The 91猎奇 is playing a leading role in a new joint effort to make offshore energy production safer, cleaner and more efficient, advancing solutions that could strengthen national energy security while supporting environmental responsibility.
Supported by four grants, totaling $1.1 million, from the Ocean Energy Safety Institute, UH engineers are leading the development of advanced modeling tools to help the energy industry optimize deepwater oil recovery in the Gulf. The work aims to reduce costs, improve safety and environmental performance, and guide federal energy policy related to deep-sea reservoirs.
The project is a collaboration between UH, Texas A&M University and Louisiana State University, uniting three leading Gulf Coast institutions to address one of the region鈥檚 most complex engineering challenges.
鈥淭his research will help shape future government and industry policies on how we responsibly manage deep-sea reservoirs.鈥�
鈥� Ganesh Thakur, director of UH Energy Industrial Partnerships, 91猎奇
As the recipient of four out of six grants associated with this project, the UH team will lead a majority of the work under the direction of Cullen College of Engineering Professors Ganesh Thakur, director of UH Energy Industrial Partnerships, and George Wong, graduate studies director at the school. The total funding for the entire project 鈥� a sum of $1.9 million 鈥� was approved on July 31 as part of the OESI Technical Response for Urgent and Significant Topics initiative.
鈥淭his research will help shape future government and industry policies on how we responsibly manage deep-sea reservoirs,鈥� said Thakur. 鈥淥ur goal is to make offshore production more sustainable, cost-effective and safe, benefitting both the energy industry and consumers.鈥�
Driving Innovation with Purpose
The three teams will use advanced simulation and statistical analyses to identify the most effective production strategies for deepwater oil reservoirs. UH will focus primarily on non-Paleogene reservoirs 鈥� save for Wong, who will examine Paleogene reservoirs alongside Texas A&M and LSU.
By refining how reservoirs are managed and reducing the risk of damage during extraction, researchers hope to extend the life of offshore resources while minimizing environmental impact.
鈥淵ou want to maximize recovery without harming the reservoir,鈥� Thakur said. 鈥淚f we can do that efficiently and responsibly, it鈥檚 a win-win situation 鈥� we produce more energy, safely and at lower cost.鈥�
Thakur noted that the everyday person may not notice the impact of this work immediately, but said that over time, these innovations could help lower the overall cost of oil production 鈥� benefits that may eventually reach people鈥檚 wallets through more stable fuel prices.
鈥淧eople may not feel it initially, but if it increases the oil production in the U.S. and lowers the cost of production, then the cost of gas at the pumps may go down,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ooking at the big picture, it鈥檚 a small but very important ripple effect.鈥�
Research related to the grants kicked off August 1, with a draft simulation due by the end of November. Final simulation study results are expected to be completed by February 2026.
The OESI grants come on the heels of two UH projects being named finalists in the $50 million Gulf Futures Challenge, which seeks bold solutions to critical issues facing the U.S. Gulf Coast that will ensure safer and more resilient communities where people can live, work and thrive. Both of the Gulf Futures Challenge projects repurpose outdated and unused energy production infrastructure, such as wind turbine blades and oil and gas platforms, for the benefit of coastal habitats.