Regina, Saskatchewan- I am pleased to announce that I have successfully completed the course requirements for my PhD study at the University of Alberta, securing A+ grades across all courses. 

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the professors in the petroleum engineering program for their unwavering guidance and support throughout the rigorous academic journey. 

Regina, Saskatchewan- Extending heartfelt wishes from our family to yours, may this Christmas be filled with joy and the upcoming New Year bring you abundant happiness!

In the spirit of the season, allow the words of Luke 2:10-11 to resonate in our hearts: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"

This holiday, we find ourselves in the Queen city of Regina, Saskatchewan, reconnecting with old friends. Embarking on a 7.5-hour drive from Edmonton, we were greeted by unseasonably warm weather. It has been nine years since our last stay in Regina, and the warm welcome from our friends has made the return all the more heartwarming.

Edmonton, Alberta- Lixing has been recognized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) for his dedication and contribution through volunteer service.

Lixing has been an enthusiastic contributor to various roles within SPE. Among his notable contributions, the involvement in the 2023 SPE ATCE Startup Village stands out, where innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit converge to shape the future of the petroleum industry. Lixing played a key role in this event, contributing to its success and impact.

In addition, Lixing serves as an Energy4me Ambassador, embodying the spirit of outreach and education within the energy sector. This role involves inspiring and educating the next generation of professionals about the diverse opportunities and challenges in the field..

Edmonton, Alberta- I am pleased to announce that I have been honored with the prestigious Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship.

The Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship is a distinguished recognition awarded to students who exhibit exceptional academic achievements in their pursuit of graduate studies within the province.

Since embarking on my doctoral journey at the University of Alberta, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence. My academic journey has been marked by a series of notable achievements, including being the recipient of the Graduate Recruitment Scholarship, the Petro-Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Donald Lougheed Engineering Graduate Scholarship. 

I express my gratitude to Dr. Babadagli and Dr. Li for their invaluable guidance throughout my academic journey. Additionally, I extend my sincere appreciation for the financial support provided by the sponsors, which has played a crucial role in facilitating my academic pursuits.

Our research work titled "Understanding the Dynamics of Matrix-Fracture Interaction for Suitable Fracturing Fluid Design and Chemical EOR in Unconventional Oil/Gas Recovery" will be presented at the SPE Canadian Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition on March 13, 2024 in Calgary, AB. See you in Calgary next year!

San Antonio, Texas -Researchers from various institutions presented their papers on "Modeling and Characterization of Challenging Reservoirs" in the afternoon session at the SPE ATCE conference. The session, which was chaired by Dr. Subhash Ayirala from Saudi Aramco PE&D and Dr. Baojun Bai, a distinguished professor from Missouri University of Science & Technology, delved into a variety of interesting topics, including Low Salinity Polymer (LSP) Flooding, Fluid Transport, and phase behavior in unconventional reservoirs.

Lixing had the privilege to share his work from the EOGRRC group at the University of Alberta on accurate saturation pressure predictions in nanopores. This critical research has far-reaching implications for the oil and gas industry, and it didn't go unnoticed. The attentive audiences at the session showed immense interest and appreciation for the findings presented. Dr. Tayfun Babadagli also shared his comments on the impacts of the confinement on the phase behaviors of hydrocarbons in real reservoir rocks during the Q&A session.

Dr. Yalda Barzin, a Reservoir Engineering Advisor at Repsol, offered her gratitude for our innovative work presented during the session. She noted that the research may hold the key to understanding the enigmatic prolonged gas-oil ratio observed in their field data.

This session at the SPE ATCE conference not only provided a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise but also underscored the vital role of collaborative efforts and innovative research in tackling the challenges in unconventional reservoirs. The presentation by Lixing and the enthusiastic response from the audience have set a promising trend for future research in this domain.

As the SPE ATCE conference continues, it's clear that this year's event is a hub for groundbreaking discoveries and discussions, proving once again that innovation and collaboration drive the energy industry forward.

San Antonio, Texas - The second day of the SPE ATCE conference in San Antonio dawned with a burst of energy and innovation. Attendees from around the world gathered at the Henry B. González Convention Center to witness the future of the energy industry unfold.

Lixing had the opportunity of volunteering for SPE to facilitate the Startup Village competition, setting the stage for a day of groundbreaking presentations. Eager to contribute to this dynamic event, Lixing welcomed and briefly introduced the attendees to the exciting Startup Village competition program. With over 50 attendees in the audience, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

Ten pioneering startup companies were poised to present their innovations, and the attendees were more than ready to absorb the potential these companies had to offer. Although I didn't have a chance to watch the presentations, I was stationed at the door coordinating the event. The attendees were captivated by the sheer promise and creativity exhibited by these startups. They could clearly see the transformative potential in these emerging innovations.

