C U R R I C U L U M    V I T A E    F O R    S T E P H E N    A D A M S

OBJECTIVE

In my twenty-five years as a technical professional I have enjoyed focussing on understanding, clarifying, and solving real-world problems. Excellent analysis and inter-personal skills, combined with a strong background in physics, geology, computing concepts and tools, are the keys to my success.

In future employment, I look forward to continuing to add value through appropriate analysis and innovation.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

  • A track record of adding significant value to my employers and clients.
  • Twenty-four years experience working internationally as a Petrophysicist, with 17 years as an independent Consultant and 7 years at the oil major Shell International.
  • Master of Science in Physics with First Class Honours.
  • After invitation, have served on the SPE Formation Evaluation Award and SPE Annual Technical Conference Formation Evaluation paper selection Committees.
VALUE ADDED

Some examples of significant value created for clients and employers are:

  • Co-authoring a Shell Manual detailing the use of Capillary Pressure Measurements and Saturation-
        Height Functions in formation evaluation. The latter half of the book detailing uses of the data was
        my contribution. This document was very quickly used in Shell Operating companies to calculate
        reserves additions and to provide technical arguments in equity negotiations.
  • Study to better characterise residual gas saturations in a large established gas field, resulting in
        significant increase (+0.4Tcf) in remaining reserves.
  • Study of marginal oil field at field development planning stage, used saturation-height behaviour to
        identify reservoir history, allowing the previously apparently conflicting oil-water contact 
        observations to be fully reconciled. Previously uncertain Field development will now proceed.
  • Petrophysical appraisal of gas field under development resulting in 25% increase in reserves (+0.2
        Tcf), with full reconciliation between log and core data.
  • Recognition and quantification of a significant tight gas resource (>0.1 Tcf) previously mis-interpreted
        and overlooked.
  • Evaluating a very recently abandoned exploration well to find overlooked oil-bearing sands. The value
        of the find was highlighted such that embarrassment to the people involved was avoided. A re-drill
        produced in excess of 1200 b/d of oil.


    • INNOVATIONS

    Some examples of innovative thinking are:

  • Development of quantitative methodology to ensure representative sampling in core analyses.
  • Development of methodology to estimate imbibition capillary pressure curves based on drainage
        capillary pressure data. The technique has been calibrated using core data and validated against
        wireline log evaluations through short oil columns that have experienced imbibition.
  • Quantified gas saturations using cased hole neutron logs calibrated to unchanged intervals and
        open-hole log derived gas saturations. The same logs had previously only been used for contact
        location. The quantitative gas saturations allowed identification of previously unrecognised
        bypassed intervals and gravity drainage phenomena.
  • Development of own software for petrophysical evaluation utilising Java technology for 
        log processing. This software allows multiple iterations with different parameters to be carried out in
        only a few minutes, quickly refining log evaluations and allowing uncertainties to be investigated.
  • Development of technique for better estimating hydrocarbon saturations in thin beds using
        conventional logs. The technique was used in a one week study of a Brunei Field, yielding
        hydrocarbon volumes and locations similar to a three month study carried out by the Operator. The
        model was also used to understand the previously unexplained production behaviour of a very thinly
        laminated Miocene field in New Zealand.
  • Development of technique to rapidly and cost effectively quantify fracture porosity over un-cored
        intervals by calibration to core or imaging device. The Operator was able to have estimates of
        hydrocarbon volumes in the fracture system in time for operational decision-making. Conventional
        analysis techniques could not have met the tight time frame required.
  • The first use of Borehole Gravimeter measurements to estimate secondary gas saturations in an oil
        field. As a direct consequence, full-scale gas-oil gravity drainage was implemented in a large
        fractured carbonate oil field.


