SMRI Research Introduction and Objectives
- SMRI’s research program is the heart of the organization.
- Research program is led by Research Coordinator Dr. Leo Van Sambeek and a Research Committee.
- Our objective is to fund research efforts that focus on the solution mining industry’s needs.
- Our research has both short and long term objectives, so some is done in phases.
- Research is funded from membership dues.
- SMRI does not actually perform any research, each project is contracted out.
- Procedures are in place to get the most out of the SMRI research funds.
- The efficiency of SMRI’s research budget has been improved by:
> in 2002 formalized procedures, created Research Coordinator position, more RFPs;
> use of requests for proposals (RFPs) to for competitive proposals on specific subjects;
> partnering with other organizations to leverage resources when appropriate;
> on most projects, companies cooperate with free access to their sites for field research;
> operators and researchers make financial and operational contributions to the projects;
> allowing non-member organizations to perform research in areas of specific expertise;
> encouraging proposals from project teams made up of groups from different countries
- Research subject examples of importance to SMRI members and our industry future:
> salt exploration techniques;
> geophysics;
> drilling;
> mechanical integrity testing of wells and caverns
> casing corrosion
> subsidence and sinkholes
> dissolution theory and cavern development
> cavern storage and utilization
> cavern sealing and abandonment (CS&A, a long range research subject)
