Current Research Team A&M
Dr. Ruud Weijermars (r.weijermars@tamu.edu)
is a professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University. The research group of Dr. Weijermars at Texas A&M University focuses on Oil and Gas Field Development Optimization.Integration of subsurface engineering and business engineering is required to optimize petroleum recovery. Examples of work by Weijermars and co-workers are reservoir drainage models and wellbore stress and stability models (subsurface engineerin, using analytical and numerical codes), integrated with reserves estimations and petroleum macro-economics that may impact the project decisions of companies (business engineering). He is also an SPE distinguished member.
Research Associates (Post-Docs)
Dr. Aaditya Khanal, Postdoctoral Researcher (akhanal@tamu.edu)
Dr. Khanal is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University working under the supervision of Dr. Weijermars since October 2017. His past research includes several areas related to reservoir simulation and production forecasting (using DCA/RTA, data-driven). Currently, he is working to advance complex analysis methods (CAM) to model fluid flow in hydraulic and natural fractures. He is interested in teaching and research. He is an active member of SPE.
Dr. Murat Fatih Tugan (muratfatihtugan@gmail.com)
Dr. Tugan is currently a visiting Postdoctoral Researcher at Texas A&M University and is on an unpaid leave of absence from Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) where he is the Chief Engineer for the Gas Reservoir Management. He graduated from METU Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (PNGE) Department in 2006 and started to work for TPAO. Synchronous to his professional life, he continued his academic studies and finally earned PhD degree in METU PNGE Department in October 2017. He is also teaching PNGE students in several universities. Since February 2019, he is working on Shale Gas and Shale Oil Projects under the supervision of Dr. Weijermars. His special interests include pressure transient test design and analysis, production performance analysis, numerical reservoir simulation, reserves estimation, classification, auditing and unconventional oil and gas reservoir engineering. He was the president of the SPE Turkey Section from 2014 to 2018 and received the “SPE Outstanding Young Professional Award” for South, Central and East Europe Region in 2013.
Current Students
Kiran Nandlal, PhD Student (knandlal@tamu.edu)
Kiran has a strong background in Petroleum Engineering with a focus on Reservoir Engineering techniques. His primary research interests are currently centered on modelling of fluid flow in the subsurface using analytical and numerical methods. Other interests include reservoir simulation in unconventional plays, reserves analysis using probabilistic methods and production forecasting. He has four years of experience at the Ministry of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago, where he worked as a Reservoir Engineer responsible for preliminary reserves estimation. Kiran holds a BSc. degree in Petroleum Geosciences from the University of the West Indies and a MSc. degree in Reservoir Evaluation and Management from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. His knowledge of Geosciences helps to make for a more rounded view of subsurface engineering projects worked on.
Tri Pham, MS Student (tri.pham1996@tamu.edu)
Tri is a M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering candidate at Texas A&M University with a strong background in reservoir engineering. He is a highly motivated professional with goal-driven work ethic and an effective communicator. Tri’s research interest involves modeling fracture propagation using displacement field potential in elastic media with analytical solutions. His other interests includes reserve estimation, reservoir upscaling, and petroleum economics. Tri graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering with a Geology minor in 2018.
Sriniketh Sukumar, BS Student (sriniketh@tamu.edu)
Sriniketh is a hard-working and enthusiastic undergraduate researcher and administrative assistant for the group, and is currently pursuing his BS (Honors) in Petroleum Engineering, as well as a minor in engineering project management and a certificate in finance through the Petroleum Ventures Program (PVP) offered at the department. Sriniketh published a paper on pressure communication during Hydraulic Fracture treatment in the Eagle Ford Shale, and also assists in the ongoing development of the RELLIS geothermal project. He also works on projects on production forecasting and type well construction methodology for unconventional reservoirs. His general professional interests include project management, petroleum economics, finance and hydraulic fracturing. He is also highly involved in leadership positions at TAMU-SPE, and Pi Epsilon Tau, the national Petroleum Engineering Honors Society, and is a member of the highly competitive University Scholars program.
Becoming a Student
For information on enrollment as a graduate student in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering, please check requirements detailed here.