What Rockfield does

Rockfield Software Ltd is a UK-based specialist developer of advanced numerical modelling software for the geomechanics industry, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Swansea with a regional office in Houston, Texas. The company's flagship Elfen software suite is a proprietary, internally developed hybrid Finite Element (FE) and Discrete Element (DEM) platform that has been continuously enhanced over more than 30 years with no third-party software dependencies. Elfen solves multi-physics, multi-scale, highly non-linear problems across continuum and discontinuum domains, supporting mechanical, thermal, seepage, and coupled simulations via implicit and explicit solvers, adaptive remeshing, and parallel HPC capabilities for Linux clusters.

The platform comprises five core software modules — Elfen Forward Modelling (geological evolution from basin to wellbore), Elfen Horizon Reservoir (field-scale reservoir geomechanics), Elfen TGR Hydraulic Fracturing (full-physics fracture propagation), Elfen Wellbore (well lifecycle stress and stability), and Elfen Advanced (mining and geotechnical applications) — plus the Elfen gd3D add-on for glass container forming and stress simulation. Rockfield serves blue-chip operators in Oil & Gas, Mining, Radioactive Waste Disposal, and Container Glass Manufacturing, with a named customer roster spanning BP, ExxonMobil, Saudi Aramco, Total, Equinor, AkerBP, Chevron, Repsol, Petrobras, Rio Tinto, JNFL, ORICA, Unilever, and 20+ global glass manufacturers.

Rockfield monetizes through a mix of software licensing (perpetual and annual), professional consultancy, structured training programmes, and Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) channeled through ITF (Industry Technology Facilitators) at £30,000–£80,000 per sponsor per annum. With approximately 32 staff across two offices, the company runs a focused direct enterprise sales model emphasising technology transfer to build client internal capability. In August 2025, Rockfield was acquired by Rocscience, a global geotechnical software leader backed by private equity firm TA Associates, with CEO John Cain continuing to lead the Rockfield team as part of the combined group.

Name

Rockfield

Legal name

Rockfield Software Ltd

Website

https://rockfieldglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rockfield develops the Elfen software suite, a proprietary hybrid FE-DEM numerical modelling platform serving blue-chip Oil & Gas, Mining, Nuclear, and Glass Manufacturing clients. The ~32-staff UK firm monetises through software licensing, consultancy, training, and Joint Industry Projects, and was acquired by Rocscience (TA Associates) in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geomechanics Simulation Software

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Support Activities for Mining (213), Support Activities for Mining (2131)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK)

Keywords

• Geomechanics simulation software
• Finite element analysis
• Hydraulic fracturing modeling
• Reservoir geomechanics software
• Numerical modelling software

Headquarters

HQ city

Swansea

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing (Elfen Suite): Elfen is sold as a licensed software package. The company offers various modules covering forward modelling, reservoir, hydraulic fracturing, wellbore, advanced, and glass design applications. Licensing includes perpetual and annual options, with discounts available on certain JIP modules.
2. Consultancy Services: Rockfield's consultancy team provides client-specific modelling simulations, sensitivity analysis, and result interpretation. Projects are built with Elfen training and technology transfer, spanning durations from days to several months. This is a key revenue stream alongside software licensing.
3. Training Services: Rockfield provides structured training programmes covering all aspects of the Elfen suite. Training courses include Elfen Introduction (3 days), Elfen Advanced (5 days), Elfen FM, Elfen Horizon, Elfen Wellbore, Elfen TGR, and Critical State Material Behaviour (standalone course at $2,000 per person). Training is available globally via web-based teleconference.
4. Joint Industry Projects (JIPs): JIPs serve as both a co-development and revenue mechanism. Sponsors pay annual fees (e.g., FRACGAS III at £70,000–£80,000 per annum; Compstruct 2020 at £30,000 per annum) for exclusive access to new features, reduced licence fees, and one fully processed well log with simulated 3D fracture.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rockfield develops and licenses the Elfen software suite, a proprietary hybrid Finite Element (FE) and Discrete Element (DEM) numerical simulation platform built over 30+ years. Elfen solves multi-physics, multi-scale, highly non-linear geomechanical problems for Oil & Gas, Mining, Radioactive Waste disposal, and Glass container manufacturing. Rockfield also provides tailored consultancy services and structured training programmes around the Elfen platform.

