TUFFP turns 50

Tulsa University Fluid Flow Projects (TUFFP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The TUFFP is a cooperative industry-university research group is supported by multiple oil and gas corporations, technology and equipment companies, and government agencies.

Its mission is to conduct applied research and develop solutions for problems encountered by companies about fluid flow (oil, gas, water) in pipes and processes. Annual fees from members – such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Baker Hughes, Halliburton, SLB, Saudi Aramco, Mitsubishi, AspenTech, Expro, Petronas, Petrobras, and PSRE, among others – support the important research. Since the beginning, 88 companies have been members.

Based at North Campus, TUFFP is currently working on 11 projects simultaneously studying the effects of size and pressure upscaling and liquid viscosity on multiphase flow behavior utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation. TUFFP is also helping the industry reduce its carbon footprint by studying the transport, injection, and storage of CO2 into proper reservoirs. Since 1973, TUFFP has completed 142 projects, graduated more than 144 highly skilled multiphase flow and flow assurance professionals, and published 244 technical papers. TUFFPgenerated models are mostly used in commercial flow prediction software packages aiding the oil and gas industry.

TU will host a daylong golden anniversary celebration for the consortium on May 12 in the Student Union on the main university campus. TUFFP alumni, guests and speakers worldwide will attend the event. A special honor is planned for Professor Emeritus Jim Brill, who is the namesake of a new research fellowship that is being endowed to continue the cutting-edge work carried out through TUFFP. If interested in supporting the fellowship, please contact Cem Serica at cem-sarica@utulsa.edu

Since 1973, TUFFP has completed 142 projects, graduated more than 144 highly skilled multiphase flow and flow assurance professionals, and published 244 technical papers.