Lead Exploration Geologist - Remote

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Remote; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Remote work benefits (health insurance

retirement contributions

Home office support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Exploration Geologist to guide global exploration strategies from a fully remote setup. You will head a dispersed team, interpret complex subsurface data, and drive prospect generation using basin analysis and petroleum systems modeling.

The role demands extensive experience in oil and gas exploration, leadership in virtual teams, and a strong track record in successful exploration campaigns across frontier basins.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Geology, Petroleum Geology or related earth science field.
• 12+ years of progressive oil & gas exploration geology experience.
• Strong basin analysis, petroleum systems, and sequence stratigraphy expertise.
• Proficiency with geological modeling/interpretation software (Petrel, Kingdom, GeoGraphix).
• Proven track record leading remote/global exploration campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional and global exploration strategies.
• Lead geological interpretation of seismic, well, and other data to identify drillable prospects.
• Oversee creation/validation of detailed subsurface geological models.
• Conduct basin analysis, petroleum systems modeling, and play fairway mapping.
• Mentor and guide a remote team of geoscientists.

Skills

Leadership

Remote leadership

Geology expertise

Data interpretation

Education

Ph.D./Master's in Geology

Tools

Petrel

Kingdom

GeoGraphix

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the Oil & Gas exploration arena, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Exploration Geologist for a fully remote position. This role is critical in guiding the company's geological exploration strategies, identifying new prospective areas, and integrating diverse geological datasets to de-risk exploration ventures. The Lead Exploration Geologist will be responsible for leading a remote team of geoscientists, interpreting complex subsurface data, and providing expert geological advice to support decision-making for major exploration campaigns. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of petroleum systems, basin analysis, and advanced geological modeling techniques, coupled with proven leadership skills effective in a virtual setting. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of exploration for a leading energy company from a remote location, driving innovation and maximizing the discovery potential of our assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional and global exploration strategies.
• Lead the geological interpretation of seismic, well, and other geological data to identify drillable prospects.
• Oversee the creation and validation of detailed subsurface geological models.
• Conduct basin analysis, petroleum systems modeling, and play fairway mapping.
• Mentor and guide a remote team of exploration geologists and geoscientists.
• Collaborate with geophysicists, reservoir engineers, and management on exploration opportunities.
• Prepare and present geological assessments, prospect evaluations, and exploration results to senior management and stakeholders.
• Manage exploration data repositories and ensure data quality and accessibility.
• Stay abreast of emerging exploration technologies and methodologies, recommending adoption where appropriate.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Geology, Petroleum Geology, or a related earth science field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in oil and gas exploration geology, with a strong focus on prospect generation and technical leadership.
• Extensive experience in basin analysis, petroleum systems, and sequence stratigraphy.
• Proficiency with geological modeling and interpretation software (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom, GeoGraphix).
• Proven track record of leading successful exploration campaigns.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, suitable for a remote leadership role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a geographically dispersed team.
• Experience with South African exploration geology or similar frontier basins is highly advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, significant performance bonuses, and a comprehensive remote work benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and home office support. This position is fully remote, offering maximum flexibility. Professional development is a core focus, with opportunities for advanced training and participation in industry conferences. Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative remote work environment, ensuring all team members feel connected and supported. This role offers the chance to make a substantial impact on the future direction of exploration for a leading Oil & Gas company from anywhere in the world.