Scott W Tinker
Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
Edwin Allday Centennial Chair in Subsurface Geology (Holder)
Mailcode: E0610
Scott Tinker works to bring industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. Dr. Tinker is Director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Edwin Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. With Director Harry Lynch, Tinker coproduced and is featured in the award-winning energy documentary film "Switch," which has been screened in over 50 countries to more than 15 million viewers and is used on thousands of K-through-12 and college campuses. Dr. Tinker formed the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance in 2016 and has completed two new films: "Switch On", a feature length documentary addressing global energy poverty, and "Energy Makes our World," a 5 minute, Hollywood-quality film made for global museums and giant screens. He is the voice of "EarthDate", a two-minute weekly program that focuses on remarkable stories of Earth. "EarthDate" is produced by the Bureau of Economic Geology and is featured on over 400 NPR and public radio stations in all 50 United States. Dr. Tinker has served as president of several associations including the American Geosciences Institute (AGI), the Association of American State Geologists (AASG), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS). Dr. Tinker is an AGI Campbell Medalist, AAPG Halbouty Medalist, GCAGS Boyd Medalist, and a Geological Society of America Fellow. In his visits to some 65 countries, he has given over 850 keynote and invited lectures.
Areas of Expertise
Global energy supply and demand, Technology Administration, Multidisciplinary reservoir characterization, Carbonate sedimentology, Sequence stratigraphy, 3-D reservoir modeling, Resource assessment.
Current Research Programs & Projects
Statoil Gulf Services, partnership to support the corporate Partners Program and Career Services at the Jackson School of Geosciences.
Principal Investigator for the Shell Oil Company, Shell-UT Unconventionals Research (SUTUR) partnership.
Principal Investigator, Transitioning the Energy Mix: Taking Natural Gas Seriously, A Sloan Foundation research grant.
Principal Investigator and Director, Advanced Energy Consortium
AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences - American Geosciences Institute (AGI) (2018)
100th Anniversary Heritage of the Petroleum Geologist - American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (2017)
Don R. Boyd Medal for Excellence - Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS) (2016)
Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Medal - American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (2016)
Hochreiter Distinguished Nuclear Engineering Lecturer - Penn State University (2015)
Honorary Member Award - American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (2015)
2014 Geosciences in the Media National award - American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (2014)
Weimer Inaugural Distinguished Lecturer - Colorado School of Mines (2014)
“Hats Off” Award - Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) (2014)
Michael T. Halbouty Distinguished Lecturer - Geological Society of America (GSA) (2013 - 2013)
John T. Galey, Sr., Memorial Public Service Award - American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) (2013)
2013 Outstanding Contribution to Public Understanding of the Geosciences award - American Geosciences Institute (AGI) (2013)
GSA Fellow - Geological Society of America (GSA) (2012)
Top Producer” (top geoscientist in Texas) - Texas Monthly (2012)
Chairman and CEO, Switch Energy Alliance (SEA), 501(c)(3) (2017)
Member, TexNet 9-member Technical Advisory Committee to the Bureau of Economic Geology, appointed by the Governor, State of Texas (2016 - 2019)
Member, National Research Council Roundtable on Unconventional Hydrocarbon (2016)
President, American Geosciences Institute (AGI) (2015 - 2016)
Board of Directors, Quantum Technology Sciences, Inc. (QTSI) (2014)
Member, Shell Science Council (SSC) (2014)
Member, Energy Forum at the American Academy of Science and Engineering (2013)
Investor and Director, X Microwave (2013)
Advisory Trustee, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) (2012)
Board of Advisors, Geo Fossil Fuels, LLC (2012)
Member, Geoscience External Advisory Board, Sandia National Laboratories (2012)
Member, Workshop on the Health Impact Assessment of New Energy Sources: Shale Gas Extraction, Sponsored by The Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine, National Research Council (2012)
Chairman and CEO, Tinker Energy Associates (2012)
President, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS) (2011 - 2012)
Acting Associate Dean for Research, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2010 - 2017)
Member, Strategic Planning Council, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2010 - 2012)
ex-officio, Energy Institute Advisory Council, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2010)
Member, Energy Leadership Council, The University of Texas System (2010)
Member, National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), Energy Education Working Group (2010)
Member, Committee on Resource Development, National Petroleum Council (NPC) (2010)
Member, Strategic Planning Committee, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin (2009)
President, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (2008 - 2009)
Member, BP Technical Advisory Council (2007 - 2013)
Board of Directors, Brigham Exploration Company (2007 - 2011)
Chairman, Board of Management, Advanced Energy Consortium (2007)
Trustee, Association of American State Geologists Foundation (AASGF) (2007)
Member, Appointed by Governor of Texas, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (2007)
University of Texas Representative, Board of Directors, Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (2007 - 2009)
President, Association of American State Geologists (2006 - 2007)
Member, Appointed by Secretary of Energy, National Petroleum Council (NPC) (2006)
President, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2006 - 2007)
Member, Supply Task Group of the NPC Committee on Global Oil & Gas, National Petroleum Council (NPC) (2006)
Member, Department of Geosciences Advisory Board, University of Michigan (2006)
Member, Strategic Planning Council, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2005 - 2006)
Co-Chairman, Future Global Oil Supply/Demand Balance: Workshop on Trends in Oil Supply and Demand and Potential for Peaking of Conventional Oil Production (2005)
Member, Search Committee for Sedimentary Geologist, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Member, Search Committee for Energy and Mineral Resources Director, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Member, Search Committee for Carbonate Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Board of Advisors, Quantum Technology Sciences, Inc. (QTSI) (2005 - 2007)
Liaison, Texas Technology Initiative, The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Member, Texas Energy ClusterTechnology Working Group, State Strategy on Advanced Technology, State of Texas (2005)
Member, Texas Energy Cluster, State Strategy on Advanced Technology, State of Texas (2005)
Member, Planning Group for Workshop on Issues Related to Peaking of Global Oil Production (2005)
Member, Permanence Subcommittee, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (2005)
Advisor, Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy (CIEEP), The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Member, ex-officio, Advisory Board, FutureGen Texas, State of Texas (2005 - 2007)
Member, Committee to Implement the AASG/USGS MOU, Association of American State Geologists (2005)
Director, Governor Appointed, FutureGen Texas Technical Team, State of Texas (2005 - 2007)
Session Chair, Future Global Oil Supply/Demand Balance, National Research Council Workshop on Trends in Oil Supply and Demand and Potential for Peaking of Conventional Oil Production (2005)
Panelist, High Oil Prices, Discussion hosted by economics professors at The University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Panelist, Developing People: Education, Training, and Cultural Diversity, International Petroleum Technology Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by AAPG, EAGE, SEG, and SPE (2005)
Vice Chair for SEPM, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2004)
Member, House of Delegates, AAPG, Austin Geological Society (AGS) (2004)
Co-Chair, Forum on the Future of Global Energy: Technical, Environmental, Economic, and Policy Issues (DEG/SEPM/EMD), 2004 American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Annual Meeting (2004)
Vice President, Association of American State Geologists (2004 - 2005)
Member, Ad Hoc Committee for Annual Meeting Planning, Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) (2004)
Advisor, Energy Planning Council, State of Texas (2004)
Member, Permian Basin Section, Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) (2004)
Session Chair, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2004)
Chair, Chancellor's Committee for Sandia National Laboratories Collaboration, The University of Texas at Austin (2004 - 2005)
Member, State Strategy on Advanced Technology, Texas Technology Initiative, State of Texas (2004 - 2005)
Member, State Strategy on Advanced Technology, State of Texas (2004 - 2005)
Member, Executive Committee, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2004 - 2007)
Member, Awards Committee, Subcommittee on Pick and Gavel Awards, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2004)
Member, Booth Committee, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2004)
Alternate, Geological Society of America Affiliated Societies, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2004)
Member, Future Collaboration Advisory Committee, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences and College of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin (2004 - 2005)
Member, Geological Society of America (2003)
Member, SPE Primer Committee, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (2003 - 2008)
Member, Geological Society of America (GSA) (2003)
Member, Lead for USGS Central States Cluster, Association of American State Geologists (2003)
Member, Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, The National Academies, National Research Council (2003 - 2009)
Chairman, Energy and Mineral Policy Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2002)
Technical Program Chairman, Steering Committee, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (2002)
Distinguished Lecturer, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (2002 - 2003)
Member, Board of Advisors, iReservoir.com (2002 - 2007)
Member, Advisory Committee, Service to Society Committee of the Commission of 125, The University of Texas at Austin (2002 - 2003)
President, Austin Geological Society (AGS) (2002 - 2003)
Member, Oil Field Cleanup Fund Advisory Committee, appointed by Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff, State of Texas (2001 - 2011)
Session Chair, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2001)
Member, International Committee, APPEX (Property and Prospect Exposition) (2001)
Member, Dean's Committee on the Formation of the Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
Member, Vice President's Committee on ACES Energy Proposal, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
Member, Executive Committee, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
Member, Organizing Committee, APPEX (Property and Prospect Exposition) (2001)
Member, American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) (2001)
Foundation Trustee, American Geological Institute Foundation (2001)
Member, Earth Science Education Committee, (2001)
Member, Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
Member, Budget Council, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2001)
Member, Texas Energy Coordination Council, State of Texas (2001 - 2012)
Member, Earth Science Education Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2001)
Member, Steering Committee, John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2001 - 2005)
Member, Faculty Review Committee, Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin (2000 - 2001)
Member, U.S. Potential Gas Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Member, Liaison Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Field Trip Leader, WTGS/AAPG Southwest Section, Carlsbad, New Mexico, February-March, West Texas Geological Society (2000)
Member, Board of Visitors, Trinity University (2000 - 2016)
Member, Producer Advisory Group, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (2000 - 2008)
Director, Texas Regional Lead Organization, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (2000 - 2011)
Member, Core and Sample Preservation Committee, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (2000)
Member, Austin Geological Society (AGS) (2000)
Member, Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) (2000)
Member, University Advisory Board, CLEER (Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research) (2000)
Member, Energy and Mineral Policy Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Member, State Geologist of Texas, Association of American State Geologists (AASG) (2000)
Member, Continental Margins Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Member, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Member, Coastal Processes Committee, Association of American State Geologists (2000)
Field Seminar Subcommittee Chairman, Education Committee, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1999 - 2005)
Technical Session Judge, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1999)
Short Course Instructor, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geologists) (1999)
Member, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (1999)
Field Seminar Leader, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1998 - 2000)
Session Chair, SPE/SEG Forum, Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) (1998)
Short Course Instructor, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geologists) (1997)
Associate Editor, AAPG Bulletin, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1997 - 1999)
Distinguished Lecturer, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (1997 - 1998)
Member, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) (1997)
Technical Session Judge, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (1996)
Member, Client Advisory Board (3 years), Schlumberger Doll Research (1996 - 1999)
Session Chair, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (1994)
Technical Session Judge, Annual Meeting, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (1993)
Session Chair, Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (1993)
Member, West Texas Geological Society (WTGS) (1993)
Member, Development Geology and Geophysics Committee, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (1992 - 1994)
Member, Society for Sedimentary Geologists (SEPM) (1984)
Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) (1982)
Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) (1982)
Graduate Students
Logan West, Ph.D., 2020 (Supervisor)
Benjamin Smith, Ph.D., 2019 (Committee Member)
Forrest Roberts, M.S., 2013 (Co-supervisor)
Andrew Nicholson, M.S., 2012 (Supervisor)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, New England Aquarium, (2013)
Global Hydrocarbon Supply Outlook, U.S. Energy Services, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, U.S. Green Building Council, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, BEG Houston Research Center 10th Anniversary Celebration, (2013)
Global Energy Outlook: Adapting to Evolving Energy Portfolios and Shifting Demands, Offshore Technology Conference, Next Wave program, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, University of Southern California, (2013)
Panel "A Global View of Shale", PWC - World Affairs Council of Houston, (2013)
The Switch Energy Project, Potential Gas Committee, (2013)
The Role of Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs in the Global Energy Future, JASON Program Office - The MITRE Corp, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, University of California at Davis, (2013)
The Role of Natural Gas in the Global Energy Future, Airgas, Inc., (2013)
Mix of engineering, business and geoscience, UT-Austin Energy Summit, (2013)
Energy Independence: To Frack or not to Frack, Shell Alumni Group, (2013)
Global Energy Overview & the Role of Hydraulic Fracturing in the Global Future, Fairmount Minerals, (2013)
State of Tomorrow- Energy, Environment and the Economy, Gas Compressor Association, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, SWITCH: Montana State, (2013)
Developments in Mudrocks, nanosensors, and energy alternatives: three things of interest to Denver energy executives, First Tuesday, (2013)
Subsurface nanosensors, mudrock reserves, and alternative energy: three things of interest to the IOR community, University of Kansas TORP Improved Oil Recovery Conference, (2013)
Switch: What Will Take to Make the Switch, West Virginia University, (2013)
Open Forum Discussion on Global Energy, Senate SHJ Event Wellington City Art Gallery, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, Geological Survey of New Zealand, (2013)
The Global Energy Mix, Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand, (2013)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, World Bank, (2013)
K is for ..., UT Energy Forum, (2013)
Interim Report on Shale Gas Supply Project and Preliminary Thoughts about Extensions to Shale Oil, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, (2013)
The US Energy Scene, US Business Council on Sustainable Development's Winter Meeting, (2013)
Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs: Mountain or Molehill?, Oklahoma City University Lecture Series, (2013)
The Changing Mix of Energy Sources and the Future American Standard of Living, St. David's Forum, (2013)
The Global Energy Transition: What will it take to make the Switch, Collegiate Peaks Forum Series, (2013)
K is for ..., Comparative Energy Policies and Technologies in France and the USA, (2012)
Energy Security, Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX, (2012)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, Austin Geological Society, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, UT Geological Energy and Environmental Leadership Organization, (2012)
Global Energy Security: Parameters and Limits, United States Association of Energy Economics, (2012)
The Global Energy Transition, Geological Society of America, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, University of California at Berkeley, (2012)
The Fertile Crescent of Energy, Gulf Coast Association of Geologicial Societies, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, (2012)
Unconventional Oil and Gas: Mountain or Molehill?, Headliners Club, Austin, TX, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Colorado School of Mines, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, University of Colorado, Boulder, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Stanford University, (2012)
Switch: The Global Energy Transition, Society of Petroleum Engineers' Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Massachettes Institute of Technology, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Duke University, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Rice University, (2012)
Switch: Question & Answer, Texas Christian University, (2012)
Unconventional Oil and Gas: Mountain or Molehill?, West Texas Geologicial Society, (2012)
Switch: The Global Energy Transition, Trinity University, (2012)
Switch: Introduction and Question & Answer, AAPG International Conference & Exhibition, (2012)
The Global Energy Transition: What will it Take to Make the Switch, AAPG International Conference & Exhibition, (2012)
Switch: The Global Energy Transition, Rocky Mountain Section - American Association of Petroleum Geologists, (2012)
| Year | Semester | Course | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Reservoir Geology |
| 2014 | Spring | GEO 394 | Rsch In Reservoir Geology |