Project Overview

The DeepSAFE project will advance the assessment of Deep Borehole Disposal (DBD) as an alternative for intermediate-level nuclear waste (ILW) by focusing on ultra-low-porosity shale formations in the Montney and Duvernay. The work will begin with an evaluation of their thermal, hydraulic and geomechanical characteristics. These properties will then support advanced multiphysics simulations designed to capture coupled thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical behavior under repository conditions. Deep borehole disposal has been investigated internationally as a promising approach for isolating nuclear waste at depths exceeding 3 km, where stable geological settings minimize long-term risks. The Montney and Duvernay formations offer a unique opportunity to study thick, regionally extensive shales with extremely low permeability that can serve as natural barriers to fluid migration.