Gregory King

grk17@psu.edu

Phone

814-867-3547

Office Address

123 Hosler Building

Title(s)

Professor of Practice, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Undergraduate Program Chair of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Expertise

Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs: Coalbed methane reservoirs, shale reservoirs, tight gas sands, naturally fractured reservoirs, and tight carbonate reservoirs.

Numerical Reservoir Simulation: Reservoir simulation theory, computational fluid dynamics, integrated reservoir studies, probabilistic history matching and forecasting, proxy-based methods, and solution of large systems of linear and non-linear equations.

Improved Oil and Gas Recovery: Waterflooding, miscible EOR, chemical EOR, and enhanced coalbed methane recovery.

Reservoir Surveillance: Data acquisition (open and cased hole logging, pressure transient analysis, production/injection logging, etc.), interpretation, and integration.

Single-Well Performance and Optimization: Rate transient analysis, dynamic material balance, nodal analysis, well diagnostics, and well forecasting.

Offshore Engineering

Sour Oil and Gas Production

Health, Safety, and Environment

Education

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (May 1984): Petroleum and natural gas engineering; The Pennsylvania State University

Master of Science Degree (August 1981): Petroleum and natural gas engineering; The Pennsylvania State University

Bachelor of Science Degree (May 1979): Petroleum and natural gas engineering; The Pennsylvania State University

Courses Taught

PNG 411 (PNG for non-PNG Majors): F16, F17, and F18

PNG 420 (Waterflooding): F16, F17, and F18

PNG 491 (Capstone Project 2): F17

PNG 492 (Capstone Project 3): Sp17

EME 460 (Project Economics): Sp18, F18

PNG 511 (Numerical Simulation for Single-Phase Flow): F17

PNG 512 (Numerical Simulation for multi-Phase Flow): Sp18 (Co-Taught with Dr. T. Ertekin – he did all lectures, I consulted with students on homeworks and project)

Unit

John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering

About:

Gregory R. King is a Professor of Practice at The Pennsylvania State University. Prior to his appointment at Penn State, King was a Reservoir Engineering Consultant with the Chevron Corporation where he held multiple domestic and international positions during his 32-year career.

King holds B.S., M.S., and Ph. D. degrees in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State. He is a co-author of the 2001 SPE Textbook on Reservoir Simulation, “Basic Applied Reservoir Simulation” and has authored or co-authored over 35 publications, technical papers, and encyclopedia articles in the areas of reservoir simulation, probabilistic history matching, reservoir management, reservoir characterization and surveillance, improved oil recovery, and unconventional gas recovery.

King started his career with Chevron in 1984 and has performed numerous reservoir evaluation studies including studies on super-giant oilfields in Eurasia and the Middle East and giant oilfields in the North Sea and offshore West Africa. He has been a technical editor for the SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering Journal from 1992 to the present; was the chairman for the Recovery Mechanisms and Flow in Porous Media sub-committee for the 2010 SPE ATCE in Florence, Italy; has been on the organizing committee of over ten conferences, workshops, and forums; was the SPE Golden Gate Section Program Chair Person in 1994-1995; was recognized as a Centennial Fellow from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University in 1997; and was a keynote speaker at the International Forum on Reservoir Simulation in 2003.

At Penn State, King teaches classes at the senior and graduate levels on Secondary Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, and Energy Business and Project Economics.

