The College of Engineering is mourning the loss of one of its own. Dr. Asadollah Hayatdavoudi, Professor Emeritus in Petroleum Engineering

The College of Engineering is mourning the loss of one of its own.  Dr. Asadollah Hayatdavoudi, Professor Emeritus in Petroleum Engineering passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

For over four decades, Dr. Hayatdavoudi made distinguished contributions to the discipline of Petroleum Engineering, the College of Engineering, the University, and the Lafayette community.  As a researcher he held over twenty US and International patents, numerous peer-reviewed publications, and millions of dollars in industrial research.  During his career he invented, designed, patented and tested numerous devices used to improve drilling technology, such as a well choke, a down-hole tornado drill sub, multiple solid separator devices and 1000-ton spider elevator system, a slip insert with three degrees of freedom, and a modular drilling fluid system, as well as various pumps and valves.  In addition to his contributions in terms of innovative drilling equipment, he also discovered many new principles that helped to optimize the drilling process itself which allowed his clients to set two consecutive World Drilling Records.

As a faculty member, Dr. Hayatdavoudi was noted for his mentoring of students, engaging them as research assistants in all stages of the research process.  Through Dr. Hayatdavoudi’s mentoring, hundreds of students gained rigorous training which helped to develop their professional portfolios.

“Dr. Hayatdavoudi was a champion of fostering teaching, research, and economic development, particularly in the field of drilling technology. He left his leadership and innovative mark on the Petroleum Industry worldwide.” said Dean Ahmed Khattab. 

“He will be remembered fondly for his contributions to the College, the University and the Petroleum Industry,” continued Khattab

Dr. Hayatdavoudi retired in the Fall of 2021 and became Professor Emeritus in May 2022.  He was a beloved member of the College of Engineering, and he will be greatly missed.

If you would like to commemorate Dr. Hayatdavoudi’s legacy as an esteemed professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, please consider a donation to the Hayatdavoudi-Records Endowend Petroleum Engineer Scholarship →Here.  Dr. Hayatdavoudi was very proud of the Hayatdavoudi-Records Endowed Petroleum Engineering Scholarship and it would be a way to honor his legacy to have it expand to additional petroleum engineering students.