February 2015 Outcrop

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 64 • No. 2 • February 2015

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

2015 Summit Sponsors Exclusiv e Lu n c h eon S p on s or

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OUTCROP | February 2015

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

910 16th Street • Suite 1214 • 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.

2015 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RMAG STAFF

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Marv Brittenham president@rmag.org

Stephanie B. Gaswirth sgaswirth@usgs.gov

Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org

PRESIDENT-ELECT

1st YEAR COUNSELOR

John Ladd john.ladd@discoverynr.com

Jane Estes-Jackson Jane.Estes-Jackson@mcelvain.com

MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER

TREASURER-ELECT

TREASURER

Tom Sperr tsperr@bayless-cos.com

Paul Lillis plillis@usgs.gov

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

2nd YEAR COUNSELOR

Chris Eisinger chris.eisinger@state.co.us

Terri Olson tmolson8550@gmail.com

1st VICE PRESIDENT

Mel Klinger melklinger@eurekageologicalconsulting.com

Hannah Rogers hrogers@rmag.org PROJECTS SPECIALIST

Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org ACCOUNTANT

Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org MANAGING EDITOR

Will Duggins will.duggins@i-og.net

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Rates and sizes can be found on page 30. 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.

Holly Sell holly.sell@yahoo.com Greg Guyer Greg.Guyer@halliburton.com

Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.

Cheryl Fountain cwhitney@alumni.nmt.edu

DEADLINES: Ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month’s publication.

Andre Scheinwald aschein33001@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY NOON LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS

RMAG Office: 303-573-8621 | Fax: 303-476-2241 | staff@rmag.org or www.rmag.org

DESIGN/PRODUCTION

Nate Silva nate@nate-silva.com

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

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Outcrop | February 2015

RMAG 2014 DECEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

RMAG 2014 December Board of Directors Meeting

By Stephanie B. Gaswirth, Secretary sgaswirth@usgs.gov

2015 board. Following the meeting of the 2014 Board of Directors, those outgoing members were excused and the new board convened for a second meeting. This first meeting of the 2015 Board began with an introduction from President Marv Brittenham and RMAG Executive Director Carrie Veatch, and a review of the 2015 RMAG calendar. Future RMAG Board Meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month in the RMAG building in the second floor conference room at 4 p.m. (910 16th Street, Denver, CO 80202).

I look forward to serving you as the 2015 RMAG Secretary. A big thank you to Nick Nelson for making this a smooth transition as I begin my position.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with suggestions or feedback. Happy New Year!

The Board of Directors meeting was held on December 17, 2014 at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. This was a joint meeting of the outgoing 2014 board members and the incoming

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

10 Lead Story: Grant County Has Become ‘Earthquake Central’ in Oklahoma

4 RMAG 2014 December Board of Directors Meeting

ASSOCIATION NEWS

26 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Paul Lillis

2 RMAG 2015 Summit Sponsors 32 3D Seismic Symposium 33 Save the Date: Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists 34 RMAG Annual Golf Tournament 35 2015 Award of Excellence For Teaching of Earth Science 36 RMAG Night at the Zoo 37 RMAG Geoland Ski Day 2015

6 President’s Letter

29 The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award 30 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Dr. Steven Tedesco 33 In The Pipeline

COVER PHOTO

34 Welcome New RMAG Members!

36 Denver Area Geology Talks 39 Advertiser Index

Grand Tetons, western Wyoming, after a snowfall. Precambrian basement rock exposed in the footwall of a Late Cenezoic normal fault. Photo by Jim Sears.

39 Calendar

38 2015 RMAG Symposium: Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain Region

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | February 2015

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Marv Brittenham

Change – the Evolution of RMAG Harriett and I had an incredible opportunity last summer to join an expedition to the Galapagos Islands. Although it wasn’t in our travel plan for the year it was on the bucket list; so how could we resist? It is such a special place on so many levels; but I am referring to it here as a metaphor for change. The back story that Charles Darwin’s area of study was geology makes it even more appropriate. His theory of natural selection changed science and the world. It wasn’t a result of formal training in zoology, but rather his powers of observation, a characteristic trait of accomplished geologists. Kudos to Ecuador for protecting and maintaining this very special place for 180 years since Darwin first set foot there!

Our association has changed remarkably over my four decades of membership, but our mission and values remain the same. Our programs and services have evolved and grown with the needs of our constituents - our members, our employers, and the general public, as well as in response to the incredible technical evolution in our science and the way we communicate. A daunting challenge of modern life is the incredibly fast rate of change with which we now cope - or prosper.

Humans have a natural aversion to change, but

Bartolom e Island , Galapa gos, Ecu ador 20 14

successful people embrace change and use it to their advantage.

That’s not always easy. One example is electronic delivery of publications and communications. Last year I questioned a number of members about their opinion on delivery of the Outcrop. I expected that older members would most miss the hard copy format; but interestingly many younger members miss having it in their “in box” which prompted them to read it. The reality with publishing today is that is cost prohibitive to print and snail mail the Outcrop, not to mention all of the flexibility and other benefits of electronic delivery. I’m sure we’ll all eventually get used to the email prompt to read the Outcrop online; however RMAG recognizes that we should improve the Outcrop delivery so that it is more easily accessed

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | February 2015

President’s Letter

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and we are working on it!

We can deal with change reactively or proactively. Reactive change, like natural selection can be slow like the Galapagos tortoise and sometimes painful.

Proactive change requires some vision and foresight but is the best way to take advantage, especially in today’s fast-pace environment. The reality is that it takes both strategies to survive because you can’t forecast 100%. To that end we are compiling a five year Strategic Plan for RMAG where we have looked at all aspects of our operation for means of improvement. We are developing strategic initiatives to deal with threats and take advantage of opportunities.

The plan will clarify the RMAG’s mission, vision, core values and goals, as well as set priorities for resource allocation. The plan will also provide a clearer and more focused course of shared governance direction to the RMAG volunteer leadership and RMAG Staff.

