Zhengwen (Zane) Zeng

Assistant Professor

Education

Ph.D. in Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, USA, 2002

 

D.Sc. in Tectonophysics, Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau of China (a.k.a. China Earthquake Administration), 1993

M.S. in Engineering Geology, Southwest Jiaotong University, China, 1987

B.S. in Engineering Geology, Southwest Jiaotong University, China, 1984

Courses Taught at UND

GeoE 203 Geology for Engineers

GeoE 323 Engineering Geology

GeoE 351 Petroleum Development Engineering

GeoE 352 Petroleum Production Engineering

Geol 410 Site Characterization

GeoE 455 Geomechanics

GeoE 484 Geological Engineering Design (Senior Design I)

GeoE 485 Geological Engineering Design (Senior Design II)

GeoE 493 Selected Topics in Mining: Petroleum Reservoir Engineering

GeoE 493 Selected Topics in Mining: Hydrocarbon Exploration & Production

Geol 590 Research

Geol 591 Directed Studies: CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery and Sequestration

ENGR 599 Doctoral Research

Geol 996 MS Thesis Research

ENGR 999 Dissertation

Research Interests

Petroleum Engineering: Reservoir characterization, hydraulic fracturing, petrophysics, CO2-enhanced oil recovery,

Geological Engineering: Geomechanics, in-situ stress determination, CO2 sequestration, enhanced geothermal systems

Applied Geophysics: Acoustic/Seismic characterization of porous media, subsurface imaging using induced micro-seismicity

Current Research Projects

1.      Geomechanical Study of Bakken Formation for Improved Oil Recovery (PI), $1M funded by US DOE (DE-FC26-08NT0005643), 2008-2011.

2.      Petroleum Research, Education, and Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence (PREEC) (Co-PI), $3M funded by NDDoC  with $8M match from API, IHS Inc., Schlumberger, and UND Alumni Foundation, 2009-2012.

3.      Geomechanical Study of Bakken Formation in Eastern Williston Basin, North Dakota (PI), $200K funded by NDIC (G015-D) and five petroleum companies (Encore, Hess, Marathon, St Mary, and Whiting), 2008-2009.

4.      Combining Geothermal Energy Extraction and CO2 Sequestration to Produce Clean, Renewable, Carbon Negative Electricity (Co-PI), $40K funded by Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment at the University of Minnesota, 2009-2012.

Completed Research Projects since 2000

1.      Experimental Study of Formation Rock Properties for CO2 Sequestration (PI), $75K funded by US DOE (DE-FC26-05NT42592) through Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership in Energy and Environmental Research Center at The University of North Dakota, 2007-2008.

2.      Modeling CO2 Foam Flooding Mechanisms (PI), $127K funded by US DOE (DE-FC26-04NT15532) and the State of New Mexico through Improved Gas Flooding Efficiency Project  in the Petroleum Recovery Research Center at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 2005-2008.

3.      Bedded Rock Mechanical Anisotropy (PI), $1K funded by Knowledge System Inc. (part of Halliburton since May 2008), Houston, Texas, 2007.

4.      Potential of CO2 Sequestration in Saline Aquifers and Mature Petroleum Fields in Williston Basin (PI), $34K funded by US DOE (DE-FC26-05NT42592) through Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership in Energy and Environmental Research Center at The University of North Dakota, 2006-2007.

5.      Seismic Characterization of CO2-(un)saturated Porous Media (PI), $100K funded by US NSF through ND EPSCoR (EPS-0447679) and The University of North Dakota, 2005-2007.

6.      Improving CO2 Efficiency for Recovering Oil in Heterogeneous Reservoirs (Major Contributor), $1M funded by US DOE (DE-FC26-01BC15364) through the Petroleum Recovery Research Center at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 2001-2004.

Research Laboratory

The Petroleum Engineering Lab is built to provide full service to teaching, research and consulting for courses and projects related to:

(1)   Multiphase flow in porous media (statics, dynamics, non-Darcy, reaction, etc.),

(2)   Reservoir engineering (characterization, simulation, stimulation, enhanced oil recovery, etc.),

(3)   Petrophysics (density, porosity, permeability, saturation, etc.),

(4)   Geomechanics (Young’s modulus, Poison’s ratio, strength, in-situ stresses, etc., ), and

(5)   Applied geophysics (P- and S-wave velocities, acoustic impedance, etc.)

