Next* Magazine, Issue 4 - Chevron

Next GenerationRising to theOccasionYoung Chevronengineers andscientists maketheir markThe energy industry faces some toughobstacles. By 2030, global energy useis estimated to grow nearly 40 percent.To meet this increasing demand, theindustry will need to drill in ever deeperand more technically difficult places whileat the same time intensifying efforts todiscover and develop alternative sourcesof energy. Compounding the difficulty,many of the industry’s most innovativeand knowledgeable thinkers are edgingcloser to retirement.Where will this next generation oftechnical leaders with the passion andvision to meet these looming circumstancesbe found? Here are six portraitsof human energy at Chevron—youngscientists and engineers who are alreadymaking a difference.Djuro Novakovic: Puzzle SolverDjuro Novakovic leads a team of reservoir simulation engineers, supporting Chevron’sexploration and development activities in Nigeria and the mid-Africa region. In thatcapacity, he and his group perform comprehensive reservoir studies to determine whereto drill wells and how to optimize production.Before his assignment in Africa, Novakovic was part of the asset team that worked onthe early stages of the Perdido deepwater wells in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, now in the finalphase of development. He also worked on the Jack 2 well, which was successfully drilled tomore than 5 miles (8 km) total depth, making it at the time the deepest test well in the gulf.“Reservoirs are vast, and the data we have to understand them are always limited,”said Novakovic. “Our work involves putting the clues together to figure out what thereservoir is telling us. Based on our understanding, we then create a series of simulationmodels that will allow us to predict the optimal well location and depletion scenario,enabling us to drill the well safely while creating the most value with the appropriatelevel of investment. In that respect, we’re a bit like Sherlock Holmes. We examine theevidence, analyze it and solve the puzzle.”Novakovic has worked for Chevron for eight years. He did his undergraduate workat the University of Zagreb in Croatia and has a master’s degree and Ph.D. in petroleumengineering from Louisiana State University.PHOTO: OLUKAYODE OLUFEMI46 | Next*