Engr. Prof. Boniface Obah

Professor

PhD in Petroleum Engineering; M. Sc. in Petroleum Engineering
Email: boniface.obah@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Boniface Obah is a Shell Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He studied at the Technical University of Clausthal Germany, where he obtained a PhD in 1982. Boniface was a recipient of Federal Government (Nigeria) Scholarship and German Scholarship for specially gifted students. He is also a fellow of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Germany. After a brief stint at Mobil Nigeria Unlimited, he joined Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where he served as a Head of Department of Petroleum Engineering for nine years. He became a professor of Petroleum Engineering in the year, 2000. He has been in the university system for more than twenty-five years and he is also a 25-year member of SPE. His recent research area is ‘‘Coning in Oil Rim Reservoirs’’ where he has developed a functional software for SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd), in 1998. He is also quite versed in the area of Oil and Gas Processing Technology and has been conducting training workshops for ExxonMobil Nig. Plc and Total Nig. Plc in this discipline since 2005. He has to his credit over sixty papers in Reservoir Engineering, Formation Evaluation, Enhanced Oil Recovery and Phase Equilibrium.

Academic Qualification

  • Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship 1974 – 1977   
  • German Scholarship for specially gifted students 1978 – 1982 (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung).   
  • Fellow Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany.  
  • Member National Universities Commission Accreditation Panel to Faculty of Engineering, Bendel State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.  
  • External Examiner, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Undergraduate/Graduate 
  • Exams, University of Uyo, Institute of Petroleum Studies, Uniport, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Bauchi   
  • Federal University Of Technology, Owerri Silver Jubilee Awards For Attracting Research Grants And Linkage Programmes to The University (2007).  
  • Since 1st October 2007, Shell Professor of Petroleum Engineering.      
  • Recipient of TETFund National Research Fund/Grant, November 2018  

Affiliations

  • MSPE
  • MNSE
  • COREN

Courses Assigned to Teach

  • PET 407 (Well logging)
  • PET 505 (Reservoir Modelling and  Simulation) 
  • PET 513 (Offshore Operations)    
  • PET 803 (Oil and Gas Processing) 

WORKING EXPERIENCE

  • One year as a Research Fellow in Petroleum Research Institute, W. Germany, 19/2/82 – 31/12/82.   
  • Two years industrial experience, as a Petroleum Engineer in Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd.; 5/1/82 – 3/12/84.
  • 3/12/84 – 30/9/88 Lecturer 1, 1/10/88 – 31/9/93 Senior Lecturer in the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.   
  • 1/10/93 Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri    
  • Since 1/10/2000 Professor of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Research Interests

  • Improving the efficiency of the crude oil treating processes
  • Producibility Scenarios of naturally repressured Reservoirs
  • Relative Permeability Model by Thin Film Flow
  • Drilling Optimization
  • Improving Oil Recovery from thin bed Reservoirs
  • Adaptation of Local Materials for the pollution control