The major hardware and software equipped in the Petroleum Engineering Lab include the following:

Hardware:

(1)   HP/HT Acoustic Core Flooding System (5000 psig, 250°F, P-/S-wave)

(2)   Back Pressure Regulators: (5000 psig)

(3)   High Pressure Syringe Pumps (0.001~107 ml/min, 260 ml, 7500 psig)

(4)   High Pressure Syringe Pump (0.001~204 ml/min, 500 ml, 3750 psig)

(5)   Positive Displacement Pump (1000 ml, 10,000 psig)

(6)   High Pressure Generator (20 ml, 15,000 psig)

(7)   Temperature controlling system (750°F, ±1°F)

(8)   Automatic control-acquisition-processing system

(9)   Airbath (25” x 19” x 16”, 750°F)

Software:

(1)   Petroleum Reservoir Characterization

a.       Interactive Petrophysics

b.      PETREL

c.       PETRA

(2)   Petroleum Reservoir Simulation

a.       ECLIPSE

b.      MASTER

c.       PVTsim

(3)   Petroleum Production Engineering

a.       PERFORM

b.      Pipesoft2

c.       SubPUMP

(4)   Numerical and Experimental Geomechanics

a.       FEAP

b.      FLAC3D

c.       LabView

Opportunities

Self-motivated, dedicated and willing-to-learn students seeking for MS and PhD in Engineering (Geological or Petroleum Engineering) and Sciences (Geology or Geophysics), or other closely related majors are welcome to email in resumes for potential GRA opportunities.

Publication-Book

1.      Zeng, Z. 2009. “Imaging Hydraulic Fracturing” (ISBN: 3639118146), VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Saarbrücken, Germany. pp. 1-258.

Publication-Papers (some available in PDF format upon request)

1.      Zeng, Z. and Jiang, A. 2009. Geomechanical Study of Bakken Formation for Improved Oil Recovery, SINOROCK2009 paper No. 341, Proc. ISRM Int. Symp. Rock Mech., Hong Kong, China. May 19-22 (PDF file available upon request).

2.       Zeng, Z., Jakupi, A., Bigelow, T., Grigg, R.B., Kringstad, J., Belobraydic, M., and Zhou, X. 2008. Laboratory Observation of CO2 Phase Transition Induced Seismic Velocity Change, paper ARMA08-329, Proc. 42nd US Rock Mech. and 2nd U.S.-Canada Rock Mech. Symp., San Francisco, California, USA. June 29-July 2 (PDF file available upon request).

3.       Zhou, X., Zeng, Z., Belobraydic, M., and Han, Y. 2008. Geomechanical stability assessment of Williston Basin formations for petroleum production and CO2 sequestration. Paper ARMA08-211, Proc. 42nd US Rock Mech. and 2nd U.S.-Canada Rock Mech. Symp., San Francisco, California, USA. June 29-July 2 (PDF file available upon request).

4.       Zeng, Z., Grigg, R.B. and Bai, B., 2006: Experimental Development of Adsorption and Desorption Kinetics of a CO2-foaming Surfactant onto Berea Sandstone, paper SPE 103117, Proc. 2006 SPE Annual Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas, USA, September 24-27 (PDF file available upon request).

5.       Zeng, Z. and Grigg, R. B., 2006: A Criterion for Non-Darcy Flow in Porous Media, Transport in Porous Media, 63, 57-69 (PDF file available upon request).

6.       Bai, B., Grigg, R.B, Liu, Y. and Zeng, Z., 2005: Adsorption Kinetics of Surfactant Used in CO2-Foam Flooding onto Berea Sandstone, paper SPE 95920, Proc. 2005 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Dallas, Texas, USA, October 9-12 (PDF file available upon request).

7.       Zeng, Z., Roegiers, J-C. and Grigg, R. B., 2004: “Experimental Determination of Geomechanical and Petrophysical Properties of Jackfork Sandstone – A Tight Gas Formation,” paper ARMA/NARMS04-562, Proc. 6th North America Rock Mechanics Symposium, Houston, Texas, USA, June 5 – 9(PDF file available upon request).

