MANAGEMENT
Christopher Clarkson, PhD., P.Eng.
Director of the Tight Oil Consortium
Professor and Shell/Encana Chair in Unconventional Gas and Light Oil research in the Department of Geoscience and Adjunct Professor with the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering – University of Calgary
Education:
Ph.D., Geological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 1998
MASc., Geological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 1994
BASc., Geological Engineering, Fuels and Minerals Option, University of British Columbia, 1992
Background:
My research focus since coming to the University of Calgary in 2009 has been on advanced reservoir characterization methods for unconventional gas (UG) and light oil (ULO) reservoirs – such as rate- and pressure-transient analysis, flowback analysis, and core analysis. Additionally, my interests include simulation of enhanced recovery processes in UG-ULO, and how these processes can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to authoring/co-authoring numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific and engineering journals, I was an SPE Distinguished Lecturer for the 2009/2010 lecture season, was the 2016 recipient of the SPE Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award (Canadian Region), and the 2018 recipient of the SPE Calgary Sections’ Technical Excellence and Achievement Award. In 2017, I received the ASTech award for “Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation” for my work on rate-transient analysis of unconventional reservoirs.
Per Kent Pedersen, PhD., P.Geol.
Associate Professor and Co-Principal Investigator with Tight Oil Consortium
Education
1999 PhD Department of Earth Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
1996 MSc Department of Earth Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
1992 BSc Department of Earth Sciences, University of Aarhus, Denmark
Current work / projects within TOC
- Characterization of reservoir heterogeneity from laminae to basin scale
- Mechanical stratigraphy and fracture characterization with focus on influence of sedimentary fabric
Research interests
My research focuses on geologic reservoir characterization from pore to basin scale of mainly unconventional clastic reservoirs integrating core, well logs, outcrops, and seismic data. This multidisciplinary research spans from sedimentary processes and development of sequence stratigraphic models for shale dominated deposits, facies and fabric control on fracture characteristics, seismic reservoir characterization, and developing a classification scheme for various types of tight oil reservoirs. Projects involve active collaboration with a large and diverse group of researchers from several faculties within the University of Calgary, other Canadian and American universities, government institutions, and the oil and gas industry.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Mehdi Rezaei, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
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Mohammad Parvazdavani, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
- PhD., Reservoir Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran, 2022
- MSc., Reservoir Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Iran, 2012
- BSc., Mining Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, 2009
Current work/projects within TOC：
- History Matching of Unconventional Reservoirs
- EOR Forecasting of Unconventional Reservoirs
- Lab Scale Modeling of Water and Gas Based EOR Methods
Research interests：
My interests include: history matching and optimization under uncertainty; lab and field-scale simulation of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes; and experimental research topics for characterization of petrophysical properties such as relative permeability. I have a good background in reactive flow simulation especially in water based EOR methods such as low-saline water injection. I am a member of EAGE and SPE and am currently reviewer of Elsevier journals such as JPSE, JNGSE.
Mohammad Yousefi, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Zhenqian Xue, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Lab Technicians
Adnan Younis, M.Sc.
Experimental Petrophysical Assistant
Education:
M.Sc., Petroleum Geoscience, University of Oslo, Norway, 2013.
B.Sc., Geology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan, 2010.
Current work/projects within TOC：
- Evaluation of mineral, geochemical and textural changes in drill cuttings specimens
- Method development to clean oil-based drill cuttings for Duvernay formation
- Involve in contact angle measurement and wettability study for pure minerals
Research interests：
I am primarily involved in characterization of tight reservoirs using multiple analytical instruments such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Helium pycnometery etc. I am also improving quantitative XRF and XRD analyses by eliminating matrix effects and setting-up calibration lines for complex geological matrices, plus have authored / co-authored 4 research articles and conference papers.
Charles Song, M.Sc.
Experimental Petrophysical Assistant
Education:
M.Sc., Petroleum Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 2013
B.S., Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), 2010
Current work/projects within TOC:
- Planning and performing core analysis for shale oil/gas and Unconventional Light Oil (ULO) reservoirs
- Assisting in evaluating and interpreting data obtained from laboratory-based core sample analysis
Research Interests:
I mainly focus on the operations of theoretical and experimental research topics for characterization of petrophysical properties of shale oil/gas and Unconventional Light Oil (ULO) reservoirs in North America including Montney, Duvernay, and Bakken formations.
Research Associates
Hamidreza Hamdi, PhD.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University (UK)
M.Sc., Reservoir Geoscience & Engineering, IFP (France)
B.Sc., Petroleum Production Engineering, PUT (Iran)
Current work/projects within TOC：
- Simulation and EOR Studies for Tight/Shale Oil Reservoirs
- Three-Phase RTA for Tight/Shale Reservoirs
Research interests：
My interests include: machine learning and data analytics for tight/shale reservoirs; history matching and optimization under uncertainty; uncertainty quantification; and geostatistical inversion. I am a member of EAGE, SEG and SPE and am currently serving as an Associate Editor for the EAGE’s First Break.
