Oral Presentation Sub22 Conference

Exploration needs in the coming decade will increasingly include the identification of structures suitable for the subsurface storage of hydrogen and CO2 as well as the discovery of critical mineral resources in support of the energy transition. Rock physics and more broadly Petrophysics played and continue to play a key role in hydrocarbon exploration to characterise reservoir behaviour by for example allowing to infer reservoir properties from geophysical data. This forum is designed to review the importance of digitalisation, rock physics and petrophysics to enable efficient clean energy generation and storage.

Informed decision making

A priori knowledge of rock physics based on objective models capturing the underlying physics is known to reduce the uncertainty intrinsic to subsurface characterisation methods. This reduction in uncertainty has had a powerful impact on hydrocarbon exploration and is transferable to gas (CO2, H2, compressed-air) storage and localization of optimal reservoirs for geogenic hydrogen generation and production. Rock physics relationships and derived products might lead to profound insights in the mineral domain, where in contrast to energy, uptake has been slow for a variety of reasons.

Multiscale & multidisciplinary perspective

The forum is designed to bring together experimental observations, theory, machine learning, and modelling to establish useful rock physics relations across scales. Particular focus will be on case studies where accounting for rock physics relations has allowed to progress the Evolutionary Energy Transition, develop a Hydrogen economy, and lay a foundation for safe and effective use of alternative energy resources.

Cross pollination

The multidisciplinary nature of this forum will raise awareness about recent advances in subsurface characterisation based on an improved understanding of constitutive rock physics relations and machine learning for rapid and accurate lithology quantification. The recent developments will be demonstrated for subsurface hydrogen characterisation, CO2 storage, and energy-critical mineral exploration. Such an interdisciplinary conversation will lead to a deeper understanding of how rock physics relationships may be used by practitioners in Energy, Minerals, and Groundwater Domains.

Business case for curiosity

Pursuing a broad spectrum of endeavours and knowledge results in more successful careers than lifelong specialisation. And a recent Harvard Business Review says when curiosity is triggered, we think more deeply and develop more creative solutions. We invite you to the forum where you meet a range of high-calibre Australian and international specialists working on similar problems in adjacent fields. Join the forum to satisfy your curiosity, make connections, and upgrade your career!