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.

Hossein Kiani | Future of Fossil Fuels and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Petroleum Engineering

Mr. Hossein Kiani | Future of Fossil Fuels and Energy Transition | Best Researcher Award

Master’s degree graduate at Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran

Hossein Kiani is a motivated and technically adept researcher specializing in power systems engineering with a primary focus on renewable energy integration, power quality, and energy systems optimization. Throughout his academic and professional journey, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing efficient, sustainable, and economically viable energy solutions. His technical capabilities and leadership in both research and academic settings have positioned him as a promising contributor to the global energy transition.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Kiani pursued his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Power Systems at Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran, from 2021 to 2024. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Zanjan University between 2014 and 2016. His graduate studies were characterized by a deep dive into hybrid energy systems, distributed energy resource planning, and power system market analysis, further enhanced by hands-on experience in laboratory environments and participation in energy-focused conferences.

Experience

Hossein has garnered diverse academic and practical experiences in the power and energy domain. He has served as a teaching assistant for core courses such as Power Quality, Electric Power Markets, Electric Machines I, and Electrical Energy Systems I at Amirkabir University. Additionally, he manages the Power Quality Lab at the same institution, where he works under the supervision of a full professor in electrical engineering. His professional contributions extend to multiple academic conferences, where he has played a key role as a reviewer and executive committee member. These engagements have honed his critical analysis, organizational, and peer collaboration skills, reinforcing his profile as both a researcher and educator in the power systems field.

Research Interest

His primary research interests lie in the modeling, design, and optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems; stochastic scheduling in distributed energy networks; frequency control in smart grids; and market-based analysis of renewable energy participation. Kiani focuses on integrating uncertainty analysis and demand-side management strategies to enhance the reliability and efficiency of electrical and thermal energy systems. His work often involves leveraging software tools such as MATLAB, HOMER Pro, GAMS, and DIgSILENT PowerFactory to simulate and optimize complex energy scenarios, bridging theoretical research with real-world application.

Award

Kiani’s contributions to the field have already been recognized with accolades, including the Best Paper Award at the 13th International Conference on Smart Grids (SGC) in 2023. This award reflects both the originality and the technical rigor of his research in the area of smart grids and hybrid energy solutions. His continuous involvement in high-level academic forums and multiple peer-review roles underscores the growing recognition of his work by the energy systems research community.

Publications

Among his notable scholarly contributions are seven key publications.

These include “Techno-economical Optimal Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy Resources Across Diverse Sites Based on Sensitivity Analysis,” published in AUT Journal of Electrical Engineering; “Optimal Sizing and Siting of Renewable Energy Sources in a ADN Using Meta-Heuristic Algorithms Considering Participation in Energy Market and Resources Uncertainty,” published in 2025 (IEEE), cited for its innovative approach to distributed energy planning; “Designing an Optimal Integrated Energy System Including Sustainable Resources for Real-Time Electrical and Thermal Loads Supplying, Considering Grid Interaction,” 2024 (IEEE); and “Evaluating the Non-participation Penalty in Renewable Energy Utilization to Supply a Portion of Electricity for Large Industries in Iran,” 2024 (IEEE).

Other significant works include “Comparison of Long-term Energy Demand Forecasting in Developing and Developed Countries Using Machine Learning-based Algorithms,” 2024 (IEEE); “A Novel Approach for Frequency Control in Smart Grids Utilizing Thermal Equipment for Emergency Situations,” 2023 (IEEE); and “Optimal Design and Economic Comparison of a Hybrid Energy System in Iran and Switzerland with Sensitivity Analysis,” 2023 (IEEE).

These publications have collectively garnered increasing citations and have contributed valuable insights to fields like energy system planning and uncertainty modeling.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hossein Kiani’s academic rigor, technical proficiency, and dedication to sustainable energy solutions distinguish him as a valuable contributor to the electrical engineering community. His combination of hands-on laboratory work, active teaching roles, peer-reviewed publications, and recognition through awards exemplifies a well-rounded profile committed to excellence in power systems research. With his ongoing work on advanced topics such as virtual power plants, peer-to-peer energy trading, and demand response strategies, Kiani continues to push the boundaries of innovation in modern energy systems.