January 2015 Outcrop by The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 64 • No. 1 • January 2015

2015 Summit Sponsors 2015 Summit Sponsors Gold Sponsors Gold Sponsors

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Become a 2015 Summit Sponsor. Visit www.rmag.org to ďŹ nd out more. The deadline to submit 2015 Summit Sponsorship is B e c o m eJ aa n2u0a1r5y S3u1m , m 2 0i t1 5S.p o n s o r . Visit www.rmag.org to ďŹ nd out more. The deadline to submit 2015 Summit Sponsorship is January 31, 2015. OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | 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 4. 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

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

RMAG 2014 NOVEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

RMAG 2014 November Board of Directors Meeting By Nick Nelson, Secretary nnelson@samson.com

programs and publications that we all rely on. Without these dedicated people we would not be able to put on such amazing events. If you are interested in helping with an event or publication please contact the RMAG office, we are always looking for more help. Most of the positions take only a couple hours a month and the more people that volunteer the bigger and better these events will be. By the time you read this, the 2015 board of directors will have taken over and they have a full slate already set up for the year. You might be sad, but don’t worry, you will still be seeing all of the 2014 board members at meetings, luncheons and events, you can’t get rid of us that easy. I am going to end this last article by giving you one more piece of advice, be sure to get out of the office at least once a month to see some rocks, attend an event or even just see the sunshine. I know you are busy, but the more time you spend in your office the weirder you get. We all already have an overwhelming amount of weird, being interested in geology, so don’t add more on top of that by working alone in your office all the time. Finally, I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading along each month and I hope that I gave you a little insight on what the organization was up to. I would like to wish you all a productive, happy and healthy 2015.

This month’s board meeting was held on November 19th, 2014. As usual we started the meeting with the financial report, and the organization continues to be in good standing. The board approved moving some additional funds into the savings account, this end of the year action is in preparation for the 2015 board of directors to take the reins and start the year off on the right foot. We also discussed that the office has started receiving 2015 membership renewal dues, but there are still a lot of members that have not renewed yet. If you are like me and really don’t like getting all those reminder emails, be sure to go to the RMAG website and renew your membership as soon as possible. The next topic of discussion was the 2014 Rockbusters Ball that was held on November 15th. Overall feedback from the event was good, even though the event was held during that incredibly cold and snowy week that we had. We had a great turn out; the silent auction, photo booth and rock candy bar were all a big hit. I know I must have eaten thirty of those little gummy dinosaurs, no matter how old you are there is nothing like biting the tiny gummy head off of a Tyrannosaurus. I would like to thank all of the award recipients for their hard work and dedication to the RMAG organization. As you all know, RMAG is an organization that relies on the volunteers in dozens of committees to organize the

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Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

10 Lead Story: Sinkholes and humans in the Delaware Basin, southeastern New Mexico and west Texas

4 RMAG 2014 November Board of Directors Meeting 6 President’s Letter 19 RMAG Luncheon Program

ASSOCIATION NEWS 2 RMAG 2015 Summit Sponsors 15 2015 RMAG Symposium October 8th Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain Region

20 In the Pipeline 21 Welcome New RMAG Members! 22 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Pete Stark

24 RMAG Annual Golf Tournament

26 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Paul Lillis

25 3D Seismic Symposium

30 Advertiser Index

27 2014 Summit Sponsors Interview

30 Calendar

COVER PHOTO Air bubbles trapped in ice – Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

28 Save the Date! Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists 29 Thank you 2014 Rockbusters Ball Sponsors

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

PRESIDENT’S LETTER By Marv Brittenham

The Bridge – Continuity at RMAG Yangtze River, Ch ina

2014

members yearly, a potential loss of continuity. One of the strengths of RMAG is the degree of continuity it enjoys in the areas of leadership, volunteerism, funding and membership.

