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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upstream Geoscientist

💰 $ - $

GeoscienceEnergyOil & GasExplorationReservoir

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires an experienced Upstream Geoscientist to lead subsurface interpretation and reservoir characterization activities across exploration and development assets. The successful candidate will integrate seismic, well-log, core, petrophysical and production data to generate geologic models, quantify volumes, advise on well placement and drilling risk, and present technically robust, commercially informed recommendations to multidisciplinary teams and management.

Key keywords: Upstream Geoscientist, seismic interpretation, reservoir modeling, petrophysics, prospect generation, well planning, subsurface integration, petroleum geology, exploration & development.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Geoscientist / Graduate Geologist
  • Petrophysicist or Field Logging Engineer
  • Geophysicist or Geological Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Geoscientist / Lead Geoscientist
  • Exploration or Development Team Lead
  • Subsurface Manager or Asset Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Reservoir Engineer (specializing in static-to-dynamic integration)
  • Basin Modeller or Petroleum Systems Specialist
  • Data Science / Geoscience Analytics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct detailed seismic interpretation for exploration and development projects, including horizon and fault mapping, velocity model QC, seismic-to-well ties and structural interpretation using tools such as Petrel, Kingdom, OpendTect or equivalent; deliver map products, cross-sections and time/ depth conversions that underpin drilling and development decisions.
  • Build and update 3D geological models and static reservoir models (structural grids, property modeling, facies and lithofacies interpretation) to support volumetric estimates (STOOIP/OOIP) and reserves classification in accordance with PRMS/SPE standards.
  • Integrate well logs, core descriptions, core plugs and laboratory data to perform petrophysical evaluations (porosity, permeability, saturations, net pay) and calibrate rock properties for deterministic and stochastic reservoir models.
  • Perform prospect generation and maturation workflows: identification, screening, risk assessment, chance of success estimation, and creation of prospect/prioritised lead portfolios for exploration campaigns and farm-in/farm-out opportunities.
  • Execute reservoir characterization tasks including facies modelling, sedimentological interpretation, sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems analysis to predict heterogeneity and flow units.
  • Lead AVO/AVOce and amplitude attribute analysis, seismic inversion and attribute workflows to identify direct hydrocarbon indicators, fluid contacts and reservoir property variations.
  • Run geostatistical analyses and uncertainty quantification (realizations, variograms, Monte Carlo) to capture subsurface uncertainty and provide probabilistic forecasts for volumetrics and recoverable estimates.
  • Provide drilling and well planning support: define target objectives, landing zones, geohazard assessment, wellbore trajectory recommendations, and participate in pre-drill risk workshops and drilling reviews.
  • Support wellsite and operations geology including real-time MWD/LWD logging interpretation, mud logging integration, coring decisions and production test supervision where required.
  • Collaborate with reservoir engineers to translate static models into dynamic simulation inputs; support history matching and production forecasting by supplying geologically justified static models and uncertainty ranges.
  • Perform basin analysis and petroleum systems studies (source rock maturity, migration pathways, trap integrity) to inform exploration play risk and prospect ranking.
  • Conduct analogue studies (outcrop, subsurface analogues) and integrate regional geological knowledge to improve conceptual models and reduce exploration risk.
  • QA/QC subsurface data — manage well, seismic and geologic datasets, ensure metadata integrity, maintain interpretation deliverables and apply corporate data standards and naming conventions.
  • Prepare technical reports, well proposals, subsurface studies and presentations for stakeholders and investment committees; clearly communicate geological risk, upside potential and commercial implications.
  • Lead technical risk assessments and HAZID-style reviews for subsurface hazards, including shallow gas, overpressure, fault reactivation and geomechanical risk to inform safe drilling and completion design.
  • Champion the adoption of new techniques (seismic AVO, inversion, machine learning, geostatistics) and mentor junior geoscientists on best practices for interpretation, modelling and presentation.
  • Evaluate field development options and support conceptual development, including well spacing, phased development, and appraisal-to-development strategies to maximize recovery and reduce uncertainty.
  • Participate in bidding, licensing and farm-out processes by delivering technical inputs for block evaluations, fiscal modelling support and technical due diligence packages.
  • Maintain awareness of regional exploration programs, competitor activity and technology trends; translate market and regional intelligence into exploration and development recommendations.
  • Liaise with multidisciplinary teams (petroleum engineering, drilling, production, HSE, commercial) to ensure subsurface decisions are aligned with operational, safety and commercial objectives.
  • Provide objective technical reviews and peer checks of interpretations, static models and commercial recommendations to ensure high-quality subsurface deliverables.
  • Support production surveillance and reservoir monitoring (4D/ time-lapse seismic interpretation, pressure data integration) to update models and optimize recovery strategies.
  • Ensure compliance with company technical standards, regulatory reporting requirements and applicable safety/environmental guidelines for upstream operations.
  • Drive continuous improvement in geoscience workflows, including data automation, interpretation reproducibility and standardized deliverables to improve efficiency and decision speed.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc subsurface data requests, dashboards and exploratory data analysis to help commercial and operations teams make data-driven decisions.
  • Contribute to the organization's subsurface data strategy, knowledge management and roadmap for cloud-based interpretation, collaborative modelling and version control.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate technical subsurface needs into project scopes, budgets and timelines; help prioritize technical work according to business value.
  • Participate in sprint planning, agile ceremonies or stage-gate reviews for cross-functional subsurface projects and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Mentor and train junior geoscience staff through formal training programs, on-the-job coaching and technical workshops.
  • Represent the company in technical forums, conferences and industry working groups to share discoveries and maintain professional networks.
  • Provide technical input for environmental baseline studies, social impact assessments and regulatory submissions when subsurface aspects are relevant.
  • Assist commercial teams during negotiations by validating subsurface assumptions, technical risks and upside potential used in farm-in/farm-out agreements.
  • Maintain and curate digital geological libraries (core, thin sections, reports), ensuring easy retrieval and long-term preservation of subsurface knowledge.
  • Support prototype and pilot projects for AI/ML-enabled interpretation and automated workflows, validating outputs against traditional geological workflows.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert seismic interpretation skills: horizon and fault mapping, 3D/2D interpretation, seismic-to-well tie and velocity modelling; familiarity with Petrel, Kingdom, OpendTect, or equivalent interpretation platforms.
  • Strong petrophysical analysis: well-log interpretation, fluid typing, cut-offs, net pay calculations and ability to integrate core and lab measurements.
  • 3D geological and reservoir modelling: structural modelling, property gridding, facies modelling and populating static models for flow simulation.
  • Reservoir characterization and volumetrics: STOOIP/OOIP calculations, reserves classification (PRMS/SPE) and probabilistic volumetric workflows.
  • Geostatistics and uncertainty analysis: variography, multiple realizations, Monte Carlo methods and stochastic modelling tools.
  • Seismic attributes, inversion and AVO analysis: amplitude processing, inversion workflows, attributes extraction and interpretation for lithology/fluid discrimination.
  • Basic dynamic reservoir knowledge: inputs for reservoir simulation (Eclipse, CMG or similar), history matching interactions and production forecasting concepts.
  • Well planning and drilling geology: geohazard assessment, target definition, MWD/LWD interpretation and real-time decision support.
  • Basin analysis and petroleum systems: maturation modelling, migration pathways and play risk evaluation.
  • Data management and QC: subsurface database handling, data standards, and metadata management; familiarity with PPDM, Energistics or company data frameworks.
  • Programming and automation: scripting in Python, MATLAB or R for data processing, workflow automation and analytics; SQL for database queries is a plus.
  • GIS and mapping: spatial data handling, map production and integration of surface/subsurface datasets.
  • Familiarity with geomechanics and fracture characterization to assess wellbore stability, stimulation potential and fault reactivation risk.
  • Experience with 4D/time-lapse seismic interpretation and production surveillance techniques for dynamic reservoir evaluation.

Soft Skills

  • Clear technical communication and report writing tailored to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Strong stakeholder management: influence, negotiation and the ability to present technical risk and upside to commercial audiences.
  • Problem-solving mindset with structured decision-making and ability to balance technical rigor with commercial constraints.
  • Collaboration and team orientation across multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, operations, commercial).
  • Coaching and mentoring: develop junior staff and promote knowledge transfer.
  • Time management and prioritization in fast-paced exploration and development programs.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning attitude to adopt new tools, workflows and industry best practices.
  • Ethical judgement and attention to HSE and regulatory compliance in all subsurface activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • BSc in Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Engineering, or a related Earth Science discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • MSc or PhD in Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Geosciences, Basin Modeling or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Petroleum Geology
  • Seismic Geophysics
  • Reservoir Characterization
  • Basin Analysis
  • Petrophysics
  • Structural Geology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–12+ years depending on level (3–5 years for mid-level; 7–12+ years for senior/lead roles).

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in upstream exploration and/or development geoscience with exposure to offshore and onshore plays, practical experience with major interpretation packages, and demonstrated track-record of delivering subsurface models that informed drilling and development decisions.
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