
Mobeen Murtaza
Engineer I, CIPR
Mr. Mobeen Murtaza is currently working as an Engineer I in the Centre of Integrated Petroleum Research at the College of Petroleum Engineering & Geoscience. He has diversified experience in various areas of research included drilling fluids, oil well cementing, well stability using swelling inhibitors, scale removal, and geomechanics. Further, he has hands-on experience in designing and modifying research setups and instruments according to the research requirements. Mr. Mobeen is providing training to graduate and undergraduate students on HPHT instruments.
Mr. Mobeen has MS and BS in Petroleum Engineering from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia, and UET, Lahore respectively. He has two years of industry experience as a Drilling Engineer.
Educational Qualification
- Masters of Science in Petroleum Engineering (2011-2014) King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia
- Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering (2006-2010) University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Research Interests
- Drilling fluids
- Oil well cementing
- Geo-mechanics
- Surfactants applications in Wellbore Stability
Selected Publications
- Murtaza, M., Kamal, M.S., Hussain, S.M.S., Mahmoud, M., Syed, N.A., 2020. Quaternary ammonium gemini surfactants having different spacer length as clay swelling inhibitors: Mechanism and performance evaluation. J. Mol. Liq. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.113054
- Mobeen Murtaza, Zeeshan Tariq, Xianmin Zhou, Dhafer Al-Shehri, Mohamed Mahmoud, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Okra as an environment-friendly fluid loss control additive for drilling fluids: Experimental & modeling studies, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Volume 204, 2021, 108743, ISSN 0920-4105, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108743.
- Murtaza, M.; Alarifi, S.A.; Kamal, M.S.; Onaizi, S.A.; Al-Ajmi, M.; Mahmoud, M. Experimental Investigation of the Rheological Behavior of an Oil-Based Drilling Fluid with Rheology Modifier and Oil Wetter Additives. Molecules 2021, 26, 4877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164877
- S.M. Shakil Hussain, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Mobeen Murtaza, Effect of aromatic spacer groups and counterions on aqueous micellar and thermal properties of the synthesized quaternary ammonium gemini surfactants, Journal of Molecular Liquids, Volume 296, 2019, 111837, ISSN 0167-7322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111837.
Extended Publications (+)
- Mobeen Murtaza, Mohamed Mahmoud, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Abdulaziz Al Majed, Weiqing Chen, and Abul Jamaluddin, “Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Modified Nano Clay on the Rheology of Oil Well Cement Slurry”, IPTC-19456-MS presented at International Petroleum Technology Conference held in Beijing, China, 26 – 28 March 2019
- US Patent granted for “SAUDI TYPE-G CEMENT AND NANOCLAY FOR HIGH PRESSURE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE OIL WELLS” under patent #US 9650296 B2
- Murtaza, M.K. Rahman, A. A. Al-Majed, and A. Samad “Mechanical, Rheological and Microstructural Properties of Saudi Type G Cement Slurry with Silica Flour Used in Saudi Oil Field under HTHP Conditions”. SPE 168101 presented at SPE Annual Technical Symposium & Exhibition held in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, 19-22 May 2013.
- K. Rahman, M. Murtaza, “Effect of Nanoclay on Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Oil Well Cement Slurry under HPHT Environment” NICOM USA, 24-26 May 2015.
- Murtaza, M.K. Rahman, A. A. Al-Majed, “Effect of Nanoclay on Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Oil Well Cement Slurry under HPHT Environment” IPTC18989MS presented at 10th International Petroleum Technology Conference held 14-16 November, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Murtaza, M.K. Rahman, A. A. Al-Majed, “Mechanical and Microstructural Studies of Nano Clay Based Oil well Cement Mix under High Pressure and Temperature Application” IPTC-18991-MS presented at 10th International Petroleum Technology Conference held 14-16 November, 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Hafiz Mudaser Ahmad, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Mobeen Murtaza, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi, “Improving the Drilling Fluid Properties Using Nanoparticles and Water-Soluble Polymers”. SPE-188140-MS presented at the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 24–27 April 2017.
