https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-7512 

CV

Nabil Khalifa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics from the University of Tripoli (formerly Al-Fateh University), a Master’s degree in Petroleum Geosciences from the University of Manchester (UK), and a PhD in Geology from RWTH Aachen University (Germany). He has over 15 years of experience in seismic interpretation, structural and stratigraphic analysis, prospect evaluation, and reservoir geophysics, with a focus on complex geological settings. His career includes senior geoscientist and geophysicist roles at the National Oil Corporation (Libya), Shell Exploration & Production (Libya), BGP International (Libya and Tunisia), and academic positions at RWTH Aachen University and the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Research Interest

Nabil’s research focuses on 2D and 3D seismic interpretation, reservoir geophysics, depth conversion, velocity modeling, seismic attribute analysis, and structural-stratigraphic frameworks in complex geological settings. He has worked extensively on the seismic characterization of carbonate platforms and reefs, as well as the structural interpretation of salt-influenced systems, using seismic attribute workflows to investigate salt-related deformation, trap formation, and basin evolution. His studies in the Gabes-Tripoli Basin (western offshore Libya) have provided new insights into the role of Triassic salt in shaping reservoir structures, the growth of salt-cored anticlines, and the interplay between tectonics, salt movement, and sedimentation. At TUM, he contributes to the GeoChaNce and BORIS projects, supporting regional-scale subsurface mapping, seismic interpretation, and geothermal reservoir characterization in the North Alpine Foreland Basin, with a focus on optimizing resource use and reducing exploration risk.

Publications before TUM.GTT

2023

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2023). 3D seismic documentation and analysis of Eocene and Oligocene-Miocene carbonate platforms, western offshore Libya. In 84th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition, Vienna, Austria (Vol. 2023, No. 1, pp. 1–5). European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. (paper and oral presentation)

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2023). Visualizing subtle structural and stratigraphic features on 3D seismic-reflection data: A case study from offshore Libya. Interpretation (Society of Exploration Geophysicists/AAPG), 11(2), 1–36.

2022

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2022). Evidence of the Triassic salt and their influences on reservoir structures G-T Basin, western offshore Libya. Oral presentation at AAPG/EAGE MEDiNA Conference & Exhibition, Tunis, Tunisia.

2021

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2021). Folding and faulting offshore Libya: Partly decoupled tectonics above evaporites. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 124, 104840.

2020

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2020, December). Deformation patterns in western offshore Libya: Partial decoupling of strike-slip and salt tectonics. In 82nd EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition (Vol. 2020, No. 1, pp. 1–5). European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers.

2018

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2018). Seismic characterization of carbonate systems and reservoirs in western offshore Libya. In Geological Society London, Seismic Characterization of Carbonate Platforms and Reservoirs Conference.

• Khalifa, N., & Back, S. (2018). Tectonic and carbonate-system development in western offshore Libya. In GEOBONN Conference.

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Talks and Presentations

• 3D seismic documentation and analysis of Eocene and Oligocene-Miocene carbonate platforms, western offshore Libya. 84th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition, Vienna, Austria, 2023. (Oral presentation)

• Evidence of subsurface salt and its influence on reservoir structures, Gabes-Tripoli Basin, western offshore Libya. AAPG/EAGE MEDiNA Conference & Exhibition, Tunis, Tunisia, 2022. (Oral presentation)

 

Awards and Honors

Honorable Mention for Best Paper in Interpretation (2023), awarded by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) for the paper “Visualizing Subtle Structural and Stratigraphic Features on 3D Seismic-Reflection Data: A Case Study from Offshore Libya,” co-authored with Stefan Back.