Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Texas A&M University have joined forces to establish the National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center for Energy-Related Geologic Storage (ERGS), a new national hub dedicated to advancing safe and reliable subsurface storage of energy-related fluids.
ERGS will focus on two core challenges—accurately assessing storage capacity in natural and engineered pore spaces and evaluating risks such as fluid leakage through rock formations and wellbores—as well as induced seismicity. Research will span methane, hydrogen, compressed air, and brine injection, with a strong emphasis on wellbore integrity, caprock seal performance, and fluid/rock interactions under extreme subsurface conditions.
The center brings together expertise in geoscience, engineering, materials science, and advanced data analytics, applying tools such as machine learning and seismic imaging to refine storage assessments and reduce uncertainty.
OSU plans to lead efforts in communication and public trust-building to ensure storage solutions are developed collaboratively with communities, while Texas A&M researchers plan to contribute knowledge in exploration geoscience, basin-scale analysis, and risk modeling.