Kyung Jae Lee
Associate ProfessorOffice Location ERP 9, Room 160
Phone 713-743-6708
Email kjlee6 [at] central.uh.edu
Education
Ph.D. Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 2014
M.S. Energy System Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 2011
B.S. Energy Resources Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 2009
Professional Experience
Associate Professor, University of Houston, September 2023-Present
Assistant Professor, University of Houston, September 2017-August 2023
Geological Postdoc Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, January 2015- August 2017
Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University, September 2011-December 2014
Research Associate, Energy Research Institute of Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, March-August 2011
Graduate Research Assistant, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, March 2009-February 2011
Teaching
Reservoir Characterization and Modeling (PETR 4301)
Selected Topics: Advanced Reservoir Simulation (PETR 7397)
Reservoir Engineering 1 (PETR 6362)
Advanced Reservoir Simulation (PETR 7342)
Selected Professional Activities/Honors
Cullen College of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award for 2023-2024
American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund New Directions Award (ACS PRF ND), June 2021
National Science Foundation CAREER Award (ENG Directorate), February 2021
Texas A&M Energy Institute Fellowship funded by ConocoPhillips, 2014
Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Korea) Scholarship, 2010-2011
Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) Scholarship, 2009-2011
Brain Korea 21 Research Fellowship, 2009-2011
Association of Energy Resources Engineering Alumni Scholarship of Seoul National University, 2009
Excellent Student Paper Award from Mine Reclamation Corporation of Korea, 2008
Seoul National University Scholarship, 2005-2009
(Scholarly Service) Reviewer of peer-reviewed journals: AAPG Bulletin, Fuel, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Energy Conversion and Management, Mathematical Geosciences, Geofluids, Energy Exploration & Exploitation, International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, Petroleum Science
Research Interests
Computational and experimental research on reactive transport in porous and (or) fractured media
Multiscale (pore–scale and basin–scale) modeling of subsurface systems of energy and resources
Forward simulation, inverse modeling, and data–driven modeling of complex processes in subsurface systems of energy and resources
Applications: Origin, fate, and transport of critical minerals (e.g. lithium) in petroleum source rock brines; Safe nuclear waste disposal with engineered barrier systems; Natural/geologic hydrogen; Fluid-rock interactions
Selected Publications
- Mojid, M.R. You, J. and Lee, K. 2025. Experimental and reactive transport modeling study of direct lithium extraction From brines with Li/Al-layered double hydroxides. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104693.
- Ohazuruike, L. Lee, K. and Kim, J. 2025. Analytical Solutions for Thermal-Hydraulic-Mechanical-Chemical Modeling of Smectite Illitization in Bentonite Buffers for Nuclear Waste Disposal. Nuclear Engineering and Technology. 103778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2025.103778.
- Lee, K. 2025. Modeling Lithium Adsorption in Column Chromatography Applications with Granulated Li/Al-LDH: A Lattice Boltzmann Modeling Approach. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Part A: Sustainable and Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4068180.
- Yi, X. Lee, K. Choi, J. and Park, S. 2025. Numerical Investigation of Kerogen-Fluid Interactions Impacting Gas-Water Relative Permeability in Shale Fractures and Pores. Fuel. 385: 134158 (16 pages). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.134158.
- An, B. Yan, K. Mojid, M.R. Lee, K. and Yuan, Q.* 2024. Deciphering Minerals in Reservoir Rocks as Natural Catalysts for In-situ Methane-to-Hydrogen Conversion via Electromagnetic Heating. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 90:1279-1287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.052.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2024. Upscaling Reactive Transport Models from Pore-Scale to Continuum-Scale Using Deep Learning Method. Geoenergy Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212850.
- Mojid, M.R. You, J. and Lee, K. 2024. A Review on Advances in Direct Lithium Extraction from Continental Brines: Ion-Sieve Adsorption and Electrochemical Methods for Varied Mg/Li Ratios. Sustainable Materials and Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2024.e00923.
