Dr. John M. Williams has B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Exeter (1974, 1979) where his doctorate was based on phase equilibrium studies of high pressure systems. He has subsequently gained more than 20 years of oil industry experience with Shell, the Schlumberger Group, Saudi Aramco, and in operating his own consulting company Science Support Services. Dr. Williams has led R&D projects involving sampling, PVT, and analytical techniques, and has written both patent and research publications. He has set up and managed commercial PVT operations and has field experience in many countries. Dr. Williams was largely responsible for the recent API RP-44 sampling procedures industry standard., and has written a chapter on the same subject for the SPE Petroleum Engineering Handbook. He has frequently been involved to improve both equipment and methodology, and to enhance the quality of data being used in reservoir management and production design. He is completing a Masters Degree in Technology Management. While at Saudi Aramco Dr. Williams was heavily involved in improving sampling techniques and on-site measurements, PVT synthesis studies, and in protecting and facilitating access for users to laboratory reports and compositional analyses. He also had a role in training activities, in quality control procedures and in improving safety. His research interests focus on the use of new technology and methodologies in gas sampling, notably by the use of state-of-the-art bottom hole samplers, and on the reliable on-site measurement and interpretation of H2S and CO2 measurements for anti-corrosion design.
