T/X RESOURCES Combining Technology with Petroleum EXploration Since 1985
Introduction: I am a technically-oriented Geophysicist, with extensive seismic interpretation/reservoir analysis experience, who focuses on generating robust, drillable prospects for my oil industry clients. During my career, I have had the opportunity to evaluate a staggering number of onshore, and offshore basins, spread over four continents--the results of which has led to numerous successful exploration, and development wells (both conventional & unconventional). As an added benefit to my oil-industry clients, I am continually researching, and developing new, and creative techniques to assist in my search for oil & gas reserves. Fourteen (14) of these ideas have been published as technical articles, in several industry journals, along with 120+ white papers, blog & LinkedIn posts. In addition to these publications, I have presented numerous client seminars relating to my 2D/3D seismic interpretation, acquisition & processing expertise.
Consulting Services Provided to the Energy Industry: Seismic Interpretation Structural, Stratigraphic, & Visualization Reservoir Geophysics AVO, Attributes, Petrophysics, Modeling Seismic Imaging Data Acquisition & Processing Management Experience Matrix AREA ONSHORE OFFSHORE CONVENTIONAL UNCONVENTIONAL CLASTICS CARBONATES EXTENSIONAL COMPRESSIONAL DOMESTIC (EXPL & DEV) INTERNATIONAL (EXPL & DEV)
Geoscience Skill Sets (& In-house Software Capabilities): 2D & 3D Seismic Interpretation/Visualization (IHS/SMT Kingdom license since 2000). Reservoir Geophysics (AVO Analysis, Seismic Inversion, Spectral Decomposition, etc.). Seismic Modeling/Calibration (Well Ties, AVO/AVA, Stratigraphic, & Structural). Seismic Imaging (Acquisition, and Time/Depth Processing Management). Seismic Petrophysics (3D Crossplots, Reservoir Fluid Substitution, Pseudo-logs). Other (as needed: GIS, Proprietary Analysis/Processing Software, etc.).
Areas Of Geological Expertise (Unconventional & Conventional): U.S. Onshore (Gulf Coast, West Texas/Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountains). U.S. Offshore (Central & Western Gulf of Mexico). International Onshore (East Europe). International Offshore (West Africa, and Australia).
Partial Client/Company List (40+ companies, and counting!): Major Oil Companies (Amerada Hess Corp., Fina Oil & Gas Co.). Small Operators (Hunt Oil, Quantum Resources, Enervest, Ocean Energy, Saxet, Tema). Independents (CB Energy, Caddo Mgmt., Petrozone Expl., Pursuit Expl., Erwin Energy). Contractors (Daniel Geophysical, Generation Services Group, Petrophysics, Inc.)
Previous Project Areas: Domestic: Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent (conventional & unconventional projects), Rocky Mountains, East and West coast provinces, Gulf of Mexico. International: Eastern Europe & Offshore West Africa (shallow and deep water), and Australia.
Seismic Interpretation (Structural, Stratigraphic, & Visualization): U.S. Onshore Projects: Exploration Geophysicist (conventional, and unconventional), and prolific interpreter of 2D/3D data, with many successful wells in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, and Rocky Mountains, with additional exposure in several areas in the eastern, and western U.S. U.S. Offshore Projects: One of a select group of Geoscientists chosen to interpret & evaluate 2D/3D seismic data, and generate prospects over a large package of producing properties in the central and western Gulf of Mexico (GOM), ultimately recommending the $900+ Million acquisition. International Onshore Projects: Utilized 3D seismic interpretation, Amplitude vs. Offset (AVO) analysis, and seismic attributes to develop drillable prospects within Hungary, and Romania license areas, resulting in two successful wells. Reviewed outside submittals in Slovakia. International Offshore Projects: In west Africa, I interpreted, and generated prospects on two very large 3D seismic surveys in Equatorial Guinea, which resulted in at least eight successful wells (field reserves now totals over One Billion Barrels), with additional exposure in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d Ivoire, and Angola. Interpreted 2D seismic data to generate exploration prospects, and evaluate potential lease acquisition on the northwest shelf, offshore Australia. Began utilizing Landmark, and Schlumberger workstations for seismic interpretation in 1988, and have been using IHS/SMT Kingdom since 1998 (licensed in 2000).
Reservoir Geophysics (AVO, Attributes, Petrophysics, & Seismic Modeling): Successfully combined 3D interpretation, seismic attributes, and well/seismic cross-plots to locate production "sweet spots within a large Permian Basin field (west Texas). Created a unique, and successful seismic processing/interpretation technique for enhancing Amplitude vs. Offset (AVO) responses, which greatly improved client exploration success. Initiated a large increase in exploration activity on my south Texas prospects, based on (pre-drill) stratigraphic modeling efforts. Developed several creative techniques for delineating (and avoiding) subtle faults, which was critical for improving client well results in the Barnett Shale. These techniques have evolved for additional use on my conventional projects. Initiated a petrophysical analysis of the Barnett, and Woodford Shales, highlighting the more-prospective areas.
