University of Texas geologists begin study of Dominican Republic’s hydrocarbon potential

Azua.- A team of geologists from the University of Texas at Austin (UT), accompanied by specialists from the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), conducted fieldwork in Azua province as part of a research project evaluating the country’s hydrocarbon potential.

The delegation, led by Mark Shuster and Emilio Núñez, visited key geological formations and the Cementos Santo Domingo quarry to study the basin’s rock formations, collect samples, and analyze characteristics such as porosity and composition that could help identify strategic energy resources.

The team also inspected several Maleno wells, originally drilled in the late 1930s, where natural crude oil seeps have long attracted interest for their potential commercial value.

The field expedition was guided by MEM geologists and technicians from the National Geological Institute (IGN), who reviewed previous exploration efforts and discussed the area’s geological history.

The research is part of a cooperation agreement between the Dominican government and the University of Texas at Austin’s Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the country’s onshore and offshore sedimentary basins. The study aims to strengthen the Dominican Republic’s geological database and support future energy exploration and investment opportunities.