February 2019 Outcrop by The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 68 • No. 2 • February 2019

RMAG RMAG February February Short Short Course Course Petrography Petrography of of Mudrock Mudrock Hydrocarbon Hydrocarbon Reservoirs Reservoirs February February 28, 28, 2019 2019 | | 8:00am 8:00am -- 5:00pm 5:00pm LMKR LMKR (707 (707 17th 17th St., St., Denver, Denver, CO CO 80202) 80202) Instructors: Instructors: Lyn Lyn Canter Canter (Luween), (Luween), David Hull (Devon), Mark Longman David Hull (Devon), Mark Longman (QEP (QEP Resources), Joe Macquaker (ExxonMobil), Resources), Joe Macquaker (ExxonMobil), Terri Terri Olson Olson (Digital (Digital Rock Rock Petrophysics), Petrophysics), Amanda Wescott (Encana) Amanda Wescott (Encana) This This course course is is designed designed for for geologists, petrophysicists geologists, petrophysicists and and managers who desire a better managers who desire a better understanding understanding of of mudrock mudrock reservoirs and the technology reservoirs and the technology used used to to investigate their composition, evolution, investigate their composition, evolution, and and pore pore systems. systems. This This one-day one-day course course will will focus on applications of pore-scale imaging focus on applications of pore-scale imaging techniques, techniques, with with most most of of the the time time dedicated dedicated to case studies of unconventional to case studies of unconventional oil oil and and gas reservoirs. Quantitative as well gas reservoirs. Quantitative as well as as qualitative results will highlight the qualitative results will highlight the utility utility of of various various methods. methods.

Members: Members: $200 $200 Non-Members: Non-Members: $225 $225 Students: Students: $125 $125

Registration Registration open open

email: staďŹ&#x20AC;@rmag.org phone: 303.573.8621 email: staďŹ&#x20AC;@rmag.org phone: 303.573.8621 Vol. 67, No. | 4February | www.rmag.org OUTCROP 2019 Vol.Broadway, 67, No. 4 Ste. | www.rmag.org 1999 730, Denver, CO, 80202 1999 Broadway, Ste. 730, Denver, CO, 80202

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fax: 888.389.4090 web: www.rmag.org fax: 888.389.4090 web: www.rmag.org | April 2018 Vol.@rmagdenver 68, OUTCROP No. 2 | www.rmag.org follow: OUTCROP | April 2018 follow: @rmagdenver

OUTCROP The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

1999 Broadway • Suite 730 • Denver, CO 80202 • 303-573-8621 The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to promote interest in geology and allied sciences and their practical application, to foster scientific research and to encourage fellowship and cooperation among its members. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the RMAG.

2019 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT

2st VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT

Tom Sperr tsperr@bayless-cos.com

Dan Bassett dbassett@sm-energy.com

RMAG STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Barbara Kuzmic bkuzmic@rmag.org

PRESIDENT-ELECT

TREASURER

Jane Estes-Jackson janeestesjackson@gmail.com

Eryn Bergin eryn.bergin@aec-denver.com

1st VICE PRESIDENT

TREASURER-ELECT

Heather LaReau heatherthegeologist@gmail.com

Chris Eisinger chris.eisinger@state.co.us

Kira Timm kira.k.timm@gmail.com

1st VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT

SECRETARY

Ben Burke bburke@hpres.com

Anna Phelps aphelps@sm-energy.com

Courtney Beck Courtney.Beck@halliburton.com

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

COUNSELOR

Sophie Berglund sberglund@raisaenergy.com

Donna Anderson danderso@rmi.net

PROJECTS SPECIALIST

Kathy Mitchell-Garton kmitchellgarton@rmag.org CO-EDITORS

Jesse Melick jesse.melick@bpx.com DESIGN/LAYOUT

Nate Silva nate@nate-silva.com

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Rates and sizes can be found on page 41. Advertising rates apply to either black and white or color ads. Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format. Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page. Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in png, jpg, tif, pdf or eps formats at a minimum of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303-573-8621. Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details. DEADLINES: Ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month’s publication.

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RMAG Office: 303-573-8621 Fax: 808-389-4090 staff@rmag.org or www.rmag.org

The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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Outcrop | February 2019 OUTCROP

March Short Course Intro to Unconventional Play Prospecting & Development

Date: 3/21/2019 Location: Encana @ Republic Plaza 370 17th St., Denver 80202 Members: $200 Non-Members: $225 Students: $125

Presenters: Randy Miller, Core Laboratories Kory Holmes, Core Laboratories Claudio Ramos, Core Laboratories Abstract: This course is an introduction to unconventional play prospecting and development, which will provide a broad overview of “start to finish” play development process. The course includes topics covering regional investigation, prospect selection and appraisal, drilling, completion planning and production optimization. The course touches on geologic data assessment, reservoir characterization methods, drilling techniques and planning, geophysical well logging, landing zone assessment, completion implications, and production optimization. Participants will come away with a broad understanding of many factors pertinent to successful development of a project area. The content of the course will be drawn from real life North American examples, but the workflows and techniques described can be applied to unconventional plays anywhere in the world.

email: staﬀ@rmag.org

phone: 303.573.8621

OUTCROP | February 2019

1999 Broadway, Ste. 730, Denver, CO, 80202

fax: 888.389.4090

web: www.rmag.org

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

follow: @rmagdenver

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

16 Lead Story: The Denver Basin Trilogy

12 RMAG January 2019 Board of Directors Meeting 14 Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

ASSOCIATION NEWS 2 RMAG February Short Course

28 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Alexei Milkov

4 RMAG March Short Course

32 RMAG Luncheon Programs: C. Robertson Handford

6 2019 RMAG Summit Sponsorship

38 Welcome New RMAG Members!

11 RMAG/DWLS Fall Symposium, Call For Papers

39 In The Pipeline

13 RMAG Foundation Recognizes And Thanks Contributors 31 2019 Outcrop Cover Photo Competition 36 Earth Science Education Outreach Committee

40 Cartoon: Geology Is Life 41 Outcrop Advertising Rates 42 Advertiser Index

COVER PHOTO Bear Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park Credit: Courtney Beck

42 Calendar

37 Calling All Geos

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1214, Denver, CO, 80202 phone: 303.573.8621 | fax: 888.389.4090| email: staff@rmag.org

