Research Interests

I aim to apply my experimental framework to characterize the geomechanical properties of unconventional formations, particularly in CCS and geothermal reservoirs, as shown in the figure below. Planned projects include:

1. Rock-Fluid Sensitivity in Shale Fracturing: Traditional slickwater is ineffective for water-sensitive formations. My research focuses on foam-based fracturing fluids (CO2, N2, or dual foam) to minimize water usage and enhance fracture effectiveness, supported by the American Chemical Society (ACS) funding.

2. Acid-Rock Interaction: Hydraulic fracturing often leaves micro-fractures inaccessible to proppants. I study rock-acid interactions in calcite-rich shales to enhance conductivity, with future experiments aimed at optimizing acid solutions to increase hydrocarbon production.

3. Geomechanics and Petrophysics for CCS Caprock Integrity: Accurately estimating elastic properties is crucial for fracture design. I use Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to investigate anisotropic rock deformation and plan to apply artificial neural networks (ANN) for elastic modulus estimation, expanding findings to CCS caprock integrity and enhanced geothermal systems.

4. Fracture Propagation Numerical Investigation: I developed a 3D numerical model to analyze fracture propagation and proppant transport. Future research will integrate this model into Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS), educational activities, and providing hands-on training for students.

5. In-Situ Cement Sheath Integrity: I focus on the long-term bond between cement and casing, vital for wellbore integrity. My method using digital image correlation investigates cement-casing-rock bonding, with plans to incorporate CT scans for a better understanding of sheath integrity.