Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Work Availability
Timeline
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James Dorman

James Dorman

Spring

Summary

Operations Geologist with Chevron, specializing in pore pressure assessment and hazard evaluation. Demonstrated success in leading integrated drilling teams and improving project outcomes. Expertise in seismic interpretation and project management, resulting in successful well execution and significant resource discoveries. Committed to advancing geological excellence in challenging environments.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work History

Consultant Operations Geologist

Chevron
Houston
10.2013 - 03.2025
  • Currently working, from January 2024 to Current, on NOJV Operations for exploration wells and certain high priority development wells. These were: EW 873 ST00 and ST01 (1 Lobster water injection well and 1 exploration well in 2024), MC 40 #1 Ocotillo Discovery well, GC 770 #2 Caesar Tonga Development well, GC287 #1 Vancouver Exploration well, GC 584 #1 Far South Exploration Discovery well, GC 726 #5 Caesar Tonga Development well. Worked as the Ops Geologist as a part of a small Integrated Drilling Team, for each well above, I conducted the Pore Pressure/Fracture Gradient/Broaching assessments and Hazards Assessment. This work is very challenging as it involves searching for poorly organized, offset well data, from historical records on internal drives, also conducting detailed discussions with the Operator teams in the form of weekly meetings as well as meeting weekly with the internal team to prepare a detailed slide deck for presentation at a Peer Review. After the PR the peer comments and edits are worked back into the slides and finalized. Most importantly the slides and data used in slide preparation are then used in Well Execution in the form of hole section previews, execution learnings and Lookback presentations. I will continue in this role in 2025.
  • From 2019 through January 2024, I was responsible for working in a daily planning and operations role for all phases of WCCPDEP, this was detailed planning and execution of either exploration, appraisal and development wells in GOMBU as part of an Integrated Drilling Team (IDT). I reported to several different team leads John Hoffmann to 2020, Michele Gutenkunst through 2023, then worked on Richard Mongan’s team through 2023 and for Patrick Garrow’s team in 2024 to current.
  • As part of the IDT for these wells, I worked the pore pressure/fracture gradient and broaching assessments through planning process for the Ballymore Development wells. I did the Pore Pressure/Fracture Gradient/Broaching assessments for BP01 from Preferred Alternative Selection to Well Design Lock and then into Execution. I then worked Ballymore BP02 from Preferred Alternative Selection to Well Design Lock. After that work I transferred to the Lead NOJV Ops Geologist role in early 2024. Prior to Ballymore, I worked on Jack PS11, I started at Preferred Alternative Selection and took through Well Design Lock, Execution and Lookback. Prior to that I performed the Pore pressure/Fracture Gradient/Broaching Assessment for all the Anchor Batch wells to 22” casing depth through Well Design Lock, also performed the Pore pressure/Fracture Gradient/Broaching Assessments for Anchor AP04 through Well Design Lock.
  • Before that I worked a part of Integrated Drilling Team for both the entire Planning phase, entire Execution phase and Lookback phase for several wells as here: 1) Pore Pressure /Fracture Gradient evaluation for the Anchor Development wells AP01 and AP02 (the first 2 Anchor development wells drilled) and 2) the Hazards evaluation from planning through execution for the Blind Faith #5St Development well.
  • I have been and continue using Petrel for all integrated earth science seismic interpretation and cross section efforts and Drillworks Predict for PP/FG work. In 2023 I started the transition from Drillworks Predict to Techlog for Pore Pressure / Fracture Gradient and Broaching Assessment work.
  • Also worked as a direct Mentor with Kim Davis, G&G Ops Horizon Geologist and have Mentored several additional Horizons Earth Scientist in the past, from 2016-2019.
  • From 2018 to the end of 2019 worked on all details of Shallow Hazard evaluation for Blind Faith #3ST, Blind Faith #6 and Blind Faith #6ST, as part of an IDT, worked all phases from planning, execution and Post Well Evaluation.
  • From 2016-2017 I worked on all details of Shallow Hazards evaluation for Hoffe Park #1 exploration well (second time), the Gibson #1 and Gator Lake #1 exploration wells, exploration discovery well from planning to execution and through Lookback and the well planning for Gibson #2 up to execution (well was never drilled).
  • In 2014-2015 worked on Pore Pressure/Fracture Gradient evaluation for the Harrier well (NOJV with ConocoPhillips, Chevron did not participate), the PP/FG evaluation for Hoffe Park well (first time, not drilled), the PP/FG evaluation for Tahiti PS009 and PS010 development wells and PP/FG evaluation for the Tahiti TVX development wells; also worked on the PP/FG evaluation/planning for the Murrayfield Miocene well (never drilled).
  • From 2014-September 2015 I was G&G Ops Geologist for Team 4, planning and executing wells that the team was planning when was promoted to team lead (Drilling Gila, Guadalupe 2/2ST, Gibson and planning Hoffe Park, Gator Lake and Gila 2).

