Thomas A. Smith
Encyclopedia
Thomas A. Smith is the founder and former president of Seismic Micro-Technology
(SMT), an international provider of software systems for seismic interpretation in the oil and gas industry, incorporated in 1984. Shortly after, he launched the Kingdom seismic interpretation software. In 2007, Smith sold the majority of stock in the company to a group of investors, while retaining a position on the SMT’s Board of Directors. In 2009 he founded Geophysical Insights, a Houston firm engaged in research, development, and application of unsupervised neural networks
for advanced seismic interpretation, among other advanced geophysical analysis methods and tools.
Smith received the Bachelors of Science
and Masters of Science degrees in Geology
at Iowa State University
. His MS research was in shallow refraction investigation of the Manson astrobleme. In 1971 Smith joined Chevron
Geophysical and worked as a geophysicist in seismic processing and software development until 1980. In 1981 Smith earned a Ph.D in geophysics from the University of Houston
under Fred Hilterman. After receiving the degree, he launched a consulting and teaching practice in seismic interpretation, seismic acquisition and seismic processing through OGCI (now PetroSkills
).
He has been a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists
(SEG) since 1967 and currently serves on the SEG Foundation Board of Directors. The Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) awarded him Honorary Membership in 2010 and the SEG awarded Smith the SEG Enterprise Award in 2000. Iowa State University awarded Smith the Citation of Merit for National and International Recognition in 2002 and Distinguished Alumnus Lecturer Award in 1996. He serves on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board and the ISU Foundation Board of Governors. SMT received a GSH Corporate Star Award in 2005 and Smith continues to be active in several SEG committees. He is also an active member of the Houston Geologic Society, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers
, Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists, American Association of Petroleum Geologists
, Sigma Xi
, The Scientific Research Society, Seismological Society of America
and the American Geophysical Union
.
Seismic Micro-Technology
Seismic Micro – Technology , is the maker of KINGDOM software. It is the global market share leader for Windows based interpretation. SMT developed the first seismic interpretation tools for the Windows environment. KINGDOM software is used by 2,700 companies in over 95 countries...
(SMT), an international provider of software systems for seismic interpretation in the oil and gas industry, incorporated in 1984. Shortly after, he launched the Kingdom seismic interpretation software. In 2007, Smith sold the majority of stock in the company to a group of investors, while retaining a position on the SMT’s Board of Directors. In 2009 he founded Geophysical Insights, a Houston firm engaged in research, development, and application of unsupervised neural networks
Neural network
The term neural network was traditionally used to refer to a network or circuit of biological neurons. The modern usage of the term often refers to artificial neural networks, which are composed of artificial neurons or nodes...
for advanced seismic interpretation, among other advanced geophysical analysis methods and tools.
Smith received the Bachelors of Science
Bachelors Of Science
Bachelors of Science is the stage name of Phil "Rene", Chris and Lukeino. They met in California and formed a successful act, quickly becoming one of the top drum and bass producers in the electronic music scene...
and Masters of Science degrees in Geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
at Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
. His MS research was in shallow refraction investigation of the Manson astrobleme. In 1971 Smith joined Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
Geophysical and worked as a geophysicist in seismic processing and software development until 1980. In 1981 Smith earned a Ph.D in geophysics from the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
under Fred Hilterman. After receiving the degree, he launched a consulting and teaching practice in seismic interpretation, seismic acquisition and seismic processing through OGCI (now PetroSkills
PetroSkills Alliance
-Overview:PetroSkills Alliance is an alliance between Oil and Gas Companies with Oil and Gas Consultant International to provide petroleum training....
).
He has been a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Society of Exploration Geophysicists
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the science of geophysics and the education of exploration geophysicists. The Society fosters the expert and ethical practice of geophysics in the exploration and development of natural resources, in...
(SEG) since 1967 and currently serves on the SEG Foundation Board of Directors. The Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) awarded him Honorary Membership in 2010 and the SEG awarded Smith the SEG Enterprise Award in 2000. Iowa State University awarded Smith the Citation of Merit for National and International Recognition in 2002 and Distinguished Alumnus Lecturer Award in 1996. He serves on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board and the ISU Foundation Board of Governors. SMT received a GSH Corporate Star Award in 2005 and Smith continues to be active in several SEG committees. He is also an active member of the Houston Geologic Society, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers
European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers
The European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers is a multi-disciplinary professional association for geoscientists and engineers. It was founded in 1951 and has a worldwide membership...
, Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists, American Association of Petroleum Geologists
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology , to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct...
, Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
, The Scientific Research Society, Seismological Society of America
Seismological Society of America
The Seismological Society of America is an international society devoted to the advancement of seismology and its applications in understanding and mitigating earthquake hazards and in imaging the structure of the Earth....
and the American Geophysical Union
American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...
.