Gonzalo Zambrano Narvaez, P.Eng., Ph.D.

Area of Study / Keywords

Subsurface Energy Systems Geotechnical Centre Mine tailings Geotechnical Centrifuge Physical Modelling CO2 geological Storage CCUS network risk modelling Rock Mechanics High Pressure and High Temperature Rock Physics Modelling Geothermal Deep geological repository

About

In the past ten years, Dr. Gonzalo Zambrano has been involved academically and professionally in innovative applications of rock and soil mechanics principles to environmental and energy-related studies. During this time, Dr. Zambrano helped lead efforts in the establishment of advanced laboratory facilities – GeoREF (high temperature/pressure experimental lab), GeoCERF (beam centrifuge research facility) and GeoPrint (3D printing of rocks and fractures) – and he contributed to the development of the reservoir geomechanical modelling platform, GeoRMT. Dr. Zambrano have engaged and collaborated with public and private sector organisations, pushing the boundaries of physical modelling research in GeoCERF forward at an accelerated pace.

Dr. Zambrano welcomes applications from a diverse range of individuals, including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scholars, enthusiastic undergraduate students, and M.Eng degree seekers in fields like, subsurface energy, geotechnical engineering, mining tailings engineering, and civil engineering. The program strongly encourages those eager to gain research experience to apply.

Research

Dr. Zambrano is keen on expanding his research endeavors in the following areas: ❶ Investigation of the resilience of subsurface energy utilization, including underground hydrogen storage (UHS), geothermal applications and deep geological repository; ❷ Establishment of a network dedicated to carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS); ❸ Development of physical and numerical models to study the multiphase flow in porous media; ❹ Implementation of comprehensive measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) techniques for injected fluids in field-scale programs, encompassing both shallow and deep horizons (> 3000 m); ❺ Advancement of an advanced laboratory program utilizing 3D printing of porous media to validate numerical models; and  ❻ Utilization of advanced AI-ML applications for risk management in subsurface energy systems.

Peer-reviewed Journal Papers

1. Shamsedine, D., Hamdi, P., Ishutov, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Winhausen, L., Chalaturnyk., R.J., Amann, F. (2024) “Exploring the Brittle Behavior of 3D-Printed Sandstone Analogs Under Various Stress Conditions” Engineering Geology Journal (under review).
2. Araujo-Guerrero, E.F., Alzate-Espinosa, G. A., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2024) “Geomechanical laboratory testing for sand production characterization using 3D printed core analogues” Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources (accepted).
3. Lopez-Saavedra, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Ishutov, S., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2024) “The Influence of Displacements Arising from Shear Motion on Two-Phase Flow through 3D-Printed Fractures" Geoenergy Science and Engineering. 236, May 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212731.
4. Sanchez-Barra, A., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2023) “An In-Depth Analysis of Strength and Stiffness Variability in 3D-Printed Sandstones: Implications for Geomechanics” Energies 2023, 16, 5406. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16145406.
5. Hodder, K., Sanchez-Barra, A., Ishutov, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2022) “Increasing density of 3D-printed sandstone through compaction” Energies, 15(5) 1813.
6. Arias-Buitrago, J.A., Alzate-Espinosa, G.A. , Arbelaez-Londoño, A., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2021) "Experimental Study on the Effect of Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Unconsolidated Silty Sandstones" Energies 14(21) 7007.
7. Ishutov, S., Hodder, K., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2021) "Replication of Carbonate Reservoir Pores at the Original Size Using 3D Printing" Petrophysics , 62(5).
8. Ishutov, S., Hodder, K., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2021) "A 3D printing short course: a case study for applications in the geoscience teaching and communication for specialists and non-experts" Frontiers in Earth Science, section Solid Earth Geophysics (9)
9. Song, R., Wang, Y, Ishutov, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Hodder, K.J., Chalaturnyk, R.J. Liu, J., Gamage, R.P. (2020). "A comprehensive experimental study on mechanical behavior, microstructure and transport properties of 3D-printed rock analogs" Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 53(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02239-4 .
10. Liu, L., Thomsen, P*., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Deisman, N., and Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2020). "Anisotropic Borehole Response from Pressuremeter Testing in Clay Shale Caprock", Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 58(8), 1159-1179.
11. Ardila, N., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2019) "Wettability Measurements on 3D Printed Sandstone Analogues and Its Implications for Fluid Transport Phenomena" Transport in Porous Media. 129, 521-539.
12. Gomez, J.S., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2019) "Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Behaviour and Permeability of 3D Printed Sandstone Analogues Under Triaxial Conditions" Transport in Porous Media. 129, 541-557.
13. Primkulov, B.  Chalaturnyk, J., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2017) "3D Printed Sandstone Strength: Curing of Furfuryl Alcohol Resin Based Sandstones" 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, Vol 4. No 3.
14. Alzate Espinosa, G.,  Arias Buitrago, J.A., Morales Monsalve, C.B., Arbelaez Londoño, A., Naranjo Agudelo, A., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2017)" Permeability and porosity changes in unconsolidated porous media due to variations of confining stress and temperature - An experimental study". Boletin de Ciencias de la Tierra, Vol 41  - July 2017.
15. Martinez-Garzon, P, Bohnhoff, M., Kwiatek, G., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J.  (2013) "Microseismic monitoring of CO2 injection at the Penn West EOR Pilot, Canada: Implications for detection of wellbore leakage". Sensors, Sep 2;13(9):11522-38.
16. Zambrano-Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2011). "Case Study of the Cementing Phase of an Observation Well at the Pembina Cardium CO2 Monitoring Pilot, Alberta, Canada". International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 5, 841-849.

