Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering     The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA (2003)

M.Sc. in Math & Sci. Education      The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA (2003)

M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering     The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA (1999)

B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering      The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA (1995)

1. Recipient of the SPE 2023 International Distinguished Services Award.

2. Recipient of the SPE 2022 International Production and Operations Award.

3. Recipient of the SPE 2021 Regional (Middle East and North Africa) Distinguished Service Award.

4. Recipient of the SPE 2020 International Distinguished Membership Award.

5. Recipient of the SPE 2019 Regional (Middle East and North Africa) Production and Operations Award.

6. Member of the SPE League of Volunteers for outstanding volunteerism contribution, 2018.

7. Recipient of the SPE 2017 Regional (Middle East and North Africa) Distinguished Achievement for Petroleum Engineering Faculty Award.

8. Recipient of Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science (KFAS) 2016 Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah prize ($30,000) for engineering sciences. 

9. Recipient of distinguished Kuwait University Posters Awards, second and third places (2013, 2019).

10. Recipient of the Best Young Researcher Award in the College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University (2007).

11. Recipient of British Petroleum (BP) most outstanding contribution paper award at the 12^th International Conference on Multiphase Production Technology, Barcelona, Spain (2005).

12. Recipient of Kuwait University Scholarship for higher studies, M.Sc. and Ph.D. (1997-2003).

13. Recipient of The University of Tulsa Thomas C. Frick Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Petroleum Engineering (1995). 

14. Recipient of the USA National Dean's List award for high standards of academic excellence and positive performance (1993-1994).

15. Bachelor of Science with Magna Cum Laude from The University of Tulsa. (1995).

16. Recipient of Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education Scholarship (1991 to 1995). 
17. The University of Tulsa Alumni member (1995-present).
18. US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs International Exchange Alumni member (2016-present). 

KUWATI UNIVERSITY

Professor                                                                                                                                   2018-present

Acting Dean                                                                                                                             2015-2016

Vice Dean for Research and Academic Affairs                                    2012-2016

Associate Professor                                                                                                        2010-2018

Assistant Professor                                                               2003-2010

MASSACHUETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (Cambridge, MA, USA)

Visiting Professor in Nuclear Sci. and Eng. Dept.                               2016-2017

THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA (Tulsa, OK, USA)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Research Collaborator                                                                                                    2005-Present

Visiting Research Professor in PE Dept.                                                     Summer 2009

Visiting Research Professor in PE Dept.                                                     Summer 2018 

NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY (Socorro, NM, USA)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Adjunct Professor                                                                                                            2022-present

Co-founder of Production and Drilling Research Projects   2011-present

Associate Director of PDRP                                                                                   2011-present

Visiting Research Professor in PE Dept.                                                    Summer 2019

KUWAIT OIL COMPANY                                                                                                                               

Petroleum Reservoir Engineer                                                                              1995-1997

Production and Flow Assurance Engineering Consultant        2007-present

1. Petroleum/Energy production and transportation.
2. Multiphase flow in energy systems. 
3. Flow assurance.
4. Oil wells Artificial Lift.
5. Under-balanced drilling, 
6. Thermal hydraulics and multiphase flow in nuclear applications.
7. Math and science education. 

Undergraduate

1. Production Engineering (KU-PE411).
2. Production Equipment Design (KU-PE435).
3. Natural Gas Engineering (KU-PE425).
4. Fluid Mechanics (KU-PE241)
5. Engineering Probability and Statistics (KU-ENGR304).
6. Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (KU-PE301).
7. Fundamentals of Petroleum Engineering (KU-PE101).
8. Industrial Training in Petroleum Engineering (KU-PE450).

Graduate

• Thermal Hydraulics in Power Technology – Two-Phase Flow Module (MIT-22.313J).
• Transport Phenomena in Petroleum Engineering (KU-PE505).
• Advanced Production Engineering (KU-PE556).
• Two-Phase Flow Modeling in Pipes (KU-PE555).
• Special Topics in Petroleum Engineering (KU-PE591).

1. Al-Safran, E., and Brill, J. April 2017. Applied Multiphase Flow in Pipes and Flow Assurance-Oil and Gas Production. Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Richardson, TX., USA, (ISBN: 978-1-61399-492-4).

