Andrew W Hill

What in your life drew you to your current field of study?

Initially a love of the sea and fascination in marine charts drew me to Hydrography as a career. However, for various reasons that detoured into Marine Geology and Geophysics in the final year of my undergraduate degree. I have never regretted specializing in this field - that has taken me around the world! I never tire of seeing data from new areas of study!

What do you hope your students gain from studying or working with you?

An appreciation of the importance of integrated marine geohazards study across a wide range of scientific and industry applications! There are meaningful careers in this field especially now with the growth in the demands from Offshore Renewable Energy..

What are you passionate about in your personal life?

Encouraging the next generation of Marine Geohazards specialists into this sector through lecturing, mentoring or sponsoring international student competitions.

Education

M.S. Marine Geology and Geophysics, University College London, 1983
B.S. Maritime Studies, University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, Cardiff, UK, 1981

Courses Taught

Integrated Marine Geohazards

Publications

Selected Publications

Simmons, M., Davies, A., Hill, A.W. and Stephenson, M. (2020): “Who Needs Geoscientists?” Geo ExPRO Magazine, Volume 17, No. 3, pp14-18, June, 2020.
IOGP (2017): “Guidelines for the Conduct of Offshore Drilling Hazard Site Surveys,” International Oil and Gas Producers Association, Report No. 373-18-1, November 2017, Version 3, Task Force Chair.
Hill, A.W. and Wood, G.A. (2015): “Managing Marine Geohazard Risks over the Full Business Cycle,” SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition, London, UK, May 2015, Paper 173139.
Hill, A.W., Arogunmati, Y., Wood, G.A., Attoe, D., Fiske, M.F., Dingler, A., Dingler, J.A., Hobson, M., Robertshaw, A., Allinson, C., Kjos, E., Higson, M., Manning, E., Kassarie, K., and Lewis, S.M. (2015): “Slicing and Dicing HR Seismic Acquisition: Varied Approaches to Delivery of 3D HR Seismic Data volumes for Drilling Hazards Studies,” The Leading Edge, April 2015.
Hill, A.W., Walls, A.H., Romo, L., Turnbull, J.B., and Rogers, E., (2013): “Past, Present and Future Marine Geohazard Issues: Developing Processes to Address Developing Industry Concerns,” Paper 24248, in proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference, 2013, Houston, Texas.
Hill, A.W., Wood, G.A., and Scherschel, C, (2013): “Fundamental and Specific Geohazard Risk Assessment Categorization,” Paper 24211, in proceedings of the Offshore Technology Conference, 2013, Houston, Texas.
Jeanjean, P., Hill, A.W, Taylor, S. (2003): “The Challenges of Siting Facilities along the Sigsbee Escarpment in the Southern Green Canyon Area of the Gulf of Mexico: Framework for Integrated Studies,” OTC 15156, Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, 2003.
Long, D., Walker, P.M., Hill, A.W. and Ardus, D.A. (1998): “The Western Frontiers Association - an example of joint industry funded regional studies of the shallow geology in a frontier area,” in: Ardus, D.A., Hobbs, R., Horsnell, M., Jardine, R., Long, D. and Sommerville, J. (eds) Proceedings of the Offshore Site Investigation and Foundation Behaviour - "New Frontiers" Conference 22-24 September 1998, Society for Underwater Technology.

Presentations

Selected Presentations

Hill, A.W. (2023): “Offshore Wind: The Role of Geoscience in Underpinning a Strong Project Foundation,” Extended online Webinar, Tulsa Geological Society Lecture Series, Joint AAPG and SUT Online webinar, October 2023.
Hill, A.W. (2019): “North Sea Shallow Gas: Still a Major Accident Risk,” EAGE Post Conference Workshop, Shallow Gas in the North Sea: an ongoing hazard, an emerging resource or an environmental issue? London, June 7th, 2019.
Hill, A.W. (2017): “25 Years of Geohazards Management to Decrease Engineering Risk,” Ambassador Lecture to Young SPE, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Baku, September 2017.
Hill, A.W. (2014): “Building on Past Lessons and New Technologies to Deliver Integrated Marine Site Studies,” Keynote Address, Applied Shallow Marine Geophysics Conference EAGE, Athens, September 2014
Hill, A., Hill, A., and Hill, A. (2014): “What is the way forward for improvement in Geophysical and Geotechnical Integration?” Oceanology International 2014, London, 2014.
Hill, A.W. (2012): “Geophysical Methods and Uncertainties on Seabed Classification,” Subsea Technologies & Seafloor Properties Characterization, Post SEG Annual Convention Workshop, Las Vegas, USA, November 2012
Hill, A.W. (2003): “Dypvannskartlegging med UUV/AUV – Erfaringer og Forventninger,” NIF Conference Havbunnskartlegging og Inspeksjon, (delivered in Norwegian), Geilo, Norway, February 2003
Hill, A.W., Dawson, I. and Weber, B. (2002): “AUV Uptake in the Offshore Industry: Maintaining a forward momentum,” UUV Masterclass 2002, Southampton, UK.
Hill, A.W. (2001): “The Impact of Deepwater Geohazards on Business Delivery,” D&P Committee Luncheon, SEG Annual Convention, San Antonio, September 12th 2001.

Grants and Fellowships

Fellow Society of Underwater Technology, London

Awards & Recognition

BP Innovation Award for the Introduction of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to the Deepwater Survey Industry, 2000.

Professional Appointments

BP plc 1988 to Present
Marine Geohazards Global Technical Authority, 2007 to Present
Survey Manager, Azerbaijan, 2003 - 2007
Geohazards Team Lead, Gulf of Mexico, 1996 - 2003
Global Site Investigation Specialist, Aberdeen, 1993 - 1996
Site Investigation Specialist, London and Glasgow, 1988 - 1992

Geoteam A/S
Senior Seismic Data Processor, Oslo, Norway 1984 - 1988
Geophysicist, Aberdeen, UK, 1982 - 1984