Seismic Imaging (Acquisition & Processing) Management: Initiated, designed and supervised numerous 2D and 3D seismic surveys, including the first: (a) 2D swath program (3D precursor) for Amerada Hess, (b) 3D surveys for Plains Resources (one over $3MM), and (c) 3D survey for Saxet Energy. Supervised the acquisition of over 1600 miles of 2D data for an $8MM Joint Venture, early in my career. Have supervised numerous velocity surveys and VSP s (and published programs for wellsite velocity survey computations). Initiated, and supervised contractor processing of thousands of miles of 2D, and 3D data. Successfully initiated, and managed several 3D Pre-Stack Depth Migration (PSDM) processing to solve severe velocity, and imaging distortions. Group Leader for Western Geophysical, supervising their 2D swath processing, and assisted the R & D department with their programming efforts, early in my career.
Professional Memberships: The Society of Exploration Geophysicists The American Association of Petroleum Geologists The Houston Geological Society The Geophysical Society of Houston Professional Licenses: Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (Geophysics Specialty License # 2060)
Publications & Seminars **: Cline, W.M., 2007-2018, Seismic Inversion Phase Sensitivity Analysis, Rocks-2-Digits Blog (self-published over 110 articles). Cline, W.M., 2015-2017, Using RGBA Illumination Techniques on Shaded Surfaces, LinkedIn (over 50 articles posted & shared). Cline, W.M., 2008, Effective (and Not-So-Effective) Channel Maps, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 50, no. 10, pp. 39-49. Cline, W.M., 2008, Taking Seismic Visualization to the Next Level, Upstream Technology (now Zeus Technology), Vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 29-31. Cline, W.M., 2008, Two Alternative Seismic Fault Interpretation Techniques Part Two, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 50, no. 9, pp. 32-41. Cline, W.M., 2008, Two Alternative Seismic Fault Interpretation Techniques Part One, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 50, no. 8, pp. 45-47. Cline, W.M., 2003, Geoscience Jobs 2002: Who, What, and Where? Part Two, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 45, no. 9, pp. 59-63. Cline, W.M., 2003, Geoscience Jobs 2002: Who, What, and Where? Part One, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 45, no. 7, pp. 43-47. Cline, W.M., 2002, Geoscience Jobs Available An Update of the HGS Jobs Hotline Website, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 47-49. Cline, W.M., 1992, AVO Discrimination in a Geological Context, Presented at the Geophysical Society of Houston Data Processing SIG Meeting, Mar. 1992. Cline, W.M., 1989, A Comparison Study of Measured Logs vs. Calculated Logs for Seismic Interpretation, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 87, no. 44. pp. 52-56. Cline, W.M., 1987, In Search of Subtle Fault Traps Using Seismic Modeling Techniques, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 85, no. 48, pp. 56-58. Cline, W.M., 1986, Comparing Seismic Modeling Algorithms, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 84, no. 11, pp. 109-111. Cline, W.M., 1984, Wavelet Composition, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 82, no. 49, pp. 93-97. Cline, W.M., 1983, Seismic Velocity Determinations Part II, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 81, no. 37, pp. 204-206. Cline, W.M., 1983, Seismic Velocity Determinations Part I, Oil & Gas Journal, Vol. 81, no. 36, pp. 129-132. ** I have authored 14 technical articles, 120+ white papers, blog & LinkedIn posts, and presented numerous client seminars relating to 2D/3D seismic interpretation, acquisition & processing.
Client / Peer Comments: It goes without saying that you are one of the best geophysicists I have had the pleasure to work with. You are objective, very exploration-oriented and strengthen your geophysical interpretations by incorporating both basic and advanced geological concepts. You blend what you see in the geophysical data with what is possible and reasonable within the available geological data, resulting in what should be the most plausible interpretation. Quite often, there may be conflicts between the geological and geophysical data, but you seek to resolve those conflicts without compromising either the data or your credibility. Tom Bates Geological Manager, Tema Oil & Gas Company I just want to tell you that many of the Geophysists I support here at Ocean Energy are complimentary of your work. They say, that your work can be completely trusted. Just thought, I would let you know". Karen King International Geophysical Specialist, Ocean Energy, Inc. I have a very short list of people to which I will refer business. You are on top of that list!! Rick Zoss Consulting Geophysicist "Mike is the best exploration how-to writer I have ever met. It's always exciting to read a Geoscience paper that increases my oil finding ability immediately after reading it. We are privileged to have him in the Houston Geoscience Community". Louis Janos III Geologist and Geophysicist Consultant
T/X Resources Contact Info: W. Michael Cline P.O. Box 25031 Houston, Texas 77265-5031 Phone: (713) 665-5449 E-mail: wmc@txresources.com Website: www.txresources.com Blog: www.txresources.com/rocks2digits/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/txresources