Overview
Background
Dr Jimmy Li works at the intersection of geophysics, petrophysics and geomechanics, applied to petroleum, unconventional gas and geoenergy storage.
Before academia, he spent a decade with Halliburton (Sperry Drilling) in measurement- and logging-while-drilling and directional drilling, delivering geosteering and formation evaluation for Shell, ConocoPhillips, CNOOC and PetroChina across onshore and offshore fields.
His PhD at Curtin University (2021) developed the first theory to probe rock wettability with elastic wave propagation, published in Geophysical Research Letters, Geophysics and JASA.
At UQ since 2021, he has run laboratory programs in rock mechanics, petrophysics and formation evaluation, with industry-funded research for Origin Energy, ACARP, QPME, Lihir Gold and others. He established the Quality Management System for the University's rock mechanics testing laboratory and mechanical testing laboratory, which held NATA accreditation for rock mechanics measurement from 2022. Current work spans coal and sandstone geomechanics, fluid invasion and retention in unconventional reservoirs, CO₂ and hydrogen storage, and machine learning for subsurface characterisation.
He welcomes enquiries about industry-funded research and contract laboratory testing.
Availability
- Dr Jimmy Li is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum
- Doctor of Philosophy of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
Research interests
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Machine Learning in Geoscience
Non-linear correlation, Image analysis, Geology, Lithology, Geotechnical properties, UCS, Young's modulus, RQD, CMRR.
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Rock Physics
Applied geophysics, Seismic, Microseismic, Ultrasonic wave propagation, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Micro-CT of porous media.
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Weathering in Sedimentary Rock
Weathering experiment, Fluid-rock interactions, Temperature and humidity effect, Slake durability, Dispersion test, Non-destructive test, Time-lapse monitoring, Rehabilitation.
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Petrophysics and Formation Evaluation
Geophysical log interpretation, Reservoir characterization, Core analysis, Laboratory measurements (porosity, permeability, density, pore size distribution, multiphase fluids flow and displacement, wettability, sonic, resistivity, PVT properties).
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Drilling Engineering
Directional drilling, Drilling optimisation, Drilling in hostile environments (HPHT), Geosteering, Borehole stability, Formation test, Measurement-While-Drilling, and Logging-While-Drilling in conventional, unconventional, and offshore fields.
Works
Search Professor Jimmy Li’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
A new breakthrough pressure model for coal considering effective stress and water saturation
Zhang, Tiancheng, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Ding, Luwei, Kuznetsov, Dan, Rudolph, Victor and Chen, Zhongwei (2026). A new breakthrough pressure model for coal considering effective stress and water saturation. Journal of Hydrology 136208, 136208-136208. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.136208
2026
Conference Publication
Impact of Dewatering and Reservoir Depletion on Mechanical Properties of Australian Coal
Li, Jimmy X., Flottmann, Thomas, Ji, Zane, Huang, Yixiao and Chen, Zhongwei (2026). Impact of Dewatering and Reservoir Depletion on Mechanical Properties of Australian Coal. ARMA. doi: 10.56952/arma-2026-0238
2025
Journal Article
Impact of effective stress on coal relative permeability: experiment and model development
Zhang, Tiancheng, Zhu, Yiran, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Rudolph, Victor and Chen, Zhongwei (2025). Impact of effective stress on coal relative permeability: experiment and model development. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 59 (3), 1-24. doi: 10.1007/s00603-025-05020-7
2025
Journal Article
Experimental investigation of anisotropy ratio evolution in coal permeability: implications for underground compressed air energy and CO2 storage
Zhang, Tiancheng, Ding, Luwei, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Zhu, Yiran, Rudolph, Victor and Chen, Zhongwei (2025). Experimental investigation of anisotropy ratio evolution in coal permeability: implications for underground compressed air energy and CO2 storage. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 35 (10), 1713-1729. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.09.006
2025
Journal Article
Impact of gas adsorption on coal relative permeability: a laboratory study
Zhang, Tiancheng, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Zhu, Yiran, Rudolph, Victor and Chen, Zhongwei (2025). Impact of gas adsorption on coal relative permeability: a laboratory study. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 194 106191, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2025.106191
2025
Journal Article
Laboratory insights on acoustics of granular porous media with wettability changes
Chen, Yangpu, Fu, Li-Yun, Müller, Tobias M., Han, Tongcheng and Li, Jimmy Xuekai (2025). Laboratory insights on acoustics of granular porous media with wettability changes. Geophysics, 90 (6), 1-50. doi: 10.1190/geo2024-0832.1
2025
Journal Article
Evolution of coal strength with dewatering and coal seam gas depletion: an integrated approach
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Flottmann, Thomas, Millen, Max, Chen, Shuai, Huang, Yixiao and Chen, Zhongwei (2025). Evolution of coal strength with dewatering and coal seam gas depletion: an integrated approach. Australian Energy Producers Journal, 65 (1) EP24227, 1-9. doi: 10.1071/ep24227
2025
Journal Article
Quantifying the mechanical properties of coal matrix and cleat using digital image correlation method
