Isak Hammer is joining the CSD

Isak, Welcome to the University of Bergen! 

Thanks a lot! I have only been in Bergen once. The rumors say it is quite rainy, so I have used the last two weeks for substantial preparations for the years to come; that includes buying a robust rain jacket. Also, I enjoy the tram Bybanen! It is quite exotic to listen to the Bergen accent on the speakers compared to the not-so-authentic Siri voice, which is the standard for public transport in Trondheim, where I spent my time as a student.

Since most of us don’t know you well, can you tell us a bit about your background?

I am Isak, 28 years old, and I was born and raised in Lofoten. As a Nordlending, one might predict that the optimal career path is aiming for the fish industry. Yet, against the odds, I ended up taking a 5 year masters degree in `Applied Physics and Mathematics` from NTNU Trondheim focusing on (unfitted) finite element methods solving partial differential equations. 

Surprisingly, despite my quite theoretical background in numerical analysis, this is not my first encounter with geophysics. Already as a youngster in my late teens, I ended up doing a two-year apprenticeship as a winch operator of advanced instruments during offshore well logging operations. For the geologists on the team, this was particularly exciting since the instruments we had could provide valuable data such as fluid characteristics, fracture dynamics, porosity, water/oil/gas distribution, core samples and much more. My job was to just manually winch down these instruments downhole, but I am afraid I probably spent more time asking engineers and geologists how these instruments worked. Later this served as an inspiration for going to university and learning about physics and robotics, but I never imagined that this specific insight would become useful almost a decade later.

Why did you choose to pursue a PhD?

I usually say to my friends that my biggest fear is becoming an IT-consultant and programming javascript for the rest of my life. While there is some truth to that, I am primarily focused on finding ways to merge my interests of interdisciplinary research in a professional environment, and at the same time work towards solving impactful real-world problems for society. In this PhD position, I can learn about math, engineering, geophysics, geology and also work towards a green energy solution. Hence, a fantastic opportunity!

Your PhD project is part of the CSD, can you tell us a little bit about your project?

As a fresh newcomer to the MapPSI/CSD team, my personal work plan is to be determined. However, the main objective of my team is to develop mathematical models and simulation technology required to produce green geothermal energy efficiently! 

Working with the production of hot fluids in high-temperature reservoirs introduces several research questions, both in terms of short-term operations and how it evolves throughout decades of production. For instance, an essential element is reinjecting of cold fluids and induce deformation and propagation of fractures, which in turn increases the permeability and maintains reservoir pressure. While this has its upsides, a downside is that it is a major factor in triggering significant human-induced earthquakes. In the worst-case scenario, these can reach over a magnitude of 5, which is enough to damage some buildings. Thus, understanding the underlying fluid-fracture dynamics is crucial for long-term sustainable geothermal energy production! 

It will be exciting to discuss the next step forward with my supervisors Prof. Inga Berre, Dr. Omar Duran and Dr. Ivar Stefansson.