8.       Zeng, Z., Grigg, R.B, and Gupta, D.B., 2004: “Laboratory Investigation of Stress-Sensitivity of Non-Darcy Gas Flow Parameters,” paper SPE 89431, Proc. 2004 SPE/DOE Fourteenth Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 17–21 (PDF file available upon request).

9.       Grigg, R.B, Zeng, Z., and Bethapudi, L. V., 2004: “Comparison of Non-Darcy Flow of CO2 and N2 in a Carbonate Rock,” paper SPE 89471, Proc. 2004 SPE/DOE Fourteenth Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 17–21 (PDF file available upon request).

10.  Zeng, Z., Grigg, R. and Ganda, S., 2003: “Experimental Study of Overburden and Stress on Non-Darcy Gas Flow in Dakota Sandstone,” paper SPE 84069, Proc. 2003 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, October 5-8 (PDF file available upon request).

11.  Zeng, Z., Roegiers, J-C. and Grigg, R., 2003: “Imaging the Initiation of Asymmetrical Hydraulic Fractures in Laboratory Experiments,” paper SPE 84578, Proc. 2003 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, October 5-8 (PDF file available upon request).

12.   Zeng, Z. and Roegiers, J-C. 2002: “Experimental Observation of Injection Rate Influence on the Hydraulic Fracturing Behavior of A Tight Gas Sandstone”, paper SPE 78172, Proc. 2002SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics Conference, Irvin, Texas, USA, October 20-23 (PDF file available upon request).

13.   Zeng, Z. and Roegiers, J-C. 2001: “Modeling of Packer Influence on Hydraulic Fracture Initiation in Laboratory Tests,” Proc. 38th U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium, Washington, D.C., USA, July 7-10, p.p. 221-225 (PDF file available upon request).

14.   Scott, T.E. Jr., Zeng, Z. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2000: “Acoustic Emission Imaging of Induced Asymmetrical Hydraulic Fractures,” Proc 4th North American Rock Mechanics Symposium, Seattle, Washington, USA, July 31- August 3, p.p.1129-1134 (PDF file available upon request).

15.   Ma, S., Deng, Z., Ma, W., Liu, L., Liu, T., Ma, J. and Zeng, Z. 1999: “Experimental Study on the Relationship of En-echelon Fault Deformation and Earthquake Activity,” Modern Movement of Lithosphere and Seismological Geology, Vol.5 Selected Papers of the 30th International Geological Congress, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, China, p.p. 176-188.

16.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr., and Roegiers, J.-C. 1997: “Monitoring An Experimentally Induced Hydraulic Fracture with Acoustic Emission Hypocentral Location Technology,” Proc. State/Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Symposium, Norman, Oklahoma, USA, September 3-5.

17.   Wu, G., Feng, D., Zeng, Z. and Ma, J. 1996: “Linearity Analysis of Acoustic Emission Waveforms before and after the Deformation and Failure of Discontinuous Rocks,” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 18, No. 3, 284-288.

18.   Zeng, Z. and Ma, J. 1995: “Study on Acoustic Wave propagation in Rock Samples with One Fracture,” Research on Engineering Geomechanics, Seismological Publishing House, Beijing, China, Vol. 1, 156-164.

19.   Zeng, Z., Ma, J., Liu, L. and Liu, T. 1995: “Acoustic Emission Dynamic Features during Rock Fracturing and Their Significance,” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 17, No. 1, 7-12.

20.   Deng, Z., Ma, S., Ma, J., Liu, L., Liu, T., Ma W., and Zeng, Z. 1995: “Experimental Study on Stick-slip Instability and Evolution of Its Physical Fields,” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 17, No. 4, 305-310.

21.   Ma, S., Deng, Z., Ma, W., Liu, L., Liu, T., Ma, J. and Zeng, Z. 1995: “Experimental study on Evolution of Physical Fields during Deformation of En-echelon Faults (1),” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 17, No. 4, 327-335.

22.   Ma, S., Liu, L., Deng, Z., Liu, T., Ma, W., Ma, J. and Zeng, Z. 1995: “Experimental study on Evolution of Physical Fields during Deformation of En-echelon Faults (2),” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 17, No. 4, 336-341.

