FRAC Membership Information
The Fracture Research and Application Consortium (FRAC) is an alliance of scientists from the Bureau and the departments of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and Geological Sciences that seeks fundamental understanding of fractures and fracture processes dedicated to conquering the challenges of reservoir fractures. The research team, led by Co-Principal Investigators Steve Laubach, Jon Olson (PGE), and Randy Marrett (DGS), includes Julia Gale, Jon Holder (PGE), Kitty Milliken (DGS), Sergey Fomel, Rob Reed, John Hooker, and graduate research assistants. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve the efficiency and success of hydrocarbon exploration and production. In addition to site visits and our annual meetings, consortium results are transmitted through the project web site:
What's new: project news, announcements, and recent changes and additions to the site, meeting logistics.
Case studies and research: overviews, status reports, and comprehensive data repository from worldwide studies.
Contact information:
- Steve Laubach — Phone: (512) 471-6303 or (512) 471-1534 (BEG Operator)
- E-mail: steve.laubach@beg.utexas.edu
- Julia Gale — Phone: (512) 232-7957 or (512) 471-1534 (BEG Operator)
- E-mail: julia.gale@beg.utexas.edu
- Randy Marrett — Phone: (512) 471-2113 (Department of Geological Sciences)
- E-mail: marrett@mail.utexas.edu
- Jon Olson — Phone: (512) 471-7375 (Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering)
- E-mail: jolson@mail.utexas.edu
- Peter Eichhubl — Phone: (512) 471-1534 (Bureau of Economic Geology)
- E-mail: peter.eichhubl@beg.utexas.edu
See also our People page.
Participation
Companies participate in this Industrial Associates program through an annual subscription of $50,000. Research results are shared equally among supporting companies at annual review meetings and through our private web site.
Research Planning and Reporting
Each year the annual research plan is discussed and approved by the Members. Our private Website is an important part of our information transfer strategy.
Timing
New members are welcome to join at any time.
Meeting Schedules
The annual Research Meeting is generally held sometime between late spring and early fall and typically has an associated field trip. Field trip guides are also available for Members through this website (login required).
We also schedule Applications Meetings, which involve teaching of methods, software, practical exercises using case study data, etc. These meetings may be linked to field trips. In addition, we can meet individually with Members either in Austin or at Members offices to discuss or review case studies or to provide background briefings or training for staff.
During the year, there are various other single-issue technical meetings scheduled in Austin or Houston that Members are welcome to attend. These meetings are announced on the private web site.
Contact Steve Laubach for more information on scope of the project.
Contact our Contracts department for Invoice and Memorandum of Agreement.
Password Assistance
Passwords to the FRAC consortium member's area are issued by Steve Laubach. For questions regarding current member status or member user names and passwords, please contact Steve Laubach.
Password and username information are issued to the member contact for your company.If you need information on web site access, a reminder of your password or user name, please contact Steve Laubach.
If you are a new member and have received a username/password from FRAC, or are a current member in good standing but are unable to access the members site, please contact Steve Laubach.
