January 1992 Contents Continued

January, 1992 BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

'+ TIHE SLICE

Aume 34 umber 5

Does our cover illustration "whet your appetite"? Join us at the HGS Luncheon, January 29,1992. HAPPY NEW YEAR! IN THIS ISSUE... - Spotlight on Morocco ...... Page 18 - Hydrocarbon Contamination in the Urban Environment...... Page 23 - Applications of Design in the Energy Industry ...... Page 40 - Personal Liability and Ethics in Geological Practice ...... Page 44 AND MORE! (For January Events, see Calendar and Geo-events section, page 31) THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW TO ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN AND THE DIRECTORY

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ADS MUST BE SENT TO MEHGS OFFICE CAMER4 READY. F ASSISTANCE B NEEDED WTH DRAFTING AN AD, WR PAINTER. FOUR STAR PRINlEFB, CAN W MIS AT A REASONABLE RATE. CAU 'JUNE' AT: (713) 771-3875 FAX: (713) 771-8203 Bukd Decsmber 1691 BAF. HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 7171 Harwin. Suite 31 4 Houston. Texas 77036-21 90 (713) 785-6402 .EXECUTIVE BOARD . President ...... Cyrus (Cy) Strong. Consultant President-Elect ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon. Arkla Exploration Vice President ...... John M . Biancardi. Vicksburg Production Co. Secretary ...... Ann Ayers Martin. Tertiary Trend Exploration Treasurer ...... SandiM.Barber.UN0CAL Treasurer-Elect ...... Steven H . Brachman. Wintershall Energy Editor ...... JoAnnLocklin. Texaco EPTD Editor-Elect ...... Susan M . van Gelder. Consultant Executive Committeeman ('92) ...... Barbara P. Bentley. Amoco Production Executive Committeeman ('92) ...... Sam H . Peppiatt. Chambers Oil & Gas. Inc. Executive Committeeman ('93) ...... William R . Dupre'. University of Houston Executive Committeeman ('93) ...... Frank D . Lovett. Consultant .COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN . Academic Liaison ...... John Chronic. Consultant Advertising ...... Bruce Falkenstein. Amoco Production Arrangements ...... Doug Selvius. BHP Petroleum Awards ...... JohnAdamick. TGS Offshore Ballot ...... Steven H . Shirley. UNOCAL Computer Applications ...... Mark Hodson. Marathon Oil Continu~ngEducation ...... James R . (Jim) Lantz. Amoco Production Directory ...... NancyT.Benthien.MarathonOi1 Entertainment ...... Martin J- Oldani. Apache Corp. Environmental and Engineering ...... Robert B . (Bob) Rieser. Groundwater Technology Exhibits ...... Gerald A . (Jerry) Cooley. PetCons & Assoc . Explorer Scouts ...... Lillian T . Roberts. ARC0 Oil & Gas Field Trtps ...... Paul W . Britt. Elf Aquitaine Petroleum Finance ...... David A . Fontaine. Consultant Historical ...... David B . Shephard. Amoco Production International Explorationists ...... Pinar 0. Yilmaz. Exxon Prod. Research Co. Library ...... Evelyn Wilie Moody. Consultant Membership ...... Michael H. (Mike) Deming. Amoco Production Nom~nations...... Ronald W . (Ron) Harlan. BHP Petroleum (Americas) Inc. Office Management ...... Gerald A . (Jerry) Cooley. PetCons & Assoc . Permian Basin/Mid-Continent Explorationists ...... Andrew C . (Andy) Lattu. Columbia Gas Personnel Placement ...... L. G . (Joe) Eubanks. Preston Oil Co . Poster Sesstons ...... Warren J . Winters. Exxon Co . USA Publicat~ons. New ...... William A . (Bill) Hill. ARC0 Oil & Gas Publication Sales ...... Thomas T . (Tom) Mather. Columbia Gas Publ~cRelattons ...... Deborah K . (Debra) Sacrey. Consultant Remembrances ...... Bill C . Burkman. Wentworth Energy. Inc. Research ...... Mary M . Page. Texas A&M University Technical Programs ...... John M . Biancardi. Consultant Transportat~on...... Gaylon Freeman. BHP Petroleum .SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES . GCAGS Representative ...... Cyrus (Cy) Strong, Consultant GCAGS Alternate ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon, Arkla Exploration Advisor . Museum of Natural Sc~ence...... Morgan J . Davis, Jr.. Consultant AAPG Delegate Foreman ...... Jerry M . Sides. Sidesmore Exploration Co. AAPG-DPA Representative ...... Daniel L . (Dan) Smith. Texoil Co . AAPG Group Insurance ...... Barbara & John D . Bremsteller Engineer~ngCouncil of Houston Representative ...... Claudia P. Ludwig. Consultant GSA-Section Meeting Representative ...... William K . (Bill) Peebles, Tejas Gas Corp. - SCHOLARSHIP - Memorial Scholarship Board (Graduate) ...... Daniel L. (Dan) Smith, Texoil Co . HGS Foundation (Undergraduate) ...... Hugh W . Hardy. Emeritus .HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL AUXILIARY . President ...... Mrs.Jim(Kathryn)Bennett President-Elect ...... Mrs. Jim (Gwinn) Lewis First Vice President (Social) ...... Mrs. Jon (Joyce) Champeny Second Vice President (Membership) ...... Mrs. Keith (Hjordis) Hawkins Third Vice President (HGS Rep.)...... Mrs. Jack (Jan) Stevenson Secretary ...... Mrs. Orville (Marion) Lundstrom Treasurer ...... Mrs.Ron(Dorothy)Harlan Historian ...... Mrs.J.Byron(Jean)Moore Parliamentarian ...... Mrs. Bill (Joree) Hill

- - The BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (ISSN 0018 6686) 1s publ~shedmonthly except July and August by the Houston Geolag~ratSoc~ety 7171 Harwln Sudte 314 Houston Texas77036 S~~~~~I~~~O~~~~~~BULLETINHOUSTONGEOLOG~CALSOC~ETY~sanrluded~nrnwnbershlpdues(518 00annuallyi Subscr#pt~anpr~refornon rnembersw\th~nthe contlquous U S 1s 525 00 per year and 546 00 per year lor those ours~dethe conllguous U S Stngl? copy prnce 1s 53 00 Second Class Postage pad at Houston Texas POSTMASTER Send address changes10 BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICALSOCIETY 7171 Harwln Swte 314 Houston TX 77036 2190

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1 Bulletln Houston Grdogtcat Soc~?tyJanuary . 1992 BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Vol. 34, No. 5 January, 1992

BULLETIN COMMITTEE CONTENTS EDITOR: Jo Ann Lockl~n.953 6262 Texaco EDITOR ELECT: Sue \,an Gelder, 466 3348 DEPARTMENTS Consu!t~ngGeoioylst ASSOCIATE EDITORS: President's Comments ...... 5 Computer Mark W Hodson. 629 6600 Marathon Letters to the Editor ...... 7 Editorial Mary Jo Klosferman,973 3112 Exno!? lnternat~onal Donna Dav~s.9610141 X374 Commentaries ...... 10 P.1 Exploration Svslerns Donnd FourhFlores, 584-5700 Society Meetings Landmark Graphics Corp Larry Levy. 432-0008 "The Northern Gulf of Mexico - A Decade of Geochemistry" LSL Resources Mahlon C. Kennicutt, 11. .12 J. Todd Stephenson. 556~2929 ...... Amoco Productmn Co Janet B. Thornburg. 954-6098 "Modern Technology in an Old Area - Bay Texaro Marchand Field Revisited", Patrick S. Neale ...... 14 Lynne D. Feldkamp, 531~9944 Robert M Sneider Explor. "Early Cretaceous Paleogeography of Environmental Glenn R Lowenstem, 224 2047 GabonlNortheastern Brazil - A Tectono-Stratigraphic P.S I. Model Based on Propagating Rifts", Events Dav~dC. Callaway, 589-7923 Consultant C.H.Bradley ...... 17 Exploration Bill Eisenhardt, 7746669 Review Consulting Geolog~st "Geotechnical Considerations in Foundation Design in International Hugh Hay-Roe, 358-5871 the Greater Houston Area", Consultant Shailendra N. Endley ...... 22 Technical Willlam H. Roberts, 465-2228 Articles Hydrexco Company "A 3-Dimensional Reflection Seismic Survey Over the Nelson C. Steenland. 666-0266 Geophysic~st Dollarhide Field, Andrews County, Texas", Commentary George E. Kronman, 556-4452 Michael T. Reblin, Gregory G. Chapel, Amoco Production Co. Chuck Keller and Steven L. Roche ...... 28 Robert N. Erlich, 556-2277 Amoco Productmn Co Florence R. Arya, 496-0864 OntheMove 14 Flo Oil ...... Deet Schumacher. 546~4028 Pennzo~lCo. International Explorationists...... 16 Larry D. Bartell, 227 8355 Bartell Exploration International Brief - "Spotlight on Morocco", Manuscripts, ~nqu~ries,or suggestions should be GeorgeTappan ...... 18 directed to Editor, c/o HGS Bulletin, 7171 Harwin, Suite

314, Houston, TX 77036. Deadline lor copy is six weeks ~p- - prior to publication. All copy must be typewritten and double-spaced on standard wh~tepaper. Line drawings PRICE SCHEDULE- RESERVATIONS POLICY and other illustrations must be photo-ready. If prepared JANUARY MEETINGS Reservations are made by calling the HGS oif~ce ona word processor, please senda copy of the computer (785 6402) At the meeting, names are checked agamsl disc, preferably In either Pagemaker or Ventura format. (Non-members: add $2.00 to the meal price) the reservation 1st Those w~threservat~ons will be sold Photographssubmitted for publicationare welcome. See Meetings abstracts for times but cannot be returned t~cketslmmed~ateiy Those without reservations will be asked to wait for available seats, and a $2 HGS Dinner Meeting, Jan. 13 surcharge will be added to the price of the ticket. All Post Oak Doubletree Inn $20.00 ...... who do not honor their reservations will be billed lnternational Explorationists HGS for the price of the meal. I1 n reservatwn cannot be Dinner Meeting, Jan. 20 ADVERTISING COMMITTEE kept, pleaw cdncel or send someone in your place I Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $21.00 Please call Permian Bas1n;'Mid-Continent 785-6402 Explorationists Dinner Meeting, Jan 21 Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... Texas 77036. The telephone number IS (713) HGS Luncheon Meeting, Jan. 29 The Houston Club ...... $15 00

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoclety, January 1992 Contents Continued

Environmental/Engineering Geologists ...... 22

Environmental Feature - "Hydrocarbon Contamination in the Urban Environment", Marilyn Czimer Long and Glenn Lowenstein ...... 23 Environmental Notes - "Sikes Superfund Site"; "Mitchell Energy Builds Habitat for Endangered Whooping Cranes"; "The 'New' Texas Water Commission" ...... 25

Permian Basin/Mid-Continent Explorationists ...... 28

Committee News

Field Trips ...... 34

Personnel Placement ...... -35

Remembrances ...... -35

Education Corner - "Workstation Training For All Geoscientists; A Meeting of the Minds", Thomas Hobbs ...... 38

Business of Geology - "Applications of Design in the Energy Industry", Carol M. Lucas and Sandy K. Astrup ...... 40

Feature - "Personal Liability, Professionalism, and Ethics in Geological Practice", David M. Abbott, Jr...... 44 Houston Geological Auxiliary...... 52

Exploration Activity Review, Bill Eisenhardt...... 54

COVER ILLUSTRATION: J Horizontal time slice of the 3-D seismic data across Bay Marchand Field. Note the sharp-edged nature of the saltlsediment interface. Submitted by Patrick S. Neale.

