Holmfirth, England, United Kingdom
Geoscientist, Engineer and Environmentalist, experienced is site characterisation, site descriptive models and data acquisition for all subsurface projects using borehole, remote sensing and desk reviews. Operations and planning a speciality especially for carbon storage, CCS and GDFs. Always interested in doing something that changes the world for the better. In a bit more detail, I am a professional geoscientist, engineer and environmentalist, with more than 35 years experience of investigating the subsurface using remote sensing and boreholes. I have applied my skills mainly in field operations for oil and gas exploration with side projects in gas storage and borehole salt mining. I have been involved with Carbon Storage research and industrial applications for about 24 years, focused on site characterisation, monitoring and verification, and the management of research projects. This led to several years as the Technical Manager for the British Geological Survey as borehole sciences and sub-surface engineering specialist before returning to consultancy and research on specialised drilling projects. My current research and applied projects are on Carbon Storage, sub-surface disposal of high-grade nuclear materials, drilling under volcanoes for high-temp geothermal and a lot of Project Management and Risk Management reviews; do a bit of university lecturing on the side around applied and operations geology. I am also a Chartered Geologist and Fellow and Chartered Scientist with the Geological Society of London, a Chartered Environmentalist with Society for the Environment, a former Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, a Member of the Energy Institute and a registered European Geologist with the European Federation of Geologists and sit on their expert committee on Carbon Storage and lead their expert panel on geological disposal of radioactive wastes. At present I am a Registered Interim Chartered Engineer working toward full chartership. In parallel, I sit on the British Standards committee PSE/265, seconded to the International Standards Organisation working groups on carbon storage attempting to set international technical standards for CCUS. DBS, BPSS and CTC security clearances
Technical geoscience consultancy and operations geology for subsurface engineering and data acquisitions across a wide range of industries - CCS, geothermal, GDF, hydrocarbons et al. - to support research and decarbonisation. Current projects: Auditing EU carbon storage permit applications to EU DG Climat under EU CCS Directive Reviews of existing CCS projects with focus on geoscience, wells, risk, monitoring and regulatory compliance. Co-investigator on the Krafla Magma Testbed (www.kmt.is) Technical consultancy on subsurface opportunities for radwaste storage using deep vertical or deviated boreholes. Technical consultancy for site characterisation and data acquisition for Geological Disposal Facilities (GDF). Creating and maintaining Communities of Practice, shaping Continued Professional Development (CPD) to build knowledge assets, enhance engagement and promote sustainable projects. Supporting the Geological Society of London with appraisal and scrutinising applicants for award of Chartered Geologist (CGeol) and Chartered Scientist (CSci.). Other activities: Chair of the European Federation of Geologists Expert Panel on Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Member of the European Federation of Geologists Expert Panel on CCS
Enjoying researching regional geology and working with international clients focussed on the deep borehole sequestration of highly radioactive materials. Design of data acquisition programmes, data processing and interpretation, reporting. Main areas of work are Site Characterisation, Well Planning, Data Acquisition, Features Events and Processes, Drilling Operations and borehole / repository monitoring over the short and long-term. Good to work on the ultimate in 'waste disposal' and make a positive impact on intergenerational equity.
Research with BGS around decarbonisation, CO2 storage, geothermal, GDF, subsurface engineering and sustainability.
As Technical Manager for the BGS UKGEOS project, my work was a combination of operations geology, drilling engineering and technology management, it required: Taking the lead role in maintaining technical oversight of the UKGEOS project work to deliver the new facilities in Glasgow for Minewater Geothermal research, and Cheshire for use of the subsurface in energy transition. Work closely with the ESIOS Science Advisory Group, and other ‘end users’, to understand their requirements for the new ESIOS facilities. Coordination of technical input for SCM and contracting for ESIOS via UKSBS. Working across technical disciplines within BGS and the science advisory group, acting as the focal point for technical input and specifications to design the UKGEOS boreholes and monitoring arrays. Day to day liaison and wellsite supervision with contractors who will be responsible for carrying out the construction (mainly borehole drilling and equipment installation) of the new UKGEOS facilities. Reporting on technical work for the UKGEOS Project Manager and Science Directors as well as giving presentations to colleagues and partners on technical progress within UKGEOS . Providing technical advice to members of the team to support BGS science, engineering and communications.
Working on International standards related to CCUS, particularly Carbon Storage ISO27914. Technical focus is on Site Characterisation, Subsurface Risk, Well Integrity and Monitoring and Verification.