experience and evaluate the potential of incorporating seismic node services into its portfolio. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to diversify its offerings and enhance vessel utilisation,’ said a company statement.

Meanwhile, EMGS has entered into a $1.4 million prefunding agreement

related to a multi-client acquisition in the North Sea.

Finally, EMGS has entered into a prefunding agreement related to multi-client acquisition in the Barents Sea. The scope of the survey has not yet been defined but represents a minimum commitment of $2 million. The survey is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024.

PGS shoots 3D survey off Uruguay

PGS is acquiring a large 3D multi-client survey in Uruguay. The company, which became part of TGS on 1 July, is shooting a 3D GeoStreamer broadband seismic acquisition to enable a comprehensive assessment of the exploration potential offshore Uruguay.

The survey, covering both shallow and deepwater blocks, is poised to provide the industry with the subsurface insight necessary to unlock the hydrocarbon potential within the Cretaceous and Tertiary formations. The area has been attracting a lot of interest recently driven by significant

discoveries, such as Graff and Venus, in the Namibia Orange Basin, which is geologically very similar to its conjugate margin of Uruguay.

Offshore Uruguay offers extensive exploration opportunities, evidenced by the regional presence of oil seeps and slicks, gas chimneys, and bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), all of which indicate an active petroleum system, said PGS. Many of these geological plays remain untested, presenting substantial potential for future exploration and investment.

Meanwhile PGS is offering regional coverage and high-grade GeoStreamer 3D data offshore New Zealand after the country’s government removed the ban on offshore exploration that has been in place since 2018. PGS has regional coverage and high-grade GeoStreamer 3D data ready for evaluation.

The Taranaki Basin is the only producing petroleum basin in New Zealand. PGS completed a contiguous regional 3D data product in 2016, complemented by GeoStreamer 3D datasets for broadband insights with Taranaki South (2016) and Taranaki West (2017).

Vessel Atlantic Guardian.

Shallow and deepwater blocks are covered.

Companies bid to perform seismic studies offshore Guyana

Eight companies have submitted bids to conduct a 3D seismic survey of oil blocks offshore Guyana.

Last month, the South American country’s Ministry of Natural Resources extended a request for expressions of interest for a ‘reputable and experienced’ company to conduct 3D multi-client seismic surveys offshore Guyana.

According to the notice, Guyana is looking for companies process and interpret high-quality 3D seismic data to facilitate the exploration and potential development of hydrocarbon resources offshore Guyana, and to ensure that this data is available for effective evaluation during future bidding and licensing rounds.

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, vice-president of Guyana, said that seismic surveys were not performed before the previous licensing round in 2023. ‘We went out for the last auction without any 3D Seismic study, so we didn’t have much data for the areas. When you have less data, people don’t

put in great bids, because they don’t know what is there.

‘We are hoping that [for] all of the unallocated areas, we may have the 3D seismic studies. They do it, we don’t have to pay for it because it’s a very costly exercise, and they can share the data with us, and sell it to the clients,’ he added.

Last year’s auction concluded with 14 oil blocks on offer within the country’s shallow and deep-water areas. Eight blocks were shortlisted based on the bidders’ ability to meet the criteria of the expected work programme and the required financial commitments.

Companies awarded oil blocks included a female-owned Guyanese company, Sispro, which secured two blocks. Other blocks were awarded to Total Energies, Qatar Energy, Petronas, International Group Investment, Montego Energy, Liberty Petroleum Corporation, Cybele Energy, ExxonMobil, Hess New Ventures, CNOOC Petroleum and Delcorp.

There is a minimum signature bonus requirement of $10 million for shallow water and $20 million for deepwater blocks in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Dr Jagdeo said that negotiations are continuing, and agreements on the non-fiscal terms of the PSA are coming to a close. ‘We had some pushback on the non-fiscal elements – that they were too harsh, and that is what needs to be finalised,’ said Dr Jadego.

Viridien images basin in Algeria

Viridien has won a contract to carry out seismic imaging of a 3400 km2 high-density onshore data set currently being acquired over blocks B404a and B208 of the Berkine Basin in eastern Algeria.

Having been selected by Groupement Berkine – a joint venture between Sonatrach, Occidental Petroleum, and other international partners – Viridien will deliver subsurface insight and sharpen the resolution of the target area’s thin and faulted geology. A team of scientists at

Viridien’s advanced subsurface imaging centre in France will apply an advanced imaging workflow to the dataset, drawing on their experience of imaging similar large and ultra-dense land seismic surveys in the Middle East.

Peter Whiting, EVP, Geoscience, Viridien, said: ‘Our long track record in Algeria dates back to the 1950s. We have in-depth geological knowledge of the Hassi Messaoud Basin, and have recently successfully completed a series of reimaging projects in the country.’

