Nicholas Harris - Integrated Energy Geosciences (IEG) at UofA
Join us for two events with Dr. Nicholas Harris, professor at the University of Alberta, 10:30 am and 12:00 pm on October 24th.
At 10:30 am he will be giving an information session on the University of Alberta's Msc Program in HSH 336 @ 10:30 am (GEOL3303 class time). The Integrated Energy Geosciences (IEG) offers advanced multidisciplinary training to students preparing to enter the geological carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and minerals industries in addition to the petroleum industry.
At 12 pm he will be giving a talk on "Geothermal resources in sedimentary basins – risks, rewards and where do we go from here?".
Lunch will be provided!
Abstract:
The development of low enthalpy geothermal resources in sedimentary reservoirs in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) has captured public attention and economic investment by small start-up companies, generally with significant government funding. Yet no projects have yet been successful, and the oil and gas companies that know the basin best have remained on the sidelines. In this talk, I explore the potential for geothermal development in the WCSB, the economic and technical obstacles that have slowed development of this resource, and the science and engineering that will be required if geothermal developments are likely to be successful. One critical step will be the development of a systematic approach to estimating net present value for specific projects; this will enable investors to make systematic decisions with regard to financial opportunities. Approaches taken in the oil and gas industry that are based on petroleum system analysis may be adaptable to the appraisal of geothermal resources.
