Geological Probing in a Low-carbon Energy Future: A new frontier for ionizing radiation?

The paper examines potential roles for ionizing radiation-based subsurface probing techniques, ubiquitous in the petroleum industry, to extract geological information essential for transition to a low-carbon energy future to mitigate climate change. These techniques in general come mainly in two tracks, radioactive source-based techniques used for initial characterization of geological formation and accelerator/generator-based techniques used to monitor fluids contained in it. Tests of generators/accelerator tools to replace radioactive source tools in the formation characterization phase show promise but also face considerable challenges; most petroleum industry practitioners have been reluctant to switch as a result. Could successful tests to support geological probing needed in a low-carbon future alter the dynamic and motivate the transition? The present paper first briefly notes the basics of subsurface nuclear techniques and the state of generator-based alternatives to radioactive source tools used. It then reviews tested or proposed applications of nuclear techniques in geological probing needed in low-carbon energy transition, with an emphasis on generator-based techniques. Several necessary technological advances suggested for the latter are briefly noted.