From July 8 to 11, the School of Mining and Geosciences at Nazarbayev University successfully hosted a hands-on summer research project for high school and university students, titled “How Do We Recover Oil from the Earth?”.
During this four-day event, students explored the fundamentals of petroleum engineering through real lab experiences. Under the guidance of Professor Peyman Pourafshary, Associate Professor Masoud Rizai, and Assistant Professor Shams Kalam, participants built simple oil reservoir models using sand and oil-like liquids in transparent containers.
During this four-day event, students explored the fundamentals of petroleum engineering through real lab experiences. Under the guidance of Professor Peyman Pourafshary, Associate Professor Masoud Rizai, and Assistant Professor Shams Kalam, participants built simple oil reservoir models using sand and oil-like liquids in transparent containers.
They tested two oil recovery methods—injecting plain water and injecting soapy (detergent) water—to compare their effectiveness. These fun, practical experiments helped students understand how engineering decisions are made and showed how even basic combinations can lead to efficient oil recovery if applied smartly.
In their interviews, participants shared how the project opened their eyes to the petroleum field and gave them their first real taste of research and engineering. One student said:
“I realized that even using simple ingredients, we can achieve high efficiency if we approach the task with intelligence.”
In their interviews, participants shared how the project opened their eyes to the petroleum field and gave them their first real taste of research and engineering. One student said:
“I realized that even using simple ingredients, we can achieve high efficiency if we approach the task with intelligence.”
The project was supported by a dedicated team of RAs and students:
This initiative was part of Summer Research Projects 2025, a unique NU program featuring 9 research areas: ecology, geology, energy, linguistics, physics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, and entrepreneurship.
It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to engage with real-world science and collaborate with leading researchers from Central Asia and beyond.
- Adiya Muratkhozhina
- Reza Khoramian
- Ibraheem Salaudeen
- Ainur Utetleuova
- Nurassyl Zhumabayev
- Marzhan Zhandildina
This initiative was part of Summer Research Projects 2025, a unique NU program featuring 9 research areas: ecology, geology, energy, linguistics, physics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, and entrepreneurship.
It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to engage with real-world science and collaborate with leading researchers from Central Asia and beyond.