Publications

PUBLICATION AND OTHER PRODUCTIVE WORKS  

  1. Neumann, H. J., Pacynsk – Lahme, B., Obah, B.: Basis of the Mechanism for the Mobilization of Residual Oil in Surfactant Flooding. “Erodöl, Erdgas Zeitschrift” – The Oil and Gas Monthly 98, 3/82, 96 – 99.  
  2. Obah, B., Neumann, H. J.: The Formation of Microemulsion in the System Oil/Highsaline Formation Water/Surfactant Co Surfactant. “Tenside Detergents” 20 (1983)3, 145 – 152.  
  3. Obah, B.: Problems arising from the Chemical Demulsification of Crude Oil emulsion in a Niger Delta Oil Terminal – Nigeria. “Erodöl & Kohle Erdgas petrochemie” Hydrocarbon Technology, 41 February 1988, 486 – 489.  
  4. Obah, B., Neumann, H. J.: Deasphalting of Crude Oil Distillation Residues with Carbon dioxide. “Erodöl & Kohle Erdgas Petrochemie” Hydrocarbon Technology, 40, November 1987, 486 – 489.  
  5. Obah, B.: Over Pressure – A Drilling Hazard in the Niger Delta. “Erodöl & Kohle Erdgas Petrochemie” Hydrocarbon Technology, 42, September 1988, 339 – 343.  
  6. Obah, B.: Reserves Estimation and Producibility Scenarios of naturally Repressured Reservoirs: Proceeding of 15th Annual Internal Conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. (1991, 49 – 55)  
  7. The Importance of Microemulsion for Enhanced Oil Recovery. “24th Bayreuther Kolloid Kolloquium”, W. Germany 17th October 1980. (Referred).  
  8. Obah, B.: Adulteration of Gasoline Kerosine: Sources and Implications (62 – 81) Proceedings General Relations – Symposium for NNPC: Pipelines and product Marketing Co. Ltd.  
  9. Obah, B.: Fundamentals of Drilling Fluids. Paper presented to the Polymer Institute of Nigeria Airport Hotel, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, 22nd June 1992.  
  10. Obah, B.; Oil Pollution in Perspective (in press readings in Environmental Perception).  
  11. Chukwu O., Obah B; Relative Permeability Model by Thin Film Flow in Cylindrical Capillary Tube, (SPENC 9726), Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual International Conference Port Harcourt Nigeria, 1997.  
  12. Chukwu, O., Obah, B.: Magnitude of Capillary Pressure of Thin Flow in Cylindrical Capillary Tube, (SPENG 9726), Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual International Conference Port Harcourt Nigeria, 1997.  
  13. Obah, B.: Preventing Premature Pulling Out of Bit, Erdol Erdgas Kohle (Hydrocarbon Technology) April, 1997 pp 168 – 171.  
  14. Chukwu, O.; Obah, B.: Improved Soil Fertility with Spent Drilling Waste a Form of Environmental Pollution Control in the Niger Delta CEENACON-99 Imo State University, Nigeria.  
  15. Obah, B.; Ghofrani R.; El-moghawry E. M.; “Repermeabilitat Geschadigter Bohrkerne Durch Microemulsionsbildung Bei Sauurebehandlung” restoring Permeability of Demaged Gores Through the Formation of Microemulsion During Acid Treatment. (Tenside,. Surfactants Detergents). 35 (1998) 5 pp  346 – 35.  
  16. Chukwu, O.; Obah, B.: “Condensate Injection Soak as an Enhanced Oil Recovery Technique in the Niger: Erdol Erdgas Kohle (Hydrocarbon Technology) January 1999 pp 27 – 29.  
  17. Chukwu, O.; Obah, B. “Three Phase relative Permeability Correlation at Low  Liquid Concentrations; SPE International Annual Conference August 4 – 7 1998.  
  18. Chukwu, O.; Obah, B.: Influence of Wettability on the capillary Behaviour of Residual Oil in the Porous media. Nigerian Journal of Science and Technology, 6(1) 1537 – 1545 1999.  
  19. Editorial Board Member, Nigerian Journal of Petroleum and Energy.  
  20. Obah, B.: “Phasenverhalten von nigerianischen Erdolen/Wasser durch Zusatz von Tenside und Cotenside” Phase Behaviour of Nigerian Oils/Waters by the Addition of Surfactant and Cosurfactant. Erdol und Erdgas Kohel; February, 2001 pp 81 – 88.  
  21. Obah, B.; Chukwu, O.: A Generalised Approach to Coning problems; OIL GAS European Magazine; September 2000 pp 26 – 29.  
  22. O. Chukwu.; B. Obah: Three-Phase Relative Permeability Correlation at Very Low Oil Saturation; OIL GAS European Magazine; March 2002 pp. 23 – 25.  
  23. Onwukwe, S.I and Obah, B. (2004) “Natural Gas Utilization – A Feasibility for Local Distribution in Nigeria.” Journal of Research in National Development, Vol 2 No.2 pp 1-4.  
  24. Duru, U.I., Chukwu, G.A. and Obah, B. “Hydraulic Evaluation of Drilling Fluid Performance on Hole Cleaning for Different Rheological Models”. SPE 98792 paper presented at 29th Annual SPE International Technical Conference and Exhibition – 2005.  
  25. Izuwa N.C., Onwukwe S.I., Obah B. “Prospects of National Gas Hydrate Technology in Nigeria Gas Management” Journal of Research in  Engineering” Accepted for Publication 2006.  
  26. S. I. Onwukwe and B. Obah. “Production Optimization in Thin – Oil Column with Horizontal Well Placement; OIL GAS European Magazine; March 2009 pp 121-123.     
  27. Boniface Obah, Aniefiok Livinus, and Chima M. Ezugwu “Simplified Models for Forecasting Oil Production: Niger Delta Oil Rim Reservoirs Case”, Petroleum  Technology  Development  Journal  (ISSN  1595-9104)  An International Journal, Vol. 2; No 2, July 2012.  
