Thomas Finkbeiner, Ph.D.

Research Professor

Research Professor

Current

Social Profile:

Research Interests

Prof. Finkbeiner investigates how in response to pore pressure changes in a field/reservoir (i.e., injection, stimulation, or depletion) the reservoir rocks respond mechanically and how this impacts flow (e.g., production) from the affected reservoirs. Monitoring, laboratory testing, as well as numerical modeling will provide an understanding and enhanced predictive capabilities for these phenomena for a variety of reservoir types such as fractured reservoirs (in particular carbonates), unconventional reservoirs, and so-called brown fields (that are produced using improved and enhanced recovery methods). Another focus is on wellbore stability (i.e., mechanical integrity of boreholes both during drilling and production/injection) and real-time data acquisition and risk mitigation. Guaranteeing successful well construction is paramount for cost reduction and optimizing well delivery. 
Prof. Finkbeiner is also involved in the university's circular carbon, geothermal, and Red Sea research initiatives and thrusts.

Selected Publications

Impact of depositional and diagenetic features on petrophysical and rock mechanical properties in Arab-D reservoir equivalent upper Jubaila Formation, Saudi Arabia
Chandra, V., Petrovic, A., Khanna, P., Ramdani, A. I., Yalcin, B., Vahrenkamp, V., & Finkbeiner, T.
Marine and Petroleum Geology, 129, 105076. doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105076 (2021)

Rock Triaxial Tests: Global Deformation vs Local Strain Measurements—Implications
Perbawa, A., Gramajo, E., Finkbeiner, T., & Santamarina, J. C.
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. doi:10.1007/s00603-021-02389-z (2021)

The effect of particle shape on discharge and clogging
Hafez, A., Liu, Q., Finkbeiner, T., Alouhali, R. A., Moellendick, T. E., & Santamarina, J. C.
Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82744-w (2021)

Introduction to the Thematic Collection: Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
T. Finkbeiner, G. Bertotti, S. Geiger
Geological Society of London, volume 25, (2019)

Reservoir Management of a low Permeability off-shore Reservoir Utilizing Water
T. Clemens, T. Finkbeiner, M-M. Chiotoroiu, K. Pettengell, S. Hercus, A. Suri, M-M.Sharma
Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2015)

Reservoir optimized fracturing - higher productivity from low permeability reservoirs through customized multistage...
T. Finkbeiner, H-C. Freitag, M. Siddiqui, R. Woudwijk, K. Jospeh, F. Amberg
Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE 141371-PP., (2011)

Role of Geomechanics in appraisal of a deep tight gas reservoir: A case history from the Amin formation in Oman.
S. Perumalla, D. Moos, C.A. Barton, T. Finkbeiner, S. Al-Mahrooqi, M. Weissenbach, W. Walt...
Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE 142788-PP, (2011)

The value of geomechanics in tight gas reservoir development.
T. Finkbeiner, P. Nawrocki, R.K. Bratli, B. Smart
Proceedings of ISRM International Symposium and 6th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposi..., (2010)

Value of 3D geomechanical modelling in field development—A new approach using geostatistics
M. Holland, M. Brudy, W. van der Zee, S. Perumalla, T. Finkbeiner T.
Society of Petroleum Engineers NEWS, pp. , (14 – 18, May,2010)

Determination of Stress Orientation and Magnitude in Deep Wells
M.D. Zoback, C.A. Barton, M.O. Brudy, D.A. Castillo, B.R. Grollimund, T. Finkbeiner, D.B. ...
International Journal of Rock Mechanics, v. 40, pp. 1049 1076,, (2003)

Comprehensive Wellbore Stability Analysis Utilizing Quantitative Risk Assessment
D. Moos, P. Peska, T. Finkbeiner, M.D. Zoback.
Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, v.38, no.3-4, pp.97-109, (2003)

Overpressure and Flow-Focusing in the Eugene Island 330 field (Offshore Louisiana, U.S.A.): Theory, Examples, and I...
P.B. Flemings, B.B. Stump, T. Finkbeiner, M.D. Zoback
American Journal of Science, v. 302, p. 827-855, (2002)

Stress, pore pressure, and dynamically constrained hydrocarbon columns in the South Eugene Island Field, Gulf of Me...
T. Finkbeiner, M. D. Zoback, B. B. Stump, P. B. Flemings
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v.85, no.6, pp. 1007-1031, (2001)

Education

Ph.D. Geophysics, Stanford University, California, US, 1998

M.S. Exploration and Development, Stanford University, California, US, 1994

‘Vordiplom’ Geophysics, Fridericana University, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1990

Abitur at Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1986

Professional Profile

2021 - Present: Research Professor, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, ANPERC, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

2016 - 2020: Senior Research Scientist, ANPERC, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

2011 – 2013: Global Geomechanics Advisor, Baker Hughes, Dubai, UAE

2009 – 2011: Regional Technical Advisor EAME, Baker Hughes, Dubai, UAE

2000 – 2008: Director EAME, GeoMechanics International, Inc, Dubai, UAE

1998 – 2000: Geophysicist, GeoMechanics International, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA​

Scientific and Professional Membership

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE)

International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM)

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)​

Awards

1995 –1996: Richard Shanon and Blaustein foundations fellowship

1995: Centennial Teaching Assistant Award for outstanding teaching in the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University

1992 –1993: Cecil Green and American Chemical foundations fellowship 

KAUST Affiliations

Research Interests Keywords

Drilling Well completion Reservoir modeling Subsurface Geomechanics Rock mechanics &Physics