KU hosting international conference on petroleum engineering techniques

LAWRENCE — Experts on the latest techniques in oil recovery from around the world are gathered in Lawrence for the next two days for a prestigious international conference hosted by KU.

The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering is hosting the 12th International Symposium on Reservoir Wettability and its Effects on Oil Recovery today and tomorrow at the Oread Hotel.

Wettability refers to the interaction between fluid and solid phases and is defined by the contact angle of the fluid with the solid phase. Most petroleum engineering processes are affected by the wettability of the rock surface. The overall process is a key component in maximizing the amount of oil that can be extracted from underground reservoirs.

Nearly 70 people are scheduled to attend the conference, which has drawn visitors from as far away as China, Norway and Brazil.

“It’s an honor for KU to host this conference, and it shows KU’s stature as a worldwide leader in petroleum engineering research,” said Reza Barati, assistant professor of petroleum engineering and organizer of the conference.

For more details, visit the conference website.