Details of my Shell career

  1. I joined the Geophysics Department at KSEPL (Koninklijke/Shell Exploration and Production Laboratory) in Rijswijk in The Netherlands on 15-9-69. I stayed there till 31-8-76. During that period I did geophysical research in the fields of reflection signal detection, static corrections, velocity determination and time-to-depth conversion in the presence of structure. The latter subject was also the title of my paper at the annual SEG Conference in 1974 and in Geophysics (June 1977).
    In addition to doing research I have lectured and prepared course material for internal courses that were given to new as well as experienced geophysicists and seismologists on the following subjects:
    1. communication theory-signal theory:
      • fundamentals of digital filter theory
      • stochastic signal theory
      • linear systems and linear least-squares filter design
    2. advanced seismology:
      • the theory that underlies the processes that are applied in seismic data processing with Shell's proprietary software package.
  2. From 1-9-76 till 30-6-77 I worked in the geophysical department at SIPM in The Hague (Head Office) in order to do seismic processing and special studies in cooperation with interpreters.
  3. On 1-7-77 I went for three years with my family to Brunei in order to join the geophysical departement of Brunei Shell Petroleum Co. The job consisted of:
    • seismic processing and special studies as the geophysicist in the appraisal team
    • supervision of in-house contractor processing
    • liase with the processing contractors in Singapore
    • provide training on the job to local colleagues.
    I also familiarized myself with data acquisition, both land and marine.
  4. For the period 1-7-80 till 30-6-85 I returned to KSEPL in the geophysical department. During that period I was section head of "Structural Determination" and responsible for:
    • the development of 3D technology, including a.o. normal moveout analysis, stacking, raytracing and modelling and migration
    • the development of a strategy for velocity model building and updating in conjunction with migration.
  5. I was exchange scientist from 1-7-85 till 30-6-86 in Houston at BRC (Bellaire Research Center) which is the Exploration and Production Laboratory of Shell Development Company. There I did research on AVO (Amplitude Versus Offset) and on inversion.
  6. From 1-7-86 till 30-6-91 I was section head of the section "Elastic Methods" at KSEPL and responsible for the research on:
    • AVO
    • multi-component seismic
    • tomography and VSP processing
    In our section we a.o. processed the multi-component ARCO Group Shoot data set and were actively involved with the (first) 3D multi-component (three source and three receiver orientations) survey on behalf of a Shell Operating Company (3D-9C Natih for PDO in Oman). This included survey design, the development of processing strategies and tools and the building of a modelling package for testing and interpretation of the results.
    During this period I lectured regularly on AVO, shear technology and multi-component data processing.
  7. From 1-7-91 till 31-12-93 I was transferred to Calgary where I worked as senior staff geophysicist with Shell Canada Limited; my assignments were:
    • special processing and dedicated software development for imaging in the presence of rough topography and thrust tectonics
    • processing for seismic-to-VSP-to-well matching for stratigraphic plays
  8. From 1-1-91 till 15-6-99 I worked at KSEPL (now SIEP-RTS) as principal research physicist in "Seismic Imaging". I have participated in research to develop methods for velocity model building and updating for 3D data with general acquisition geometries. I was a member of a team that aims to further these methods by using new (multi-component) acquisition geometries, different types of body waves, gravity and magnetic observations and integration with interpretation technology. These developments are accelerated by taking on case studies for operating companies.
    I also lectured and prepared the course material for in-house advanced courses on:
    • migration principles and algorithms
    • velocity model building and updating methods
    • dip moveout (dmo)


Overview of contacts with universities and geophysical institutes

  1. I was KSEPL's liaison with Prof. Claerbout's SEP (Stanford Exploration Project) from 82-85.
  2. I was KSEPL's liaison with Prof. Berkhout's DELPHI Consortium (Delft University of Technology) from 88-91.
  3. I was a member of the Local Organizing Committee -chaired by Prof.Berkhout- that was in charge of the organization of the 50th meeting and technical exhibition of the EAGE in 1988 in The Hague. Together with Prof. Ziolkowski of TUD and ir. Ridder of TNO (Dutch Institute of Applied Physics). I was responsible for the Technical Programme.
  4. I act as referee for abstracts of papers submitted for presentation at EAGE Conferences and occasionally as a session chairman at these conferences.
  5. In 1990 two colleagues and I went to Russia for three weeks on behalf of KSEPL to visit Prof. Chesnokov of the Russian Academy of Sciences and his institute in Moscow -they do research on anisotropy- and to visit representatives of the Ministry of Geology. The latter group also invited us to visit their offices in Krasnoyarsk and Igarka.
  6. While I was in Calgary I was a member of the CSEG (Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists) and I attended the sponsor meetings of Prof. Stewart's consortium called CREWES (Consortium for Research in Elastic Wave Exploration Seismology) of which Shell Canada was a sponsor. I have also attended the Fifth Internatiol Workshop on Seismic Anisotropy that was held in Banff, Alberta; May 17-22; 92.
  7. Since mid 94 I was KSEPL's liaison with IFP (Institut Francais du Petrole) consortium PSI (Prestack Structural Interpretation) and its successor KIM (Kinematic Inversion Methods); these consortia are directed by Dr. Ehinger and Dr. Lailly of IFP.
  8. Since 1-1-98 I was KSEPL's liaison in a project that is sponsored by the EEC under Thermie (=non-nuclear energy). This project aimes at the imaging of complicated salt structures that in particular occur in the North Sea. The project members are IFP, CGG, Amoco UK, Norsk Hydro and Shell.
  9. Since 1-1-96 I was (again) KSEPL's liaison with Prof. Berkhout's DELPHI consortium.
  10. Via my colleagues at KSEPL who are liaison with other universities I am familiar with the work that is being done at:
    • the Colorado School of Mines by Prof. Bleistein and his group
    • the University of Prague by Prof. Cerveny and his group.
  11. In cooperation with the Delft University of Technology and the Rijksuniversiteit of Utrecht. I have supervised the practical work of their engineer/doctorate students as well as their Ph.D. students. I have also participated as a member of Ph.D. committees.
  12. I was associate editor of "Geophysical Prospecting" (a monthly published by the EAGE) for Migration, Modelling and Imaging.


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