An honest, passionate and highly creative geophysicist / executive that integrates his technical knowledge, business acumen, strong communication skills and strategic vision to successfully add value, utilizing communication across multi-disciplinary teams to mitigate drilling risk for new exploration opportunities and optimizing production development.
Work Experience
Reflection Peak Enterprises Limited (RPEL) Calgary, Alberta 2002 – 2007
Title : President 2010 – present
Responsible for all financial reporting, licence to practice, and all technical aspects
Accomplishments
- Providing executive and technical level interpretational expertise to several international junior start-ups
- Proved the value of geophysics to define geologic lithologic edges in a conventional play and geo-steered over 100 wells with many top 10 IP30 oil producers in Alberta..
- Proved the value of geophysics to define compressional structuring in Upper and Lower Montney, selected drill locations and pad locations, and combined it with coherence, curvature and a Poisson Ratio interpretation depicting stratigraphic variance, while also acquiring micro-seismic data to gain insight for selecting frac ports and affecting well completion design.
- Performed a Reservoir Characterization study including a petrophysical classification of rock lithology to define and high-grade 10 new drilling locations for a client in India.
- Conducted a waveform classification study and neural net study for lithologic discrimination.
- Conducted a 2D interpretation in Algeria resulting in the recommendation to drill a wildcat exploration well which was economically successful
- Post a corporate merger for a major oil company, conducted an asset property review interpretation consisting of 4 3D surveys and approximately 3,000 kilometers of 2D data in a five month period, resulting in a catalogue listing of opportunities and several proposed drilling locations
- While a co-owner of a subsidiary firm, Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd., performed due diligence assignments for NI51-101 reserve audits, Reserve Assessments, Initial Placement Offerings (IPOs) and share financings, performed interpretive projects for a variety of junior oil companies within the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin as part of an exploration team for hire.
- Performed technical interpretation for a domestic client that resulted in 29 of 30 exploratory / appraisal wells being cased for future completion
- Created Geo-Reservoir as a wholly owned subsidiary of RPEL and practiced through this entity for 3 years, then shut down due to oil price collapse in Q1 2015.
- Expert party third witness for 3 legal cases, including two other National Energy Board (NEB) hearings
Canoro Resources Limited Calgary, Alberta 2007 – 2010
Title: VP Geoscience, Officer of the Company
Responsible for all aspects of geology and geophysics, play generation, strategic planning, third party opportunities evaluations, exploration drilling program design, regulatory consultations and compliance, partner and investor presentations, Board presentations, press releases and supervised up to 8 staff members domestically and internationally
Accomplishments
- Drilled 2 successful Barail wells, re-established production from a shallower zone and added a newer deeper producing zone, resulting in production additions from 500 bbls/d to 1100bbl/d
- Recommended investing in compression to raise reservoir pressure of a retrograde gas condensate field above dew-point and to strive for positive corporate cash-flow
- Conducted a post-mortem of drilling results and performed two Pre-Stack Depth Migrations and additional reservoir characterization to revise the geologic model accurately depict reserves to mitigate future drilling risk
- Co-authored a Plan of Development document and identified key targets for another round of drilling activity
Conoco Canada Limited / Conoco Canada Resources Limited / ConocoPhillips Canada Limited – Calgary, Alberta 2001 – 2002
Titles : Chief Geophysicist , April 2001 – August 2001
Exploration Manager, Western Canada New Ventures, August 2001 – March 2002
Chief Geophysicist, March 2001 – October 2002
As Chief Geophysicist, lead a community of 40+ professional staff, reviewed plays and economic evaluations to provide consistent risking, made technical and economic recommendations and influenced exploration strategic planning.
As Exploration Manager, started a New Ventures Exploration group that reviewed the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin for potential, high graded opportunities, and initiated a “Big E” exploration program.
Accomplishments
- Initiated the G&G mapping of four play trends within the WCSB and initiated prospect generation along those play trends that met corporate criteria for reserve additions and economic criteria
- Served on a rotational basis as Deputy Incident Commander for the Emergency Response Team
- Possessed a $ 5M signing authority by Conoco Canada, $ 1M by ConocoPhillips.
