Redefining the relationship between the oil company and its vendor
Clare E. Davies A C , Tristan Allen B , Craig E. Dempsey A and Kunal Mishra BA BHP, 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
B Schlumberger Australia Pty Ltd, Level 5, 256 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: clare.davies@bhp.com
The APPEA Journal 60(2) 424-426 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ19237
Accepted: 27 February 2020 Published: 15 May 2020
Abstract
During 2016, BHP committed to produce a petroleum systems model for the complete Exmouth Sub-basin area; such a model would require knowledge of the sub-basin’s evolution through time and a uniquely qualified team to deliver within the agreed time frame. Existing seismic coverage rarely illuminated the deepest portion of the basin; however, through a collaboration with WesternGeco Multiclient, a basin-wide broad-band 3D seismic survey was acquired to underpin the new study to ensure its success. To facilitate this acquisition and the development of the petroleum systems model, BHP and WesternGeco Multiclient created a virtual world-wide team to combine their expertise of seismic acquisition and processing, seismic and potential field interpretation, geochemistry and basin modelling. Although the work was coordinated in Perth (WA, Australia), team members were located in Australia, Europe and the US, where particular specific expertise was located. Both companies made a commitment before the commencement of the project to have open exchange of data, interpretations and knowledge transfer, with one project coordinator. Although individual contributors were located in Australia, Europe and the US, monthly video or telephone coordination meetings combined with weekly meetings between individual specialists, as needed, allowed for the project to be completed to the highest technical quality within the scheduled time frame. The collaborative interpretation from this new seismic data and the resulting petroleum system model has created significant value for both companies, with insights benefiting the industry as a whole as a result of this redefined relationship between company and vendor.
Keywords: collaboration, global team.
Clare Davies’ career in the oil and gas industry covers 20 years, with a variety of roles in operators and consultancies. Clare completed a BSc(Hons) in Geology from Edinburgh University and PhD in Seismic Interpretation and Sedimentology from Leeds University before joining CASP as a field sedimentologist and project leader. Clare then joined Woodside in Perth working on new ventures, Mauritania and Australian Exploration before moving to BG’s new ventures team in Reading, UK. A move to Brisbane with BG opened up the world of unconventional tight gas sands. A return to the UK saw Clare join Getech as their Multiclient Regional Reports Manager working basins around the Atlantic and Southern Africa. Clare returned to Perth in 2017 to take up her current role as BHP’s Australian Exploration and Geoscience Manager. |
Tristan Allen’s career in the oil and gas industry spans over 15 years, with extensive experience in technical, sales, marketing and leadership roles, both on land and offshore. Tristan studied geophysics at Curtin University and began his career with Schlumberger as a geophysicist based in Perth. In 2009, Tristan moved to Malaysia, where he supervised project teams in South-east Asia before returning to Perth and taking on the Sales Manager role for Australasia in 2012, leading sales for various product lines within the Reservoir Characterisation Group. In 2015, Tristan moved on to manage the WesternGeco Multiclient business across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Indonesia. Tristan is currently the WesternGeco Regional Manager, overseeing all businesses within the WesternGeco portfolio for Australasia. In addition, Tristan currently chairs the Asia Pacific Committee for the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, sharing his passion to create a more inclusive and sustainable industry. |
After graduating with a BSc in geophysics from Flinders University, Craig Dempsey has spent the past 42 years working in all aspects of petroleum geoscience from basin analyses through to production geoscience. During this time Craig has been involved in projects in all the major Australian, South-east and South Asian basins, the Gulf of Mexico (both the US and Mexican portions), Algeria and the North Sea. For the past 23 years Craig has worked for BHP and is currently based in BHP’s Perth office within the Australian Exploration team. Craig is a member of ASEG and EAEG. |
Kunal Mishra is Multiclient and New Ventures Manager at WesternGeco-Schlumberger Far East Australasia, a position he assumed in January 2018. Prior to his current position, Kunal served as WesternGeco Account Manager in the same region, helping company monetise existing portfolio, developing assets, convert leads and close customers. Previously, Kunal worked as a technical sales manager for a Multiclient organisation. Kunal graduated with a Masters degree in Geology from the University of Delhi, India. |
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