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Software Agreement with Baker Hughes

UCD announces software agreement with Baker Hughes to support research in Sustainable Geoenergy

University College Dublin (UCD) School of Earth Sciences has entered into an agreement with (opens in a new window)Baker Hughes that will provide staff and students with access to advanced subsurface and geoscience software used widely across the global energy sector.

The agreement supports research activities within the School of Earth Sciences, strengthening UCD’s capabilities in subsurface characterisation, geomechanics, petrophysics, and integrated geological modelling. Access to industry-standard software will enhance training in applied subsurface geoscience and support research addressing key challenges in the energy transition.

In particular, the agreement underpins work within UCD’s Sustainable Geoenergy Research Group, including the GEMINI project (geothermal energy and subsurface heat utilisation), the GeoStorIE project (geological storage of energy and fluids), and the Ireland Subsurface Stress and Geoenergy Programme (ISSGP), a UCD-led research initiative focused on compiling and analysing borehole, log, and geomechanical data to improve understanding of present-day in situ stress conditions across Ireland. These projects address fundamental scientific and technical questions related to geothermal systems, subsurface energy storage, and the safe and sustainable use of the subsurface.

The software will also be available for short research projects carried out as part of the UCD School of Earth Sciences MSc programmes, including the MSc Subsurface Geomodelling and the MSc Environmental and Engineering Geoscience. These programmes aim to equip graduates with practical skills aligned with emerging workforce needs in low-carbon energy, subsurface storage, and georesource development.

The software agreement, valued at approximately USD$8.5 million, provides multi-year access and multiple licenses for the following suite of programs by Baker Hughes Reservoir Software BV: JewelSuite™ Subsurface Modelling (including the Subsurface Modelling and 4D Geomechanics packages), JewelSuite™ GeoMechanics, GMI Caliper™, GMI Imager™, and GMI SFIB™. Further details on the services provided by Baker Hughes can be found here: (opens in a new window)https://www.bakerhughes.com/oilfield-services-digital.  

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Kara English, Head of the School of Earth Sciences at UCD, noted that the collaboration with Baker Hughes significantly strengthens the School’s research capability in sustainable geoenergy, geomechanics, and subsurface modelling, while also supporting postgraduate research training. The School of Earth Sciences thanks Baker Hughes for their support and looks forward to building on this collaboration through future research activities.