Response to the Endorsing Body – The Royal Academy of Engineering

Dated: 07-07-2025

Query: It appears that the applicant does not hold a PhD. Could you kindly ask them to provide
evidence of equivalent research experience, please share the following information with the
applicant:

Response:

Research Project 1: Geomechanical Characterization and Failure Analysis of Opalinus Clay for
Wellbore Instability analysis and injection feasibility analysis

Duration: (2016-2019) 3+ years

From mid-2016 to later 2019, I conducted a comprehensive research project in collaboration with the
Mont Terri Underground Research Laboratory in Switzerland, focusing on the rock mechanics
behaviour and failure mechanisms of Opalinus Clay—an anisotropic Jurassic shale formation
considered a prime candidate for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications in Europe. I started
this research during my Master’s degree program and continued it even after joining the industry as
well. The objective of this research was to investigate the geomechanically stability of Opalinus Clay as
a caprock and thus evaluating its ability to maintain long-term integrity under the stress conditions
induced by CO₂ injection.

The study encompassed a dual approach: first, a detailed examination of wellbore stability during
drilling operations, employing advanced strength criteria such as the Weakness Plane Model and the
adapted Hoek & Brown criterion, rigorously validated through numerical simulations using software
like FLAC. Second, the research delved into the parameters influencing caprock integrity, particularly
tensile failure, during CO2 injection into underlying aquifers. This involved extensive sensitivity
analyses on various aquifer and caprock properties, as well as different injection strategies, utilizing
coupled geomechanical-fluid flow models. Laboratory work included uniaxial and triaxial compression
tests on Opalinus Clay specimens at various orientations of bedding planes, allowing us to quantify the
directional dependency of strength and failure behaviour. The analyses revealed significant reductions
in shear strength along bedding planes and highlighted the critical influence of wellbore orientation
and in-situ stress anisotropy on stability.

The findings from this research offer substantial benefits for the broader CCS industry. By providing
fundamental geomechanical insights and predictive modelling capabilities, the project contributes
directly to the safe and efficient design and operation of CO2 geological storage sites. The improved
understanding of wellbore behaviour translates into optimized drilling operations, leading to
significant reductions in non-productive time, fewer sidetracks, and increased on-bottom drilling
efficiency. Such operational improvements inherently result in substantial capital expenditure (CAPEX)
savings and a reduction in associated emissions from drilling activities. Furthermore, the enhanced
ability to predict and maintain long-term caprock containment is crucial for mitigating potential CO2
leakage, thereby ensuring the environmental effectiveness of CCS. The methodologies and insights
derived from the detailed characterization of Opalinus clay are broadly applicable to other anisotropic
shale formations, facilitating their assessment for diverse subsurface energy applications and
contributing to a more robust and cost-effective energy transition. Opalinus clay, a well-studied and
ductile shale with a proven history as a containment barrier for radioactive waste, serves as an ideal
analogue for caprock integrity studies in CCS.

The outcome of the research provided a validated, semi-empirical framework for evaluating caprock
integrity in anisotropic shale formations under CCS scenarios. It also introduced an efficient workflow
combining minimal laboratory testing with advanced modelling to predict critical mud weights and
Response to the Endorsing Body – The Royal Academy of Engineering
Dated: 07-07-2025

fracture thresholds. These insights were directly applied to real-world drilling & CCS operations,
improving mud weight strategies and wellbore stability outcomes.

Overall, this research significantly advanced the understanding of Opalinus Clay’s geomechanical
behaviour, reaffirming its role as a high-potential sealing formation for secure and long-term geological
CO₂ storage.

The evidence to this is research paper published under my name and indirect research work published
later. Also, my dissertation is evidence to the research project.

spe-201183-ms [Link]
Wellbore Stability Analysis in Anisotropic Shale [Link]

Research Project 2: Breaking Barriers: Engineering Excellence and Operational Innovation for Safer,
Faster, and Cleaner Drilling

Duration: 3 years (2020-2023)

This body of applied research was undertaken during my professional engineering career beginning in
late 2020 and spans over three years of sustained effort focused on enhancing operational
sustainability in the upstream energy sector. The work was driven by a clear ambition to deliver
sustainable innovation—reducing emissions, improving safety, and maintaining industrial
competitiveness. These critical goals converge at the core of operational efficiency. In response, I led
and co-developed a multi-faceted research initiative targeting both physical performance limitations
and the systemic shift toward digital transformation, with measurable and game-changing outcomes.

The research was structured across five key pillars:

1. Circular Economy & Resource Optimization: By applying engineering principles, we

implemented circular economy practices to minimize waste and reduce dependency on new
manufacturing. Equipment was reused or refurbished wherever feasible, resulting in reduced
emissions from procurement and transport. This required a mindset shift in material planning
and field execution.

2. Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Excellence: Rigorous red zone management and
proactive risk identification frameworks were embedded within operations. These
interventions significantly reduced personnel exposure to hazardous zones, advancing a
culture of safety.

3. Data-Driven Engineering Decisions: A comprehensive analysis of historical and real-time data

was undertaken to inform engineering design and operational choices. This enabled predictive
planning and faster decision-making, directly contributing to lower non-productive time and
improved drilling performance.

4. Sustainable Operational Protocols: Field-tested sustainability protocols were integrated into

drilling and support workflows. These included the use of low-energy systems, enhanced hole-
cleaning efficiency, and refined hydraulic simulations to minimize environmental impact
without compromising performance.
Response to the Endorsing Body – The Royal Academy of Engineering
Dated: 07-07-2025

5. Overcoming Psychological and Organizational Barriers: A significant aspect of the work

involved changing operational mindsets. Through structured team engagement and
demonstrable performance gains, resistance to change was transformed into a shared vision
of sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.

These initiatives culminated in the delivery of the fastest and safest well projects in the highly complex
Northern region of Pakistan—an area known for high non-productive time, extreme technical
challenges, and significant emissions. Drilling timelines, costs, and emissions were optimized by up to
40%.

This research was conducted in collaboration with multiple operators to identify performance
bottlenecks and develop tailored strategies and technologies to overcome them. The onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated our adoption of remote monitoring and real-time drilling
technologies, which enabled safer, cleaner operations with fewer personnel onsite.

The project emphasized the use of low-energy systems, strict resource optimization, and system-level
thinking. The outcomes were nationally recognized, with presentations delivered at major national
platforms, and further validated through international conference presentations. A peer-reviewed
paper and formal certification (Linkedin post) are included as supporting evidence.

spe-216176-ms
Case Study & Learnings of the Fastest Well Drilled in Highly [Link]

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Together, these studies demonstrate my sustained commitment to research-led engineering

excellence. They represent high-impact contributions that address not only physical and operational
challenges but also the psychological barriers to change. Through leadership in digitization, sustainable
innovation, and HSE-focused execution, this work has helped set new industry benchmarks for
performance, safety, and environmental responsibility in upstream operations.