PhD Studentship: Quantification of Southern North Sea Aquifers as CO2 Storage Sites

About the role

This PhD project will deliver the first integrated assessment of the full range of potential saline aquifer storage fairways across the UK sector of the Southern North Sea. The project will identify, characterise and rank candidate storage sites based on geological suitability, static storage capacity and likely injection performance.

Responsibilities

• Work with a wide range of subsurface datasets, including well logs, seismic interpretation and published geological information, to map saline aquifer distributions from the Palaeozoic to the Mesozoic succession.
• Integrate datasets within a GIS framework alongside existing offshore infrastructure, including production platforms, pipelines, subsea cables and offshore wind developments.
• Evaluate reservoir–seal pairs in terms of reservoir quality, seal integrity and the degree of geological compartmentalisation, providing a regional assessment of storage prospectivity.
• Investigate how carbonate reservoir systems, including the Zechstein dolomites and Lower Carboniferous Limestone, may respond to long-term CO₂ storage using dynamic reservoir simulation and published analogue case studies from North America.
• Develop a comprehensive digital atlas of saline aquifer storage opportunities in the Southern North Sea, supported by well databases, representative type wells, geological maps and reservoir property datasets.
• Contribute to the identification of future CO₂ storage resources on the UK Continental Shelf.

Requirements

The successful applicant will have a strong background in geology, geophysics, or a related field, with experience in data analysis, GIS, and reservoir engineering. Knowledge of CO₂ storage, carbonate reservoirs, and dynamic reservoir simulation is desirable.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will hold a relevant undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, or a related field. Experience in CO₂ storage, carbonate reservoirs, and dynamic reservoir simulation is advantageous.

Skills

Strong analytical skills, proficiency in GIS software, and experience with dynamic reservoir simulation are essential. Experience with CO₂ storage and carbonate reservoirs is desirable.

Benefits

The project offers a full stipend and full tuition fees, starting 1st October 2026. It is available to Home students only.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

Full Time