TEAM

Terractiva is a young-minded, next generation company founded by two people with a long track record of scientific and industry experience in G&G assessments around the globe. With over 30 years of combined experience, we are technically competent in any geological setting, and we use industry-standard and leading-edge technology.

We are convinced that being actively involved in R+D programs is essential to keep our technical work at high standards. At Terractiva we collaborate in research programs with different universities and research centres around the globe. See our individual bios and our list of publications for more information.

Members

  • Alejandro Amilibia
    Co-Founder And Technical Director
  • Oskar Vidal Royo
    Co-Founder And Managing Director
  • Frederic Escosa (PhD)
    Exploration Geologist
  • Juan Pablo Radic (MSc)
    Mining Structural Geologist Associate
  • Hodei Uzkeda (PhD)
    AI Specialist (Associate)
  • Michael McDonough
    Senior Advisor
×
Alejandro Amilibia
Co-Founder And Technical Director

Alejandro Amilibia finished his Ph.D. in 2002 at University of Barcelona, focusing on the processes controlling inversion tectonics in active margins.

For the next 6 years he held different research positions at Royal Holloway University of London and the University of Barcelona where he focused on geometrical modelling of compressional structures in areas like the Andes and the Zagros. In 2009 he joined Statoil where he provided internal consulting on structural geology and tectonics worldwide (Gulf of Mexico, Flemish Pass, Tanzania, South Atlantic Margin, East Mediterranean), working at all scales, from basin screening to prospect evaluation.

In Statoil he also worked in the Norwegian Continental Shelf Exploration unit, where he was involved in multiple concession rounds and high-impact discoveries such as the Johan Sverdrup giant field. In 2016, after 18 years of working experience, he co-founded Terractiva contributing his expertise in the global exploration market.

Technically, he has a strong background in tectonic-sedimentation interaction and geodynamics in both extensional and inverted tectonic settings. Alejandro has a profound love of mountains, that goes beyond geology. In his free time, you will easily find him climbing, skiing or hiking. Ah, and he is a real foodie!!

Download CV
×
Oskar Vidal Royo
Co-Founder And Managing Director

Oskar Vidal Royo holds a Ph.D. from the University of Barcelona (High Honours) focusing on tectonics, sedimentation and salt mobilization in detachment folding.

 As a structural and exploration geologist with 14 years of worldwide experience he has worked in multiple geological settings and petroleum systems (the Bolivian, Colombian, and Argentinean Andes, the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Peru, offshore Brazil, the North Sea, the Norwegian Continental Margin, Papua New Guinea, Eastern Mediterranean) with special focus on salt tectonics, thrust and fold belts and inverted settings, 2D/3D restoration and geological modelling.

After 3 years working for Midland Valley Exploration as a Senior Structural Geologist, he co-founded Terractiva in 2016 to deliver world-class geological consulting and advice for the hydrocarbon and mining industries at regional, basin and prospect/deposit scale.

He is also actively involved in research programs with Geomodels at University of Barcelona, ITS at the University of Texas, Geosciences at the University of Arizona and the University of Stavanger. When not at work, Oskar is normally writing, recording and producing his own music, or cycling in the hills. He is also a certified Yoga and Spinning™ instructor.

Download CV
×
Frederic Escosa (PhD)
Exploration Geologist

Frederic is a structural and exploration geologist with 10 years of experience in salt tectonics, contractional and extensional settings and focused on energy and mining exploration. Skilled in basin analysis, geological mapping, interpretation of well and seismic data and cross-section construction and restoration. He joined again Terractiva in September 2022 as and exploration geologist after working for two years as a post-doctoral researcher at TotalEnergies focused on the presalt of the South Atlantic margins. Also involved in research at the University of Barcelona, the Institute of Tectonic Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Zaragoza (Spain).

 

 

 

Download CV
×
Juan Pablo Radic (MSc)
Mining Structural Geologist Associate

Juan Pablo Radic holds an MSc. from Cornell University, USA (2004) focusing on tectonics and sedimentation in both fold and thrust belts and extensional settings, related to hydrocarbon prone sedimentary basins.

He has worked as an exploration geologist and internal structural consultant for the Chilean state- owned energy company ENAP-SIPETROL since 1998 (26 plus years), with vast experience in petroleum basins of South America (Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) and North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel).

He has also worked as a structural geologist in geothermal energy exploration projects, among which stands out the first installed geothermal power plant in South America in northern Chile (Cerro Pabellón).

Technically, he has a strong background in structural geology and tectonics in varied geological settings, with stablished expertise in the interpretation and modelling of complex structural areas.

Between 2019 and 2022 Juan Pablo was an associate lecturer at Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD), teaching structural geology and tectonics, and applied structural geology for mining exploration.

