OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Volume 61 • No. 11 • November 2012
1 0 t h A N N UA L
WINTER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
(/534/. 48 s &%"2 5!29
Five Great Days of the Finest Geoscience Training for One Low Price List of Topics::
Hosted by the Norris Conference Center:
s 2ISK AND 5NCERTAINTY FOR #ONTEMPORARY Prospect Evaluation s !SSET -ANAGEMENT IN 5NCONVENTIONAL 0LAYS s 'EOCELLULAR -ODELING IN 5NCONVENTIONAL 2ESOURCES s #ARBONATE 3EISMIC 3EQUENCE 3TRATIGRAPHY s #ARBONATE $EPOSITIONAL 3YSTEMS s 1UICK 'UIDE TO #ARBONATE 7ELL ,OG !NALYSIS s 3EISMIC !MPLITUDE )NTERPRETATION s 0RINCIPLES AND !PPLICATIONS OF 7ELL ,OGGING s &ORMATION %VALUATION OF 4HINLY BEDDED 2ESERVOIRS s h/LDv 0RE %LECTRIC ,OGS ! 1UICK 2EVIEW
803 Town & Country Lane Houston, TX 77024 Phone: 713-590-0950 Fax: 713-590-0961 Special group rate at nearby Hotel Sorella
Registration and information:
Toll-free (U.S. and Canada) 888-338-3387, or 918-560-2650 Fax: 918-560-2678 E-mail: educate@aapg.org Download a registration form at: www.aapg.org/education/wec.cfm
…and more to come! (Four concurrent sessions each day – mix and match according to your interests and training needs. Buffet lunch and refreshments included each day.)
Small AAPG Bookstore open during breaks each day
Tuition for the week:
Price through 1/16/2013
AAPG Members..........................$1795 Non Members ............................$1895 Individual Courses ....................$475/day
Price increase after 1/16/2013
$1895 $1995 $525/day
SIGN UP NOW!
(Your five-day badge can be transferred to a friend or colleague if you can't attend all five days.)
SAVE Vol. 61, No. 11
AN AAPG MEMBER $ 200 BYANDBECOMING REGISTERING BEFORE JAN. 16
2
th
November 2012
OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
CONTENTS Features
6 Lead Story: Federal Government Seeks More Fracing Regulation to Slow Development on Public Lands
19 Membership Notice
27 Check it out!
20 RMAG & RMAG Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching Earth Sciences 2012
33 Episode on the San Juan River, September 8, 2012
22 2012 RMAG Award Recipients
37 Publish Your Paper in The Mountain Geologist
30 2012 RMAG Tennis Tournament
10 Geologic Art Show
association news 4 RMAG Members Welcome the New Office and Programs Manager 8 The Outcrop Needs YOU! 9 Determine Future Guidebooks 9 Call for Papers: The Mountain Geologist 11 RMAG 2012 Summit Sponsorship 13 On-the-Rocks Field Trips 16 Making Sound Decisions, 3D Seismic Symposium Call for Papers
32 2012 Rockbusters Ball Reservation Form
Departments 4 RMAG September Board of Directors Meeting 12 Luncheon Program 14 President's Column
COVER PHOTO Ordovician Manitou joint style, east of Bair Ranch on the Glenwood Canyon bike trail. For more photos of the recent On-the-Rocks Field trip see page 13. Photo by Ron Pritchett.
18 New Members 39 In Memoriam: John Rold 41 In the Pipeline
42 Advertisers Index 42 Calendar of Events
Volume 61 • No. 11 • November 2012
OUTCROP
3
www.rmag.org
RMAG September Board of Directors Meeting
By Kimberley Alanis, Secretary (Kimberley.Alanis@vantageenergy.com) The Board of Directors meeting was held on September 19, 2012 at Pete Varney’s home. The meeting, as usual, began with a review of RMAG’s August income and expenses. RMAG is still continuing to have a strong financial report for this year. RMAG’s Executive Director, Emily Tompkins, has been busy in her first couple of months with the organization. The office is upgrading its computers and server to more effectively support the members of our organization. The board approved the hiring of additional support for the office. I feel as if RMAG is really taking off and am
looking forward to the future with the new additions we have added this past year. The Continuing Education Committee worked very hard to pull together the Fall Symposium which was held on October 23rd. Thank you to the committee for all of their time and effort spent to make this event successful. Please make sure you get registered for the Rockbuster’s Ball which is scheduled for November 17th at the Columbine Country Club. The Publications Committee held their meeting on September 17th. Unfortunately, they announced that The Mountain Geologist issue was running behind for the October release date and will be released in November. There are several papers in the queue for the next couple of issues, so hopefully the future issues will not be delayed. The committee has been working hard on putting together the 2013 Publication “Oil & Gas Field of Colorado.” You might be hearing from the committee to see if you are interested in contributing to the publication. The October Board of Director’s meeting was held on Wednesday, October 17th at the University Building conference room on the 11th floor. November meeting is planned to be held on November 21st at the same location.
Please make sure you get registered for the Rockbuster’s Ball which is scheduled for November 17th at the Columbine Country Club.
»
#BLLFO 5ISFF 'PSLT /JPCSBSB &BHMFGPSE (SBOJUF 8BTI 8PPECJOF 1FSNJBO )BZOFTWJMMF #BSOFUU 8PPEGPSE FUD
RMAG Members Welcome the New Office and Programs Manager
Carrie Veatch Carrie started her new position on October 15th.
Vol. 61, No. 11
4
November 2012
OUTCROP
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street • Suite 1125 • 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.
2012 Officers and Board of Directors RMAG Staff
Executive Director Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org Office & Programs Manager Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org Accountant Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org
Co-Editors
Kristine Peterson k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Holly Sell hsell@nobleenergyinc.com
President – Pete Varney pete.varney@alumni.mines.edu
Treasurer – Larry Rasmussen larryr@whiting.com
President-Elect – Debra Higley-Feldman higley@usgs.gov
Treasurer Elect – Mike Kozimko mkozimko@yatespetroleum.com
Secretary – Kimberly Alanis Kimberley.alanis@qepres.com
OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES Ad Size
Cheryl Whitney cwhitney@laramidegeo.com Debbie Downs debradowns@att.net
Wednesday Noon Luncheon Reservations
RMAG Office: 303.573.8621 Fax: 303-628-0546 staff@rmag.org www.rmag.org
Counselor (2 Year) – John Ladd john.ladd@fmr.com
2nd Vice-President – Greg Anderson ganderson@samson.com
Catherine Campbell ccampbell@bayless-cos.com
Design/Production
Counselor (1 Year) – Mark D. Sonnenfeld sonnenfeld@whiting.com
1st Vice-President – Paul Lillis plillis@usgs.gov
Cost Per Insertion 1 Time
2 Times (each)
6 Times (each)
12 Times (each)
Full page
$330
$310
$285
$270
2/3 page
$220
$200
$185
$185
1/2 page
$175
$165
$155
$145
1/3 page
$165
$125
$115
$100
1/6 page
$75
$60
$55
$50
Professional Card
$17
$17
$14
$12
Advertising rates apply to both black and white ads and 4 color ads. Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format.
ADVERTISING
Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page. Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in .png, jpg, tif or eps formats at a minimum of 150 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303573-8621.
HELPFUL HINTS
Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.
PROFESSIONAL CARDS Will be actual size. Both black and white, and color art will be accepted. If you are submitting digital files, please save in the PC format. Minimum resolution for jpg, tif, pdf or eps files is 150 dpi. Simple line art and photographs provide helpful illustration. Borders are recommended on large copy. An advertising agreement will be sent to you.
OUTCROP
DEADLINES: ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month's publication. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125• Denver, CO 80202
5
www.rmag.org
LEAD STORY Federal Government Seeks More Fracing Regulation to Slow Development on Public Lands Western oil and natural gas producers are pushing back on new hydraulic fracturing (fracing) regulations from the Department of the Interior (DOI) that would create an entirely new, complicated and redundant regulatory process. Fracing is a safe, well-tested technology that has been performed in over one million wells with no documented cases of contamination to drinking water* while enabling the U.S. to increase natural gas reserves dramatically to over a one hundred year supply. In spite of the facts, however, the federal government seems determined to move ahead with this new rule that would have dire consequences for companies producing oil and natural gas on western public lands. “Western Energy Alliance and our members are gravely concerned that this unnecessary new rule will exacerbate existing permitting delays, slow domestic energy production, and stall economic growth in the West,” said Kathleen Sgamma, Western Energy Alliance’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. “BLM already struggles to get drilling permits approved in 307 days, whereas states take around thirty days. It makes no sense to add a new layer of federal bureaucracy and permitting when the states are already regulating more efficiently and with an exemplary safety record.”
that require re-stimulation will increase by $233,100 per well, an insurmountable burden to the western small businesses who develop oil and natural gas on public lands. “These enormous costs will divert investment from energy development, job creation, and economic growth,” Sgamma said. “Western states and local governments will also take a huge hit, as royalty and tax revenues will be greatly reduced.” DOI is moving forward with implementation of this rule in spite of the fact it has not done a full economic analysis as required by federal law for rules that impose a cost of more than $100 million. The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act and other laws require a thorough assessment of economic impacts. Furthermore, BLM has failed to meet its requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to adequately assess the significant socio-economic impact of the rule. “We strongly believe that the BLM should suspend this proposed rule, and comply with laws and regulations that require a thorough economic analysis for rules costing society over $100 million,” said Sgamma.
The average cost per new well will increase by an estimated $253,800, and costs for existing wells that require restimulation will increase by $233,100 per well, an insurmountable burden to the western small businesses who develop oil and natural gas on public lands.