23.   Zeng, Z., Ma, J. and Wang, A. 1994: “Spatial Evolution of acoustic emissions events during deformation and failure of discontinuous rocks and its significance,” J. Engineering Geology, Vol. 2, No. 1, 46-53.

24.   Zeng, Z., Ma, J., Wu, X. and Wang, A. 1994: “Characteristics and Implications of Acoustic Emission Energy in the Process of Deformation and Failure of Single-joint Rock-mass,” Seismology and Geology, Vol. 16, No. 1, 71-82.

25.   Zeng, Z., Ma, J., Ma, S. and Xu, X. 1993: “Features and Seismological Implications of Acoustic Emission b-value Dynamic Curve during Frictional Sliding of Rocks,” Advances in Geophysics, Vol. 8, No. 4, 42-52.

26.   Zeng, Z. 1992: “Investigation of Stress Field of Qinling Ridge Area via Petrologic Fabric Analysis,”  Proc. the 4th China Conference on Engineering Geology, Ocean Publishing House, Beijing, China, Vol. 2, 757-761.

27.   Zeng, Z., Jiang, J. and Li, B. 1988: “Fabric Characteristic Analysis and Engineering Geological Property Prediction of Fault-9 in Dayaoshan Tunnel,”   Proc. the 3rd China Conference on Engineering Geology, Chengdu Science and Technology University Publishing House, Sichuan, China, Vol. 1, 222-228.

28.   Jiang, J., Li, B., and Zeng, Z. 1988: “Research and Prediction of Fault-9 in Da-yao-shan,” Proc. International Symposium on Underground Engineering, New Delhi, India. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Singh, B. (ed.), 305-310.

29.   Li, B., Jiang, J., and Zeng, Z. 1988: “Analysis of Large Scale and Long-term Water Gush in A Tunnel,” Proc. International Symposium on Tunneling for Water Resources and Power Projects, New Delhi, India, Oxford and IBH Publishing CO. PVT LTD., Vol. I, 153-157.

30.   Jiang, J., Li, B., Zeng, Z. and Wang, X. 1987: “Relationship between Fractures and Stability of Mountainous Tunnel Surrounding Rocks,” Proc. International Symposium on Engineering Geology and Environment, Beijing, China, Vol. 1, 783-793.

Selected Project Reports

1.      Zeng, Z., Jakupi, A., Zhou, F., Gosnold, W., Belobraydic, M., and Kringstad, J., 2008. “Modeling CO2 Foam Flooding Mechanisms,” Final Report to NMT PRRC for “Improved Gas Flooding Efficiency,” DOE CONTRACT NO. DE-FC26-04NT15532.

2.       Grigg, R.B. and Zeng, Z. 2008: “Improved Gas Flooding Efficiency,” Topical Report: MASTER2008 Manual (Miscible Applied Simulation Techniques For Energy Recovery) for DOE CONTRACT NO. DOE CONTRACT NO. DE-FC26-04NT15532, New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center and University of North Dakota, USA (PDF file available upon request).

3.       Grigg, R.B. and Zeng, Z. 2005: “Improving CO2 Efficiency for Recovering Oil in Heterogeneous Reservoirs,” Topical Report: Revisions on MASTER (Miscible Applied Simulation Techniques For Energy Recovery) for DOE CONTRACT NO. DE-FG26-01BC1536, New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center, Socorro, New Mexico, USA (PDF file available upon request).

4.       Grigg, R.B., Svec, R.K, Zeng, Z., Bai, B. and Liu, Y., 2005: “Improving CO2 Efficiency for Recovering Oil in Heterogeneous Reservoirs,” Final Report for DOE CONTRACT NO. DE-FG26-01BC1536, New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center, Socorro, New Mexico, USA (PDF file available upon request).

5.       Grigg, R.B. and Zeng, Z. 2005: “Improving CO2 Efficiency for Recovering Oil in Heterogeneous Reservoirs,” Topical Report: Revisions on MASTER (Miscible Applied Simulation Techniques For Energy Recovery) for DOE CONTRACT NO. DE-FG26-01BC1536, New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center, Socorro, New Mexico, USA (PDF file available upon request).