November 6, 2018 Dear Partners, 2018 was a very successful year at Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. Our 2018 Summit Sponsors made it possible for us to host 37 separate educational and technical events, and 4 social events, in addition to assisting with overall operations. We simply cannot thank you enough! All of us here at RMAG are very excited for the 2019 Summit Sponsorship program, and we think you will be too. Program levels, benefits and pricing are remaining the same as 2018, but with one attractive addition, website advertising. RMAG has purchased new association management software (AMS) and a custom designed website. The new website will have a “click to open” advertiser’s page. 2019 Summit Sponsors, at all levels, will have ads placed on the advertiser’s page in addition to their monthly ads in The Outcrop. Platinum and Gold level Summit Sponsors will have the added benefit of publishing articles on the advertiser’s page. The advertiser’s page was modeled in part by the AAPG Explorer website, where companies can present their work to the public. Another Summit Sponsor website benefit will be company logos continually scrolling on the home page. Summit Sponsorship also includes no-cost training and social activities. These benefits are to use as you wish, for staff, vendors or guests. RMAG provides some of the highest quality, and industry relevant trainings in the country. We also like to have fun while networking with our annual golf tournament, and various other social activities throughout the year. If you company hasn’t previously been an RMAG Summit Sponsor, or it has been awhile since you were, please consider becoming a Summit Sponsor! RMAG maintains a membership base of 1800 throughout the year, the largest membership base of any geological-based association in the Rocky Mountain region, assuring your company broad exposure. Again, a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported RMAG throughout 2018! We are looking forward to our continued partnership and making new partners in 2019. Please contact me directly at bkuzmic@rmag.org , or 303-573-8621 x 2, if your or your company have any questions. Best Regards,

Barbara Kuzmic Executive Director Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

2019 RMAG Summit Sponsorship Platinum, Gold, Silver Sponsorship Level Contribution Level

Platinum

Gold

Silver

$10,000

$5,000

$2,500

$9,500 for returning 2018 sponsors

$4,500 for returning 2018 sponsors

RMAG Website Benefits

üMedium Logo

Large Logo & Link 4 Articles & 4 Large Ads

Medium Logo 2 Articles & 2 Medium Ads

The Outcrop (receive benefits for 12 issues, monthly online publication)*

ü Full page ad

ü 2/3 page ad

ü 1/2 page ad

Company logo listed as a 2019 annual sponsor in the Outcrop

üLarge Logo

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Company logo looping in PowerPoint presentation

Company logo placed on 2019 Summit Sponsor signage at all monthly luncheons

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Opportunity to offer RMAG approved promotional items at luncheons

Company logo on 2019 Summit Sponsorship Website Page Articles & Ads on Special Advertiser's Website Page

4 Small Ads

Publications

Monthly Luncheons

2019 Continuing Education Event Tickets - Choice of 2 Events Platinum

Gold

Silver

Please choose two events and indicate your selections below. Each box counts as one event.

4 Core Workshop Tickets - including Hot Plays Core Workshop without Fall Symposium Tickets

2 Core Workshop Tickets - including Hot Plays Core Workshop without Fall Symposium

2 Short Course Tickets

1 Short Course Ticket

2 Fall SymposiumTickets

2 Fall Symposium Tickets

1 Fall Symposium Ticket

2 Fall Symposium Tickets - including Hot Plays Core Workshop (counts as two selections)

1 Fall Symposium Ticket - including Hot Plays Core Workshop (counts as two selections)

2 half price Tickets to the Fall Symposium and Hot Plays Core Workshop

* 12 months of Outcrop Advertising: Company logos and advertising information must be received no later than January 31st, 2019 to receive 12 total months. 12 total months includes January 2020. If received between January 31st and February 28th will receive 11 total months. All logos and advertising information must be received no later than January 15, 2019 to be included on Summit Sponsor signage. Previous Summit Sponsors only need to submit advertising information.

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

2019 RMAG Summit Sponsorship Platinum, Gold, Silver RMAG 2019 Events

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Additional Tickets

Purchase additional 1/2 Price Continuing Education Event Tickets

ü3 total tickets for any event ü2 total tickets for any

event excludes Fall excludes Fall Symposium and Symposium and Hot Plays Hot Plays Core Workshop Core Workshop

No half price tickets at this level

RMAG Luncheons

ü 4 Total Tickets through

ü 2 Total Tickets through

ü 1 Total Tickets through

Player tickets

ü 2 Teams of Four Players

ü 1 Team of Four Players

ü 2 Individual Players

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Event tickets

ü 4 Tickets

ü 2 Tickets

Company logo placed on 2019 Summit Sponsor signage

üLarge Logo

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Company logo looping in PowerPoint presentation

üLarge Logo

üMedium Logo

Event Tickets

2019

Golf Tournament

Sporting Clay Tournament

Rockbusters Bash

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OUTCROP | February 2019

2019 RMAG Summit Sponsorship All sponsor benefit event tickets must meet RMAG event registration deadlines. All benefits end January 31, 2020 Discount to returning 2018 Summit Sponsors for 2019 Summit Sponsors only.

RMAG 2019 Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsor Silver Sponsor

Deadline EXTENDED! Submit by February 28, 2019. Specify type of payment on signed form, and send logo to staff@rmag.org by 2/28/19. No benefits will be provided without payment. Company: Company Representative: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone:

Email:

Payment by Credit Card Select a card: Amex M/C VISA Discover Name as it appears on Credit Card:____________________________________________________ Credit Card #: Exp. Date: _________________ Security #: Signature: Payment by Check Mail checks payable to RMAG: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) 910 16th Street Mall, Suite 1214 Denver, CO, 80202

RMAG events are subject to change. Cancellation or rescheduling of events does not give sponsor right to refund. Summit Sponsors will receive benefits at any new events added into the RMAG schedule for 2019.

Thank you for your generous support!

email: staff@rmag.org phone: 303.573.8621 OUTCROP | February 2019 1999 Broadway, Ste. 730, Denver, CO, 80202

fax: 888.389.4090 web: Vol. 68, No. 2 www.rmag.org | www.rmag.org follow: @rmagdenver

RMAG/DWLS

Fall Symposium October 22, 2019

Call 4 Papers The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the Denver Well Logging Society are teaming up again to present the 2019 Fall Symposium on October 22, 2019 at the Sheraton Denver West!

MULTISCALE IMAGING FOR RESERVOIR OPTIMIZATION

The technical program will be organized topically and will attempt to provide cross-disciplinary collaboration between our two societies. We welcome abstracts in the following categories: Imaging at nano, micro, and macro scales, Image analysis, 2-D and 3-D, Quantitative SEM imaging data and links to petrophysical measurements, Modeling properties: capabilities and limitations, Applications to reservoir characterization, conventional reservoirs, Applications to reservoir characterization, unconventional reservoirs, Applications to optimizing completions and production, including EOR, Dynamic imaging, and Future Directions We are especially interested in recent multidisciplinary reservoir studies, new interpretations of image analysis linked to production optimization and understanding, new play concepts and prospects based on application of image analysis and petrophysics, and new insights into conventional and unconventional petroleum systems in US basins. We welcome abstracts for the technical talks with a minimum of 500 words and up to a page. Send your abstract in today and join us for Multiscale Imaging for Reservoir Optimization, 2019!

Deadline for abstract submission is April 22nd, 2019 Authors of accepted abstracts have the option to submit a 4-10 page technical paper, with slides for course publication Send papers to: Katerina Yared kyared@sm-energy.com Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

RMAG JANUARY 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING By Anna Phelps, Secretary aphelps@sm-energy.com

OUTCROP | February 2019

In honor of our informal January board meeting, I will leave you with a fun geology joke. What did the other rocks call the sedimentary rock who thought it was a volcanic rock? A siliciclastic!

Happy winter rock aficionados! We’ve been getting lots of snow in the Colorado Rockies and while it’s covering up our beloved outcrops, I’ve been enjoying snow activities and the ice minerals cropping out all around! The January meeting of the RMAG Board of Directors was held on January 23, 2019 at 4:00 PM. All board members except Tom Sperr, Sophie Berglund, and Chris Eisinger were present. This board meeting was an informal meeting and served to introduce the new board members to the layout of board meetings, the 2019 RMAG Budget, and Robert’s Rules of Order. There was no formal Executive Director’s report, Treasure’s report, or committee reports. There was some discussion about goals and agendas for the 2019 Board.

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

The RMAG Foundation Recognizes and Thanks the Following People and Companies for their 2018 Contributions *Major Donors Donna Anderson *

Lacey Fluor Goossen *

Terrilyn Olson

Joyce Babcock *

Robbie Gries

Charlie Bartberger & Gretchen Platt *

Tanya Inks *

Ira Pasternack & Jill Mally * Kurt Reisser

Laura Johnson Duff Kerr

Mitchell & Sandra Reynolds

Robert Lamarre

John Robinson *

Erika Lockridge *

Garrett Russell

Mark Longman *

Steve Cumella & Cindy Carothers

Timothy Schowalter

Donald McKenna *

Matt Silverman *

John Curtis

Elizabeth McKenna *

Stephen Sonnenberg *

William Demis

Mike & Beth Miller *

Stephen Strachan *

Jim & Kathy Emme *

Jim & Leah Mullarkey *

Robin Swank *

Debra & Ernest Gomez *

Catherine Murphy

David Taylor

James Musgrove

Laura Wray *

Dudley & Marion Bolyard Elmo & Kathy Brown * Suzanne Cluff * Marshall & Jane Crouch *

Bayless Charitable Fund *

Western Union Foundation *

Denver Well Logging Society *

Wexford Resources *

Gibbet Hill Foundation *

WPX Energy *

Network for Good *

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

PRESIDENT’S LETTER By Tom Sperr

Here We Go Again

OUTCROP | February 2019

run for governor and Polis has spoken about the importance of oil and gas to the state economy. We have a lot of opponents to oil and gas in state house. Many current representatives supported Prop 112, as did the Colorado State Democratic Party. In February of 2018, House Bill 1071 passed the Colorado House in which there was a Democratic majority but was defeated in the Republican held Senate. House Bill 1071 would have required state regulators to first protect public health, safety and welfare when considering the development of the state’s oil and gas resources. This sounds nice but is a possible means to ban oil and gas drilling in the state. After the election of 2018, both the Colorado House and the Senate are held by the Democrats and we may well see legislation similar to HB1071 in 2019. Please don’t think that I am advocating for one party or another, but I do believe that the changes in the state legislature and our governor’s mansion make Colorado a less friendly place for the oil and gas industry. If you are concerned, as I am, write your representatives in the state legislature and our governor. I think that we geologists have a unique perspective on oil and gas development. If you contact the above, perhaps emphasize that oil and gas regulation should be based upon sound science. Sound science is on our side. The Colorado General Assembly has a website where you can find your representatives and their contacts: http://leg.colorado.gov/ . Governor Polis’ contact information can be found at: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/contact .

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the movie Terminator, the opposition to Colorado’s oil and gas development just never goes away. After all the furious protests and misinformation spread about drilling and fracture stimulation, and the defeat of a ballot issue that was a de-facto drilling ban, we as an industry remain in the cross-hairs of environmental groups. In fact, the threat to the industry in this state may be higher than it ever has been. According to the Denver Post, Colorado Rising started pressuring Governor Polis to ban all drilling within the state prior to his inauguration. Colorado Rising was one of the main backers of Proposition 112 which required well location set-backs of 2500 feet from occupied structures and other vulnerable areas; a virtual drilling ban. Proposition 112 lost last November with about 1.4 million votes against to 1.1 million in favor. But its supporters aren’t satisfied with the people’s choice. It’s hard to tell which Jared Polis is occupying the Governor’s mansion, but we petroleum geologists should be concerned. In 2013, Polis had his own run-in with an oil and gas operator drilling a well across the road from his 50 acres in Weld County. Polis sued the operator to try to stop the drilling. In 2014, Governor Polis provided financial support for a proposed Colorado proposition to require a 2000-foot set-back rule but pulled his support after a compromise with Governor Hickenlooper which formed a ‘blue ribbon’ panel to study the issue. More recently, Polis opposed Prop 112 in his successful

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

LEAD STORY

The Denver Basin Trilogy

shutterstock.com

The Colorado Geological Survey Brings Geology to Groundwater in the Denver Basin at a New Level

