Drilling and Completion Engineering
In a globalized world, the provision of energy is and will be one of the key challenges for current and future generations. It is of highest importance that the resources we all share, are used economically and efficiently.
The chair of drilling and completion engineering is dedicated to push the envelope in drilling performance and provide solutions to environmental and technical challenges.
The international trend shows a shift towards unconventional and alternative energy sources and the classic usage of oil and gas adopts to a changing environment and heads towards a more sustainable usage of the resources available.
Therefore, in close cooperation with multinational companies, unique research areas and niche projects of high significance to the oil and gas industry are serviced. Furthermore a rich portfolio of international lecturers, students and external advisors provide the know-how and expertise for tackling various projects.
Drilling and Completion Engineering
DGE
Research
Cost Effective Drilling Systems
Today, the conventional drilling industry is using a very complex and therefore expensive way to drill wells. In many cases the effort to drill a well is unnecessarily high, which makes projects uneconomic or even not feasible. The industry is looking for more cost effective but safe ways to construct wells. Cheaper wells and a smaller environmental and logistic footprint would make projects feasible which are now uneconomic or impossible to realize.
Digital Design and Manufacturing
The successful development of Digital Design and Manufacturing of components for the oil and gas industry will change the status-quo and help to bring just-in-time strategy to the oilfield. For instance, technologies such as Additive Manufacturing (AM) are being investigated. This will reduce the inventory cost, improve well efficiency, safety and economics.
DDM will also help the industry produce oil and gas from mature wells safely and economically. This also opens the opportunity to incorporate features into the component which were not done earlier due to the limitation of conventional manufacturing.
Digitalization Lab
The objective is to implement and research digital technology and software that allows contractors, operators, and service companies to be fit for the digital transformation of their businesses and to perform the operations safely and efficiently. Therefore, we provide realistic drilling operations training and a monitoring environment for event detection, root cause identification, and predictive analytics.
These competences are expanded by innovation management and digital transformation frameworks. Highly sophisticated drilling simulators in combination with small scale drilling test rigs allow the development of tailor-made solutions for the challenges of the drilling industry. Additionally, the open collaboration space generates the perfect environment for knowledge exchange amongst different domains to develop disruptive and innovative ideas.
Well Integrity
To ensure a secure and environmentally safe wellbore over the whole life cycle of a well from drilling up to production, short and long term wellbore barriers are put in place. Key topics of the integrity of a well are the interaction between the various components which provide the integrity of the wellbore. There are evaluations of the long term risk, the cement/casing bond as well as the cement/rock bond.
The risk for future well integrity failures are assessed by taking into account historical cement data, available geology and possible long-term stress deformations. For the cement/casing bond the effects of local peak loads and changing hoop stresses in casing, resulting from temperature and pressure variations over the life time of an installation are studied. The adhesive forces between rock and cement are influenced by formation characteristics like in-situ stresses, porosity, permeability, wettability.
Faculty
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
Gerhard Thonhauser
Head of Chair, University Professor
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 1998
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, Joint Degree Montanuniversität Leoben and Colorado School of Mines, Golden Colorado, US 1996
Experience
- Head of Department Petroleum Engineering 2015-2019
- Head of Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering since 2013
- Head of “Environmental Friendly Drilling Systems” initiative in Europe since 2009
- Consultant with ENI Technology, Milano, Italy, working in drilling fluids design and solids control 2001-2002
- Founder and Chairman of TDE Group, servicing the international industry with drilling performance analysis and benchmarking, as well as software, electronics and equipment development, and manufacturing since 2000
- Member of the Mittelplate-Dieksand Team, RWE Dea, Hamburg, Germany, drilling of record extended reach wells, development of cuttings transport solution in cooperation with Petrobras/CENPES 1997-1998
- Consultant with CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organization), Australia, for the Genesis 2000 Project, from January 1999 managing of Genesis 2000 Europe 1996-2001
Research Interests
Prof. Gerhard Thonhauser has 20 years of experience providing the petroleum industry with the evaluation, analysis, and management of drilling and well-related data. His areas of research and development include “Drilling Process Monitoring and Analysis” combining modeling, advanced monitoring and sensing, and drilling analysis to optimize and automate the drilling process and to improve learning and knowledge management in drilling organizations. He has authored and co-authored around 100 publications in the area of drilling and completion engineering and data science. Head of “Environmental Friendly Drilling Systems” initiative in Europe since 2009, focusing on drilling and completion technologies with “Zero Harmful Environmental Impact”.
