Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
Nothing about oil reservoirs is ever absolutely certain. The critical question from a business viewpoint is whether the lack of knowledge makes a difference to how we develop a reservoir, and if it does whether we can choose a development plan that minimises the impacts of that uncertainty.
The group develops and applies mathematical models to quantify uncertainty in an oil reservoir. It does this using advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to blend different sources of information (including production data) to come up with a statistically consistent estimate of uncertainty. Optimisation techniques are then used to identify reservoir development plans (or interventions such as infill drilling) that maximise expected return and minimise risk in that return.
Research projects
The research the group undertakes covers a number of areas: we carry out research in stochastic optimisation (algorithms such as particle swarm optimisation), including multi-objective optimisation where we look for trade-offs between two objectives such as maximising oil recovered and minimising water production; we carry out research into Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques – the 'gold standard' of uncertainty quantification; we use machine learning to help us understand the geological make-up of reservoirs, so when we adjust unknowns in our reservoir models to match history we can do it in a way that is consistent with nature; and we have some research into 'rare events' – quantifying the likelihood of events that are unlikely yet could cause major problems for a project if they occurred.
Examples:
Additional information
The research in the group is funded both by industry and the UK's Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). Subject to funding, there are opportunities for both PhD students and Postdoctoral Research Associates. The group has access to both high powered workstations and a Linux cluster for the computational aspects of the research.
Entry requirements
Candidate criteria
Funding information
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| England / Wales / N Ireland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| International | £26,604 | £13,302 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
