Jinyou Dai | Oil and gas field Development and Geology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jinyou Dai | Oil and gas field Development and Geology | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China

Dr. Jinyou Dai is an accomplished Associate Professor at the School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), with over two decades of academic and research experience in petroleum engineering and reservoir geology. He has contributed significantly to the understanding and advancement of enhanced oil recovery (EOR), tight gas reservoir development, and pore-scale modeling. His combined academic rigor and applied research efforts have made notable impacts in both academia and industry.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Dai earned his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Geological Exploration from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 1997. He pursued a Master’s in Mineral Survey and Exploration at China University of Petroleum (Beijing), graduating in 2000, and completed his Ph.D. in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering in 2003 from the same institution. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at China University of Petroleum (Beijing) from 2003 to 2005.

Experience

Following his postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Dai began his academic career as a Lecturer in 2005 and became an Associate Researcher in 2008 at China University of Petroleum (Beijing). In 2021, he was promoted to Associate Professor. His work encompasses both academic teaching and leading-edge research. He has led or participated in several state and industry-funded research projects, collaborating with leading oilfield companies including Changqing and Daqing Oilfields, focusing on reservoir characterization, production optimization, and enhanced oil recovery.

Research Interest

Dr. Dai’s primary research interests include tight sandstone reservoir development, EOR mechanisms, polymer-water flow in porous media, and pore-throat structure simulation using advanced modeling techniques. He integrates theoretical approaches with field data to optimize oil and gas recovery, and has made key contributions to understanding capillary pressure behavior, recovery factor evaluation, and multi-phase flow characteristics in complex reservoirs.

Award

Dr. Dai has received multiple prestigious recognitions for his scientific contributions. Notably, he was a co-recipient of the First-Class Provincial Award for Invention in 2023 from the China Petroleum and Chemical Automation Application Association, honoring his innovations in efficient development of large tight sandstone gas fields. In 2007, he also received the Second-Class Science and Technology Progress Award from the Ministry of Education for his contributions to complex gas reservoir development theory and applications.

Publication

Dr. Dai has authored numerous impactful publications, including:

(1) Research on the integrated calculation method of current recovery and limited recovery in tight sandstone gas reservoirs, Frontiers in Earth Science, 2024 — cited for its novel recovery modeling approach.
(2) Study on Applicability of Ball-and-Stick Model in Reservoir Pore-Throat Network Simulation, Processes, 2025 — foundational for pore-throat network modeling.
(3) 常规压汞-恒速压汞联合曲线构型模式及其指示意义, 新疆石油地质, 2024 — explored capillary pressure curves and their implications.
(4) Distribution regularity and formation mechanism of gas and water in the western area of Sulige gas field, Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2012 — a detailed study of gas-water distribution mechanisms.
(5) 鄂尔多斯盆地延长组绿泥石膜的形成机制, Journal of China University of Petroleum (Natural Science Edition), 2016 — on the formation mechanisms of chlorite films.

These works have been cited in studies related to pore-scale modeling, reservoir simulation, and EOR strategies, illustrating their academic and practical value.

Conclusion

Dr. Jinyou Dai represents a rare blend of academic excellence and applied industry relevance. Through his pioneering research, extensive publication record, and innovative technologies, he continues to influence petroleum engineering practices both within China and internationally. His commitment to advancing reservoir engineering theory and his role in transforming field operations through scientific insight make him a highly deserving candidate for this award.

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.