From 2023 his focus has been on the study of the structural control of mineralized systems for mining exploration in northern Chile, through several projects involving undergraduate student thesis advice along with private mining companies.

Juan Pablo spends his free time near the ocean, where he can be found surfing the cold pacific waves.

Download CV
×
Hodei Uzkeda (PhD)
AI Specialist (Associate)
Hodei Uzkeda is an Assistant Professor at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He holds a PhD awarded by the University of Oviedo (2013). His PhD thesis was focused on the study of an inverted basin located at the North Iberian margin.

His main research interests are: forward modelling and restoration of geological structures, especially fault-related ones, in compressional and inversion tectonics settings, subsidence analysis and virtual outcrop generation and interpretation. During his career he has worked in different areas such as the Cantabrian Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Asturian Basin and the Sub-Andean ranges  of Argentina and  Bolivia.

He has also been a postdoctoral fellow at the Royal Holloway University of London (2013-2016) and the University of Oviedo (2016-2019).

Hodei joined Terractiva in 2019, working as a Structural Geologist and Artificial Intelligence Specialist until 2022, thanks to funding from the Torres Quevedo Program (Spain’s National Research Agency). During his time with us, he worked on developing a series of tools aimed at predicting reservoir lithology and petrophysical properties using subsurface datasets. As an associate, Hodei continues collaborating with us on the topic as well as on a number of research topics.

Download CV
×
Michael McDonough
Senior Advisor

As a structural and exploration geologist with 25 years of worldwide experiencie Mike has worked in various geological settings and petroleum systems, including Jeanne d’Arc, Flemish Pass and Orphan Basins of offshore Newfoundland, Foothills of the Alaskan and Canadian cordilleras, North Slope and Western Canada Basins, Argentine Andes, the Gulf of Mexico (Perdido and Salinas Basins). During those years he occupied various Exploration roles for the O&G industry as a Structural Geologist/Geophysicist, including 15 years leading and managing exploration teams that made high impact discoveries. This wide experience is of a great value for Terractiva.

slide to see more

logo_terractiva

Company Expertise

Have a look at our combined experience around the globe

Publications

Here is an updated list of our more relevant publications in peer reviewed journals and at international conferences:

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES
  • Roma, M., Vidal-Royo, O., McClay, K., Ferrer, O., Muñoz, J.A., 2018. Tectonic inversion of salt-detached ramp-syncline basins as illustrated by analog modeling and kinematic restoration. Interpretation, In press.
  • Ferrer, O., Dooley, T.P., Corti, G., Vidal-Royo, O., Hearon, T.E., Reber, J., Graveleau, F., 2017. Introduction to special section: Analog modeling as an aid to structural interpretation. Interpretation, 5, SD39-SD-54.
  • Carola, E., Ferrer, O., Vidal-Royo, O., Muñoz, J.A., 2017. Interpretation of salt-cored frontal structures in the Southern Pyrenees guided by analog modeling, surface and subsurface data. Interpretation, 5, (1), pp. SD39-SD54. doi: 10.1190/INT-2016-0093.1.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., 2015. Introduction to special section: Balancing, restoration, and palinspastic reconstruction. Interpretation, 3 (4), pp. SAAi-SAAiii. doi: 10.1190/INT2015-0916-SPSEINTRO.1.
  • Lingrey, S., Vidal-Royo, O., 2015. Evaluating the quality of bed length and area balance in 2D structural restorations. Interpretation, 3 (4), pp. SAA133-SAA160. doi: 10.1190/INT-2015-0126.1.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Muñoz, J.A., Hardy, S., Koyi, H.A., Cardozo, N., 2013. Integration of modelling techniques in the understanding of the structural evolution of the Pico del Águila anticline (External Sierras, Southern Pyrenees). Geologica Acta, 11 (1), pp. 1-26.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Cardozo, N., Muñoz, J., Hardy, S. and Maerten, L. 2012. Multiple mechanisms driving detachment folding as deduced from 3D reconstruction and geomechanical restoration: The Pico del Águila anticline (External Sierras, Southern Pyrenees). Basin Research, 24 (3), pp. 295-313.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Hardy, S., Muñoz, J.A. 2011. The roles of complex mechanical stratigraphy and syn-kinematic sedimentation in fold development: Insights from discrete-element modelling and application to the Pico del Aguila anticline (External Sierras, Southern Pyrenees). In: Kinematic Evolution and Structural Styles of Fold-and-Thrust Belts (Poblet, J. and Lisle, R.J.), Special Publication of the Geological Society of London, 349, pp. 45-60.
  • Snidero, M., Amilibia, A., Gratacos, O., Blanc, E. J-P., Muñoz, J.A., (2011): The 3D reconstruction of geological structures based on remote sensing data: example from the Anaran anticline, Lurestan province, Zagros fold and thrust belt, Iran. Journal of the Geological Society, London, Vol. 168, pp. 769–782.
  • Snidero, M., Amilibia, A., Gratacos, O., Blanc, Muñoz, J.A., (2010): 3D reconstruction of geological structures based on remote sensing data: example from Anaran anticline (Lurestan province, Zagros fold and thrust belt, Iran). Trabajos de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo, 30, pp. 221-227.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Koyi, H.A., Muñoz, J.A. 2009. Formation of orogen-perpendicular thrusts due to mechanical contrasts in the basal décollement in the Central External Sierras (Southern Pyrenees, Spain). Journal of Structural Geology, 31 (5), pp. 523-539.
  • Almar, Y., Ferrer, O., Roca, E., Puigvert, M., Amilibia, A. y Muñoz, J.A., (2008): A geological cross- section along the Basque Pyrenees and the Parentis Basin (Western Pyrenees). Geotemas, Madrid, Vol. (10) VII, pp. 422-424.
  • Amilibia, A., Sàbat, F., McClay, K.R., Muñoz, J.A., Roca, E., Chong, G., (2008): The role of inherited tectono-sedimentary architecture in the development of Central Andean mountain belt: insights from the Cordillera de Domeyko. Journal of Structural Geology, 30, pp. 1520-1539.
  • McClay, K., Whitehouse, P., Amilibia, A., DeVera, J., & Djebbar T., (2004): 4D Evolution of fault systems in sedimentary Basins: A review. PESA Eastern Australasian Basins Symposium II, pp. 1-26
  • Amilibia, A., McClay, K.R., Sàbat, F., Muñoz, J.A. & Roca, E. (2005): Analogue modelling of inverted oblique rift systems. Geologica Acta. Vol.3, nº3, pp. 251-271.
  • Amilibia, A., Skarmeta, J. (2003): La inversión tectónica de la Cordillera de Domeyko en el Norte de Chile y su relación con la intrusión de sistemas pofídicos de Cu-Mo. Actas del X Congreso Geológico Chileno, ST2, Pag. 0-6
  • Amilibia A., Sàbat F., Chong G., Muñoz J.A., Roca E. & Gelabert B. (2000): Criterios de Inversión tectónica, ejemplos de la Cordillera de Domeyko (II Región de Antofagasta). Geotemas, 1, (1), Pag. 33-36.
  • Amilibia A., Sàbat F., Chong G., Muñoz J.A., Roca E. & Rodriguez-Perea A. (1999): Evolution of Domeyko Range, Northern Chile. Géodynamique andine, Résumés étendus, Fourth International Symposium on Andean Geodynamics, Gottingen (Germany), pp. 25-29.
SELECTED CONFERENCE PAPERS
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Rowan, M.G., Ferrer, O., Giles, K.A. 2017. Structural Characterization of the Warraweena Diapir-Weld-Thrust complex, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. AAPG ICE, London, UK.
  • Ferrer, O., Vidal-Royo, O., Gratacós, O., Roca, E., Muñoz, J.A. 2017. Interaction between cover deformation and pre-salt seamounts in passive margins: Physical models applied to the Northwest and Eastern Mediterranean basins. AAPG European Regional Conference, Larnaca, Cyprus.
  • Rosales, C., Arnaiz, A., Amigo, B., Karim, A., Malmcrona, Y., Peláez, A., Ramos, A., Moya, C., 2015. Study of an anomalous Evaporitic Unit in the Eastern Algarve Basin (Portugal), and implications of this unit for hydrocarbon exploration, Portugal AAPG European Regional Conference & Exhibition 2015 – Lisboa – ‘Tethys- Atlantic Interaction Along the European-Iberian-African Plate Boundaries’.
  • Vidal-Royo, O. 2014. Pushing the Limits of Geological Mapping Outside the Earth: 3D Modeling of Strike-Slip and Extensional Fault Systems in Meridiani Planum Region, Mars. American Geophysical Union Meeting, San Francisco, California, USA.
  • Ramos, A., Fernández, O., Terrinha, P., Muñoz, J.A., Arnaiz, A., 2014. Mesozoic tectonic and paleogeographic evolution of the Gulf of Cádiz and Algarve basins, and implications for hydrocarbon exploration. AAPG European Regional Conference & Exhibition 2014 – Barcelona.
  • Vidal-Royo, O. 2013. Integration of sandbox, numerical and geomechanical restoration modelling techniques in 3D: Structural evolution of the Pico del Águila anticline (External Sierras, Southern Pyrenees). Geological Society of America Annual Meeting and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, USA.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Muñoz, J.A., Koyi, H., Hardy, S. 2008. 3-D Structural, Analog and Numerical Modeling Integration Applied to Pico Del Águila Anticline (Sierras Exteriores, Southern Pyrenees). American Association of Petroleum Geologists General Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Hardy, S., Muñoz, J.A. 2008. Influence of multiple decollement stratigraphy and growth strata on a detachment fold development: insights from 2D Discrete-Element modelling and application to Pico del Águila anticline (External Sierras, Spanish Southern Pyrenees). International Meeting of Young Researchers in Structural Geology and Tectonics (YORSGET-08), Oviedo, Spain.
  • Amilibia, A., (2008): Compressional deformation along the Chañarcillo Basin west margin: north chilean Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous back-arc basin. YORSGET: International Meeting of Young Researchers in Structural Geology and Tectonics, Oviedo, Spain.
  • Snidero, M., Amilibia, A., Gratacos, O., Muñoz, J.A., (2008): 3D Reconstruction of geological structures based on remote sensing data: example from Anaran Anticline, (Lurestan province, Zagros fold and thrust belt, Iran). YORSGET: International Meeting of Young Researchers in Structural Geology and Tectonics, Oviedo, Spain.
  • Vidal-Royo, O., Ferrer, O., Koyi, H.A., Vendeville, B.C., Muñoz, J.A., Roca, E. 2008. 3D Reconstruction of analogue modelling experiments from 2D datasets. International Geomodelling Conference 2008, Florence, Italy.
  • Muñoz, J.A., Amilibia, A., Carrera, N., Mon, R., Chong, G.; Roca, E., Sàbat, F., 2007: The Southern Central Andes at 25.5ºSL: a Non-Balanced Crustal Cross-Section. Eos Trans. AGU, 88(23), Jt. Assem. Suppl., Abstract U52A-01.
  • Amilibia, A., Sàbat, F., McClay, K.R., Muñoz, J.A., Roca, E., Chong, G., 2007: Structural Style and Tectonic Evolution of the Domeyko Range, North Chilean Precordillera. Eos Trans. AGU, 88(23), Jt. Assem. Suppl., Abstract U51B-02.
  • Muñoz, J.A., Amilibia, A., Carrera, N., Mon, R.; Chong, G., Roca, E., Sàbat, F., 2005. A geological cross-section of the Andean orogen 25.5 LS. 6th International Symposium on Andean Geodynamics-ISAG. Barcelona.
  • McClay, K. & Amilibia, A. 2004. Inversion Orogens. Continental Tectonics: Discussion meeting in memory of life and work of Mike Coward. Geological Society of London. Invited.
  • Amilibia, A., McClay, K.R. & De Vera, J. 2004. Inverted oblique rift systems, Analogue modelling and natural examples. In: G23.03: Tectonic Inversion processes and structural inheritance in mountain belts. 32nd International Geological Conference, Florence.
  • Amilibia, A., McClay, K.R., Skarmeta, J. & Bourdon, E. 2003. Inversion Tectonics at Cordillera de Domeyko (North Chile) and its control on Giant Porphyry Copper emplacement: New insights on Flat-slab Subduction Kinematics during the Tertiary. GSA Annual Meeting, 2003. Abstract Volumen, page 161.
  • Amilibia, A. & Skarmeta, J. 2003. La inversión tectónica de la Cordillera de Domeyko en el norte de Chile y su relación con la intrusión de sistemas porfidicos de Cu-Mo. X Congreso Geológico Chileno. Actas. Sesión Temática-2.
  • Amilibia, A., Sàbat, F., Chong, G., Muñoz, J.A., Roca , E. & Gelabert, B. 2000. Criterios de Inversión tectónica, ejemplos de la Cordillera de Domeyko (II Región de Antofagasta). V Congreso Geológico de España, Alicante.
  • Amilibia, A., Sàbat, F., Chong, G., Muñoz, J.A., Roca, E. & Gelabert, B. 2000. Criterios de Inversión tectónica, ejemplos de la Cordillera de Domeyko (II Región de Antofagasta). IX Congreso Geológico Chileno. Puerto Varas-X Región de los Lagos-Chile.
  • Amilibia, A., Sàbat, F., Chong, G., Muñoz, J.A., Roca, E. & Rodríguez. A. 1999. Fourth International Symposium on Andean Geodynamics, ISAG. Gottingen (Germany). Best poster award for “ Evolution of Domeyko Range, Northern Chile”.

Contact us

Contacto_pre_footer

"*" señala los campos obligatorios

Consentimiento*