Collaboration with the University of Leeds

We are collaborating with Professor Quentin Fisher from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, supporting a range of research initiatives by providing ParaGeo, our geomechanical simulation framework, which is designed to model complex coupled flow and rock deformation processes. Current collaborative projects are described below.

Safe Disposal of Nuclear Waste

Ensuring the safe disposal of radioactive waste is critical. Understanding the behaviour of complex, coupled flow-geomechanical systems is essential to inform future decisions.

A key component of this project involves using ParaGeo to help design experiments that generate the data needed to model long-term fluid flow in and around nuclear waste repositories, particularly those located in low-strength sedimentary rocks (specifically clay-mineral-rich shale).

Inverse Experimental Modelling of CO₂ Migration

This research develops methods to automatically invert laboratory experiment results, enabling the creation of constitutive models for use in large-scale coupled flow-geomechanical simulations.

The focus is on optimising model complexity to balance risk reduction with operational efficiency in CO₂ storage, incorporating key geological and physical parameters to improve predictive accuracy.

These research initiatives, in collaboration with the University of Leeds, aim to advance the understanding of subsurface processes critical to the safe and sustainable management of geological behaviour.