Dr. Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz

Assistant Professor, Department of Geosciences

Dr. Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz is an Assistant Professor of Structural Geology at the Department of Geosciences, College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences (CPG). Dr. Abu-Mahfouz is the first ever female faculty member to join CPG-KFUPM. Dr Abu-Mahfouz is a specialist in naturally fractured reservoirs, unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs, geothermal reservoirs, CO2 storage reservoirs, geomechanics, fracture geochemistry, Geoenergy storage, and reservoir modelling. She received her Ph.D. degree in Petroleum/Structural Geology from the University of Oxford (UK), and she holds a B.S. degree in Geology & Environment (2007) and a M.S. degree in Applied Geology (2009) from the Hashemite University (Jordan).

Her work experience spans more than 15 years, where she fulfilled a wide variety of roles in the oil/gas industry and in research and academia. Main roles she held before joining KFUPM include Senior Geoscientist at Shell, Tutor (Oxford University), two Postdoctoral Fellowships (Oxford University and KAUST), and Research Scientist III (KAUST). She is an active member of different professional organizations (AAPG, EAGE, ARMA, GSL, OUGG, and JGA). Dr Abu-Mahfouz served as a chair, committee member, and organizer of different international conferences and workshops.

Educational Qualification

Ph.D. in Geology (Structural Geology), University of Oxford, UK
M.S. in Applied Geology, Hashemite University, Jordan
B.S. in Geology and Environment, Hashemite University, Jordan

Research Interests

Structural geology, naturally fractured reservoirs
Characterization of carbonate/mudrock unconventional source rocks/ reservoirs, including structural characterization, rock physical/mechanical properties, organic/inorganic geochemistry, and petrography
Mechanical stratigraphy, diagenesis, hydrocarbon migration and maturation
Characterization of geothermal reservoirs
Reservoir modelling and heterogeneity
CO2 storage reservoirs
Geoenergy storage in geological formations

Selected Publications

Abu‐Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J.A., Powell, J.H., Abu‐Mahfouz, M.S. and Podlaha, O.G., 2023. Diagenesis, compaction strain and deformation associated with chert and carbonate concretions in organic‐rich marl and phosphorite; Upper Cretaceous to Eocene, Jordan. Sedimentology.
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Iakusheva, R., Finkbeiner, T., Cartwright, J. and Vahrenkamp, V., 2023. Rock mechanical properties of immature, organic-rich source rocks and their relationships to rock composition and lithofacies. Petroleum Geoscience, 29(1), pp.petgeo2022-021.
Al-Yaseri, A., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Yekeen, N. and Wolff-Boenisch, D., 2023. Organic-rich source rock/H2/brine interactions: Implications for underground hydrogen storage and methane production. Journal of Energy Storage, 63, p.106986.
Arrofi, D. and Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., 2023. Delineating reservoir area using geologic remote sensing analysis, Jizan (Saudi Arabia): Implications for geothermal exploration. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, p.212033.
Alanazi, A., Yekeen, N., Ali, M., Ali, M., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Keshavarz, A., Iglauer, S. and Hoteit, H., 2023. Influence of organics and gas mixing on hydrogen/brine and methane/brine wettability using Jordanian oil shale rocks: Implications for hydrogen geological storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 62, p.106865.
Arrofi, D., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S. and Prayudi, S.D., 2022. Investigating high permeable zones in non-volcanic geothermal systems using lineament analysis and fault fracture density (FFD): northern Konawe Regency, Indonesia. Geothermal Energy, 10(1), pp.1-17.
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Wicaksono, A.N., Idiz, E., Cartwright, J., Santamarina, J.C. and Vahrenkamp, V.C., 2022. Modelling the initiation of bitumen-filled microfractures in immature, organic-rich carbonate mudrocks: The Maastrichtian source rocks of Jordan. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 141, p.105700.
Wicaksono, A.N., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Idiz, E., Cartwright, J., Santamarina, J.C. and Vahrenkamp, V.C., 2022. Stress distribution around kerogen particles as a measure of the initiation of bitumen-filled microfractures in organic-rich source rocks. MethodsX, 9, p.101817.
I.S. Abu-Mahfouz, J. Cartwright, E. Idiz, J.N. Hooker, S. Robinson. 2020. Silica diagenesis promotes early primary hydrocarbon migration. Geology 48 (5), 483–487. https://doi.org/10.1130/G47023.1. https://doi.org/10.1130/G47023.1
I.S. Abu-Mahfouz, J. Cartwright, E. Idiz, J.N. Hooker, S. Robinson, S.H.J.M. van den Boorn. 2019. Genesis and role of bitumen in fracture development during early catagenesis. Petroleum Geoscience, 26, 4. DOI:10.1144/petgeo2018-179
J.N. Hooker, I.S. Abu-Mahfouz, Q. Meng, J. Cartwright. 2019. Fractures in mudrocks: Advances in constraining timing and understanding mechanisms. Journal of Structural Geology, 125, 166-173. DOI:10.1016/j.jsg.2018.04.020
I.S. Abu-Mahfouz, A. Al-Malabeh, S. Rababeh. 2016. Geo-engineering evaluation of Harrat Irbid Basaltic Rocks, Irbid District—North Jordan. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9, 5, 1-11. DOI:10.1007/s12517-016-2428-4

