Donald Matthew Surles
5211 Heatherdawn Court
Katy, TX 77494
H: 281.392.3726
M: 281.630.7655
W: 281.366.1429
EDucation
Ph.D. Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 2007
- Dissertation title: “Interactions between structures in the Appalachian and Ouachita foreland beneath the Gulf Coastal Plain”
M.S. Geosciences, University of Louisiana - Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana, 2001
- Thesis title: “Description of a large-scale Eocene crevasse splay, Olson property, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana”
B.A. General Geology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 1999
Professional Experience
BP America (October 2007-present)
Operations and Development Geologist, Houston, TX — 2008-present
Responsibilities include:
• Picking new-drill bottom-hole locations and determining target depths.
• Generating SOR for new wells.
•Geologic support during drilling (includes picking tops and pay zones, setting TD).
• Assisting in perf-picking meetings.
• Fielding technical inquiries from partners.
Exploration Geologist, Houston, TX — 2007-2008
Responsibilities included:
•Evaluated multiple prospectsfor potential economic and recoverable hydrocarbons.
•Worked several projects through the LT and XX, and were eventually bid and acquired at lease sales.
University of Kentucky (2001-2007)
Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Geological Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky — 2001-2007
Research Assistant duties:
• Geologic mapping in coal-bearing rocks in the Appalachian thrust belt in Alabama, supplemented with correlation of 150+ coal bed methane well logs. Map filed with the United States Geological Survey.
• Stratigraphy and structure of Appalachian thrust belt beneath the Gulf Coastal Plain. This study included extensive interpretation of geophysical well logs and 2D seismic reflection profiles.
• Vitrinite reflectance analysis as part of a project funded by the Petroleum Research Fund
Teaching Assistant duties:
• Three semesters of Sedimentary Geology as lab and class assistant
• One semester each of lower and upper level field methods class as lab assistant
University of Louisiana-Monroe (1999-2001)
Teaching Assistant, Department of Geosciences, Monroe, Louisiana — 1999-2001
Teaching Assistant duties:
• Four semesters of teaching Physical Geology lab, including planning of curriculum
Selected Publications
Surles, M, and Thomas, W.A., 2004, Orthogonal basement fault systems and diachronous Ouachita-Appalachian thrusting around the Black Warrior basin, Alabama and Mississippi: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 5, p. 504.
Surles, M., and Thomas, W.A., 2005, Cambrian-Early Mississippian passive margin of southern Laurentia: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, no. 7, p. 143.
Surles, M., 2007, Interactions between structures in the Appalachian and Ouachita foreland beneath the Gulf Coastal Plain: Lexington, University of Kentucky, unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, 145 p.
References
Eric Dixon, Angola Exploration Manager, BP plc, +44 (0) 1932 771976,
Randy Rickford, Eagle Ford Reservoir Management Team Lead, BP America, 281-366-2725,
David Brucker, Wyoming / San Juan NWD Team Lead, BP America, 281-366-0369,
Robert Lieber, Senior PetrophysicistUnconventional Gas Flagship, BP America, 281-366-0508,
William Thomas, Emeritus Professor, University of Kentucky Earth & Environmental Sciences, 859-257-6222,