Two MSc/PhD projects in microseismic monitoring

General background and requirements

The Microseismic Industry Consortium is a novel, applied-research initiative that is jointly hosted by the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. The Department of Physics is looking for two MSc/PhD students to work on microseismic monitoring of hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Microseismic monitoring involves the acquisition of continuous seismic data for the purpose of locating and characterizing seismic activity induced by fracturing. The designation “micro” derives from comparisons with natural earthquake activity, which typically releases many orders-of-magnitude more energy. Microseismic monitoring differs in many respects from seismic surveys that are traditionally used for oil and gas exploration and development, including the type of source, the receivers (often 3-component and often deployed in boreholes) and methods of analysis. Used for decades in the mining industry to monitor deep underground mines, it has emerged in the past few years as an important tool for monitoring hydraulic fracture well treatments and for management of oil, gas and geothermal reservoirs. There are also very strong links with global earthquake seismology where similar techniques have been used to study the structure and geodynamic processes that shape the Earth.

Candidates should have strong quantitative backgrounds in geophysics, mathematics, physics, or signal processing (engineering). In the course of their graduate studies, the student will gain a firm foundation in exploration seismology, and will have a close interaction with all sponsors. These projects are expected to provide a stepping stone for a successful career in either industry or academia.

The student will receive training and research experience in the areas of exploration and global seismology, and depending on the precise topic touch the areas of microseismic acquisition, processing and interpretation. The Department has also a course-based MSc program in Integrated Petroleum Geosciences, and potential students will have the opportunity to attend advanced level courses in relevant subjects (such as time series analysis, seismic reflection processing, and reservoir geophysics) during the initial stages of their graduate studies. The student will also benefit from working with a worldwide respected research group with strong international industry links.

We anticipate filling all projects, with a starting date of September 2023.

Applicants must follow the standard application procedure. Informal enquires should be directed to Mirko van der Baan (Mirko.VanderBaan@ualberta.ca); formal applications must follow the Deparment’s admission procedure (https://uofa.ualberta.ca/physics/graduate-studies/information-for-prospective-students-and-applicants) or Email physgradprogram@ualberta.ca. Further information on the Department of Physics can be found via the link http://www.physics.ualberta.ca/.