CPG
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Location: Bldg. 76, Rm. 2160

Dr. Fahad Khan

Researcher, Department of Petroleum Engineering

Dr. Fahad Khan joined the Petroleum Engineering Department at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, as a Researcher in August 2026. He received his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from KFUPM, where his doctoral research focused on developing innovative techniques to reduce rock breakdown pressure and enhance the stimulation of unconventional hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs in collaboration with Saudi Aramco.

His research integrates laboratory experimentation and numerical modeling, with particular emphasis on thermally induced fracturing, thermal-shock stimulation using endothermic fluids, and cold CO₂ injection. His research contributions have resulted in several granted U.S. patents and publications in leading scientific journals. He also serves as a reviewer for several prestigious international journals. His broader research interests include sustainable subsurface energy development, innovative reservoir stimulation techniques, underground gas storage and CO₂-based technologies.

Google Scholar:  Dr. ‪Fahad Khan – ‪Google Scholar

Educational Qualification

  • Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, 2026
  • M.Tech., Petroleum Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais, India, 2022 (Institute Gold Medalist)
  • B.Tech., Applied Petroleum Engineering-Upstream, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India, 2020

Research Interests

  • Unconventional Reservoir Stimulation
  • Petrophysics and Rock Mechanics
  • Underground Gas Storage
  • Thermochemical Fluids
  • Geothermal

Selected Publications

  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Raza A., AlTammar M., Patil S., Al Shafloot T., AlMarri M. (2025), “A review on breakdown pressure in hydraulic fracturing of subsurface geologic formations: Influencing factors, reduction strategies and research gaps”, Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 17, 8224–8240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2025.03.027
  • Khan F., Raza A., Mahmoud M., AlTammar M., Al Shafloot T. (2026), “Comparative Impact of Cold Water and Thermochemical Cooling Methods on Breakdown Pressure for Improved Stimulation in Unconventional Formations”, Unconventional Resources, 9, 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uncres.2026.100309
  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Raza A., AlTammar M., Patil S., Murtaza M., Kamal M. (2024), “Application of Endothermic Fluids to Lower the Breakdown Pressure of Unconventional Reservoirs: Implications for Hydraulic Fracturing”, ACS Omega, 9, 37253–37264. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c04919
  • Khan F., Raza A., Mahmoud M., Patil S., Al Shafloot T. (2025), “A Comprehensive Review of Geothermal Reservoirs – Current Understanding and Future Outlook”, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 50, 14415–14439. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-025-10246-2
  • Khan F., Tariq Z., Mahmoud M., Raza A., AlTammar M., Abdulraheem A. (2026), “Numerical Investigation of Thermally Induced Fracturing via Endothermic Thermal Shock in Ultra-Tight High Temperature Gas Reservoirs”, ACS Omega, 11, 39788–39805. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6c00297
  • Khan A., Khan F., Marapira T.R., Alafnan S., Raza A., Mahmoud M., Kamal M.S. (2026) “A Review on CO2 Mineralization in Saline Aquifers: Advances, Challenges, and Future Prospects for Sustainable Carbon Sequestration”, Journal of Environmental Management, 397, 128358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.128358
  • Khan F., Kesarwani H., Sharma S. (2024), “Methods and technologies of coal-bed methane extraction” in Advances in Natural Gas: Formation, Processing, and Applications Volume 1: Natural Gas Formation and Extraction, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19215-9.00007-4

Extended Publications (+)

Patents:

  • Fahad et al. (2025), Methods and compositions for thermally shocking subsurface formations, US 12,442,282 B1
  • Fahad et al. (2025), Systems and methods for recovering ammonia from a subsurface formation, US 12,618,305 B2
  • Fahad et al. (2026), Methods and compositions for thermally shocking subsurface formations, US 12,571,291 B1
  • Fahad et al. (2026), Methods and compositions for thermally shocking subsurface formations, US2026/0015927A1

Extended Publications:

  • Khan F., Khan A., Raza A., Alafnan S., Mahmoud M., Kamal M.S. (2026), “Principles and Advances of Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)”, in Encyclopedia of Fuel Processing Technology.
  • Khan F., Bardhan A., Kumar P., Yadawa Y., Sharma S., Saxena A., Ranjan A. (2024), “Performance Assessment of Bismuth Ferrite Nanoparticles in Enhancing Oilwell Cement Properties: Implications for Sustainable Construction”, SPE Journal, 29, 4596–4607. https://doi.org/10.2118/221469-PA
  • Khan F., Tandon A., Dhar V., Beg M., Saxena A., Sharma S. (2022), “Cement Slurry Design for High-Pressure, High-Temperature Wellbores Using Polymer Nanocomposite: A Laboratory Scale Study Based on the Compressive Strength and Fluid Loss”, Energy & Fuels, 36, 6820–6830. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c00828
  • Kesarwani H., Khan F., Tandon A., Azin R., Osfouri S., Sharma S. (2022), “Performance Improvement of the Surfactant Polymer Flooding Using Bio Synthesized Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles: An Experimental Approach”, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 47, 11775–11792. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-022-06571-5
  • Khan F., Kesarwani H., Kataria G., Mittal G., Sharma S. (2023), “Application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles for the design of oil well cement slurry–a study based on compressive strength, setting time and rheology”, Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 37, 1666–1682. https://doi.org/10.1080/01694243.2022.2087963
  • Vats S., Khan F., Prajapati D., Pandey A., Sharma S., Saxena A. (2023), “Synthesis and Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle and its Application in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery”, ChemistrySelect. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202204206
  • Kesarwani H., Khan F., Sharma S. (2024), “Characteristics of natural gas reservoirs” in Advances in Natural Gas: Formation, Processing, and Applications Volume: 1: Natural Gas Formation and Extraction, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-19215-9.00012-8
  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Raza A., Murtaza M., Tackie-Otoo, B., Patil S., Al Shafloot T., and Kamal M. (2025), “Laboratory Demonstration of Geothermal Rock Cooling to Reduce Breakdown Pressure in Hydraulic Fracturing.” GOTECH, UAE. https://doi.org/10.2118/224657-MS
  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Raza A., Murtaza M., Patil S., Kamal M. (2025), “Novel Emulsion-Based Fracturing Fluid for In-Situ Thermal Shock to Facilitate Hydraulic Fracturing in Unconventional Geothermal Reservoirs” SPE Oman Petroleum & Energy Show, Oman. https://doi.org/10.2118/224942-MS
  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Patil S., Raza A., AlTammar M., Murtaza M., AlMarri M., Al Shafloot T. (2024), “An Experimental Study for the Impact of Heating and Cooling on Strength of Unconventional Reservoirs.” IPTC, Saudi Arabia. https://doi.org/10.2523/IPTC-23913-MS
  • Khan F., Mahmoud M., Raza A., AlTammar M., Patil S., Al Shafloot T. (2024) “Application of Cold CO2 Injection in High Skin Factor Depleted Reservoirs: A Review.” GOTECH, UAE. https://doi.org/10.2118/219351-MS

Awards & Honors

  • Prestigious KFUPM Patent Award – 2026
  • Renewable Energy Technical Incubator- 50K Challenge (Winner)
  • Technical Committee member for SPE RDTS Recovery Enhancement Symposium, 2026
  • SPE MENA Student Paper Contest – 2025 (2nd Place)
  • CPG Student Paper Contest – 2025 (1st Place)
  • Served as Consultant – SPWLA KFUPM Student Chapter (2025–26), winning the prestigious 2026 SPWLA Outstanding Student Chapter Award.
  • Graduate Ambassador at KFUPM (2023-26)
  • Institute Gold Medal, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, 2022
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