OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Volume 61 • No. 10 • October 2012
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OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
CONTENTS Features
6 Lead Story: LiDAR – An Emerging Tool for Geological Applications
15 Check it out! 19 Geologic Art Show
association news 9 2012 RMAG Professional Award Recipients 9 Call for Papers: The Mountain Geologist 10 Determine Future Guidebooks 17 RMAG 2012 Summit Sponsorship 19 RMAG – Horizontal Drilling and Completion Symposiium
33 Save the Date for the RMAG/PTTC Fall Symposium 38 Prospect Fair and Technofest 41 The Outcrop Needs YOU!
Departments 4 RMAG August Board of Directors Meeting 12 Luncheon Program 14 President's Column 18 New Members 26 In Memoriam – John W. Rold 36 In the Pipeline 40 Advertisers Index 40 Calendar of Events
19 Membership Notice 20 2013 RMAG Board of Directors Candidates
COVER PHOTO The hoodoos of Wheeler Geologic Area are composed of welded rhyolitic tuff from eruptions of the La Garita Caldera 25 million years ago. Photo by Cat Campbell.
Volume 61 • No. 10 • October 2012
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RMAG August Board of Directors Meeting
By Kimberley Alanis, Secretary (Kimberley.Alanis@vantageenergy.com) The Board of Directors meeting was held on August 15, 2012 in the RMAG office boardroom. We had several guests in attendance at this meeting. The first couple of guests were from the DGS office. They stopped by to discuss the 3-D Seismic Symposium. Trisha Beaver followed them with the list of award nominees. The BOD accepted the nominees that were recommended from the Awards Committee. Once the guests left, the meeting continued with a review
of RMAG’s July income and expenses. RMAG is continuing to have strong financials for this year. Our organization is in good shape. The Continuing Education Committee is staying very busy with several upcoming events. The Summer Speaker Series has wrapped up for this year. Thank you to the speakers and the RMAG members who participated. Be on the lookout for the next couple events in the schedule for this year. The Fall Symposium is set for October 23nd at the Marriott and the Rockbuster’s Ball on November 17th at the Columbine Country Club. The committee is also in the process of planning a core workshop for January. The Publications Committee held their Geologist, is meeting on August 8th. The Mountain Geologist, getting ready for the October issue, if you haven’t already received it, it should be headed your way soon. I hope everyone enjoyed this release. The Outcrop seems to be in good hands. I am looking forward to some of the next issues. The 2012 publication, “Structural Application to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Accumulations” has been submitted to AAPG for layout. The publication is still about eight (8) months out. The highlight of our meeting was presenting Carol Dalton an award for all of her time and effort spent during the interim of office staff. Carol, thank you again, for “holding down the fort.” The September Board of Di-rector’s meeting was held on Wednesday, September 19th, at Pete Varney’s house. The October meeting is planned to be held on October 17th at the University Building conference room on the 11th floor.
The highlight of our meeting was presenting Carol Dalton an award for all of her time and effort spent during the interim of office staff. Carol, thank you again, for “holding down the fort.”
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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 Accountant Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org Co-Editors Kristine Peterson k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Holly Sell hsell@nobleenergyinc.com Catherine Campbell ccampbell@bayless-cos.com Design/Production Debbie Downs debradowns@att.net Wednesday Noon Luncheon Reservations RMAG Office: 303.573.8621 Fax: 303-628-0546 staff@rmag.org www.rmag.org
ADVERTISING
PROFESSIONAL CARDS Will be actual size. HELPFUL HINTS 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 300 dpi. Simple line art and photographs provide helpful illustration. Borders are recommended on large copy. An advertising agreement will be sent to you. OUTCROP
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 Counselor (1 Year) – Mark D. Sonnenfeld sonnenfeld@whiting.com
1st Vice-President – Paul Lillis plillis@usgs.gov
Counselor (2 Year) – John Ladd john.ladd@fmr.com
2nd Vice-President – Greg Anderson ganderson@samson.com Secretary – Kimberly Alanis Kimberley.alanis@qepres.com
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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. 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. Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.
DEADLINES: ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month's publication. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125• Denver, CO 80202
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LEAD STORY LiDAR – An Emerging Tool for Geological Applications By Jason Stoker Over the past five to ten years the use and applicability of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology has increased dramatically. As a result, more and more LiDAR data now are being collected across the country for a wide range of applications, and LiDAR currently is the technology of choice for high resolution terrain model creation, 3-D city and infrastructure modeling, forestry, and a wide range of scientific applications. LiDAR is a key technology for geological applications both within and outside t h e U. S . G e o l o g i c a l Survey, and efforts are underway to try to collect high resolution LiDAR data for the entire United States (http://pubs.usgs. gov/fs/2012/3089/pdf/ fs2012-3089.pdf).
airborne LiDAR is that these laser pulses can penetrate through gaps in the vegetative canopy to help identify geologic features not detectible by optical systems, while collecting information from the vegetation canopy, which is important for all kinds of ecological applications. The absolute accuracy of elevation data acquired from airborne LiDAR can be centimeters per LiDAR return. The data today can be collected at rates of up to 400,000 points per second, which can be translated into extremely high-resolution elevation information. One hour of data collection can result in billions of individually georeferenced 3-D points.
How do LiDAR Data Appear? What is LiDAR? The source LiDAR LiDAR is a category data that come from the of active remote sensing instruments typically are instruments that can referred to as a ‘point produce 3-D data useful cloud’ – that is, a cloud i n p ro d u c i n g h i g h l y o f X Y Z c o o rd i n a te s accurate, geo-referenced with various attributes 3-D information. LiDAR associated with each applies a combination point (Fig. 2). For of three mature geological applications technologies to calculate these point clouds are Figure 1. Diagram of an airborne LiDAR instrument. 3-D information: compact processed with filtering laser rangefinders, highly routines and manual techniques to identify the points accurate inertial measurement units, and the global that correspond with the bare ground versus the points positioning satellite system (GPS). Integrating these that represent other objects, such as water, buildings, technologies into a single system and mounting it into an or vegetation. Following this processing, the data are aircraft (similar to what is done for aerial photography) referred to as a “classified point cloud,” a common LiDAR allows for the collection of high-resolution elevation deliverable. information from the air (Fig. 1). An advantage of Vol. 61, No. 10
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Lead Story
Figure 2. An RGB colorized point cloud of approximately 1 km2 before classification for the Arkansas Valley in Colorado
Figure 3. The same area as Figure 2, with data converted to a bare-earth surface
Once points are classified they are converted to a more user- and computationally friendly format, such as a surface model (Fig. 3). For geological applications, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) usually is the desired product, which represents the surface form of bare-earth features. To generate this, points that were classified as bare earth are interpolated horizontally (and there are many ways to do this) into either of two main types of surface models, a raster grid or a triangulated irregular network. It is these bare-earth DEMs that geologists predominantly use to help identify and map features such as faults, alluvium, and historic landslides. These OUTCROP
features often cannot be seen with other remote sensing technology, and some features have gone undetected by geologists even during field visits (Fig. 4). Where can I get LiDAR data products? There are several avenues for acquiring LiDAR data for particular areas of interest. Many commercial companies will collect LiDAR data for individualized specifications and areas. The costs associated with these customized acquisitions will vary based on the extent of the area, desired density of points (related to spatial resolution), accuracy, and turnaround time. There usually are economies of scale, so the larger the area collected, Continued on page 8 Âť
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Lead Story
(A)
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the less the cost per square mile. A simple internet search of “LiDAR vendor” will provide an extensive list of companies. Organizations, such as The Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS) (http://www.mapps.org), also have extensive lists of their member companies that collect LiDAR data. For users who do not need specific, customized data, there may be data already available in the public sector resulting from prior acquisitions that could suffice for certain applications. A recent study of federal agencies estimates that almost one-third of the conterminous United States has been flown at least once with LiDAR, and a coordinated effort is underway to try to acquire LiDAR coverage for the entire United States (except for Alaska, which will be handled differently). There are many federal, state, and local agencies paying for collections of LiDAR data that will be made available in many formats for public download. Following are a few portals for downloadable LiDAR data.
