
Ridha Al-Abdrabalnabi
Engineer I, CIPR
Ridha joined center of integrative petroleum research (CIPR) as a petroleum engineer in 2016. His experience in CIPR revolves around special core analysis labs. An active member in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and acidizing groups. In addition, he’s taking role of mentoring graduate students to perform their core-flooding experiments.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA 2023
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA 2015
Research Interests
- Special core analysis
- Enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
- Acidizing
- Acid fracturing
Selected Publications
- Xinrui Zhao, Ridha Al-Abdrabalnabi, Yu-Shu Wu, Xianmin Zhou, Evaluations of the feasibility of oil storage in depleted petroleum reservoirs through experimental modelling studies, Fuel, Volume 294, 2021, 120316, ISSN 0016-2361, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.120316
- Zhou, Xianmin , Al-Abdrabalnabi, Ridha , Khan, Sarmad Zafar, and Muhammad Shahzad Kamal. “Interrelationship of Capillary Number, Interfacial Tension, Injection Flow Rate and Temperature by Surfactant Flooding for Oil-wet Carbonate Reservoirs.” Paper presented at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Virtual, October 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/205749-MS
- Zeeshan Tariq, Amjed Hassan, Ridha Al-Abdrabalnabi, Murtada Saleh Aljawad, and Mohamed Mahmoud. Comparative Study of Fracture Conductivity in Various Carbonate Rocks Treated with GLDA Chelating Agent and HCl Acid. Energy & Fuels 2021 35 (23), 19641-19654. DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c03471

Taqi Alzaki
Research Assistant, CIPR
Educational Qualification
- M.S. Geology & Geophysics Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, 2016.
- B.S. Geophysics King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KSA, 2012.
Research Interests
- Rock mechanics
- Seismic interpretation, stratigraphy & petrophysics
- Near-surface geophysics
Noof Saleh Al-Aqeel
Research Assistant, CIPR
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Physical Chemistry, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU), KSA-Dammam.
- B.S., Chemistry, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU), KSA-Dammam.
Research Interests
- Photo catalysis
- Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery
Selected Publications
- G Berhault, N Al-Aqeel, W Alrashedi, NA Alomair, H Kochkar, M Younas, F Jomni (2023). Assisted Enhanced Photocatalysis by the Addition of a Ferroelectric Component to Copper-Doped TiO2 Nanotubes. Materials Research Society Spring Meeting 2023.
- NA Alomair, NS Al-Aqeel, SS Alabbad, H Kochkar, G Berhault, M Younas, F Jomni, R Hamdi, I Ercan (2023). The Role of the Ferroelectric Polarization in the Enhancement of the Photocatalytic Response of Copper-Doped Graphene Oxide–TiO2 Nanotubes through the the Addition of Strontium. ACS omega 8 (9), 8303-8319.
- G Berhault, W Alrashedi, NS Alaqeel, H Kochkar, M Younas, A Ben Ali, NA Alomair (2022). Ferroelectric enhancement of the photocatalytic response of Cu-doped TiO2 nanotubes induced through the addition of strontium. 11th European Conference on Solar Chemistry and Photocatalysis: Environmental Applications (SPEA).
Noura Al-Benayyan
Research Assistant, CIPR
Educational Qualification
- M. Eng. in Bioengineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran. Saudi Arabia, 2022.
- B.S. in Cell & Molecular Biology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam. Saudi Arabia, 2020
Research Interests
- Gas Storage (H2 and CO2)
- Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery
Selected Publications
- Albenayyan, N., Murtaza, M., Alarifi, S. A., Kamal, M. S., Humam, A., AlAhmari, M. M., … & Mahmoud, M. (2023). Optimization of calcium carbonate precipitation during alpha-amylase enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP). Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1118993.
- Tombuloglu, H., Albenayyan, N., Slimani, Y., Akhtar, S., Tombuloglu, G., Almessiere, M., … & Manikandan, A. (2022). Fate and impact of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(3), 4710-4721

