Synergy at the EAGE conference
Meeting at the EAGE Annual Conference is always exciting: It is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the geoscience community on the latest research topics, newest applications, and recent developments in the energy industry. It is also an occasion to connect and meet with colleagues, clients, and collaborators, to help us to further align our activities and business. After two years of the pandemic, meeting in-person to exchange ideas on our projects and areas of research was a great and very uplifting feeling.
Listening to industry leaders to confront a « new energy” era
The EAGE Forum sessions focused on the challenges and opportunities specific to this time of uncertainty. From changes in the geo-political energy supply to the urgency of finding solutions for climate-related events, we were all keen to understand how we could better contribute to an efficient system, while protecting our environment and acting sustainably. How to adapt our operations and business is a concern for all of us, as it requires difficult decisions and significant changes. Listening to the experts and leaders in our industry weigh in on this topic was not only insightful and inspiring, but also reassuring.
Subsurface storage a subject of great attention
Within the geoscience area, geological storage is critical to ensuring sustainable solutions for carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Unsurprisingly, across the technical program, no less than seven technical sessions focused on geological storage. These seminars covered carbon capture, gas, hydrogen, waste, and general fluids. On the other hand, the number of technical papers covering underground hydrogen storage were limited to only a couple of cases. Given the promising developments in balancing the energy fluctuation from intermittent renewable solar or wind energies, the number of presentations on this topic will likely grow. However, most presentations for subsurface storage targeted carbon capture and CO2 storage alongside a variety of topics, including monitoring of submarine volcanism for carbon storage prospect.
Few geothermal case study examples
Geothermal energy was covered by a dedicated session featuring case studies exploring Soultz-sous-Forets and the Madrid basin. This session was nicely complemented by sessions on carbon efficient reservoir management and heat extraction. Additionally, some geothermal case studies were also presented during the near-surface characterization session with geological modelling and flow diagnostics for geothermal and heat storage applications alongside a case study on the hydrothermal field on the Southwest Indian Ridge.
Mineral exploration essential to the energy transition
Mineral and metal exploration matters are seen as essential for the energy transition, as discussed during a forum session. This understanding may push the exploration and exploitation to new areas, such as deep-sea prospects, in view of a potential permit for ocean bed mining in Norway. This interest could lead to further refinement of geophysical methods to better understand how we can reach these new prospects while minimizing environmental impact. For the moment, the presentations on the current trends in mineral exploration detailed recent progress in Angola, Canada, and Australia.
Energy transition side by side with digital transformation
On the exhibition floor, as per last year, the digital transformation area was dedicated to sharing new solutions for data management and knowledge sharing to increase value in our daily activities. New for this year’s conference was the dedicated area covering energy transition, with topics oriented toward renewable energy sources and the role of energy storage. This was a clear signal of where the energy community’s focus is leaning.
Navigating career and life in a new era!
Lastly, the Women in Geoscience and Engineering group dedicated a session to navigating career and life. The choice of the term ‘navigating’ resonates particularly with the idea of proactively defining our destination and the choices that are necessary throughout our careers and lives – which can be squiggly at times! Navigating also inspires notions of using tools – like a compass – and the habit of reviewing and updating our maps on a regular basis, which is necessary as our understanding of the landscape or environment changes as we progress. Finally, as in any exploration, there is no pre-defined path; we simply need to embrace the fact that we may not always know where we are going, but we can learn to clarify and steer in the direction that makes the most sense for us. Again, listening to various geoscientists and engineers with different careers and backgrounds helped as we reflect on our own paths, clarify doubts and uncertainties, and learn from each other. It also gave space to gather outside perspectives on our different options, ideas, and opportunities.
This EAGE Annual conference was particularly rich on insights and knowledge sharing. We are ready more than ever before to leap into a new era. One where we contribute solutions from the geoscience community that deliver affordable, sustainable and zero-carbon energy.