In October last year Harriett and I traveled to China, in part cruising the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges where a dam was just completed in 2008 finally taming the Yangtze. It sadly resulted in the displacement of millions of occupants while relocating cities and villages to high ground in newly constructed cities and transportation infrastructure. If you think of China as a sleeping giant, don’t; everywhere we went we saw evidence of how robust China is! One symbol of the sophistication is the design of dozens of new suspension bridges all uniquely beautiful. I thought that would be a fitting metaphor for how year to year continuity happens at RMAG with the “changing of the guard.” Last month I transitioned from the crew deck to the bridge when I undertook the challenge of succeeding Matt Silverman as President of RMAG. I had the pleasure of serving with him on last year’s board, benefitting from his leadership and vision. Thank you Matt for your service and for your continued role this year chairing Long Range Planning. It’s important to build bridges across any recognized gaps within an organization. Like many volunteer based organizations, RMAG elects new board

LEADERSHIP

Matt recognized one of the elements of leadership last month by commending the RMAG staff for their part in what was a very successful year. The staff is the long term, most permanent, year to year bridge for RMAG. That system worked well last year with the seamless succession in Directorship from Emily Tompkins to Carrie Veatch. Thanks to the previous boards and Emily for the foresight to have such a qualified internal candidate. The second leadership bridge is the RMAG Board of Directors. Although some new officers are elected

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OUTCROP | January 2015

President

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Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

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.

AC E.A AP G.O R

International Appeal: On average, 1,350+ geoscientists from outside the U.S. attend ACE each year making it the perfect place to make global contacts.

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

President’s Letter FUNDING

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

each year, two thirds of the officers serve for multiple years. That’s a big commitment, but essential. Thanks to last year’s Board of Directors with whom I had the pleasure to serve: Matt Silverman, Mike Dolan, Michele Bishop, Nick Nelson, Laura Wray, Reed Johnson, Paul Lillis and Terri Olson. I’m pleased to announce also the 2015 Board of Directors, some recently elected: President Marv Brittenham, President Elect John Ladd, 1st Vice President Mel Klinger, 2nd Vice President Chris Eisinger, Secretary Stephanie Gaswirth, Treasurer Paul Lillis, Treasurer Elect Tom Sperr, Counselor (1st year) Jane Estes-Jackson and Counselor (2nd year) Terri Olson. Many of these officers are committed to serve additional years as committee chairs, or on committees, or as board liaisons. One key role is Long Range Planning to be chaired by Matt Silverman. It is comprised of past presidents and is a valuable resource to the Board and staff for forward thinking.

The third bridge for continuity is consistent funding of RMAG’s programs. Financial support from Summit Sponsors has become an important element to allow us to maintain consistent programs from year to year. We are thankful to our Sponsors, many of whom employ our members and benefit from RMAG’s support of the geosciences. Member dues and program revenues also contribute to the financial health of our organization. Our relationships with other organizations, like AAPG, allow us to host high impact events which contribute substantial funds to RMAG. In 2014 we hosted the Rocky Mountain Section AAPG meeting and this year we will host the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Those meetings occur in five to six year cycles, greatly enhancing the financial sustainability of RMAG.

MEMBERSHIP

VOLUNTEERISM

The foundations of our bridges derive from our membership. RMAG has a gifted and diverse membership of geoscientists. Above all, there is a great sense of belonging to a community within our organization. Be an ambassador; bring a potential member to a meeting. Feel free to contact me if you have any ideas to make RMAG better. We want to be The Best Place for Rockies Geoscience. I hope you share my view - it is part of what has kept me engaged for 41 years at RMAG!

An army of volunteers serve RMAG as committee chairs or members of two dozen committees, as luncheon or symposia organizers or speakers, as field trip leaders, as editors or authors of publications, as well as many other supportive roles. We’re very grateful for the willingness of our members to volunteer and thank them for their service! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Carrie or any of the officers. I’m sure we can find a role that fits your interest!

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

LEAD STORY By Lewis Land

Sinkholes and humans in the Delaware Basin, southeastern New Mexico and west Texas excavated from gypsum and mudstone of the Seven Rivers Formation by artesian flow from the underlying San Andres limestone aquifer. Overflow from these cenotes contributes to increased discharge and salinity in the nearby Pecos River (Land, 2003), and ultimately helps New Mexico meet its interstate compact obligations with its downstream neighbor, the state of Texas. A small but significant number of sinkholes in

Sinkholes formed in evaporitic bedrock are common features of the greater Delaware Basin region in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. New sinkholes form almost annually, often associated with upward artesian flow of groundwater from karstic aquifers that underlie evaporitic rocks (Land, 2009). The large gypsum cenotes at Bottomless Lakes State Park, east of Roswell, New Mexico, occur at the downstream end of the regional groundwater flow system (Figure 1). These cenotes have been

ÂťÂťCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

FIGURE 1: West-east hydrostratigraphic section of Roswell Artesian Basin, showing regional groundwater flow through the

artesian aquifer.

