Research
Presently my research focuses on the matching of models to various classes of reservoir responses. These "inverse problems" seek the values of unknown reservoir parameters by inference rather than direct measurement. Typical problems are: tracer analysis of fractures, computer-aided well test analysis, production schedule optimization, and automated history matching/decline analysis. In addition to this general class of problem, I have specific interest in geothermal reservoir engineering, and the multiphase flow of boiling fluids through porous materials and fractures.
Teaching
I teach the undergraduate class, Fundamentals of Petroleum Engineering, as well as the graduate classes, Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Well Test Analysis, and Optimization.
Professional Activities
School of Earth Sciences Teaching Award (2007); SPE Honorary Member (2007); Technical program chairman, World Geothermal Congress 2010 (2005-Present); chairman, Woods Institute Energy Committee (2005-2009); guest professor, China University of Petroleum (2007); visiting professor, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2006); invited speaker, Xerox PARC Forum (2006); invited speaker, SPE Golden Gate Section (2006); invited speaker, Petronas R&D Forum, Malaysia (2006); panel member, PhD Review, Texas A&M University (2006); Committee of Authors, SPE Monograph on Well Testing (2001-06); visiting professor, Stanford Japan Center (2005); visiting scientist, Research Institute for Innovative Technology for the Earth, Kyoto, Japan (2005); invited speaker, Osaka University (2005); invited speaker, Kyoto University, (2005); technical program chairman, World Geothermal Congress 2005, Turkey (2001-05); technical program chairman, World Geothermal Congress 2010, Indonesia (2006-10); program committee, SPE Advanced Technology Workshop, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (2004); Board of Directors, International Geothermal Association (2001-04, 2007-10 and 2010-13) [President, 2010-2013]