Biography

Timothy Kneafsey P.E., Ph.D. is a Staff Earth Scientist in the Energy Geosciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Head of the Hydrocarbon Resources Program. He performs laboratory and field experimental studies on a variety of topics including heat transfer and mass transport in fractured and porous rock. Studies include stimulating crystalline rock; measuring hydrological, geophysical, and geomechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments and supercritical CO₂-bearing rock; probing transport of acid gases in geothermal systems; visualizing fluids (liquid and gas) flow through coal and rock while simultaneously measuring geophysical properties related to coal-bed methane and CO₂ sequestration; and investigating issues related to CO₂ sequestration including CO₂-induced density driven brine advection. Dr. Kneafsey has used a variety of visualization tools in his investigations including direct and differential imaging, spatially resolved infrared thermometry, and x-ray CT scanning, and has a patent for a CT scanner design. Dr. Kneafsey holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering, also from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a registered Civil Engineer in California.