FACULTY PROFILE

Dr Hemant Kumar Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geoengineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais. His research interests include but not limited to Geomechanics, Experimental Rock Mechanics, and Engineering Geology. Dr Singh completed his PhD on the topic "Shear Behavior of Real Natural Rock Discontinuities under Constant Normal Stress" in 2018, at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Prior to joining RGIPT, Dr Singh worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at IIT Bombay.

Dr Singh's research group is working on a wide range of areas such as the shear behavior of anisotropic natural rock discontinuities, fluid-rock interaction, influence of thermal stress on physico-mechanical properties of rocks, characterization of Indian Shales, and geo-mechanical site characterization for CO2 sequestration in CBM. As a Postdoctoral Fellow he worked on the geo-mechanical characterization of Indian Shales. He also received a National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) in 2019 from DST-SERB. Furthermore, in 2019, he received the CAS-Presidential International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI 2019) to continue his research in experimental rock mechanics from the Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. In 2021 Dr Singh received a Faculty SEED Grant from RGIPT. He has published several research papers in journals of international repute. He has also presented several of his research contribution at national and international conferences.

Education
Ph D 2018 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
M Tech 2013 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
M Sc 2011 University of Allahabad, Allahabad
B Sc 2009 University of Allahabad, Allahabad 
Experience
June 2021 – Till Date

Assistant Professor, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais, Amethi, UP, India
April 2019 – April 2021

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan
July 2018 – March 2019 Post-Doctoral Fellow, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay 

UG Course:

PE421 – Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources (3 times);

Communication Internship (2 times)

PE411 – Petroleum Geomechanics (2 times);

HU 101 - Universal Human Values (4 times)

PE111 – Workshop Practices (2 times);

Group Discussion (3 times)

PE250 – Field Trip and Industrial Visit (5 times);

PE101 – Petroleum Engineering Practices (4 times)

PE 402- Health, Safety, and Environment (2 Times)

PE221L – Petroleum Geology Lab

 

PG Course:

PE544 – Instrumental Techniques in Oil & Gas Industry (2 times);

PE-524 Petroleum Geosciences (2 times)

PE545 – Geothermal System Design (1 time);

PE-523 – Basin Analysis (2 times)

PE524– Reservoir Characterization (3 times);

PE-522 Geomechanics and Fracturing Technology (4 times)

PE544 CBM, Shale Gas, and Gas hydrate technology (2 times);

Research Interests
  • Experimental Rock Mechanics
  • Engineering Geology
  • Geomechanics
Research Projects
  • Application of the carving technique in reconstructing 3-D structural plane of rock discontinuity by integrating 3-D scanning and shear behavior of reconstructed discontinuities
    Grant Number: 228720
    China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
  • Role of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Schmidt Rebound Hammer in Evaluating the Weathering State of Anisotropic Rock Materials (P-2115)
  • CO2 Sequestration in Coal Seams and Enhanced Coalbed Methane Recovery (ECBM)- (Co-PI)
  • Investigation on Modification of CO2-based EOR Slugs for Geological Sequestration in Mature Oil Fields. (Co-PI)
  • Keynote Speaker
    Shear behavior of natural rock discontinuities under constant normal load
    ICRTSR-2019, Chongqing China
  • Key Note Speaker “Technological options for a clean and sustainable planet” as a speaker in One Day National seminar, 2025, RGIPT India.
Journal Publications

Singh D, Nilankar K, Singh HK*, Kumar A, Vishal V, Mustapha KA. Multiscale Characterization of Pore Evolution in Lesser Himalayan Black Shale from Krol Formation under Oxic Thermal Heating: Relevance to Untapped Shale Gas Extraction. Energy & Fuels, 39 (24), 11723-11738, 2025.

Ansari TA, Singh HK†, Mahanta BC, Singh TN. Fracture toughness of three Indian crystalline rocks: Insights from acoustic emission analysis. Journal of Earth System Science. 2025 Jun;134(2):1-8.   

Singh D, Nilankar K, Singh HK*, Ram BK. Impact of water saturation on physico-mechanical properties of fragile chandpur phyllite at varying foliation angles. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering. 2025 Jan;43(1):2. 

Kumar, N., Singh, D., Singh, H.K*., Kumar, A., Khairul, MJ. Evolution of Pore Morphometry and Compositional Changes in Immature Raniganj Shale under Heated Environment: Implications for Enhanced Gas Recovery. Energy & Fuels, 38 (22), 22128-22145, 2024. 

Kumar, N., Singh, D., Singh, H.K*., Gang, H., Characterization and behavior of Raniganj shale under heated environment. Fuel, 366, 131377, 2024.

Singh H.K., Sarkar, P. Exploration and Production Challenges of Coalbed Methane in India. Gondwana Geological Society, Special Publication, 2, 31-35, 2023.

Han G, Zhang C, Singh HK†, Liu R, Chen G, Huang S, Zhou H, Zhang Y. Characterizing large-scale weak interlayer shear zones using conditional random field theory. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. 2023 Oct 1;15(10):2611-25.

