99502 - SUBSURFACE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will possess and manage the basic knowledge of subsurface energy systems (petroleum geosystems, underground energy storage, including hydrogen and natural gas, and the basics of CCSU, Carbon Capture, Storage and utilization). These topics represent strategic elements as far as world clean energy supply is concerned. More specifically, the student will be able to: - manage the technology used to produce underground fluids, and assess the consequent environmental impacts; - support the choices of subsurface energy systems in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability; - use the numerical modeling for the study of subsurface energy systems.

Course contents

Part 1 (Prof. Villiam Bortolotti)
Fundamentals of fluid flow in porous media. Petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks.  Thermodynamic behaviour of underground fluids (example of hydrocarbon mixture). System and Model concepts. Flow equations. Simulation of reservoir behaviour using numerical modelling: basic concepts of discretization, numerical simulation of single-phase and multi-phase flow, model calibration and history matching. Numerical simulations using freeware software.

Part 2 (Prof. Alfredo Battistelli)
Basic knowledge of subsurface energy systems. Overview of Exploration & Production industry. Hydrocarbon reservoirs. Conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon recovery (EOR/IOR). CCS (Carbon Capture, Storage) technology and related subsurface systems (aquifers, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, etc.). Underground energy storage (natural gas, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen and compressed air). Geothermal energy (high and medium enthalpy) and perspectives of underground heat storage. 

Readings/Bibliography

Supplemental material distributed during classroom hours.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures supplemented with practical exercises carried out to produce practical solutions to the theoretical problems outlined during lectures. Use of freeware software for the application of theoretical simulation concepts.

Assessment methods

Students must sit a written and/or oral exam comprising of a series of questions that aim to ascertain students’ understanding of the theory of the technological and design principles presented during lectures, and a practical problem similar to the ones dealt with during the practical exercises related to the course lectures.
Moreover, the exam is aimed to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. The student will be invited to discuss the topics covered during the lessons and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable to illustrate typical aspects of the course. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Classroom presentations, freeware software.

Office hours

See the website of Villiam Bortolotti

See the website of Alfredo Battistelli