Mohan KelkarView profile
Professor
Mohan Kelkar serves as an Applied Professor of Petroleum Engineering at The University of Tulsa, holding a prominent position within the McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering under the College of Engineering & Computer Science. With over 60 refereed publications, 250+ technical presentations, and three authoritative books—including the SPE best-seller 'Applied Geostatistics for Reservoir Description'—he has established himself as a leading figure in petroleum engineering research and education. His academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh (1982) M.S. in Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh (1981) B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Mumbai (1979) Dr. Kelkar's research centers on reservoir optimization, production modeling, and development planning for oil and gas reservoirs, with significant contributions to petroleum economics and expert consultation in oilfield legal disputes. His work bridges advanced engineering techniques with economic evaluation frameworks, particularly evident in his books 'Natural Gas Production Engineering' and 'Petroleum Economics and Property Evaluation.' Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on reservoir simulation methodologies, unconventional resource development, and innovative optimization techniques. Key trends include the application of fast marching methods for well placement, liquid loading prediction in gas wells, and shale reservoir modeling, demonstrating consistent evolution from foundational reservoir engineering toward cutting-edge computational approaches. His exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards: SPE International Honorary Member Award (2024) SPE Distinguished Service Award (2018) The University of Tulsa Outstanding Teacher Award (2014) SPE International Distinguished Member Award (2010) Tau Beta Pi Teaching Excellence Award (2001) Dr. Kelkar maintains active professional engagement through SPE leadership roles—including Board of Directors service (2010-2013) and General Chair of the SPE IOR meeting (2006)—while balancing academic responsibilities with community leadership as President of the South Asian Performing Arts Foundation. His career exemplifies the integration of scholarly rigor, industry impact, and cultural contribution within the petroleum engineering discipline.












