OUTCROP
Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
OUTCROP
Newsletter
of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
730 17th Street, B1, Denver, CO 80202 • 720-672-9898
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.
2025 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS RMAG STAFF
Matthew Bauer matthew.w.bauer.pg@gmail.com
PRESIDENT-ELECT Sandra Labrum slabrum@slb.com
1st VICE PRESIDENT
Nate La Fontaine nlafontaine@sm-energy.com
1st VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT Rachael Czechowskyj sea2stars@gmail.com
2nd VICE PRESIDENT Ali Sloan ali@sloanmail.com
2nd VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT Lisa Wolff lwolff@bayless-cos.com
SECRETARY Drew Scherer latirongeo@gmail.com
TREASURER
Astrid Makowitz astridmakowitz@gmail.com
TREASURER-ELECT
Walter Nelson wnelson@integratedenergyresources.com
COUNSELOR
John Benton jbenton@haitechinc.com
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Rates and sizes can be found on page 52. 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 720-672-9898.
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.
The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
DESIGN/LAYOUT: Nate Silva | n8silva.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bridget Crowther bcrowther@rmag.org
LEAD EDITOR
Danielle Robinson danielle.robinson@dvn.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Elijah Adeniyi eadeniyi@slb.com
Nate LaFontaine nlafontaine@sm-energy.com
RMAG CODE OF CONDUCT
RMAG promotes, provides, and expects professional behavior in every engagement that members and non-members have with the organization and each other. This includes respectful and inclusive interactions free of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination during both online and in-person events, as well as any content delivered by invited speakers and instructors. Oral, written or electronic communications that contain offensive comments or demeaning images related to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or appearance are not appropriate in any venue or media. RMAG reminds members of the diversity and mission statements found on our website. Please direct any questions to staff@rmag.org
OUTCROP
Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
FEATURES
2025 RMAG Summit Sponsorship Packet
Lead Story: An Oil and Gas Play— Turns Into a Prime Helium Prospect
RMAG Geoscience Outreach (GO) Committee Activities
On The Rocks: Glenwood Springs
ASSOCIATION NEWS
RMAG Summit Sponsors
RMAG Networking Events
North American Helium & Hydrogen Conference
RMAG Coffee Hour
RMAG Happy Hour
On-the-Rocks Field Trips for 2025
Best Outcrop Cover of 2024
Best Outcrop Article of 2024
The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2024
2024 RMAG Award Recipients
DEPARTMENTS
24 Hybrid Lunch Talk: Mike Kuligowski
26 Hybrid Lunch Talk: Dr. Christine Griffith
10 RMAG March 2025 Board Of Directors Meeting
12 President’s Letter
49 In The Pipeline
50 Welcome New RMAG Members!
52 Outcrop Advertising Rates
53 Calendar
53 Advertiser Index
Isabella Bird Community School students examining rocks with RMAG Geoscience Outreach Committee volunteers. Read more on page 30.
MEMBERS
EVENT ATTENDEES
WEBSITE VISITORS
OUTCROP READERS
EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS
NETWORKING EVENTS
CONTINUING EDUCATION EVENTS
FIELD TRIPS
COMMUNITY CONTACTS IN 2024YOUR SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP DOLLARS SUPPORTED: 1,200 1,200 8,000 8,000 5,000 4,000 23 13 10
October 30, 2024
Geoscience Community:
We sincerely appreciate the support every Summit Sponsor and Event Sponsor provided over the past year. Your contributions are vital to the success of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG).
In 2024, the RMAG was proud to host a dynamic lineup of events, including the CCS Workshop, which provided an in-depth look at advancements in carbon capture and storage. Members explored the beauty and geological wonders of the Colorado Rockies with ten diverse field trips and shared our passion for geoscience with students across the region through classroom visits and community festivals. Additionally, we fostered connections among members through monthly lunches, coffees, happy hours, and our annual Golf Tournament.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited about new opportunities for RMAG. Your sponsorship will help RMAG realize a robust calendar of continuing education opportunities, an exciting season of field trips, high-impact short courses, and a dynamic lineup of luncheon speakers. In April 2025, we look forward to the North American Helium & Hydrogen Conference, building on the success of our 2023 North American Helium Conference. Your sponsorship empowers RMAG members to impact the next generation at outreach events throughout the community and provides invaluable networking opportunities for the geoscience community. Furthermore, your financial support plays a crucial role in our publication efforts, which include the monthly Outcrop newsletter and the quarterly Mountain Geologist journal.
In recognition of your financial commitment to supporting geoscience in the region we recognize our sponsors through in-person signage, advertising on our website, publications, and social media promotions leading up to each event. With a LinkedIn group of almost 3,000 members, we ensure our sponsors are visible to the geoscience community for both virtual and in-person events.
Thank you to our current Summit Sponsors; we look forward to your continued support in 2025. For those considering sponsoring, we encourage you to explore the many benefits included at each sponsorship level and consider how you can promote geoscience in the Rockies. If an annual sponsorship doesn’t suit your company’s needs or if you wish to sponsor a specific event, please inquire about our single-event sponsorship opportunities. Feel free to reach out to our staff with any questions about sponsorship at bcrowther@rmag.org or by phone at 720- 672-9898 ext. 102.
On behalf of the RMAG staff, volunteers, and myself thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to connecting with you in 2025.
Sincerely,
Matthew Bauer
Bridget Crowther 2025 RMAG President RMAG Executive Director
RMAG 2025 SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP
All sponsor benefits event tickets follow RMAG event registration deadlines. All benefits end 12 months after registration.
