Oil and Gas

Biography

Dr. Shikha Sharma is Professor of Geology and Director of Biogeochemistry Laboratory at West Virginia University (WVU). Her shale gas research program is funded by research grants from several federal agencies like National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy and US Geological Survey. She has authored/co-authored several publications in high impact international peer review journals. Her current research projects focus on understanding biogeochemical controls on shale gas production, kerogen chemistry and water-rock-microbe interactions in shale reservoirs after injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids in shale reservoirs.

Research Interest

My research bridges the fields of low-temperature stable Isotope geochemistry, biogeochemistry, hydrogeochemistry, and unconventional energy. I utilize isotopic, geochemical and biomarker proxies to understand cycling of C/N/O/S/H in modern and ancient environments, and to address a wide range of energy and environment related issues. Results from our recent “Energy-Water- Environment” nexus related research projects demonstrate the applicability of multidisciplinary approaches to advance the development of unconventional energy resources, and address the environmental issues stemming from this development.