Wojciech Górecki

Near-Surface Geochemical Anomalies Integrated with Seismic and Well Data over the Contact of the Outer Carpathians and the Carpathian Foredeep (SE Poland)

The objective of this study is to interpret the regularities in distribution of surface geochemical anomalies observed in a fragment of the contact zone between the Carpathian Fold-and-Thrust Belt and the Carpathian Foredeep (SE Poland). The surface geochemical survey included a total of 670 soil gas samples analyzed by gas chromatography, integrated with seismic cross sections, and supplemented by production data from wells. Maximum concentrations of methane, total alkanes C2-C5, total alkenes C2-C4, H2, and CO2 measured in soil gas samples were 27.1 vol.%, 45.3 ppm, 0.49 ppm, 0.232 vol.%, and 6.29 vol.%, respectively. Traces of alkanes detected in samples are the result of microseepage from a few accumulations of various compositions. Methane and ethane migrate primarily from relative shallow Miocene strata, and higher alkanes from deeper Miocene strata and from Paleozoic-Mesozoic basement. We found relatively high positive correlation between the distribution of surface geochemical anomalies and the relative intensity of hydrocarbon shows recorded in the wells. The location and range of 13 anomalous zones are controlled by the patterns of both the Debno and the Wojnicz slice-folds. Most of the anomalies occur over the Wojnicz Trough, suggesting the presence of conventional accumulations and/or the sites where the Miocene mudstone and heterolithic formations are saturated with gas.

Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Saving ‘Miekinia’

The educational and scientific activity of the Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environment Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH UST), Kraków, Poland, is closely related to the subject-matter of renewable energy sources (RES). The specialty “renewable energy sources” has existed and research work in this field has been conducted at the faculty for several years. It created the need for the establishment of educational and research infrastructure to enable practical courses and laboratory studies, which would enrich the educational offer of the University and improve the quality of the research work. Courses at laboratory stands complement theoretical knowledge and the previous lack of sites for the practical training of students made it necessary to organize the training outside of the University, which generated additional costs and reduced the potential for detailed analysis of installations based on RES. The creation of the AGH UST Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Saving in Miękinia provides new possibilities for students and scientific workers of the University. The AGH UST Educational and Research Laboratory of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Saving in Miękinia-Krzeszowice commune, which has been constructed on the basis of an existing building, is the first stage of the wider project called AGH UST Centre of Sustainable Development and Energy Saving in Miękinia. The building has been modernized to place laboratory stands for providing courses and doing laboratory work. Moreover, the reconstruction aim was to improve the energy efficiency of the building. Construction of the Laboratory was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union under the Małopolska Regional Operational Programme 2007–2013.