Removing Authority from States The new rule also is an unacceptable usurpation of state authority. States have successfully regulated more than one million fracing operations spanning sixty years, and state rules specifically tailored to their unique geologic and hydrologic conditions better protect the environment and ensure the safety of groundwater better than a blanket, redundant federal rule. In addition,
Proper Analysis of Enormous Costs Lacking A recent independent analysis finds that the rule will cost about $1.5 billion in just thirteen western states. The average cost per new well will increase by an estimated $253,800, and costs for existing wells Vol. 61, No. 11
6
November 2012
permits for all wells on federal lands, and must comply with all state regulations related to well construction and integrity, which are the key to ensuring the safety of fracing. Western Energy Alliance believes that any efforts to standardize disclosure requirements should
Lead Story be led by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), which already has model
regulatory processes in place through the STRONGER program (State Review of Oil and Natural Gas Environmental Regulations). FracFocus.org, a public registry, and many states require requirements for handling, storing and treating water State regulators agree that the rulerights. is unnecessary. Industry and states have collaboratively companies to disclose on FracFocus.org, or through their seriously infringe upon fundamental stateDOI water own processes. Western statesCompanies have been leading the Western EnergytoAlliance strongly supports responded public concerns about thestate safety of the chemicals used in fracing. way: a majority has recently strengthened well integrity regulation of embraced HF rather than a one-size-fits-all have voluntary disclosure offederal frac fluid components on FracFocus.org, a public registry, and disclosure requirements. approach. States are better suited to regulating HF and many states require companies to disclose on FracFocus.org, or through their own becauseprocesses. they have Western the experience states and haveunderstanding been leading the way: a majority has recently strengthened well Make Your Voice Heard of the factors unique to each producing basin. Operators integrity and disclosure requirements. Western Energy Alliance has been working tirelessly must obtain state permits for all wells on federal lands, to prevent this unnecessary new regulation from being and must comply with all state regulations related to well implemented. In letters to DOI Secretary, Ken Salazar, construction and integrity, which are the key to ensuring Make Your Voice Heard Office of Management and Budget, and numerous the safety of fracing. with Members of Congress, Western Energy Western Energy Alliance has been working tirelesslymeetings to prevent this unnecessary new regulation Western Energy Alliance believes that any efforts to Alliance staff hasOffice attempted to educate our policymakers from being implemented. In letters to DOI Secretary, Ken Salazar, of Management and standardize disclosure requirements should be led by on the direWestern consequences that this new rulehas would have Budget, and numerous meetings with Members of Congress, Energy Alliance staff the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), on the western economy since so much western attempted to educate our policymakers on the dire consequences that this new rule would have oil and which already has model regulatory processes in place gas isgas found on public lands. lands. westernprogram economy since so much oil natural and natural is found on public throughon thethe STRONGER (State Review of Oilwestern and “We have also asked our members and all who are Natural Gas Environmental Regulations). concerned about the federal government’s not-so-subtle “Weregulators have also asked members all who State agreeour that the DOIand rule is are concerned about the federal government’s attempt to slow western energy production to send their not-so-subtle to slow energy production to send their comments directly to unnecessary. Industryattempt and states have western collaboratively comments directly to DOI,” said Kathleen Sgamma. DOI,” said Kathleen Sgamma. responded to public concerns about the safety of the To send your thoughts to DOI, visit: chemicals used in fracing. Companies have embraced westernenergyalliance.org and click “Take Action.” voluntary disclosure of frac fluid components on To send your thoughts to DOI, visit westernenergyalliance.org and click “Take Action”.
»
State
New or revised rules in last 5 years
Colorado Montana New Mexico North Dakota
X X X X
Utah Wyoming
X
Disclosure on FracFocus.org
Disclosure on state website
New well integrity requirements
X X X X Utah draft rule including disclosure and wellbore integrity requirements out Aug 2012 X
X X X X
X
* Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator has said on a number of occasions. For example, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 24, 2011, she said: “I’m not aware of any proven case where the fracing process itself has affected water.”
Editor’s Note: The following website has a wealth of information regarding fracing including a number of booklets and reports to download: http://energy.utexas.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151&Itemid=71
OUTCROP
7
www.rmag.org
The Outcrop Needs YOU! We need articles and photos for the Outcrop! Have you attended a great lecture or read an interesting new geology or energy book? Have you attended a class or gone on a field trip that would interest the membership? Have you learned a new technique or found some great public domain software? Share your research so we can grow together. We are looking for articles about the new water laws, basin modeling on the “cheap,� new geologic trails or programs, legislative concerns, new technology. Please be sure to include a phone number and make sure our emails are whitelisted. We have had a few submissions that we wished to run but we could not reach the submitters by email and had no other contact information.
Send in your article or photo today!
Please submit your ideas or articles and photos to: Kristine Peterson k.peterson@laramidegeo.com
Cat Campbell Catherine.e.campbell@gmail.com
Holly Sell HSell@nobleenergyinc.com
Cheryl Whitney cwhitney@laramidegeo.com
Vol. 61, No. 11
8
November 2012
Determine Future Guidebooks
YOUR AD HERE
Did you know it takes eighteen months from conception to sales to produce a RMAG guidebook? What topics interest you for future publications? Are you willing to review papers or help edit a future guidebook? The Publications Committee would like to hear from you. Please contact Dean DuBois at Dean.Dubois@ encana.com or Paul Lillis at plillis@usgs.gov.
(Professional Card Ad Size)
Only $144.00 per year
»
DONOVAN BROTHERS INCORPORATED
For Independents and Small Companies • •
Wellsite Drilling Engineering • Well Plans • Geomechanics Formation Evaluation • Optimize Drilling Using Logs
Bill Donovan
JLog® Petrophysical Software Consulting and Training
Geologist • Petroleum Engineer • PE
780 E. Phillips Dr. S. • Littleton, CO 80122 (720) 351-7470 (voice) • (303) 794-7470 (message) donovan@petroleum-eng.com www.petroleum-eng.com
Jack Bowler – Bowler Petrophysics, Inc. 303 860 1641 www.jlog.biz jack@bowler-petrophysics.com
CALL FOR PAPERS:
THE MOUNTAIN GEOLOGIST ATTENTION Geologists, Earth Science Professors and Graduate Students
ATTENTION Geologists, Earth and Graduate Students Publish your Paper in The Mountain Geologist! ATTENTION Geologists, Earth Science Professors andScience GraduateProfessors Students Publish Paper in The Mountain Geologist! Publish your Paper in The your Mountain Geologist!
The Mountain Geologist is RMAG’s peer-reviewed, quarterly journal. It focuses on the geology of the Rocky Mountain area of the United States and related topics from
The Mountain Geologist is RMAG’s peer-reviewed, quarterlyoutside journal. It focuses on area. We accept the Rocky Mountain manuscripts from almost The Mountain Geologist is RMAG’s peer-reviewed, quarterly journal. It focuses on every sub-
in the geosciences, from authors in academia and industry. the geology of the Rocky Mountain area of the United States anddiscipline related topics from the Mountain geologyarea. of the Mountainfrom areaalmost of theevery United outside the Rocky WeRocky accept manuscripts sub- States and related topics from Share your ideas, experience and wisdom! Mountain Geologist circulates to over outside the Rocky Mountain area.and Weindustry. accept manuscripts from almostTheevery subdiscipline in the geosciences, from authors in academia 2200 members and about 200 university libraries and industrial associates. It has been
discipline in the geosciences, from authors in academia and1964. industry. published by RMAG since
Share your ideas, experience and wisdom! The Mountain Geologist circulates to over Please emailIt manuscripts 2200 members and about 200 university libraries and industrial associates. has beenor suitability questions to Joyce Trygstad Nelson at Share your ideas, experience and wisdom! The Mountain Geologist circulates to over jtpetr@aol.com or Mel Klinger mel.klinger@fidelityepco.com . Manuscripts must be published by RMAG since 1964. written in accordance with The Mountain Geologist Authors Style Guide, available online
2200 members and about 200 university libraries and industrial associates. It has been at www.rmag.org.
publishedorby RMAGquestions since 1964. Please email manuscripts suitability to Joyce Trygstad Nelson at jtpetr@aol.com or Mel Klinger mel.klinger@fidelityepco.com . Manuscripts must be written in accordance with The Mountain Geologist Authors Style Guide, available online Please email manuscripts or suitability questions to Joyce Trygstad at www.rmag.org.
Nelson at jtpetr@aol.com or Mel Klinger mel.klinger@fidelityepco.com . Manuscripts must be written in accordance with The Mountain Geologist Authors Style Guide, available online at www.rmag.org. OUTCROP
9
www.rmag.org
Geologic Art Show and why. The best submissions will appear in a future issue in our “virtual art show.” Please send your entries to:
The editors invite the artists of RMAG to submit a picture of their geologic art (jpeg or tiff, 300 dpi or greater). Send along a caption with an explanation of the subject matter and media details, when created, k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Catherine.e.campbell@qmail.com
HSell@nobleenergyinc.com cwhitney@laramidegeo.com
LOCATION we’ll lease it, permit it, gather it and sell it
The Editors Welcome
Cheryl Whitney to the Editorial Team! cwhitney@laramidegeo.com
your ideas - we make them happen LEASING - PERMITTING - DAMAGES - ROW
303-279-0789 Vol. 61, No. 11
10
November 2012
RMAG 2012 SUMMIT SPONSORS
> GEOSCIENCE SOFTWARE > CRITICAL INFORMATION > CONNECTED WORKFLOWS
CONNECTED AT EVERY TOUCH POINT ®
The IHS suite of geoscience software—which includes IHS Petra , Kingdom®, LOGarc™ and GeoSyn™—is designed to seamlessly connect to the industry’s leading source of critical Oil & Gas information, eliminating the need to move data manually from source to source and project to project. With this powerful new combination, users can streamline data transfer, enhance database performance HUK ZPTWSPM` WYVQLJ[ ZOHYPUN ;OL YLZ\S[& >VYRÅV^Z [OH[ JVUULJ[ SPRL UL]LY ILMVYL *VUULJ[LK ^VYRÅV^Z TLHU [OH[ 0/: J\Z[VTLYZ ZWLUK SLZZ [PTL SVVRPUN MVY KH[H and more time looking for the next big opportunity. It’s just one of the many ways that IHS helps to advance the decisions that advance the Oil & Gas industry.
Streamline data transfer and simplify project sharing with IHS geoscience software and critical O&G information.
OUTCROP
Find out more at IHS.com/geoscience
11
www.rmag.org
Luncheon Program – November 7th
Petroleum Systems Modeling — State of the Art and Future Directions By Marek Kacewicz
Petroleum systems modeling (PSM) is an integration of different geological disciplines to analyze the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins and to study processes such as generation, migration, entrapment and preservation of hydrocarbons. PSM estimates mechanical and chemical compaction of sediments and the resulting porosity/ permeability, computes pressure, estimates source rock maturity andbe of m ther degree e v o s i kerogen transformation, models multi-component hydrocarbon generation, expulsion N fh l oand l theare trapped, a r e c e and migration, provides likely locations where hydrocarbons estimates n n ces fu n ca e e l o t h o t d d composition and volumes of accumulated hydrocarbons. In addition to its primary nd ide con nde e d, t c t e e r a d e o c u s function, which is to help reduce exploration risk related to hydrocarbon charge, PSM t f n a ceofl pre-drill s h in prediction s si and e re stress, r n d b o a n l t l c . e c i has become very useful pressure effective which Gs dandtoseal quality Aanalysis. es w n in 2013 a f Direin reservoir e M h o d R z n are utilized d . c r e i y o a cheand d att on the acew xcomplexity ctedlof sPSM G Bo ekComputational n e r e K u depends quality resolution of seismic A l e p t M a e i R r r n g a o e f u e h r M y data,y.maturity T rek (exploration, development or production), All of the wainput aproject awell n as seand l M o i d e e m l h a availability of tectonic/structural/mechanical earth models, and availability of sf edu i h Lunc who pas geochemical h c d s o reTypical models at present are not too large (several millions grid z an ork tdata. er, moth r. Kacewic wcells) w and the subsurface is represented by relatively simple structured meshes. The ill G M to MA utilization of structured meshes often results in inadequately represented internal model and R boundaries such as faults and may lead to incorrect hydrocarbon migration scenarios. The availability of high resolution seismic and well data allows for building higher resolution and more complex models, spanning from seismic to nano, hence allowing for more accurate representation of complex features and processes. This requires incorporation of unstructured/adaptive meshes and also the utilization of algorithms that couple poromechanics, basin modeling, seismic data and inversion, and utilization of high performance computing platforms, e.g., GPU- or FPGA-based as well as optimized libraries for solving large, ill-conditioned, sparse matrices. This talk presents the state-of-the-art in PSM and discusses recommended directions required for addressing future needs of exploration for conventional/unconventional resources and interactions with geomechanics and seismic.
Typical models at present are not too large (several millions grid cells) and the subsurface is represented by relatively simple structured meshes.
»
LunCHEon RESERVAtion ESERVA ESERVAtion S & infoRMAtion RMA RMAtion Luncheons will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the event listing in the lobby for the room. People gather at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00 noon, and the speaker presentation begins at about 12:20 p.m. The price of the luncheon is $30.00. Checks should be made payable to RMAG. No reservation is required for the talk only and the cost is $5.00. Please make your reservation prior to 10:30 a.m. on the Monday before the luncheon. Please Note: If you make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will be billed for the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after 10:30 a.m. the Monday before the talk. You may send someone in your stead.
Your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Bring a guest or new member!
Vol. 61, No. 11
12
Call 303-573-8621 November 2012
On-the-Rocks Field Trips
Photos taken from the recent RMAG 2012 On-the-Rocks Field Trip. Beautiful weather accompanied the many members who ventured out to experience nature at its finest.
Cambrian Sawatch quartzite above Precambrian nonconformity at Hanging Lake stop.
Lunch stop at Blair Ranch. Left to right: Leader John White, Jeff Glossa, Diane and Rick Hildebrand, John Kline and Dallas Spear. Photo by Ron Pritchett.
Continued on page 15 Âť
OUTCROP
13
www.rmag.org
President’s Column By Pete Varney
Fuel Cells There’s been much talk in recent times about using hydrogen as an energy source and even as a fuel for cars, trucks and so forth. The advantages of this fuel include high heat yield, and because it reacts so easily with oxygen, the combustion product is pure water, dihydrogen oxide.
Hydrogen is abundant, indeed it is the most abundant element in the universe and we can collect hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water. Hydrogen is a gas at all but the very lowest temperatures, boiling at -423.17 degrees F. Great stuff, but what are the not-sopositive characteristics of this fundamental gas? The hydrogen atom is small, so small that it can be difficult to contain because it easily diffuses through many materials. Contact with oxygen and a small electrical or other discharge makes it explosive – dangerously so. While it is quite possible to run an internal combustion engine with hydrogen, carrying it highly compressed or in a liquid state would require a heavy container and special piping, and would be uncomfortably close to carrying a bomb in your vehicle. This is not what most people want to do, although I’m sure the difficulties can be overcome by automotive engineers. Is there an easy solution? How about if you could produce hydrogen in a demand stream very close to the point where it would be combusted to produce heat or electricity? One way to do it is to use a device called a reformer to strip hydrogen from hydrocarbons, or other hydrogen rich sources, to feed into some manner of reaction chamber. According to the Economic Times (13 Sep, 2012) the Japanese are apparently investigating using sewage to generate hydrogen. If reformers can be built on a scale small enough to fit in a vehicle and supply the gaseous hydrogen, we neatly get around the problem Vol. 61, No. 11
of transporting and distributing a potentially explosively lethal gas. Now, we’re on to something providing the “if” at the front of the last sentence is not too big! We can use a fuel cell to generate electricity. The basic idea of one kind of fuel cell is controlled catalytic combination of hydrogen and oxygen in a process that eventually produces electricity. If such a cell were in an automobile, the car would run electrically and would produce water as a byproduct. My reading suggests that one of the primary types of fuel cell suitable for vehicle use is called a polymer exchange membrane cell. It contains an anode and cathode separated by a proton exchange membrane layer and a catalyst layer. The membrane only allows positively charged ions to pass – it blocks electrons. Oxygen passes through the catalyst layer to produce negatively charged ions. The negative charges attract positively charged hydrogen ions and, voila, a reaction takes place, water is the result and energy is produced. I think I know what you are thinking – the step I glossed over in the above discussion is the source of hydrogen. Alcohols and gasoline are the most commonly cited hydrogen rich materials for fuel cell use. The downside is obvious: you also produce CO2 – so why not just burn gasoline. One suggestion is to use solar electrical power for water electrolysis. This brings us full circle back to the idea of carrying compressed or liquid hydrogen in a vehicle. Clearly, there are a lot of problems to overcome before the highways will be occupied by fuel cell powered cars and trucks. 14
November 2012
President's Column if only because oil and gas power so much of the infrastructure and machinery we use to make everything else. Despite gasoline’s oft’ cited problems, in his 1997 book “Geodestinies,” Walter Youngquist points out that because of its high energy density and ease of use, gasoline may be a fuel for which no substitute will ever be found. Now, there’s a challenge...
There is much, much more to talk about in the realm of alternative energy, but my space allotment in the Outcrop is running out (I can hear the cheers). Because we are energy scientists, I hope I’ve tickled a brain cell that causes you to look into energy sources other than fossil fuels. That said, I think it’s obvious that there is just simply no substitute for petroleum,
»
On-the-Rocks Field Trips
Continued from page 13
Outbound target at Glenwood Canyon entrance.
Bike group and rockslide and toe cut at railway.
OUTCROP
15
www.rmag.org
CALL Making For Sound Decisions Papers! Speaker Forms Due Monday December 10th
3D Seismic Symposium Tuesday March 5, 2013 Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel
www.3dseismicsymposium.com Contact Co-Chair: Jim Thorson jim.thorson@catamountexploration.com
Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists & Denver Geophysical Society Vol. 61, No. 11
16
November 2012
> GEOSCIENCE SOFTWARE > CRITICAL INFORMATION > CONNECTED WORKFLOWS
CONNECTED AT EVERY TOUCH POINT ®
The IHS suite of geoscience software—which includes IHS Petra , Kingdom®, LOGarc™ and GeoSyn™—is designed to seamlessly connect to the industry’s leading source of critical Oil & Gas information, eliminating the need to move data manually from source to source and project to project. With this powerful new combination, users can streamline data transfer, enhance database performance HUK ZPTWSPM` WYVQLJ[ ZOHYPUN ;OL YLZ\S[& >VYRÅV^Z [OH[ JVUULJ[ SPRL UL]LY ILMVYL *VUULJ[LK ^VYRÅV^Z TLHU [OH[ 0/: J\Z[VTLYZ ZWLUK SLZZ [PTL SVVRPUN MVY KH[H and more time looking for the next big opportunity. It’s just one of the many ways that IHS helps to advance the decisions that advance the Oil & Gas industry.
Streamline data transfer and simplify project sharing with IHS geoscience software and critical O&G information.
OUTCROP
Find out more at IHS.com/geoscience
17
www.rmag.org
New Members
Welcome to new Active Members... Steve Beach Steve works for RPSEA in Sugar Land, Texas.
Joseph Luce Joseph is a Senior Geologist with Columbine Logging, Inc.
Cynthia Boratko Cynthia lives in Denver, Colorado.
Michael Manship Michael lives in Bozeman, Montana.
Arthur Curtis Arthur works for Geo-Link, Inc.
Michael Mitchell Michael is Senior Geologic Advisor at Great Western Oil & Gas Co.
Edgar D’Abre Edgar is a Geologist in Trinidad, Colorado.
Dr. Zell Peterman Dr. Peterman works for ZEP Consulting.