Dissertation 

Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2012) "Design, Deployment, Performance and Assessment of Downhole and Near Surface Monitoring Technology for Geological CO2 Storage" PhD Thesis, University of Alberta, Canada.

Conference

1.    Peralta, Y.,  Ganesh, A., Zambrano, G., Chalaturnyk, R., Rangriz Shokri, A. (2024) Development of Fast Predictive Models for CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery and Storage in Mature Oil Fields, SPE-221978-MS, SPE ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Nov 4-7.

2.    Ganesh, A., Shokri, AR., Peralta, Y., Zambrano, G., Chalaturnyk, R., Nickel, E. (2024) “A System Identification Approach for Spatiotemporal Prediction of CO2 Storage Operation in Deep Saline Aquifers” SPE Canadian Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, March 2024. SPE 218059-MS.

3.    Cartagena-Pérez, D. F., Rangriz-Shokri, A., Zambrano–Narvaez, G., Pantov, D., Wang, Y., Hawkes, C., & Chalaturnyk, R.  (2024) “Scaled Physical Modeling of Cyclic CO2 Injection in Unconsolidated Heavy Oil Reservoirs Using Geotechnical Centrifuge and Additive Manufacturing Technologies” SPE Canadian Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, March 2024. SPE-218047-MS.

4.    Uribe-Patino, J. A., Casero, A., Dall'Acqua, D., Davis, E., King, G. E., Singh, H., Rylance, M. Chalaturnyk, R. Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2024) “A Comprehensive Review of Casing Deformation During Multi-Stage Hydraulic Fracturing in Unconventional Plays: Characterization, Diagnosis, Controlling Factors, Mitigation and Recovery Strategies” SPE Hydrauli Fracturing Technology Conference. Woodlands, Texas, USA. SPE 217822-MS.

5.    Ganesh, A.,Rangriz Shokri, A., Peralta, Y., Zambrano Narvaez, G.,Chalaturnyk, R.J., Nickel, E., (2023)” A Risk-Based Proxy Modeling Approach to Assess the Performance of CO2 Storage Operation in Deep Saline Aquifers” First EAGE Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Sequestration in Latin America 5 - 6  October 2023, Medellín, Colombia.

