OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Volume 63 • No. 10 • October 2014
21ST Annual
CALL for Papers!
Thursday, February 5, 2015 Colorado Convention Center Downtown Denver
Speaker forms due Monday, October 5, 2014
Contact Co-Chair: Mary Sue Purcell mary.purcell@wpxenergy.com
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The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street • Suite 1214 • Denver, CO 80202 • 303-573-8621 The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to promote interest in geology and allied sciences and their practical application, to foster scientific research and to encourage fellowship and cooperation among its members. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the RMAG.
2014 Officers and Board of Directors RMAG Staff
Executive Director Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org Membership & Events Manager Hannah Rogers hrogers@rmag.org Projects Specialist Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org
President – Matt Silverman MSilverman@bayless-cos.com
Treasurer – Reed Johnson rdjohnson@resoluteenergy.com
President-Elect – Marv Brittenham, brittmh@aol.com
Treasurer Elect – Paul Lillis plillis@usgs.gov
1st Vice-President – Michael Dolan mdolan@digforenergy.com
Counselor (2 Year) – Laura L. Wray laura.wray@wpxenergy.com
2nd Vice-President – Michelle Bishop mbishop@indra.com
Counselor (1 Year) – Terri Olson Terri_Olson@eogresources.com
Secretary – Nick Nelson nnelson@samson.com
Accountant Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org
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RMAG August Board of Directors Meeting By Nick Nelson, Secretary (nnelson@samson.com) This month’s board meeting was held on August 20th, 2014. It was a busy meeting, we had several guests come in and give updates to the board. John Robinson gave us a great update on the AAPG annual convention that will be held in Denver May 31st to June 3rd, 2015. I was amazed at the amount of preparation that has already gone into the meeting. There are still a few details that need to be finalized, but the themes and topics have been set and I would recommend looking at the AAPG website to become familiarized with them. The 2015 AAPG-ACE committee is continuing to work hard on getting everything set in stone, although it may not seem like it, this convention is just around the corner. The next item on the agenda was the strategic plan for the organization. The RMAG 2014 board of directors, spearheaded by Marv Brittenham, is continuing to work on implementing a formal strategic plan for the organization. The final plan should be in place for the 2015 board of directors, but with the end of the year just a stone’s throw away the details are still being worked on. Once the strategic plan is adopted, we all believe the organization will be in a better place for decades to come.
The last big topic that was discussed was the plan to change the venue for the RMAG Monthly Luncheons. Starting in January 2015 the monthly luncheons/talks will be moving to Maggiano’s in the Denver Pavilions on 16th Street just north of Tremont. The dates and prices will stay the same so you will be able to continue expecting the meetings on the first Wednesday of each month; only the location will change. We are all excited to continue these informative meetings and I am looking forward to the new menu. With summer coming to an end and the chill of fall starting to creep in, we are running out of prime outcrop time. My advice for your geologic adventure this month is to head up to the mountains and find an outcrop that will be covered by snow in just a few weeks. Now is the time of year you have to get up high above sea level and say goodbye to those mountain peaks until spring. I know I will spend at least one more weekend in the mountains with a, warm coat, knit hat and moment of silence for those rocks that have to deal with the chilly days to come. Have fun out there and be safe.
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CONTENTS Features
2 3D Seismic Symposium Call for Papers 12 SAVE THE DATE! RMAG 1-Day Short Course 16 Lead Story: On-the-Rocks Field Trip: Vail Valley Hazards 19 AAPG Call for Papers 34 Cores for Kids 42 Governor Hickenlooper's Oil and Gas Task force 43 RMS-AAPG Backpack Donation to Students
Association News
7 Oil & Gas Fields of Colorado 2014 Order Form 11 RMAG 2014 Summit Sponsors 13 Welcome Reception for NAPE Rockies 14 Graham and Barbara Curtis Collection on Exhibit at Arvada Center 15 RMAG Monthly Luncheons will be Held at Maggiano's 20 RMAG Foundation Scholarship Awards 2014
22 2015 Board of Directors Candidates 37 2014 RMAG Professional Award Recipients 40 Thank You to 2013 Foundation Donors 44 Submit a Manuscript to The Mountain Geologist 47 Connect with RMAG Online! 50 Rockbusters Ball – A Night out on the Town
Departments
4 RMAG August Board 6 41 45 49 51 51
of Directors Meeting President's Column In the Pipeline RMAG Luncheon Programs October New Members Advertisers Index Calendar of Events
COVER PHOTO Small scale reverse fault in the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation along the western margin of the Denver Basin. The photo was taken north of Boulder near the intersection of Foothills Highway and Neva Road. Rocks are dipping eastward toward the viewer and into the Denver Basin. Photo by Connie Knight.
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President’s Column By Matt Silverman
Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit As RMAG members, we’re earth scientists, trained in the scientific method to ask questions, do research, hypothesize, experiment, analyze our results, draw conclusions and communicate the findings. We’re driven by the data. We don’t look for guidance from tarot, palmistry, Ouija boards or past-life regression. We don’t accept the dubious teachings from astrology, numerology, dowsing or channeling as science. We don’t deny the Apollo moon landings, the Holocaust or the HIV-AIDS connection. Then why do so many of us reject a body of overwhelming, h a r d - w o n , p e e r- r e v i e w e d scientific evidence and deny the existence of climate change, including the anthropogenic impact? As astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson put it, "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." RMAG members follow the facts. We know that vaccination saves lives and doesn’t cause autism. We know that fluoride prevents cavities and doesn’t promote communism. We know that ESP, clairvoyance and telekinesis are all hooey (although I wonder how my wife knows the things she does, sometimes). We understand that the physical world around us can’t be explained by creationism, geomancy, the Hollow Earth theory, or the subduction of Atlantis. There’s no place in our biota for Big Foot, fairies, Chupacabras, zombies or the Loch Ness Monster. Some argue that climate change is just a theory, but
at this point it’s a theory in the same way that gravity is a theory, or heliocentrism or plate tectonics. As we teach students, it’s a set of statements that explain a diverse group of facts, one that has been repeatedly tested and can be applied to make useful predictions about future physical events. We rightly condemn celebrity fracktivists who ignore the data and would ban hydraulic fracturing. Because we respect the facts, we know that fracking has revolutionized the energy economy of the country, but it doesn’t initiate devastating earthquakes or cause tap-water to catch fire. Rehashing the technical arguments is way beyond the scope of this column. Yes, the Earth has been both hotter and warmer than it is now; and no, we are not going to destroy the planet. A healthy dose of skepticism is wise. But the consensus of the experts is such that our confidence in the reality
RMAG members follow the facts. We know that vaccination saves lives and doesn’t cause autism.
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President's Column Continued from page 6
of climate change should be similar to our once-hesitant but now certain knowledge that smoking cigarettes causes cancer. Most of us are employed in an industry whose members tend to be politically conservative. But it’s hardly conservative of us to enjoy the great benefits of fossil fuel use today, while ignoring the high cost of global problems that we defer to our grandchildren. That’s deficit spending. Sea-level rise, for example, isn’t our problem; but it’s likely to be their problem. By one recent count (Cook, 2013) over 97% of the current scientific research papers that took a position on the origins of climate change found that we humans are causing it. How often do we get that kind of consensus on a controversial topic of current interest in exploration geology? How long was Alfred Wegener dead before Continental Drift was generally accepted? Yes, attracting funding for the research of climatechange scientists may depend on extrapolations that demonstrate a clear and present global threat. And sure, this creates the possibility of a conflict of interest, including data-fudging, premature conclusions and
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doomsday scenarios. But to suggest that the thousands of highly respected scientists worldwide that recognize climate change all got together to swear to each others’ lies: that’s buying a conspiracy theory that would make a birther blush. Aren’t those of us in the fossil fuel industry subject to a reciprocal inclination to deny climate change, driven by our own financial interests? (Hence, the title of this piece, which is also known as Miles’ Law, after its’ author Rufus Miles, who served as an assistant secretary under three presidents.) Don’t we pick and choose the data from the geologic past to support our own agendas and political inclinations? Can we admit that our expertise lies mostly outside the measurement and interpretation of global atmospheric, oceanic and other environmental data? Is climate change our fault, those of us in the fossil fuels business? Of course not. James White, Professor of Geology at the University of Colorado – Boulder, gave a compelling lecture to Denver’s Energy Finance Continued on page 10 »
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President's Column Continued from page 8
to acknowledge our own conflict of interest. We can also recognize the likely consequences of the existing energy systems and provide balanced information to the public and the decision-makers. And we also have our skills as geoscientists to help mitigate some of the problems associated with climate change. What are some other answers? These are my musings, not the policy of RMAG (wisely, we don’t have one). I welcome your comments, questions, ideas, and suggestions: president@rmag.org. »
Discussion Group this spring. Among other insights, he pointed out that we don’t blame farmers for an epidemic of obesity in America, and we shouldn’t blame energy producers for that portion of climate change which is related to the use of the products we supply to an eager marketplace. Then, what should we do, as citizens, consumers and earth scientists, many of us petroleum geologists? Good question, and one of the answers is to discover, produce and promote the use (and export) of oil and natural gas in place of dirtier fuels. Another answer is
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Graham and Barbara Curtis Collection on Exhibition at Arvada Center RMAG member, Graham Curtis was intrigued by diaries and surveys of the early western expeditions. Many artists traveled with expeditions or traveled independently depicting the west. Their works were made into prints for distribution in order to reach a larger audience. Graham began collecting these prints during the 1976 Bicentennial. The extensive collection of over 350 prints covers three centuries of works and contains multiple pieces from wellknown artists such as John J. Audubon, Albert Bierstadt, Karl Bodmer, George Catlin, Thomas Moran, A.E. Mathews, Seth Eastmen, Charles Bird King and Alfred Jacob Miller. Subjects include landscapes, flora and fauna, indigenous peoples, migrations and early settlements. The Arvada Center is hosting an exhibition of a portion of the collection, Discovering and Interpreting the West: 19th, 20th and 21th Century Landscapes, September 18 – November 16, 2014. Free docent-led tours can be arranged by calling 720-898-7255. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Examples of the works and more information can be accessed at https://arvadacenter.org/ galleries/discovering-interpreting-the-west-19th-centurylandscapes-2014. The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO. The Arvada Center currently holds the entire collection which is also available for exhibition or purchase. For further information regarding exhibition rental options or sales contact Kristin Bueb, 303-898-7251, kbeub@ arvadacenter.org.
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Sample Menu
For a full schedule list please visit our events page at www.rmag.org
Questions email: staff@rmag.org call: (303) 573-8621 OUTCROP
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Photos courtesy of Laura Wray
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LEAD STORY
On-the-Rocks Field Trip:
Vail Valley Hazards, August 9, 2014 By Phyllis Scott On Saturday, August 9, Dr. Vince Matthews of have Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks Leadville Geology LLC and former State Geologist exposed east of the Gore Fault zone and Pennsylvanianof Colorado led a group of Permian Minturn and Maroon enthusiastic geologists on Formation to the west. a field trip to view geologic Portions of the area are hazards in the Vail Valley, their covered by Pleistocene glacial impact on development, and deposits. Farther to the west remediations to safeguard the Pennsylvanian Eagle those developments. The Valley Evaporite contains hazards we viewed included halite and anhydrite, the landslides, rockfalls, debris dissolution of which creates flows, and avalanches. hazards in the Avon and We met at Vail Pass on Gypsum areas. a beautiful, clear summer The construction of morning and began by looking I-70 over Vail Pass was the at the regional geology. Vail first project to make use of Dr. Vince Mathews pointing out landslides at Dowds Junction Pass and the Vail Valley areas assisted by Phil Nelson. engineering geology from
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On-the-Rocks Field Trip planning through the design and construction phases. Its route contained landslides, faults, steep bedding, and avalanche paths. We looked at four landslides west of Vail in the vicinity of Dowds Junction (at the intersection of I-70 and Hwy 24) where the Gore River flows into the Eagle River. The landslides formed within weak claystone beds of the Minturn Formation where beds dipped toward the valley. The toes of three of the landslides are crossed by I-70; the fourth is along Hwy 24. To keep the slides from flowing onto the highways, remedial actions have been taken including the installation of rock buttresses, construction of a buried wall secured with rock bolts, and the installation of horizontal drains to dewater the View of landslide along I-70. The landslide slides. area is covered by lighter colored aspen A v a l a n c h e s trees in the foreground; darker pines in are another hazard background are not on the landslide. in the area. Many avalanche chutes ex i s t o n n o r t h facing slopes in the Vail area. The Town of Vail recognizes this hazard and has mandated that avalanche debris fa n s within its boundaries remain open space. Rockfall hazards abound Booth Creek rockfall area. Mechanically within the steep Stabilized Earth wall built to catch rocks valleys of the Vail from cliffs above. It is angled backward and area. We visited topped with a fence for added security. the Booth Creek rockfall area to view both the hazard and successful mitigations. Booth Creek flows into Gore Creek from the north about three miles east of Vail. On the north side Continued on page 19 Âť
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Remediation of landslides on I-70 along the Eagle River at Dowds Junction including rock buttress, buried wall, and drains.
Booth Creek rockfall area. Steep cliffs of Maroon Formation created a rockfall hazard for developments below. The community built a rockfall catchment ditch and berm on the slope below the cliffs which has proved effective in catching rocks.
End of the trip in East Vail. The bridge in the background allows I-70 to bypass problem areas. Dr. Vince Matthews, our leader, is in the center in the western hat. www.rmag.org
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On-the-Rocks Field Trip
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of I-70 two high rock cliffs threaten housing developments below. Several homes were damaged in the 1980s from rockfall events. This spurred the community to construct a rockfall catchment ditch and berm on the slope below the cliffs which has been effective in catching rocks. However, an adjacent condominium complex elected not to have the ditch extended to protect its homes and in 1997 a large rockfall damaged some of the unprotected condominiums. After that incident, specially designed impact barriers called Mechanically Stabilized Earth walls were constructed on the slope behind the condos to protect them from rockfalls. The trip ended in East Vail where I-70 was routed over a bridge to avoid a debris flow hazard. All of the participants came away with a greater appreciation for the complexities of safe development within the Colorado mountains. Many thanks to Dr. Matthews for a fun and educational tour. »
Call for Papers AAPG is putting together a publication for the Memoir Series on Imaging of Unconventional Reservoir Pore Systems. This will build on papers from technical sessions at URTeC with the same theme. The deadline for manuscripts is Dec. 1, 2014. For more information, contact the editors: Terri Olson at tmolson8550@gmail.com or Matt Honarpour at bhpbilliton.com.
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RMAG Foundation Scholarship Awards 2014 The RMAG Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s scholarship awards. The Foundation provides support to students and organizations to further the field of geology. More than 40 applicants vied for the 11 scholarships awarded this year that totaled $40,000. Additionally, all of the applicants will be given a 1 year membership to RMAG. Thank you to all of the generous donors that make this program possible and a big shout out to the RMAG Golf Tournament that raised $6,500 for the Foundation back in May. Recognition of these awards are planned for the Sept 3 rd RMAG luncheon. Scholarships Babcock Fund ($4,000 ea): Alexander Hamilton- MS Candidate, Colorado State University, Geology Marshal Tofte- MS Program, University of Wisconsin, Geology Bolyard Fund ($4,000 ea): Daniel Feucht- University of Colorado, PhD Candidate, Geophysics Colorado School of Mines Fund ($4,000 ea): Lauren Cross- MS Program, Geology Colorado State University Fund ($4,000 ea): Daniel Scott- MS program, Geology Stone-Hollberg Fund ($4,000 ea): Julian Stahl- MS Program, Montana State University, Geology Veterans Fund ($4,000 ea): Geno Castillo- MS Program, New Mexico Highlands University, Geology Amanda Henderson- MS Program, Brigham Young University, Geology Foster Fund ($2,500 ea): Shuvajit Bhattacharya- West Virginia University, Geology John Harper- Colorado School of Mines, Geology David Wheatly- University of Utah, Geology Norman H. Foster Memorial Scholarships are awarded yearly to students who are conducting creative research toward an advanced degree on a geological or geophysical topic in the Rocky Mountains, eastern Great Basin, or Williston Basin applied to petroleum geology. Norm Foster, a distinguished member of our profession and association, served as president of RMAG and AAPG, was responsible for a number of petroleum discoveries and fundamental publications on the occurrence of oil and gas, and was unfailingly enthusiastic about teaching and guiding young geologists. Three scholarships, each for $2,500, were awarded for 2014-2015 in memory of Norm. Thanks go to each member of the selection committee for their extended consideration of applications.