Product overview

Rockfield offers the Elfen software suite, a comprehensive platform of numerical modeling tools developed over 30 years for continuum and discontinuum domains. The platform comprises five core software products: Elfen Forward Modelling for geological evolution simulation, Elfen Horizon Reservoir for field-scale reservoir geomechanics, Elfen TGR Hydraulic Fracturing for fracture design, Elfen Wellbore for well lifecycle modeling, and Elfen Advanced for mining and geotechnical applications. Additional specialized modules include Elfen gd/gd3D for glass container design and forming simulation. The platform is supported by professional training and consultancy services. Elfen's all-inclusive technologies include pre/post processors, mesh generators, implicit/explicit solvers, and support multi-physics, multi-scale, highly non-linear simulations across Oil & Gas, Mining, Radioactive Waste, and Glass industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elfen: Rockfield's proprietary finite element and discrete element analysis software suite, including modules for forward modelling, horizon reservoir modelling, TGR hydraulic fracturing, wellbore analysis, and advanced geomechanical simulations.
• Elfen GD
• Elfen GD3D

Products and services

• Elfen Forward Modelling (FM) Finite element software for simulating geological evolution from basin to field to wellbore scale, providing full stress, pressure, temperature and material state histories for structural validation. Used by Oil & Gas exploration teams to assess trap history, hydrocarbon maturation and subsurface uncertainty.
• Elfen Horizon Reservoir Reservoir-scale geomechanical modelling software for simulating static and dynamic field response from well planning through production to abandonment, coupled to reservoir simulators and capable of modelling up to 20 million elements with sub-modelling to wellbore scale.
• Elfen TGR Hydraulic Fracturing Full physics hydraulic fracturing simulation software for complex coupled geomechanical and hydraulic systems in 2D and 3D, simulating true 3D fracture propagation with arbitrary non-planar paths, stress shadowing, DFN stimulation, proppant transport, fracture closure and multi-well interference.
• Elfen Wellbore Standalone application for modelling wellbore and near-wellbore processes throughout the entire well lifecycle, including stress, stability, loss circulation, fines migration, mud-cake, sanding analysis, sand screen design, near-wellbore fracture damage prediction and well string assessments.
• Elfen Advanced Comprehensive geomechanical simulation software providing understanding of stress regime, deformation, seismogenic zone and particle size prediction for mining excavations and geotechnical applications, including fracture initiation and propagation without seeding and advanced constitutive models including damage and fracture mechanics.
• Elfen GD3D Glass container forming and stress simulation software for 3D forming simulations of round and non-round containers using NNPB (narrow neck press & blow) or BB (blow & blow) methods, with static and dynamic stress simulation for head loading, filling line collision and transportation stresses. Trusted by over 20 global glass companies.
• Rockfield Consultancy Computational solutions and independent consultancy advice using the Elfen software suite for client-specific modelling simulations, sensitivity analysis and result interpretation, with projects typically including Elfen training and technology transfer so clients can replicate workflows independently. Spans energy, mining, nuclear waste and glass industries.
• Rockfield Training Structured training programmes covering all aspects of the Elfen suite, including Elfen Introduction, Elfen Advanced, Elfen FM, Elfen Horizon, Elfen Wellbore, Elfen TGR and Critical State Material Behaviour courses. Delivered globally at client sites, at Rockfield offices, or via web-based teleconference.