HAVE YOU EVER MADE A RESERVATION AND NOT SHOWN? Several years ago the HGS Board adopted a policy of billing those who made reservations for an HGS dinner or luncheon event but did not show. Since the reservation list is used to guarantee the number of attendees to an event, the HGS must pay for that minimum number even if fewer people are served. Those who make reservations and do not cancel by the published cancellation time will be billed. For Monday and Tuesday events, cancellation time is usually noon on the prior Friday; for Wednesday events, it is usually noon on the prior Monday. Cancelling after that time yet before the event does not assure that you will not be billed. For those who are billed and do not pay, please be aware that the next time you attend an HGS lunch or dinner event, the treasurer (or representative) will ask to discuss the reasons prohibiting payment.

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 "Support those who support our Society."

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Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992 4 PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS

First and foremost, I want to wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year! My wish is that 1992 willbring accomplishment, satisfaction, and joy to you and yours...Welcome to 1992! The last several years have been extraordinarily difficult for many geologists. Many of the same economic forces are still present today, and as the times change, so must we. In 1970 Alvin Toffler coined the phrase Futureshock and defined it as - "the shattering stress and disorientationthat is induced in individuals when subjected to too much change in too short a time." However if we step back a minute and examine the desperate situation that people in Africa, Bangladesh, Haiti, Iraq, the Kurdish refugees and millions of others find themselves in, our industry's problems, although difficult and uncertain, tend to pale somewhat in comparison. John F. Kennedy in his 1961 Inaugural Address said, "The demands of this age are extraordinary: to meet them, extraordinary men and women are required. There 'is no reason, no motivation,no 'reward' for which these people - and you and I - willmake this age succeed. There is just our humanity - and the stand that we are. Of those to whom much is given, much is required." It is my personal commitment that the Houston Geological Society willdo everything within its power to provide what is wanted and needed during the forthcoming New Year so that we can shift rapidly into the evolving paradigms of our profession. HGS LONG RANGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: By the time you read this the Long Range Advisory Committee will have met twice. In the future, they willbe meeting on the second Saturday of every month at 9:20 AM. They are charged with recommending ways to strengthen and improve the Society's performance in order to ensure that HGS willcontinue to be an effective organization in the future. This willinclude formulating specific short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term goals and the development of a business plan. One of their first tasks is to expand their committee to represent all factions of the membership. This willbe a powerful group whose recommendations willbe acted upon quickly. The Committee willbe brainstorming all sorts of new ideas, so please contact any of the current members, Sandi Barber, Dave Fontaine, Ann Martin and Jeff Morris, with your thoughts, no matter how "half-baked" they may seem, and plan to attend one of the Saturday meetings. If we don't know what you want, we can't provide it. So pick up the phone and let one of us know. Thanks. JANUARY TECHNICAL PROGRAM The pace of HGS activities picks up again this month with many fine technical presentations. At our dinner meeting Mahlon Kennicutt of Texas A&M University will present an update on the "Origin of Gulf of Mexico Oils" with a concurrent poster session on geochemistry. Late in the month at our luncheon meeting, Patrick Neale of Chevron willdiscuss "Modern Technology in an Old Area- Bay Marchand Field Revisited." His paper won 2nd Place in the Best Paper contest at the 1991 AAPG meeting in Dallas, so you can be sure it willbe outstanding. At the International Committee's dinner meeting, Chris Bradley of Conoco willdiscuss "Paleogeography of Gabon/Northeastern Brazil: A Tectonostratigraphic Model Based on Propagating Rifts". The Midland/Midcontinent Group dinner meeting willhear Michael Reblin, a

5 Bulletin Houston Geological"Society, January 1992 consulting geologist, describe the very interesting results THANKS - from a 3D survey over Dollarhide Field located in Please give a big thank you to Annette Mather, wife Andrews County, Texas. of HGS member Tom Mather. Annette has spent many The Environmental and Engineering Committee will days in the HGS office helping Margaret through the have a geotechnical engineering presentation followed by extremely busy period just past. The place just doesn't their regular "Career Change" networking mketing. See look the same any more. The tables are clean, the shelves details about their speaker, time and location elsewhere in neat, mailboxes are set up for each committee, walls have the Bulletin. By the way, their networking group is now been rearranged, and a new phone system installed, all of meeting twice a month and welcomes anyone interested which should help Margaret and the Office Committee in a possible career change into environmental/ serve you better. Tom, by the way, is our Publication engineering geology. Sales Chairman and he has already exceeded his sales TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS: goal for the year. Keep up the good work!! Congratulations to HGS members Dave Lawrence, ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS Bob Mitchum and John Van Wagoner!! No events are planned this month. The next Dave Lawrence, who works for Shell, along with scheduled events are the Geological Auxiliary's Valentine co-authors Mark Doyle and Thomas Aigner will be Dinner Dance on February 14, to which you are all honored at the AAPG meeting in Calgary. They will invited, and the Bass Fishing Tournament on receive the Wallace E. Pratt Memorial Award for the Best March 21-22, so mark your calendars now. Paper published in the AAPG Bulletin last year. Their See you at the meetings!! Bring a friend!! paper was entitled "Stratigraphic Simulation of Sedimentary Basins: Concepts and Calibration". Bob Mitchem, who is a consultant and former Exxon employee, and John Van Wagoner, who works for Exxon, along with co-authors K. M. Champion, and V. D. Rahmanian will receive the Robert H. Dott Sr. Cy Strong Memorial Award for the Best Special Publication published by the AAPG in 1990. Their book is entitled "Siliciclastic Sequence Stratigraphy in Well Logs, Cores, and Outcrops: Concepts for High-Resolution Correlation of Time and Facies."

the Convention airfare. For more information and details call: GIESBERG'S TRAVEL CONNECTION - tel.: 1 (71 3) 530-7291, FAX: 1 (71 3) 530-1923. Arranged by HGS Transportation Committee (in conjunction with Giesberg's Travel Connection) Gaylon Freeman - Chairman.

Bullet~nHouston Geologrcal Soc~ety,January 1992 6 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: Other industries such as the computer and consumer I felt this is very timely and hoped you'd give it the electronics industry can get a new technology off the board, proper exposure in the Bulletin. manufactured, evaluated and on the shelf within a matter of months. Fashions change yearly in the clothing industry. But in the oil industry the gap between the time new Jack Land technology is conceived and the time it gains wide accept- J. P. Land Associates, Inc. ance in the field can be decades. 7211 Regency Square Why so long: There are some logical reasons for the Suite 213 lag. Houston, TX 77036 First, is the overwhelming amount of new technology coming down the pike. There is more than can be effectively This Is Not The Time For "Wait-and-See," evaluated at the field level. Most of it is expensive. And, there is no formal process for testing it. by John Paul Pitts Second, there is a problem of conformity. There are so Midland ~eporter-~ele~rai, many geological and producing variables that much of the Sunday, September 15, 1991 new technology has to be evaluated on a well-to-well basis. But perhaps the biggest reason new technology has a In the past five years I have interviewed the chairman or hard time getting into the oil industry is the prevailing danger president of practically every major oil company in America, of career damage. and without exception they all sing the same song: "Tech- Geologists may be forgiven for dry holes. But, take a nology is our future - the hope of a shrinking domestic chance on new technology that fails and costs the company industry," they harmonize. While there is vision at the top big dollars and heads can roll. When fingers are pointed, for new oilpatch technology, getting it into the oilpatch is suddenly, no one remembers that the chairman of the board another tune. had a vision for expanded technology. It is uncanny, how The U.S. is the world leader in petroleum technology, vision at the top becomes "business as usual" as it filters but rest assured it has not been fast coming. If it were not for down through the bureaucracy. horizontal drilling the U.S. rig count and the Texas rig count One result is the old "not-my-neck" syndrome. In would be at even more disastrous levels. government this attitude manifests itself as unending delay The same can be said for science of 3D seismic, which and bureaucratic obfuscation. In industry it generally trans- has put a whole newface on exploration and development, lates to "we'll wait and see." Some service companies claim 4 by allowing oil companies to get a three dimensional view of this bottle neck at the bottom is so severe that they can sub-surface geology. It has flattened out the decline in the hardly recover R&D cost and that it has resulted in a seismic land crew count, resulted in new exploration and disincentive to develop new products. development wells being drilled that would not have been What is the solution? Certainly, there needs to be drilled otherwise, and improved the success rate for finding vision at the top, but there also needs to be a means of getting oil and gas. that vision to the field. Now for the rest of the story. Both of these new One notion making the rounds in the industry, that technologies and the potential they bring for finding oil and seems to have merit, is the creation of special departments gas have been around for more decades than anyone cares or groups within oil companies that would do nothing but to know. Because of a few legitimate technical reasons evaluate new products and services. coupled with typical oilpatch skepticism and inertia it has By nature of their dominance, resources and deep taken far longer than it should have to bring these pockets, majors will have to lead the way with an innovative revolutionary techniques into the oil industry. program. Such departments would not be penalized for Ask any oilpatch manufacturer, inventor or salesman trying this that did not work - only for not trying new things. how easy it is to get new products and services into the For that reason they would need to be divorced somehow market and you will hear horror stories of head-banging, from typical channels. hand-wringing and feet-dragging - of a painful process Also, since technical evaluation requires both special punctuated with too many: "We'll-wait-and-sees." In other expertise and a special attitude these departments would words: "Come back when everyone else is doing it. need to be staffed with postive, enthusiastic, forward- Sales resistance is common to all industries, but in the looking technical people who delight in making ideas fly oilpatch it is legendary. For an industry of wildcatters that rather than shooting them down. The most technically prides itself in taking risks, the U.S. oil industry plays it competent might not make the team. extremely close to the vest when it comes to taking a chance These free-spirited groups would be charged with on new products and services - perhaps too close. giving a fast, unbiased evaluation of all the ideas, processes,

7 Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 devices and gimmicks that may or may not help oil companies drill wells and produce oil cheaper. Lord knows that with the pluggingof tens of thousands of wells each year, disastrous rig counts and the flight of the major oil company dollars overseas, this is no time for technological bottlenecks and wait-and-see attitudes. This industry is looking very sick again and doesn't have the time WE'VE to "wait-and-see." Nothing short of an aggressive effort to get an abundance of dollar-saving, money-making technology into the market, can aid an ailing domestic oil industry. SEARCHED John Paul Pitts is business/oil editor of the Midland Reporter-Telegram. Reprinted with permission. THE

QUICK LOOK TECHNIQUE: ODD NUMBER OF CONTOURS A basic rule of contouring is that ALL contours on a continuous surface must close or end at the edge of the map. This rule seems so obvious and simple that no one could break this rule of contouring. Figure 3 is a relatively simple structure map with a few faults. Consider the area to the right of the major down-to- the-east fault. Is there a contouring problem? Starting at the 10,300 foot contour, try to go around the small finite fault and return to the 10,300 foot contour. Can it be done? The answer is no. Five contours terminate against the finite fault; therefore, a contour is dangling. In other words, one contour does not close. One contour is missing.

U.S. Geological Survey 8th Annual V.E. McKelvey Forum on Energy Resources

30 Oral Presentations 53 Poster Presentations Gulf Coast reservoirs Oil field growth Basin evolution Fractured reservoirs Paleoclimate & rhythms Computer applications Sequence stratigraphy Diagenetic studies Source rocks Coal & coalbed methane Short Course: "Recent Advances in Plate All contours must close. There must be an even Tectonics and Continental Crustal Evolution" number of contours around a finite fault such as the one by Warren Hamilton shown in Figure 3. This type error is very common. A quick way to check a map with a small fault which dies in both Houston, Texas directions is to count the number of contours intersecting or February 18-20, 1992 terminating against the fault. If there is an odd number of contours, the construction is wrong. This may be a minor Technical Program Registration Information Christine Turner Jan W. Kernan mapping bust, but if you find several on one map, it may be USGS BAI, lnc. time to question the accuracy of the map. (303) 236-1 561 (301 ) 588-41 77 J Reprinted courtesy of Subsurface Consultants and Associates, Inc., Lafayette.