  28. Livinus Aniefiok and Boniface Obah, “A new approach of splitting C6+ composition of pipeline gas for hydrocarbon dew point determination” 2013, J Petrol Explor Prod Technol DOI10.1007/s132020130073-y.  
  29. Livinus Aniefiok and Boniface Obah, “Investigation of Potential Gas Condensate Reservoirs in Niger Delta for Produced Gas Recycling: A Generic Simulation Approach” International Journal of Petroleum Science and Technology, ISSN 0973-6328 Volume 7, Number 2 (2013), pp. 203-220.  
  30. Institute of Petroleum Studies Convocation Anniversary in Port Harcourt, (November 2008), presented a paper on “The Future of Petroleum Education in Nigeria”.  
  31. Distinguished Lecture Series (May 2010), Topic: Well Construction Hydraulics in Challenging Environments.  
  32. Anyadiegwu C.I.C, Anyanwu E.E and Obah B. “Development and Conversion of Depleted Oil Reservoirs for Underground Gas Storage in Nigeria”. International Journal of Engineering Innovations, ISSN 2276-6138 Volume 4, Number 3 (2012), pp. 24-38.  
  33. C.I.O. Kamalu, Ogueke N.V., Anyanwu E.E., Obah B., Okolie I.J. “Modeling Nigeria Petroleum Reservoir With/Without Initial Reserves”. Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences, ISSN 2141-7016 Volume 4, Number 3 (2013), pp. 533-540.  
  34. Izuwa N.C, Obah B., and Appah Dulu. “Optimal Recovery of Condensate Reservoir through Gas Cycling”. International Journal of Petroleum Technology Development, ISSN 1595-9104 Volume 1 (2014), pp. 71-86.  
  35. Obah B., Livinus A., Akpan S.E. “Proposed Equations for Crude Oil Theft  Volume (And Volume-Share) Estimations in Oil Transport Pipeline Network”. Academic Research International Vol. 5(5) September 2014, Pp. 112-118.  
  36. Onwukwe S.I, Duru U.I, Obah B. “Performance of Water Injection in Oil Rim Reservoir Recovery Factor”. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology ISSN: 2321-5178 Volume 4, Issue 3, (2014), Pp. 31-38.  
  37. Onwukwe SI, Ogbuagu CI, Obah B. Review of Radial Drilling Technology and Viable Prospect in Mature Field Development in the Niger Delta. Journal of Petroleum Engineering and Technology (JoPET). 2015; 5(2): 60–66p.  
  38. Kamalu C.I.O., Appah D., Obah B., Anyanwu E.E., Objiaku J.C., Uzondu F.N., Okolie I.J., Oghome P. “Predicting Modeling of Nigerian Peak Condensate Using Hubbert’s Zero Annual Reserve Rate”. ISSN 2250-0758 Vol. 5 (2015), pp. 501-511.  
  39. Ibeh S.U., Chibueze S.E., Obah B., (2017). “PVT Analysis: Validity Checks and EOS Tuning Techniques for Retrograde Gas Condensates”. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology (JoPET). 7(2): 44-53p.  
  40. Ibeh S.U., Obah B., (2017). “Challenges and Prospects of the Use of Horizontal Directional Drilling Techniques for Laying Oil and Gas Pipelines in Nigeria”. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology (JoPET). 7(2): 920p.  
  41. Ibeh S.U., Chibueze S.E., Obah B., (2017). “An Investigation of Dehydration Inefficiencies and Associated Design Challenges in a Gas Dehydration UnitA Case Study of X-Gas Plant”. Journal of Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development, ISSN 1925-5438, Vol 14, No1. pp. 1-8.  
  42. Ohaegbulam C., Ibeh S.U., Obah B.O, Ahamefula C. and Nnakaihe S.E. (2017), “A Realistic Gas Kick Simulator for Casing Design-Part 1”, SPE 189167, presented at the 41st Society of Petroleum Engineers’ NAICE conference, Lagos  
  43. Nnakaihe S.E., Duru U.I., Ohia P.N., Obah B.O. and Nwabia F.N. (2017),“ Enhancing the Effectiveness of Vertical Water Injection Wells With Inflow  Control Devices (ICDs): Design, Simulation and Economics” (CSCanada) Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development Vol. 13, No. 2, 2017, pp. 1-15   
  44. Chukwudi Ohaegbulam, Stanley Ibeh, Obah Boniface, Stanley Onwukwe (2018). A realistic kick simulator for casing design part 2: well design and execution. Paper SPE 193390 presented at the 42nd Annual SPE  
  45. Ohaegbulam C., Ibeh S.U., Obah B.O, Ahamefula C. and Nnakaihe S.E.(2017), “A Realistic Gas Kick Simulator for Casing Design-Part 1”, SPE 189167, presented at the 41st Society of Petroleum Engineers’ NAICE conference, Lagos    
  46. Nnakaihe S.E., Duru U.I., Ohia P.N., Obah B.O. and Nwabia F.N. (2017),“ Enhancing the Effectiveness of Vertical Water Injection Wells With Inflow  Control Devices (ICDs): Design, Simulation and Economics” (CSCanada) Advances in Petroleum Exploration and Development Vol. 13, No. 2, 2017, pp. 1-15   
  47. Chukwudi Ohaegbulam, Stanley Ibeh, Obah Boniface, Stanley Onwukwe (2018). A realistic kick simulator for casing design part 2: well design and execution. Paper SPE 193390 presented at the 42nd Annual SPE International Conference and Exhibition, 6th August – 8th August 2018.  
  48. International Conference and Exhibition, 6th August – 8th August 2018.  

