This article extends the mathematical formulation and solution procedure of the modified 'q-based' GEM to unsteady situations, namely to the modified unsteady 'q-based' GEM. Solutions that provide information on the evolution of the pressure and the flux over long time intervals are available by incorporating the additional dimension of time into steady problems. This approach is first tested by solving an example for which an analytical solution is available. The numerical results for this example is found to be in excellent agreement with the analytical solution. Several problems involving geological features, such as wells and faults, are then investigated, with different properties applying to the faults. A strong influence of the low permeability faults is in evidence in these problems.