2009 Report to Government on National Research and

• Long-term stability and performance of underground openings.
• Long-term operation and maintenance of GDF tunnels and shafts.
Geosphere Characterisation
A.85 MRWS Stage 5 involves undertaking surface based investigations at the site of
any proposed GDF (Defra et al., 2008). This is part of the process of geosphere
characterisation which involves obtaining geological, hydrological and
environmental data related <strong>to</strong> the development of a GDF. The purpose of
collecting the data is <strong>to</strong> support the development of a safety case and will
underpin the engineering design of the facility.
A.86 NDA is currently progressing a Geosphere Characterisation Project which was
started in 2004 by Nirex with the purpose of demonstrating that it was practicable
<strong>to</strong> characterise a site for development of a GDF. Under the NDA the current aims
of this project are <strong>to</strong> maintain and develop an understanding of the approaches <strong>to</strong>
the design and implementation of the investigations (both surface and subsurface)
that would be required and prepare for such a project.
A.87 The characterisation of a potential site or sites for a GDF is a major multidisciplinary
project requiring a wide range of skills many of which are specialist.
The NDA status report on the Geosphere Characterisation Project (NDA, 2007)
indicates <strong>to</strong> CoRWM that the complexity and magnitude of the task is recognised
and that techniques and procedures are being developed <strong>to</strong> deliver the project.
A.88 The status report indicates that site investigations will be focused on obtaining
data that are pertinent <strong>to</strong> the dual tasks of engineering design and the
development of a safety case while avoiding data that has no relevance <strong>to</strong> these
objectives. In doing so it will be necessary <strong>to</strong> identify what the data needs are for
the project and then establish what the state-of-the-art practices are with respect
<strong>to</strong> data collection, investigation equipment, analysis, interpretation and
application.
A.89 The Geosphere Characterisation Project will then review these practices and
their applicability <strong>to</strong> the UK’s range of geology, the proposed disposal concepts
and the availability of skills and supporting infrastructure (labora<strong>to</strong>ries etc).
RWMD has started this process by identifying the principal subject areas in which
data will be required and it has commenced the assessment of state-of-the-art
practices in some of these. The areas in which data are required have been
identified by review of current and previous investigations both in the UK and
overseas. The establishment of current best practice in each subject is being
undertaken by the NDA technical supply chain.
A.90 It is CoRWM’s view that the processes established within the Geosphere
Characterisation Project are well planned and the objectives are clear. In the
context of this report, CoRWM’s interest lies in whether the review of state-of-theart
practices in subject areas is effectively highlighting gaps that require R&D,
and whether such work is being, or will be, actively pursued.
A.91 CoRWM is aware that the NDA has appointed technical consultants with a series
of framework contracts <strong>to</strong> support the development of the Geosphere
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 121 of 151