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Lead Story

The Denver hydrologic basin supplies groundwater to hundreds of thousands of residents along Colorado’s urban corridor. Defined by the extent of the Fox Hills Sandstone within the greater Denver structural basin, the Denver hydrologic basin, or Denver Basin to the water community, extends south 120 miles from Greeley to Colorado Springs, and east 80 miles from Golden to Limon (Figure 1). It has a long history of geologic investigation with a growing focus on groundwater in the 1970s and 80s. In response to increasing reliance on groundwater resources through the 1970s, the Colorado Legislature passed Senate Bill 5, signed into law by Governor Lamm in 1985, calling for promulgation of the Denver Basin Rules. These rules codified the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers according to geologic interpretations of the strata at the time, using available surface and subsurface data, following standard subsurface correlation methodology. Delineation of distinct regional aquifers was based on well-to-well geophysical log correlations that sought to delineate basin-wide impermeable shale layer barriers. The bedrock aquifer names, Laramie-Fox Hills, Arapahoe, Denver, and Dawson, have almost become household names. Yet the public, along with many water planners and engineers, do not recognize the complexity of the geologic context of the bedrock

INTRODUCTION

FIGURE 1: Outline of the Denver Basin.

The Denver hydrologic basin is defined by the extent of the Upper Cretaceous Fox Hills Sandstone, as shown by the blue outline. Its area covers much of the Front Range urban corridor from Greeley to Colorado Springs where the strata provide groundwater to hundreds of thousands of residents. Geologic mapping at a 1:24,000 scale by the CGS, green hachure, and USGS, blue hachure, covers much of the west half of the basin. Results provide detailed descriptions of stratigraphy and structure to help understand characteristics of the important Denver Basin bedrock aquifers.

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OUTCROP | February 2019

Lead Story and public can understand. Contemporary digital technology and a vastly expanded subsurface database than was available to earlier efforts facilitated this effort at a new level. High speed computers and complex software packages facilitate geophysical log correlations and data management. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology allows complex mapping techniques to spatially define three dimensional characteristics of aquifer systems on a regional basis very efficiently. These advances have allowed refined interpretation

aquifer system. For many, the Denver Basin bedrock aquifer system is mysterious and, at the same time, over-simplified. This leads to misconceptions and inadequate planning of critical water resources. The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) has a mission to help build sustainable communities through good science, collaboration, and sound management of mineral, energy and water resources. Following this mission, the CGS contributed three important works aimed at enhancing knowledge of, and communicating the complexities

of, the Denver Basin bedrock aquifer strata. The set of contributions forms a trilogy that begins with detailed surface mapping along the western edge of the Denver Basin where strata rise at the basin’s structural edge. This forms a foundation for extending detailed cross sections through the subsurface to illustrate stratigraphic changes away from the Laramide active uplift front. Finally, the data culminate with a series of structure, isopach, and paleogeography maps to illustrate the three-dimensional architecture of the basin in a manner that both the geologic community

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Lead Story

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 and better illustration of the complexity of the bedrock aquifer stratigraphy.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE FORMATIONS, SURFACE GEOLOGIC MAPPING

For the past two decades the CGS has been mapping 1:24,000 quadrangles within the Denver Basin through the National Cooperative Mapping Program STATEMAP program of the Unite States Geological Survey (USGS). To date, 24 quadrangle maps have been completed by the CGS, which combined with another 25 quadrangle maps by the USGS, provides extensive coverage of almost half of the basin’s footprint (Figure 1). CGS coverage focuses on the southwest corner of the basin where the entire stratigraphic section of the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers is exposed at the surface. The area coincides with communities that rely heavily on groundwater. In 2011 geologist Jon Thorson and the CGS compiled the results of the 1:24,000 scale mapping into a set of two 1:50,000 scale maps of this portion of the basin (Figure 2). The publication, Geology of Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene Strata in the Southwestern Denver Basin provides a detailed description of the Denver Basin bedrock aquifer strata at the basin edge. It illustrates the considerable variability in the sediments shed into the active Denver

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OUTCROP | February 2019

Lead Story

FIGURE 2: Southern Geologic Compilation Plate.

The southern plate of the 1:50,000 compilation of STATEMAP quadrangle mapping covers the southeastern corner of the Denver Basin that includes the Colorado Springs area. This area includes outcrops of the Upper Cretaceous Fox Hills Sandstone (moss green), Laramie Formation (light green), and members of the Denver Basin Group (shades of pink and brown). The Denver Basin Group, as informally defined in the compilation, are strata shed off of the active Front Range uplift to the west. Yellow shade shows Quaternary deposits covering the bedrock formations.

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Lead Story

tectonic basin and presents a simplified naming classification for the strata (Figure 3). Generally, strata fit within the dual D1 and D2 Denver Basin sequences proposed by Raynolds (2002), but display variability depending on source rock type and distance from the active Laramide uplift front. These strata consist of a series of fluvial sediments deposited in a coalescing fan complex extending from the rising Laramide Front range uplift eastward across the subsiding Denver structural basin downwarp. Early strata within the D1 sequence record denudation

is marked by the Dawson Arkose wedge preserved in the highlands of southern Douglas County and northern El Paso County, and the Palmer Divide.

of older Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic cover of the emerging uplift, notably with the polymictic Arapahoe Conglomerate and andesitic Pikeview Formation in the Colorado Springs area. Next, robust distributary fan systems, represented by the Pulpit Rock Formation near Colorado Springs (Thorson, 2011) and Wildcat Fan near Sedalia, (Raynolds, 2004) reached out into the basin. High energy fans waned as finer-grained sediments within the Denver Formation dominated the basin spanning the time of the Cretaceous to Tertiary transition. A later pulse of robust fan development within the D2 sequence

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A TALE OF TWO SEQUENCES, PROJECTION INTO THE SUBSURFACE

Projecting detailed surface mapping into the subsurface logically followed as a way to characterize and illustrate the variability in the strata forming the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers. Funded by a Colorado Water Conservation Board Severance Tax Trust

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FIGURE 3: Denver Basin Group Facies Diagrams.

Diagrams show the many facies of the Denver Basin Group recognized at the surface. Multistoried fan complexes dominate the west edge of the basin adjacent to the Laramide uplift source. Facies are distinguished by lithic composition of sediment grains and stratification. North of the Palmer Divide, arkose prevails except where andesitic clasts and matrix differentiate the Denver Formation. South of the Palmer Divide, sediments containing predominantly andesitic clasts prevail in the Pikeview and Jimmy Camp Formations.