Zhao, D., Wang, Y., Zhang, C., Liu, N, Tang, N., Singh, H.K., Chen, J., Wang, P. A New Method to Investigate the Size Effect and Anisotropy of Mechanical Properties of Columnar Jointed Rock Mass. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, DOI: 10.1007/s00603-022-03200-3, 2022.

Gang, H. Zhang, C., Singh, H.K., Huang, S., Zhou, H., Gao, Y. A comprehensive investigation of engineering geological characteristics of interlayer shear weakness zones embedded within Baihetan hydropower station. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 132, 104891, 2022.

Zhao, D, Xia, Y., Zhang, C., Tang, N., Zhou, H., Liu, N., Singh, H.K., Zhao, Z., Chen, J., Mu, C. Failure modes and excavation stability of large-scale columnar jointed rock masses containing interlayer shear weakness zones. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 159, 105222, 2022.

Gang, H., Chunsheng, Z., Hui, Z., Chuanqing, Z., Gao, Y., Singh, H.K. A new predictive method for the shear strength of interlayer shear weakness zone at field scales. Engineering Geology (Elsevier), 295, 106449, 2021.

Gang, H., Hui, Z., Jing, H., Chuanqing, Z., Singh, H.K., Yang, G. A comprehensive investigation on the shear properties of interlayer shear weakness zones. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 80 (11), 8765–8787, 2021.

Tu H, Zhou H, Gao Y, Lu J, Singh H.K., Zhang C, Hu D, Mingming H.  Probability analysis of deep tunnel based on Monte Carlo simulation: A case study of diversion tunnels at Jinping II hydropower station, southwestern China. International Journal of Geomechanics (ACSE), 21 (12), 2146 (DOI: 10.1061/(asce)gm.1943-5622.0002146), 2021.  

Tu H, Zhou H, Gao Y, Lu J, Singh H.K., Zhang C, Hu D, Mingming H.  Probability analysis of deep tunnel based on Monte Carlo simulation: A case study of diversion tunnels at Jinping II hydropower station, southwestern China. International Journal of Geomechanics (ACSE) (Accepted), 2021.

Xia Y, Zhang C, Zhou H, Shan Z, Liu N, Su G, Gao Y, Singh H.K. Study on model structure and mechanical anisotropy of columnar jointed rock mass based on three-dimensional printing method. International Journal of Geomechanics (ACSE), 20 (11) 4020208, 2020.

Xia Y, Zhang C, Zhou H, Hou J, Su J, Gao Y, Liu N, Singh H.K. Mechanical behavior of structurally reconstructed irregular columnar jointed rock mass using 3D printing. Engineering Geology (Elsevier), 268, 105509, 2020.  

 Singh H.K. Basu A. Evaluation of existing criteria in estimating shear strength of natural rock discontinuities. Engineering Geology (Elsevier), 232, 171–181, 2018.

Singh H.K., Basu A. A comparison between the shear behavior of 'real' natural rock discontinuities and their replicas. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering (Springer), 51(1), 329–340, 2018.

Singh H.K., Basu A. Shear behaviors of ‘real’ natural un-matching joints of granite with equivalent joint roughness coefficients, Engineering Geology (Elsevier), 211, 120–134, 2016.

Singh H.K., Basu A. Influence of surface roughness characteristics of unfilled rock joints on shear behaviors. Journal of Engineering Geology (Special Publication, Indian Society of Engineering Geology), 246–254, 2015. 

Debanath, P., Mukherjee A. Singh, H.K., Mondal, S., Delineating seasonal porewater displacement on a tidal flat in the Bay of Bengal by thermal signature implications for submarine groundwater discharge. Journal of Hydrology (Elsevier), 529, 1185-1195, 2015. 

Conference Publications

Singh, D., Kumar, N., Singh, H.K. Influence of Sample Geometry and Foliation Plane on Axial Point Load Testing of Anisotropic Rock. International Geomechanics Conference on the Role of Geomechanics for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency. 8–20 November 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Singh, H.K. Application of 3D Scanning in Reconstructing Surface Morphology of Rock Discontinuities onto the saw-cut block using 3D Carving Techniques. Geosciences for Sustainable World (GSW-24), March-2024, Varanasi, India. 

Singh D., Kumar, N, Singh, H.K. Variations in Physico-mechanical Properties of Jodhpur Limestone under Simulated Acid Rain Condition. Geosciences for Sustainable World (GSW-24), March-2024, Varanasi, India

Kumar, N, Singh D., Singh, H.K.  A comparative study of Pore attributes between Gondwana Shale and Lesser Himalayan Shale. Geosciences for Sustainable World (GSW-24), March-2024, Varanasi, India

Ram, B.K, Mishra, D.A., Singh, H.K. Shear behavior of unfilled rock joints: A comparative study between weathering Grade II and III Joints of Granite and Quartzite. 9th Indian Rock Conference (INDO ROCK) November 16-19, Delhi India.

Singh, D., Kumar, N., Singh, H.K. Behavior of fine-grained sandstone under normal and hot-water saturation with varying PH conditions, 9th Indian Rock Conference (INDO ROCK) November 16-19, Delhi India.

