Christopher Dorion Geoscientist

Christopher Dorion

Senior Geoscientist

My passion and my focus is in building geocullular models

I am an experienced industry geoscientist specializing in data driven, integrated 3D reservoir model construction. My models use all available geological, geophysical, and petrophysical data to constrain parameters as much as possible, while using geostatistical tools to characterize reservoir uncertainty. These models are designed from the ground up with automation in mind; as new data are collected, the model will incorporate them at the click of a button.

As a trusted geosciences workflow advisor across many major companies around the world, I have a proven technical track record in multidisciplinary projects.

My other passion is in education

I teach a multitude of software training and geoscience oriented industry courses through the NExT course catalog. I am proud to maintain one of the highest student survey scores in the organization. Click on a course below to learn more.

Petrel Fundamentals

Petrel Shale Fundamentals

The Petrel Shale Fundamentals course is designed for new users who are not familiar with Petrel and need to use Petrel for shale oil and gas exploration and development, The course covers basic usage of the application, providing an understanding of how to get started with Petrel Shale Perspective tools. In addition, Studentsl learn about the Petrel interface, project set-up, data import and visualization, Well section window, well correlation, seismic interpretation for horizons and faults, 1D petroleum system modeling, pad placements, pad well design tools, geosteering and plotting (general and production engineering).

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Petrel Geological Interpretation

Petrel Geophysical Interpretation

The Petrel Geophysical Interpretation course is designed to provide a detailed hands-on learning experience on the fundamental workflows inherent to the geophysics domain and their application in Petrel:

Seismic data loading and visualization
Data optimization and mis-tie analysis
Seismic Well Tie process: data preparation, sonic log calibration, wavelet generation, synthetic seismogram generation and Reflection Coefficient (RC) modeling
Seismic attributes and techniques for specific geological environments: Channel, Faulted and Salt environments
Faults & horizons interpretation
Introduction to domain conversion.

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Petrel Velocity Modeling

Petrel Velocity Modeling introduces the student to velocity modeling, velocity handling and domain conversion functionality in Petrel. It takes the user through the preparation stage of data used for velocity estimation and modeling. This includes quality control and edit of checkshot data used in sonic calibration and quality control of time surfaces and well tops used for defining velocity intervals.

Furthermore, the available velocity modeling approaches are discussed, including well velocity estimation, the nature and modeling of seismic velocities, surface based and 3D grid based seismic velocity modeling, as well as user defined velocity functions.

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Petrel Structural Modeling

These two sister courses cover the structural modeling workflows, using the classical corner-point gridding methodology, and the next generation structural framework workflow.

Corner-Point Gridding:
This course introduces the essentials of building structural models with Corner point gridding process. It covers preparing the data for corner point gridding, fault modeling, pillar gridding, make horizons, make zones, and make layers processes. It discusses quality control methods for horizons and faults. During the course, you learn how to handle complex structural models, including fault truncations, reverse fault modeling, and the modeling of salt diapirs.

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Structural Framework Gridding:
This course covers the creation of geocellular grids using an unstructured gridding approach to create an overall structural framework, including how to handle complex faulting and stratigraphic relationships. From here, the student then learns how to convert the structural framework into a depogrid, for the distribution of rock properties and subsequent reservoir simulation.

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Petrel Property Modeling

The Petrel Property Modeling course covers basic geostatistics, data preparation, data analysis, as well as facies and petrophysical modeling.

The first part of the course focuses on the usage of basic geostatistical tools through data analysis, data preparation, and well log upscaling,

The second half of the course focuses on facies and petrophysical modeling workflows using stochastic methods as well as covering the usage of Kriging for continuous properties. Students also learn how to perform normalization and data transformations as well as how to constrain the results using secondary data.

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Petrel Advanced Property Modeling

This course focuses on Facies modeling, which in recent years has become the main method for guiding and constraining Petrophysical models.

Pixel based and Object models are demonstrated and exhausted in addition to complex hierarchical models combining multiple methods. Standard facies modeling methods have their limitations in more complex depositional environments. Therefore, this course explores the more advanced property modeling tools, like the cutting edge Multi-point statistics process.

Different ways of creating soft probability data using different processes to analyze data, such as trend modeling and geometrical trend modeling, exploring the relationship of secondary data to constrain models is also covered.

There is a special focus in the theory behind the Multi-point statistical concept, covering the creation of good training images and how to incorporate soft probability data, vary direction and scale in the final simulation model. In addition, this course covers the Geobody modeling tool for extracting seismic bodies and use them directly as “hard data” in the modeling process.

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Petrel Workflow Editor and Uncertainty Analysis

The course aims at giving the participants a powerful insight into the Petrel Workflow editor functionality and how to perform Uncertainty and Sensitivity analyses for exploration and production.

The Workflow editor enables you to automate tasks/processes/operations and build uncertainty loops. In addition to helping optimize time, this approach is widely applied for effective 3D models updates – e.g. while drilling – and for reserves uncertainty quantification.

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Studio for Petrel Users

The Studio for Petrel Users course is designed for users who are already familiar with Petrel, but who need to learn about Studio from a user’s perspective. The purpose of this course is to describe basic concepts used in Studio (such as repositories and indexes) and learn how to work in a Studio environment. The training focuses on tools in Petrel that interact with Studio. This course covers topics such as setting up a database connection and synchronizing data between a Petrel project and a Studio repository.

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Studio Manager - Petrel

Studio Manager comprises a suite of tools for effectively managing the Studio environment. It consolidates administrative and core data management workflows supporting Petrel software. Using Studio Manager, data managers quickly understand the state of their Studio environment by using cutting-edge applications (apps) to ascertain the status of repositories, review recent user activity, identify tasks that need to be performed, and perform the workflows surrounding those tasks.

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Introduction to Geology

Geology is a core science that underpins much of what we do in the Oil & Gas business. A good understanding of the principles of Geology as they apply to Petroleum is essential for any subsurface discipline.

The primary objective of this course is to introduce E&P professionals to the key concepts and principles of Geology as applied to the Oil & Gas industry. The course will provide a summary of the fundamentals of Geology that need to be understood in order to integrate such information in the processes of petroleum exploration, development, and production.

The course is classroom-based, containing a mix of theory, application, exercises and videos.

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Practical Applied Geostatistics with Petrel

This course develops knowledge and understanding of the role played by uncertainty in geomodeling and provides a framework for optimum decision making using Petrel. It covers the statistical and geostatistical tools available for understanding and quantifying uncertainty and the considerations required when using them for reservoir characterization and model building.

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What I’ve done and what I’m doing

I have been involved with many projects throughout North America. Click on a sedimentary basin below to learn more.

Note that due to multiple signed NDAs, I can only go into some light details for select projects. If you would like to know more, please contact me

What I can do

Actively working in the energy industry for over 16 years, I have fostered an extensive skillset surrounding subsurface reservoir characterization.

What do my scores mean?

Domain Skills

Technology Skills

Who I’ve done them for

For over 16 years I have had the fortune to work with many diverse groups of professionals across the planet. From data migrations, to geomodel building, to software and geoscience training, each group has taught me something, and the conclusion of each project a personal achievement in its own right.

Work History:

SLB (2015-Present)

Senior Geoscientist

Denver Colorado, United States

Supports and advises the North American geoscience communities in Petrel and Studio software suites, with a focus on data integration and geocellular modeling projects. Acts as technical lead in SLB geomodeling projects across North America. Organizes and implements multi-asset scale data migrations and deployments, including data restructuring, hardware/software configuration, and training of technical staff. Also teaches fully customized courses in Petrel, Studio, and Applied Geostatistics throughout the world using in-house data .

SLB (2010-2015)

Geoscientist

Denver Colorado, United States

Supported the Colorado, California, and Alaska geoscience communities in Petrel and Studio workflows. Traveled extensively to deliver in-house on-site support for introductory to advanced methods in Geology and Geophysics, and in-turn learned from some of the best geoscientists in the industry. Taught introductory and intermediate courses in Petrel and Studio.

SLB (2007-2010)

Support Geologist

Houston Texas, United States

My introduction to the Energy Industry. Worked helpdesk support in Petrel and GeoFrame software suites on Geology workflows. Assisted clients the Houston geoscience community in on-site support, and taught introductory Petrel training courses in geology and geophysics.

