As a Data Geoscientist at CGG Data Hub, I am responsible for maximising the value of subsurface legacy (=historic) data. Subsurface data is a key compound in the energy industry, which allows experts to explore fossil reservoirs. Many companies have millions of trapped subsurface data, saved in variable data formats and stored in unstructured databases.
By implementing data science tools with geoscience expertise, I am capable to update legacy data and to provide new data management strategies. In this way, I can improve data quality, contributing for better decision-making and providing new insights for ongoing and planned geoscientific investigations.
My typical day at the office begins with a delicious coffee and chat with my colleagues. After responding to all priority emails and attending project catchups, I am exploring well reports. Depending on the phase of the project, I am adjusting Python scripts to extract geological well reports, developing functions classifying reports and implementing visualisation tools to enrich interpretations.
The second half of my day starts with a table football game with my colleagues. In the afternoon I am the most productive and therefore I work on conference abstracts, presentations and workflow patents. Afterwards, I continue my work on data extraction, classification and enrichment. At the end of the working day, I usually play Basketball or Dodgeball with my colleagues.
The best part of my job is that I can be a “bridge” between geoscience and software engineering. This means, that I can understand what a geoscientist wants to see in the interpretation, but I am also aware of the software’s limitation. My proficiency in effective communication thus enables me to transfer knowledge and insight between these two diverse disciplines.
Geoscience legacy data is often stored in old geological reports. Their data format is variable, depending on their i.) country of origin ii.) discipline and iii.) laboratory. There haven’t been any universal scripts developed yet, which could automatically extract the content of every reports. I have access to tools that are capable of partially extracting data from reports. However, achieving a full extraction of data autonomously in bulk, is a challenge for my team and the industry.
As a geoscientist, I value the time I can spend using cutting edge software to shape geoscientific exploration and development. Updating legacy subsurface data helps to make better decisions towards a sustainable future.
Geoscientific investigations and data updates require considerable amount of time and expertise, which can be obtained by many years of working experience. However, digital tools can significantly reduce the time spent with interpretations. As time is one of the most valuable assets in resource exploration, I like to develop tools that help to save time, while experts can focus on their priority tasks.
Advice to others.. (What advice would you give to others who want a role like yours?)
I want to be remembered as a valued scientist, who was collaborative, reliable and loyal. To reach these goals, I work transparently. I like to share my knowledge with other colleagues and departments, and I value their feedback, interest, and input. I believe if I clearly communicate my ideas and workflows, they will be replicable for future researchers.
As a colleague, I would like to be remembered as someone who was helpful and trusted across the organisation. I like when people come to me with collaborative ideas and when they listen to my opinion. Engaging in profound conversations serves as a reassuring indicator that I am progressing confidently toward my career objectives.
I have a degree in natural sciences, and I have always wanted to push forward the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding of evolutionary mechanisms. I am fascinated by the complexity of nature and how individual species adapted to the given environmental circumstances. I like to read about the evolutionary history of marine mammals, birds, humans and one-cellular organisms.
