NE2G is currently involved in several projects, funded by a mix of research councils and industry.

NetZero GeoRDIE

Net Zero Geothermal Research for District Infrastructure Engineering (NetZero GeoRDIE) brings together world leading researchers from Newcastle University, University of Glasgow and Durham University, in close association with the EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI), to research single well geothermal systems as part of a whole energy system.

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GeoPOP4

GeoPOP (Geosciences Project on OverPressure) is a multi-disciplinary research group investigating overpressure in sedimentary basins. It is led by Durham University (Dr Stuart Jones and Prof Andy Aplin) in conjunction with Newcastle University, and has been funded by several industry consortiums. GeoPOP4 is being undertaken in partnership with bp and Petrobras. The project continues and expands our work on pore pressure prediction in diagenically modified mudstones, providing a robust framework with which to mitigate the risks of carbon capture and storage.

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SHAPE-UK

Impact of hydraulic fracturing in the overburden of shale resource plays: Process-based evaluation (SHAPE-UK) is Challenge 3 of the NERC Programme 'Unconventional Hydrocarbons in the UK Energy System' (UKUH).

This project aims to understand leakage into the overburden, including risks of induced seismicity, and develop strategies to monitor and mitigate their effects. The project involves a collaboration between 12 leading scientists at 7 UK research institutions (Bristol, Durham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Oxford Universities and the British Geological Survey) and 9 Project Partners from both industry and regulatory organisations. 

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PhD topics

Completed PhD projects undertaken in the group:

• Dr Erika Calderon-Medina (2025): Quantifying the influence of 2D and 3D stress histories on reservoir quality in active tectonic basins (GeoPOP4 with bp and Petrobras)
• Dr Sam Graham (2023): Micromechanics of shales for CO2 capture and storage (EPSRC CASE PhD with bp)
• Dr Tom Fender (2022): The geomechanical properties of organic matter in fine grained rocks (NERC CDT)
• Dr Majid Goodarzi (2018): Geomechanical characterisation of organic-rich shale properties using small scale experiments and homogenisation methods (supported by Gas Shales in Europe industry consortium).

 Please get in touch if you are interested in undertaking PhD research with NE2G.

Consultancy

NE2G has recently carried out consultancy work on experimental shale micromechanics for several companies. We are always open to advising on and undertaking advanced experimental and computational design, analysis and characterisation work. Please contact us with any queries.