Any geoscientists/rock physicists here?

[MadFruit]

TL;DR - I don't know anything about geophysics... help me!

I've just started a new job at a geoscience software company. The main product developed is used by oil companies to manage and understand seismic surveys, well data, rock physics and complex stuff like that to basically find oil, where and how to drill for it. At least that is what I understand so far

The problem is most of my colleagues come from a geophysics background... I do not. This, in the long term, shouldn't be too much of a problem as I am a pretty quick learner and I can focus on narrow areas of the product as I work, but I want a much broader perspective early on (I have a training course soon, but that is designed for customers on our software - so I am going to still be at a disadvantage).

However, in the immediate term, I am struggling to know where to begin. I sit next to another new starter (started three weeks before me in the same role) but he has a PHD in geophysics and I am a little worried my performance will be compare to his.

Can anyone recommend a resource I can use to start to get up to speed? Like a rock physics for dummies type thing - that starts with someone who knows nothing but goes pretty in depth? I guess something like your first uni book or something if you did just such a degree?

 

[JCBeastie]

why not ask your colleagues, I'm sure they'd be happy to teach you some things. Have you checked if the company provides and training or documentation you could use?

 

[MadFruit]

It does give training, but as I said, is on its own products for industry professionals. So while it will do doubt be very helpful, it will be aimed at people who know WHY what the product is doing is helpful and know how to interpret the results is it giving. I expect to get out my depth very quickly during it.

Most of the books around the office are, again, for experienced geo physicists, so already out of my league. Currently, just trying to work out who is best to harass about learning material - my direct boss is also not from the industry.

Besides, I figured someone on OcUK must be doing a degree in this area right about now and would have better memories on what it is like to just start in this industry

 

[PhillyDee]

Then your direct boss might be the best one to ask, they will have been in the same boat.

 

[jimjamuk]

Have you considered going to Amazon and searching for Geophysics - then selecting the books in the list like?

The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics
An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration

ordering them and then reading them?

 

[joxang]

Have you considered going to Amazon and searching for Geophysics - then selecting the books in the list like?

The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics
An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration

ordering them and then reading them?

Can anyone recommend a resource I can use to start to get up to speed? Like a rock physics for dummies type thing - that starts with someone who knows nothing but goes pretty in depth? I guess something like your first uni book or something if you did just such a degree?

I swear sometimes people just read the thread title and post. He's asking for a specific recommendation, something that someone might have used as a student.

 

[jimjamuk]

And those two suggestions "An Introduction to....." would not be "Like a rock physics for dummies type thing". The associated reviews would suggest these are good starting points in the subject.

OP get a list of titles and take them into your boss and see if you can get a recommendation from them - unless you dont want them to know the extent of your background knowledge - but I'm guessing they gave you the position based on something they saw i you rather than having an in depth knowledge of Geophysics?

 

[oulton]

Hi MadFruit.

I'm in the geospatial analysis side of things, but I'm not in minerals/OAG.

However in the distant past I was in a relationship with an exploration geophysicist (and what a strange bunch of people they are ) so I can point you in the right direction.

You want to zero in on exploration geophysics, you will be wasting a lot of effort trying to do a background in rock physics, extensive geology etc.

Basically the crux of exploration geophys is based upon an understanding of thermo dynamics and fluid dynamics, it is a very mathematical field.

Exploration geophysicists essentially do one main type of test. They send directional schock waves (generated by controlled explosions) through the earth's core. They then use siesmographs to pick up on the reflected waves. They then analyse these waves to see which type of rock formations exist. This gives them an idea of the potential for holding oil and gas reserves.

Anyway, here is a good site to start you off:

http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/224.htm

Some course background for the MSc (to get you upto speed with the concepts):

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/admissio...s/masters-courses/msc-exploration-geophysics/

And of course the wiki :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_geophysics


Good luck!

Like I say, a wierd bunch of people!

 

[z3b3dy]

An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration by Phil Kearey

This is what we used when I was at university though as I was taught by the guy I suppose he was a bit biased!

It's a bit old now (though physics hasn't changed much since then...) but unfortunately he passed away in 2003.

 

[HeX]

Seems odd that you'd be working for a Geophysics Software company making these kind of applications without any background in geophysics! Especially when the other person doing the same job as you has a full on PhD in the subject...