Continued from page 7
(B)
The USGS Center for LiDAR Information Coordination and Knowledge (http://LiDAR.cr.usgs.gov) In 2006, the USGS initiated CLICK as a virtual center designed to provide LiDAR point cloud data via download. There currently are over 30 TB of LiDAR point cloud data Figure 4. Aerial view of part of the Arkansas Valley, CO, from imagery (A) and bareavailable through the link below, with earth LiDAR (B) data. accesses the same datasets available through the link over 1.1 trillion points represented, below. and more data are added all the time. USGS Earth Explorer (http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov)
National Science Foundation (NSF) OpenTopography (http://www.opentopography.org)
LiDAR data also can also be downloaded via another USGS portal called Earth Explorer. Earth Explorer Vol. 61, No. 10
Continued on page 10 »
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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
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Lead Story
Continued from page 8
OpenTopography provides data from NSF and other sources, mainly for the geosciences. The OpenTopography Facility is based at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California–San Diego, and is operated in collaboration with the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University. Core operational support for OpenTopography comes from the NSF Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities Program and the Office of Cyberinfrastructure. OpenTopography was initiated as a proof-of-concept cyberinfrastructure in the Earth Sciences project of the NSF Information and Technology Research (ITR) program funded through the Geoscience Network (GEON) project. Opentopography provides access not only to point-cloud data, but allows users to create customized derivatives from those data.
data for the same area. Some good examples of this approach are the Puget Sound LiDAR Consortium (http:// pugetsoundLiDAR.ess.washington.edu), the Oregon Statewide LiDAR Consortium (http://www.oregongeology. org/sub/projects/olc/default.htm), and the International Water Institute’s consortium for the Red River Basin (http://www.iwinst.org/LiDAR). The beauty of LiDAR data is they can be used for such a wide range of applications, many unrelated interest groups can benefit from a single LiDAR collection.
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Determine Future Guidebooks 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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Digital Coast (http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast)
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Digital Coast was developed by NOAA to provide information needed by those who want to conserve and protect coastal communities and natural resources. Digital Coast also supplies the associated tools, training, and information to turn data into information capable of making a difference in coastal management. The NOAA Coastal Services Center built the prototype for this portal in 2008 and reached out to potential users to provide feedback to guide the refinement of the site. Digital Coast provides LiDAR and other data, as well as extents of data from CLICK.
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Others There are many state, local, or application specific LiDAR portals, and the number is increasing every year. If you are interested in areas not currently offered by the portals above, you also can ask your state’s Department of Natural Resources, County GIS coordinator, or city planner about available LiDAR data or future planned acquisitions. If none exist, a good strategy is to build a consortium of people interested in acquiring LiDAR Vol. 61, No. 10
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Luncheon Program – October 3rd Discovery of “Pronghorn” and “Lewis and Clark” Fields:
Sweet-spots within the Bakken Petroleum System Producing from the Sanish/Pronghorn Member NOT the Middle Bakken or Three Forks! By Orion Skinner, Whiting Petroleum Corp., October 3, 2012
Our emphasis on corebased sedimentology and stratigraphy led us to refine our understanding of middle Bakken facies and recognize the significance of the 2ndorder regional angular unconformity separating the Three Forks and the lower Bakken shale.
Discovery of Bakken Petroleum System sweet-spots over the last 10 years has advanced by application of preceding paradigms to new areas. By contrast, each new sweet-spot represents a distinct combination of multiple play factors. Remaining open-minded to a variety of sweet-spot factors is fundamental to tight oil resource play exploration. Whiting’s position in North Dakota’s Sanish field was based on regional mapping with a focus on the “B facies” of the middle Bakken juxtaposed to a thermally mature, lower Bakken shale depocenter. Sanish and adjacent Parshall fields of Mountrail County, ND each represent giant oil fields producing from both the middle Bakken and Three Forks. Our emphasis on core-based sedimentology and stratigraphy led us to refine our understanding of middle Bakken facies and recognize the significance of the 2nd-order regional angular unconformity separating the Three Forks and the lower Bakken shale. Low accommodation conditions succeeding this unconformity controlled depositional patterns of the entire lowstand (Pronghorn Member of Bakken) to transgressive (lower, middle, and upper Bakken) systems tracts, up to an MFS at the overlying Scallion Member
LuncHeOn ReseRv RvA Rv vAt AtIOns & InfORmAt A IOn At 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. 10
Call 303-573-8621
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Luncheon Program
of the Lodgepole. Regional, core-calibrated correlation in both the Pronghorn and the middle Bakken demonstrate that regional variations in siliciclastic and detrital dolomitic sediment supply and in carbonate productivity during this low accommodation LST-TST period critically impacted matrix reservoir quality. Across the northern Williston Basin, the basal transgressive Pronghorn member veneer (type-section being Antelope Field) has a northeastern-derived, siliciclastic provenance. By contrast, the southern Williston Basin was the locus of detrital dolomites derived from the Cedar Creek paleostructure. The Pronghorn member extends well south of any preserved lower, middle, and upper Bakken deposits and is composed of a transgressive succession of restricted marine detrital dolomites capped by a locally preserved, burrowed limestone that represents open marine conditions prior to the restricted to anoxic episode marking lower Bakken deposition. Core-based definition of the Pronghorn Member’s varying provenance, coupled with core- and cuttingscalibrated resistivity mapping to confirm oil saturation, recently led to discovery of significant new sweet-spots at Whiting’s “Pronghorn” and “Lewis and Clark” prospects in Stark, Billings, and southernmost McKenzie counties, ND.
