Thomas L. Davis, PhD, is a University Professor Emeritus, Department of Geophysics, at the Colorado School of Mines and founded the Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP), an industry funded consortium now in its 40th year. RCP received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) in 2014. An active member in SEG, Tom has served as an organizer for technical conferences, workshops and continuing education programs. He also has served as SEG’s Second Vice President, Technical Program Chairman, and Distinguished Lecturer. Tom received the C.J. Mackenzie Award from the Engineering College of the University of Saskatchewan, the Milton B. Dobrin Award from the University of Houston, and the Dean’s Excellence and Melvin F. Coolbaugh Memorial Awards from the Colorado School of Mines. He currently serves on the Board of Geospace Technologies and farms during the summertime in Saskatchewan.

More about Tom:
What inspired farm boy to become a geoscientist?
I went to a one room school-house in the country for my first six grades. By grade 7, I knew I wanted to be a scientist. By High School I had the whole class (8 of us) taking Physics. Come engineering at University of Saskatchewan, I was the only geophysical engineer in the class. I guess you could say I was “driven” by picking rocks on the farm.
How did transition from oil industry to academic come about?
Being at the right place at the right time is my best answer. I had just finished my Doctorate degree at Colorado School of Mines with the intent to rejoining Amoco in Calgary. The Geophysics Department Head sat in my defense and at the end offered me a job teaching as the fall semester was to start in a month and they needed someone to teach seismic exploration. The Canadian government meanwhile introduced the National Energy Bill requiring all foreign companies to have 50% Canadian ownership. One door closed and another door opened.
What has driven your research quest?
The goal to work alongside industry drove me to form the Reservoir Characterization Project (RCP). The Project is still in existence after thirty-some years thanks to industry colleagues, mentors, and foremost some very bright and talented students who are now industry and academic leaders. Why RCP? Simply the recovery factor of our oil and gas reservoirs is low and the best place to find “new” oil and gas is in existing reservoirs with new ideas and new technologies.
RCP: What are you most proud of?
The students. The project was designed to be student-driven, focused on making an impact using new multi-component 3D and 4D technologies. Together with industry we conducted the first seismic surveys in the world over old fields and found new reserves. The industry made proposals to us which was previously unheard of. Students came from all over the world and well over a couple of hundred have graduated from the program with advanced degrees.
Highlights of your worldwide consulting assignments?
I have had the opportunity to teach short courses to industry around the world in large part due to the students and colleagues I have worked with at Mines and in industry. These courses and consultancy assignments were encouraged by Mines because of its close relationship with industry. The courses enabled me to attract students to Mines while allowing me insight into industry needs that could have a substantial impact on the future of our profession. In short, I have travelled to over 90 countries, embraced new cultures and most of all the people. It is a small world.
What lies ahead for the next generation of geoscientists?
In short “the skies the limit”. New exploration frontiers reside on our planet and beyond. We need to inspire the next generation to engage in new avenues of exploration. Education is still the foundation for inspiration. We need to provide future generations the opportunity to engage in science in engineering at a young age and inspire them to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
How have you been able to keep the farm going?
Farming has changed. It is still the most noble profession in the world and will continue to be. It teaches you to be innovative and most of all humble. To keep a farm going you need family, friends and a respect for the land. Hard work never killed anyone, but after a hard day’s work it provides solitude and satisfaction of a job well done. Farming can teach you a lot about yourself and how to live life to the fullest. In short, I have learned to accept that “living off the land” is a give and take proposition and what you take has a lot to do with what you give back to the land.
You’re an oil mogul these days?
If by a mogul you mean, have I gotten my hands dirty? The answer is yes, in finding oil throughout the world and on my farm. Oil is still the life blood of our industry and farming. As an old farmer once put it, “It enables me to keep on farming one more year.”
Still on the curling rink and ice hockey?
What is a farm boy in Saskatchewan going to do in the wintertime except shovel off the dugout and get the skates on? Winter sports have a calling that is hard to resist when you are a young boy or an old boy looking for the fountain of youth. When you fall down or get knocked down “Get back up and keep going”.