HGS General Dinner - Gone but Not Forgotten: Navigating the Impact of Industry Consolidation on Geoscience Careers and Innovation

HGS December Dinner Meeting

Date: December 9, 2024

Place: Norris Conference Center, Houston

Time 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Gone but Not Forgotten: Navigating the Impact of Industry Consolidation on Geoscience Careers and Innovation

The oil and gas industry is no stranger to cycles of boom and bust. Today, we are still working through our most recent bust, just as we moved through these cycles in the 50s, 60s, 80s, and 90s.  As part of this process, we’ve learned to expect phases of consolidation and workforce changes. Recently, we’ve witnessed the absorption of long-established companies such as Pioneer, Hess, and Marathon—organizations that made substantial contributions to geoscience innovation. While market and business dynamics drive these transitions, their effects extend beyond immediate job shifts, raising critical questions about the preservation and dissemination of technical knowledge.  Common concerns are that technical projects may be cut short, and valuable insights could be lost in the shuffle. However, these transitions also create opportunities for collaboration, new research avenues, and industry-wide knowledge sharing. This duality presents challenges and openings for geoscientists navigating their careers in a consolidating industry.

This discussion panel will explore the opportunities and challenges posed by corporate mergers and acquisitions on geoscience work and career development. Panelists will offer strategies to pursue technical and business opportunities during periods of transition, share advice for staying aligned with professional goals, and reflect on lessons learned from their own experiences.

Key topics will include:

1. How to ensure technical interests and innovations survive company transitions.
2. Strategies for leveraging mergers as opportunities for career growth and innovation.
3. Balancing personal professional development with industry shifts.

The panel will feature geoscientists with diverse experiences across eras and company sizes, known for their technical expertise and engaging perspectives. Join us for an interactive discussion, audience Q&A, and practical advice to turn industry disruptions into personal and professional growth opportunities

Panelists:

Bill DeMis; President of Rochelle Court, LLC, a geoscience consultancy. Bill has over thirty years of experience in the petroleum industry. Mr. DeMis has held positions of exploration manager for Marathon Oil Company, exploration vice president for Roxanna Oil Company, and chief geologist for Goldman Sachs.

Pablo Eisner; Founder of Pecos Bill Oil and Gas.  Pablo has had an impactful career in his 35 years of experience, including positions with Anadarko, Apache, Nexen and CNOOC. Pablo started as an operations geologist and geoscientist interpreter, then progressed to be the team leader, manager, mentor and up to being the co-founder of an Oil and Gas Operator in Mexico.

Dave Martens; Subsurface Manager, Osborn Oil and Gas.  Dave started work with Unocal, spending 12 years in Bangkok followed by working as Chief Geologist for the Gulf of Mexico and post the merger with Chevron, worked in the North American Reservoir Management Team. In 2006 moved on to Marathon Oil, holding the position of Chief Geoscientist and Resource Exploration Manager.

Jennifer Smith (Enos): Senior Fellow, Switch Energy Alliance.  Jennifer has a substantial career in the oil and gas industry, starting as a Geologist at Phillips Petroleum Company and working her way up to VP of Geoscience at Ensign Natural Resources. She has experience managing geoscience teams, developing fields in various regions, and overseeing training programs for geoscientists.

Dave Tonner; CEO, Diversified Well Logging.  Dave has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including leadership roles in companies like Nabors Industries and Weatherford.  He has a commitment to developing and commercializing technologies that advance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the energy sector. His expertise spans geological mapping, log analysis, and the AI applications.

Ken Tubman; Chairman, SAExploration.  Ken Tubman has spent more than 40 years in the energy industry, starting with ARCO.  He has held senior positions within ConocoPhillips (including Vice President Geoscience and Reservoir Engineering, Vice President Subsurface), Veritas DGC Senior Vice President Veritas Hampson Russell, Vice President Geoservices), and Marathon Oil (Vice President Technical Innovation.)

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