
Overview
Background
Dr Li has a broad interest in geoscience, with specialised expertise in geophysics and geomechanics applications for resource and geoenergy exploration and development.
Jimmy obtained a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering from China University of Petroleum in 2007. He then spent a decade at Halliburton Energy Services, working in various technical and management roles within the Sperry Drilling division. During his industry career, he was involved in multiple onshore and offshore drilling and geophysical logging projects, including the Shell Changbei project, ConocoPhillips Penglai offshore project, PetroChina Tarim Basin project, and BG Lingshui deepwater exploration project.
In 2021, he completed a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at Curtin University. His doctoral research led to the development of a new theory on wettability-affected wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous media, which in turn enabled the development of an experimental method for characterising rock wettability using elastic wave measurements. This research established a strong theoretical and experimental foundation for the development of multi-frequency sonic logging tools for formation wettability assessment.
Since joining The University of Queensland in 2021, Dr Li's research has focused on theoretical and experimental studies in rock mechanics and geotechnical engineering for underground mining and drilling applications. In 2022, he played a key role in establishing the Quality Management System (QMS) for the Mechanical Testing Laboratory, which subsequently received NATA accreditation for rock mechanics measurement.
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
-
Machine Learning in Geoscience
Non-linear correlation, Image analysis, Geology, Lithology, Geotechnical properties, UCS, Young's modulus, RQD, CMRR.
-
Rock Physics
Applied geophysics, Seismic, Microseismic, Ultrasonic wave propagation, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Micro-CT of porous media.
-
Weathering in Sedimentary Rock
Weathering experiment, Fluid-rock interactions, Temperature and humidity effect, Slake durability, Dispersion test, Non-destructive test, Time-lapse monitoring, Rehabilitation.
-
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).
-
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
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 100168, 100168. 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). doi: 10.1029/2020gl090558
2021
Conference Publication
Path dispersion of elastic waves in granular matter
Li, Jimmy X., Rezaee, Reza, Müller, Tobias M., Madadi, Mahyar, Ma, Rupeng and Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2021). Path dispersion of elastic waves in granular matter. SEG/SPWLA 2020 Workshop: 7th Workshop on Porous Media: Structure, Flow and Dynamics, Online, 2–3 December 2020. Tulsa, OK United States: Society of Exploration Geophysicists. doi: 10.1190/prmd2020-05.1
2021
Journal Article
Effects of swelling-clay and surface roughness on the wettability of transitional shale
Li, Pei, Zhang, Jinchuan, Rezaee, Reza, Dang, Wei, Li, Xuekai, Fauziah, Cut Aja, Nie, Haikuan and Tang, Xuan (2021). Effects of swelling-clay and surface roughness on the wettability of transitional shale. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 196 108007, 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.108007
2020
Journal Article
Elastic waves in porous media saturated with non-wetting fluid
Li, Jimmy X., Rezaee, Reza, Müller, Tobias M. and Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2020). Elastic waves in porous media saturated with non-wetting fluid. The APPEA Journal, 60 (1), 315-325. doi: 10.1071/aj19196
2020
Journal Article
Permeability inversion using induced microseismicity: a case study for the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir
Zhang, Yadong, Rezaee, Reza, Muller, Tobias M., Zheng, Guangjie, Li, Jimmy X., Fan, Yu, Zeng, Bo and Zhou, Xiaojin (2020). Permeability inversion using induced microseismicity: a case study for the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir. Interpretation , 8 (2), SG21-SG31. doi: 10.1190/int-2019-0182.1
2020
Journal Article
Wettability effect on wave propagation in saturated porous medium
Li, Jimmy X., Rezaee, Reza and Mueller, Tobias M. (2020). Wettability effect on wave propagation in saturated porous medium. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 147 (2), 911-920. doi: 10.1121/10.0000616
2020
Conference Publication
Wettability dependent P-wave scattering and velocity saturation relation in granular medium
Li, Jimmy X., Rezaee, Reza, Müller, Tobias M., Madadi, Mahyar and Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad (2020). Wettability dependent P-wave scattering and velocity saturation relation in granular medium. Society of Exploration Geophysicists Annual Meeting (SEG20), Houston, TX, United States, 11-16 October 2020. Tulsa, OK United States: Society of Exploration Geophysicists. doi: 10.1190/segam2020-3427195.1
2016
Conference Publication
Advanced geosteering technology promotes the accuracy of well placement in the thin reservoirs of China mature oilfield
Li, Hongsheng, Xia, Guofeng, Xu, Daicai, Li, Xuekai, Calleja-Djefel, Bronwyn and Liu, Youquan (2016). Advanced geosteering technology promotes the accuracy of well placement in the thin reservoirs of China mature oilfield. SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26–28 January 2016. Bellingham, WA United States: Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/178167-MS
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Jimmy Li is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Jimmy Li's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: