Energy Geophysics

Image: Anna Titova

What is Energy Geophysics?

Energy Geophysics generates detailed images of the Earth’s interior to access energy resources (hydrocarbons, geothermal, hydrogen) and facilitate safe carbon capture, utilization and storage.

Geophysics has played an important role in the multidisciplinary field of energy exploration, production and development for a long time. Yet it offers so much more… Energy geophysics extends beyond the dependable hydrocarbon, oil and gas studies into new flavors of renewable energy prospects, such as geothermal and hydrogen energy. The burgeoning field of Carbon capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS) offers the opportunity to utilize geophysical theory and skills towards a cleaner tomorrow.

James Carmichael

MS Student, Mines Geophysics

Students planting geophones at Field Camp. (Photo: Agata Bogucka, Mines)

Explore the Work

Energy Geophysicists use deep sounding to locate, characterize and monitor the safe exploration of hydrocarbon resources. (Photo: CGG)

Energy Geophysicists quantify the spatial distribution of subsurface heat for the generation of clean thermal energy. (Photo: USGS)

Energy Geophysicists use high-precision imaging to identify subsurface geologic structures for safe long-term carbon storage. (Image: Richard Krahenbuhl)

Energy Geophysicists identify areas with naturally occurring hydrogen that could be used for clean and sustainable energy generation. (Image: I. Moretti, Sorbonne)

Energy Geophysicists utilize properties of the subsurface (seismic soundwaves, electrical properties, gravity, magnetic susceptibility, etc.) to map hydrocarbon traps and accumulations. (Image: Odette Aragao)