Employment History:
Senior Research Scientist, Exxon Mobil Corporation

Published Works:

Public Speaking Experience:

Why He is an Expert:
Mr. Vail developed sequenced statigraphy and analysis; also, the relationship of stratigraphy to geological timelines. He has taught in the industry for years as well. "I educated thousands of students," he remarks. "I’ve also cultivated relationships with them."

Best Advice:

Passionate about:
"The challenges - they keep me active. I’m getting kind of old, but it helps me keep my mind working and to stay busy. I also enjoy the different relationships I’ve cultivated through my experience. There are people coming back to you and telling how much they’ve been affected by or have learned from you."

Biography Excerpt:
Peter Vail is a leading geology and earth science researcher whose work revolutionized the oil energy trade. His expertise is in stratigraphic geology and seismic interpretation. He worked as a research geologist and then as a senior research scientist for Exxon from the 1950s until 1986. It was early in his career when Dr. Vail made discoveries that shook the oil industry to its very core. While oil companies studied seismic reflections to define regional stratigraphic and structural subsurface correlations, they misinterpreted variations within composition results. Dr. Vail explained that these differences pinpointed geological histories or timelines. His explanations forced a tremendous change to existing business models as well as the academic world. These concepts are now accepted far and wide.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: At this point, what would you like to accomplish?  
DR. PETER R VAIL :  I’d like to see these concepts used as a standard in geology.

How do you remain current in your profession?
I read relevant trade magazines that apply to my industry. I read the AAPG Bulletin and Sedimentary Record. I also receive journals from the Society for the Exploration of Geophysics.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?
We’re running out of oil and gas on this planet. Even though the supply is dwindling, there is still opportunity for the younger generations to pursue.