Grad Students
- Aamir Bashir, MSc Candidate
- Adnan Younis, PhD Candidate
- Afshin Ghanizadeh, MSc Candidate
- Babak Heidari, PhD Candidate
- Charles (Chengyao) Song, PhD Candidate
- Hana Bachi, PhD Candidate
- Meldon Deglint, PhD Candidate
- Michael Chang, MSc Candidate
- Sadjad Haqparast, PhD Candidate
- Wannees Alkhayyali, MSc Candidate
- Yuliia Tkachenko, PhD Candidate
Aamir Bashir
MSc Candidate
Education:
- MSc, Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada, ongoing
- MEng, Master of Engineering with specialization in Reservoir Characterization, University of Calgary, Canada, 2020
- BSc, Bachelor of Science in Petroleum & Gas Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Pakistan, 2007
Current work/projects within TOC：
- Developed a Python-based tool to evaluate production performance across multilayer, multi-well, two-phase Coal Bed Methane (CBM) reservoirs, enhancing production forecasting and resource assessment. Currently working on automating history matching.
- Appling Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) techniques to accurately identify and quantify parent-child well communication in a tight gas reservoir, contributing to more precise reservoir management strategies.
Research interests：
With over a decade of industry experience as a reservoir engineer specializing in conventional oil and gas field development, reservoir surveillance, and reservoir management, my current focus is to leverage my expertise while transitioning towards unconventional reservoir characterization, resource evaluation, and exploitation. My research interests revolve around applying production and pressure data analysis to characterize reservoir and fracture properties, evaluate reserves, forecast production, and optimize development by understanding interwell communication. I use techniques such as Material Balance (static or flowing), Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA), and Rate Transient Analysis (RTA). Additionally, I have developed an interest in using computer programming (Python) to create workflows that solve analytical and semi-analytical models, streamlining the reservoir engineering process.
Adnan Younis
PhD Candidate
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Afshin Ghanizadeh
MSc Candidate
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Babak Heidari
PhD Candidate
Education:
- Master of Engineering in Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics, Tehran University, Iran, 2005
Current projects within TOC：
- Geomechanical modeling to investigate near wellbore effects in advanced DFIT-FPA results
Research interests：
- Drilling Geomechanics
- Reservoir Geomechanics
- Borehole Geomechanics
- Petrophysics
- Geology
Charles (Chengyao) Song
PhD Candidate
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Hana Bachi
PhD Candidate
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Meldon Deglint
PhD Candidate
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Michael Chang
MSc Candidate
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Sadjad Haqparast
PhD Candidate
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Wannees Alkhayyali
Msc Candidate
Education:
- MSc. Candidate in Exploration & Applied Geophysics, Università di Pisa, Italy
- BSc. in Oil and Gas Engineering, University of Sabha, Libya, 2017
Current projects within TOC：
- Post-Fracture Pressure Decay Analysis and Modeling
Research interests：
- Hydraulic Fracture modeling, reservoirs Geomechanics, Transition energy, and well log analysis.
Yuliia Tkachenko
PhD Candidate
Education:
- PhD, Geoscience, University of Calgary, Canada, 2023-present.
- MSc. (thesis-based), Oil and gas geology, National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, 2020.
- BSc., Geoscience, National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, 2018.
Current projects within TOC：
- Investigation of Petrophysical, Geomechanical, and Geochemical Properties of Montney Facies using Profile Measurement
- Montney drill cuttings study for drilling speed optimization using machine learning
- Synthetic seismogram generation: applications for horizontal drilling optimization and rock heterogeneity studies
- Mechanical specific energy analysis for drilling speed optimization
Research interests：
Yuliia’s professional research focuses on advancing the understanding of subsurface reservoirs through seismic interpretation and geomodelling. She specializes in analyzing tight rocks to improve reservoir characterization. By integrating machine learning into her research, Yuliia enhances data processing and pattern recognition, enabling more accurate predictions of subsurface properties. Her work emphasizes top optimization techniques to refine exploration strategies and maximize resource recovery. With a keen interest in improving exploration efficiency, Yuliia combines innovative technologies and geological insights to support sustainable energy development. Her expertise bridges traditional geoscience approaches and cutting-edge computational methods, fostering a deeper understanding of subsurface systems and driving advancements in oil and gas exploration.
Group
December 2023 Holiday Gathering:
Back Row (left to right): Christopher Clarkson, PhD (Professor & Director); Alireza Bik Deli, PhD (PDF); Sadjad Haqparast, PhD Candidate; Meldon Deglint, PhD Candidate; Benson Lamidi, PhD Candidate; Adnan Younis, MSc (Lab Tech)
Front Row (left to right): Aamir Bashir, MSc Candidate; Meghan Rychyk, BSc (Project Manager); Amirsaman Rezaeyan, PhD (PDF); Mohammad Parvazdavani, PhD (PDF); Niloufar Rahimof, MSc Candidate; Michael Chang, MSc Candidate; Zhengru Yang, PhD Candidate
Missing: Amin Ghanzadeh, PhD (Lab Manager), Chengyao Song, PhD Candidate (& Lab Tech); Yuliia Tkachenko, PhD Candidate; Mohammadebrahim Shabani, PhD (PDF); Mohammad Parvazdavani, PhD (PDF); Hamidreza Hamdi, PhD (RA)