Senior Staff Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
Houston
06.2011 - 11.2013
  • Lead a Geoscience and Drilling based asset team through well planning, budgeting and execution phases for a multiple well appraisal program to evaluate several separate gas fields, offshore Congo Basin, Angola.
  • Demonstrated strong supervisory skills over the previous 2 years while Team Leader for 6 person Appraisal asset team.
  • Ability to set and review annual performance objectives with team employees and assist with development of short and long term career goals.
  • Performed annual performance reviews for all 6 team members for past 2 years.
  • Currently have 2 former Horizons Geoscientists on ALNG asset team have assisted both in designation of short and long term career goals after Horizons program has been completed.
  • Strong Knowledge and implementation of CPDEP for Appraisal Planning.
  • Over past 2 years have moved from Phase 1 into Phase 2 (Framing, UMP, VBWO, RUMS, VOI and Concept Selection, SSPA and DSP).
  • Responsible for reporting the teams progress to internal management and project Shareholders including the content of the ongoing subsurface evaluation and results at Quarterly Assurance Meetings.
  • Responsible for making recommendations to management that drive the progress of the appraisal drilling program.
  • Goals for 2013 are to progress the project from the technical evaluation phase and selection of specific appraisal wells, then through a Subsurface Planning Assist.
  • Year end 2013 a Decision Support Package will be submitted which includes the funding of the appraisal wells.
  • Next work stage (post DSP) evaluation and drilling efforts will consist of the drilling of 2-3 appraisal wells.
  • Appraisal wells are critical to advancement of the evaluation on separate structures as additional non-associated gas resources are needed to fill out 30 year production profile.
  • Continued to perform duties as Geologist for the appraisal team: Assist appraisal team with regional and Geological assessment when needed.
  • Assisted with update 2011 Pore Pressure study performed in Geolog integrated well results from 2011 drilling program and using all available subsurface data.
  • Interim Globetech Manger with approval authority over 35 positions (G & G, Drilling, Legal, Contracts and Support positions).

Senior Geologist

Chevron
Houston
08.2009 - 06.2011
  • Senior Geological member of a multi-discipline appraisal team responsible for providing non associated gas resources from several gas fields in the offshore Congo Basin, Angola.
  • Senior Geologist responsibilities as following: Appraisal Well and Workstage Planning efforts.
  • Prepared all documents for Appraisal CPDEP process to get wells approved internally and by shareholders.
  • Collaborated with ETC on Pre-Drill Pore Pressure Modeling (Geolog) using inputs of petrophysical, wireline formation tester data, well tops, seismic mapping data, mudlogging and drilling data.
  • Worked results of Pore Pressure analysis in real time while drilling wells.
  • Planned, Drafted and presented drilling proposal in accordance with SWCPDEP phases for appraisal well workstage planning and execution to management and Shareholders.
  • Led the design of the openhole evaluation process including wireline logging, MWD/LWD, mudlogging, biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic data.
  • Assisted with design of complex deviated hole VSP.
  • Assisted with 3D seismic mapping and fault analysis to select drilling locations.
  • Led the shallow hazard assessments including high resolution seismic data and several geotechnical shallow cores.
  • Drafting and approval of various End of Well Reports for each well.
  • Worked in Operations role with Drilling to complete all 3 wells on budget.
  • Mastery and broad knowledge of structural and stratigraphic interpretation methods and use of Seisworks, Epos and Stratworks software.
  • Familiarity with pre-drill, real time and post drill Pore Pressure and Geohazard evaluation and modeling using subsurface data.
  • Strong knowledge of internal project management skills, Appraisal and SWCPDEP for well planning and execution.
  • Mastery of all Geological aspects of Drilling Operations and Wellsite geological best practices and procedures.
  • Mastered ability to effectively communicate and interact with drilling and G & G operations and assets teams and provide guidance under high pressure real time situations across cross functional teams.
  • Mentored Angolan Geologist on long term work assignment in US in preparation to return to ALNG OPCO in a Leadership role.
  • Appraisal Team planned and executed 3 wells in the Quiluma and Maboqueiro fields delivering 400 BCF of gas resources; third well experienced severe operational problems that required abandonment prior to reaching total planned depth.