6.    Cartagena-Pérez, D. F., Rangriz-Shokri, A., Zambrano–Narvaez, G., Pantov, D., Wang, Y., Hawkes, C., & Chalaturnyk, R. (2023). Geotechnical Centrifuge Modeling of Multiphase Flow and Geomechanics Aspects in Shallow Unconsolidated Heavy Oil Reservoirs. Gussow. Banff, Alberta.

7.    Cartagena-Pérez, D., Rangriz-Shokri, A., Zambrano–Narvaez, G., Pantov, D., Wang, Y., Hawkes, C., & Chalaturnyk, R. (2023). Investigation of Geomechanical Issues during CO2 Injection in CHOPS Reservoirs using a Geotechnical Centrifuge. EOR Technical Collaboration Program - IEA. Calgary, Alberta.

8.    Cartagena-Pérez, D., Rangriz Shokri, A., Zambrano Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2023) “ Scaled Physical Modeling of CO2 Cyclic Injection Process in A Heterogeneous Unconsolidated Sandstone Formation using Additive Manufacturing and Geotechnical Centrifuge Technologies” Inter Pore, Edinburgh, May 22-25. 

9.    Cartagena-Pérez, D., Rangriz Shokri, A., Zambrano Narvaez, G., Pantov, D., Wang, Y., Hawkes, C., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2023) “ Geotechnical Centrifuge Modeling of CO2 EOR in CHOPS Reservoirs” GeoConvention, Calgary, May 14-15. 

10.    Ganesh, A., Rangriz Shokri, A., Zambrano, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Nickel, E.  (2023) “Control-Relevant Fast Proxy Modelling of CO2 Storage Operation in Deep Saline Aquifers” GeoConvention, Calgary, May 14-15. 

11.    Simms, P., Xia, X., Patel, A., Parent, E., Beier, N., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2023) “ Rheology for deposition control and deposit failure risk analysis”, Proceeding on the 25th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings,  29 April – 3 May 2023.

12.    Korre, A., Durucan, S., Neele, F., Hurter, S., Pawar, R., Chalaturnyk, R.,  Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Estublier A., Coussy P., Anghel, S., MacLean, D., Sturgess, W. Burachok, O., Devaux, F., Arts, R., Pearson, J., Espie, T., Fujii, D. (2022) “ACTiON ERA-NET ACT project: Advanced multitemporal modelling and optimization of CO2 transport, utilization and storage networks”, Proceedings on the GHGT-16 conference, France. October 2022.

13.    Talman, T., RangrizShokri, A., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Nickel, E. (2022) “Anomalous Start-Up Pressure Signals of a Bubble-Tube System for Downhole Pressure Determination at the Aquistore CO2 Injection Site”, Proceedings on the GHGT-16 conference, France. October 2022.

14.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Wang, Y., Chalaturnyk. R.J. (2022) “Predicting Multi-lift mine tailings consolidation with Centrifuge physical modelling and numerical simulation”, 10th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Daejeon, Korea, September 20 – 23.

15.    Jia, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk. R.J. (2022) “Physical Modelling of Synthetic Over-consolidated Shale Deflection” 10th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, Daejeon, Korea, September 20 – 23.

16.    Liu, L., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Deisman, N., Zambrano Narvaez, G. (2022) Evolutions of Dynamic Elastic Properties of Opalinus Clay under Varying Stress Paths. Proceedings on 56th U.S. Rock Mechanics Geomechanics Symposium, Santa Fe, 24 June – 1 July. 

17.    Araujo-Guerrero, E.F., Alzate-Espinosa, G.A., Osorio, J.G., Chalaturnyk, R., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2021) "Advanced geomechanically laboratory testing for sand production with aids of 3D printing technology" 55th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium held in Huston, Texas. USA, 20 - 23 June 2021. Paper No. 21-A-1848.

