STEVEN E. YOUNG
New Orleans
Summary
Seasoned geoscience professional with 20 years of global experience in exploration and development of deepwater and onshore assets. Expertise in subsurface modeling, reservoir characterization, and well planning, driving multi-million-dollar projects and optimizing portfolio value. Proven ability in cross-discipline collaboration and strategic decision-making on international projects, delivering innovative solutions and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Geoscientist
LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Saint Clairsville, Ohio, USA
07.2023 - Current
- Led a cross-functional team of 15+ geoscientists and engineers to implement innovative geoscience solutions, improving project efficiency by 25% and supporting data-driven decisions for $100M+ multi-site initiatives.
- Spearheaded a nationwide Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) readiness assessment utilizing advanced play-based exploration techniques, identifying critical geological assets that accelerated national expansion planning and reduced feasibility analysis time by 30%.
- Served as primary geologic and petroleum industry expert for DOE initiatives in secondary and tertiary oil recovery, carbon storage, and critical mineral supply chain development, enhancing strategic direction.
- Developed and presented Carbon Management strategies at national and international industry summits, representing DOE interests and fostering partnerships with leading energy stakeholders.
Senior Geologist – Redevelopment Well Planning
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
New Orleans, LA,, USA
07.2019 - 02.2023
- Directed subsurface and well operations planning for the Deepwater Auger Redevelopment Campaign, optimizing targets and LWD requirements to maximize production while minimizing operational risk.
- Led cross-functional teams of geologists, engineers, and production technologists in trajectory planning, well design, drilling, and real-time operations, ensuring alignment with portfolio objectives and safety standards.
- Built deterministic static geologic models that integrated seismic, well logs, production, geochemistry, and drilling data, guiding decision-making and reducing drilling and completion risks.
- Developed and implemented Emergency Response and Process Safety Risk plans that ensured regulatory compliance and operational readiness for deepwater redevelopment projects.
- Executed 3D & 4D geologic investigations, leading integrated discipline reviews and ensuring optimal well sequencing for portfolio efficiency and risk mitigation.
- Initiated well abandonment strategies for legacy fields, integrating subsurface workflows to comply with Regulatory Idle Iron Demand Orders and maintain asset value.
- Mentored and coached junior geoscientists and subsurface team members, providing guidance on technical workflows, cross-discipline collaboration, and concise communication to senior decision-makers.
Subsurface Team Lead & Business Opportunity Manage
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
New Orleans, LA, USA
12.2014 - 06.2019
- Directed multidisciplinary subsurface teams to optimize production, ensure process safety, and meet Asset Operation Plan KPIs across GOA (Princess/Ursa) and Brazil (BC-10, Bijupirá-Salema) subsea fields.
- Managed complex drilling campaigns, including high-pressure injection wells and geosteering horizontal heavy oil production wells, mitigating subsurface and operational risks.
- Orchestrated technical and business support for JV well delivery, managing Capex budget exceeding $1B to align portfolio and enhance operational efficiency.
- Provided well delivery assurance for all Brazil-operated ventures, guiding geology inputs to define objectives and ensure safety throughout planning, design, and rig operations.
- Maintained evergreen opportunity inventory for nearfield exploration and infill targets, contributing to 3x resource growth tracked through Annual Business Planning cycles.
- Oversaw OBM monitor seismic surveys and 4D interpretations, supporting BC-10 O-North waterflood reservoir redevelopment.
- Led quality assurance of static model definitions to constrain volumetric targets, underpinning multiple multi-well campaigns in the GOA and Brazil.
- Implemented DWDP workflows in Brazil operations and connected subsurface teams with Houston and New Orleans leaders, fostering knowledge sharing and best practices.
Exploration & Development, Operations Geologist
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
New Orleans, LA,, USA
02.2003 - 12.2013
- Led competitive bid analysis and opportunity ranking for Central and Western Area Sales, achieving a 75% high bid success rate and strengthening GOA exploration portfolio.
- Evaluated 'Yet to Find' resource potential across deepwater GOA play types as key member of exploration investigation team using Play-Based Exploration methodologies.
- Directed full-scope well planning and execution for production and injection wells across Mars/Deimos, Ursa, Princess, Llano, and Tahoe assets, delivering projects on schedule and within technical specifications.
- Coordinated subsurface disciplines to integrate geologic insights into dynamic reservoir models, enhancing reservoir management and production forecasting.
- Provided geologic inputs for DWOP/CWOP sessions, daily/weekly operations reporting, and final well summaries, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.
- Characterized static reservoir parameters and geologic maps for development planning and annual resource reporting in accordance with SEC standards.
- Produced subsurface reference reports for process safety, well containment, emergency response, and impact mitigation, ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal standards.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Geology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZMaster of Science (MS) - Geosciences
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZBachelor of Science (BS) - Geology / Geophysics
Missouri Institute of Science And Technology
Rolla, MOSkills
- Subsurface and Reservoir Characterization (3D/4D Seismic, Petrel, ArcGIS Pro)
- Deepwater and Play-Based Exploration Geology
- Well Planning, Delivery (TA2, DWDP), and Operational Oversight
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Assessment and Implementation
- Field Development and Redevelopment Portfolio Optimization
- Geologic Modeling, Risk Analysis, and Economic Uncertainty Evaluation
- Nearfield Exploration and Resource Evaluation
- Multi-Scenario Correlation and Map Generation
- Regulatory Compliance and Process Safety in Hydrocarbon Operations
- Business Opportunity Management and Capex Planning
- Strategic Decision-Making and Portfolio Management
- Multidisciplinary Team Leadership and Mentoring
- Stakeholder Engagement and Executive Communication
- Cross-Functional Collaboration and Integration
- Innovation and Problem-Solving in Complex Environments
- Operational Excellence and Process Optimization
- Leadership Development and Talent Mentoring
- Adaptability in International and Multi-Project Settings
- Public Speaking and Technical Presentations
- Accountability, Initiative, and Self-Motivation
Certification
- Project Management Professional Coursework
- Shell Project Academy: Front End Delivery (Stage 1) accreditation
- Shell Project Academy: Leader of Teams accreditation
- Shell Project Academy: Essentials of Realizing Opportunities accreditation
- Recipient of multiple Shell Recognition Awards
Timeline
Senior Geoscientist
LEONARDO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
07.2023 - Current
Senior Geologist – Redevelopment Well Planning
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
07.2019 - 02.2023
Subsurface Team Lead & Business Opportunity Manage
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
12.2014 - 06.2019
Exploration & Development, Operations Geologist
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION CO
02.2003 - 12.2013
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Geology
University of Arizona
Master of Science (MS) - Geosciences
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Geology / Geophysics
Missouri Institute of Science And Technology