Viswasanthi Chandra

Why did you decide to study your PhD at Heriot-Watt University?

My journey with Heriot-Watt University started with my MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and Management. During my MSc project I realised how much I enjoy doing research, and what a great work environment and mentorship HWU offers to support my ideas. Thankfully, I was fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time; my PhD supervisors were able to fund my PhD through Foundation CMG and the next four years were the most exciting and educational part of my life. Just as I hoped for, my PhD project at HWU opened new gateways for me to pursue applied research, to find solutions to real-life oil field challenges, and to connect with the worldwide oil and gas community with ease.

What was your experience of studying for PhD with the Carbonate Reservoirs group at Heriot-Watt University?

When I was part of the Carbonate Reservoir research group at HWU, I've had the pleasure of working with some of the smartest people I've ever known. It was a unique and gratifying experience to be part of such a diverse group with members from multidisciplinary technical and cultural backgrounds. I particularly enjoyed the encouragement and guidance given to us by the principal investigators of the group to publish my research in peer-reviewed journals and present my work at international conferences. My experience at HWU changed my perception that working for an oil company was the only way to travel the world and connect with other oil and gas professionals worldwide.

Can you tell us a bit about what you're currently doing?

My current interests include, but are not limited to, upscaling flow from pore-core-reservoir scales, integrated reservoir characterisation and simulation workflows for carbonate and fractured reservoirs, history matching, improved/enhanced oil recovery, and unconventional reservoirs.

My PhD project at HWU opened new gateways for me to pursue applied research and find solutions to real-life oil field challenges.