Research
Vertex Lab
Current Research Projects
Real-Time Downhole Temperature Monitoring
We are developing a physics-informed neural network (PINNs) model capable of capturing the transient behavior of mud and downhole temperature profiles in real time. This enables proactive temperature management and the selection of optimal cooling strategies during drilling operations. Our ultimate goal is to integrate the model into a comprehensive drilling advisory system to support safer and more efficient drilling decisions.
Automated Fracture Detection
Our team is developing AI-assisted workflows that use routinely collected drilling data to automatically detect and classify natural and induced fractures in real time. By integrating continuous wavelet transform (CWT) analysis with machine learning models, our system identifies key fracture signatures and estimates formation mechanical properties directly from surface and downhole drilling signals.
Proactive Hybrid Risk Assessment Framework for High-Risk Drilling
We developed a probabilistic risk assessment framework for EGS drilling using data from seven Utah FORGE wells. By applying a hierarchical Bayesian MCMC model to over 550 validated NPT events, we established the first empirically validated risk taxonomy for geothermal drilling. The framework identifies five dominant NPT categories, including rig equipment failure, directional tools, logging tools, operational/personal, and hole cleaning/instability, accounting for over 60% of total NPT, transforming risk management from reactive troubleshooting to proactive forecasting.
Intelligent Risk Intelligence Platform for Wellbore Integrity
We are developing a predictive risk intelligence platform that integrates gas leakage physics, machine learning risk scoring, and multi-criteria decision analysis to assess wellbore integrity across 50,000 legacy wells in Colorado. The platform generates statewide integrity risk maps, enabling reliable identification of high-risk wells and forecasting future integrity performance. It supports cross-sector asset management across oil & gas, geothermal, and CCUS operations.