Dr. Susan D. Hovorka

I am interested in application of geological techniques to environmental problems, particularly focusing on the issue of permeability in both tight and very transmissive systems. This interest has led me to work on diverse problems, from characterization of salt as a containment material to analysis of carbonate fabrics to better understand flow in karst aquifers. Currently, I am leading teams in field CO₂ injections to assess geologic sequestration as a mechanism for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. (www.beg.utexas.edu/gccc/)

Research Interests

Sedimentology for environmental application

Education

Ph.D. Geology, 1990, The University of Texas at Austin

M.A. Geology, 1981, The University of Texas at Austin

B.A. Geology, 1974, Earlham College

Professional History

Research Professor, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, Present – 2023

Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 2023 – 1981

Geologist, Bendix Field Engineering Corporation, Austin, Texas, 1981 – 1979

Selected Publications

Ni, H., Feitz, A., Tenthorey, E., Nourollah, H., Romanak, K., Patterson, C., Hovorka, S., 2025, Laboratory Sand Tank Modeling of the Brumbys Fault CO₂ Controlled Release Field Experiment: Geophysical Research Letters, available via open access: https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL113918.

Wang, Z.W., Hosseini, S.A., Treviño, R., and Hovorka, S.D., 2025, Analyzing the impact of across-fault flow in carbon geological storage: A simulation study, Journal of Hydrology, v. 658, Sept. Issue, available online here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133108.

Bump, A. P., and Hovorka, S. D., 2024, Pressure space: The key subsurface commodity for CCS: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 136, 104174, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104174.

Hosseini, S. A., Ershadnia, R., Lun, L., Morgan, S., Bennett, M., Skrivanos, C., Li, B., Soltanian, M.R., Pawar, R., Hovorka, S.D., 2024, Dynamic modeling of geological carbon storage in aquifers – workflows and practices: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 138, 18 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104235.

Bakhshian, S., Bump, A.P., Pandey, S., Ni. H., and Hovorka, S. D., 2023, Assessing the potential of composite confining systems for secure and long-term CO₂ retention in geosequestration: Scientific Report, v. 13, 21022, 14 p., https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47481-2.

Bump, A.P., Bakhshian, S., Ni, H., Hovorka, S.D., Olariu, M.I., Dunlap, D., Hosseini, S.A., and Meckel, T.A, 2023, Composite confining systems: Rethinking geologic seals for permanent CO₂ sequestration: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 126, p. 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103908.

Bump, A.P., and Hovorka, S., 2023, Fetch-trap Pairs: Exploring definition of carbon storage prospects to increase capacity and flexibility in areas with competing uses: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 122, p. 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2022.103817.

Bump, A.P., and Hovorka, S., 2023, Minimizing exposure to legacy wells and avoiding conflict between storage projects: Exploring area of review as a screening tool: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 129, 13 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103967.

Meckel, T. A., Treviño, R. H., Hovorka, S. D., and Bump, A. P., 2023, Mapping existing wellbore locations to compare technical risks between onshore and offshore CCS activities in Texas: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, p. 1–12, http://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2220.

Treviño, R.H., Hovorka, S., Dunlap, D.B., Larson, R.C., Hentz, T.F., Hosseini, S.A., Bhattacharya, S., DeAngelo, M.V., 2023, A phased workflow to define permit-ready locations for large volume CO₂ injection and storage: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, v. 14, p. 95–110, https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2253.

Bump A.P., Bakhshian, S., Hovorka, S., Rhodes, J., and Neades, S., 2022, Criteria for depleted reservoirs to be developed for CO₂ storage (paper), 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference Lyon, 23–27 October, 2022 (GHGT-16): Gulf Coast Carbon Center, 12 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4286411

Bump, A.P., Bakhshian, S., Ni, H., Hovorka, S., Dunlap, D., Olariu, M., Hosseini,S., Meckel, T., 2022, Composite confining systems: Characterizing, de-risking and permitting unconventional seals for CO₂ Storage (paper), 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference Lyon, 23–27 October, 2022 (GHGT-16), 11 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4286411.

Hovorka, S.D., Barhart, T., and SECARB USA Team, 2022, Early-stage cost of storage project characterization (paper), 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference Lyon, 23–27 October, 2022 (GHGT-16), 13 p., access here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4284960

Hovorka, S., Gil-Egui, R., 2022, Engineering Scale Testing from Coal and Natural Gas-Based Flue Gas and Initial Engineering Design for Industrial Sources. Identifying a plausible set of transport and storage options for this facility, targeting regional storage resources in the Mt Simon Formation. Dastur-Burns Harbor, Arcelor Mittal, and Dastur International, Contract report, Inc. OSP #: 202002800. Not publicly available.

Trupp, M., Ringrose, P., Hovorka, S., and Whittaker, S., 2022, Risk-sharing is vital for up-scaling CCS to combat climate change (paper): 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference Lyon, 23–27 October, 2022 (GHGT-16), 10 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4284770.

Ulfah, M., Hosseini, S., Hovorka, S., Bump, A., Bakhshian, S., and Dunlap, D. 2002. “Assessing Impacts on Pressure Stabilization and Leasing Acreage for CO₂ Storage Utilizing Oil Migration Concepts.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 115, 103612, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2022.103612.

Bump, A. P., Hovorka, S. D., and Meckel, T.A., 2021, Common risk segment mapping: streamlining exploration for carbon storage sites, with application to coastal Texas and Louisiana: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 111, no. 103457, 13 p., http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103457.

Madugula, A. C. S., Sachde, D., Hovorka, S. D., Meckel, T. A., and Benson, T. J., 2021, Estimation of CO₂ emissions from petroleum refineries based on the total operable capacity for carbon capture applications: Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, v. 8, no. 100162, 9 p., http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100162.

Meckel, T. A., Bump, A. P., Hovorka, S. D., and Treviño, R. H., 2021, Carbon capture, utilization, and storage hub development on the Gulf Coast: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, v. 11, no. 4, p. 619–632, http://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2082.

Selected Committees

Member BIG CCS review group, IEA GHG Monitoring Network; GHGT 2014 Steering committee host location