We also plan to have some fun this year! There are twenty two events scheduled including monthly luncheons at the new venue, Maggiano’s. Hopefully, you’ve sign-up for the 3D Seismic Symposium on February 5th at the Colorado Convention Cen1 and 2 man Mudlogging ter; if not check online for availability. TheGas next Summit Referencing™ Mudlogging event will be Geoland Ski Day at Beaver CreekGeosteering on Services March 6th. Notably, RMAG will host the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition at the Convention Mike Barber Manager Center May 31st through June 3rd. John Robinson Serving the Rocky Mountain Region is General Chair and has organized an exceptional230 program.

Airport Rd.In addition to being the host Phsoci(435)657-0586 Unit D Cell (435)640-1382 ety, RMAG is sponsoring a social event, Night at Heber City, Utah 84032 email: mbarber@summitmudlog.com the Zoo, as well as several field trips and short www.summitmudlog.com

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www.rmag.org Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Come in out of the Cold for PTTC Workshops Basic Well Log Interpretation

Tuesday – Thursday, January 27-29, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom A Fee: $750, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Dan Krygowski, The Discovery Group, Denver, CO

Hydraulic Fracturing—Measurement, Characterization, and Analysis

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Petroleum Club, Billings Montana Fee: $250 MGS Members, $275 Non-members, includes food, workbook, and PDH certificate.

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Miskimins, Baree and Associates

Rocky Mtn PTTC March Education Week – 5 Great Workshops to Choose From Petra Basics Monday - Tuesday, March 9-10, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 201 Fee: $500, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Jewel Wellborn Completions and Stimulations for Geologists Monday, March 9, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 241 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Miskimins Petroleum Geology for Non-Geologists Tuesday, March 10, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 241 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Jan Gillespie Well-Log Sequence Stratigraphy: Applications to Sandstones and Shales Tuesday – Thursday, March 10-12, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 243 Fee: $750, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Jeff May Beyond Porosity: Lithology from Logs Friday, March 13, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 241 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Bob Cluff and Dr. Dan Krygowski

Air Emission Analysis for State and Federal Air Compliance

Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom A Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Peter Galusky, Ph.D. P.E. Principal Environmental Eng. Texerra LLC. Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | February 2015

LEAD STORY

Lead Story

By David Deaton

Grant County Has Become

‘Earthquake Central’ in Oklahoma

15 recorded in 1 day, 9 on 3 days, 8 on 3 others

Charts Compiled By: Mike Ray, Reporter, Oklahoma Capitol Reporter and Bob Jackman, Independent Petroleum Geologist and Former Operator, Tulsa, OK

ISTOCK

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Lead Story

MEDFORD – The U.S. Geological Survey logged 3,625 earthquakes in Oklahoma during the first 266 days of this year – and fully 15% of them occurred in Grant County.

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Robert Moss, who lives about seven miles east of Medford, told a newspaper reporter that his house was shaken by a temblor earlier this month. During an earthquake on Sept. 15, items on shelves in Mrs. Bush’s house toppled to the floor and pictures on her walls were knocked askew. City Manager Dea Mandevill said her house shook twice on the morning of Sept. 19 and

The USGS recorded 29 earthquakes of magnitude-2.5 or greater in or near Medford, as well as two others west southwest of nearby Caldwell, Kan., between Aug. 26 and Sept. 20.

Earthquakes rattle buildings and nerves in Medford almost daily – often more than once a day – and occur “almost like clockwork,” Barbara Bush said recently.

“They usually start between 6 and 7 a.m. – so you don’t want to be in the shower when it does,” said Mrs. Bush, the city clerk/treasurer for almost 35 years.

“It goes on day and night,” she said, “and I can’t get back to sleep.

It’s unnerving.”

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anschulz

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OUTCROP | February 2015

Lead Story

once the night before. And ceiling tiles in Medford’s civic center had to be repositioned after one recent earthquake.

Many of the tremors are preceded by a loud noise, area residents say. A magnitude-4 ‘quake the night of Sept. 18 southeast of Medford, at Hunter in Garfield County, “sounded almost like a sonic boom,” Mrs. Bush said.

The USGS recorded 29 earthquakes of magnitude-2.5 or greater in or near Medford, as well as two others west southwest of nearby Caldwell, Kan., between Aug. 26 and Sept. 20.

They’re occurring so often

that several Medford residents have earthquake apps on their smartphones that provide them with immediate data about the time, location and magnitude of earthquakes in their vicinity.

Earthquake insurance is growing in popularity, too. Mrs. Bush said she and her husband, Harvey, have a policy on their brick home that features a low premium but a high deductible.

“It’s basically catastrophic insurance,” she said. Lisa Skrdla, the deputy city clerk, said she too has earthquake coverage.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey listed 546 earthquakes that

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stephens prod co OUTCROP | February 2015

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They’re occurring so often that several Medford residents have earthquake apps on their smartphones that provide them with immediate data about the time, location and magnitude of earthquakes in their vicinity.

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | February 2015

Lead Story

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occurred in Grant County between New Year’s Day and 3 p.m.

Sept. 23. They ranged in magnitude from barely perceptible by sensitive metering equipment, to a magnitude-4 on June 20 and another on Sept. 19, a 4.1 on July 14, a 4.2 on Sept. 8, and a 4.4 on July 29. Fifteen ’quakes occurred in one day, Aug. 17; nine have been recorded on each of three days, and eight have occurred on three others (Table 1).

The Denver office of the U.S.

“The frequency and the intensity of these earthquakes are growing in Grant County and elsewhere in central and north-central Oklahoma,” said state Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant.

Geological Survey has logged 51 earthquakes of magnitude-3 or greater within 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of Medford, and 15 temblors of magnitude-3+ within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of Medford, over the last three years, since June 2011.