18.    Zambrano, G., Wang, Y., Chalaturnyk. R.J. (2021). "Assessing Consolidation Performance for Multi-lift in-Pit Oil Sands Tailings with a Geotechnical Beam Centrifuge". Proceedings of Tailings and Mine Waste 2021, November 6-10, 2021, Banff, Canada

19.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2021) "Permanent deep fluid recovery and bubble tube system for downhole pressure measurements deployed in Aquistore, a CCS integrated project". GeoConvention Virtual event. September 13-15. 

20.    Coronado, M., Diaz-Viera, M., Luna, E.E., Serrano, E., Valle-Molina, C., Lizardi, J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2021) "Biphasic flow in a porous medium subjected to centrifugal force" 7th Annual meeting of Mexican Interpore chapter held on Mexico City on March 4-5, 2021. 

21.    Rangriz-Shokri, A., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Pantov, D., Wang. Y., Hawkes, C., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2021) "On the Design of a Multi-Phase Flow Geotechnical Centrifuge Cell to Explore Geomechanical Implications of CO2-Based Cyclic Injection in CHOPS Reservoirs" CSPG Gussow Geoscience Conference Series. March 10 -11. 

22.    Lopez-Saavedra, S., Ishutov, S., Chalaturnyk, R., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2020) "Important of Improving Material Removal from Polyjet 3D Printed Models" Proceedings ECMOR XVII - 17th European Conference on the Mathematics of Oil Recovery, 14-17 September 2020, Online Event. 

23.    Ishutov, S., Hodder, K., Zambrano Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R. (2020) "3D printing of rock analogs in sand: a tool for design and repeatable testing of geomechanical and transport properties" Proceedings of GeoConvention, virtual event September 21-23, 2020

24.    Zambrano Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Wang, Y. (2019) "Mine Tailings Consolidation Properties Derived from Beam Centrifuge". Proceedings of Tailings and Mine Waste 2019, November 17-20, 2019, Vancouver, Canada.

25.    Ansah-Sam, M.*, Stianson, J.*, Rudolf, K.*, Zambrano Narvaez, G. (2019) "Comparison of Oil Sand Tailings Consolidation Properties Derived from Beam Centrifuge and Large-Strain Consolidometer Testing". Proceedings of Tailings and Mine Waste 2019, November 17-20, 2019, Vancouver, Canada.

26.    Dunmola, A.*, Mikula, R.*, Ali, M.*, Siman, R.*, Lorentz, J.*, Zambrano Narvaez, G., and Chalaturnyk. R.J. (2019) "Impact of Residual Bitumen of the Long-term Consolidation of FFT". Innovation Summit COSIA, Calgary, Alberta, June 3-4.

27.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2019). "State of the art geomechanical triaxial tests at the millimeter core scale to examine scale influence of hydro- and multiphase properties changes of shales" CSPG Rock Analysis Workshop, Calgary, Alberta, March 21-22.

28.    Wang, Y., Zambrano Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2018). "Characterization of Baseline Tiltmeter Readings in Aquistore Geological CO2 Storage Project, Saskatchewan, Canada". International Conference on Field Measurements in Geomechanics, Rio de Janeiro, 16-20 July.

29.    Dunmola, A., Wang, N., Lorentz, J., Zambrano Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk. R.J. and Song, J. (2018) "Comparison of geotechnical bean centrifuge predictions to field data from 10 m deep FFT centrifuge cake columns". Sixth International Oil Sands Tailings Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, December 9-12.

30.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Wang, Y., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zahabi, A. and Rennard, D. (2018). "Assessment of Self-weight consolidation of Co-deposition deposits in the Geotechnical Bean Centrifuge". Sixth International Oil Sands Tailings Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, December 9-12.

31.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Wang, Y. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2018). "Comparative study of consolidation behavior of differently-treated mature fine tailings specimens through centrifuge modelling". 9th International Conference Physical Modelling Geotechnics, City, University of London, July 17-22, p 1271-76.

32.    Liu, L., Fu, H., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Weng, D., Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Zheng, S. (2018). "An Experimental Study of Pressuremeter Testing Under Polyaxial Boundary Stress Condition", Proceedings of GeoShanghai 2018 International Conference: Multi-physics Processes in Soil Mechanics and Advances in Geotechnical Testing. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0095-0_50.

