Deanne Katnick- BSc Physical Geography

Deanne Katnick completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University in 1998, majoring in Physical Geography with a minor in Earth Sciences. She subsequently took the opportunity to undertake graduate studies within the newly formed Earth Sciences Department under the supervision of Dr. Peter Mustard. In 2001, she completed her Master’s thesis and published a map with the B.C. Geological Survey: Geology of Denman and Hornby Islands, British Columbia NTS (92F/7E, 10).

During the final months of completing her master’s thesis, Deanne was hired as a geology summer student at PanCanadian Energy based in Calgary, Alberta. This summer student experience, along with industry connections she had established through SFU Earth Sciences professor Dr. James MacEachern, led Deanne to a permanent position as an exploration geologist with Canadian Natural Resources, a major Canadian oil and gas producer where she has been ever since.

Deanne was one of the initial geologists to work on Canadian Natural’s Horizon Mine project and was integral to establishing the geologic model for the resource which today produces an average of 115,000 barrels of synthetic crude oil per day. Over the years, a large part of her job at Canadian Natural has involved the training and mentoring of geology summer students and new grads; a role she enjoys immensely. She currently is working on the delineation of in-situ oilsands resources in the McMurray, Clearwater and Grand Rapids formations at Canadian Natural’s Primrose/Wolf Lake fields.

Deanne is mom to a busy four year old son and in her spare time loves to mountain bike in the Rocky Mountains of her back yard.