Geology awarded $5.3 million energy software grant

The Miami University department of geology has received a three-year educational grant valued at $5.3 million from Halliburton’s Landmark Software and Services business line. The grant provides GeoGraphix Discovery software for workstations in the department’s computer lab, and a contract for software maintenance, training and technical support.

The GeoGraphix Discovery software allows users to view high-resolution seismic images of the internal structure of the Earth, interpret borehole geophysical logs and correlate and determine the physical properties of subsurface rock formations. Faculty and students will use the software in courses and research projects related to hydrocarbon exploration and production, the tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins and the evaluation of geological formations for the purpose of carbon dioxide sequestration and storage.

The grant "will provide Miami students with cutting-edge technology as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience in the study of subsurface geological systems. Access to the software will allow our students to develop a full complement of skills that are desired by employers in the oil and gas industry, private consulting firms, government agencies, and academic research groups," said Brian Currie, associate professor of geology.