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The Subsurface Integrity and Mechanics Exploration Group (SIMEG) is an essential part of the Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI). Our research is closely aligned with EGI's mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions in energy resilience, geothermal energy, and carbon management. By focusing on subsurface geologic and engineering challenges, SIMEG supports EGI's vision of being a global leader in energy research, contributing to critical advancements in decarbonization and energy security.

Carbon Storage

U.S. Department of Energy Founded Project

Exploring Subsurface Carbon Storage in the Permian Basin

Our research group at the University of Utah, in collaboration with Omnia Midstream Partners, is advancing a groundbreaking project focused on the Permian Regional Carbon Sequestration (PRCS) Hub. This initiative aims to build essential infrastructure for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) services in Texas’s Southern Delaware Basin. By leveraging advanced geologic and computational modeling, we are ensuring the safe, long-term storage of CO2 emissions from multiple sources. This project aligns with our mission to develop innovative solutions for energy resilience and environmental sustainability, contributing significantly to the decarbonization of the energy sector.

Frictional Response Experiments

This research utilizes rate-state friction testing to characterize the frictional properties of the cap rock and the injection zone. The experiments aim to identify chemical dependent velocity-strengthening and weakening behaviors, crucial for predicting seismic risk and ground deformation. The study integrates lab investigations with coupled pore pressure diffusion and rate-state models, ultimately establishing guidelines for seismicity and ground deformation mitigation in the context of hydraulic fracturing and subsurface fluid injection.