RMAG 2024 ANNUAL SUMMIT SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Summit Sponsorship benefit term is for 12 months! Specify type of payment on signed form, and send logo and advertisements to staff@rmag.org
Company:
Company Representative:
Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Phone: Email:
Payment Method: Credit Card ACH Check
Credit Card Information:
Select Card: AMEX Mastercard VISA Discover
Name as it appears on Credit Card:
Credit Card #:
Expiration Date:
Signature:
Security Code:
ACH: contact the RMAG office at staff@rmag.org for directions.
Mail Checks payable to RMAG:
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG)
730 17th Street, B1 Denver, CO 80202
RMAG events are subject to change. Cancellation or rescheduling of events does not give the sponsor the right to refund. Summit Sponsors will receive benefits at any new events added into the RMAG schedule.
Thank you for your generous support!
P: (720)672- 9898 staff@rmag.org www.rmag.org
730 17th Street, B1 Denver, CO 80202
RMAG MARCH 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
By Drew Scherer, Secretary flatirongeo@gmail.com
Greetings, rockstars of the Rockies!
As the snow melts and the sun starts shining a little brighter on our beloved outcrops, your RMAG Board has been gneiss and busy laying the groundwork for an exciting spring and summer ahead! We gathered (virtually!) on March 19th to discuss the latest in all things geologic and community-focused, and let’s just say, things are looking solid.
While Mother Nature tried to weather us down, literally, with lower than usual attendance at coffee and happy hours (thanks, snowstorms, also NAPE), our membership trends remain on an upward slope. Financially, we’re standing on firm ground, with healthy revenue coming in from soldout events, dues, and strong sponsorship support. A big thanks to everyone who’s helped keep us
strata-gically stable!
The Continuing Education team is keeping the momentum flowing with luncheons booked through May and final touches being added to our much-anticipated Hydrogen-Helium Conference, coming up April 9–10. And speaking of buoyant elements, our Publications Committee is cooking up some gas-tacular content centered around, you guessed it, Helium and Hydrogen. Also if you’ve got a great article idea for the Fall Mountain Geologist editions? We’re all ears and outcrops, send those submissions our way!
On the outreach front, our Geoscience Outreach Committee has been digging deep, leading Girls in Science events at the Denver Museum and school visits that are shaping the next generation of rock hounds. Plus, Teacher of the Year applications open April 1st, and no, this is not an April Fools’ joke!
With the weather warming up, we’re ready to trade in our snow boots for hiking boots. The Membership Committee is planning a family-friendly hiking series, and our Field Trip lineup is truly tectonic: from rafting the Grand Canyon to exploring Glenwood Springs carbonates and the explosive story of Dotsero Volcano. Don’t miss your chance to connect with fellow geologists and enjoy the Rocky Mountain beauty in full bloom.
So whether you’re mapping outcrop patterns, analyzing helium trends, or just itching for a scenic hike with friends, RMAG has something igneous-ly exciting in store for you. Let’s rock this spring together! Rock on, and see you next time!
Denver, Colorado ~ April 9-10, 2025
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
By Matthew Bauer
Fellow Members,
As RMAG continues to foster expansion of geoscience professions I want to remind you about the upcoming 2025 North American Helium & Hydrogen Conference on April 9th & 10th. This event is shaping up to be an exceptional opportunity to explore the latest developments in the growing helium and hydrogen sectors while providing a platform for networking with fellow professionals.
The conference will feature technical sessions on:
• Helium & Hydrogen exploration in the Rockies, Mid-Continent, Canada, and across the globe
• Technology critical to production and storage
• Market and Economics insights of these vital resources
In addition to the technical sessions we have an exhibition hall full of exhibitors and an opportunity to explore the prospects for sale. During meals enjoy hearing keynote talks from industry leaders including:
• Phil Kornbluth
• Geoffrey Ellis
• Steven Tedesco
• Jeremy Jordan
• Allegra Hosford Scheirer
This is a unique opportunity to meet with industry geoscientists and get an inside look at the technologies shaping the future of developing these resources. If you haven’t yet registered, I highly encourage you to do so soon. Space is filling up quickly, and we don’t want you to miss out on this fantastic event.
For full conference program and registration details here: 2025 North American Helium & Hydrogen Conference. A sincere thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, speakers, and RMAG staff who have worked hard to put together what will be another amazing conference.
We look forward to seeing you there!
-Matthew
W. Bauer, PG
AN OIL AND GAS PLAY TURNS INTO A PRIME HELIUM PROSPECT
BY BRUCE A. BLACK & BRUCE H. BLACK Black Exploration, LLC
Editor’s Note: In light of the upcoming RMAG North American Helium & Hydrogen Conference, this month’s article is a revised version of a recently published article found in the December 2023 issue of The Mountain Geologist
IN JULY 2012 BLACK EXPLORATION,
LLC (BLACK) took a Resource Assessment and Lease Option Agreement with the Zia Pueblo in Sandoval County, New Mexico. This wildcat play was initially an oil and gas play and set up by the knowledge of extensive Cretaceous oil and gas shows in two wells drilled by Shell Oil Company in 1972 and 1976. These old wells are six to ten miles south and downdip of the Zia Pueblo and are over a mile structurally lower than the Pueblo acreage. Drilled with today’s technology the Shell wells would probably have been productive (Figure 1).