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President’s Column By Pete Varney
It's
!
Last month I finished by saying there are other ways to get to electrical power besides nuclear, coal, hydro and petroleum. If we are talking about large scale applications, let’s talk about solar...
if you are interested in biofuel research look up the 23 June, 2011 issue of Nature (Volume 474, issue 7352). Right now, focused solar energy seems to be much more efficient for producing electrical energy and much more economic. Commercial grade solar converters use some form of circulating medium heated by intensely focused sun rays. Concentrated solar energy heats various salts, sodium, synthetic oils and other materials to very high temperatures under pressure. Circulate those hot, and highly corrosive, materials through a heat exchanger and you can generate steam to drive electrical generating facilities. So, here we are back at steam power – all we’ve done is change out the power source to drive a turbine! I know it’s a long stretch, but I wonder if we could use solar to drive a steam locomotive instead of burning coal! Yes, yes, I know... There are a couple of ways to concentrate solar energy with, essentially, mirrors: solar troughs and solar towers. Solar troughs, in which a fluid conducting tube traverses the focal point of parabolic reflectors, represent an older design concept. The most recent design uses a central tower that receives light reflected from a field of mirrors, or heliostats that follow the sun. Regulators have recently approved a 250 MWe solar trough installation in the Mojave Desert. There is some concern, however, that this facility does not use the newer heliostat design because in a solar tower, the circulating fluid is water that is directly converted to steam that can run turbines. The advantage over
The idea of solar power has been around for a long time, possibly 3.8 billion years - it’s what photosynthesis is all about. Photosynthesis is, of course, a process by which plants make tissues out of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Plant tissues can include fats, waxes, oils, cellulose, lignins, tannins and other compounds but, in any event, they are composed of C, H and O with N, P and S as primary auxiliary chemicals. On death, plant materials readily oxidize, but preserving plants in an oxygen free environment allows coal to form and hydrocarbon maturation to take place. It’s really all about sunlight – even when the precursor compound kerogen forms, you have stored solar energy. Petroleum and coal companies are basically in the solar energy industry, though they don’t commonly think of themselves as such. In the last few years, researchers have been investigating bacteria and algae to convert solar energy directly into liquid fuels that could power vehicles and be the energy source for power plants. Algae contain lipids. Lipids are fats that can be extracted and converted to liquid fuels. Further, algae contain carbohydrates that can ultimately yield such things as ethanol, the active ingredient in good Scotch. An added benefit is that even though algal fuels produce CO2 when burned, growing algae consume CO2 as they grow. There appear to be problems, not the least of which are economic, but algae may end up becoming an important source of synthetic liquid hydrocarbons some time down the road. This is clearly the stuff of the future. Incidentally, Vol. 61, No. 10
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President's Column the older thermal trough design is that there are no caustic or potentially hazardous fluids circulated and there is no need for a heat exchanger. On last check, the approved solar trough installation is under legal review. Notice that I haven’t said anything about photovoltaic silicon cells. NREL has a map that shows that here in the Denver area we receive between 5 and 6 kWh/m2 /day of solar energy. If we could capture all that energy, and use it directly, many energy problems would go away. At the University of New South Wales in Australia, researchers reported in 2008 that they had achieved 25% efficiency in energy capture using silicon solar cells. Commercial multicrystalline silicon cells are approaching 20% efficiency. Looking at this another way, a square meter of commercial-grade silicon solar cells will capture about 1 to 1.2 kWh/m2 /day in the Denver metro area. Clearly, there is a use for this technology as evidenced by Xcel energy’s interest in supporting silicon solar cell installation on private residences. The downside of solar energy is, of course, what if there is no sunlight? What happens if it’s nighttime or if it’s cold and cloudy? There is really no good way to store electrical energy on the big scale, so you have to interlink all of the potential sources in a power grid. Fossil fueled power plants can be online 24/7. The wind blows somewhere all the time. Rivers flow through hydroelectric generators day in and day out irrespective of the weather. These energy sources provide the continuum that can only be supplemented, not replaced, by solar. So, where are we with all this? There are many ways to produce electricity and a few ways to produce liquid fuels. If our ultimate goal is to provide a power plant for a transportation vehicle such as a personal automobile, what’s a good approach that will minimize pollution and maximize convenience? Enter the fuel cell, next month’s topic.
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/index.html – USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory website http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/docs/wrgis/jul-dec_09.html – new publications by the USGS
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New Members
Welcome to new Active members... William Armstrong William is a manager of Exploration & Production with West Newport Oil Company.
Kirk Kiloh Kirk is a Senior Geological Advisor for Forest Oil Corporation.
stephen Buckner Steve is a retired Geophysicist in Weston Lakes, TX.
Liisa Kreydatus Liisa is a Student Member pursuing her Bachelors at Metro State University.
Brian Bullock Brian is an Exploration Manager with Apache.
Jordan Lottes Jordan works for JJL Consulting in Missoula.
William connelly Dr. Connelly is a Geological Advisor with Linn Energy.
Randy Luckiw Randy works for Ion Geoventures in Denver. flemming mengel Dr. Mengel lives in Boulder.
Jason Dayley Jason is a Student Member from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Annette moore Annette works for the Colorado Geological Survey.
Drew Dressler Drew is a Geologist with QEP Resources in Broomfield.
tania mukherjee Tania is a Student Member at the University of Houston.
scott friedman Scott is a Senior Geologist with Noble Energy.
David nelson David is a Geologist/Geophysicist at Integrated Interpretations Consulting.
Brittany Guzzo Brittany works for Columbine Logging, Inc in Denver.
Jordan Revielle Jordan is a Geologist with Ward Petroleum Corp.
Dan Jackson Dan works for the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Josh Riethmiller Josh is a Geologist with QEP Resources. charles Romanchuck Chuck lives in Golden.
Richard Kilby Richard works for Source Energy Partners.
scott smith Scott is a Geotechnician with QEP Resources. Larry stetler Dr. Stetler is a Professor at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
YOUR AD HERE (Professional Card Ad Size)
christopher tincher Kit is an Exploration Geologist with Newfield.
Only $144.00 per year
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shannon townley Sh an n on works for Corn er s ton e N atural Resources.
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October 2012
RMAG – Horizontal Drilling and Completion Symposium Practical Applications from Select Plays; the Niobrara, Bakken, Mississippi Lime, Mancos, Sussex, Shannon and Mowry.
learned from the practical application of the techniques used in specific plays. This includes the Niobrara, Bakken, Mississippian Limestone, Mancos, Sussex, Shannon and Mowry. Potential speakers are requested to submit an abstract concerning one or more of these plays no later than July 27, 2012. Submittals and questions can be sent to staff@rmag.org.
Date: October 23, 2012 Locations: Marriott City Center, Denver With a variety of industry presentations keyed to the basics of horizontal drilling, the RMAG Fall Symposium is looking for presentations on case studies and lessons
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Membership Notice 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.
All Accounting: Carol Dalton Custom Accounting Solutions, LLC cdalton@rmag.org or cdalton@custom-accountingsolutions.com 202-573-8621 ext. 2 Please update your contact information accordingly. Thank you for your continued support! The RMAG Staff
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General Email: staff@rmag.org Office: 303-573-8621
Geologic Art Show
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issue in our “virtual art show.” Please send your entries to: k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Catherine.e.campbell@qmail.com HSell@nobleenergyinc.com
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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, and why. The best submissions will appear in a future
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2013 RMAG Board of Directors • 2013 RMAG Board of Directors • 2013 RMAG Board o
CANDIDATE – President Elect Matt Silverman Education: 1975 - Brown University – A.B., History 1983 - University of Colorado – M.S., Geological Sciences
PRESIDENT ELECT
Professional Experience: 1976-1982 Evans Energy 1982-1989 Texas Gas Exploration – CSX Oil & Gas – Total 1989-2000 Gustavson Associates 2001-2002 Consulting and writing 2002-Present Robert L. Bayless, Producer
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Professional Affiliations: RMAG 1983-86 - Outcrop – Contributor 1986-89 – Outcrop - Editor 1988 - Secretary 1989 - Distinguished Service Award 1997 & 1998 - Counselor: 1999 - Honorary Member RMAG Foundation: previously served as Trustee and Chairman AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist #3385 Denver International Petroleum Society (Past President) Publications: Oil and gas fields in Nebraska, Montana and Utah Exploration in the Beetaloo Basin (Australia), Mako Trough (Hungary), Cankiri and Haymana-Polatli Basins (Turkey), East China Sea (offshore China), Sakhalin Island (Russia) The Historic Boulder Oil Field, Colorado Community Service: University of Colorado Department of Geological Sciences Advisory Board (Past Chairman) Oil Recognition Award (Desk & Derrick), 2011
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CANDIDATE – President Elect Connie (Dodge) Knight Education: 1970 – Western State College, Colorado – BA, Geology 1973 – University of Arizona – MS, Geology 1993 – Colorado School of Mines – Professional Degree, Hydrogeology 1999 – Colorado School of Mines – PHD, Geology Professional Experience: 1973-1977 Amoco Production Co. 1977-1990 Consultant and Independent Geologist 1991-1995 Rocky Flats – (Senior Principal Environmental Engineer) 1995- 2000 Consultant and Independent Geologist/graduate student at Colorado School of Mines 2001-2002 Baker Atlas – Borehole Image Analyst 2003-2004 Independent Geologist 2005-2005 Admiral Bay, Inc. – VP Exploration 2005-2007 Robson Energy – Exploration Manager 2008-Present Independent Geologist Professional Affiliations: RMAG (1973-present) Currently editor for joint RMAG/AAPG publication: Application of
Structural Methods to Rocky Mountain Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development - to be released in 2013. 2011 – Distinguished Public Service to the Earth Science Award, 2010 – RMAG Treasurer, 2009 – RMAG Treasurer Elect. Served on the first Board of Directors for the Denver Earth Resources Library (DERL). Board Secretary. Personnel Committee chairperson. In the 1980s, created a “grass-roots” RMAG speakers’ bureau which serviced grades K-12 in the Denver-Metro public and private schools. Secured funding, staffed project, trained speakers, and publicized services. Pooled speaker resources from the RMAG, Colorado Scientific Soc., Colorado Mining Assoc., and the USGS. In 1989, coordinated 25 speakers and scheduled over 100 presentations commemorating “Earth Day." Served on numerous committees over the years, including Education, Popular Geology, Employment, Awards, Field trip, Publications, Public Outreach, Library, etc. 1986 – Field-trip leader for the 1986 field conference (NW Colorado). AAPG (1974-Present): House of Delegates (1986-1990; 2000- present). Presented talks and posters at annual meetings. RMS of AAPG: 2012 – Session Chairman for national convention. 2002 - Short Course Presenter “Interpreting environments of deposition using outcrops, cores, and borehole images.” SIPES: 2009 – Program Chairman and Vice President. SEPM – Rocky Mountain Section; Colorado Scientific Soc; Wyoming Geological Association. Registered geologist in Wyoming – #771; Registered geologist in Utah – #5557641-2250
Publications and Interests:
2003 “Analysis of Hydrocarbon Production in a Critically-Stressed Reservoir” in Proceedings from 2003 SPE Convention, Denver, Colorado authors: Jennifer Miskimins and Constance Knight 2002 “Borehole Imagery Resolves Channel Trend”, in “Geophysical Corner” section of the AAPG Explorer , April, 2002. 2000 “Reservoir Characterization using Logs, Core, and Borehole Images, Mesaverde Sandstone: North La Barge Field, Sublette County Wyoming”, authors C. N. Knight, N. F. Hurley, and G. D. Clower Classical Wyoming Geology in the New Millennium – Wyoming Geological Society Guidebook p75-120. 1999 "Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Mesaverde Reservoir Performance: North La Barge Field, Sublette County, Wyoming"; unpublished PHD dissertation, Colorado School of Mines. 1999 “Relationships of Faulting, Fracturing, and Sedimentation Patterns, to Hydrocarbon Production: Mesaverde Sandstone, North La Barge Field, Sublette County, Wyoming” , authors: C. N. Knight and N. F. Hurley -- published in Abstracts with Programs, 1999 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 1995 "Geologic Characterization of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, Golden, Colorado", authors: S. M. Siders, C. J. Dodge, F. C. Grigsby, C. H. Scott, and M. K. Vaag; published in Proceeding of the ER '95 Symposium sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy.
Community Service: I am a “life member” of the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and a Dinosaur Ridge trail guide.
