This in-person talk is by Rita Esuru Okoroafor, who is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, and is the author of several technical papers and two novels.
Abstract:
Low-carbon energy technologies are becoming more relevant as the energy mix evolves. Among these low-carbon energy technologies are renewable energy resources, carbon capture utilization and storage to achieve net-zero emissions targets, hydrogen as an energy carrier, and fuel cells, to mention a few. Except for solar, wind, and geothermal energy, most low-carbon energy technologies constitute relatively young industries. Some stakeholders are unaware of the similarity in skill sets between these low-carbon energy technologies and the mature oil and gas industry that can be leveraged.
In this presentation, I discuss how skills and competencies in the oil and gas industry apply to a variety of low-carbon energy technologies. I present a ‘Petroleum Industry to Low-Carbon Energy Technologies Competency Map’ that shows where the core petroleum engineering competence and non-core petroleum engineering skills fit in the low-carbon energy space. I provide specific examples from research in carbon dioxide storage, underground hydrogen storage, and geothermal energy to demonstrate how different competencies from the petroleum industry have been applied to advance understanding, reduce the learning curve, and accelerate project success. The one idea I would like members to take away from this lecture is that their skill sets are transferable and relevant to several areas related to the evolving energy mix.
Location: The Carpenters Arms,
Please register via Eventbrite.
Biography: Dr. Rita Esuru Okoroafor is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on using oil and gas skills and techniques to solve challenges related to low-carbon energy technologies. Before embarking on her PhD, Dr. Okoroafor was a Principal Reservoir Engineer with Schlumberger, an organization she worked with for 13 years, supporting different product lines and locations. Dr. Okoroafor is a recipient of the SPE Africa Region Reservoir Dynamics and Description Award (2017), SPE International Young Member Outstanding Service Award (2016), and SPE Africa Region Young Member Outstanding Service Award (2014). She is the author of several technical papers and two US patents. Her areas of research include geothermal reservoir engineering, carbon dioxide storage and utilization, geologic storage of hydrogen, and reservoir geomechanics. She is also the author of two novels.