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | 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

• • • •

Offers a “hands-on” approach to basic openhole well log analysis and interpretation; Focuses on the traditional interpretation targets of lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation; Introduces a variety of interpretation techniques in the context of the availability of newer, more extensive, data; Is organized by the targets, or goals of the measurements, rather than by the physics of the measurements.

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

This one-day workshop is intended to demonstrate recent advances in hydraulic fracturing techniques and how they can be used to characterize the producing reservoir. The basics of hydraulic fracturing are discussed and lead into the complexities associated with treatment design and analysis. Special issues such as non-Darcy flow, G-function analysis, and “mapping” techniques are covered. Case studies demonstrating analysis and various fracturing practices (such as “slickwater” fracs) are presented.

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

On completion of the course, participants will be familiar with the methodologies and skills to subdivide, correlate, and map stratigraphic units (reservoirs, seals, and source rocks) through the application of sequence-stratigraphy concepts in the interpretation of well logs from a variety of nonmarine, shallow-marine, and deep-marine environments in siliciclastic settings Participants completing this workshop will be able to: • • • • • • • • • •

Analyze the major geologic controls and their interaction on the filling of basins. Comprehend and critically analyze the often-confusing terminology utilized in sequence stratigraphy. Apply appropriate sequence stratigraphy models to various basin settings. Analyze and subdivide stratigraphic successions from well logs into packages of increasing or decreasing accommodation and identify chronostratigraphically significant surfaces. Examine the pitfalls of lithostratigraphic vs. chronostratigraphic well-log correlations. Correlate well logs using sequence stratigraphy concepts. Apply reservoir-seal-source rock concepts to sequence stratigraphic cross sections. Generate maps of genetically related sequence stratigraphic units. Demonstrate and predict new stratigraphic prospects or previously untapped reservoir compartments. Determine the influence of chronostratigraphic surfaces on reservoir quality and flow units.

Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

Lead Story

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

the Delaware Basin are of human origin, including the wellknown Wink Sinks in Winkler Co., Texas (Figure 2). The first Wink Sink formed in 1980 outside the small community of Wink, Texas, within the giant Hendrick oil field, destroying crude oil pipelines and oil field infrastructure. That sinkhole ultimately expanded to a diameter of more than 300 feet, but has been largely inactive for the past 34 years. In 2002 a new sinkhole formed less than two miles south of the original Wink Sink. Wink Sink no. 2 is significantly larger than its predecessor, with a maximum width of almost 800 feet and an

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Lewis Land, hydrogeologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 400-1 Cascades Ave., Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA, 575-8875508, lland@nckri.org

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fax 303-679-8574

31634 Black Widow Way

OUTCROP | January 2015

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Conifer, CO

neil3@q.com 80433-9610

45 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

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Lead Story that was pumped to the surface to sell as drilling fluid in nearby oil fields. This process, which creates a sizeable cave in the salt beds, is common in many parts of the world. Various engineering and geotechnical methods ensure that the resulting cavities don’t collapse, but in some cases these strategies are not entirely successful. While on location the driver noticed a rumbling noise and quickly vacated the site. Minutes later, a large sinkhole abruptly formed, engulfing the brine well and associated structures. This sinkhole (referred to as the JWS sinkhole from the initials of the well operator) eventually grew to a diameter of more than 330 feet, and a depth of about 150 feet. Large concentric fractures developed around the perimeter of the sink, threatening the integrity of a nearby

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

estimated total volume of more than 45 million cubic feet. Both sinkholes are assumed to have formed by dissolution of salt beds in the upper Permian Salado Formation, in association with improperly-cased abandoned oil and water supply wells (Johnson et al., 2003).

EDDY COUNTY SINKHOLES

Around 8:15 on the morning of July 16th, 2008, a truck driver for a local water hauling company was parked at the site of a brine well in northern Eddy County that his company was operating. The operator had taken over an abandoned oil well and converted it to an injection well, pumping fresh water into salt beds of the Salado Formation, about 500 feet deep. The salt dissolved into a brine solution

»»CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

FIGURE 3: JWS sinkhole, two weeks after initial collapse. Note pickup truck in lower right corner for scale.