Univ.-Prof. MBA PhD
Kris Ravi
University Professor for Well Integrity
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MBA, Oklahoma State University/Rotterdam School of Management 1996-1999
- PhD, Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University 1985-1989
Experience
- President, Kris-Ravi Consultancy LLC, Kingwood, TX, USA since 2016
- Technology Fellow, Halliburton, Houston, TX, USA 2011-2016
- Chief Scientific Advisor, Halliburton, Houston, TX, USA 2008-2011
- Technical Advisor, Halliburton, Houston, TX, USA 2001-2008
- Team Leader, Halliburton Europe, The Netherlands 1995-2001
- Principal Scientist, Halliburton, Duncan, OK, USA 1989-1995
Research Interests
Designing and deploying Barrier elements to secure well integrity. Cement design and deployment for challenging wells such as CO2, Deepwater, HPHT, extended reach, geothermal and steam injection. Innovation and product development. Designing for P&A. Solving challenges during drilling and cementing such as lost circulation, gas migration. Designing and deploying monitoring system to verify Barrier elements. Data analysis, capturing lessons learned for continuous improvement. Teaching, training, mentoring. Leading teams. Improving organization efficiency. Raising funds for innovation. Growing business and improving return on investment. Developing strategy for growth.
Univ.-Prof. Inz.-Mech. Ktn
Mikhail Gelfgat
University Professor for Alternative Drilling Systems
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD Oil & Gas Wells Drilling, VNIIBT (All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Drilling Technique) 1980
- MSc Mechanical Engineering, Diploma with Honors from Moscow High Technical School named for Nikolay Bauman (Bauman Moscow State Technical University) 1971
Experience
- Professor, Oil & Gas Wells Drilling Department, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) since 2013
- Weatherford Russia, Global Product Line Manager “Aluminum Tubulars”; Director R&D and engineering 2007-2015
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Consultant 1996-1999
- Aquatic Company, Chairman of The Board (until 1997), CEO 1991-2010
- Drilling Technology Research Institute VNIIBT - now NPO "Burovaya Technika”, Technician, Design engineer, Research fellow, Head of laboratory 1965-1997
Research Interests
- Well construction technologies
- well life cycle features: onshore and offshore
- drilling and completion problems;
- managed pressure drilling
- drilling with casing and liner
- tubular goods for Oil & Gas Industry
- risers
- down hole tools and systems
- coring techniques
- drilling process optimization and automation
- electrodrilling and other alternative systems
Scientific Staff
Prof. PhD
Abdolnabi Hashemi
Visiting Professor
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD Petroleum Engineering, Imperial College London, UK 2002-2006
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, Imperial College London, UK 2000-2001
- BSc Chemical Engineering (Petroleum Resources Production), Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran 1987-1992
Experience
- Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum University of Technology since 2014
- Chancellor, Petroleum University of Technology, Iran 2014-2017
- Dean of Tehran Faculty of Petroleum, Petroleum University of Technology, Tehran, Iran 2012-2014
- Head of Department of Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran 2010-2012
- National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) at different engineering and managemental positions 1992-2000
Research Interests
- Well Test Analysis
- Compositional Simulation and Reservoir Modelling
- IOR
- Drilling Optimization
- Oil Field Digitalization
Univ.-Prof. Tech. Eng. M.Sc. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.-Eng.
