Rick Chalaturnyk, PhD, PEng

Area of Study / Keywords

Geotechnical Centre Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

Research

Research Interests

Geological Storage of Greenhouse Gases

Geologic formations are likely to provide the first large scale opportunity for concentrated sequestration of CO2. In the near term, Alberta has sufficient capacity, diversity, and broad geographic distribution of geologic formations to pursue geologic sequestration confidently as a major component of its carbon management strategy. A number of critical needs must be addressed to make geologic formations a cost competitive and safe option for sequestration of CO2. Risk assessment of geological storage continues to be a research area for my research group.

Reservoir Geomechanics

The application of soil and rock mechanics in the area of oil and gas production continues to be of interest. In particular, the role of geomechanics in the steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) recovery process is of keen interest. The geomechanical characterization of bitumen carbonates is a new research area under this category.

Research Currently in Progress

Geological Storage of Greenhouse Gases

• Risk Assessment for Geological Storage of CO2
• Full LIfe Cycle Well Integrity Modelling
• Reservoir-Geomechanical Processes for SMART Field Applications in SAGD
• Impact of CO2 Desiccation on Geomechanical Properties
• Downhole Monitoring Technologies for Geological Storage Projects
• Methodology for Assessing Wellbore Integrity Associated with Geological Storage of CO2
• Permeability of Coal and Impact on CBM and ECBM Production
• Simulation of CBM and ECBM by Reservoir and Geomechanical Coupling
• Numerical Modeling of CO2 Storage Processes

Mine Waste Management

• Characterization and Deposition of In Line Flocculated Tailings

Petroleum Geomechanics

• Geomechanical Characterization of Bitumen Carbonates
• Thermal Constitutive Behavior of Shale and Oil Sands