ANTS GeoConsulting is an Independent Geological Modelling consultancy with over 20 years in Oil&Gas
Why use me?
Because I am…
- Experienced (in geological modelling)
- Independent (of industry players)
- Flexible (as a team player)
- Customer-focussed (with your requirements as my prime concern)
- Transparent (by intensive use of workflows/scripts and by documenting clearly, every modelling step is recorded, nothing is hidden)
- Respectful of your data (by appreciating the cost to acquire this valuable asset, I strive to unlock the value it can bring)
- Open to unconventional approaches (sometimes a quicker simple approach is better)
- Honest (I will tell you if I cannot do what you ask)
About Me
My name is Antonie du Toit. I am a geologist with over 25 years’ Geological Modelling experience: the first four years in the Minerals Industry and over 20 years in Oil&Gas. I enjoy building geological models that honour geological principles, hard & soft data, to confidently aid in narrowing volumetric uncertainty for Oil & Gas.
After having been employed in the Oil & Gas industry for over 10 years, I set up ANTS GeoConsulting Pty Ltd in 2013.
I have been involved in geological models for large LNG projects, smaller oilfields, and everything in between. I am open to working in the Minerals Industry.
I am a flexible worker, comfortable working alone or in a team, in projects of short or long duration. I could join your team for the duration of a project, or work in isolation, or some combination that suits your project. My preference is to have open communication with my client’s geoscientists, to ensure that my work stays aligned with client expectations. I consider myself to be a confident presenter and a clear communicator.
I am also diligent with data. In 2017 I studied to become a CPDA (Certified Petroleum Data Analyst), a certification awarded by The PPDM Association. I attained this Certification with distinction.
In 2023 I joined the directorship of SEAL Energy. Work related to gas storage (CCS, Hydrogen or Natural Gas) I channel to SEAL Energy.
Feel free to browse my public LinkedIn Profile.
Geomodelling Philosophy
I believe that the earth is much more complex than a computer model can represent, but that by integrating all available well and geophysical data, a Geological Modelling exercise will provide a very useful understanding of key uncertainties.
The input data to geological modelling is usually very expensive. It is unwise to not incorporate all the relevant data in a geological model. It is important to respect the levels of accuracy and precision inherent in each dataset, as well as its relevance.
Nowadays there are multiple geological modelling tools (software packages) available. Any tool can be used, or misused. In my opinion, Microsoft PowerPoint is often used to impress, sometimes to confuse, but not often enough to clarify. I strive to use geological modelling tools appropriately, and to clearly explain the model built using appropriate documentation tools.
Independence
Not being employed by the owner of the data or the asset being modelled means I am under no pressure to tow any “company line”. If my assessment implies a different volumetric range or a different geological interpretation than a previous version of the model, I will state my assessment and interpretation as I see it and be open to have it challenged.
I am independent of all vendors of geological modelling software but have experience in several geo-modelling packages. This has led me to being sought after to provide independent advice where a client did not want only the view of the software vendor.
I am proud to be in this niche part of the geological modelling marketplace.
Track Record
For large projects I often work through an intermediary, who could be larger consulting firm. In such cases I join an existing team such as that from SEAL Energy, Modelling Matters, or JAPET as the geological modeller. For other projects I had a contract directly with the ultimate client, such as Carnarvon Petroleum or 88 Energy. Each of these named clients have called me back for at least one subsequent project. This way I had the opportunity to work on projects in multiple Australian basins, building on the experience I had prior to setting up ANTS GeoConsulting.
Core Competencies:
Data Preparation:
- Georeferencing of images
- Consolidating data from multiple projection systems to a common project projection system
- Simple GIS operations
- Data reformatting and cleaning
Structural (Static) Modelling:
- Surface-based (2D) mapping
- Modelling of surfaces with multiple instances at set locations (e.g. thrust faults, salt domes)
- Faulted 3D Geocellular structural modelling
- Facies and Property modelling, incorporating data from multiple sources
Volumetric Uncertainty Assessment:
- Multi-parameter Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis
- Experimental Design
- Analysing different static models of the same field to discern the source of differences in volumetrics
Also
- Well planning
- Geoscience Data Management
- Mapmaking for reports such as DoS (Declaration of Storage) or FDP (Field Development Plan)
- A growing knowledge of Machine Learning and the Python programming language.