Andreas Nascimento
Visiting Professor
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- Postdoctoral Scientist in Applied Systems Analysis for Drilling Automation/Optimization, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria 2018-2019
- Doctoral exchange development, Montanuniversität Leoben, Department Petroleum Engineering (DPE), Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering (CDC), Austria 2015
- Dr.-Eng. in Mechanical Engineering - Petroleum and Petrochemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil 2012-2016
- Dipl.-Ing. in Petroleum Engineering - Drilling Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 2010-2012
- M.Sc. in Energy Engineering - Exploration of the Rational Use of Natural Resources and Energy, Federal University of Itajuba (UNIFEI), Brazil 2008-2010
- Eng. in Computer Engineering, Federal University of Itajuba (UNIFEI), Brazil 2003-2008
- Tech. in Industrial Computer Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil 2000-2002
Experience
- Permanent (Tenured) Professor, Federal University of Itajuba (UNIFEI), Energy Group, Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IEM), Brazil since 2022
- Fellow for Technological Development and Innovative Extension, Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (DT-2/CNPq), Brazil since 2020
- Visiting Professor, Montanuniversität Leoben, Department Petroleum Engineering (DPE), Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering (CDC), Austria since 2019
- Permanent (Tenured) Professor, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Department of Engineering and Technology (DET), Brazil 2016-2022
- While at the Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES): Head of Department, Research Group Coordinator - “Petroleum/Natural Gas Engineering, Energy and Environment” 2016-2022
- Advisor for International Relations - Campus São Mateus, and Scientific Advisor for Research and Innovation - FAPES, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES) 2016-2022
- General Field Engineer, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, Drilling & Measurements Segment (activities: onshore/offshore, ultra-deepwater, pre-salt, LWD/MWD, drilling optimization), Angola 2011-2014
Research Interests
Prof. Andreas Nascimento’s areas of interest in research include Applied Computer Engineering, Oil Field Digitization, Drilling Automation and Optimization, as well as new frontiers in accessing Natural Resources. Within this context, technical-scientific research project developments focused on pre-salt/ultra-deepwater and geoenergy exploration/exploitation challenges are of particular interest, including hydrogen and geothermal resources. General project management, new technologies, human resources development, industry-academic interaction and international relations are other areas of interest.
Ass.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
Michael Prohaska-Marchried
Assistant Professor
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
Asad Elmgerbi
Senior Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 2014-2023
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 2010-2012
- BSc Petroleum Engineering, Tripoli University, Libya 1996-2000
Experience
- Work as lecturer at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria since 2014
- Field drilling engineer with Wintershall Libya 2008-2009
- Drilling engineer with Wintershall world wide 2006-2007
- Production Supervisor with Wintershall Libya 2002-2005
Research Interests
Developing a new concept for detecting losses and kick events while drilling
MSc
Alexander Fine
Senior Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MSc Materials Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel 1994-1998
- Dipl.-Eng. Materials Engineering, Samara State Technical University, Russia 1977-1982
Experience
- Research Associate, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria since 2017
- Owner, Fine Solutions, Austria since 2016
- Senior Project Engineer, Weatherford company, Russia 2011-2012
- Materials Engineer, TDE Group GmbH, Leoben, Austria 2011-2015
- Project Engineer, Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing Project at Malmö University, Sweden 2008
- Research Materials Engineer, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel 2007-2009
- Project Manager, STI Laser Industries, Israel 2004-2007
- Quality Assurance/Metallurgy Manager, Advanced Coding Systems Ltd., Israel 2002-2004
- Aerospace industry, Carmel Forge LTD. (Subsidiary of Pratt & Whitney), Process Metallurgist, Israel 1998-2002
- Assistant Lecturer, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel 1994-1998
Research Interests
- Materials expertise and testing
- Aluminum Alloy Tubulars application in extended-reach wells
- Advanced materials application in drill bit design
- Solid Expandable Liner Systems in cased-hole and open-hole applications
- Fiber optic technology in well integrity monitoring
- Work performance analysis of materials under well-operating conditions
- Types of damages identification depending on operating conditions
- Design concepts review
- Manufacturing supervision
Fogh-lis.
