1.Nano- to Macro-scale Geological Characterization and Understanding of Shales, supported by spectacular images, to study shale fabric and pore network processes and the use of sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy for development of quantitative and predictive models.
2.Multiphysical Testing of Shales, for understanding and quantification of coupled processes in shales, fluid-shale interactions, or transport properties of shales.
3.Constitutive Modelling of Shales, including current and advanced models and the prediction of shale properties.
4.(Coupled) Thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) Behaviour of Shales, including as well as elastic, irreversible and anisotropic properties of shales, damage assessment and its evolution, microseismicity, seal capacity and integrity, and evolution of pore fluid pressure.
5.Chemistry of Shales, including the physical and reactive chemical characterization of shales and their individual components.
6.Gas Shales, combining all the related challenges introduced by an organic rich, partially saturated medium.
7.Case Studies and deeper conceptual understanding of the complexities emerging from 4D seismic and monitoring activities in shales and the overburden, thus integrating geology, geophysics, and geomechanics.
8.Large Scale Experiments, with the potential to reveal phenomena in shales observed in the field and currently not understood in the lab.