Peter B Flemings
Research Scientist, Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences
John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Chair in Energy and Mineral Resources (Holder)
Leonidas T. Barrow Centennial Chair in Mineral Resources (Holder)
Mailcode: C9000
Dr. Flemings' research couples observation with theoretical analysis to study crustal fluid flow at human and geologic timescales. He explores classical questions such as:
1) What is the relationship between faulting, pressure, and stress?
2) What is the permeability of the shallow crust and how does it vary with stress and pore pressure?
3) How is continental margin morphology controlled by fluid flow?
4) How do hydrocarbons move at both geological and production time scales?
5) What is the mechanism by which gas and oil vents form?
6) How are methane hydrate deposits generated?
7) How do we predict pore pressure in basins?
8) Under what conditions will blowouts form?
9) How can we design and drill safe and economic wells?
Dr. Flemings works closely with the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), studies fluid pressure in the Nankai Accretionary Prism and helped develop a pore pressure penetrometer for ocean drilling. He leads an industry-supported research consortium (UT GeoFluids) that combines geomechanical modeling, experimental analysis, and field study to study pore pressure and fluid flow in basins. He is fascinated by methane hydrates, and his research group simulates them in the lab and models their formation. Most recently, Dr. Flemings is leading a new initiative to drill methane hydrates in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, his team studies the permeability and deformation of mudstones in the GeoMechanics laboratory.
Areas of Expertise
Stratigraphy, basin analysis, basin-scale fluid flow, pore pressures in seafloor sediments, submarine landslides, oil and gas migration, methane hydrates, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)
Current Research Programs & Projects
UT GeoFluids Consortium: Pressure, Stress and Geologic Evolution in the Gulf of Mexico
Controls on Methane Expulsion During Melting of Natural Gas Hydrate Systems: Topic Area 2
SUTUR – Mechanisms of Gas Flow in Shale
Select Past Research
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, Gulf of Mexico: Expedition 308, Gulf of Mexico Hydrogeology
UT Institute for Geophysics DirectorÂ’s Circle of Excellence Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2021 - 2022)
AAPG George C. Matson Memorial Award (best paper at 2022 AAPG Convention. Kevin Meazell was primary author). - AAPG (2021)
Leonidas T. Barrow Centennial Chair in Mineral Resources - The University of Texas at Austin (2020)
Joseph C. Walter Jr. Excellence Award - Jackson School of Geosciences (2016)
Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (Member) - Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy (2015 - 2017)
Tinker Family BEG Publication Award - Bureau of Economic Geology (2015)
Chair of the Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize Committee - American Geophysical Union (2015 - 2016)
John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Chair in Energy and Mineral Resources - The University of Texas at Austin (2015 - 2020)
Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (Chair) - Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy (2014 - 2015)
Author Achievement Award - Bureau of Economic Geology (2014)
Certificate for Reviewing Excellence - Marine and Petroleum Geology (2014)
Outstanding Researcher Award - UT Institute for Geophysics (2014)
Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (Co-Chair) - Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy (2013)
Chair: 2nd Gordon Research Conference on Hydrates - Gordon Research Conference (2012)
DirectorÂ’s Circle of Excellence Award - UT Institute for Geophysics (2011 - 2016)
Informal Advisor to Energy Secretary S. Chu's BP Macondo Well Integrity Team - BP Macondo Well Integrity Team (2010)
Vice Chair: 1st Gordon Research Conference on Hydrates - Gordon Research Conference (2010)
Keynote Speaker/ Co-Convener, 'Subsurface sediment mobilization and fluid flow' - Geological Society, London. (2008)
Author Achievement Award - Bureau of Economic Geology (2008)
JOI-USSAC Distinguished Lecturer - JOI-USSAC (2007 - 2007)
Keynote Speaker and Co-Convener - Geological Society, London (2007 - 2007)
Kavli Fellow and Speaker - Humboldt Foundation Frontiers of Science Symposium (2006 - 2006)
AAPG Distinguished Lecturer - American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2006 - 2006)
Co-Chief Scientist - IODP Expedition 308 – Gulf of Mexico, Hydrogeology (2005)
