[ES_JOBS_NET] Funded Master's at Sacramento State

[Sowers, Theron A.]

Hello!

We are hoping that you can help us spread the word about a funded master’s opportunity with Dr. David Shimabukuro's Water Resources Group at California State University, Sacramento.

About our group:

The Water Resources Group investigates potential connections between oil and gas production and potentially usable groundwater in California. We are funded by the California State Water Resources Control Board Regional Monitoring Program and US Geological Survey California Water Science Center. You can find more information about our research partners at the California Oil, Gas, and Groundwater program here<https://ca.water.usgs.gov/projects/oil-gas-groundwater/science/salinity/>.

Our general approach is to use publicly available oil and gas well log records from the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to understand the 3-d relationship between stratigraphy, groundwater, and petroleum-production systems. We use borehole geophysical logs (resistivity, spontaneous potential, porosity) to map out the geologic framework of permeable rock and confining layers and to estimate groundwater salinity using petrophysical equations such as Archie’s equation. We then use detailed well construction histories to understand the depth of oil production and fluid/steam injection from casing perforations and the extent of physical barriers such as casing, annular cement, and plugs that prevent horizontal or vertical fluid migration. Visualization of the combined 3-d stratigraphic-groundwater-petroleum system can then be used to understand risk to potential usable groundwater. Our work is then presented to the California State Water Resources Control Board where it is used to inform regulatory decisions.

All of our data is collected by our Water Resources Group<https://waterresourcesgroup.weebly.com/>, an amazing group of undergraduate and graduate students directed and managed by Theron Sowers. The primary data which we use only exists as CalGEM well records consisting of millions of pages of scans. Our students read through these documents, some of which are hundreds of pages and extend back into the 1800s, and extract important well construction data enabling us to have a better idea of potential threat to groundwater.

We’re currently looking for prospective MS students that hold (or will hold) a bachelors in geology. Coursework in GIS, hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geophysics is useful but not necessary. All projects will require the use of the Python programming language but don’t let this scare you away as we can teach you from scratch. Note that our graduate program requires 2nd semester Calculus and Chemistry but these can be completed during the first year of our program.

Future MS student projects could involve one or more of:

1)      Mapping the salinity of groundwater in and around oil fields using borehole geophysical logs

2)      Mapping the network of permeable sand layers that connect wells and aquifers

3)      Documenting the evolution of water chemistry in aquifers through temporal changes in geophysical log response

4)      Quantifying the role of well integrity problems that may allow vertical transmission.

5)      Visit https://shimabukuro.squarespace.com/new-page for more examples of past projects

Funding information:

The Water Resources Group offers competitive funding at approximately $32,000 per year, with the opportunity to combine with teaching associateships.

To apply:

California State University, Sacramento Department of Geology offers a M.S. degree in Geology with While the formal application deadline for our program is March 1, 2024, late applications can be submitted through March 8 by contacting Dr. David Shimabukuro at dhs at csus.edu<mailto:dhs at csus.edu>.
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