Rita Esuru Okoroafor is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, specializing in applying oil and gas skills and techniques to address challenges associated with low-carbon energy technologies. Prior to joining Texas A&M, she worked for SLB as a principal reservoir engineer for 13 years. Her research areas of interest include geothermal energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and underground hydrogen storage.
An SPE member since 2000, she has served on several committees, the TWA Editorial Board, the JPT Editorial Review Board, and as a mentor.
She is the recipient of the 2014 SPE Africa Region Young Member Outstanding Service Award, 2016 SPE International Young Member Outstanding Service Award, 2017 SPE Africa Region Reservoir Dynamics and Description Award, and 2025 SPE Gulf Coast North America Regional Sustainability and Stewardship in the Oil and Gas Industry Award.
She holds BEng and master degrees in petroleum engineering from the University of Port Harcourt and a PhD in energy engineering from Stanford University.
TWA: What inspired you to pursue petroleum engineering, and how has that motivation evolved over time?
Rita Okoroafor (RO): As a child, I always loved rocks, drawing, and constructing objects. Then, as I grew older, I began to enjoy math and physics. Petroleum engineering felt like the one discipline that naturally brought all those concepts together, i.e., understanding the subsurface, applying quantitative analysis, and visualizing complex systems.
Over time, that motivation has evolved. What began as a fascination with the subsurface has grown into a deeper curiosity about how we can use that understanding to solve broader energy challenges. Today, my focus is less on a single discipline and more on how subsurface expertise can contribute to sustainable, low-carbon energy solutions.
TWA: You transitioned from a principal reservoir engineer to an assistant professor. What prompted that move, and what aspects of academia have you found most rewarding?
RO: Even during my time in industry, I was always drawn to teaching. I actively sought opportunities to train colleagues and develop learning materials. When I took a step back to reflect on my career, I realized that my most fulfilling moments were tied to preparing curricula and helping others understand fundamental concepts.
Academia gave me the opportunity to do that full-time. The most rewarding part has been watching students grow from initially having little knowledge about a concept to developing real confidence and technical depth. Seeing that transformation is incredibly fulfilling.
TWA: Much of your work focuses on applying oil and gas skills to low-carbon energy technologies. Where do you see the strongest opportunities for traditional petroleum engineering expertise to make an impact on the energy transition?
RO: It is difficult to isolate just one area because every discipline within the oil and gas industry has something valuable to contribute to the energy landscape. Subsurface characterization, drilling, reservoir management, production operations, and large-scale project execution are all highly transferable skills.
A study my colleagues and I conducted identified geothermal energy as one of the closest matches in terms of technical skill overlap with the oil and gas industry. But geothermal itself is not a new industry. What we are doing now is leveraging decades of oil and gas knowledge, infrastructure, and operational experience to accelerate its advancement without having to start from scratch.
More broadly, petroleum engineers are trained to work with uncertainty, complex coupled systems, and long-term subsurface behavior. Those are exactly the capabilities needed for technologies such as carbon capture and storage, geothermal systems, geologic hydrogen generation and storage, and even critical mineral recovery. The opportunity is not simply to apply existing knowledge, but to adapt and extend it to help build the next generation of energy systems.
TWA: Is there a research project or technical problem you’ve worked on that changed the way you think about subsurface energy systems?
RO: Geothermal energy was a turning point for me. It was the first time I fully appreciated how non-isothermal systems behave and how strongly temperature influences subsurface processes. That experience fundamentally changed how I approached problems in CO2 storage and hydrogen systems. I could no longer treat temperature as a secondary effect.
More recently, geological hydrogen has added another layer of insight. It highlights how chemical reactions, fluid flow, and rock properties are deeply coupled. For example, hydrogen generation through reactions such as serpentinization is not just about chemistry; it is influenced by temperature, fluid pathways, surface reactions, and even how the rock's chemical and mechanical properties evolve over time. It reinforces the idea that subsurface systems are dynamic, complex, and interconnected, which is very exciting for me.
TWA: You’ve been the author of many technical papers. What advice would you give to students and early-career engineers who want to build a strong technical publication record?
RO: One of my advisors, Anthony Kovscek, made a comment that has stayed with me: you learn how to write by writing.
My advice to students and early-career engineers would be (1) Start writing. Your first drafts may not be great, and your first submission may be rejected. That is part of the process. The key is consistency. Over time, you begin to understand what reviewers are looking for, how to structure arguments, and how to identify knowledge gaps. (2) Be open to mentorship and collaboration. I recall a manuscript I worked on, Machine Learning in Subsurface Geothermal Energy: Two Decades in Review by Esuru Rita Okoroafor, Connor M. Smith, Karen Ifeoma Ochie, Chinedu Joseph Nwosu, Halldora Gudmundsdottir, and Mohammad Jabs Aljubran. We were all students/recent graduates. Each person brought something unique to the work, so that the overall writing was not heavy on any one person. What could have taken one person 2 years to do (without the help of AI) took us about 6 months because of collaborating.
TWA: You have been the recipient of several SPE awards. What do these recognitions mean to you personally, and how have they influenced your professional journey?
RO: Behind every award, whether technical or service, are years of effort, collaboration, and persistence, and a nominator and supporters who see me. I see them as a reflection of sustained commitment rather than isolated achievements.
I am especially grateful that organizations like SPE provide platforms to recognize these contributions. It reinforces the value of both technical excellence and service to the community. These recognitions also create visibility, which can open doors for collaboration and encourage continued engagement, not just individually, but across the professional community.
TWA: You were a member of The Way Ahead’s Editorial Board when it first launched in 2006. What motivated you to get involved at that early stage, and how have you seen the publication evolve alongside young professionals?
RO: I have always loved writing, and I am even an author of fiction and nonfiction books, so it felt natural to contribute in that space. Volunteering through writing allowed me to use one of my strengths to give back.
Over time, it’s been exciting to see how The Way Ahead has evolved. It has grown alongside young professionals, reflecting their challenges, ambitions, and perspectives. It has become a platform not just for sharing knowledge, but for building voice and identity early in one’s career.
TWA: If you could leave students and young professionals with one guiding principle as they navigate their careers, what would it be?
RO: Take time to know yourself deeply and appreciate all that you are—your strengths, your areas for growth, and your values. Your strengths help you stand out, your weaknesses show you where to improve or collaborate, and your values guide your decisions.
At the same time, stay curious and be open to learning from anyone and anything. We are in a period of rapid change, with many unanswered questions. The ability to learn continuously and adapt will be one of the most important skills you can develop.
TWA: How has long-term engagement with SPE shaped your career, and what role do you believe professional societies play in supporting the next generation of energy leaders?
RO: SPE has played a significant role in shaping my career, particularly through its network and community. I have been a member for over 25 years, and that long-term engagement has created opportunities that have truly influenced my trajectory. For example, I met my PhD advisor, Roland Horne, at an ATCE event. That single interaction ultimately shaped my path into academia.
Beyond networking, SPE has been a platform for developing both technical and soft skills. Volunteering in technical committees exposed me to new areas, broadened my perspective, and strengthened my leadership abilities.
Professional societies are critical for the next generation. They provide access to mentorship, community, and opportunities that may not exist within one’s immediate environment. My advice to students is simple: start early. Many people are surprised when they hear I have been a member for over 25 years, but that is exactly the point. If you begin as a student, you will build a lifelong network and professional identity that continues to grow with you.