Nadeem Ahmed Syed
Laboratory Engineer I, CIPR
Started career as R&D Engineer at Dynamics International (PVT) Ltd. Pakistan in 1992. Worked as Manager Services in AMS/BMS in Pakistan from 1996 to 2010 managing Services of Analytical/Life Sciences Instruments. Worked as Service Supervisor at Naizak in KSA from 2011 to June 2019 providing various services. Currently, working as Research Assistant at KFUPM (CIPR), since July 2019.
Educational Qualification
- B.E. in Electronics from Mehran University Pakistan 1991
Research Interests
- Digital Rock Physics.
- Surface analysis using AFM, SEM. and XPS.
- Generation 3D micro-images of natural and artificial porous materials using CT- and medical scanners and FIB/SEM.
Athaa Al-Otaibi
Research Assistant II, CIPR
Athaa is currently working as a Research Assistant in the Center for Integrated Petroleum Research, College of Petroleum Engineering & Geoscience, KFUPM.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Physics of Materials, Physics department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU), KSA-Dammam
- B.S., Physics, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU), KSA-Dammam
Research Interests
- Molecular Dynamics Simulations with GROMACS

Saud Mohammed Al-Dughaimi
Engineer II, CIPR
Saud initially joined CPG under LTSS group as an Assistant Lab coordinator. He had shown keen interest in Resistivity lab and Rock mechanics lab.
Educational Qualification
- B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, 2015.
Research Interests
- Resistivity Lab
- Rock flooding test, with different kind of liquid and gas.
- Rock mechanic Lab
Selected Publications
- Muqtadir, A., Al-Dughaimi, S., & Dvorkin, J. (2020). Deformation of Granular Aggregates: Static and Dynamic Bulk Moduli. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125(1). https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018604
- Muqtadir, A., Al-Dughaimi, S., Ali, A. Z., Kandil, M. E., & Dvorkin, J. (2019). Acoustic Emissions During Deformation of Sandstone with Fluids. In Proceedings of 53rd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. New York City, NY, USA: American Rock Mechanics Association.
- Al-Dughaimi, S., Ali, A. Z., Muqtadir, A., Kandil, M. E., & Dvorkin, J. (2019). Elastic Anisotropy in Deep Carbonate Reservoir. In Proceedings of 53rd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. New York City, NY, USA: American Rock Mechanics Association.
- Muqtadir, A., Al-Dughaimi, S., Kandil, M. E., Ali, A., & Dvorkin, J. P. (2019). Elastic and Mechanical Properties of Dune Sand: Experiments and Models. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2019JB017981. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB017981