    • SPECIAL SKILLS

  • Have developed particular expertise in core analysis specification, interpretation and reconciliation
        with wireline log data. Expert in residual hydrocarbon and saturation-height definition.
  • Have worked as Operator representative in external Reserves reviews, as well as for external
        Auditors and Reserves Certification companies.
  • Expert at real-time, fit-for-purpose Exploration, Appraisal and Development well evaluations (on
        or off-site).
  • Experienced in integrating work with other professionals in team environments.
  • Experienced in mentoring and training new recruits and less experienced engineers.
  • Experience with NMR logging, interpretation and comparison with conventional log and core data.
  • Work well under stress and to tight deadlines.
  • Excellent analysis and problem-solving skills allow me to produce valid interpretations where others
        have failed.
  • Expert with a number of Petrophysical Software Packages including: ALT's WellCAD, Landmark's
        PETROWORKS, Mincom's GEOLOG and Shell's LOGIC. Experienced with TerraStation's TLOG.
  • Excellent conventional and object-orientated computer programming skills in Java, Fortran and
        Visual Basic.


    • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    Principal Petrophysicist with WellEval.com Ltd. and Petrophysical Solutionz Ltd, New Zealand
    From: September 1994 To: Today

    Set up Petrophysical consulting venture after market research revealed a significant niche. Consulting work has provided full time employment since September 1994. Work has been for hydrocarbon exploration and development companies operating in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the United Kingdom.

    Highlights of this work include:

  • Identification of a likely perched water system in a recently discovered Australian oil field with
        conflicting oil-water contact information.
  • Providing petrophysical support to a highly respected independent consulting group during
        Reserves Certification work.
  • Providing training course on Core Calibrated Petrophysical Interpretation for the SPWLA
        Chapter in Perth.
  • Solving a long-standing Petrophysical dilemma for a marginal off-shore oil field. The
        Operator now has the confidence to proceed with development after an increase in likely reserves of
        over 30 million barrels.
  • Being appointed to the Formation Evaluation Award Committee of the SPE for a 3 year
        term from 2003. Also appointed to the paper selection committees for theSPE Annual Technical
        Conference and Exhibition in Denver, October 2003 and Houston, September 2004.
  • Providing training course on Capillary Pressures & Saturation-Height Interpretation to
        Woodside Energy Ltd., Perth.
  • Acting as the Petrophysical Expert in a reserves dispute.
  • Study to construct drainage and imbibition saturation-height functions for an Australasian basin
        where the oil columns are so short that most reservoir was in the drainage capillary pressure
        transition zone before water imbibition occurred.
  • Study to better characterise residual gas saturations in a large established gas field, resulting in
        significant increase (+0.4Tcf) in remaining reserves.
  • Petrophysical appraisal of gas field under development resulting in 25% increase in reserves
        (+0.2 Tcf), with full reconciliation between log and core data.
  • Recognition and quantification of a significant tight gas resource (>0.1 Tcf) previously mis-
        interpreted and overlooked.
  • Recognition of water imbibition prior to discovery being important in most Taranaki hydrocarbon
        accumulations i.e. very short transitions zones are dominant.
  • Development of technique for better estimating hydrocarbon saturations in thin beds.
  • Development of technique to rapidly and cost effectively quantify fracture porosity over un-cored
        intervals by calibration to core or imaging device.
  • Developed quantitative methodology to ensure representative sampling in core analyses.
  • Use of capillary pressure curves and log data to identify petrophysically significant facies, and
        model reservoir characteristics.
  • Use of neural networks to improve facies prediction from wireline logs.
  • Experience with NMR logging and core analyses for porosity, permeability and water saturation
        determination.
  • Involved with reservoir monitoring planning and interpretation to aide in optimising mature gas
        field development.
  • Training & mentoring of junior engineers in petrophysics and log analysis software.


    • Senior Petrophysicist with Woodside Petroleum, Australia
    From: October 1993 To: September 1994

    Seconded from the Shell Group to work initially in the business unit developing Woodside's oil fields. A re-assignment into the team developing the Goodwyn gas/condensate reservoir and maintaining production from the North Rankin gas/condensate field followed.

    Responsibilities included specification of formation evaluation requirements for appraisal and development wells and advising on appropriate evaluation techniques. Involvement with integrated studies, staff training, support to lateral prediction and operational petrophysical duties were also required.

    Highlights of this work include:

  • Finding major flaw in subsea perforating strategy for oil field about to be developed. Continuing
        with the plan would have resulted in US$30 million worth of wells being junked as well as 60,000 b/d
        of oil deferment.
  • Using resistivity modelling runs to populate a spreadsheet allowing Woodside's first use of a multiple
        depth MWD resistivity tool to monitor the distance of a horizontal well from the overlaying shale
        in real-time.
  • Organising the transfer of all original log data from 1500 tapes in a variety of reel formats to six
        checked tape cartridges. Petrophysical data handling costs were reduced, while data accessibility
        was increased.