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Mel Kl i nger
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Cores for Kids Front Range counties. Outside of Colorado, the hospital saw patients from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and saw international patients from Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Cores for Kids has seen tremendous support from individuals, groups and companies involved in every aspect of the coring process. At the recent AAPG convention in Denver, all the participating core labs and coring companies promoted Cores for Kids with flyers and posters at their booths. The Denver Geophysical Society and RMAG have also demonstrated their commitment to the program and several exploration and production companies have donated their aluminum thus far.
Cores For Kids is a new program that has been developed to direct funds received from valuable recycled aluminum sleeves, a by-product of the coring process, into a focused initiative designed to benefit Children’s Hospital Colorado. At the same time, it promotes and reinforces industry commitment to environmental sustainability. Every year in the US, thousands of wells are cored, with high grade aluminum sleeves being a left over product of the coring process. The price of recycled aluminum varies between 50 to 70 cents per pound with the current price at 65 cents per pound. One foot of aluminum sleeve weighs about 4 pounds, thus the average 300’ core length is worth about $780 at today’s price. Spearheaded by Anders (Andy) Elgerd, Exploration Manager for Nighthawk Production LLC, the idea took shape as a result of his own experience with Nighthawk’s coring program in Eastern Colorado. “We realized the potential for creating an industry-led initiative that benefits the community could be significant when you look at the value of the recycled aluminum these days and the sheer number of energy companies that core as part of their exploration/production program.” Nighthawk donated the sleeve from four cored wells which enabled a donation of almost $2,500 to the fund to get it started. The goal of the program is to bring on as many contributing industry partners as possible to increase the impact that Cores for Kids can make in our community. Children’s Hospital Colorado was identified as the beneficiary for this focused initiative because of their long-standing reputation for being excellent stewards of philanthropic donations. Children’s Fund gifts are unrestricted donations used for Children's Hospital Colorado’s greatest needs, providing the hospital with greater flexibility to care for their young patients. Support for the fund helps Children’s Colorado to provide financial access to care for children in need and make ground-breaking strides in research through studies that are leading to more effective treatments and cures for childhood illnesses. Children’s Colorado served more than 198,564 patients in 2013. There were 17,150 inpatient cases and 618,806 outpatient visits. Approximately 91% of these patients came from Colorado, including patients from all 64 Colorado counties. Of these, 56.5% came from the Metro Denver area and 26.8% came from other Vol. 63, No. 10
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FRACKING EDUCATIONAL FORUM: RISKS AND REWARDS INDUSTRY & SIERRA CLUB REPRESENTATIVES ON PANEL MODERATE D BY Ph.D. GEOLOGIST MONDAY,October 6th, 7:00 PM JEFFERSON UNITARIAN CHURCH 14350 W. 32ND Ave., Golden See: http://denverclimatestudygroup.com/ (Fracking tab) for more info Cores for Kids
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Rachael Moore of Core Labs, who has been instrumental in getting the program off the ground in Denver states “This is such a great opportunity for companies to make a difference for children in need in our community.” Cores for Kids is even gaining momentum outside of Colorado. There is now an official Cores for Kids program up and running in Houston that has partnered with Houston Children’s Hospital. CFK are also looking for opportunities and contacts to get the initiative up and running in other oil hubs. Together we can make this happen. Join the Cores for Kids program for your next coring job and become a partner in making significant strides for children in need in our community. For more information, contact Anders Elgerd at elgerd@comcast.net. If you company is coring in Texas, Riley Bates is coordinating the effort for Texas Children’s Hospital and may be reached at riley_bates@hotmail.com.
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2014 RMAG Professional Award Recipients
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Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Robert D. Jarrett Journalism (Geosciences in the Media) Ron Blakey Wayne Ranney Special Award Robert Sellars President’s Award Bruce Benson
Well Site Geological Consulting and
Mudlogging Services ~ Since 1980 ~ ‡ :HOOVLWH *HRORJ\ ‡ 0XG /RJJLQJ ‡ 5HPRWH 2Q VLWH *HRVWHHULQJ ‡ 0DVV 6SHFWURPHWU\
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OUR COMMITMENT ‡ 3URYLGH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ RI JHRORJLFDO ZHOOVLWH VHUYLFHV WR RXU FOLHQWV ‡ 2IIHU UHDO WLPH LQWHUSUHWDWLYH LQWHJUDWHG VHUYLFHV VXFK DV JHRVWHHULQJ ‡ ,QWHJUDWH FRRUGLQDWH ORQJ WHUP UHVRXUFH SODQQLQJ ZLWK FOLHQWV ‡ ,QWHURSHUDWH PRUH ZLWK JHRORJ\ DQG GULOOLQJ RSHUDWLRQV DQG H[SORUDWLRQ WHDPV Info: ZZZ FROXPELQHORJJLQJ FRP www.rmag.org
PTTC Fall Workshops How to Find Bypassed Pay in Old Wells Using DST Data Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 6-8, 2014, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom A Fee: $700; Includes: refreshments, workbook, and PDH certificate Instructor: Hugh W. Reid
Geologists, engineers & technicians who encounter or utilize DST results and reports in their exploration & production decisions. In fact any professional who needs to make more sense of the numerous old DSTs which are present in so many wells, often with confusing results. Particularly appropriate for those prospecting for bypassed pay using logs and geology, who may wish to verify their conclusions from the DST or for regional geologists using show maps of DST results.