Extended Publications (+)

Al-Yaseri, A., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Yekeen, N. and Wolff-Boenisch, D., 2023. Organic-rich source rock/H2/brine interactions: Implications for underground hydrogen storage and methane production. Journal of Energy Storage, 63, p.106986.
Arrofi, D. and Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., 2023. Delineating reservoir area using geologic remote sensing analysis, Jizan (Saudi Arabia): Implications for geothermal exploration. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, p.212033.
Alanazi, A., Yekeen, N., Ali, M., Ali, M., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Keshavarz, A., Iglauer, S. and Hoteit, H., 2023. Influence of organics and gas mixing on hydrogen/brine and methane/brine wettability using Jordanian oil shale rocks: Implications for hydrogen geological storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 62, p.106865.
Abu‐Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J.A., Powell, J.H., Abu‐Mahfouz, M.S. and Podlaha, O.G., 2023. Diagenesis, compaction strain and deformation associated with chert and carbonate concretions in organic‐rich marl and phosphorite; Upper Cretaceous to Eocene, Jordan. Sedimentology.
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Iakusheva, R., Finkbeiner, T., Cartwright, J. and Vahrenkamp, V., 2023. Rock mechanical properties of immature, organic-rich source rocks and their relationships to rock composition and lithofacies. Petroleum Geoscience, 29(1), pp.petgeo2022-021.
Grohmann, S., Littke, R., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Gaus, G., Klaver, J., Thüns, N., Schulte, P., Patzek, T. and Vahrenkamp, V., 2023. The deposition of type II-S Jordan oil shale in the context of Late Cretaceous source rock formation in the Eastern Mediterranean realm. Insights from organic and inorganic geochemistry and petrography. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 148, p.106058.
Arrofi, D., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S. and Prayudi, S.D., 2022. Investigating high permeable zones in non-volcanic geothermal systems using lineament analysis and fault fracture density (FFD): northern Konawe Regency, Indonesia. Geothermal Energy, 10(1), pp.1-17.
Edigbue, P., Demirci, I., Akca, I., Hamdan, H., Kirmizakis, P., Soupios, P., Tranos, M., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Candansayar, E., Hanafy, S. and Al-Shuhail, A., 2022. Application of Combined Local and Global Optimization Algorithms in Joint Interpretation of Direct Current Resistivity and Seismic Refraction Data: A Case Study of Dammam Dome, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Sensors, 22(23), p.9337.
Hassan, A.M., Elsayed, M.K., Oshaish, A.A., Al-Ofi, S.M., El-Husseiny, A.A.H., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Mahmoud, M.A., Abouelresh, M.O. and Attia, H.M., 2022, October. A New Workflow to Study the Impact of Artificial Maturations on the Petrophysical Properties of Unconventional Shale Rocks. In ADIPEC. OnePetro.
Wicaksono, A.N., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Idiz, E., Cartwright, J., Santamarina, J.C. and Vahrenkamp, V.C., 2022. Stress distribution around kerogen particles as a measure of the initiation of bitumen-filled microfractures in organic-rich source rocks. MethodsX, 9, p.101817.
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Wicaksono, A.N., Idiz, E., Cartwright, J., Santamarina, J.C. and Vahrenkamp, V.C., 2022. Modelling the initiation of bitumen-filled microfractures in immature, organic-rich carbonate mudrocks: The Maastrichtian source rocks of Jordan. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 141, p.105700.
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Gaus, G., Grohmann, S., Klaver, J., Cartwright, J., Idiz, E., Littke, R., Patzek, T., Urai, J., S., Vahrenkamp, V. 2022. Improved Understanding Of Hydrocarbon Expulsion And Associated Fracturing During Successive Stages Of Maturation: Insights from the Artificial Maturation of Organic-rich, Immature to Early Mature Source Rocks. 2022. International Petroleum Technology Conference and Exhibition (IPTC 2022). Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabi. IPTC-21895-MS
