In my thirty-one years as a technical professional I have enjoyed focussing on understanding, clarifying, and solving real-world problems. Excellent analysis and inter-personal skills, combined with a strong background in physics, geology, computing concepts and tools, are the keys to my success.
In future employment, I look forward to continuing to add value through appropriate analysis and innovation.
Some examples of where significant value was added or expertise transferred include;
Some examples of innovative thinking are:
WELLEVAL.COM/THE PETROPHYSICIST LTD., NEW ZEALAND
September 1994 onward - Independent Petrophysical Consultant
Set up Petrophysical consulting venture after market research revealed a significant niche. Consulting work has provided full time employment since September 1994. Work has been for hydrocarbon exploration and development companies operating in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, South America and the Middle East.
Highlights of this work include:
WOODSIDE PETROLEUM, AUSTRALIA
September 1993 to September 1994 - Senior Petrophysical Engineer
Seconded from the Shell Group to work initially in the business unit developing Woodside's oil fields. A re-assignment into the team developing the Goodwyn gas/condensate reservoir and maintaining production from the North Rankin gas/condensate field followed.
Responsibilities included specification of formation evaluation requirements for appraisal and development wells and advising on appropriate evaluation techniques. Involvement with integrated studies, staff training, support to lateral prediction and operational petrophysical duties were also required.
Highlights of this work include:
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM, NETHERLANDS
October 1991 to September 1993 - Petrophysical Engineer
Employed in the Technology Development section at Shell's Hague offices. Responsibilities were diverse and included focal point and advisor for petrophysical technology. A broad knowledge of formation evaluation techniques was vital to provide timely responses facilitating the business of operating companies. To monitor technology developments in the oil and gas sector, liaison with third party contractors involved in formation evaluation activities was critical. The applications of new technologies to a variety of petrophysical problems were investigated.
Research planning and the evolution of Shell's technology development strategy were key roles. Related activities included the review and dissemination of ongoing research. Production of comprehensive manuals was used to disseminate research and to provide detailed guidelines for business processes.
Highlights of this work include:
PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT OMAN LLC, OMAN
May 1988 to September 1991 - Petrophysical Engineer
Seconded from the Shell Group, initially assigned as Petrophysicist for two of the largest oil fields in Oman. Evaluations of development wells were undertaken. Experience with both new and vintage data was acquired. Where limited data was available, some novel techniques had to be employed. Improved oil-in-place estimates were made through petrophysical reviews, rock property mapping and saturation-height function derivation. Reservoir monitoring programmes were integral parts of field management.
In November 1989, was re-deployed to Exploration Support. Work involved the planning of Exploration wireline log acquisition programmes and their consequent interpretation. The re-evaluation of old log data was also undertaken to assist in maximising the chances of drilling on a successful prospect. A large number of wells were drilled (>100) and a number of hydrocarbon accumulations identified.
Additional responsibilities undertaken for periods Safety Focal Point and Petrophysical Well Review editor.
Highlights of this work include:
SHELL INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM, NETHERLANDS
September 1987 to May 1988 - Trainee Petrophysical Engineer
On initial employment, seven months of training was undertaken at Shell's Noordwijkerhout Training Centre in the Netherlands. Thereafter an assignment to Petroleum Development Oman was forthcoming.
Highlights of this work include:
BHP MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, AUSTRALIA
August 1986 to August 1987 - Technical Systems Analyst
This Melbourne based position involved both the development and maintenance of technical software packages used by BHP mining operations throughout Australia.
Extensive liaison with both users and vendors was necessary to meet the business requirements. Programming work was predominantly in FORTRAN-77. The fourth generation language SQL was used in conjunction with the ORACLE relational database management system. SAS was used for most statistical applications.
Highlights of this work include:
2016 Shale Gas Petrophysics SPWLA/University of Leicester
1999 Java Programming – SL275A & B Sun Microsystems
1993 Petrophysics Workshop Shell
Using the Exploration & Production Business Model Shell
Theoretical Aspects of Well Synthetic Generation Shell
1992 Reservoir Engineering for Other Disciplines Shell
Cased Hole Evaluation Shell
Petroleum Economics Seminar Shell
1991 Core Data in Reservoir Description & Evaluation Core Laboratories
Cement Log Evaluation Schlumberger
1990 Advanced Petrophysics Shell
Production Geology Shell
1989 VAX/VMS Users Course Digital Equipment Corporation
1987 Introductory Petroleum Engineering, Drilling, Operations & Economics Shell
Programming Using PCC for ORACLE Oracle Corporation
MINEX Users Course ECS
1981-1986 UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
M.Sc. (First Class Honours) Physics
Thesis: “Size-Fractionated Raindrop Chemistry Studies” looked at efficiency of atmospheric pollutant scavenging by raindrops.
B.Sc. Physics and Chemistry
Completed sufficient papers for individual majors in both chemistry and physics.
1976-1980 GLENDOWIE COLLEGE (Secondary School) AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Dux (Top Academic Student)
University Junior Scholarship awarded (only 200 per year given country-wide).
Ideas/Inventing/Innovating, Kitesurfing, Reading, Renewable Energy, Sailing, Skiing, Swimming, Wakeboarding, Windsurfing, Writing.