Subsurface geological modelling 

Who We Are

Group Staff Members: David Iacopini, Mariano Parente, Andrea Fildani, Alessandro Iannace,  Stefano Tavani
PhD Students: Giuseppa Anzelmo, Maryam Dzulkelfli, Sakshi Yadav, Luigi Annunziata

Our research group focuses on studying the processes related to geo-resources, ranging from hydrocarbon exploration to geological storage, including hydrogen and CO₂, and the characterization of sites for offshore renewable energy facilities.

We are constantly engaged in developing and applying new methodologies and technologies for the sustainable discovery and exploitation of these resources, while also analyzing environmental factors that can lead to geological hazards.

Within this framework, the group has recognized expertise in hydrogen storage, carbonate reservoir characterization, and the exploration of rift systems and pre-salt reservoirs. Recently, we have expanded our activities to include the geology of siliciclastic reservoirs and methodologies for exploring deep salt caverns and depleted reservoirs for subsurface gas storage. Given the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the research, our activities are carried out in close collaboration with other university departments, such as the Department of Biology (Microbiology and Geobiology of extreme environments) and the Department of Physics (Muon Physics). Various project also actively involve member of the Geotechnical, Applied geology, Petrography and Mineralogy groups of DISTAR

Our Expertise

• Subsurface seismic interpretation and imaging
• Stratigraphy and gacies of carbonate and clastic rocks
• Characterization of reservoir and seal rocks in the subsurface and in outcrop analogues
• Design and execution of field campaigns
• Technical training for the oil & gas industry

Our group has received funding from major companies in the field (including ENI, Shell, OMV, Edison) for projects carried out in Italy (peri-Adriatic zone, Southern Apennines), Iran, Greece, and Brazil (pre-salt reservoirs – Shell, Petrochina).

We also collaborate with geoscience service companies who support us through academic licenses for advanced software (Schlumberger, Halliburton, Geoteric). In addition, we provide professional training and field activities for industry, with a particular focus on analogues of carbonate and dolomitized reservoirs, fractured traps, and subsurface data interpretation.

Research Projects

a) Exploration and characterization of underground salt caverns for geological storage
In collaboration with ENI, ITALKALI, University of Catania, Department of Biology and Department of Physics at the University of Naples Federico II, University of Edinburgh

b) Hydrogen storage in porous media
In collaboration with ENI, University of Edinburgh, TU Delft, Department of Biology at the University of Naples Federico II, EU Marie Curie Project

c) Characterization of trap structures for natural hydrogen In collaboration with Biology Department, University of Naples< the University of Pau and Sorbonne University)

d) Study and modeling of pre-salt reservoirs In collaboration with UFRGS, UFRN, Petrochina

Ongoing International Projects

• Hydra: https://hydrahydrogen.eu/
• SHINE: https://www.shine-edn.eu/
• PNRR NEST: https://fondazionenest.it/
• Prin 2022 Muon Radiography to explore cavities in Salt  (Physics Department)

Academic and Industrial Collaborations

• Université Grenoble Alpes
• TU Delft
• University of Edinburgh
• Sorbonne University
• ENI
• SHELL
• Schlumberger
• CSIC (Barcelona, Mallorca)
• Department of Physics, University of Naples Federfico II (Muon Group – Saracino, Cimmino)
• Department of Biology, University of Naples Federfico II (D. Giovannelli)