WeonJae Kim | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Researcher Award

Senior Research Fellow at Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology | China

Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim is a distinguished environmental engineer whose pioneering research has significantly advanced sustainable water and wastewater treatment technologies. His work focuses on the regeneration and recovery of environmental resources through innovative approaches such as crystallization, mineral carbonation, and advanced oxidation processes, aiming to create practical and scalable solutions that contribute to global carbon neutrality and climate change mitigation. A key highlight of his research is the development of “water-based CCUS” technology, an original concept utilizing water to safely, permanently, and eco-friendly dispose of carbon dioxide, offering a breakthrough approach to achieving large-scale carbon reduction. Over his extensive career, Dr. Kim has authored numerous influential publications in international and domestic journals, covering subjects like nutrient recovery, greywater treatment, biogas purification, and aquatic environment enhancement. His prolific patent portfolio demonstrates his strong commitment to transforming scientific knowledge into applied innovations that enhance sustainability and industrial efficiency. Through collaborative, interdisciplinary projects, he has developed novel methods for phosphorus and nitrogen recovery, non-powered water circulation systems, and next-generation environmental purification processes. A respected academic and research leader, Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim has presented his work at major international conferences and contributed to advancing the discourse on environmental protection and resource recovery. His excellence has been recognized with multiple national and institutional awards honoring his achievements in technological innovation, environmental research, and academic mentorship. Guided by a vision of integrating engineering principles with ecological balance, Prof. Dr. WeonJae Kim continues to drive research that safeguards water systems, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a sustainable future. His lifelong dedication to environmental technology, combined with his leadership in bridging research and practical application, has positioned him as a leading figure in global environmental science and an enduring contributor to the pursuit of cleaner and more resilient ecosystems.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Akter, J., Kim, W., Kim, I., & Lee, J. (2023). Real-time organic compound monitoring in advanced oxidation process (AOP) of anaerobic digestion effluent: Introduction of UV-VIS spectrum representative index by discrete Fourier transform.

Maghfiroh, M., Park, N., Chang, H., Lim, H., & Kim, W.* (2023). Ammonium removal and recovery from greywater using the combination of ion exchange and air stripping: The utilization of NaOH for the regeneration of natural zeolites.

Maghfiroh, M., Park, N. R., Chang, H. Y., Jung, J. H., Ahn, K. H., Lim, H. M., & Kim, W. J.* (2023). Ammonium removal and recovery using natural zeolites and air stripping technique for greywater treatment.

Ji, S.*, Kim, W., Han, S., Jeong, S., & Park, T. (2023). Stability enhancement of reformate-fueled, low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell with nickel thin-film anode by water bubbling.

Kang, J.-H., Kim, J., Namgung, H.-K., Kim, W., Yun, S.-L., & Song, J.* (2023). Effects of electric potential and organic loading on the removal of hydrogen sulfide emitted from wastewater sediments using a submerged electrochemical oxidation system.

Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

Assistant Research Fellow at Chengdu University of Technology | China

Dr. Mingxuan Gu is an accomplished Assistant Research Fellow specializing in the geological storage of carbon dioxide at Huairou National Laboratory, Beijing. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering and a strong academic foundation in exploration technology and petroleum engineering. His research focuses on multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging, reservoir evaluation, and the integration of artificial intelligence with physical meaning constraints for advanced subsurface analysis. Dr. Gu’s innovative contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and quantitative evaluation of fluid components in complex geological formations, particularly through the use of 2D and multidimensional NMR spectra. His scholarly work has been featured in leading international journals such as Marine and Petroleum Geology, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Energy & Fuels, and Computers and Geosciences. He has also presented his findings at prestigious global conferences, reflecting his engagement with the international scientific community. Dr. Gu has authored 12 research documents, which have collectively received 84 citations across 55 citing documents, demonstrating the growing recognition and impact of his work. He holds an h-index of 6, reflecting the quality and influence of his scholarly contributions in the field. His research emphasizes practical applications in carbon storage and reservoir characterization, contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Through his dedication to advancing NMR-based methodologies and his commitment to sustainable subsurface exploration, Dr. Gu continues to establish himself as a leading researcher in the intersection of artificial intelligence, petrophysics, and carbon sequestration.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Jin, G. (2021). A machine-learning based quantitative evaluation of the fluid components on T2-D spectrum.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). A novel method for NMR data denoising based on discrete cosine transform and variable length windows.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). A hybrid compression method for the NMR data based on Window Averaging and Discrete Cosine Transform.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). Quantitative evaluation for fluid components on 2D NMR spectrum using Blind Source Separation.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). Two-step inversion method for NMR relaxometry data using norm smoothing and artificial fish swarm algorithm.

Samy K. Moawad | Petroleum Geology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

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.