Dave Dalton Dave is Director of Business Development of Orica.
Pilar Ritcherson Pilar is a Geologist at Yates Petroleum.
George Dunne George lives in Arvada, Colorado.
William Scanlan William is VP Western Division Sales at NuTech Energy Allliance.
Chris Edwards Chris lives in Denver, Colorado.
Joe Schindler Joe lives in Benbrook, Texas.
tim farnham Tim is a Senior Geologist with Triangle Petroleum Corporation.
Edward Sankiewicz Edward lives in Arvada, Colorado.
Garrett felda Garrett is a Student Member in Waco, Texas.
Brook Storhaug Brook works for Innovative Geo-Tech Resources.
Richard furner Richard works for ConocoPhillips in Houston, Texas.
James taylor James is a Geologist at Noble Energy.
Adam Hatton Adam is President & CEO of Four Corners Petroleum, LLC.
Rod tremblay Rod is a Senior Geologist at Caerus Oil and Gas, LLC.
Carl Jacobson Carl is a Professor at Iowa State University.
Michael Vervalin Michael is Sales Manager with Western Geco.
Laura Kennedy Laura is a Structural Geologist/Petrologist at Weatherford Laboratories.
William Walsh William lives in Conifer, Colorado.
Liisa Kreydatus Liisa is a Student and Geo-Technician with Innovative Geo-Tech Resources. Vol. 61, No. 11
18
November 2012
Membership Notice
New Members Julian Whitley Julian is a Geo-Technician with Innovative Geo-Tech Resources.
»
General Email: staff@rmag.org Office: 303-573-8621 All Accounting: Carol Dalton Custom Accounting Solutions, LLC cdalton@rmag.org or cdalton@custom-accountingsolutions.com 303-573-8621 ext. 3
William F. Hoppe Consulting Geologist 6746 W. 96th Court Westminister, CO 80021
(H) 720-898-5757 (C) 505-360-8853
Please update your contact information accordingly. Thank you for your continued support!
willhoppe@comcast.net
The RMAG Staff
Wealth Planning Services Traditional and Roth IRAs Mutual Funds Q $PNNPO BOE 1SFGFSSFE 4UPDLT Q $PSQPSBUF BOE .VOJDJQBM #POET Q Small Business Retirement Plans Q Q
For sound recommendations and service you can count on, call today. $SFBUF ZPVS QBUI GPSXBSE Michael Slishinsky Vice President - Financial Advisor t NJDIBFM TMJTIJOTLZ!SCD DPN XXX NJDIBFMTMJTIJOTLZ DPN
© 2012 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.
OUTCROP
19
www.rmag.org
»
Richard Whittington Richard is a Geologist in Denver, Colorado.
The office was notified that many of our members are still sending time sensitive material, such as registrations, to the rmagdenver@aol.com email address. This email address is no longer valid. Here is a list of the contact information as of December 1, 2011.
RMAG & RMAG Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching Earth Sciences 2012
The 2012 recipient of the RMAG Excellence in Teaching Award is Ms. Marcia Aden. Marcia earned a B.S. degree in Biology, in 1980 from the University of Arizona and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado in 2005, and has been a teacher for 23 years. Currently, she is a 7th grade teacher at Overland Trail Middle School in Brighton. Marcia has found that introducing students to the wonders of the natural world of science is one of the greatest pleasures in her life and she quotes Euripides: “Blessed is the man whose lot it is to know the secrets of the earth.” Her geology curriculum includes sessions on plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, fossilization, and geologic time. Her style is a rigorous, hands-on, inquiry based approach. Recognizing that her 7th graders are curious, idealistic, and just beginning to find their trajectories in life, her goal is to create a classroom where possibly, a door might open that will let science into their future. For the past 4 years, Overland Middle School has hosted the “Whoa Dude Science Expo,” in which Marcia has an active role. The program has provided the students through hands-on workshops, an opportunity to broaden their exposure to other science and engineering disciplines. Over 20 visiting scientists participate in the program and mentor the students in hands-on workshops, covering a wide range of topics from aeronautics and space exploration, to geology and
»
Vol. 61, No. 11
oil and gas exploration. Marcia is also active in the MESA Science Club, (Mathematics Excellence and Science Achievement) which is a thriving after school program. Every fall, Marcia leads her students to the field for a geology-paleontology multi-day experience. Her students have been to Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks, Cave of the Winds, the Florissant Fossil beds, the Comanche Grasslands, and Picketwire Canyon. In addition to her work in the MESA program, she has also taken her 7th graders on field trips to Dinosaur Ridge, and the Argo Gold Mine. Marcia Aden is an exceptional teacher and an outstanding example of those dedicated educators who make a significant and positive impact on our children. It is to people like Marcia that we owe our gratitude for developing young minds and planting the seed for an interest and appreciation of geology. She represents the best of those who teach earth science and is a very deserving educator worthy to be presented the RMAG’s 2012 Teacher of the Year Award. A subcommittee of the K-12 Education and Public Outreach Committee solicits and judges applications submitted by teachers from the Front Range area. At the September 5 RMAG luncheon, Marcia was presented with a cash award and a plaque provided by the RMAG Foundation. The Teacher of the Year program is now in its twelfth year, and it is through the generous donations and supporters of the Foundation that make this all possible. 20
November 2012
L WEL
E M I T T N E SP
Spending a lot of time on well data clean up? TGS is. Some clients say they spend up to 80% of their time cleaning up data. TGS has spent over 20 years cleaning up data, so you can spend more time on interpretation and evaluation. Email WellData@tgs.com to learn more about TGS’ library of digital well logs, mud logs, directional surveys, production data, interpretive products and more.
Learn more at www.tgs.com/welldata
OUTCROP
21
www.rmag.org
2012 RMAG Award Recipients Honorary Membership 2012 Jerome J. Cuzella The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present to Jerome J. (Jerry) Cuzella the 2012 Honorary Membership Award. Jerry deserves this award on many levels including serving the organization as a board member and committee chair and representing the organization as a community volunteer.
During his 12-year tenure as chairman of the Public Outreach Committee (a position he still holds), Jerry was instrumental in helping the City of Denver design its geological display inside the visitor center at Red Rocks Park. The design included both physical and virtual aspects with interactive video kiosks alongside fossils and signage that portray the natural history of the area. The CD-ROM used in the kiosks was produced in conjunction with input from the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, a non-profit group that oversees the fossil beds located in the Dinosaur Ridge National Natural Landmark. The CD-ROM not only was used in the new visitor center, but also at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center. With Jerry’s guidance, copies of the CD ROM were then mailed by the RMAG to all area schools in the Denver metro area. So, in just this one instance, Jerry’s service to his community on behalf of the RMAG has been instrumental to the instruction of countless thousands of individuals in the geology located in their own Rocky Mountain backyard. Jerry, in his role as Public Outreach Chair, has also overseen the solicitation and selection of earth science teachers for the RMAG’s Excellence in Teaching of Earth Science Award. Three of these recipients went on to
win the Teacher of the Year Award from the AAPG. In addition to his committee work for which he received the RMAG 2005 Service to Earth Science Award, Jerry has also served the RMAG as 1st Vice President in 2007, Publications Committee Chair in 2008, President-elect in 2009 and President in 2010. He is also a co-editor on the joint AAPG/RMAG publication, Studies in Geology 65; Application of Structural Methods to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development due out in the fall of this year. Jerry is a member of GSA, SEPM, AIPG and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists for which he served as treasurer in 1975-1976. Jerry has served the AAPG as a member of the House of Delegates, a charter member of the Division of Environmental Geosciences, and a contributor to the Youth Education Activities Committee when he helped design the teacher’s field course conducted at Dinosaur Ridge during the 2009 annual convention in Denver. The RMAG Honorary Member Award is presented each year to an RMAG member who exhibits outstanding service to geology and to the RMAG. The contributions of Jerry Cuzella epitomize the meaning of this award.
Congratulations, Jerry!
Vol. 61, No. 11
22
November 2012
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Outstanding Scientist 2012 Douglas W. Waples The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present Dr. Douglas W. Waples with its Outstanding Scientist Award for his contributions to the understanding of thermal maturation of organic source rocks, constraints to basin modeling for kerogen transformation and overall theories on thermal conductivity of rocks and subsurface temperatures. Over the past 37 years, Dr. Waples has published more than 70 articles and papers concerning the relationship of time and temperature to the maturation of kerogens into liquid and gas hydrocarbons and the applications to petroleum exploration. His scientific study later broadened to basin modeling, fluid flow mechanisms, specific heat capacities related to lithology, reservoir oil preservation and destruction, kinetic models on vitrinite reflectance, thermal conductivity of clays relating to compaction, reservoir porosity enhancement/reduction, correction methods for log derived temperatures and an overall quantitative model on heat flow in extensional basins. Doug has spent more than thirty-five years developing and applying geochemical techniques in oil exploration. He received his B.A. in chemistry from DePauw University in 1967 and received his PhD in physical organic chemistry from Stanford University in 1971. During postdoctoral fellowships in West Germany and Chile, Doug became interested in petroleum geochemistry. He was one of the first to apply maturity modeling to oil exploration while working for Chevron. Doug taught briefly at the Colorado School of Mines until 1980, when he took a job with Mobil Oil in Dallas. This work combined geochemical research and application of
geochemistry to oil exploration. After 1983, Doug worked as a consultant to oil companies in numerous countries, and his assignments have covered much of the world. He participated on two legs of the Deep Sea Drilling Project and also forged long-term relationships with Japan National Oil Corporation, Maersk (Denmark), Petronas (Malaysia), Pemex (Mexico), and PTTEP (Thailand). Doug helped develop several types of commercial software for basin modeling. His publications include three books and numerous papers on geochemistry and basin modeling, one of which won the 1982 Sproule Award from the AAPG. Doug has taught short courses in Basic Geochemistry, Advanced Petroleum Geochemistry, and Maturity Modeling in more than 20 countries on six continents. He continues to work as an independent consultant to oil companies in numerous countries in geochemistry, basin modeling, and world-wide exploration. Based on his prolific scientific contributions and his outstanding work in source rock maturation and thermal kinetics, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists proudly bestows the 2012 Outstanding Scientist Award to Dr. Douglas W. Waples. Continued on page 24 Âť
Congratulations, Doug!