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9 Bullettn Houston Geoloq~calSoclety. January 1992 COMMENTARIES

COMMENTS ON SOME TRYING TIMES me. Most companies may find it hard to believe, but there or are at least five potential employees who would love to have SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST? the job that one unhappy employee is complaining about.) Use your contacts to get leads for consulting work. Verify by Kenneth E. Nemeth the standards and reputation of your potential employer. Set out a written agreement. My failure to do so took six Times once again are becoming tough and rumors of or months to correct and left bad impressions with both the actual layoffs have increased at this writing in November, employer and me. Knock on doors to get ... 1991. How does one compete and survive? Many people still work as geologists or geophysicists in petroleum explo- Interviews ration/development. Each of us knows one or more geolo- An interview is the beginning and the end of many ajob. gists who no longer practice in the oil and gas profession. I I know that jobs existed between 1988 and 1990. 1 found still work in that profession because, although I may not be them. At one time, I knew of nearly 100 jobs for geologists or the fittest, I made the most of the opportunities that geophysists. Yet, people told me that there were no jabs. developed or that were presented to me. After four years of There may not have been - for them. I tried, I lost, I broke marginal income (read that as enough money to make ends even. You can't get what you cannot or do not talk about. meet), emotional stress, professional stagnation, and I came in second (or third, or fifteenth) best on several occasional answers from hiring authorities, I am now "fully" interviews. Two were disappointing because I thought that I employed and reestablishing my career. I did it with luck, had done well. Another two (at least) I flat out lost. Poor perseverance, an optimistic attitude, and help from my preparation, panic, andjob"plkadingn cost me dearly. Being friends. I was asked to comment on my "program" for unemployed is no crime. survival these last four years, along with dos, don'ts, and An interview is something special - GO FOR IT! Ask considerations for the recently or soon-to-be-unemployed. questions to define your assignment. Obtain a description of My program began with ... your responsibilities and verbally reinforce how you will handle them. Express what you will and can do and how you Reevaluation will do it. Leave the interviewer with a strong impression of Think. Do you want to stay in oil and gas? Do you want your work ethic, abilities, strengths, and how you will to go back to school to retrain? In what? Do you have enhance his comnanv's. < efforts and success. transferable skills? In what areas? Do you want something An aid to a successful interview can be a presentation new? Environmental geology may not have the openings of work that you have done. A short review of a special that it had several years ago. On the other hand, State assignment/pt-oject may be the visual aid that sets you apart regulatory agencies, energy divisions for banks, lending from other candidates: However, do not show a current institutions, or developers, and State geological surveys project unless you get a conflict-of-interest or non- may have openings. If you do want to stay in oil and gas, competition paper signed. (I described an area of current where? Large company? (Didn't they just have another activity to one company during an interview without getting round of "last" layoffs?) Small company? (Put up or shut up, such an agreement. I did not get the job, and that company's there's no hiding now.) Or in between? (If you can find one name was on leases in the area three months later!) that is not for sale or downsizing.) These are your choices. Be positive, confident, and optimistic in your interview. What do you look for and how do you find it?Now is the time Follow up your interview with a letter that day and a phone to use your ... call several days later. Keep your name in front of the hiring authority in a non-agressive way. Should the job be offered Contacts to someone else, call the interviewer, thank him for the Make use of your contacts. Nothing has changed since opportunity to discuss his company and yourself and ask 1986. Let people know that you are unemployed and want to him if he knows of other leads. A good interview can do stay in the business. Establish a work base, a routine, and wonders for your ... method of practicing geology. Working as a geotech may not be glamorous, but it can pay off in: Sprits Do not let your spirits, morale, or ego drop out of sight. a) learning about trends or areas never worked It is not fun looking for work in the midst of a shrinking job b) getting a foot in the door to full geological employ- market. Yet some people never miss a paycheck. They may ment have several different jobs in a few months time. Are they c) providing survival income better geologists? Sometimes. Reality is that they knew the I was fortunate. A long-established contact got me a position right person, worked for a common employer in the past, as a geotech. A one-month assignment lasted thirteen worked for the hiring authority at another company, or have months. Another lead resulted in a job that lasted one year. worked one grid area for the last ten years. (It just happens (Do not complain about the pay if it means survival. These to have been the "right" grid.) The toughest rejections to jobs were the difference between house and poorhouse for overcome are those from "friends" who will not return your

Bulletln Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety January 1992 10 phone calls after they tell you to send aresume. That is part During my job search, I made one attempt to obtain of seeking employment. Let them be. Forget the poor help from AAPG. They suggested I make use of the local interviews and be thankful for the good ones. The good professional societies. After reviewing the AAPG 21st interview leads to the job. A good interview carries you to Century Report and the EXPLORER'S forum sections, I and through your next contact; it reinforces your sense of have concluded that several other AAPG members received self-worth, makes you want to keep busy, to stay ... similar responses. Membership in the national society did not aid me in my job search. Active There are no shortcuts to finding employment. Some Activity creates a positive, dynamic environment. people do it more quickly than others. Perseverance, self- Work does not often come to the inactive, he or she who confidence, optimism and planning will hopefully pay off. sits. If you've decided to stay in the industry, find alog library When all else fails, hit some tennis balls. to join. PI and others have day rates, Cambe has offered individual memberships in the past, and there are several (at least five) others in the downtown or Greenspoint areas. SECRETS TO FINDING EMPLOYMENT The log library gives you access to people (i.e., contacts), (Are there really any?) drilling reports (i.e., potential contacts), maps and logs (i.e., Dos Don'ts activity). Pound on doors and walk the streets. I conducted Reevaluate - whine an intense phone and letter campaign. I did not knock on career switch plead doors. My search might have ended earlier had I attempted location change dress poorly face-to-face contacts with exdoration or nroduction salary requirements stay at home managers. Above all, do not stop. Stay active. salary needs wallow in self-pity Part of staying active includes using the local pro- unemployment insurance miss appointments fessional society. I had several responses from companies to whom I had no record of sending a resume. It seems that I Contact - owe those considerations to having my resume on file with network the personnel placement committees of the HGS and GSH. visit companies I joined the HGS Personnel Placement Committee to see revise resume how it functioned. The chairman conducts much of the HGS/GSH Personnel Placement Committees activity for the committee, providing a clearinghouse for interested employers and tallying who, where and how Spirit - many times. I assisted in completing the tabulations for the positive attitude 1989 calendar year. Some 200 geologists had their resumes optimistic sent out at least once. Most members had their resumes confident sent out an average of five times. If you are looking for Active - employment and do not have a current resume and an consult updated biographical sheet on file with either group, send contract one. Probably equal numbers of geologists have obtained geotech work on their own as through the society, but every edge go forward counts. I obtained an interview for my current employment through the HGS Personnel Placement Committee. I had a (Ken Nemeth has survived in the oil and gas industry nositive.. optimistic. interview that I extended to two hours for sixteen years. His claim to fame was letting Steve Allen by making a presentation of my work and addressing the hit enough tennis balls to carry them to the HGS Tennis specific questions and concerns of the employer. The Tournament Doubles Title last Spring. He is currently interview led to a consulting assignment which preceded my employed by Browning Oil Company, Inc. in Dallas as a employment. petroleum geologist.)

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141 5 Louisiana, Suite 2300 IHouston, Texas 77002 - Houston Sales 650-1994 1 11 Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSooety. January 1992 MEETINGS HGS DINNER MEETING AND POSTER SESSION-JANUARY 13, 1992 Poster and Social Period, 5:30 p.m., See page 2 for reservations Dinner and Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Post Oak Doubletree Inn and prices of meetings. DR. MAHLON C. KENNICUTT,11- Biographical Sketch Dr. Kennicutt received of source rocks. Secondary control is due to Cenozoic a B.S. in Chemistry in 1974 deposition which provides the thermal stress to generate, as from Union College and a well as to destroy, oir. Salt tectonics provides conduits for Ph.D. in Oceanography in migrating fluids to escape the zone of thermal destruction. 1980 from Texas A&M The distribution and chemistry of oils in the northern University. Following the Gulf'of Mexico and the adjacent onshore can be explained award of his Ph.D., Dr. by multiple sources, facies variations, maturation, and post- Kennicutt accepted a post- generation alteration (see Figure 1).Genetic families include doctoral appointment to Jurassic Smackover, Flexure Trend, Upper Cretaceous, work on the nature and and Paleogene oils. Paleogene strata are newly recognized occurrence of ultra-deep as a significant source of petroleum which occurs from natural gas with Dr. Colin South Texas to southern and offshore Louisiana. Mesozoic Barker at the University of source strata again become important in the deep Gulf of Tulsa. In 1981 Dr. Kenni- Mexico where Cenozoic sediments thin. Mixing of oil from cu tt returned to Texas multiple sources is quite common at the geographic A&M to join the Geochem- boundaries between the oil types. ical and Environmental Research Group (GERG). Dr. Post-Generation Alteration Mechanisms Kennicutt is presently a senior research scientist at GERG Alteration processes including maturation, biodegrada- and a member of the Graduate Faculty at Texas A&M tion, evaporative fractionation, migration contamination, University. Dr. Kennicutt's research interests include and aqueous fractionation, can be recognized in oils and gas petroleum chemistry, organic geochemistry, environmental condensates from Tertiary and Quaternary reservoirs off- chemistry, and marine chemistry. He has more than 100 shore of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Evaporative fraction- peer-reviewed scientific articles in his areas of expertise and ation is an important alteration process. Gas, migrating has presented numerous scientific papers nationally and from deep accumulations, is believed to interact with internationally. reservoired oils, resulting in vaporization, loss of light ends, THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO- and gas condensate formation. Residual oils are characteriz- A DECADE OF GEOCHEMISTRY ed by reduced API gravity as well as enhanced levels of naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Biodegradation Despite the mature nature of the Gulf of Mexico produces oils of low API gravity, light end loss, and petroleum province, the decade of the eighties has seen the enhancement of naphthenes, as well as depletion in light rapid advancement ofconcepts related to the chemistry and aromatics. These features can be used to recognize fluids origins of Gulf Coast petroleum and gas. Further, as a altered by one or more processes. Migration contamination "spin-off" of exploration and production activities, our is a widespread phenomenon in gas condensates. Contami- understanding of the relationship between deep-reservoired nation in petroleums is suggested by the occurrence of petroleum, near-surface phenomena, and biogeochemical anomalous maturity indices. Gas condensates often evi- processes has also greatly advanced. These new insights dence non-concordant molecular maturity indicators as have provided for fundamental advancements in many measured by methylphenanthrene, ethylcholestane, and areas, including determining the ages of source rocks hopanoid parameters. Guilf Coast condensates are often generating petroleum in the Gulf Coast, establishing the contaminated by extraneous biomarker compounds includ- importance of long-distance migration, defining important ing aaa 2 0 R-ethylcholestane and 18a-oleanane. Discord- processes contributing to the post-generation alteration of ant maturity indications can also be caused by mixing of petroleum, and documenting important near-surface fluids during multiple chargings of reservoirs. phenomena including the occurrence and stability of Natural Seepage hydrates, the formation of authigenic carbonate, and the In major oil producing provinces throughout the world, existence of unusual biological assemblages imtimately it has become increasingly apparent that submarine oil and associated with naturally seeping hydrocarbons. This gas seepage is at least as prevalent as subaerial occurrences. presentation will describe these findings and discuss their While the manifestations of seeps on land are more obvious, exploration and production significance. due to direct visual observations of oil and gas.releases, the The Source of number of reports of marine seeps has greatly increased in Northern Gulf of Mexico Oils recent years. As our understanding of the phenomena The initial control on the distribution of oil and gas in associated with seepage has improved, our success in the northern Gulf of Mexico is provided by the areal extent sampling and documenting oceanic seepage has also