Publications

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

Basic Applied Reservoir Simulation, Ertekin, T., Abou-Kassem, J., and King, G. R., SPE Textbook Series, The Society of Petroleum Engineers, Richardson, TX, September 2001
Rana, S., Ertekin, T., and King, G. R.: “An efficient assisted history matching and uncertainty quantification workflow using Gaussian processes proxy models and variogram based sensitivity analysis: GP-VARS,” Computers and Geosciences 114 (2018) pp. 73-83.
Pan, Y., Mun-Hong, H, Narr, W., King, G. R., Tankersley, T., Jenkins, S. D., Flodin, E., Bateman, P. W. and Laidlaw, C.: “Integration of Pressure Transient Data in Modeling Tengiz Field, Kazakhstan - A New Way to Characterize Fractured Reservoirs,” SPEREE (January 2016).
King, G. R.: “Coalbed Methane,” McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 10th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2007.
King, G. R., David, W., Tokar, T., Pape, W., Newton, S. K., Wadowsky, J., Williams, M. A., Murdoch, R., and Humphrey, M.: “Takula Field: Data Acquisition, Interpretation, and Integration for Improved Simulation and Reservoir Management,” SPEREE (April 2002) pp.135-145.
Schaaf, R. P. and King, G. R.: “Adapting a Reservoir Management Strategy to Changing Reservoir Conditions,” JPT (December 1997) pp. 1374-1376 (Synopsis of paper SPE 38925).
Omoregie, Z. S., King, G. R., Strang, C., Hodgson, P., and Pressney, R. A.: "Brief: Reservoir Management in the Ninian Field – A Case History," JPT (December 1996) pp. 1136-1138. (Synopsis of paper SPE 30443).
King, G. R.: "Material Balance Techniques for Coal Seam and Devonian Shale Gas Reservoirs, Cases with Limited Water Influx," SPE Reservoir Engineering (February 1993) pp. 67-72. SPE Transactions.
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "State-of-the-Art-Modeling of Unconventional Gas Reservoirs," SPE Formation Evaluation (March 1991) pp. 63-71. SPE Transactions.
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "A Comparative Evaluation of Vertical Wells and Horizontal Wells for the Degasification of Coal Seams," SPE Reservoir Engineering (May 1988) pp. 720-734.
Remner, D. J., Ertekin, T., Sung, W., and King, G. R.: "A Parametric Study of the Effects of Coal Seam Properties on Gas Drainage Efficiency," SPE Reservoir Engineering (November 1986) pp. 633-646.
King, G. R., Ertekin, T., and Schwerer, F. C.: "Numerical Simulation of the Transient Behavior of Coal Seam Degasification Wells," SPE Formation Evaluation (April 1986) pp. 165-183. SPE Transactions.
Ertekin, T., King, G. R., and Schwerer, F. C.: "Dynamic Gas Slippage: A Unique Dual-Mechanism Approach to the Flow of Gas through Tight Formations," SPE Formation Evaluation (February 1986) pp. 43-52. SPE Transactions.

