Professor Vahrenkamp‘s research aims at securing future energy supply with three main thrusts: 1) refine the understanding of modern and ancient carbonate depositional environments and associated diagenesis for improved perception of reservoir heterogeneities; 2) advance the quantification of the complex pore networks of Arabian carbonate reservoirs and its impact on reservoir performance; and 3) explore and develop geothermal energy in Arabian countries with special focus on desalination and cooling applications and suitable drilling techniques.

• Improving Reservoir Quality Prediction of Microporous Carbonates using a Multi-Scale Geophysical Data Analysis Approach. Ramdani, A., Chandra, V., Finkbbeiner, T., Khanna, P., Vahrenkamp, V. International Petroleum Technology Conference 2020, IPTC 2020.
• Optimization of energy recovery from geothermal reservoirs undergoing re-injection: Conceptual application in Saudi Arabia. Santoso, R., Hoteit, H., Vahrenkamp, V. SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, MEOS, Proceedings, 2019.
• Comprehensive characterization of Arab-D reservoir equivalent outcrop well cores from upper Jubaila formation, Saudi Arabia. Chandra, V., Ramdani, A.I., Finkbeiner, T., Yalcin, B., Khanna, P., Petrovic, A., Vahrenkamp, V. 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019.
• Improved reservoir characterization through rapid visualization and analysis of multiscale image data using a digital core analysis ecosystem. Chandra, V., Tallec, G., Vahrenkamp, V. Society of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019.
• Integrated workflows for characterizing reservoir heterogeneities with ancient and modern carbonate outcrop analogues. Vahrenkamp, V., Khanna, P., Petrovic, A., Ramdani, A., Gairola, G.S., Putri, I., Sorrentino, R. Society of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019.
• A regional analysis of clumped isotope geochemistry to define the timing of creation of micro-porosity in a lower cretaceous giant reservoir. Barata, J., Vahrenkamp, V., Van Laer, P.J., Swart, P., Murray, S. Society of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC 2015.
• Micro rhombic calcite of a giant barremian (Thamama B) reservoir onshore Abu Dhabi - Clumped isotope analyses fix temperature, water composition and timing of burial diagenesis. Vahrenkamp, V., Barata, J., Van Laer, P.J., Swart, P., Murray, S. Society of Petroleum Engineers - 30th Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC 2014: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next 30 Years, 5, 3689-3700, (2014).

• ​PhD. Marine Geology, RSMAS - U. Miami, Miami, FL, USA
• MSc Geology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
• Vordiplom, Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg, Germany

• 2017-Present: Professor of Geology, KAUST, Saudi Arabia
• 2016-2017: Managing Director, NordicGeothermal, UAE – Dubai
• 2011-2015: Exploration Manager, ADCO (Shell seconded), UAE – Abu Dhabi
• 1988-2010: Carbonate Geology Expert, Shell International E & P (UAE - ADCO, Oman - PDO, Malaysia - SSB, Netherlands - SIEP)

• ​Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC)
  
• Division of Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)
•  Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering Program