Research

SMRI Research Introduction and Objectives

SMRI’s research program is the heart of the organization.
Research program is led by Research Coordinator Dr. Fritz Wilke and the 8 member Research Committee. We thank Peter Jordan for filling in as Interim Research Coordinator since last July.
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;

> cavern aspects of energy storage related to renewable sources

> mechanical integrity testing of wells and caverns

> casing corrosion

> subsidence and sinkholes

> dissolution theory and cavern development

> cavern storage and utilization