Subsurface fluids govern many of the Earth's most important geological processes and are central to the discovery, development, and sustainable management of energy and mineral resources. Whether exploring for hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, groundwater, critical minerals, or secure CO₂ storage reservoirs, accurately characterizing the occurrence, migration, and rock-fluid interactions of subsurface fluids is fundamental to reducing exploration risk, optimizing resource recovery, and protecting the environment. Although fossil fuels have fueled global economic growth and remain the world's dominant energy source, their continued use presents significant environmental challenges, particularly greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Achieving a resilient and sustainable energy future will therefore require a balanced strategy that expands renewable energy resources while reducing the carbon footprint of conventional energy systems through technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). In this talk, I demonstrate how integrated basin analysis, advanced reservoir characterization, and geophysical imaging provide a unified framework for understanding subsurface fluid systems across diverse geological settings. Using case studies from the Gulf of America and the Niger Delta Basin, I illustrate how fluid migration pathways, reservoir architecture, and rock-fluid interactions govern hydrocarbon accumulation, reservoir performance, and the long-term integrity of geological CO₂ storage. I further discuss how these same geological principles can be applied to the exploration and sustainable development of geothermal resources. By integrating geological, geophysical, and reservoir-scale observations, this work highlights the pivotal role of subsurface fluid characterization in advancing hydrocarbon exploration, enabling secure carbon sequestration, and accelerating the transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. Understanding how fluids move through the Earth's subsurface is not only fundamental to geoscience; it is increasingly essential for meeting the world's future energy, environmental, and climate goals.

*Refreshments: 12-12:30 PM, ES&T Atrium