Young Scientists Drive Innovation in Subsurface Imaging

CGG's unmatched 3D seismic images and models of subsurface geology rely on our innovative geoscience technologies and HPC, plus something equally as important – the technical excellence of our people and the outstanding service they provide. Our success is a direct result of the values that drive our people: a passion for science, a love of problem-solving and an openness to collaboration.

We spoke to Melissa Butterfield, Annie Mao and Joe Weston from CGG Subsurface Imaging in the UK about their experience and values. Melissa and Joe both completed their MPhys in Physics at the University of Manchester and joined CGG shortly after graduating in 2020; Annie joined CGG in 2021 after completing her MSci in Geophysics at Imperial College London.

Personal values

For Melissa, what is important is: “First and foremost, to be kind, which ties in with one of CGG’s core values to be open and inclusive. As a scientist, I also think it’s vital to be curious and passionate about the world around us. I’m also a big believer that you see the most growth by putting yourself out of your comfort zone regularly. In my personal life, this means seeking out new challenges and always striving for better. I recently got into running and now find it pretty addictive! I started with a goal of 5 km and have so far worked my way up to my current challenge of a half marathon where I will be quite literally, going the extra miles!”

Annie believes that what is important to you in your personal life should not change in your professional life: “I value excellence and always making an extra effort when it comes to important personal projects, and this carries through to my professional life. I like to be confident in the decisions I make in my personal life, so I make sure my clients receive the same service as I would want to receive. Working in an environment I enjoy is also one of my top priorities. Colleagues in CGG are incredibly friendly and supportive, we get along well at work and outside of work. Working hours are also flexible so that I can plan work around my life when important occasions happen.”

For Joe, what orients him is: “Treating people with respect and believing that everyone has something to offer. No matter the background or circumstances everyone should be able to voice their ideas and be listened to. Through my volunteering experiences I have seen that when opportunities are present people can flourish, but without proper support potential is left unfulfilled.”

He also thinks it’s important to not accept that just because something works, it’s the best way to do something. “I believe strongly that if improvements can be made, we must make them happen. Through determination and persistence, we can always do something better and don`t have to stick to the conventional methods. To do something completely and to the best of your ability will always be more satisfying than taking the easy route out.”

Love of learning

Melissa’s passion for physics led her to apply to work in a completely new area. “Having never done any geophysics before, it’s been great to continue my love of learning at CGG,” she says. “You soon become very knowledgeable about a certain area of seismic imaging, but there’s always more to learn as technologies develop and improve. This can be challenging, but it’s also part of the job that l love the most!”

Joining CGG meant Annie could continue the type of work she enjoyed during her studies: “I find it very interesting to be able to understand the subsurface through geophysical methods. I knew CGG would give me the opportunity to work on challenging projects, as the company is well known in the industry for providing cutting-edge technology solutions to many high-profile companies.”

Joe’s main motivation was to have an opportunity to solve real-world scientific problems in an environment where he would be challenged. He explains, “I was keen to learn about this new field and not just apply what I had learned at university. Also, the fact that CGG prides itself on innovation and technology and is always looking to do things in a more advanced way was important to me. I felt I could learn a lot in this environment where technology is key.”

Close collaboration with clients and colleagues

For Annie, client interaction is key. “By communicating with clients, listening to their needs, and proposing new solutions regularly, I help to provide them with a great service,” she says. After gaining experience working on challenging data from the Caspian Sea, an area of the world famous for its (sometimes explosive!) mud volcanoes, she was assigned to work on an accelerated turnaround time-lapse imaging project with a high-profile client to inform the planning for a much larger, longer-term acquisition. “I quickly identified a few ways to improve the results and delivered a high-quality product. With this promising result and fast turnaround time, the client was very pleased with the products and services we provided.”

Melissa is currently working on a technology feasibility study where for the first time she is the primary contact for the client: “It has been really rewarding to have the opportunity to apply what I’ve learnt technically, whilst gaining more exposure to project management and client communication.”

“Every day presents new opportunities to do something a bit better than before.” Melissa can see how CGG’s Subsurface Imaging teams have gained their reputation for ingenuity and outstanding service. “Small improvements can occur from testing new technologies or thinking about old problems in new ways and every little improvement adds up. Combined with the collaborative nature of the imaging geophysicist’s role, these small changes can be iterated and shared across the company, leading to step-changes in seismic imaging and modeling.”

As an imaging geophysicist, Joe helps to increase client confidence in the data CGG delivers. Collaboration with other imaging teams and his clients helps him understand how the latest technology can be applied to the data he’s working on. He recently worked closely with CGG’s R&D team testing a new method they had developed to remove multiple reflections from seismic data. “By frequently discussing my extensive(!) testing with R&D and combining our ideas we got better results which I presented to the clients at an in-person meeting in Oslo. The client approved the recommended method and, when we compare our final image to the legacy, the improved demultiple method is a key differentiator, helping the client to better isolate the primary signals they are interested in.”

Opportunities for growth

“The most satisfying thing for me is to see the excitement from our clients when we show promising results. It’s equally rewarding when my work has contributed to a technological breakthrough,” says Annie. As well as learning more technical skills, she has developed many professional skills and gained valuable experience in teamworking, giving client technical presentations and project management. “I feel more prepared to face any challenges at work and in life.”

While the client-facing aspect has also helped Melissa to improve her confidence in presenting and communicating technical concepts, she has also enjoyed supporting graduate recruitment and developing others through mentoring new joiners at CGG: “I’ve taken part in a few recruitment events such as our Gradcracker webinar which answers lots of questions about life for new graduates at CGG. I also held a coffee morning at my university’s Physics department. On the job, I’ve acted as a buddy to a new starter to support them when they first started working at the company.”

The most rewarding part for Joe is persisting to solve a challenge: “Understanding the theory of how your technique works, implementing it and then being able to present it. This is a very rewarding feeling. I also enjoy being exposed to industry professionals who have taught me new theories and approaches that I even find helpful in everyday life. Working for CGG has given me the chance to learn about a new industry and new technologies. These have enabled me to have a more informed perspective on the energy sector and the challenges it faces.”