Careers in Petroleum Geology Slides from aapg.org Presented by Rick Abegg Chevron

Katz, 2003 AAPG Data normalized to exclude non-geoscience employment Post Graduation Jobs for Geoscientists, US & Canada

MEDIAN AGE OF AAPG / SPE MEMBERS AAPG SPE Modified from Lloyd & Kaldi 2002

World Fuel Consumption: ,000 6,000 4,000 2, Million tonnes oil equivalent Year Oil Natural Gas Nuclear Energy HydroelectricityCoal Cook and Sheath From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

GasOil GLOBAL OIL AND GAS FIELDS Modified from Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

The Petroleum Geoscientist - A Detective Predicts where oil and gas occurs by using well data and ‘remote sensing’Predicts where oil and gas occurs by using well data and ‘remote sensing’ Uses tools to gather data - gravity and magnetics rock distribution and properties geophysical imaging computer process & visualizationUses tools to gather data - gravity and magnetics rock distribution and properties geophysical imaging computer process & visualization Uses concepts to develop models: structural concepts, petrol systems, etcUses concepts to develop models: structural concepts, petrol systems, etc Makes economic analysis and recommends drillingMakes economic analysis and recommends drilling From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

GEOSCIENCE SKILLS Companies differ, but All favor a mixture: science, computer, non-tech Geology & Geophy Fieldwork and mapping experience are important Top Technical Skills: –Petroleum Geol –Geophysics –Sedimentology –Mapping –Strat/Sequence Strat –Petroleum Systems –Regional Geology –Reservoir Geology Heath, 2002

What makes a successful Petroleum Geologist? Strong fundamentals in geologic principles are key to a successful career –Science first, business second Strong understanding of science –Hypothesis testing –Creativity and considering alternatives –Ability to reach conclusions and make recommendations Don’t need universities to be trade schools Students focus classes and research in grad school, but a broad geologic background is needed for the job Slide added by Rick Abegg

Additional Considerations Most companies require MS/PhD degree Internships are recommended –Prepare for any interview –Show interest (e.g. field trips, short courses, etc.) Geophysicists are in high demand What’s the future for careers in petroleum geology? –Strong demand for hydrocarbons in developing countries. –Large population to retire in the next 5-10 years Slide added by Rick Abegg

Extra Slides

Required Traits Traits Job Market Expectations By Employers Self-motivated Computer Literate Well Educated Team Player Excellent Communicator Modified from Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

Forward Modeling Stratigraphy: Understanding the processes creating sedimentary units Record missing due to erosion: Must recon - struct history from regional data MESOZOIC & CENOZOIC Rock Physics Sedimentary Modeling Carbonate Analogues Carbonate Analogues Depositional Systems Sequence Stratigraphy Petrophysics and Paleontology Depositional Systems Sequence Stratigraphy Petrophysics and Paleontology Clastic Sedimentology From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

Structural Geology Understanding the process of deformation of the subsurface due to external forces 3D Kinematic Model Building 3D Kinematic Model Building Physical Models as Guides to Interpretation Physical Models as Guides to Interpretation Oblique Slip Model Case Histories: Outcrop and Seismic Modeling: Physical and Computer Stratigraphic Consequences Case Histories: Outcrop and Seismic Modeling: Physical and Computer Stratigraphic Consequences Physical Models Seismic Interpretation From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

Characterizing the type, history and origin of petroleum Exploration Geochemistry: Inorganic & Organic Sedimentology From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

Reservoir Characterization: Reservoir Characterization focuses on data integration to model reservoir architecture and flow properties TIME CUM PROD Volumetric and reserve estimation GeosteeringGeosteering Reservoir simulation Seismic visualization Resistivity modeling Outcrop studies Geostatistics Seismic visualization Resistivity modeling Outcrop studies Geostatistics Fracture characterization Production data inversion Reservoir Optimization Fracture characterization Production data inversion Reservoir Optimization Sedimentology Fluid Flow Computer Simulation Sedimentology Fluid Flow Computer Simulation QUANTIFIED UNCERTAINTY From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

Geologic Mapping and Sampling Gravity Gravity Magnetics Magnetics Armentrout 2000, from American Petroleum Institute, 1986 Seismic Reflection Seismic Reflection Geologic Mapping Geologic Mapping JMA

Computer Simulation and History Matching Mobil JMA From Armentrout, 2000, AAPG.org

COMPUTER SKILLS PC skills Required –Word Processing –Spreadsheet –Presentation Workstation –Try to get exposure –Interpretation most important: Landmark, Charisma, etc. Heath, 2002

NON TECHNICAL SKILLS Initiative Ethics and Integrity ENTHUSIASM Adaptability Cooperation Oral Communication Grasp & Summarize Key Issues Heath, 2002