Posted: 27 Oct 2009
Location: USA
BHP Billiton is all about smart technology, innovation and great talent. If you want a challenging career and a chance to explore resource opportunities as well as your ambitions, we’re the company for you. Think ahead. Think BHP Billiton.
ROLE PROFILE:
The Sr. Development Geophysicist will be responsible for providing high quality geophysical technical leadership to the Browse multi-disciplinary Subsurface Team. The Browse gas project is comprised of three large gas fields located offshore Western Australia. BHP Billiton is a JV partner in the project which is operated by Woodside Petroleum. The Sr. Development Geophysicist will work closely with other subsurface team members in a shared responsibility to deliver successful results within agreed tollgate schedules, milestones, fiscal budgets and Health Safety Environment and Regulatory-Commercial criteria. Primary focus of the position is the quantification of resource ranges, subsurface risk and uncertainty determination and development plan optimization through subsurface 3D/2D mapping. In addition to subsurface mapping, the successful candidate is expected to provide seismic reprocessing, quantitative geophysical interpretation (QI) and well planning expertise to the Browse subsurface team. This Sr. Development Geophysicist role will likely encompass work on other Western Australia developments that may be pursued by the Houston office in the future. This role involves occasional business travel (up to 4 times per year) to Australia.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
* Provide responsive, expert geophysical advice and interpretation(s) to fully understand, characterize and quantify structural and subsurface uncertainties.
* Interface with Browse Geoscience and Subsurface Engineering teams and IPT team members on all subsurface related matters.
* Implement processes to improve workflow efficiency.
* Communicate with JV partners and Operator on technical issues and expedite their approvals, as necessary.
* Work with Geoscience function to ensure compliance to standards.
* Perform administrative tasks in an effective and efficient manner and contribute to the achievement of team goals and objectives.
* Maintain active contact with professional societies; develop and maintain networks and relationships with key peers across the company and industry for idea-sharing and capability development.
* Support and participate in Health Safety Environment and Community (HSEC) initiatives and ensure compliance with the agreed HSEC procedures and practices of all activities in areas of discipline responsibility
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The candidate will work closely with the Browse Development team
Other Teams/Individuals/Agencies:
* Scarborough-Thebe Development Geoscience team
* Functional Chiefs
* Geophysical and Geological Technology teams (e.g. seismic reprocessing, velocity modelling, time-depth conversion, structural reconstruction etc.)
* Appraisal Team, Integrated Project Teams (IPT) teams, Perth-based Subsurface Teams
* Gas Marketing
* Drilling and Completions team, Shallow hazards and Geological Operations teams
* Joint Venture (JV) partners and JV Operators
* Appropriate government agencies as required
BEHAVIOURAL & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
Leadership
The candidate must be able to take a lead technical role in specific projects but also be comfortable with working in a modern matrix environment. The position requires that the candidate be comfortable making sound decisions and recommendations to peers, chiefs and Geoscience, IPT, and Subsurface Engineering teams, even with incomplete or imprecise information. The position requires that the candidate take a pro-active approach toward problem solving and be action-oriented.
Interpersonal Skills
The candidate will be able to work well in a multi-discipline team. The person should be a strong team player with excellent interpersonal, collaboration and communication / influencing skills.
The candidate must demonstrate decision influencing skills, with both in-house staff teams and especially JV partner(s) and Operator Woodside in formal and informal settings.
Business Awareness
The candidate must be action oriented and consistently deliver results and meet stated deadlines.
The candidate must adhere to the BHP Billiton Corporate Guide to Business conduct
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will work in a multi-disciplinary team environment responsible for the development of the Browse fields (Calliance, Brecknock and Torosa). Main responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Conduct subsurface mapping and interpretation using well data and 2D + 3D time and depth seismic datasets to characterize the full range of subsurface uncertainties.
* Assist with structural reconstruction, reservoir mapping, facies mapping, connectivity, volumetric assessments, reservoir characterization studies and 3D geological model construction.
* Assist as needed with equity determination and other associated commercial activities
* Evaluate seismic acquisition processing plans, geophysical budgets and geophysical studies proposed by the Operator and Browse JV partners (e.g. geophysical contractor selection, processing flows to improve imaging, velocity model construction, time-depth conversion etc.)
* Evaluate operator’s development plan documents as needed especially in regard to well placement
* Interface with Shallow Hazards, Velocity modeling, Drilling and Well Operations teams as needed
* In collaboration with geophysical technology team, develop and implement workflows and processes to condition geocellular models with seismic data using seismic attributes and seismic inversion.
* Conduct aquifer characterization studies
* Utilize decision analysis techniques to evaluate decisions and value of information.
* Ensure that all seismic and geophysical-related well data is accurately housed in the appropriate project and corporate databases and prepared for efficient handover(s)
* Liaison and coordinate with other teams, in-house specialists, contractors and consultants. Engage and monitor work by specialists and specialist contractors as and when needed
* Help communicate the team’s technical results, conclusions and recommendations to joint venture partner and BHP Billiton staff in both formal and informal forums.
* Coordinate with Regulatory/Land/Contracts team to ensure required permits and submittals are properly filed.
* Maintain contact with Peer network and internal specialists, engaging them as necessary for advice, assists and reviews.
* Mentoring of junior peers within the team, knowledge sharing with the greater BHPB geoscience community.
* Retention and enhancement of key skill sets and competency through continued training and development.
* Provide input to Peer Assists and Peer Reviews for other projects.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:
The candidate should have 8 years of relevant experience in the upstream petroleum industry. Familiarity with Geophysical workstation mapping techniques and workflows is required. Experience with the following is beneficial:
* Minimum Bachelor's degree in a geoscience discipline
* Demonstrated technical writing skills
* Familiarity with seismic acquisition techniques and methods
* Seismic interpretation (horizon and fault mapping, seismic facies mapping, seismic attribute analysis
* Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and experience in deepwater and/or large complex development projects is desired.
* Practical experience with seismic attribute analysis, AVO/AVA analysis, seismic inversion, seismic modeling, and velocity model construction
* Written and spoken English language skills
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