Science and Engineering at The University of Edinburgh

I am currently a Research Associate at the School of Geosciences at The University of Edinburgh within the CCS group on the EU FP7 funded MUSTANG and PANACEA projects.  My research is primarily focused on the experimental investigation of coupled processes affecting the caprock seal integrity during CO2 sequestration.  I had led the design, build and operation of a high pressure and temperature flow rig, capable of simulating conditions encountered during CO2 sequestration.

In addition to my primary research I have also undertaken a number of further research studies such as investigating whether the well casing cement will be degraded by contact with CO2 and running a risk assessment study into the potential leakage through the caprock which facilitated the identification, characterisation and ranking of potential CO2 leakage risk factors.  This formed the basis of a CO2 storage site characterisation / operation tool. 

Prior to joining Edinburgh University I was a Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University from where I also obtained a Master’s Degree in Reservoir Evaluation and Management in 1994 and a PhD Degree in July 2001.  During my tenure at Heriot-Watt I was involved in a number of research projects which included: the development of relevant and cost effective petrophysical methodologies for improved reservoir characterisation; a basin modelling project of the Sanquhar Basin for British Coal; an experimental and modelling study into the stress sensitivity of fractured reservoirs; an experimental study of the formation damage associated with thermally induced fractures created during produced water re-injection and permeability prediction using stress sensitive petrophysical properties.  I also worked as a Research Associate within the rock mechanics group. 

My PhD research led to the development of a new methodology for predicting the geomechanical properties of hydrocarbon reservoir rocks from wireline logs

Please click on the side menu for more details of my research, publications and contact details

Thanks

Katriona