Fluid flow in subsurface reservoirs with application to CCUS

About the Project

These projects are open to students worldwide, but have no funding attached. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to fund tuition fees at the relevant level (home or international) and any applicable additional research costs. Please consider this before applying.

Understanding multiphase fluid flow and transport processes in porous media is central to advancing subsurface energy technologies, including carbon dioxide and hydrogen storage as well as conventional oil and gas production. This PhD project aims to explore the fundamental mechanisms governing reactive gas–liquid flow in porous reservoirs, with emphasis on the role of physicochemical heterogeneity in subsurface environments.

The research will integrate carefully designed scenarios with numerical simulation approaches to systematically investigate how surface chemistry, interfacial dynamics, and ionic interactions control multiphase flow behaviour in porous geological media. The study will focus on conditions representative of subsurface reservoirs, including relevant pressure, temperature, and fluid–rock interaction regimes.

The outcomes of this project are expected to advance predictive modelling capabilities for multiphase reactive transport in subsurface formations. These developments will have direct relevance to carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), geological hydrogen storage, and oil and gas recovery processes, and will provide fundamental insights to support the design, optimisation, and risk assessment of subsurface energy systems.

Decisions will be based on academic merit. The successful applicant should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) in Engineering (Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering) or Chemistry

Sufficient research background and previous experience would be preferred.

Application Procedure:

Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php.

You should apply for PhD in Engineering to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.

Please clearly note the name of the lead supervisor and project titleon the application form. If you do not include these details, it may not be considered for the studentship.

Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.

Please note: you do not need to provide a research proposal with this application.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr A Sharifi at amin.sharifi@abdn.ac.uk. If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at researchadmissions@abdn.ac.uk

Funding Notes

This is a self-funding project open to students worldwide. Our typical start dates for this programme are February or October.

Fees for this programme can be found here Finance and Funding | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen

Additional research costs / bench fees may also apply and will be discussed prior to any offer being made.