Principal Geophysicist

 
We currently have an opportunity for a Principal Geophysicist role. This position is based in Muscat, Oman.

Job purpose
Provide authoritative geophysical expertise and technical leadership to support companies’ exploration, appraisal, development, and investment activities by leading the acquisition, processing, interpretation, and integration of seismic and other geophysical datasets. The role is responsible for reducing subsurface uncertainty, maturing exploration opportunities, supporting reserves growth, and enabling value-driven commercial and investment decisions through advanced geophysical analysis, prospect evaluation, reservoir characterization, and integrated subsurface studies. The position acts as the geophysical subject matter expert within multidisciplinary teams, establishes geophysical workflows, standards, and best practices, mentors technical professionals, and contributes strategic technical insights to maximize asset value while ensuring compliance with corporate, regulatory, and industry standards.
The position will act in accordance with the company’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, QHSE & Energy Management System requirements standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.
 
Minimum Requirements
A minimum of 10+ years’ relevant experience in exploration geophysics, seismic interpretation, and subsurface evaluation within the upstream oil and gas industry.
Extensive experience in seismic acquisition, processing, interpretation, inversion, attribute analysis, and integrated subsurface studies.
Proven experience supporting exploration, appraisal, development, and new venture evaluations.
Strong expertise in prospect maturation, volumetric analysis, risking and uncertainty assessment, and opportunity evaluation.
Experience integrating geophysical data with geological, petrophysical, reservoir engineering, and production data.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex multidisciplinary studies and influence strategic business decisions.
Experience in well-to-seismic calibration, time-depth conversion, velocity modelling, and geophysical database management.
Strong understanding of petroleum systems, structural geology, reservoir characterization, and field development planning.
Experience managing technical studies performed by external consultants and service providers.
Knowledge of SPE-PRMS reserves and resources classification methodologies is desirable.
 

• Lead the planning, acquisition, processing, interpretation, and integration of seismic and geophysical data to support exploration, appraisal, development, and investment evaluations.
• Develop and oversee advanced geophysical studies, seismic interpretation programs, and subsurface imaging initiatives to reduce geological uncertainty and improve investment decisions.
• Lead prospect generation, prospect maturation, risking assessments, volumetric evaluations, and opportunity screening activities for exploration and business development opportunities.
• Establish geophysical workflows, technical standards, methodologies, and best practices to ensure consistency, quality assurance, and technical excellence across all studies.
• Coordinate the application of seismic, gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, radiometric, radar, and remote sensing techniques to evaluate subsurface structures and hydrocarbon potential.
• Oversee well-to-seismic calibration activities, seismic inversion studies, time-depth conversion projects, velocity modeling, and maintenance of geophysical databases.
• Integrate geophysical interpretations with geological, petrophysical, reservoir engineering, and production data to develop comprehensive subsurface models.
• Lead and provide technical assurance for seismic interpretation, reservoir characterization, structural modeling, and field development evaluations.
• Drive the evaluation of exploration acreage, acquisitions, farm-in opportunities, and commercial investment opportunities through robust geophysical assessments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary subsurface teams to identify drilling opportunities, optimize well placement, and define acquisition requirements including logging, coring, testing, and surveillance programs.
• Develop innovative interpretation techniques, digital solutions, and advanced geophysical workflows to enhance technical capabilities and improve decision quality.
• Provide authoritative technical recommendations on exploration programs, seismic acquisition campaigns, reprocessing initiatives, and technology deployment strategies.
• Support reserves booking, resource maturation, field development planning, and investment committee evaluations through technically robust subsurface assessments.
• Lead peer reviews, technical assurance activities, and independent evaluations of subsurface studies prior to key investment and development decisions.
• Mentor, coach, and develop geoscience professionals to strengthen technical capability, knowledge transfer, and succession planning within the organization.
• Represent company in technical committees, joint venture meetings, industry forums, and engagements with consultants, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company governance standards, technical procedures, geophysical standards, and international industry practices.

Actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and promote innovation within geophysical interpretation and subsurface evaluation activities.
Participate in emergency response, stand-by, and on-call duties as required to support operational and business continuity requirements.
Ensure all work is carried out in accordance with the Company QHSE, Security, and Energy Management policies and procedures, while proactively promoting a strong health, safety, security, and environment culture across all activities.
 
Key interactions
Internal: All corporate support functions (Commercial, Exploration, Reservoir Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Production Engineering, Wells & Production Technology, Finance, and HSSE).
External: Joint Venture Partners, Seismic & Geophysical Contractors, Technology Providers, Government & Regulatory Authorities, and Consultants & Advisors (subsurface, technical, etc.).
 
Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, sporadic visits to operation site.
 
Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Geosciences, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in Geophysics or a related discipline is preferred.
 
 
Technical Competencies:

• Advanced expertise in seismic interpretation and geophysical methods.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent subsurface characterization and basin analysis capabilities.
• Proficiency in geophysical software and data integration tools.
• Sound judgement and decision-making with attention to detail.
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Project planning, prioritization, and resource management skills.
• Excellent business and technical report writing skills.

 
 


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.