Title: Associate Professor of Practice
Company: The University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Byron Haynes Jr., PE, Associate Professor of Practice at The University of Texas at Austin, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in engineering education.
A respected expert in petroleum and reservoir engineering, Mr. Haynes has built a distinguished career over the course of 45 years. Since 2024, he has offered his wealth of expertise to the next generation of engineers as an associate professor of practice at The University of Texas at Austin, where he is recognized for his commitment to teaching and mentoring. His current academic role is complemented by his ongoing contributions as associate editor for the Society of Petroleum Engineers since 2005 and as a program evaluator for ABET since 2021.
In addition to his present positions, Mr. Haynes worked as principal reservoir engineer at Shell Global in Houston from 2023 to 2025. In this capacity, he provided technical leadership on complex projects and played a pivotal role in advancing reservoir management strategies. From 2018 to 2023, he found success as lead reservoir engineer for North Caspian Operating Company N.V. in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, where he oversaw major field development initiatives and contributed to the optimization of hydrocarbon recovery.
Mr. Haynes was recruited as adjunct professor at The University of Texas at Austin from 2017 to 2018, furthering his dedication to education and professional development. Between 2014 and 2018, he was active as a reservoir engineering learning adviser at Shell Global in Houston, where he designed and delivered training programs for engineers worldwide.
From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Haynes was appointed as the chief reservoir engineer for Shell Global in Kuwait, leading multidisciplinary teams on large-scale projects and ensuring technical excellence across operations. His earlier tenure as development planning team leader at Petroleum Development Oman from 2006 to 2011 saw him manage integrated project teams responsible for strategic field development planning.
Between 2002 and 2006, Mr. Haynes served as reservoir engineering adviser at Oxy, providing expert guidance on reservoir performance and asset management. His long-standing service with BP from 1988 to 2002 as senior reservoir engineer involved significant contributions to field development planning and production optimization.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Haynes was tasked as engineering examiner for the Railroad Commission of Texas in Austin from 1983 to 1985, where he evaluated technical submissions and regulatory compliance within the oil and gas sector. He began his professional journey as operations analytical engineer with Arco Oil & Gas in Midland from 1981 to 1983, gaining crucial experience in field operations and data analysis.
In addition to his primary endeavors, Mr. Haynes went above and beyond as the chairperson for the petroleum engineering department industry advisory board at Satbayev University from 2019 to 2023, supporting curriculum development and industry engagement. From 1995 to 1997, he offered his time and resources to the Alaska Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors as a board member, contributing to professional standards within the state.
A dedicated member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers since 1980, Mr. Haynes is also affiliated with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He is particularly proud of his efforts with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, where he received numerous accolades, including recognition as a distinguished member. As a technical editor for the aforementioned society’s technical magazine, he taught at its fall conference on writing technical papers — a role that leveraged his university experience and passion for teaching young engineers effective communication skills.
Before embarking upon his professional path, Mr. Haynes pursued an education at The University of Texas at Austin, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering in 1982. He subsequently graduated from this academic institution with a Master of Science in petroleum engineering in 1988. Furthermore, he obtained several professional certifications, including as a certified petroleum engineer through the Society of Petroleum Engineers in 2015, a professional engineer credential from the State of Alaska Board of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors in 1993, and a professional engineer certification granted by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in 1992.
Throughout his career, Mr. Haynes has contributed extensively to technical literature as technical editor for the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ technical magazine. His editorial work has advanced best practices within the discipline while supporting knowledge sharing among professionals worldwide.
Born in Jacksonville, Mr. Haynes credits much of his success to the support of his family — particularly that of his wife Nancy Musick and their twin daughters — as well as formative experiences growing up around the oil fields with his father, who worked as an independent wildcatter after World War II. This legacy influence inspired him to pursue petroleum engineering as both a profession and a way of life. Mr. Haynes finds satisfaction not only in personal achievement but also in helping others succeed within their careers. He views work as an integral part of his identity — one that extends beyond traditional boundaries — and remains deeply invested in mentoring young engineers.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Haynes aims to establish new standards for teaching young engineers how to communicate effectively with peers and secure positions within the oil and gas industry while passing on practical expertise through coursework not typically available from current faculty members. He is committed to ensuring continued support for his daughters’ careers while remaining active within the industry through teaching, mentoring and ongoing involvement in professional organizations.
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