OUTCROP
23
www.rmag.org
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Continued from page 23
Outstanding Explorer Award 2012 Orion L. Skinner
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present its Outstanding Explorer Award to Orion Skinner for his leading role in the exploratory effort that led to the discovery of the Pronghorn Field in Stark and Billings counties, North Dakota.
This field is outside of major middle Bakken activity. Orion and the team at Whiting Petroleum Corporation integrated detailed stratigraphy from cores and log evaluation that defined a zone of burrowed detrital dolomite that lies unconformably above the Three Forks and below the lower Bakken shale. In 2008, Orion mapped a resistivity anomaly within this zone with the postulated sweet spot covering a 12-township area. The timing was such that Whiting was able to build a 123,000 acre position. This zone, which had not been widely recognized by other geologists, became the reservoir in the highly productive Pronghorn Field. The discovery well was drilled in early 2010, and currently more than 95 horizontal wells have been completed. Initial production rates have been as high as 3600 BOEPD in 9000 foot horizontals. Final drilling density is not yet determined, but field wide ultimate recoverable reserves are likely
to be on the scale of those at Elm Coulee or Sanish fields. Orion Skinner is being recognized as RMAG’s 2012 Outstanding Explorer for showing once again that detailed mapping, correlation, and core studies can be applied to find significant reserves in a mature area.
CONTACTĂŠUS
Congratulations, Orion!
Vol. 61, No. 11
24
November 2012
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Distinguished Service to RMAG 2012 Catherine E. Campbell The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists bestows upon Catherine E. (Cat) Campbell its Distinguished Service to RMAG Award for her continued service to the organization as co-editor of the Outcrop and the work she has accomplished with young professionals through the Neo-Geos of RMAG and AAPG Young Professionals. Cat is an active volunteer representing various organizations within the geologic community and the general public. As for her service specifically to the RMAG, she has served on the editorial team of the Outcrop since 2008. As co-editor of the Outcrop, Cat has worked tirelessly and relentlessly to ensure a quality publication. She has personally contributed many articles to the publication keeping the organization well-informed. In 2008 as a founding member of the Neo-Geos of RMAG, Cat acted as the Volunteer Coordinator responsible for planning community service events. She also planned a field trip with the On the Rocks Committee. Cat’s commitments and service to the geologic community include serving as the first official Rocky Mountain Section Imperial Barrel Award (RMS-IBA) Chair
in 2008. She has been on the RMS-IBA committee each year since becoming chair. She was critical in forming a volunteer committee to help organize and grow the RMS-IBA program. Cat is also very involved with AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Young Professionals leadership. She is currently the Secretary/Treasurer-Elect for RMSAAPG. Cat is a very energetic person and she is always contributing and serving the communities around her whether working with young professionals, editing a publication, or restoring a hiking trail. For her continuing contributions to the RMAG, Cat Campbell is presented the 2012 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award. Continued on page 24 Âť
Congratulations, Cat!
OUTCROP
25
www.rmag.org
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Continued from page 25
Distinguished Service to RMAG 2012 Lawrence O. Anna The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists bestows upon Lawrence O. (Larry) Anna its Distinguished Service to RMAG Award for his continued service to the organization, both directly through RMAG committees and through his participation on the Jefferson County Planning Commission.
Larry has been an energetic volunteer for many years representing numerous organizations within the geologic community and the general public. He began his service to the RMAG as Editor of the Outcrop from 1987 to 1992. In 1995, Larry became chair of RMAG’s Public Issues Committee, a tireless role he has championed for 17 years. He has been steadfast in the need for such a group within RMAG and the geologic community as a whole, evidenced by his work with AIPG and others to interact on public issues. During Larry’s 26 years with the USGS, he served as an important link between the Survey and RMAG by providing a great source of information on public issues and geologic research through his numerous publications and projects. He keeps the geoscience community informed by routinely preparing or providing articles for publication in the Outcrop on topics of special interest regarding public issues, especially those that pertain to the extractive industries. In addition, Larry has represented RMAG through involvement with other scientific societies to organize presentations from
local political candidates presenting platform positions on energy and public lands issues, in an effort to educate members prior to elections. Larry has been a valuable member of the Jefferson County Planning Commission for over ten years, currently serving as Chair. He has shown his patience, compassion, and technical knowledge on a wide range of land use issues in countless public hearings. Larry's leadership is expressed by his thoughtful consideration of the issues, his respect of the public and his penetrating questions to get to the heart of the matter. He never dominates the process but becomes part of the flow steering it with information and commentary as the situation directs. Jefferson County has been able to rely on Larry’s hydrogeology background and common sense approach to technical issues on many occasions. For his continuing contributions to the RMAG, Larry Anna is presented the 2012 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award.
Congratulations, Larry!
Vol. 61, No. 11
26
November 2012
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Distinguished Service to RMAG 2012 Neil D. Sharp The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists bestows upon Neil D. Sharp its Distinguished Service to RMAG Award for his generous volunteering of time and effort in various committees of the organization.
For several years, Neil has been the chairman of the Luncheon Program Committee, responsible for finding speakers for the RMAG monthly luncheon meetings and also for the newly instituted Summer Speaker Series. In addition, this year he worked on the Golf Tournament Committee, an event which proved successful mostly through his efforts, and which raised funds for RMAG Foundation scholarships. During the recent office staff transition, Neil proved invaluable by coming into the office two to three times per week to offer assistance. Not only did he help with
office duties but also took time to show the staff how to navigate and modify the RMAG website. Neil is proud to be an RMAG member and is enthusiastic in wanting to help the organization move forward. He not only comes up with good ideas, but can and will implement these ideas and follow them through to completion. For his continuing service to RMAG, Neil D. Sharp is presented the 2012 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award. Continued on page 28 Âť
Congratulations, Neil!
http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20121194 - Geology of the Devonian Marcellus Shale--Valley and Ridge province, Virginia and West Virginia--a field trip guidebook for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Eastern Section Meeting, September 28-29, 2012, Enomoto, Catherine B.; Coleman, James L., Jr.; Haynes, John T.; Whitmeyer, Steven J.; McDowell, Ronald R.; Lewis, Eric J.; Spear, Tyler P.; Swezey, Christopher S. USGS Open-File Report: 2012-1194.
http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70040027 -Review of flow rate estimates of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill 2011, McNutt, Marcia K.; Camilli, Rich ; Crone, Timothy J.; Guthrie, George D.; Hsieh, Paul A.; Ryerson, Thomas B.; Savas, Omer ; Shaffer, Frank. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences--Special Collection on The Science of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20125145 - Assessment of the Coal-Bed Gas Total Petroleum System in the Cook Inlet-Susitna region, south-central Alaska. 2012, Rouse, William A.; Houseknecht, David W. USGS Scientific Investigations Report: 2012-5145. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20125104 -Estimated probabilities and volumes of postwildfire debris flows—A prewildfire evaluation for the Pikes Peak area, El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado, 2012, Elliott, John G.; Ruddy, Barbara C.; Verdin, Kristine L.; Schaffrath, Keelin R. USGS Scientific Investigations Report: 2012-5104.
OUTCROP
http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70040035 - Currents, drag, and sediment transport induced by a tsunami, 2012, Lacy, Jessica R.; Rubin, David M.; Buscombe, Daniel. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, 117. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sim3123 - Geologic map of the Cochetopa Park and North Pass Calderas, northeastern San Juan Mountains, Colorado. 2012, Lipman, Peter W. ,USGS Scientific Investigations Map: 3123. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20121162 - Dissolved methane in New York groundwater, 1999-2011,2012, Kappel, William M.; Nystrom, Elizabeth A. USGS Open-File Report: 2012-1162.
27
www.rmag.org
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
Continued from page 27
RMAG Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award 2012 Timothy M. Ryan The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is honored to present the 2012 Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award to Timothy M. (Tim) Ryan in appreciation of his contributions in promoting earth science to the general public.
Tim, a graduate of Harvard University and a veteran of the petroleum industry for more than 30 years, has shared his passion for geology in numerous ways over the past several years. Although he has also served on the Board of Directors of the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, Tim’s energy has been focused mainly on the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. His contributions to the museum began in 2002 when he joined the Leadership Circle Advisory Council to help identify, attract and maintain high level donors. In 2006 to help further the goals of the council, Tim and his wife Kathryn created and funded a program called the KT Challenge, where museum curators annually vie for a $10,000 cash award by devising interesting programs specifically designed for Leadership Circle members. To choose the winner, the members then vote on the most fun, interesting, educational, exciting and memorable program. In 2007, Tim was appointed to the museum’s Board of Trustees and is now serving as Vice Chair of that group.
In this capacity, he and his wife have established the Tim and Kathryn Ryan Earth Sciences Fund with a one million dollar gift that underwrites the first endowed curator in the history of the museum, with James W. Hagadorn being the first scientist to fill this position. As Tim said in an article published in the museum newsletter in 2006, philanthropy and volunteering is “not necessarily a duty but it almost is. I feel compelled to give to the community because I can. But, I choose to give to the entity that excites me the most.” Thankfully for the museum, Tim’s enthusiasm for geology drove him to choose the premier natural science museum in the Rocky Mountain area. In recognition of ongoing contributions of time and money in support of science education through the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the RMAG proudly presents Tim Ryan with the 2012 Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award.
Congratulations, Tim!
