Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Prof. Hadi Belhaj | CCUS & Hydrogen Energy | Excellence in Reservoir Engineering Award

Energy Eng. Professor at Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Hadi A. Belhaj is a globally recognized petroleum engineering scholar and industry consultant with over four decades of combined academic, research, and field experience. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at Khalifa University, UAE, where he leads pioneering research in unconventional reservoir development, enhanced oil recovery, and carbon capture technologies. His professional journey includes extensive contributions to reservoir engineering, geomechanics, and hydrogen energy, making him a distinguished figure in both academia and the oil and gas sector.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Belhaj earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Dalhousie University, Canada, focusing on matrix/fracture flow modeling in porous media. He holds an M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he investigated geopressure detection and evaluation. His foundational B.Sc. was obtained from the University of Tripoli (formerly El-Fateh University) in Libya, with a final-year project on decline-curve analysis. These degrees collectively laid the foundation for his expertise in reservoir dynamics and simulation.

Experience

Dr. Belhaj’s career spans positions in academia, consulting, and the petroleum industry. His hands-on fieldwork began with Dowell Schlumberger, followed by progressive roles at Libya’s National Oil Corporation, where he contributed to pioneering EOR studies and reservoir management strategies. His academic appointments at Texas Tech University and Khalifa University have allowed him to supervise high-impact research, lead curriculum development, and serve on multiple technical and editorial boards. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator on several multimillion-dollar funded projects tackling challenges like asphaltene deposition, slim-tube modeling, and capillary transition zones.

Research Interest

His research interests include reservoir characterization, unconventional reservoir development, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), hydrogen energy storage, porous media flow, EOR mechanisms, and geomechanics. He actively integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance petroleum engineering decision-making. His recent work also explores caprock integrity and creep deformation for hydrogen underground storage, reflecting his focus on sustainable energy transitions.

Award

Dr. Belhaj has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2021 SPE International Distinguished Service Award, the 2020 and 2013 SPE Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Awards, and the 2019 SPE Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award. He has also received innovation recognitions such as the 2012 ADMA Innovation Award and various graduate scholarships during his academic tenure, underscoring both academic excellence and industry impact.

Publication

Among Dr. Belhaj’s notable publications are:

“Geoengineering of Hydrogen Energy” (Elsevier, in press, 2025) – cited in emerging CCUS reviews.
“Hydrogen underground storage potential in sandstone formation” (Fuel, 2025) – cited in U.S. DOE hydrogen repositories.
“Abiotic evaluation of geochemical reactions of sandstone minerals” (International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025) – referenced in recent EU energy storage guidelines.
“Emerging advances in CO₂ storativity and trappability within shale reservoirs” (Energy Science and Engineering Journal, 2024).
“Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Standardization of Particle Size for Wettability Measurement” (ACS Omega, 2023).
“Hybrid Carbonated Engineered Water for Oil-Wet Carbonates” (Energies, 2022) – cited in SPE’s water-based EOR studies.

Conclusion

Dr. Hadi Belhaj exemplifies leadership, innovation, and service in petroleum engineering. His blend of industry acumen, academic rigor, and commitment to sustainable energy solutions makes him an outstanding nominee for this prestigious award. From mentoring future engineers to shaping global EOR practices, his legacy continues to drive transformative advancements in energy resource management.

J Arunprasad | Alternative Fuel | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. J Arunprasad | Alternative Fuel | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Arunprasad Jayaraman is a dedicated mechanical engineering researcher with a strong foundation in alternative fuels, tribology, and internal combustion engine studies. With a career spanning over a decade in academia and research, he is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. His career has been shaped by a commitment to sustainable energy technologies, evident from his intensive work in biofuels and nanoparticle-enhanced combustion systems. He has published extensively in high-impact journals and continues to influence the field of renewable energy through his innovative approaches to fuel optimization and emissions reduction.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Jayaraman earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University in 2020, where his research concentrated on third-generation biofuels and the application of heterogeneous catalysts in internal combustion engines. He also holds a Master’s degree in CAD/CAM Engineering from Annai Mathammal Sheela Engineering College (2012) and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dr. Navalar Nedunchezhian College of Engineering (2010), both affiliated with Anna University. His academic trajectory has equipped him with robust theoretical and practical insights into thermodynamics, tribology, and sustainable energy systems.

Experience

Beginning his academic career in 2012 as an Associate Professor at Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Engineering College, Dr. Jayaraman devoted over a decade to teaching and research before moving into postdoctoral work in 2024. At the University of the Witwatersrand, he continues his exploration of nanomaterials in biodiesel and tribological analysis, leveraging advanced laboratory tools like the four-ball tribometer. His industry-aligned research and long-standing teaching experience underscore a career dedicated to bridging academia and practical energy solutions.

Research Interest

Dr. Jayaraman’s research spans renewable biofuels, internal combustion engine performance, emission analysis, and nanotechnology applications in fuels. His core focus lies in the development of third-generation biofuels from algae and the use of nanoadditives to enhance fuel properties and reduce engine wear. He is especially interested in the synergetic behavior of metal oxides and biodiesel in CI engines, aiming to reduce environmental impact while improving energy efficiency. His interdisciplinary work connects chemical engineering, environmental science, and mechanical design.

Award

In recognition of his academic and research excellence, Dr. Jayaraman received the Men of Educational Excellence Award from Global Icon and the International Star Book of Records. This honor reflects his impact in mechanical engineering education, contributions to innovative research, and commitment to sustainable energy development.

Publication

Dr. Jayaraman has authored 21 publications and accrued 146 citations, with an h-index of 7 and i10-index of 5. Select notable publications include:

  1. “Impact of diesel–Algae biodiesel–Anhydrous Ethanol blends on the performance of CI engines” – Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, cited by 35 articles.

  2. “Performance and emissions of Chlorella vulgaris with ruthenium oxide in CI engines” – Fuel, 2022, cited by 28 articles.

  3. “Experimental Investigation of Spirulina Microalgae Biodiesel with Metal Nanoadditive on Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine” – Journal of Nanomaterials, 2022, cited by 19 articles.

  4. “Tribological behaviour of RuO2 in diesel: Benthic-diatom Navicula sp. algae biodiesel” – Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences, 2020, cited by 11 articles.

  5. “Influence of Nano Additives on Performance and Emissions Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Fueled With Watermelon Methyl Ester” – Journal of Thermal Engineering, 2023, cited by 7 articles.

  6. “An investigation of characteristics of a diesel engine with low heat rejection fuelled by spirulina algae biodiesel” – Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, 2023, cited by 5 articles.

  7. “Tribological and environmental impact of silicon dioxide nanoparticles in algae biodiesel fuels for diesel engines” – Tribology-Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces, 2024, cited by 3 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Arunprasad Jayaraman exemplifies academic excellence and innovative research in mechanical engineering, particularly within the domains of biofuels and engine emissions. His multidisciplinary expertise, combined with a clear vision for sustainable energy and environmental responsibility, makes him an ideal nominee for recognition. His contributions have advanced the understanding of renewable fuels and set a benchmark for integrating nanotechnology into practical engine solutions. Dr. Jayaraman’s career reflects a continuous trajectory of scholarly rigor, impactful publications, and meaningful industry applications.