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

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

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

S A V E T H E D A T E

OUTCROP | January 2015

Lead Story

county road (Figure 3) (Land, 2013). Less than four months later, another brine well collapse occurred a few miles to the east near the small community of Loco Hills (Figure 2), forming a sinkhole of similar dimensions. Both of the Eddy County sinkholes formed in the middle of a giant oil field where the population of pump jacks far outnumbers the population of human beings. In the aftermath of these events the city of Carlsbad discovered the I&W brine well, located within the city limits (Figure 2) and with a similar geologic setting, depth,

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highly fractured and brine-saturated intervals that may have been caused by sagging and collapse into underlying cavities (Figure 4) (Land and Veni, 2012) . These low resistivity zones extend to the north beneath the intersection of highways 285 and 62-180, and south beneath residential areas south of the Carlsbad Irrigation District South Canal. The resistivity profiles also indicate that solution mining of the Salado Formation has caused significant upward stoping into overlying Rustler strata (Figure 4). Following the collapse of the JWS Sinkhole, the state ordered closure of the I&W brine well and the operator declared bankruptcy. Geotechnical monitoring of the site has been continuous since 2008, consisting of an array of tilt-meters and related devices that measure shifts, subsidence, and cracks in the immediate vicinity of the brine well. Geotechnical investigations indicate that upward stoping and roof fall are occurring at a rate of about one foot per year, and in the absence of any remediation, failure will occur in 10 to 25 years. Remediation strategies that have been proposed include filling the cavity with grout, aggregate or mine tailings, reinforcement of the cavern ceiling with supporting beams, or a controlled collapse. No decision has been made yet, but whatever remediation strategy is ultimately employed, it will not be cheap.

and pumping history. However, this potential sinkhole is sited beneath the intersection of two major highways, an irrigation canal, a feed store, a mobile home park, and a Jehovah’s Witnesses church. Needless to say, a catastrophic collapse would inflict extensive damage to individual property and civic infrastructure, and possibly cause fatalities. Electrical resistivity surveys of the I&W brine well site indicate that the area is underlain by extensive low resistivity zones that represent either open cavities filled with brine in the Rustler and Salado Formations, or

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OUTCROP | January 2015

Lead Story

FIGURE 4: Electrical resistivity profile across I&W brine

well site. This line passes within 6 feet of the wellhead, crossing directly over the subsurface cavity excavated during solution mining operations. Low resistivity zones, shown in blue and purple, indicate brine-filled cavities or brine-saturated breccia zones.

ge 43

REFERENCES

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

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

rdan, Myths of the lletin,

ures, sal of G.S., Years ogical

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

303-279-0789 OUTCROP | January 2015

Lario Oil & Gas Company

»»CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Johnson KS, Collins EW, Seni SJ. 2003. Sinkholes and land subsidence owing to salt dissolution near Wink, Texas, and other sites in western Texas and New Mexico. In: Johnson KS, Neal JT, editors. Evaporite Karst and Engineering/Environmental Problems in the United States. Norman (OK): Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 109. p. 183-195. Land L. 2013. Evaporite karst in the Permian Basin region of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico: The human impact. In: Land L, Doctor DH, Stephenson JB, editors. Proceedings of the Thirteenth Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impact of Karst, Carlsbad, New Mexico. National Cave and Karst Research Institute Symposium 2. Carlsbad (NM): National Cave and Karst Research Institute. p. 113-121. Land L, Veni G. 2012. Electrical resistivity surveys of anthropogenic karst phenomena, southeastern New Mexico. New Mexico Geology 34 (4): 117-125. Land L. 2009. Anthropogenic sinkholes in the Delaware Basin Region: West Texas and southeastern New Mexico: West Texas Geological Society Bulletin 48: 10-22. Land L. 2003. Evaporite karst and regional ground water circulation in the lower Pecos Valley. In: Johnson KS, Neal JT, editors. Evaporite Karst and Engineering/Environmental Problems in the United States. Norman (OK): Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 109. p. 227-232. Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

Sample Menu For a full schedule list please visit our events page at www.rmag.org

Questions email: staff@rmag.org call: (303) 573-8621 Photos courtesy of Laura Wray

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

IN THE PIPELINE JANUARY 7, 2015

JANUARY 20, 2015

RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Pete Stark. “The Exploration ConundrumWhere Will Tomorrow’s Oil come from?” Held at a new location: Maggiano’s Restaurant, Downtown Denver.