Singh, H.K., Sarkar, P. Coal bed methane –present status and exploration and production challenges in India. Conventional, Renewable Energy Sources and Climate, June 23-24, Nagpur, India.

Kumar, N., Singh, H.K. Evaluation of Ulusay Block Punch Index Model Efficacy in Predicting Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Anisotropic Rocks. International Conference on Engineering Geology and Geotechniques for safe and sustainable infrastructures (EGCON-2022), November 16-17, Kolkata, 2022.

Singh, D., Singh, H.K. A comprehensive review on the recent development of non-destructive empirical techniques in estimating geo- mechanical properties of shales. International Conference on Engineering Geology and Geotechniques for safe and sustainable infrastructures (EGCON-2022), November 16-17, Kolkata, 2022. 

Singh, H.K., Ansari, T.A., Ram, B.K. Laboratory Investigation of Fracture Toughness of Deccan Basalt Using SCB Specimens and AE Characteristics, International Conference on Recent Advances in Geotechnics (EGCON-2021), December 9-11, Delhi (Virtual Conference) (Accepted), 2021.

Ansari, T.A., Singh, H.K., Singh, K.H., Singh, T.N. Evaluation of different mode of fracture toughness (mode I, II, and I+II) in Indian Limestone based on AE parameters, 3rd Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences, November 2-5, Tunisia (Accepted), 2020.

Basu A., Singh H.K., Ram B.K. Effect of Water Saturation on the Shear Behavior of Sandstone Bedding Planes, XIII IAEG Congress - Engineering Geology for a Sustainable World. September 17-21, San Francisco, California, 2018. 

Singh H.K., Basu A., Influence of Surface Morphology on the Peak Shear Strength of ‘Real’ Natural Rock Discontinuities, The 4th Indian Landslide Congress, December 8-9, Mumbai, 2017.

 Singh H.K., Basu A., A study on the contribution of roughness component to peak friction angle of rock discontinuities. The 11th Asian Regional Conference of IAEG, November 28-30, Kathmandu, 54, P. 44, 2017.

Singh H.K., Basu A., Shear behavior of planar unfilled rock discontinuities with reference to surface morphology under constant normal load. Proceedings of the International Conference on Recent Advances in Rock Engineering (RARE–2016), 16 – 18 November, Bengaluru, 91, 118–123, 2016.

Singh H.K., Basu A., Effect of multiple shearing on peak shear strength of joints in granite under constant normal load. Developments in geosciences in the past decade - emerging trends for future & impact on society, October 21 – 23, Kharagpur, P. 420, 2016.

Debanath, P., Mukherjee A., Singh, H.K., Delineation of submarine groundwater discharge zones in a micro-tidal coast of the Bay of Bengal by thermal imaging and hydrogeochemistry. GSA Annual Meeting in Denver-125th Anniversary of GSA, October 27 – 30, Colorado, P. 397, 2013.

Reviewer Journals
  • Bulletin of Engineering Geology and Environment
  • Fuel
  • Energy & Fuels
  • ACS Omega
  • Journal of Earth System Sciences
  • Energies
  • Geothermic
  • Indian Geotechnical Journal
  • Environmental Earth Sciences
  • Geosciences
  • Sustainability 
  • Engineering Geology
  • Nature Scientific Report
  • Member, UG Admission Committee
  • Member, Department Purchase Committee
  • Member, Department Post Graduate Committee
  • Member, Department Tabulation Committee
  • Member Secretary, I-HAP program co-ordinated by RGIPT
  • Chairman, Purchase Committee – Faculty Research Seed Grant Project (P-2115)
  • Member Secretary, Purchase Committee – Faculty Research Seed Grant Project (P-2133)
  • Member Secretary, Purchase Committee – Faculty Research Seed Grant Project (P-2110)
  • Member (DoRD, Nominee), Purchase Committee – Institute Research Grand (IG-2105)
  • Member, Purchase Committee (P-2237)
  • Member, Purchase Committee (P-2216)
  • Member, Purchase Committee (P-2240)
  • Member, Department Asset Verification Committee
  • Best Paper Award in the 4th Indian Landslide Congress-2017 held at IIT Bombay
  • Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IIT Bombay) in 2018
  • National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF)- 2019 (not avail)
  • President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI)-2019, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation- 2019 (Research Grant) 

Divyanshoo Singh

  • Research Topic : Geomechanical Characterization of Anisotropic Rocks from the Himalayas
  • Awarding Institution : RGIPT, Jais (Inspire Fellow)
  • Year : PhD ( 2021)

Aman Chaudhari

  • Research Topic : Physico-Mechanical Characterization of Indian Granites and Their Application in Geothermal Energy Extraction
  • Awarding Institution : RGIPT, Jais (Institute Fellow)
  • Year : PhD ( 2024)

Kumar Nilankar

  • Research Topic : Characterization of Indian Shales: Implications for Shale Gas Potential
  • Awarding Institution : RGIPT, Jais (Institute Fellow)
  • Year : PhD ( 2021)

Dr Hemant Kumar Singh

Assistant Professor
Geology
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