Monetizing Stranded Gas at the Wellhead
Thursday, October 23, 2014, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Denver Athletic Club, Denver Room Fee: $50 (includes snacks, PDH cert, and workbook) Addressing Gas Flaring by Utilizing Novel Technologies to Monetize Gas at the Wellhead
The Trade-offs in Drilling the ‘Perfect’ Horizontal Well
Wednesday October 29, 2014, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: KC Oren, Horizontal Solutions Intl.
This introductory course is for anyone that wants to gain insight into both the geological and drilling aspects of horizontal well placement and control. Both geoscientists and engineers can benefit by attending this course to learn about and better understanding these two disciplines and the trade-offs of both as they impact the other for effective decision support in horizontal well objectives.
An Overview of Geosteering Software
Thursday, October 30, 2014, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall Rm. 201 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate, Limit 10 people Instructor: KC Oren, HSI Geosteering
Confessions of a Frac Engineer: 200 Field Studies Prove our Frac Jobs are Not Optimized
Tuesday November 4, 2014, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom B Fee: $250 (includes snacks, PDH cert, and workbook) Instructor: Mike Vincent, Fracwell, LLC
Highly focused on field examples, this one day course will introduce many of the common mistakes and misconceptions that hinder frac optimization. I believed our frac simulators and production models were “good enough” to optimize a frac design. I thought advanced procedures touted by respected professors would accurately determine the parameters to maximize profitability of a well. I was wrong. Although hydraulic fractures are arguably the most important feature needed to develop low permeability reservoirs, fracs are frequently mischaracterized and poorly optimized. This course will focus on practical techniques to investigate and optimize fracture treatments. Participants in this course will have access to more than 200 published field studies in which the productivity and profitability of fields have been improved by altering the treatment design.
Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu
Vol. 63, No. 10
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October 2014
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Information about PetroFecta ® and other FIT services, call 918.461.8984 or visit www.fittulsa.com
Proud sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists OUTCROP
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THANK YOU TO 2013 FOUNDATION DONORS The Trustees of the RMAG Foundation wish to thank and acknowledge the generous support of the Foundation’s donors in 2013. Over $53,000 was raised for student scholarships and the general fund which supports geologic endeavors within the Rocky Mountain scientific community at large. The Foundation awarded 7 scholarships in 2013 totaling $17,500 and an additional $17,000 was awarded to these deserving organizations:
AAPG Imperial Barrel Award- Rocky Mtn Section AAPG Student Leadership Conference- Rocky Mtn Section Friends of Dinosaur Ridge- Boys and Girl Scout days Morrison Natural History Museum- Inner City School attendance PTTC Futures in Energy- Rocky Mtn Section Colorado State Science Fair winners Golden Pick Award RMAG Guidebook Mineral sets for Denver Public Schools Colorado Science Teacher of the Year
Thank You all for your continued support! Abbot, William Bailey, RV Barrett, William Bell, Richard Blajszczak, Richard Bollenbacher, John Bortz, Louis Brittenham, Marvin Broten, Jim Brown, Charles "Elmo" Butler, Arthur Charbonneau, Roger Clifford C Clark Collinson, James Conti, Louis Coskey, Robert Covey, Curtis Crouch, Jane Crouch, Marshall Cygan, Norbert Desmond, Robert & Julia Enterline, Ted Eschner, Terence Estes-Jackson, Jane
Vol. 63, No. 10
Flagg Diamond corp Freedom Energy Assoc Fullerton, Tom G & H Production Co Garcia, Carlos Gibbet Hill Foundation Gomez, Ernest Gregg, Clare Grose, Thomas Harris, Sherod Hayes, Kathryn Heath, Edward Hess, Paul Irwin, Patricia Jones, Evan Kamp, Carl Knappe, Roy Kovach, Paul Kreutzfeld, James Krey, Max Larson, Scott LJ Oil, Inc Lowell, James Mark, Anson
Mason, M.Ann McKenna, Donald J McKenna, Elizabeth Meckel, Lawrence Michael, Robert Moore, Clyde Munn, James Nelson, Forrest Obernolte, Rick O'Donnell, Richard Pasternak, Ira Peterson, David Polleys, John RMAG Golf Participants Reed, Don Reid, Chase Reynolds, Mitchell Richards, Gene Roberts, Kimberly Schumacher, Dietmar Selma, Janita Shreve, Mark Sidwell, E.R. Silverman, Matthew
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Single, Erwin Skeryanc, Anthony Smith, Gregg Smith, Marlis Smith, William Sonnenberg, Stephen Spelman, Allen Stark, Charles Stark, Philip Strachan, Stephen Sturdavant, Janien Sullivan, Steven Taylor, David Warme, John Wasson, Edward Wehrle, Paul Weiner, Kane West, Valary Wexford Resources Wiley, Bruce Willette, Donna Wray, Laura
October 2014
In the Pipeline October 1, 2014 R M AG L u n c h e o n . S p e a ke r Michael Holmes. “A Comparison of Petrophysical Analytic Sequence to Describe both Conventional and Unconventional Reservoir.” October 6-8, 2014 PTTC Rockies Short Course. “How to Find Bypassed Pay in Old Wells Using DST Data.” Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO. October 14, 2014 DWLS Fall Workshop. “Developments in Core Analysis.” Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO. October 19-22 SPWLA Fall Topical Conference. Sanibel Island, FL. October 19-22 GSA Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC. October 20, 2014 RMAG Elections Open. October 21 & 22, 2014 RMAG Workshop. “Bakken Petroleum System Core Workshop in the Williston and Southern Alberta Basins.” October 21, 2014 DWLS Luncheon. Speaker Eric Georgen. “Digital Rock Technology.”
