Meshal Alshalan
Research Engineer
Saudi Aramco
Saudi Arabia
Meshal is a seasoned energy professional with nearly seven years of experience at Saudi Aramco, currently serving as a Research Engineer at the EXPEC Advanced Research Center. He has a strong background in chemical engineering, with a Master of Science degree from MIT. Meshal's work focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), upstream hydrogen applications, and sustainable innovation. He has a proven track record of leadership, having led various projects and initiatives, including chemical optimization, digital tool development, and industry-sponsored research. Meshal is also a vocal advocate for youth development, global engagement, and climate action, and has received several prestigious awards for his work. He is committed to advancing clean energy technologies, mentoring future leaders, and promoting inclusive leadership and meaningful climate action. Throughout his career, Meshal has demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, and continues to drive positive change in the energy industry.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Technologies
Smart Infrastructure for the Future Energy Industry: Digitalisation & Innovation
Forum 18 | Hall 5 Digital Poster Plaza 4
12
October
15:30
17:30
UTC+3
Objective/Scope:
As the global energy transition accelerates, closed-loop geothermal systems are emerging as a promising source of sustainable baseload energy. This study introduces a robust geothermal screening model designed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of closed-loop systems at an early stage, enabling rapid assessment across diverse geological and operational conditions.
Methods, Procedures, Process:
The model integrates reservoir and wellbore thermal dynamics—such as mass flow rate, thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and temperature gradients—with cost components including drilling, operations, and maintenance. Leveraging AI-based simulation techniques, the screening framework estimates heat generation potential and associated lifecycle costs. The model is structured to rapidly process multiple scenarios, incorporating sensitivity to key subsurface and design parameters. This allows for the identification of high-potential configurations and regions suitable for further detailed analysis or field deployment.
Results, Observations, Conclusions:
The screening model effectively distinguishes between viable and non-viable system designs based on performance and economic indicators such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period. Results indicate that geofluid flow rates, temperature gradients, and drilling costs are the most influential parameters affecting system feasibility. The model provides a structured, data-driven approach to prioritize projects and guide decision-making before committing to more resource-intensive optimization or field development.
Novel/Additive Information:
This geothermal screening model offers a scalable and flexible tool for industry stakeholders to evaluate closed-loop geothermal systems in a wide range of settings. By integrating technical performance with economic considerations early in the assessment phase, the model supports faster, more informed decisions that can accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy within the global sustainable energy mix.
As the global energy transition accelerates, closed-loop geothermal systems are emerging as a promising source of sustainable baseload energy. This study introduces a robust geothermal screening model designed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of closed-loop systems at an early stage, enabling rapid assessment across diverse geological and operational conditions.
Methods, Procedures, Process:
The model integrates reservoir and wellbore thermal dynamics—such as mass flow rate, thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and temperature gradients—with cost components including drilling, operations, and maintenance. Leveraging AI-based simulation techniques, the screening framework estimates heat generation potential and associated lifecycle costs. The model is structured to rapidly process multiple scenarios, incorporating sensitivity to key subsurface and design parameters. This allows for the identification of high-potential configurations and regions suitable for further detailed analysis or field deployment.
Results, Observations, Conclusions:
The screening model effectively distinguishes between viable and non-viable system designs based on performance and economic indicators such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period. Results indicate that geofluid flow rates, temperature gradients, and drilling costs are the most influential parameters affecting system feasibility. The model provides a structured, data-driven approach to prioritize projects and guide decision-making before committing to more resource-intensive optimization or field development.
Novel/Additive Information:
This geothermal screening model offers a scalable and flexible tool for industry stakeholders to evaluate closed-loop geothermal systems in a wide range of settings. By integrating technical performance with economic considerations early in the assessment phase, the model supports faster, more informed decisions that can accelerate the adoption of geothermal energy within the global sustainable energy mix.
