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Faculty details

Prof.Vinay Kumar Rajak

Designation: Associate Professor

Department: Petroleum Engineering

Email: vinayrajak[at]iitism[dot]ac[dot]in

Contact Number: 8051101110

Office Number: +91-326-223-03262235938

Personal Page: Click Here

About Me: Dr. Vinay Kumar Rajak is presently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. He did his B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2007 from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, India. He did his M. Tech in Petroleum Engineering in 2009 from Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. He obtained his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering in 2017 from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. After doing the master’s degree in petroleum engineering, He joined as an Assistant Professor in Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad in the year 2010. Since then, he has been actively engaged in teaching a wide range of courses to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. His teaching portfolio includes Reservoir Engineering, Drilling Technology, Drilling Fluids & Cements, Oil & Gas Field Development & Planning, Pipeline Engineering, Well Intervention and Stimulation Techniques, Well Servicing, Well Performance & Artificial Lift Techniques, and Health, Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry. His primary research interests lie in drilling fluids, geothermal energy, well integrity, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and various domains within the upstream petroleum industry. Dr. Rajak has authored 23 peer-reviewed SCI journal articles and one conference paper. He has successfully completed one externally funded R&D project and one consultancy project as Principal Investigator (PI). Currently, he is leading two R&D projects, one funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under the MATRICS scheme, and the other supported by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH). Dr. Rajak has supervised more than 20 M. Tech dissertations, successfully guided one Ph.D. scholar in the area of drilling fluids and is currently supervising five Ph.D. scholars as the main supervisor and four as a co-supervisor.

Research Interest: Drilling and Workover Fluids, Drilling, Geothermal, Hydrogen Storage and Transportation, CCUS, Well Integrity

Curriculum
Vitae
Publications

Teaching

Current Academic Year:

  • Pipeline Engineering (UG Level)
  • Advanced Drilling Simulation Lab (PG Level)

Taught in the past:

  • Reservoir Engineering (UG Level)
  • Drilling Technology (UG Level)
  • Drilling Fluids & Cements (UG Level)
  • Oil & Gas Field Development & Planning (PG Level)
  • Pipeline Engineering (UG Level)
  • Well Intervention and Stimulation Techniques (PG Level)
  • Well Servicing (PG Level)
  • Well Performance & Artificial Lift Techniques (PG Level)
  • Health Safety & Environment in Petroleum Industry (UG Level)
  • Petroleum Environment, Health and Safety Practices (PG Level)

Academics

Ph.D. (2017): Petroleum Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad

M.Tech (2009): Petroleum Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad

B.Tech (2007): Mechanical Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur

Position

S. No.

Positions held

Name of the Institute

From

To

Pay Scale

1.

Assistant Professor

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad

13/09/2010

18/05/2018

Pay Level - 10

2.

Assistant Professor

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad

19/05/2018

 22/08/2022

Pay Level - 12

3.

Assistant Professor

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad

23/08/2022

19/04/2026

Pay Level – 13A1

4.

Associate Professor

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad

20/04/2026

Till date

Pay Level – 13A2

Awards and Honors

  • Qualified in Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE), 2006
  • Qualified in Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE), 2007

Publications

List Of Research Publications (only in Peer-reviewed Journals)

