The Pikka Unit represents one of the largest conventional oil discoveries in the United States in the past 30 years, with the Pikka Phase 1 Project marking the most significant North Slope development in over two decades. Additional upside is provided by discoveries at the Mitquq and Stirrup exploration wells drilled in 2020, together offering a clear and sustained growth pathway for Santos in Alaska.
Pikka Phase 1 is the flagship Nanushuk development in Alaska and the first in a series of planned projects. Early-phase technical excellence is essential, given the steep learning curve and the long-term impact of key development decisions. This is a pivotal period for the Alaska Business Unit, as we approach first oil from Pikka NDB, advance planning for Pikka NDC, Quokka, and Stirrup, and lay the groundwork for future growth through exploration efforts at Lagniappe and beyond.
Maintaining a lean organization while enabling long-term success requires highly capable personnel who are motivated, effectively deployed, and focused on value creation. The principal duties of the Senior Exploration Geologist is to mature exploration concepts, integrate all available subsurface information, proactively engage with technical peers and support business needs of the business unit.
Position Purpose
The Senior Exploration Geologist is a member of the Exploration & New Ventures Alaska Team and part of the Subsurface and Engineering organization. This role will be responsible for identification and characterization of plays and prospects within the Colville Basin on the North Slope of Alaska:
- Generate value through application of sound scientific principles to identify and high-grade exploration and appraisal opportunities
- Mature play and prospect portfolio through detailed mapping, depositional framework development, risk description and volumetric assessment
- Integrate 2D and 3D seismic data with well and other subsurface information (regional and prospect specific; structural and stratigraphic)
- Develop and apply stratigraphic concepts to refine the subsurface description
Formal Qualifications
- Master's Degree or higher in geology
Skills/Technical Competencies
Mandatory:
- Naturally inquisitive with high work ethic
- Proven exploration experience in multiple geologic settings
- Proficient in gross depositional environment mapping
- Proficient regional and prospect mapper
- High competency in Petrel / Studio software
- Experience with shallow and deep marine depositional systems
- A team player with a positive attitude and a 'customer service' approach to assisting others
- Self-motivated with excellent time-keeping and organisational skills
- High personal standards for technical analysis and impeccable attention to detail
Desired:
- Experience across the spectrum of geologic scenarios
- Proficient in applying seismic stratigraphic concepts
- Competent in whole core description and integration
- Field development experience
Experience
- 15+ years' experience as a geologist specifically in the exploration & reservoir development disciplines