Surely that puts you at a huge disadvantage? It's not just something you can pick up over a weekend =/

I assume your own background and education is in Software Dev? Surely they know from interview that you have no clue about the Geo side of stuff, so can't really be expected to be compared to someone with a PhD in the subject. :S

 

[MadFruit]

joxang - you are right - and put it more politely than I was going to.

oulton - thanks for that - yes, exploration geophysics is exactly the thing I am after - as you may have been able to tell, my terminologies are a little mixed up at the moment! The CSIRO publishing site you linked to is defo the kind of thing I need - but alas think all the papers will go over my head at the moment. One for a bit later.

Yes, the company is fully aware that I come from completely outside the geophysics field, but software/specialist application development is my field and professional experience - and this is, after all, what they wanted and why they hired me. Two out of three ain't bad I am also certainly not stupid enough to lie to get a job like this

I don't think it is odd that specialist software is written by people outside the domain - for the most part I would say it would be the norm. You'll have the domain specialists who drive the product and the engineers who implement it and learn the domain as they do. Obviously someone who is both would always be preferable - but that is often just not possible.

I do feel at a disadvantage at the moment, yes, but then when it actually boils down to my professional role, I ultimately should have the advantage. Fundamentally I think having a good mix of domain experts and professional developers should make the tool better. It's just harder for someone from outside the domain get up to speed.

 

[HeX]

Yes, the company is fully aware that I come from completely outside the geophysics field, but software/specialist application development is my field and professional experience - and this is, after all, what they wanted and why they hired me. Two out of three ain't bad I am also certainly not stupid enough to lie to get a job like this

Oh I wasn't suggesting you were lying or anything, just you said you thought you were going to look bad being compared against the other guy who had a PhD in the area. Was just saying surely they knew you had no knowledge of the field before hand so judging you against the other fellow would be rather harsh!

I don't think it is odd that specialist software is written by people outside the domain - for the most part I would say it would be the norm. You'll have the domain specialists who drive the product and the engineers who implement it and learn the domain as they do. Obviously someone who is both would always be preferable - but that is often just not possible.

Indeed, there aren't going to be an awful lot of GeoPhys Programmers But I would have thought that at least some exposure to the area would have been a requirement. Otherwise how can you develop for something you know nothing about?

I do feel at a disadvantage at the moment, yes, but then when it actually boils down to my professional role, I ultimately should have the advantage. Fundamentally I think having a good mix of domain experts and professional developers should make the tool better. It's just harder for someone from outside the domain get up to speed.

If it's a team project thing then yeah you should be fine, your background in development will back up the PhD guy, and PhD guy's knowledge of GeoPhys can be plundered by you.

 

[Amp34]

Hi MadFruit.

I'm in the geospatial analysis side of things, but I'm not in minerals/OAG.

However in the distant past I was in a relationship with an exploration geophysicist (and what a strange bunch of people they are ) so I can point you in the right direction.

You want to zero in on exploration geophysics, you will be wasting a lot of effort trying to do a background in rock physics, extensive geology etc.

Basically the crux of exploration geophys is based upon an understanding of thermo dynamics and fluid dynamics, it is a very mathematical field.

Exploration geophysicists essentially do one main type of test. They send directional schock waves (generated by controlled explosions) through the earth's core. They then use siesmographs to pick up on the reflected waves. They then analyse these waves to see which type of rock formations exist. This gives them an idea of the potential for holding oil and gas reserves.

Anyway, here is a good site to start you off:

http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/224.htm

Some course background for the MSc (to get you upto speed with the concepts):

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/admissio...s/masters-courses/msc-exploration-geophysics/

And of course the wiki :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_geophysics


Good luck!

Like I say, a wierd bunch of people!

That is one of the worst explanations of geophysics I've heard but it's basically accurate.

As for weird... Why?!

A couple of recommendations for very basic geophysics is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introductio...9294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338590904&sr=8-1

and maybe this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Solid-E...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338591007&sr=1-1

If you have no knowledge of geology then maybe you should have a look at

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Earths-Dyna...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1338591032&sr=1-1

It's a mix of geology and geography and is (in some ways) very basic if you actually know geology however it is very easy reading, has lots of nice pictures and for a complete beginner is very good (is recommended to buy in most first year geology courses).

It sounds like you don't come from a geology background (hence the book above) and it sounds like the software you are developing (one of the big two SMT/IHS or Schlumberger?) is an integrated piece of software so geological understanding would be very useful too, not just raw geophysics.