Early-stage risk assessment for the Uinta Basin CarbonSAFE Phase II project
Early-stage risk assessment for the Uinta Basin CarbonSAFE Phase II project: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
Volume 143, May 2025, 104359
Insights from recent natural hydrogen events
By: Eiichi Setoyama, Ph.D., Research Scientist In the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, I had the privilege of attending the University of Utah & University of Houston joint technical conference, H-NAT 2024, the Surf’Hy symposium organised by...
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51): A Grand-Design Spiral in Action
Image: A detailed, high-resolution image of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) captured over approximately 30 hours of exposure at the scientist’s private observatory in Emigration Canyon, Utah. This striking image clearly reveals the intricate structure of the galaxy’s spiral arms, star-forming regions (highlighted in pink and red), and the interacting companion galaxy, NGC 5195, visible at the bottom of the frame. The image provides an exceptional view of cosmic interactions driving star formation and shaping galactic structures.
EGI held kick-off event for the Geothermal Consortium at the University of Utah
EGI held kick-off event for the Geothermal Consortium at the University of Utah
Dr. John McLennan is named a 2025 Distinguished Research Award Recipient at the University of Utah
Dr. John McLennan is named a 2025 Distinguished Research Award Recipient at the University of Utah
Dr. Joseph Moore Receives Citation of Recognition from the Utah state Senate and Utah State House of Representatives
Dr. Joseph Moore RecEIves Citation of Recognition from the Utah state Senate and Utah state House of Representatives
Spring 2025 Message from the Director
I’m excited to share many of the research achievements currently underway at the Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI). These successes are rooted in the outstanding work of EGI’s researchers, whose dedication over the Institute’s more than 50-year history has...
Society of Petroleum Engineers: Distinguished Lecturer Program
NEVER WASTE A CRISIS: Aliso Canyon Blowout and Recovery Alan J. Walker, Energy & Geoscience Institute, University of Utah On October 23, 2015, the largest methane leak from a natural gas storage facility in US history was discovered by Southern California Gas...
Dr. Ting Xiao was recently selected for FOA 3014 with a total DOE funding of $4,780,568.
Dr. Ting XiaoThe Uinta-Piceance Basin Carbon Management and Community Engagement Partnership plans to accelerate the equitable and environmentally responsible deployment and development of a storage-based carbon management industry in the Uinta- Piceance Basin in...
Unearthing New Opportunities: Mine Waste Characterization in Utah’s Greater Tintic Mining Area under the EarthMRI Program
EGI Research Scientist Dr. Bryony Richards along with The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) were recently awarded the chance to embark on a vital project to carry out mine waste characterization in the Greater Tintic Mining area. The Tintic District is Utah’s second most productive mining region, surpassed only by the Bingham district, operated owned Rio Tinto.
EGI attends 2024 NAPE Summit
In February, EGI attended the 2024 NAPE Summit in Houston as an exhibitor. NAPE (North American Prospect Expo©) brings together top executives, investors, and professionals from the upstream energy sector. Those representing EGI consisted of EGI Director Dr. Milind...
Recent EGI publications of 2023 – 2024
2024 Dvory, N. Z., McLennan, J. D. (2024). Stress Field Dynamics and Fault Slip Potential in the Paradox Basin. JGR Solid Earth, 129(7), (July 2024) e2024JB028891 Fei, F., Wang, C., Cusini, M., Frash, L., Kroll. K., (2024). Modeling of Diagnostic Fracture Injection...
A Celestial Symphony Over Stone: The 2023 Annular Eclipse at Bryce Canyon
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, skywatchers across a swath of the Americas were treated to a celestial spectacle: an annular solar eclipse.
EGI’s carbon management team update
Over $10 Million from the Department of Energy to Support Reducing CO₂ Emissions in Uinta Basin Dr. Ting Xiao and Dr. Brian McPherson are currently engaged in a comprehensive project focused on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) hubs. Their work is part...
Searching for a Greener Future: Empowering Geoscience and Engineering Education for the Energy Transition
Dr. Rasoul Sorkhabi, a CvEEN Research Professor, and Milind Deo, a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Energy & Geoscience Institute, have developed an innovative approach to geoscience and geoengineering education. Their work,...
Utah FORGE Poster and Song Parody Contests — Expanding Geothermal Literacy
This year, the Utah FORGE team conducted two annual contests for elementary, middle and high school students to learn more about geothermal energy in creative ways.
A Climate of Hope – Utah FORGE Featured in NHMU’s Groundbreaking Exhibit
On November 11, 2023, the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) showcased its newest permanent exhibit: “A Climate of Hope.” Located on the museum’s fifth story, this addition focuses on climate change in a unique way. Lisa Thompson — an Exhibit Developer with NHMU...
EGI Scientists’ presentations featured in AAPG Explorer
EGI scientists Rasoul Sorkhabi, Ph.D., Setoyama, Ph.D., and Palash Panja, Ph.D., were delighted that two of their presentations were featured in the August and September issues of the AAPG Explorer magazine– one on the ranking of US shale plays and the second on the Middle East.
A TRANSFORMATIVE OFFSHORE EXPLORATION TOOL
We are pleased to announce the recent advancements in EGI’s iCORDS Offshore data platform, a robust solution designed with the core understanding that Big Data provides the competitive advantage in contemporary geoscience and exploration technologies. With over a...
An Unusual Phenomenon: Aurora Borealis Paints the Utah Night Sky on April 23, 2023
On the evening of April 23, 2023, residents and skywatchers across Utah were treated to a remarkable and unusual celestial event—a display of the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon, typically associated with polar regions, illuminated the...
EGI’s Carbon Management team UPDATE
EGI conducts numerous projects in carbon sequestration wherein large amounts of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions are targeted for injection into deep saline aquifers or other suitable geologic formations. EGI's research portfolio on low-carbon technologies includes work in...
EGI Participates at 2023 IMAGE Convention in Houston
The International Meeting on Applied Geoscience Energy organized jointly by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) was held in Houston from 28 August through 1 September in Houston, Texas. This was the...
Geothermal Energy at the U – Past, Present and Future
By: Sarah Buening (Utah FORGE intern) The University of Utah is responsible for operating nearly 300 buildings that support education, healthcare, research and housing. Powering this infrastructure demands a high influx of energy and, indeed, the majority of the U’s...
From Prehistoric to Present: Archaeology, Geology, and Geomorphology of the Great Salt Lake Region
The Great Salt Lake is shaped by the interplay of water and sediment dynamics, fluctuations in lake level, and the accumulation of salts and minerals. However, in recent history, it is the human impact that has started to change the lake in ways we are only just...
2023 EGI Annual Technical Conference
The 2023 Annual EGI Technical Conference will be Sept. 18-21, 2023 The Energy & Geoscience Institute (EGI) at the University of Utah has been serving the energy industry for over 50 years. On September 18, 2023, we will kick off our Annual EGI Technical Conference...
Message from the Director | Sept. 2023
As we step into the latter part of 2023, I'm pleased to share with you a series of accomplishments and developments that mark significant milestones in EGI's ongoing journey. It's been an eventful year for us, replete with achievements, collaborations, and forward...
Remembering Dr. Philip Wannamaker and Richard Esser
Dr. Philip Ein Wannamaker | 1954 - 2022 EGI lost a friend and a brilliant scientist. On August 22nd, Phil Wannamaker suffered heart failure while presenting his scientific findings on UtahFORGE while on a Zoom call and died at EGI. Rather than paraphrase his Obituary,...
U.S. Secretary of Energy visits UTAH FORGE TEAM
University of Utah civil and environmental engineering research professor Joseph Moore (left to right), U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson visit the campus Feb. 8 to discuss progress on the FORGE geothermal laboratory. (Photos credit: Eric Larson, FlashPoint SLC.)
BRIEF NEWS FROM EGI
EGI visits included representatives from the Kyrgyz Republic.
C/2022 E3 (ZTF): A VISITOR FROM THE LAST ICE AGE
Photo: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) passing close to NGC2591, December 27th, 2022. BY BRYONY RICHARDS, Ph.D. During the Upper Paleolithic, some 50,000 years ago, the Earth was still in a glacial period; megafauna (think Dire wolves, Smilodon, and Megatherium) roamed the...
EGI’s Carbon Management team update
Above photo: The Carbon Science and Research Initiative on a field trip in the northern sector of the Paradox Basin, near Moab, Utah. EGI’s Carbon Management team led by Dr. Brian McPherson was recently awarded over $8 million dollars of US Department of Energy (DOE)...
Utah FORGE UPDATE | February 2023
Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy expanded its series of Energy Earthshots to “accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade.” The Enhanced Geothermal Shot, aims to reduce the cost of Enhanced...
EGI 50th Anniversary
Over 200 guests attended the EGI 50th banquet EGI 50th anniversary banquet at Rice Eccles Stadium, University of Utah. Rich Esser accepting an award presented by Dr. Milind Deo and Dr. Brian McPherson Last September, EGI hosted past and present Corporate Associate...
Geoscience Education and Energy Transition
By Rasoul Sorkhabi, Ph.D.
Geoscience education, enrollment and employment are facing daunting challenges for a variety of reasons…
Has your company joined iCORDS Offshore?
iCORDS Offshore is EGI’s data analytics service integrating geoscience data on offshore basins and wells. The data have been harvested from various sources including DSDP-ODP-IODP and agencies from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, and Australia....
Paradox Field Trip – November, 2022
The Carbon Science and Research Initiative of the Energy and Geoscience Institute, University of Utah, attended a geology field trip in the northern sector of the Paradox Basin, near Moab, Utah. Addressing current research in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs, and...