Nicholas Olds has joined Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) as Senior Exploration Geoscientist in Muscat, Oman. He announced his appointment through a recent professional update.
Olds brings extensive experience in exploration geophysics, geological interpretation and upstream exploration. His professional background includes more than 16 years across Shell, Brunei Shell Petroleum and Chevron, with assignments in the United States, South America and Southeast Asia.
Nicholas Olds experience in Exploration Geoscience
Before joining PDO, Olds served as Senior Exploration Geophysicist at Shell in Houston, Texas, from June 2023 to November 2026. Earlier, he worked as an Explorationist at Brunei Shell Petroleum between June 2019 and June 2023. His Shell career began in May 2010 and included several exploration assignments. These covered Gulf of Mexico exploration, French Guiana exploration and appraisal, and the Guyana and Colombia exploration team.
Between January 2017 and June 2019, Olds worked with Shell’s West Gulf of Mexico exploration team. Previously, he served with its Central Gulf of Mexico team from September 2013 to January 2017.
His earlier assignments included French Guiana exploration and appraisal, alongside exploration work involving Guyana and Colombia.
Exploration expertise and Technical background
Olds’ professional profile identifies structural interpretation using three-dimensional seismic data as a technical speciality. His work has covered pre-salt and sub-salt prospects in the Gulf of Mexico, alongside complex, heavily faulted structures in Southeast Asia.
Additionally, his experience includes play-opening frontier discoveries, exploration wells and infill development wells. He has also undertaken acreage evaluation and commercial negotiations.
His profile highlights experience evaluating more than 20 Outer Continental Shelf blocks in the Gulf of Mexico since 2014. It also references commercial negotiations involving Whale and Blacktip acreage in the Western Gulf of Mexico.
Education and professional development
Olds holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological and Earth Sciences from the University of Michigan. He completed the degree between 2003 and 2007.
He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Geological and Earth Sciences from the University of Minnesota between 2007 and 2010. His professional profile also lists the 2019 Upstream Impact Award among his honours.
Nicholas Olds’ new role at Petroleum Development Oman
The appointment places Nicholas Olds in a senior exploration geoscience position at Petroleum Development Oman. His previous experience spans exploration geophysics, seismic interpretation and exploration assignments across several international markets.
However, the available professional profile does not specify his responsibilities, reporting structure or priorities at PDO.
Olds has also highlighted mentoring junior colleagues as a rewarding aspect of his professional experience. His profile notes the importance of diverse teams and creative approaches as the energy industry moves towards new energy sources.
