Independent Geologic Decision Support for Horizontal Programs

When a drilling decision is uncertain: a landing zone in question, an unexpected formation, an interpretation that does not match the model. An independent geological perspective can help the team separate interpretation risk from execution constraints and evaluate the available evidence before the next decision.

Independent technical advice provides an objective perspective that complements internal teams and third-party service providers. Because BSS is not responsible for operational geosteering or drilling execution, recommendations are focused solely on achieving the best technical outcome based on the available geological evidence. That independence is the point.

Campaign and Development Advisory

For operators executing a multi-well horizontal program who need integrated geologic oversight across the campaign, not just individual wells.

BSS reviews the full drilling program, evaluates landing strategy and steering consistency across wells, identifies recurring geologic patterns and risks, and develops recommendations that improve placement and reduce uncertainty as the program progresses. Work includes structural and stratigraphic interpretation, landing optimization, target interval review, and a technical summary suitable for internal review or investment-committee discussion.

Engagements typically run two to eight weeks depending on program scale and may cover programs ranging from a handful of wells to large multi-rig development campaigns. This is the highest-value application of drilling decision support: senior geoscience judgment applied across an entire program rather than a single well.

Drilling Advisory

For operators planning or executing a horizontal well or short campaign who need independent geologic perspective at critical decision points.

BSS serves as an independent technical advisor: reviewing geological interpretation, validating landing strategy, identifying emerging risks, and providing recommendations at key decision points throughout the drilling campaign. Engagements typically begin one to two weeks before spud and run through the final post-drill review.

During drilling, data packages are reviewed daily, geology calls are attended when requested, and Ed is available by phone and email during agreed business hours with priority response arrangements established in advance for predefined critical operations such as landing and major fault interpretation.

Operational geosteering remains the responsibility of the client's designated steering provider. BSS provides the independent geologic perspective that improves the decisions made during execution.

Advisory Retainer

For operators who drill regularly and need consistent senior geologic input throughout the year without expanding internal staff.

A retainer engagement provides ongoing technical availability for planning document review, interpretation discussions, second opinions on difficult wells, participation in technical meetings, and phone and email support across the program. Response expectations are defined in the Statement of Work based on the operator's drilling schedule and program requirements.

Retainer scope includes reviewing steering interpretations, discussing landing recommendations, evaluating maps and cross sections, and providing second opinions on geologic questions. It does not include continuous monitoring, primary geosteering, or shift coverage.

This model works well for small and mid-size operators, PE-backed companies, and teams without a senior development geologist on staff who need consistent technical support across their drilling program.

BSS is best suited for operators who:

• Need senior geologic input during planning, drilling, or post-drill review
• Want independent technical perspective alongside an existing geosteering provider
• Are executing multi-well development programs and need integrated geologic oversight
• Require flexible consulting support without expanding internal headcount
• Value operator-side geoscience judgment that connects geology to drilling execution and development outcomes
• Are entering a new basin or play and need regional geologic expertise

Projects are accepted based on technical fit, availability, program duration, and alignment between client expectations and the advisory model. Most BSS experience is concentrated in the Eagle Ford, Austin Chalk, Cotton Valley, and Haynesville, with additional unconventional experience in the Montney, Duvernay, Powder River, and Green River.

Typical engagements begin with a review of the drilling prognosis, planned trajectory, offset well data, structural interpretation, and available petrophysical information. During drilling, BSS reviews the operator's existing daily data package including LWD and MWD data, surveys, steering updates, and mud logs where available.

Additional seismic, completion, and production data improve the quality of the interpretation but are not required to begin. BSS will identify data gaps during the pre-spud review and flag where additional information would materially change the recommendations.

15+ years of upstream geoscience experience across multi-rig horizontal development programs in the Eagle Ford, Austin Chalk, Haynesville, Cotton Valley, Powder River, and Green River.

Experience includes planning and supporting horizontal drilling campaigns requiring close coordination with drilling engineers, directional drillers, mud loggers, petrophysicists, and reservoir engineers. Full development lifecycle perspective, from pre-drill prognosis through post-drill evaluation, across operator environments ranging from large private E&P programs to lean independent teams.

This operator-side background is what makes drilling advisory work most useful. The geoscientist involved understands not just the geology, but how recommendations connect to drilling execution, completions decisions, and development outcomes.

Drilling advisory engagements are billed hourly or on a per-well or project basis depending on scope and duration. Retainer arrangements are available for operators with ongoing programs. Billing structure and response expectations are defined in the Statement of Work before the engagement begins.

Work is performed remotely from Houston. Data is accessed via client-provided VPN, remote desktop, or daily data package delivery depending on the operator's existing workflow.

All data received during the engagement is treated as confidential. NDA available on request.