Sahar Keshavarz
Senior Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MSc Petroleum Production Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran 2014-2016
- BSc Petroleum Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran 2010-2014
Experience
- Senior Lecturer, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria since 2020
- Guest Researcher, Department of Chemical and Biochemical engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark 2020
- Drilling Engineer, Sealand Engineering and Well Services, Tehran, Iran 2017-2019
- Drilling Engineer Trainee, Sealand Engineering and Well Services, Tehran, Iran 2016-2017
- Trainee at Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran, Iran 2013
Research Interests
- Drilling Optimization
- Oil Field Digitalization
- Data Analysis
- Cost Optimization
- Directional Drilling
- Drilling Automation
M. Tech. PhD
Shwetank Krishna
Senior Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia 2018-2021
- MTech Petroleum Exploration and Production, Andhra University, India 2013-2015
- BTech Geoscience Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, India 2009-2013
Experience
- Senior Lecturer, Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering, Montanuniverstät Leoben, Austria since 2021
- Graduate Research Assistant, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia 2020-2021
- Graduate Assistant, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia 2018-2020
- Assistant Professor, Chandigarh University, India 2015-2018
- Research Summer Intern, National Institute of Hydrology, India 0-2012
- Dissertation Trainee, Institute of Oil and Gas Production Technology, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India 0-2015
Research Interests
- Mathematical Modelling
- Predictive Modelling
- Fluid Flow Analysis
- Drilling Fluid Rheological Studies
Dipl.-Ing.
Sharen León
Senior Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD candidate, Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 2022-2025
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria 2016-2019
- BSc Petroleum Engineering, UNAM, Mexico City 2004-2009
Experience
- Senior Lecturer, Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering, Montanuniverstät Leoben, Austria since 2019
- Social Media & Web Content Manager, Department Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniverstät Leoben, Austria 2016-2023
- Administrative Manager, DMX Technologies, Mexico City 2013-2016
- Drilling Engineer, Well Design Department, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Tabasco, Mexico 2010-2013
- Junior Drilling Engineer, Well Design Department, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Tabasco, Mexico 2009-2010
Research Interests
- Well Plug & Abandonment
- Wellbore Instability
- Metal Additive Manufacturing in O&G Industry
- Digital Design and Manufacturing
Mast.inz.rud.
Miroslav Antonic
Visiting Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- Ph.D. candidate, Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria since 2019
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geology, Serbia 2014-2015
- BSc Petroleum Engineering, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geology, Serbia 2010-2014
Experience
- Visiting Lecturer, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria since 2022
- Senior Lecturer, Montanuniversität Leoben, Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering, Austria 2019-2021
- Lead Engineer for Oil Production Planning and Scheduling, Central Engineering and Tech Service, NIS Gazprom Neft, Serbia 2018-2019
- Analytics Engineer, Central Engineering and Tech Service, NIS Gazprom Neft, Serbia 2017-2018
- Junior Engineer, Central Engineering and Tech Service, NIS Gazprom Neft, Serbia 2016-2017
- Petroleum Engineering Summer Intern - Artificial lift, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Oman 2015
- Drilling Engineering Summer Intern, NIS Gazprom Neft – Drilling Services, Serbia 2013
- since 0
Research Interests
- Well Completion and Workover Optimization
- Smart Well Diagnostic and Optimization
- New Approaches in Well Monitoring
- Real-Time Data Analysis
- Data Mining Tools
Mag.rer.nat.
Rudolf Nikolaus Knezevic
Visiting Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- Power to Manage, IMD Lausanne 2008
- Civil engineer for geology (ZT) 2003
- MSc Geosciences, Sedimentology & Hydrology, University of Vienna 1993
Experience
- Senior Expert, Low Carbon Business OMV since 2021
- Department Manager ops Geology, OMV 2012-2021
- Visiting Lecturer, Montanuniversität Leoben Austria since 2007
- Team Leader operations Geology, OMV Austria 2007-2012
- Wellsite Geologist, OMV Austria 2005-2007
- Commissioning engineer, Petron Industries Inc. USA 1996-2005
- Manager of technical department, Petrolog LTD, Nigeria 1994-1995
- Mudlogging engineer, Drill Lab Ltd, Austria 1991-1993
Research Interests
- Low enthalpy hydrogeothermal systems
- Geothermal power generation using CO2 as a heat media
- Process controlled well planning
- Leading integrated project teams
- Execution of complex drilling projects
- Data acquisition & interpretation (partly in RT)
Dipl.-Ing.
