Abirmoy Ghosh | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Abirmoy Ghosh | Petroleum Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Manager at INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED PANIPAT REFINERY, India

Abirmoy Ghosh is a dynamic and results-oriented professional currently serving as Manager at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Panipat Refinery. With a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and over nine years of experience in refinery operations and R&D, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in mechanical design, engineering, and stress analysis. Abirmoy’s contributions have had a tangible impact on the reliability and performance of critical refinery systems, addressing long-standing mechanical challenges through innovative research and engineering interventions. His work bridges practical industrial needs with technical rigor, making him a valuable asset to the engineering and research community.

Profile

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Education

Abirmoy holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Technology degree in Applied Mechanics, both from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. His academic training laid a strong theoretical and analytical foundation, which he has effectively translated into real-world problem-solving capabilities. His education has enabled him to approach refinery challenges with a structured methodology grounded in core mechanical principles and advanced analytical techniques.

Experience

Abirmoy Ghosh brings nine years of specialized experience in the petroleum refining sector through his tenure at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited. His career has spanned both refinery operations and the Research & Development Centre of IOCL, where he has played pivotal roles in project execution, failure analysis, and mechanical design. He has been involved in troubleshooting, upgrading, and maintaining critical refinery components across multiple IOCL sites. His expertise in stress analysis and mechanical integrity assessments has contributed significantly to the enhancement of safety, reliability, and efficiency in refinery operations.

Research Interest

Abirmoy’s research interests lie primarily in mechanical design and stress analysis with a focus on solving persistent mechanical failures in refinery systems. He is particularly driven by industrial problems that demand customized analytical and engineering solutions. His recent work on improving the reliability of expansion joints in the reactor overhead lines of Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) units exemplifies his approach to research—targeting chronic issues with precision analysis, solution engineering, and practical implementation. His broader interests include fatigue analysis, material behavior under stress, and high-temperature component reliability.

Award

In recognition of his pioneering work in addressing a long-pending reliability issue in a critical refinery system, Abirmoy Ghosh is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. His innovative contributions to mechanical failure analysis and design optimization have delivered significant operational improvements, directly impacting plant reliability and safety. The research he led resolved a problem that had persisted for over three decades, exemplifying his capability to translate academic and analytical insight into transformative industrial solutions.

Publication

Abirmoy has one notable journal publication to his credit.

“Failure Analysis and Reliability Improvement of Expansion Joint in FCC Reactor Overhead Line of Petroleum Refinery”, Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, Springer, 2025. Cited by 4 articles to date.

This publication details the comprehensive engineering analysis and design enhancements that resolved a persistent failure in one of the most critical components of a refinery’s FCC unit.

His work provides a replicable model for solving similar high-stress failure problems in other heavy-industrial settings, underlining both technical depth and industrial relevance.

Conclusion

Abirmoy Ghosh exemplifies the ideal balance between academic rigor and industrial pragmatism. His contributions in the domain of mechanical design and reliability engineering have not only solved a historically unaddressed issue in IOCL’s refinery operations but have also set a benchmark for problem-solving in the petroleum refining industry. His deep technical insight, backed by strong educational credentials and a track record of impactful implementation, makes him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Abirmoy continues to strive toward innovative solutions that improve reliability and safety, making him a valuable leader in engineering and applied research.

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

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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.