As head of Seismic Ventures' Direct Hydrocarbon Detection Services Division, Rutherford will oversee the Division's array of AVO and direct detection service offerings, which include:

• Seismic data pre-processing for AVO and direct detection analyses;
• Seismic attribute analysis, using both off-the-shelf and proprietary technologies; and
• Interpretation of AVO and direct detection processed results.

"With the addition of an industry expert of Rutherford's stature and our advanced analysis technology, Seismic Ventures can offer unparalleled, in-house expert analysis and interpretation of state-of-the-art AVO and direct detection seismic technology," Saunders said. "Seismic Ventures' services are ideal for mid-size exploration and production companies that want a competitive edge because we greatly reduce the risk in exploration and development, which is crucial in a market with declining oil and gas prices and thinner profit margins."

Before joining Seismic Ventures, Rutherford held research and operations positions with Getty Oil Company and Tenneco Oil Company. In 1988, he joined Anadarko Petroleum Corporation as Geophysical Supervisor in charge of the Geophysical Special Projects Group. During Rutherford's distinguished career, he has worked and made contributions in a number of fields including AVO analysis, crosswell geophysics, and the application of Real Options Analysis to petroleum economic evaluations. His 1989 paper, "Amplitude-versus-offset variations in gas sands," is one of the more widely read papers in the field.

Rutherford has been a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) since 1980 and has served in a variety of positions within the SEG and local geophysical societies. From 1985 to 1986 he was the bulletin editor for the Southwest Louisiana Geophysical Society (SWLGS) and from 1994 to 1996 he served as chairman of the SEG Distinguished Lectures Committee. In 1997, Rutherford was elected to the Executive Committee of the SEG and served as Secretary/Treasurer for the 1997/1998 term.

Rutherford received a bachelor's degree and master's degree in physics from Baylor University and a doctorate in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

About Seismic Ventures

Seismic Ventures, founded in 1994, reduces exploration risk by providing innovative seismic services to the global oil and gas exploration industry. Seismic Ventures offers seismic data processing solutions, AVO and direct hydrocarbon analysis and modeling, as well as frequency and amplitude-based attributes.

Seismic Ventures is a privately owned Texas corporation. More detailed and current information can be found at http://www.seismicventures.com.

Editors' Note: Photo Available