Abdelfattah Lamik
Visiting Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- PhD candidate, Montanuniversität Leoben since 2015
- Dipl.-Ing. Mechanical Engineer, Chair of Mechanical Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben 2014-2004
- Physics and Chemistry, University Abouchouaib Adoukalli, El Jadida, Morocco 2000-2003
Experience
- Senior Lecturer, Montanuniversität Leoben since 2015
- Scientific Assistant, Material Center Leoben Forschung GmbH - MCL 2009-2014
- Design Engineer, Sandvik Mining and Construction 2008-2009
- Data Analyst, TDE Thonhauser Data Engineering GmbH 2005-2007
Research Interests
A major concern in well integrity is the Cement/Casing Interface, which should not fail within a pre-determined lifetime. The objective of the research is the investigation of durability and crack growth propagation in this interface under several conditions.
MSc
Naim Saddiq
Visiting Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, The University of Oklahoma-Norman (USA) 1997-2000
- BSc Mining Engineering, UET Lahore 1991-1996
Experience
- Managing Director, Oxford Well Engineering, London (UK) since 2018
- Senior Drilling Consultant (in-house Major Operators), Halliburton (UK) 2013-2018
- Senior Drilling Applications Engineer, Baker Hughes (UK) 2007-2013
- MWD/LWD Field Services Lead Engineer, Gulf of Mexico (USA) 2001-2007
- Graduate Research Assistant, The University of Oklahoma-Norman (USA) 1997-2000
Research Interests
Naim Saddiq, a UK Chartered Engineer, is an independent drilling professional with over 20 years of USA/UK experience. He carries a wealth of experience, working with service companies and in-house drilling engineering roles with various operators. He has worked hands-on with a variety of drilling engineering projects and performed seamlessly in multi-disciplinary drilling teams. Saddiq carries a relentless passion for step-change in well costs through better designs and smoother executions.
Naim Saddiq’s areas of expertise are summarized as follows:
- Directional well planning and optimizations
- Well engineering designs and drilling simulations
- Drilling project management
- Real-time drilling optimizations
- Integrated well data analysis.
Dipl.-Ing.
Arman Valian
Visiting Lecturer
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MSc Mechanical Engineering, University of Leoben, Austria 2002-2009
Experience
- Trainer at AHK-Tehran since 2017
- Visiting Lecturer, Department Petroleum Engineering, University of Leoben since 2016
- Trainer, Tehran Business School since 2016
- Trainer, Industrial Management Institute, Tehran since 2015
- Business Etiquette Trainer and Lecturer since 2012
- Sales Manager and Technical Calculator, ANDRITZ AG Pumps and Turbines Section, Graz 2010-2012
Research Interests
Business etiquette trainer and lecturer and cross-cultural training for managers, graduates and business people in German, Farsi, and English languages. During the workshops, we will discuss the codes of behavior in the society as well as at the negotiation table, in the meetings, etc., from dress code to table manners. Soft skills in daily life will also be discussed regarding “other countries, other customs.”
Founder of “ Valuable Managers Club” for FARSI speaking communities around the globe.
Dipl.-Ing. Fogh-lis.
Arash Nasiri
University Assistant
Drilling and Completion Engineering
Education
- MSc International study program in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering. Montanuniversität Leoben 2017-2020
- MSc Petroleum Engineering, Drilling and Production. Sharif University of Technology, Iran 2013-2015
- BSc Chemical Engineering: Design Oil Industry Processes. Mazandaran University, Iran 2007-2012
Experience
- University Assistant, Chair of Drilling and Completion Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben since 2019
- Project member, Chair of Reservoir Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben 2018-2019
- Sazeh Consultants Engineering and Construction, Shazand oil refinery 2011-2013
Research Interests
- Investigation of fluid-fluid properties using microfluidics
- Digitalization and monitoring of safe carbon storage
- Fracture propagation models
- Cement sheath integrity
- Enhanced oil recovery
- Hydrogen production
Staff
Student Assistants
Cernetchi Anna
Plessing Elias, BSc
Kharrat Mahmood, Karsh.
Knechtl Lukas, BSc
Seiwald Maximilian
Shams Eshaghi Sahand BSc
Weiskirchner Stefan