To put that in perspective, the USGS recorded only one earthquake greater than

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Lead Story

Table 1: Seismic Activity in Grant County This Year Month (2014)

Days in Month

#Days of ’Quakes

Total ’Quakes

January

31

14

23

February

28

23

63

March

31

23

54

April

30

19

51

May

31

24

64

June

30

20

39

July

31

27

85

August

31

27

76

September

23

22

91

Unusually Active Days

#’Quakes That Day

Peak Magnitude

Jan. 13

3

2.0

Jan. 15

3

2.3

Feb. 6

8

2.6

Feb. 11

6

3.0

March 15

6

3.0

March 20

9

3.1

April 22

4

2.5

April 30

5

3.4

May 1

9

2.8

May 28

6

2.9

June 23

4

3.5

June 27

2

3.9

July 1

8

3.2

July 14

8

4.1

Aug. 13

6

3.3

Aug. 17

15

3.8

Sept. 7

9

2.8

Sept. 8

5

4.2

Sept. 19

7

4.0

Source: Oklahoma Geological Survey

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OUTCROP | February 2015

Lead Story

magnitude-3 within a dozen miles of Medford from 1974 through June 2011 – a period of 37 years.

“The frequency and the intensity of these earthquakes are growing in Grant County and elsewhere in central and north-central Oklahoma,” said state Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valliant.

What has changed is resurgent oilfield activity, along with the number and volume of saltwater disposal wells. (Energy production generates as much as 10 barrels of saltwater with every barrel of oil. A barrel is equivalent to 42 gallons.)

“This has been going on since

they started drilling all of these wells,” Mrs. Bush said, and Grant County Commissioner Max Hess confirmed that production in the oil patch picked up in the spring of 2011.

The oilfield activity “has been wonderful for our community,” Mrs. Bush said. The drilling is producing not just gas and oil and saltwater, but a lot of money, too, she said.

An athletic facility featuring a swimming pool plus a basketball/ tennis court is under construction in Medford, financed largely with oil royalty revenue. ONEOK, a major natural-gas supplier

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The oilfield activity “has been wonderful for our community,” Mrs. Bush said.

The drilling is producing not just gas and oil and saltwater, but a lot of money, too, she said.

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with SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) 31 May – 3 June » Denver, Colorado » Colorado Convention Center

Registration opens in February

Exhibition Space and Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Look for the Technical Program and Registration Announcement with the February issue of AAPG Explorer magazine.

The world’s geosciences community meets at ACE: Industry strength: As the globe’s preeminent geosciences organization, AAPG is uniquely positioned to attract a focused audience of geoscience professionals and leaders from around the world.

Target audience: Approximately 8,500 geologists, geophysicists and engineers from around the world will be at ACE. Technical Content: Peer-selected oral and poster presentations attract industry experts who appreciate the strength of the ACE technical program.

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Lead Story

“We’ve had oilfield activity around here for many years, but not to this extent,” said Mrs. Bush, who moved to Medford in 1979.

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in Oklahoma, has a facility at Medford, and Conoco has some above-ground tanks nearby. At least three oilfield service/supply companies have operations in Medford.

Few, if any, residential housing units are still available for rent to oilfield workers, no motel rooms for oilfield workers or travelers are available “within miles of here,” and several mobile home parks have been established in Medford recently, Mrs. Bush said.

Several farmers have sold their mineral rights to energy companies, and Harvey Bush, an attorney, keeps busy with

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paperwork on oil and gas leases and royalty issues.

Although the city sales tax rate in this community of about 1,000 population has remained at 4 cents on the dollar for several years, receipts have nearly quadrupled: from $321,479 in 2009 to $1,264,658 in 2013.

The 4% levy produced more than $561,000 during the first nine months of this year, ledgers reflect.

Nevertheless, concerns are growing about the potential effect of repeated earthquakes on structural integrity, property values and underground utility lines.

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Lead Story

“We’ve had oilfield activity around here for many years, but not to this extent,” said Mrs. Bush, who moved to Medford in 1979.

According to records maintained by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which has regulatory authority over the oil and gas industry, the number of saltwater disposal wells in Grant County almost doubled in four years, from 45 in 2008 to 83 in 2012, and the volume of saltwater injected into those wells has nearly tripled: from 14.5 million barrels in 2008 to 39.4 million barrels in 2013 (Table 2).

Ten of those disposal wells

are located within a six-mile radius of Medford, and accepted more than one million barrels of wastewater in 2011 and 2013 and nearly two million barrels in 2012 (Table 3).

At least 3,356 of the approximately 12,000 injection wells in Oklahoma are disposal wells, according to Matt Skinner, the Corporation Commission’s public information manager. Saltwater disposed of in Oklahoma has been rising steadily, Corporation Commission records show: from 844 million barrels in 2007 to nearly 1.09 billion barrels of wastewater – 45.8 billion gallons,

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Many geologists and other scientists believe that high volumes of wastewater injected underground lubricate faults, which in turn triggers earthquakes.

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rn Great Western ator a rocky mountain operator

great west oil GreatGreat Western Western O I L & G A S COOI LM & PAGNAYS C O M PA N Y

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Gre OIL

303 info ww

Lead Story

Table 2: Saltwater Disposal Well Activity in Grant County 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

SWD Wells 45

SWD Wells 47

SWD Wells 55

SWD Wells 67

SWD Wells 83

SWD Wells 38**

Volume (barrels*)

Volume (barrels*)

Volume (barrels*)

Volume (barrels*)

Volume (barrels*)

Volume (barrels*)

14,533,697

12,035,246

10,811,354

27,948,804

24,263,947

39,444,504

Source: Oklahoma Corporation Commission *1 barrel = 42 gallons, the volume of a typical bathtub **records incomplete

DONATE NOW Please to contribute to the RMAG. Your RMAG contribution supports the calendar of 2015 of RMAG events, including short courses, symposia, social events, monthly luncheons, and more.

Click here to make a contribution online!

JLog® Log Analysis Software for Independents & Small Companies  Are you just eyeballing your logs or using a spreadsheet?  Would you like dynamite graphics to convey your ideas to others?  Find oil and gas in conventional and unconventional reservoirs with JLog.  Easy to install, self-train and use.  Very affordable at $1,595.00.