Experience yIntegrity yProfessionalism
We, at Decollement, pride ourselves with some of the most ϐ Ǥ ǡ Ǥ ͳͻͻ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ ȁ ͵Ͳ͵ǦͷͺǦͺͷ
Décollement Consulting Inc.
October 22, 2014 Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon. 303-675-2602. October 23, 2014 PTTC Rockies Short Course. “Monetizing Stranded Gas at the Wellhead.” Denver Athletic Club. Continued on page 42 »
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Governor Hickenlooper’s Oil and Gas Task Force Published in Denver Post, September 9, 2014
In the Pipeline Continued from page 41
October 26-29, 2014 SEG Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• Bernie Buescher, former Colorado Secretary of State
November 5, 2014 RMAG Luncheon. Speaker David Seneshen. “Linking Seeps to Source Using Forensic Geochemical Methods and Implications for Exploration and Development of Conventional and Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs.”
• Peter Dea, Cirque Resources LP president and CAEO
November 15, 2014 RMAG Rockbusters Ball. Oxford Hotel, Denver, CO.
• Jim Fitzgerald, rancher, educator, activist
December 10-12, 2014 NAPE Rockies. Colorado Convention Center. »
• Sara Barwinski, member of community group Weld Air and Water
• Russ George, former speaker of the House and past director of Department of Natural Resources • Jon Goldin-Dubois, president, Western Resources Advocates
If you have any events that you would like to post in this column, please submit via email to Holly Sell at holly.sell@yahoo.com, or the RMAG office at staff@ rmag.org.
• Brad Holly, vice president of operations (Rocky Mountain Region ), Anadarko • Dan Kelly, vice president of Wattenberg Business Unit, Noble Energy • Rebecca Kourtis, retired justice of the Colorado Supreme Court
LOCATION we’ll lease it, permit it, gather it and sell it
• Steve Moreno, Weld County clerk and recorder • Perry Pearce, manager of state government affairs (Rocky Mountain Region), ConocoPhillips • Kent Peppler, president, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union • Pat Quinn, former Broomfield mayor • Bruce Rau, vice chairman, Colorado Association of Home Builders • Jeff Robbins, attorney, Goldman Robbins & Nicholson • Matt Sura, attorney, Law Office of Matthew Sura • Will Toor, former Boulder mayor and Boulder County commissioner
your ideas - we make them happen LEASING - PERMITTING - DAMAGES - ROW
• Elbra Wedgeworth, chief government and community relations officer, Denver Health
303-279-0789
• Scott Woodall, Bill Barrett Corp. president and CEO
Vol. 63, No.10
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October 2014
RMS-AAPG Backpack Donation to Students
R
Have you been wo n d e r i n g w h a t happened with all those backpacks d o n a te d a t t h e recent RMS-AAPG meeting, “Cracking the Source” on July 20-22, 2014? On July 28th, approximately 130 backpacks were donated to Brighton School District 27J and approximately 190 were donated to the Denver Public School District through an organization called Laura Johnson (left) RMS-AAPG General M E E D ( M i n o r i t y Co-Chair and Lynn Ann Sheats (right) E n t e r p r i s e a n d Administrative Assistant, Brighton School E d u c a t i o n a l District 27J. Development). There are over 84,000 students who attend Denver Public Schools. Nearly 60,000 students take advantage of the free/ reduced lunches, and 2100 are homeless. Last year, MEED collected 1,079 backpacks and this year they hope to fill a bus with backpacks and school supplies. MEED distributes these to homeless students in the fall. Brighton School District also has a high need for backpacks for homeless and low income families. For these families, providing school supplies is an economic burden resulting in many students starting the first day of school without the necessary supplies or backpacks. The backpack donation from several of you and the RMS-AAPG helps ensure that students are equipped for success. Both school districts are very appreciative of our donation and thankful to get the backpacks before the new school year. Thank you! Geology Rocks! »
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Logs Since 1971
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o t t ip r c s u n a M a it m Sub , peer-reviewed e lin n o y, rl e rt a u gists eologist is a q ociation of Geolo The Mountain G ss A in ta n u o M y ntain d by the Rock ors for The Mou it d E journal publishe . 0 0 2 2 t u o gy culation is ab or relate to geolo n o s since 1964. Cir cu fo t a th me manuscripts ns. Geologist welco gion and enviro re in ta n u o M y ist, please of the U.S. Rock ountain Geolog M e Th r fo t p ri nder anusc Guide” found u When writing a m le ty S r o th u “A te: wnloadable the RMAG websi n o t” refer to the do is g lo o e G The Mountain script according u n a m r u “Publications – yo te ri w is important to th authors and o b r fo e m www.rmag.org It ti n o visi 4. If e to mitigate re revised in 201 st la to this style guid s a w ” e id u ve uthor Style G s to the Executi ie ir u q editors. The “A in d n se uestions, please 2014. authors have q es published in su is to r fe re r o aol.com Editor at jtpetr@ ebsite ack Issues on the RMAG w le Index and B b ila va a is x mag. and inde eb page, www.r w A bibliography t is g lo o e G in tain e The Mounta dex to The Moun In d n (1964- 2009, se a y h p ra g umulative Biblio ntain Geologist, u o M e Th , org). See also, “C p o h is le B -2010” by Miche Geologist, 1999 . ntain , no. 3, p. 59-80 n DVD (The Mou o le July 2011, v. 48 b ila va a re a in e journal . 4; The Mounta o n Back issues of th , 2 2 v. , 5 8 9 e -2005 except 1 ilable through th va a ) 4 . Geologist 1964 o n , 2 2 v. . Some 010 with 1985, e RMAG website th Geologist 2006-2 n o e lin n o r o , 5. 3-573-8621 AG office for $1 M R RMAG office, 30 e th m o fr le s are availab back print issue
»
Vol. 63, No. 10
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October 2014
RMAG Luncheon Programs – October 1st & November 5th
A Comparison of Petrophysical Analytic Sequence to Describe Both Conventional and Unconventional Reservoirs. By Michael Holmes, Digital Formation, Inc., October 1st
Procedures are available to estimate profiles of irreducible water saturation, which can be compared with the actual water saturation.
