The invisible work behind the energy that powers our world

Energy is woven into every part of our life-from when we wake up in the morning to when we go to bed at night (and even while we sleep). For Kikani, ensuring that the world has enough reliable energy has been a 35-year pursuit.

Everything engineers know about the size and shape of underground reservoirs comes from indirect measurements, such as seismic imaging, well data or pressure readings. That layered picture informs many tiny adjustments in how reservoirs are managed, allowing the recovery of millions of barrels that might otherwise stay trapped.

"Big breakthroughs occur periodically, but it is the small things that matter," he said. "These decisions lead to tangible outcomes of supplying the world with affordable and reliable energy that powers our lives."

When this work goes well, people don't notice. The lights stay on. The pump works. Energy shows up when it's supposed to. That invisibility, in a way, is the point.