Almost every year since 1981 I have served as a “visiting teacher” in grades K-12 classrooms and at career fairs. In 1989, I created an educational kit entitled The Ward’s Discovery Kit for Rocks and Minerals.. This product is still mar marketed and sold by Ward’s Natural Science Est. I would like to see the RMAG membership assume a more active role in providing earth-science and energy education to students and to the public at large. I am a member of the Baha’i Faith, and have served in numerous administrative positions. OUTCROP
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CANDIDATE – First Vice President Cat Campbell Education: 2007 – University of Wyoming – MS, Geology 2004 – Connecticut College – BA, Environmental Studies
1st VICE PRESIDENT
Professional Experience: 1/2012-Present Robert L. Bayless Producer 2007-12/2011 Encana Oil and Gas
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Professional Affiliations: RMAG 2008-Present Editor Outcrop AAPG 2008-Present Committee Member/past Chairperson Rocky Mountain Section Imperial Barrel Award 2011-Present Chairperson Rocky Mountain Section Young Professionals 2011-Present Committee Member International Imperial Barrel Award Committee 2006 President AAPG Wyoming Student Chapter DWLS DIPS Publications and Interests:
Campbell, C.E. and Tobey, M. 2010, Mud Gas Mass Spectrometry Applications – Unraveling Frenchie Draw. Presented in Denver, CO at the 2010 COGA Meeting. Frost, C.D., Brinck, E.L., Mailloux, J., Sharma, S., Campbell, C.E., Carter, S.A., Pearson, B.N., 2010, Innovative approaches for tracing water co-produced with coalbed natural gas: applications of strontium and carbon isotopes of produced water in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana (invited). In K.J. Reddy (ed.) Coalbed Methane: Energy and Environment, Nova Science Publishers, New York. Campbell, C.E., Pearson, B.N., and Frost, C.D. 2008, Strontium isotopes as indicators of aquifer communication in an area of coal bed natural gas production, Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana. Rocky Mountain Geology, v. 43, no. 2, 149-175. Campbell, C.E. and Frost, C.D. 2007. Strontium Isotopic Characterization of CBNG CoProduced Water in the Powder River Basin, WY and MT. Presented in Denver, CO at the 2007 GSA Annual Meeting, Paper No. 177-7.
The outdoors – cycling, skiing, running, backpacking, and rock climbing. Community Service: 2007 – Present Wildlands Restoration Volunteers Medic and Project Leader 2007 – 2009 Denver Roller Dolls Medic 2007 – 2009 Women in Science Presenter 22
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CANDIDATE – First Vice President Larry Rasmussen Education: 1997 – Old Dominion University – MS, Geology 1990 – University of Colorado – BA, Geology
1st VICE PRESIDENT
Professional Experience: 2004-Present Whiting Petroleum Corporation, Denver, CO 1995-2004 Platte River Associates, Inc., Boulder, CO 1993-1994 U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 1992-1993 Rocky Mountain Geological Databases, Inc., Denver, CO
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Professional Affiliations: RMAG (2012 Treasurer), (2011 Treasurer-Elect), AAPG, RMS-SEPM, DWLS Publications:
Rasmussen, L., T. Smith, K. Canter, M. Sonnenfeld, and J. Forster, 2010, Analysis of a long Cane Creek horizontal: New insight into an unconventional tight oil resource play, Paradox Basin, Utah (Abstract): AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting Abstracts. Rasmussen, L. and D.L. Rasmussen, 2009, Burial history analysis of the Pennsylvanian petroleum system in the deep Paradox Basin Fold and Fault Belt, Colorado and Utah, in W.S. Houston, L.L. Wray, and P.G. Moreland, eds., The Paradox Basin revisited – New developments in petroleum systems and basin analysis: RMAG 2009 Special Publication, p. 24-94. Rasmussen, D.L. and L. Rasmussen, 2004, New gas plays in fractured organic-rich shales and their interbeds in the eastern Paradox Basin of Colorado and Utah (abstract): AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting Abstracts. Rasmussen, D.L. and L. Rasmussen, 2003, Pennsylvanian Hermosa Group depositional trends during progressive burial of pre-Hermosa terrain in the early structural history of the Paradox Basin, Utah and Colorado (abstract): AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90013. Wold, C.N., R.J. Coskey, L. Rasmussen, T. Throndsen, M. Wangen, and J.E. Leondard, 1999, How modern petroleum system modeling tools could have reduced risk in exploration of the Powder River Basin (abstract): AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928. Rasmussen, L., 1997, Biostratigraphic analysis of southern Florida’s Plio-Pleistocene shell beds: Master’s thesis, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, 154 p.
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CANDIDATE – 2nd Vice President Laura Mauro Johnson Education: 2004 – Colorado School of Mines – BS, Geological Engineering 2009 – Colorado School of Mines – MS, Geology
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
Professional Experience: 2003-2010 QEP Resources 2010-Present Newfield Exploration
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Professional Affiliations: 2004-Present RMAG Member 2012-Present Awards Committee, 2010 Secretary, 2009 NeoGeos Treasurer 2009-Present AAPG Active and EMD Member 2008-Present AAPG Imperial Barrel Award Committee Member 2004-2009 AAPG Associate Member 2003-2004 AAPG Student Member, Student Chapter Secretary 2008-Present RMS-SEPM Member 2002-2004 Association of Geoscience Students, Student Chapter Treasurer Publications and Interests:
Mauro, L. A., Alanis, K. R., Longman, M. W., Rigatti, V., 2010, Discussion of the Upper Cretaceous Baxter Shale Gas Reservoir, Vermillion Basin, Northwest Colorado and Adjacent Wyoming: AAPG Hedberg Conference Critical Assessment of Shale Resource Plays, Austin, TX. Mauro, L. A., and Longman, L.W., 2007, Anatomy of Tight Gas Sandstone: Upper Lance Core from Pinedale Field, Green River Basin Sublette County Wyoming: RMS-AAPG, Snowbird, UT.
Professional interests include tectonics and sedimentation, unconventional reservoirs, carbonate geology, and geologic hazards. Personal interests include hiking, skiing, and traveling. Community Service: Futures in Energy 2006-2008, Habitat for Humanity, participant in several community service opportunities including preparing meals at Denver Rescue Mission, Boy Scout Day at Dinosaur Ridge, Career Day volunteer, trail building (various groups).
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CANDIDATE – 2nd Vice President Neil D. Sharp Education: 2001 – Indiana University – BA, Geological Sciences 2012 – Colorado School of Mines – Currently enrolled in MS, Geology Program
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
Professional Experience: 2004-2010 Running Foxes Petroleum, LLC 2010-2011 Samuel Gary, Jr. & Associates 2012-Present Rampike Resources, Ltd.
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Professional Affiliations: RMAG (2009-Present) Industry Luncheon Chair (2010-Present) Balloting Committee (2009-Present; Currently Chair) Continuing Education Committee (2010-Present) Golf Tournament Committee (2012; Currently Chair) AAPG SEPM SEPM – Rocky Mountain Section Geological Society of America KS Geological Society Indiana University Alumni Association – CO Chapter (Board Member and currently Vice President) Interests: I am heavily involved with my Alumni Association and help coordinate social and philanthropy events regarding Alumni Club activities in the Greater Denver Area. Geological interests include stratigraphy, carbonate systems, and paleogeography, particularly in the Pennsylvanian Period. Community Service: Participate and coordinate in local philanthropies in the Greater Denver Area, such as World Vision, Hoosier Halloween at The Children’s Hospital, Same Café, and an annual IU blood drive.