There are no obvious surface indications of hydrocarbons on the Zia Pueblo in the rift. However, helium with a high He3/He4 ratio is reported in the published literature on and surrounding the Pueblo. Helium is actively issuing from springs along the deep seated,
easterly dipping major faults on the west side of the rift. These faults separate the downthrown Rio Grande Rift from the uplifted Colorado Plateau. The presence of helium has become an important factor in the future drilling plans on the Pueblo.
SEISMIC AND STRATIGRAPHY
Two years after extensive surface field work and literature research, Black purchased, reprocessed, and interpreted six lines of old 2D Shell and Vastar seismic lines that had been shot on the Pueblo in the early 1970s and 1980s. The quality of the modern reprocessed seismic lines turned out to be outstanding (Figure 2). Working with the seismic sections, several things were immediately established.
First, the reprocessed seismic confirmed that we are structurally dealing with a classic rift system, one with virtually all the structural features seen in similar rifts around the world. Second, we are dealing with the same Pre-Tertiary Mesozoic and Paleozoic section that is so well documented by over 30,000 oil and gas wells in the nearby San Juan Basin. However, this identical pre-rift geologic section has been dropped thousands to tens of thousands of feet into the spreading Rio Grande Rift and is now almost entirely hidden
beneath Tertiary sediments. Only four miles of the narrow southerly plunge of the Laramide Nacimiento Mountains separates the San Juan Basin, with its ultimate half billion barrels of oil and 70 trillion cubic feet of gas production, from the identical stratigraphy now underlying the Zia Pueblo. No wells had ever been drilled on the Pueblo in the rift.
PETROLEUM SYSTEM
After Black purchased all the available seismic, had it reprocessed and interpreted, a method was needed to try to establish that a live hydrocarbon system was present and active on the lease. The Black father/son team took surface soil samples every 600 feet over four of the six seismic line locations to look
for possible indications of C4 geo-microbial surface leakage anomalies.
Positive results from these soil samples indicated a live petroleum system was present, and Black exercised its option and took a large acreage oil and gas lease. The lease was eventually reduced to its present size of 33,840 acres to encompass the high, synthetic overlapping transition zone under the Pueblo that lies between the northern part of the Albuquerque Basin and the southwestern part of the Espanola Basin in the greater Rift.
SEISMIC IMPLICATIONS
Anomalously high C4’s in the soil samples were found to directly overlay or are closely associated with
FIGURE 1: Regional location map showing Zia lease area between the San Juan Basin and the Rio Grande Rift. Zia reservation is shown in yellow.
FIGURE 2A: (above) S-1 (Data owned by SEI): Formations present at the north end of the Albuquerque Basin showing pre-Laramide cross faulting of the structure.
FIGURE 2B: (below) S-2 (Data owned by SEI): 1) Late Jurassic-early Cretaceous uplift and erosion on the central fault block prior to upper Cretaceous Dakota deposition. 2) Laramide anticlinal development prior to lower Tertiary Galisteo deposition and prior to rift development in the Miocene. 3) Deep burial of Mancos source rock immediately adjacent to the Zia structure feeding hydrocarbons into the Triassic Aqua Zarca, Jurassic Entrada and the Cretaceous Dakota, Codell, Niobrara, distal Gallup, Hosta-Dalton, Point lookout and Menefee sandstones.
FIGURE 2C: (above) S-3 (Data owned by SEI): 1) High horst block with amplitude anomaly in the Entrada, directly overlain by large C4 micro-seep on the surface. 2) Profound unconformity showing late Jurassic – early Cretaceous uplift and erosion on the central block prior to upper Cretaceous deposition. Block was subsequently down dropped into the central graben. Note extensive fracturing in Mancos. 3) Surface C4 micro seeps overlie amplitude and possible pre-Cretaceous unconformity traps.
FIGURE 2D: (below) S-4 (Data owned by SEI): 1) Possible gas sag and dim out below the high amplitude Entrada suggests DHI’s. These same features are seen on other lines. 2) Distinct lower Tertiary Galisteo pinches out on the east flank of the Laramide Zia anticline. 3) Anomalously high C4 microbial seeps on the surface directly overlaying structural highs and possible DHI’s.
He4
He4
FIGURE 2E: (above) S-5 (Data owned by SEI): 1) Closed north-south Pre-Dakota paleo-structure in Paleozoic through Jurassic rocks. 2) Pennsylvanian high on old basin-controlled fault block on the crest of the structure with possible Paradox basin-like algal mound and/or reefing on the fault block edges. 3) This seismic structure is seen on the gravity maps as a 4 Mg gravity low.
structural highs and obvious potential angular unconformity traps that can be seen on the seismic lines. Although in some cases, the six 2D seismic lines are separated by several miles, it’s obvious where the large, east-dipping, north-south faults are located on and under the Pueblo. These faults can be traced for miles on the surface and on the generally east-west oriented seismic lines. The large bounding faults on the west side of the acreage can be traced on the surface and confidently connected in the sub surface. Some associated conjugate shears are also recognized beneath the Tertiary basin fill on the seismic lines.
The modern seismic reprocessing done in 2013 turned out to be spectacularly successful, and reflections are generally easy to follow and correlate. The seismic sections reveal both late Jurassic uplift and faulting in some blocks, and later Laramide uplift and early Tertiary onlap of the larger Laramide and prerift structures. The concurrence of C4 anomalies above the top of the structural highs indicated the there is
an active petroleum system in place. It doesn’t mean the area has an economic accumulation but does show there are hydrocarbons present and migrating through the system. To attempt to get a better handle on the structural configuration, Black then looked in detail at the available regional gravity and magnetic data.
GRAVITY IMPLICATIONS
Here Black ran into what was at first thought to be a problem. Like the available seismic, the gravity data was relatively old, and the gravity stations were sometimes far apart. More important however, was what appeared to be an obvious mismatch between what the gravity data was telling them and what the seismic was showing. This manifested itself as what appeared to be a paradoxical low above what Black expected to be a gravity high. Most granite basement highs are gravity highs. The old gravity data indicated there was a gravity low associated with the seismic basement feature, with its non-salt sedimentary section
overlying the granite basement high (Figure 3). Black searched the sparse well control for any indication of low-density materials in the stratigraphic section. There is no salt in the section in this immediate part of New Mexico. Likewise, there is no other significant thickness of low-density materials in the stratigraphic section in this part of New Mexico. Only a relatively few feet of anhydrite are present in some formations and not the multiple hundreds of feet necessary to account for the large, indicated gravity low. Black concluded the gravity was so widely scattered that it could not see the obvious basement high that the seismic lines showed was there, and where excellent correlations on three of the seismic lines crossed in the middle of the gravity low.
To resolve the question, in the summer of 2014 Black hired Gaurang Patel an independent consulting geophysicist out of Oklahoma City. Using a modern CG-5 Autograv gravity meter with high resolution Black had Patel run a new 48 station gravity survey over what was thought to be the anomalous gravity low area. Several weeks later Patel reported back that indeed the original gravity was correct! There is a large gravity low where the seismic shows us an obvious structural granitic basement high with a full section of overlying folded sediments.
3: Map showing the low gravity contours (dark) overlaying the structural map on the near basement contours (light) as well as the location of seismic lines.
very large oil and gas fields with high granite basements. In these fields, the oil and gas are so abundant that there is a gravity low produced over the basement high.
The day Black received the results back they were initially puzzled. Buzz Black posed the question “Since there is no salt in the section could there possibly be so much gas and oil in the sediments on the structure that it’s replacing the water and giving us a negative gravity?” It was initially hard to believe that was what was happening. Later that evening, Buzz called his dad and said he had been researching the internet and had found several examples around the world where there are obvious gravity lows over shallow and sometimes
The only field Bruce Black was personally aware of was the Ventura Avenue multi-billion-barrel oil field in the Ventura Basin in California. Black had worked on that field as a Senior Staff Geologist with Shell Oil in California in the late 1960’s. Wow! Maybe that was in fact the answer! If so, the Blacks realized they may be chasing a giant oil and gas field.
HELIUM
While researching the literature for geologic information about the area under the Black’s lease, the
FIGURE
authors had previously found several important articles on thermal and carbonic springs in the western United States. Particularly important, and well documented is the 2014 article “Mantle He3 and CO2 degassing in carbonic and geothermal springs of Colorado and implications for neotectonics of the Rocky Mountains” by Karl Karlstrom and Laura Causey of the University of New Mexico, and others. Their article shows the location of the highest He3/He4 ratios in carbonate and hot springs in the western United States. Some of these springs are on the Pueblo lands and bound the western side of Black Explorations Zia lease (Figure 4)
It was coincidental that Black was drilling their first wildcat well on the Zia lease at the time of the first Denver Helium Conference in March 2023. Black began to see helium in random grab samples that had been taken by Buzz Black from the possum belly mud stream while drilling through the Permian Abo and the Pennsylvanian Madera sections of the well. Three of the five Abo grab samples were analyzed by Gas Analysis Services of Farmington, New Mexico. The samples
were analyzed and showed helium, from 0.1654 to 0.2324% and one sample as high as 0.5840 Mole%. All 5 samples had a 99 +% nitrogen content in addition to the helium or other minor amounts of gases. This was obviously encouraging. In Black’s recent completion work Black ran all the gas returns through a mass spectrometer on location. Helium from subsequent samples taken to Gas Analysis Services ran from 0% to a high of 0.9778 Mole% The mass spectrometer recorded helium as high as 10,576 ppm and white hydrogen up to 11%.
Black now believes there is a concurrence of two separate sources of helium. One, He3 from the deep-seated mantle, and the other, He4 from the radiogenic decay in the shallower crustal granite basement. This coincidence may be combining with favorable Laramide tectonics, and later rift structural folding to produce trapping structures. The presence of the Abo stratigraphy with its fluvial reservoir sands encased and isolated by thick Abo clay shales to act as seals, and the Entrada sandstone overlain by anhydrite to act as an excellent seal, are just two of several obvious
FIGURE 4: Google Earth image with He3/He4 ratios in and near the Jemez Caldera.
FIGURE 5: Overlay of part of the Rio Grande rift and the Zia prospect on the Viking graben and the Gullfaks Field at the same scale. Figure annotated from Beaumont and Foster 1990 AAPG Atlas of Oil and Gas Fields, Structural Traps II, P. 33. AAPG 1990, reprinted by permission of the AAPG
objectives on the lease.
Additionally, the area has a history of a recent volcanic heat source that may have helped to mobilize, concentrate, and move the migrating helium atoms enough to provide an economic target for helium accumulations. The presence of the recent heat source in the nearby Jemez Caldera volcanics and the deep-seated faulting that may be tapping into the lower crust and upper mantle is important. This along with the intersection of the deep faulting in the Jemez Lineament and the Rio Grande Rift and the presence of overlaying structures with excellent reservoir seals, may also be combining with favorable ground water transportation to assist moving the helium to available traps.
ANALOG
After reviewing the literature for possible analog fields in our original search for oil and gas, we used
the Gullfaks Field in the North Sea (Figure 5) for both shape comparison and for a surprising number of many other structural characteristics that are present in the Zia Prospect. One of the most striking is the similar size and its structural location on the flank of the rift, and its relative similar position on the high transition zone between major sub basins of the rift.
Analogs in the search for helium alone should be different than those for oil and gas. However, areas of basement disturbance rifts like the East African Rifts and the Rio Grande Rift may be appropriate for both.
LESSONS LEARNED
Exploration companies should not underestimate the potential for economic helium production in the Rio Grande rift area. What may originate as an oil and gas play, or a helium play, may evolve into both. The large majority of the 33,840 acres of the Zia
lease has the favorable Abo formation present, and it is in a structurally high position. It is underlain by the deep penetrating east- dipping faults of the Rio Grande Rift. These are probably conduits for both He3 and He4 migration up to the areas of overlying favorable trap configurations. Because the Abo sands are fluvial non- marine channel sands, they may also serve as stratigraphic traps over much of the area.
The intersection of the Rio Grande Rift and the Jemez Lineament is producing a crustal weak spot where primal He3 can be released from the mantle and He4 can be released from the weakened and heated crust. Both helium sources can use the deep-seated faulting of the rift for a migrating pathway up and into overlaying favorable trapping stratigraphy. The entire high overlapping synthetic transition zone should be an excellent target for both hydrocarbon and helium production.
Helium held in solution in formation waters below a free gas cap may be present and detectable with a Mass Spectrometer but may not be producible in
economic quantities. Because helium is present in solution does not necessarily mean you can produce it economically. Structurally high trapping positions are probably very important to successful exploration for helium in commercial quantities.
In plays where there is potential for both oil and gas as well as helium, it is important to understand both the similar aspects of the two objectives and the distinct differences in sources and in paths of migration. What may be an excellent reservoir for helium may not be a viable reservoir for oil and gas. The physical characteristics of both objectives such as molecular size and chemical attractions are very different, and what is good for one may not be good for the other.
REFERENCES
Karlstrom, K.E., L. J. Crossey, D.R. Hilton, and P.H. Barry, 2013, Mantle H3 and CO2 degassing in carbonic and geothermal springs of Colorado and implications for neotectonics of the Rocky Mountains, downloaded from geology.gsapubs. org August 24, 2014.
Beaumont, E.A., N.H. Foster, 1990, Structural Traps II, Traps Associated with Tectonic Faulting from Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Atlas of Oil and Gas Fields, Brent Oil Field, p. 33
HYBRID
Speaker: Mike Kuligowski
Date: April 2, 2025 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Unlocking the Full Potential of Geology Data in Drilling and Completions A Workflow Approach
Presenter: Mike Kuligowski, Core Geologic
Understanding well performance and operational challenges requires a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates geology, drilling, and completions data. Too often, geosteering and subsurface operational geological data are underutilized in post-well analysis, leaving key questions unanswered. Is a performance issue caused by the rock or by drilling and completions decisions?
Traditionally, geoscience and engineering data have existed in separate silos, with
analysis performed independently. This disconnect often leads to incomplete assessments of well performance and subsurface challenges. By placing geology at the core of the workflow and utilizing a geocentric database, all engineering data can be tied back to the rock itself. This integration provides a more accurate and holistic view of well behavior, allowing for better-informed decision-making and a deeper understanding of drilling and completions challenges.
MIKE KULIGOWSKI is a Senior Technical Advisor at Core Geologic, specializing in multi-disciplinary data analytics for drilling and completions optimization. He holds a B.S. and M.S. from Missouri School of Science and Technology and an MBA from Saint Louis University.
Mike began his career in hard rock mining from 2005 to 2007 before transitioning to coal from 2008 to 2014. In 2014, he joined Pioneer Natural Resources, where he worked until 2020, gaining extensive experience in geoscience applications within oil and gas development. From 2020 to 2023, he served at Driftwood Energy as a Project Geologist. In late 2023, he joined Core Geologic, where he continues to drive innovation by leveraging geology-centered data solutions to improve well performance.
Speaker: Dr. Christine Griffith
Date: May 7, 2025 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Reconciling depositional and sequence stratigraphic models
Presenter: Dr. Christine Griffith
The Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk in south and central Texas is the same age and has similar pelagic carbonate composition and thickness as the Niobrara Formation in the Western Interior Seaway, but the two formations have very different depositional and sequence stratigraphic models. Sequence stratigraphic interpretation is easier in the Texas Gulf Coast than in the Western Interior Seaway. The Austin Chalk is mainly pelagic carbonate, with a dip direction consistently toward the Gulf of Mexico. The Niobrara Formation has two directions of basinal dip and two types and sources of sediment: siliciclastic sediment, mainly from the west, and pelagic carbonate, from the east.
The Austin chalk was deposited as a carbonate ramp, with updip facies being
thoroughly burrowed and downdip facies laminated and organic-rich. In contrast, the Niobrara stratigraphic model interprets the cleanest, most bioturbated chalk units as deposited in the deepest, most oxygenated water, and laminated and organic-rich marl units interpreted as regressive low-stand deposits. Thickness and facies variations in Niobrara sequences are attributed to structural movement, eustacy, and currents. The Austin Chalk was affected by similar controls, but the asymmetry and angular truncation of the stratigraphic sequences indicates that structural movement was more important than eustacy.
