DONALD H. SKIRTEN B.Sc. P.Geoph. – APEGA Life Member
E-mail: mailto:skirtend@shaw.ca
Resume: http://members.shaw.ca/skirtend/Resume.htm
Web Page: http://members.shaw.ca/skirtend/mainpage.htm
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My diverse geophysical career has primarily been involved in 2D and 3D full processing, from Plains to
high structured Foothills data, as well as marine and areas with severe statics, in a variety of geographical
locations throughout the world. I also possess a good aptitude for computer systems and applications. This is
from using different processing and interpretive workstation software as well as different operating systems.
My career has always been involved with computers, mostly at the application stage; however I maintain
a personal interest in computers from both the hardware and software levels. I’ve installed, configured and
optimized Linux at home, which has greatly increased my knowledge of UNIX, UNIX applications, networks, multi user systems and HTML. I am also very good in the PC environment from Windows DOS, NT, XP, 7, 8.1, 10.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
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Experienced in velocity analysis of high structured, foothills and mountainous type data , AVO and well logs
Experienced in land-marine transition zones and areas with severe static problems
Field Q.C and full processing of 3D data in New Zealand for 1.5 months for Fletcher Challenge Energy
Field Q.C and full processing of 2D data in Northern Trinidad for 3 months for a Conwest consortium
Worked 9 months in Damascus for the Syrian Petroleum Company processing 2D and 3D, testing software,
teaching, and system support
Submitted bug reports and gave feedback on documentation as well as suggestions on how to improve the user
friendliness of the user interface
I set up demos and slide shows used for marketing purposes
Good system abilities in UNIX, Windows XP/7/8.1/10, NT 3.51/4.0 on Suns, Dec, Alpha, HP, IBM and PC’s
I have set up and used UNIX, Linux and Windows for multi -users on a network
Been involved in testing of processing software and making recommendations for improvements
Installed and setup Exceed software to run an X-term window through Windows 95/NT
Set up PPTP for a virtual private network through the Internet to use between New Zealand and Calgary
Very knowledgeable with Microso ft office, especially Excel and Word
Set up Internet connections, E-mail and Webpage design optimized for Firefox and IE.
Used Windows 7, 8 and 10, Remote Desktop and Remote Assistant, Google Earth
Used Kernel Technologies WinPICS 2D & 3D interpretation software
Assisted users with Paradigm (Photon’s) SeisX workstation
Geco Charisma II Interactive Interpretation Work Station; VAX/VMS
GMS (Geco Mapping System) mapping software
GMA (Geophysical Microcomputer Applications) STRAT Software
GMG (Green Mountain), GLI (Generalized Linear Inversion)
I have compiled, setup and used CWP/SU Processing software from Colorado School of Mines
Have programmed in ASSEMBLY (80386) 100% at SAIT, C, C+, BASIC, FORTRAN and HTML
Made a Google Android Operating System Jellybean APP for my Galaxy S3 cellphone
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
 STAY AT HOME FATHER. Calgary, Alberta (2002 – Present)
Can’t wait to get back to work as daughter now has drivers license, Coached Baseball, Soccer, Volunteer Food
Coordinator for School, Science Demos, helped daughter get grade 9Math Award, Science and Music award s,
Honors, Grade 8 Piano 94%, Guitar, Bronze Cross, PADI Master Diver with Rescue Diver and First Aid, CPR,
Modern and Irish Dance, Moscow Ballet, High School Rep at Bishop Grandin Grade 10 -12
 SENSOR GEOPHYSICAL LTD. Calgary, Alberta (1999 – 2002)
Geophysical Data Processor - PROMAX & GMG & GLI & MASTT full 2D production processing
 AFFINITY GEOPHYSICS LTD. Calgary, Alberta (1998 - 1999)
Geophysical Processing Consultant/Owner- PROMAX & GMG full 2D production processing
 C&C SYSTEMS LTD. Calgary, Alberta; Trinidad W.I; New Plymouth N.Z. (1996 - 1998)
Geophysical Processing Consultant - field Q.C. and full 2D and 3D production processing
 PULSONIC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Calgary, Alberta; Damascus, Syria (1994 - 1996)
IndeX Test Processor - tested and used Index processing software for full 2D and 3D processing
 HALLIBURTON GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES INC. Calgary, Alberta (1990 - 1992)
Geophysical Data Processor - production processing, land and marine
-2EMPLOYMENT HISTORY (continued)
 COLUMBIA GAS DEVELOPMENT OF CANADA LTD. Calgary, Alberta (1987 - 1989)
Geophysical Consultant - managed Geco interpretation workstation, some interpretation
 C.G.G. GEOPHYSICS CANADA LTD. Calgary, Alberta (1983 - 1986)
CONSULTED AT DOME PETROLEUM LTD. Through C.G.G. (1985 - 1986)
Geophysical Data Processor - production processing
ACADEMIC STUDIES
 MICROCOMPUTER PROGRAMMING CERTIFICATE - S.A.I.T. Calgary, Alberta (1992)
2 Courses in C, 2 courses in ASSEMBLY (100%), 2 courses in BASIC
 B.Sc. IN GEOPHYSICS - University of Calgary (1983)
ADDITIONAL STUDIES
 SeisX Photon software, on a SGI Indigo 2 with IRIX operating system, at C.S.E.G. office
 3 Digital Design Courses for Computer Hardware, B Average
- one of these digital design courses was a 3rd year Electrical Engineering c ourse
 Worked as a Jug Hound, in the Recording Truck, designed and modified Seismic surveys, Electrician
Summer Job at Mobil Oil in Drayton Valley, Alberta (1980-1982) did Pump Jack and LPG compressor
maintenance, Control panel design. Also in Sierra Gas Plant, BC did general labor and maintenance.