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

ENERGY TRANSITION BRIEFS

Six companies have been offered exploration licences to store CO2 in four areas in the North Sea. They are: Aker BP, Equinor, Lime Petroleum, OMV, PGNiG, and Vår Energi. The authorities have reviewed applications from eight companies after announcing two areas in March 2024. ‘This is the highest number of offers that have been sent out simultaneously,’ said Hilde Braut, assistant director for new industries.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking ideas for environmental and socioeconomic studies to inform its decisions on potential offshore wind energy activities in the US territories.

SLB is collaborating with John Cockerill Hydrogen to create a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of pressurised alkaline electrolysers. The partnership will combine John Cockerill Hydrogen’s commercial portfolio of pressurised alkaline electrolysers and technology development expertise with SLB’s technology industrialisation expertise and global footprint.

The US Department of Interior has approved the Atlantic Shores South wind project consisting of two wind energy facilities — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2 — which are expected to generate up to 2800 megawatts of electricity. The project is approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. Atlantic Shores South proposed up to 200 total wind turbine generators and up to ten offshore substations with subsea transmission cables making landfall in Atlantic City. BOEM has approved construction of up to 195 wind turbine generators.

Wood has won a contract from Centrica Energy Storage (CES) to redevelop the UK’s Rough field in readiness for future hydrogen storage. The Rough reservoir, located in the Southern North Sea, has been used to store natural gas safely for more than 30 years and has the potential to provide over half of the UK’s hydrogen storage requirements.

Searcher Seismic starts 3D survey offshore Brazil

Searcher Seismic has started acquiring the MC3D survey in the Pelotas Basin, offshore Brazil.

The 12,000 km2 3D survey will be acquired over two phases in 2024 and early 2025. The survey is being conducted by its partner Shearwater GeoServices and represents the fifth multi-client 3D survey project for the joint venture and the sixth by Searcher over the Atlantic Conjugate Margin.

The acquisition area covers a ‘significant amount’ of open acreage which is expected to be available in the 5th cycle of the Brazilian offshore Open Acreage Release and over existing acreage recently awarded in the 4th cycle of the same Open Acreage Release. The resulting data will aid explorers in understanding the geological setting of the Pelotas Basin and reveal the relationship between the conjugate margin pairs of the Pelotas Basin and the Orange Basin in Namibia and South Africa, which is increasingly being recognised as an emerging super basin of global interest and significance.

‘It is great to be kicking off exploration in the least explored tertiary-cretaceous

delta on earth, the Pelotas Basin,’ said Alan Hopping, Searcher managing director. ‘The shear size of our survey, acquiring such a large amount of open acreage in such an unexplored area is really exciting and we are driven by the possibilities that this survey will open up for further exploration opportunities in the near future.’

PostSTM Fast Track Stacks are expected to be available in Q3 2024 and preSDM Stacks will be available in Q3 2025.

National Geothermal Centre is launched in the UK

The UK National Geothermal Centre (NGC) has been launched to accelerate the UK geothermal sector.

The centre, a joint venture of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Durham University, SHIFT Geothermal, and the Reece Foundation, will support research as well as help to create a policy, regulation and investment framework.

It will drive collaboration between government, industry, and academia, championing the integration of geothermal energy into the future renewable energy mix, as a low carbon option for heating homes and industries, and power generation.

The geothermal sector has the potential to meet 10GW of the UK’s heating demand and 1.5GW of electricity demand by 2050, the centre said in a statement. Geothermal

expansion could create 50,000 jobs and result in an annual reduction of 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, it added.

Anne Murrell, a director of the NGC, said: ‘Geothermal energy is an inexhaustible source of clean heat and power beneath our feet. The new UK National Geothermal Centre will work to unearth geothermal energy. With its expert stakeholders from industry, academia, finance and government, the NGC will expand geothermal development, at speed and at scale.’

Dr Charlotte Adams, another director of the NGC, said: ‘There is growing interest in UK geothermal and significant progress has been achieved in recent years. The timing is perfect. The National Geothermal Centre will shape and accelerate our growing geothermal sector through collaborative cross-sector working.’

Some 12,000 km2 of 3D data will be acquired.

TGS to begin wind ocean measurement campaign off US west coast

TGS is launching an offshore wind and metocean measurement campaign in Morro Bay, off the US West Coast.

The campaign will enhance understanding of offshore conditions across three wind energy lease areas in Morro Bay by calibrating TGS proprietary wind models with observational data. This three-year deployment in an area with an average depth of 1000 m will be the first by TGS on the US West Coast and will add to its library of wind and metocean data collected on the US East Coast, Norway and Germany.