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992 12 Paleogene Oils

Figure 1 improved. The presence of large amounts of gas and/or carbonate rubble. Gas hydrates have now been recovered liquid hydrocarbon seepage in near-surface sediments can at more than a dozen locations on the northern Gulf of produce distinct features including an irregular topography Mexico continental slope in water depths ranging from 530 4 (on several scales, ranging from meters to kilometers); to 2400m. Hydrates in the northern Gulf of Mexico are seismically transparent/chaotic sediments; oil staining; gas preferentially associated with collapsed structures, diapiric plumes; sediments containing elevated concentrations of crests, and deep faults on the flanks of diapirs. extractable organic matter, organic carbon, and calcium Chemosynthetic Seep Communities carbonate; brine seepage and anoxic conditions; bacterial A trawl retrieval of nearly two tons of organisms and mats; hydrate formation and decomposition; and dense shell debris in 500m of water at a location of known natural chemoautotrophic communities. Although no single petroleum seepage in the Gulf of Mexico in 1984 marked the characteristic is uniquely associated with seepage, the co- beginning of several years of interdisciplinary studies. It was occurrence of several of these features is strongly suggestive soon recognized that the assemblage of organisms re- of an area exposed to upward-migrating hydrocarbons. covered was similar to that reported at the hydrothermal vents and the Florida Escarpment. These and other dis- The Occurrence of Shallow Gas Hydrates coveries have now become referred to as "hot vent" and Prior to the 1980s, gas hydrate discoveries in marine "cold seep"communities. Early studies at both types of sites sediments had been in deep water (> 1000 meters) at revealed that the enhanced productivity and biomass of subbottom depths greater than 100m. In 1983, the first Gulf these communities were directly linked to symbiotic relation- of Mexico hydrate discovery was reported in shallow water. ships between a bacterium and a molluscan at petroleum These hydrates were recovered in 530m of water on the seeps. The deep-sea chemical environment is an important continental slope offshore of Louisiana. Hydrates can be factor controlling the distributions of these communities. distributed throughout oil-stained cores and occur at tem- The mechanisms that maintain the oxic-anoxic conditions peratures and pressures near the presumed limit of pure can be highly variable. These processes are now thought to methane hydrate stability. Gas composition indicates that occur quite frequently in the world's oceans. The accumula- the hydrates can be thermogenic or biogenic in origin. The tion of mollusc shells on continental slopes has caused a gas hydrates range in size from small crystals to nodules rethinking of the meaning of shell accumulations over several centimeters in diameter dispersed in authigenic geologic time.

13 Bulletin Houston Geological Soc~ety.January 1992 POSTER SESSION tunities; and 3) assist reservoir management. The final goal PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY was to bring together the disciplines of geology, geophysics, IN EXPLORATION and petroleum engineering to increase the daily and ultimate production from the field. Four posters illustrating the applications of petroleum Since acquisition, the survey has aided structural geochemistry in exploration will be presented before the interpretation by providing better resolution of the salt/ January 13 dinner meeting. The poster session will take sediment interface and allowing good correlation of fault place during the social hour, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Come patterns and the resulting reservoir geometries. Strati- early and visit with the authors of these excellent presentations: graphically, better understanding of log correlations, paleo- environments, and sand distribution patterns has resulted. Gas Chromatographic and Sonar Imaging of Hydrocarbon Daily production has dramatically increased to 40,000 Seeps in the Marine Environment BOPD with new opportunities being recognized daily. The Victor Jones and R. J. Mousseau, Exploration Tech- use of this new technology, combined with teamwork, is nologies Incorporated primarily responsible for the turnaround. Opportunities of a similar nature willcontinue to present themselves elsewhere Modeling Thermal Maturation, Hydrocarbon Generation, with the continued acquisition of3-dimensional seismic data and Expulsion in One Dimension in the Gulf of Mexico. D. M. Jarvie, Humble Instruments and Services, and P. Y. Chenet, Beicip Exploration Success Using the Petroleum System Concept, ON THE MOVE W. C. Dow and S. C. Talukdar, DGSI, and L. B. Hardy Oil & Gas USA Inc. announced that Michael Magoon, USGS. W. Strickler has been promoted to Senior Vice President - Isotopic Composition of Individual n-Alkanes in Oils Exploration. Prior to joining Hardy in 1984, Mr. Strickler Zvi Sofer, Amoco Production Company was an Exploration Geologist with Keplinger & Associates, Resources Investment Corp., and Ballard ExploratiolJ' Company. HGS LUNCHEON MEETING- Daniel F. Coope has joined ResTech Inc., and JANUARY 29, 1992 Succeeded Fred G. Williams, as Managing Director of Social Period, 11 :30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., ResTech Europe Limited, in London, England. Coope Luncheon and Meeting, 12:00 p.m. previously was Technical Director, International Operations The Houston Club for Sperry Sun Drilling Services. PATRICK S. NEALE-Biographical Sketch Patrick S. Neale received his B.A. degree in geology from Hanover College in Indiana in 1976 and his M.S. degree in PALEO-DATA, INC. geology from Miami Uni- 6619 Fleur de Lis Drive versity in Ohio in 1979. He New Orleans, Louisiana 70124 began work with Chevron (504) 488-3711 in New Orleans in 1979 as an exploration geologist in East Texas and North T. Wayne Campbell Louisiana. In 1981 he Francis S. Plaisance, Jr. moved into development Arthur S. Waterman geology where he has Albert F. Porter, Jr. Michael W. Center since held several posi- Norman S. Vallette tions. He is currently the District Development Geologist for the Bay Marchand supports the District, responsible for supervising the geologic activity in Bay Marchand Field.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN AN OLD AREA- BAY MARCHAND FIELD REVISITED Bay Marchand Field is a mature, giant oilfield along the HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL Louisiana coastline in the Gulf of Mexico. Chevron discovered the field in 1949and has since drilled over 800 wells SOCIETY and produced over 530 MMBO. In 1986, with daily production at an all-time low of less than 17,000 BOPD, Chevron acquired a 3-dimensional seismic survey with the following objectives: 1) delineate new reserves; 2) review mature, drilled areas for additional development oppor-

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 14 Attention.' LTIES UALITY Oil & Gas Companies and Environmental Geolofzical Companies *

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15 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 INTERNA TIONAL EXPLORA TIONISTS

Chair's Column INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1991-1992 A symposium on Eastern European and North American Folded Belts willbe held on February 25 during Chairperson & Technical Program: the GSA South-Central Section 26th Annual Meeting, at Pinar Yilmaz,'Exxon Prod. Res. Co...... 973-3070 Rice University. A tentative schedule follows. Please keep Technical Program Assistant: in mind the schedule can change due to logistic problems. Gerrit Wind, Amoco...... 556-3680 Clark Burchfiel and Leigh Royden of MIT (presently Hotel Arrangements: at Cal Tech): "Late Cenozoic orogenic belts of the George Tappan, Mediterranean region and their North American counter- Geoservices International...... 358-4061 parts" A/V Arrangements: Martin Schupbach of Maxus: Hydrocarbon habitat Nat Smith, Consultant...... 861-0277 and future exploration in Eastern Europe. Finances & Tickets: P. Bokov (Bulgaria): Tecto.nic position, hydrocarbon Don Young, AGIP 688-6281 exploration and future potential in Bulgaria. Martin Emery of Maxus: Structural profiles of the Announcements and company representative contacts: Western Balkan-Forebalkan Region, Bulgaria. Thorn Tucker, Marathon Oil...... 629-6600 I. Sadekaj*, H. Bakia* and A. W. Bally** (*Albania Directory: and **Rice University): Folded belts of Albania. Kumar Bhattacharjee, Mirceau Sandulescu of Romania: The geology of Sita Oil Exploration House...... 999-6957 Romania. Please contact your company representative or Amoco Production Company (to be named later): call HGS for ticket reservations at 785-6402. The Dinarides of Yugoslavia. Chris Morley of Amoco Production Company: Balanced Cross Sections across the Carpathians. HGS INTERNATIONAL GROUP Frank Picha of Chevron: Hydrocarbon potential of DINNER MEETING-JANUARY 20,1992 North European platform margins buried below the West Post Oak Doubletree Inn Carpathian thrust belt, Czechoslovakia. Social hour, 5:30.p.m., Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Clark Burchfiel and Leigh Royden of MIT (presently Technical Presentation, -7:30 p.m. at Cal Tech): The expression of convergence rate and slab pull in foreland basins.' . C. H. BRADLEY-Biographical Sketch L. Csontos*, A Nagymarosy*, F. Horvath*, M. Chris Bradley is cur- Lovac** and G. Tari*** (*Eotvos University, Hungary; rently a geological advisor **Slovakian Academy of Sciences, Czechoslovakia; with Conoco Inc. World- ***Rice University): Tertiary Kinematics of the intra- wide Exploration Services, Carpathian area. Houston, Texas. He re- G. Tari, G. Perez-Cruz and A. W. Bally of Rice ceived his B.S. in geology University: Comparison of the Ouachita and Carpathian in 1976from the University thrust-fold belts and their back-arc basins. of Connecticut and his W. R. Muehlberger of University of Texas at Austin: M.S. in geology from the Marathon-Solitario orogen, Trans-Pecos Texas. University of Southwestern We hope you willparticipate and wish to see you there. Louisiana in 1978. Prior to The symposium willend with the HGS International meeting joining Conoco in 1979, he that evening. The speakers are Clark Burchfiel and Leigh was an exploration geolo- Royden. gist for Samedan Oil PINAR O. YILMAZ Corporation in Lafayette, Louisiana. He has conducted and supervised integrated explo- EXOTIC ROCKS ration projects throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast, and in Indonesia and Africa. Since 1989 he has been involved with We need exotic rocks for our speaker plaques. Please Conoco's West African exploration program focusing on bring a sample of your favorite rock to the next meeting. It the pre-salt plays in Gabon. His current interests include the will help clean up the boxes you stored in the garage. We tectonic and sedimentary evolution of continental rifting acknowledge the donor on the back of the plaque. and integrated basin/maturation modeling.

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 16 EARLY CRETACEOUS PALEOGEOGRAPHY OF across the region. Measured N'Dombo sandstone paleocur- GABONINORTHEASTERN BRAZIL - rent directions and mapped sandstone geometries support A TECTONO-STRATIGRAPHIC MODEL BASED the model illustrating early ramp side and axial drainage in ON PROPAGATING RIFTS the expected orientations throughout the Interior Basin. Regional gravity and seismic data, the region's present- Beginning as early as Hauterivian time, the locus of day structural and stratigraphic configuration, and com- extension and deposition began to step westward in parison with other rift systems worldwide led to the northern Gabon with the development of the Axial Fault in development of a rift model for Gabon and northeastern the southern portion of the Interior Basin, and the N'Toum Brazil that involves two propagating megafracture systems Fault in the northern portion of the basin. During that interacted in a very complex fashion. In both regions, Barremian-Aptian time, the southern Interior Basin portion the distribution of pre-salt Early Cretaceous reservoirs and of the southward-propagating fracture system was largely source rocks was controlled by the rift phase in progress at abandoned as active faulting and extension shifted further the time of deposition. A series of regional paleogeographic inboard, to the west of the Lambarene Horst. A similar but reconstructions depict the development of the rift strati- opposite progression occurred in Brazil, as active deposition graphy, and illustrate how the dual rift model explains the and rifting moved to the east, ending first in the Jatobal geometry and subsidence history of both the Reconcavo/ Tucano/Reconcavo rift system, and finally in the Sergipe- TucanoIJatoba rift system, which was the first branch of the Alagoas Basin. By Aptian time, crustal attenuation was northward-propagating fracture system, and the Sergipe- complete and the final stages of continental breakup were Alagoas/lnterior Basin/N'Komi rift system, which was the underway with the emplacement of proto-oceanic crust. first branch of the southward-propagating fracture system. Transtension occurred in northern Gabon and in its Evidence suggests that during latest Jurassic through Brazilian counterpart, the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, as South Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) time, the Sergipe-Alagoas America moved obliquely away from Africa. Basin of northeast Brazil and the Gabon Interior Basin were The paleogeographic reconstructions served as a geo- linked by a transfer zone that formed opposing asymmetric logically reasonable and consistent structural/stratigraphic half-grabens. During this time, the northern part of the framework on which individual basin interpretations were present-day Interior Basin was located on the southwest- built. They helped to guide the interpretation of basin-wide ward dipping ramp margin of a series of en-echelon, Sergipe- isopachs, which were created for potential reservoirs, Alagoas Basin related half-grabens. The central part of the source rocks and seals using all available well, outcrop and basin consisted of the transfer/accommodation zone, while seismic control. This approach enabled a better understand- the southern part was positioned in a half-graben ramping to ing of the area's complex structural and stratigraphic rift the northeast. This configuration is supported by the evolution, and helped provide reasonably accurate strati- marked change in regional structural styles seen seismically graphic predictions in relatively undrilled areas.

