Fei Huo | Petroleum Geology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Fei Huo | Petroleum Geology | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Southwest Petroleum University, China

Professor Fei Huo is a distinguished academic at Southwest Petroleum University, recognized for his pioneering research and outstanding contributions to petroleum engineering. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation bridging geological engineering and geochemistry, Professor Huo has become a leading figure in sedimentology and natural gas reservoir studies. His extensive involvement in both academia and industry consulting has positioned him as a prominent voice in advancing the understanding of unconventional oil and gas geology. Over the years, his dedicated efforts have significantly enriched scientific knowledge and technological development in petroleum-related fields, securing his reputation as a key contributor to innovations in carbon capture, utilization, and storage.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Professor Huo’s educational background is a testament to his commitment to multidisciplinary excellence. He earned his Ph.D. in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering from Southwest Petroleum University between September 2015 and December 2019, following a Master’s degree in Geochemistry from the same institution completed in 2015. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Law from Shandong University of Finance and Economics in 2009, reflecting his broad academic curiosity and unique perspective that combines technical and analytical expertise.

Experience

Professor Huo’s professional journey demonstrates steady growth across research and teaching domains. After completing his postdoctoral research at Chengdu University of Technology from March 2020 to June 2022, he assumed a Lecturer position at Southwest Petroleum University, where he continues to mentor students and conduct groundbreaking research. He also serves as a Member of the Academic Committee at the Research Institute for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Storage, actively contributing to national strategies on carbon management and sustainable development. His industry consulting experience further complements his academic work, providing practical insights that enrich his research outcomes and foster stronger university-industry collaborations.

Research Interest

Professor Huo’s primary research interests encompass the material basis of natural gas reservoir formation, sedimentology, oil and gas geology, unconventional oil and gas geology, and paleoclimate restoration. He is particularly renowned for his systematic studies on tectonic-sedimentary differentiation and the hydrocarbon and reservoir formation mechanisms in the Sichuan Basin. His integration of petroleum geology and sedimentology has led to innovative theoretical frameworks, especially concerning shale and carbonate formations. Through comprehensive field studies and advanced modeling, he has illuminated complex geological processes crucial for effective resource extraction and reservoir management.

Award

Throughout his career, Professor Huo has received significant recognition for his scholarly and innovative contributions. His work has been acknowledged through various nominations for prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Scientist Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Scientist Award, Best Researcher Award, Best Innovation Award, Best Faculty Award, Best Research Scholar Award, Excellence in Innovation, and Excellence in Research. His involvement in high-impact projects, advisory roles, and editorial responsibilities for top journals further reflects his leadership in the field.

Publication

Professor Huo has authored numerous influential publications that have garnered widespread citations and recognition. Some of his notable publications include:

(1) Huo F., Wang X., Wen H., et al., “Genetic mechanism and pore evolution in high quality dolomite reservoirs of the Changxing-Feixianguan Formation in the northeastern Sichuan Basin, China,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2020, cited by multiple subsequent studies;

(2) Huo F., et al., “Sedimentary facies and reservoir evolution of dolomite rocks in a rift setting,” Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2021;

(3) Huo F., et al., “Carbonate platform margin dynamics and reservoir prediction,” Carbonates and Evaporites, 2022;

(4) Huo F., et al., “Paleoclimate implications from carbonate isotopic data in gas-bearing basins,” Sedimentary Geology, 2021;

(5) Huo F., et al., “Unconventional reservoir formation mechanisms under tectonic influence,” Geological Journal, 2023;

(6) Huo F., et al., “High-resolution stratigraphy and its implication for hydrocarbon exploration,” Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2020;

(7) Huo F., et al., “Application of geochemical indicators in evaluating gas reservoir quality,” Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 2022. Each publication has been cited by several peer-reviewed articles, reflecting their lasting impact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Professor Fei Huo exemplifies excellence in petroleum engineering research, education, and professional service. His comprehensive approach, combining theoretical modeling, field exploration, and industry collaboration, has significantly advanced the scientific community’s understanding of reservoir geology and carbon management. His body of work not only addresses current challenges in energy resource development but also paves the way for more sustainable and efficient practices in the future. Professor Huo’s dedication, innovative spirit, and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of petroleum engineers and geoscientists globally.

Samy K. Moawad | Petroleum Geology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Samy K. Moawad | Petroleum Geology | Best Researcher Award

PhD Student at Ain Shams University, Egypt

Samy Kamal Moawad is a highly accomplished geologist with over 22 years of experience in exploration and development geology, specializing in stratigraphy, sedimentology, and tectonic influence on hydrocarbon systems. Currently serving as the Prospect Generation and Field Studies Manager at Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO), he leads multidisciplinary geoscience teams in generating high-quality exploration prospects and optimizing field development strategies. His career spans across regional and asset-level geological evaluations, technical instruction, and extensive contributions to both national and international geological forums.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Mr. Moawad holds a Master of Science degree in Geology, awarded for his research on high-resolution sequence stratigraphy to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the Abu Roash “E” Member in Egypt’s Western Desert. He is currently pursuing his PhD, with research focused on the impact of extensional tectonics on Miocene carbonate hydrocarbon plays in the Southern Gulf of Suez Rift. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in geology from Ain Shams University, where he graduated with honors in 2001. His academic background is deeply rooted in sedimentological and stratigraphic analysis, which forms the foundation of his research and applied geological work.

Professional Experience

Mr. Moawad began his professional career in 2002 with GUPCO, where he worked in sedimentology and stratigraphy, building detailed geological models and conducting outcrop studies across Egypt. He was seconded to BP as a regional geologist, leading Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Paleozoic basin studies across North Africa, constructing gross depositional environment and isopach maps critical to exploration decisions. From 2009 to 2019, he served as Senior Geologist at GUPCO, contributing to resource progression, exploration lead generation, and development planning. His work involved stratigraphic modeling, petrophysical evaluations, and successful drilling of exploration and development wells. Since 2019, he has led geological teams in sub-regional prospect evaluation, field studies, and exploration planning, overseeing drilling operations and technical coaching across the company.

Research Interests

Samy’s primary research interests lie in the integration of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy with depositional environment reconstruction and structural geology. His ongoing PhD research investigates the influence of syn-depositional tectonics on carbonate reservoir development. He has a strong focus on hydrocarbon play analysis, reservoir characterization, and the relationship between structural frameworks and stratigraphic architecture. His studies often incorporate core and thin section descriptions, biostratigraphic data, and reservoir quality mapping to understand the geological controls on petroleum systems. He is also interested in unconventional reservoir development, microbial enhanced oil recovery, and risk-based prospect evaluation methodologies.

Awards and Recognition

Mr. Moawad has earned recognition as a technical leader and educator in Egypt’s petroleum geology sector. He has been entrusted with leading technical seminars, field trips, and workshops for organizations such as SPE YP, AAPG, SEG, and various petroleum companies. His expertise has led him to design and deliver advanced training in stratigraphy, reservoir modeling, and subsurface mapping. Notably, he has led several successful exploration campaigns, contributing to hydrocarbon discoveries and optimizing resource development. His leadership in multi-reservoir redevelopment and risk-based prospect generation has earned commendation within industry circles.

Publications

Mr. Moawad has authored and co-authored several technical papers in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. His key publications include:

“Stratigraphy, facies analysis and depositional environments of the Upper Unit of Abu Roash ‘E’ member…” published in the Journal of African Earth Sciences (2018), cited 26 times.

“Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery: First Successful Pilot in Egypt and Middle East,” presented at SPE GOTECH (2019).

“Unlocking Unconventional Resources in GUPCO,” presented at ADIPEC (2019), cited 11 times.

“Thebes Appraisal Study: Integrated Approach,” presented at the GPC Workshop on Carbonate Reservoirs (2021).

“Eocene Unconventional Success Case Study in Gulf of Suez,” presented at GPC Brown Fields Workshop (2022).

“Microbial EOR: First Successful Pilot in Egypt and Middle East,” presented at ADIPEC (2022).

“Structural Control on Depositional Basin Architecture…” submitted to Marine and Petroleum Geology (under review for 2025).

Conclusion

Samy Kamal Moawad exemplifies technical leadership, geological insight, and commitment to advancing petroleum geology in Egypt and the wider region. His work bridges academic rigor with practical application, contributing to both the scientific community and the energy sector. Through decades of experience, innovative research, and strategic prospect evaluation, he has played a vital role in the development of Egypt’s hydrocarbon resources. His continued academic and field contributions position him as a valuable candidate for recognition in any prestigious geological or petroleum exploration award.