TECHNICAL PAPERS

Author or co-author of approximately 30 technical papers (in addition to the aforementioned publications) presented at Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), World Petroleum Congress (WPC), American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Offshore Technical Conference (OTC), and Gas Processors Association (GPA) conferences.
Istayeva, U, and King, G. R.: “Application of the Extended Dynamic Material Balance Method to a Super Giant Carbonate Oilfield,” paper SPE SPE-172283-MS at the SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Astana, Kazakhstan, 12-14 November 2014.
Kassenov, B., King, G. R., Chaudhri, M., Abdrakhmanova, A., Jenkins, S. D., Bateman, P. W., and Iskakov, E.: “Efficient Workflow for Assisted History Matching and Brownfield Design of Experiments for the Tengiz Field” paper SPE-172329-MS presented at the SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Astana, Kazakhstan, 12-14 November 2014.
King, G. R., Kassenov, B., Abdrakhmanova, A., Iskakov, E., and Chaudhri, M.: “Statistically Based Objective Functions for Assisted History Matching and Model Selection which Attempt to Minimize the Propagation of Historical Observed-Simulated Mismatch into Prediction,” paper SPE SPE-14MMFD-7-MS presented at the SPE Large Scale Computing and Big Data Challenges in Reservoir Simulation Conference & Exhibition held in Istanbul, Turkey, 15-17 September 2014.
Abdrakhmanova, A., Iskakov, E., King, G., R., Chaudhri, M. Liu, N., and Bateman, P. W.: “Probabilistic History Matching of Dual-Porosity and Dual-Permeability Korolev Model Using Three Discrete Fracture Models,” paper SPE170854 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 27–29 October 2014.
King, G. R., Jones, M., Dagistanova, K., Tankersley, T., Flodin E., Jenkins, S., Zhumagulova, A., Eaton W., Bateman, P. Laidlaw, C., Fitzmorris, R., and Ma, X.: “Use of Brown-Field Experimental Design Methods for Post-Processing Conventional History Match Results,” paper SPE 159341 presented at the 2012 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, TX, October 8-10, 2012.
Darmentaev, S., Yessaliyeva, A., Azhigaliyeva, A., Belanger, D., Sullivan, M., King, G. R., Feyijimi, T., and Bateman, P.: ”Tengiz Sour Gas Injection Project,” paper 139851 presented at the at the SPE Caspian Carbonates Technology Conference held in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, 8–10 November 2010.
Tankersley, T., Narr, W., King, G. R., Camerlo, R., Zhumagulova, A., Skalinski, M., Pan, Y.: “Reservoir Modeling to Characterize Dual Porosity, Tengiz Field, Republic Of Kazakhstan,” paper 139836 presented at the at the SPE Caspian Carbonates Technology Conference held in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, 8–10 November 2010.
Billiter, T. C., Dagistanova, K., and King G. R.: “Application of Brown-Field Experimental Design Techniques to a Super Giant Carbonate Reservoir,” paper SPE 115422 presented at the 2008 SPE Russian Oil and Gas Technical Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, Russia, October 28–30, 2008.
King G. R., Lee, S., Alexandre, P., Miguel, M., Blevens, M., Pillow, M., and Christie, G.: “Probabilistic Forecasting for Mature Fields with Significant Production History: A Nemba Field Case Study”, paper SPE 95869 presented at the 2005 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, TX, October 9-12.
King, G. R., Littlefield, L. D., Newton, S. K., Oliveira, F., and Tokar, T.: “The Takula Field: A History of Angola’s First Giant Oil Field,” poster presented at the 18th World Petroleum Congress, Johannesburg, South Africa. 25-29 September 2005.
King, G. R.: “Practical Aspects of a Contemporary Reservoir Simulation Study,” paper presented at the Seventh International Forum on Reservoir Simulation, Baden-Baden, Germany (June 23-27, 2003).
Minck, R, King, G. R., Costa, R., Domingos, F., Carleton, B., Laidlaw, C., and Leggett, E.: “N’Sano Pinda – Characterization of a Finely Inter-Bedded Carbonate-Siliciclastic Reservoir, Offshore Cabinda, Angola” poster presented at the 1998 AAPG International Meeting, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (October 1998).
King, G. R., Costa, R., Minck, R., Leggett, E., Carleton, B., Laidlaw, C., and Domingos, F.: “Reservoir Characterization, Geological Modeling, and Reservoir Simulation of the N’Sano Field, Upper Pinda Reservoir,” paper SPE 39760 presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Conference on Integrated Modeling for Asset Management, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March 23-24 1998).
