Research
The Mont Terri rock laboratory in St-Ursanne is located within the Opalinus Clay formation and is operated by the Swiss Geological Survey. It contributes to long-term safety by conducting research on deep geological disposal and storage of CO2 and heat.
The Mont Terri project is an international research project dedicated to the hydrogeological, geochemical and geotechnical characterisation of the Opalinus Clay formation. Because of their insulating properties, clay formations are being considered for the storage of radioactive waste in deep geological strata of various countries, including Switzerland. For more than ten years, experiments have been conducted in the rock laboratory to evaluate and demonstrate the impermeability of Opalinus Clay as a cap rock for the geological storage of CO2 in underlying reservoir rocks. Investigating the potential of heat storage in aquifers has been an additional research focus since 2023.
The Swiss Geological Survey of swisstopo manages the international Mont Terri research project and operates the rock laboratory in a tunnel that is one and a half kilometres long. The aim is to work with Swiss and international partners to achieve research results that are transferable and useful for the general storage of waste, CO2 and heat. As a neutral federal office and expert in this field, the Swiss Geological Survey is in constant contact with the Canton of Jura - the owner of the laboratory - and all the stakeholders in politics and society.