Vol. 61, No. 11
28
November 2012
2012 RMAG Award Recipients
RMAG Journalism Award 2012 Kirk Johnson and Ian Miller The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to bestow upon Kirk Johnson and Ian Miller its 2012 Journalism Award in recognition of their efforts in publicizing the very significant paleontological find of ice age fossils near Snowmass Village, Colorado and in particular for their book about this find called “Digging Snowmastodon: Discovering an Ice Age World in the Colorado Rockies”. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable look at the original discovery of fossils at a water storage reservoir construction site for Snowmass Water and Sanitation District. The book describes the wrangling involved in getting a deal to allow the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to conduct a dig, despite a tight time schedule for the construction project. Numerous snippets are included regarding the science employed and the people involved in evaluating the discovery. The theme that runs constant through the book is that even though this is a major find of Pleistocene fossils, the dig team was on an incredibly tight schedule to conduct and conclude the dig in the negotiated timeframe. The pace was hectic as the core team marshaled seven one-week teams of dig volunteers and ultimately moved about 7,000 cubic yards of dirt, mostly
by hand, and found over 5,400 large bones. The book is beautifully illustrated with numerous artists’ renderings of the paleoecology of the site, many photographs of the dig process, and the wildly popular public outreach effort that coincided with the dig. Digging Snowmastodon is an inspiring look at how exciting scientific discovery can be, even in the face of difficult conditions of cold, wet, endless mud and a relentlessly ticking time clock. The book helps the general public better understand the need for scientific endeavor and the value of scientific education. In recognition of this outstanding publication and for the herculean effort of Kirk Johnson and Ian Miller and their team involved with the Snowmass dig, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present them with its 2012 Outstanding Journalism Award.
»
Congratulations, Kirk and Ian!
Wyoming State Geological Survey Shirley Basin Uranium Mine and the Development of the Roll-Front Model of Uranium Ore Occurrences By R.V. Bailey and Robert W. Gregory Includes CD with colored maps and cross sections. $15 (US) Online Store www.wsgs.uwyo.edu
OUTCROP
29
Or email: wsgs.sales@wyo.gov
www.rmag.org
is greatly appreciated.
possible.
2012 RMAG Tennis Tournament Tennis Committee Lou Bortz
The 2012 Tennis Chet Tournament was held on Paris September 21st at theAnnika Pinehurst OtnessCountry Club. This year 20 participants enjoyed a perfect day (weather wise) of competition and camaraderie for the 34th annual tournament.
RMAG Tennis
2012 RMAG Tennis Tournament
SPONSORS
The generous support of our Sponsors made this years event possible.
PLATINUM Newfield Exploration Weatherford Labs
GOLD Intrepid Potash, Inc. Sinclair Oil & Gas
SILVER Advantage Resources Flagg Diamond Corporation Bowler Petrophysics L.A. McPeek Ensign Energy Lewis & Clark Exploration Seismic Exchange Your Support of these sponsors is greatly appreciated.
Tennis Committee Lou Bortz Chet Paris Annika Otness Chris Eisinger
Tennis Committee – (left to right) Annika Otness, Lou Bortz, Chris Eisinger, Chet Paris.
Vol. 61, No. 10
30
October 2012
2011 RMAG Tennis Tourn
2012 RMAG Tennis Tournament Results
The 2011 Tennis Tournament was held on September 16th Club. This year 24 participants enjoyed a perfect day (weath camaraderie for the 33nd annual tournament.
A Division
A Division 1st Place: John Darden 2nd Place: Jordan Revielle 1stB-IPlace: Jordan Revielle Division 1st Place: Paris 2nd Place: TimChet Lovseth 2nd Place: Gary Thompson B-II Division 1st Place: Don Stone 2nd Place (tie): Dave Donegan Andy Peterson
A Division – Tim Lovseth (2nd), Jordan Revielle (1st)
B-I Division
1st Place: Gary Thompson 2nd Place: Don Stone
2011 RMAG SP
Intrepid Potash, Inc. Newfield Exploration Advantage Resources Ensign Drilling Flagg Diamond Corpor L.A. McPeek Weatherford Labs Williams Production Co Bowler Petrophysics John Lockridge Lewis & Clark Explorat Sinclair Oil
B-II Division 1stThe Place: Doran Adams generous support of our Sponsors made this years event 2ndpossible. Place: Greg Tilden
Your Suppo is grea
Ten
A
B-I Division – Gary Thompson (1st), Don Stone (2nd) RMAG Tennis
Thank you to all who particpated... see you next year! B-II Division – Greg Tilden (2nd), Doran Adams (1st).
OUTCROP
31
www.rmag.org
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists cordially invites you to the
2012 Rockbusters Ball Annual Professional Awards Presentation And Dinner Dance Saturday, November 17th, 2012
COLUMBINE COUNTRY CLUB 17 Fairway Lane, Littleton, Colorado Cocktail Hour – 5:30 PM Awards – 8:30 PM
Dinner – 7:00 PM Dancing 9:00-11:00 PM
$45.00 per person
Dinner will be followed by the presentation of the 201 2012 RMAG Professional Awards and Dancing
Reservation Form—2012 Rockbusters Ball (Circle Food Choice)
Member Name ___________________________________ Beef
Chicken
Guest or Spouse _________________________________ Beef
Chicken
Payment: ( ) Check payable to RMAG Visa , Mastercard or American Express Name on Card (Print)____________________________________________________ Card Number
____________________________________ Exp Date _______________
Signature _______________________________ Billing Address Zip Code __________ Email Address _____________________________________________ Telephone Number __________________________ Mail or FAX this registration form by November 12th to: RMAG * 910 16th St., Ste 1125 * Denver, CO 80202 * 303-573-8621 * Fax: 303-628-0546 No cancellations or refunds after November 12, 2012
For Online Registration: www.RMAG.org (click on Rockbusters Ball Button) If your online registration was accepted you will receive an email confirmation. If not accepted contact the RMAG 303-573-8621 OUTCROP
32
www.rmag.org
Episode on the San Juan River, September 8, 2012 By Don Rasmussen, Geologist
For the Rocky the raft. Jessica, our raft Mountain Section of guide, restarted the motor American Association and kept gunning it trying of Petroleum Geologists to get us out, but without (RMS-AAPG) meeting in any luck. I suspect the Grand Junction during propeller was probably early September 2012, I not working at that point led a geology field trip into after hitting rocks and southeastern Utah and gravel upstream. The southwestern Colorado for raft was snagged by the twenty-two geoscientists overhanging and partially on the Paradox Basin & submerged Russian Mexican Hat Float Trip olive branches and (Sept. 7-9). Two of the long cottonwood roots days were on the road in Photograph by John Humphrey (Yates Petroleum) showing our raft as protruding from the bank. a coach bus and we did it was approaching the Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel on the Navajo One root was about 4-5 an all-day float on the Sandstone. The San Juan River looks deep but actually is choked with inches in diameter and San Juan River between gravel and sand, and becomes rather shallow when the water flow 10-15 feet long and hit is below 1000 cfps. The river guides have to carefully pick their way Bluff and Mexican Hat the raft above the left down the river. Note the overhanging Russian olive trees along the on Saturday the 8th (with cutbank of the San Juan River. The accident occurred just downstream pontoon and then moved Gene Stevenson as the co- from here. up to waist high where leader on the river). Wild three of us were seated on Rivers Expeditions in Bluff provided three rafts, each an “ice-chest bench” in the front part of the raft. Most with a river guide who ran their respective raft. of the pressure was against Noel Waechter who sat on During the float trip, with water flow below 600 cfps, the left side and Amy McKay who sat between Noel and the propeller on our outboard motor had been dragging me. I was on the right side holding firm onto a cross-bar bottom on rocks and gravel due to the low water and in the raft while they were being shoved my way. lost power resulting in our raft getting swept into the As the strong current kept pushing us against the long fast current along the cutbank where there were lots root, Amy ducked down into the front part of the raft. When of overhanging Russian olive trees and protruding Noel was bending forward to duck under the root and onto cottonwood tree roots. This was just downstream from the floor of the raft, he warned me that it was “springButler Wash where all three rafts last gathered to view loaded”. All of sudden the root sprung loose over Noel’s the petroglyphs on the Navajo Sandstone cliff along the back and catapulted me into the river and underwater. It river, and along a stretch where the river curved into a happened so fast – one instant I was listening to Noel’s cutbank and trees were falling into the river. When we warning and the next instant I was looking up through needed power to navigate around the trees, our raft’s the murky water at the pontoon of the raft above me. motor quit working forcing, us to be carried out-ofWhen I came up to the surface with a mouth full of control by the current. We travelled under the vegetation water, I was at the side of the raft and fortunately able to along the cutbank for a short distance while the other quickly grab hold of the plastic rope along the length of two rafts ahead were going around a bend about 50 the pontoon, otherwise I would have been swept under yards downstream. Fortunately, someone looked back the raft and into the brush and roots where I probably upstream and saw us spin toward the bank and stop would have drowned. We had now floated beyond the behind tree branches where we were perpendicular to protruding root as it was not in view, but we were still the current. We were getting scratched by the thorny mostly under the overhanging trees. The raft was now Russian olive branches and had to duck down into Continued on page 34 » OUTCROP
33
www.rmag.org
Episode on the San Juan River, September 8, 2012
Continued from page 33
hung up by the branches onto my life jacket, but and roots and was not that only caused the raft moving downstream. to dip further into the river, The raft was tipping my with me fighting again to way and I feared that I keep my head above the would be pulled under water. They had to return by the tipping raft and to the high side of the raft. caught in the brush or Had the raft flipped, we all forced into the propeller. might have drowned. The propeller might not By now, water was have been turning, but I hitting the pontoon and could clearly hear that the washing back into my outboard motor was still face, but Amy’s strong running. The current was hold kept me up enough so strong that my lower that I was still able to get body and legs were forced air when I turned my head straight underneath the Photograph by Denise Stone (Rose and Associates) downstream at to the side. People kept raft. I could feel roots a stop to view the Mule Ear Diatreme (an ancient violent volcanic talking to me but I do not and branches underwater eruption). Standing in front is my heroine Amy McKay (Samson remember what they said Resources). I am resting an arm on the water container and my old against my legs. except their asking several friend Noel Waechter (mostly retired) is sitting next to me. Others Most of the people on our raft are Rob Swartwout (Patara Oil & Gas), Ben Funderburk times if I was okay, and on the raft rushed to the (Forest Oil), Paul Lillis (USGS – behind Rob), and Bailey Beitscher I do not remember if I high side to keep it from (Cimarex – way in back). Jessica, on left with cap, was our raft guide. replied anything rational. I flipping while Amy, came I am mostly dry with my boots still filled with water. Note the rope tried to stand up a couple to my rescue and yanked on the pontoon and the blue strap on the water container - I clung times in the rushing water from these while in the water, although Amy kept me from slipping me up by my life jacket, under the raft in the