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Lead Story

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Fund Operational Grant, the CGS generated 15 basin-wide cross-sections titled Crosssections of the fresh-water bearing strata of the Denver Basin between Greeley and Colorado Springs, Colorado. These sections followed alignments of cross sections constructed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources in the 1980s during promulgation of the Denver Basin Rules. The new cross sections were built in Petra© using a much expanded dataset of geophysical logs than available to the previous efforts. With the power of the oilfield software to display geophysical logs and iteratively apply alternating cross section datum picks, geologists at CGS could delineate fan systems as they thinned from range-front out into the basin (Figure 4). These cross sections tie surface formations described by Thorson (2011) with the dual sequence proposed by Raynolds (2002) using geophysical logs from 737 boreholes across the basin. They illustrate how rapidly the strata change from a series of stacked sandstone packages near the range front to a mix of less connected thin lenticular sands isolated by shale-dominated material into the basin. To the geologic community this three-dimensional model is well recognized and intuitive. To the water community, made up of water districts, planners, and engineers, this model

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OUTCROP | February 2019

A portion of a cross section extending east from Palmer Lake into the Denver Basin shows how rapidly facies change within the Denver Basin Group. Robust alluvial fan activity at the active Laramide uplift produced multistoried arkosic sandstone intervals (in yellow) that give way basinward to shale-dominant strata (darker colors). Aquifer characteristics change correspondingly from optimal near the range front to less predictable in the basin.

FIGURE 4: Cross Section Example Illustrating Facies Changes into the Denver Basin.

Lead Story

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Lead Story

FIGURE 5: Structure and Isopach Maps for the Fox Hills Sandstone.

The map on the left is the structure map on the top of the Upper Cretaceous Fox Hills Sandstone in the Denver Basin, contour interval 100 feet from 3700 feet to 7000 feet. The map shows the asymmetry of the basin with the deep axis beneath southeast Denver and northern Douglas County. On the right is an Isopach map of the strata between a marker ash bed in the upper Pierre Shale and the top of the Fox hills Sandstone, contour interval 100 feet from 400 to 900. This shows a high rate of sediment accommodation in the northern part of the basin along the axis as well as along the northeast-trending Boulder-Weld zone north of Denver.

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OUTCROP | February 2019

Lead Story system. Better vision of strata architecture will help track water level changes in response to pumping. It will help map recharge pathways when balancing depletions. The Denver Basin Rules classify regions of the aquifers as non-tributary, which allows extraction of the water volume in place for a given aquifer with a 100-year resource lifetime. Natural recharge rates are very low throughout much of the basin and this administrative scenario leads to mining of a non-renewable resource. Fully aware of this limitation, many water providers in the Front Range urban corridor are implementing aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) in the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers. This technology takes renewable surface water during periods of surplus and stores it in the bedrock aquifers, essentially transforming a non-renewable aquifer into renewable storage vessel. For this resource management technique to succeed as intended, it is essential to clearly understand where groundwater will move in the complex stratigraphic setting. As groundwater resource management moves forward, Denver Basin trilogy will prove to be an invaluable tool.

ÂťÂťCONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 may not fit with conventional thinking. Conventional views of the aquifers tend to imply a simple layer-cake scenario for the aquifers that ignores lateral variability across the basin. The cross sections have been prepared to help the non-geological community visualize the variability and complexity of this stratigraphic assemblage. The intent is to change the conventional view and display potential limitations to groundwater occurrence and flow through the changing stratigraphic framework.

THE RETURN OF THE OROGEN, BEDROCK MAP SERIES

Third in the trilogy is a joint effort of CGS and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. This presents a series of maps depicting bedrock geology, structure, formation thickness and paleo-geography of the Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary strata in the Denver Basin. The maps were prepared in a GIS framework using data from outcrop exposures and over 3,000 wells and boreholes within the Denver Basin. A bedrock geologic map of the basin illustrates outcrop and subcrop patterns stripped of Quaternary deposits. Graphic design helps non-geologists visualize and understand the complex geologic setting of the strata that form the Denver Basin bedrock aquifers (Figure 5). Structure maps of strata within the Pierre Shale, Fox Hills Sandstone, D1 and D2 sequences of the Denver Basin group show the asymmetry and complex shape of the basin. Isopach maps illustrate how sedimentation/accommodation patterns evolved through the Laramide tectonic phase. The paleo-geographic maps help the reader understand the environment of deposition (Figure 6).

REFERENCES

Barkmann, P.E., Dechesne, M., Wickham, M.E., Carlson, J., Formolo, S., and Oerter, E., 2011, Cross-sections of the freshwater-bearing strata of the Denver Basin between Greeley and Colorado Springs, Colorado, 19 plates, map scale 1:250,000. Dechesne, M., Raynolds, R.G., Barkmann, P.E., Johnson, K.R., 2011, Notes on the Denver Basin Geologic Maps: Colorado Geological Survey, 35 p., 14 plates, map scale 1:250,000. Thorson, J.P., 2011, Geology of Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene strata in Southwestern Denver Basin, Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey, 53 p., 3 plates, map scale 1:50,000. Raynolds, R.G., 2002, Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary stratigraphy of the Denver Basin, Colorado: Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 37, no. 2, p. 111-134. Raynolds, R.G., 2004, Stratigraphy and water levels in the Arapahoe aquifer, Douglas County area, Denver Basin Colorado: The Mountain Geologist, v. 41, n. 4, p. 195-210.

SUMMARY The Denver Basin trilogy by the CGS and DMNS shed new light on the complex geologic setting of the vital Denver Basin bedrock aquifers. In an era when increasing attention is given to providing sustainable water resources, these sets of data and illustrations advance the geologic conceptualization of the basin, while at the same time help planners understand limitations of the bedrock aquifer OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Lead Story

FIGURE 6: Paleo-geographic Map of the Paleocene Denver Basin Group D1 Sequence.

A series of distributary fans extended out from the active Front Range uplift into the slowly subsiding Denver Basin. This maps conveys the geography during the Paleocene in a manner that the general public can easily visualize. It also helps explain why water wells in the Denver aquifer on the west side of the basin perform much better than wells on the east.

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speaker: Alexei Milkov | February 6, 2018

The Role of Serendipity, Randomness and Luck in Petroleum Exploration Alexei V. Milkov1 and William C. Navidi2 1: Colorado School of Mines, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering 2: Colorado School of Mines, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics

and exploration managers. Luck clearly exists in petroleum exploration, as it contributed to many serendipitously discovered plays and pools. We studied luck as a factor in the variation of exploration success of different companies. Looking at the performance of companies exploring on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Petroleum explorers often acknowledge the contribution of luck in exploration outcomes. Our survey of 237 industry practitioners revealed that 90% of them believe that luck plays some role in the outcomes of exploration projects. However, the luck factor has never been quantified before, and therefore it remains an esoteric concept of little use to geoscientist

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

DR. ALEXEI V. MILKOV is Full Professor and Director of Potential Gas Agency at Colorado School of Mines and a consultant to oil and gas industry. After receiving PhD from Texas A&M University, Dr. Milkov worked for BP, Sasol and Murphy Oil as geoscientist and senior manager. He explored for conventional and unconventional oil and gas in >30 basins on six continents and participated in the discovery of >4 Billion BOE of petroleum resources. He also worked on several appraisal and production projects. Dr. Milkov has deep expertise in oil and gas geochemistry, petroleum systems modeling, exploration risk analysis, resource assessments and portfolio management. He published 50 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Milkov received several industry awards including J.C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) for the best contribution to petroleum geology and Pieter Schenck Award from the European Association of Organic Geochemists (EAOG) for a major contribution to organic geochemistry.

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Inflow intelligence to improve well productivity at a fraction of PLT costs.

Know more, spend less with Inflow, the smarter way to gather data from your reservoir. A Tracer Production Log™ gives long-term data to help you optimize field development: • Maximize full field potential at a dramatically lower cost than a PLT • Determine clean out efficiency • Obtain years of oil inflow data along the length of a wellbore by surface sampling • Identify position and quantify water inflow over several years • Measure packer / plug / sleeve integrity

Know where you are and where you want to be. 29 www.tracerco.com/reservoir-characterisation

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OUTCROP | February 2019

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS maturing plays (38% and 28%), and mature plays (29% and 28%, respectively). The role of explorers is to reduce the dependence of exploration results on luck by improving exploration processes. Managers should increase the exposure of their companies to opportunities, enable geoscientists with data, technology and knowledge, champion a consistent and unbiased process of opportunity evaluation, have (and communicate to investors) realistic (probabilistic) expectations of outcomes, keep track of forecasts versus results, and incorporate learnings into new evaluations. Individual explorers should focus on honing and demonstrating their prediction skills. Companies should recognize and reward those who correctly and consistently predict various outcomes of exploration wells rather than those who associate themselves with discoveries.

ÂťÂťCONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

in 1966-2005, we concluded that the difference in success rate of a particular company from the overall industry success rate over time is consistent with what would be expected from luck alone. The variation in success rates for all companies within a given 5-year period is also not distinguishable from randomness. Using a global dataset of 8,906 conventional exploration wells in which 733 companies participated (had equity position) from 2008-2017, we calculated that the proportion of variance in geological success among the companies is 39% due to luck (25% for commercial success), the rest being related to skill. In frontier plays, luck contribution to the variation in geological and commercial success rates between different companies is 100%. However, the role of luck is relatively less in emerging plays (67% for geological success, 49% for commercial success),

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speaker: C. Robertson Handford | March 6, 2019

Tidal-Channel and Flood Tidal-Delta to Mud-Flat Lithofacies Associations and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Famennian Three Forks Formation Williston Basin, North Dakota C. Robertson Handford, Tracy Wulf, and Peter Holterhoff

OUTCROP | February 2019

nodular to laminated anhydrite in red, green, and gray silty mudstone (lower Three Forks) - salina and supratidal sabkha (3) crudely bedded/burrowed/disturbed breccia (clastand matrix-supported) tidal-channel floor/ lag with variable-sized clasts derived from bank-margin collapse, (4) flaser-wavy-lenticular laminated, mud-cracked, tan dolosiltite with green silty mudstone - point-bar (inclined heterolithic strata), tidal channel levee and levee/pond margin, (5) laminated to wave/current rippled tan dolosiltite with Skolithos - tidaldelta mouth bar, mid-channel bar, and levee crest (6) green, silty mudstone - restricted lagoon and pond and (7) gray, silty mudstone - restricted lagoon. We have identified six depositional sequences in the Famennian Three Forks formation. The youngest two sequences comprise the upper Three Forks reservoir. Lowstand deposits consist mainly of lithofacies associations 1, 6, and 7 representing

Long-term sea-level fall during the late Devonian (Famennian) isolated much of the Williston Basin into a restricted intrashelf basin where mixed dolomite, siliciclastic sand-siltclay, and anhydrite lithologies of the Three Forks Formation were deposited. Facies successions record abrupt basinward and landward shifts of restricted shelf, channeled-peritidal, and arid coastal mudflats during high-frequency relative sea-level changes in a low-accommodation setting. Our interpretation of environments hinged upon recognition of (1) normal depositional processes and facies signatures associated with transgressive ravinement, tidal channel/point-bar migration, and tidal-delta progradation and (2) facies trend maps of systems tracts. Major lithofacies associations and environments are (1) massive to faintly laminated, red mudstone with scattered mud-clasts and occasional fitted-breccia layers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; supratidal mudflats with runoff channels, (2)

ÂťÂťCONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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JLog Petrophysical Software (www.jlog.biz) • Identify Source Rock from log cross-plots • Compute TOC from logs • Compute S1 barrels of free oil from log calibration to Rock-Eval lab data • Estimate Organic Matter porosity that can be the main oil storage mechanism • All of the above can help identify the most prospective unconventional oil-bearing rock

www.jlog.biz Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS and highstand systems tracts in the youngest sequence (TF1) indicate that the basin opened to the northwest and closed to the southwest and southeast. A lowstand tidal-channel belt forms a horseshoe-shaped trend separating a restricted lagoon in the northwest from a supratidal coastal plain in the southwest-southeast. Transgressive deposits comprise a branching tidal-channel belt passing laterally to the SE into a lobe-shaped trending tidal delta system and restricted lagoon. Highstand deposits consists of a series of branching channels and lobes representing tidal channel, channel mouth-bar, levee and tidaldelta mud flats. These maps demonstrate where specific facies associations are best developed in the reservoir-prone TST and HST of the upper Three Forks sequence, and they open the door for pre-drill targeting based upon facies trends.

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

restricted lagoon and supratidal environments. A sharp surface caps the lowstand deposits, followed above by transgressive tidalchannel deposits. These include one or more fining-upward bedsets of dolosiltite rudstone and/or floatstone/wackestone of lithofacies association 3 passing upwards into either accretionary pointbar strata of lithofacies association 4 or tidal-delta mouth-bar and mid-channel bar dolosiltites of lithofacies association 5. A provisional maximum flooding surface is interpreted at a burrowed mudstone marking the turnaround to coarsening-upward bedsets of progradational tidal-delta levees, sandflats and mudflats (lithofacies association 4 and 5) of the highstand systems tract. Facies maps of the lowstand, transgressive, DR. C. ROBERTSON HANDFORD received his Ph.D. in geology from Louisiana State University in 1976. He has spent most of his professional career in petroleum industry research chiefly within the field of sedimentology and stratigraphy. He has worked for the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, and the research laboratories of Unocal, Amoco, and Arco. In addition, he taught geology at the University of Arkansas for two years and was a senior advisor with Hess Corporation for 4 years. With more than 15 years of consulting experience, Robert is now consulting from his home base in Huntsville, Alabama. Although his primary interest is in sequence stratigraphy and its application to hydrocarbon exploration and production, Dr. Handford has conducted research and published papers on the sedimentology and stratigraphy of carbonates, evaporites, mixed clasticcarbonate systems, fluvial to deep-marine siliciclastics, and karst processes and facies. His experience base ranges from OUTCROP | February 2019

North America, Central America, and South America, to Africa, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Australia, and Southeast Asia. He has worked in the Middle East to develop a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework for the world’s largest field (Ghawar Field of Saudi Arabia). In 2005-6, he worked on sequence stratigraphic and depositional facies analysis of Miocene postrift fluvial-lacustrine and paralic siliciclastic strata in Malaysia. In 2006 he began a longterm investigation of Jurassic and Cretaceous deltaic and estuarine facies in giant fields of Western Siberia. He also worked with PEMEX geoscientists in 2007 to develop a seismic sequence stratigraphic framework of a Cretaceous carbonate platform in southern Mexico. With Hess Corporation, Dr. Handford interpreted the sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of sub-salt lacustrine carbonates in the Santos Basin, Brazil, linked deltaic and basin-floor turbidites from the Barrow Group in northwestern Australia, and Miocene turbidite reservoirs from Pony field, Gulf of 34

Mexico. From 2013-2015, Robert developed a sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic study of the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas and the Haynesville Shale in Louisiana and Texas for BHP. He has subsequently consulted with Hess Corporation to conduct similar studies of the Middle Bakken and Three Forks reservoirs. An invited lecturer to numerous geological societies and universities, Dr. Handford was selected as AAPG Distinguished Lecturer for 199596 on carbonate sequence stratigraphy. He has received the SEPM Excellence of Oral Presentation Award on two different occasions, the SEPM Excellence of Poster Presentation Award, second runnerup for the AAPG Jules Braunstein Memorial Award, and SEPM Excellence of Presentation Honorable Mention. He also received Honorable Mention for Best Paper published in SEPM’s Journal of Sedimentary Research in 1995. Dr. Handford is a member of the AAPG, IAS, and SEPM.

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

• • • • •

www.dataloggs.com

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Geological Wellsite Supervision Supervised Remote Geosteering Integrated Petrophysical Analysis Oil and Gas Geological Studies Conventional and Unconventional Expertise

www.geosteeringvision.com

OUTCROP | February 2019

Earth Science Education Outreach Committee

OUTCROP | February 2019

hands on an interesting rock, fossil or mineral, especially from Colorado! Special commendations are due to: Jim Emme (Counselor), Mel Klinger (past Materials Coordinator), Sarah Edwards (Volunteer Coordinator), Anita Thapalia (Outreach Coordinator), Jennifer Whittington (Material Coordinator), Jeff May, Brandy Butler, Donna Anderson, Rachel Aisner Williams, and Astrid Makowitz; these individuals have added significant value to our committee and our communities. Building on our 2018 accomplishments, we are driven to share our geologic passion with even more schools, libraries, elder hostels, and parks in 2019. In order to accommodate additional speaker requests from our communities, we need more volunteer speakers and more community contacts. If you are interested in joining, volunteering, or requesting talks, please contact Committee Chair Danielle Ebnother at debnother@hotmail.com (303-815-7983) or staff@RMAG.org.

2018 marked the first full and successful year with an active Earth Science Educational Outreach Committee. The mission of this committee is to provide fun and engaging educational Earth Science opportunities for K-12 students, and adults, within our communities. Together, our committee was able to organize educational materials and geologic talks for Ambleside Elementary School, Northglenn High School, Bell Middle School, St Ann’s Daycare, Legacy High School, and Denver Public Schools’ Earth Science Conference. In addition, we’ve amassed 26 volunteer speakers, gathered educational materials and geologic sample kits, and developed a variety of outreach contacts within our schools, libraries, parks, and sister-societies. The amount of classroom engagement was amazing. During the Continental Drift talk at Bell Middle School in Golden; one particularly inquisitive student’s teacher said that she had never seen the student so involved and focused! Also, all the students were so animated and curious once they had their

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Calling All Geos Outcrop circulates to the 1800-plus members of the RMAG and about 200 university libraries and industry associates. A regionally oriented publication, The Outcrop focuses on articles about association events, member activities and topics of interest, awards, and operations. While the Outcrop is not a peer reviewed journal, it is a great opportunity for young professionals to get their name out to other geologists in the community. It provides articles for the benefit and edification of its readers and gives authors a chance to reach local geologists on subjects that interest or concern them. Submitted articles are reviewed and undergo a mild editing process. Accepted articles are placed in a queue for publication.

We the editors are proud to be part of the vibrant geological community that is flourishing in the Rocky Mountains. The phenomenal geology is a magnet for phenomenal geologists. As such, we want your input to keep the Outcrop interesting and relevant for the geological community.

ARTICLES

We’re always looking for articles to feature each month! Below are some guidelines to get you started. If you have questions or suggestions please feel free to contact any of us, our emails are listed on page 3.