- Undertook a forensic accounting exercise to correct the corporation’s exploration accounting records after the merger, to facilitate more accurate reporting, budgetary management and forecasting.
- Chaired a Software / Database Rationalization Committee which recommended a methodology and approach for streamlining geological and geophysical workflows and reducing overhead costs by $1 million dollars
- Initiated and negotiated the contract terms for the purchase and acquisition of $20M worth of Foothills 3D seismic data.
- Instituted monthly geophysical meetings to share knowledge amongst the community.
Canadian Forest Oil Ltd. Calgary, Alberta 1997-2001
Title: Chief Geophysicist
Conducted seismic interpretations and geophysical operations, responsible for seismic budgets, AFE accruals, departmental computer planning, data management, pathfinding new plays and participating in corporate evaluations. In addition, supervised a group of professional full-time employees and part-time consultants with support staff.
Accomplishments
- Recommended whipping the P-66A well in Fort Liard which was press released as flowing after stimulation at 24 mmcf / day.
- Recommended the drilling of N-01 in Fort Liard which was press released as flowing from three Mattson zones at 49.7 mmcf / day.
- Assisted with numerous third party play evaluations, one being Cutpick ( Grande Cache ), which became a core property for the company, netting 30 mmcf / day production by the end of 2001.
- Recommended and assisted with numerous corporate evaluations and acquisitions, resulting in the purchase of Saxon Petroleum, Anschutz Canada and the N.W.T. assets of Unocal.
- Orchestrated and initiated a seismic database clean-up which streamlined operations, resulting in a one year cost recovery through a 250% increase in data sales.
- Upgraded computer software and hardware, coupled with a Y2K plan, to further maximize data workflows and data management.
Boyd PetroSearch Calgary, Alberta 1995 – 1997
Title : Senior Geophysicist
Performed seismic interpretation and play evaluations for domestic and international clients and provided technical training for international clients
Accomplishments
- Performed a commercial interpretation of the Blackfoot multi-component 3C-3D survey on behalf of 22 sponsoring companies and the CREWES consortium at the University of Calgary and received Honorable Mention for Best Paper at the SEG in 1997.
- Working alongside Chinese Nationals, conducted a 2D data interpretation and regional basin analysis of two regions within the State Province of Jiangsu
Home Oil Company Limited – Calgary, Alberta 1986 – 1995
Titles: Geophysicist, Senior Geophysicist, Staff Geophysicist
As an Exploratory Geophysicist, conducted play and prospect generation along with making recommendations for data acquisition, data processing, data purchases and land sale purchases.
As a Production Geophysicist, conducted development and exploitation geophysics for 28 core production properties.
As an Exploration Advisor, acted as an internal resource person / consultant / instructor, kept abreast of geophysical technology, evaluated new methods and performed advanced interpretations in AVO, VSPs and electro-magnetics.
Accomplishments
- As a Production Geophysicist, fourteen operated locations drilled ( 12 successful ) from 51 mapped and recommended drilling locations, fifteen non-operated locations endorsed, 8 of 9 were drilled successfully.
- As a Development Geophysicist, recommended drilling three wells ( one vertical and two horizontal wells ) at Swan Hills Unit #1 with an initial cumulative gross production of 2600 bbls / day, resulting in an initial 10% unit production increase and received two Best Paper awards at industry forums.
- Recommended drilling four exploration wells at Umbach with initial cumulative gross production of 150 bbls / day oil and 9.5 mmcf / day gas, making it a new core property for the company.
- Was instrumental in the corporation maximizing value at Caroline which was sold for a 40% return.
- Recommended drilling a well that tested 36 mmcf / day from the Swan Hills formation at Caroline.
- Drilled the discovery well in Caribou Hills which tested 1.5 mmcf / day from the Grosmont.
- Developed a new Performance and Development process and form that was more responsive to performance management and aligned with corporate values.