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21

OUTCROP | February 2015

Lead Story

Table 3: Oilfield Wastewater Disposal Wells in Area of Medford Seismic Activity ‘Quake Swarm

Operator

Well Type

Depth (feet)

Volume (barrels*) CY 2011

Pressure (PSI, avg)

Volume (barrels*) CY 2012

Pressure (PSI, avg)

Volume (barrels*) CY 2013

Pressure (PSI, avg)

Medford

Arrowhead Energy

Disposal

6,150

65,985

0.00

65,985

234

125,965

234

Medford

Canyon Creek Resources

Disposal

6,050

265,184

0.00

256,115

0.00

-0-

0.00

Medford

Canyon Creek Resources

Disposal

6,025

170,764

0.00

162,595

400

177,054

400

Medford

Chaparral Energy

Disposal

6,117

-0-

0.00

494,662

0.00

365,884

0.00

Medford

Chesapeake

Disposal

5,890

140,921

0.00

94,445

243

138,560

243

Medford

D&J Oil Co.

Disposal

6,005

82,466

0.00

241,678

0.00

-0-

0.00

Medford

Earlsboro Energies

Disposal

6,212

26,555

0.00

27,082

0.00

22,148

0.00

Medford

Neilson, Inc.

Commercial Disposal

5,950

514,110

0.00

496,299

450

415,962

450

Medford

Singer Oil Co.

Disposal

6,036

40,181

0.00

37,636

20

36,666

20

Medford

Urban Oil & Gas Group

Disposal

5,975

15,715

0.00

34,718

50

-0-

50

Total: Source: Oklahoma Corporation Commission 1,321,881 *1 b 1 barrel = 42 gallons, the volume of a typical bathtub **0.00.00 pressure indicates well “injects” on a natural vacuum

OUTCROP | February 2015

Total: 1,911,215

22

Total: 1,282,239

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

23

OUTCROP | February 2015

Lead Story

Figure 4: Oklahoma Earthquakes Magnitude 3.0 and Greater

equivalent to the carrying capacity of 504 oceangoing supertankers – generated from oil and gas production operations in 2012.

Many geologists and other scientists believe that high volumes of wastewater injected underground lubricate faults, which in turn triggers earthquakes.

“We do not want to hurt the oil business,” Mrs. Bush stressed. “But isn’t there some way to get rid of some of that saltwater, such as trucking it somewhere else?” The subterranean faults in Grant County have existed for centuries “but now they’re being aggravated,” said Mrs. Bush, a 1974 graduate of Oklahoma State University.

Bob Jackman, an independent petroleum geologist from Tulsa, has similarly recommended that some oilfield wastewater be spread around among various disposal wells sited away from seismically active faults, and that disposal wells be prohibited on defined faults.

During a meeting at the Corporation Commission OUTCROP | February 2015

headquarters in Oklahoma City last month, Tim Baker, director of the commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division, said the commission required five disposal wells in Oklahoma to be closed because of seismic activity in their immediate vicinity.

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb met recently with Medford and Grant County officials to discuss a variety of matters, but offered no potential solutions to the earthquake issue, people who attended the event said.

Also, no one from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma Geological Society, nor the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, has held a public meeting in Medford to discuss local concerns, townspeople said.

The Corporation Commission, the OGS and the OIPA have a “cooperative collaboration” on this issue, Commissioner Dana Murphy told Senator Ellis during a meeting last month.

And during that same meeting, OGS research seismologist Austin Holland said the Geological

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Lead Story Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell, formerly taught at the University of Oklahoma and previously was an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey in earthquake hazards.

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

Survey has increased the number of its monitoring stations to 34 permanent and temporary stations, and 50 of the units will be installed by the end of the year, to “more accurately determine the locations and magnitudes” of the earthquakes in this state.

EDITORS NOTE: Holland maintains that further studies need to This story is a republication of a story published be performed, but Jackman disagrees. “Claiming that we need more studies is just a form of denial,” he

by Oklahoma Welcome. Special thanks goes out to said Wednesday.

Mike Ray and Bob Jackman for compiling the tables “We don’t need more studies. The Geological Surin the above article. Data for the tables was compiled vey, the Corporation Commission and the oil industry from public data through the Oklahoma Geological already know what needs to be done, and I’m waiting Survey and the USGS. for them to do it,” Ellis said Thursday.

The original story can be found at the following “I don’t know of anybody who wants to shut web address: down the oil industry,” he continued. “But we do http://okwnews.com/news/whatzup/ want this state to be a safe place to live and raise a family. The Corporation Commission and the enerstate/106051-grant-county-has-become-earthquakegy industry need to impose some limits on these discentral-in-oklahoma.html posal wells before somebody in this state gets injured or killed in an earthquake.”

In a report issued June 24, the USGS said that after a “rigorous statistical analysis” it concluded that the increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma since October 2013 “is not due to typical, natural fluctuations in natural earthquake rates.” Instead, the analysis “sugPremier geonavigation/geosteering services gests that a likely contributing since 1995 factor to the increase in earthquakes is triggering by wastewater injected into deep geological Maximize Target Penetration formations (Figure 4).”

Maximize Production And in a study published July 3 in the journal Science, a Avoid Costly Redrills research team led by Dr. Kathleen Keranen of Cornell UniverSenior geosteering staff on call 24/7 to keep sity concluded that the dramatic you in-zone and respond to structural increase in earthquakes in censtratigraphic changes www.horizontalsi.com tral Oklahoma since 2009 can likely be attributed to subsurface wastewater disposal wells. KerDenver, Colorado Carrollton, Texas anen, a geophysicist who is an KC Oren 303.249.9965 972.416.1626 assistant professor of Earth and

-

Stay in the Zone

horizon solut

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

25

OUTCROP | February 2015

RMAG Luncheon programs RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speaker: Paul Lillis — February 4, 2015

Timing of generation and migration of Phosphoria oils in the Bighorn Basin using Re–Os geochronometry

By Paul G. Lillis, U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046, MS 977, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225, USA plillis@usgs.gov

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OSCIENCE L GE , LL RE

influenced by the development of the Idaho–Wyoming–Utah thrust belt. The oil migrated eastward along regional dip, was trapped in a regional stratigraphic trap (or series of traps) by the updip impermeable evaporites of the Goose Egg Formation, and then re-migrated into structural traps formed by the Laramide orogeny. Generation and migration occurred prior to the Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous; ~70 Ma) because the tectonic barriers from the Laramide orogeny later blocked the migration pathways into successor basins such as the Bighorn Basin. Proposed timing of the beginning of oil generation and migration from eastern Idaho and western Wyoming ranges from Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous.

