Senior Processing Geophysicist at Oando

Reports to: Deputy Manager, Geophysical Operations

Job Summary

Leads and assures the planning, execution, and quality of all seismic and non‑seismic processing and reprocessing programs across OERNL’s assets, incorporating advanced seismic attribute analysis and both qualitative and quantitative interpretation to deliver high‑quality subsurface data that supports exploration objectives with technical excellence and cost efficiency.

Key Responsibilities Areas (KRA) and Initiatives

Seismic Processing Planning & Workflow Design

• Design end-to-end seismic processing workflows by integrating acquisition parameters, geologic objectives, and QC criteria so that optimal imaging sequences are selected to reduce uncertainty in structural and stratigraphic interpretation.
• Define processing objectives through multidisciplinary collaboration and technical scoping to ensure that workflows are aligned with exploration and development goals for improved drilling decisions.
• Conduct feasibility studies using test processing, velocity scans, and noise diagnostics to select the most appropriate algorithms that enhance signal fidelity and reservoir detectability.
• Customize processing strategies for vintage and multi-survey data by harmonizing geometries and statics to deliver a consistent merged dataset that supports basin-wide evaluations
• Develop processing execution plans, schedules, and resource estimates to ensure timely project delivery and reduce cost overruns.

Seismic Reprocessing Project Management & Contractor Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day processing steps using QC checkpoints, parameter testing, and iterative refinement to ensure high-resolution seismic volumes suitable for structural and stratigraphic interpretation.
• Apply advanced noise attenuation, deghosting, demultiple, and anisotropic imaging algorithms to enhance signal penetration and imaging clarity for complex subsurface environments.
• Validate contractor processing workflows by reviewing logs, QC reports, and intermediate products, and coordinate technical workshops through collaborative review sessions to ensure technical-standard compliance, strengthen alignment between operators, contractors, and interpreters, and ultimately enhance cross-disciplinary decision-making and overall processing quality.
• Manage data transfer, integrity, and archival using standard SEG and metadata protocols while maintaining geophysical databases with standardized metadata and version-control systems to ensure secure traceability, preserve corporate knowledge, prevent data duplication, and safeguard long-term data value and accessibility
• Work on multidisciplinary interpretation sessions with geologists, reservoir engineers, and petrophysicists to validate subsurface models and ensure data-driven decision-making that reduces exploration risk.

Subsurface Imaging Optimization (Velocity Modeling, Migration & AVO/RTM)

• Build high-resolution velocity models using tomography, well ties, and geological constraints, and optimize AVO, inversion-preconditioning, and attribute-ready processing sequences to improve depth accuracy, reduce structural uncertainty, enhance reservoir property prediction, and increase hydrocarbon detectability.
• Ability to generate, QC, and interpret seismic attributes (e.g., RMS, sweetness, variance, coherence, spectral decomposition) to enhance structural and stratigraphic understanding.
• Performs quantitative interpretation including rock physics modelling, AVO/AVA, inversion preconditioning, elastic property extraction to support reservoir characterization and hydrocarbon prediction as well perform integrated seismic interpretation to delineate structures, horizons, faults, channels and stratigraphic traps.
• Prepare and coordinate detailed project execution plans covering scope, timelines, budgets, and risk registers to ensure alignment across teams and timely project approvals.
• Execute advanced imaging workflows such as PSDM, Kirchhoff, Beam, and RTM by integrating well logs, VSP, checkshots, and regional velocity trends to calibrate velocity models, thereby illuminating complex subsurface structures and enhancing fault and reservoir continuity for better exploration and development decisions
• Prepare and coordinate detailed project execution plans covering scope, timelines, and budgets, and monitor operational KPIs such as cost per line-km, acquisition uptime, and processing turnaround using performance dashboards to identify bottlenecks and drive continuous efficiency gains that improve delivery reliability and reduce operational costs.
• Embed Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) leadership in field operations by conducting safety audits, emergency drills, and incident debriefs to ensure zero-harm performance and compliance with corporate standards.

Technical Governance, Standards, Innovation & Contractor Management

• Implement emerging geophysical technologies such as FWI, ML-based noise attenuation, compressive imaging, cloud-based processing or machine learning classification through structured trials to enhance speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of decision-making.
• Benchmark OER’s technical practices against global standards through active participation in professional networks, conferences, and peer reviews to maintain operational excellence.
• Establish and enforce seismic processing technical standards to ensure consistency and adherence to global best practices across all projects.
• Key into digital transformation by automating QC workflows, adopting visualization dashboards, and integrating data analytics tools and institutionalized lessons learned through training sessions, and best-practice repositories to strengthen technical consistency, streamline interpretation and reduce turnaround time.
• Lead contractor audits, capability reviews, and performance assessments to ensure technical excellence and safe delivery of processing services.

Team Leadership, Development & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide coaching and technical mentoring for junior geophysicists and geophysical students in work attachment and internship to build capability, promote career growth, and ensure operational continuity.
• Drive collaboration across drilling, geology, reservoir, and HSE functions by coordinating integrated subsurface studies that ensure geophysical inputs directly influence business outcomes.
• Prepare and deliver data-driven technical presentations and reports to management and joint venture partners to support exploration investment decisions and operational approvals.
• Promote a performance-driven culture by setting clear KPIs, conducting regular appraisals, and recognizing excellence to maintain motivation, accountability, and retention.
• Represent OER in joint venture committees, industry conferences, and regulatory meetings to enhance corporate reputation and influence standards in the geophysical domain.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in Geophysics or Geology.

Required Professional Certifications / Accreditations / Registrations:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) or other recognized geophysical professional certifications.

Minimum Years of Experience and Relevant Areas:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in geophysical operations within oil & gas E&P, including 4 years’ experience working on advanced geophysical workflows that interrogate seismic waveform for lithology and fluid signature.

Proven experience in:

• Leading geophysical teams and coordinating large-scale seismic operations (onshore and / or offshore).
• Contractor management, project budgeting, and regulatory compliance.
• Advanced geophysical survey methods, seismic acquisition, and data processing techniques.
• Application of latest geophysical technologies and acquisition innovations.
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) principles and regulatory compliance.
• Contract negotiation and vendor management.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration and effective communication with drilling, geology, reservoir, and HSE teams.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving focused on cost efficiency and risk reduction.