Borehole Research at the University of Leicester was formed in 1989 and is internationally known for research using measurements on core and downhole. We are a multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary group with a wide spectrum of research interests centred on integrating sedimentology with petrophysics. We collaborate worldwide with leading academic and industry partners, primarily in the US and Europe. Our research has been funded by Research Councils UK, a wide range of oil and gas companies, the nuclear industry, charities, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Ocean Drilling Program, with a total value in excess of 10M.

Our projects focus on linking petrophysics to sedimentology to enable a better understanding of complex solid-fluid chemical systems. Integrated projects address larger research challenges such as understanding conventional and unconventional gas reservoirs. Combining these approaches we are also able to address how the evolution of depositional systems influences the physical properties of sediments, particularly through periods of major climate change.

Borehole Research is led by Professor Mike Lovell and Dr Sarah Davies. To date we have published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, contributed to text books and edited six volumes for the Geological Society and AAPG. We regularly present at major national and international conferences (e.g. AGU, SPWLA, EGU, LPS & BSRG). The group has a successful record in attracting funding, including 16 PhD studentships and 22 researchers.

Academic Staff

Professor Mike Lovell 

Dr Sarah Davies

Kip Jeffrey

Research Staff

Dr Louise Anderson

Dr Jenny Inwood

Dr Sally Morgan

Computing staff

Dr Andrew Myers (Principal Computing Officer)

Administrative Staff

Simon Draper