Geological Manager

Independent Professional
Houston
06.2007 - 08.2009
  • Founder in the formation of a small independent start up oil and gas energy company with producing properties in South Texas. I was the only Geologist working for the company and performed all duties in conjunction with a Geophysicist who was mapping on 3D seismic data over the existing fields.
  • Small Company with small staff operating 4 fields in south Texas region producing approximately 700 BOEPD.
  • Providing geological and operational support to company assisting with maintaining and increasing production.
  • Main operations are recompletions, workovers and new drilling wells using existing well and 3D seismic data.
  • Utilized seismic and open and cased hole log database to identify over 90 workovers opportunities.
  • Over the 2 years completed approximately 50 of these workovers with success rate of 70%.
  • Identified 12 infill drilling opportunities; at end of 2 years had drilled three wells with success rate of 100%.
  • Exited the company when partners proposed a buy out.

Geological Manager

Independent Professional
Houston
07.2008 - 05.2009
  • Part of a multi-discipline Management Team responsible for daily operations.
  • Lead Subsurface team of 4 Geoscientists in both Houston and Madagascar.
  • Responsible for evaluation of Tsimiroro heavy oilfield utilizing surface mapping, existing 2D seismic and well data interpretation and planning for future seismic data and electrical resistivity survey acquisition.
  • Drafted various well, seismic and area evaluation reports.
  • Planned, proposed and drilled 45 shallow appraisal/exploratory wells with 75% success rate proved up > 1 billion barrels oil in place.
  • Drafted critical well reviews of each well drilled.
  • Also responsible for evaluation of 6 large exploration blocks in the Morondava and Majunga basins of onshore Madagascar (approximately 17 million acres) using 2D seismic data and various data from 32 previous drilled wells.
  • Change in Ownership of company resulted in departure.

Senior Geologist

El Paso Corp
Houston
02.2005 - 06.2007
  • New Ventures team assisting with divesting of non-core assets, maturing of core assets to the drilling phase and assisting with new acquisitions.
  • Responsibilities were as described below: Subsurface Team Leader for offshore field area in Camamu Basin of Brazil.
  • Several fields undergoing appraisal and development; worked with existing dataset of well logs and 2D & 3D seismic.
  • Proposed, planned and helped drill 2 critical wells to identify field extensions; first well extended oil field and increased reserves to an economic threshold and the second well discovered a significant natural gas accumulation directly offsetting the oil field; worked extensively with a outside advisor to farm out a percentage of acreage.
  • Worked as Operations Geologist for the drilling and evaluation of 2 successful appraisal wells in the Camamu area.
  • Supplied geological support on New Venture activity in onshore and offshore Egypt, offshore Trinidad and bid rounds in Brazil.
  • Assisted with divestment of company properties in Hungary, Turkey and Indonesia.
  • Resigned from El Paso to participate in the formation of a small operating company.

Senior Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
Houston
01.2000 - 02.2005
  • Team Leader for Angola LNG Project - Texaco Angola Natural Gas Inc.
  • Move increased overall responsibility and allowed me to work with a newly formed asset team.
  • Assisted Angola LNG in planning appraisal of several natural gas development areas in the Block 1 and 2, shallow water areas, offshore Angola.
  • Responsibilities were: Leading the overall geological and geophysical evaluation of the Quiluma area driven by 3D seismic mapping.
  • 3D seismic interpretation of the entire area.
  • Individual well reviews and evaluation of wireline log data for gas pay.
  • Completed a sequence stratigraphic study.
  • Assisted with an inversion study using the Quiluma 3D seismic dataset to quantify the size of the gas in place.
  • Led the reservoir characterization efforts and data input into reservoir simulation model.
  • Assisted with planning of a 360 square kilometer high resolution 3D survey (acquired in 2003).
  • Geological planning and Operational duties during the drilling execution.
  • Compiled detailed prospect inventory of the Quiluma area (500,000 acres) containing numerous satellite structures.
  • Responsible for all management and partner presentations concerning the Quiluma area.
  • Also assisted with 3D seismic interpretation and mapping of several other discovered fields in Block 2 which were included within non-associated gas asset base of Angola LNG.
  • Since start of project in 2000, team efforts have resulted in the Quiluma area being upgraded from the lowest rank project to the top ranked project in portfolio.
  • Successfully acquired a 400 square kilometer high resolution 3D survey and received approval for 2 appraisal wells.
  • Mean resource potential for the Quiluma Field have risen from 200 BCF to an estimated 3.5 TCF.

