Staff Profile

Dr Mark Ireland joined Newcastle University in 2019. He is a Senior Lecturer in Energy Geosciences. Since 2022 he has been the Associate Dean of Global Partnerships in the Faculty Science, Agriculture and Engineering. He is a geologist by training, with a PhD in geology from Durham University and an MESci in Exploration and Resource Geology from Cardiff University. He started his career in the upstream oil and gas sector with bp, spending 9 years in technical roles across the upstream part of the business. He now works on the decarbonisation of energy systems, specifically the role of geosciences in low carbon energy systems and the use and application of seismic reflection data to understand geological processes. He has led geoscience projects across academia and industry and is currently involved in a diverse range of applied research projects, spanning geothermal energy, energy storage, and carbon capture storage.

In his role as Associate Dean for Global Partnerships, he provides leadership and oversight of the implementation of the global strategy in the SAgE Faculty to improve the university’s global profile and impact. He provides leadership and support in the implementation of actions to improve the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering’s global profile and networks.

In addition to his university responsibilities he is:

• Chair of the Energy Group of the Geological Society of London.
• Associate Editor for Earth Science, System and Society (the Geological Society of London's Open Access journal)

Google Scholar Profile

ORCiD

His research focuses on subsurface interpretation, tackling fundamental questions regarding deformation, fluid flow, and heat flow within the upper crust at a variety of scales, all of which underpin the exploration and exploitation of natural resources, the disposal of waste in geological materials, and the monitoring of subsurface activities.

Find out more about our research into energy here

Current and Recent Funding

ViTAL Living Lab - RAF - Co-Investigator - The ViTAL Living Lab will conduct and assess experiments to quantify RAF efforts to Net Zero. The project will develop and carry out experiments to understand the impact of a range of technologies to meet Net Zero. Specifically, I lead the work investigating the potential role of geothermal energy. (2021 - 2024)

Developing a site survey for scientific ocean drilling on the Mauritanian continental margin - NERC - Principle Investigator - Large volumes of methane are stored on continental margins in shallow waters, referred to as methane hydrates. They are widespread on continental margins and are considered to be one of the largest methane reservoirs that naturally exist. There is evidence from the geological record on the Mauritanian continental margin that potentially large volumes of methane have been released as a result of the methane hydrate destabilisation due to past increases in ocean temperatures. The release of methane from hydrates during a warming world has been suggested previously to be an important mechanism for changing the chemistry of the oceans and amplifying climatic change. The proposed project here will identify candidate scientific drilling sites to investigate the methane hydrate systems. (2022 - 2024)

Net Zero Geothermal Research for District Infrastructure - EPSRC - Co-Investigator - The project will address fundamental challenges in 1) heat abstraction and storage; 2) the engineering challenges of integrating geothermal energy to whole energy systems, and 3) regulatory and legal implications of closed-loop systems and subsequent liabilities. The research sets out to mitigate the technical and economic risks associated with deep UK geothermal energy for heating and cooling, and so to facilitate its future adoption to enable zero carbon targets to be reached. (2020 – 2023)

Developing deep science laboratories from the shale gas legacy - UKUH NERC-ESRC - Principal Investigator - This project, in collaboration with Stirling University, will investigate the potential for repurposing UK shale gas well as research facilities to answer fundamental science questions, as well as to undertake the research required to support geoenergy solutions such as carbon capture storage, geothermal energy, and hydrogen storage. The project will comprise a systematic review of the construction and status of wells and characterize the geology. The project will vitally engage with stakeholders and communities and collate their views on the potential reuse of existing oil and gas infrastructure to advance the science and technology of low carbon energy solutions. (2021)

Geothermal Resource Assessment - NE Local Enterprise Partnership - Principle Investigator - This study used existing data, including legacy data from oil, gas, and coal exploration, to investigate and develop new approaches to modeling heat flow in sedimentary basins. The outputs from this project will help us understand the opportunities for geothermal energy to make a contribution to decarbonizing heating. (2020 – 2021)

Recent Media Contributions 

Ireland, MT., 2023. Poole oil spill expert Q&A: why is there an oil field in Dorset anyway? Link

Ireland, MT., Hawkins, and Brown, R. 2022. Fracking for energy security in the UK: 4 key considerations for government. Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Link

Bradshaw, M., Ireland, MT., Brown, R. and Davies, RJ. 2022. Why fracking is not the answer to soaring UK gas prices. The Conversation. Link 

Recent Conference Contributions

Ireland, MT. et al., 2023. Meeting heating demand from deep geothermal aquifers in the UK’s sedimentary basins. 10th UK Geothermal Symposium, London

Ireland, MT. et al., 2023. The UK’s first high-density nodal joint active and passive seismic survey for geothermal exploration. Energy Geoscience Conference, Aberdeen.

Ireland, MT. 2023. Why reliable and reproducible structural interpretations are key for future energy projects. Tectonic Studies Group, Leeds

Ireland, MT. 2022. Distinguishing initiation mechanisms for layer-bound faults. Tectonics Studies Group

Hart, A., and Ireland, MT. 2021. How can subsurface geoenergy sites support current and future regulation and policy? The role of subsurface research labs in delivering net zero.

Ireland, MT., 2020. A forcing template between bottom water currents and differential compaction. 59th British Sedimentological Research Group Annual General Meeting.

