Runar Nygaard

Dr. Runar Nygaard serves as the Director of the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering and holds the Eberly Family Chair as Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Originally from Norway, he earned his doctoral degree in Geomechanics from the University of Oslo in 2004 after completing undergraduate and master's studies in Geology and Geotechnics at the same institution. His career spans industry roles in oil and gas and management consulting at McKinsey & Company before transitioning to academia at the University of Calgary, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Oklahoma State University.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Geomechanics, University of Oslo (2004)
• M.Sc. in Geotechnics, University of Oslo (1996)
• B.Sc. in Geology, University of Oslo (1995)

Dr. Nygaard's research program centers on well construction safety and efficiency across energy applications. His work integrates geomechanics, drilling engineering, and well design to address technical, economic, and environmental challenges in oil and gas, geothermal energy development, and CO2 storage projects. Current research focuses on drilling efficiency in hard rock for geothermal systems, downhole sensor deployment for integrity monitoring, and plug-and-abandonment methodologies for offshore wells. His interdisciplinary approach bridges petroleum engineering fundamentals with emerging energy transition technologies.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strategic pivot toward sustainable energy applications, particularly the repurposing of hydrocarbon infrastructure for geothermal district heating in Oklahoma. His work demonstrates increasing integration of machine learning for real-time drilling optimization and advanced geomechanical modeling for CO2 storage integrity assurance. The publication portfolio shows strong emphasis on practical field applications with immediate industry relevance across sedimentary basin energy systems.

As Director of the Mewbourne School, Dr. Nygaard oversees academic programs, industry partnerships, and research initiatives including the Industry Advisory Board and technical seminar series. His leadership connects students with industry professionals through programs like 'Day in the Life of a Driller' and the MPGE Link Tree digital platform. Current projects address critical energy transition challenges through collaborations with Oklahoma's energy sector on geothermal repurposing and well integrity monitoring.