The Re and Os isotope data of the Phosphoria oils plot in two general trends: (1) the main trend

Rhenium–osmium (Re–Os) geochronometry is applied to crude oils derived from the Permian Phosphoria Formation of the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming and Montana to determine whether the radiogenic age reflects the timing of petroleum generation, timing of migration, age of the source rock, or the timing of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The oils selected for this study are interpreted to be derived from the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale and Retort Phosphatic Shale Members of the Phosphoria Formation based on oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations utilizing bulk properties, elemental composition, stable carbon and sulfur isotope values, and biomarker distributions. Oil was generated in the Phosphoria basin in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming as a result of burial by the subsequent deposition of Mesozoic sediments, although some oil generation may have been

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Paul Lillis is a petroleum geochemist with the Central Energy Resources Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Denver, Colorado. He received a B.A. in geology from San Jose State University, an M.S. in geology from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Colorado School of Mines. He was a petroleum exploration geologist with Atlantic Richfield for eight years (1978 to 1986) in Colorado, California, and Texas, and has been with the USGS in Denver since 1987. His research focuses on the application of petroleum and source-rock geochemistry to identifying, characterizing, and mapping petroleum systems.

Thomas E. Hoak, Ph.D. Consulting Geoscientist

kestrel

Kestrel Geoscience, LLC

Structural Geology Seismic Interpretation Magnetic and Gravity Interpretation Basin Analysis and Restoration Regional Desk Studies Integrated Exploration Prospect Generation Presentation Graphics

OUTCROP | February 2015

Littleton, CO USA

Phone: (303) 933-5805 Cell: (720) 375-3015

kestrelco@comcast.net kestrelgeoscience.com

26

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Hyatt Regency Downtown Tulsa

Abstracts may be submitted for either oral or poster presentations on any of the topics listed below, in keeping with the Meeting’s theme, The Art of Discovery:

Mid-Continent Resource Plays: Geologic Controls & Production

Hydrocarbon Generation & Migration in the Mid-Continent

Clastic Reservoirs of the MidContinent

Mid-Continent Earthquakes: Induced or Naturally Occurring?

Geophysical Methods in Exploration & Production

Geosteering of Horizontal Wells

SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRURARY 27, 2015!

The Business of Oil and Gas Drilling & Production Technology Exploration & Production Implementation Petroleum Production in the Pre-Mississippian Petroleum Southern Mid-Continent Potential in the Mid-Continent Exploration & Production in Mississippian Reservoirs

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

Abstracts must be limited to 250 words. All papers and posters will be judged, with awards given in four Questions? Contact Technical Program Co-Chairs categories: best professional paper and poster, and best student paper and poster. Go to http://aapgmcs.org/ Chris Carson (ccarson@casillaspetro.com) or section-meetings/2015 to begin the submission process.

John Mitchell (mtgeologist@yahoo.com).

27

OUTCROP | February 2015

RMAG Luncheon programs

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the Meade Peak and Retort source units. Effects of re-migration may have contributed to the scatter, but thermal cracking and biodegradation likely have had minimal or no effect on the main-trend regression. The four Phosphoria-sourced oils from Torchlight and Lamb fields yield a precise Miocene age Re–Os isochron that may reflect the end of TSR in the reservoir due to cooling below a threshold temperature in the last 10 m.y. from uplift and erosion of overlying rocks.

The mechanism for the formation of a Re–Os isotopic relationship in a family of crude oils may involve multiple steps in the petroleum generation process. Bitumen generation from the source rock kerogen may provide a reset of the isotopic chronometer, and incremental expulsion of oil over the duration of the oil window may provide some of the variation seen in 187Re/188Os values from an oil family.

yielding a Triassic age but with significant scatter (239 ± 43 Ma), and (2) the Torchlight trend yielding a precise Miocene age (9.24 ± 0.39 Ma). The scatter in the main-trend regression is due, in part, to TSR in reservoirs along the eastern margin of the basin.

Excluding oils that have experienced TSR, the regression is significantly improved, yielding an age of 211 ± 21 Ma. This revised age is consistent with some studies that have proposed Late Triassic as the beginning of Phosphoria oil generation and migration, and does not seem to reflect the source rock age (Permian) or the timing of re-migration (Late Cretaceous to Eocene) associated with the Laramide orogeny. The low precision of the revised regression (± 21 Ma) is not unexpected for this oil family given the long duration of generation from a large geographic area of mature Phosphoria source rock, and the possible range in the initial Os isotope values of

REFERENCE

unity arch her n the that p as nter. nued What nto a t.

rdan, Myths of the letin,

ures, al of G.S., Years ogical

LOCATION we’ll lease it, permit it, gather it and sell it

Lillis, P.G. and Selby, D. 2013. Evaluation of the rhenium–osmium geochronometer in the Phosphoria petroleum system, Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, USA: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v.118, p. 312-330. http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.04.021

karo

ge 43

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS!

your ideas - we make them happen LEASING - PERMITTING - DAMAGES - ROW

303-279-0789 OUTCROP | February 2015

Lario Oil & Gas Company

28

If you have any events that you would like to post in this column, please submit via email to Holly Sell at holly.sell@yahoo.com, or the RMAG office at staff@rmag.org.

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

THE MOUNTAIN GEOLOGIST BEST PAPER AWARD FOR 2014

R

GEOLOGIST THE MOUNTAIN SPECIAL ISSUE

Massive Heart Mountain Slide, Northwest Wyoming: Detrital Zircon Constraints on Age, Correlation, Emplacement

Logs Since 1971

The RMAG is pleased to announce the winner of October 2014 Volume 51 Number 4 The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2014.

The winning paper is “The Graneros-Greenhorn Petroleum System: Greater Wattenberg Area, Denver Basin, Colorado” by Craig A. Kaiser and Stephen A. Sonnenberg.