A possible model to reconcile the Austin chalk and Niobrara observations emphasizes the similarity between the Texas Gulf Coast and the eastern flank of the Western
Painted Wallatthe Black Canyonofthe Gunnison July2024
Photo byBobby Schoen
Interior Seaway. Thoroughly burrowed, shallower water facies are represented by the basal trangressive Fort Hays Member; younger oxygenated chalk on the east flank is mostly eroded. Deeper water basinal chalk and marl sediments were oxygen deficient, due to restriction across a southern sill. Periodic movement of the axis of the Western Interior Seaway caused Niobrara facies variations. The Niobrara carbonate ramp extended downdip
into intermittently anoxic water when thrust loading caused the basin axis to shift westward and siliciclastic input to diminish. As western highlands were eroded, regression shifted the axis of the basin eastward. Distal marl-rich units of the middle and upper Niobrara Formation were moved by bottom currents past the basin axis up onto the east flank of the Seaway where they transgressed over the normal east flank chalk sedimentation.
CHRISTINE GRIFFITH worked for Shell Oil as petroleum geologist and team leader in exploration and development projects onshore and offshore United States, Nigeria, and Brazil. After retirement, she received her Ph.D.in Geology from Texas A&M University with a dissertation on the regional sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Austin Chalk in south and central Texas. Christine’s previous degrees were a BS in Geology from the University of Illinois, and a MS in Geology from the University of Wisconsin. She is a longtime member of the AAPG and House of Delegates, a member of the Houston and South Texas Geological Societies, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, and a licensed professional geologist in Texas.
Publish with…
Expanded geologic focus:
• Entire greater Rocky Mountain area of North America
• West Texas and New Mexico to northern British Columbia
• Great Plains and Mid-Continent region
Why contribute?
• Reach a broad industry and academic audience
• Quarterly peer-reviewed journal
• Permanent archiving includes AAPG Datapages
• Quick turn-around time
• Every subdiscipline in the geosciences
Email: mgeditor@rmag.org
https://www.rmag.org/publications/the-mountain-geologist/
ByLew Kleinhans,MadelineMarshall, and KJMcDonough
FIGURE 1: RMAG GO Committee volunteers engage students in STEM activities, 2025 Girls in Science at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS).
RMAG Geoscience Outreach (GO) Committee Activities
2024-2025
By Katie Joe McDonough
RMAG’s Geoscience Outreach (GO) Committee was busy in 2024, including hosting RMAG booths at career fairs and festivals such as Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth and Pridefest in collaboration with Dinosaur Ridge. We guided field trips for students at Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge and examined building stones around the Denver metro area. We assisted K-12 teachers with in-class geoscience curriculum enhancement activities for elementary, middle and high school students. In collaboration with the RMAG Foundation, we awarded TWO Earth Science Teacher of the Year awards to outstanding local high school teachers (see August, 2024 Outcrop.) Applications for the 2025 award will open soon.
FIGURE 2: Advising and guiding Columbine High School students through activities (to win a dinosaur or shark’s tooth!) at the 2025 Career Fair; RMAG GO Committee volunteers Donna Anderson, Clayton Schulz and Amy Sullivan.
FIGURE 3: Littleton High School STEM students on a Dinosaur Ridge field trip with RMAG GO Committee volunteers Jeff May and Dan Bassett (top) and Jeff discussing oscillation ripples with Littleton High School ESL students (bottom.)
Spring field trip season is here! The GO Committee is currently in full outreach mode for 2025. We’ve already engaged K-12 students at many venues around Denver. We’ve facilitated activities ranging from rock identification (with shark’s teeth and dino prizes of course!) to a mini-coring activity at the DMNS, to career discussions with high schoolers and physical representations and active learning about geologic time. We’re planning spring K-12 field trips and the Teacher of the
Year award applications open soon, and will be due on June 13, 2025. We continue to update our website with K-12 teacher resources including field trips and in-class activities (K-12 Educational Resources | Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists). Consider volunteering with us in 2025 to share the wonder of our diverse geosciences with young future scientists! Below are a few of our volunteers enjoying a variety of outreach ventures.
FIGURE 4: Dinosaur mask coloring and fossil digging at the Dinosaur Ridge/RMAG booth, 2024 Cinco de Mayo festival. Dinosaur Ridge Education and Outreach Coordinator Libby Prueher responds to questions.
5: Students at Rocky Heights Middle School learning some geology from RMAG GO Committee volunteer Donna Anderson (top); students at Parker Science Night guided by volunteer Beverly Halliwell-Ross (bottom).
FIGURE
FIGURE 6: RMAG booth at the Colorado Science Conference, an annual conference for science educators of all levels. RMAG GO Committee booth ambassadors Donna Anderson and Ginny Gent attend to spread the word among educators about geoscience teaching resources available through RMAG, including our in-class “visiting geologists,” who assist K-12 teachers with geoscience learning activities.
7: RMAG GO Committee volunteers engage 6th-7th graders in a) rock identification processes, b) experiments to estimate porosity & permeability changes with grain size and c) Colorado geology and where to find the coolest rocks.
FIGURE
7A
7B
7C
FIGURE 8: Bring Your Rock to School Day – identifying rocks and building a geologic timeline with 4th graders at Isabella Bird Community School in Denver–RMAG GO Committee volunteers Natalie Hook, Katie Joe McDonough and Jeff May.
RMAG ON THE ROCKS
CAVERNS, HOT SPRINGS, EVAPORITE COLLAPSE, & KARST
MAY 10-11 FIELD TRIP TO GLENWOOD SPRINGS AREA
Trip leaders: Harvey DuChene, Mark Maslyn, and Richard Rhinehart
Trip Coordinators: Laura Wray and David Schoderbek
The RMAG On The Rocks Field Trip Committee is sponsoring a one and a half day trip on May 10 and 11 to the Glenwood Springs area with speleological experts Mark Maslyn, Harvey DuChene, and Richard Rhinehart. Field trip stops will include a private tour of both caves at Glenwood Caverns with Mark, Harvey, and Rick who are renowned experts on the abundant and diverse cave formations (see Figures 1 and 2) that will include:
• Hydrothermal dolomite replacement of Mississippian Leadville Limestone.
• “Zebra” rock fabrics.
• Role of sulfuric acid in speleological dissolution.
• Time, temperature, and fluid effects on cavern formation.
• Evidence of abundant fracturing, carbonate precipitation, and brecciation (see Figure 3).
• Structural control in cave passages (see Figure 4).
ADDITIONAL STOPS INCLUDE:
• Paleokarst examples in Leadville Limestone quarries with associated mineral deposits.
• Structural effects of the Eagle and Carbondale Collapse Centers, White River Uplift, Glenwood Springs Syncline, and the breached core of the Cattle Creek Anticline on cavern development.
• Classic diapir in the Roaring Fork Valley near Carbondale and the role of salt flowage and evaporate dissolution.
Participants will carpool to and from Glenwood Springs. A block of rooms has been reserved in Glenwood Springs and participants must make their own reservations. A group dinner is planned for Saturday night. The trip will end at noon on Sunday. Registration can be found on the RMAG website (www.rmag.org).
NE-SW orientations of
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 3
cave passages
Calcite crust in a void along a bedrock fault surface in the cave.
PHOTOS BY DAVID SCHODERBEK AND LAURA WRAY.
The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2024
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to announce the winner of The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2024. The winning paper is “A Reinterpretation of the Jelm and Popo Agie Formations (Triassic, Wyoming) as a Distributive Fluvial System (DFS) and the Role of the Accommodation/Sedimentation Ratio in DFS Deposition” by Max E. Deckman, David M. Lovelace, and Steven M. Holland.
The authors present an interpretation of the Triassic Jelm and Popo Agie formations of the Chugwater Group in Wyoming as
distributive fluvial systems rather than tributary fluvial systems. The authors describe fifteen facies, grouped into in five facies associations from thirteen measured sections at four outcrop locations in the Wind River Basin recording composition, sedimentary structures, bed forms, fossils, thickness, and grain size.
Thanks to all The Mountain Geologist authors and editors for your contributions to the journal in 2024.
Congratulations.
—The Best Paper Selection Committee
2024 RMAG Award Recipients
OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST
Dr. Vince Matthews
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present the 2024 Outstanding Scientist award to Dr. Vince Matthews in recognition for his lifelong dedication to advancing geologic knowledge, his groundbreaking research spanning decades, and his passion for making Colorado’s geology accessible to all.
Dr. Matthews received his PhD from the University of California, Santa Cruz for research on the San Andreas Fault which set the standard in the field and remains a key reference today. He moved to Denver in the early 1970s and has tackled a wide range of geoscience topics, including Laramide deformation, which led to the publication of GSA
Memoir 151 in 1978. After working in industry from 1978 to 2000, he joined the Colorado Geological Survey and later became the State Geologist of Colorado
Many geologists will remember his award-winning book Messages in Stone, a beautifully illustrated guide that brings Colorado’s geology to life for both the general public and passionate geo-enthusiasts. Just last year, he released a stunning large-format book exploring Colorado’s glacial landscapes. It’s called Land of Ice – Jaunts Into Colorado’s Glacial Landscape.
Now in his 80s, Vince is still unraveling the mysteries of Colorado’s geology—just recently, he gave a fascinating Zoom talk in Durango on the evolution of the Colorado Plateau microplate.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RMAG AWARD
Dr. Jeffrey May
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present the 2024 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award to Dr. Jeffrey May for his efforts in supporting RMAG’s board and committees and in leading RMAG’s initiatives to bring the earth sciences to diverse communities.
Jeff was elected RMAG Counselor and served a 2-year term during 2021 and 2022, a time of numerous challenges for RMAG. The organization was rebuilding member programs coming out of the Covid-19 epidemic and was functioning without an executive director. During this time Jeff was
instrumental in providing support to RMAG committees and the board. Some of his most notable contributions include leading the creation of a DEI Ad Hoc Committee to create diversity and equity policies and practices within the association, participating in the search for a new Executive Director, leading a geology field trip to Pueblo State Park, being an ever-present ear for issues and concerns.
Jeff continued to be an active volunteer for RMAG after his term on the board and has been one of the strongest voices within the organization’s DEI initiative. He is responsible for forging an alliance with the Center on Colfax supporting their after school and summer programs by giving talks and leading field trips.
He also is a strong advocate and volunteer for
RMAG’s outreach to diverse communities by organizing and participating at geology booths (with partner Dinosaur Ridge) at large Denver summer festivals including Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth and Pride days.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RMAG AWARD
Jason Eleson
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologist is please to present the 2024 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award to Jason Eleson for his efforts in organizing and leading the recent CCS Workshop, his contributions to the Continuing Education Committee and his sparkling and engaging personality.
Jason was a lead organizer for the recent RMAG CCS Workshop in Golden. The event was outstanding. Jason and his team did an excellent job in setting the presentation topics, advertising the event, and making everyone feel welcome and appreciated for attending and presenting. Jason’s role in making the RMAG CCS Workshop a success has helped to advertise the RMAG organization and its commitment to keeping abreast of key technical topics in the field of geosciences. Jason’s passion for the geosciences and for carbon capture and storage is clear and contagious.
DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE TO EARTH SCIENCE AWARD
Kermit Shields
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present the 2024 Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award to Kermit Shields for his decades of leadership, education, and outreach at Dinosaur Ridge, his dedication to inspiring the next generation of geoscientists, and his commitment to making Earth science engaging and accessible to all.
As a volunteer at Dinosaur Ridge for over 20 years, Kermit has been an instrumental figure in the organization’s leadership, outreach, education and community services. He has been a board member for 12 years and a volunteer since 2005. He has given hundreds of school tours to thousands of students. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and humor has encouraged and welcomed students to get outdoors, appreciate nature, think critically, understand what the rocks are telling us, and maybe even pursue more study of Earth Science in higher ed settings.
He has been active for many years with Community Resources Inc. (a nonprofit that provides services for Denver Public Schools) as a classroom speaker, a field guide and as a student mentor. Most recently he developed a new tour focused on the environment and climate records of Dinosaur Ridge as an example of past climate changes.
APRIL 2, 2025
IN THE PIPELINE
RMAG Lunch. Speaker: Mike Kuligowski. “Unlocking the Full Potential of Geology Data in Drilling and Completions: A workflow Approach.”
APRIL 8-10, 2025
RMAG North American Helium and Hydrogen Conference. Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. 13200 E 14th Pl., Aurora, CO.
APRIL 9, 2025
WOGA Technical Lunch. Speaker: Kindra Snow-McGregor. “LNG Value Chain-Market Drivers and Technology.” 11:00 AM-12:30 PM.
APRIL 11, 2025
Denver Petroleum Club Crawfish Boil. 3PM-8PM.
APRIL 17, 2025
WOGA Lean- In. Speaker: Camille Romero. “Being Your Own Hype-Person: Self Promotion and Confidence.” 11:00 AM-12:30 PM.
APRIL 18- MAY 1, 2025
RMAG On the Rocks Field Trip. Grand Canyon Rafting Adventure.
WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!
Aldis Ramadhan is a Student Member from Golden, Colorado
James Molly is a Student Member at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado
Mike Liljegren with the MN DNR – Land and Minerals from St. Paul, Minnesota
Colter Anderson with Critical Mineral Management from Bozeman, Montana
Matt Linden with Ineos Energy from Evergreen, Colorado
Thomas Hoak with ECMC from Littleton, Colorado
Anders Elgerd with Eldora Exploration from Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Erik Elgerd with EEGeotech LLC from Lakewood, Colorado
Paul Davis with EORI from Casper, Wyoming
Tom Elliott with Hotspur Helium Limited from London, Colorado
Dale Bird with Bird Geophysical from Houston, Texas
Don Elsenheimer with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from St. Paul Minnesota
Essau Worth with Trailhead Exploration from Fort Worth, Texas
Ruta Karolyte with Snowfox Discovery from Oxford, Colorado
Ted Anderson with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from Hibbing, Minnesota
Greald O’Leary with APTIM from Boulder, Colorado
Matt Stiasny with Discovery Natural Resources from Denver, Colorado
Adrienne Bryant from Longmont, Colorado
Melia Kendall is a Student Member at the University of Colorado Boulder
D eta ile d a nd ac c ura te g eo lo gy at yo u r fin g ertip s in Pe tra , Ge o Grap h ix, A rc GIS , A cc u Map , ge o S C OU T an d o th er d ig ital ma p pin g a p plica tion s
We ste rn USA
Geol ogi cal Edge Set
Ene rgy Al te rnati ve s & Cri ti cal Mine ral s - USA
We ste rn Cana da Geol ogi cal Edge Set
Ene rgy Al te rnati ve s & Cri ti cal Mine ral s - Ca nada
Ea ste rn USA & Ea st ern Ca nada
Geol ogi cal Edge Set
Cent ral USA
Geol ogi cal Edge Set
Me xi co
Geol ogi cal Edge Set
Map la ye rs p rov ided in s ha pe file fo rma t fo r ea sy impor t into a ll ma ppin g app lic at ions .
De liv er ab le s inc lude : f orma tion limits , o utc ro ps, su bc rop e dge s , O &G fie ld s, st ruc tu ra l eleme nt s, re ef s, sh ore lin es , c ha nne ls, pro duc tion f airw a ys , s ha le ga s tr en ds, st ru ct ure con tou rs , iso pa chs , g en era l cult ure , r ene w able & no n-r en ew ab le ene rg y pr ojec ts , min era l dep os it s, mine s, Pet ra T he mat ic Ma p pro je ct s, G eoG ra phix G e oA tla s pro je c ts , Ar cG IS M XD a nd La y er f ile s, re giona l c ro ss -s ec tion s, an d full te ch nica l s upp ort .
For mo re inf orma tio n: Joe l H a rding at + 1 4 03 87 0 8 12 2 joe lha rding@ g eoe dg es .c om ww w.ge oe dge s.c om
CALENDAR – APRIL 2025
RMAG Lunch.
WOGA Technical Lunch.
WOGA Lean- In. Denver Petroleum Club Crawfish Boil.
RMAG North American Helium and Hydrogen Conference.
Rocks, Grand Canyon Rafting Adventure