The Call for Papers for the SMRI Spring 2026 Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK is available now at this link. The Conference will take place 26 - 29 April, 2026. Additional event details, including the Conference Announcement, will be made available soon.

Conference Registration

In-Person Registration

Registration for the Edinburgh Conference will open for Members on 18 February, and 11 March for Non-Members; any late registrations are subject to a $250 fee, subject to space availability. Please contact Rachel Cunningham ([email protected]) regarding any questions about registration.

Virtual Registration

SMRI will once again welcome members and non-members to register for the Spring 2026 Virtual Conference to be streamed live from Edinburgh on Monday, 27 April and Tuesday, 28 April. Virtual attendees will receive information regarding the hosting platform approximately one week prior to the conference. The Technical Session presentations will be recorded during the live conference and available on the virtual conference platform for viewing for 30 days after the Conference.

The optional Technical Class "Basic Logging Operations for Salt Cavern Development" will be streamed as a virtual component to the conference and attendees will participate in the class through the same platform as the Technical Sessions. The class will be streamed live only and not available for on-demand viewing following the completion of the conference.

Conference Information

Technical Class: Basic Logging Operations for Salt Cavern Development

The Technical Class, typically held on Sunday prior to the Technical Sessions, is designed to be an introductory course or refresher course for the variety of disciplines and management levels that work in the solution mining environment and with solution mined caverns. "Basic Logging Operations for Salt Cavern Development" was chosen as the topic for the Technical Class for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 based on a survey by SMRI leadership to members. The schedule for this class will be released in the coming weeks.\

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The SMRI has continued to be a leader in solution mining concepts with many research projects and technical presentations over the past 50 years. To outline this historical knowledge and provide further insight into these concepts, the SMRI has proposed a tentative list of topics for the Technical Class including:

     • Overview of Logging Needs for Salt Cavern Development
     • Geological Characterization
     • Drilling Phase
     • Solution Mining Phase
     • Completion, Operation, and Abandonment Processes
     • Composite Log Data Review
     • Overall Geologic Evaluation Including Microseismic

The class schedule allows ample time for the topic, questions, and open discussion during session. It also provides opportunities to continue conversations with peers during included coffee breaks and lunch.

 

Monday Night Event

On Monday, 27 April, discover Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, where you can experience the epic story of our planet through immersive, hands-on exhibits. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh’s Sailsbury Crags, this remarkable venue offers access to explore millions of years of Earth’s history: explore the depths of the ocean, experience the chill of an iceberg and travel to a tropical rainforest. Enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks as you mingle, explore, and connect in this inspiring environment. Dress smart-casual for an evening of discovery and conversation. Dynamic Earth is a short walk from the Radisson Blu Hotel, with shuttle service available beginning at 6:15 PM. Cost is $125.00 per person.

If you have any dietary restrictions, please contact Rachel Cunningham prior to 3 April. 

Field Trips

SMRI is in the planning process for trips that will take place at this conference on Wednesday 29 April. More information will be made available prior to the opening of registration.

Travel Information

The Conference will be held at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre located at The Royal Mile, 80 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TH, United Kingdom. Reservations in the SMRI room block for the Conference at the Radisson Blue Hotel can be made at their website: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-edinburgh. When setting up your reservation:

    • Ensure destination is Radisson Blu, Edinburgh
    • Arrival/Departure dates between 21 April to 1 May are available at a £215.00/nightly rate 
    • Number of adults (defaults to 2) please check if only for 1 person amend
    • Special Rates – select “Promotional Code” and add SMRI2026

SMRI has secured a secondary room block at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton. Reservations are available at a £230.00/nightly rate for stays between 24 April and 1 May. Please use this link when making your reservations at the Carlton Hotel.

Each SMRI participant is responsible to book their own hotel reservations.

Edinburgh's closest airport is the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) located 8.4 miles from the Radisson Hotel. Taxi and bus transportation can be arranged on-site or booked in advance through the Edinburgh Airport website.

SMRI thanks our sponsors of the Fall 2025 Wichita Conference:

Hometown Hero Sponsor: Opportunity Available - Please reach out to us directly at [email protected]

Diamond Sponsors: Opportunities Available

Gold Sponsors:  Opportunities Available

Silver Sponsors: Opportunities Available

Bronze Sponsors: Opportunities Available

App Sponsor:  Tiberius Energy Services

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor for the SMRI Spring 2026 Edinburgh Conference, please take a look at  the Sponsor Application form.