2. Zhang, H-Q., Al-Safran, E., Jayawardena, S., Redus, C., Sarica, C. and Brill, J.: "Modeling of Slug Dissipation and Generation in a Hilly Terrain Pipeline," ASME J. Energy Resource Technology, 125, 161-168, 2003.

3. Al-Safran, E., Taitel, Y. and Brill, J.: "Prediction of Slug Length Distribution along a Hilly-Terrain Pipeline Using Slug Tracking Model," ASME J. Energy Resources Technology, 126, 54-62, 2004.

4. Al-Safran, E. and Brown, D.: "The Internet and Cyber Crimes: A Lack of Awareness of Security Issues by Teachers Who Use Innovative Technology in the Classroom," Int. J. of Learning, 11, Article LC04-0168-2004. 

5. Al-Safran, E., Sarica, C., Zhang, H-Q., and Brill, J.: "Investigation of Slug Flow Characteristics in the Valley of Hilly-Terrain Pipeline," Int.  J. of Multiphase Flow, 31, 337-357, 2005.

6. Al-Safran, E., Sarica, C., Zhang H-Q., and Brill, J.: "Probabilistic/Mechanistic Modeling of Slug Length Distribution in a Horizontal Pipeline," SPE 84230-PA, SPE Production and Facilities J., 20 (02), 160-172, May 2005.

7. Al-Safran, E., Sarica, C., Zhang H-Q., and Brill, J.: “Mechanistic/Probabilistic Modeling of Slug Initiation in a Lower Elbow of a Hilly-Terrain Pipeline,” SPE 102254-PA, SPE Production and Operations J., 23 (01), 88-99, February 2008.

8. Al-Safran, E., Owayed, J., Albazali T., and Santhankar, A.: “Optimization of Required Volumetric Flow Rates for Aerated Mud Underbalanced Drilling,” J. of Petroleum Science and Technology, 26 (12), 1403-1423, 2008.

9. Al-Safran, E., Kappos, L. and Sarica, C.: “Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Separator Pressure Fluctuation Effect on Terrain Slugging in a Hilly-Terrain Two-Phase Flow Pipeline,” ASME J. Energy Resources Technology, vol. 130 (3), 1-13, August 2008.

10. Al-Safran, E. and Kelkar, M.: “Prediction of Two-Phase Critical Flow Boundary and Mass Flow Rate Across Chokes,” SPE 109243-PA, SPE Production and Operations J., 24 (02), 249-256, May 2009.

11. Al-Safran, E.: “Prediction of Slug Liquid Holdup in Two-Phase Horizontal Pipes,” ASME J. Energy Resources Technology, 131, 1-8, June 2009.

12. Al-Safran, E.: “Investigation and Prediction of Slug Frequency in Horizontal Gas/Liquid Two-Phase Flow Pipeline,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 69, 143-155, 2009.

13. Garrouch, A., Al-Safran, E., and Garrouch, K.: “A Classification Model for Rock Typing  Using Dielectric and Permittivity  and Petrophysical Data,” J. Geophysics and Eng., 6 (3), p. 311-323, September, 2009.

14. Gokcal, B., Al-Sarkhi A., Sarica, C., and Al-Safran E.: “Prediction of Slug Frequency for High-Viscosity Oils in Horizontal Pipes,” SPE 124057-PA, SPE Projects, Facilities and Construction J., 5 (3), 136-144, September 2010.

15. Al-Safran, E. and Brown, D.: “The Relationship between Classroom Computer Technology and Student’s Academic Achievement,” Paper 111021, J. of Research in Higher Education, 15 (1), December 2011.

16. Al-Safran, E., Gokcal, B., and Sarica, C.: “Investigation and Prediction of High-Viscosity Liquid Effect on Two-Phase Slug Length in Horizontal Pipeline,” SPE 150572-PA, SPE Production and Operation J., 28 (3), 296-305, June 2013.

17. Al-Safran, E., Kouba, G., and Brill, J.: “Statistical Analysis and Hydrodynamic Modeling of Unsteady Gas-Liquid Slug Velocity Behavior,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 109, 155-163, September 2013.