FEATURES

If you know of something interesting happening in the Rocky Mountain region, please let us know!

TOPICS GUIDE

Topics can vary widely for Outcrop lead articles. Any geological topic may be accepted; however preference is given to articles related to the Rocky Mountain region.

COVER PHOTO CONTEST

On your hikes and trips, you’ve no doubt taken some spectacular photos of the Rocky Mountain region. Why not submit them to the Outcrop?! This year we will be having a cover photo competition to determine the best photo of 2019.

• Stratigraphy • Sedimentology • Igneous/Metamorphic petrology • Structural geology • Environmental geology • Hydrology/ Hydrogeology

NEW ITEMS

• Cartoons: We’ve recently added geology cartoons to the Outcrop to keep you, our readers, amused. If you have a cartoon that you’ve made and would like to debut, please send it to us. The world of geology humor is wide open! If you have a funny geology related incident or idea but are hopeless at drawing, send your idea to Kira Timm to draw it for you. • Denver Days: We’re planning to add a Denver Days feature closer to summer, which will identify day trips to help newer members find great geology in their backyard. If you have suggestions for this, we would welcome the input!

WRITING GUIDE

OUTCROP LEAD ARTICLE GUIDELINES

The Outcrop is the monthly online newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. The Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

• Local issues and concerns • Historical Geology • Petroleum geology • Geochemistry • Geophysics • Geomorphology • Etc.

Papers are typically only 4-5 pages (2,000 – 2,500 words) in length with additional images. There is technically no limit placed on the length and longer papers are accepted. Papers should be pre-approved for publication upon submittal if the writer works for a company that requires a review process prior to publication. Submitted papers should be in Word format. Pictures can be included with the text or as separate documents as long as captions are included with the text and the pictures are clearly labeled. Picture quality should be 300 dpi or greater. OUTCROP | February 2019

WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!

Cory Grady

is a Geologist at Discovery Natural Resources and lives in Lakewood, Colorado.

Daniel Harrington

is a Geoscience Manager at Crestone Peak Resources in Denver, Colorado.

Anna Littlefield

is a Senior Geologist at Anadarko and lives in Evergreen, Colorado.

Shannon Borchardt

is a Senior Petrophysicist/ Geomechanics Specialist at SM Energy and lives in Littleton, Colorado.

Kent Swartz

Preston Galloway

works at Valkyrie Resources and lives in Littleton, Colorado.

is a Marketing at Geophysical Pursuit, Inc. and lives in Houston, Texas.

lives in Arvada, Colorado.

is a student and lives in Westminster, Colorado.

Gregory Hoenmans Chance Davis

is an Account Manager at Baker Hughes in Denver, Colorado.

Candace Whitten is a student and lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Kayla Brooks Roni Shaner

is a Reservoir Engineer at Anadarko Petroleum and lives in Denver, Colorado.

Ethan Cook

lives in Arvada, Colorado.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Angel Tobin, Volunteer & Interpretive Services Manager at Roxborough State Park, is seeking a geologist to make a basic presentation on the park’s geology for their monthly meeting of volunteers. If you are available February 9, at 9:30 a.m., please contact Danielle Ebnother at debnother@sm-energy.com to make arrangements. In addition, the Park would like to add volunteers knowledgeable in geology to help lead school groups on easy hikes. An open house for potential volunteers will be held on February 21 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Angel directly at 303-973-3959 ext. 15.

OUTCROP | February 2019

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

IN THE PIPELINE FEBRUARY 6, 2019

FEBRUARY 11-15, 2019

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Alexei Milkov. “The Role of Serendipity, Randomness and Luck in Petroleum Exploration.” Maggiano’s Downtown Denver.

NAPE. http://napeexpo.com/.

DPC Lunch and Learn. RSVP to: http://bit.ly/ DenverPetro

FEBRUARY 19, 2019

DPC Speaker Series. RSVP to: http://bit.ly/ DenverPetro

DWLS Luncheon. Speaker Jesus Salazar. “A Practical Petrophysical Model for a Source Rock Play: The Mancos Shale.” Wynkoop Brewing Company. Denver, CO.

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

FEBRUARY 20, 2019

DIPS Luncheon. Members $20 and Nonmembers $25. For more information or to RSVP via email to kurt.reisser@ gmail.com.

Energy Industry Happy Hour. Denver Athletic Club.

FEBRUARY 7, 2019

FEBRUARY 26, 2019 RMS-SEPM Luncheon. Speaker Marshall Deacon. “New insights and discoveries of the Lyons sandstone, DJ Basin, Colorado.” Wynkoop Brewing Company. Denver, CO. FEBRUARY 28, 2019 RMAG February Short Course. “Petrography of Mudrock Hydrocarbon Reservoirs,” LMKR, 707 17th St., Suite 4050, Denver, Colorado 80202

Formation Evaluation • Petra® Projects Reserve Reports • Drilling Engineering • Well Plans

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How to create-protect-distribute your assets Retirement: Will you run out of money? Estate protection: Wills vs Trusts - Probate vs Protection Email: Spancers@Qadas.com Web: www.susanspancers.com Sec and Adv Svs offered through TLG, Inc* and TLG Adv, Inc. 26 West Dry Creek Circle #800, Littleton, CO 80120 303 797-9080 *Member FINRA-SIPC

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | February 2019

CARTOON

OUTCROP | February 2019

By Kira Timm

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DENVER

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OUTCROP | February 2019

ADVERTISER INDEX

• JLog Petrophysical Software ��33

• AvoAvaz.com ��12 • Cimarex ��41

• LMKR ��33

• DataLog Geological Services ��35

• QEP Resources ��15

• Daub & Associates, Inc. ��39

• Sinclair Petroleum Engineering, Inc. ��36

• Denver Earth Resources Library ��12

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• Discovery Group Inc. (The) ��30

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CALENDAR | FEBRUARY 2019 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

6 RMAG Luncheon.

THURSDAY

7 DPC Speaker Series.

DIPS Luncheon.

NAPE SUMMIT 2019.

19 DWLS Luncheon.

20 Energy Industry Happy Hour.

RMS-SEPM Luncheon.

OUTCROP | February 2019

DPC Lunch and Learn.

28 RMAG February Short Course

Vol. 68, No. 2 | www.rmag.org