With clues both from the surface and deep within the earth, our geologists help make sense of the complexity presented in all aspects of the mining cycle.

Every successful project begins with a deep understanding of the ground beneath our feet. At WSP, our Geoscience team works directly with our clients to illuminate the structure and composition of the Earth’s subsurface, empowering them to move forward with certainty. 

From groundwater risks and natural hazards to subsurface resource estimation and storage, we tackle this complexity head-on, delivering clarity, confidence and innovative thinking that support our clients’ goals. Whether enabling resilient infrastructure, unlocking low‑carbon energy or navigating regulatory demands we help our clients deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable outcomes. 

Our Geoscience team is the right partner to solve complex energy, mining and ground engineering challenges, making infrastructure safer, more efficient and Future Ready®. 

Expertise

Deep technical knowledge in subsurface geoscience and its application to mining, geotechnical engineering and tunnel design, allowing our clients to make confident and informed decisions.

People

A diverse, multidisciplinary team committed to learning, innovation and solving the most complex challenges.

Partnerships

Long-standing client relationships built on shared goals, transparency and mutual trust. 

Think globally, act locally

Local impact, powered by our global network, ensuring our clients receive the best possible service, wherever they operate. 

Key geoscience and geology sectors

Energy 

Geothermal: We deliver comprehensive geothermal heating and cooling solutions, covering everything from sub-surface resource assessment to above-ground power plant engineering and strategic advisory services. With experience across a range of geothermal systems, we focus on providing cost-effective solutions and actively engage stakeholders to maintain a robust social licence to operate. 

Energy storage: We specialise in subsurface energy storage solutions such as CAES, UTES, hydrogen and natural gas storage, which support renewable energy integration and grid stability. Safe and effective implementation relies on a thorough understanding of interactions between stored fluids and underground rock formations. 

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CCUS: We offer a comprehensive suite of geological storage services, ranging from site selection and capacity estimation to risk mitigation and long-term monitoring, tailored to support governments, regulators, hydrocarbon operators, industrial emitters and CCS hubs in achieving safe, efficient subsurface energy and CO₂ storage solutions. Our expertise ensures robust project planning, technical assurance and cost-effective outcomes for a diverse client base. 

Offshore wind: We address the offshore wind sector’s main challenges, including seabed leasing costs, planning delays and grid access, by drawing on our comprehensive geoscience expertise to reduce development timelines and mitigate risks. Our integrated approach supports safe, efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure throughout every stage of offshore wind projects. 

Hydrocarbons: We tackle major energy sector challenges and the transition to low-carbon energy, by leveraging integrated geoscience expertise and advanced modelling solutions to support clients across the full asset lifecycle. Our services enable safer, more efficient and sustainable project development for a diverse range of stakeholders, from governments to energy operators and investors. 

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Infrastructure 

Ground investigations: We deliver integrated ground investigation services that support infrastructure development and geotechnical design. Our approach combines advanced geological modelling techniques with robust data interpretation to inform safe, efficient and cost-effective engineering solutions. 

Geotech: Our geotechnical services for mining projects include slope stability, ground support design and subsidence risk assessment. We help clients manage operational risks and optimise geotechnical design through rigorous analysis and modelling. 

Mining 

Site characterisation: We support mining site characterisation with geological modelling, resource estimation and geotechnical services. Our expertise enables safe, efficient extraction and long-term mine planning, tailored to meet the evolving needs of the critical minerals sector. 

Mine water: We provide mine water management solutions that address dewatering, water quality and ground water modelling including contaminant transport. Our services support sustainable operations and minimise impacts on surrounding ecosystems. 

Critical minerals: We support the exploration and development of critical mineral resources through geological mapping, structural analysis and resource modelling. Our work enables secure supply chains and supports the global energy transition. 

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Nuclear 

Site characterisation: We provide comprehensive site characterisation for nuclear facilities, integrating geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical data to support geological understanding, inform siting decisions, and underpin regulatory submissions. 

Safety assessment: We combine subsurface characterisation expertise with advanced groundwater flow modelling to evaluate contaminant and reactive transport. This includes groundwater pathway and plume analysis, providing our clients with greater confidence in safety assessments. 

Our geoscience and geology services

We use our geological expertise to provide comprehensive subsurface characterisation services to support our clients make informed decisions for a range of subsurface use cases from infrastructure to geoenergy sites. Our insights support safe, resilient design, reduce risk and aid decision making.

We use 2D and 3D seismic data to image what lies beneath. Our team combines geophysical tools to build a clear picture of subsurface conditions. 

We interpret surface and subsurface data to map geological structures and understand how rocks deform under stress. Structural geology is fundamental to reconstructing tectonic histories, defining subsurface geometries, and predicting geohazards. It provides the framework for evaluating fault systems, fracturing critical for resource exploration, infrastructure design and environmental risk assessment. 

We study sedimentary rocks to investigate the past, identify resources and understand environmental processes. This can help inform geological and hydrogeological models, and guide engineering design, and identify geohazards. Our work supports subsurface characterisation, geotechnical analysis and broader basin understanding. 

We assess how stress and strain evolve in rock masses, predict rock mechanical properties and evaluate seismicity risk. Our geomechanical insights support long-term planning enhance asset integrity, and reduce operational risk across the lifecycle of subsurface projects—from drilling and reservoir management to infrastructure design and environmental safety. 

We build 3D models of the subsurface, capturing geological features using tools such as Leapfrog, Petrel and Python. Our models support engineering design, risk assessment and stakeholder communication. 

We assess landforms and geo-hazards like slope instability and soft ground. Our designs help protect assets and keep people safe. 

We investigate ground conditions to support engineering design. Our work identifies risks and guides mitigation strategies. We assess and remediate unstable slopes—natural or man-made. Our designs help prevent failure and extend asset life.

We identify and manage risks like landslides, subsidence and seismicity. Our monitoring designs help protect assets in real time. 

We offer a holistic approach to groundwater modelling integrating the hydrological, mechanical and geochemical processes that can change deep systems. We model how contaminants move through groundwater. Our work supports remediation and risk management and environmental projects. 

We process and integrate data from ground investigations, drones and geophysical surveys. Our digital tools help you understand complex ground conditions. 

We model how fractures affect ground behaviour. Our work supports safe design in fractured rock environments via the modelling of Discrete fracture networks (DFNs). Find out more about FracMan®

We test how changes in input data affect model outcomes and our understanding of subsurface conditions. Our approach helps you make confident decisions. 

Are you ready to find answers to your geoscience and geology challenges?

We have the expertise to help you move forward with your challenges. Contact us today.

Projects

Insights

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Podcast - The mega project beneath the surface: Engineering the UK’s GDF

Explore the UK's GDF mega-project in the Positive Impact podcast. Learn about deep geological disposal of radioactive waste and its future.

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Carbon Capture and Storage

Geologists’ expertise can help the UK reach net zero by increasing carbon capture and storage (CCS).

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