Dr. Don Green Recognized as a 2006 IOR Pioneer

Don W. Green is Dean E. Ackers Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Co-Director of the Tertiary Oil Recovery Project (TORP) at the University of Kansas (KU). He holds a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Green has authored or co-authored 65 publications, over 100 technical meeting presentations, and is co-author of the SPE textbook Enhanced Oil Recovery. He is also editor of the 6th and 7th editions of Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook.

His career began in 1962 in the Production Research Division of Continental Oil Co, before joining KU in 1964. At KU he was chair of his department from 1970-1974 and 1996-2000. He assumed the role as co-director of TORP with Professor G. Paul Willhite in 1974. Its major focus has been the application of gelled polymer systems for water control. His group made substantial contributions to a fundamental understanding of the behavior of these systems. TORP has for many years conducted a nationally recognized IOR technology transfer program aimed primarily at independent operators. Recently, he co-chaired the 2005 SPE Forum "Technology Development, Who Pays and Who Plays".

Dr. Green has won numerous teaching awards at KU, including the Chancellor's Club Career Teaching Award. He is an SPE - Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty. He is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering.

The SPE IOR Pioneer Award was inaugurated in 1984. The award recognizes and expresses special appreciation to individuals who have pioneered and made significant important improvements in, and advancements to, improved recovery technology and processes.

This year the Symposium Committee has selected five recipients for the IOR Pioneer Award. These are scientists and engineers who, for more than thirty years, have devoted much of their professional careers to the development, application and/or management of enhanced oil recovery. As is typical of pioneers, they have endured trials, tribulations, hardships, failures, and many successes in the pursuit of endeavors contributing to the advancement of improved oil recovery.

To the five chosen to be recognized as "IOR Pioneers" in 2006, and to those in the past, we offer our deepest appreciation for your dedication to improving the recovery of oil, one of the world's precious natural resources. We salute you. You are TRULY PIONEERS!