By Gus Morgan

When you’re willing to tackle any project that crosses your path, opportunities emerge.

“If you see something that looks interesting — or something you might be able to help with — you have to take the initiative,” said Kyle Krueger, a senior geophysicist.

This “dive in” mindset has served Kyle well during his career. Since joining ConocoPhillips in 2013, Kyle has contributed to numerous technical innovations, especially in the realm of digital signal processing and fiber optics.

Kyle is especially proficient when it comes to signal processing, a premium skill in the oil and gas industry. He applies mathematical and computational algorithms to digital signals to improve their efficiency or performance.

Why is this important? When you’re trying to find hydrocarbons in the subsurface, or understand how to best produce them, you need specialized sensing tools.

These tools use signals to communicate what’s happening deep below the Earth’s surface, and Kyle knows how to get the most out of those signals.

Technical teamwork

Kyle is known for his project work with distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), a fiber-optic technology that has expanded its use over the last few years to include acquiring seismic data, injection allocation, fracture detection, production allocation, production interference testing, leak detection, and much more.

As part of a multidisciplinary DAS project team from 2015-2018, Kyle developed software and algorithms to enhance the use of DAS data to provide advancements in these different applications.

He even shares five patents with his colleagues for their pioneering work with DAS technology.

In his short tenure, Kyle has already earned three ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Performance Awards for Innovation, all of them involving DAS technology.

But Kyle’s accomplishments aren’t limited to DAS. He’s also made contributions with his seismic imaging and processing work.

Over the years, Kyle has helped make the company’s cutting-edge seismic technology even better through tool and workflow development and application.  

A new challenge

Since 2019, Kyle has been learning how to process ConocoPhillips' proprietary CSI seismic data by assisting in processing projects in Alaska, Norway, Lower 48 and Australia. 

But Kyle is already eyeing his next opportunity — a move into remote sensing — a job role that aligns with his academic work with radar and satellite imaging. 

While Kyle will continue to support seismic imaging and processing during his transition, he’s looking forward to this new challenge.  

“It’s an important part of where ConocoPhillips is going in the future.”  

In tune with his surroundings

While Kyle’s technical skills often steal the show, his artistic side is equally impressive.

A musician at heart, Kyle plays the saxophone in ConocoPhillips’ band, The Subsurface String Society, a collaborative ensemble that embodies the creative soul of ConocoPhillips.

For Kyle, music acts as a stress reliever, helping him clear his mind and refocus, an emotional tonic that helps him maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Kyle’s colleague and bandmate, John Templeton, said Kyle’s talent extends beyond his engineering and coding skills.

“He’s a musical genius as well,” said John, a senior geologist. “If the rest of the band is somewhat loose, Kyle is on point.”

When he’s not working, parenting or playing the saxophone, you’ll find Kyle, a father of three, on the basketball court or soccer field, his playgrounds of choice.