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

Posted 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.

Bashirul Haq | Hydrogen Storage | Sustainable Energy Practices in Petroleum Award

Posted on by Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Bashirul Haq | Hydrogen Storage | Sustainable Energy Practices in Petroleum Award

Associate Professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Bashirul Haq is a distinguished Associate Professor and seasoned researcher with over a decade of significant contributions in the field of petroleum engineering, with a specialized focus on underground hydrogen storage, hydrogen blending in gas networks, and green enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. Renowned for his interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Haq has established a strong academic and research presence through his impactful collaborations, innovative methodologies, and leadership in both education and applied research. His work bridges the critical interface between sustainability and energy production, offering practical solutions to complex engineering challenges.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Haq’s academic foundation is rooted in a commitment to scientific excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Western Australia (2013), where his doctoral research addressed the role of green surfactants in microbial enhanced oil recovery—pioneering a sustainable approach to conventional energy production. He earned both his Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, where he specialized in reservoir studies and hydrogen production via steam reforming. These qualifications laid a strong foundation for his continued academic innovation and research leadership.

Experience

With an academic career spanning over 15 years, Dr. Haq currently serves as Assistant Professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, where he leads several major research initiatives funded by Saudi Aramco and the Centre for Advanced Materials. Prior to this, he held teaching and research positions at Edith Cowan University, The University of Western Australia, and Curtin University. He has demonstrated excellence in course development, thesis supervision, and inter-institutional collaboration. His research portfolio includes cutting-edge projects on underground hydrogen storage, corrosion mitigation in H₂-blended gas pipelines, CO₂ utilization, and predictive well health monitoring systems. His earlier consultancy roles with Chevron and APA Group further reflect his applied expertise in production diagnostics and reservoir engineering.

Research Interest

Dr. Haq’s research interests are defined by the convergence of sustainability and energy innovation. His investigations into underground hydrogen storage consider the petrophysical, mechanical, and microbial interactions within subsurface reservoirs, while his work in hydrogen blending focuses on optimizing pipeline safety and material integrity in mixed-gas environments. Equally noteworthy is his contribution to green EOR through nanotechnology-enabled biosurfactants and carbon materials derived from organic waste, which advance both environmental goals and production efficiency. His research has had a lasting impact on the development of safer, cleaner, and more efficient hydrocarbon and hydrogen energy systems.

Award

Dr. Haq has been the recipient of several prestigious research grants and accolades. He was awarded over SAR 3.8 million in research funding by Saudi Aramco and associated institutions between 2020 and 2023, supporting high-impact projects on hydrogen storage and green EOR. He is the co-inventor of a U.S. patent titled “Oil Recovery Methods Using Carboxylated Pyrolyzed Date Leaves” (US10836952), which proposes a novel, environmentally friendly approach to oil recovery. He also received the CSIRO–University Postgraduate Scholarship in Australia and was nominated for the UWA Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2011. These accolades underscore his scientific innovation and commitment to academic excellence.

Publication

Dr. Haq is a prolific author with a strong publication record in high-impact journals. Selected peer-reviewed articles include:

  1. “A Review On Worldwide Underground Hydrogen Storage Operating And Potential Fields”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022 – cited in studies of emerging hydrogen infrastructure.

  2. “Naturally Derived Carbon Material for Hydrogen Storage”, APPEA Journal, 2022 – contributed to sustainable hydrogen materials research.

  3. “Date-Leaf Carbon Particles for Green Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Nanomaterials, 2022 – referenced in green EOR studies.

  4. “Surfactant Formulation for Green Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Energy Reports, 2022 – utilized in comparative surfactant evaluations.

  5. “Green Enhanced Oil Recovery for Carbonates”, Polymers, 2021 – cited for carbonate reservoir applications.

  6. “Comparative Study of Green and Synthetic Polymers for Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Polymers, 2020 – frequently referenced in polymer EOR research.

  7. “Modification of Eclipse Simulator for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR)”, Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 2019 – instrumental in MEOR simulation enhancements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Bashirul Haq represents a model of excellence in academic leadership, scientific research, and innovation in sustainable energy technologies. His career achievements reflect a dedication to bridging research with industry needs and environmental responsibility. Through pioneering efforts in hydrogen storage, EOR, and curriculum development, he continues to influence the global energy discourse and mentor the next generation of engineers. Dr. Haq’s nomination for this award is a recognition of both his past achievements and his ongoing contributions to a sustainable energy future.