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CANDIDATE – Secretary Judd Goldberg Education: 1997 – Dartmouth College – AB, Earth Sciences 2011 – Colorado School of Mines – MS, Geology Professional Experience: 1998-2002 Samson Resources – Tulsa, OK 2002-2012 Samson Resources – Denver, CO 2012-Present WhitMar Exploration – Denver, CO
SECRETARY
Professional Affiliations: RMAG, AAPG, SEPM, DWLS Publications and Interests: I recently completed my thesis work on isolated marine sand bodies, working under Donna Anderson at the Colorado School of Mines. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting down good restaurants and playing around in the Colorado outdoors with my family and friends.
In Memoriam – John W. Rold JohnW. Rold passed away peacefully on September 10, 2012. Born in 1927 in Kirkman, Iowa he moved to Colorado in 1932. He attended CU Boulder, where he received a BA and MS in geology. He worked for Chevron for 20 years and started the Colorado Geological Survey in 1969. He retired from the Survey in 1992 doing private consulting work for 18 years. He received many awards throughout his life and served as president of many geological organizations. John was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. He belonged to the "Old Goats" and the Colorado Wildlife Federation. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis, and his children Marc (Allison), Becky (Jay Kittleson), Cindy, and Greg (Robin) and 7 grandchildren, Dane, Aaron, Jonny, Brian, Meghan,Stephanie and Kylie. Donations can be made in his name to the Colorado Wildlife Federation.
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CANDIDATE – Secretary Jacinda Nettik Brown Education: 2001 – University of North Carolina at Wilmington – B.S. Geology Professional Experience: 2001-2004 RockWare Inc. 2004-2010 Delta Petroleum Corporation 2010-2011 Resolute Energy Corporation 2011- Present Caerus Oil & Gas LLC Professional Affiliations: RMAG, AAPG, DWLS, DGS, DPC, YPE, IPAA
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(2001), An Inventory of Joints in the Roanoke Rapids Tailrace, Northeastern, North Carolina. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 33, n. 2, p. A-66. (2001), Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of the Carroll Knob Mafic/Ultramafic Complex, Macon County, North Carolina. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 33, n. 2, p. A-69. (2001), Petrographic and Field Relations of a Portion of the Carroll Knob Mafic/Ultramafic Complex, Eastern, Blue Ridge, Macon Co., NC. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 33, n. 2, p. A-69. (2001), Geophysical Transects Across the Margins of the Carroll Knob Mafic/Ultramafic Complex, Macon County, North Carolina. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program, v. 33, n. 2, p. A-67.
Running, climbing, hiking, biking and skiing.
CONTACTÊUS
SECRETARY
Publications and Interests:
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CANDIDATE – Treasurer Reed Johnson Education: 2007 – West Virginia University – M.S., Geology 2004 – Western Carolina University – B.S.,Geology Professional Experience: 2011-Present Comet Ridge Resources Inc., Denver, CO – Geologist 2007-2011 Encana Oil and Gas Inc., Denver, CO – Geologist 2006-2006 Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation., Denver, CO – Geology Intern 2005-2005 Foundation Coal Holdings Inc., Kirby, PA – Geology Intern Professional Affiliations: RMAG, NeoGeos, AAPG and DWLS Publications and Interests: Mineral collecting, skiing, hiking, mountain biking and playing guitar. Community Service: 2009 – Rebuilding Together
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CANDIDATE – Treasurer John South Education: 2008 – Brigham Young University, MS, Geology (emphasis in geophysics) 2001 – Adams State College, BS, Geology 1997 – Snow College, APE, Pre-engineering
TREASURER
Professional Experience: 2006-Present Fronterra Geosciences – Image log analyst 2004-06 BYU – Crew chief for seismic data acquisition in California, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming Professional Affiliations: Co-committee chair – Volunteer committee for 2009 AAPG-ACE Committee member for 2010 Rocky Mountain Prospect Fair and Technofest Member of RMAG, AAPG, DWLS and past member of SEG, GSA, SEPM, AGU. Publications and Interests: Author and co-author on several convention posters and talks. Professional papers:
McBride, J.H., Stephenson, W.J., Williams, R.A., Odum, J.K., Worley, D.M., South, J.V., Brinkerhoff, A.R., Keach, R.W., II, and Okojie-Ayoro, A.O., 2010, Shallow subsurface structure of the Wasatch fault, Provo segment, Utah, from integrated compressional and shear-wave seismic reflection profiles with implications for fault structure and development, Geological Society of America Bulletin; 122; pp. 1800-1814. Okojie-Ayoro, A.O., McBride, J.H., Keach, R.W., II, South, J.V., Anderson, T.C., and Black, B.J., 2008, High-resolution seismic mapping of a shallow petroleum reservoir, World Oil, Vol. 229, No. 5, pp. 142-146. Tingey, B.E., McBride, J.H., Thompson, T.J., Stephenson, W.J., South, J.V., Bushman, M., 2007, Study of a prehistoric landslide using seismic reflection methods integrated with geological data in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah, USA: Engineering Geology, Vol. 95, pp. 1-29. Cook, F.A., Patterson, J.E., McBride, J.H., Vasudevan, K., Gochenour, D.S., South, J.V., Brinkerhoff, A.R., Okojie-Ayoro, A.O., 2007, Analysis and Interpretation of Ultra-High Resolution Seismic Reflection Data Across the Cryo-Genie Pegmatite, San Diego County, California: AME BC Mineral Exploration Roundup. Bexfield, C.E., McBride, J.H., Pugin, A.J.M., Ravat, D., Biswas, S., Nelson, W.J., Larson, T.H., Sargent, S.L., Fillerup, M.A., Tingey, B.E., Wald, L., Northcott, M.L., South, J.V., Okure, M.S., Chandler, M.R., 2006, Integration of P- and SH-wave high-resolution seismic reflection and micro-gravity techniques to improve interpretation of shallow subsurface structure; New Madrid seismic zone: Tectonophysics, Vol. 420, No. 1-2, pp. 5-21.