    • Petrophysicist with Petroleum Development Oman LLC, Oman
    From: May 1988 To: September 1991

    Seconded from the Shell Group, initially assigned as Petrophysicist for two of the largest oil fields in Oman. Evaluations of development wells were undertaken. Experience with both new and vintage data was acquired. Where limited data was available, some novel techniques had to be employed. Improved oil-in-place estimates were made through petrophysical reviews, rock property mapping and saturation-height function derivation. Reservoir monitoring programmes were integral parts of field management.

    In November 1989, was re-deployed to Exploration Support. Work involved the planning of Exploration wireline log acquisition programmes and their consequent interpretation. The re-evaluation of old log data was also undertaken to assist in maximising the chances of drilling on a successful prospect. A large number of wells were drilled (>100) and a number of hydrocarbon accumulations identified.

    Additional responsibilities undertaken for periods Safety Focal Point and Petrophysical Well Review editor.

    Highlights of this work include:

  • Taking a leading role in the first Borehole Gravimeter surveys ever conducted to estimate secondary
        gas saturations in an oil field. As a consequence, full-scale gas-oil gravity drainage was
        implemented in a large fractured carbonate oil field.
  • Evaluating a very recently abandoned exploration well to find overlooked oil-bearing sands. The value
        of the find was highlighted in such a way that embarrassment to the people involved was avoided.
        A re-drill produced in excess of 1200 b/d of oil.
  • Extensive use of Pulsed Neutron logs for reservoir sweep monitoring.
  • While Petrophysics Focal Point for computing matters, oversaw implementation of the latest Shell
        Group Petrophysical software (LOGIC) into Oman. I undertook first well evaluation with the new
        software, obtaining detailed quantitative results within two hours of data receipt. Previously,
        work would have been undertaken by hand calculation with detailed quantitative analysis taking
        a number of days.
  • Extensive visits were made to well sites, witnessing and supervising a number of logging and
        associated activities.
  • Assistance in the training of inexperienced engineers was undertaken.



    • Trainee Petrophysicist with Shell International Petroleum, Netherlands
    From: September 1987 To: May 1988

    On initial employment, seven months of training was undertaken at Shell's Noordwijkerhout Training Centre in the Netherlands. After one month working in Exploration Support at Shell's Hague offices an assignment to Petroleum Development Oman was forthcoming.

    Highlights of this work include:

  • Successful completion of the Campbell Gas course.
  • Approximately 1 month spent working with the drilling crew and well-site engineers on drilling and
        work-over rigs around the Netherlands.



    • Technical Systems Analyst with BHP Minerals International, Australia
    From: September 1987 To: May 1988

    This Melbourne based position involved both the development and maintenance of technical software packages used by BHP mining operations throughout Australia.

    Extensive liaison with both users and vendors was necessary to meet the business requirements. Programming work was predominantly in FORTRAN-77. The fourth generation language SQL was used in conjunction with the ORACLE relational database management system. SAS was used for most statistical applications.

    Highlights of this work include:
  • Using an innovative approach to provide a program enhancement after 1 day of programming, when it
        had been expected to take at least 3 weeks.

  • Porting a technical application from Data General to VAX/VMS environments.

  • Travel to locations around Australia that would not normally be accessible.



    • TECHNICAL COURSES UNDERTAKEN

    1999 Java Programming - SL275A & B,SUN
    1993 Petrophysics Workshop, Shell
            Using the Exploration & Production Business Model, Shell
            Theoretical Aspects of Well Synthetic Generation, Shell
    1992 Reservoir Engineering for Other Disciplines, Shell
            Cased Hole Evaluation, Shell
            Petroleum Economics Seminar, Shell
    1991 Core Data in Reservoir Description & Evaluation, Corelab
            Cement Log Evaluation, Schlum.
    1990 Advanced Petrophysics, Shell
            Production Geology, Shell
    1987 Introductory Petroleum Engineering, Drilling, Operations & Economics, Shell
            Programming Using PCC for ORACLE, Oracle
            MINEX Users Course, ECS


