PhD, DIC, FHEA, CEng, Eur Ing, MEI Chartered Petroleum Engineer
Senior Lecturer
- About
-
- Email Address
- l.akanji@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 272793
- School/Department
- School of Engineering
Biography
- Senior Lecturer, Petroleum Engineering, University of Aberdeen, 2014 -
- Lecturer and Head of Petroleum Technology Research Group and Coordinator of Postgraduate Programme in Petroleum Engineering, University of Salford Manchester, 2012 - 2014
- Assistant Professor of Petroleum Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 2011-2012
- Visiting Lecturer, Reservoir Engineering, University of Leoben, Austria, 2008
- Reservoir Simulation Consultant, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria, 2002 - 2005
- Trainee Drilling and Operations Engineer, Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, Nigeria 2000-2001
- PhD degree, Petroleum Engineering, Imperial College London
- B.Sc. (Honours) and M.Sc. degrees in Petroleum Engineering, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Charted Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Petroleum Engineer, Member of the Energy Institute and the Society of Petroleum Engineers
Latest Publications
Lognormal Gaussian Decomposition Model for Fluid Displacement Analysis in Porous Rock
Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 255, 214062Contributions to Journals: ArticlesRecent Trends in Nuclear Accident Events Prediction: A Review
Nuclear Technology, vol. 211, no. 11, pp. 2668-2698Contributions to Journals: Review articlesNumerical Quantification of Gas Adsorption in Unconventional Shale Rocks
Fuel, vol. 396, 135246Contributions to Journals: ArticlesMultifluid Flow Dynamics of Core Relocation in Pressurized Water Reactors
Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 270, 126179Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA numerical technique for gas production from unconventional shale reservoir
International Journal of Coal Science and TechnologyContributions to Journals: Articles
- Research
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Research Overview
His research interests are in multiphase flow in porous and permeable media with applications to enhanced oil recovery in clastic, carbonate and unconventional shale reservoirs. He conducts research in theoretical, experimental and computational fluid flow dynamics. Laboratory- and pilot-scale processes are designed in computer-aided design (CAD) tools, fabricated and assembled for experimentation. Numerical modelling, simulation and computational fluid dynamics are carried out using different platforms and tools such as Python, C++ Fortran etc. Recent research focus involves application of AI in petroleum and alternative energy applications.
Research Areas
Accepting PhDs
I am currently accepting PhDs in Engineering.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your research ideas further.

Research Specialisms
- Petroleum Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
Current Research
- Key research focus - subsurface production improvement and enhancement
- Flow through porous and permeable rocks - shale rocks, clastic and carbonate
- Pore-scale modelling (numerical investigation - PTDF funded )
This investigation involves porescale characterisation and numerical simulation of fluid flow through porous and permeable media. Fundamental approach involves CT-scanning of rock samples, digital conversion and image processing involving thresholding and segmentation. Advanced numerical codes are used to simulate fluid flow behaviour and derive basic and special rock properties. You can request for free CT-scanned images of shale rock samples here
Advanced EOR techniques (experimental investigation - PTDF/TETFUND/ Sonangol funded)
- Low salinity combined with biosurfactants EOR
- Microbial EOR processes - biosurfactant and biopolymer application
- Interfacial phenomenon
Flow through pipes, production tubing and gas-lifted wells (pilot scale)
- Bubble coalescence and break up
- Density wave oscillation
- Casing heading
Application of artificial intelligence in improving oil production and screening of bio-surfactants for EOR processes
Technology development platform
1. Contributor to the development of advanced numerical computational platform based on object oriented cplusplus programming.
- Complex system modelling platform (CSMP++ )
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CSMP++ is a C++14 ANSI / ISO standard-compliant application programmer interface (API). It contains implementations of finite-element- (FEM) and finite volume (FVM) methods base code library, designed to simulate complex multi-physics fluid flow behaviour and processes in porous and permeable systems. CSMP++ is co-developed by ETH Zurich, Montanuniversitat Leoben (Austria), Heriot Watt University (Scotland) and the University of Melbourne (Australia) with the board of originators, Prof S. K. Matthai, sitting at the University of Melbourne (Australia), see CSMP++ for further information.
2. Developer of Enhanced Neuro-fuzzy, machine learning and data analytic techniques.
3. Technology innovator for the petroleum industry
- EOR special purpose technological development (Sonangol funded project)
- High-pressure high-temperature flow loop for biosurfactant production and IFT screening (PTDF funded project)
- Pilot scale rig project construction for gaslifted wells (Elphinstone funded project)
Past Research
- SONANGOL - Neuro-fuzzy based screening for EOR projects and experimental investigation of identified techniques in oilfield operations
Collaborations
Academic collaborators
- Dr. Hossein Hamidi
- Dr. Waheed Afzal
- Dr. Yingfang Zhou
- Dr. Roozbeh Rafati
- Dr. Rainer Ebel
- Prof. G. K. Falade
- Prof. Stephan Matthai
- Prof. Alfred Akisanya
- Prof. Lufianlisso Antonio
- Prof. Martin Blunt
Supervision
My current supervision areas are: Engineering.
