i.

Impact of grain roughness on residual nonwetting phase cluster size

distribution in packed columns of uniform spheres

imaged the pore-scale distribution of air and water within packed columns of glass spheres of
different, textures using x-ray microcomputed tomography. activities that enhance grain
roughness by, e.g., creating acidic conditions in the subsurface, will promote, capillary
trapping of nonwetting phases under capillary-dominated conditions. Enhanced trapping, in
turn, maybe desirable in some engineering applications such as geological CO2 storage, but
detrimental to others such as groundwater remediation and hydrocarbon recovery.

ii. Automated extraction of in situ contact angles from micro-computed

tomography images of porous media

automatic algorithm for measuring in situ contact angles from both 2D and 3D pore space
images. The algorithm is based on a fine estimate of contact angles from planes fit across
the fluid/fluid and fluid/solid surfaces of two immiscible fluids in porous media. The
algorithm was then applied to an air/water/glass system.

iii. Enhanced Oil Recovery by Polymer Flooding: Direct, Low-Cost Visualization in a

Hele–Shaw Cell
iv. A Low‑Cost, Non‑hazardous Protocol for Surface Texturing of Glass Particles
 1. Tell us about yourself

Country and Academic background, my job

Assisting courses: Petrophysical and Well log interpretation, Enhanced oil recovery,
Reservoir Engineering, Production Engineering

working experience thesis, research, published articles

2. Tell us about your experience

Academic experience

I have gained more knowledge about the research and writing skills by accomplishing my
undergraduate thesis titled “Natural Gas Production Optimization using Integrated Production
Modelling tool (IPM)”. The thesis allowed me to get better acquainted with Petroleum Experts
modelling tool as an Optimization tool for Field Development Planning. I also did my Master’s
research thesis titled ‘‘Discrete fracture Network modelling and Simulation of Ordovician
Fractured Carbonate reservoir, Tahe Oilfield’’. In parallel to my thesis works, I have succeeded
to publish two papers in peer reviewed journals and participated in field works in a karst
investigation research project in Lichuan which sharpen my research abilities of outcrop
investigation, sample processing, lab test and geological analysis

3. Why do you want to do PhD?

I have enjoyed my academic work so far but I feel I have got more to offer as independent
researcher. I am a passionate about research in my area of specialization so I want to make
original contribution/new knowledge. I have a dream to accomplish something big others
can and build on in future.

4. Why this university? Why have you chosen to study a PhD at this university?

Prestigious university (top 20) and good reputation in petroleum engineering. The structure
of the courses, research facilities (advanced imaging techniques 3D Xray imaging) and learning
methodology (75% research output). Enthusiastic supervisors with the same research interest.
They will help me improve the skills I need to become a leader to influence and lead others in
their chosen profession in the future.

Location:

It’s in industrial energy environment in Europe and a home for about 900 companies (BP,
CNOOC, senergy, E &P, rovotics, readwell) in the energy sector. This university is my perfect
place to study.

5. How do you fit for this position/Project? What will you contribute? What makes
you the right candidate for this PhD? Explaining why your previous work makes
you a good fit for this particular PhD?

I am the kind of person who will look to make the most of the proposed project and provide
a return on the time, money and resources that the university is considering investing in my
potential. I’m eager to take advantage of the facilities and expertise this university has to offer.
But I also want to contribute with my own expertise and enthusiasm. My previous work has
given me the skills to make the most of the material involved in this project and I’m motivated
to take up new training opportunities as relevant. I’ll be proud to be a part of this department
and would actively seek to represent it through my own publications and other research
outputs.

6. What difficulties do you expect to encounter during this PhD project? If you stuck
with your research and don’t know what to do what would you do?

All projects involve their own potential pitfalls and complications. Overcoming them will be
part of completing a PhD. You can learn more from your failures than successes

I will stay positive, patience and tolerance and think why am not achieving goals and
planning and keeping track of what I have achieved so far, Acknowledge and discuss and
seeking positive feedback from team members.

7. How do you deal with stress?

Good to get involved in things outside of your studies like sports, clubs or faith communities.

8. How do you deal with conflicts?

In my experience, where there is conflict it really helps to try and see things through the other
person's eyes and to ask them open-minded questions to discover why they feel about things.
Once you see the facts from the other’s perspective it’s easier to discuss how to reconcile
different positions and make the situation less personal. Once conflict has passed you need to
put in place measures to ensure it doesn’t recur. I noticed this was how things were handled
when I worked part-time at store I worked for

I've actually been really fortunate with my supervisor/s and we haven't had any significant
conflict, but perhaps I could tell you about a conflict I had with one of my course coordinators,
if that would be relevant here?"

9. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I feel that I’m a good written communicator. My existing academic and professional work
demonstrates an ability to put forward ideas clearly and concisely. I think this will help me
manage the weight of information my PhD research needs to cover and the challenge of
producing an effective thesis. But, I’m not always as organised as I’d like to be. I want to
address this as part of my postgraduate training and hope to take advantage of classes and
development opportunities early in my doctorate.

Bad writer, I need to work on my scientific that’s why I want collaborate with you and other
students,

Good collaborator and helping others.

10. What you plan to do after PhD? /Future plans

Having obtained my PhD, upon returning home in my role as an academic staff, I will
contribute towards capacity building of petroleum experts in my country through producing
competent graduates, who will work for the government or private companies in addressing
oil and gas energy challenges as one of the priority areas in Tanzania. I will also do more
cutting-edge research to try and provide answers to most burning or interesting questions in
my area of expertise, helping to influence government policies and plans for the betterment
of achieving middle income status
 11. Why the project you proposed in your proposal? Why this project?

This PhD appeals to my existing research interests. The project is the best combining a
different research angle (Physics, Earth & energy Sciences and Engineering) that will meet my
professional needs. To specialise and develop new expertise.

I have got more to offer on this topic and I feel more work need to be done which other
researchers have not paid attention to so am looking to address it. Digital rock analysis (X-
ray micro-CT to image the micron-scale distribution of fluid-fluid pairs) has raised huge
research interest in recent years as a replacement for traditional laboratory techniques
characterising flow properties relative permeability, residual trapping. Key to modelling the
movement of fluids. e.g. for CO2 sequestration and hydrocarbon production, deep in
the subsurface.

Other projects didn’t seem to offer the same possibilities to pursue the questions that really
interest me.

12. Why Move to UK?

The UK and the USA are the global leaders for providing world-class education. Degrees in the
UK are shorter. This makes studying in the UK comparatively cheaper and saves your time.

13. Biggest achievements in your life?

School life achievements and job, Successful publications needing Skills you have mastered.

14. Skills you may improve working in this research group?

Transferable skills like Analysis & Problem-Solving, presentation & public speaking,
experiment design, teaching, networking, Written & Oral communications skills, time
management, Collaboration and team work.

15. Advantages taking this PhD Position?

16. How would you plan communicating your research results? What would you like
the impact of this project to be?

measurable effects of research outside academia.

I’m really interested in communicating my research to a wider audience, but don’t know
how best to go about doing this. I’m keen to share my passion for this subject with a
wider audience.

17. How many articles you plan to publish? Type of article

As many as possible. This includes book chapters, conference proceedings and of
course, journal papers.
18. What is your expectation of supervisor?

Your supervisor will play a vital role in your PhD. Expertise in your subject area. meeting to
discuss your work, reading drafts and being available. Self-driven asking for feedback and
suggestion from supervisor. Advice and support
 19. Are there any training needs you can identify ahead of your PhD?

You will have required courses to take, especially if you do not have a master's degree yet,
but these are designed merely to compliment your research and provide a broad and deep
knowledge base to support you in your research endeavors. Make sure the PhD program has
a variety of research options, and learn about as many research groups as possible in your
first year.

20. How will you fund this project?

Yet the panel will want to be sure that you understand the cost involved in doing a PhD and
have some kind of plans in place.

I’ve shortlisted external funders and would be keen to investigate any small bursaries or
other forms of support through the university. I’ve also made arrangements to work part-
time, with the option to adjust this if my funding situation improves.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

1. What will the supervision arrangements be for the project?

2. What kind of training and skills sessions are offered as part of the PhD programme?
3. Will I have opportunities to teach / present / publish? Are there any possibilities to
help with teaching?
4. Does the department provide support in learning English writing skills?
5. What other research topics are in this department outside of your project?
6. Are there any social activities for PhD?
7. Other PhD candidates who work with similar research topic?
8. How many other PhD students has this supervisor seen to completion?
9. Are there likely to be any changes to the funding arrangements for the project?
10. Is the university or department likely to run any events or other associated projects
during the period of my PhD?
11.