Geological Modelling software packages used:
- Petrel, from Schlumberger
- tNavigator, from Rock Flow Dynamics
- GOCAD Mining Suite from Mira Geoscience
- Aspen GOCAD, nowadays marketed by AspenTech
- Aspen RMS, nowadays also marketed by AspenTech
- Limited experience using Micromine and Leapfrog Geo
Mapping packages used:
- QGIS, an open-source GIS package
- Global Mapper, from Blue Marble Geographics
I also have legacy experience in several of Schlumberger’s discontinued GeoFrame package, particularly the StratLog, IESX and CPS-3 modules.
Automation Routines
Each of the mentioned Geological Modelling software packages have automation routines available. Different packages refer to these as scripts, macros or workflows. Most modelling commands can be inserted into the respective package’s automation routine, and doing this has several tangible advantages:
- Automation routines allow for rapid model revisions as new data becomes available, errors get resolved or a conceptual model evolves during the geomodelling phase of work.
- Automation routines provide an Audit Trail of the work done. This allows for Peer Reviews to be more efficient, by facilitating an interface into the modelling detail in a shorter period of time. It also makes the documentation/handover phase of a project more complete and more transparent.
- Automation routines allow for multiple geological scenarios (conceptual models) to be investigated in a short space of time
- Automation routines form the basis for uncertainty modelling in some geological modelling software packages
My experience has been that not all commands available in Geological Modelling software packages can be incorporated in automation routines. In some cases this required having set breaks in the automation routine to do an operation that can only be done manually. The usage of automation routines in the majority of cases provide more benefits and a faster, more accurate model-build than not using them.
My Commitment
Honesty and integrity are very core to my being: I strive for all my models to honour all available input and geological conceptual models. Also, if a model intentionally is skewed to be more optimistic or pessimistic than well control, I’d want to clarify the reasons for this and to quantify how much it is skewed.
Additionally, if your project seems to be more than I can handle, I will admit this to you. I’d rather leave you as a happy client who would love to use me again, than to sour a relationship by being inefficient.
Testimonials
“Working for my Japanese clients who demand deliverables of technical evaluation in a highly consistent and meticulous manner, Antonie, working with me as the Petrel modelling expert for a major gas project, fulfilled his task to the client’s complete satisfaction. Having used many technical consultants in Australia, he is certainly the one to be recommended to any clients who look for a high level of modelling proficiency and presentation skill” – Kunio Masuda, Executive Director of Japan Australia PetroIntelligence Pty Ltd
“Carnarvon Petroleum contracted Antonie, of ANTS Geoconsulting Pty Ltd, to build a static model for our Buffalo Project in Q1, 2018.
Antonie, in his time at Carnarvon Petroleum, communicated well with both the geoscience and engineering groups. We found him to be very personable in his daily interactions with staff.
We noted that Antonie had an excellent work ethic, is extremely dilligent with geoscience data and has a clear pride in the product he delivers to his client.
Workflows and documenting of various iterations of a static model is clearly something Antonie is passionate about and we believe this is a very valuable and significant product that Antonie delivers.
We additionally asked Antonie to mentor a young geologist as he progressed in the static model build. This was greatly appreciated by both management and geoscientists.
Carnarvon Petroleum would have no hesitation in recommending Antonie and his static model skills to prospective clients.” – Jeff Goodall, Chief Geologist of Carnarvon Petroleum Limited
“Antonie has worked for Modelling Matters on a couple of our projects. At all times Antonie has shown an excellent work ethic with a can-do attitude. His ability to get on with the job at hand, problem solving and providing solutions to reservoir modelling tasks has been very good. His understanding of the elements of static modelling and workflow development have been very useful during the project work, and we look forward to having a fruitful on-going business relationship with Antonie.” – Elliott Douglas, Director of Modelling Matters Pty Ltd