  1. Upadhyay, R., Kumar, R., Kumar, A., Mobarsha, G., Kiran, R. and Rajak, V.K., 2026. Coalbed methane (CBM) well performance: A new methodology combining IPR and VLP analysis. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 13(1), p.16.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-025-00844-8 (Impact Factor: 8.7, Q1)
  2. Kiran, R., Saif, M., Wood, D.A., Datta Gupta, S., Kumar, A., Upadhyay, R. and Rajak, V.K., 2025. Geological Hydrogen Prospectivity of Iron Ore Deposits in India Based on Semiquantitative Analysis. ACS Omega. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c02770 (Impact Factor: 4.3, Q2)
  3. Doley, A., Rajak, V.K., Kiran, R., Mahto, V., Upadhyay, R., Eswaran, U. and Yadav, P., 2025. Enhancing the Shale Drilling Compatibility Using Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Chitosan. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, pp.1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-025-10371-y (Impact Factor: 2.9, Q2)
  4. Gautam, S., Kumar, S., Kumar, A., Rajak, V.K. and Guria, C., 2025. Development of functional polymer-based clay-free HPHT drilling fluid: Effect of molecular weight and its distribution on drilling fluid performance. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 246, p.213616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.213616 (Impact Factor: 4.6, Q1)
  5. Kiran, R., Upadhyay, R., Rajak, V.K., Kumar, A. and Gupta, S.D., 2024. Underpinnings of reservoir and techno-economic analysis for Himalayan and Son-Narmada-Tapti geothermal sites of India. Renewable Energy, 237, p.121630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121630 (Impact Factor: 9.1, Q1)
  6. Kiran, R., Rajak, V.K., Upadhyay, R. and Kumar, A., 2024. Comparative techno-economic assessment of superhot rock and conventional geothermal energy feasibility for decarbonizing India. Geothermics, 122, p.103078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2024.103078 (Impact Factor: 3.9, Q1)
  7. Saif, M., Kiran, R., Rajak, V.K. and Verma, R.K., 2024. Investigation of an Indian Site with Mafic Rock for Carbon Sequestration. ACS omega, 9(28), pp.30270-30280. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c00213 (Impact Factor: 4.3, Q2)
  8. Doley, A., Mahto, V., Rajak, V.K., Kiran, R. and Upadhyay, R., 2024. Investigation of Filtration and Shale Inhibition Characteristics of Chitosan-N-(2-hydroxyl)-propyl trimethylammonium Chloride as Drilling Fluid Additives. ACS omega, 9(19), pp.21365-21377. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c01632 (Impact Factor: 4.3, Q2)
  9. Banerjee, S., Banik, A., Rajak, V.K., Bandyopadhyay, T.K., Nayak, J., Jasinski, M., Kumar, R., Jeon, B.H., Siddiqui, M.R., Khan, M.A. and Chakrabortty, S., 2024. Two-Phase Crude Oil–Water Flow Through Different Pipes: An Experimental Investigation Coupled with Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach. ACS omega, 9(10), pp.11181-11193. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c05290 (Impact Factor: 4.3, Q2)
  10. Das, D., Anand, A., Gautam, S. and Rajak, V.K., 2024. Assessment of utilization potential of biomass volatiles and biochar as a reducing agent for iron ore pellets. Environmental Technology, 45(1), pp.158-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2022.2102936 (Impact Factor: 2.0, Q3)
  11. Doley, A., Mahto, V., Rajak, V.K. and Suri, A., 2023. Development of a High-Performance Drilling Fluid Additive for Application in Indian Shale Gas Formations. Energy & Fuels, 37(17), pp.12824-12837. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c02066 (Impact Factor: 5.2, Q1)
  12. Kiran, R., Upadhyay, R., Rajak, V.K., Gupta, S.D. and Pama, H., 2023. Comprehensive study of the underground hydrogen storage potential in the depleted offshore Tapti-gas field. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(3), p. 12396-12409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.12.172 (Impact Factor: 8.3, Q1)
  13. Upadhyay, R., Datta Gupta, S. and Rajak, V.K., 2023. Impact of pressure-dependent diffusivity on transient pressure analysis of a dry Coalbed Methane (CBM) wells: A new approach. Journal of Earth System Science, 132(1), p.34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-022-02040-7 (Impact Factor: 1.7, Q3)
  14. Gautam, A., Yadav, R.K., Ajit, K.P. and Rajak, V.K., 2023. A review on CDM-based ductile models and its application. Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 76(5), pp.1141-1154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-022-02790-4 (Impact Factor: 1.5, Q3)
  15. Sah, R.K., Kumar, A., Gautam, A. and Rajak, V.K., 2022. Temperature independent FBG based displacement sensor for crack detection in civil structures. Optical Fiber Technology, 74, p.103137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yofte.2022.103137 (Impact Factor: 2.7, Q2)
  16. Rajak, V.K., Gautam, S., Ajit, K.P., Kiran, R. and Madhumaya, A., 2022. Rheological Property Measurement and Application of Formate-Based Drilling Fluids at Elevated Temperatures: A Review. MAPAN, 37(3), pp.665-681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-022-00546-5 (Impact Factor: 1.3, Q4)
  17. Datta Gupta, S., Upadhyay, R. and Rajak, V.K., 2022. Establishment of economic viability for hydrocarbon production through a geocellular model developed in challenging geological reservoir of onshore sedimentary basin, India. Himalayan Geology, 43(2), pp. 471-489. (Impact Factor: 0.9, Q3)
  18. Gautam, S., Guria, C. and Rajak, V.K., 2022. A state of the art review on the performance of high-pressure and high-temperature drilling fluids: Towards understanding the structure-property relationship of drilling fluid additives. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 213, p.110318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2022.110318 (Impact Factor: 5.16, Q1)
  19. Kiran, R., Dansena, P., Salehi, S. and Rajak, V.K., 2022. Application of machine learning and well log attributes in geothermal drilling. Geothermics, 101, p.102355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102355 (Impact Factor: 3.9, Q1)
  20. Rajak, V.K., Kumar, S., Thombre, N.V. and Mandal, A., 2018. Synthesis of activated charcoal from saw-dust and characterization for adsorptive separation of oil from oil-in-water emulsion. Chemical Engineering Communications, 205(7), pp.897-913. https://doi.org/10.1080/00986445.2017.1423288 (Impact Factor: 2.0, Q3)
  21. Rajak, V.K., Kumar, H. and Mandal, A., 2016. Kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies of adsorption of oil from oil-in-water emulsion by activated charcoal. International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 10(6), pp.600-621. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSURFSE.2016.081038 (Impact Factor: 1.2, Q4)
  22. Rajak, V.K., Singh, I., Kumar, A. and Mandal, A., 2016. Optimization of separation of oil from oil-in-water emulsion by demulsification using different demulsifiers. Petroleum Science and Technology, 34(11-12), pp.1026-1032. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2016.1181654 (Impact Factor: 1.4, Q3)
  23. Rajak, V.K., Relish, K.K., Kumar, S. and Mandal, A., 2015. Mechanism and kinetics of separation of oil from oil-in-water emulsion by air flotation. Petroleum Science and Technology, 33(23-24), pp.1861-1868. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2015.1108987 (Impact Factor: 1.4, Q3)

