Tracing the Industry

ON THE MOVE...

Deric Cameron would like friends and colleagues to know that he has left Devon Canada Corporation, and recently joined Petro-Canada as a Senior Geophysicist with the Western Canada Northern Gas Paleozoic Team. You can reach Deric at (403) 296-3571 or decamero@petro-canada.ca.

Thrust Belt Imaging (TBI) enthusiastically announces the addition of Marc Langlois to their software development team. Marc has a long history with TBI founders Dale Schack and Rob Vestrum that dates back to Shell in the mid 1980s and carried through Kelman in the late 1990s. Having also worked with TBI developer Darren Foltinek, Marc says that joining TBI is more like a reunion than joining a new company. Marc will direct TBI’s algorithm development in anisotropic imaging and further develop computational efficiencies in their Mac OS X computing environment.

After deciding to focus his career on processing foothills seismic data, Victor Dolgov has joined the foothills enthusiasts at TBI. Victor brings experience ranging from field geophysics in a variety of locales to programming and seismic processing. In his most recent posting at WesternGeco Canada, Victor was instrumental in adapting Jon Gittins’s thrust-belt processing workflow to work efficiently and highly effectively in WesternGeco’s Omega processing system. In the spirit of cooperation between strategic-alliance partners TBI and WesternGeco, both companies supported Victor’s desire to move to TBI and sharpen his focus on thrust-belt seismic data processing.

Arcis is please to announce that Wayne Gerlitz has joined the Arcis team as a Business Development Leader for the Data Marketing and Management group. Wayne brings with him over 25 years of experience in data brokerage and data management. Wayne will continue to provide brokerage services to his current clients. Wayne can be reached at (403) 781-1434 or email wgerlitz@arcis.com.

Keith Jones would like friends and colleagues to know that he has joined Geophysical Service Inc/Precision Seismic Processing Division and will work in the Marine Processing team. You can reach Keith at 514-6269 or keith.jones@geophysicalservice.com.

Geophysical Service Incorporated welcomes a new staff member, Cheyenne Steffen to their team. Cheyenne is GSI’s Communications/Public Relations representative. She has a background in newspaper journalism and public relations and has worked in that field for several years. Cheyenne looks forward to meeting others in the geosciences industry. Look for her at GSI’s exhibit booth at upcoming convention and trade shows. Cheyenne can be reached at csteffen@ geophysicalservice.com.

Corey Hooge would like his friends and colleagues through out the industry to know that he is moving on to new opportunities after nearly six years with Petrovera and Canadian Natural. Corey has taken a position at Pioneer Natural Resources Canada while finishing up work for the upcoming convention with our colleagues in the CSPG and CWLS. He can be reached at 231-3168 or by e-mail at Corey.Hooge@ pxd.com.

CGG will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, watch for further announcements in the coming months. CGG has been offering leading edge seismic processing services in Calgary since 1967. CGG Canada Services Ltd. is adding some key members to its already strong team of service providers in processing and reservoir characterization in Calgary.

Mr. Julio Perea, Centre Manager, is pleased to announce that François Aubin has re-joined CGG in the capacity of Business Development Manager. François worked for CGG from 1981 till 1994, after which he enlarged his horizon at Veritas, Arcis and Kelman in various capacities. We are pleased to welcome François back and we are sure that his broad expertise in the industry in Calgary will be a definite asset for CGG.

Xinxiang Li also recently joined CGG Canada Services Ltd. as Senior Geophysical Researcher. He obtained a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in Mathematics in China, where he worked for 5 years before coming to Calgary. In Canada, he was first associated with CREWES and obtained a M.Sc. in Geophysics at U of C. Xinxiang was most recently at Sensor where he had worked for the last 5 years. At CGG he works closely with Dr. David Le Meur in Calgary, and in close cooperation with our R & D teams in France, Houston and London.

Both Xinxiang and François can be reached at 266-1011 or xli@cgg.com, faubin@cgg.com.

Mary Kadri has moved to the Foothills Exploration team at Anadarko Canada Corporation. She may be reached at (403) 231 0692 or by email at mary_kadri@anadarko.com.

How we got involved in geophysics...

This portion of the Tracing the Industry column is where people share how they became involved in this strange industry. Geophysics seems to be an “accidental” profession. Not many seem to start out with the goal of becoming a geophysicist. Each month I like to have someone trace their pathway into geophysics. If you would like to share your story, please let me know! CS

Medena Bridger, Dove and Kay Geophysical

I grew up in a small town in Newfoundland (which I love to refer to as a quaint fishing village), worked in the fish plant as a teenager and never once dreamed of living in this great Oil City or being a geophysicist. After high school graduation there were really only two roads to be traveled: stay home, get married and raise a family or go to university. I’ve never regretted choosing the latter.

In university, I tried on many hats including Political Science, Biology, Education and Math. It was only as I had settled down to a life of Physics that I came to live next door to a couple who were completing their degrees in Geology. At the time, I had no real concept of what geologists did. Were there real jobs involving geology? I remember the conversation that converted me clearly – I was locked out of my apartment (leaving the keys at home on my George Street adventures) and when I buzzed to get in there was no one home, except Sherrie, one of the geologists who lived next door. After waking her up, we stood in the building hallway chatting for a while. During the conversation she asked me why I was doing physics instead of geophysics, I just shrugged at the time, but I think it really hit some sort of hidden desire I never knew I had. The next semester I took a geophysics course for kicks, got sucked in and have never looked back.

Upon arriving in Calgary, I was fortunate enough to have my resume passed across John Boyd’s desk. John gave me my first industry job at Boyd PetroSearch. He has been a friend since day one and bestowed upon me a solid foundation for the world of interpretation and important building blocks to start my career as an interpreter. At Boyd PetroSearch, I was taught many interpretation techniques (from some great guys) which included seismic interpretation and mapping, 4D seismic analysis as well as AVO processing and interpretation.

I can honestly say growing up I didn’t even know this world existed, and now I feel blessed to have ended up where I am. It both scares me and excites me to think of all there is to know about oil and gas exploration. This career so far has taken me to places I could have only dreamed, created who I am and allows me to learn something new and exciting every day.

After being in Calgary for six years, I can’t imagine leaving this community, the ideas and the passion we all share for our work. I feel fortunate for the things I’ve learned so far as well as everyone that I’ve been lucky enough to know.

George Rechel, Sigma Explorations Inc.

In 1978 I worked for Pacific Petroleums processing seismic and, at a later date, cleaning up and managing their internal seismic data. At that period of time, the industry was very busy, much as it is now. There were mergers and take-overs that resulted in many people shifting their allegiances, including me. I was looking for something new. The two Barry’s at Sigma made me an offer to come over as a seismic data broker that started an interesting chain of events.

I jumped in “feet first” and a little wet behind the ears. It didn’t take too long with the help of the guys at Sigma and patience on the part of my clients before I started to feel comfortable and settled in my new position. Work was enjoyable, my wife and I just had our son – what more could I want?? As it turns out, there were other opportunities (at least I thought there were) that I wanted to pursue. So, off I went, but not for too long. They obviously treated me well enough at Sigma that when the opportunity presented itself, I came back to manage their field operations and market spec surveys.

When the industry slowed down in the early nineties, Sigma was in the process of changing from a paper based seismic coverage maps/plats to a computerized database and mapping system. A strong interest in computer applications/programming eventually led me to involvement with the new computerized mapping system and IT support. This was hot stuff and I liked it. Sigma connected with Clare Bowie of Dynamic solutions in the development of an excellent mapping/data base for seismic data.

Over time, the demands from mapping and IT support diminished to the point where I started doing brokerage work again on a part-time basis. Twenty-one or so years later I am still doing seismic brokerage. Apparently there is no escape. I’ve come full circle with a few interesting side trips on the way.

To state it plainly, I have been very fortunate to have worked and dealt with the people in this industry to this point in time. One of my first “clients” twenty odd years ago taught me a little about geophysics and now teaches me a little about wine making. Thanks to my friend Jean! The interesting thing about brokerage in this industry is the contact with its members. We always seem to find some common ground and share a little bit of our lives with each other. That’s pretty tough to beat! I hope to continue for a few more years in the profession that found me.