Welcome to the updated web page of ICDP – Canada.

This web site is meant to be a contact point for the Canadian scientists interested in bringing Canada back as a member of ICDP.

The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program

ICDP is an international scientific program whose main objective is to coordinate international continental drilling projects with a large range of scientific targets, drilling depths and technology challenges. ICDP is the only international scientific platform that supports scientific drilling in continental environments. The ICDP comprises 22 member countries and has an annual budget of approximately $5 M US dollars. Over the past 26 years, it has supported 49 drilling projects with a scientific focus on geodynamic processes, environmental changes, georesources, and natural hazards. There are an additional 10 funded projects in progress. It has drilled rocks and sediments from the Archean to the Pleistocene, in 29 countries and 6 continents. More details on past ICDP projects, current projects, and overall goals and scope can be found on the ICDP website. You can also consult the ICDP Science Plan, the ICDP Geothermal Strategy, the 2022 ICDP Annual Report, and The Thrill to Drill (a very informative brochure).

Canada's Participation in ICDP

Canada has a long history of participation in continental scientific drilling projects and joined the ICDP in 1998. The first Canadian ICDP project was the Mallik Gas Hydrate Research Well project in 2001-2002 in the North-West Territories. Natural Resources Canada supported the membership of Canada during the first 10 years. In 2009, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) committed itself to supporting Canadian membership in the ICDP for the next five years, giving Canadian scientists the opportunity to continue their involvement in ICDP activities and scientific planning. Canada's contribution allowed Canadian researchers to initiate and participate in ICDP projects. During the time Canada was a member of ICDP, 382 Canadian researchers benefited from ICDP funds or were involved in ICDP activities. However, without dues, Canadians cannot be the leaders of such projects.

As of September 15, 2015, Canada is officially no longer a member of ICDP.

(March 2023)