Geophysicist

Job Snapshot
Location:	Worldwide
Employee Type:	Full-Time
Industry:	Oil and Gas
Manages Others:	No
Job Type:	Scientist
Education:	Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related technical fields
Travel:	Yes
Salary:	Varies by region and experience

Summary

Often working closely with geologists, geophysicists use the principles of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to study not only the earth’s surface, but its internal composition; ground and surface waters; atmosphere; oceans; andmagnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Geophysicists use three methods of oil exploration: magnetic, gravity, and seismic. In magnetic exploration, a magnetometer is used to determine the strength of the earth’s magnetic field at a specific point on the earth’s surface. In gravity exploration, a gravity meter, or gravimeter, is used to determine the strength of the earth’s gravity at a specific location. The magnetometer and gravity meter are used to locate hidden, subsurface petroleum traps. In seismic exploration, sound is transmitted into the ground by an explosive, such as dynamite, or by a thumper truck. As the sound passes into the subsurface, it is reflected off subsurface rock layers and returned to the surface as echoes. The echoes are detected and recorded at the surface with microphones, called geophones, or jugs. The recordings are processed to form a picture of subsurface rock layers.

Geophysicists have been at the forefront of one of the biggest technical advances of the last decade. Seismic exploration uses advanced computer modeling to develop three-dimensional models of the subsurface that have significantly enhanced the industry's ability to locate more precisely additional oil and gas deposits. Seismic models are sometimes viewed in huge visualization theaters that make it seem as if you are “stepping into” a subsurface reservoir.

>>Back