G. Montgomery and Marion Mitchell Award for Innovative Teaching - Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (2003 - 2003)
Best Paper Award - Computers and Geosciences (2001 - 2001)
Geological Society of America Fellow - Geological Society of America (1997 - 1997)
Matthew J. and Anne C. Wilson Outstanding Teaching Award - Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (1996 - 1996)
Best Paper, J.C. Cam Sproule Memorial Award - AAPG Bulletin (1995 - 1995)
Shell Faculty Fellow - Shell (1994 - 1997)
Crosby Distinguished Lecturer - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992 - 1992)
Best Paper Award - Mountain Geologist (1991 - 1991)
John McMullen Graduate Fellowship for academic record (1986 - 1986)
Chair for Sessions on Analysis of Natural Gas Hydrate Systems, AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition (2020)
Member Macelwane Awards Committee, American Geophysical Union (2020 - Present)
Chair of the Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize Committee, American Geophysical Union (2015 - 2016)
Visiting Research Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2014)
Visiting Research Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2013)
Shipboard Scientist, JOIDES Resolution cruise (2012)
Convener, EarthScope-GeoPRISMS, EarthScope-GeoPRISMS Science Workshop for Eastern North America, Bethlehem, PA (2011)
Co-chair, GEOPRESSURE 2011, Galveston, TX, GEOPRESSURE 2011, Galveston, TX (2011)
Convener, EarthScope-GeoPRISMS, EarthScope-GeoPRISMS Opportunities in Eastern North America, Mini-Workshop, Austin, TX, May 2011 (2011)
Convener, EarthScope, EarthScope National Meeting, Austin, TX, May 2011 (2011)
Meeting Organizer, UT GeoFluids, UT GeoFluids Industrial Affiliates Meeting, Austin, TX, Feb. 2011 (2011)
Chair, Gordon Research Conference, 2nd Gordon Research Conference in Gas Hydrates (2011 - 2012)
Co-Convener, Rifting Margins, Rifting Margins Workshop, Nov. 2010 (2010)
Member, GeoPrisms, GeoPrisms Steering Committee (2010 - 2012)
Vice Chair, Gordon Research Conference, 1st Gordon Research Conference in Gas Hydrates (2010 - 2011)
Member, Science Proposal Writing Committee—Margins, Science Proposal Writing Committee—Margins (2010)
Member, The Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (An Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy), The Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee (An Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy) (2010 - 2012)
Member, Organizing Committee, International Conference on Geopressure (Galveston, 10/4/2011) (2010)
Chair, Sed Erg, Jackson School (2009)
Chair, Energy Theme Search Committee, Jackson School (2009)
Member, IT Search Committee, Department of Geological Sciences (2009)
Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, The Unviersity of Texas (2009 - 2012)
Member, Appointments Committee, Jackson School (2009 - 2013)
Member, Endowment Committee, Jackson School (2009 - 2011)
Member, IODP Board of Governors, IODP Board of Governors (2009 - 2011)
Chair, Ad Hoc Department Computing Committee, Department of Geological Sciences (2008 - 2009)
Chair, Schoch Building Move Committee, Department of Geological Sciences (2008 - 2009)
Member, UTIG Director Search Committee (UTIG), UTIG (2008 - 2009)
Graduate Adviser, Dept. of Geological Science, Jackson School (2008 - 2012)
Member, Colorado School of Mines Department of Geological Engineering Review Committee, Colorado School of Mines Department of Geological Engineering Review Committee (2008 - 2011)
Member, Departmental Endowed Position Committee, Department of Geological Sciences (2007 - 2009)
Member, Energy Theme Search Committee, Jackson School (2007 - 2009)
Chairperson, IODP Engineering Development Panel (2005 - 2008)
Co-Chief Scientist, IODP Expedition 308, Gulf of Mexico Hydrogeology (2005)
Convener, Downhole Tools Workshop, JOI-USSAC supported workshop (2004)
Director, GeoFluidsIII Consortium (2004 - 2008)
Associate Editor, Geofluids (2003 - 2006)
Shipboard Scientist, JAMSTEC KR03-05 data recovery cruise, Yokohama, Japan (2003)
Shorebased Scientist, ODP Leg 204 (2003)
Member, AAPG Research Committee (2003 - 2006)
ACORK Specialist, Ocean Drilling Program data recovery cruise (2002)
Director, GeoFluidsII Consortium (2002 - 2004)
Co-Chair, American Geophysical Union Session in Dynamics of Gas Hydrate Reservoirs and Similar Shallow Marine Flow Systems (2001)
Logging/CORK Specialist, Ocean Drilling Program Cruise, Leg 196 (2001)
Member, Interim Science Steering and Evaluation Panel for the Environment (2001 - 2002)
Chair, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Session in Geopressure and Trap Integrity (2000)
Participant, Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)-Industry workshop (1999)