Huang, Yixiao, Shi, Zhang, Li, Jimmy, Zhang, Tiancheng and Chen, Zhongwei (2025). Quantifying the mechanical properties of coal matrix and cleat using digital image correlation method. Deep Resources Engineering, 2 (1) 100168, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.deepre.2025.100168
2024
Journal Article
Artificial general intelligence for the upstream geoenergy industry: a review
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Zhang, Tiancheng, Zhu, Yiran and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Artificial general intelligence for the upstream geoenergy industry: a review. Gas Science and Engineering, 131 205469, 205469. doi: 10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205469
2024
Conference Publication
Evolution of water-gas relative permeability with effective stresses in coal and sandstone
Zhang, Tiancheng, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Rudolph, Victor and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Evolution of water-gas relative permeability with effective stresses in coal and sandstone. APOGCE 2024, Perth, WA Australia, 15-17 October 2024. Richardson, TX USA: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/221360-MS
2024
Conference Publication
Correlation of static and dynamic mechanical properties of Australian sedimentary rocks
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Chen, Shuai, Qin, Sijin, Flottmann, Thomas, Huang, Yixiao, Saber, Erfan and Chen, Zhongwei (2024). Correlation of static and dynamic mechanical properties of Australian sedimentary rocks. 58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Golden, CO USA, 23-26 June 2024. Richardson, TX USA: American Rock Mechanics Association. doi: 10.56952/ARMA-2024-0635
2024
Conference Publication
Evolution of proppant embedment and its impact on shale permeability
Qian, Sijin, Lu, Mingyuan, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Huang, Yixiao, Chen, Zhongwei and Shen, Luming (2024). Evolution of proppant embedment and its impact on shale permeability. 58th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Golden, CO USA, 23-26 June 2024. Richardson, TX USA: American Rock Mechanics Association. doi: 10.56952/ARMA-2024-0613
2023
Conference Publication
Comparative Analysis of Sonic Velocities in Partially Saturated Rocks Containing H2, CH4, N2 and CO2
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Hu, Jinghao, Zhang, Tiancheng and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Comparative Analysis of Sonic Velocities in Partially Saturated Rocks Containing H2, CH4, N2 and CO2. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium APUR 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14–15 November 2023. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217273-MS
2023
Conference Publication
Impact of Surface Roughness and Liquid Salinity on Shale Wettability
Qian, Sijin, Zhu, Yiran, Shi, Zhang, Lu, Mingyuan, Shen, Luming, Li, Jimmy Xuekai and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Impact of Surface Roughness and Liquid Salinity on Shale Wettability. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium APUR 2023, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14–15 November 2023. Richardson, TX United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/217315-MS
2023
Conference Publication
A New coupled approach to simulating fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration
Saber, Erfan, Qu, Qingdong, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Li, Jimmy and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). A New coupled approach to simulating fault reactivation during CO2 sequestration. Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 14-15 November 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: SPE. doi: 10.2118/217287-ms
2023
Journal Article
Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2023). Automatic coal mine roof rating calculation using machine learning. International Journal of Coal Geology, 274 104292, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2023.104292
2022
Journal Article
Wettability-dependent wave velocities and attenuation in granular porous media
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Rezaee, Reza, Müller, Tobias M., Madadi, Mahyar, Ma, Rupeng and Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2022). Wettability-dependent wave velocities and attenuation in granular porous media. Geophysics, 87 (4), MR177-MR187. doi: 10.1190/geo2021-0279.1
2022
Other Outputs
Reducing the subjectivity of CMRR calculation using machine learning
Chen, Zhongwei, Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Esterle, Joan, Zhong, Ruizhi and Pirona, Claire (2022). Reducing the subjectivity of CMRR calculation using machine learning. https://www.acarp.com.au/: ACARP.
2022
Conference Publication
UCS prediction by group-based machine learning method
Li, Jimmy Xuekai, Tsang, Matt, Giese, Stephen, Zhong, Ruizhi, Esterle, Joan, Pirona, Claire, Rajabi, Mojtaba and Chen, Zhongwei (2022). UCS prediction by group-based machine learning method. Resource Operators Conference, Virtual, 10-11 February 2022. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Wollongong and University of Southern Queensland.
2021
Journal Article
Pore Size Distribution Controls Dynamic Permeability
Li, Jimmy X., Rezaee, Reza, Mueller, Tobias M. and Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2021). Pore Size Distribution Controls Dynamic Permeability. Geophysical Research Letters, 48 (5) e2020GL090558. doi: 10.1029/2020gl090558
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Jimmy Li is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of CO2-water wettability on CO2 migration and long-term fate in deep saline aquifers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
Media
Enquiries
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