DWLS Luncheon. Speaker Shreya Ley. “Bringing Seismic Ideas to Acoustic Logging.”

JANUARY 9, 2015 DIPS Luncheon. Speaker Jim Granath. “Mexico.”

JANUARY 27-29, 2015 PTTC Rockies Short Course. “Basic Well Log Interpretation.” Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO. 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. MARCH 4, 2015 RMAG Luncheon. Speaker: Dr. Steven A. Tedesco Talk: Stratigraphy, geochemistry and production from thin carbonaceous mudstones and carbonates of Pennsylvanian Atokan, Cherokee and Marmaton formations in the southern Denver Basin. MARCH 6, 2015 Geoland Ski Day

Risk Mitigation seRvices You take plenty of risk in your Business every day. Do you have any idea how much risk your investment portfolio has? Contact me for a Complimentary Portfolio Risk Review.

Michael SliShinSky, crpc Vice President - Financial Advisor Office: (303) 595-1157 michael.slishinsky@rbc.com www.michaelslishinsky.com

There’s Wealth in Our Approach.™

APRIL 16, 2015 RMAG Short Course: Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists

Submit your events! 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.

A division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. 14-DV-1574_4.875x4.875 c ad.indd 1

OUTCROP | January 2015

11/4/14 1:12 PM

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!

Khaled Ahmed

is a Technical Advisor at Halliburton in Colorado

Caroline Charles

works at Weatherford Labs in Colorado

John Detring

Logs Since 1971

is a Geologist at Baker Hughes Inc. in Colorado

L OG S G S LO LOGS

Nika Fritzler

works at Schlumberger in Colorado

Todd Gibbs

is an Exploration Manager at Anadarko in Colorado

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

Abby Jones

is an Operations Manager at WellDog in Colorado

CA WOLF

Timothy Kelly

DIU

Darren Kirkwood

EAGLEFORD

lives in Colorado

LBAN NEW A

Lisa Quoy

works in Business Development at Running Foxes Petroleum in Colorado

MONTNEY

Monte Swan

FAY ETT EVI

works at Magmachem Associates, LLC in Colorado

LLE

BAKKEN LE

VIL S E N Y HA

WOODFORD

IVER R N HOR DUVERN

Joe Taglieri

BARNETT N IOBRARA UTICA

is a Geologist at Running Foxes Petroleum in Colorado

Kelli Trujillo

is a Geologist/Paleontologist at Uinta Paleontological Associates, Inc. in Wyoming

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

CAR

works at Colorado State Land Board in Colorado

FOR E E R H

www.mjlogs.com 1-800-310-6451 21

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Vol. 63, No. 12

Our b helpin oppor contin

RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speaker: Pete Stark — January 7, 2015

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

RMAG Luncheon programs

The Exploration Conundrum – Where Will Tomorrow’s Oil Come From By Pete Stark, Senior Research Director and Advisor, IHS additions, on the other hand, have greatly exceeded international conventional oil discovery volumes and the U.S. has led the world in annual oil production growth since 2008. The remarkable U.S. oil supply growth combined with a slowdown in global oil demand has even generated excess oil supplies and a 25% slump in oil prices since June 2014. The combination of ample oil and gas supplies and moderate oil and gas prices certainly are a comfort for North America but the long term global outlook is a concern. Current world oil consumption is about 33 billion barrels per year and is projected to

Global conventional oil and gas discovery volumes have decreased since 2010 and 2013 marked the lowest volume of annual oil discoveries since 1952. Through October 2014, the number of discoveries, oil discovery volumes and total Boe volumes trail 2013. Without a surge in year-end discoveries, 2014 will set a new low mark for post 1952 annual oil discovery volumes - perhaps as little as 4.5 billion barrels. Outside of North America, conventional exploration and appraisal drilling activity has averaged more than 5,000 wells per year since 2009 but the number of discoveries of any size has decreased by almost 50%. North American tight oil resource