6.       Zeng, Z. 2002: “User Manual of Computer programs: LOCATION and WAVEFORM,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

7.       Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2001: “Geomechanical and Petrophysical Properties of Jackfork Sandstone,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering/ Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

8.       Zeng, Z. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2001: “Laboratory Seismic Velocity Measurement Techniques,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

9.       Zeng, Z. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2001: “Static and Dynamic Determination of Elastic Properties of Anisotropic Materials,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

10.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2000: “Derivation of Formulae for Fracture Toughness Determination by CDISK Test,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering/ Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

11.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 2000: “Inversion Theory of Acoustic Emission Waveforms,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering/ Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

12.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 1999: “Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Dynamics,” Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

13.   Zeng, Z., Santagati, A. and Scott, T.E. Jr. 1999: “The Point Load Index Test: Method and Results,” Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

14.   Zeng, Z. 1999: “Drilling for Free Water on Mars,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering/ Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

15.   Rock Mechanics Institute. 1999. “Rock Mechanics Research Center The University of Oklahoma Seventh Annual Report to the National Science Foundation (September 1, 1998 – August 31, 1999),” Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

16.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 1998: “The Simplex Method Applied to Acoustic Emission Imaging of Hydraulic Fracturing Experiments,” Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

17.   Zeng, Z., Scott, T.E. Jr. and Roegiers, J.-C. 1998: “Modified Simplex Method for Function Optimization in N-Dimensional Space,” Rock Mechanics Institute, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

18.   Black, T. Chennakesavan, S., Penuela, G., Guerrero, J.R.R. and Zeng, Z. 1998: “Simulation of Sooner Oil Reservoir,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

19.   Zeng, Z. 1998: “Stimulation of Water Supply Wells,” Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

20.   Carrascal, A., Adesina, K. and Zeng, Z. 1998: “Mathematical Modeling of Circulating Fluid Temperatures in Deep Well Drilling,” Mewbourne School Of Petroleum And Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma,  Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

21.   Zhang, L., Xu, J., Gao, P., Zhou, Y., Gao, X., Zeng, Z., Wang, C. Liu, S., Huang, J., and Qu, G. 1996: “Reservoir Development Optimization through Fracture Characterization and Geomechanical Research in Liaohe Oil Field,” Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

22.   Gao, P., Zhang, L., Xu, X., Zeng, Z., Wang, Y., Huang, J. and Zhou, Y. 1995: “Measurement and Study of Petrophysical and Geomechanical Properties of Formation Rocks from Jilin Oilfield,” Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

23.   Ma, J., Zeng, Z., Liu, T., Wu, X., Liu, L. Ma, W. 1993: “Measurement and Study of Velocity Parameters of Heavy Oil Sandstone from Shengli Oilfield,” Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

24.   Zeng, Z., Ma, J. Liu, T., and Xu, X. 1993: “Physical and Mechanical Properties of Wall-rock of An Experimental Nuclear Waste Repository,” Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

25.     Zeng, Z., Ma, J., Liu, T., and Xu, X. 1992: “Geomechanical and Petrophysical Properties of Soft Rocks from Coalmines, China,” Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

Degree Dissertations and Theses

1.       Zeng, Z. 2002: “Laboratory Imaging of Hydraulic Fractures Using Microseismicity,” Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.

2.       Zeng, Z. 1993: “Experimental Study of Acoustic Emissions Induced by Deformation and Sliding of Typical Rock Discontinuities,” D.Sc. Dissertation, Institute of Geology, State Seismological Bureau, Beijing, China.

3.       Zeng, Z. 1987: “Geomechanical Characterization and Stability Prediction of Wall-rock in Fault-9 Section, Dayaoshan Railroad Tunnel,” M.S. Thesis, Southwest Jiaotong University, Sichuan, China.

4.       Zeng, Z. 1984: “Experimental Investigation of Texture Influences on the Failure Mode of Emei Mountain Basalts,” B.S. Thesis, Southwest Jiaotong University, Sichuan, China.

Membership

1.      Society of Petroleum Engineers

2.      American Rock Mechanics Association

3.      International Society for Rock Mechanics

4.      Geological Society of America

5.      American Geophysical Union

Address

Department of Geology and Geological Engineering

University of North Dakota
81 Cornell St MS 8358

Grand Forks, ND  58202 USA

Phone: (701) 777-3027
Fax: (701) 777-4449
E-mail: zeng@und.edu

Home page: http://www.geology.und.edu/zeng/index.html

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Last Updated:  June 18, 2009