Optimising workflows

Arshad Matin of Seismic Micro-Technology (SMT) discusses eliminating bottlenecks in the exploration process, the challenges faced in the MENA region and trends he is witnessing in the industry.

“Integration means higher productivity for organisations as they can reduce the time spent on moving data”
-Arshad Matin

Tell us a little about Seismic Micro-Technology.

Arshad Matin. Our market leading Windows-based software, KINGDOM, helps companies reduce cycle times during prospect evaluation. We help over 2700 companies in 97 nations find and eliminate bottlenecks in the hydrocarbon exploration process. We have been in business since 1984 and will soon be located in seven offices. Our headquarters are in Houston, Texas. Our additional offices are in London, Singapore, Calgary, Moscow, and most recently, Abu Dhabi. We are also in the process of opening in Rio de Janeiro. Our newest offices in Abu Dhabi and Rio represent the areas where we are seeing the greatest interest for our software - the Middle East and South America.

In the last two-and-half-years that I have been CEO, we have focused on ensuring that KINGDOM provides next generation capabilities for even the most complex environments and can co-exist with the legacy multi-vendor workflows found within large E&P organisations. We think these are the key challenges for organisations today as they seek to cut their cycle times and reduce risk by optimising their workflows.

How do you help customers in this region?

AM. While our presence in the Middle East is newer than elsewhere, we believe we can offer the same value to this region as we have globally. The Middle East sees both unique opportunities and challenges in hydrocarbon extraction. It continues to have supplies that are the envy of the world, yet there is a growing need for sophisticated tools to extract these resources economically. At the same time, the needs of each customer and field are different. In Iraq, for example, there is a need for tools that aid in early field exploration. While in Saudi Arabia, understanding fractured carbonate reservoirs, for example, has become critical to success. And for the larger NOCs, the need to train a rapidly growing and young employee base on the newest technologies is often the biggest challenge ahead. So we work with each individual customer to understand their needs in the region, and tune our software, services, and training to fulfill these specific needs.

What are some of the new things you are doing at SMT this year?

AM. I have mentioned our increasing focus on Middle East and South American expansion but we have even more planned technologically. Throughout 2010, we are releasing what we see as the next generation platform for end-to-end field evaluation workflows. Next quarter we will release what we believe is the next generation in integrated geophysics and geology. KINGDOM will include the ability to execute an additional range of workflows including creating structural frameworks, 3D geomodeling, production forecasting, and economic analysis. Most organisations today require four or more disparate tools to accomplish these tasks. This integration means higher productivity for organisations as they can reduce the time spent on moving data. Finally, we recognise that this problem of moving data needs to become easier for organisations. In fact, by one measure companies spend 20 percent of the prospect evaluation time just on this vital but extraneous part of the workflow.  To eliminate this bottleneck, KINGDOM will release a brand new connectivity solution, using technology from our partner OpenSpirit, which will allow transparent, real time, bi-directional movement of data between KINGDOM and other major vendors.

Finally, how do you see the state of the market in 2010?

AM. We see bright prospects ahead for the oil and gas market in 2010. Our two new offices this year attest to our faith. Even in 2009, our business yielded record earnings - and we actually grew our headcount in what was, otherwise, a tough year globally. While we think Peak Oil is still many years away, especially with new supplies poised to come online in the Middle East, we believe that increasing demand from emerging economies will continue to pressure prices upwards. And when our customers do well, SMT does well.

Arshad Matin is President and CEO at Seismic Micro-Technology. Under his leadership, the company has enjoyed unprecedented growth in revenues and profits. Since joining the company, Matin has focused on recruiting a new management team, setting new growth strategy, and expanding into new geographies and market segments.

www.seismicmicro.com