Lead Geologist - Exploration

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid Durban role

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Geologist - Exploration to drive geological exploration initiatives from our Durban office. You will lead interpretation, target evaluation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to shape the portfolio.

The role demands a strong track record in Oil & Gas geology, advanced seismic interpretation skills, and a passion for mentoring teams in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Geology or a related geoscience discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in exploration geology, with a significant Oil & Gas focus.
• Proven track record in prospect generation and evaluation across geological settings.
• Expertise in seismic interpretation, well correlation, and subsurface mapping techniques.
• Strong understanding of basin analysis, sedimentology, and structural geology.
• Experience with geological software packages (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom Suite).

Responsibilities

• Lead geological interpretation and mapping of exploration acreage.
• Develop and refine exploration concepts and play fairway analyses.
• Integrate seismic, well log, core, and production data to build robust subsurface models.
• Identify and evaluate drilling targets, providing geological input for well planning.
• Manage and mentor a team of exploration geologists; collaborate with geophysicists and engineers.
• Prepare geological reports and presentations for management and partners.
• Stay current with geological advancements and regional basin studies.
• Ensure geological data quality and database management.

Skills

Geology

Seismic interpretation

Prospect generation

Leadership

Data integration

Education

Master's/PhD in Geology

Tools

Petrel

Kingdom Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious entity in the Oil & Gas industry, is searching for an accomplished Lead Geologist - Exploration to spearhead their geological exploration initiatives from their Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA office. This senior position involves leading the geological assessment of potential hydrocarbon resources, guiding exploration strategies, and integrating diverse subsurface datasets to identify and delineate promising prospects. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the company's future exploration portfolio, leveraging advanced geological interpretation techniques and a profound understanding of basin analysis. This role is essential for driving new ventures and ensuring the sustainable growth of our client's asset base in the competitive energy market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the geological interpretation and mapping of exploration acreage.
• Develop and refine exploration concepts and play fairway analyses.
• Integrate seismic, well log, core, and production data to build robust subsurface models.
• Identify and evaluate drilling targets, providing geological input for well planning.
• Manage and mentor a team of exploration geologists, fostering technical excellence.
• Collaborate closely with geophysicists, reservoir engineers, and other disciplines.
• Prepare comprehensive geological reports and presentations for management and potential partners.
• Stay current with geological advancements, exploration technologies, and regional basin studies.
• Ensure geological data quality and database management.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of exploration activities and portfolio management.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Geology or a related geoscience discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in exploration geology, with a significant portion focused on Oil & Gas.
• Proven track record in prospect generation and evaluation in various geological settings.
• Expertise in seismic interpretation, well correlation, and subsurface mapping techniques.
• Strong understanding of basin analysis, sedimentology, and structural geology.
• Experience with geological software packages (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom Suite).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Prior experience working within the South African context or similar frontier basins is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a Hybrid environment, balancing office and remote work.

Benefits

• This executive-level position offers a highly competitive salary package of R per annum , along with significant performance-based incentives.
• Our client provides top-tier medical and retirement benefits, comprehensive professional development opportunities, and a conducive work environment.
• The Hybrid nature of the role in Durban allows for a flexible work-life balance.
• Join a leading organization committed to innovation and excellence in geological exploration within the vibrant province of KwaZulu-Natal.