Schaaf, R. P. and King, G. R.: “Numbi Field: Adapting a Reservoir Management Strategy to Changing Reservoir Conditions,” paper SPE 38925 presented at the 1997 Annual Fall Meeting of the SPE, San Antonio, TX (October 5-8, 1997).
Flaherty, G. M., King, G. R., Maloney, T. R., and Domingos, F. “Waterflood Opportunities in Block 0, Cabinda Angola,” paper OTC 8331 presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX (May 5-8, 1997).
Schaaf, R. P. and King, G. R.: “Changing Reservoir Management Strategy in the Numbi Field,” paper presented at the Offshore West Africa ’96 Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by Offshore Magazine, US-African Chamber of Commerce, and Penn Well Conferences and Exhibitions, Libreville, Gabon (November 5-7, 1996).
Omoregie, Z. S., King, G. R., Strang, C., Hodgson, P., and Pressney, R. A.: "Reservoir Management in the Ninian Field - A Case History," paper SPE 30443 presented at the Offshore Europe Conference, Aberdeen, Scotland (September 5-8, 1995).
Kabir, C. S. and King, G. R.: "Estimation of AOFP and Average Reservoir Pressure from Transient Flow-After-Flow Test Data: A Reservoir Management Practice," paper SPE 29583 presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional/Low Permeability Symposium, Denver, CO (March 20-22, 1995).
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "State-of-the-Art-Modeling of Unconventional Gas Reservoirs, Part II: Recent Developments (1989-1994)" paper SPE 29575 presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional/Low Permeability Symposium, Denver, CO (March 20-22, 1995).
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "A Survey of Mathematical Models Related to Methane Production from Coal Seams: Part III, Recent Developments (1989 – 1993), IBC / Royal School of Mines Conference on Coalbed Methane Extraction: An Analysis of UK and European Resources and Potential for Development, London, England (January 24-25, 1994) Invited Lecturer.
King, G. R., Warnock, A., and Owen, R.: "Alba Field – Polymer Flood Potential Considering Risk," U. K. Department of Trade and Industry Conference on Best Practices for Improved Oil Recovery, London, England (November 10, 1993).
King, G. R.: "Measurement of Inflow Performance Parameters for Coal Seam and Devonian Shale Gas Reservoirs and Its Implication on Numerical Reservoir Simulation," paper SPE 26631 presented at the 1993 Annual Fall Meeting of the SPE Houston, TX (October 4-6, 1993).
King, G. R., Snyder, D. E., Obut, T. S., and Perkins, R. L.: "A Case Study of the Full-Field Simulation of a Reservoir Containing Bottom-Water," paper SPE 21203 presented at the 1991 Symposium on Reservoir Simulation, Anaheim, CA (February 1991).
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "A Survey of Mathematical Models Related to Methane Production from Coal Seams: Part II, Non-Equilibrium Sorption Models," paper 8951 presented at the 1989 Coalbed Methane Symposium, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (April 1989) pp. 125-138.
King, G. R. and Ertekin, T.: "A Survey of Mathematical Models Related to Methane Production from Coal Seams: Part I, Empirical and Equilibrium Sorption Models," paper 8951 presented at the 1989 Coalbed Methane Symposium, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (April 1989) pp. 125-138.
King, G. R., Ertekin, T., Stahl, C. D., Jones, J., H., Klaus, E. E., Nagarajan, R., and Yarzumbeck, A. J.: "Physio-Chemical Mechanics of the Propagation of the Stabilized Oil Bank during Dilute Surfactant Flooding," paper SPE 10371 presented at the 1981 Eastern Regional Meeting, Columbus, OH (November 4-6, 1981) pp. 97-106.
Jacoby, R. H. and King G. R.: "A New Graphical Correlation of K-Values Which Accounts for the Effects of Aromaticity and Composition," presented at the 60th Annual Gas Processors Association Convention, San Antonio, TX (February 1981).
Klaus, E. E., Jones, J. H., Nagarajan, R., Ertekin, T., Fan, J. J., Yarzumbeck, A. J., and King, G. R.: "Oxidized Petroleum Fractions as Cosurfactants and as Feedstocks for the Manufacture of Sulfonates for the Tertiary Recovery of Oil," paper SPE 9006 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oil Field Chemistry, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (May 1980).

Awards

SPE 2014 Regional Reservoir Dynamics and Description Award for the Russia and Caspian Region: The Society of Petroleum Engineers (2014).
Internal Chevron Excellence in Reservoir Management Awards: Chevron Team Awards (2010, 2011 and 2014: approximately ten individual and team awards present each year within Chevron, Corp).
Centennial Fellow: The Pennsylvania State University, The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (1997).