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

Curriculum vitae

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

Other Activities