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Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center

Research Interests

Professor Vahrenkamp‘s research aims at securing future energy supply with three main thrusts:

  1. Refine the understanding of modern and ancient carbonate depositional environments and associated diagenesis for improved perception of reservoir heterogeneities on multiple scales,
  2. Advance the quantification of the complex pore networks of Arabian carbonate reservoirs and its impact on reservoir performance,
  3. Explore and develop geothermal energy in Arabian countries with special focus on desalination and cooling applications and suitable drilling techniques.

Dr. Vahrenkamp leads the Carbonate Reservoirs Studies research group.

 

Selected Publications

  • Late Jurassic to Cretaceous source rock prone intra-shelf basins of the eastern Arabian plate – interplay between t...
    Vahrenkamp, V.C., P. Van Laer, B.J. Franco, M. A. Celentano, Carine Grelaud and P. Razin.
    SPE-IPTC-18470 , (2015)
  • Micro rhombic calcite of a giant Barremian reservoir onshore Abu Dhabi - Clumped isotope analyses fix temperature, ...
    Vahrenkamp, V.C, J. Barata; P.J. Van Laer, P. Swart, S. Murray.
    SPE ADIPEC-172033 , (2014)
  • Carbon-isotope signatures of Albian to Cenomanian (Cretaceous) shelf carbonates of the Natih Formation, Sultanate o...
    Vahrenkamp, V.C.
    GeoArabia, v. 18, no. 3, 65-82, (2013)
  • Validation of fundamental carbonate reservoir core properties using Digital Rock Physics
    Lopez, O., A. Mock, P. Øren, H. Long, Z. Kalam, V. Vahrenkamp, M. Gibrata, S. Seraj, S. Ch...
    International Symposium of the Society of Core Analysts, SCA2012-19, 12 pages , (2012)
  • Chemo stratigraphy of the Early Cretaceous Shu’aiba Formation.
    Vahrenkamp, V.C.
    GeoArabia Special Publication 4, V. 1, 107 137 , (2010)
  • Growth architecture, faulting and karstification of a middle Miocene carbonate platform, Luconia Province, offshore...
    Vahrenkamp, V.C., David, F., Duindam, P., Newall, M., and Crevello, P.
    AAPG Memoir 81, p. 329-350 , (2004)
  • Late Cenozoic Dolomites of the Bahamas: Metastable Analogues for the Genesis of Ancient Platform Dolomites.
    Vahrenkamp, V.C., and Swart, P.K.
    IAS Special Publication 21, Blackwell Scientific Press, p. 133-153 , (1994)
  • Episodic Dolomitization of Late Cenozoic Carbonates in the Bahamas: Evidence from Strontium Isotopes.
    Vahrenkamp, V.C.; Swart, P.K., and Ruiz, J.
    Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 61, p. 1002-1014 , (1991)
  • A New Distribution Coefficient for the Incorporation of Strontium Into Dolomite and Its Implication for the Formati...
    Vahrenkamp, V.C. and Swart, P.K.
    Geology, v. 18, p. 387-391 , (1990)

Education

  • ​Ph.D. Marine Geology, RSMAS - U. Miami, Miami, FL, USA
  • MSc Geology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
  • Vordiplom, Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg, Germany

Professional Profile

  • 2017-Present: Professor of Geology, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
  • 2016-2017: Managing Director, NordicGeothermal, UAE – Dubai
  • 2011-2015: Exploration Manager, ADCO (Shell seconded), UAE – Abu Dhabi
  • 1988-2010: Carbonate Geology Expert, Shell International E & P (UAE - ADCO, Oman - PDO, Malaysia - SSB, Netherlands - SIEP)

Scientific and Professional Membership

  • ​American Association of Petroleum Geologists
  • Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
  • Geological Society of Oman (GSO)
  • Emirates Society of Geosciences (GSO)

Awards

​AAPG Distinguished International Lecturer, 2008

KAUST Affiliations

  • ​Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC)
  • Division of Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)