MGRRE
MGRRE Resources
The Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) is an important component of the Michigan Geological Survey and of Western Michigan University. The facility and its collections enable faculty and students to carry out research and educate the next generation of earth scientists.
The 27,000 square-foot MGRRE facility archives the most comprehensive collection of geological samples and data in the state of Michigan, including approximately 530,000 linear feet of rock cores. These cores were drilled during oil, gas and mineral exploration; environmental research; and geological mapping projects. Datasets about subsurface resources are provided through the internet and are also disseminated through the National Data Catalog. Educational activities include K-12 and post-graduate training and industry outreach.
In addition, MGRRE provides a number of industry services, such as:
- Field-to-regional-level geological research projects.
- Searchable online databases.
- Meteorites: if you think you have found one, please read our Meteorite Fact Sheet!
- Sample and data archives.
For a quick summary of our facility, resources, and staff, please see our MGRRE Facility Summary.
At Western Michigan University’s Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education, we develop workshops that are offered both in-house and at external regional locations. At these workshops, petroleum professionals present their research findings, address cutting-edge technologies and cost-effective techniques. Since 1994, several thousand professionals have attended our workshops and report using the information they learned there. These workshops are developed through collaboration with industry members, governmental agencies, service companies and other universities.
MGRRE’s oil and gas research and outreach programs are tailored to provide Michigan’s operators with new information about exploration ideas and technologies that encourage development and production in an environmentally responsible manner. For these companies, undertaking costly research activities is not a viable option; they must gain education and access to technology from outside their doors, a key function provided by MGRRE.
At MGRRE, we know that industry relies on us for cutting-edge data, as evidenced by the over 10,000 hits per month that our databases receive. As such, we also distribute data and research results through our webpages and make our cores, samples and well records easily accessible on-site.
MGRRE’s industry outreach program, conducted in our capacity as a Petroleum Technology Transfer Council satellite center, was previously funded through the Department of Energy. Even though no funding has been available to workshop presenters throughout the country for several years, we continue to carry out this work thanks to generous industry donations and user fees.
Partnerships
The MGRRE facility maintains partnership arrangements with:
- EGLE Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
- Michigan Basin Geological Society
- Michigan Oil and Gas Association
- Michigan Technological University
- Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership
- Petroleum Technology Transfer Council
Partnerships with these entities involve research, outreach and educational programs. These partnerships have generated significant financial support for the MGRRE facility and its many programs.
Supporters
Over 150 individuals, companies and organizations have provided financial support to help MGRRE continue its programming and maintain its proven standard of excellence. In particular, MGRRE would like to thank:
In the United States, a generation of industry and academic scientists is beginning to retire, creating a shortage of geoscientists in the workforce. This shift comes at a time when geoscientists are needed more than ever to address complex climate questions, manage the nation’s coastlines, find water resources, help balance urban and industrial development with environmental protection and help us use earth resources wisely and frugally. The Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education offers unique opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to become involved in projects with faculty, academic departments and industry representatives.
Through experience-based training, often with industry mentors, our students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world issues and problems in these areas:
- Sedimentary geology
- Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage
- Underground natural gas storage
- Energy resource geology
- Glacial geology
- Hydrogeology
- Environmental geology
- Land planning
- Governmental regulation
- Earth science education
Software for Learning