TECHNICAL REPORTS

  1. Experimental Investigations leading to the explanation of the mechanism of the mobilization of residual oil using surfactant flooding method. German Ministry or Research and Technology: Energy research report 93 – ET 3063) Dec. 1981.  
  2. Etim 4-YY8 Oil in Place Estimation. Interoffice Correspondence, N 0282 (2 – 79) Mobil Producing Nigerian Unltd. 28/2/84.  
  3. Mechanism for the  Resolution of Crude oil emulsion. “Sonderforschungsbereich 134, B6 Erdöltechnik-Erdölchemie”. German  Research Community: Special Research Report on Crude Oil Technology, 1986.  
  4. 1980 Annual Research Report on Enhanced Oil Recovery; Petroleum Research Institute, W. Germany, pages 1-6.  
  5. Annual Research Report on Enhanced Oil Recovery, Petroleum Research Institute, W. Germany, Pages 2 -10.  
  6. Annual Research Report on Enhanced Oil Recovery, Petroleum Research Institute, W. Germany, Pages 1- 6.  
  7. The system Crude Oil – Hydrogen sulfide by temperatures above 100Oc, Petroleum Research Institute, W. Germany, 31/10/88.  
  8. Petroleum Product Demand Survey for Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, Consultant to NNPC: Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd. Pages 1 – 35.  
  9. Feasibility Study of a Modular type Gas Gathering Plant for Power Generation and LPG Production; presented at the  PTDF Annual Research Competition (December 2010).  
  10. Feasibility Study of Gas Recycling in SPDC Gas Condensate Reservoirs. Final Report submitted 2012.  
  11. De-bottlenecking Study of Gas Measurement of Izombe Flow Station. Aug. 2012 Research Study for ADDAX Pet. Company.  

 

PRODUCTIVE WORK    

MINOR PRODUCTIVE WORK  

  • Designed a high-pressure filtration apparatus for autoclaves, which allows filtration under pressures of autoclave contents. W. Germany, 3/79.  

 

MAJOR PRODUCTIVE WORK  

  • Obah B/Chukwu O: Developed Three Software Spreadsheet Packages for Coning/Cusping for Shell Pet. Dev. Co. Nig. Ltd Contract No EO 7735, 1998.  

 