- As a member of a “Skunk Works” group, recommended a strategy to exploit reserves about core properties which later became my mandate, culminating in a transfer to the production department.
- Chaired a committee that guided the development and data clean-up of a digital shotpoint database.
- Drilled a Jean-Marie discovery gas well in Shekelie and scoped the potential at Peggo / Pesh that initiated the corporation’s aggressive development program.
General American Oils Limited ( Phillips Petroleum ) 1984 – 1986
Titles: Geophysicist, Staff Geophysicist
Performed structural and stratigraphic seismic data interpretation, prospect generation and made recommendations for land purchases and drilling locations
Accomplishments
- Drilled a successful Gilwood oil well on the Peace River Arch that spurred further exploration activity.
- Drilled a successful Sulphur Point oil well near the Shekelie basin.
Texaco Canada Resources Limited Calgary, Alberta 1982 – 1984
Titles : Geophysicist I-II
Interpreted seismic data, performed seismic modeling, initiated seismic acquisition programs, and made recommendations to management.
Accomplishments
- Interpreted, mapped and recommended 14 drilling locations for Glauconite oil and gas in Southern Alberta.
- Recommended half a dozen locations at Blueberry for gas potential just prior to deep rights reversion.
- Interpreted, mapped and drilled my most expensive dry-hole of my career in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and learned how to deal with failure.
Education
1978 – 1982 B. Sc. ( Hon ) Geophysics with a Geology minor
The University of Western Ontario
London ,Ontario, Canada
Work Experience
International Exposure
China, India, Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, Tanzania, Senegal, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, & Gulf of Mexico (USA).
Canada’s Frontier Structural Regions
Fort Liard, NWT – Chinkeh, Mattson, Flett, Nahanni,
Central MacKenzie, NWT – Indian River, Kee Scarp and Cambrian.
Beaufort Sea, NWT – Tertiary Section
Southeast Yukon – Mattson, Flett,and Nahanni
East Coast – Jurassic and Paleozoic Sections
Canadian Foothills
Cardium, Cadomin, Gething, Cadotte, Baldonnel, Triassic, Mississippian, Wabamun, Slave Point,
Northeast British Columbia
Bluesky, Gething, Baldonnel, Charlie Lake, Halfway, Doig, Nikanassin, Artex, Kiskatinaw, Montney, Belloy, Debolt, Wabamun, Slave Point, Keg River, and Pine Point.
Northwestern Alberta
Grosmont, Rycroft, Kiskatinaw, Jean-Marie, Slave Point, Sulphur Point, Muskeg and Keg River.
Northeastern Alberta
Grand Rapids, Viking, Clearwater, Wabiskaw, McMurray and Keg River.
Central Alberta
Gething, Viking, Cardium, Mannville, Montney, Mississippian, Nisku, Wabamun, Leduc, Swan Hills, Gilwood,
Peace River Arch
Slave Point, Keg River, Gilwood, Granite Wash.
Deep Basin
Cardium, Gething, Cadomin, Fahler, Notikewan, Wabamun, Leduc, Swan Hills.
Southern Alberta
Viking, Mannville, Glauconite, Sawtooth, Sunburst, Basal Quartz, Elkton, Pekisko, Shunda, Turner Valley, the Paleozoic unconformity, Nisku, Leduc, Swan Hills and Granite Wash.
Saskatchewan
Birdbear, Winnipegosis, Red River.
Written Papers
Data, Information and Knowledge Management: A Practical Perspective
Published in the April 2017 edition of the CGDMS Newsletter
Reliable Geophysics
Published in the April 2015 Edition of the CSEG Recorder, Marian Hanna co-author
Value of Integrated Geophysics
Published in the February 2014 edition of the CSEG Recorder, Marian Hanna co-author
Geophysics and a Reserve Audit Perspective
Published in the March 2011 edition of the CSEG Recorder
Are You Managing Your IT Solutions or is IT Managing You?
