Dr. Xingyu Zhu
Researcher, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Post-Doc Researcher, Department of Petroleum Engineering Xingyu Zhu is a postdoctoral researcher at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He holds a PhD in Earth Science from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, focusing on energy-stable smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) for fluid flow simulations in porous media. He earned a Master’s in digital Rock Physics from the China University of Petroleum (East China) and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Tongji University. Previously, he conducted fluid flow simulations as a visiting student at Herriot-Watt University. His research integrates advanced computational techniques with applications in earth sciences and engineering.
Educational Qualification
- B.S., Tongji University, China, 2011-2015.
- S., China University of Petroleum (East China), China, 2016-2019
- Ph.D. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, 2019-2024
Research Interests
- Digital rock analysis
- Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)
- Numerical analysis in pore scale simulations
- Machine learning
Selected Publications
- Zhu, Xingyu, et al. “An energy stable incompressible SPH method with consistent solid boundary treatment.” Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics436 (2024): 115367.
- Zhu, Xingyu, Shuyu Sun, and Jisheng Kou. “An energy stable SPH method for incompressible fluid flow.” Appl. Math. Mech.14.5 (2022): 1201-1224.
- Yang, J., Zhu, X., Liu, Y., Jiang, X., Fu, J., Ren, X., … & Yao, J. (2019). TMIS: a new image‐based software application for the measurement of tear meniscus height. Acta Ophthalmologica, 97(7), e973-e980.
Dr. Ala Shafeq Al-Dogail
Researcher, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Dr. Ala AL-Dogail joined the petroleum engineering department at KFUPM as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in November 2024. He was a teaching assistant at the petroleum engineering department during his MS and Ph.D from 2015-2023. His research area focuses on production engineering, multi-phase flow in pipes, pressure characteristics, drag reduction, emulsification, well stimulation, and GOSP optimization. Dr. AL-Dogail is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) and the American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA).
Educational Qualification
- Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA, January 2024.
- M.S, Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA, May 2018.
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, Hadramout University, Yemen, August 2012.
Research Interests
- Flow Assurance
- Multi-Phase Flow in Pipes
- Pressure Characteristics
- Drag Reduction
- Emulsification
- Acidizing
- Gas-oil Separation Plant (GOSP)
Selected Publications
- Al-Dogail, A., Gajbhiye, R., Solling, T. I., Sultan, A. S., Patil, S., & Alsarkhi, A. (2023). Novel Environmentally Friendly Nanomaterials for Drag Reduction of the Emulsified Acid System. ACS omega, 8(46), 44057-44075.
- AL-Dogail, A., Gajbhiye, R., & Patil, S. (2023). A Review of Drag-Reducing Agents (DRAs) in Petroleum Industry. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 48(7), 8287-8305.
- Ala, A. D., Gajbhiye, R., Sultan, A., Solling, T., Patil, S., & Alsarkhi, A. (2023). Development of emulsified acid system (EAS) using organoclays (OC): Rheology and implication to the acidizing. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 228, 212022.
- AL-Dogail, A., Gajbhiye, R., Al-Shammari, H., Alnaser, M., & Kamerkar, T. (2023). Maximization of Gas-Oil Separation Plant Oil Recovery by Operation Parameter Optimization. SPE Production & Operations, 38(04), 666-677.
- AL-Dogail, A., Gajbhiye, R., AlNajim, A., & AlNaser, M. (2022). Dimensionless artificial intelligence-based model for multiphase flow pattern recognition in horizontal pipe. SPE Production & Operations, 37(02), 244-262.
- AL-Dogail, A., Gajbhiye, R., AlNaser, M., AlNajim, A., & Mahmoud, M. (2022). Intelligent approach for gas-oil separation plant oil recovery enhancement. SPE Production & Operations, 37(04), 632-653.
- Al-Dogail, A. S., & Gajbhiye, R. N. (2021). Effects of density, viscosity and surface tension on flow regimes and pressure drop of two-phase flow in horizontal pipes. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 205, 108719.
Google Scholar Profile: Click here
Awards & Honors
- Granted patent award from KFUM-KSA.,2024.
- Participate in the regional student paper contest (RSPC 2024) at Muscat-Oman.,2024.
- Sc. First honor, Petroleum Engineering Department, Hadhramout University-Yemen.,2012.
Omar Qasim Al-Harbi
Graduate Assistant, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Omar Alharbi is a Graduate Assistant in the Petroleum Engineering Department, KFUPM. He was working with Saudi Aramco prior joining KFUPM in 2021.