Western Colorado University (2005-2007)

Tutor/TA/Field tech

Gunnison Colorado, United States

Assisted students in the laboratory, graded homework assignments, acted as van operator and safety officer in the field for a variety of classes including Applied Geophysics, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Physical Geology, and Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology.

Also assisted students with a variety of mathematics and physics related homework problems in the tutoring center. Focused on algebra, probability and statistics, calculus (single and multivariable), mathematical modeling, and general physics.

Clients for whom I have delivered products and services include:

How I learned to do them

Education

Bachelors in Geology
Petroleum emphasis
minors in mathematics and physics

Western Colorado University

2003-2007

Build-it: Geosciences
fixed-step training program

SLB-NExT

2007-2011

Certifications and other training

Fundamentals of Petroleum Geostatistics
Dr. Clayton Deutsch; University of Alberta Centre for Computational Geostatistics

Reservoir Geomechanics
Dr. Mark Zoback; Stanford School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Through Stanford Online; formerly the Lagunita platform)

Python for Everybody Specialization
Dr. Charles Severance; University of Michigan School of Information
(hosted through Coursera)

Core Designer Certificate
Dataiku Academy

ML Practitioner Certificate
Dataiku Academy

Advanced Designer Certificate
Dataiku Academy

Introduction to Data Science Specialization
Dr. Pooja Bagane; IBM

Geographic Information Systems Specialization
Dr. Nicholas Santos; University of California, Davis Center for Watershed Sciences (hosted through Coursera)

Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization
Margaret Meloni; University of California, Irving (hosted through Coursera)

Instructor level certifications for 13 classes
NExT training

Current development:

Dataiku Machine Learning Operations Practitioner
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

Groups I am involved with

Professional

American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Member (2010-present)

American Institute of Professional Geologists
Member (2010-present)

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Member (2010-present)

Civic

Colorado 14ers Initiative
Peak Steward (2018-present)

American Homebrewer’s Association
Member (2012-present)

Community Shares of Colorado
Charity Homebrewer (2017-Present)

Colorado Collaborative Foster Care
Foster dad (2019-present)

Presentations, Papers, and Patents

Kristensen, Morten; Dubost, Fransois Xavier; Dorion, Christopher; Mullins, Oliver C. Method for De-risking Reservoir Architecture through simulation of fluid charge. U.S. Patent 63/515379, filed July 25, 2023. Provisional patent.

Ruiz, E., Thilbodeaux, B., Dorion, C.S., Mukisa, H., Faskhoodi, M., Hakim, B., Garcia, G., Xu, W., Betancourt, S., Canas, J., Messonnier, T., Mullins, O., Integrated Rock and Fluid Workflow to Optimize Geomodeling and History Matching, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, UAW, September 2021., doi 10.2118/206299-MS

Logal, S.K., LaBarre, E., Dorion, C.S., Clarke, P.R., Jamaluddin, M.A., Hartley, A., 2020, Predicting Fluvial Reservoir Facies by Upscaling Seismic Inversion with 3D Geocellular Modeling: Pinedale Field Case Study; Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, doi 10.15530/urtec-2020-2123

Schukla, P.,Xu, L., Dorion, C.S., Paddock, D., Utech, R., Swager, L., Nikoleava, A., 2019, Digital Solutions to Optimize Stacked Play Development in Delaware Basin- A Step Change in Multi-disciplinary Value Creation to a customer, Schlumberger 2019 Reservoir Symposium.

Ma, Y.Z., Gomez, E., Phillips, D., Dorion, C., Moore, W.R. Simpson’s Paradox in Evaluating and Developing Unconventional Resources. In Proceedings of the IAMG Annual Conference, State College, PA, USA,10–16 August 2019

Li, S., Zhang, Ye., Ma, Y.Z., Dorion, C.S., Daly, C., Zhang, T., 2018, A comparative study of reservoir modeling techniques and their impact on predicted performance of fluvial-dominated deltaic reservoirs: Discussion, AAPG Bulletin, v.102, no. 8, p. 1659-1663, doi 10.1306/0108181613516519

Dorion, C.S. 2016, Multipoint Facies Simulation Explained or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Training Image, Schlumberger Integrated Solutions Tech Talk.

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