My career is a tapestry of significant technical expertise, progressive leadership, and a profound commitment to mentorship, particularly within complex and diverse geological settings. Some of my accomplishments and specializations include: Technical Geology / Geoscience Expertise ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Advanced seismic interpretation and subsurface mapping/modeling, crucial for exploration and development. ➤ Expertise in sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology, providing a comprehensive understanding of reservoir systems. ➤ Proficient in reservoir evaluation and characterization, applying a robust workflow from sedimentological studies to petrophysical analysis. ➤ Proven track record in reserves estimation and auditing, enhancing project viability and accuracy. Renewable Energy Projects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Led renewable initiatives, assessing wind, geothermal, and CCUS prospects with Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos. ➤ Formulated strategic business models and economic evaluations, promoting feasibility of renewable pilot projects. ➤ Played a pivotal role in diversifying energy sources, driving the adoption of wind and geothermal energies. Collaborative Leadership & Mentorship ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Demonstrated leadership by guiding a team of 7 geoscientists at Ecopetrol S.A., and mentoring junior staff throughout complex exploration projects. ➤ Educated the next generation of industry leaders as a Professor at Fundacion Universidad America and a guest speaker on energy transition. In the past five years, I've strategically positioned myself at the forefront of the energy industry's evolution. My role with the National Hydrocarbon Agency marked my first steps into renewable energy and the energy transition space, leading to the assessment and potential harnessing of wind, geothermal, and hydrogen resources. Other recent impacts include spearheading the discovery of significant oil reserves, enhancing the Colombian energy landscape, and delivering tailored solutions in global resource and reserves audits with Ryder Scott. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and holding dual citizenship, I am well-equipped for international endeavors. As I continue to explore opportunities that leverage my diverse skill set, I remain committed to sustainable development and industry advancement.
Luisa Rolon, MBA, M.Sc., P.G.
Senior Geologist / Geoscientist ➤ Driving strategic growth in petroleum and renewable sectors (CCUS / CCS, geothermal & wind) through expert technical evaluation, innovative energy solutions, and impactful mentorship
About
Publications
Education
University of Houston
MBA, Business & Energy / May, 2018
West Virginia University
Masters, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering / December, 2004
West Virginia University
Masters, Geology / May, 2004
Experience
Colombian National Hydrocarbon Agency
Senior Advisor for renewable energy and energy transition projects. / April, 2023 — December, 2023
Spearheaded renewable energy projects using geoscience expertise, assessing potential and strategizing for wind, geothermal, and Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS) while ensuring executive-level reporting and feasibility analysis. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Renewable Energy Expertise: Evaluated Colombia's potential for onshore and offshore wind energy. ➤ Wind Energy Planning: Built feasible projects by formulating business models for wind energy initiatives. ➤Geothermal Assessment: Diversified Colombia's renewable energy sources by assessing geothermal potential. ➤ Carbon Management: Conducted CO2 storage assessments to enhance CCUS capabilities vital for climate mitigation. ➤ Economic Analysis: Ensured sustainable investment by analyzing economic feasibility of renewable energy pilot projects. ➤ Auditing & Certification: Led auditing and certification of natural resources based on technical and business acumen.
Ecopetrol S.A.
Exploration / Subsurface Team Lead – Technical Evaluation / February, 2020 — March, 2023
Steered maturation efforts as Exploration / Subsurface Team Lead with seven geoscientist direct reports for a portfolio of projects ranging across Near Field Exploration, VMM Foothills, and TEA (Technical Evaluation Agreement blocks). ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Exploration Geoscience: Discovered approximately 20 mboe through meticulous generation and maturation of leads. ➤ Project Management: Streamlined exploration operations and reduced costs by efficiently managing a project portfolio. ➤ Risk Evaluation: Improved drilling / seismic outcomes via risk assessments during exploration and operational phases. ➤ Mentoring & Leadership: Overcame knowledge gaps by mentoring teams in petrotechnical and business disciplines. ➤ Strategic Business Development: Optimized exploration project budgets through strategic stakeholder negotiations.
Ryder Scott Co
Senior Petroleum Geoscientist – Hydrocarbon & CCUS Resources Certifications & Audits / July, 2016 — October, 2019
Enhanced technical skills in geologic mapping, seismic interpretation, and formation evaluation to significantly boost company services and client satisfaction in hydrocarbon and Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) industries. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Seismic Interpretation: Refined seismic interpretation practices to better estimate hydrocarbon volumes. ➤ Standards & Reporting: Boosted consultancy credentials by integrating cutting-edge CCS certification processes. ➤ Project Management: Steered resource audit processes by planning global projects for conventional / renewable resources. ➤ Business Strategy: Expanded market opportunities by building strong partnerships and advising on strategic developments.
Eni Petroleum
Lead / Senior Geologist & Geophysicist – Gulf of Mexico & Mexico / May, 2013 — April, 2016
Accelerated portfolio growth by overseeing an exploration campaign in the Eastern GOM, appraising 1Bboe reserves in Mexico offshore, and generating 40 leads, culminating in an addition of ~2 Bboe prospective resources. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Appraisal & New Discoveries: Validated 1 billion barrels of probable undeveloped reserves in Mexico. ➤ Resource Management: Expanded asset portfolio by 1.5 billion barrels by overcoming challenges in prospect evaluation. ➤ Risk Mitigation: Avoided operational risks by integrating comprehensive data analysis and risk assessment processes. ➤ Strategic Development: Prioritized ventures to optimize exploration efforts in U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico. ➤ Leadership & Development: Guided junior geologists through complex exploration campaigns through mentorship.
Hess Corporation
Senior Development & Exploration Geologist - Offshore South America & Onshore Unconventionals / January, 2011 — May, 2005
Planned, strategized, and steered diverse geologic initiatives across the Americas (offshore Guyana and South America / onshore Unconventionals Subsurface Technical Team), driving significant reductions in operational costs and identifying major oil prospects to ultimately enhance economic and strategic outcomes. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ➤ Geological Interpretation: Delivered reservoir behavior insights for Bakken and Three Forks formations' fluid systems. ➤ Project Management: Navigated complex geological evaluations to optimize asset development for the Bakken play. ➤ Strategic Leadership: Achieved a 17% reduction in drilling costs by recommending optimal fracking completions. ➤ Innovative Solutions: Cut unwanted water production output by 40% by creating a reduction strategy. ➤ Prospect Development: Generated significant offshore leads in Peru and Guyana-Suriname with an estimated 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent, one of which has recently been confirmed as a discovery.
Chevron
Geoscientist - Exploration and Development / May, 2004 — December, 2010
Modeling and data analysis through Seismic interpretation, attribute analysis, Sedimentology, geological mapping, play fairway analysis, risk segment mapping, lead-to-prospect generation and maturation, appraisal of exploration prospects, volumetrics, and risk analysis, for exploration and development projects in offshore deepwater Brazil. Analysis using a blend of engineering and geological data to enhance oil production performance and to define asset development plans in the U.S. Mid-Continent region. Identification of new gas production opportunities – Technical and economic analysis used for successful A&D processes of exploration blocks in the Brazilian market – Led initiatives that realized USD 15 million USD in budget optimization – Generated accurate well production forecasts to guide economic decisions, with a capital investment efficiency of 1.2 million USD per well.
Ecopetrol S.A.
Regional Stratigrapher / Sedimentologist / November, 1997 — July, 2001
Pioneered comprehensive basin analysis in Colombia by leading stratigraphic studies, culminating in new reservoir maps, enhanced reservoir quality evaluation, and the identification of promising exploration areas.
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