The data gathered will offer insights throughout the floating wind farm development lifecycle. This includes environmental impact assessments and technical decisions such as turbine selection, layout optimisation, foundation design, and operations and maintenance planning. Additionally, it will enable more accurate modelling of capital expenditures, operational expenditures, potential energy production, and grid requirements. High-quality ocean current measurements and tidal information collected over this period will be valuable for grid connection planning, while accurate atmospheric turbulence intensity observations will provide key inputs for wind farm energy yield.

Supplied by EOLOS, the buoy is equipped with advanced sensors designed to capture detailed measurements of wind, metocean, and environmental data. Key metrics include wind speed and direction at turbine hub height, wave heights, ocean current data across the full water column, and monitoring of birds, bats and fish. Data will be continuously streamed, quality-controlled,

and made available daily to customers via Wind AXIOM, TGS’ site evaluation and wind data analytics platform. Wind AXIOM enables wind developers and stakeholders to improve the quality and speed of their decision-making processes by identifying the most critical factors affecting the viability of offshore wind projects, said TGS.

Kristian Johansen, CEO of TGS, said, ‘We are excited to bring our solutions to California, where floating wind technology is gaining momentum. With our multi-client floating LiDAR campaign, we make high-quality wind and metocean data more accessible, enhancing investment and planning decisions and contributing to the success of US offshore wind development. This ninth LiDAR deployment within the last two years demonstrates our commitment and the multi-client model’s continued value to the offshore wind industry. It provides superior data earlier to developers worldwide, helping them reduce risk throughout the project lifecycle.’

This deployment is expected to be launched in Q3 2024.

Meanwhile, TGS has established a dedicated team in its office in Houston, Texas, to enhance the company’s 4C Offshore wind solution across the Atlantic and is recruiting ‘top talent’ in the region.

Subscribers to 4C Offshore can access hundreds of thousands of data points, including details on more than 32 offshore wind farms in 60 countries, specifications for nearly 300 wind turbine models, information on over 46,000 SL contracts, and an extensive database of offshore wind vessels and electricity interconnectors.

IEC commissions large 3D survey in Indonesia

Indonesia Energy Corporation’s (IEC) joint operation contract with Pertamina covering the Kruh Block has been extended by five years from May 2030 to September 2035. Credit: AntonKl/Shutterstock.

Indonesia Energy Corp has launched a 3D seismic survey at its 63,000-acre Kruh Block in Indonesia ahead of the drilling of production wells by the end of 2024.

IEC’s 3D seismic program will cover the Kruh, North Kruh and West Kruh Fields, focusing on existing proved reservoirs of the

Talangakar and Lemat formations, as well as the very large and promising shallow oil/ gas zones in the K-28 well discovered by IEC’s work in 2022.

The 3D seismic data will enable the identification of additional locations of proved undeveloped reserves and resources. This in turn will pave the way to prioritise the sequence of upcoming drilling locations as IEC recommences drilling operations at Kruh

IEC announced in September 2023 that its joint operation contract with Pertamina, the Indonesian state-owned oil and gas company, covering the Kruh Block, was extended by five years from May 2030 to September 2035. Kruh Block covers approximately 63,000 acres and is located onshore on the Island of South Sumatra in Indonesia.

The amended joint operation contract increases IEC’s after-tax profit split from the current 15% to 35%, for an increase of more than 100%.

Frank Ingriselli, IEC president, said: ‘We are very excited about the commencement of new seismic operations on our Kruh Block enhanced by the significant improvements in our economics from the 2023 contract extension with the Indonesian government. We continue to believe that Kruh Block is a worldclass asset and, in order to maximise future production capability, the seismic operations planned across the entire Kruh Block should positively leverage what we have learnt from our previous discoveries, including our 2022 gas discovery, and determine the best locations to restart our continuous drilling campaign.’

Special Topic

NEAR SURFACE GEO & MINING

Submit an article

This month we feature some of the papers that will be presented at the EAGE Near Surface Geoscience event in Helsinki on September 8-12.

Jaana Gustafsson et al tell the story of borehole GPR, give examples of applications and predict a bright future.

George Apostolpoulos et al present an integrated geophysical and geotechnical investigation to assess the geotechnical properties of the subsurface for better understanding the reservoir’s failure.

Hung Dinh et al demonstrate that high-frequency FWI can identify shallow anomalies and fault systems more effectively than standard imaging methods.

Nicoleta Enescu et al demonstrate how advancements in seismic imaging built around the 3D IP transform have impacted on the characterisation of fractured hardrock masses.

Suvi Heinonen et al provide an overview of hardrock seismic mineral exploration in Finland.

Hector R. Hinojosa et al demonstrate how combining near-surface seismic and electrical resistivity imaging with geotechnical drilling allowed a more proactive and rapid site assessment approach.

Alireza Malehmir et al present the Smart Exploration Research Centre in Sweden.

Gwenola Michaud et al present a study that aims to enhance understanding of structural behaviour under potential seismic loading conditions.

