Research Areas
Petroleum Systems and Energy Problems
GHG Emissions and CO2 Geological Sequestration

The University Fernando Pessoa (UFP) confers a Doctorate in Earth Sciences, corresponding to the 3rd Cycle of the Bologna Process, in the two following specialties, viz.:

 Petroleum Systems and Energy Problems
 GHG Emissions and CO2 Geological Sequestration.

These two specialties are considered complementary. In fact, the use of coal, and other fossil fuels, will remain for decades the main source of energy for power generation, despite the important efforts made to replace, as far as possible, fossil by renewable sources. As is well documented, the production of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), mainly CO2, arises primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels. The increasing introduction and application of Clean (and Cleaner) Coal Technologies-CCTs, is expected to mitigate substantially the emission of such gases. There is therefore a need to promote CO2 abatement through Zero Emission (Carbon Free) Technologies-ZETs, including CO2 geological storage. In fact, these technologies are the only ones that are presently able to conform to the ambitious EU targets set out in the Commission document entitled “Limiting Global Change to 2 degrees Celsius – The way ahead for 2020 and beyond” (2007) currently designated as EU “20, 20, 20 to 2020” document, as well as, with the economic aspects of the EU Directives 2003/87/EC, 2009/29/EC and 2004/101/EC in the scope of the EU Emissions Allowance Trading System. The importance of this particular issue is well demonstrated with the European Commission formal admission that the referred targets will be impossible to reach without geological storage. For this reason, the EU Directive on Geological Storage of CO2 was published (EU Directive 2009/31/EC of 23 April 2009), and for which competent management and the application of technical best practices demands the need to prepare specialists.
 
Geological storage of CO2 is currently possible in oil and gas fields, in deep saline aquifers, and in coal (deep unmineable coal seams and abandoned collieries). However, despite recent progresses in this field of research, several technical and economic constraints still exist regarding both injection and storage of CO2 at an industrial level, therefore justifying the development of research programmes in the domain.

In addition, fossil fuels are non-renewable, so exemplified by the so-called oil, gas and coal “peaks”, and it is now generally admitted that 50% of world resources and reserves have been depleted. Such facts justify the development of research in “petroleum systems” prospecting and exploration, mainly in relation with the current and future projections for Energy. In this regard, the relation between CO2 injection for geological sequestration in oil fields and coal seams with the modern technologies in “enhanced oil and gas recovery is highlighted.

All in all, the complementary study of Petroleum Systems and Energy Problems on the one hand, and the environmental consequences of using fossil fuels and their mitigation, on the other hand, constitute the final objective of the Bologna 3rd Cycle on Earth Sciences at the University Fernando Pessoa.

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme is otherwise well demonstrated in the lists of the disciplines of the two specialties, which include subjects dealing with Earth Sciences, Extractive Processes, Environment and Chemical Engineering, Processing and related Industries.

Finally, it should be mentioned that this Bologna Process 3rd Cycle programme is simultaneously educational, scientific and cultural, aiming to contribute to the development, in Portugal, of best practices and modern technologies equivalent to the highest level practiced internationally.

The University Fernando Pessoa is well Staffed and equipped to implement the programme successfully and at the highest level. In this regard, suffice to mention the advanced level of lecturing and of current research practices already in place in the Global Change, Energy, Environment and Bioengineering Research Unit (CIAGEB) of the Fernando Pessoa Foundation / University Fernando Pessoa. The lecturing and research personnel committed to the programme are permanent staff members of the University.

Contacts and Information

Administrative issues and Applications
Gabinete de Ingresso • Universidade Fernando Pessoa • Praça 9 de Abril, 349 • 4249-004 Porto, Portugal • tel. +351 225 071 300/335 • fax: +351 225 508 269 • E-mail: ingresso@ufp.edu.pt

Academic and pedagogical issues
Professor Manuel Lemos de Sousa • Universidade Fernando Pessoa • Praça 9 de Abril, 349 • 4249-004 Porto, Portugal • tel. +351 225 071 300 • fax: +351 225 508 269 • E-mail: lsousa@ufp.edu.pt