Oil & Gas
Antonio Marzal is a petroleum engineer in Midland, Texas, in the Permian Basin. He is Field Specialist II – ALS at Baker Hughes.
Published article
Higher oil production can cause higher production costs in the long term
CIDEZ magazine — Revista del Centro de Ingenieros, Arquitectos y Profesiones Afines del Estado Zulia. Year 1, No. 3, January–February 2019, Maracaibo. Section Investigación y avances, pages 56–60. Author: Ing. Antonio Marzal.
Written for a general audience, the article explains how producing oil at high rates instead of near the “critical rate” can pay off in the short term but hurt investment efficiency and the recovery factor in the long term. Using real data from well AA-01 in a mature heavy-oil field with water injection (“Field XYZ”), it shows that a 2008 drawdown optimization caused water breakthrough after 6.5 years instead of the predicted 15 (Buckley–Leverett), channeling from the injector and leaving bypassed oil that will need costlier recovery methods. It ends by asking whether today's oil price justifies aggressive production, and argues for integrated reservoir management teams.
01About
As a petroleum engineering major with experience in reservoir engineering, risk analysis, and economic forecast, I have a deep understanding of the oil and gas industry. I design and develop methods to extract oil and gas from underground deposits. I evaluate the production of wells and estimate the recoverable resources. I monitor operations to ensure optimal recovery. I use decision analysis techniques to make complex decisions related to petroleum exploration and production.
I have extensive experience in reservoir engineering, risk analysis, and economic forecast. I analyze geological models to determine the field structure, seal, and charge. I evaluate the economic viability of a field by analyzing costs, probability, technology, and oil price. I have experience in fluid property analysis, reservoir characterization, pressure transient analysis, numerical reservoir simulation, and reservoir management.
Throughout my career I've developed hard skills including reservoir engineering, Eclipse, and production engineering. Some of the most important soft skills I've developed include analytical skills, creativity, and math skills.
02
03Experience
Chevron, PDVSA, and Petrolera Alvarez follow the work letters. The remaining dates and titles follow the LinkedIn profile captured on 19 October 2026. Good Energy Corp appears only on the previous website.
Baker Hughes
Midland, Texas
I excel in installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting artificial lift systems to ensure peak performance and reliability. My expertise in field operations, combined with a strong commitment to safety and compliance, allows me to deliver exceptional service and support to our clients. By leveraging my technical knowledge and hands-on experience, I contribute to optimizing production efficiency and achieving our clients' goals in the petroleum industry.
HQ Energy Consultants
Maracaibo
Conducted in-depth research and analysis of technical and historical data within the Venezuelan petroleum industry to provide strategic advisory services to senior management. Utilized data-driven insights to recommend effective solutions and mitigate risks.
Good Energy Corp
Panamá, Panama
Leveraged industry expertise to mitigate risks associated with the petroleum sector, including market and logistics factors, across Latin America. Conducted in-depth analyses of market trends and industry developments to identify potential opportunities for growth and optimization. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement best practices for operational excellence.
UPC Global
Maracaibo
Proficiently executed pressure fluid tests on wells using electro-submersible, progressive cavity, and sucker rod pumps with Echometer tools. Skillfully analyzed data from Dynagraphic charts to optimize the efficiency and profitability of over 300 wells in the Boscán field. Implemented proactive measures to prevent equipment malfunctions and minimize downtime.
Construtecz C.A.
Maracaibo
Devised a quality control procedure using Visual Basic for Applications to improve data management, resulting in a substantial reduction of NPT by over 40%.
PDVSA — Gerencia de Estudios Integrados
Maracaibo
Undergraduate thesis in the Gerencia de Estudios Integrados (Dirección Ejecutiva de Exploración y Estudios Integrados de Yacimientos): the optimal pressure drawdown for water control in wells tied to the Pilot A and B injection projects, IB/BS 101 reservoir, Boscán field. Industrial tutor: Ing. Johan Balzán. The work letter was issued in Maracaibo on April 5, 2018.
Chevron (Petroboscán)
Maracaibo
Internship in the Técnicas y Operaciones management of Petroboscán. Industrial tutor: Cesar Bastidas, petroleum engineer. The work letter was issued in Caracas on April 28, 2017, while the internship was still underway.
Petrolera Alvarez (DISPALSA)
El Tigre, Anzoátegui
Field visit recorded in the activity log: office and safety induction at the DISPALSA base, well planning, MWD/LWD surface equipment, and a rig visit. Signed with Jorge Ruiz del Vizo, director of Petrolera Alvarez.