Irina Nizkous et al discuss data acquisition and lessons learnt during geophysical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) surveys in northern Canada.

Ignacio Valverde-Palacios et al present the joint analysis of multi-component data based on Rayleigh and Love waves to obtain 2D Vs sections for site characterisation.

Pauli J. Saksa depicts the baseline setting from one mine site and one monitoring line time-lapse result.

First Break Special Topics are covered by a mix of original articles dealing with case studies and the latest technology. Contributions to a Special Topic in First Break can be sent directly to the editorial office (firstbreak@eage.org). Submissions will be considered for publication by the editor.

It is also possible to submit a Technical Article to First Break. Technical Articles are subject to a peer review process and should be submitted via EAGE’s ScholarOne website: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/fb

You can find the First Break author guidelines online at www.firstbreak.org/guidelines.

Special Topic overview

January Land Seismic

February Digitalization / Machine Learning

March Reservoir Monitoring

April Underground Storage and Passive Seismic

May Global Exploration

June Technology and Talent for a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future

July Modelling / Interpretation

August Near Surface Geo & Mining

September Reservoir Engineering & Geoscience

October Energy Transition

November Marine Acquisition

December Data Management and Processing

More Special Topics may be added during the course of the year.

Photo courtesy of Alireza Malehmir

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

18-23 Aug Goldschmidt 2024 conf.goldschmidt.info/goldschmidt/2024/meetingapp.cgi

2-4 Sep Fourth EAGE Marine Acquisition Workshop www.eage.org

2-5 Sep ECMOR 2024 - European Conference on the Mathematics

www.ecmor.org

3-5 Sep SGI - SIMP Congress www.geoscienze.org/bari2024

30 th European Meeting of Environmental & Engineering Geophysics 5 th Conference on Geophysics for Mineral Exploration & Mining 4th Conference on Airborne, Drone & Robotic Geophysics

12-13 Sep First EAGE Workshop on The Role of AI in FWI www.eage.org

16-18 Sep Eighth EAGE High Performance Computing Workshop www.eage.org

17-19 Sep Fourth EAGE Conference on Pre-Salt Reservoir www.eage.org

October 2024

1-4 Oct 18 th SAGA Biennial Conference & Exhibition www.sagaconference.co.za

3-4 Oct Third EAGE Workshop on EOR www.eage.org

3-5 Oct 59 th CEEC Event www.ceecsg.org

6-8 Oct EAGE Workshop on Naturally Fractured Rocks (NFR) www.eage.org

7-9 Oct GeoTerrace 2024 - International Conference of Young Professionals www.eage.org

14-16 Oct Third EAGE Conference on Seismic Inversion www.seismicinversion.org

15-16 Oct EAGE Conference on Energy Excellence: Digital Twins and Predictive Analytics www.eage.org

16-17 Oct Third EAGE Workshop on Advanced Seismic Solutions in the Gulf of Mexico www.eage.org

21-24 Oct GEO 4.0: Digitalization in Geoscience Symposium www.eage.org

29-30 Oct EAGE Workshop on Borehole Technologies - Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Energy www.eage.org

November 2024

3-7 Nov 15 th General Assembly of Asian Seismological Commission www.asc2024.org

Oman

Khobar Saudi Arabia

China

4-7 Nov Fifth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition www.eageget.org Rotterdam The Netherlands

EAGE Carbon Capture and Storage Conference

Part of GET 2024 (Fifth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition)

EAGE Geothermal Energy Conference

Part of GET 2024 (Fifth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition)

EAGE Hydrogen and Energy Storage Conference

Part of GET 2024 (Fifth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition)

EAGE Offshore Wind Energy Conference

Part of GET 2024 (Fifth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Geological Processes and Environmental Conditions www.eage.org

Apr EAGE Workshop on Advanced Sesimic Solutions for Complex Reservoir Challenges www.eage.org

May 2025 5-7 May First EAGE Atlantic Geoscience Resource Exploration & Development Symposium www.eage.org

13-15 May 7 th Asia Pacific Meeting on Near Surface Geoscience & Engineering (NSGE) www.eage.org

May First EAGE/SBGf Workshop on Marine Seismic Acquisition www.eage.org

June 2025

2-5 Jun 86th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition www.eageannual.org

September 2025

7-11 Sep Near Surface Geoscience Conference and Exhibition www.eagensg.org

7-12 Sep 32 nd International Meeting on Organic Geochemistry (IMOG) www.imogconference.org

9-11 Sep Second EAGE Conference and Exhibition on Guyana-Suriname Basin www.eage.org

14-18 Sep Seventh International Conference on Fault and Top Seals www.eage.org

22-24 Sep Sixth EAGE Borehole Geology Workshop www.eage.org

29 Sep1 Oct Second AAPG/ EAGE Mediterranean and North African Conference (MEDiNA) medinace.aapg.org