Dr. Mortadha Al Saba

Petroleum Engineering

Head of Petroleum Engineering
Associate Professor

Qualification: Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, USA

Research

  • Prevention and mitigation of lost circulation events
  • Laboratory evaluation of wellbore strengthening techniques
  • Drilling fluids design and optimization
  • Environmental drilling fluids
  • Application of nanoparticles for drilling fluids

Publications

  • Mohammed F Al Dushaishi, Ahmed Abbas, Mortadha Alsaba, Jarrett Wise. 2025. “Drilling Optimization Using Artificial Neural Networks and Empirical Models”. ChemEngineering.
  • Fatima R Salih, Farqad A Hadi, Mortadha T Alsaba. 2024. “Analysis of Surge and Swab ECD of Herschel Bulkley Fluids in Rumaila Iraqi Oil Field”. Iraqi Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  • Kingsley Amadi, Ibiye Iyalla, Radhakrishna Prabhu, Mortadha Alsaba, Marwa Waly. 2023. “Development of predictive optimization model for autonomous rotary drilling system using machine learning approach”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology.
  • Seyed Morteza Mirabbasi, Mohammad Javad Ameri, Mortadha Alsaba*, Mohsen Karami, and Amir Zargarbashi. 2022. “The Evolution of Lost Circulation Prevention and Mitigation Based on Wellbore Strengthening Theory: A Review on Experimental Issues”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. (4.346 Impact Factor)
  • Abbas, A. Alsaba, M., Al Dushaishi, M. 2021. “Comprehensive experimental investigation of hole cleaning performance in horizontal wells including the effects of drillstring eccentricity, pipe rotation and cuttings size”. ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology. (2.903 Impact Factor)
  • Al Dushaishi, M., Alsaba, M., Abbas, A., and Tariq Tashtoush. 2021. “Stick-slip investigation of dual drilling and reaming bottom hole assembly”. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science. (1.762 Impact Factor)
  • Abbas, A. Alsaba, M., Al Dushaishi, M. 2021. “Improving hole cleaning in horizontal wells by using nanocomposite water-based mud”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. (3.706 Impact Factor)
  • Bani Mustafa, A., Abbas, A., Alsaba, M., Alameen, M. 2021. “Improving drilling performance through optimizing controllable drilling parameters”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. (2.116 Impact Factor)
  • Al Dushaishi, M., Abbas, A. Alsaba, M., Abbas, H., Dawood, J. 2020. “Data-driven stuck pipe prediction and remedies”. Upstream Oil and Gas Technology – Elsevier
  • Alsaba, M., Al Dushaishi, M., Abbas, A. 2020. “Application of Nano Water-Based Drilling Fluid in Improving Hole Cleaning”. SN Applied Science – Springer.
  • Alsaba, M., Al Dushaishi, M., Abbas, A. 2020. “A Comprehensive Review of Nanoparticles Applications in the Oil and Gas Industry Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. (2.116 Impact Factor)
  • Al-Saedi, H., Flori, R., and Alsaba, M. 2020. “Investigation of Smart Waterflooding in Sandstone Reservoirs: Experimental and Simulation Study Part 2”. SPE Journal. (3.372 Impact Factor)
  • Alsaba, M., Al Marshad, A., Abbas, A., Abdulkareem, T., Al‑Shammary, A., Al‑Ajmi, M., and Emad Kebeish. 2019. “Laboratory evaluation to assess the effectiveness of inhibitivenano‑water‑based drilling fluids for Zubair shale formation”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. (2.116 Impact Factor)
  • Ahmed K. Abbas, Ralph E. Flori, Alsaba, M. 2019. “Stability Analysis of Highly Deviated Boreholes to Minimize Drilling Risks and Nonproductive Time”. ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology. (2.903 Impact Factor)
  • Ahmed K. Abbas, Salih Rushdi, Alsaba, M., Mohammed F. Al Dushaishi. 2019. “Drilling Rate of Penetration Prediction of High-Angled Wells Using Artificial Neural Networks”. ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology. (2.903 Impact Factor)
  • Jeennakorn, M., Alsaba. M, Nygaard, R., Saasen, A., and Nes, O. 2018. “The effect of testing conditions on the performance of lost circulation materials: understandable sealing mechanism”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. (2.116 Impact Factor)
