Vertex Lab
Colorado School of Mines
At VERTEX (Visionary Energy Research in Technological Drilling & Exploration), we are committed to pioneering cutting-edge research in advanced drilling technologies and resource evaluation for subsurface energy applications, including hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, carbon sequestration, and space exploration.
We take an interdisciplinary approach, integrating drilling and subsurface engineering, geological sciences, and scientific modeling to tackle real-world energy challenges. Our group collaborates with industry leaders, national laboratories, and academic institutions to drive innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in advanced drilling and commercial energy extraction from subsurface resources.
I am Mohamed Shafik Khaled, an Assistant Professor in the Petroleum Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines. My academic and professional journey is dedicated to teaching and leading research initiatives in advanced drilling technologies, rock mechanics, and geothermal energy development.
My career began as a directional drilling engineer with one of the world’s leading energy services companies in Egypt, where hands-on experience shaped my understanding of the complex challenges faced by the energy sector. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Suez Canal and Cairo Universities, respectively. During my undergraduate studies, I regularly traveled 80 to 100 miles from Suez to Cairo to attend inspiring SPE lectures, igniting my passion for energy innovation. Equally memorable were my master’s research days in remote oilfields, where limited internet access made even downloading a single research paper a significant hurdle. My subsequent role as a Drilling Solutions Engineer deepened my appreciation for the transformative power of education and research.
After gaining substantial field experience, I made the pivotal decision to pursue a doctoral degree in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University. Following my Ph.D., I joined the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin as a Postdoctoral Fellow, later advancing to Research Assistant Professor at the Bureau of Economic Geology. These experiences further expanded my expertise and strengthened my enthusiasm for subsurface energy research.
Today, it is my privilege to be part of the Colorado School of Mines faculty, where I contribute to an outstanding academic community through teaching, mentorship, and pioneering research. Witnessing the intellectual and professional growth of my students, as they prepare to make significant contributions to the future of energy, remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
Core Focus Areas
At the Vertex Research Group, we advance drilling technology, rock mechanics, and geothermal energy solutions, aiming for safer, more efficient, and sustainable subsurface energy extraction. Our goal is continuous innovation and impactful contributions toward global energy sustainability.
- Experimental Drilling & Advanced Models
- Developing and validating hybrid models that integrate physics-based principles with machine learning to enhance real-time drilling decision-making and automation, supported by both lab-scale experiments and field validation
- Wellbore Integrity & Sustainable Well Repurposing
- Repurposing matured/abandoned hydrocarbon wells for geothermal, CO₂ storage, and hydrogen applications through integrity analysis and risk-informed feasibility assessment
- Superhot & Ultra-Deep Subsurface Engineering
- Creating durable, stable cement and drilling fluid formulations designed for extremely high-pressure/temperature environments in deep subsurface energy systems
- Geothermal Resource Evaluation & Techno-Economic Analsysis
- Evaluating geothermal resources by integrating heat flow mapping, subsurface analysis, and techno-economic modeling to assess project viability and support workforce development in geothermal energy