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Infrastructure
CCS Hub Facilities
Forum 09 | Hall 5 Digital Poster Plaza 2
14
October
11:30
13:30
UTC+3
Modern oil and gas production faces the challenges of increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Our purpose was to develop the enhanced CO2 sequestration via its mineralization into mining and industrial wastes in surface conditions. The objectives of the study were: 1) demonstrating the high potential of industrial wastes to sequester CO2, 2) identifying key factors enhancing carbonization intensity, and 3) developing the extraction of the strategic components from the CO2 mineralization products.
The investigation of CO2 mineralization by mining and industrial waste was carried out using the original experimental technique. The experiments simulate physical-chemical conditions on the surface in locations of waste storage, which is especially relevant for further scaling of the technology and its direct testing at industrial facilities. The technique allows monitoring in detail over time the intensity of the mineralization process and determining the degree of CO2 sequestration by the solid material. Among the factors regulating the efficiency of mineralization, the main ones are the granulometric composition of waste, temperature, humidity of the environment, and fluid composition.
The investigation demonstrated the critical role of the granulometric composition of waste, the composition and amount of solution, and temperature on the kinetics of the carbonatization reaction and the efficiency of the CO2 mineralization process into industrial waste. As a result, the impact of each physicochemical parameter on the rate and degree of mineralization was identified, and the most effective waste treatment conditions for obtaining maximum CO2 binding into carbonates were demonstrated. The first series of laboratory tests on the samples of metallurgical slags, as well as basic and ultrabasic rocks of the mining industry, were conducted at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The results demonstrate the dynamics of CO2 uptake over 10 wt.% for the first month of treatment with the maximum uptake over 25 wt.%. The research allows to conclude that the proposed technique provides not only efficient CO2 sequestration into solid mineral phases but also suggests sustainable solutions for the management of the large groups of inorganic wastes, namely mine tailings, iron and steelmaking slags and cement wastes. The proposed technique is also an effective route for the disintegration of materials for the subsequent recovery of residual minerals.
The research demonstrated the huge potential of inorganic waste, accumulated annually by millions of tons in mining, industrial, and power facilities, for CO2 mineralization. New breakthrough approach to waste management in surface conditions has been developed and applied. In addition to high CO2 binding, the technique allows for cheaper disintegration of waste to recover residual minerals. Thus, we have been able to optimize solutions to the challenges of industries while ensuring the sustainable development conditions.
The investigation of CO2 mineralization by mining and industrial waste was carried out using the original experimental technique. The experiments simulate physical-chemical conditions on the surface in locations of waste storage, which is especially relevant for further scaling of the technology and its direct testing at industrial facilities. The technique allows monitoring in detail over time the intensity of the mineralization process and determining the degree of CO2 sequestration by the solid material. Among the factors regulating the efficiency of mineralization, the main ones are the granulometric composition of waste, temperature, humidity of the environment, and fluid composition.
The investigation demonstrated the critical role of the granulometric composition of waste, the composition and amount of solution, and temperature on the kinetics of the carbonatization reaction and the efficiency of the CO2 mineralization process into industrial waste. As a result, the impact of each physicochemical parameter on the rate and degree of mineralization was identified, and the most effective waste treatment conditions for obtaining maximum CO2 binding into carbonates were demonstrated. The first series of laboratory tests on the samples of metallurgical slags, as well as basic and ultrabasic rocks of the mining industry, were conducted at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The results demonstrate the dynamics of CO2 uptake over 10 wt.% for the first month of treatment with the maximum uptake over 25 wt.%. The research allows to conclude that the proposed technique provides not only efficient CO2 sequestration into solid mineral phases but also suggests sustainable solutions for the management of the large groups of inorganic wastes, namely mine tailings, iron and steelmaking slags and cement wastes. The proposed technique is also an effective route for the disintegration of materials for the subsequent recovery of residual minerals.
The research demonstrated the huge potential of inorganic waste, accumulated annually by millions of tons in mining, industrial, and power facilities, for CO2 mineralization. New breakthrough approach to waste management in surface conditions has been developed and applied. In addition to high CO2 binding, the technique allows for cheaper disintegration of waste to recover residual minerals. Thus, we have been able to optimize solutions to the challenges of industries while ensuring the sustainable development conditions.