Published in the September 2004 edition of the CSEG Recorder
The Industry Today and the Road Ahead
• CSPG/CSEG Joint Convention, June 2003
• Co-author, Doug Pruden, GEDCO
Executive Report
Published in the March 2003 edition of the CSEG Recorder
Your Society Today
A President’s message which was published in the April 2002 edition of the CSEG Recorder
A Personal Biography
Published in the May 2001 edition of the CSEG Recorder
A Message from the CSEG Vice-President
Published in the May 2001 edition of the CSEG Recorder
The Great Seismic Round-Up: A Database Clean-Up and Management Case Study
Published in the September 2000 edition of the CSEG Recorder
GeoTriad ’98; A More Relaxed Perspective
Published in the November 1998 edition of the CSEG Recorder
Swan Hills Unit #1 : Adding Value with Seismic through Reservoir Delineation and Characterization
• Applications of 3-D Seismic Data to Exploration and Production as Chapter 19,
– the AAPG and the SEG, P. Weimer and T.L. Davis, editors, chapter 19.
• Published an abbreviated version of the paper in the January 1996 edition of the
– SPE Newsletter.
Oral Papers
Reservoir Characterization Using 3D Seismic Attribute Volumes: Adding Value By Providing The Opportunity for Better Drill Outcomes
Presented as a guest speaker at the 2014 CSEG symposium, March 2014
How to Set Up a Dataroom
Presented at the CSEG / CSPG Joint Convention, May 2012
Presented at the CSEG Lunchbox Theatre session, October 2012
Ethical Use of Geophysical Data
Presented at GeoCanada 2010 convention, May 2010
Byte Me! How Geoscience Data Architecture Can Help You
Presented at the joint CSPG / CSEG convention, June 2005
Applied Data Architecture: A Geo-Science Perspective
Presented at the PPDM Conference in Calgary, November 2004
The Industry Today and the Road Ahead
- Presented at the 2003 CSEG Convention, March 2005
- Presented at the University of Alberta, March 2005
- Invited Keynote Speaker at the 2003 PPDM Conference in Calgary, contributing presenter at the 2004 PPDM conference
How to Maximize Seismic Data Asset Value
Presented at the Centrum conference, May 2001.
Using 3C-3D Seismic Data to Delineate a Sandstone Reservoir, Alberta, Canada
Presented by Don Lawton at the 1997 SEG convention.
The Application of Geophysical Reservoir Technology within a Business Perspective
Presented at the 1996 CSEG convention as an invited reservoir geophysics workshop guest panelist.
Swan Hills Unit #1: Adding Value with Seismic Through Reservoir Delineation and Characterization
• Presented at the joint 1994 CSPG/CSEG convention.
• Co-authored and co-presented an expanded version of the paper with Rick Wallace
– of Ulterra Geoscience Ltd. at the January 1995 CSEG luncheon.
• Presented at the 1995 SEG convention in Houston and received outstanding
– contribution recognition by the SEG.
• Presented at the University of Calgary in March 1996.
• Presented to the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum Technology
– technical luncheon in Calgary at the Westin Hotel.
• Presented to the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Beijing Section, September
– 1996, Beijing, China.
• Presented to the Society of Petroleum Engineers at the Integrated Reservoir
– Characterization workshop in October 1996, Calgary.
Do We Really Know How to Think?
The Process of Diagnosis in Exploration and Development
Presented at the 1994 CSPG/CSEG joint convention.
AVO and the Practical Geophysicist
Presented at the 1991 CSEG convention as an invited AVO workshop guest panelist.
Industry Courses Taught
The Rules, Rights, Responsibilities and Obligations of Seismic Data Ownership 2005 – present
This one day course identifies and clarifies the unwritten rules practiced in industry as it pertains to seismic data ownership. The course will also identify and address subtle nuances where current standard industry practice is not uniform. The attendee will develop the insight to make their own informed decisions on these matters. The course will focus upon the rules, rights, privileges, responsibilities and obligations of seismic data ownership and their ramifications, permissions and limitations as related to specific business situations.
