Shell’s Petrophysicist to Lecture at SPE Aberdeen Event

Shell UK, principle petrophysicist and SPE Aberdeen Board Member, Alan Johnson is set to ‘demystify petrophysics’ at a Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen event this week.

Johnson, who joined Shell in 2001 as a petrophysicist and has been working in the oil industry for 39 years. will outline the basics of petrophysics, developments in this science and how data can be integrated and reviewed in the context of modern development tools.

The presentation, ‘Demystifying Petroleum Engineering’, is part of SPE Aberdeen’s Simplified Series promoting interdisciplinary industry knowledge sharing from global experts in their respective fields. Mr. Johnson will cover petrophysics topics including lithology, porosity, permeability and water saturation, with a focus on the importance of thorough laboratory analysis.

Johnson said: “Petrophysics plays a key role in identifying and developing hydrocarbon resources. There have been significant developments made in the field in recent years and we have a growing number of tools at our disposal which allow for accurate rock measurements and electronic data recording.

“Although great progress has been made in this area, this has resulted in the petrophysical landscape becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, particularly for those new to the discipline or to the industry as a whole. My presentation will offer an explanation of the key elements of petrophysics, from the development of the first data-logging tools including Archie water saturation, through to a review of the impact of the discipline on a broader scale.”

Anthony Onukwu, chairman of SPE Aberdeen, said “It is important that we use SPE Aberdeen as a forum in which we can share technological advancements and discuss how they can be applied with industry peers. I would like to thank the Simplified Series sponsor, Shell U.K. Limited, for its continued support of this initiative which is bringing various disciplines within the oil & gas industry to the public.”

The event, which is free to attend, will take place from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on 7 May at the Station Hotel.