Participant, National Science Foundation Special Sedimentary Geosciences Workshop (1999)
Member, JOI Pollution Prevention and Safety Panel (1999 - 2002)
Participant, Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)-Industry workshop (1999)
Manager, GeoFluids and GeoSystems Office (1999 - 2008)
Liaison, Departmental Industry Recruiting Program (1999 - 2007)
Leader, Gas Research Industry Workshop (1998)
Director, Penn State Time-Lapse Seismic Consortium (1998 - 2001)
Director, Penn State GeoFluids Consortium (1998 - 2001)
Logging Scientist, Ocean Drilling Program Cruise, Leg 174A (1997)
Member, Scientific Measurements Panel of the Ocean Drilling Program (1997 - 2000)
Associate Editor, Basin Research (1996 - 2011)
Postdocs
Alejandro Cardona Ramirez
Alejandro received his Ph.D. and M.Sc. from KAUST, and his B.S. from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. He explores the scientific foundations and engineering implications of geomaterials and subsurface processes with an emphasis on the energy sector. His research has centered on methane hydrate-bearing sediments, permeability estimation methods, coupled hydromechanical processes in fractured rocks, and emergent capillary effects in dual-porosity systems....
Yi Fang, 2017 - 2020
Manasij Santra, 2016 - 2021, Jackson School of Geosciences
Stacey Worman, 2015 - 2016
Stephen Phillips, 2015 - 2019
Kehua You, 2013 - 2015, The University of Texas
Kehua joined UT Geofluids as a postdoctoral fellow in June 2013. She earned her Ph.D. in geology from Texas A&M University in 2013, and her B.S. in environmental sciences from University of Science and Technology of China in 2008. She specializes in theoretical and computational hydrogeology, contaminant hydrology and reservoir simulation. Her primary research interest lies in fluid flow and transport in subsurface environment.
Athma Bhandari, 2012 - 2014
Julia S. Reece, 2011 - 2013
Maria Nikolinakou, 2009 - 2010
Insun Song, 2007 - 2010
Graduate Students
Landon Lockhart
, Ph.D., expected 2024
(Supervisor)
My expertise is in petrophysics and geomechanics, and I have proficiency in log-based petrophysical analysis, in laboratory measurements, and broadly in geomechanics, both in conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
A key highlight of my research is the development of a model to predict pore pressure in the Permian Basin. In this work I have combined petrophysical analysis of log and...
Zach Murphy
, Ph.D., expected 2022
(Supervisor)
Before starting his PhD, Zach earned his MS in Petroleum Engineering from the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at UT-Austin. Prior to UT, he received his BA in Earth Science with honors from Dartmouth College.
Zach is now pursuing a PhD in geological sciences in the Jackson School of Geosciences. His research focuses of fluid flow in hydrate...
Tolulope Agbaje
(Supervisor)
Tolulope holds a B-Tech in Applied Geology from the Federal University of Technology Akure, an MS in Geology from Kansas State University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology at the Jackson School of Geosciences. His primary research centers on utilizing machine learning for pore pressure prediction.
Riley Garrett
(Supervisor)
Riley is currently pursuing an MS degree at the Jackson School of Geoscience. Her research focuses on carbon flux associated with permafrost thaw in Alaska. Before starting her MS, Riley earned her BS in Chemistry from UT Austin and worked on carbon flux research using Eddy Covariance towers located in Central Texas. Her interests include climate dynamics, land-atmospheric interactions, biogeochemistry,...
Sebastian Ramiro Ramirez, Ph.D., 2022
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Abby Varona, M.S., 2022
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
David Wiggs, M.S., 2021
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Kevin Meazell, Ph.D., 2019
(Supervisor)
Jackson School of Geosciences
Dylan Meyer, Ph.D., 2018 (Supervisor)
Kristopher Darnell, Ph.D., 2018 (Supervisor)
Miguel Cisneros, Ph.D., 2018 (Committee Member)
Andrea Nolting, Ph.D., 2017 (Committee Member)
Bradley Gooch, Ph.D., 2016 (Committee Member)
Gregory Hurd, Ph.D., 2016 (Committee Member)
Michael Cronin, M.S., 2015
(Supervisor)
University of Texas at Austin
Michael studied core-scale gas transport experiments and the numerical modeling of gas transport in fractured gas shales. His interests included geomechanics, reservoir engineering, unconventional resource plays, and rowing. After completing his degree, Michael accepted a full-time geologist position with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in The Woodlands, TX.