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www.breckex.com Texas Office • Ph: 254-559-7566 • Fax: 254-559-6337 2301 US Hwy 180 East • P.O. Box 789 • Breckenridge, TX 76424 Denver Office • Ph: 303-563-5301 • Fax: 303.260.6401 600 17th Street, Suite 2800 S • Denver, CO 80202

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

RMAG Luncheon programs reserve growth in historic conventional fields have offset consumption. Is this discoveries slump merely a temporary “perfect storm” in the exploration cycle or does it signal a possible paradigm shift for future oil supplies? Where are the potential future conventional oil hotspots and can they source a rebound in conventional oil discoveries? If not conventional, what are the options? A recent IHS study looked at the future global oil potential in four domains – conventional, unconventional, not-so-tight reservoirs in mature fields and heavy oil. This presentation will summarize the findings with respect to meeting projected oil demand.

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increase. Recent international conventional oil discoveries have averaged about 6 Bbbl per year. Even if North American tight oil has added 10 Bbbl per year the combined additions replace less than half the current consumption. Moreover, about 60 MMb/d of production is needed to replace declines in historic production and to meet projected future demand. Adding to the challenge is a significant drop in return on capital employed for majors and large independents since 2008. Company returns have decreased in a relatively high priced oil environment. Historically, conventional discoveries plus

Philip H. “Pete” Stark is Senior Research Director and Advisor for IHS Energy in Englewood, Colorado. Prior to joining IHS in 1969, Stark was an exploration geologist for Mobil Oil. Dr. Stark has authored papers on E&P databases, hydrocarbon shows, horizontal drilling, US natural gas, global oil and gas resources, global E&P trends, giant fields and unconventional O&G. He coauthored special IHS studies of North American gas supplies, unconventional gas supplies, North American and global tight oi. Pete has participated in the AAPG Resources Committee and AAPG-SPE and Hedberg resource research conferences. He Wednesday, June 17, 2015 serves on the AAPG Corporate Advisory Board and has served on the boards The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists’ of the AAPG International Pavilion. Annual Golf Tournament Previously, he was chairman of the At Arrowhead Golf Club Board of Visitors for the University of Wisconsin Department of Geology and Geophysics. Dr. Stark holds a BSc in geology from the University of Oklahoma and MSc and PhD degrees in geology from the University of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Department of Geology and Geophysics honored Dr. Stark’s contributions to the university and profession with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Pete also received a 2011 Honorary Member Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and a 2011 IHS Chairman’s Award. Pete was Stay Tuned for Details 2015 named to the Denver and Houston RMAG Golf www.rmag.org Tournament staﬀ@rmag.org | 303.573.8621 Business Journal’s 2013 “Who’s Who in Energy” publications.

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

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

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

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 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 yielding a Triassic age but with significant scatter (239 ± 43 Ma), and (2) the Torchlight trend yielding

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 influenced by the development of the

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KES T

OSCIENCE L GE , LL RE

Thomas E. Hoak, Ph.D. Consulting Geoscientist 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 | January 2015

Littleton, CO USA

Phone: (303) 933-5805 Cell: (720) 375-3015 kestrelco@comcast.net kestrelgeoscience.com

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We look forward, in the new year, to the continuing education, fellowship, and enjoying all the outside events, i.e. Golf Tournament, Sporting Clays, Skiing, and Rockbusters Ball. Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

RMAG Luncheon programs 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.

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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 the Meade Peak and Retort source units. Effects of re-migration may have contributed to the scatter, but thermal cracking and biodegradation likely have

REFERENCE

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

April 16, 2015 Save the Date The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Presents a 1-Day Short Course

Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists

Instructor: Bruce Trudgill

Professor in Petroleum Geology at CSM This course is aimed at petroleum geologists and engineers seeking an introduction to the interpretation of seismic reflection data. The basic concepts of the seismic reflection method will be addressed, but the course will focus on the practical geological interpretations of seismic reflection data applying structural and stratigraphic concepts to a number of seismic interpretation exercises.

OUTCROP | January 2015

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.

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | January 2015

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CALENDAR | JANUARY 2015 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

NEW YEAR’S DAY

RMAG Luncheon

DIPS Luncheon

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

DWLS Luncheon

PTTC Rockies Short Course

OUTCROP | January 2015

Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org