Subsurface Techniques from Hydrocarbon E&P in the World of Environmental Geology

Presenter

JP Brandenburg, Ph.D.
Associate Geologist
Haley & Aldrich

Description

Development of modern subsurface environmental technology has followed a track with interesting echoes of oil and gas exploration and production. With similar needs but vastly different scales and motivating factors, hydrocarbon exploration tools often find a second life in environmental applications. Here, this relationship is explored. In particular, sophisticated numerical tools for subsurface interpretation and modeling are finally becoming cost effective for environmental applications. This has created opportunities but also some unique challenges which are, again, often related to differences in the scale of application. The applied experience of oil and gas practitioners may be the key to unlocking the full potential of these tools in the environmental world.