Jason Sanford, M.S., 2015
(Supervisor)
University of Texas at Austin
Jason's work focused on the geologic record of the Chicxulub asteroid impact in the Gulf of Mexico (with the Gulf Basin Depositional Synthesis Project) and the geomechanics of reservoir-scale sand injectites in the Panoche Hills of central California (with UT GeoFluids). Jason now works at Chevron as an exploration earth scientist in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
William Betts, M.S., 2014
(Supervisor)
The University of Texas
William studied consolidation and deformation of mudstones in the Nankai Trough area of offshore Japan. He joined Halliburton after graduation in 2014.
Baiyuan Gao, M.S., 2013 (Supervisor)
Yao You, Ph.D., 2013
(Supervisor)
University of Texas at Austin
Yao's work focused on quantitative modeling of crustal fluids and geomorphology. He studied failure in sand caused by breaching in subaqueous and submarine environments, and modeled the pore pressure in Ursa Basin using soil properties measured by the UT GeoFluids group. After completing his PhD, Yao joined Hess.
Kyung Chang, Ph.D., 2013 (Co-supervisor)
Michael Merrell, M.S., 2012
(Supervisor)
University of Texas at Austin
Michael's research focused on characterizing the pressure and stress at the Mad Dog field that lies directly below an allochthonous salt sheet along the Sigsbee Escarpment in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. He used logging data, direct pressure measurements, and drilling records to understand how the reservoir is segmented and how to predict pore pressure across the field. Upon completion of...
Andrew Smith, M.S., 2012
(Supervisor)
The University of Texas
Andrew's work focused on the process of venting and associated hydrate formation at deepwater vents in the Gulf of Mexico. After completing his MS, he joined the marine geology and geophysics research group at the University of Tromsø in Norway as a Fulbright scholar.
Julia Schneider, Ph.D., 2011
(Supervisor)
The University of Texas
Julia's research focused on compression and flow behavior of mudrocks. As a PhD student and postdoctoral fellow in the UT GeoFluids group, she studied the effect of mineralogy and particle size on porosity, compressibility, permeability, and microstructure under geologic stresses. She used various mudrocks such as the Boston Blue Clay, Gulf of Mexico mudrock, and Nankai mudrock. Her work has...
Lucas Fidler, M.S., 2011 (Co-supervisor)
Kylara Martin, Ph.D., 2011 (Co-supervisor)
Derek Sawyer, Ph.D., 2010
(Supervisor)
The University of Texas
Derek studied sedimentation, deformation, and fluid flow on continental margins. Upon completion of his PhD, Derek, joined the Operations Geology group of ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas.
Hilary Strong, M.S., 2009
(Supervisor)
The University of Texas
Hilary's thesis focused on consolidation characteristics of mass transport complexes in the Ursa Region. Upon completion of her MS, she joined ExxonMobil as an Operations Geologist.
Undergraduate Students
Carmen Atkins, Completed 2012 (Berger Geosciences)
Pressure Coring a Gulf of Mexico Deep-Water Turbidite Gas Hydrate Reservoir: The UT-GOM2-1 Hydrate Pressure Coring Expedition, AAPG Conference and Exhibition, (2020)
Recent results pressure coring hydrate-bearing sands in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico: implications for formation and production, Gordon Research Conference on Natural Gas Hydrate Systems, (2018)
Ice that burns, University of Texas Libraries Research & Pizza presentation, (2018)
GOM2: Prospecting, drilling and sampling coarse-grained hydrate reservoirs in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, International Conference of Gas Hydrates, (2017)
Illuminating the genesis of methane hydrate within coarse-grained reservoirs through deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, TX A&M University Graduate Seminar, (2017)
Illuminating the genesis of methane hydrate within coarse-grained reservoirs through deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, UT Petroleum and GeoSystems Engineering Graduate Seminar, (2017)
The Methane Hydrate GeoSystem: Geology, Climate, & Energy, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UT Austin, (2016)
Exploring the Methane Hydrate GeoSystem from Pore to Basin, Sandia National Laboratories, (2016)
Exploring the Methane Hydrate GeoSystem from Pore to Basin, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute,, (2016)
The Methane Hydrate and Free Gas GeoSystem: Geology, Climate, & Energy, Jackson School of Geosciences Tech Session, (2015)
The Methane Hydrate and Free Gas GeoSystem, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, (2015)
Gulf of Mexico Petroleum Systems, Nautilus, (2014)