Digital Formation has developed a series of petrophysical models to analyze reservoir properties. A demonstration of how the models can be combined into a comprehensive petrophysical reservoir evaluation will be presented. In addition to standard deterministic petrophysical analysis, the method includes information from: Rock Physics Modeling Create pseudo acoustic (both compressional and shear) curves, based on Gassmann and Kreif geophysical models. The model allows for the estimate of acoustic data where no (or limited) acoustic data exists. From this modeling, mechanical properties including brittle vs. ductile distinction can be made. Reference Holmes, SPWLA 2004, SEG 2005. Relative Permeability Modeling Procedures are available to estimate profiles of irreducible water saturation, which can be compared with the actual water saturation. Reference Holmes AAPG 2009. Using the technique of Corey (1954) continuous profiles of relative and effective permeabilities to both wetting and on-wetting phases can be created. Knowing viscosities of reservoir fluids water/oil or gas/water ratios can be determined as continuous curves. Petrophysical Analysis of Unconventional Reservoirs Methods for examination of the shale intervals independently of the clean formation are considered in addition to kerogen and total organic carbon Continued on page 46 Âť
Luncheon Reservations & Information Luncheon will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the event listing in the lobby for the room. Check-in/walk-in registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00 noon, and the talk begins at 12:20 p.m. The luncheon price is $30.00. To listen only to the talk, walk-in price is $10.00. If you make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will be billed for the luncheon. Online registration closes at 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after that time.
Your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Bring a guest or new member!
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Call 303-573-8621, email staff@rmag.org, or register online.
www.rmag.org
RMAG Luncheon Programs
Continued from page 45
(TOC) content of the reservoir which is crucial to the overall assessment of the hydrocarbon potential. Quantitative calculations of free and adsorbed hydrocarbons need to be assessed for a complete analysis. We have developed a technique to identify small to very small volumes of “free shale porosity” not associated with TOC. Reference AAPG 2010, 2011, 2013. Fracture Analysis This procedure was developed to estimate the presence of fractures – both open and healed – from standard open hole logs. Anonymously rapid rates of change are attributed to fractures. If the trend is to higher porosity, open fractures are suggested. Alternatively if the trend is to lower porosity, healed or cemented fractures are indicated. For wells with image logs, we have observed fair to good correlations with imaged identified fractures. The presentation will show how these various models can be combined with standard analytic procedures to derive a full evaluation of reservoir potential: • Porosity, fluid saturation, shale volume, permeability • In-place and recoverable hydrocarbons
Quality Mudlogging Geologic Interpretation
• Free hydrocarbons in the shale fraction
Wellsite Geology | Geo-Steering | Coring Supervision Serving the Williston Basin and Rocky Mountain Region
Horizontal Bakken, Mission Canyon, Red River, Dupero, Three Forks and Ratcliff formations Joseph H. Large
• Profiles of relative and effective permeabilities to the fluid phases • Profile of water/hydrocarbon rations • Brittle vs. ductile distinction Examples from unconventional oil and gas reservoirs of North America are presented. »
President
www.rpmconsultinginc.com 1600 Broadway, Suite 1510, Denver, CO 80202 (Office) 303 595 7625 | (Fax) 303 595 7628
Vol. 63, No. 10
• TOC and adsorbed hydrocarbons
46
October 2014
RMAG Luncheon Programs – October 1st & November 5th
Linking Seeps to Source Using Forensic Geochemical Methods and Implications for Exploration and Development of Conventional and Unconventional Petroleum Reservoirs. By David Seneshen, November 5th
While the mapping of hydrocarbon seeps is important, it is equally if not more important to identify the source of the seeps from both exploration and environmental standpoints.
Micro- and macro-hydrocarbon seeps have been detected over offshore and onshore oil and gas reservoirs since the 1930’s. The seeps were defined by anomalous hydrocarbon concentrations and compositions in ocean bottom sediment cores and onshore soil, shot-hole sediment, soil gas and groundwater samples. While the mapping of hydrocarbon seeps is important, it is equally if not more important to identify the source of the seeps from both exploration and environmental standpoints. The source of the seeps can be linked to subsurface sources by comparison of carbon and deuterium isotopic ratios of hydrocarbon seeps with reservoir fluids. Crude oil seeps can also be directly linked with reservoir oil based on stable aromatic hydrocarbon compositions determined through spectral fluorescence analysis of soils, ocean bottom and shot-hole sediments and/or groundwater. In very leaky basins, oil-field brine fluids can ascend faults to surface resulting in unique halide and metal anomalies in soils and groundwater. Less commonly, biomarkers may be used to link surface seeps with underling oil sources provided concentrations are high enough in the seeps.
Connect with RMAG Online!
