Rationale:

Reservoir Modeling Analog Project (RAMP) group focuses on 3D investigation of inter-well scale depositional heterogeneities in the Upper Jurassic reservoir sequences using outcrops. The primary aim of the group is to assess the impact of depositional and structural heterogeneities (facies, layer architecture & fractures) on future reservoir developments such as infill drilling and enhanced oil recovery schemes. Our research utilizes an integrated workflow of geological and geophysical investigations including behind the outcrop cores, multi-scale drone photogrammetry, hyper-spectral imaging, and near-surface behind the outcrop seismic, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) datasets (combined with traditional sedimentological measured sections and thin section petrography).

 Scope:

Detailed inter-well scale heterogeneities of carbonate reservoirs such as facies dimensions and layer architecture are commonly not assessed appropriately because the resolution does not exist to recognize them in the subsurface from seismic and well data. The datasets collected will provide improved input for static models and dynamic simulation of Hanifa and Arab-D reservoirs, which will contribute to assessing current reservoir behavior and decision making for future developments improving ultimate recovery.

Project: Optimizing Ultimate Recovery from Arabian Jurassic Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

The project includes:

1)    Modelling depositional architecture of the Late Jurassic Hanifa and Arab-D Fms.

2)    Testing models under different recovery scenarios.

 

 

 

Publications:

Controls on Microbial and Oolitic Carbonate Sedimentation and Stratigraphic Cyclicity within a Mixed Carbonate Siliciclastic System: Upper Cambrian Wilberns Formation, Llano Area of Central Texas, U.S.A. 
Lehrmann, D., Droxler, A., Harris, P.M., Minzoni, M., Droxler, D., Hopson, H., Kelleher, C., Khanna, P., Lehrmann, A., Lhemann, A., Mabry, G., Mercado, L., Proctor, J., Singh, P., and Yazbek, L.
The Depositional Record. doi.org/10.1002/dep2.108 (2020)

Late Cambrian microbial build-ups, Llano Area, Central Texas : A three-phase morphological evolution.
Khanna, P., Hopson, H., Droxler, A., Droxler, D., Lehrmann, D., Kubik, B., Proctor, J., Singh, P., and Harris, P.M. 
Sedimentology. doi.org/10.1111/sed.12679  (2019)

Upscaling Lithology and Porosity Type Fractions from the Micro- to the Core-scale with Thin Section Petrography, Dual Energy CT, and Rock Typing: Creation of Diagenesis and Porosity Type Logs. 
Proctor, J., Droxler, A., Derzhi, N., Hopson, H., Harris, P.M., Khanna, P., and Lehrmann, D. 
Interpretation. doi.org/10.1190/int-2017-0187.1  (2019)

Submerged reef terraces in the Maldivian Archipelago (Indian Ocean) 
Rovere, A., Khanna, P., Bianchi, C, N., Droxler, A, W., Morri, C., Naar, D.F.
Geomorphology 317, p 218-232. (2018) 

Coralgal reef morphologies records punctuated sea level rise during last deglaciation. 
Khanna, P., Droxler, A.W., Harris, P.M., Nittrouer, J.
Nature Communications.  |DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00966-x  (2017) 

Conference Papers:

Improving Reservoir Quality Prediction Of Microporous Carbonates Using A Multi-Scale Geophysical Data Analysis Approach.   
Ramdani, A., Chandra, V., Finkbbeiner, T., Khanna, P., & Vahrenkamp, V.
International Petroleum Technology Conference. doi:10.2523/IPTC-19972-MS (2020)

Integrated Workflows for Characterizing Reservoir Heterogeneities with Ancient and Modern Carbonate Outcrop Analogues.  Vahrenkamp, V., Khanna, P., Petrovic, A., Ramdani, A., Gairola, G. S., Putri, I., and Sorrentino, R. 

Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi.org/10.2118/197851-MS (2019)

Comprehensive Characterization of Arab-D Reservoir Equivalent Outcrop Well Cores from Upper Jubaila Formation, Saudi Arabia.   
Chandra, V, Ramdani, A., Finkbeiner, T., Yalcin, B., Khanna, P., and Petrovic, A. 
In 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition, London. doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.201901464) (2019)  

 International and KSA

 - Carl Jacquermyn (Imperial College London)

 - Abdullah Al-Mojel (Saudi Aramco)

 - Sherif Hanafy (KFUPM)

                                                      

KAUST

 - Hussein Hoteit                                       

Team Members

Pankaj Khanna

Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral Fellow

Former Members

Social Profile:

Research Interests

​​Qualitative and quantitative comparative analysis of Modern and Ancient Carbonate Depositional systems by utilizing photogrammetry, multi-beam sonar, core, well-logs, and seismic.​

Selected Publications

  • Submerged reef terraces in the Maldivian Archipelago (Indian Ocean) 
    A. Rovere, P. Khanna, C. Nike Bianchi, A.W. Droxler, C. Morri, D. Naar
    Geomorphology, (2018)
  • Coralgal reef morphology records punctuated sea-level rise during the last deglaciation 
    P. Khanna, A.W. Droxler, J.A. Nittrouer, J.W. Tunnell Jr., T.C. Shirley
    Nature Communications, v.8, 1046, (2017)

Education

  • ​Ph.D., Geology, Rice University, Houston, USA, 2017
  • M.Sc., Geology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, 2012
  • B.Sc. (H), Geology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India, 2010

Professional Profile

  • 01/2022 - Present: IIT Gandhinagar - Gujarat- India as an Assistant Professor
  • ​03/2018 – 12/2021: Postdoctoral Fellow, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 06/2016 – 08/2016: Summer Intern - Sneider Exploration, Houston, USA
  • 08/2014 – 09/2014: Summer Intern - Carbonate Producibility Group, Statoil, Bergen, Norway
  • 05/2014 – 07/2014: Summer Intern - ETC- Carbonate R&D, Chevron, Houston, USA   
  • 06/2013 - 08/2013: Summer Intern - Seismic Interpretation, TGS, Houston, USA
  • 02/2013 - 11/2015: Student Assistant - GIS/Data Centre, Rice University, Houston, USA
  • 06/2011 – 07/2011: Summer Intern - I.I.S.E.R Kolkata – Kolkata, India
  • 06/2009 - 07/2009: Summer Intern - Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • 06/2008 - 07/2008: Summer Intern - India Meteorological Department, Delhi, India

Scientific and Professional Membership

​● American Association of Petroleum geologists (AAPG)

● Houston Geological Society (HGS)

● Geological Society of America (GSA)

Awards

  • 2018    ExxonMobil - Rice: Outstanding Student Award in Earth Science, Houston, Texas, USA
  • ​2017    Shell Rice Scholarship, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 2017    Department Service Award –  Earth Science,  Rice University, Houston, Texas,  USA
  • 2016    Department Service Award –  Earth Science,  Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 2016    First Place Poster at AAPG Student Expo, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 2016    First Place Poster at IRESS symposium 3,   Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 2015    Second Place at SEPM Photo Contest, Carbonate meeting, ACE- Denver, Colorado, USA
  • 2014    Second Place Poster at IRESS symposium 1, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA   
  • 2013    BP Rice Fellowship, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
  • 2012    First Place Poster at Conglomerate, Department of Geology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
  • 2011    Summer Research Fellowship - Indian Academy of Sciences, India

KAUST Affiliations

● ​Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC)

● Physical Science and Engineering Division

Research Interests Keywords

Carbonate Depositional Systems Sequence Stratigraphy Photogrammetry Geomorphology Coral Reefs Microbial Reefs Deglaciation Carbonate Reservoirs