Senior Petroleum Geologist - Exploration & New Ventures

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic international energy company, is looking for a highly skilled Senior Petroleum Geologist to join their growing team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This strategic role is focused on identifying, evaluating, and advancing new exploration opportunities within prospective basins. You will leverage your extensive geological expertise and cutting‑edge subsurface imaging technologies to assess prospectivity, de‑risk opportunities, and contribute to the company's growth strategy. The position requires a deep understanding of depositional environments, structural geology, and basin analysis, with a strong emphasis on integrated geological modeling. You will collaborate closely with reservoir engineers, geophysicists, and business development teams to advance projects from initial concept through to drilling commitment. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future exploration portfolio of a forward‑thinking organization in the Oil & Gas sector. The hybrid work model supports a flexible and productive working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead geological assessments of frontier and mature basins for exploration potential.
• Integrate seismic, well, and other subsurface data to build robust geological models.
• Perform detailed prospectivity analysis, including risk and uncertainty assessment.
• Utilize geological software (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom) for data interpretation and visualization.
• Evaluate hydrocarbon plays and identify drillable prospects.
• Collaborate with geophysicists to interpret seismic data and define structural and stratigraphic traps.
• Prepare geological reports, presentations, and recommendations for exploration strategy and drill site selection.
• Stay current with global exploration trends and new geological concepts.
• Mentor junior geologists and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.
• Support new venture evaluation and due diligence processes.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Geology or Petroleum Geology.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in petroleum exploration, with a proven track record in prospect generation.
• Expertise in sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, structural geology, and basin analysis.
• Proficiency with geological interpretation software packages (e.g., Petrel, Kingdom Suite).
• Strong experience in seismic interpretation and understanding of geophysical principles.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex geological datasets.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams in an exploration setting.
• Familiarity with South African geological settings is advantageous.
• Must have legal work authorization for South Africa.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, generous leave policy, and opportunities for international travel and professional development. The hybrid work setup in Durban facilitates a productive work-life balance. Join a collaborative team committed to discovering and developing energy resources.

#J-18808-Ljbffr