This section is for applicants with higher educational degrees and usually 10+ years’ experience. Although these jobs are hard to find in the current energy industry job environment there are jobs available in other disciplines.
Geophysicist
There are multiple opportunities in geophysics, and if you have a strong background in software use this may be a good time for re-training into geophysics. Must be capable of abstracting geophysical concepts with mathematical languages.
Educational Requirements:
Experience-Expertise:
- Excellent at interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic data and assists in the subsurface geologic mapping of hydrocarbon reservoirs
- Good at coding skills with one or more programming languages, such as C/C++, CUDA, FORTRAN, Python, OPENCL
- Knowledge of signal processing, wave propagation, and numerical optimization
- Experience with cross-platform development
- Experience with designing and implementing algorithms
Professional Opportunities:
- Shallow geophysics jobs related to groundwater analysis.
- Induced seismic analysis will be required by state oil and gas commissions and operators.
- Deep—A tremendous amount of 3-D seismic was shot during the unconventional boom. This is a great opportunity to use to look for shallow, conventional oil plays.
- Natural hazard analysis
Compensation:
- Geophysicist $60-130k; Sr. Geophysicist $140-200k (energy Industry)
Potential Clients:
- Energy industry
- Seismic acquisition companies
- Hydrogeology companies
- Government, e.g., US DOI
Opportunity Ratio:
- Semi-Mature (expanding)=4/2.5=Medium Job Density
Examples:
- Geophysicist, Aramco, Carrolton, TX (MS+9/); Jobs/Aramco (5/20/20)
- Senior Geophysicist, Fugro, US: Apply at Fugro (5/10/20)
- Geophysicist, GS-1313-14, USGS, US (GS-13+): Experience, Inc Jobs (6/01/20)
Geochemist
This position involves a combination of lab and work in the field, along with a large number of client meetings. The main objective is to better understand the reservoirs for better a) well planning; b) completion strategy; c) field development. The information is used to determine the preferential enrichment (sweet spots), diagenesis, adsorption, etc.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology, geophysics, or engineering
- Deg/training in chemistry
Experience-Expertise:
- Experience in geochemical analysis
- Proficient geochemical testing
- Expertise in evaluating well logs
- Good knowledge of rock properties especially chemical composition and reactivity
- Expertise in paragenetic sequences and diagenesis
Professional Opportunities:vIntegrated company geochemist
- Independent lab geochemist
- Geochemical consultant
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $800-1200+/day
Potential Clients:
- Energy companies
- Oil and Gas service companies, e.g. Baker Hughes
- Chemical companies
- Government entities
- Educational institutions
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature=5/2.5=Med Job Density
Examples:
- Geochemistry Lab Specialist, Dept of Earth and Environ, Boston Uni, Boston, MA (MS+3/): AAPG Career Center (05/01/20)
- Geochemist-Planetary Science, NASA, Greenbelt, MD: IvyExec (5/15/20)
Petrophysicist
Collaborate with the Petrophysics Team and work closely with asset teams to assist in regional resource evaluations, completions decisions, and reservoir geo-modeling efforts by implementing quantitative log evaluation and formation evaluation techniques. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment and to effectively manage time and prioritize projects in order to meet established deadlines. Ability to work and communicate effectively with all levels of coworkers, clients and other external contacts. Track record of involvement with successfully completed projects with exposure to the full project cycle; discovery through development phase.
Educational Requirements:
- MS-PhD geology or geophysics
Experience-Expertise:
- Integrate high-end log measurements with conventional logs (e.g. nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental spectroscopy, multi-pole acoustic, 3 D resistivity and borehole image data with density, neutron, resistivity) in order to deliver a comprehensive petrophysical evaluation.
- Subject expert with industry proven petrophysical software
- Experience in single well and multi-well log evaluations
- Experience in log curve quality control and in editing and curve normalization techniques
- Knowledge of rock properties, advanced rock properties, and formation evaluation techniques
- Experience with conventional and special core analysis data
Professional Opportunities:
- Petrophysics
- Log analyst
- Core/sample description
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $85k to 240k+/yr.
Potential Clients:
- Majors to all sized independents
- Oil and Gas consulting companies/vendors, e.g. Baker Hughes
- Government entities
- Universities
Opportunity Ratio:
- Expanding=3.5/3.5=Med-High Job Density
Examples:
- Petrophysicist, Koch Davis, Oklahoma City, OK.: Job Abstracts (4/15/20)
- Sr. Petrophysicist, Metier EP, Tulsa, OK: Military.com (4/15/20)
- Petrophysics lead, General Electric, Oklahoma City, OK: ZipRecruiter (4/14/20)
- Petrophysicist, Saudi Aramco, Relocation to Saudi Arabia: USA Jobs (4/15/20)
Geomechanics Expert
Jobs in various fields: BS-PhD education levels. Conduct studies to identify rock properties and expected results of stress/strain. Geomechanics is used to evaluate geohazards and evaluate risk.
Educational Requirements:
- BS Geology, geophysics, or engineering
Experience-Expertise:
- Must be proficient in understanding rock properties.
- Fracture characterization
- Seismic attributes
Professional Opportunities:
- Core examination
- Rock mechanics
Compensation:
Potential Clients:
- Majors to all size independents
- Oil and Gas consulting companies/vendors, e.g. Baker Hughes
- Government entities
- Educational institutions
Opportunity Ratio:
- Semi-Mature=4/2.5=Med Job Density
Examples:
- Computational Geomechanics, Lawrence Livermore, Livermore, CA (BSEng+): Glassdoor (5/20/20)
GeoModeler
Working closely with the Geologist, Geophysicist, Petrophysicist and Reservoir Engineers in a collaborative environment to integrate subsurface data (seismic, core, image logs, petrophysical evaluation, facies analysis) for reservoir characterization to produce technically robust reservoir models for the purpose of simulation, field development planning, appraisal strategies and production forecasting purposes. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment and to effectively manage time and prioritize projects in order to meet established deadlines. Ability to work and communicate effectively with all levels of coworkers, clients and other external contacts. Track record of involvement with contribution to successful exploration and development projects.
Educational Requirements:
- BS, MS-PhD geology or reservoir engineering
Experience-Expertise:
- Build high quality fit-for purpose integrated static reservoir models integrating all the available subsurface data and supplementing with appropriate analogues.
- Provide uncertainty analysis through model scenarios for development and volumetric purposes,
- Provide geoscience input for depletion planning, appraisal strategies and individual well purposes
- Find opportunities to add value to existing future developments through the identification of new appraisal/development/infill opportunities, innovative options or cost reduction.
- Provide static models to the reservoir engineering team in collaboration to ensure simulation is achieved.
- Provide detailed reports and presentations to other members of the team, clients and stakeholders
- Applied proficiency in Petrel Geomodeling Platform.
Professional Opportunities:
- Geomodeler / Reservoir Modeler
- Reservoir Geologist
- Development Geologist
- Asset Geologist
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $85k to 240k+/yr.
Potential Clients:
- Majors to mid-sized independents
- Oil and Gas consulting companies, e.g. Schlumberger/Halliburton
- IOCs/NOCs
Opportunity Ratio:
- Expanding=3.5/3.5=Low - Med Job Density
Examples:
- Geomodeler, Saudi Aramco (Relocation), Saudi Arabia: LinkedIn (01/15/20)
- Geological Advisor – Geomodeling, Hess, Houston, TX: LinkedIn (02/18/20)
- Geologist/Geomodeler, Halliburton, Houston, TX: LinkedIn (03/16/20)
- Geomodeler, Leap29, Kuwait: Rigzone (06/05/20)
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Geoscientist
Many companies, especially those with international interests, are turning to EOR to develop fields in their portfolio. EOR can result in significant new reserve adds for companies. Also, EOR can be applied to projects outside of the oil patch such as CO2 storage. Many of the EOR jobs will be for mature geoscientists inside on large companies but there will be opportunities as smaller operators purchase oil and gas assets.
Educational Requirements:
- BS-MS geology or geophysics
Experience-Expertise:
- Proficient at reservoir analysis
- Experience with detailed stratigraphy
- Good with rock eval
- Experience with secondary recovery—waterflood and natural gas injection.
- Experience in tertiary recovery—CO2, nitrogen injection
Professional Opportunities:
- Reservoir characterization
- Secondary and tertiary injection
- Carbon capture and storage
Compensation:
Potential Clients:
- Multinational major energy companies
- Independent oil and gas companies
- Reservoir engineering companies
- Government entities
- Educational institutions
Industry / Density Ratio:
- Mature=5/2.5=Low to Med Job Density
Examples:
- International experience in EOR, Houston (MS+10yrs): TX: Just Geo Jobs (5/4/20)
Out-of-the-Box Ideas
The ability of a geoscientist to look at disparate data and develop an interpretation are similar to the skills needed by detectives.
Our understanding of energy needs and demands can be a good background for those seeking a political office.