Educational Qualification
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA, 2020
Research Interests
- AI Applications in Petroleum Engineering
- Petrophysics
- Reservoir Engineering
Haidar Ahmed Al-Majed
Graduate Assistant, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Mr. Haidar Al-Majed is a graduate assistant at the Department of Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM. He worked as a managed pressure drilling engineer at Halliburton Energy Services in Saudi Arabia prior to his joining to KFUPM in 2022. His research interests focus on applications of geomechanics and matrix acidizing in the field of petroleum engineering.
Educational Qualification
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA, 2019
Research Interests
- Geomechanics in Petroleum Engineering
- Matrix Acidizing
Mohammed Majed Almutawa
Graduate Assistant, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Mohammed Almutawa is a Graduate Assistant in the Petroleum Engineering Department, KFUPM. He graduated from KFUPM in 2023, and rejoined KFUPM in the same year as a Graduate Assistant.
Educational Qualification
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering with concentration of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources, KFUPM, KSA, 2023
Research Interests
- Hydraulic Fracturing
- Enhanced Oil Recovery
Awards & Honors
- Dean’s List Award, KFUPM, 2022
Nasir Abbas Muhammad Ibrahim
Laboratory Engineer II, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Nasir Abbas is a Laboratory Engineer in the Department of Mining Engineering at the College of Petroleum and Geosciences (CPG), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, with research focused on rock mechanics, underground mine stability, and laboratory-based geomechanical testing.
Before joining KFUPM, he gained hands-on experience in establishing and managing mining engineering laboratories, preparing technical specifications for equipment, supervising installation and commissioning, and developing laboratory manuals and training modules.
His professional interests include mining geomechanics, laboratory development, mineral processing, and safety in mining operations. He is also engaged in research collaboration and has contributed to international publications in the field of rock mechanics.
Nasir aims to support the growth of the new Mining Engineering program at CPG by strengthening laboratory capabilities, enhancing student training, and contributing to high-quality research and academic development.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., in Mining Engineering: University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
- B.S., in Mining Engineering: University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Research Interests
- Mining Geosciences
- Mineral processing
- Mine Design
Selected Publications
- Abbas, N., Li, K. G., Abbas, N., & Ali, R. (2022). Correlation of Schmidt hammer rebound number and point load index with compressive strength of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Journal of Mining Science, 58(6), 903-910.
- Majeed, Y., Abbas, N., & Emad, M. Z. (2023). Stability evaluation of room-and-pillar rock salt mines by using a flat jack technique-A case study. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 123(6), 287-298.
- Abbas, N. (2022). The size correction and correlation of point load index with compressive strength of some dimension stones of tectonic zones, north Pakistan. Scientific Mining Journal, 61(4), 185-191.
- Majeed, Y., Abbas, N., Waqas, M., & Emad, M. Z. (2025, June). In-Situ Stress Measurements for Stability Analysis of Room and Pillar Rock Salt Mines: A Case Study from the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan. In ARMA US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium(p. D022S020R019). ARMA.
- Abbas, N., Li, K. G., Wang, L., Emad, M. Z., & Abbas, N. (2025). Application of Modified Tunnel Support System for Jointed Rock Mass along Himalayas. Journal of Mining Science, 61(3), 390-400.
Dr. Doaa Abdelwahab Shaker
Petroleum Engineer, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Dr. Doaa Shaker joined KFUPM as an Instructor in the Petroleum Engineering Department at CPG in 2025. She has over 10 years of combined experience in academia and the oil and gas industry. She completed Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Suez University in 2023, M.Sc. degree from Cairo University in 2018, and a B.Sc. degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2014.
Prior to her role at KFUPM, Dr. Shaker worked as a Senior Reservoir Engineer at North Bahariya Petroleum Company in Egypt for Six years. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Teaching Assistant at both Cairo University (credit hour system) and Future University in Egypt (FUE) for four years.
Educational Qualification
- Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, Suez University, Petroleum Engineering, Egypt, 2023
- M.S., Petroleum Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt, 2018
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt, 2014
Research Interests
- Well testing analysis
- Reservoir management and optimization
- Water injection performance and management
- Reservoir simulation
- Reserve estimation and evaluation
Assad Ahmed Abdallah Barri
Lecturer, Department of Petroleum Engineering
On September 2021 Assad was hired by the Petroleum Engineering Dept. as a Lecturer assisting the professors with the routine teaching and research assignments.
Formerly, he spent eight years for White Nile Petroleum Operating Co. – one of Sudan’s biggest oil companies, with a role responsible for scheduling service and testing required for oil wells. After that he joint petroleum department at KFUPM as technical research assistant on September 2012 to conduct his mater degree. Then he joined the petroleum department as technical researcher on June 2015. He was part of many research teams.