- Xiong, X. You, J. Lee, K. and Kim, J. 2024. Multiscale Modeling of Smectite Illitization in Bentonite Buffer of Engineered Barrier System. Nuclear Engineering and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2024.03.025.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2024. Pore-Scale and Upscaled Investigations of Release and Transport of Lithium in Organic-Rich Shales. Transport in Porous Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-024-02071-2.
- Xiong, X. and Lee, K. 2024. Analytical Modeling of Bentonite Swelling with Experimental Validations through Hydrothermal Reaction and Free Swelling Index Measurement. Progress in Nuclear Energy. 169:105066 (9 pages). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2024.105066.
- Lee, K. You, J. Gao, Y. and Terlier T. 2024. Release, Transport, and Accumulation of Lithium in Shale Brines. Fuel. 356:129629 (15 pages). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129629.
- Lee, K. Ohazuruike, L. and Xiong, X. 2023. Effect of Smectite Illitization on Swelling Behavior of Gyeongju Bentonite. Progress in Nuclear Energy. 166:104938 (11 pages). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104938.
- Yi, X. Lee, K. Chen, Y. and Choi, J. 2023. Analyzing the Impact of the Interaction between Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and Kerogen on Its Wettability Alteration. Applied Geochemistry. 105799 (13 pages). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105799.
- de Oliveira Souza, T. and Lee, K. 2023. Reducing the Risk of Gas Leaks into the Ocean Floor Induced by Offshore Production Well Failure. Petroleum Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2023.2239309.
- Ohazuruike, L. and Lee, K. 2023. A Comprehensive Review on Clay Swelling and Illitization of Smectite in Natural Subsurface Formations and Engineered Barrier Systems. Nuclear Engineering and Technology. 55(4):1495-1506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2023.01.007.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2022. Experimental Characterization and Pore–Scale Modeling of Iron Precipitation in Shale Reservoirs by Interacting with Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid. Energy & Fuels. 36(21):12997–13006. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c02568.
- Youzan, F. and Lee, K. 2022. Analyzing the Factors Affecting Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery through Numerical Simulation Study. Energy Sources Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects. 44(2): 4693-4705. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2022.2080303.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2022. The Experimental Investigation and Data–Driven Modeling for Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Green River Shale. Fuel. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123899.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2022. Pore–Scale Numerical Investigations of the Impact of Mineral Dissolution and Transport on the Heterogeneity of Fracture Systems During CO2–enriched Brine Injection. SPE Journal. https://doi.org/10.2118/204313-PA.
- Lee, K. 2022. Potential of Petroleum Source Rock Brines as a New Source of Lithium: Insights from Basin–Scale Modeling and Local Sensitivity Analysis. Energy Reports. 8:56-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.11.279.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2021. A Pore–Scale Investigation of Surface Roughness on the Evolution of Natural Fractures During Acid Dissolution using DBS Method. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108728.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2021. Pore-Scale Study to Analyze the Impacts of Porous Media Heterogeneity on Mineral Dissolution and Acid Transport Using Darcy–Brinkmann–Stokes Method. Transport in Porous Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-021-01577-3.
- You, J. and Lee, K. 2021. Analyzing the Dynamics of Mineral Dissolution During Acid Fracturing by Pore–Scale Modeling of Acid–Rock Interaction. SPE Journal. https://doi.org/10.2118/200406-PA.
- Xiong, X. and Lee, K. 2020. Data-Driven Modeling to Optimize the Injection Well Placement for Waterflooding in Heterogeneous Reservoirs Applying Artificial Neural Networks and Reducing Observation Cost. Energy Exploration & Exploitation. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144598720927470.
- Lee, K. 2020. Data-Driven Models to Predict Hydrocarbon Production from Unconventional Reservoirs by Thermal Recovery. Journal of Energy Resources Technology. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4047309.
- Lee, K. 2020. Characterization of Kerogen Content and Activation Energy of Decomposition Using Machine Learning Technologies in Combination with Numerical Simulations of Formation Heating. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106860.
- Reagan, M.T. Moridis, G.J. Keen, N.D. Lee, K. et al. 2019. Transport and Fate of Natural Gas and Brine Escaping from a Hydrocarbon Reservoir Through a Failed Deepwater Well in the Oceanic Subsurface of the Gulf of Mexico. Transport in Porous Media. 127(2): 459-480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-018-1207-y.
- Anyenya, G.A. Braun, R.J. Lee, K. et al. 2018. Design and Dispatch Optimization of a Solid-oxide Fuel Cell Assembly for Unconventional Oil and Gas Production. Optimization and Engineering. 19(4): 1037-1081. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11081-018-9400-y.
- Jung, Y. Doughty, C. Borgia, A. Lee, K. et al. 2018. Pressure Transient Analysis during CO2 Push-Pull Tests into Faults for EGS Characterization. Geothermics. 75: 180-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2018.05.004.
- Lee, K. Finterle, S. and Moridis, G.J. 2018. Analyzing the Impact of Reaction Models on the Production of Hydrocarbons from Thermally Upgraded Oil Shales. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 168: 448-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.05.021.
- Lee, K. Finterle, S. and Moridis, G.J. 2018. Estimating the Reaction Parameters of Oil Shale Pyrolysis and Oil Shale Grade Using Temperature Transient Analysis and Inverse Modeling. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 165: 765-776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.03.020.
- Lee, K. Oldenburg, C.M. Doughty, C. et al. 2018. Simulations of Carbon Dioxide Push-Pull into a Conjugate Fault System Modeled after Dixie Valley— Sensitivity Analysis of Significant Parameters and Uncertainty Prediction by Data-Worth Analysis. Geothermics. 74: 121-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2018.02.011.
- Lee, K. Moridis, G.J. and Ehlig-Economides, C.A. 2017. Numerical Simulation of Diverse Thermal In-situ Upgrading Processes for the Hydrocarbon Production from Kerogen in Oil Shale Reservoirs. Energy Exploration & Exploitation. 35(3): 315-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144598716689354.
- Lee, K. Moridis, G.J. and Ehlig-Economides, C.A. 2017. Compositional Simulation of Hydrocarbon Recovery from Oil Shale Reservoirs with Diverse Initial Saturations of Fluid Phases by Various Thermal Processes. Energy Exploration & Exploitation. 35(2): 172-193. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144598716684307.
- Lee, K. Moridis, G.J. and Ehlig-Economides, C.A. 2016. In-situ Upgrading of Oil Shale by Steamfrac in Multistage Transverse Fractured Horizontal Well System. Energy Sources Part A : Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects.38(20): 3034-3041. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2015.1135209.
- Lee, K. Moridis, G. J. and Ehlig-Economides, C. A. 2016. A Comprehensive Simulation Model of Kerogen Pyrolysis for the In-situ Upgrading of Oil Shales. SPE Journal. 21(05): 1612-1630. https://doi.org/10.2118/173299-PA.
- Lee, K. Bahk, J. And Choe, J. 2015. Numerical Modeling for Temperature and Pressure Distributions in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments while Drilling. Energy Sources Part A : Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects. 37(4): 372-383. https://doi.org/10.1080/12269328.2011.10541344.
- Khurshid, I. Lee, K. and Choe, J. 2013. Analyses of Thermal Disturbance in Drilling Deep and High Temperature Formations. Energy Sources Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects. 35(16): 1487-1497. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2010.529562.
- Lee, K. and Choe, J. 2011. Numerical Modeling of the Effect of Seawater and Circulation Rates for Seafloor Mudline Temperature. Geosystem Engineering. 14(3): 153-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/12269328.2011.10541344.
- Ryu, J. Lee, K. Bahk, J. and Choe, J. 2010. Wellbore Stability Analysis for Hydrate Bearing Sediments using a Bonded Particle Model. The Korean Society for Geosystem Engineering (Korean). 47(2): 191-198.
Current Students
Ph.D. Students: Muhammed Rashik Mojid, Musfika Rahman, Tanveer Alam Munshi
M.S. Students: Adarsh Abraham Cherian
Previous Students