MEMBERSHIPS
 PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) (2007 – Present)
Recently obtained Master Diver Certification (August 2013) which includes Rescue Diver, CPR, AED
Also National Geographic Specialty
 Member of APEGA, P. GEOPH (1984 - Present), Life Member since June 2013.
 Member of C.S.E.G. (1984 - 2004)
 Member of Calgary Unix Users Group (1994 - 1997)
HOBBIES
 SCUBA
 Skiing
 Astronomy
 Baseball (I was born in Calgary, but grew up in Connecticut and NY from age 4 to 12)
In High School I was a baseball pitcher and made the All -Star Team 3 years in a row
I once pitched against Lindy Ruff who is the Hockey Coach for the Dallas Stars
 Hiking and Mountain Climbing
In University I climbed with Bill Marsh who was the leader of the First Successful Canadian Mount Everest
Expedition
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
At Sensor Geophysical I processed 2D seismic, land and marine transition, using GLI,
PROMAX and MASTT. MASTT is very useful for most surface consistent static situations,
however I also used Promax’s correlation and maxpower for statics on data with low fold or poor
signal. I have had a lot of exposure to complex foothills regions, and severe static areas. Some
areas include Mackenzie Delta, and Beaufort Sea land-marine transition zone, all which have ice
problems. Also the Norman Wells area, which has mountains, muskeg and the Mackenzie River
flood plain.
At Affinity Geophysics I processed and managed a 2D seismic processing system using GMG
and PROMAX. I had set it up so that I could link into work from home using Excee d for an xterm
through the Internet on Shaw Cable. I also reset the system to process from floating datum instead
of fixed datum.
At C&C Systems in Calgary I processed 2D and 3D data on PC -SEIS processing software,
from demux to final migrated stack. I have also been involved in setting up an Internet connection
using PPTP, setting up E-mail, made my own Web Page and installed and configured Exceed
software to allow for an X-term connection to a UNIX system with Windows NT.
At C&C in Calgary I learned to use Kernel Technologies WinPICS 2D & 3D interpretation
software, including grid balancing in just one weekend. I basically could process seismic and do an
interpretation all on a Laptop computer. Also I learned to use the NT version of Paradigm
(Photon’s) SeisX workstation. I helped clients to load data, made maps, and gave them support.
My work experience at C&C Systems includes: 1) projects from the Ukraine with very steep
topography and high structure; 2) high structured data near Savanna creek south of Longview; 3)
high structured data in the areas of Liard and Maxhamish; 4) New Zealand field Q.C. and full
processing of 170 square kilometer 3D for one and a half months (this area varied between low to
high structure); and 5) field processing a nd Q.C. in Trinidad for 3 months. My duties in Trinidad
included processing 2D high structured data with complex velocities to migrated stack. After stack
the data was sent to Calgary via Internet or Federal Express so the interpreter could get immediate
feedback on the results and quality of the program. I also set up a demo for the partners in
Trinidad and did a presentation for the industry and government. They were very impressed with
the cutting edge technology at that time.
I also did a demo in Venezuela in Caracas for the 3 major oil companies at the time. As well
as one in Maturin Venezuela.
While in Trinidad, I helped redesign the seismic program as there where now houses where
some of the 2D lines where supposed to go. We experimented with array width, and maximized cdp
fold near the end of the lines affected by house development. Also used different dynamite with a
higher frequency response in a sandy zone which greatly improved signal in the shallow horizons,
as well as vertically stacked some areas both to increase signal and to mix low and high frequency
source response, the results surprised and impressed the consortium partners very much.
Through Pulsonic, working in Damascus was a very challenging opportunity. It required a
great deal of flexibility and innovation as I had to adapt to a large array of unexpected
circumstances, both technically and socially. The people were very friendly and eager to learn,
however it took some patience in overcoming the language barrier in order to su pervise effectively.
This included adjusting to different business customs. The working environment was adequate,
however it was necessary to prepare for power surges and disruptions, as well as improvising due
to a general lack of modern office supplies and equipment. I organized training on the IndeX
system and taught users general geophysical concepts. I tested current and new software versions,
reported to Calgary on software and system problems, and handled system maintenance and
software support. I processed and taught 2D and 3D seismic processing from different areas of
Syria for the Syrian Petroleum Company.
At Columbia Gas I managed a GECO Charisma II Interactive Workstation. My duties
included loading seismic and survey data, picking horiz ons, helping other users, managing their
projects, plotting maps and archiving the projects. To add to this I had three months practical
experience interpreting in the Peace River Arch area of Alberta. Here I also became familiar with
using instantaneous phase, frequency and amplitude attributes to help in stratigraphic
interpretation, as well as AVO studies and use of well logs.
CGG & Dome Petroleum Ltd. I worked very closely with clients including geologists,
geophysicists, and the applications research group. This helped in developing a better final
product and helped in my understanding of geophysics through a team effort. My exposure to the
applications group increased my knowledge of synthetic modeling and the use of well logs, as well
as wavelet estimation, match filters and minimum phase equivalent wavelet extraction. Also I used
offset limited gathers for AVO studies and velocity field modeling for time to depth conversion .