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
research consortia and centers
Reservoir Characterization Project
The Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP) at Colorado School of Mines is an independently sponsored research consortium that highlights applied research in predicting reservoir performance and enhancing field development strategies utilizing multidisciplinary teams of geophysics, geology, petrophysics, and petroleum engineering students.
MUDTOC
MUDTOC is celebrating its 12th Anniversary as a successful, industry-driven research consortium focused on the investigation of mudrocks, tight oil, and halo plays (unconventional) with an expanding emphasis on the geological constraints of geothermal, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and sediment hosted uranium deposits.
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.
Fracturing, Acidizing Stimulation Technology (FAST)
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.
UNCONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS AND OIL INSTITUTE (UNGI)
The mission of the Colorado School of Mines’ Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Institute (UNGI) is to provide a platform for multidisciplinary research in all areas of unconventional natural gas and oil exploration and development. This Institute encompasses all relevant disciplines and brings together world-class researchers and those organizations seeking solutions to complex problems. Active member involvement is encouraged to quickly bridge from science to engineering applications. Focus is also placed on education and outreach to improve the understanding of the importance of worldwide unconventional natural gas resources.
CENTER FOR WAVE PHENOMENA (CWP)
The Center for Wave Phenomena (CWP) collaborates with industry, government agencies and academic institutions to conduct leading research in seismic exploration, monitoring and wave propagation.
CENTER FOR ROCK AND FLUID MULTIPHYSICS
The Center for Rock & Fluid Multiphysics combines simultaneous laboratory experimentation with rock physics modeling to research the multi-physical properties of rocks, fluids and their interactions.
ENERGY MODELING GROUP
Energy Modeling Group’s 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.
RESPONSIBLE GAS INITIATIVE
The Responsible Gas Initiative 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.
Next Up
Mines Petroleum Engineering Department is Turning 100 Years Old in 2022
Mines Petroleum Engineering is hosting a year long celebration for their centennial year. Follow this link to see the events.
View More Events »
Latest News
- Chevron’s $7.6B purchase of PDC Energy creates the biggest oil and gas company in Colorado 5/23/2023
- Ambitious EPA Rules to Face Stark Permitting Reality 5/17/2023
- Colorado is writing the national blueprint on ozone control 5/17/2023
- Russia’s War in Ukraine: Green Policies in a New Energy Geopolitics 5/8/2023
- 2023 GLOBAL GAS FLARING TRACKER REPORT 4/5/2023
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.