Dr. Mohamed Shafik Khaled is an Assistant Professor in the Petroleum Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines, having joined in 2024. He brings extensive expertise in advanced drilling research, oil and gas operations, and geothermal energy development.

Dr. Khaled began his career at Halliburton Co., where he worked for over five years, notably as a Drilling Solutions Engineer. In this role, he was instrumental in well planning, identifying drilling limiters, and resolving drilling-related challenges across various global projects. He later earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University (TAMU). He continued his academic and research pursuits at the University of Texas at Austin, serving as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering and subsequently as a Research Assistant Professor in the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG).

His current research is focused on advancing technology for drilling and well construction, improving the life cycle process of geothermal systems for heat and power production, and conducting high-resolution geological and heat flow mapping. Dr. Khaled’s work is dedicated to enhancing sustainable and efficient subsurface energy systems on Earth and in Space.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2021
• M.S., Petroleum Engineering, Cairo University, 2016
• B.S., Petroleum Engineering, Suez University, 2012

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Advanced drilling and well construction
• Geothermal anywhere development
• Geologic and heat flow mapping
• Rock mechanics and wellbore modeling
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Direct air capture and carbon storage

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Khaled, M.S.; Wang, N.; Ashok, P.; van Oort, E.; Wisian, K.. 2024. “Real-time Prediction of Bottom-hole Circulating Temperature in Geothermal Wells Using Machine Learning Models.” Geoenergy Science and Engineering, vol. 238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212891
• Khaled, M.S.; Chen, D.; Ashok, P.; van Oort, E. 2023. “Drilling Heat Maps for Active Temperature Management in Geothermal Wells.” SPE Journal, vol. 28 (04), SPE-210306-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/210306-PA.
• Khaled, M.S.; Wang, N.; Ashok, P.; Chen, D.; van Oort, E. 2023. “Strategies for Prevention of Downhole Tool Failure Caused by High Bottomhole Temperature in Geothermal and HPHT Oil and Gas Wells.” SPE Drilling & Completion Journal, vol. 38 (02), SPE-212550-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/212550-PA.
• Khaled, M.S.; Wang, N.; Ashok, P.; van Oort, E. 2023. “Downhole Heat Management for Drilling Shallow and Ultra-Deep High Enthalpy Geothermal Wells.” Geothermics Journal, vol. 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102604.
• Khaled, M.S.; Chen, M.; Losoya, E.Z.; Rodriguez, L.A; Gildin, E.; Skelton, R.E. 2022. “Tensegrity Laboratory Drilling Rig for Earth and Space Drilling, Mining, and Exploration.” International Journal of Solids and Structures, vol. 252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2022.111785.
• Barooah, A.; Khan, M.S.; Khaled, M.S.; Manikonda, K.; Rahman, M.A.; Hassan, I.; Hasan, R.; Maheshwari, P.; Hascakir, B. 2022. “Development of Pressure Gradient Correlation for Slurry Flow Using Dimensional Analysis.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, vol. 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104660.
• Ferroudji, H.; Rahman, M.A.; Hadjadj, A.; Ofei, T.N.; Khaled, M.S.; Rushd, S.; Gajbhiye, R.N. 2022. “3D Numerical and Experimental Modelling of Multiphase Flow Through an Annular Geometry Applied for Cuttings Transport.” International Journal of Multiphase Flow, vol. 151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2022.104044.
• Barooah, A.; Khan, M.S.; Khaled, M.S.; Rahman, M.A.; Hassan, I.; Hasan, R.; Maheshwari, P.; Hascakir, B. 2022. “Investigation of Cutting Transport in Horizontal/Deviated Annulus Using Visualization and Pressure Drop Techniques for Two-Phase Slurry Flow.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, vol. 100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2022.104460.
• Khaled, M.S.; Ferroudji, H.; Rahman, M.A.; Galal, I.H.; Hasan, A.R. 2022. “Numerical Study on the Impact of Spiral Tortuous Hole on Cuttings Removal in Horizontal Wells.” SPE Drilling & Completion Journal, vol. 37 (01). https://doi.org/10.2118/201789-PA.
• D’Angelo, J.; Khaled, M.S.; Ashok, P.; van Oort, E. 2022. “Pareto Optimal Directional Drilling Advisory for Improved Real-Time Decision Making.” Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering, vol. 210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.110031.
• Khaled, M.S.; Khan, M.S.; Ferroudji, H.; Barooah, A.; Rahman, M.A.; Hassan, I.; Hasan, A.R. 2021. “Dimensionless Data-Driven Model for Optimizing Hole Cleaning Efficiency in Daily Drilling Operations.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, vol. 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2021.104315.

MASTER’S AND PhD OPPORTUNITIES

• Master’s and PhD applicants with expertise in two or more of the following areas: drilling dynamics, programming (Python, C++), numerical modeling, automation & control systems, formation evaluation, scientific machine learning, or hands-on experience with drilling fluid and cement lab work are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should send their CVs to Dr. Mohamed Shafik Khaled at mohamed.khaled@mines.edu for consideration.