Exploration & Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
Houston
01.1999 - 12.1999
  • Part of an appraisal team evaluating further drilling at two separate prospective areas of Block 1. Areas contained numerous discoveries not on production and needed to be rapidly evaluated using 3D seismic and existing well data.
  • Responsibilities were: conducted individual well reviews, geological mapping and reservoir characterization.
  • Identification of pay sections using of well log evaluation and wireline formation tester analysis.
  • Well ties to seismic data and assisting with the geological mapping.
  • Final report out evaluation presented to management supported the drilling of the two areas.
  • Responsibilities shifted to focus on the Geological Operations: Assisted the drilling engineers with implementing drilling operations for drilling two well tests: Maceira-1, proved the existing play concept of a previously discovered incised valley channel fill, however the reservoir was encountered in a structurally low position and did not contain economic amounts of oil; Pereira-1, a deep water wildcat well, did not encounter any hydrocarbons and was abandoned as a dry hole.
  • Shifted focus to a Deep Water asset team that was evaluating the acquisition of Block 16.
  • As Geologist for the Block 16 team, responsibilities were: to conduct individual well reviews, review the geological mapping and reservoir characterization of the previous operator, perform wireline log analysis to identify all potential pay sections and use wireline formation tester data to conduct an analysis, assist the team geophysicist with well ties to seismic data, assist with the geological mapping.
  • Team concluded that the Block 16 acreage contained a large unexplored upside potential and strongly recommended the acquisition to management.

Operations/Development Geologist

Chevron
Luanda
02.1994 - 12.1998
  • Main Responsibilities: Daily Geological/Geophysical drilling Operations for 2 to 3 drilling rigs; required intense forward planning and many innovative ideas as the area was remote.
  • Responsibilities were: directly coordination with the Rig and Engineering/Drilling Shore base on drilling operations on daily basis, full geological evaluation of all wells drilled, completion of various final well reports, including log analysis, wireline formation tester evaluation, assisted with selection of perforation intervals, set up and directed weekly partner coordination meetings, Back up Wellsite Geologist as typically had 3 rigs in service.
  • Operation Team was responsible for planning, designing and execution of the Division’s first horizontal well.
  • Efforts established a standard of excellence for the Texaco Angola division and resulted in an Outstanding Contribution award for the team.
  • The development of new drilling, wireline logging and wellbore evaluation technologies was constant and rapidly put into use to assist in cost control.
  • The team implemented the use within the Angola division of horizontal wells, the MDT wireline formation tester tool, new generation VSP tools and magnetic resonance tools.
  • Constantly working to improve morale, team work and non-operating partner relationships.
  • Added value by controlling costs which resulted in 90% of wells drilled ahead of schedule and under budget. The added value resulted in improving the Angola Division’s ROI and NPV by increasing booked reserves and production rates by more than two-fold from 1995 to 1998.
  • Also Geologist for Espadarte Field Appraisal Team; provided all geological input.
  • Responsibilities were: overall geologic evaluation, well reviews and reservoir characterization, assisted with 3D mapping, various development plan report written, proposing, planning, scheduling and drilling of appraisal wells, reporting results to management and partners.
  • The Espadarte project at over US$100 million represented Texaco Angola’s most expensive development project in Angola, comprising over 16,000 acres of potential reservoir area; containing 750 million barrels of oil in place.
  • The partners/Angolan government approved a US$50 million Phase 1 Appraisal budget. Phase 1 appraisal included the installation of a production platform and related facilities and a total of 3 drilling horizontal well locations. Phase 1 had a ROI of 44% and an NPV of US$25 million. Phase 2 of the appraisal or development required a larger investment and included a second production platform and related facilities and 9 additional development wells.

