Tadeusz W. Patzek, PhD

Principal Investigator

Professor, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
Center Director, Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center

Current

Location:

B5 - 3220

Social Profile:

Research Interests

Mathematical (analytic and numerical) modeling of earth systems with emphasis on multiphase fluid flow physics and rock mechanics; smart, process-based control of very large waterfloods in unconventional, low-permeability formations; productivity and mechanics of hydrocarbon bearing shales.

Patzek has co-designed and evaluated 7 field pilots of various oil recovery processes from waterflood, to steam and steam foam injection. More recently, Patzek got involved in human-machine interactions and safety culture in the offshore environment.

In a broader context, Patzek works on the thermodynamics and ecology of human survival and energy supply schemes for humanity. He has participated in the global debate on energy supply schemes by giving hundreds of press interviews and appearing on the BBC, PBS, CBS, CNBC, ABC, NPR, etc., and giving invited lectures around the world.

Selected Publications

M.P. Yutkin, C.J. Radke, and T.W. Patzek, “Asphaltene Adsorption from Dry Toluene onto Mineral Surfaces: A Comment on QCM-D Study by Farooq et al.,” Energy & Fuels, in review, 2020.

S. Khirevich and T. Patzek, “Comment on a periodic grain consolidation model of porous media", Phys. of Fluids, 31(10), 109101, 2019.

N. Howarth, N. Odnoletkova, T. Alshehri, A. Almadani, . Lanza, and T.W. Patzek, “Staying Cool in a Warming Climate: Temperature, Electricity and Air Conditioning in Saudi Arabia,” Climate, 8(1), 4, 2020.

Eltsov, T. and TW Patzek, “Beyond Carbon Steel: Detecting Wellbore Shape and Cavities, and Cement Imperfections in Cased Wells,” Energies, 12 (21), 4211, 2019.

S. Haider, Saputra, W. and T.W. Patzek, “The key factors that determine the economically viable, horizontal hydrofractured gas wells in mudrocks,” Energies 2020, 13(9), 2348; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092348.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1981-1983
  • Fulbright Fellow, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1978
  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Silesian Technical University, Poland, 1979
  • M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Silesian Technical University, Poland, 1974

Professional Profile

  • 2014 to present, Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Physical Science and Engineering Division, Director of the Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • 2008 - 2014 Professor and Chairman, Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, USA.
  • 2002 - 2008 Professor of Geoengineering Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U.C. Berkeley, USA.
  • 1995 - 2002 Associate Professor Department of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering, U.C. Berkeley, USA.
  • 1990 - 1995 Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering, U.C. Berkeley, USA.
  • 1989 - 1990 Senior Reservoir Engineer, Shell Western E&P, Inc.
  • 1986 - 1989 Senior Research Engineer, Enhanced Recovery Research Department, Shell Development.
  • 1983 - 1986 Research Engineer, Enhanced Recovery Research Department, Shell Development.
  • 1981 - 1983 Research Associate, Chemical Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, USA.
  • 1974 - 1980 Research Associate, Chemical Engineering Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gliwice, Poland.

Scientific and Professional Membership

Society of Petroleum Engineers, Distinguished Member

European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, Member

American Geophysical Union, Member

American Physical Society, Member

American Chemical Society, Member

Awards

  • 2020 – Desiderius Erasmus Award from the European Association of Geophysicists & Geologists (EAGE) (highest honor)
  • 2018 – Member of the standing Committee on Mining, Polish Academy of Sciences
  • 2014 – The Cozzarelli Prize from the National Academy of Sciences for the best paper in engineering: Patzek, T. W., Male, F. and Marder M. “Gas production in the Barnett Shale obeys a simple scaling theory,” PNAS, 110, 19731-19736, 2013 (highest honor).
  • 2013 – Distinguished Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (high honor)
  • 2012 – Title of Full Professor in Poland, decision of President of the Polish Republic Result of a faculty promotion case conducted by the Mining and Metallurgy Academy in Cracow (AGH), 4/12/12 (highest honor)
  • 2009 – The Lois K. and Richard D. Folger Leadership Chair, The University of Texas at Austin
  • 2008 – Cockrell Family Regents Chair #11, The University of Texas at Austin

KAUST Affiliations