Over the five entry cohorts, 144 students were recruited to undertake the combined research and bespoke training model of this unique CDT, across disciplines as varied as geoscience, engineering and marine sciences.  54 of these students were female which at 37.5% of the intake far outperforms female representation in industry.  This demonstrates the attractiveness of this combined research and training route into employment in the sector.

The PhD projects are aligned with the 4 main themes that NERC announced in their call. The partnership sought to achieve a balance of submissions of, and recruitment to, PhD projects under each header from each institute where possible. The percentage split of recruited projects over the five annual cohorts is Unconventional Hydrocarbons (24%), Mature Basins (29%), Challenging Environments (32%), Environmental Impact & Regulation (15%). Some projects address two or more research themes.

The fourth cohort (2017 entry) is unique in that they are the result of the Research Council extending its funding due to the CDT’s obvious successes in its early operations. As at 2019, the NERC CDT in Oil & Gas is the only such partnership to receive a funding extension. This cohort also benefitted from the largest award of National Productivity Investment Fund studentships made by NERC from its government allocation to any of its CDTs.