Ongoing PhD projects
Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed
- Project - Evaluation of the molecular structure of surfactant on the performance of enhanced oil recovery process
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Jeff Gomes
Friday Owolabi
- Project - Development of ensemble artificial intelligence system for petroleum production optimisation
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Jeff Gomes
Temiloluwa Onimisi
- Project - Permeability upscaling in porous media flow
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Jeff Gomes
Godwin Agunwoke
- Project - The Impacts of Heterogeneity of Reservoir Rock Property on the Multiphase Flow and Oil Recovery from Pore Scale to Reservoir Scale
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Kejian Wu
Stephen Ajah
- Project - Prediction of critical heat flux during severe events in nuclear reactors
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Jeff Gomes
Nouha Salmani
- Project - Application of AI in groundwater contamination monitoring and control
- Lead supervisor - Dr Tannaz Pak (Teesside University)
Completed PhD projects
Adamu Adamu
- Project - Eigenfrequency analysis for resonance identification and penetration enhancement in radio-frequency heating of Nigerian tar sands
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Sumeet Aphale
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Prashant Jadhawar
Ibrahim Ayuba
- Project - Fluid flow and transport processes in shale rocks
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Jeff Gomes
Bamikole Joshua Adeyemi
- Project - Surface complexation modelling
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Prashant Jadhawar
Joshua Dala
- Project - Flow Performance and Production Analysis in Gas Condensate Wells
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Prashant Jadhawar
Toochukwu Onwuliri
- Project - Coupled flow-geomechanical model for hydraulically fractured shale formations
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Hossein Hamidi
Adamu Tijjani Ibrahim
- Project - Experimental and Numerical Wellbore Stability Modelling: A Water Activity driven approach
- Lead supervisor - Dr. Hossein Hamidi
Tinuola Udoh
- Project - Productivity enhancement in a combined low salinity water and bio-surfactant injection projects
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Jan Vinogradov
Chibuzo Onyemara
- Project - Screening of Environment-friendly Biosurfactants and Interfacial Phenomenon for Enhanced Oil Recovery Purposes
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Rainer Ebel
James Adeleye
- Project - Numerical Characterisation of Fluid Flow in Unconventional Shale Rocks
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Yingfang Zhou
Joao Chidamoio
- Project - Experimental and numerical modelling of gaslift cavitation and instabilities in oil producing wells
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Roozbeh Rafati
Geraldo Ramos
- Project - Neuro-fuzzy based screening for EOR projects and experimental investigation of identified techniques in oilfield operations
- Co-supervisor - Dr. Waheed Afzal
- Teaching
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Teaching Responsibilities
Field Development Planning
Well and Production Engineering
Facilities Engineering
- Publications
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Application of Artificial Intelligence in Well Screening and Production Optimisation in Oredo Oilfields, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/198877-MS
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Development of a New High-Pressure High-Temperature Technology for Advanced Screening of Biosurfactants and Injection of Microbes in Porous Rocks during Low-Salinity EOR Processes
Contributions to Conferences: Papers- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/198878-MS
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Impact of Well Production Tubing Diameter on Multiphase Flow Regime Profile in Oredo Fields, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Contributions to Conferences: Oral Presentations- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/198876-MS
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Development of a New High-Pressure High-Temperature Protocol for Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes
Contributions to Conferences: PapersApplication of Artificial Intelligence in North-Sea Petroleum Production Enhancement and Intervention
Contributions to Conferences: PapersHorizontal versus vertical wells interference in hydraulically fractured shale reservoirs
Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sciences, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 56-68Contributions to Journals: ArticlesClosed-Form Solution of Radial Transport of Tracers in Porous Media Influenced by Linear Drift
Energies, vol. 12, no. 1, 29Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPore-scale analyses of heterogeneity and representative elementary volume for unconventional shale rocks using statistical tools
Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 753-765Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA Neuro-Fuzzy Approach to Screening Mature Fields for EOR processes
Contributions to Conferences: PapersDevelopment of a Bespoke Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Technology: A Future for Angolan Oilfield Production
Contributions to Conferences: Oral PresentationsExperimental Investigation of Potential of Combined Controlled Salinity and Bio-Surfactant CSBS in Enhanced Oil Recovery EOR Processes
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/193388-MS
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
- [ONLINE] https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/SPE-193388-MS
Application of artificial intelligence for technical screening of enhanced oil recovery methods
Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sciences, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-12Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEffect of length-to-diameter ratio on axial velocity and hydrodynamic entrance length in air-water two-phase flow in vertical pipes
Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sciences, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-7Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPrediction of Optimum Length to Diameter Ratio for Two-Phase Fluid Flow Development in Vertical Pipes
Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-17Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3968/9886
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstreams/7aea1daa-8494-4307-b730-67e4be071f5a/download
Chemo-Thermo-Poromechanical Wellbore Stability Modelling Using Multi-Component Drilling Fluids
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings- [ONLINE] https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/SPE-187627-MS
- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/187627-MS
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Technical Screening of Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods - A Case Study of Block C in Offshore Angolan Oilfields
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference ProceedingsArtificial intelligence based on neuro-fuzzy algorithm for technical screening of enhanced oil recovery techniques: A case study of Block T in offshore Angola
Contributions to Conferences: PapersData Analysis and Neuro-Fuzzy Technique for EOR Screening: Application in Angolan Oilfields
Energies, vol. 10, no. 7, 837Contributions to Journals: ArticlesApplication of Artificial Intelligence in Oilfield Operation and Intervention
Contributions to Conferences: Papers- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/181116
- [ONLINE] http://www.intelligentenergyevent.com/en/About/
A Neuro-Fuzzy Approach to Screening Reservoir Candidates for EOR
Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-14Contributions to Journals: ArticlesOilfield Production Management and Intervention in Remote and Challenging Location
Contributions to Conferences: Other ContributionsModelling of Cavitation and Instability in Gas-lifted Wells
Production Engineering Association (PEA) Artificial lift and Digital Oilfield and Data Management Forums, Epsom UK. Production Engineering Association.Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Other Contributions- [ONLINE] Link to proceedings
Integrated characterisation workflows for unconventional reservoirs: addressing challenges by applying relevant technologies
Contributions to Conferences: PapersGas-lift Optimisation Design for a Dual Completion Well with High Water-cut in Offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference ProceedingsProduction Optimisation of a Gas-lifted Dual-Completion Offshore Nigeria
Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions