PETROENG 7073 - Carbon Capture & Storage in Geological Formations

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a critical technology in mitigating the effects of climate change, which involves capturing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy industries such as steel and cement, oil and gas, and mining, and storing them in underground geological formations. Students in this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of carbon capture and storage in geological formations. Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, simulations, and group activities, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to engineer and design effective CCS systems. This course is a core requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) (Honours) program and is also available as an elective for students in chemical, mining, civil and mechanical engineering. The course will cover key aspects of CCS including geological concepts, carbon capture technologies, geochemical reactions, site selection, and flow simulations. The course is delivered in intensive format, from 9 am to 5 pm over 7 days during the semester. The first 6 days of the course include a range of learning activities including lectures, tutorials, group projects, and simulations. Students will also work collaboratively in teams, building critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in engineering and other STEM fields. The last day of the course (day 7), that is typically timetabled 4 weeks after day 6, will focus on regulatory framework, public engagement and techno-economic assessment of CCS projects. The group presentations are also due in day 7 of the course. Assessment in this course will include an essay and group presentation, tutorial submissions, and an end of semester exam. These assessments are designed to test the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, as well as to encourage students to engage in critical thinking and analysis.

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Course Details

Course Code	PETROENG 7073
Course	Carbon Capture & Storage in Geological Formations
Coordinating Unit	Mining and Petroleum Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	7 days intensive format equivalent to 49 hours
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	48 units of Level I and Level II Engineering courses
Assumed Knowledge	SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
Assessment	Essay and presentation, In-class assignments, Final exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Alireza Salmachi

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1) Explain key aspects of carbon capture and storage (CCS) including engineering and geological concepts.
2) Explain the main carbon capture technologies including absorption, chemical-reaction, and adsorption (by solid porous materials) technologies.
3) Describe geochemical reactions, reaction time, geomechanics and fault reactivity during CO2 injection.
4) Analyse technical engineering aspects of CO2 geo-sequestration for site selection.
5) Simulate the flow of carbon dioxide in underground geological formations including depleted gas field and deep saline aquifers.
6) Apply a critical-thinking and problem-solving approach towards the principles of carbon capture and storage.
7) Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and flexibly as a member of a team, contributing to team leadership as the situation requires.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	5,6
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	4,5,6
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	7

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Day 1: Introduction to Carbon Capture and Storage
Day 2: Carbon Capture Technologies
Day 3: Reservoir Engineering for CCS
Day 4: Reservoir Engineering for CCS, PVT
Day 5: Formation damage and Geomechanics
Day 6: Well completion and integrity
Day 7: Regulatory framework and public engagement

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Six in-class assignments (20%) Individual assessment

In-class Assignment 1: Trapping mechanism (3%)
In-class Assignment 2: Carbon Capture technology (3%)
In-class Assignment 3: Rock fluid interactions (3%)
In-class Assignment 4: Fluid thermodynamics (5%)
In-class Assignment 5: Formation damage (3%)
In-class Assignment 6: Wellbore integrity (3%)

Research project (30%) Group assessment

1) Presentation (15%)
2) Essay (15%)

Final exam (50%) Individual assessment

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator