Background and Research Interests

Dr. Chukwu has worked for the firms of Elf Petroleum, Petroleum Associates of Lafayette, Agip Energy and Natural Resources, in different engineering and professional capacities. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate engineering and related economics courses at the University of Port-Harcourt Nigeria, and currently the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition, he has taught several short courses in fluid hydraulics and hydrodynamics, and drilling optimization, as a consultant. He served as the chair of the petroleum engineering department at UAF from 1992-1995 and 1996-2002.

Dr. Chukwu has authored and co-authored over 65 research publications in the areas of drilling, hydraulics, gas-to-liquids transportation, petroleum geology and
natural resource utilization. He is internationally known for his work in the area of non-Newtonian fluid hydraulics applied to oil well drilling/production technology, and hydrodynamics of GTL transportation in pipes. His current research work in gas-to-liquid transportation and operational challenges through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System is sponsored by the US Department of Energy, and supported by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

Dr. Chukwu is a registered professional engineer in both Nigeria and the state of Alaska. He has served in several professional bodies and organizations which include the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Dr. Chukwu served as the UAF Faculty Senate President-elect (May 2001-May 2002), and subsequently, the Faculty Senate
President (May 2002-May 2003).

Education

• Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1989
• MS in Petroleum Engineering, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, 1980
• BS in Petroleum Engineering, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, 1979

Areas of Specialization

• Drilling engineering and optimization
• Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow and Pipeline Hydraulics
• Production Analysis and Optimization
• Resource Utilization and Economics

Research

• Dr. Chukwu's main research interests are in areas of; Drilling Fluid hydraulics, Hydrodynamics of Gas-to-Liquid products flow in pipelines, Resource economics of transportation of Gas-to-Liquid products.

Awards and Honors

• UAF Faculty Senate Recognition Award, 2003
• Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian Council Recognition Award, 2002
• Outstanding Faculty Award (UAF), 2000