Sarath Ketineni, Project Manager at Chevron Tech Ventures representing one of the industry giants, demonstrated a strong desire to invest in some of the startup companies. His enthusiasm was a testament to the quality and ingenuity of the presentations.

However, the true essence of this volunteering experience was not just in witnessing groundbreaking innovations but also in the connections formed. Lixing had the privilege of working closely with Natan Battisti, a Planning & Economics Adviser at Harbour Energy based in London, UK. Our collaboration in facilitating the event fostered camaraderie and an exchange of ideas between two professionals with diverse backgrounds.

Lixing and other volunteers such as Yu Bian, Application Manager at Cargill, successfully created an environment where attendees, investors, and entrepreneurs could come together, share insights, and build lasting connections.

The Startup village competition was a testament to the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and global networking that defines the energy sector. 

Stay tuned for more updates from the SPE ATCE conference in San Antonio as I continue to explore the latest trends and developments in the world of energy.

San Antonio, Texas - I was excited as I embarked on my journey from Calgary to San Antonio with a brief layover in Denver. The reason for this journey? The highly anticipated SPE ATCE conference. After a seamless flight and a smooth landing in San Antonio this afternoon, I couldn't help but share my initial impressions of this vibrant Texan city.

A Riverside Stroll to Remember: One of the highlights of my day was taking a leisurely walk along the San Antonio River. As evening descended, the city transformed into a dazzling display of lights, perfectly complemented by a gentle, breezy wind. 

A City with a Wild Side: San Antonio may be known for its rich history and cultural heritage, but it also revealed a wild side during my first hours here. The city's inhabitants seemed to have a penchant for defying traffic norms. People boldly crossed the streets whenever it suited them, disregarding traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. On top of that, I witnessed daring motorcyclists performing stunts with a single wheel, zooming through the streets at high speeds during the night. The city's wild streak added an unexpected twist to my initial impression.

Southern Hospitality Shines Bright: What truly stood out during my initial exploration of San Antonio was the friendliness of its residents. Even as a newcomer, I felt warmly welcomed by the locals. As I ventured through the neighborhood during the evening, I was greeted with smiles and friendly hellos from many of the people I encountered. It's evident that San Antonio is a city where Southern hospitality reigns supreme.

In the days to come, I look forward to delving deeper into the heart of this enchanting city and participating in the SPE ATCE conference, where the world of energy technology will undoubtedly take center stage. San Antonio has already proven itself to be a city of surprises, from tranquil riverfronts to the unexpected thrill of its streets, all underpinned by the warmth of its people.

Stay tuned for more updates as I explore this Texan gem and the latest in energy technology at the SPE ATCE conference.

Edmonton, Alberta -The Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Students’ Association (CEEGSA) achieved a remarkable feat as they organized a vibrant kick-off event that brought together over 150 graduate students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Held at Fred Pheasey Engineering Commons, the event was made possible through the dedicated volunteer work of all the CEEGSA executive team members, such as AJ Darras (President), Gabriel Capettini (VP External), and Lixing Lin (VP Academic-Petroleum), Kiera Greenaway (VP Student Life), Mohammad Babaei (VP Academic-Transportation).

The atmosphere at the event was electric, with students enthusiastically participating in various activities that fostered camaraderie and collaboration. One of the highlights of the evening was the Bingo ice-breaker game, which provided an entertaining platform for students to interact and connect with their peers in the department. This game not only broke the ice but also paved the way for meaningful conversations and new friendships.

Apart from the ice-breaker game, students were treated to a delightful spread of pizza, which added to the jovial atmosphere. As the evening progressed, board games were brought out, adding an extra layer of fun and competition to the event. Students engaged in friendly matches and strategized their way to victory, showcasing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.

CEEGSA's commitment to fostering a sense of community and promoting idea-sharing was evident throughout the event. Attendees had the opportunity to exchange thoughts and insights on various topics related to their programs, creating a platform for intellectual growth and collaboration.

The success of the CEEGSA kick-off event sets a promising tone for the upcoming academic year, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among graduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. It serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the executive team members and the vibrant spirit of the student community.

Our paper titled "Accurate prediction of the saturation pressures of hydrocarbons in unconventional reservoirs: A modified alpha-function for the Peng-Robinson equation of state" will be presented at SPE ATCE conference San Antonio, Texas on October 17, 2023.