Senior Subsurface Geologist - Exploration

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Professional development

Industry conferences

Competitive pay

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Subsurface Geologist for a remote role within the Oil & Gas sector across South Africa. You will lead geological evaluations from basin analysis to prospect maturity, applying sedimentology, stratigraphy, and structural geology to identify exploration opportunities.

Strong data integration and software proficiency are essential for cross-border collaboration. The role offers remote work from anywhere in SA, with a focus on high-quality technical reporting,

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Geology or a related geoscience field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in exploration geology within Oil & Gas.
• Proven expertise in seismic data interpretation and core data integration.
• Strong understanding of basin analysis, sedimentology, stratigraphy and structural geology.
• Proficiency with Petrel, ArcGIS and Move for modeling and interpretation.
• Experience in prospect evaluation, risk assessment and resource estimation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate remotely with international teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regional geological studies and play fairway analysis for hydrocarbon exploration.
• Integrate and interpret seismic, well logs, core and geochemical data.
• Develop detailed geological models for prospects and leads with risk assessment.
• Collaborate with geoscientists, reservoir engineers and drilling teams.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations and recommendations for portfolio management.
• Support exploration drilling programs and well proposal development.
• Mentor junior geologists and contribute to best practice development.
• Stay updated on new technologies and trends in geological exploration.
• Communicate complex geological concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Seismic interpretation

Basin analysis

Sedimentology

Stratigraphy

Structural geology

Petrel

ArcGIS

Move

Prospect evaluation

Data integration

Remote collaboration

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

Master's or PhD in Geology

Tools

Petrel

ArcGIS

Move

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking exploration and production company within the Oil & Gas sector, is seeking an experienced Senior Subsurface Geologist to join their globally distributed team. This role is fully remote, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere in South Africa. You will be responsible for the geological aspects of exploration projects, from basin analysis and play fairway mapping to detailed prospect evaluation and support for appraisal drilling. This position requires a deep understanding of sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and basin modeling, coupled with proficiency in geological software and data integration. The Senior Subsurface Geologist will play a key role in identifying and maturing new exploration opportunities that align with the company's strategic growth objectives. We are looking for a motivated individual who thrives in a remote work environment and can collaborate effectively across international teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct regional geological studies and play fairway analysis to identify prospective areas for hydrocarbon exploration.
• Integrate and interpret diverse subsurface data, including seismic, well logs, core data, and geochemical information.
• Develop detailed geological models for prospects and leads, assessing potential volume, risk, and uncertainty.
• Collaborate closely with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, and drilling teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for exploration portfolio management.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of exploration drilling programs, including well proposal development and real-time drilling support.
• Mentor junior geologists and contribute to the development of best practices within the subsurface team.
• Stay abreast of technological advancements and emerging trends in geological exploration.
• Effectively communicate geological concepts and findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Geology or a related geoscience field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in exploration geology within the Oil & Gas industry.
• Proven expertise in integrating and interpreting seismic data, well logs, and core data.
• Strong understanding of basin analysis, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and structural geology.
• Proficiency with industry-standard geological modeling and interpretation software (e.g., Petrel, ArcGIS, Move).
• Demonstrated experience in prospect evaluation, risk assessment, and resource estimation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, suitable for remote collaboration.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively independently and as part of a virtual team.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive remuneration package and comprehensive benefits, adaptable for a remote workforce. This role allows you the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa. We provide opportunities for professional development, including access to online training resources and industry conferences. As part of a dynamic and innovative Oil & Gas company, you will contribute to significant exploration initiatives. The success of this role hinges on your ability to deliver geological insights that drive future exploration success, working from your preferred location near Bloemfontein, Free State, ZA .