166: Mark Kittridge and Carlos Torres-Verdin
In this episode of the People Behind Energy podcast, Dr. Carlos Torres-Verdín (Professor at the University of Texas at Austin) and Mark Kittridge (Principal and Manager of the Quantitative Interpretation Team at Occidental Petroleum) explore the 26-year history and future of the UT Austin Formation Evaluation Consortium. The conversation details Dr. Torres-Verdín’s journey in establishing an independent academic program for formation evaluation, Mark Kittridge’s perspectives as a long-time industry sponsor, and the core physics behind subsurface reservoir measurements. They also examine how multiphysics modeling, novel sensors, and artificial intelligence are advancing petrophysics, driving reservoir recovery factors, and enabling energy transition applications such as CO2 sequestration.
Key Highlights & Timestamps
- Celebrating 26 Years of Innovation: The conversation opens with reflections on the 26-year uninterrupted legacy of the UT Austin Formation Evaluation Consortium and its pivotal role in advancing petrophysics.
- Mark Kittridge’s Longhorn Legacy: Mark shares his journey coming to UT Austin in August 1986 for his Master's in Petroleum Engineering under Dr. Larry Lake, discussing how his graduate work laid the foundation for his industry career.
- Dr. Carlos Torres-Verdín’s Career Path: Carlos outlines his academic and industry path, from earning his PhD at UC Berkeley to conducting research at Schlumberger (SLB) and working in operations at YPF in Argentina before joining UT Austin in July 1999.
- Pitching the Consortium Vision in 2000: Carlos recalls pitching his vision for an academic unit dedicated to formation evaluation, pushing back against the perception that petrophysical technology had reached its limit.
- Early Consortium Impact: Mark discusses the immediate value the consortium brought to operators by tying tool physics directly to multiphysics, multiscale data, quantitative interpretation, and downhole formation testing.
- The Power of Academic Neutrality: The guests discuss how UT Austin provided a neutral, independent research environment to maximize measurement value without commercial tool bias.
- The Future of Subsurface Physics: Carlos highlights future research frontiers, focusing on complex heterogeneous rocks, new in situ sensors, fast computing, and combining physical laws with artificial intelligence to boost reservoir recovery factors.
- Demystifying Formation Evaluation: Mark and Carlos break down how petrophysicists translate indirect wellbore measurements (density, acoustic, electromagnetic) into key reservoir properties like porosity, fluid saturation, and permeability.
- Evolution of the University JIP Model: The group analyzes how university-led Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) must evolve amid changing academic landscapes and shifting industry funding priorities.
- Subsurface Engineering in the Energy Transition: Mark details his work in CO2 sequestration, explaining how traditional petroleum engineering methodologies are being repurposed for carbon capture, groundwater management, and global energy solutions.