- --

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Cabot Oil & Gas is a leading independent producer of natural gas in the Appalachian and Anadarko Basins, with over 730 Bcfe of proved reserves, 1.7 million acres, 3400 wells, 3100 miles of pipeline, and an active drilling program (136 net wells in 1991).

17 Bullettn Houston Geological Sor~etyJanuary 1992 INTERNATIONAL BRIEF

Spotlight on. . MOROCCO

By George Tappan

Morocco's new hydrocarbon law, approved by Ltd., Shell, and Walter International Morocco Inc. hold Parliament May 22, 1991, offers a number of incentives to Atlantic offshore permits in conjunction with ONAREP. concessionaries who begin commercial production within Mobil, Philips, Conoco, SNEAP, and Amoco have explored ten years of the date of publication of the new law. offshore in the past, but to date only 28 wells have been Amortization at 200% of all costs and expenses incurred drilled offshore. Three found oil shows. Three had shows of in drilling exploration and evaluation wells: gas, and 22 were dry. Five were drilled by JOIDES as part of - during a 3-year period from the effective date of the law the Deep Sea Drilling Project. Present exploration activity is for existing exploration permits and exploitation con- concentrated in the Moroccan Meseta Platform and the cessions; northern part of the Aaiun-Tarfaya Basin. - during a 4-year period from the granting date of new The Moroccan Atlantic offshore is comprised of several exploration permits. geologically distinct areas which are seaward extensions of Government interest can be limited to 35%. their onshore counterparts. All were developed as part of No royalty on first 4MM tons production. the passive continental margin following the Jurassic open- No obligation to contribute production to the domestic ing of the Atlantic. Shelf-margin sediments overlie conti- need. nental clastics and evaporites accumulated in the early rift Exemption from Petroleum Duty (surtax) for three years system which was developed on the Paleozoic. from initial production. Exemption from Surface Tax for all exploration permits Rif and Rharb Domain granted within 10 years. The northernmost area, the Rif tectonic domain, is an In addition, the concession agreement has no signature Alpine fold belt superimposed on a Pre-Rif nappe. The bonus obligation, tax rates are low and negotiable, materials complex tectonics and related sedimentation are the result and equipment unavailable locally may be imported duty- of the Tertiary collision and subduction of the African and free, and produced oil and gas may be exported freely. Eurasian plates. These events formed a massive accretion- There is no currency control, and profits may be repatriated. ary wedge with southwestward thrusting and folding along (See International Exploration Newsletter, June 11, 1990.) the Alpine front. The southwestern portion, the Rharb Morocco imports almost all its oil, about 5MM tons/ Basin, is a late Miocene-Pleistocene foreland which escaped year (36.7MM barrels/year). Oil, gas, and condensate have major Tertiary deformation, but received massive late been produced from a number of small fields in the Rharb Basin and Pre-Rif Areas onshore northwestern Morocco, and from the Essaouira Basin to the south, but local production is no more than 60,000 barrels per year. Two major refineries, one at Mohammadia, near Casablanca, and the other at Sidi Kacem, process imported oil and have ample capacity for larger volumes of throughput. Petroleum exploration has reached all of Morocco's onshore sedimentary basins to some extent, but none have been fully explored. All onshore permits currently in force are held by the government petroleum entity, Office National de Recherches et d'Exploitations Petrolieres (ONAREP). Of these, nine are under contract with Societe Cherifienne de Petrole (SCP). Maxus Energy also has a non-exclusive technical evalua- MOROCCO tion agreement on a 44,500 sq km study area 0°K" between the High and Middle Atlas, east of Marrakech. Texaco/Maroc Casablanca, Inc., AGIP Africa,

Reprmted w~thpermlssron from International Explorat~onNewsletter, Vol. 3, August 19, 1991.

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. January 1992 Miocene slides along its northern margin. Only one well, section is both in-place in Triassic-Early Jurassic salt-filled LAR-A-1 was drilled offshore. It was abandoned at 2325m grabens, and mobilized. Salt tectonics is more pronounced after penetrating a supra-nappe Mio-Pliocene sequence. toward the south where a thicker overburden has induced One hundred ten wells have been drilled in the Pre-Rif ridges more active movement. and western Rharb Basin onshore since 1923. Production, The platform carbonate accumulated more or less reaching a maximum of 1979 b/d in 1954, is from Paleozoic, continuously from Jurassic to Early Cretaceous after which Triassic, Jurassic, and Miocene in the Pre-Rif, and supra- it was sealed by thick Middle and Late Cretaceous shales nappe Miocene clastics in the Rharb Basin. Possible source with thin carbonate intervals. Organic-rich Oxfordian marl rocks include Paleozoic, Early Jurassic, Cretaceous, and and shale, known from the onshore section, may provide Miocene shales. Potential plays with reservoirs in fractured source material offshore. The best reservoir rocks are Paleozoic, Early Jurassic carbonates, mid-Jurassic deltaic porous Jurassic carbonates at the shelf margin. Another sands, and Miocene limestones and sandstones will be potential reservoir is a 50-100m sand body usually found at found in structural, stratigraphic, and combination traps. the contact between the salt and the Early Jurassic carbonate. The area has numerous possibilities for structural, Meseta Platform stratigraphic, salt-related, and reef-debris traps. The Moroccan Meseta Platform, offshore Rabat-Casa- Three offshore wells have been drilled to date. Two, blanca, has not been drilled, but Texaco and Moroc have drilled on a Jurassic carbonate bank, found traces of permits on three 2000 sq km blocks on which they have hydrocarbons. The third, drilled on a salt structure, pene- proposed a US$57MM seismic and drilling program. The trated Cenomanian and Albian clastics and terminated in northern half consists of Paleozoic folded flysch, overlain by Late Jurassic carbonate. Thirty-four exploration, and 46 as much as 3000m of Jurassic-Cretaceous continental development wells have been drilled onshore. passive-margin sediments, and a Tertiary basin with Alpine deformation. Under the southern half, a thin cover of Souss Domain interbedded marine and continental Mesozoic-Tertiary sedi- The Souss-Agadir offshore area developed at the site of ments lies unconformably on at least 6000m of folded and a failed arm of the Triassic-Early Jurassic rift system. The faulted Paleozoic. The Turonian, Cenomanian, and Miocene northern limit is represented by the South Atlas Fault. The are thought to contain important source rocks in the north. earliest recognized unit, a Triassic salt of unknown thick- In the south, geochemical interpretation suggests the ness, is overlain by thick Jurassic platform carbonates, Cre- Ordovician, Silurian, and Lower Devonian shales are within taceous shale which thickens seaward, andTertiary clastics. the oil window. The best reservoirs are expected to be in Early Cretaceous shales, deeply buried in front of the Jurassic carbonates, Triassic conglomerates, and Cre- Jurassic shelf edge, are important potential source rocks. taceous sandstones. Broad, faulted traps are expected in the Rabat area, large anticlines in the Lower Paleozoic related to listric faults offshore Casablanca.

Safi Area No wells have been drilled in the Safi area, offshore extension of the Doukkala basin. but 12 oil and 3 ~otash exploration wells were drilled onshore. The thickness of the undifferentiated Paleozoic is unknown, but gravity and magnetics suggest thick Permo-Traissic volcanics. The Jurassic is assumed correlative to the onshore platform carbonate and shale section, and a thin Cretaceous probably consists of fine clastics and thin carbonates. Marine Silurian and Devonian shales are likely source rocks, and mid-Devonian carbonates, Permo-Carboniferous and Tri- assic continental sandstones, and Jurassic carbonates and clastics are potential reservoirs. Although much is inferred, the available seismic data indicates structural traps in the form of anticlines and rotated fault blocks, and erosional pinchouts in the Paleozoic and Triassic.

Essaouira Area The Essaouira offshore is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin developed over Paleozoic with north-south Hercynian structural trends. A thick, modestly-deformed Mesozoic carbonate platform with parallel northeast-striking ridges exends northward into the Safi area. The Mesozoic-Cenozoic basin Deep thinking. Top results. is continuous to the south, but the Essaouira area is separated from the Agadir offshore by a fragmented Paleo- zoic and the offshore extension of the high Atlas trend. 2950 North Loop West, Suite 300 The northern part of the area is characterized by large Houston, Texas 77092 (713) 688-6281 seaward-dipping listric faults. Salt diapirs occur over most of the offshore as well as the adjacent onshore. The salt I I Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, January 1992 Triassic clastics, Jurassic carbonates, and Early Cretaceous Mr. Al Moundir Morabet and Tertiary sandstones are potential reservoirs. Five Exploration Director, ONAREP offshore exploration wells have been drilled, of which three Telephone: 212-77-757-12 found shows of oil and gas. Shows were found in a Late Cretaceous cap rock overlying Jurassic basin-edge carbon- REFERENCES: ates. Nine wells have been drilled onshore. Petroleum Exploration Opportunities in Morocco, Office National de Recherches et Infi Area d'Exploitations Petrolieres, Rabat. This area was the recipient of over 10,000m of Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediment overlying Paleozoic basement. The Petroleum Geology of the Atlantic Offshore of Morocco, Paleozoic is an offshore extension of the Anti-Atlas, de- Office National de Recherches et d7Exploitations veloped during Hercynian compression. Thick Triassic and Petrolieres, Rabgt, June 1991. Early Jurassic alluvial fans and other clastics accumulated in grabens formed during Permo-Triassic rifting. Salt deposited in Triassic troughs was later mobilized along the basin margin during the Jurassic. Early Jurassic platform SIPES MEMBERS TO VISIT carbonates developed seaward contemporaneously with EASTERN EUROPE nearshore clastic facies, and prominent shelf-edge reef mounds, which may reach a thickness of 1500m, formed A delegation of the Society of Independent Professional during Early and Middle Jurassic. An extensive lagoonal Earth Scientists has been invited to visit Poland, Hungary, complex shoreward of the platform may have potential Germany and Czechoslovakia in September of 1992, under source rocks. The Jurassic is marked by a widespread the auspices of People to People International. Fred M. erosional surface that enhanced porosity by karstification. Thompson, Jr., a Director for SIPES will serve as delegation Numerous untested prospects in less than 150m of leader. water include anticlines, salt-related structures, fault blocks, The delegation will represent the various aspects of carbonate bank martins, reef mounds, and stratigraphic earth science and technology in technical and professional traps. Only one exploration well was drilled to date. Oil and exchanges with their Eastern European counterparts. Visits gas shows were found in the Jurassic and Cretaceous. will be arranged with leaders in the field with on-site AGIP and Shell currently hold three blocks each in this visitations of their facilities in Prague, Warsaw, Budapest offshore area. and Berlin. The delegation will also visit many of the major historical and cultural attractions in these cities, as well as learning about the new societies emerging in the former East Tarfaya-Laayoune-DakhlaAreas Block countries. This long stretch of continental shelf is similar in most Since People to People is a voluntary citizen effort, respects to the areas to the north. It is a passive margin participants are responsible for their own expenses. The basin built on Late Triassic rifting, continental red beds, and administering agency, American People Ambassador Late Triassic to Early Jurassic evaporite-filled grabens, Program, working under the auspices of People to People International (founded.in 1956 by President Dwight D. followed by gradual subsidence and development of exten- a sive Jurassic carbonate platforms. Uplift of Cretaceous land Eisenhower), will coordinate all professional meetings and areas to the east produced an increase of detrital material arrangements. providing source and seal for the carbonate reservoirs. Professionals who are interested in participating in the Esso drilled 9 wells between 1962 and 1975. Mobil delegation should contact Mr. Thompson in order to drilled the Cap Juby discovery in 1984. Amoco drilled Tan receive further information. Please contact: Fred M. Tan-1 in 1985, and Walter International, which still holds a Thompson, Jr., Box 12, Corpus Christi, Texas 78473; permit, drilled the Tarfaya-1 in 1990. Esso's MO-2 tested telephone: (512) 888-5854; Fax: (512) 882-9071. 2377 b/d 11° API oil from a Late Jurassic carbonate margin at 2165m. A variety of structural and stratigraphic traps remain to be tested in this large offshore area. Twenty-nine wells have been drilled onshore. Despite the concentration of drilling in Meseta Platform and the Tarfaya Basin the Atlantic offshore remains grossly NORCEN EXPLORER, INC. under-explored. Many large structures and potential traps have been recognized from the regional seismic grid, yet fewer than 25 have been tested with the drill. 550 WestLake Park Blvd., Suite 350 CONTACTS: Houston, Texas 77079 Mr. M'Barek Ali Mouhsine (713)558-6611 Petroleum Participants Director ONAREP 17, Av. Michlifen Byron F. Dyer Agdal, Rabat, Morocco Telephone: 212-77-721-64& 705-05 Fax: 212-77-758-66,Telex: 317-15 M k Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 TE~~~QE~~~OP0ATB