Papers in conference abstract volumes / presented

1. Imtiaz, M., Rajak, V.K., Dei, S., Chhateja, J. and Biswas, A., 2016, March. Aquatic Oil Spill Remediation by Using Automated Unmanned Boat AUB. In Offshore Technology Conference Asia. Offshore Technology Conference.

Projects & Activities

Sponsored Research Projects (External Funded)

Research Project Completed:

Sl. No.

Title

Cost in INR

Duration

Role as PI/Co-PI

Agency

01.

Feasibility study of existing pipelines for hydrogen storage and transportation

5,42,800/-

2022-2024

PI

BinSys technologies Private Limited, New Delhi

 

Research Project unde Implementation:

Sl. No.

Title

Cost in INR

Duration

Role as PI/Co-PI

Agency

01.

Development of an Integrated Workflow Based on Geoscientific Data Analysis for Identification of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Resource Prospectivity at the Bidding Stage

8,80,000/-

2025-2027

PI

Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Noida

02.

Development of Advection-Diffusion Based Chemo-Thermo-Physical Model for Post-fracturing Pressure Build-up in Shale Formations

6,60,000/-

2024-2027

PI

DST(SERB), New Delhi

 

 

Consultancy Project

 

Sl. No.

Title

Cost in INR

Duration

Role as CI/Co-CI

Agency

01.

“Adsorption Isotherm Studies of Shale Formation of Gondwana Basin” for CMPDI

5,13,300/-

2025-2026

CI

Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL),                                                                                  

Ranchi, Jharkhand                                                                                      

02.

Supervising the Injection/Fall-off Tests and Performing Pressure Transient Analysis in Five Core Holes of Jharia CBM Block of Prabha Energy Private Limited (PEPL)

9,44,000/-

2024-2025

Co-CI

Prabha Energy Pvt. Ltd. (PEPL)

03.

Pressure Transient Analysis of Wells of Raniganj CBM field for Mining Associates.

3,26,766/-

2022-2023

CI

Mining Associates, Asansol, West Bengal

 

Membership of Scientific Societies

Society of Petroleum Engineers

American chemical Society

Other Academic and Administrative Activities

  • Convenor of SRIJAN: 2025
  • Co-Convenor of BASANT: 2024
  • Deputy Chief Election Officer of Student Gymkhana Election: 2024
  • Member of GATE-JAM Committee: 2023-2024
  • Treasurer III & BASANT: 2023
  • Treasurer Concetto: 2023
  • Institute Representative for conducting JEE Adv. Examination: 2024
  • Reporting Centre (RC) Officers for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling: 2024
  • Institute Representative (Roving Officer) for conducting JEE Adv. Examination: 2023
  • Reporting Centre (RC) Officers for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling: 2023
  • Institute Representative for conducting JEE Adv. Examination: 2022
  • Reporting Centre (RC) Officers for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling: 2022
  • Institute Representative for conducting JEE Adv. Examination: 2021
  • Reporting Centre (RC) Officers for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling: 2021
  • Institute Representative for conducting JEE Adv. Examination: 2020
  • Reporting Centre (RC) Officers for Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling: 2020
  • Hostel warden of Diamond Hostel: 2013 – 2018

Guidance

Ph.D. Students Supervised:

  • Amolina Doley (18DR0024): Degree awarded in 2024 (Supervisor)

ph.D. Students Supervising:

  • Mohit Anand (20DR0078): Registered in 2020 (Supervisor)
  • Aditya Suman (23DP0108): Registered in 2023 (Supervisor)
  • Parmod Sharma (23DP0071): Registered in 2023 (Co-Supervisor)
  • Somen Ghosh (24DP0044): Registered in 2024 (Supervisor)
  • Rakesh Kumar Behera (24DR0142): Registered in 2024 (Supervisor)
  • Vikash Raj (24DP0070): Registered in 2024 (Co-Supervisor)
  • Praveen Kumar (24DP0036): Registered in 2024 (Co-Supervisor)
  • Chandana Roy (24DR0248): Registered in 2024 (Co-Supervisor)
  • Saptarshi Maji (23MT0352): Registered in 2025 (Supervisor)

 

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