Faculty Directory

Luis Zerpa headshot

Luis E. Zerpa

Harry D. Campbell Endowed Chair in Petroleum Engineering
Associate Department Head, Associate Professor
Director of the Center for Rock & Fluid Multiphysics

Contact Information

Room 215 Marquez Hall

  • Minerals and Subsurface Energy

Biography

Luis E. Zerpa joined the Mines Petroleum Engineering Department in April 2013. Before joining Mines, he was an assistant professor at the University of Zulia, Venezuela. Dr. Zerpa has consulting experience leading the reservoir simulation studies of an industrial offshore chemical EOR pilot project developed by the Venezuelan National Oil Company (PDVSA). He holds a B.S. (2001) and M.S. (2004) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Zulia, and a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from Colorado School of Mines (2013). His research interests are in the areas of reservoir engineering, fluid flow in porous media, enhanced oil recovery, flow assurance and multiphase flow modeling, and natural gas hydrates as potential energy source. He is a member of the SPE, ACS and ASME.

Education

  • PhD, Colorado School of Mines
  • MS, University of Zulia
  • BS, University of Zulia

Research

Reservoir engineering, fluid flow in porous media, enhanced oil recovery, flow assurance and multiphase flow modeling, natural gas hydrates as potential energy source.

Additional Information

https://crusher.mines.edu/

Website

Research Pillars

Earth | Energy

Research Focus Areas

Advanced Resource Extraction Production & Processing | Decarbonizing Energy Across Industries | Earth & Planetary Processes | Exploring the Subsurface through Modeling & Mapping | Harnessing Renewable Energy Sources | Optimizing Fossil Fuels

Research Keywords

Carbon Capture & Storage | Earth System Modeling & Prediction | Enhanced Oil & Gas Recovery | Fluid Dynamics | Geothermal Exploration & Energy Technologies | Low- and Zero-Carbon Energy | Natural Gas Exploration | Pipeline Transportation | Reservoir Characterization & Engineering | Reservoir Modeling | Subsurface Fluid Dynamics | Unconventional Reservoirs