Emma Dawson
Principal Reservoir Geologist, Equinor
Module: Reservoir considerations for decommissioning
Biography
Emma Dawson is a Principal Reservoir Geologist at Equinor, bringing deep technical expertise in subsurface analysis and reservoir management to the decommissioning sector. She leads the module Reservoir Considerations for Decommissioning, offering learners critical insights into the geological and reservoir engineering factors that influence decommissioning decisions and well abandonment strategies.
With extensive experience in reservoir characterization, pressure management, and subsurface integrity, Emma has played a key role in assessing late-life reservoir behaviour and determining optimal abandonment approaches for mature fields. Her work involves close collaboration with well engineers, regulatory bodies, and project teams to ensure that reservoir conditions are fully understood and factored into P&A planning and execution.
Emma’s contribution to this programme provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of how reservoir dynamics impact decommissioning operations, including considerations for pressure containment, fluid migration risks, and long-term well integrity.
Experience & Expertise
- Principal Reservoir Geologist at Equinor
- Deep technical expertise in subsurface analysis and reservoir management
- Specialist in reservoir characterization and pressure management
- Subsurface integrity expert
- Assessment of late-life reservoir behaviour
- Determination of optimal abandonment approaches for mature fields
- Collaboration with well engineers, regulatory bodies, and project teams
- Expert in reservoir dynamics impact on decommissioning operations
- Specialist in pressure containment, fluid migration risks, and long-term well integrity
Training Course Module
Emma Dawson delivers essential technical and strategic insight in her Lean Decom training course module, ‘Carbon Capture and Storage considerations for Well P&A’. In this module, she provides a detailed walkthrough of the requirements for preparing geological formations for CO2 injection.
Emma discusses new global mandates for permanent carbon storage and how this will impact Well P&A going forward.
Emma provides technical calculation of the Minimum Safe Abandonment Depth (MSAD) to prevent formation fractures and the risks posed by legacy wells acting as potential leak paths.
She also shares professional guidance on the vital role of “data archaeology” in recovering historical well records and emphasises the critical communication required between wells and subsurface teams to ensure abandonment schematics are fit-for-purpose for the future energy transition.
Learn from Emma
Join our comprehensive decommissioning training programme and gain insights from industry-leading experts.