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Samuel Heller

Samuel Heller is a geophysicist, who processes marine and land seismic data and has a strong background in tomography, advanced migration, earth model building, anisotropy, AVO, noise attenuation, geometry and statics. 

His expertise includes processing 2D and 3D data in both time and depth domains. Projects include processing and analyzing data from Law of the Sea, Geologic CO2 Assessment, GLIMPCE and Alaska Petroleum Resources projects.


EXPERTISE

• Geophysics- reflection seismic processing and earth model building in both time and depth domains for 2D and 3D data in localities including offshore and onshore Alaska, onshore Texas, offshore Angola, Atlantic Coast, U.S. Gulf Coast and other U.S. onshore basins
• Global and Regional Seismology- earthquake location, identification and discrimination, geostatistical applications
• GIS- various geohazards projects utilizing ArcView and ArcGIS
• Geothermal assessment implementing interferometry (InSAR)
• Carbon dating- prepared and processed samples
• Seismic programs- Petrel, Omega, Reveal, Seisan, SAC, LocOO, KBCIT, Matseis (Matlab), HypoInverse
• UNIX/Linux scripting- C-Shell, Bash, AWK and GMT
• Programming- C++, Java and Python
• Oracle database management (PL/SQL, SQLplus)


 

Professional Experience

  • Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, Central Energy Research Science Center, Denver Federal Center, CO (2015-present)

  • Senior Geophysicist, WesternGeco (Schlumberger), Depth Imaging Group, Denver, CO (2009-2015)

  • Data Processing Engineer, WesternGeco (Schlumberger), Depth Imaging Group, Denver, CO (2007-2009)

  • Scientific Associate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (2004-2007)

  • Scientific Technologist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (2003-2004)

  • Scientific Technician, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (2001-2003)

  • Science Scholar, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA (2001)

Education and Certifications

  • B.S. in Geology from Brigham Young University

  • M.S in Geology from the California State University, East Bay

Science and Products

link
Flat spot in 2D seismic line.

Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources

The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
link

Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources

The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...
Learn More

High-resolution multichannel sparker seismic-reflection and chirp sub-bottom data acquired along the Cascadia margin during USGS field activity 2019-024-FA

High-resolution multichannel sparker seismic (MCS) data and chirp sub-bottom data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the University of Washington (UW) in the summer of 2019 along the Cascadia submarine forearc offshore Oregon and Washington. Data were acquired to characterize quaternary deformation and sediment dynamics along the central and northern Cascadia margin
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Revisiting geophysical interpretations of the Midcontinent Rift below Lake Superior— Insights from GLIMPCE seismic-reflection line C

The 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) has been investigated in the Lake Superior region for more than a century. The most influential geophysical data for modern paradigms has come from seismic-reflection profiles collected by the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution (GLIMPCE) in the late 1980s. We are revisiting seismic-reflection GLIMPCE line C by construc
Authors
V. J. S. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller, Laurel G. Woodruff, Esther K. Stewart
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Exploring the geology of the Midcontinent Rift under western Lake Superior using a preliminary velocity model of seismic line GLIMPCE C

Seismic-reflection data were collected in the 1980s as part of the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution (GLIMPCE) to investigate the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System (MRS). GLIMPCE Line C crosses western Lake Superior from north to south shores (Fig. 1 inset). Many previous workers have interpreted the MRS in Line C as an asymmetric central graben filled with 10–
Authors
V. J. S. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller, Esther K. Stewart, Laurel G. Woodruff
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Integration of geophysical evidence suggests that anorthosite composes a significant portion of Grand Marais ridge, an inferred basement high in western Lake Superior

The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is expressed geophysically by a semi-linear, regional gravity high that trends across the Midcontinent and Great Lakes region of North America. The gravity high is interrupted by two prominent, semi-circular gravity lows, which have been interpreted from modeling and seismic-reflection sections as basement highs of Archean granite (Allen et al., 1997). One is cen
Authors
V. J. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Integrated geophysical analysis provides an alternate interpretation of the northern margin of the North American Midcontinent Rift System, Central Lake Superior

The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is a 1.1 Ga sequence of voluminous basaltic eruptions and multiple intrusions followed by widespread sedimentation that extends across the Midcontinent and northern Great Lakes region of North America. Previous workers have commonly used seismic-reflection data (Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution [GLIMPCE] line A) to demonstr
Authors
V. J. Grauch, Eric D. Anderson, Samuel J. Heller, Esther K. Stewart, Laurel G. Woodruff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata in the central North Slope of Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher D. Connors, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Rebecca A. Smith, Margaret M. Sanders, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Christopher P. Garrity, Marc L. Buursink, C. Özgen Karacan, Samuel J. Heller, Thomas E. Moore, Julie A. Dumoulin, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine L. French, Cheryl A. Woodall, Ronald M. Drake, Kristen R. Marra, Thomas M. Finn, Scott A. Kinney, Chilisa M. Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations, Alaska North Slope, and summary of resource potential of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable resources of 8.7 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, adjacent State and Native lands, and State waters. The estimated undiscovered oil re
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher P. Garrity, Kristen A. Lewis, Samuel J. Heller, William H. Craddock, Timothy R. Klett, Phuong A. Le, Rebecca A. Smith, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Cheryl A. Woodall, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Thomas M. Finn
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Science and Products

link
Flat spot in 2D seismic line.

Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources

The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center
link

Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources

The Geophysical Analysis of Energy Resources Project (also called the Geophysical Analysis Project) meets the need within the USGS and the Energy Resources Program to conduct advanced theoretical and applied research in reflection seismology to improve the delineation and characterization of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources. The scientists of the project fulfill these...
Learn More

High-resolution multichannel sparker seismic-reflection and chirp sub-bottom data acquired along the Cascadia margin during USGS field activity 2019-024-FA

High-resolution multichannel sparker seismic (MCS) data and chirp sub-bottom data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the University of Washington (UW) in the summer of 2019 along the Cascadia submarine forearc offshore Oregon and Washington. Data were acquired to characterize quaternary deformation and sediment dynamics along the central and northern Cascadia margin
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Revisiting geophysical interpretations of the Midcontinent Rift below Lake Superior— Insights from GLIMPCE seismic-reflection line C

The 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) has been investigated in the Lake Superior region for more than a century. The most influential geophysical data for modern paradigms has come from seismic-reflection profiles collected by the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution (GLIMPCE) in the late 1980s. We are revisiting seismic-reflection GLIMPCE line C by construc
Authors
V. J. S. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller, Laurel G. Woodruff, Esther K. Stewart
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Exploring the geology of the Midcontinent Rift under western Lake Superior using a preliminary velocity model of seismic line GLIMPCE C

Seismic-reflection data were collected in the 1980s as part of the Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution (GLIMPCE) to investigate the 1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift System (MRS). GLIMPCE Line C crosses western Lake Superior from north to south shores (Fig. 1 inset). Many previous workers have interpreted the MRS in Line C as an asymmetric central graben filled with 10–
Authors
V. J. S. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller, Esther K. Stewart, Laurel G. Woodruff
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Integration of geophysical evidence suggests that anorthosite composes a significant portion of Grand Marais ridge, an inferred basement high in western Lake Superior

The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is expressed geophysically by a semi-linear, regional gravity high that trends across the Midcontinent and Great Lakes region of North America. The gravity high is interrupted by two prominent, semi-circular gravity lows, which have been interpreted from modeling and seismic-reflection sections as basement highs of Archean granite (Allen et al., 1997). One is cen
Authors
V. J. Grauch, Samuel J. Heller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Integrated geophysical analysis provides an alternate interpretation of the northern margin of the North American Midcontinent Rift System, Central Lake Superior

The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is a 1.1 Ga sequence of voluminous basaltic eruptions and multiple intrusions followed by widespread sedimentation that extends across the Midcontinent and northern Great Lakes region of North America. Previous workers have commonly used seismic-reflection data (Great Lakes International Multidisciplinary Program on Crustal Evolution [GLIMPCE] line A) to demonstr
Authors
V. J. Grauch, Eric D. Anderson, Samuel J. Heller, Esther K. Stewart, Laurel G. Woodruff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Central North Slope of Alaska, 2020

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated undiscovered, technically recoverable mean resources of 3.6 billion barrels of oil and 8.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in Mississippian through Paleogene strata in the central North Slope of Alaska.
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher D. Connors, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Rebecca A. Smith, Margaret M. Sanders, William H. Craddock, Christina A. DeVera, Christopher P. Garrity, Marc L. Buursink, C. Özgen Karacan, Samuel J. Heller, Thomas E. Moore, Julie A. Dumoulin, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Katherine L. French, Cheryl A. Woodall, Ronald M. Drake, Kristen R. Marra, Thomas M. Finn, Scott A. Kinney, Chilisa M. Shorten
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations, Alaska North Slope, and summary of resource potential of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated mean undiscovered, technically recoverable resources of 8.7 billion barrels of oil and 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (associated and nonassociated) in conventional accumulations in the Cretaceous Nanushuk and Torok Formations in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, adjacent State and Native lands, and State waters. The estimated undiscovered oil re
Authors
David W. Houseknecht, Richard O. Lease, Christopher J. Schenk, Tracey J. Mercier, William A. Rouse, Palma J. Botterell, Katherine J. Whidden, Christopher P. Garrity, Kristen A. Lewis, Samuel J. Heller, William H. Craddock, Timothy R. Klett, Phuong A. Le, Rebecca A. Smith, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Cheryl A. Woodall, Michael E. Brownfield, Heidi M. Leathers-Miller, Thomas M. Finn
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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