Senior Exploration Geophysicist

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Excellent remote-working benefits

Health insurance & retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Exploration Geophysicist to join an international energy company's globally distributed exploration team. This fully remote role supports acquisition, processing, and interpretation of seismic data to identify hydrocarbon prospects from anywhere, while being aligned with the George, Western Cape hub.

The ideal candidate will have a Master's/PhD in Geophysics with 10+ years of industry experience, expertise in Petrel, OpendTect, and Kingdom, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Geophysics, Physics, or related field.
• 10+ years of exploration geophysics experience in oil and gas.
• Expertise with seismic interpretation software and processing workflows.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee seismic data acquisition programs.
• Perform advanced seismic data processing and QC.
• Interpret 2D/3D seismic data to identify traps.
• Develop velocity models and depth maps.
• Integrate seismic data with logs, gravity, and magnetic data.
• Assess exploration prospects and associated risks.
• Collaborate to build integrated subsurface models.
• Prepare technical reports and recommendations for decisions.
• Mentor junior geophysicists and share knowledge.
• Stay updated on new geophysical technologies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Independent working

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Geophysics

Tools

Petrel

OpendTect

Kingdom

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent international energy company, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Exploration Geophysicist to join their globally distributed exploration team. While the management and core operational oversight are handled through their George, Western Cape hub, this position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute from anywhere. You will be responsible for the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of seismic data to identify and evaluate hydrocarbon prospects. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of seismic imaging techniques, velocity modeling, and structural interpretation, applying these skills to de-risk exploration opportunities. This role is critical in shaping the company's exploration strategy and requires a proactive, technically proficient individual who can collaborate effectively in a virtual environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee seismic data acquisition programs.
• Perform advanced seismic data processing and quality control.
• Interpret 2D and 3D seismic data to identify structural and stratigraphic traps.
• Develop accurate velocity models and depth maps.
• Integrate seismic data with other geological and geophysical datasets (e.g., well logs, gravity, magnetic data).
• Evaluate exploration prospects and assess associated geological and geophysical risks.
• Collaborate with exploration geologists and reservoir engineers to build integrated subsurface models.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for exploration decisions.
• Mentor junior geophysicists and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Stay abreast of new geophysical technologies and methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Geophysics, Physics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in exploration geophysics within the oil and gas industry.
• Expertise in seismic interpretation software (e.g., Petrel, OpendTect, Kingdom).
• Strong understanding of seismic processing workflows and principles.
• Proven experience in prospect evaluation and risk assessment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Proficiency in programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) is a plus.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, effective for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote setting.
• Must hold valid work authorization for South Africa or be eligible to work remotely while based there.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, along with excellent remote-working benefits.
• This includes comprehensive health insurance, retirement plan contributions, and generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending key industry conferences, and contributing to cutting-edge exploration projects are abundant.
• This fully remote role supports exploration initiatives managed through George, Western Cape, providing flexibility and career growth.