The HOPE Group
The Future is Now – HydrOgen Production from the Earth’s subsurface (HOPE)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Qingwang (Kevin) Yuan
Dr. Yuan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University. He aims to accelerate and secure energy transition by transforming the petroleum industry to a hydrogen supplier that will open a new pathway to significantly reduce clean hydrogen cost, eliminate carbon emission from the source, and reshape the future of both petroleum and hydrogen industries. His research areas include carbon-zero in-situ HydrOgen from PEtroleum reservoirs (HOPE), carbon-free natural and stimulated HydrOgen Production from the Earth’s subsurface (HOPE), carbon-negative geo-hydrogen production with CO2 sequestration, H2 and CO2 geological storage, and geothermal recovery.
Current Graduate Students
Mr. Michael Angelo Kyei, 04/2024 – Present
Mr. Michael Angelo Kyei is a Master’s student. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2019 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He is working on experimental studies of electromagnetic wave penetration into reservoir rocks.
Mr. Precious Opoku, 04/2024 – Present
Mr. Precious Opoku is a PhD student. He received Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2019 from University of Mines and Technology, Ghana. He is working on experimental studies of electromagnetic-assisted catalytic heating for clean hydrogen generation from depleted petroleum reservoirs.
Mr. Mohamed Amine Ifticene, 08/2022 – Present
Mr. Ifticene is a PhD student. He received his Master degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2022 from Kazan Federal University and Bachelor degree in Geophysics in 2019 from University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene. Amine is working on experimental studies of in-situ combustion gasification for hydrogen production from petroleum reservoirs.
Mr. Silagi Wanambwa, 08/2022 – Present
Mr. Wanambwa is a PhD student. He received his Master degree in Oil and Gas Engineering in 2017 from China University of Petroleum (East China) and Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2013 from Makerere University, Uganda. Silagi is working on stimulated natural hydrogen production from rock-water interactions in subsurface.
Mr. Anton Kaiser, 08/2022 – Present
Mr. Kaiser is a Master student. He is working on natural hydrogen from the Earth’s subsurface.
Mr. Baizheng An, 01/2022 – Present
Mr. An is a PhD student working on experimental studies of microwave-rock-catalysts-hydrocarbon interactions in clean hydrogen generation from petroleum reservoirs using microwave-assisted catalytic heating. He received his Master degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2021 from Texas Tech University and Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2018 from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.
Mr. Keju (Jake) Yan, 09/2021 – Present
Mr. Yan is a PhD student working on experimental studies of microwave-assisted catalytic heating for clean hydrogen generation from depleted petroleum reservoirs and shale reservoirs. He received his Master degree in Oil & Gas Field Development Engineering in 2013 from China University of Petroleum (East China) and Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2010 from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).
Ms. Song is a PhD student working on numerical simulations of in-situ combustion gasification for hydrogen generation directly from depleted heavy oil reservoirs. She received her Master degree in Oil & Gas Field Development Engineering in 2020 and Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2017, both from China University of Petroleum (East China).
Current Undergraduate students
Mr. Adkham Izbassar, 04/2024 – Present
Mr. Izbassar is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He is working on research of penetration depth of electromagnetic waves into reservoir rocks for in-situ clean hydrogen generation from petroleum reservoirs. Additionally, he is experienced in power electronics and guides undergraduate students in practical renewable energy generation.
Past Graduate Students
Mr. Baizheng An, 02/2020 – 12/2021
Mr. An worked on experimental studies of viscous fingering in a confined Hele-Shaw cell. After graduated, he continues as a PhD student.
Past Undergraduate Students
Mr. Mohamed Abdelaal, 01/2022 – 05/2023
Mr. Abdelaal joined the Texas Tech University in September 2019. He worked on clean hydrogen generation from petroleum reservoirs using microwave heating. He was awarded the SPE Permian Basin Scholarship – Hoxie Smith Memorial Award in May 2022.
Mr. Daniel Solorzano, 01/2020 – 05/2023
Mr. Solorzano joined the Texas Tech in September 2019. He worked on experimental studies of viscous fingering dynamics in miscible displacements in porous media. His research is funded by the PI Squared program at Texas Tech University. He was awarded McNair Scholar in June 2020.
Mr. Anton Kaiser, 11/2020 – 08/2022
Mr. Kaiser joined the Texas Tech University in September 2018. He worked on numerical simulations of in-situ combustion gasification for hydrogen generation directly from heavy oil reservoirs. His research is funded by the Transformative Undergraduate Experiences (TrUE) Scholars Program at Texas Tech University. He received the SPE Permian Basin Scholarship in May 2021.