Co-presenter at 2010 DWLS Spring Workshop. Enjoy interpreting image logs and interacting with clients and spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. I enjoy playing sports, working on home improvement projects, and being with my wife and four children. Community Service: 2011-Present Scoutmaster, Troop 718, Boy Scouts of America 2000-11 Various Boy Scout leader positions 2002-04 High school football coach, Payson, Utah
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CANDIDATE – Counselor Jerry Cuzella
COUNSELOR
Education: 1993 – Colorado School of Mines, Professional Degree, Hydrogeology 1973 – Bowling Green State University, M.S., Geology 1971 – St. Joseph College, B.S., Geology Professional Experience: 2010- Present BOPCO, LP 2007-2009 Enduring Resources, LLC 2003-2007 Anadarko Petroleum Co. (formerly Kerr McGee Corp.; Westport Resources) 2001-2003 Redstone Resources Co. 1995-2001 Anderson Oil Co. 1992-1995 Consultant 1985-1991 National Cooperative Refinery Association 1981-1985 Anadarko Production Co. 1980-1981 U.S. Dept. of Interior 1978-1980 Amoco International Oil Co. 1973-1978 Sargent & Lundy, Engineers Professional Affiliations: RMAG K-12 Outreach Committee Publications Committee 1st Vice-President 2007 President – Elect 2009 President 2010 AAPG, House of Delegates GSA SEPM, Society for Sedimentary Geology AEG, Treasurer North Central Section AIPG Publications and Interests:
Cuzella, J. J., and others, 1991, Depositional environments and facies analysis of the Cherokee Group in West-Central Kansas, in Lomando, A.J. and Harris, P.M., eds., Mixed Siliciclastic and Carbonate Sequences: Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Core Workshop Notes, no. 15, p. 273 – 307. Cuzella, J.J. and S.G. Stancel, 2006, Greater Natural Buttes Field, Uinta Basin, Utah: The Mountain Geologists, vol. 43, no. 3, p. 213-218.
Community Service: St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Lakewood, CO, volunteer for various activities. Vol. 61, No. 10
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CANDIDATE – Counselor Laura L. Wray Education: 1974 – Wellesley College – BA, Geology 1980 – West Virginia University – MS, Geology
COUNSELOR
Professional Experience: 1974-1975 Field Assistant – U.S. Geological Survey 1975-1980 Director & Geology Instructor – The Mountain Institute 1981-1998 Senior Staff Geologist – Amoco Production Co. 1999-2002 Petroleum & Coalbed Methane Geologist – Colorado Geological Survey 2002-2004 Geologic Consultant 2004-Present Senior Staff Geologist – WPX Energy Professional Affiliations: RMAG Secretary – 2004-2005 RMAG Foundation – 2005-2011; Chair 2007-2011 AAPG Energy Minerals Division Convention Chair – June 2009 AAPG Education Committee Co-Chair – 2005-2009 AIPG Fieldtrip Chair – October 2003 AIPG Legislative Reception Chair – February 2003 AAPG Energy Minerals Division Counselor – 2002-2007 Geology Policy Advisory (MEGA) Board – 1992-1999 RMAG and AAPG member – 1981-present Publications and Interests:
The Paradox Basin revisited; new developments in petroleum systems and basin analysis, 2009, (co-editor), RMAG Pub. Several publications on fields in the eastern Paradox Basin, with the Utah Geol. Surv., 2003. Publications by the Colorado Geological Survey: Oil and Gas Fields Map of Colorado, 2002. The coalbed methane potential in the upper Cretaceous to early Tertiary Laramie and Denver Formations, Denver Basin, 2001. Evaluation of mineral and mineral fuel potential of Kiowa, Montezuma, Dolores, Alamosa, Conejos, and Rio Grande counties, 2001. Late Cretaceous Fruitland Formation geologic mapping, outcrop measured sections, Subsurface stratigraphic cross sections, northern La Plata County, Colorado, 2000. Coal and coalbed methane in Colorado, an educational CD, 2001. Oil and gas in Colorado, an educational CD, 2000.
Community Service: Trustee, Wellesley College Alumnae Association – 2005-2010 Trustee, St. Anne’s Episcopal School – 2001-2010 Trustee, Littleton Symphony – 1983-1991 Trustee, The Mountain Institute, WV – 1975-1997 OUTCROP
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PTTC Fall Workshops Exploring for Strat Traps using Multi-well Pressure/Depth Plots
Wednesday - Friday, October 10-12, 2012, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Colorado School of Mines, General Research Lab (GRL) Conference Room Fee: $850, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate. Limit 30 Instructor: Hugh W. Reid, Hugh W. Reid & Associates, Calgary, AB, Canada By the end of the course, participants should be able to accomplish the following:
Screen sources of field pressure data to select valid reliable stable Formation pressures to plot Use pressure vs. depth plots to correlate reservoirs (Are zones separate or continuous?) Predict depth of gas /oil/water contacts downdip from wells of interest or discovery wells Make reservoir continuity maps based on the Pressure information to show areal extent of traps & reveal the areas of best permeability from the pressure contour spacing Avoid less prospective areas which may be flushed by updip water flow or are depleted by close-by production Reveal more favorable areas where downdip flow water preserves oil pools with weak barriers Assess trap holding capacities of seals particularly Unconformity traps by knowing pressures of the reservoirs above & below subcrops edge Identify “Central Basin Gas” type areas of continuous gas phase continuity- resource plays from the pressure signature. These are in essence also stratigraphic traps.
RMAG/PTTC Fall Symposium: Horizontal Drilling and Completion Tuesday , October 23, 2012, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Marriott Town Center Fee: $180 RMAG members, $200 non-members.
The RMAG/PTTC Symposium focus is on understanding rock properties of these unconventional reservoirs and on regulatory and land use issues that influence resource development. Included are geologic and petrophysical properties that impact development and production techniques of reservoirs, such as the Devonian-Mississippian Bakken and the Cretaceous Niobrara Shale.
The Fundamentals of Horizontal Well Completions and Stimulation Wednesday, October 24, 2012, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Denver Athletic Club Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate. Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Miskimins, Colorado School of Mines
This one-day short course provides a basic understanding of completion and stimulation techniques in horizontal wells. The course is specifically intended for geoscientists and other non-petroleum engineering disciplines. The mechanics of completion and diversion techniques and tools, such as plug-n-perf and sliding sleeves, will be discussed, along with the need for optimization of stage and perforation spacing. In-situ stress profiles and their effects on transverse and longitudinal fracture growth, fracture complexity, and stress shadowing will be reviewed. Proppant and fluid selection, proppant transport, and the conductivity requirements will be discussed. Other topics include: fracture clean-up and flowback, brittleness, enhanced permeability volumes, and treatment optimization.
