Optimization of geophysical survey designs for deep geothermal energy

LookUp Geoscience aims to develop an innovative software to support exploration, create comprehensive geological models, and support the development of low-carbon energy such as geothermal and natural hydrogen. This tool, made up of several modules, will include one module dedicated to supporting and optimizing the exploration workflow. The development of this module raises research questions, particularly regarding the methodology guiding the choice of the most relevant geophysical surveys, survey design and inversion methods according to the geological context and the exploitation target, as well as the best way to acquire, integrate data and joint inversions and interpretations.

INTERNSHIP OBJECTIVES

The internship is part of a thesis project dealing with the development of an approach to optimize geophysical investigations of the subsurface in the case of deep geothermal energy. In this framework, the internship aims at identifying and optimizing the best geophysical methods to deploy depending on the target characteristics, using forward modelling. You will work hand in hand with another intern, in charge of assessment of inversion algorithms.

WORK DESCRIPTION

With the final aim of optimizing acquisitions and exploration workflow, you will perform forward modelling of different geophysical methods on one or several synthetic geological models. You will first create synthetic geological and petrophysical models representing typical geothermal play types (volcanic, sedimentary, etc.). Then, after a review of the state of the art, you will perform forward modelling. The results of the forward modelling will be used by a companion intern to tests inversion algorithms. The deliverable should include a conclusion on relevancy of different geophysical methods depending on the geological context (lithology, structure) but also on targeted reservoir characteristics (structure, depth, fluid, temperature).

DETAILS

The internship will take place at LookUp's site in Montpellier, for a period of 6 months starting in February 2025. This internship is paid. It may lead to a CIFRE thesis in collaboration with the University of Montpellier.

SKILLS
➢ Fourth-year university level (Master of Science)
➢ Programming (Python/C/C++, Github)
➢ Knowledgeable in Geophysics and signal processing,
➢ Curiosity for geology for geothermal energy
➢ Autonomy, initiatives, open-mindedness, collaboration
➢ English and/or French