Distinguished Engineer Citations

Nicole Davis Viilo 

Distinguished Engineer

2024

Degree

2009 Petroleum Engineering Texas Tech

Citation

At time of nomination in 2024

Nicole Davis Viilo graduated from Texas Tech University in 2009 where she received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering.  As a top graduate of the college, she was the recipient of the James A. McCauley Distinguished Engineering Student Award in 2009.  

Nikki began her career with ConocoPhillips as a reservoir engineer in Houston, Texas and served in several technical roles across the Lower 48, ranging from reservoir engineering in Gulf of Mexico to completions engineering in the Eagle Ford.  In 2012, Nikki transitioned into a reservoir engineering role for the emerging play in the Delaware Basin, and quickly found her passion for strategic development planning and forecasting as a planning engineer.  Nikki played a pivotal role in shaping ConocoPhillips' strategy for unconventional development pace, which became a cornerstone of the company's strategy for maintaining capital discipline through volatile market conditions. 

In 2017, Nikki joined the Corporate Investment Evaluation team and was responsible for analyzing portfolio planning data to provide insights to executive leaders on variance and trends.  In 2019, Nikki became the Director of Corporate Authorizations, responsible for managing the corporate assurance and executive approval processes across the globe.  

Nikki's unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision made her a natural fit for the integration team when ConocoPhillips acquired Concho Resources in 2021.  While in this role she supported leaders in organization design, quantification of cost synergies, and integration of engineering applications and workflows.  Nikki transferred to Midland to become Permian Planning Supervisor, managing a team of engineers and analysts to prepare budget outlooks and long-range forecasts of activity, production, capital, and operating expenses for the largest and most active region in ConocoPhillips.

In April 2024, Nikki transitioned into her current role as Manager of Permian Integrated Operations.

Nikki remains an active member of the Texas Tech community and serves on the Petroleum Industry Advisory Board for the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering.  She has enjoyed returning to campus as an engineering recruiter for ConocoPhillips, acting as Lead Recruiter from 2016 to 2022.  In 2023, Nikki was appointed ConocoPhillips' Engineering College Partner for Texas Tech where she will continue to support and build ConocoPhillips' relationship with the Whitacre College of Engineering.  

Nikki and her husband, Bo, have been married for nine years and live in Midland with their two sons Wesley (age 5) and Parker (age 4).   Hoping to instill wanderlust and cultural awareness in their boys, Nikki and her husband enjoy taking their boys on adventures around west Texas and trips around the world when they can find time to get away.