    EDUCATION

    1981 - 1986 UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
                      M.Sc. (First Class Honours) Physics,
                      Thesis: "Size-Fractionated Raindrop Chemistry Studies" looked at efficiency 
                            of atmospheric pollutant scavenging by raindrops.
                      B.Sc. Physics and Chemistry
                      Completed sufficient papers for individual majors in both chemistry and physics.
    1976 - 1980 GLENDOWIE COLLEGE (Secondary School), AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
                      Dux
                      University Junior Scholarship awarded


    EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS

    • Adams, S.J.: “Core-To-Log Comparison – What’s a Good Match,” SPE 97013, ATCE Dallas, 9-12 October 2005.
    • Adams, S.J.: “Quantifying Petrophysical Uncertainties,” SPE 93125, APOGCE Jakarta, 5-7 April 2005.
    • Adams, S.J.: “Modelling Imbibition Capillary Pressure Curves,” SPE 84298, ATCE Denver, 5-8 October 2003.
    • Adams, S.J.: “New Insight Into Eromanga Basin Oil Saturations,” SPE 77886, APOGCE Melbourne, 8-10 October 2002.
    • Verbruggen, M.H.W. and Adams, S.J.: “Residual Hydrocarbon Saturations In the Maui Field,” SPE 68741, APOGCE Jakarta, 17-19 April 2001.
    • Adams, S.J.: “Fracture Porosity from Conventional Logs with Image Tool Calibration,” SPE 64408, APOGCE Brisbane, 16-18 October 2000.
    • Engbers, P., Adams, S., Farmer, R., Mathers, R. and Soek, H.: “Whaarangi: Prospect Potential Resolved,” SPE 64440, APOGCE Brisbane, 16-18 October 2000
    • Adams, S.J., Farmer, R.G. Hawton, D. and Seybold, O.: "Laboratory and In-Situ Determination of Residual Gas Saturations in Maui," proceedings of N.Z. Petroleum Conference, Christchurch, 19-23 March 2000.
    • Farmer, R.G., Adams, S.J., and Verbruggen, R.: "State-of-the-Art SCAL Experiments and Interpretation," proceedings of N.Z. Petroleum Conference, Christchurch, 19-23 March 2000.
    • B.A. Rogers, Adams, S.J., Holstege, G.C.J., Nazzer, C.A., Viets, T.P. and Young, I.M.: "Maari-1/1A - Results and Implications for Development," proceedings of N.Z. Petroleum Conference, Christchurch, 19-23 March 2000.
    • Adams, S.J., Farmer, R.G. and Heuvel, E. van den: "Modelling Maui with Imbibition Capillary Pressure Curves," proceedings of N.Z. Petroleum Conference, Queenstown, 30 March to 1 April, 1998.
    • Farmer, R.G. and Adams, S.J.,: "Facies Recognition Using Neural Networks," proceedings of N.Z. Petroleum Conference, Queenstown, 30 March to 1 April, 1998.
    • Adams, S.J. & Popta, J. van: "Gravity Gains Momentum," Middle East Well Evaluation Review, pp.6-11, N0. 12, 1992.
    • Adams, S.J.: "Gas Saturation Monitoring in North Oman Reservoirs Using a Borehole Gravimeter," SPE 21414, Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain 16-19 Nov. 1991.
    • Popta, J. van, Heywood, J.M.T., Adams, S.J. and Bostock, D.R.: "Use of Borehole Gravimetry for Reservoir Characterisation and Fluid Saturation Monitoring," SPE 20896, Oct. 1990.
    • Bostock, D.R., Adams, S., Mercadier, C., Milatz, H., Weerd, H. van der and Walker, T.: "Generation of a Field Development Plan, Natih Field, North Oman," The Archie Conference, Houston, Texas, 22-25 Oct. 1990.
    • Adams, S.J., Bradley, S.G., Stow, C.D. and Mora, S.J. de: "Measurements of pH versus Drop Size in Natural Rain," Nature 322, pp.842-844, 1986.

    INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

    Ideas/Inventing/Innovating, Reading, Renewable Energy, Sailing, Skiing, Swimming, Windsurfing, Writing.


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