HOUSTON – January 18, 2011 – MicroSeismic, Inc. (MSI), a leading geophysical service company today announced that VP of Analysis, Michael Thornton, Ph.D. has been promoted to chief technology officer (CTO), leading the company’s development efforts. Chief Geophysicist, Michael Mueller, will succeed him becoming Vice President Analysis, leading delivery of all commercial geophysical services as well as IT infrastructure worldwide.
“With the growth of the company and recent infusion of capital, we have an opportunity to accelerate our technology development, providing Mike Thornton with more resources to add to MSI’s technology offer,” said Peter Duncan, CEO and Founder of Microseismic, Inc. “Mike Mueller joined the company six months ago, bringing operational, management, and global geophysical experience from a major operator, making him a perfect candidate to succeed Dr. Thornton as vice president of analysis. His focus on seismic imaging and anisotropy is core to the ongoing growth and development of our company’s technology.”
Thornton obtained his Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Houston and his M.S. and B.S. in geophysics from Texas A&M University. He has 17 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, having spent 6 years in management at Veritas DGC as Imaging Director in charge of multiple processing crews and technology development. Prior to that he worked at ExxonMobil for 11 years where he served as a research geophysicist, processing geophysicist and processing analyst.
Mueller has nearly 30 years of experience in geoscience technology research and development, with a focus on multicomponent seismic and seismic anisotropy. He delivered the first application of the ocean bottom seismic method at Azeri field in South Caspian (operated by BP), achieving a step change improvement in Azeri structural imaging and improved field development planning. He co-invented the dipole sonic shear anisotropy logging application which has become the industry standard for characterizing shear anisotropy in the borehole. He led a McKinsey and Company study on technology strategy and governance helping to develop and execute the strategic plan for unconventional gas resource progression and reserves production in North America for BP.
Mueller has authored numerous papers and abstracts in the area of seismic technology, two of which have been recognized by SEG editors for their fundamental contributions to the understanding and application of seismic anisotropy in the oil and gas industry. He has a B.S. in geophysics from Binghamton University and a M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Houston.
About MicroSeismic, Inc.
MicroSeismic, Inc. (MSI) is a global geophysical service company providing real-time monitoring and mapping of hydraulic fracture operations for developing unconventional oil and gas plays. Founded in 2003, MSI is the pioneer in monitoring microseismic activity utilizing surface and near-surface arrays. MSI’s technology provides real-time information on fracture location and geometry helping operators increase production and recovery while decreasing cost and risk. For more information, visit www.microseismic.com.