Geoscience Data Architecture 2003-2007
This two day course will offer the attendee insights regarding computer system architecture as it pertains to the geological and geophysical disciplines, business unit structures, hardware platforms, and data integrity. The attendee will develop a heightened awareness for the complexities and opportunities for prompt data retrieval and manipulation. The course will also permit the attendee to assess their own data situation and help them to develop optimal processes and procedures to efficiently manage both hardcopy and electronic data to meet their business unit requirements.
Affiliations
CSEG, APEGA, Calgary Petroleum Club
Professional Volunteerism
Initiated and acted as Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of the Chief Geophysicists Forum (CGF) which is a standing committee of the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (CSEG) (2020)
CSEG Foundation Chairman Outreach Committee (2016 – 2018)
Board Member for the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists Foundation (2016 – 2018)
Board Member for the Calgary Geoscience Data Manager’s Society (2014- 2018, 2020- present)
Member of the Chief Geophysicist’s Forum (since inception in 1998 – present)
Resource member to the CSEG VIG committee (2013-2015)
CSEG President’s Advisory Committee member (2003-2012)
Vice President for the Canadian Federation of Earth Scientists, 2012
Chairman of the 2012 CSEG DoodleTrain Committee
Chairman of the 2011 CSEG DoodleTrain Curriculum Committee, Vice Chairman DoodleTrain Committee
Member of the Guidelines for Ethical Use of Geophysical Data, APEGA sub-committee (2007-2010)
Member of the CSEG Outreach Committee (2005-2006)
- Drafted a plan for committee initiatives
- Initiated an Ambassadors program to represent the CSEG domestically and internationally.
Past President of the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, March 2003 – March 2004
- Initiated and authored a Long Range Plan as a member of the President’s Advisory Council
- Chaired Awards and CSEG office personnel committee
President of the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (CSEG), March 2002 – March 2003
- Implemented a series of internal policies, procedures and structure to the society
- Supported the creation of the CSEG DoodleTrain Continuing Education week.
- Requested better financial reporting and cash-flow statements
- Initiated the need for a CSEG Foundation
Vice President of the CSEG, March 2001 – March 2002
- Improved internal communication between elected Directors, Committee Chairs and the CSEG office staff.
Executive Advisor for the Geo-Canada 2000 convention, October 1998 – May 2000
- Provided general guidance and recommended identifying discretionary expenditures and determining the timing of these expenditures relative to profitability forecasting.
Co-Chairman of the Chief Geophysicists Forum, 1999
- Initiated and conducted a couple of surveys for the members.
Consulted as an advisor to an APEGGA Investigative Committee for Disciplinary Action regarding what comprised industry standard practice.
- Provided expert guidance and council
CSEG Co-Chairman of Geo-Triad ‘98
- Acted as a visionary leader for the Geo-Triad ‘98 joint convention as CSEG General Co-Chairman, by re-engineering it at a new venue with the assistance of over 130 volunteers, coordinating the interests of three societies, resulting in over $ 710,000 in net revenues
Served on the CSEG Convention Technical Committee on two separate occasions in the 1980s.
- Organized speaker mementos, secured session chairs
Awards
Received the Best Geophysical Paper Award at the 1994 CSPG / CSEG joint convention for the oral paper, “ Swan Hills Unit #1 : Adding Value with Seismic Through Reservoir Delineation and Characterization “.
Received the CSEG Best Paper Award in 1995 for a co-authored, co-presented version of this paper
Received from the SEG, Honorable Mention for Best Paper in 1997 as a co-author of an oral paper presented by Don Lawton, “Using 3C-3D Seismic Data to Delineate a Sandstone Reservoir, Alberta, Canada ”.
Received a Meritorious Service Award from the CSEG in 1999 for his dedication to the science of geophysics
Volunteer of the Year Award from the Calgary Geoscience Data Managers Society in 2019
Education
1978 – 1982 B. Sc. ( Hon ) Geophysics with a Geology minor
The University of Western Ontario
London ,Ontario, Canada
A multi-faceted geophysical consulting company based in Calgary AB. Canada