Chevron Chair in Reservoir Characterization appointed at Memorial University

Jun 20th, 2013

Kelly Foss

Chevron Chair in Reservoir Characterization appointed at Memorial University

Dr. Alison Malcolm of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been appointed the inaugural Chevron Chair in Reservoir Characterization.

Dr. Malcolm, who will assume the position in summer 2014, will establish an applied research program relevant to petroleum geology and geophysics, with special emphasis on integrated reservoir characterization. This field covers a broad area of activities, involving the determination of reservoir architecture, establishing geologic flow units, constructing reservoir models and identifying petroleum reserve growth potential.

As the Chevron Chair in Reservoir Characterization, Dr. Malcolm will work to help reduce reservoir uncertainty in support of improving the predicted oil in place, static and dynamic reservoir models, production performance and ultimate recovery.

“The offshore oil and gas fields of Newfoundland and Labrador provide a natural laboratory for the study of petroleum geology,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University. “Dr. Malcolm, together with Dr. Lesley James, our Chevron Chair in Petroleum Engineering, will complement and expand existing expertise at Memorial and enhance our strong ties with the petroleum industry.”

A five-year, $1-million partnership to provide funding for the position is being created by Chevron Canada Limited, the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) and Memorial University.

“We are very pleased with the appointment of Dr. Alison Malcolm as Chevron Chair in Reservoir Characterization,” said Mark MacLeod, vice-president (Atlantic Canada), Chevron Canada Limited. “Dr. Malcolm’s research and teaching focus will be of significant benefit to students at Memorial University, which is a key goal for Chevron Canada in funding this chair position.”

“This is an excellent opportunity to build further R&D capacity at Memorial University in a critical area for this province,” said Glenn Janes, chief executive officer, RDC. “Petroleum geoscience is critical to future exploration and development offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, and, as an industrial research chair, Dr. Malcolm will play a critical role in developing the next generation of expertise in this important area.”

In 2008 Memorial University was selected for Chevron Corporation’s University Partnership Program. Through this program, support is provided to a global network of more than 95 colleges and universities to develop talent in key academic disciplines, foster research capacity, increase community engagement and build relationships critical to the global workforce.