This extremely well written and illustrated study investigates the unconventional petroleum resource potential within the Late Cretaceous Graneros and Greenhorn formations with a particular foRocky Mountain field Associationarea. of Geologists, Denver, Colorado cus on the Wattenberg The methods used include petrophysical analysis of open-hole wireline well logs, source rock analyzer measurements of well cuttings and core samples, outcrop and core descriptions, and analysis of drill stem test recoveries. The authors used calibrated log-derived organic carbon content (TOC) to characterize the richness and thermal maturity of the source rock units, and mapped their thickness and distribution within the Denver Basin. Substantial evidence is presented indicating that the two reservoir units of the Greenhorn Formation are adjacent to mature, organic-rich source facies and contain a significant amount of hydrocarbons. With the aid of current advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic-fracture stimulation, the Lincoln Limestone and Bridge Creek Limestone members of the Greenhorn Formation have favorable, unconventional reservoir characteristics to become an economic play in and around the greater Wattenberg area.

All of the papers published this year in The Mountain Geologist are outstanding, which made the selection process difficult. We would like to thank all of the authors for their contributions to the journal.

Congratulations to Craig and Steve.

—The Best Paper Selection Committee Preface David H. Malone and John P. Craddock 244 Age and Provenance of the Eocene Crandall Conglomerate: Implications for the Emplacement of the Heart Mountain Slide David H. Malone, Jeremy R. Breeden John P. Craddock, Mark H. Anders, Alison Macnamee 249 Detrital Zircon Age and Provenance of Wapiti Formation Tuffaceous Sandstones, South Fork Shoshone River Valley, Wyoming David H. Malone, Katherine Schroeder, John P. Craddock 279

L OG S G S LO LOGS

Age and Provenance of Eocene Volcanic Rocks at Hominy Peak, Northern Teton Range, Wyoming: Implications for the Emplacement of the Heart Mountain Slide David H. Malone, John P. Craddock, Lisa M. Tranel, Monica R. Mustain 295

Origin of Allochthonous Volcanic Rocks at Squaw Peaks, Wyoming: A Distal Remnant of the Heart Mountain Slide David H. Malone, John P. Craddock, Maren G. Mathesin 321

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

OVER 6 MILLION WELL LOGS FROM THE ARCTIC TO THE GULF OF MEXICO

MP

CA WOLF

KS

FOR HREE

T

CAR

DIU

M

EAGLEFORD Y

LBAN NEW A

MONTNEY FAY ETT EVI

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BAKKEN LE L I V S E HAYN

WOODFORD

IVER R N HOR DUVERN

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BARNETT N IOBRARA UTICA

www.mjlogs.com 1-800-310-6451 29

OUTCROP | February 2015

Vol. 63, No. 12

Our bu helping opportu continu

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speaker: Dr. Steven Tedesco — March 4, 2015

Stratigraphy, geochemistry and production from thin carbonaceous mudstones and carbonates of Pennsylvanian Atokan, Cherokee and Marmaton formations in the southern Denver Basin

By Dr. Steven A. Tedesco limestone and dolomite reservoirs in the Cherokee Formation are known as “A” and “C”. The Ft. Scott limestone, “A” and “B” zones are productive in the Marmaton Formation.

The carbonate rocks that underlie the carbonaceous mudstones in the Atoka Formation tend to lack porosity and permeability. Thin fluvial sandstones of the Fountain Formation can be interbedded with sediments of the Atoka Formation and have been productive historically in the basin. The Atoka carbonaceous mudstones are lacustrine in origin, average 10% TOC, high pour point (>75o), API gravity of 33o to 38o and with associated 1,400 to 2,200 BTU gas.

XRF and XRD data indicate distinct differences

The Atoka, Cherokee and Marmaton formations of Middle Pennsylvanian age in the southern Denver Basin are marine and lacustrine sediments containing thin carbonaceous mudstones that are one to eight feet thick and organically rich. These sediments are interbedded on the west side of the basin with alluvial and fluvial sediments of the Fountain Formation. The Fountain represents sediments eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountains. The carbonaceous mudstones of the Cherokee and Marmaton formations overlie in some areas thin porous and permeable carbonate reservoirs. The Cherokee and Marmaton carbonaceous mudstones are marine in origin, average 11% TOC, low pour point (<30o), API gravity of 35o to 41o API oil that is associated with 1,450 to 2,100 BTU gas. The thin productive

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

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Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

RMAG Luncheon programs strategy up until recently assumed these reservoirs have a large areal extent and are continuous. Drilling has proved otherwise. Locating where these reservoirs are productive requires likely migration pathways; basement faulting that extends into the Paleozoic rocks and identifying where areas of optimal reservoir development may occur.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

in environment of deposition for the Atoka, Cherokee and Marmaton formations. Oil production from all these reservoirs tends to be controlled by localized reservoir development where productive that is mostly structural control. A small percentage of some fields are stratigraphic traps. Exploration

Dr. Steven Tedesco is the President of Running Foxes Petroleum Inc. which focuses on shale and coal bed methane; conventional production in the Uncompahgre Uplift, Denver, Forest City and Cherokee basins, USA. Mr. Tedesco has a BA in Geology from Northeastern University in Boston, a MS in Geology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL, and a PhD in Geology with a minor in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Tedesco has over 30 years of experience in coal mining, coal bed methane, shale gas\oil, waterflood projects, petroleum exploration and development. He has help to discover over 124 MMBO. Most recent discovery is the Arikaree Creek and Old Homestead fields in Lincoln County, Colorado, which are presently producing 1,500+ BOPD. Mr. Tedesco specializes in evaluation and development of shale and coal bed methane reservoirs. Running Foxes Petroleum operates over 800 producing wells eastern Kansas, southwest Missouri, southeast Colorado and eastern Utah and has 35+ employees. Mr. Tedesco has published numerous articles and presented several talks at national industry meetings on coal bed methane, surface geochemistry, and stratigraphy. He has published the only textbook specifically on the use of surface geochemistry in petroleum exploration.