Operations Geologist

Chevron
Kuala Lumpur
04.1992 - 02.1994
  • Operations office for all company Exploration drilling efforts in SE Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam – 90% offshore operations).
  • Also appraising a large gas discovery, offshore Myanmar (Yetagun field), with all Appraisal Operations conducted out of the KL office.
  • Responsibility was multi-fold, as an Operations Geologist in the office and Wellsite Geologist when drilling.
  • Communication with all mudlogging and wireline service companies was essential as all operations were remote and required long lead times to prepare.
  • Operations Geologist responsibility was in several areas: collaborated work and drilling schedules with the Houston-based Exploration office to ensure that all drilled wells were started and completed as per schedule, worked directly with geological/drilling service companies to line up needed equipment, preparing and drafting all geological-based contracts, ensured that all drilled wellbores were logged with a high resolution wireline dataset and all boreholes were fully evaluated, extensive wireline formation tester data was routinely collected for detailed pressure analyses, Pre-drilling I was responsible for preparing the geological and operational portions of all Drilling Justification documents, Post-drilling was responsible for documenting the input and for drafting all final well reports.
  • Responsibilities as WG: Led DSM on all geological related interpretations, Liaison for transfer and communications of G & G data between rig and shore based drilling teams (Drilling, Project, Asset, Exploration, Appraisal), Generate daily Geological/Drilling reports and various EOWR, Coordinate transfer and shipment of all G & G data and samples, Perform open hole log analysis at wellsite, Made daily decisions at wellsite, Assisted and supervised all geological aspects of drilling operations: biostrat logging, mudlogging, wireline logging, MWD/LWD, cuttings analysis, conventional coring, Input into daily drilling reports, Interpret drilling reports, Interpret pore pressure data at wellsite in realtime.
  • April 1992 - February 1994 SBU: Texaco Latin America/West Africa Job Title: Development Geologist Location: Pont Fortin, Trinidad.
  • TRINMAR Asset Team: Short term temporary assignment during down times in KL office.
  • Geologist member of Asset team, included a Reservoir and a Drilling engineer.
  • Project contained over 150 existing wellbores, multiple reservoir intervals.
  • Responsibilities were: extensive initial review/organization of data/files, compiled all subsurface information into numerous spreadsheets, created a detailed procedural worksheet, ranked workover candidates by reserve additions, production increases and NPV.
  • Team developed 70 workover well candidates, 20 infill, outpost and attic drilling locations for 3 mature offshore development areas.
  • Production and proven reserve increases associated with proposed well work significantly increased the book value of the area.
  • Area sold back to the Trinidad government within 2 years of study.

Exploration Geologist

Chevron
Coral Gables
11.1988 - 04.1992
  • Initial assignment with the company, involved extensive geological, geophysical and reservoir engineering technical training courses and short term assignments needed to gain technical experience.

Education

Master of Science - Geological And Earth Sciences

University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
06-1992

Bachelor of Science - Geology

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
05-1986

Skills

  • Pore pressure assessment
  • Fracture gradient analysis
  • Hazard evaluation
  • Geological mapping
  • Drilling operations
  • Seismic interpretation
  • Hazard assessment
  • Project management
  • Data analysis
  • Executive support
  • Mentorship
  • Team collaboration

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline

Consultant Operations Geologist

Chevron
10.2013 - 03.2025

Senior Staff Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
06.2011 - 11.2013

Senior Geologist

Chevron
08.2009 - 06.2011

Geological Manager

Independent Professional
07.2008 - 05.2009

Geological Manager

Independent Professional
06.2007 - 08.2009

Senior Geologist

El Paso Corp
02.2005 - 06.2007

Senior Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
01.2000 - 02.2005

Exploration & Appraisal Geologist

Chevron
01.1999 - 12.1999

Operations/Development Geologist

Chevron
02.1994 - 12.1998

Operations Geologist

Chevron
04.1992 - 02.1994

Exploration Geologist

Chevron
11.1988 - 04.1992

Master of Science - Geological And Earth Sciences

University of South Carolina

Bachelor of Science - Geology

San Diego State University

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