Geoscience skills supplement emissions reduction through carbon solutions

Abstract

As the energy sector transitions, traditional geoscience occupations have been impacted by the decrease in upstream oil and gas activity. However, these roles are highly technical and innovative, and could benefit many sectors if re-deployed. Carbon offsetting is available now to support meeting emission reduction targets and is expected to be deployed in the long term for hard-to-abate areas. In 2018, Woodside started a carbon business that includes the origination of offsets through carbon farming. Millions of seedlings have been planted on less productive farmland in WA. The program has been enhanced through the transferable skills that geoscientists provide, including uncertainty analysis, software technology and data acquisition. Much like the petroleum geoscience discipline, carbon offset investment requires an assessment of a natural resource. There is uncertainty in the total volume, the future state, and the policy conditions impacting the resource. Geoscientists at Woodside have led initiatives to assess carbon yield, quantify and forecast uncertainty, and develop decision-making frameworks for project investment. These initiatives have informed the business as a market participant and project developer in the nascent carbon market. Geospatial analytics is critical throughout the value chain of a planting project, including site selection, project design, site execution, monitoring and reporting. Remote sensing and imagery analysis are used for monitoring growth and quantifying carbon sequestration. Further, geospatial projects have aided efficiency, providing accurate, real-time data to and from the field and re-deploying geoscientists from in-house has contributed towards Woodside’s success.