Seismic Processing Breakthrough

GECO-PRAKIA:snew one-pass depth migration algorithm and massively parallel computing combine for high-fidelity results with significantly reduced turnaround.

ECO-PRAKLA has an- With conventional supercom- nounced the latest in a long puters, this high- fidelity tech- G line oftools designed to im- nique is not practical. However, the prove reservoirimaging: new GECO-PRAKLA a new algorithm for 3D, "T implementation utilizes one-pass depth migra- 1.he algorithm's superb massively parallel tion implemented on a fidelity offers excellent imag- supercomputers. To massivelyparallelsuper- ing of 3D seismic data and achieve this, GECO- allows results to be delivered computer. in drastically reduced time PRAKLA geoscientists This new algorithm frames compared to conven- collaborated with com- greatly improves the fi- tional supercomputers in use puter scientists at the delityand quality ofpro- today." Schlumberger labora- ColinHulme, cessed seismic data and Nonh and SouthAmerica tory for Computer Sci- The CM.2 massively parallel supercomputer uses RegIon Data Processing has particular promise enceinAustin, Texas,as thousands of processors to achieve speeds m tens of Manager, GECO.PRAKLA gigaflops, coupled with gigabytes of main memory in areas of complex ge- well aswith parallel pro- and very fast va subsystems. ology such as subsalt, cessing experts from the salt dome and gas prone areas. Thinking MachinesCorporation. The off when processing turnaround is resulting implementation is a major critical, such as evaluating data prior breakthrough, making the use ofthis to lease sales or licensing rounds. algorithm practical for 3D imaging in This combination ofexcellent data .. depth using a CM-2 Connection quality and fastturnaround is asclose Machine* system. as your nearest GECO-PRAKLAre- The CM-2 Connection Machine gion data processing office. Please has as many as 65,536 processors contact a data processing manager working together to solve the prob- for additional information on one- lem. This army of processors, each pass, high-fidelity depth migration. vastlysimpler than asupercomputer, 'CM.2 ,nd CM.2 Connwion M"hin' '" m"k, of Thmkmg teamed together can significantlyout- M"hin" CocpoMion perform conventional supercomputers and return results with greatly reduced turnaround. Pan of the team from GECO.PRAKLA.Schlumberger Laboratory for Computer Science. and Thinking Ma. The GECO-PRAKLA technique chines Corporation that developed the technique for 3D. one.pass depth migration. eliminates the quality/speed trade- ---GECO-PRAKLA

Hannover Houston London Singapore Stavanger (49) 511 6420 (1) 713 870 1880 (44) 689 832133 (65) 3442725 (47)4 50 6550

21 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992

L ENV!RONMENTAL/ENGINEERING GEOLOGISTS

HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNG consideration to various factors such as strength character- COMMITTEE DINNER MEETING istics, depth to groundwater, geologic faulting, shrink-swell JANUARY 8,1992 properties of soils, presence of slickensides and fissures. The discussions will include the influence of these factors Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Social considered while deciding the type, size and depth of 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., Program foundations. Various case histories are included. Location: Italian Market and Cafe 2615 Ella Blvd. (behind Memorial Northwest Hospital) ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: REGULATION, Speaker: Dr. Shailendra N. Endley, P.E. ENFORCEMENT AND LITIGATION Chief Engineer, South Texas College of Law is sponsoring an Professional Service Industries, Inc. Environmental Law seminar January 30-31, 1992. The Subject: Geotechnical Considerations in Founda- course will address regulation issues from the perspectives tion Design in the Greater Houston Area of the Texas Water Commission and Texas Air Control Board with enforcement and litigation issues to follow. The DR. S. N. ENDLEY-Biographical Sketch course is designed for attorneys, engineers, accountants Dr. Endley received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from and scientists employed in the environmental area. Tuition Roorkee University, India in 1964, an M.S. in Geotechnical for non-legal professionals is $200.00 which includes the Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1970, and a course manual. For further information, contact Michelle Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Caston at 659-8040, ext. 309. Wisconsin in 1974. Dr. Endley has over 20 years experience in the geotechnical and environmental engineering fields. He has HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNG designed foundations for many different types of structures, SHORT COURSE including major dock and harbor facilities, silos, bridges, A seminar on "Monitor Well Construction and airports, dams, highways, subdivisions, machine founda- Grouting" will be held on Thursday, January 16 from 6:30 to tions, wells, offshore platform foundation design for pile 9:30 p.m. at the Paul Revere High School auditorium, 10500 supported and gravity structures, pipelines, SPM, jack-up Briar Forest (just west of the Sam Houston Tollway). The rig stability, and semi-submersible anchors. His experience seminar will be given by Renan Listi, Sinclair Well Products. includes designs for foundations ranging in size from small The cost to HGS members is $10 (unemployed HGS residences to large industrial complexes. He has worked in members get in free!); non-members will be charged $15. the Texas Gulf Coast area, Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, far East and Africa. Dr. Endley has also published numerous professional articles and is recognized as an expert in his field.

GEOTECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FOUNDATION DESIGN IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA The Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province runs generally parallel to the present coastal shoreline and extends inland 40-60 miles. This plain is characterized as flat and featureless with the formation in this region of the Cenozoic System consisting of unconsolidated sediments, 6000-7000 feet in thickness. The Tertiary and Quaternary sediments range in age from Eocene to Pleistocene. The deposits in the greater Houston area, to depths of approximately 300 feet, are part of the Beaumont formation of Pleistocene age. The soils are generally high plasticity clays interbedded with silty sands and silts. Knowing the geology and physical characteristics of soils is of extreme importance to geotechnical engineers. While designing a foundation, a geotechnical engineer gives

Bullst~nHouston Geological Society, January 1992 22 ENVIRONMENTAL FEA TURE

IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT by Marilyn Czimer Long and Glenn Lowenstein

INTRODUCTION We note when living in a large area, such as Houston, GASOLINE SERVICE is that a convenience store or a service station. not hard to STATIONS find; in fact, they seem to be on practically every corner. During the Oil Embargo of the early 197OZs,large companies LEAKING UNDERGROUK with fleet vehicles and others installed numerous underground storage tank systems to take advantage of the high / STORAGE TANKS price of 011 in the marketplace and/or to insure a ready supply of fuel. With the economic boom of the 1970s and early 1980s, service stations sprang up overnight. A down- LEAKING GASOLINI turn in the national and local economv now leaves "us" with an unseen and hidden liability - leaking underground ASOLINE VAPOI storage tank (UST) systems, either still operating or aban- WATER-BEARING STRATUM i doned. Due to past construction practices, unprotected - / HIGHWAY steel USTs and their associated piping have the potential to rust and corrode; improperly installed fiberglass tanks and - piping have the potential to crack and fail. These two STORM DRAINS scenarios have led to hydrocarbon (i.e. gasoline, diesel, or waste oil) leaks which contaminate the surrounding soil or groundwater. In addition to the environmental risk. there is the financial rlsk of leaking USTs, which impact; all of us in the SITE form of decreased property values, damage to utilities. litigation, and physical injury. Groundwater treatment/ cleanup projects may take years to complete and can DIAGRAM NO. 1 exceed $1,000,000, depending on site complexities. Mdl~r~nsof dollars are spent annually by utility com- SCHEMATIC SIDE VIEW panies to repair or replace lines damaged by hydrocarbons emanating from leaking USTs. If contamination from leaking USTs extend beyond the facility boundaries and adversely impact adjacent property. costs can escalate due to the legal initial investigation and observed water with an oily sheen implications. seeping into the storm sewer. In rural areas, groundwater contaminated by leaking After the soil borings and monitor wells were installed USTs seem to be "discovered" by people who rely on their at the nearby service stations, it was determined that there own domestic water wells; reports include water with a were several leaking UST systems located adjacent to the gasoline like odor or taste. For those of us who use "city highway. It appeared that the gasoline release(s) migrated water", what are our clues to soil and/or groundwater downward through the unsaturated soii until the product contamination? The following are three case histor~es reached the water table. Both the free-phase hydrocarbon illustrating the impact of leaking UST systems in an urban and the contaminants dissolved in the groundwater migrated environment behind the highway retaining wall downward toward the lowest elevation or manmade "sink" - the highway, con- Site A structed approximately 25 feet below grade. The product Site A is located in a commercial section of a city where and contaminated groundwater also percciated below the several gas stations are in the immediate vicinity of a highway and along the storm sewer backfiil, thus seeping highway constructed below grade (Diagram No. 1). During into the storm drain itself. welding activity along the highway and near a storm drain, Presently, a vapor extraction system has been installed an explosion occurred that blew off the storm sewer grate. at one station to remove explosive vapors from the Work was stopped until the source of the explosive vapors unsaturated zone. Free-phase hydrocarbons are being could be determined. The City Fire Marshal conducted an recovered and groundwater treatment systems are operating a: two active gasoline service stations. The treated groundwater is discharged to the city sewer system. GASOLINE SERVICE

