Thomas A. Smith

Thomas A. Smith received a B.S. and M.S. degree in Geology from Iowa State University. His graduate research focused on a shallow refraction investigation of the Manson astrobleme. In 1971, Dr. Tom Smith joined Chevron Geophysical as a processing geophysicist but resigned in 1980 to complete his doctoral studies in 3D modeling and migration at the Seismic Acoustics Lab at the University of Houston. Upon graduation with the Ph.D. in Geophysics in 1981, he started a geophysical consulting practice and taught seminars in seismic interpretation, seismic acquisition and seismic processing. Dr. Smith founded Seismic Micro-Technology in 1984^[1] to develop PC software to support training workshops which subsequently led to development of the KINGDOM Software Suite for integrated geoscience interpretation with world-wide success.

The Society of Exploration Geologists (SEG) recognized Dr. Smith’s work with the SEG Enterprise Award in 2000,^[2] and in 2010, the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) awarded him an Honorary Membership. Iowa State University (ISU) has recognized Dr. Smith throughout his career with the Distinguished Alumnus Lecturer Award in 1996, the Citation of Merit for National and International Recognition in 2002, and the highest alumni honor in 2015, the Distinguished Alumni Award. The University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics recognized Dr. Smith with the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award.^[3]

In 2009, Dr. Smith founded Geophysical Insights, where he leads a team of geophysicists, geologists and computer scientists in developing advanced technologies for fundamental geophysical problems. Following over 3 years of development, Geophysical Insights launched the Paradise^®[4] multi-attribute analysis software, which uses machine learning and pattern recognition to extract greater information from seismic data. Dr. Smith has been a member of the SEG since 1967 and is a professional member of SEG, GSH, HGS, EAGE, SIPES, AAPG, Sigma XI, SSA and AGU. Dr. Smith served as Chairman of the SEG Foundation from 2010 to 2013. On January 25, 2016, he was recognized by the Houston Geological Society (HGS)^[5] as a geophysicist who has made significant contributions to the field of geology. ^[6] He currently serves on the SEG President-Elect’s Strategy and Planning Committee and the ISU Foundation Campaign Committee for Forever True, For Iowa State.^{[7][8][9][10]}

Publications

Smith, T., Marfurt, K. "Machine Learning, Multiattribute 3-D ANalysis Revolutionizing Interpretation" The American Oil & Gas Reporter, Vol. 60 No. 7 (July 2017); p. 70-77.

Smith, T., Roden, R., Santogrossi, P., Sacrey, D., Jones, G. "Seismic interpretation below tuning with multiattribute analysis" The Leading Edge, Vol. 36 No. 4 (April 2017); p. 330-339.

"Geologic pattern recognition from seismic attributes: Principal component analysis and self-organizing maps." Interpretation, Vol. 3, No. 4 (November 2015); p. SAE59-SAE83. doi: 10.1190/INT-2015-0037.1.

"Delighting in Geophysics." GeoExpro, Vol. 11, No. 4 (September 2014); p.104.

Dutta, A. "From Insights to Foresights." New Technology Magazine (October 2011); p. 15-16.

Smith, T., Sarcey, D. "Seismic attribute analysis can benefit from unsupervised neural network." Offshore (September 2011); p. 24-25.

Kliewer, G. "Neural network notices anomalies in seismic data." Offshore (September 2011); p. 26.

Smith, T., "Unsupervised neural networks—disruptive technology for seismic interpretation." Oil and Gas Journal (October 4, 2010).

Smith, T., Neidell, N. "Improved seismic resolution of stratigraphically complex reservoirs through modeling and color displays." SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts (1990); p. 357. doi: 10.1190/1.1890196.

Smith, T., Sendlein, L. "An Algorithm for the Best Fit Solution of a System of Linear Regression Equations for Seismic Refraction Data." GEOPHYSICS, Vol. 38, No. 6 (December 1973); p. 1062-1069. doi: 10.1190/1.1440396.

References