Michael Cronin
Graduate Student seeking a PhD
email: m.cronin at ig.utexas.edu
Office number: 2.116L
Michael's CV
Research Topic: Characterizing the permeability and pore structure of gas shales
UTIG supervisor: Dr. Peter Flemings
Research Motivations/Philosophy: I want to improve our understanding of mass transport in shales, starting with a fundamental understanding of how transport processes and pore structure interact at the nanoscale. Through experimental work and modeling (theoretical and numerical), I wish to properly upscale this transport to answer important questions at the reservoir scale:
- What is shale "matrix" permeability, and what is the length scale dependency and heterogeneity on this permeability?
- How do fractures (natural and induced) influence this mass transfer?
- What is the long term trajectory of production decline curves in gas wells?
Previous Education: The Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College, B.S. Geosciences
Thesis Title: "Using Brazilian Disk Tests to Define Tensile Strength of Lithologies in the Lower Oatka Creek and Upper Cherry Valley Members of the Marcellus Shale"
Advisor: Dr. Terry Engelder
B.S. Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering
Finished first in class
Fellowships / Awards:
- ConocoPhillips Fellowship, University of Texas (2011)
- Eric A Walker Award, Penn State University (2011)
- College of Earth and Minerals Sciences Engineering Honor Graduate, Penn State University (2011)
- Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering Merit Award, Penn State University (2010)
- SPE Pittsburgh Petroleum Section Scholarship, Penn State University (2010)
Professional Memberships:
- Society of Petroleum Engineer (2009 - Present)
- American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2009 - Present)
Academic/ Leadership Organizations:
- Phi Beta Kappa (2011- Present)
- Phi Kappa Phi (2008 - Present)
- Theta Chi Fraternity (2007 - Present)