About
Kenneth D. Ehman, Ph.D., P.G.
Principal Geologist, Ehman Earth Sciences · Houston, Texas
Kenn specializes in stratigraphic, hydrostratigraphic, and geologic characterization. He is the pioneer in applying sequence stratigraphy to groundwater aquifer investigations.
Kenn is a leading expert in stratigraphic characterization of groundwater aquifers and has led numerous groundwater resource assessments for seawater-intruded aquifers, remedial investigations (RIs) for impacted sites, and preliminary site assessments (PSAs). He was the first stratigrapher to apply sequence stratigraphy in groundwater remediation and site characterization, and it has since become a “best practice” recognized by the USEPA.
Kenn was recognized internally and externally as a leading seismic stratigraphy expert at Chevron, retiring in 2025 as Chevron Fellow in Seismic Stratigraphy and Geomorphology. He led the development and deployment of tools, workflows, and best practices in the interpretation and use of seismic data to characterize subsurface reservoirs. He built an exceptional technical legacy and authority within upstream business units and the Chevron Technical Center, and was the corporate resource for evaluating Chevron’s most important exploration and development reservoir opportunities worldwide. Along the way he mentored hundreds of Chevron and partner geoscientists and engineers.
His career began at Exxon Production Research, where he spent nearly a decade researching stratigraphy and tectonics of petroleum basins. He then brought those methods to the environmental and groundwater sector as Chief Geologist at Groundworks Environmental and Principal of Skyline Ridge, Inc., before returning to the energy industry with Chevron in Houston and Perth.
Today, Kenn leads Ehman Earth Sciences from Houston and serves as a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M University, where he teaches the graduate course Seismic Stratigraphy Interpretation (GEOP 689) and researches the impact of stratigraphy on groundwater characterization.
The pioneer in applying sequence stratigraphy to groundwater aquifer investigations.
Credentials
Education, registration & affiliations
Education
Ph.D., Geology
University of California, Davis, 1985
Dissertation: Paleozoic Stratigraphy and Tectonics of the Bull Run Mountains, Elko County, Northern Nevada
B.S., Earth Sciences, College Honors
University of California, Santa Cruz, 1980
Professional Registration
Professional Geologist
State of California, License No. 6383 (since 1995)
State of Texas, License No. 15875
Affiliations
- American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
- Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
- Groundwater Resources Association of California
Honors & Awards
- Chevron Fellow in Seismic Stratigraphy and Geomorphology (2021)
- Dozens of internal Chevron awards (2007–2025)
- AAPG A. I. Levorsen Memorial Award, best paper co-author (2003)
- Martin Van Couvering Award, Pacific Section AAPG (1983)
- Geological Society of America Penrose Grants (1982–1984)
- Sigma Xi Grants for Scientific Research (1982, 1983)
Career experience →
Four decades across Exxon, environmental consulting, and Chevron, with projects in more than fifteen countries. View experience
Publications →
Peer-reviewed papers, USEPA and USGS reports, field guidebooks, and conference presentations. Browse publications
Teaching & speaking →
Graduate teaching at Texas A&M, SEPM short courses, keynotes, and industry schools. See teaching