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

31

OUTCROP | February 2015

21ST Annual

3D Seismic: Mapping Our Future

Keynote: Scott Key, CEO of IHS KickoďŹ&#x20AC;: R Randy Ray, President R3 Exploration Speakers: Tom Bratton, Dr. Bob Hardage, Dr. Heloise Lynn, and many more Basins: Appalachia, DJ, N. Louisiana, Permian, Williston, others

Thursday, February 5, 2015 Colorado Convention Center Downtown Denver Registration, exhibitor, sponsor forms www.3dseismicsymposium.com

OUTCROP | February 2015

32

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

IN THE PIPELINE FEBRUARY 4, 2015 RMAG Luncheon.

Speaker Paul Lillis. “Timing of Generation and Migration of Phosphoria Oils in the Bighorn Basin Using Re-Os Geochronometry.”

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 RMAG/DGS 21st Annual 3D Seismic Symposium.

Colorado Convention Center.

FEBRUARY 10-13, 2015 NAPE International Winter Expo.

Houston, TX. FEBRUARY 13, 2015 DIPS Luncheon.

For reservations, RSVP to aeglerd@directpetroleum.com or 303-285-9136.

production from thin carbonaceous mudstones and carbonates of Pennsylvanian Atokan, Cherokee and Marmaton formations in the southern Denver Basin”

ideas, and the state of oil shale development in the world” APRIL 16, 2015 RMAG Short Course

MARCH 6, 2015 RMAG & DAPL GeoLand Ski Day

MAY 31-JUN 2, 2015 AAPG ACE 2015

MARCH 20, 2015

JUNE 2, 2015

RMAG Bakken Core Workshop in North Dakota

RMAG and AAPG ACE Social Event at the Zoo

APRIL 1, 2015

JUNE 17, 2015

RMAG Luncheon.

Speaker: Jeremy Boak.

“Oil Shale & Shale Oil, Some myth busting, some crosscutting

RMAG Golf Tournament

FEBRUARY 17, 2015 DWLS Luncheon.

Speaker Mark Kittridge.

FEBRUARY 24, 2015 RMS-SEPM Luncheon.

Speaker John Humphrey. “Overview of a Giant Resource Play: Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquen Basin, Argentina.”

PTTC Rockies Short Course.

“Hydraulic FracturingMeasurement, Characterization, and Analysis.” Billings, MT. FEBRUARY 25, 2015 Oilfield Christian Fellowship.

For reservations, RSVP to OCFDenverChapter@pxd.com or 303675-2602.

rmag short

MARCH 4, 2015 RMAG Luncheon.

Speaker Dr. Steven Tedesco.

“Stratigraphy, geochemistry and

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

33

OUTCROP | February 2015

WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!

Christopher Canfield

is an Environmental Protection Specialist at Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission in Denver, CO

Walter Chitwood

is the President at Payzone Consulting, Inc. in Missoula, MT

Grace Ford

is works at Sundance Energy, Inc in Sedalia, CO

Russell Frommer

is a Geologist at Columbine Logging, Inc. in Morrison, CO

Monte Fryt

is a Petrophysical Advisor at EOG Resources in Midland, TX

Todd Gilmer

lives in Buena Vista, CO

Amber Henderson

works at iBall Instruments in Denver, CO

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Annual Golf Tournament At Arrowhead Golf Club

rmag golf

Natalie Hook

is a Sr. Petrophysical Technician at Whiting Petroleum Co. in Wheat Ridge, CO

Devin Hunter

is a Geologist at DJ Resources in Denver, CO

Ted Kendall

is a Consulting Geologist in Evergreen, CO

Paul Lowrey

works at Payzone Consulting Inc in Missoula, MT

Christen Peevy lives in Eugene, OR

Matthew Seitz

is a Hydrogeologist / Project Manager at Leonard Rice Engineers, Inc. in Denver, CO

Matthew Slowinski is a Geologist at DJ Resources in Denver, CO

Terry Walters

works at Dolan Integration Group in Boulder, CO

Sally Zinke

Stay Tuned for Details

www.rmag.org staďŹ&#x20AC;@rmag.org | 303.573.8621

OUTCROP | February 2015

is a Consultrant in Lakewood, CO 2015 RMAG Golf Tournament

34

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

2015 Award of Excellence For Teaching of Earth Science Sponsored by the

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists THE WINNER RECEIVES A Plaque and a $1000 Cash Award If you teach earth science in K-12 and think you qualify, contact the RMAG office at 303-573-8621 for an application.

Deadline is May 1. Previous winners were also selected to receive the Teacher of the Year Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists at the national and regional level.

The RMAG is a professional organization representing over 2000 earth scientists working in the Denver and Rocky Mountain area. In its capacity as the leading geologic organization in the Rocky Mountain area, each year the RMAG Foundation provides funding for an annual award presented to a teacher in recognition of his or her commendable efforts in introducing young minds to the earth sciences.

Check out the RMAG website at www.rmag.org.

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

35

OUTCROP | February 2015

DENVER AREA GEOLOGY TALKS USGS 2015 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SEMINARS You may be interested in the schedule of USGS seminars for 2015; all take place in the Building 25 auditorium, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO, 10:3011:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Visitors are welcome. Enter the Federal Center via Gate 1 on Kipling St., park in the big lot east of Building 25, and enter the building via the main entrance by the security guard, entrance E-14.

FEBRUARY 3

Peter Larson (Washington State University), Alteration

and fluid flow in large continental hydrothermal systems FEBRUARY 17 Christine Smith-Siddoway (Colorado College), Cryogenian sandstone in Colorado: A new terrestrial record for Rodinia revealed through detrital zircon provenance analysis MARCH 3 James Jones (USGS Anchorage), Late Cretaceous through Oligocene magmatic and tectonic evolution of the western Alaska Range

MARCH 17 Marty Goldhaber (USGS Denver), Critical zone science and global societal challenges MARCH 31 Alexis Templeton (Univ.

Colorado) Seeking subsurface biospheres sustained bywater/ rock interaction

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE, 2015 SEMINAR SERIES All talks are held from 3:004:00 p.m. in the VIP Room at the Museum; all are welcome to attend, and Museum admission is not required to attend these seminars. (Day of the week varies.)