Quantifiable outcome

• Models of up to 20 million elements can be solved in a matter of hours for pore pressure prediction
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Glass Technology Services (GTS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2021Rockfield and Glass Technology Services announced a collaborative working partnership in May 2021, developed to give brand owners and manufacturers greater confidence in their container design. Rockfield provides Elfen GD3D software for glass forming and stress simulation while GTS provides analysis, mechanical testing, performance testing, and technical consultancy. The partnership includes joint webinars and a coordinated go-to-market approach for the glass container industry.
• Fractech Labs (Woking, UK)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Rockfield collaborates with Fractech Labs to provide laboratory scale testing for the FRACGAS III Joint Industry Project. Fractech Labs conducts comparative pack stability tests of proppants under simulated fracture conditions to capture proppant flowback in shale plays. Each partner receives specific test data under their reservoir conditions.
• Compstruct JIP Sponsors (BP, ExxonMobil, Repsol, TOTAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Compstruct 2018 Joint Industry Project was sponsored by BP, ExxonMobil, Repsol, and TOTAL. The project investigates the practical application of geomechanical modelling to the evolution of structural geology applications. Sponsors receive access to the developed software modules and parametric study tools.
• FRACGAS II JIP Sponsors (BP, Chevron, TOTAL, Marathon, ExxonMobil, EBN, Nexen, Noble, Repsol, BG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016The FRACGAS II Joint Industry Project was sponsored by 10 major energy companies: BP, Chevron, TOTAL, Marathon, ExxonMobil, EBN, Nexen, Noble, Repsol, and BG. Sponsors contributed to funding the development of hydraulic fracture modelling technology in exchange for early access to new features and reduced licence fees.
• ITF (Industry Technology Facilitators)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Rockfield channels its Joint Industry Projects primarily through ITF (Industry Technology Facilitators). ITF facilitates collaboration between Rockfield and multiple sponsor companies (BP, ExxonMobil, TOTAL, Chevron, etc.) to co-fund and co-develop new software capabilities. This partnership enables the JIP funding model and ensures industry-wide relevance of developments.
• Multiple Academic InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Rockfield maintains extensive academic partnerships globally including Oxford University, Leeds University, University of Swansea, Bristol University, Camborne School of Mines, Porto University, Milan University, University of Northumbria, Danish Technical University, University of Barcelona, University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, Texas Tech, University of Kentucky, University of Utah, Simon Fraser University, UBC, University of Queensland, China University of Mining Technology, Wuhan University, and University of Electro-Communications (Japan). Partnerships involve PhD sponsorships, internships, joint research, and technology development collaborations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Itasca Consulting Group: Itasca develops FLAC, PFC, and 3DEC — the most direct competitors to Elfen in geomechanical and discontinuum modelling for mining and rock mechanics. Both companies serve similar mining, oil & gas, and civil engineering customers with hybrid numerical methods and offer consultancy plus licensed software, making Itasca Rockfield's closest direct competitor.
• Rocscience: Rocscience acquired Rockfield in August 2025 and is itself a leading geotechnical software vendor (RS2, RS3, Slide, etc.). Both companies develop numerical modelling software for rock mechanics, mining, and geotechnical applications, serving overlapping enterprise and consulting customers — they are now corporate siblings under TA Associates.
• Plaxis (Bentley Systems): Plaxis, now part of Bentley Systems, is a leading geotechnical finite element analysis software suite (2D/3D) for deformation, stability, and groundwater flow in soils and rocks. It overlaps with Rockfield's Elfen Advanced in geotechnical design applications for mining, tunneling, and foundations, serving similar engineering consultancies.

Emerging players

• COMSOL: COMSOL provides a general-purpose multiphysics simulation platform increasingly used in geomechanics, reservoir engineering, and coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical problems. While not a direct FE-DEM competitor, COMSOL's flexibility makes it an emerging alternative for portions of Rockfield's workflow, particularly in academic and research settings.

Broad incumbents

• SLB (Schlumberger): SLB offers the DELFI E&P platform with Petrel, Eclipse, and VISAGE geomechanics software, providing integrated reservoir-to-production simulation for oil & gas operators. As a broad incumbent, SLB competes with Rockfield by bundling geomechanics within full subsurface workflows and leveraging its global service organisation.
• Halliburton Landmark (Halliburton): Halliburton's Landmark division offers the DecisionSpace platform with geoscience and reservoir engineering tools including geomechanics modules. As a broad incumbent in E&P software, Landmark competes with Rockfield for oil & gas operator spend, particularly through bundled enterprise agreements.
• Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA (Abaqus): SIMULIA's Abaqus is a leading general-purpose FEA platform used in geomechanics, structural analysis, and reservoir geomechanics research. While not oil-and-gas specific, Abaqus overlaps with Elfen for advanced engineering simulations and is a broad incumbent in the FEA market where Rockfield competes for technical talent and research customers.
• Baker Hughes: Baker Hughes offers the JewelSuite subsurface modelling platform including geomechanics and reservoir simulation capabilities. As a broad incumbent E&P services and software provider, Baker Hughes competes with Rockfield for oil & gas operator wallet share through integrated digital offerings.
• ANSYS: ANSYS is a global engineering simulation platform (Mechanical, Fluent, etc.) used in geomechanics research and advanced engineering applications. While not an upstream E&P specialist, ANSYS competes with Rockfield for engineering customers solving coupled multi-physics problems, particularly in industrial and academic settings.

Regional players

• WSP / Golder Associates (FracMan): WSP, via the former Golder Associates, develops FracMan — a discrete fracture network (DFN) modelling tool used for unconventional reservoir and geomechanics workflows. FracMan is integrated with Elfen Forward Modelling outputs (per Rockfield's data pipeline), making it an adjacent and partially competing solution in fracture characterisation workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rockfield