Events & Courses

Understanding tectonic stress, and associated strain, is of fundamental importance to many areas of the energy sector. Integrating tectonics and associated stresses is of key importance at all scales of and across all aspects of the value chain – from early exploration and through development and production, as well as long-term subsurface containment. 

From optimised reservoir management for fluid recovery, Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) and waste disposal, to geothermal reservoir performance, wellbore stability during drilling, or geoengineering for mining and surface hazard assessments, each requires an understanding of the tectonic stresses and their implications for the viability and integrity (both near and long-term) of the project. 

From an academic perspective, tectonic stresses are a central component of understanding plate tectonics, basin geodynamics, and earthquake dynamics, linking plate diving forces with the resulting strain in the crust/lithosphere.

This two-day event will bring together industry and academic groups to present and discuss the latest understanding of tectonic stress and how it applies to the energy sector. 

The organisers welcome papers on the following themes: 

• Plate tectonic driving forces
• Lithospheric stress and deformation
• Measuring, monitoring and modelling stress
• Reservoir geomechanics and fluid flow (inc. geothermal)
• Pore pressure, Operations and Wellbore stability
• Seismicity (tectonic & induced) and earthquake hazards
• Subsurface storage and the energy transition

Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now closed.

Field Trips

The meeting will be followed by a one day field excursion (Friday 24 May) on the South coast of England to look at the effects of far-field stress in the Wessex Basin. The field excursion will take in some of the spectacular geology on display along the Dorset coastline. During the day we will use outcrops, surface geology, seismic imagery, and earthquake data to understand and discuss implications for both present day far-field stress and the past stress history of the Wessex Basin.

Participants will need to arrange their own transportation to and from Wareham Station, Dorset (plus any accommodation they may require). Transportation during the day will be provided by the trip organisers, though participants are also welcome to use their own vehicles. A small selection of snacks and refreshments will be provided, and there will be options to purchase others during the day.

Registration for the fieldtrip will open shortly. 

Keynotes

Mark Zoback (Stamford University)

Oliver Heidbach (GFZ Potsdam)

Adriana Paluszny (Imperial College London)

Mike Kendall (Oxford University)

Mark Tingay (Petronas)

Convenors

Woody Wilson – bp

Mark Ireland – Newcastle University

David McNamara – University of Liverpool

Myra Keep – UWA

Steve Dee – bp

Registration Fees

In-Person:

Virtual: