Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum-Beijing, China
Dr. Yang Zhao is an Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum–Beijing. A specialist in sustainable oil and gas development, CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and geological sequestration, his work blends innovation in chemical materials with practical solutions for conformance control and carbon storage. With a career bridging the U.S. and China, Dr. Zhao contributes to both academia and industry through editorial roles, patents, and international project collaborations. His multi-disciplinary expertise positions him as a thought leader in carbon management technologies, especially for deep water and fractured reservoirs in complex field environments.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Zhao earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (USA) in 2021, where he gained deep expertise in CO₂ EOR and microgel-based reservoir treatment. Prior to that, he completed both his Master’s (2017) and Bachelor’s (2014) degrees in Petroleum Engineering at the China University of Petroleum Huadong. His educational journey combined rigorous laboratory research, numerical simulation, and field-scale applications, equipping him with strong theoretical foundations and practical skills in flow assurance, reservoir engineering, and environmental mitigation, particularly in low-permeability and offshore conditions.
Experience
Since 2022, Dr. Zhao has been serving as an Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum–Beijing. He leads national and ministerial projects on CO₂ channeling control, conformance enhancement, and the development of novel in situ gel systems for high-temperature offshore reservoirs. Previously, he worked with internationally recognized researchers in the U.S. and contributed to pioneering studies on microgel propagation and enhanced heavy oil recovery techniques. Dr. Zhao’s broad professional engagements also include editorial roles, symposium organization, and collaborative research with energy corporations, ensuring a practical orientation to his scientific endeavors.
Research Interest
Dr. Zhao’s research interests focus on carbon dioxide EOR, geological storage, chemical conformance control, and novel materials for flow assurance. His work explores CO₂-responsive gels, microgel behavior in super permeable channels, and hybrid chemical techniques that integrate stimulation, storage, and recovery processes. He has also made significant contributions to hydrate blockage prediction in subsea gas pipelines. His innovative thinking bridges laboratory experiments and field-scale applications, aiming to maximize oil recovery while ensuring environmental sustainability. Recent efforts target megaton-scale CCUS projects, particularly in large-pore-volume reservoirs and tight formations that present unique engineering challenges.
Awards
Dr. Zhao has received multiple accolades recognizing his research excellence and scientific impact. Notably, he was awarded Best Paper at URTeC 2020 and multiple international conferences, including the Offshore Technology Conference and the National Conference on Hydrodynamics. He was honored for Outstanding Review Contributions by the Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering and selected as Session Chairperson at the MIT A+B Energy Symposium and International CCUS Conference. His participation as a technical editor and guest editor for over ten leading journals further underscores his professional distinction and global academic influence.
Publications
Dr. Zhao has authored numerous impactful articles across top-tier journals. Below are seven selected publications with citation impact:
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Zhao, Y., Wen, X., Rui, Z.H. et al. “A novel dual-network CO₂-responsive particle gel…” Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024 – Cited by 35 articles.
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Zhao, Y. et al. “Importance of conformance control in reinforcing synergy of CO₂ EOR…” Petroleum Science, 2022 – Cited by 65 articles.
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Zhao, Y. et al. “Enhancing heavy oil recovery by combining low salinity water and polymer flooding.” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 97 articles.
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Zhao, Y., Bai, B. “Transport behavior of swell able microgel particles…” SPE Journal, 2022 – Cited by 54 articles.
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Zhao, Y. et al. “Microgel conformance control treatment for polymer flooding reservoirs…” SPE Journal, 2021 – Cited by 46 articles.
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Zhao, Y. et al. “Hydrate-blockage assessment during deep water gas-well testing.” SPE Journal, 2018 – Cited by 88 articles.
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Ding, Y., Zhao, Y, Wen, X. et al. “Development and applications of CO₂-responsive gels…” Gels, 2023 – Cited by 22 articles.
These publications reflect a consistent record of innovation, technical depth, and field relevance.
Conclusion
Dr. Yang Zhao is a visionary petroleum engineer whose work advances the frontier of low-carbon energy production and reservoir sustainability. His pioneering contributions to CO₂-responsive gel systems, hydrate control, and EOR-geo-sequestration synergy have influenced global CCUS practices. Bridging fundamental research with industrial implementation, Dr. Zhao continues to shape academic discourse and engineering solutions for future energy systems. Through teaching, research leadership, and interdisciplinary collaborations, he cultivates the next generation of petroleum engineers committed to sustainability and innovation. His career trajectory reflects scientific rigor, practical relevance, and an unwavering dedication to addressing energy and environmental challenges.