Current Projects
The research program of the Energi Simulation Chair at UFPE spans a diverse portfolio of projects aligned with energy transition, geomechanics, and digital reservoir technologies. Below is a general overview of ongoing initiatives.
Project descriptions are intentionally high-level to protect proprietary information.
1
Performance Evaluation and Best Practices for Construction, Operation, and Decommissioning of Salt Rock Caverns
Theme: Salt Rock Cavern Geomechanics
Focus:
Investigation of underground salt caverns used for fluid storage, focusing on mechanical behavior, safety, and long-term monitoring. The project supports the development of best practices for construction, operation, and decommissioning of these structures.
Principal Investigator:
Leonardo Guimarães (UFPE)
Funded by:
2
CO2GEOMEC
Theme: COâ‚‚ Storage with Geomechanical Coupling
Focus:
Numerical and experimental modeling of geological COâ‚‚ storage in sedimentary and volcanic reservoirs. Includes reactive transport, mechanical stress modeling, and laboratory-scale validation for safety and performance assessment.
Principal Investigator:
Leonardo Guimarães (UFPE)
Funded by:
3
Investigation of the Potential of the Volcanic Rocks of the Ipojuca Magmatic Suite for Geological Carbon Storage (GCS) in the SUAPE Industrial-Port Complex, PE
Theme: Mineralization Potential in Volcanic Rocks
Focus:
Geological and petrophysical characterization of basaltic formations in Northeastern Brazil for COâ‚‚ mineralization. Aims to support future CCS pilot projects near high-emission industrial zones.
Principal Investigator:
Carla Barreto (UFPE)
Funded by:
4
Optimized Reservoir Management Module with Geomechanical Coupling
Theme: Optimization of Reservoir Management with Geomechanics
Focus:
Development of smart tools for reservoir optimization while incorporating geomechanical constraints like compaction and seabed subsidence. Uses high-fidelity simulation and machine learning-based surrogate models.
Principal Investigator:
Leonardo Oliveira (UFPE)
Funded by:
5
Carbonated Water Injection in Basalt (2029)
Theme: Advanced COâ‚‚ Mineralization Techniques
Focus:
Simulation and experimental studies on injecting carbonated water into basaltic rocks. Aims to understand mineral trapping efficiency and geomechanical effects under different pressure and temperature conditions.
Principal Investigators:
Leonardo Guimarães (UFPE)
Marcos Allyson (UFRN)
Funded by:
In partnership with:
