Geomechanics and Geoenergy Journal

Geomechanics and Geoenergy Journal

Aims and Scope

 

Geomechanics and Geoenergy (GGJ) is an international peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the field of Geomechanics of Geoenergy Systems. Established by the Iranian Association of Petroleum Geomechanics, the journal is published quarterly in electronic format and provides an interdisciplinary platform for the dissemination of high-quality original research articles, review papers, technical notes, and case studies.

The journal aims to promote the integration of geomechanics, Earth sciences, energy engineering, geoenergy engineering, geotechnical engineering, petroleum engineering, civil engineering, mining engineering, geophysics, geochemistry, data science, and artificial intelligence to address the scientific and engineering challenges associated with sustainable subsurface energy systems. GGJ welcomes contributions that advance the understanding, characterization, modeling, monitoring, and management of subsurface processes through theoretical, experimental, numerical, field-based, and data-driven approaches.

The scope of the journal encompasses, but is not limited to, rock and soil mechanics, reservoir and wellbore geomechanics, drilling geomechanics, laboratory and in-situ characterization, constitutive and coupled THMCB modeling, hydraulic fracturing, induced seismicity, underground storage of carbon dioxide (CCS/CCUS), hydrogen, natural gas and thermal energy, advanced geothermal systems, natural (white) hydrogen, digital geoenergy, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and integrated multi-use subsurface systems. The journal particularly encourages research that contributes to the energy transition, low-carbon technologies, environmental sustainability, and the safe and efficient utilization of subsurface resources.

Mission

Geomechanics and Geoenergy is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the field of Geomechanics of Geoenergy Systems by providing an international platform for the publication of high-quality original research articles, comprehensive review papers, technical notes, and case studies.

The journal adopts an interdisciplinary approach that promotes the integration of Earth sciences, geomechanics, energy engineering, geotechnical engineering, petroleum engineering, mining engineering, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, data science, and artificial intelligence to foster the development of innovative geoenergy technologies and the sustainable management of subsurface systems.

The mission of the journal is to disseminate fundamental and applied knowledge for the design, analysis, monitoring, and management of multi-purpose subsurface systems, where the subsurface serves not only as a source of natural resources but also as a strategic medium for energy production, energy storage, carbon sequestration, sustainable resource utilization, and environmental protection.


Aims

The journal pursues the following objectives:

  1. To advance the frontiers of Geomechanics of Geoenergy Systems through the publication of original, innovative, and impactful research on the behavior and performance of subsurface systems.
  2. To promote interdisciplinary research at the interface of Earth sciences, geomechanics, energy engineering, geochemistry, geophysics, data science, and artificial intelligence, fostering scientific collaboration across disciplines.
  3. To support the development of emerging geoenergy technologies, including advanced geothermal systems, underground carbon dioxide storage, hydrogen storage, natural (white) hydrogen exploration and production, and other innovative technologies for multi-purpose subsurface systems.
  4. To encourage the development and application of advanced methodologies for modeling, simulation, monitoring, and decision-making, including multiphysics and multiscale modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, big data analytics, and data-driven approaches.
  5. To enhance the safety, sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of geoenergy systems through innovative approaches to analysis, design, risk assessment, and integrated subsurface management.
  6. To promote research supporting the sustainable development of energy systems by publishing contributions related to the energy transition, greenhouse gas emission reduction, environmental protection, and low-carbon geoenergy technologies.
  7. To strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology in geomechanics and geoenergy.
  8. To foster national and international scientific cooperation by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, technologies, and experiences among researchers and practitioners in geoenergy.
  9. To enhance the scientific visibility of research related to the sedimentary basins of Iran, West Asia, and other strategically important regions, while encouraging studies that address regional challenges with international scientific significance.

Vision

The vision of Geomechanics and Geoenergy is aligned with the global energy transition, the development of low-carbon technologies, and the sustainable management of subsurface systems. The journal aspires to become a leading international reference in geomechanics and geoenergy by publishing original, innovative, and interdisciplinary research that contributes to the energy transition, greenhouse gas mitigation, enhanced safety, resilience, efficiency of subsurface systems, and environmental sustainability.

The journal recognizes that the future of geoenergy lies in the convergence of Earth sciences, geomechanics, energy engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence, together with the development of Integrated Multi-use Subsurface Systems, in which the subsurface is utilized not merely as a source of extraction but as a strategic platform for the production, storage, transportation, and sustainable management of energy, carbon, and other subsurface resources.

The journal envisions geomechanics as the fundamental science underpinning the design, analysis, monitoring, and management of all geoenergy systems. Moving beyond the traditional boundaries of petroleum and mining engineering, geomechanics will play a central role in enabling the next generation of sustainable energy technologies.

To realize this vision, the journal promotes pioneering research in the following strategic areas:

1. Energy Transition and Low-Carbon Technologies

Development of geomechanical principles supporting the energy transition, decarbonization, improved energy efficiency, and sustainable development.

2. Multi-purpose Subsurface Systems

Design, assessment, and management of integrated subsurface systems for simultaneous or sequential applications including energy production, energy storage, carbon sequestration, resource management, and environmental protection.

3. Underground Energy and Carbon Storage

Geomechanics of carbon dioxide storage (CCS and CCUS), hydrogen storage, natural gas storage, compressed air energy storage (CAES), underground thermal energy storage (UTES), and assessment of storage integrity, safety, and long-term performance.

4. Natural Hydrogen

Exploration, production, and utilization of natural (white) hydrogen, including geomechanical, geochemical, hydrogeological, and microbiological processes governing its generation, migration, accumulation, and production.

5. Advanced Geothermal Systems

Geomechanics of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), closed-loop geothermal systems, energy piles, underground thermal energy storage, and emerging geothermal technologies.

6. Multiphysics and Multiscale Modeling

Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical-biological (THMCB) modeling across multiple scales, from nanoscale to field scale, and digital modeling for predicting subsurface system behavior.

7. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Geoenergy

Applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, digital twins, big data analytics, computer vision, and data-driven methods for the analysis, monitoring, prediction, control, and optimization of geoenergy systems.

8. Reservoir Geomechanics and Energy Infrastructure

Wellbore stability, hydraulic fracturing, induced seismicity, land subsidence, well integrity, reservoir integrity, fault interaction, and risk management of subsurface energy systems.

9. Resilience, Sustainability, and Environmental Protection

Development of geomechanical technologies for mitigating environmental risks, improving the resilience of energy infrastructure, adapting to climate change, and ensuring the safe disposal of underground wastes, including carbon dioxide and radioactive waste.

10. Sedimentary Basin Geomechanics and Strategic Energy Resources

Advancement of geomechanical knowledge related to the sedimentary basins of Iran, West Asia, and other strategically important regions, together with engineering solutions addressing their geological characteristics, energy resources, and sustainable development challenges.


Scope

Geomechanics and Geoenergy publishes fundamental, applied, and translational research in the field of Geomechanics of Geoenergy Systems. The journal welcomes theoretical, experimental, field-based, numerical, and data-driven studies that advance the understanding, analysis, design, monitoring, and management of subsurface systems throughout the life cycle of energy production, storage, transportation, and sustainable resource utilization.

Emphasizing interdisciplinary research, the journal provides a platform for collaboration among researchers in Earth sciences, geomechanics, geotechnical engineering, petroleum engineering, mining engineering, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, energy engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence. The journal particularly welcomes contributions that promote innovative geoenergy technologies, improve the safety and efficiency of subsurface systems, mitigate environmental impacts, and support sustainable development.

The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

  1. Geomechanical Behavior of Rocks, Soils, and Porous Media
    • Rock and soil mechanics
    • Elastic, plastic, time-dependent, and damage behavior
    • Fracture mechanics, crack propagation, and instability
    • Thermo-hydro-mechanical and geochemical processes
    • Laboratory and field investigations
    • Geomechanical characterization and constitutive modeling
  2. Drilling, Wellbore, and Reservoir Geomechanics
    • Drilling geomechanics
    • Wellbore stability
    • In-situ stress and pore pressure
    • Well completion and well integrity
    • Hydraulic fracturing
    • Enhanced recovery
    • Conventional and unconventional reservoir geomechanics
    • Land subsidence and induced seismicity
  3. Geoenergy Systems and Multi-purpose Subsurface Systems
    • Conventional and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
    • Closed-loop geothermal systems
    • Energy piles and ground heat exchangers
    • Integrated multi-purpose subsurface systems
    • Geoenergy system design and life-cycle management
  4. Underground Storage of Energy, Carbon, and Waste
    • Carbon capture and storage (CCS and CCUS)
    • Underground hydrogen storage
    • Natural gas storage
    • Compressed air energy storage (CAES)
    • Underground thermal energy storage (UTES)
    • Radioactive waste disposal and underground waste management
  5. Natural Hydrogen and Emerging Energy Resources
    • Exploration and assessment of natural (white) hydrogen
    • Geochemical and geomechanical processes of hydrogen generation
    • Hydrogen migration, accumulation, and production
    • Hydrogen reservoir geomechanics
  6. Modeling and Simulation of Geoenergy Systems
    • Numerical modeling
    • Multiscale modeling
    • Multiphysics modeling (THMC and THMCB)
    • Uncertainty quantification
    • Reliability analysis
    • Optimization of subsurface systems
  7. Digital Geoenergy and Artificial Intelligence
    • Machine learning
    • Deep learning
    • Generative artificial intelligence
    • Digital twins
    • Big data analytics
    • Computer vision
    • Internet of Things (IoT) and smart monitoring
    • Intelligent decision-support systems
  8. Safety, Environment, and Risk Management
    • Geomechanical risk assessment
    • Safety of subsurface systems
    • Well and reservoir integrity
    • Environmental impact mitigation
    • Climate change adaptation
    • Energy infrastructure resilience
    • Life-cycle management of geoenergy systems
  9. Emerging Technologies and Interdisciplinary Research
    • Future energy systems
    • Geomechanics for low-carbon technologies
    • Physics-informed artificial intelligence (Physics-informed AI)
    • Digital twins for subsurface systems
    • Interdisciplinary research at the interface of Earth sciences, energy, and data science