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Ardila, M., Podlaha, O., Vahrenkamp, V., Geochemical and Petrographic Characterization of Lithofacies and Organofacies in Upper Cretaceous organic-rich Source Rocks from Jordan. 2022. International Petroleum Technology Conference and Exhibition (IPTC 2022). Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabi. IPTC-21914-MS
S. Grohmann, G. Gaus, J. Klaver, I.S. Abu Mahfouz, V. Vahrenkamp, T. Patzek, J. Urai, R. Littke. 2021. Hydrous Pyrolysis of Source Rock Plugs: Geochemical and Visual Investigations and Implications for Primary Migration. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. DOI:10.3997/2214-4609.202134153
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S, Iakusheva, R., Finkbeiner, T., Cartwright, J., Santamarina, C. Vahrenkamp, V., 2021, Impact of rock composition and lithofacies variation on mechanical properties of organic-rich carbonate mudrocks: the Upper Cretaceous Muwaqqer Formation, Jordan, ARMA/DGS/SEG: 2nd International Geomechanics Symposium – conference presentation
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J., Idiz, E., Hooker, J.N. Robinson, S. 2020. Silica diagenesis promotes early primary hydrocarbon migration. Geology 48 (5), 483–487. https://doi.org/10.1130/G47023.1
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J., Vahrenkamp, V., Patzek, T., Littke, R., 2020. Fracture Development in Unconventional Reservoirs & its Role in Hydrocarbon Migration & Expulsion. Conference paper. AAPG Search and Discovery. Houston, USA
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S. Cartwright, J., Idiz, E., Hooker, J.N., Robinson, S., van den Boorn, S.H.J.M. 2019. Genesis and role of bitumen in fracture development during early catagenesis. Petroleum Geoscience, 26, 4. DOI:10.1144/petgeo2018-179
Hooker, J.N., Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Meng, Q., Cartwright, G. 2019. Fractures in mudrocks: Advances in constraining timing and understanding mechanisms. Journal of Structural Geology, 125, 166-173. DOI:10.1016/j.jsg.2018.04.020
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J., Hooker, J.N., Gross, M.R., 2018. Natural Fracture Systems in Mudrocks (Upper Cretaceous-Eocene), Jordan. The Geology of Fractured Reservoirs, the Geological Society of London. London, UK
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Cartwright, J., 2016. Fracture development due to the growth of displacive concretions, Sicily, Italy
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Al-Barahmieh, M., 2014. Introduction to Lithofacies and Structures, for the Study of Mudrocks and their Formations, Jordan International Oil Shale Symposium, Dead Sea, Jordan
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S., Geo-Engineering and Geochemical Evaluation of Basalt Rocks, N Jordan, The 10th International Conference of Jordanian Geologists Association and the 7th International Symposium on Middle East Geology, Amman, Jordan
Abu-Mahfouz, I.S, Al-Malabeh, A., Rababeh, Sh. 2016. Geo-engineering evaluation of Harrat Irbid Basaltic Rocks, Irbid District—North Jordan. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9, 5, 1-11. DOI:10.1007/s12517-016-2428-4

Awards & Honors

Member of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE, (Feb 2023 – Present).
Member, American Rock Mechanics Association, ARMA (June 2022-Present).
Member, the International Society for Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering, ISRM (June 2022-Present).
Member, Oxford Geology Group, OGG, OUGG (2016-Present).
Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, AAPG (2015-Present).
Member, the Geological Society of London, GSL (2015-Present).
Science Ambassador at Science Oxford (2014-2018).
Member, Jordan Geologists Association, JGA (2008-Present).