Physics Alumnus David Masson (1976)
David Masson graduated in 1976 in Applied Physics at the University of Strathclyde. He is currently Global Discipline Head of Reservoir Engineering at Shell International Exploration and Production
I left Strathclyde and joined Schlumberger Ltd (an oilfield service company) as a Wireline Logging Engineer – I worked with them on rig sites in Venezuela, Argentina, and Bolivia for 2½ years before taking up a Masters course in Petroleum Engineering at Herriot Watt University. Upon graduation from HW in 1979, I joined Shell International. I’ve enjoyed a varied career since then, working in several different countries as a Petroleum Engineer specialising in Reservoir Engineering. Examples include the Netherlands (several times), Malaysia, Denmark, Oman, and the UK.
Currently, I am the functional Head of Reservoir Engineering for the Shell Group and as such responsible for ensuring Res Eng capability is efficiently deployed in the business (approximately 1000 senior staff are deployed across the shell group). My other responsibilities include technical assurance for major projects and providing direction to Research and Development with respect to tools and techniques. I am also responsible for staff development and career management.
I particularly enjoy the large responsibility/accountability of my job within a company that has a global reach in an industry that is fundamental to human society as we know it. The oil and gas business is about making massive investments in projects where large uncertainty with respect to physical environment and underlying hydrocarbon recovery processes is a fact of life. The challenge lies in quantifying and mitigating against this uncertainty whilst simultaneously ensuring maximum economic recovery of hydrocarbons in an environmentally responsible manner. Analytical techniques and the ability to construct hypothetical models reflecting reality learned during the physics course at Strathclyde have been a mainstay for my professional career.
I enjoyed physics at school and was always intrigued by the unknowns/mysteries of the natural world and Strathclyde gave me access to a pragmatic and expansive course delivered by excellent staff.
Away from work, I have tended to be a jack of all trades and master of none - in my time I’ve been involved in flying (Aircraft and hang-gliders), sailing (large sloops and catamarans), skiing, music (keyboards, guitar, and mandolin), and classic car restoration.
I aspire to retire in 8 years time from a job as Technical director in a large Shell E&P business. Thereafter I hope to pursue hobbies and interests for which I have not had enough time in recent years.