- Hafiz Mudaser Ahmad, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Mamdouh A. Al-Harthi, , Salaheldin Elkatatny, Mobeen Murtaza,” Synthesis and Experimental Investigation of Novel CNT-Polymer Nanocomposite to Enhance Borehole Stability at High Temperature Drilling Applications”, SPE-192352-MS presented at SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, 23-26 April, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
- Zeeshan Tariq ,Abdulazeez Abdulraheem, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Arqam Muqtadir, Mobeen Murtaza,” Geomechanical Studies on CO2 Sequestrated Rocks in an Aqueous Saline Environment”, SPE-192242-MS presented at SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, 23-26 April, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
- Salem Basfar, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Mohamed Mahmoud, Mohammad Shahzad Kamal, Mobeen Murtaza, ” Prevention of Barite Sagging while Drilling High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) Wells”, SPE-192198-MS presented at SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, 23-26 April, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Awards & Honors
- US Patent granted for “Nanoclay-enhanced Cement Composition for Deep Well Cementing” under patent # US 10065890 B2
- US Patent granted for “SAUDI TYPE-G CEMENT AND NANOCLAY FOR HIGH PRESSURE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE OIL WELLS” under patent #US 9650296 B2
- Presented as Career Pathways Advisor in MEOS 2017.

Abdullah M. Alqubalee
Engineer I, CIPR
Educational Qualification
- M.Sc., Geology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, KSA, 2017.
- B.S., Engineering Geology, University of Aden, Yemen, 2007.
Research Interests
- Sedimentology
- Stratigraphy
- Petrophysics
- Diagenesis and Reservoir Quality
Selected Publications
- Alqubalee, A., Babalola, L., Abdullatif, O., Makkawi, M., 2019. Factors Controlling Reservoir Quality of a Paleozoic Tight Sandstone, Rub’ al Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia. Arab. J. Sci. Eng. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-03885-9
- Alqubalee, A., Abdullatif, O., Babalola, L., Makkawi, M., 2019. Characteristics of Paleozoic tight gas sandstone reservoir: integration of lithofacies, paleoenvironments, and spectral gamma-ray analyses, Rub’ al Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia. Arab. J. Geosci. 12, 344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4467-0
- Abdullatif, O.M., Alqubalee, A., Babalola, L., Makkawi, M., 2018. Sedimentological Controls on Reservoir Properties of a Paleozoic Tight Sandstone Reservoir, Saudi Arabia. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.201900217
- Alqubalee, A., Abdullatif, O., Babalola, L., 2017. Application of Spectral Gamma Ray for Lithofacies and Paleo-environmental Interpretation: A Case Study from The Late Ordovician Glaciogenic Deposits, Saudi Arabia, in: EGU General Assembly 2017. EGU2017-16887, Vienna, Austria, p. 16887.
- Alqubalee, A., Abdullatif, O., Babalola, L., Makkawi, M., 2017. Reservoir Characterization of Tight Gas Sand – Integration of lithofacies and Petrophysical properties, Subsurface, Saudi Arabia, in: 79th EAGE Conference. Paris. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.201701379
- Alqubalee, A., Abdullatif, O., Babalola, L., Makkawi, M., 2017. Diagenetic Controls on Reservoir Quality: Insight into the Late Ordovician Sarah Tight Sand, Rub’ Al-Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia, in: Geosciences Technology Workshop. AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90299, Amman, Jordan.
- Alqubalee, A., Abdullatif, O., Babalola, L., Sahin, A., Makkawi, M., 2017. Lithofacies and Paleoenvironments of the Late Ordovician Sarah Tight Sand, Subsurface of the Rub’ Al-Khali Basin, Saudi Arabia, in: AAPG/SEG International Conference and Exhibition. AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90310, London, England.
Awards & Honors
- Scientific Excellence Certificate, Engineering Geology, University of Aden, Yemen, 2006/2007.
- Recipient of King Fahd University Petroleum & Minerals, KSA, MS Scholarship, 2013.
Sarmad Zafar Khan
Engineer I, CIPR
In 2009 Khan obtained his BS (Hons.) in Petroleum Engineering followed by an MS degree in the same discipline from KFUPM, KSA in 2013. He has been positioned as a Lab Engineer at CPG, KFUPM since 2016 after employment as a Reservoir Engineer at Schlumberger (2013-15), Research Assistant at KFUPM (2010-13), and an Intern – BHP Billiton Pakistan (2008).
Educational Qualification
- M.Sc., Petroleum Engineering, KFUPM, KSA, 2013
- B.S., Petroleum Engineering (Hons.), University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan, 2009.
Selected Publications
- “Revisiting Reaction Kinetics and wormholing phenomena during Carbonate Acidizing” by X. Qiu, S. Khan, S. Dyer and A. Sultan, presented at International Petroleum Technology Conference, 19-22 Jan, 2014, Doha, Qatar.
