Geo-Monitor

From AAPG Explorer April 2004: Salary Survey (See; http://www.aapg.org/explorer/salarysurvey.cfm)

The EXPLORER survey is based in U.S. dollars on employed, salaried geoscientists and does not include any additional benefits, such as consulting fees, retainers, overrides, automobiles or other perquisites. The geologists contacted may work on non-U.S. ventures but are based in the United States.

The uncertainty that put a damper on salaries in 2003 lingered into 2004 as manpower numbers continued to erode over the past year. The 2004 annual EXPLORER Salary Survey shows no increases in overall salaries — and small decreases in some experience ranges. The survey, conducted by Mike Ayling of MLAResources in Tulsa, said the results “reflect a lack of hiring — indeed, some downsizing by majors last year.” Perhaps more importantly, Ayling said, “the survey significantly reflects the demographic trends in the industry — very few data points for individuals with fewer than 15 years experience.”

AAPG Salary Survey – last five years ( in US $1000’s) (For geologists based in the United States) .

From The Leading Edge: February 2004 (vol 23, no 2, p 178): http://edge-online.org/pdf/tle2302r01750184.pdf

SEG is honoring Gregory A. Partyka with the Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal for his work on the development of the spectral decomposition technique for reservoir characterization. This work was done while Greg was a geoscientist at Amoco E&P Technology and has had a major impact on the quantitative analysis of 3D seismic volumes. The technique has been implemented by numerous seismic contractors and has led to improved interpretation on many plays throughout the world. Greg is currently a senior geophysicist with BP.

Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal for Gregory A. Partyka

By Craig Cooper

It is my sincere pleasure and honor to write this citation for my colleague and friend Greg Partyka. His remarkable curiosity, determination, and ability to invent creative ways to decipher the nature and characteristics of subsurface geology embedded in seismic data are as inspirational as they are impressive. Although this award is for Greg’s work on the development of spectral decomposition, best known for its value in reservoir characterization, his contributions extend well beyond that and have added significant value by fostering multidisciplinary problem solving and by challenging the status quo. It has been extremely gratifying to observe the development of Greg’s professional influence and growth during the past 15 years.

Greg developed a good foundation in the geosciences at the University of Manitoba where he earned a degree in geological engineering in 1987. After a brief experience as a consultant, he landed in a technical group at Amoco Canada in 1988 where he quickly learned how to apply and make the most of seismic technologies and tools. While under the tutelage of the many capable experienced geophysicists within Amoco Canada, Greg became recognized for his creative and innovative use of technology in addressing tough business challenges.

Greg transferred to Amoco Poland in 1993 and became more involved in the operations and business side of the company. He helped lead the company’s seismic efforts and experienced first hand both the value generated from effective use of technology and the importance of clear, concise communication.

Amoco recognized his aptitude for innovative application of technology and transferred him to the Amoco Technology Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1994 where he joined a team noted for its creation of coherency technology. Fundamental development and advances in spectral decomposition were made during this time and followed-on from the great successes accomplished by Mike Bahorich et al. in the development and application of coherency. As the value and potential business impact of spectral decomposition became apparent, Greg and the team spent a great deal of time traveling around the company transferring the technology to business unit staff for maximum impact. The technical transfer sessions established an extensive internal network of contacts which provided important feedback on the use of the technology and a source of ideas for further improvements.

Greg deepened his knowledge of reservoir characterization by participating in an intensive, year-long Petrophysics training program in 1996. Greg then took his enhanced skills to BP Amoco’s Western U.S. Gas Business Unit in 1998 where he and the team drilled a string of successful wells. Though his impact on the business unit was significant, it was realized that the company would gain more value by getting Greg involved in projects, worldwide.

For that reason, he was recruited into BP’s Upstream Technology Group in 2000 where he has been able to work with interpreters throughout the entire organization and achieve global impact on BP’s E&P activities. In addition, he has become very active within our industry, publishing a number of papers, giving numerous presentations and tutorial sessions on spectral decomposition, and working with many companies on the use of the technology. Greg continues his work with the family of spectral-decomposition- based technologies and, together with colleagues, has extended their impact into the areas of time-lapse seismic and reservoir simulation. So his significant contributions to the business of finding and producing oil and gas will most certainly continue.

Greg’s tremendous work ethic, high standards, creativity and innovation, modesty, perseverance, and willingness to work with everyone have earned him wide respect. I know that his many friends and colleagues join me in congratulating him on receiving this great honor.

Following from EAGE: First Break – March 2004

EAGE to co-sponsor imaging technology event in Japan

EAGE is one of the co-sponsors of the 7th Society of Exploration Geophysicists of Japan (SEGJ) International Symposium on Imaging Technology due to held at Aoba Memorial Hall, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan on 24-26 November, 2004. Other co-sponsors include the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG), the Korean Society of Exploration Geophysicists (KSEG), and the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS).

Following from EAGE: First Break – March 2004

North Sea targets in danger without investment, according to UKOOA: UK offshore oil and gas producers have a two to three year window of opportunity to contain the rate of decline in the North Sea, according to the UK Offshore Operators’ Association (UKOOA). It reports that the UK offshore production targets for 2005 and 2010 are both under severe pressure, and that despite rising investment, the increase in unit costs and decline in production volumes mean that urgent action is needed by all stakeholders, including government, by increasing investment in marginally economic fields, maximising the recovery of reserves in producing (brown) fields and stimulating the exploration and appraisal activity essential for future production. The regulatory burden must also be addressed, UKOOAstates.

Following from EAGE: First Break – March 2004

Reserves reporting embarrassment rocks Shell:

The repercussions of the move by Royal Dutch/Shell Group to announce a cut of 20% in its proved reserves were still unfolding as First Break went to press. In early January Shell said that, following internal reviews, some proved hydrocarbon reserves – 3.9 billion barrels of oil (boe) - would be recategorised, a statement which knocked nearly 10% off the stock valuation of the company. Investor dissatisfaction was compounded by the perceived failure of Shell chairman Sir Phillip Watts to attend the conference announcing the change in reserves reporting. Embarrassingly for Sir Phillip, he was in charge of Shell’s E&P operations during the years when most of the reserves in question were erroneously booked.

Shell insisted that there was no material effect on financial statements for any year up to and including 2003. The recategorisation of proved reserves did not materially change the estimated total volume of hydrocarbons in place, nor the volumes that are expected ultimately to be recovered. It is anticipated that most of these reserves will be re-booked in the proved category over time as field developments mature, the company said.

From EAGE First Break – April 2004

Board moves at Shell and ExxonMobil

Bowing to what was probably the inevitable, Sir Philip Watts has stepped down as chairman and managing director of Shell Transport and Trading Company following the furore caused by the company’s unexpected 20% downgrading of its total reserves announced in January. Jeroen van der Veer, president of Royal Dutch Petroleum, will succeed him as chairman of the committee of managing directors.

The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has in the last month advised Shell’s legal representatives that its enquiry into the company’s recategorisation of some proved reserves would proceed as a formal non-public investigation. Shell said it would continue to cooperate fully with the SEC’s investigation.