18. Al-Safran, E., Brown, D., and Wiseman, A.: “The Effect of Principal’s Leadership Style on School Environment and Outcome,” Paper 131666, J. of Research in Higher Education, 22, November, 2013.

19. Nguyen, T., Al-Safran, E., and Saasen, A.: “Modeling the Design and Performance of Progressing Cavity Pump Using 3-D Vector Approach,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 122, 180-186, October 2014.

20. Al-Safran, E., Kora, C. and Sarica, C.: “Prediction of Slug Liquid Holdup in High Viscosity Liquid and Gas Two-Phase Flow in Horizontal Pipes,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 133, 566-575, September 2015.

21. Pivnicka, S., Nguyen, T., Al-Safran, E., and Saasen A.: “Pressure Gradient Prediction of Time-Dependent Drilling Fluids and the Effect of Acceleration,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 135, 246-252, November 2015.

22. Al-Safran, E.: “Probabilistic Modeling of Slug Frequency in Gas/Liquid Pipe Flow using Poisson Probability Theory,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 138, 88-96, February 2016.

23. Nguyen, T., Tu, H., Al-Safran, E., and Saasen, A.: “Simulation of Single-Phase Liquid Flow in Progressing Cavity Pump,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 147, 617-623, November 2016.

24. Al-Ruhaimani, F., Pereyra, E., Sarica, C., Al-Safran, E., and Torres C., “Experimental Analysis and Model Evaluation of High-Liquid-Viscosity Two-Phase Upward Vertical Pipe Flow,” SPE 184401-PA, SPE Journal, 22 (03), 712-735, June 2017. 

25. Lizarraga-Garcia, E., Buongiorno, J., Al-Safran, E., and Lakehal, D.: “A Broadly-Applicable Unified Closure Relation for Taylor Bubble Rise Velocity in Pipes with Stagnant Liquid,” Int. J. of Multiphase Flow, 87, 345-358, March 2017. 

26. Phan, H., Nguyen, T., Al-Safran, E., Saasen, A., and Nes, O.: “An Experimental Investigation into the Effects of High Viscosity and Foamy Oil Rheology on a Centrifugal Pump Performance,” J. of Petroleum Science and Technology, 7(1), 67-78, February 2017. 

27. Ersoy, G., Sarica, C., Al-Safran, E., and Zhang Q-H.: “Three-Phase Gas-Oil-Water Flow in Undulating Pipeline,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 156, 468-483, June 2017.

28. Nguyen, T., Oliveira, R., Al-Safran E., Saasen, A.: “Casing-Design Optimization Using CAML Technique and Drilling Fluid Performance,” SPE 185951-PA, SPE Drilling and Completion J.,  32 (03), 208-212, September 2017.

29. Al-Safran, E., Aql, A., Nguyen, T.: “Analysis and Prediction of Fluid Flow Behaviour in Progressing Cavity Pumps,” ASME J. of Fluids Engineering, 139, 1-11m December 2017.

30. Al-Safran, E., and Al-Qenae, K.: “A Study of Flow-Pattern Transitions in High-Viscosity Oil-and-Gas Two-Phase Flow in Horizontal Pipes,” SPE 187939-PA, SPE Production and Operations J., 33 (2), 269-280, May 2018.

31. Al-Ruhaimani, F., Pereyra, E., Sarica, C., Al-Safran, E., and Torres C., “Prediction of Slug-Liquid Holdup for High-Viscosity Oils in Upward Gas/Liquid Vertical-Pipe Flow,” SPE 187957-PA, SPE Production and Operation J., 33 (02), 281-299, May 2018. 

32. Al-Ruhaimani, F., Pereyra, E., Sarica, C., Al-Safran, E., Chung, S., and Torres C., “A Study on the Effect of High Liquid Viscosity on Slug Flow Characteristics in Upward Vertical Flow,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 161, 128-146, January 2018. 

33. Nguyen, T., Al-Safran E., and Nguyen, V.: “Theoretical Modeling of Positive Displacement Motors Performance,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 166, 188-197, Feb. 2018.