Educational Qualification
- M.S., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2015
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering, University of Khartoum, Sudan, 2003
Research Interests
- Matrix stimulation
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
Selected Publications
- Barri, A.A., Hassan, A.M., Aljawad, MS, M Mahmoud, 2021. Effect of Treatment Conditions on Matrix Stimulation of Carbonate Rocks with Chelating Agents. Arab J Sci Eng.
- Tinku Saikia, Abdullah Sultan, Assad A. Barri, Nur Iman Khamidy, Abdulmalek A. Shamsan, Ayman Almohsin, Mohammed Bataweel, 2020. Development of pickering emulsified polymeric gel system for conformance control in high temperature reservoirs, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Volume 184.
- Badr S. Bageri, Abdulrauf Rasheed Adebayo, Assad Barri, Jaber Al Jaberi, Shirish Patil, Syed Rizwanullah Hussaini, Rahul S. Babu, 2019. Evaluation of secondary formation damage caused by the interaction of chelated barite with formation rocks during filter cake removal, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, V. 183.
- Elhaj, Murtada A., Barri, Assad , Hashan, Mahamudul , and M. Enamul Hossain, 2018. “State of the Art on Porosity and Permeability Hysteresis: Useful Techniques for Hydrocarbon Recovery.” Paper presented at the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition.
- Abdulrauf Rasheed Adebayo, Assad A. Barri, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, 2017. “Effect of Flow Direction on Relative Permeability Curves in Water/Gas Reservoir System: Implications in Geological CO2 Sequestration”, Geofluids, vol. 2017.
Extended Publications (+)
- Assad Barri, M.A. Mahmoud, & S Elkatatny, 2016. “Evaluation of Rock Mechanical Properties Alteration during Matrix Stimulation with Chelating Agents”. Journal of Energy Resources Technology (JERT), volume 138.
- Assad Barri & M. A. Mahmoud, 2015. “Effect of Stimulation with Chelating Agents on Carbonate Rocks Integrity”. SPE 172709-MS paper @ MEOS in Al-Manama, Bahrain, March 2015.
- Assad Barri & Sami Alnuaim, 2014. “A Graphical Method to Evaluate Multi-Reservoir Commingling”. SPE 172194-MS paper presented in Al Khobar Symposium, KSA.
Mohamed A. Abdalla
Software Engineer, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Currently working as a Petroleum Engineering Software Engineer at CPG’s Department of Petroleum Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, KSA. Previously, worked as a teaching assistant at the petroleum engineering department, University of Khartoum, Sudan. During master degree, I was involved as a research and teaching assistant. I was also an executive member of the Students’ Society of Petroleum Engineers (SSPE) and University of Khartoum Petroleum Engineering Alumni (UoKPEA).
Educational Qualification
- M.S. in Petroleum engineering [May 2018], King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
- B.S. in Petroleum Engineering [October 2012], University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Research Interests
- Reservoir Engineering
- Modeling & Optimization
- Artificial Intelligence
- Inflow Performance Relationship IPR
- Hydraulic Fracturing
Selected Publications
- Abdalla, M., Hassan, A., Abdulraheem, A., Elkatatny, S., & Mohamed, A. (2018). SPE / IADC-189390-MS New Technique to Evaluate the Performance of Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Wells.
- Ahmed, M. E., Abdalla, M. (2018). SPE- 192324- MS Investigating the effect of hydraulic fracturing in the pressure transient response for multilateral wells in dry gas reservoirs.
- Mohamed, A., Abdalla, M., Alnuaim, S., & Fahd, K. (2019). A New Algorithm to Quantify the Productivity of Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Gas Wells Introduction Reservoir Description and Simulation Model.
Awards & Honors
- A full scholarship for master’s degree at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, KSA [2015-2018]
Maksat Orayev
Software Engineer, Department of Petroleum Engineering
Currently working as a Petroleum Engineering Software Engineer at Department of Petroleum Engineering, CPG, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, KSA. Previously, worked as a workover assistant driller on an offshore SOCAR Azneft “Neft Dashlari” (Oil Rocks) oilfield in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Educational Qualification
- M.S. in Petroleum Engineering [January 2024], King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
- B.S. in Petroleum Engineering [June 2019], Baku Higher Oil School, Baku, Azerbaijan
Research Interests
- Reservoir Simulation and Mathematical Modeling
- Reservoir Engineering
- Inverse Modeling
- Heat Transport in Porous Media
Awards & Honors
- A full masters scholarship at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, KSA [2021-2024]