PhD Studentship: Formation Alteration Driven By Brine Circulation During Geothermal Production In Clastic Reservoirs

Newcastle University

Award summary

100% home UK fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). An additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project.

Overview

Deep geothermal system performance and operational lifespan depend on the distribution of heat, fluid flow pathways, and recharge mechanisms within the subsurface. Reinjection of produced fluids is essential to maintain reservoir pressure and ensure long-term sustainability. However, reinjected fluids are typically cooler and may be chemically modified through the use of scale and corrosion inhibitors.

A persistent challenge in geothermal resources is the efficient evaluation of how fluid composition and temperature perturbations influence mineralogical alteration and, ultimately, reservoir performance and development decisions.

This project will address this challenge through quantifying the conditions under which formation alteration occurs, and the associated uncertainty in predicting reservoir behaviour. Specifically:

• Characterise variability in mineralogical and petrophysical properties resulting from fluid–rock interactions under representative reservoir conditions.
• Evaluate the impact of fluid composition and temperature variations on reservoir properties, and assess the implications for permeability, porosity.
• Assess the influence of scale-dependent heterogeneities and depositional facies on the distribution and extent of alteration processes.
• Develop a systematic workflow for integrating experimental observations and reactive transport modelling to construct predictive models of formation alteration.

The project will focus on laboratory investigations of fluid–rock interaction processes and the associated evolution of reservoir properties. It will aim to improve the understanding of alteration processes and provide a more reliable foundation for subsequent prediction of reservoir performance.

The project is funded by Eni S.p.A through the UK Energy Futures (https://ukenergyfutures.org). research partnership, bringing together geoscientists, engineers, and social scientists to advance geoenergy research across the N8 Research Partnership.

Number of awards

1

Start date

1st October 2026

Award duration

3.5 years

Application closing date

5th June 2026

Sponsor

Industry - ENI

Name of supervisor/s

Sanem Acikalin – (Newcastle University)
Tom Reershemius- (Newcastle University)
Stuart Jones – (Durham University)

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (e.g. Earth Science, Geology, Geochemistry or equivalent).

This studentship is open to those who qualify for Home tuition fees only. If you are not sure if you qualify, please contact pgadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk.