Ryan Christianson
**** ***** ****** **., ******, TX 77304
********@*****.*** 832-***-**** linkedin.com/ryan-christianson
Geophysicist Championing Innovation and Creativity
Bringing a diverse geophysical background to seismic interpretation and reservoir characterization.
Adept at finding and developing advanced technical solutions for detailed reservoir analysis with seismic data. I offer unique approaches that maximize the exploration and development potential of petroleum systems at the basin, play and prospect tiers.
Key Areas of Expertise
Unconventional and Conventional Reservoirs Exploration & Development Seismic Stratigraphy 2D/3D Seismic Interpretation Attribute Analysis Seismic Acquisition & Data Processing Seismic Inversion Velocity Modeling & Depth Conversion Quantitative Interpretation IHS Kingdom, DI Transform, and HRS
Education
Master of Science in Geophysics, Southern Methodist University May 2015
Thesis: Seismic Reflection Imaging of Thermohaline Fine Structures in the Southeast Caribbean Sea
Bachelor of Science, Geology and Physics, Centenary College of Louisiana May 2012
Professional Experience
Southwestern Energy, Houston, Texas
Exploration & Development Geophysicist June 2015 - July 2018
North Louisiana Salt Basin - Merits & Accomplishments
Lead geophysicist within a multidisciplinary team that evaluated commerciality in the Lower Smackover by utilizing seismic attributes, structural and stratigraphic interpretation, 3D reservoir modeling/visualization, velocity analysis and quantitative interpretation.
Analyzed numerous economic permutations and risk-reward scenarios in a fracture play; established ranges of economic outcomes assuming variability in hydrocarbon maturity, reservoir pressure and production rate.
Successfully articulated the business case and upside potential of the asset to the CEO and BoD, which resulted in drilling funds being allocated to the team for the first time in 3 years.
Integrated knowledge of geophysical, geologic and petrophysical data to facilitate the creation of high-fidelity synthetic seismograms, subsequently used for velocity modeling.
Using a new velocity model by invoking a Backus averaging workflow; drilling targets were encountered within 10’ of predicted depth, validating calibrated velocity model and the time-depth conversion.
Conducted fluid substitution modeling for the conventional Smackover reservoir to determine if variable fluid types/ water saturations were observable at seismic resolution; Accurately predicted the reservoir properties of the Smackover; hypothesis corroborated by mudlogs and wireline data.
Led the development program by selecting suitable drilling locations and ranked prospects by anticipated PVI, with economic considerations for all disciplines. Development strategy also driven by regional trends in structure I highlighted with seismic attributes.
Developed a detailed timeline with cost analysis for bolt-on 3D acquisitions. Archaeologic/biologic pre-requisite studies were conducted to accelerate lead-times in areas I attributed with highest potential value
Marketed the asset for divestiture and received overwhelming interest because of the technical understanding achieved and the business acumen/professionalism exhibited with all counterparties.
Co-mentored interns/externs to bring collaboration and fresh perspectives to the team. Helped refine the young professionals by sharpening their problem solving, strategic thinking and communication skills. I’m very engaging and pride myself on being highly involved in all mentorship opportunities.
Proven time management skills concurrently working multiple basins as the sole geophysicist. Maintained a full development role in the Fayetteville Shale while simultaneously investigating our Smackover asset.
Arkoma Basin – Merits & Accomplishments
Evaluated conventional, shallow sand prospects and unconventional/resource plays in the Fayetteville, Moorefield and Chattanooga to generate an economically hierarchy of remaining inventory; led the identification of a suitable salt water disposal site that exceeded all regulatory standards; set a division record for project PVI. Planned and executed the longest lateral in the Fayetteville in company history.
When evaluating conventional reservoirs, I systematically risked the components required to create and maintain a petroleum system: source rock, storage potential, migration pathways and the structural closures/seals. Knowledgeable in reservoir identification with DHI’s, but data was unsuitable in this case.
I used a depositional analog (Ellenburger) to generate structural attribute volumes depicting zones of karst collapse in the Arbuckle; time slices through the volumes I created contributed to the confidence upper management had in the storage potential of the reservoir while maintaining stringent HSE standards.
Continuously prepared all geophysical AFE and operations materials, which maintained extensive inventory that prevented NPT in drilling and completions. I actively updated structure maps in Kingdom as new deviation surveys were received from the operations geologists, which maximized the in-zone percentage.
Interpreted the regional structure of deep formations and underlying basement; included detailed fault interpretation, increasing our understanding of the structural evolution and constrained source mechanisms and sedimentary provenances in our depositional models.
Appalachian Basin- Merits and Accomplishments
I was part of a multi-disciplinary team developing our acreage in the Marcellus Shale. Provided geophysical support for drilling operations; routinely generated and presented AFE materials to management.
Mapped the salt underlying the Marcellus in areas with pronounced mobilization, which formed salt pillows of variable thickness. Isochore maps precipitating from my interpretation explained anomalous production trends and modified the development strategy; identified areas more susceptible wellbore corrosion.
Extensively interpreted and tied legacy 2D data to existing 3D surveys; resulted in additional experience creating regional structure maps influenced by the deposition and dislocation of salt. My tenure in every basin exemplifies my proficiency interpreting all ranges of seismic data.
Geophysical Intern, Southwestern Energy, Fayetteville Shale Summer 2014
Interpreted 3D seismic data to regionally map a thin shale marker; my maps continue to be used as a proxy for our KOP; used pilot holes to create synthetics and incorporated deviation surveys for T-D conversions.
Familiarized myself with Kingdom and learned to integrate data across multiple software platforms.
Research Assistant, Southern Methodist University Aug. 2013 – May 2015
Specialized in pre-conditioning and processing legacy 2D marine data, from raw gathers to time migrated stacks. Processed images revealed subtle impedance contrasts in upwelling currents, demonstrating that hydrophones have the inherent sensitivity required to image the faintest of signals, if processed properly.
Research Assistant, The Center for Earthquake Research and Information Summer 2012
Acquired geodetic data in Argentina by installing temporary an array of high precision GPS stations; worked alongside a contracted native, orchestrating our day-to-day activity in a second language. I was held accountable for compensating the worker, purchasing needed supplies and transmitting data back to CERI.