Petra Basics
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29-30, 2012, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall room 201 Fee: $500, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate. Limit 20 Instructor: Jewel Wellborn, Hydrocarbon Exploration & Development, Inc. Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu
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October 2012
Save the Date for the RMAG/PTTC
FALL SYMPOSIUM
Save the Date for the RMAG/PTTC Fall Symposium
RMAG/PTTC Horizontal Drilling and Completion Fall Symposium
RMAG/PTTC Horizontal Drilling and Completion Fall Symposium — Oct. 23, 2012 Focus of the RMAG/PTTC Fall Symposium horizontal drilling and completion October 23,on2012 will be on understanding rock Fall properties of these unconventional Focus of the RMAG/PTTC Symposium on horizontal drilling and resources. completion This
will be on understanding rock properties of these unconventional resources. This includes geologic and geochemical characteristics, as well as petrophysical properties that influence production techniques and and development of these properties that influence production techniques development of these reservoirs. Targets include Devonian-Mississippian black shales such as the reservoirs. Targets includeShales, Devonian-Mississippian black Bakken and Woodford the Cretaceous Niobrara andshales Mowry such Shales,as the Sussex and Shannon Sandstones, and the Mississippi lime.
includes geologic and geochemical characteristics, as well as petrophysical
Bakken and Woodford Shales, the Cretaceous Niobrara and Mowry Shales, Sussex Included with the symposium are continental breakfast and luncheon, refresh-
and Shannon Sandstones, and the Mississippi lime. to the exhibits from compament breaks, icebreaker appetizers, and access nies involved in unconventional resources exploration and development.
Included with the symposium are continental breakfast and luncheon, refreshment DON'T FORGET!
Tuesday, 23rd, 2012 involved breaks, icebreaker appetizers, and access to theOctober exhibits from companies Denver Marriott City in unconventional resources exploration and development.
Center, Denver, Colorado
Online registration will begin in late August.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 • Denver Marriott City Center, 33
October 2012
Neil H. Whitehead, III
R
Consulting Geologist PhD
CPG-AIPG
PG WY
Rocky Mountain Basins Wellsite to Petroleum Systems ArcGIS 303-679-8573
SYSTEMS
fax 303-679-8574
31634 Black Widow Way
Conifer, CO
neil3@q.com 80433-9610
Logs Since 1971
www.mjlogs.com
6 MILLION LOGS ERED
EGIST DEPTH R
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INTER
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AD O L N DOW
SEARCH AND
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ARC E S E N
ONLI
th u e l S Log re a w t f So
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CLUB WEB WEB CATALSOITE GUE
William F. Hoppe Consulting Geologist 6746 W. 96th Court Westminister, CO 80021
(H) 720-898-5757 (C) 505-360-8853
willhoppe@comcast.net
1-800-310-6451 Vol. 61, No. 10
34
October 2012
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
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www.rmag.org
In the Pipeline October 2, 2012 RMAG Prospect Fair & TechnoFest – Colorado Convention Center. See page 38 and 39 for more information.
October 14-16 Hart Developing Unconventional Gas – Eagle Ford – San Antonio, TX. October 16, 2012 DGS Microseismic Study Group – For further information see www.denvergeo.org.
October 3, 2012 RMAG Luncheon – Speaker Orion Skinner. “Pronghorn Member of the Bakken Formation.”
October 16, 2012 DWLS Luncheon – Speaker Elton Frost, “Acoustic Porosity – Is There Truth in Time?” See www.dwls.spwla. org.
October 4, 2012 DWLS Fall Workshop – Pore-Scale Imaging and Computation: Application to Evaluation and Development of Shale Reservoirs.
October 18, 2012 DAPL Fall Land Institute.
October 7-10, 2012 SPE ATCE – San Antonio, TX.
October 23, 2012 RMAG Horizontal Drilling and Completion Symposium – Marriott City Center, Denver.
October 9, 2012 Desk and Derrick Luncheon – For reservations, please contact RSVP@deskandderrick.org. October 9-10, 2012 Producing the Rockies Conference, Denver, CO – Visit www.producingtherockies.com.
October 24, 2012 Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon – To RSVP call Barb Burrell at 303-675-2602 or e-mail OCFDenverChapter@pxd.com.
October 10, 2012 AAPG Dine and Discuss Young Professionals with Terri Olson – "Pore Types in Mudrocks." For further information, email RMSGeoYP@gmail.com.
October 24, 2012 PTTC Fundamentals of Horizontal Well Completions and Stimulation – See www.pttcrockies.org for more information.
»
October 10-12, 2012 PTTC Exploring for Strat Traps using Multi-well Pressure/Depth Plots – See www.pttcrockies.org for more information.
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.
October 11, 2012 DGS Luncheon – For further information see www. denvergeo.org.
Vol. 61, No. 10
36
October 2012
(Oklahoma)
VP of Exploration and Development, Century Exploration Resources, LLC
Professor and Boettcher Chair, Colorado School of Mines, Past President of AAPG
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Vol. 61, No. 9 10
38
October 2012
Be sure to sign up for the 2012 RMAG/PTTC Prospect Fair and Technofest!
Vol. 61, No. 9 OUTCROP
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October 2012 www.rmag.org
Advertisers Index AAPG ..........................................2
Geosteering ...............................4
Neuralog ................................. 35
Banko Petroleum ................... 34
Hoppe, William F. ................... 34
PTTC ........................................ 32
Bowler Petrophysics .............. 15
Horizontal Solutions Intl........ 38
RBC Wealth Management .... 10
Canadian Discovery ............... 15
I.H.S......................................... 11
TGS .......................................... 16
Donovan Brothers Inc. ..............9
Innovative Geo-Tech ............... 27
Whitehead, Neil H., III ............ 34
Discovery Group ..................... 38
Karo, James C. ....................... 13
Wyotex Oil Company .............. 28
Forté Productions .................. 37
MJ Systems ............................ 34
October 2012 SUNDAY
MONDAY
1
TUESDAY
2
3
Prospect Fair & Technofest
7
8
WEDNESDAY
9 Desk & Derrick Luncheon
RMAG Luncheon Speaker: Orion Skinner Professionals
SPCE ATCE – San Antonio, Texas
15
16
DWLS Luncheon
Hart Developing Unconventional Gas – Eagle Ford
21
28
22
29
23 RMAG
Horizontal Drilling & Completion Symposium
30
4
17
DGS Microseismic Study Group (October 16th)
24 Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
5
6
12
13
DWLS Fall Workshop
10 AAPG Young 11
Producing the Rockies Conference
14
THURSDAY
PTTC Exploring for Strat Traps
DGS Luncheon
18
19
20
25
26
27
DAPL Fall Land Institute
PTTC Fundamentals of Horizontal Well Completions & Stimulation
31 HALLOWEEN
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October 2012
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 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 Please be sure to include a phone number and make sure our emails are white-listed. 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 your article or photo today!
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125 Denver, CO 80202
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