34. Al-Safran, E.: “Prediction of Asphaltene Precipitation Risk in Oil Wells Using A Coupled Thermo-hydraulics Model,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 167, 329-342, August 2018.

35. Worth, D., Al-Safran, E., Choudhuri, A., and Al-Jasmi, A.: “Assessment of Artificial Lift Methods for a Heavy Oil Field in Kuwait,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 180, 835-843, June 2019.

36. Su, G-Y., D’Aleo, F., Phillips, B., Streich, R., Al-Safran, E., Buongiorno, J., and Prasser, H.: “On the Oscillatory Nature of Heat Transfer in Steady Annular Flow,” Int. Comm. in Heat and Mass Transfer J., 108, 104328, 2019.

37. Tea-Woo, K., Al-Safran, E., Eduardo, P., and Sarica, C.: “Experimental Study using Advanced Diagnostics to Investigate Slug Aeration and Bubble Behavior in High Liquid Viscosity Horizontal Slug Flow,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 191, 107202, March 2020.

38. Ghasemi, M., and Al-Safran, E.: “Integrated Reservoir/Wellbore Production Model for Oil Field Asphaltene Deposition Management,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 192, 107213, April 2020.

39. Nguyen, T., Pande, S., Bui, D., Al-Safran, E., and Nguyen, V.: “Pressure Dependent Permeability: Unconventional Approach on Well Performance,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 193, 107358, May 2020.

40. Al-Safran, E., Ghasemi, M., and Al-Ruhaimani, F.: “High-Viscosity Liquid/Gas Flow Pattern Transitions in Upward Vertical Pipe Flow,” SPE 199901-PA, SPE Journal, 25 (03), 1155-1173, June 2020.

41. Su, G., D’Aleo, F., Phillips, B., Al-Safran, E., Buongiorno, J., and Prasser, H.: “Suppression of Nucleate Boiling in Upward Two-phase Annular Flow: A Direct Measurement Using Modern Diagnostics,” Int. J. of Heat and Mass Transfer, 159, 120143, June 2020.

42. Fan, Y., Al-Safran, E., Pereyra, and Sarica, C.: “Modeling Pseudo-slugs Liquid Holdup in Slightly Upward Inclined Pipes,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 194, 107564, June 2020.

43. Nguyen K., Nguyen, T. C., and Al-Safran, E.: “Modeling the Performance of Progressive Cavity Pump under Downhole Conditions Mining and Technology,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 198, 108121, January 2021.

44. Nguyen, T., and Al-Safran, E.: “Marine Riser Failure Analysis for Offshore Conventional Drilling and Managed Pressure Drilling Operations,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 199, 108307, January 2021. 

45. Lizarraga-Garcia, E., Buongiorno, J., and Al-Safran, E.: “Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) of Taylor Bubbles in Vertical and Inclined Pipes with Upward and Downward Liquid Flow,” SPE 205373-PA, SPE Journal, 26 (06), 3832-3847, December 2021.

46. Al-Safran, E.: “Application of Multiphase Flow and Droplet Separation Theory in Modeling Cough Droplets Contamination Range to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission – Do not Stand too Close to Me!,” J. of Engineering Research, 9 (4A), 293-310, December 2021.

47. Al-Safran, E., and Al-Ali, B.: “Modeling Asphaltene Deposition in Vertical Oil Wells,” J. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 221, 111277, 2023.

48. Shaaban, O., and Al-Safran, E.: “Prediction of Slug Length for High-Viscosity Oil in Gas/Liquid Horizontal and Slightly Inclined Pipe Flows,” J. of Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 221, 211348, 2023. 

49. Al-Safran, E. and Shaaban, O.: “Prediction of Slug Length Distribution in Horizontal Large Diameter Gas/Liquid Pipeline System,” J. of Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 240, 212985, 2024. 

50. Aql, A., and Al-Safran, E.: “Investigation of Taylor Bubble Behavior in Upward and Downward Vertical and Inclined Pipe Flows,” J. of Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 242, 213194, 2024.

51. Shaaban, O., and Al-Safran, E.: “An Analytical Study of Facemask Performance to Mitigate Respiratory Diseases Transmission through Cough and Sneezes,” J. Building and Environment, 265, 111979, 2024.