Ireland, MT., 2019. How much do we really know about heat in the UK's onshore sedimentary basins? 7th London Geothermal Symposium, Geological Society London

Ireland, MT., Burrell, R., Randell, P., 2018. Seismic data collaboration: How can we maximize our seismic data and enable greater collaboration? PETEX 2018, London

Ireland, MT., Cottam, MA., 2017. An extended continuum from magma-rich to magma poor margins: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration. AAPG International Conference & Exhibition, London

Ireland, MT., Wilson, RW., Shoulders, S., 2016. Insights into the evolution of the volcanic margin of Western India and associated intracratonic rifts. Geological Society of London, Rifts III: Catching the Wave, London

Current PhD Supervisions

Hector Barnett - Assessing the feasibility of large-scale hydrogen storage in salt caverns on the UKCS using 3D seismic data (GeoNetZero CDT)

Gianluca Amicarelli - Multi-scale characterization of fault and fracture networks in granite: implications for the integrity of geological nuclear waste repositories.

Aidan Jaques - The geomicrobiology of hydrogen storage in geological materials (EPSRC ICASE award)

William Norfolk - The improved treatment and valorisation of produced water/waste streams from subsurface developments.

PhD Research Opportunities

Please get in touch directly if you are interested in research opportunities.

Undergraduate Teaching

NES1210 Dynamic Earth - Module Leader

NES1208 Earth and Environmental Science Field Course

NES3200 - Earth and Environmental Science Dissertations - Module Leader

NES3203 Geotechnical and Geophysical Investigations - Module Leader

NES3203 Current Issues in Earth and Environmental Sciences - Module Leader

Postgraduate Teaching

SPG8025 - Subsurface Energy Systems: Exploration, Evaluation and Sustainable Management

• Articles

  • Davies RJ, Yang J, Ireland MT, Berndt C, Maqueda MAM, Huuse M. Long-distance migration and venting of methane from the base of the hydrate stability zone. Nature Geoscience 2024, 17, 32-37.
  • Ireland MT, Guillermo A, Steventon M, Munafò M. How reproducible and reliable is geophysical research?. Seismica 2023, 2(1).
  • Barnett HG, Ireland MT, Van der Land C. Characterising the internal structural complexity of the Southern North Sea Zechstein Supergroup Evaporites. Basin Research 2023, 35(5), 1651-1673.
  • Graham SP, Aplin AC, Rouainia M, Ireland MT, Armitage PJ. A micromechanical investigation of diagenetically-induced changes to the anisotropic elastic properties of calcareous mudstones. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources 2023, 9(1), 107.
  • Steventon MJ, Jackson CAL, Hall M, Ireland MT, Munafo M, Roberts KJ. Reproducibility in subsurface geoscience. Earth Science, Systems and Society 2022, 2, 10051.
  • Graham SP, Rouainia M, Aplin AC, Ireland MT, Charlton TS, Armitage PJ. New Micromechanical Data and Modelling Framework for the Elastic Response of Calcareous Mudstones. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 2022, 158, 105181.
  • Yang J, Xia Y, Yuan J, Ireland MT, Lu S, Wang M, Yu H, Li Y, Lu M. Depositional model of the Lower Cretaceous Nantun Formation and its implications for oil accumulation in the northern Wuerxun Sag of Hailar Basin, NE China. Sedimentary Geology 2022, 438, 106208.
  • Ireland MT, Morley CK, Davies RJ. Systematic spacing and topological variations in layer-bound fault systems. Basin Research 2021, 33(5), 2745-2762.
  • Ireland MT, Brown R, Wilson M, Stratesky P, Kingdon A, Davies RJ. Suitability of Legacy Subsurface Data for Nascent Geoenergy Activities Onshore United Kingdom. Frontiers in Earth Sciences 2021, 9, 629960.
  • Yang J, Qi N, Ireland MT, Lua S, Wang M, Lu M, Xia Y. Geological controls on the natural CO2 accumulation in the Surennuoer Oilfield of the Hailar Basin, China. Marine and Petroleum Geology 2021, 133, 105319.
  • Davies RJ, Morales Maqueda MA, Li A, Ireland M. Climatically driven instability of marine methane hydrate along a canyon-incised continental margin. Geology 2021, 49(8), 973-977.
  • Ireland MT, Davies RJ, Goulty NR, Moy DJ. Thick slides dominated by regular-wavelength folds and thrusts in biosiliceous sediments on the Vema Dome offshore of Norway. Marine Geology 2011, 289(1-4), 34-45.
  • Ireland MT, Davies RJ, Goulty NR, Carruthers D. Structure of a silica diagenetic transformation zone: the Gjallar Ridge, offshore Norway. Sedimentology 2011, 58(2), 424-441.
  • Davies RJ, Ireland MT. Initiation and propagation of polygonal fault arrays by thermally triggered volume reduction reactions in siliceous sediment. Marine Geology 2011, 289(1-4), 150-158.
  • Ireland MT, Goulty NR, Davies RJ. Influence of stratigraphic setting and simple shear on layer-bound compaction faults offshore Mauritania. Journal of Structural Geology 2011, 33(4), 487-499.
  • Ireland MT, Goulty NR, Davies RJ. Influence of pore water chemistry on silica diagenesis: evidence from the interaction of diagenetic reaction zones with polygonal fault systems. Journal of the Geological Society 2010, 167, 273-279.
  • Davies RJ, Ireland MT, Cartwright JA. Differential compaction due to the irregular topology of a diagenetic reaction boundary: a new mechanism for the formation of polygonal faults. Basin Research 2009, 21(3), 354-359.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Graham SP, Rouainia M, Ireland MT, Aplin AC, Armitage PJ. Elastic Stiffening of Shale up to 200°C: Insights from High-load Nanoindentation Tests. In: 55th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. 2021, Virtual: OnePetro.