  • Ahmed K. Abbas, Ralph E. Flori, Alsaba. M., Haider Dahm Ethar H.K. Alkamil 2018. “Integrated approach using core analysis and wireline measurement to estimate rock mechanical properties of the Zubair Reservoir, Southern Iraq”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. Volume 166, July 2018, Pages 406-419. (4.346 Impact Factor)
  • Husam H. Alkinani, Al-Hameedi, A., Shari Dunn-Norman, Ralph E. Flori, Hilgedick, S., Al-Maliki, M. Alshawi, Y., Alsaba. M., Ahmed Amer. 2018. “Examination of the relationship between rate of penetration and mud weight based on unconfined compressive strength of the rock”. Journal of King Saud University – Science, Available online 1 August 2018. (3.74 Impact Factor)
  • Ahmed K. Abbas, Ralph E. Flori, Ahmed AL-Anssari, Alsaba. M. 2018 “Laboratory analysis to assess shale stability for the Zubair Formation, Southern Iraq”. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering. Volume 56, August 2018, Pages 315-323. (4.965 Impact Factor)
  • Al-Hameedi, A., Husam H. Alkinani, Shari Dunn-Norman, Ralph E. Flori, Hilgedick, S., Amer, A., Alsaba. M. 2018. “Mud Loss Estimation Using Machine Learning Approach”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. (2.116 Impact Factor)
  • Husam H. Alkinani, Al-Hameedi, A., Shari Dunn-Norman, Ralph E. Flori, Alsaba. M., Ahmed Amer, Hilgedick, S. 2018. “Using data mining to stop or mitigate lost circulation”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. (4.346 Impact Factor)
  • Ahmed K. Abbas, Ralph E. Flori, Alsaba. M. 2018. “Estimating rock mechanical properties of the Zubair shale formation using a sonic wireline log and core analysis”. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering. Volume 53, May 2018, Pages 359-369. (4.965 Impact Factor)
  • Dheiaa Alfarge, Mingzhen Wei, Baojun Bai, Alsaba. M. 2018. “Lessons learned from IOR pilots in Bakken formation by using numerical simulation”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Volume 171, December 2018, Pages 1-15. (4.346 Impact Factor)
  • Alsaba, M., Nygaard, R., Saasen, A., and Nes, O. 2016. “Experimental Investigation of Fracture Width Limitations of Granular Lost Circulation Treatments”. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. DOI: 10.1007/s13202-015-0225-3.
  • Contreras, O., Alsaba, M., Hareland, G., Husein, M., and Nygaard, R. 2016. “Effect on Fracture Pressure by adding Nanoparticles to a Non- Aqueous drilling fluid for permeable formations”. Journal of Energy Resources Technology. JERT-15-1189. DOI:  10.1115/1.4032542.
  • Rahimi, R., Alsaba, M., Nygaard, R. 2016. “Analysis of analytical fracture models for wellbore strengthening applications: An experimental approach” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering. Volume 36, Part A, November 2016, Pages 865–874.
  • Alsaba, M., Al Dushaishi, M., Nygaard, R., Nes, O., and Saasen, A. 2017. “Updated Criterion to Select Particle Size Distribution of Lost Circulation Materials for an Effective Fracture Sealing”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. Volume 149, 20 January 2017, Pages 641–648.
  • Aldhaheri, M., Wei, M., Bai, B., Alsaba, M., 2017. “Development of machine learning methodology for polymer gels screening for injection wells”. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. Volume 151, March 2017, Pages 77–93.

Teaching

  • Associate Professor
    AU Aug 2022 – Current
  • Assistant Professor
    AU Aug 2017 – Aug 2022
  • Lecturer
    AU Aug 2016 – Aug 2017
  • Instructor
    Missouri University of Science and Technology.
    – Fall 2014, PET ENG 4210 Drilling and Well Design.
  • Teaching assistant
    Missouri University of Science and Technology.
    – Fall 2013, PET ENG 4210 Drilling and Well Design
    – Fall 2012, PET ENG 4210 Drilling and Well Design
    – Spring 2012, PET ENG 3520 Petroleum Reservoir Engineering
    – Fall 2011, PET ENG 2510 Properties of Hydrocarbon Fluids