Bakelli’s Participation Propels Him into the Forefront of Carbon Sequestration Research
University of Utah PhD student Omar Bakelli recently participated in the 20th annual Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) program, held from July 21-30, 2024, across Colorado and Wyoming. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), RECS 2024 provided an immersive experience for emerging leaders in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and the broader energy transition.
This year’s program featured a mix of interactive content, including site tours, live lectures, a geology field excursion, discussion sessions, and group exercises. Key highlights included:
- Industry Keynotes: Insights from pioneers in the CCUS field.
- CCUS Communication Sessions: Training on effectively communicating complex concepts.
- Geology Field Trip: Exploration of storage and sealing formations’ outcrops.
- Facility Visits: Tours of cutting-edge sites such as Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Dry Fork Station and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
In addition to these activities, participants had the opportunity to network with the broader RECS community, which boasts over 700 alumni. Building on decades of DOE and industry investment, the CCUS sector is poised to play a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the clean energy transition. The RECS community continues to lead and influence these efforts both nationally and globally.
For Bakelli, the RECS 2024 experience was transformative, deepening his understanding of CCUS technologies, expanding his network of like-minded young leaders, and empowering him to drive impactful change in the field.
Future CCUS Leadership
Omar Bakelli is a Ph.D. student in Civil & Environmental Engineering and a Graduate Research Assistant at the Energy & Geoscience Institute, working under the guidance of Dr. Brian McPherson and Dr. Ting Xiao. His research, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, focuses on improving numerical simulations of multiphase flow in porous media—a key factor in ensuring the secure long-term storage of CO2 underground. With prior experience as a field engineer with Halliburton, Bakelli brings a blend of practical and academic expertise to his work. He holds dual master’s degrees in petroleum engineering and hydrogeology from the University of North Dakota and Kasdi Merbah Ouargla University in Algeria. He is expected to graduate in August 2027.
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