What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to analyze the potential of subsurface technologies for energy and sustainability by identifying gaps and opportunities.

June 3, 2026Open Access

Beneath the Surface, Beyond the Horizon: Reimagining the Subsurface as the World's Next Energy and Sustainability Frontier

Key Points

The aim is to analyze the potential of subsurface technologies for energy and sustainability by identifying gaps and opportunities.
Analyzed deployment gap tables for CCUS, geothermal, and hydrogen storage from 2015 to 2050.
Developed a Technology Readiness Level matrix for 14 subsurface technology domains.
Conducted LCOE benchmarking of EGS against various energy sources and analyzed legacy asset repurposing.
Identified significant investment shortfalls across CCUS, geothermal, and hydrogen storage technologies.
Demonstrated that EGS can achieve competitive parity with other energy sources by 2035–2040.
Highlighted that 2.6 million idle wells represent over USD 500B in latent value for future energy solutions.

Abstract

The paper — 'Beneath the Surface, Beyond the Horizon' — provides the following original analysis: • Year-on-year deployment gap tables for CCUS, geothermal, and underground hydrogen storage from 2015 to 2050, quantifying the investment shortfall at every interval• A Technology Readiness Level matrix for 14 subsurface technology domains, with deployment windows and investment priority ratings• LCOE benchmarking of EGS against gas CCGT, nuclear, and offshore wind — showing EGS reaches competitive parity by 2035–2040 following a measurable learning curve• A legacy asset repurposing analysis: 2.6 million idle wells globally, USD 500B+ in latent value awaiting reinvention• Regulatory comparison across the US, UK, EU, Norway, Australia, and Saudi Arabia

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