Nolan Brand
Houston,TX
Summary
Accomplished Earth Modeling Geoscientist with a focus on Full Waveform Inversion, Reverse Time Migration, and depth migration techniques. Proven track record of delivering high-fidelity velocity models and enhancing imaging quality.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Earth Modeling Geoscientist
SLB
Houston, TX
09.2014 - Current
- Led advanced acoustic and elastic Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) projects across OBN, OBC, WAZ, NAZ, and land acquisitions in the Gulf of Mexico, West Texas, the Red Sea, and Saudi Arabia to generate high-fidelity velocity models for imaging and reservoir understanding.
- Applied Reverse Time Migration (RTM) and Kirchhoff Depth Migration (KDM) for depth model QC and final imaging deliverables, ensuring accurate structural positioning and improved illumination in complex geologic settings.
- Completed a six-month assignment in Saudi Arabia, collaborating directly with Aramco geophysicists to advise on time and depth processing workflows for challenging land datasets.
- Utilized tomography to optimize gather flatness, reduce well marker misties, and integrate sonic log constraints for robust velocity model updates.
- Collaborated with SLB’s FWI and Imaging R&D groups to advance next-generation FWI technology and ensure geologically consistent model building through close coordination with interpreters and geologists.
- Partnered with HPC and systems teams to allocate and optimize high-performance computing resources across FWI, RTM, KDM, and signal-processing workflows, improving turnaround time and computational efficiency.
- Designed and delivered training programs for SLB geophysicists on Full Waveform Inversion theory, depth processing workflows, and best practices for model building and QC.
- Contributed to major surveys including Amendment (OBN GoM), Campeche (WAZ GoM), Horn Mountain (OBN GoM), Jack (Sparse/Dense OBN, WAZ GoM), Jumano (West Texas land), Green Canyon (WAZ GoM), Saudi Arabia land programs, and the Red Sea NAZ survey, supporting high-impact imaging for exploration and development.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
The University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX08-2014
Skills
- Full Waveform Inversion
- Reverse Time Migration
- Depth migration techniques
- Tomography processes
- High-performance computing
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Project collaboration
- Problem solving
- Omega
- Petrel
- Python
- Public Speaking
Publications & Acknowledged Work
- Vigh, D., Cheng, X., Jiao, K., Kang, W., & Brand, N. (2021). The impact of acquisition geometry on full-waveform inversion updates. The Leading Edge, 40(5), 335–341. https://doi.org/10.1190/tle40050335.1
- Murphy, G., Brown, V., & Vigh, D. (2020). Land FWI in the Delaware Basin, West Texas: A case study. The Leading Edge, 39(5), 324–331. https://doi.org/10.1190/tle39050324.1
Timeline
Earth Modeling Geoscientist
SLB
09.2014 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
The University of Texas At Austin