Eugene Morgan
Associate Head for Undergraduate Education
Associate Teaching Professor
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
Penn State University
115 Hosler Building
University Park
office: 814-863-1642
eugene.morgan@psu.edu
Research Interests
My primary research activities focus on developing Bayesian inversion strategies for extracting information from seismic survey data. In particular, I investigate the use of seismic attenuation in these inversion strategies because intrinsic attenuation is theoretically linked more strongly to the hydraulic properties of a formation (i.e., porosity, permeability, saturation) than velocity. The non-linearity and multimodality of the rock physics equations that model attenuation warrant stochastic inversion techniques, and a Bayesian framework allows a convenient expression of prior geologic knowledge, as well as the predictions, in a probabilistic way. These methods can achieve a better characterization of reservoirs in the exploration phase.
I am also interested in solving problems in the oil and gas industry using statistics, BIG data analytics, and machine learning. A large focus is on well production data, where my group is using time series statistics, geostatistics, and pattern recognition techniques to improve forecasting and operational decision support.
Employment
- John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, Penn State 2014-present
- Adjunct Faculty, Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering & Department of Statistical Science 2012-2014
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Duke University, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering 2011-2012
- Research Fellow, Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute 2011-2012
Education
- Ph.D., Tufts University, Civil & Environmental Engineering 2011
- M.S., Tufts University, Civil & Environmental Engineering 2008
- B.S., U.C. Santa Cruz, Earth Sciences 2005
Courses Taught
- EME 210: Data Analytics for Energy Systems
- EME 303: Thermodynamics in Energy and Mineral Engineering
- EME 802: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems
- PNG 440: Formation Evaluation
- PNG 490: Introduction to Petroleum Engineering Design (capstone)
- PNG 566: Reservoir Characterization
Other Activities
- Participant in the National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP) 2017-2022
- Guest Editor, Mathematical Geosciences (IAMG 2019 Special Issue) 2020
- Scholarship Chair, SPE Pittsburgh Section 2014-2019
- Faculty Advisor, Penn State SPE Student Chapter 2014-2018