fast current and my head out of the water by but when I barely touched enough to keep my head pulling me up by my life jacket. bottom the gravel under above water. In the many my feet was immediately seconds before then, my head was in and out of the washed away. I considered trying to make my way to the water and I was catching breaths when I could. Amy back of the raft, but it meant leaving Amy’s strong hold, anchored herself in the bottom of the raft, which I and I could see the access way along the low pontoon learned later was partially flooded with water, and held would be too dangerous. I then heard Jessica blow a on to my life jacket with both hands as best she could - it loud whistle, the river signal for help, to alert the other was enough to keep my head out of the water and me two rafts, who had arrived on the river next to where we from being swept under the raft (I later saw that Amy were stuck under the trees. Denise Stone was the first to suffered a big welt and cuts on her arm and learned Noel see me in the water. I could hear Gene and Marcus Buck also had bruises). I managed to get a slightly higher hold (the senior raft guide) yelling instructions, which caused with my left hand on a strap on a water container; but me even more distress due to the frantic nature of their then Jessica tried to loosen the strap so they could have yelling, yet I knew my rescue would happen soon. Although better access to me, and make a rescue. Once the strap we were caught under the overhanging trees, Gene was was loosened, I slipped further back into the river, my able to get a bow line tied to our raft and then Marcus head underwater again. After I bobbed up, I yelled for her gunned his motor to pull our raft back into the river and to to stop; and she retightened the strap on the container shallow water. When I was able to touch bottom, Amy let and it pulled me back up a little higher. Two or three of loose of my life jacket and three of our shipmates pulled our shipmates came to help Amy who was still holding me back into the raft. Vol. 61, No. 11
34
November 2012
Episode on the San Juan River, September 8, 2012
This whole episode being totally wet (it was took several minutes from hot and dry so I was drying the time we first went fast), I was able to help into the bank to when we Gene lead the remaining were rescued. I was not parts of the float trip. hurt other than a sore Unfortunately, later hikes right shoulder and some to fantastic exposures black-and-blue marks on along the river had to be my upper left arm and cut short because of the right side of my belly which time lost with the accident I noticed the next day. (about 1 hour late for our When safe on the raft, lunch stop). I was shaking but knew The camera around that I would be okay. The my n e c k g o t t o t a l l y floatation pads in the soaked, but I did not lose front of my life jacket kept it or my glasses, pants or me from really getting hat during the ordeal. Amy Photograph from John Humphrey (Yates Petroleum) of the participants whapped when the springlost her camera to the loaded root hit me hard on the RMS-AAPG Paradox Basin & Mexican Hat Float Trip on water in the bottom of the September 8, 2012 - inside Raplee Anticline at Eight-Foot Rapids on across my chest. It could raft while coming to my the San Juan River (Navajo Nation) between Bluff and Mexican Hat. have knocked the breath aid. What an experience. out of me, broken my ribs, or ruptured my heart had the It could have easily gone the wrong way and I would not fast moving root hit directly against my chest. It also could be writing about this episode. Amy McKay saved my life have hit me in the neck or face, causing major injuries, by her quick action and strength which kept my head out while throwing me into the river. After Jessica applied of water and prevented me from being swept under the antibiotic solution to the cuts and bruise on Amy’s left raft. She never released her strong hold until we reached arm, we got reorganized in the raft and resumed the float shallow water and I was able to stand up. The other people down the river with Jessica using oars and a couple guys on the raft played an important part by keeping it from bailing water from the raft. flipping which would have placed all of us in danger of We stopped briefly to hear Gene describe the Mule drowning under the raft or under the overhanging trees. Ear Diatreme, and about 20 minutes later the three It was the extensive knowledge and experience of Gene rafts made a longer stop for people to step onto the river and Marcus, from their numerous prior trips on the San bank, regain their composure, and finish bailing water Juan River, which allowed a successful rescue of our raft out of our raft. From here we would be able to continue and getting us to safety. When leading field trips I always the geological trip in the deep canyon, but the motor on worry about the welfare of others on the trip, but never Jessica’s raft was totally useless and was pulled into the expected something like this to ever happen to me. I am raft. She now had to row the raft (through the rapids) or grateful for the actions of several people on this trip, have her raft strapped to the one guided by Marcus which especially Amy, and am lucky to still be alive. had enough power to move both rafts down smoother Some parts of this story were from many others on parts of the river. At the stop I moved to the third raft the field trip who witnessed this episode and helped to join other geologists as they had been hearing little with my rescue and the rescue of my shipmates and our narrative about the geology in the canyon because of the guide. I would especially like to thank Amy McKay, Noel long distance between rafts while negotiating through Waechter, Paul Lillis, Gene Stevenson, and Denise Stone the shallow stretches. The third raft was operated by who clarified many of the horrific details. Greg, and Gene provided narrative to those in the other two rafts when they were strapped together. Other than
»
OUTCROP
35
www.rmag.org
Vol. 61, No. 11
36
November 2012
R
SYSTEMS
Logs Since 1971
www.mjlogs.com
6 MILLION LOGS
Publish Your Paper in The Mountain Geologist The Mountain Geologist is the quarterly, peer-reviewed journal of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG). We publish papers on the geology of the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. as well as related topics from outside the region. The range of topics encompasses most geoscience sub-disciplines. Authors are from academia, government and industry. The Mountain Geologist has been published continuously since 1964. It circulates to approximately 2600 RMAG members and 200 university libraries and industry associates. Send inquiries or manuscripts to Joyce Trygstad Nelson (jtpetr@aol.com). Manuscripts should be double-spaced and written in accordance with The Mountain Geologist downloadable “Authors Style Guide,” available in the Publications dropdown at the RMAG website www.rmag.org.
»
ERED
EGIST DEPTH R
NET
INTER
S
AD O L N DOW
SEARCH AND
TH FILTER BY DEP
H
ARC E S E N
ONLI
North America’s Next Big Light Oil Resource Play
Sanish/Three Forks Canadian Discovery’s Three Forks Project confirms the excellent development potential of this impressive unconventional reservoir.
th u e l S Log re a w t f So
OWN THE LOG
S
CLUB WEB
5 oil play types ranging from unconventional resource plays to more conventional subcrop plays are identified. Contact Cheryl Wright to Subscribe 403.269.3644 | info@canadiandiscovery.com
www.canadiandiscovery.com
Saskatchewan
Bakken Studies
STUDY AREA
Montana North Dakota
Wyoming
South Dakota
Canadian Discovery Ltd.
WEB CATALSOITE GUE
1-800-310-6451 OUTCROP
Manitoba
37
www.rmag.org
See how Neuralog brings your logs, maps, sections and other critical information together to get the most from your data. Whether you are starting from paper or working on existing data, Neuralog is the fastest way to your interpretation. t Advanced correlation t $SPTT TFDUJPO HFOFSBUJPO t "VUP NBOVBM DPOUPVSJOH t *OUFSBDUJWF FEJUJOH t 7PMVNFUSJDT SFTFSWFT 7PMVNFUSJDT SFTFSWFT
Learn more at AAPG RMS www.Neuralog.com
ª /FVSBMPH t XXX OFVSBMPH DPN t t
Vol. 61, No. 11
38
November 2012
In Memoriam: John Rold
Prepared by Celia Greenman, Vince Matthews and Lee Gerhard Colorado lost a living legend recently with the passing of John Rold, perhaps best known as the State Geologist of Colorado from 1969 to 1992. Born a rancher’s son, John grew up surrounded by wildlife in the rural setting of suburban Salida (Maysville). He lost his father when he was a boy and was raised in the midst of the Great Depression, and thus shouldered many responsibilities at a young age. John worked temporarily for the Forest Service and gained admission to the University of Colorado and its World War II V-12 program, destined to become a naval officer. When that program terminated at the end of the war, he continued his education. At school he played handball and varsity football but also accidentally registered for a course in geology--- and enjoyed it enough to carry on, eventually receiving both a bachelor's and a master’s degree from CU. For this accomplished hunter and angler one of the factors in curriculum choice must surely have been the thought of earning a paycheck while working outdoors. John began his professional life with Chevron Oil, when petroleum geology was not largely the office occupation it is today. In 1969, John was asked to reinstate the Colorado Geological Survey after a 40-year hiatus. One of the first trials the agency experienced was the collision between geological science and less than diligent development interests in Marble, Colorado, where a major ski area was planned. John and his righthand man for a quarter of a century, Pat Rogers, had mapped large landslides in the Mancos shale where the proposed lodge and lift towers were located. They had also mapped debris flow paths where condo footprints were staked. This geological assessment became an extremely hot topic, with continual press coverage and accusations and threats leveled at CGS. It could have
been the death knell for the newly-established agency; EXCEPT, that during the debates, a debris flow blasted down one of the mapped paths, burying the platted ski village under a 4-foot-thick layer of mud and boulders. On Mt. Daly you can still see the abandoned towers and lodge that remain as testimony that Colorado's natural hazards should not be ignored. Indeed, a recent debris flow came roaring through Marble as another reminder. Among the many people who speak fondly of John, the phrase "rough around the edges" can be heard more than once. What he lacked in finishing school manners he more than made up for in his forthright determination that people be educated when dealing with or voting on matters that concerned geology. This was just as true for issues concerning extraction of natural resources as it was for geologic hazards. And as for land use planning, he was not shy in telling how an angry developer would pound on his desk saying that he would have John's job, whereupon John would then hand over the phone and the governor's phone number. The wilder Colorado John knew may have been tamed a bit in the last few decades, but the current Director, Vince Matthews, credits the respect for CGS (and the lack of threats) to the high degree of credibility for the programs established during John's 23 years of working through Colorado's geology and working with the geological and geotechnical consulting community. Among his many accomplishments John developed from scratch a fully functional CGS geologic staff and programs. This included a geologic publications program for making available applied geo-information for both lay people and professionals. In the mid 80s John offered a home to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which remains with CGS today and is the premier
Among the many people who speak fondly of John, the phrase "rough around the edges" can be heard more than once. What he lacked in finishing school manners he more than made up for in his forthright determination that people be educated when dealing with or voting on matters that concerned geology.
