Press release

A framework agreement between BRGM and IFPEN to meet the challenges of the energy transition

BRGM, the French geological survey, represented by Catherine Lagneau, Chair and CEO, and IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), a major player in research and training in the fields of energy, transport and the environment, represented by Pierre-Franck Chevet, Chair and CEO, signed a five-year partnership agreement on 2 June 2026.

3 June 2026

Signing of the agreement by Catherine Lagneau, BRGM Chair and CEO, and Pierre-Franck Chevet, IFPEN Chair and CEO

The agreement signed between BRGM and IFPEN aims to strengthen and structure the collaboration between the two public institutions, which have complementary missions, building on the already extensive cooperation established over the years through numerous joint projects. It is part of an approach to support the government and provide input for public policies, in order to meet the climate and energy challenges of today and tomorrow.

Meeting climate and energy challenges by harnessing subsurface potential

The partnership aims in particular to foster synergy between the two institutions and their respective contributions in four key areas of subsurface potential to support and accelerate the energy transition, namely:

carbon dioxide capture and storage,
deep geothermal resources,
the storage of decarbonised hydrogen as well as potential native hydrogen,
modelling certain deep geological environments.

Through this collaboration, the two institutions aim to establish a lasting synergy of their know-how and skills, with a view to meeting the major scientific and technological challenges of tomorrow.

In their words

BRGM and IFPEN have for many years successfully undertaken joint scientific research, for the energy transition, on strategic subjects linked to the subsurface. In addition to the joint projects, close links have been forged between our researchers and teams. Our two establishments share the same public interest mission and have complementary expertise, which is a major asset in meeting the challenges of energy and climate change. This framework agreement marks a new stage as it will enable us to better structure, coordinate and steer our joint actions in key areas such as CO2 capture and storage, deep geothermal energy, hydrogen and the modelling of deep geological environments.

Pierre-Franck Chevet, Chair and CEO of IFP Energies nouvelles

BRGM, which has been active for several decades in furthering knowledge and promoting use of the subsurface for the energy transition, is delighted to be able to strengthen its cooperation in this field with IFPEN, an organisation with which we have, for several years, been intensifying research and gaining expertise on increasingly topical subjects (deep geothermal energy, CO2 capture and storage, hydrogen). The signing of this framework agreement will help to promote synergy between the two institutions in each of the thematic areas it covers, and to ensure that their respective strategic projects complement each other more effectively. For BRGM, it will also strengthen its role as the French geological survey, and its position as a reference for the community involved in furthering knowledge and use of the subsurface.

Catherine Lagneau, BRGM Chair and CEO