Staff Geophysicist - Midland, TX

Welcome to ConocoPhillips, where innovation and excellence create a platform for opportunity and growth. Come realize your full potential here.

Who We Are

We are one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. With operations and activities in 13 countries, we explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. We are challenged with an important job to safely find and deliver energy to the world. Our employees are critical to our success, and with them we power civilization.

We’re grounded by our SPIRIT Values – safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork. These values position us to deliver strong performance in a dynamic business – but not at all costs. We believe it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it – that sets us apart.

Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment

To deliver superior performance, we create an environment that respects the contributions and differences of every individual. Wherever possible, we use these differences to drive competitive business advantage, personal growth and, ultimately, create business success.

Job Summary

ConocoPhillips and its heritage companies have operated in the Permian Basin for almost 100 years. The transformational acquisitions of Concho Resources Inc. and Shell Enterprises LLC’s prolific positions in the Delaware and Midland Basins in 2021 further strengthened the company’s position in the Permian Basin. At year-end 2024, the company held over 1 million total net acres in the Permian Basin.

During 2024, net production averaged 775 MBOED.

Position Overview

The Staff Geophysicist plays a key role within the Permian Integrated Geosciences Team, providing geophysical expertise that supports both near‑term development execution and longer‑term development planning in a fast‑paced environment.  Reporting to the Integrated Geoscience Supervisor, this role is embedded within a multidisciplinary team supporting the Permian Development organization, with primary responsibility for assets in the Delaware Basin, New Mexico.

In this position, you will collaborate closely across disciplines to interpret complex subsurface data, reduce uncertainty, and deliver geophysical insights that inform well placement, development planning, and capital allocation decisions. The role offers meaningful exposure to integrated development workflows, emerging technologies, and cross‑functional problem solving, with opportunities to influence outcomes across the asset lifecycle.

Your responsibilities may include:

Development Planning & Reservoir Characterization

• Collaborate closely with the Delaware Basin development team to integrate geophysical insights into development plans and economic evaluations, supporting improved capital allocation and reduced subsurface uncertainty.

• Perform multi‑scale structural and stratigraphic interpretations of 2D and 3D seismic data, integrating well logs, synthetics, and other subsurface datasets to deliver decision‑ready geophysical products.

• Generate, quality check, and interpret seismic attributes, inversion products, and rock property volumes using established geophysical workflows, including seismic super‑resolution, quantitative seismic stratigraphy, azimuthal analysis, and Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) applications where appropriate.

• Plan, execute, and integrate microseismic acquisition and interpretation activities to improve understanding of stimulated and drained rock volume, subsurface behavior, and development performance.

• Contribute geophysical interpretations to local and regional earth models and basin‑scale frameworks to support boundary refinement and broader development planning decisions.

• Lead or support seismic acquisition, processing, reprocessing, and quality control efforts.

• Provide geophysical input to selected acquisitions, divestitures, and opportunity screening efforts.

Well Planning & Execution

• Support Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) and pre‑spud activities through integrated subsurface analysis, helping define data needs and geophysical recommendations for individual wells and development projects.

• Deliver depth prognoses and associated uncertainty assessments for horizontal wells, communicating structural and stratigraphic variability to support well placement decisions.

• Screen for drilling and completion hazards, clearly communicating associated risks and interpretation confidence to support safe and efficient execution.

• Provide operational support during drilling and geosteering activities to improve landing depth prediction, inclination forecasting, and subsurface control beyond well log data.

License to Operate & Regulatory Support

• Support license‑to‑operate and regulatory activities by assessing subsurface risks related to stimulation and injection activities.

• Provide technical support for permitting and protest activities, including preparation of technical exhibits and subsurface interpretations required for regulatory submissions and operational decision support.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Geoscience Leadership

• Partner effectively with cross‑functional teams, including drilling, completions, reservoir engineering, land, regulatory, and operations, to align subsurface insights with execution needs and business objectives.

• Support Permian‑wide standardization efforts and contribute to knowledge sharing through engagement with global technical functions and other business units.

• Mentor junior geophysicists and less experienced staff, contributing to technical coaching, knowledge transfer, and continued capability development within the geoscience organization.

Success Profile

To thrive in this role, you’ll demonstrate the following leadership competencies:

• Takes Accountability: Takes ownership of actions and follows through on commitments by addressing important problems directly, holding others accountable, and standing up for what is right.

• Drives Performance: Delivers results through realistic planning and disciplined execution.

• Makes Decisions: Uses available information to generate sound solutions and makes timely decisions that are safe and ethical.

Basic Requirements:

• Legally authorized to work in the United States

• Bachelor's degree or higher or foreign equivalent in Geophysics

• 10 or more years of experience in exploration and/or development geophysics

• 3 or more years of geophysics experience in unconventional resource plays

• Demonstrated proficiency in seismic interpretation, well‑seismic ties, seismic inversion (post‑stack and pre‑stack), velocity modeling, depth conversion, microseismic integration, and geological mapping

• Proficiency in Petrel

Preferred Requirements:

• Master's degree or higher or foreign equivalent in Geophysics or other related field

• Experience with modern seismic acquisition technologies (for example, High‑Trace Density) and advanced processing techniques (such as Full‑Waveform Inversion)

• Experience with geophysical and geological software including Geoteric, Hampson‑Russell, RokDoc, and PaleoScan

• Working knowledge of the well planning process and the fundamentals of drilling and completion operations, with an understanding of how geophysical deliverables support development and execution decisions

• Ability to adapt in fast‑changing environments while maintaining focus on quality and safety

• Demonstrated experience working effectively in integrated, multidisciplinary teams

• Ability to clearly communicate complex subsurface concepts to non‑technical stakeholders

Apply By: 

May 13, 2026

Sponsorship:

ConocoPhillips’ sponsorship for employment authorization in the U.S. is NOT available for this position.

Benefits Overview

ConocoPhillips offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and career growth:

• Taking Care of Your Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and wellness programs.

• Supporting and Building Financial Security: Competitive base pay, annual performance bonuses, and retirement savings plans.

• Promoting Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, paid parental leave, and family support resources.

• Offering Career Development: Access to training, mentoring, and internal career mobility tools.

• Guiding Recognition & Inclusion: Peer-nominated awards, inclusive culture, and employee resource groups.

Why ConocoPhillips

At ConocoPhillips, we believe our people power the future of energy. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow—professionally and personally.

We don’t just offer jobs—we offer meaningful careers in a company that values how we work as much as what we achieve.

EEO:

In the US, ConocoPhillips is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.