The University of Tulsa's Petroleum Engineering Department

Hemanta Mukherjee received his B.S in Petroleum Engineering from Indian School of Mines. He worked briefly in ONGC, India, prior to joining TU in 1975 for his graduate studies in Petroleum Engineering. In TU he received his M.S and PhD degrees in Petroleum Engineering. After graduation from TU, he worked for Gulf Research and Development Company in Haramarville, Pennsylvania prior to joining Flopetrol-Johnston unit of Schlumberger in early 1981. Recently he retired from Schlumberger as a technical advisor, production enhancement after serving in many technical and management positions in three different product lines and in Schlumberger oilfield services.

He just founded an integrated production optimization company, iPoint LLC based in Westminster, Colorado. Hemanta has authored/co-authored many publications in diverse areas spanning multiphase flow in pipes, reservoir simulation, artificial lift, well completion and well stimulation. He has also coauthored a SPE Monograph on two phase flow with Dr. James P. Brill.

Hemanta has volunteered to serve SPE in many technical committees over the years. He was a member of SPE board of director’s six guru’s project to coordinate the redefinition of technical interest groups in production operation after twenty plus years. Hemanta is a SPE Distinguished Author, Distinguished Lecturer in 1996-’97, and recipient of SPE Production and Operations Award for the year 2000 and a Distinguished Member since 2004.

Hemanta in his own words:

Why did you choose TU?

I was very interested in Production engineering as I was working as a facilities engineer in an oilfield in India with all kinds of production problems due to organic and inorganic scales, poor completion and inefficient artificial lift methods. I knew about the Fluid Flow Project, Dr. Brown and Dr. Brill. So I chose TU.

How was your education useful in your career?

After teaching in a few reputed Universities and professionally interacting with many Petroleum engineers, I am convinced that TU at the time offered the most balanced course work in Petroleum engineering that included Drilling, Production and Reservoir engineering. I mainly focused myself on Production and Reservoir engineering. I think my exposure in these areas is really fair and balanced. I also believe that without this balance you cannot fully comprehend these individual areas.

Any fond memories?

First winter in Tulsa: One early Saturday morning I came out of my grad student’s office on the north campus and saw my 1968 Dodge Coronet frozen from all sides with sleet. I could not open any of the doors. I started pouring hot water on the key hole - but failed to keep up with the heat losses creating more ice. Dr. Thompson of Chemical Engineering Dept. was also working late that night. My car was parked just outside his office. When he noticed my desperation and struggle, he asked me to get a match box or a lighter. I finally got a lighter through one of the security guards. Dr. Thompson came out with the lighter, heated the key, put it through the key hole and opened the door. Best roadside help I ever received.