- “Investigation of Core Length and CO2 Phase Effects on Propagation of Wormholes in Carbonate Rocks” by S. Khan, A. Sultan and S. Dyer presented at SPE Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, 21-24 Apr, 2014, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
- Keynote Speaker at “Career Development Seminar” held at Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Pakistan on Sep 24, 2014

Ahmad Mahboob
Engineer I, CIPR
Ahmad has a master’s degree in petroleum engineering with specialization in CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). In Sept. 2017, he joined Laboratory Technical Support Services (LTSS) department, at CPG-KFUPM where he worked as a Lab Specialist in Quantitative Analysis Laboratory, Core Preparation Laboratory and PVT Laboratory. In Dec. 2018, he joined Center for Integrative Petroleum Research (CIPR)-KFUPM as Engineer-II in Oil Field Chemistry group and with his expertise and experience, he has progressed both in stature and status amongst his peers. He is also the assistant coordinator for “Fluid Characterization Laboratory”.
Educational Qualification
- M.S. Petroleum Engineering from KFUPM, Dhahran, KSA
- B.S. Petroleum & Gas Engineering from UET, Lahore, Pakistan
Research Interests
- Fluid Characterization
- CO2 Capture and Utilization
- Enhanced Oil Recovery
- Water Conformance Control Gels
- Emulsification
- Interfacial and Wettability Studies
- HPHT Multiphase Fluid Behavior and PVT- Studies
- Phase Behavior
- Foam
Expertise in following HPHT Equipment:
- Phase Behavior
- Foam Analyzer
- Foam Rheometer
- Fluid Rheometer
- Densitometer
- IFT/SFT/Wettability
- PVT System
Selected Publications
- Poly (oxyethylene)-amidoamine based gemini cationic surfactants for oilfield applications: Effect of hydrophilicity of spacer group – 2020, SMS Hussain, A Mahboob, MS Kamal, Materials 13 (5), 1046, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13051046
- Synthesis and evaluation of zwitterionic surfactants bearing benzene ring in the hydrophobic tail – 2020, SMS Hussain, A Mahboob, MS Kamal, Materials 13 (8), 1858, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13081858
- EOR Perspective of microemulsions: A review -2022, A Mahboob, S Kalam, MS Kamal, SMS Hussain, T Solling, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 208, 109312, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109312
- Magnetic surfactants: A review of recent progress in synthesis and applications – 2021, F Shehzad, SMS Hussain, AA Adewunmi, A Mahboob, M Murtaza, and MS Kamal, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science 293, 102441, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2021.102441
- Fluorinated surfactants: A review on recent progress on synthesis and oilfield applications – 2022, SMS Hussain, AA Adewunmi, A Mahboob, M Murtaza, X Zhou, MS Kamal, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 102634, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2022.102634
- Synthesis and evaluation of magnetic surfactants for high temperature oilfield application – 2021, SMS Hussain, MS Kamal, A Mahboob, Journal of Molecular Liquids 340, 117216, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2021.117216
- Influence of lipophilic tail and linker groups on the surface and thermal properties of the synthesized dicationic surfactants for oilfield applications – 2020, SMS Hussain, A Mahboob, MS Kamal, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 114172, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114172
- Impact of spacer on rheological properties of polyoxyethylene cationic surfactant-polymer solution – 2020, MS Kamal, SMS Hussain, LT Fogang, A Mahboob, S Zafar, AIP Conference Proceedings 2205 (1), 020058, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5142973
Extended Publications (+)
A comprehensive study of surfactant foaming stability using fluorinated and hydrocarbon surfactants – 2020, MS Kamal, SMS Hussain, LT Fogang, A Mahboob, VIRTUAL 2020 AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo
A Rigorous correlation for quantitative prediction of water cresting in multi-fractured horizontal wells – 2016, A Mahboob, S Al-Nuaim, MH Rammay, SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia annual technical symposium and exhibition, https://doi.org/10.2118/182778-MS
Performance evaluation of novel polymers for CO2 foam enhanced oil recovery – 2019, T Majeed, MS Kamal, T Solling, A Mahboob, X Zhou, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, https://doi.org/10.2118/197839-MS
An experimental study of interfacial tension and contact angles of CO2/brines/surfactants/oil systems with dolomite rock – 2016, A Mahboob, AS Sultan, SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, https://doi.org/10.2118/182839-MS
Awards & Honors
- Winner of Paper Contest of the 2016 Young Professional’s Technical Symposium (YPTS), SPE-KSA YPSO, Dhahran KSA
- On-Merit Full tuition fee waiver Scholarships from KFUPM, Dhahran from 2013 to 2016
- “Govt. Internal merit Scholarship” at UET, Lahore from 2007 to 2011