04Education
Bachelor of Engineering, Petroleum Engineering (Ingeniero de Petróleo). Grade 18.53/20. Magna Cum Laude diploma: academic average 18.563 points. Degree dated 24 May 2018. Recognition for the second-highest GPA of the graduating class, September 2017. LinkedIn lists a GPA of 3.8. Active member of the SPE LUZ Student Chapter and member of the GALUZ environmental student group.
Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración. Certification in business administration and management for the national oil and gas industry — I Diplomado de Formación para Gerentes de la Industria del Petróleo y Gas, May–December 2021. 360 academic hours. Academic index 92/100, ranked 12th of 33 graduates. Full academic scholarship. The class-rank constancia and the certificate of grades were issued in Caracas; the rank constancia is dated 10 February 2022.
High school diploma, Bachiller en Ciencias. Grade 19.2/20. Member of the school battalion, 2009–2011.
05Projects
Illustration
PDVSA, October 30, 2017 – March 16, 2018. Thesis and 2018 papers with Andrés Párraga. Industrial tutor: Ing. Johan Balzán. Pilot A and B water-injection projects, IB/BS 101 reservoir, 10.5 °API heavy oil. The objective was to determine the optimum pressure drop for the first-row wells so the field could keep a high production rate without sacrificing injection efficiency.
The objective was to determine the optimum pressure drop for the first row wells of the Pilot A and B water injection projects of the Boscán field (10.5ºAPI), since we aspire to maintain high production flow without sacrificing the efficiency of the injection project. This problem is evident in most wells, where by increasing the production rate, it leads to an abrupt increase in the water cut, demonstrating a possible instability on the invasion front, considerably reducing the production and the effectiveness of the project. The relevant information of the area and the wells was studied and validated, and the actual breakthrough times were lower than the expected times. The origin of the water was studied to calculate the critical water-control rate, obtaining flows below the one historically managed. A well-to-well study compared those calculations with field data. Depending on each case the pressure drop that must be handled is different, but in general terms a pressure drop of 600 psi, for this field, satisfies the production needs without sacrificing sweep efficiency.
Illustration
Integral Development of the Gulf of Paria with emphasis on private participation models. IESA, 2021.
January–June 2011, high school. Electric current from copper, zinc, salt, and water.
Industry’s Kids, the bottle-cap program, is on the Social Work page.
Reservoir and production
Software and practice
CIDEZ magazine. Year 1, No. 3 (January–February 2019), Maracaibo. “Mayor producción de petróleo puede causar mayor costo de producción a largo plazo” — Higher oil production can cause higher production costs in the long term. Section Investigación y avances, pages 56–60. Featured article ·
REDIELUZ journal. Vol. 8 Nº 1 (January–July 2018), pp. 61–68, ISSN 2244-7334. With Andrés Párraga.
06Certifications
Twenty-eight records from the archive, including experience letters. Each one links to its original file. Previews open in a viewer; originals open in a new tab.
Showing 28 of 28 records
Degree
Constancia de Puesto de Promoción — I Diplomado de Formación para Gerentes de la Industria del Petróleo y Gas
Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA)
I Diplomado, May–December 2021. Academic index 92/100, ranked 12th of 33 graduates. Issued in Caracas on February 10, 2022.
Degree
Constancia — I Diplomado de Formación para Gerentes de la Industria del Petróleo y Gas
Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA)
Program completed May 31 – Dec 17, 2021; 360 academic hours; module grades listed (scale 1–100). Issued in Caracas, Feb 10, 2022. (File was named 'Marzal-Antonio.pdf' on the old site; it is not a resume.)
Paper
Póster — Determinación de la caída de presión óptima ... Campo Boscán
Andrés Párraga, Antonio Marzal — PDVSA DEXEIY / REDIELUZ
Congress poster.
Award
Premio — Mejor Trabajo de Investigación en el Área de Investigación Tecnológica
Universidad del Zulia — REDIELUZ (Red de Investigación Estudiantil de LUZ)
Award (with Andrés Párraga) for 'Determinación de la caída de presión óptima para el control de producción de agua de los pozos asociados a los proyectos de inyección de agua Piloto A y B del yacimiento IB/BS 101 en Campo Boscán'. Maracaibo, Sep 25–27, 2018.
Event
Certificado de Ponentes — II Congreso Internacional / VIII Congreso Venezolano de Investigación Estudiantil Universitaria
Universidad del Zulia — REDIELUZ (Red de Investigación Estudiantil de LUZ)
Speakers (with Andrés Párraga) presenting the research on optimal pressure drawdown in Boscán field; 64 academic hours endorsed by LUZ Vice-Rectorate. Maracaibo, Sep 25–27, 2018.
Paper
Extenso Congreso REDIELUZ — Determinación de la caída de presión óptima ...
Andrés Párraga, Antonio Marzal — Universidad del Zulia
Full manuscript (Word document) submitted to the REDIELUZ congress.
Paper
Caída de presión óptima en proyectos de inyección de agua en yacimientos de crudo pesado
REDIELUZ journal, Vol. 8 Nº 1 (Jan–Jul 2018), pp. 61–68, ISSN 2244-7334
Authors: Andrés Párraga, Antonio Marzal. Full journal issue PDF.
Degree
Título de Ingeniero de Petróleo
Universidad del Zulia
Bachelor's degree diploma, Maracaibo.
Award
Diploma de Distinción Magna Cum Laude
Universidad del Zulia
Distinction for an academic average of 18.563 points, Facultad de Ingeniería, Escuela de Petróleo.
Letter
Constancia de Trabajo Especial de Grado — Gerencia de Estudios Integrados
PDVSA, Dirección Ejecutiva de Exploración y Estudios Integrados de Yacimientos
October 30, 2017 – March 16, 2018. Optimal pressure drawdown for water control, Pilot A and B, IB/BS 101, Boscán field. Industrial tutor: Ing. Johan Balzán. Issued in Maracaibo on April 5, 2018.
Course
Taller de Inducción OFM
PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.)
Workshop certificate (OilField Manager).
Course
Taller OFM Básico
PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.)
Workshop certificate (OilField Manager).
Course
Básico de Seguridad - ABC
PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.)
Course certificate.
Award
Reconocimiento — Segundo Mejor Promedio de esta promoción
Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería de Petróleo (graduating class)
Awarded to Antonio J. Marzal B. by the graduating class (file was named 'Reconocimiento Magna Cum Laude' on the old site).
Award
2017 PetroBowl South America & Caribbean Regional Qualifier
Society of Petroleum Engineers — SPE Latin America and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference
Represented La Universidad del Zulia, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Letter
Constancia de Pasantía — Técnicas y Operaciones, Petroboscán
Chevron Global Technology Services Company
Internship in Técnicas y Operaciones at Petroboscán, March 16 – May 26, 2017. Industrial tutor: Cesar Bastidas. Issued in Caracas on April 28, 2017.
Course
Curso Geomecánica - Geopresiones
PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.)
Course certificate.
Event
4to Mes Técnico Petrolero 2017
SPE Western Venezuela Petroleum Section & SPE Universidad del Zulia Student Chapter
Held at Universidad del Zulia, Mar 2–22, 2017.
Course
Métodos de Producción
Weatherford
Talk on progressive cavity pumps, sucker-rod pumps and electrical submersible pumps, Maracaibo.
Letter
Visita a Petrolera Alvarez
Petrolera Alvarez (DISPALSA)
August 29 – September 9, 2016, El Tigre. Office and safety induction at the DISPALSA base, well planning, MWD/LWD surface equipment, and a rig visit. Signed with Jorge Ruiz del Vizo, director of Petrolera Alvarez.
Course
Taller de Bombas Electrosumergibles
SPE Universidad del Zulia Student Chapter
Held at Centro de Ingenieros del Estado Zulia (CIDEZ), 7 hours.
Course
Perforación Direccional
Schlumberger (with SPE Western Venezuela Section)
8-hour course within the 3rd Petroleum Technical Month, Universidad del Zulia.
Event
3er Mes Técnico Petrolero 2016
SPE Western Venezuela Petroleum Section & SPE Universidad del Zulia Student Chapter
Held at Universidad del Zulia, Feb 24 – Mar 18, 2016.
Course
Evaluación de Formaciones a través de Registros Eléctricos
Halliburton
Workshop certificate, Maracaibo.
Course
Retos y Avances en la Caracterización de Yacimientos Naturalmente Fracturados
Society of Petroleum Engineers — Western Venezuela Petroleum Section
SPE Distinguished Lecturer Program talk, Maracaibo.
Course
Gerenciando una Empresa
Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín (URBE)
Course certificate, 40 hours.
Event
V Evento Interdisciplinario y de Integración — Proyecto CONDES
Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ingeniería
Certificate as speaker (Ponente), Proyecto CONDES, Facultad de Ingeniería.
Event
II Mes Técnico Petrolero 2015
SPE Western Venezuela Petroleum Section & SPE Universidad del Zulia Student Chapter
Certificate of attendance.
07Credits
The wellsite photographs are Antonio’s. The offshore-rig picture is an illustration from the previous site, not a photograph of equipment he worked on.
Contact
The only email on this site is [email protected]. LinkedIn is the other public profile.