Site B UTILITY MANHOLE Site Bis a convenience store located in a businessjretail . areaof the city. The convenience store had three (3) 10,000- gallon USTs containing gasoline on site (Diagram No. 2). In an office building located approximately 200 feet from the fi,,GASOLINE PLUME convenience store, employees complained of headaches and of a strong gasolinejchemical odor in the area of the building nearest the restrooms. Based on an investigation by the City Fire Marshal, it PATH OF WATER MOVING was theorized that gasoline vapors from the nearby UST GASOLINE SERVICE / GASOLINE PLUME system may have migrated along the sanitary sewer lines, STATION the office building plumbing, and then into the restrooms. 7- The sus~ectedUSTsvstem wasshut down. The sewer lines were flushed with water in order to reduce the immediate danger of the accumulation of explosive vapors. An air BUILDINGS eductor was installed at the sanitary sewer manhole closest \ to the UST system in order to continuously purge the lines v of potentially explosive vapors. CLOSE-UP PLAN An integrity or tightness test was performed on the VIEW OF THE tanks and lines; the results indicated that the lines did not MANHOLE SITE C pass. The gasoline was removed from all the USTs. A soil \ GRSOLINE gas survey was then conducted in an attempt to identify the -- - -- vertical extent of the vapor plume. It was found that the DIAGRAM NO. 3 vapor plume had indeed migrated along the sewer lines. The -- - - - chemical odor noted in the office building was methyl SCHEMATIC PLAN VIEW tertiary butyl ether or MTBE, a gasoline octane enhancer. Soil borings/soil sampling followed in order to define the NOT DRAWN TO SCALE vertical and horizontal extent of the hydrocarbon contami-

nation in the soil and groundwater. Monitor wells were then installed for product recovery and groundwater sampling. Remediation phases were threefold: first, the USTs were removed from the ground; second, a ventilation system was installed to remove gasoline vapors from the sewer lines; and third, a groundwater treatment system was designed and installed to remove free-phase hydrocarbons and pumpjtreat the contaminated groundwater. Site C Site C is a commercial area of a city where two service stations were located across the street from each other (Diagram No. 3). A local utility company was conducting routine maintenance in the area; however, when the manhole was opened, explosive vapors were measured and a gasoline odor was noted. Also, what appeared to be APPROX. TREND OF SEWER LINES gasoline and water was observed to be seeping into the manhole. The utility company immediately notified the City RC)AD \ I Fire Marshal and regulatory authorities. The Fire Marshal requested that the gasoline service station located nearest SANITARY SEWER MANHOLE the manhole cease operations. Inventory records and monitor wells at both service stations were checked for any evidence of a suspected or actual release(s). Based on the evidence obtained from the investigation, SITE B one service station was requested to conduct a preliminary contamination assessment. lntitial soil borings revealed the DIAGRAM NO. 2 presence of hydrocarbon contamination. During the investigation and assessment activities, it was learned that a water SCHEMATIC PLAN VIEW line had broken near the suspected UST system the day before. It was theorized that the water from the broken line NOT DRAWN lU SCALE may have mobilized or "flushed" the hydrocarbons toward Continued on page 51

Bullet~nHouston Geological Society. January 1992 ENVIRONMENTAL NOTES

SIKES SUPERFUND SITE

The Sikes disposal pits are located northeast of the eight-acre area was covered with an organic sludge to Highway 90 bridge over the San Jacinto River. depths of up to three feet. Disposal of chemical wastes in several unlined sandpits on the 185-acre Sikes site began in the late 1950s and continued to the late 1960s when the operation was halted by court action. The main waste pit covered three acres. It contained 5,600 cubic yards of sludges and contaminated sediments and approximately 4.7 milliongallons of highly contaminated water. Many types of chemicals and industrial wastes were present in the sludge, including volatile organic compounds (benzene, chlorinated hydrocarbons), base neutral organic compounds (naphthaline), PCBs (at less than 50 ppm), phenols, and metals (lead and'chromium). Numerous smaller pits on the site contained some 2,500 cubic yards of waste similar to that in the main pit. Piles of rusted-out drums were scattered throughout this location. At several of the stockpiles, a black tar-like substance has leaked from some of the drums. , The Sikes site lies well within the IOO-year flood- plain of the San Jacinto River with portions lying within the 10- and 50-year floodplains. The site has been flooded at Sikes Superfund Site in May, 1986. Photo taken by Robert least four times since 1969. During one of these floods an Rieser.

UTILIZATION OF BOREHOLE GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES IN GROUNDWATER AND HAZARDOUS WASTE INVESTIGATIONS by: Hughbert Collier January 24-25, 1992 - North Harris College PLACE: North Harris College, South Campus (in the Teaching Theater (A-126) of the Academic Building) 2700 W.W. Thorn Dr. (just south of 1960 between Hardy & Aldine-Westfield) TIME: Friday, January 24th 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25th 8:30to 4:00p.m. J COST: $90 tuition (includes extensive course notes and refreshments) $20 for full-time students and unemployed HGS members SPONSORED BY: OYO Geospace, Welenco Geophysical Services, TerraSciences REGISTRA TION: To register contact Hughbert Collier, 541 E. North 20th, Abilene, TX 79601, 915/674-2736 or Mark Cunningham, OYO Geospace, 7334 N. Gessner, Houston, TX 77040, (713) 939-9700. Hughbert Collier is the inst~uctor. Hughbert is an Assistant Professor at Abilene Christian University (ABU), Abilene, Texas. For the past four years he has conducted a research project for the Texas Water Development Board on "Borehole Geophysical Techniques for Determining the Water Quality and Reservoir Parameters of Fresh and Saline Water Aquifers in Texas". He has taught several courses on groundwater logging. For five years he taught courses on well logging, well-site geology and sedimentary petrology at ACU. He has served as president of the Abilene chapter of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts and is a member of the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers. This school surveys groundwater/environmental logging: tools, interpretation techniques, and applications. The school is designed for anyone who needs to be familiar with borehole logging technology. No prior logging knowledge is required. Extensive course notes willbe provided.

25 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 L MITCHELL ENERGY BUILDS HABITAT FOR ENDANGERED WHOOPING CRANES

Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. is building a Once on the verge of extinction, the whooping crane marsh habitat for the world's only wild breeding population population was revived from a low of 15 birds in 1941 to its of whooping cranes. current level of 140, thanks to the efforts of the U.S. and The habitat is being constructed using dredge materials Canadian governments. But, Stehn warned, the Aransas in the Mesquite Bay area of the Aransas National Wildlife flock remains in danger. "We lost 11 birds last winter. The Refuge off the South Texas Coast, the wintering grounds of fact is, the survival of the species depends on our whooping the endangered whooping cranes. The flock spends the cranes right here in Texas." months between April and October in Wood Buffalo The Mitchell project is being conducted in coordination National Park in northwestern Canada, 2500 miles from with the Aransas National Wildlife Reguge, operated by the Aransas. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and has been approved by Tom Stehn, one of the nation's leading authorities on the Texas General Land Office, the Texas Parks and whooping cranes, said, "The Mitchell Energy project is Wildlife Department, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, really the first attempt to design and create habitat specif- the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. ically for whooping cranes." Environmental Protection Agency. "We are losing valuable habitat at a rate of one to two Belaire Consulting, Inc., a Rockport, Texas-based acres a year due to erosion along the banks of the company specializing in coastal environmental projects, is Intercoastal Waterway. This kind of effort is a way to halt assisting Mitchell in habitat design and planting and directed that loss," he said. Stehn is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the construction. Kingfisher Marine, Inc., of Port Lavaca, biologist at the Aransas refuge. Texas, was the contractor. Neumin Production Company, headquartered in Point Comfort, is a financial participant in State and federal environmental agencies have endorsed the project. the project as a test of how effectively dredge material can be used to create new wetlands environments for coastal wildlife. Mitchell Energy Chairman George P. Mitchell said the project also demonstrates that business success and environmental preservation can be compatible goals. NATIONWIDE OPPORTUNITIES "After considering some 16 alternatives, we chose to build the whooping crane habitat in part because it was a Petroleum Rating Service, lnc., an established 30 year old cost-effective means of disposing of dredge material," testing company, provldlng laborator servlcea for all phases of core analysis, reservoir fruid studies and Mitchell said. "The fact that we are able to do something environmental servlcea is seeking qualified: good for the environment in the process makes everybody a winner." Technical Sales Personnel David Templet, manager of environmental engineering Core Analysts at Mitchell, explained that construction of the habitat is Laboratory ManagersISupervisors taking place in four stages: Environmental Chemists -First, bottom soil at the site was used to build a rectangular levee, creating an island perimeter; Geochemists -Next, the levee was filled with 65,000 cubic yards of Appropriate de rees andlor experience re uired. Those Interested In joking a growing company s%ould forward dredge material from a channel used by Mitchell to access a their resume with salary history, work references and wellsite in Mesquite Bay; eographlc preference to: Larry Kunkel, Director of 8 eratlons, PETROLEUM TESTING SERVICE INC., 12051 -Interlocking concrete mats were then placed on the ~fveraRd., Santa Fe Sprlngs. CA 9067b. An equal outside banks of the levee for protection and stabilization; opportunity employer. -Finally, the island surface and surrounding waters will be planted with native vegetation at varying elevations to ANCHORAGE, AK duplicate the whoopers' preferred environment. ,sm, , The first three stages already have been completed, Templet said. The final step will take place after the HOUSTON, TX whooping cranes migrate back to their summer home in wQwo"~ SANTA FE S,lNGS, CA northwestern Canada this April. The endangered birds should began using the 15-acre habitat during the 1992-93 winter season. Total cost of the project is approximately $750,000, he added.

Bulletln Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. January 1992 L 2 6 THE "NEW" TEXAS WATER COMMISSION

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a transcription of a directs to public education. On employer-financed family luncheon speech presented by Mr. John Hall, the new medical insurance plans. On the pensions that supplement Chairman of the Texas Water Commission at the Texas our senior citizen's Social Security checks. But we must Water Commission's Women/Minority Business Enterprise learn to grow in such a manner that we don't continue to Conference in Sun Antonio on September 30, 1991. degrade our environment. The water crisis that we face in Texas cannot be resolved by regulatory fiat in Austin. In the months ahead, some very exciting and positive Protecting public health and safety and our environment things are going to be happening at the Texas Water depends on what the business world does. At the Water Commission. I want to share those hopes and plans with Commission, we are now devising a five-year plan to protect you today. And involve you in their fulfillment. Let us never our water, air and land resources from degradation and our forget how this all began. Governor Ann Richards has food resources from contamination. In the area of enforce- promised and shown us the dawn of a new day in Texas. ment, we are going to be more efficient in our working The New Texas is inclusive of those who have long been relationship with industry. And we are going to be more ignored and denied. Its bedrock pledge is service, service, exacting in what we expect in return. We're going to cut red service to the people and this vast and growing state. I am tape. We're going to loosen unnecessary strictures on moved and inspired by this Governor's confidence in me. I productivity. But we also have to do a much better job of will not abuse that trust. ~nd'1will enthusiastically abide by protecting the environment. Worki'ng together, we must the high standards she has established for public servants in conserve and make more coherent and beneficial use of our this state. nrecious water resources in Texas. We must diminish the polluted wastewater that factories and municipalities dis- We have experienced very tough times in Texas over charge into our reservoirs and streams. We must devise the past few years. We have seen business and individual ways to halt the non-point source pollution that cascades bankruptcies reach their highest level since the Great Depression. Businesses have had to tighten their belts to through our urban storm centers and rural creeks and stay afloat. Texas families are struggling to make ends meet Continued on page 42 and finance their children's education. The Governor and the Legislature have been working hard to try and balance the budget while meeting the state's basic needs with regard to education, corrections, and basic services to those who SETTINGTHE STANDARDSIN truly need them. We are also faced with a huge set of complex problems that pertain to water quality and public GRAVITYAND MAGNETICS health. And our failure to resolve those problems will bring about the devastation of the Texas economy. What are those problems? Water resources that are severly strained and locked in place by a rigid system of rights allocation. No viable plan in place to ensure clean water for the future. The generation of between 60 and 65 million tons of hazardous waste each year-more hazardous waste than any other state in this nation. LCT No real action to extend existing water supplies through 17 Marine Data Acquisition conservation. And a widespread failure to realize that an adequate I3 Land Operations supply of clean water is just as important to our future as 17 Data Processing is energy. C3 Interpretations and Modeling There are no easy answers. No quick fixes. But one thing is certain: We cannot solve those problems by 0 Workstation Software undermining the foundation that supplies most Texas families with food, shelter, clothing, and jobs. Our major industries reported 5.8 million jobs to the Texas Employ- LCT Houston, Inc. ment Commission in May. Our standard of living is con- 1155 Da~ryAshford, Su~te306 Houston, Texas 77079 tingent on corporate America continuing to provide that phone (713) 558-8383 fax (713) 558-8384 tlx 91 0-240-8667 employment. On the tax revenue that the private sector

27 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992 PERMIAN BASWMID-CONTINENT EXPL ORATIONIS TS

PERMIAN BASIN AND MID-CONTINENT separation is accomplished by upsweep-downsweep and EXPLORATION MEETING- phase rotation - summing, giving greater than 40 bd of signal TUESDAY, JANUARY 21,1992 separation. Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 6:00 p.m. Conventional data processing techniques are applied to the data volume plus 3-D DMO. 3-D migration then The January dinner meeting of the Houston Geological produces the data volume for interpretation on a work- Society, Permian Basin/Mid-Continent group, will feature station. Mr. Michael T. Reblin who will present his jointly authored The interpretation of the 3-D data volume yields the paper on "A 3-Dimensional Reflection Seismic survey over following observations: the Dollarhide Field, Andrews County, Texas." This work - Cross-faulting is much more extensive than geologi- was jointly authored by Mr. Michael T. Reblin, Unocal, cally mapped with 40 acre spacing, which directly Gregory G. Chapel, Unocal, Chuck Keller, HGS and impacts the tertiary recovery program. Steven L. Roche, HGS. Reservations must be made by Friday, January 17, - Detailed Devonian structure mapping has pinpointed 1992, by calling Margaret at Houston Geological Society at least five new well locations in the Devonian Unit. (785-6402) before 4:00 p.m. Dinner is $20 for HGS members and $22 for non-members; no-shows will be billed.

