| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MSc GeoEnergy
Course Overview
The MSc GeoEnergy course is designed to produce world-class graduates with the transferable skills to actively contribute to the global energy transition, have the ability to address climate change, and the expertise to integrate emerging and conventional technologies.
Program Details
Study Options
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: 3 years
Fees
- UK fee: £10,450 for the full course (2024/25)
- International fee: £19,950 for the full course (2024/25)
Start Date
- September
Course Description
GeoEnergy is a broad and rapidly evolving field incorporating a spectrum of traditional and innovative geologically focused energy generation and storage strategies, as well as the provision of carbon mitigation technologies to the wider energy sector.
What You Will Study
- Global Energy Challenges
- Subsurface Geology
- Geofluid Behaviour
- Subsurface Interpretation Methods
- Positioning and Designing Wells and Reservoir Models
- Integrated Energy Evaluation
- Independent Scholarly Activity (project focused on your specific area of interest)
How You Will Learn
Learning and teaching methods will vary between modules. The course is delivered face-to-face, by University lecturers and industry experts, and learning materials can be accessed online.
Technical Specialist Skills
- Seismic interpretation and processing (using Schlumberger, Petrel, and IHS Kingdom software)
- Gravity analysis of basins (using FastGray software)
- Interpretation of basin Heat Flow results (using Sirius Exploration Geochemistry Novva software)
- Sedimentological and stratigraphical logging and interpretation of core and outcrops to industry-standards
- Reservoir modelling for fluid connectivity (Petrel)
- Computational analysis (reservoir, seal, and volume assessment based on wireline, fluid, and sediment data)
- Commercial decision-making (viable drilling plan, energy production vs cost, appropriate energy source, prospect risking)
Careers
The UK Government predicts 220,000 jobs will be required to support the UK’s energy transition over the next 10 years. Potential employment opportunities include:
- Conventional and renewable energy companies
- Consultancies to the energy sector
- Environmental consultancies
- National government agencies
- Local government agencies
- Public outreach consultancies
- Non-governmental organisations
Entry Requirements
We typically require at least a 2:1 Honours degree in Geology or a closely related subject, such as Geophysics with Geology. Your application may also be considered if you have relevant work experience.
International Student Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.
How to Apply
Apply directly to the University.
Additional Costs and Optional Extras
- Appropriate footwear for fieldwork (approximate cost: £40-£100)
- Appropriate outdoor clothing (approximate cost: £100-£150)
- Hand lens (approximate cost: £20)
- Recommended textbooks (approximate cost: £100)
- Travel to work experience/placements (cost dependent on placement venue of choice)
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The GeoEnergy MSc is a one-year full-time or three-year part-time program designed to produce graduates with the skills to contribute to the global energy transition, address climate change, and integrate emerging and conventional energy technologies. It covers all aspects of the GeoEnergy sector, including energy exploration and production, environmental impact assessment, and protecting the climate while powering the economy and providing for society.
Objectives:
- Gain knowledge of the broad GeoEnergy sector.
- Acquire experience in using a wide range of industry software in the fields of seismic interpretation, GIS, petrophysics, gravity & magnetics, and reservoir/fluid modeling.
- Gain practical skills (such as core logging and wireline log interpretation) that enhance employability.
- Collaborate on live projects with UK Geoenergy Observatories to put skills into practice.
- Be able to provide solutions that carefully balance providing affordable and sustainable energy with enhancing social, economic, and environmental prosperity.
- Study content aligned to the priorities of global initiatives, such as the UK Net Zero strategy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
- Work with a research-active teaching team who have a wealth of experience in renewable energy, climate change, and conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons.
Outline:
Modules:
- Global Energy Challenges: Examines a range of energy sources, considering mode of provision, financial cost, and viability of current and future contributions to the global energy mix. Environmental, ecological, and societal impacts and mitigation strategies are also assessed.
- Subsurface Geology: Introduces a range of geophysical methods to investigate subsurface properties. Students use standard commercial software packages to interpret a range of subsurface data.
- Geofluid Behaviour: Investigates properties of fluids involved in energy production.
- Subsurface Interpretation Methods: Applies a range of sedimentological, stratigraphic, petrophysical, and geophysical methods to interpret the subsurface with a particular focus on reservoir characterization.
- Positioning and Designing Wells and Reservoir Models: Investigates well technology for a range of geoenergy and related projects. Students use subsurface data to produce a reservoir model.
- Integrated Energy Evaluation: Examines sedimentary basins in terms of their mode of formation, sedimentary fill, energy prospectivity, and resource potential. Students use basin modeling and field techniques to both predict and explain the presence of energy-producing fluids in basin evolution by applying a sequence stratigraphic approach.
- Independent Scholarly Activity (project focused on your specific area of interest): Students partake in an independent investigation applied to a topic or site of energy focus, likely to be Geothermal, Carbon Capture, utilization, and Storage, or Hydrocarbon Exploration/Production.
Note:
Modules are subject to change.
Assessment:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Written reports and essays
- Oral presentations
- Independent and group assessments
- Practical exercises, including mastery of industry-standard software suites
Teaching:
- The course is delivered face-to-face by University lecturers and industry experts.
- Learning materials can be accessed online.
- Technical specialist skills include:
- Seismic interpretation and processing (using Schlumberger, Petrel, and IHS Kingdom software)
- Gravity analysis of basins (using FastGray software)
- Interpretation of basin Heat Flow results (using Sirius Exploration Geochemistry Novva software)
- Sedimentological and stratigraphical logging and interpretation of core and outcrops to industry-standards
- Reservoir modeling for fluid connectivity (Petrel)
- Computational analysis (reservoir, seal, and volume assessment based on wireline, fluid, and sediment data)
- Commercial decision-making (viable drilling plan, energy production vs cost, appropriate energy source, prospect risking)
Careers:
- The program prepares graduates for careers in:
- Conventional and renewable energy companies
- Consultancies to the energy sector
- Environmental consultancies
- National government agencies
- Local government agencies
- Public outreach consultancies
- Non-governmental organizations
- The UK Government predicts 220,000 jobs will be required to support the UK's energy transition over the next 10 years.
Other:
- The program is accredited by The Geological Society.
- The campus is situated in the heart of England, with easy access to a wealth of world-class geological localities, as well as the British Geological Survey offices and several major geo-technical companies for off-site visits.
- Students participate in residential and non-residential field trips to a range of geological localities spanning much of the geological record.
- The program is taught by a research-active teaching team, including:
- Dr Stephen Lokier (Programme Leader)
- Dr Jordan Phethean
- Dr Dorothy Satterfield It may not be exhaustive and is subject to change.
UK fee£10,450 for the full course (2024/25) International fee£19,950 for the full course (2024/25)