Continued on page 49 »
You can now connect to the RMAG on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
CONNECT WITH US ON LINKEDIN! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OUTCROP
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Why can Weatherford deliver more real time data at the wellsite than any other mudlogging company?
Tim has cabin fever.
EXCELLENCE FROM THE GROUND UP
TM
Our Global Operations Manager for Surface Logging Systems, Tim, is all smiles these days. That’s because he and his team recently designed a new state-of-the-art mudlogging cabin. The spacious interior makes room for more laboratory services at the wellsite. Now exploration companies have access to more data in real time, so they can make better decisions faster. Combined with Weatherford’s patented GC-TRACER™, IsoTube® AutoLoader™ and other Isotech technologies, it’s one more way Weatherford Mudlogging is committed to Excellence from the Ground Up.
SURFACE LOGGING SYSTEMS www.weatherford.com/surfacelogging mudlogging.services@weatherford.com
Vol. 63, No. 10
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October 2014
RMAG Luncheon Programs Continued from page 47
Although linking surface seeps with underlying hydrocarbon sources can be challenging, it is important to the outcome of both exploration and environmental investigations. Examples will be given from exploration surveys conducted in the Williston Basin (Bakken S h a l e - h o s te d Ro n c o t t o i l field), Michigan Basin (Trenton Dolomite-hosted Albion-Scipio oil field), Green River Basin (Lance Sandstone-hosted Jonah tight gas field) and the Great Basin (Guilmette/Simonson Dolomitehosted Grant Canyon oil field). The Michigan Basin geochemical survey in combination with a 3D seismic survey helped with the discovery of additional oil reserves. Oil seeps over the field were compositionally identical to produced oil from the 4,000-foot deep Trenton dolomite reservoir. Geochemical surveys done in the Williston and Green River Basins demonstrated their effectiveness for defining potential “sweet spots” (structural traps and overpressure) in the Bakken shale and Lance sandstone reservoirs respectively. Trace element anomalies (e.g.
lithium) in soils over the Grant Canyon Oil Field were directly linked with leaking oil-field sodium bicarbonate waters. Forensic geochemical tools were used to determine the source of anomalous hydrocarbon concentrations in groundwater and soil gas from the DJ and Raton Basins. In the DJ Basin, anomalous dissolved methane in domestic water wells was compositionally linked to a shallow coal-bearing formation rather than the deeper D- and J-Sand productive intervals based on organic and inorganic parameters. In the Raton Basin, methane seeps observed along creeks and over abandoned coal mines were derived mainly from Raton Formation coals. Water wells cased in these coals contain significant levels dissolved methane and nonpathogenic bacteria that cause explosion hazards and poor water quality, respectively. The poor maintenance of most Raton Basin water wells has led to the water quality and yield problems that are inevitably blamed on CBM gas producers. »
Forensic geochemical tools were used to determine the source of anomalous hydrocarbon concentrations in groundwater and soil gas from the DJ and Raton Basins.
October New Members
Welcome to New RMAG Members... Ashley Adams is from Fort Worth, Texas.
Jason Bell works for Tesseract Sensors.
Bill Devlin is from Southbury, Connecticut.
Jason Mailloux works for Anadarko.
Chris Willatt is a Remote Geosteering Geologist at Columbine Logging Inc.
Jessica Yakob is from Erie, Colorado. Kevin Crain works for The University of Oklahoma.
Conrad Woodland works for Samson Oil & Gas.
Rachel Friedman is a Senior Geologist at Anadarko Petroleum.
Hunter Burdick is a Principal at Overland Oil & Gas LLC.
Rod Strand is from Fort Collins, Colorado. »
Jacques Pernitz is from Denver, Colorado. OUTCROP
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Advertisers Index AAPG........................................... 9, 16
Fracking Educational Forum........ 36
PTTC ..............................................38
Bowler Petrophysics...................... 36
Geosteering......................................8
RPM Geologic, LLC...................... 46
Bradsby Group................................ 10
Great Western Oil & Gas.............. 46
Stoner Engineering, LLC.............. 21
Breckenridge Geophysical............ 12
Horizontal Solutions Intl............... 39
Summit Mudlogging Services..... 12
Columbine Logging.........................37
Karo, James C............................... 42
Tracker Resources....................... 18
Daub & Associates...........................6
Lario Oil & Gas Company.............. 39
Weatherford Laboratories........... 48
Decollement Consulting, Inc........ 41
MJ Systems................................... 43
Weber Law Firm, LLC................... 12
The Discovery Group, Inc............... 34
Mazzullo, Louis J., LLC.................. 14
Whitehead, Neil H........................ 14
Dolan Integration Group................ 18
Mineral Appraiser, LLC................. 34
WPX Energy.................................. 19
Donovan Brothers Inc.................... 34
Newfield Exploration.................... 37
Fluid Inclusion Technologies........ 39
Noble Energy................................. 18
O ct o b er 2014 SUNDAY
anuary MONDAY
1 TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
5
8
6
7
RMAG Luncheon Speaker: Michael Holmes
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
2
3
4
9
10
11
16
17
18
22 Workshop 23
24
25
PTTC Rockies Short Course
12
13
14
15
DWLS Fall Workshop RMAG Elections Open. October 19-22, 2014 – SPWLA Fall Topical Conference October 19-22, 2014 – GSA Annual Meeting
19
26
20
27
RMAG
21 Workshop (Bakken)
DWLS Luncheon
28
RMAG
(Bakken)
Oilfield Christian Fellowship Lunch
29
PTTC Rockies Short Course
30
31
October 26-29, 2014 – SEG Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
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