Oil and Gas
Designing interdisciplinary research
focused on the science,
engineering and policy of oil and gas
in the net-zero energy future
Shaping Our Future
Governments are pursuing increasingly ambitious initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify their energy economies. While the world is facing significant energy demand growth from emerging and developing economies. The dual pressures of reducing the carbon footprint, while also providing the necessary resources to fuel energy growth is creating complexity for the oil and gas industry.
Oil and Gas connects Colorado School of Mines research expertise, with issues related to ESG, policy and regulation to create an interdisciplinary partnership with sustainable technical, policy, and economic solutions for oil and gas in our net zero energy future.
OIL AND GAS FOCUSED
OIL AND GAS RESEARCH CONSORTIA AND CENTERS
CENTER FOR WAVE PHENOMENA
The Center for Wave Phenomena (CWP) is a research center that collaborates with industry, government agencies and academic institutions to conduct leading research in seismic exploration, monitoring and wave propagation. While subsurface imaging for exploration and production of hydrocarbons is an important focus of the CWP, we also conduct research related to space, building stability and more. As a culturally diverse group of people with diverse research interests, our students and visitors have the freedom to choose research problems that suit them best.
ENERGY MODELLING GROUP
The Energy Modeling Group’S (EMG) mission is to develop state-of-the-art reservoir modeling technology and advanced simulation tools for research, teaching, and field application in the area of subsurface energy and natural resources, and environmental science and engineering. Specifically, EMG relies on the support from government funding agencies, industries, and international organizations for its research and teaching activities.
FRACTURING, ACIDIZING, STIMULATION TECHNOLOGY (FAST) CONSORTIUM
The Fracturing, Acidizing, Stimulation Technology (FAST) Consortium is a joint industry/university research consortium that performs research in all areas of stimulation of oil and gas wells. FAST concentrates on theoretical and laboratory developments that can be directly employed in the field to improve stimulation design and execution. Full partnership of industry is essential to the success of the consortium, and industry members are encouraged to provide direct input and guidance for the various projects.
Mudrocks and Tight Oil Characterization Consortium (MUDTOC)
Mudrocks and Tight Oil Characterization Consortium (MUDTOC) research helps better define the petroleum systems and the genetically related petroleum accumulations surrounding mudrock, tight oil and halo oil fields by characterizing both the conventional and unconventional accumulations in terms of porosity, permeability, and other reservoir parameters.
RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION PROJECT (RCP)
RCP’s research highlights the value of applied research in predicting reservoir performance and enhancing field development strategies with a focus on integrated reservoir characterization. Our research spans geophysics, geology, petrophysics and petroleum engineering, with seismic methods as a foundation of our applied studies.
MINES RESPONSIBLE GAS INITIATIVE
Responsible Gas at Colorado School of Mines exists to help better understand the challenges and opportunities related to the future of natural gas in a low-carbon economy. We work with partners to define the prospects for responsibly sourced gas, using empirical, credible data and independent certification.
CENTER FOR ROCK & FLUID MULTIPHYSICS
At the Center for Rock & Fluid Multiphysics, we combine simultaneous laboratory experimentation with rock physics modeling to research the multiphysical properties of rocks, fluids and their interactions. By combining methodologies into single experiments, and integrating approaches from earth sciences and engineering fields, the center provides data for applications and models that advance cutting edge science and technologies.
UNCONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS AND OIL INSTITUTE
Colorado School of Mines UNGI organization is affiliated with unique technical, environmental and regulatory experts working in collaboration with oil and gas industry, state and federal government as well as other global interested stakeholders and public in addressing environmental and regulatory concerns and ensure that natural gas and oil production worldwide proceeds in a safe and responsible manner.
UNCONVENTIONAL RESERVOIR ENGINEERING PROJECT (UREP)
The Unconventional Reservoir Engineering Project (UREP) is a research consortium focusing on the unconventional aspects of reservoir engineering to contribute to the long-term, sustainable production from unconventional reservoirs including but not limited to nano-pore resource plays such as shale-gas and liquids-rich formations.
Next Up
Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab – 2023 Annual Event
Please join the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab (EEMDL) and the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines as we welcome Faculty Fellow Dr. Dorit Hammerling and Fellow Dr. Arvind Ravikumar presenting at the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab – 2023 Annual Event on Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12, 2023 in Austin, TX. Follow this link to see the event.
View More Events »
Latest News
- OGCI accelerates action to tackle global oil and gas methane emissions 12/5/2023
- Students tackle energy problems at GEFI Innov8x Challenge 11/21/2023
- The Fifth National Climate Assessment 11/14/2023
- Fighting Climate Change with Carbon Offsets and Fossil Fuel Retirement Credits 11/10/2023
- How Cutting Methane Emissions Became Good For Business 11/09/2023
Leadership
Learn More
For more information about Integrated Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) at the Colorado School of Mines, please contact Global Initiatives Deputy Director Greg Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.
Jennifer Miskimins
Director, Mines Oil and Gas Initiative
Luis Zerpa
Director, Mines Oil and Gas Initiative
Why Mines?
Since 1874, Mines has been a pioneer at the frontiers of science and engineering, from locating and recovering earth resources, to energy production, to environmental stewardship.
Over time, Mines’ expertise expanded to meet the changing needs of industry and society, playing key roles in the growth of the global energy and natural resource industries. We are now positioned to leverage that deep expertise through a data-driven approach to informing the global energy future, in collaboration with academia, industry, government and civil society partners.
Mines@150
As Colorado School of Mines approaches our sesquicentennial, we are ideally suited to lead this initiative. Our bold and ambitious MINES@150 strategic plan builds on the exceptional legacy of our PAST, the ways we impact the PRESENT and the POSSIBILITIES of our global energy future.