OUTCROP
Continued on page 40 »
39
www.rmag.org
In Memoriam: John Rold
Continued from page 39
avalanche center in the world. John's background in the energy industry gave him the insights in the 1970s to begin evaluating the potential for developing geothermal energy and coalbed methane in Colorado. CGS published numerous analyses and data-bearing reports on both of these topics. Today, geothermal pilot projects are active in different parts of Colorado with participation by CGS. The publications on coalbed methane in the 70s and 80s led the way for industry to get up to speed on the potential of coalbed methane after word of Amoco's success began leaking out. Today, Colorado has the nation's largest reserves of coalbed methane and they provide billions of dollars annually to Colorado's economy and millions to its tax base. John could have retired after his distinguished service with the State. However, in 1992 he joined Wright Water Engineers as an adjunct scientist, a position he held for nearly 20 years. John participated in landmark work with WWE for a wide variety of clients ranging from major work for ExxonMobil and BP, and rockfall analyses throughout the State in places such as at Gateway, Pitkin County and Morrison. He also assisted on water resources and geological studies where his vast knowledge and communication skills set new standards. Ken Wright and John were hired by the Gunnison County Commissioners to provide a detailed risk analysis using GIS maps to be used by the Commissioners when making decisions on land use. Both were both pleased several years later when the Public Works Manager for Gunnison County referred to their work as “biblical.” In 1995 John began providing geological expertise on a paleohydrology study at Mesa Verde National Park with a WWE field research team that investigated various sites. The project finished in 2008 with the cliff dwelling known as Mug House, and the final report was authored by John, Justice Gregory Hobbs, David Breternitz and former legislator Ruth Wright. John was recognized by his peers with the highest award of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (of which he had been president), the Ben Parker Medal. This was a fitting recognition to a career of public service both in government and in private practice, a triumph for honesty, competence and high ethics. John also held local and national leadership positions in numerous other professional societies: the American
»
Vol. 61, No. 11
Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, the Colorado Scientific Society, the American Association of State Geologists, and the Geological Society of America. For GSA John served on a "blue-ribbon" committee that focused on serious financial and publications problems. The committee's recommendations resulted in major restructuring that was adopted and still in use. John also remained active in CU alumni activities throughout his life. John cemented his love of the outdoors by becoming a board member of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. He had learned early that just buying a hunting or fishing license did not adequately protect hunting and fishing heritage. John was pro mining and energy development, as you would expect from a State Geologist, yet he understood that there was a conscientious way to proceed in such efforts that did not generally coincide with the expedient way. That perspective was beneficial to CWF. John Rold hunted, fished, was a leader in the "International Order of Rocky Mountain Goats", and initiated all who would listen into the wonders of the outdoor world. John and Phyllis, his wife of 56 years, had four children who accompanied him on camping trips and outdoor adventures. They learned geology up front and personal and also from inside an automobile as the car was headed in a different direction from where John was pointing with his pipe. His love of fishing was passed down to his children and grandchildren, who occasionally perfected their casting by aiming at egg carton divisions in the back yard that contained different combinations of change, or maybe a dollar bill. When John cast a fly, his line danced out over impossible distances, landing lightly on the water. He usually had a fish on before anyone else. Unlike some, he would share what fly he was using, and where he thought the fish might lie. He would compliment his fellow anglers, even if they were struggling with wind knots and tangled leaders. The visual image of John is with Stetson, jeans, boots, and his light gray jacket set off with brightly colored patches signifying his membership in outdoor organizations. All who knew him acknowledge his dedication to the geological profession and the state of Colorado, and will miss his honesty, directness, generosity and larger than life personality. 40
November 2012
In the Pipeline november 7, 2012 CANCELED – TO BE RESCHEDULED. RMAG Luncheon AAPG Distinguished Lecturer – Speaker will be Marek Kacewicz. "Petroleum Systems Modeling — State of the Art and Future Directions." http://www. aapg.org/education/dist_lect/kacewicz.cfm. See page 12 for more information.
Speaker Katie Kocman, "X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis in the Williston Basin." RMSGeoYP@gmail.com.
november 4-7, 2012 SEG Annual Meeting – Las Vegas, NV.
november 20, 2012 DWLS Luncheon – Speaker Ed Koerperich. “Optimize Exploration and Development Mapping Tools Using i-Petrophysics: Williston, Alberta, Uinta, DJ and Sac Basins.”
november 17, 2012 RMAG 2012 Rockbusters Ball Annual Professional Awards Presentation and Dinner Dance – See page 32 for more information.
november 4-7, 2012 GSA Annual Meeting – Charlotte, NC.
november 22-23, 2012 RMAG Office will be closed (Thanksgiving and the following day).
november 9, 2012 DIPS Luncheon november 13, 2012 Desk and Derrick Luncheon – For reservations, please contact RSVP@deskandderrick.org.
november 27, 2012 R M S - S E P M L u n c h e o n – S p e a ke r M a r k Kirschbaum.”Controls on Deposition and Preservation of Cretaceous Mowry Shale and Frontier Formation and Equivalents, Rocky Mountain Region, CO, UT, and WY.”
november 13-15, 2012 Hart Developing Unconventional Gas-East – Pittsburgh, PA.
november 28, 2012 Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon – To RSVP call Barb Burrell at 303-675-2602 or e-mail OCFDenverChapter@pxd.com.
november 15, 2012 AAPG Young Professionals Dine and Discuss –
november 7-28, 2012 Board of Directors Election – Details to come via email and at www.rmag.org soon!
»
If you have any events that you would like to post in this column, please submit via email to Holly Sell at hsell@ nobleenergyinc.com or to the RMAG office at rmagdenver@ aol.com for consideration.
Neil H. Whitehead, III Consulting Geologist PhD
CPG-AIPG
PG WY
Rocky Mountain Basins Wellsite to Petroleum Systems ArcGIS 303-679-8573
fax 303-679-8574
31634 Black Widow Way
OUTCROP
41
Conifer, CO
www.rmag.org
neil3@q.com 80433-9610
Advertisers Index AAPG ..........................................2
Hoppe, William F. ................... 19
RBC Wealth Management .... 19
Banko Petroleum ................... 41
Horizontal Solutions Intl........ 25
TGS .......................................... 21
Bowler Petrophysics .................9
I.H.S..........................................17
Canadian Discovery ............... 37
Innovative Geo-Tech ............... 24
Vista GeoScience, David Seneshen ..................... 10
Colorado Geological Survey .. 43
Karo, James C. ....................... 10
Vista GeoScience, John V. Fontana ...................... 24
Core Lab ................................. 36
MJ Systems ............................ 37
Whitehead, Neil H., III ............ 41
Donovan Brothers Inc. ..............9
Mazzullo Energy Corp. ........... 29
Discovery Group ..................... 25
Neuralog ................................. 38
Wyoming State Geological Survey .................. 29
Geosteering ...............................4
PTTC ........................................ 44
Wyotex Oil Company .............. 36
November 2012 SUNDAY
4
MONDAY
5
TUESDAY
6
12
13
THURSDAY
Desk & Derrick Luncheon
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
RMAG 7 Luncheon
8
9
10
14
15
Canceled – To Be Rescheduled
GSA Annual Meeting SEG Annual Meeting
11
WEDNESDAY
AAPG Young Professionals: Speaker: Katie Kocman
DIPS Luncheon
16
17 Rockbusters Ball
Hart Developing Unconventional Gas-East
18
19
20
21
22
DWLS Luncheon
23
24
THANKSGIVING
RMAG Office Closed
25
26
27 RMS-SEPM Luncheon
Vol. 61, No. 11
28
Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon
42
29
30
November 2012
COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
I NVENTORY B LOWOUT SA LE SALES BEGIN NOVEMBER 1 70% off over 150 publications 303-866-2611 1313 Sherman St #715 Denver, 80203 or online:
geosur veystore.state.co.us www.rmag.org
OUTCROP
43
PTTC November Workshop GeoGraphix Training: An Overview and Refresher Course Friday, November 16, 2012, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall Rm. 201 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate. Instructor: Fred Poland, Littleton, CO
This full-day hands-on computer training course is designed for the person who has had some past experience with GeoGraphix and would like to get some basic training in the functionality of the newest version. It may also serve as a demo for those considering the purchase of GeoGraphix. GESxplorer and PRIZM modules will be utilized. New users will acquire tips and tricks to create projects, maps and cross sections, employ zone manager, perform multi-well log analysis, and more
Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu
Don't forget to register for the
2012 RMAG ROCKBUSTERS BALL (see page 32 for more details)
To be held at the Columbine Country Club 17 Fairway Lane, Littleton, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125 Denver, CO 80202
Vol. 61, No. 11
44
November 2012