Hani Salman Al Mukainah
Engineer II, CIPR
Mr. Hani joined the College of Petroleum Engineering & Geoscience’s Centre of Integrated Petroleum Research in 2016 as an engineer in the petrophysics research group. Mr. Hani is a specialist in digital rock physics, acquiring digital images of natural rock at the pore scale, as well as at the core scale, and theoretically analysing these images. His recent spectacular results include the generation of wormholes in carbonates as a result of acid treatment. Hani has also worked on producing digital resistivity data from micro-images and understanding its findings. In addition, Mr. Hani is currently involved in several funded research such as, CO2 and H2 underground storage projects to examine the rock-fluid interaction and its effect on pore structures using a CT scanner.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA 2022 (in progress)
- B.Sc., Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University, Australia, 2015
Research Interests
- Digital rock physics.
- Gas storage (H2 and CO2)
- Multi-phase flow through porous media
- X-ray micro-computed tomography
Selected Publications
- “ Experimental investigation of hydrogen-carbonate reactions via computerized tomography: Implications for underground hydrogen storage”, A Al-Yaseri, H Al-Mukainah, N Yekeen, A Al-Qasim, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022.
- “Wettability of shale–brine–H2 system and H2-brine interfacial tension for assessment of the sealing capacities of shale formations during underground hydrogen storage”, H Al-Mukainah, A Al-Yaseri, N Yekeen, J Al Hamad, M Mahmoud, Energy Reports 8, 8830-8843, 2022.
- “Rock-Wettability Impact on CO2-Carbonate Rock Interaction and the Attendant Effects on CO2 Storage in Carbonate Reservoirs”, A Al-Yaseri, N Yekeen, HS Al-Mukainah, A Kakati, D Alfarge, M Myers, Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 104, 104664, 2022.
- “ Experimental Study on the Impact of Clay Distribution and Mineralogy on NMR T2 and Internal Gradient: Insights From Well-Controlled Physical Samples”, M Elsayed, A El-Husseiny, S Hussaini, H Al Mukainah, M Mahmoud, SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, 1-16, 2022.
- “Distinct Petroacoustic Signature of Burrow-Related Carbonate Reservoirs: Outcrop Analog Study, Hanifa Formation, Central Saudi Arabia”, A El-Husseiny, H Eltom, A Alqubalee, A Abdlmutalib, H Al-Mukainah, R Syahputra, Natural Resources Research, 1-26, 2022.
Extended Publications (+)
- “Impact of fines and rock wettability on reservoir formation damage” A Al‐Yaseri, H Al Mukainah, M Lebedev, A Barifcani, S Iglauer, Geophysical Prospecting 64 (4-Advances in Rock Physics), 860-874, 2016.
- “A Digital Rock Physics Approach for Computing Archie’s Resistivity Exponents”, H Al-Mukainah, S Al-Ofi, H Kasserwan, J Dvorkin, 83rd EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition 2022 (1), 1-5.
- “Electrical formation factor versus porosity coarse-scale transforms from microscopic digital images: Example-based study” HS Al-Mukainah, SR Hussaini, JP Dvorkin, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2021.
- “Electrical Formation Factor from Digital Microimages” JP Dvorkin, HS Al-Mukainah, AGU Fall Meeting 2021.
- “Controlling Factors on Petrophysical and Acoustic Properties of Bioturbated Carbonates:(Upper Jurassic, Central Saudi Arabia)” M Salih, JJG Reijmer, A El Husseiny, M Bashri, H Eltom, HA Mukainah, Applied Sciences 11 (11), 5019, 2021.
- “Consistent prediction of absolute permeability in carbonates without upscaling”, MR Khodja, J Li, SR Hussaini, AZ Ali, HS Al-Mukainah, ZZ Jangda. Oil & Gas Science and Technology–Revue d’IFP Energies nouvelles 75, 44. 2020.
- “Digital Subvolumes: Computational Approaches and Permeability-Porosity Transforms”, J Li, SR Hussaini, H Al-Mukainah, J Dvorkin, 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019, 2019 (1), 1-5.
- “Consistent Evaluation of the Organic Content of the Qusaiba Shale Using Digital-Rock Methodology”, M Abouelresh, M Khodja, R Husseini, H Al-Mukainah, A Ali, International Petroleum Technology Conference, 2019.
Awards & Honors
- Graduated with First Class Honours.
- Received a Letter of Commendation in fours Semesters in 2013, 2014.

Ajibola Hakeem Okeyode
Research Assistant II, CIPR
Ajibola is a research assistant at the Centre for Integrative Petroleum Research, CPG, KFUPM, Saudi Arabia. His academic journey includes a Master’s degree in Life Sciences at KFUPM with a focus on the bioremediation of petroleum pollutants. Currently, he works within the Geosystem Research Group, specializing in the use of Advanced microscopy techniques for the visualization and analysis of geological, petroleum, chemical, and biological samples.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Life Sciences, KFUPM, KSA, 2022.
- B.S., Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 2016
Research Interests
- Environmental Remediation
- Microbiology and Bioengineering
- Enhanced Oil Recovery
- Bioprocessing and Biotechnology
Selected Publications
Okeyode, A. H., Al-Thukair, A., Chanbasha, B., Nazal, M. K., Afuecheta, E., Musa, M. M., Shahad, A., & Nzila, A. (2023). Degradation of the highly complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon coronene by the halophilic bacterial strain Halomonas caseinilytica, 10SCRN4D. Archives of Environmental Protection, 78-86. doi:10.24425/AEP.2023.147330.
Awards & Honors
- Ministry of Higher Education Scholarship (M.S. in Life Sciences, 2020-2022), Saudi Arabia.
- West Chester University Graduate Scholarship, United States 2017

Mahmoud A. Mohamdin
Project Engineer, CIPR
Mahmoud joined Petroleum Department in 2019. He is Knowledgeable about potentially hazardous materials or practices. He has outstanding organizational skills, excellent communication skills with the ability to present and explain health and safety topics. He is currently working as a Safety Officer, for the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences.
Educational Qualification
- B.S., Industrial and Systems Engineering – KFUPM – 2013
- Certified from International Association of Safety Professionals – IASP – 2018