33.    Chalaturnyk, R.J., Lu, C., and Zambrano-Narvaez, G (2017). "Experimental System for Seismic Dynamic Elastic Property Measurements under Elevated Temperature and Shear Deformation", Fourth EAGE Workshop on Rock Physics, 11-13 November, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

34.    Gomez-Ramirez, J., Ardila, N., Chalaturnyk, R.J., Zambrano-Narvaez G. (2017) "Mechanical Properties characterization of 3D Printed Sandstone Analogues" 6th Biot Conference on Poromechanics held in Paris, France, July 9-13. P. 952-960.

35.    Jia, S., Chalaturnyk, R.J. Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2016). "Physical Modeling for SAGD Caprock Integrity with the Centrifuge Facility", GeoConvention, Calgary, Canada. March 7-11.

36.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G., Chalaturnyk, R.J. and Worth, K.* (2015) "Design and Deployment of an Integrated Instrumentation System in a Monitoring Well at Aquistore Geological CO2 Storage Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" Ninth International Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics held in Sydney, NSW, Australia, 9 - 11 September 2015. p. 717 - 726.

37.    Wu, J., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2015). "A New developed centrifuge testing program of SAGD Caprock Integrity" 49th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium held in San Francisco, CA. USA, 28 June - 1 July 2015. Paper No.15-557.

38.    JOsinga, S., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2015). "Study of geomechanical properties of 3D printed sandstone analogue". 49th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium held in San Francisco, CA. USA, 28 June - 1 July 2015. Paper No. 15-547.

39.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2014). "The New GeoREF Geotechnical Beam Centrifuge at the University of Alberta, Canada". 8th ICPMG, Perth, Australia. January 14-17 (1) p. 163.

40.    Zambrano-Narváez, G., Scott, J.D. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2014). "Modeling Tailings Consolidation with the GeoREF Geotechnical Beam Centrifuge. Proceedings of the 7th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics. Melbourne, Australia, Nov 10-15. , 2014, p 163-167.

41.    Elsanabary, M., Chalaturnyk, R., Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2013). "SAGD Impacts: A Perspective of the Surface Freshwater-Groundwater resources in Athabasca Bitumen Deposits, Alberta". CSCE 2013 General Conference. Montreal, Quebec. May 29 to June 1.

42.    Samsonov, S., Craymer, M., Murnaghan, K., Chalaturnyk, R.J. and Zambrano-Narvaez, G. (2013). "Monitoring Ground Deformation at Aquistore CO2 Storage Site in SE Saskatchewan, Canada", Eos Transactions, AGU, 92(51), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract G51B-1113.

43.    Zambrano-Narvaez, G. and Chalaturnyk, R.J. (2007). "Design and Deployment of an Integrated Instrumentation System in a Monitoring Well at the Penn West CO2-EOR Pilot, Alberta, Canada", 7th International Symposium on Field Measurements in Geomechanics. Boston, Massachusetts, Sept. 23-27.

CIV E 395 - Civil Engineering Analysis

The formulation of partial differential equations for modeling civil engineering problems. Introduction to analytical and numerical solution techniques. Prerequisites: MATH 201, MATH 209 and CIV E 295.

CIV E 697 - Rock Engineering

Elements of structural geology, analysis of the geometry of rock defects, properties of intact rocks. Properties of rock masses and stresses in rock masses, stability of rock slopes. Rock foundations and underground excavations in rock. Case studies.

CIV E 698 - Petroleum Geomechanics

Application geotechnical engineering principles to petroleum engineering problems. Principles of thermo-poroelasticity are reviewed. Borehole stability, hydraulic fracturing, subsidence/heave, sand production, formation damage and reservoir-geomechanical modelling are the major topics for the course. Special attention is given to geomechanical influences on reservoir flow processes. Prerequisite: consent of Instructor.

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