Erasmus Award

Award for Lifetime Contribution
The Desiderius Erasmus Award is presented to a member of EAGE in recognition of his/her outstanding and lasting achievements in the field of resource exploration and development.

The Erasmus Award consists of a medal and a certificate. The Award can optionally include the EAGE Honorary Membership.

Previous Winners Of The Erasmus Award

2011
Jean-Laurent Mallet

In recognition of his groundbreaking research and development work over four decades in applied mathematics and computer sciences related to geology. Nominated Professor at Nancy in 1981, he developed the gOcad project in 1989, dedicated to the 3D modelling and visualisation of the subsurface, based on his earlier research. The output from this research project led to the creation in 1997 of the company Earth Decision Science, which subsequently merged with Paradigm Geophysical in 2006. Although he retired in 2006, Professor Mallet has continued to influence the direction of the gOcad project. Professor Mallet has published extensively, and is author of numerous patents, and has two books on current issue. His pioneering achievements have already been widely recognised by various scientific bodies, including SEG, SPE and the French Academy of Sciences.

2010
Enders A. Robinson

In recognition of his fundamental and lifelong contribution to geophysics. His early research laid the groundwork for seismic deconvolution and the widespread use of geophysical digital filters in general. He was one of the first to pioneer and make full use of digital computers in seismic processing, and in 1965 was one of the founders of Digicon Inc.

He is the author of a dozen books, the most recent published in 2008, representing nearly six decades of scientific excellence and achievement. Universally recognised as an eminent scientist, Dr Robinson has aptly been described as one of the living legends of exploration geophysics, fully deserving the EAGE Erasmus Award for his outstanding and lasting achievements.

 

2009
Fabio Rocca

So wide a spectrum of major scientific achievements as that seen from Fabio Rocca, is rare in our profession. In the Seventies, he pioneered computer contouring with faults, and multi-channel techniques for multiple suppression and spectral depth estimation of magnetic anomalies; in the Eighties, he focused on FK and residual migration, dip move-out and diffraction tomography; in the Nineties he moved onto seismic-while-drilling, and in the new century satellite interferometry. Fabio is Professor of communications and signal processing at the Politecnico of Milan, where he promotes the interaction between different disciplines. During his term as EAGE President, he pioneered geoscientific integration, a defining aspect of our association today. A professor’s quality may be measured by the achievements of his students and Fabio’s students from both Milan and Stanford, listed in the conference brochure, testify to his inspirational qualities. Fabio was Associate Editor of Geophysical Prospecting from 1981 to 1985. He received SEG Honorary Membership in 1989 and the EAGE Schlumberger Award in 1990.

 

2008
Bjørn Ursin

Bjørn Ursin has been at the forefront of geophysical research, education and geo-industry for more than 30 years. His unique style, and innovative and consistent approaches to geophysics have resulted in new insights and supported technological breakthroughs for seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation. These achievements have not only shaped geophysical technology but more importantly inspired geophysicists to a new way of thinking and to a deeper understanding of geophysics. His background from industry has ensured that his academic activities are well grounded and relevant to exploration geophysics. Bjørn has authored or co-authored over 100 papers in international journals. He has always actively searched for international cooperation and has served EAGE as Editor-in-Chief of Geophysical Prospecting as well as in several committees over the years.


2007
Sven Treitel

In recognition of his pioneering work in the field of signal processing and filter theory. He was among the earliest geophysicists to recognise and to make full use of digital computers in seismic data processing. A field where Sven Treitel has played a crucial role is the development of seismic deconvolution techniques, deconvolution being among the most significant and helpful developments in seismic data processing, extending even into such processes as synthetic seismograms and pseudovelocity log generation. His papers in Geophysical Prospecting on digital filtering and inversion are among the most widely referenced in the industry. His works on inverse theory, on wave theory and all its applications to finite difference "wave equation" migration, and on a whole sequence of other seismic issues have greatly influenced the way we conduct our daily work as geoscientists.


2006
Augustinus Berkhout

In recognition of his innovative and unified approach to a wide range of seismic issues, resulting in several technological breakthroughs for our industry. As a leading academic and as a pragmatic pioneer in the field of hydrocarbon exploration and production, he has listened and responded to the industry’s needs, thus creating a situation that has introduced new opportunities in both industry and academia – as manifested by the major projects that he has led, such as the Delphi Consortium. His many technical contributions, including those in the field of wave propagation in complex media and as applied to dynamic and static seismic problems have had a distinctly major impact in the industry.


2005
Roy White

In recognition of his outstanding achievements that have profoundly influenced both the industry at large and academia. A scientist , his innovative approach to the application of signal theory to seismic data and wavelet estimation together with his statistical concepts have been fundamental in the crucial problem of matching the seismic to the well data, in deconvolution and in other valuable applications in addition to his other works in petrophysics, AVO, reservoir geophysics, accuracy of Q and other disciplines which have been adopted by the industry in various forms. His services to the Association in committees and in editorial capacity have been characterised by his usual efficiency and dedication.


2004
Turhan Taner

In recognition of his fundamental and outstanding contributions, particularly in the fields of seismic velocities, seismic attributes, reflection and refraction statics computations, plane wave processing and imaging systems, rock physics and Q estimation methods, contributions that have been characterised by originality and depth of thought and many of which have been totally ground-breaking, pioneering the way for further progress and enabling the industry to build highly successful practices.


2003
Peter Hubral

In recognition of his many outstanding contributions to geophysics, including the introduction of image ray concepts, his work on true amplitude, on propagation in layered media and on reflection surfaces in conjunction with structural configurations, all of which have had far reaching consequences on the approach to imaging the earth, and for his services to the Association.


2002
K. Helbig

For his original and profound contributions to all aspects of geophysics, and in particular to seismic anisotropy, for his highly influential and creative service as editor of Geophysical Prospecting, for his leadership and pioneering achievements in the teaching of geophysics, for his authorship of innovative and outstanding books on geophysics, and for his indomitable spirit and his good sense of humor, all of which place Klaus Helbig high among the immortals of geophysics.


2001
M. Al-Chalabi (with Honorary Membership)

In recognition of his contributions to geophysics with publications on travel time approximation and analysis of seismic velocities which play an outstanding role in modern understanding of kinematics of seismic waves, and for his services to the Association.


2000
J.F. Claerbout (with Honorary Membership)

For making Wave Theory work as the cornerstone of modern seismic processing.
For introducing the consortium as a model for collaboration between the Academy and Industry. For his teachings through the spoken, printed, and electronic word for thirty years. For his dedication and integrity that makes him an exemplar to all geophysicists.
For his generosity towards European scholars who are a significant part of the Stanford community.


1999
D.S. Parasnis (with Honorary Membership)

In recognition of his excellence in geophysical education and his contributions to geophysics with publications and textbooks, and for his outstanding services to the Association.