FEBRUARY 3

Craig Jones, U. of Colorado, “Making the Rockies by drowning Colorado”, DMNS Host: I. Miller MARCH 12

rmag zoo Speaker: Dr. Scott Sampson

Recipient of the AAPG Geosciences in the Media Award

Rewilding Revolution Reconnecting Humanity & Nature in the 21st Century

Dinner, Drinks, & A Talk Registration will be handled through AAPG $50 Student Ticket | $75 General Ticket Buses departing from and returning to the Hyatt will be provided

OUTCROP | February 2015

6:30 -10:00 PM at the Conoco Zoo Gardens at the Denver Zoo

36

David Krause, SUNY Stonybrook, “Bizarre and marvelous dinosaurs and other vertebrates of Madagascar: Insights into the southern end of the world”, DMNS Host: J. Sertich MARCH 17 Catherine Sartin, Johns Hopkins, “A slice of prehistory: Histological Insights into how Iguanodontian dinosaurs grow”, DMNS Host: J. Sertich

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

RMAG ♦♦ DAPL GeoLand Ski Day 2015 REGISTRATION FORM: BEAVER CREEK RESORT – Friday, March 6, 2015 Deadline for reservations is Monday 3/2/15 ♦♦ No refunds after Friday, 2/27/15

**Ski Downhill – Snowboard – Cross Country – Snow Shoe**

Name: Affiliation:

RMAG/Geologist

Ski Pass:

Epic/local

DAPL/Landman

Super Pass

Other:

Company: Address: Phone:

E-mail:

Please Reserve: Downhill Lift Tickets, Bus Ride and Après Ski Party Downhill Lift Tickets and Après Ski Party (No bus) Bus Ride and Party Only Après Ski Party Only

# # # #

x $175 = x $140 = x $105 = x $ 70 =

$___________ $___________ $___________ $___________ *Door Prizes*Complimentary Food & Wine/Beer*Cash Bar Available*Silent Auction* Total $___________

Pay online with a credit card via PayPal: www.DAPLDenver.org OR mail check to: RMAG/DAPL GeoLand Ski Day, 535 16th Street, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202 �� Submit form to DAPL (303-446-2253): dapl@integra.net, fax 303-595-9701 �� Schedule of Events 7:10 am

12:00 pm 3-­‐5:30pm 7:30pm

Buses Depart

RTD Federal Center Station in Lakewood Denver Federal Center 11601 W. 2nd Pl. Lakewood, CO 80228 http://www3.rtd-­‐denver.com/elbert/PNRMap/ *24 hours of free parking for Denver County residents ($4 for non-­‐residents -­‐ eligibility check: http://www.rtd-­‐denver.com/HowToPark.shtml) *Coffee/donuts provided* Skiing/Riding Nastar race (details provided on bus) Lunch Re-­‐group at Spruce Saddle (top of Centennial Lift) Après Ski Party Westin at the bottom of the Riverfront Express Gondola from the Beaver Creek Landing Buses Arrive RTD Federal Center Station in Lakewood

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | February 2015

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists presents: RMAG Fall Symposium

Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain Region

October 8th, 2015 At the Denver City Center Marriott With all the unconventional activity occurring across the globe, it is time to review what is driving the technical quality of the “Hot Plays” in the greater Rocky Mountain region. Please mark your calendars for what is sure to be the “HOTTEST” event of the Fall 2015 Technical Season. Geological, Geophysical, Geochemical, Petrophysical, and Structural technical drivers will be presented, describing what the RMAG membership has determined to be the Hottest Plays in the Rocky Mountains.

A call for papers is forthcoming (Spring 2015).

If you would like to participate, please email: mdolan@digforenergy.com

OUTCROP | February 2015

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S A V E T H E D A T E

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

ADVERTISER INDEX • AAPG �����������������������������������������������������������13, 18, 27 • Anschutz Exploration ����������������������������������������������11 • Bowler Petrophysics �����������������������������������������������21 • Breckenridge Exploration, Inc. ����������������������������������4 • Crown GeoChemistry ������������������������������������������������6 • Daub & Associates, Inc. ��������������������������������������������6 • Dolan Integration Group �������������������������������������������7 • Donovan Brothers Inc. ���������������������������������������������22 • Encana ���������������������������������������������������������������������14 • Fluid Inclusion Technologies �����������������������������������17 • GeoMark Research, LTD �����������������������������������������31 • Geosteering LLC ������������������������������������������������������17 • Great Western Oil & Gas ����������������������������������������20 • Horizon Solutions International ��������������������������4, 25

• James Karo �������������������������������������������������������������28 • Johnson Geo-Consulting, LLC ���������������������������������22 • Kestrel Geoscience, LLC �����������������������������������������26 • Louis J. Mazzullo, LLC ���������������������������������������������15 • Mineral Appraiser LLC ��������������������������������������������15 • MJ Systems ������������������������������������������������������������29 • Neil Whitehead ���������������������������������������������������������8 • PTTC ��������������������������������������������������������������������������9 • SM Energy ���������������������������������������������������������������19 • Stephens Production Company �������������������������������12 • Stoner Engineering, LLC ������������������������������������������23 • StratoChem Services ����������������������������������������������27 • Tracker Resources ���������������������������������������������������16 • Weber Law Firm, LLC ������������������������������������������������8

CALENDAR | FEBRUARY 2015 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

1

2

3

4

8

15

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

5

6

7

RMAG Luncheon.

RMAG/DGS 3D Seismic Symposium.

10

11

12

13

14

NAPE Int. Winter Expo.

NAPE Int. Winter Expo.

NAPE Int. Winter Expo.

DIPS Luncheon.

16

17

18

19

20

21

PRESIDENTS’ DAY RMAG Office Closed

DWLS Luncheon.

25

26

27

28

9

22

23

29

30

Vol. 64, No. 2 | www.rmag.org

24

RMS-SEPM Luncheon.

PTTC Rockies Short Course.

Oilfield Christian Fellowship.

31

39

OUTCROP | February 2015