Advanced Pore Pressure Prediction Workshop: Concepts, Mechanisms and Workflows, Nautilus, Houston (2013)
The Science of Pore Pressure Prediction in the Deepwater (Keynote Speaker), 47th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, (2013)
Pore pressure response to unloading, progressive slope failure, and the stratigraphic record (Keynote Speaker), 6th International Symposium on Submarine Mass Wasting and their Consequences, (2013)
Advanced Pore Pressure Prediction Workshop: Concepts, Mechanisms and Workflows, Nautilus, Houston (2012)
Gas Venting Through the Hydrate Stability Zone: observation and theory, MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany (2012)
Advanced Pore Pressure Prediction Workshop: Concepts, Mechanisms and Workflows, Nautilus, Houston (2011)
Advanced Pore Pressure Prediction Workshop: Concepts, Mechanisms and Workflows, Nautilus, Norway (2011)
Offshore Active Processes and Hazards, RIE Lehigh conference, Bethlehem, PA (2011)
Capillary behavior of methane hydrates, Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Long Beach, Ca. (2011)
Sub-seafloor Oil-plume Containment: How can we preserve and build the required expertise to respond to large oil vents in the US waters? Is there a role beyond spill response?, National USGS Marine Geohazards Workshop, Pore Pressure and the Macondo Well, Menlo Park, CA (2011)
| Year | Semester | Course | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 191 | Geomechanics Seminar |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 660A | Field Geology |
| 2024 | Spring | GEO 315L | Earth From Lab To Planet |
| 2023 | Fall | GEO 191 | Geomechanics Seminar |
| 2023 | Spring | GEO 315L | Earth From Lab To Planet |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 191 | Geomechanics Seminar |
| 2022 | Fall | GEO 382D | Crustal Geofluids |
| 2022 | Summer | GEO f660A | Field Geo-Tx/Nm/Wy |
| 2021 | Fall | GEO 382D | Crustal Geofluids |
| 2021 | Spring | GEO 382D | Crustal Geofluids |
| 2020 | Spring | GEO 291 | Geomechs/Fluid Flow Sub Zones |
| 2019 | Fall | GEO 291 | Fire/Ice: Methane Hydr Geosys |
| 2019 | Spring | GEO 382D | Crustal Geofluids |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 391 | Methane Hydrate |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2018 | Spring | GEO 330K | Energy Exploration |
| 2017 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2017 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2017 | Spring | GEO 330K | Energy Exploration |
| 2016 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2016 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geofluids |
| 2016 | Spring | GEO 382D | Crustal Geofluids |
| 2016 | Spring | GEO 330K | Energy Exploration |
| 2015 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geological Sciences |
| 2015 | Fall | GEO 291 | Fire/Ice: Methane Hydr Geosys |
| 2015 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geofluids |
| 2015 | Spring | GEO 330K | Energy Exploration |
| 2014 | Fall | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geofluids |
| 2014 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Geofluids |
Graduate Positions
Graduate student positions in geomechanics and geofluids
The GeoMechanics and GeoFluids research group has immediate opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral study. Drs. Saffer and Flemings are most enthused by students who have a commitment to a doctoral program because that allows time to delve deeply into research. However, we also regularly accept exceptional M.S. students into our research group. If you are interested, please email Demian Saffer (demian@ig.utexas.edu) or Peter Flemings (pflemings@jsg.utexas.edu).
Browse opportunities and learn more about our research group at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.
Undergraduate Positions
Geomechanics and Geofluids Research Jobs for Undergrads
Do you want to study the Earth while learning the ins-and-outs of cutting-edge laboratory equipment, from maintenance to experiment design? UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids investigates fluid flow and deformation in Earth materials using lab experiments, field work, and computer modeling.
We seek hard-working and detail-oriented students with a passion for learning. You will assist with ongoing projects: offshoots could lead to your senior thesis.
Tasks will include everything from the routine to the experimentally complex. You will work independently or with staff and researchers on experimental setup, equipment maintenance, laboratory clean up, sample preparation, data analysis, and a host of other tasks.
For more information contact Josh O'Connell.
Learn more about our research projects at UT GeoMechanics and GeoFluids.