What CASP does

CASP (Cambridge Arctic Shelf Programme) is a UK-registered not-for-profit educational charity (Charity No. 298729) that conducts independent geological research in sedimentary basins, with operations dating to 1978 (or 1948 per firmographic data; the company history places founding in 1978) and headquarters in Cambridge. The organization delivers multi-scale field and core studies integrating sedimentology, provenance analysis, and biostratigraphy, supported by an in-house Scanning Electron Microscope facility, and it serves two primary customer groups: academic researchers and energy industry sponsors whose interests span hydrocarbon exploration, carbon capture and storage, and the broader energy transition.

The company's product portfolio centers on four thematic CCS research programmes (Mudrock Seals, Bunter Sandstone Storage Complex, CO2 Fluid Reactions in Immature Sandstones, and the Impact of Volcaniclastic Rocks on CO2 Storage), a catalogue of geological reports available to research subscribers, curated data packages bundling reports by region or topic, and access to a physical archive of more than 40,000 geological samples from remote regions worldwide. Its research output is documented through 568+ scientific publications spanning 1982 to 2026 and is exposed via an interactive online map. Operationally, CASP is a small team (11-50 employees) with no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and no revenue disclosure; the organization generates income through subscription-based access, one-time report and data-package licenses, and industry sponsorship, with pricing provided only on inquiry. Distribution is primarily direct through the company's website and LinkedIn, supplemented by participation in industry and academic conferences including UKCCSRC, EAGE, and PETEX.

Name

CASP

Legal name

CASP (Cambridge Arctic Shelf Programme)

Website

https://www.casp.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CASP is a not-for-profit organization that conducts field, literature, and analysis-based geological research in sedimentary basins.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Geological Research Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Support Activities for Mining (2131), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling) (IMAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Geological research services
• Carbon capture storage research
• Subsurface geological reports
• Geological sample collections
• Sedimentary basin analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Reports Sales: CASP sells geological reports to research subscribers. The organization maintains an extensive catalogue of reports covering various geographical regions that are available for purchase. Some reports are heavily discounted when elements have been published in international literature.
2. Data Packages: CASP offers data packages that bundle together research reports on specific regions or topics. These packages are sold as comprehensive research collections.
3. Research Subscriptions/Access: CASP operates a subscription model where reports are available to research subscribers, suggesting ongoing access arrangements for their research outputs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CASP conducts field-, literature-, and analysis-based geological research in sedimentary basins, producing an extensive catalogue of geological reports, curated data packages, and a physical archive of more than 40,000 geological samples that subscribers and sponsors can access. Its work integrates sedimentology, provenance analysis, and biostratigraphy to inform hydrocarbon exploration, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and broader energy transition projects.

Product overview

CASP is a not-for-profit organisation delivering comprehensive geological research products and services. The core offering includes thematic research programmes focused on Geological Carbon Storage (encompassing Mudrock Seals, Bunter Sandstone Storage Complex, CO2 Fluid Reactions, and Volcaniclastic Rocks research themes), an extensive catalogue of geological reports and data packages, and access to over 40,000 geological samples. The portfolio also includes scientific publications, an interactive map of sample collection coverage, and charitable programmes including the Robert Scott Research Fund and Andrew Whitham CASP Fieldwork Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geological Reports An extensive catalogue of geological reports detailing the evolution of a wide range of geographical regions, available for purchase to research subscribers and industry sponsors. Reports are searchable by location or keyword, and cover sedimentary basins worldwide including the Arctic, Black Sea, Caspian, North Sea, and many others.
• Data Packages Curated collections of geological research data bundling together reports, samples, and analysis from specific projects and regions, sold as comprehensive research collections to subscribers and sponsors.
• Geological Collections and Data Physical archive of over 40,000 geological samples collected from remote areas worldwide, accessible to academics and industry sponsors and searchable by location or keyword through an interactive map.
• SEM Facility (Scanning Electron Microscope) In-house Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) facility providing detailed petrographic and mineralogical analysis services to support CASP's research projects and (by arrangement) the broader research community.
• Geological Carbon Storage Research Programme Multi-scale field and core studies integrating sedimentology, provenance analysis, and biostratigraphy to inform geological understanding of carbon storage and resource potential. Encompasses thematic sub-projects on mudrock seals in CO2 storage systems, the Bunter Sandstone Storage Complex, CO2 fluid reactions in immature sandstones, and the impact of volcaniclastic rocks on CO2 storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• CASP's research informs geological understanding of CO2 storage complexes, contributing to the UK's Net Zero Strategy through research on storage reservoirs like the Bunter Sandstone Formation

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• North Sea CoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASP partnered with North Sea Core to provide a North Sea Triassic core workshop, combining CASP's research expertise with North Sea Core's core sample collection for educational purposes.
• Research Subscribers (Academics and Industry Sponsors)coreOthersCASP provides geological research, sample access, and reports to academic and industry sponsors who subscribe to access their research outputs and collections.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• British Geological Survey (BGS): The UK's national geological survey, a public-sector counterpart to CASP focusing on geoscience data, mapping, and subsurface research. BGS is comparable as the principal UK provider of independent geological research and datasets, although it is larger and government-funded rather than a charity.
• United States Geological Survey (USGS): The US national geological survey conducting broad geoscience research, mapping, and resource assessments. Comparable as a major public-sector provider of independent geological research and datasets, with global reach similar to CASP's.
• Robertson Research (CGG Robertson): CGG's geoscience consulting arm (formerly Robertson Research) provides multi-disciplinary geological and geophysical studies for hydrocarbon exploration. Comparable to CASP in delivering integrated sedimentology, biostratigraphy, and basin-analysis work, though it operates commercially rather than as a charity.
• RPS Group: A global consulting firm providing geoscience, environmental, and energy transition advisory services. Comparable to CASP in supporting energy companies on subsurface characterization and CCS project screening, though its scope is much broader and commercial.
• Fugro: A global geo-data specialist providing geophysical, geotechnical, and geological services for offshore and onshore projects. Comparable to CASP in providing subsurface geoscience insight for energy and infrastructure clients, particularly in frontier and offshore basins.
• TGS (Geological Petroleum Services): A global geoscience data library providing multi-client seismic, well, and geological datasets for the energy industry. Comparable to CASP in monetizing curated geological data and reports to industry subscribers, though at vastly greater scale and commercial intensity.

Regional players

• Geological Survey of Canada (GSC / NRCan): Canada's national geological survey, providing geoscience research and mapping, particularly in frontier and Arctic regions. Comparable to CASP in its focus on sedimentary basins and remote-area fieldwork, though it operates as a federal agency rather than a charity.
• Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM): France's national geological survey, providing public-sector geoscience research, mapping, and subsurface expertise. Comparable to CASP as a European national geological science organization supporting energy transition and resource assessment, though government-funded.
• Geological Survey of Norway (NGU): Norway's national geological survey, with deep expertise in North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea geology. Comparable to CASP in its independent geological research focus on sedimentary basins adjacent to CASP's UK/Netherlands/Dutch sector work, particularly for CCS and offshore wind site characterization.
• Faroese Earth and Energy Directorate (Jarðfeingi): The Faroe Islands' geological survey, a small national organization providing geoscience data and research. Direct Senior Geologist Simon Passey previously led its Geology Department, indicating close community and methodological overlap with CASP's North Atlantic basin research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/casp_research
• Xx.com/CaspOutreach

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 CASP