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND LEARNED SOCIETIES

  1. The Prospects of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Paper Presented to the SPE Week, FUTO, 1989.  
  2. Sand control in the Niger Delta and appraisal of the methods available. Paper Presented to the SPE Week, FUTO, 1990.  
  3. Design Consideration for Continuous Flow Gas Lift Installations. Paper presented to the Society’s of petroleum Engineering Week, FUTO, 1992.  
  4. Reserves Estimation and Producibility Scenarios of Naturally Repressured Reservoirs: 15th Annual International Conferences of the SPE, 1991.  
  5. The importance of microemulsion for the enhanced oil recovery. “24th Bayreuther Kolloid Kolloquium”, W. Germany. 17th October, (Referred).  
  6. Chemical Flooding with the in-situ formation of Micro-emulsion. Petroleum Research Institute Seminar, W. Germany, 3/4/81.  
  7. Overtreating with Chemical Demulisfiers. Petroleum Research Institute Seminar, W. Germany, 8/9/86.  
  8. Workshop on “Memorandum of Understanding”, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Port-Harcourt, 10/12/87.  
  9. Area Engineering Technology in a Nigerian Oil Terminal: Engineering and Technology Seminar, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 8/7/85.  
  10. Symposium on Technology for service Experience in Engineering  Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 8/2/86.  
  11. Obah, B. “Stopping Gas Flaring in the Niger Delta – An Economic Proposition” SPE Week Federal University of Technology Owerri, 1998.  
  12. Chukwu, O. and Obah, B. “Corrosion Control in Wells with High water-Cut in the Niger Delta” NICA Conference Port Harcourt. 1999.  
  13. SPE Paper 140743 Presentation by Omeka J.E, Livinus A. and Boniface Obah entitled ‘A Proposed Cone Breakthrough Time Model for Horizontal Wells in  Thin Oil Rim Reservoirs’. 34th SPE NAICE, Tinapa, Calabar-Nigeria. 31st July – 7th August 2010.    
  14. SPE Paper 163039 Presentation by Onwukwe S.I, Boniface Obah and Chukwu entitled ‘A Model Approach of Controlling Coning in Oil Rim Reservoirs’. 36th SPE NAICE, Lagos – Nigeria, 6-8th August 2012.  
  15. SPE Paper 162998 Presentation by Livinus Aniefiok and Boniface Obah entitled ‘Power Law Concept on Darcy’s Flow Model: A New Approach for  Analysing Gas/Condensate Deliverability.  36th SPE NAICE, Lagos – Nigeria, 6-8th August 2012.  
  16. SPE Paper 172398 presentation by Stanley Ibeh, Boniface Obah, Stephen  Nnakaihe, Valentine Umeh, entitled. “Improving the Accuracy of Gas Measurements/Gas Accounting in the Oil and Gas Industry – Pitfalls and Remedies (A Case Study of an Onshore Field in Nigeria)”. 38th SPE NAICE, Lagos – Nigeria, 5th-7th August 2017.     
  17. SPE Paper 189135 presentation by Stanley Ibeh, Samuel Chibueze, Ifeyinwa Onugha, Boniface Obah, entitled “Performance Analysis of Gas Cycling Operation in Retrograde Gas Condensate Reservoirs – A Niger Delta Case Study”. 41st SPE NAICE, Lagos – Nigeria, July 31st – 2 August 2017    
  18. SPE Paper 189167 presentation by Chukwudi Ohaegbulam, Stanley Ibeh,  Boniface Obah, Vivian Amaefula., Stephen Nnakaihe, entitled “A Realistic  Gas Kick Simulator for Casing Design-Part 1”. 41st SPE NAICE, Lagos – Nigeria, July 31st – 2 August 2017.  
  19. 32nd SPE NAICE (August 2008), Theme: ‘Innovation to Meet the Challenges of Global Energy Demand’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  20. International Conference, Theme: ‘Alternative Energy Sources’, in Berlin Germany (September 2008), which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  21. Institute of Petroleum Studies Convocation Anniversary in Port Harcourt, (November 2008), presented a paper on “The Future of Petroleum Education in Nigeria”.  
  22. 33rd SPE NAICE (August 2009), Theme: ‘Future Energy Dynamics:  
  23. Sustainability, Research and Technology’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  24. 34th SPE NAICE (August 2010), Theme: ‘Meeting World’s Energy Supply and Demand: The Role of Africa’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  25. Distinguished Lecture Series (May 2010), Topic: Well Construction Hydraulics in Challenging Environments.  
  26. 35th SPE NAICE (August 2011), Theme: ‘Global Energy Dynamics: Challenges and Opportunities in the African Region’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  27. 36th SPE NAICE (August 2012), Theme: ‘Future of Oil and Gas: Right Balance with the Environment and Sustainable Stakeholders Participation’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.   
  28. NSE ‘Harmony 2012’, Theme: ‘Strategies for Promotion of Sustainable Technology-Based and Production-Driven’.  
  29. 37th SPE NAICE (August 2013), Theme: ‘To Grow Africa’s Oil and Gas Production: Required Policy, Funding, Technology, Techniques and Capabilities’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.   
  30. 38th SPE NAICE (August 2014), Theme: ‘Africa’s Energy Corridor: Opportunities for Oil and Gas Value Maximization through Integration and Global Approach’, which was sponsored by the SPDC.  
  31. 39th Nigeria Annual International conference and exhibition (4th – 6th August 2015), Theme: “Natural Gas Development and Exploitation in an Emerging Economy- Strategies, Infrastructure and Policy Framework”.  
  32. 40th Nigeria Annual International conference and exhibition (2nd – 4th August 2016), Theme: “Transparency in the Oil and Gas Business: An Imperative for Energy Security and Stability”.  
  33.  41st Nigeria Annual International conference and exhibition (31st July- 2nd  August 2017), Theme: Riding the Waves of Boom and Bust: Common Objectives, Diverse Perspectives”.  
  34. 42nd Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (6th- 8th August 2018), Theme: Diversification of the Nigerian Economy – the Oil and Gas Industry as an Enabler”. Held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria.  
  35. 43rd Nigerian Annual International Conference and Exhibition (5th -7th August). Theme: “Artificial Intelligent, Big Data and Mobile Technology: Changing the Future of the Energy Industry “. Held at Eko Hotel, Lagos Nigeria.