142: How to technologically scale CCUS

Don Lawton of Carbon Management Canada and Mark Tinker of Quantum Technology Sciences discuss the latest technological advances for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). In this cutting-edge conversation on the state of technology for CCUS, Don and Mark highlight the need to accelerate the development and implementation of CCUS technologies, illustrate what better carbon storage monitoring technologies would mean for the climate, and outline how to overcome the challenges to scale CCUS. Mark also discusses real-field applications of the latest technology and the unique opportunities Carbon Management Canada offers to develop new tools to address a net-zero emission future. Visit https://seg.org/podcast to read the full show notes and find the complete archive for Seismic Soundoff. BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Don Lawton is a Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary. In 2013, he was appointed Director of CMC’s Containment and Monitoring Institute to lead research into improved monitoring technologies for secure geological carbon storage. Decades ago, Don had a vision for a research facility where measurement and monitoring equipment could be developed and demonstrated. In the fall of 2017, he saw this dream realized with the official opening of CMCRI’s Field Research Station near Brooks. Don’s research interests include acquisition, processing and interpretation of multicomponent seismic data, seismic anisotropy, integrated geophysical and geological studies in complex geological settings, and in advancing monitoring methods for the geological storage of CO2. He’s an Associate Director of the Consortium for Research in Elastic Wave Exploration Seismology (CREWES). A highly regarded expert, he was awarded the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (CSEG) Medal in 2000 and received Honorary Membership in the Society in 2014. Dr. Mark Tinker serves as CEO and officer of Quantum Technology Sciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geospace Technologies. Mark’s entire career has focused on transforming the way energy propagating within the earth can be reduced to information and exploited to society’s benefit. As CEO, Mark led Quantum through an $8M private equity raise to formally commercialize Quantum’s offerings before overseeing the company’s acquisition in 2018 by Geospace Technologies, a geophysical data acquisition company (NASDAQ: GEOS). Today, Quantum and Geospace are positioned to deploy fully automated ground-based information systems into both the Security & Surveillance market as well as the Energy market. Mark earned his Ph.D. in geophysics (focus on nuclear seismology) from the University of Arizona, and he is grateful to the U.S. Air Force for providing the vast majority of his funding. SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Geospace Technologies. As the leading innovator and manufacturer of wireless seismic data acquisition systems, Geospace Technologies offers a series of seabed, wireless seismic data acquisition systems designed for extended-duration seabed seismic data acquisition. Geospace is committed to setting new standards for quality, performance, reliability and cost savings to E&P companies and marine geophysical contractors. Learn more at https://www.geospace.com/. CREDITS SEG produces Seismic Soundoff to benefit its members, the scientific community, and inform the public on the value of geophysics. To show your support for the show, please leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It takes less than five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and is the number one action you can take to show your appreciation for this free resource. You can follow the podcast to hear the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Original music created by Zach Bridges. This episode was hosted, edited, and produced by Andrew Geary at 51 features, LLC. Thank you to the SEG podcast team: Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis.