About Gregory Neal

Completion Advisor | Deepwater & Land Expertise | $1.25B+ Project Delivery

19+ years delivering complex completions and interventions across Gulf of Mexico and shale plays. Published author (Oil & Gas Journal), industry thought leader with proven track record in cost optimization and technical innovation.

$1.25B+ Capital Deployed

19+ Years Experience

15+ Deepwater Completions

22+ Deepwater Interventions

145+ Land Completions

Career Highlights

Shell Exploration & Production (2012-2025)

Completion Execution Lead - Vito Phase 2 & 3 (2022-2024)

Led 5 deepwater & injector wells (30,000 ft MD, 4,000 ft water depth) delivering Best-in-Class, Top Quartile performance under stringent cost and schedule constraints.

Pioneered industry-first piston-jettison JABS barrier valve application
Achieved Best-in-Class, Top Quartile results across all 5 wells
Reduced capital costs through dual-function stacked/comingled completions
Co-authored technical paper published in Oil & Gas Journal
Innovation recognized as Shell best practice for deepwater completions

Interventions Lead - Perdido (2020-2022)

Executed 4 high-complexity subsea interventions while advancing hydrate prevention technology.

Developed novel Subsea Cutter/Injection Valve
Advanced Shell's subsea innovation portfolio
Improved operational uptime through enhanced hydrate mitigation

Wells Research Engineer - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2018-2020)

Managed $2MM technology investment program fostering global R&D collaboration between Shell Brazil and Shell Houston.

Lead Completion Engineer (2012-2016)

Delivered multiple deepwater completions (Perdido, Cardamom, Stones) ahead of schedule and under budget.

ENI US Operating Company (2025)

Completion Advisor - Project Based Contract

Provided technical oversight and strategic guidance across deepwater projects for major operator.

Key Achievements:

Delivered first successful ENI completion in the GOM after 2-year cold-stack
Realized $2-5MM cost avoidance through regulatory problem-solving
Recognized by operator's global headquarters
Commended by regional GM of Technical Services

Southwestern Energy Company (2010-2012)

Operations Team Lead, Completion Engineering

Directed high-volume horizontal completion operations in Fayetteville Shale play.

145 wells / 1,480 frac stages in one year
Managed dedicated frac crew and 6 wellsite supervisors
Advanced horizontal completion designs
Piloted new frac technologies for production optimization

Education

Master of Engineering - Petroleum Engineering

Texas A&M University
In Progress - Drilling Specialty

Bachelor of Science - Computer Engineering

University of Houston
Magna Cum Laude | National Merit Scholar

This dual background (engineering operations + software development) enables me to build purpose-built software solutions for operational challenges.

Published Work & Industry Recognition

"New Barrier Valve Provides Option for Stacked Completions"

Patalakha, A., Neal, G., Randle, B.
Oil & Gas Journal, May 2024

Technical paper documenting industry-first piston-jettison barrier valve application for dual-function stacked/comingled deepwater completions.

Read Full Article →

Shell Best Practices

Vito Phase 2 innovations recognized as Shell completion best practice for deepwater applications.

Global Recognition

ENI cost optimization work recognized by operator's global headquarters and regional leadership.

Why Corevigil

After 19 years delivering elite results for Shell, ENI, and major operators, I founded Corevigil to combine completion engineering expertise with software development—offering clients:

Direct Access

No corporate hierarchy. Work directly with the engineer who delivers the work.

Proven Track Record

$1.25B deployed, OGJ published, Shell/ENI credibility, recent $2-5MM cost savings.

Dual Capability

Elite completion engineering + full-stack software development (rare combination).

Let's Discuss Your Project

Contact me directly to explore how my expertise can benefit your operations.

Contact Corevigil View Portfolio