MICHAEL T. REBLIN-Biographical Sketch Michael T. Reblin is a consulting geophysicist for Unocal North American Oil and Gas Division, Houston. He obtained a B.S. in Applied Geophysics from Michigan technological University and an M.S. in Geophysics from the University of Utah. After a year with Gulf Oil, he joined Unocal International Division in 1974. After three years in Balikpapan, Indonesia, he worked for the Oil and Gas Division in Ventura, Anchorage and Midland.

A 3-DIMENSIONAL REFLECTION SEISMIC SURVEY OVER THE DOLLARHIDE FIELD, ANDREWS COUNTY, TEXAS A three-dimensional seismic survey over the Dollarhide Field, Andrews County, Texas, was collected and analyzed during August 1988 through December 1989. Discovered in Call Margaret at 1945, the field is described as a large faulted anticline. This presentation describes the design, pre-planning, acquisition and processing of this survey and the preliminary results of the interpretation. The primary geophysical purpose of the survey is to accurately image the location of the faulting within the Dollarhide Field to aid in the future planning of enhanced recovery operations. To design the 3-D survey, information including depth, velocity, maximum dip and reflection data quality are compiled. A subsurface bin size of 110' inline by 110' crossline is determined to sample adequately the subsurface of processing through 3-D migration. Two innovations are employed to reduce the costs of Prospect Packages the survey, wide line sampling and simultaneous sweeping. Word Processing The wide spacing of the source and receiver lines result in fewer swaths to collect and fewer surface access costs. In data processing, the data volume is interpolated to a finer sampling prior to 3-D migration. The second cost reduction technique is to use two sets of vibrator sources, simultaneously sweeping. The source

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992 28 FOURTH ANNUAL GSH/HGS BASS TOURNAMENT IT'S SPRING LUNKER TIME AGAIN ! ! ! I GET YOUR

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NOW!

i SPONSORS WELCOME!! WHEN: I MARCH 21 - 22, 1992 I WHERE : ( TOLEDO BEND (FRONTIER PARK) SAME GREAT PLACE! I MAKE RESERVATIONS IMMEDIATELY ! ! ! CALL 409-625-4112

PRIZES: FIRST PLACE: TOTAL WEIGHT BASS SECOND PLACE: TOTAL WEIGHT BASS THIRD PLACE: TOTAL WEIGHT BASS Artificial FIRST PLACE: BIG BASS (WEIGHT) Lures SECOND PLACE: BIG BASS (WEIGHT) ONLY ! THIRD PLACE: BIG BASS (WEIGHT) ......

FIRST PLACE: HEAVIEST CATFISH FIRST PLACE: HEAVIEST CRAPIE Live FIRST PLACE: HEAVIEST BREAM Bait FIRST PLACE: HEAVIEST STRIPER 0.Y. !

Contact Joe Alcamo at 531-2979 or Bill Roach at 659-6111 f~r additional information.

GSH/HGS BASS TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FORM NAME : PARTNER S NAME : I ADDRESS : I PHONE : (HOME) (worn) I Enclose your check of $40.00/contestant payable to ~eophysical Society of Houston (GSH) Bass Tournament. MAIL TO: JOE ALCAMO 4055 CHAPEL SQ. DRIVE SPRING? TEXAS 77388 The Houston Geological Society Field Trip Committee presents the following field trips, in cooperation with the Geological Society of America - South-Central Section Meeting, Houston, February 1992 Participants who are not registered for the GSA meeting will be charged a $10 additional registration fee. A11 trips will depart by bus from the Rice University stadium parking lot. Please call the HGS office at 785-6402 for additional information and trip descriptions.

TRIP #3 - NASA - JOHNSON SPACE CENTER TOUR: Lunar Samples & Planetary Imagery Saturday, February 22,8:00 a.m. to approx. 3:00 p.m. LEADERS: John W. Dietrich and David L. Amsbury, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. FEE: $18 per person (includes bus transportation and refreshments). Each must be a U.S. citizen or present a valid green card for admission to NASA. LIMIT: 45 persons

TRIP #4: ENVIRONMENTAL & ENGINEERING GEOLOGY IN THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA Sunday, February 23,8:00 a.m. to approx. 6:00 p.m. I LEADERS: Carl Norman (University of Houston) and Saul Aronow (Lamar University) I FEE: $40 per person (includes transportation, lunch, refreshments and guidebook) 45 persons I ""IT: TRIP #5: UNITED SALT CORPORATION HOCKLEY MINE Hockley, Texas Saturday, February 22 (two sessions: 5:30 a.m. - 11:OO a.m. and 8:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) I LEADERS: Daryl Wilson (United Salt Corp.) and Jeff McCartney (Texas Brine Corp.) FEE: $50 per person (includes transportation, breakfast with first session, lunch with second session, refreshments, and guidebook materals). LIMIT: 20 persons (10 per session)

TRIP #6: RECENT SEDIMENTS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS: Exploration, Environmental & Engineering Implications Saturday, February 22, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. LEADER: Rufus J. LeBlanc, Sr. (Rufe LeBlanc School of Clastic Sediments, Houston). I FEE: $40 per person, (includes transportation, guidebook, lunch and refreshments) LIMIT: 45 persons I...... Please send your registration and a check made out to "HGS FIELD TRIPS" to: Paul Britt, Elf Exploration, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 3800, Houston, Texas 77002 I (Participants not registering for the GSA meeting add $10 special registration fee) AMOUNT REMITTED: I TR"'s": I Name: Company: I Address: Phone: I City, State, Zip Fax:

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSaclety January 1992 30 JAN. CALENDAR of EVENTS SUNDAY I MONDAY I TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

HGS ENV ENG Commtttee Meetmg Itallan Market

16 18 HGS ENV ENG HGS SHORT COURSE DINNER MEETING Paul Revere H S AWG & POSTER SESSION SIPES Luncheon Trw Plantmg Mahlon Kennirutt Petroleum Club Post Dbltree Oak SPWLA Greenspoint Luncheon 2 1 HGS PFRMIAN MID-CON DINNER MEETING M~chaelRebhn Post Oak Dbltree 5PWI A C1 rllim Lum hton 2 9

HGS LUNCHEON Patrick Neale Houston Club

GEO-EVENTS MEETINGS

IN HOUSTON Brazil - Tectono - Stratigraphic Model Based on Provaqa- HGS Environmental/Engineering Geology Com- tion Rifts", Post Oak ~oubletreeInn, 5:30 p.m., Jan. 20: mittee Meeting, Dr. Shailendra Endley, "Geotechnical GSH Noon Luncheon, Paul Horvath, "Finding Considerations in Foundation Design in the Greater Hydrocarbons the Old-Fashioned Way - Success Story of Houston Area", Italian PAarket, 2615 Ella Blvd., 6:00 p.m., West Cameron Block 368 Field", Houstonian, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 8. Jan. 20. SPWLA Westside Luncheon, Holiday Inn-Houston HGS Permian Basin/Mid-Continent Dinner West (I10 at Hwy 6), 11:30 a.m., Jan. 9. Meeting, Michael Reblin, "3-Dimensional Reflection HGS Dinner Meeting, Mahlon C. Kennicutt, "The Seismic Survey Over the Dollarhide Field, Andrews County, Texas", Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 6:00 p.m., Jan. 21. Northern Gulf of Mexico - A Decade of Geochemistry", Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 5:30 p.m., Jan. 13. SPWLA Galleria Luncheon, Marriott Galleria, 1750 AWG Dinner Meeting, Dr. Linda Driskill, "Improve West Loop South, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 21. Your Technical Presentation Skills", Morningside Thai SPWLA Downtown Luncheon, Shell Plaza Club, Restaurdnt, 6710 Morningside Drive. 6:OO-8:00 p.m., Jan. 4900 One Shell Plaza, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 28. 14. (If planning to attend, call Anglia Sweet 556-7067). HGS Luncheon, Patrick Neale, "Modern Technology Geo-Wives Event and Luncheon, "Audience in Ron in an Old Province - Bay Marchand Field Revisited", Stone Show", Channel 2 Studio. 10:30 a.m., Lunch at Houston Club, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 29. Churrasco's, 9788 Bissonnet, 1215 p.m., Jan. 15. OTHER EVENTS SIPES Luncheon, Petroleunl Club, 11:30 a.m., Jan. HGS Environmental/Engineering Geology Short 16. Course, Renan Listi, ''Mo~dorWell Construction and SPWLA Greenspoint Luncheon, Baroid Cafeteria, Grouting", Paul Revere High School Auditorium, 10500

3000 North Sam Houston Parkway East, 12 Noon, Jan. 16. Briar Forest, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Jan. 16. HGS International Dinner Meeting, C. H. Bradley, AWG Arbor Day Tree Planting, Jan 18. (If interested "Early Cretaceous Paleogeography of GabonINortheastern call Florence Arya for details 496-0864.)

3 1 Bullf tlrl Houston Geoloiji~il So~letyJ,rnu,jiy 1992 I Final Announcement I SOUTH-CENTRAL SECTION, GSA 26TH ANNUAL MEETING Houston, Texas, February 23-25, 1992 The South-Central Sections of the Geologic-al Society of Amc~icaand the Paleontolog~calSociety of America, and the Midcontinent Section of the Natior~alAssociation of Geology Teachers will meet in Houston, Texas, Februdry 23-25. 1992. The meeting is sponsored by Rice Un~versity,the University of Houston, and the Houston Geoloycal Society, and will take place on the campus of Rice University. TECHNICAL PROGRAM Schedulccl symposia and thelr conveners are: 1. Tectonicsand evolution of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. Chairs: D. S. Sawyer (Rice Un~vers~ty)and R. 7'. Buffler (Uni~ers~lyof Texas, Austin). 2 Late Pleistocene-Holocene climatic record of the Gulf Coast. Chairs: J. B.Anderson (Rice Url~v~rs~tyand M. B.Lagoc' (University of 'Texas, Austm). 3. Comparison of North American and Eastern European folded belts. Spo~isoredby GSA International Div~sion.Chairs. A. W. Bally (Rice University) and M. A. Schuepbach (Maxus Energy Co., Dallas). 4. Response of carbonate platform to sea-level fluctuations: Cases in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Chalrs. A. W. Droxler (Rice University) and R. N. Ginsburg (University of Miami). 5. Sequence stratigraphy of the Gulf Coast Paleogene: A global comparison, Chairs: P. R. Vail (RKPUn~versity), W. W. Wornardt (Micro-Strat, Houston), and R. M. Mitchum (Geological Consultant, Houston) 6. Evolution of Grenville basement. Chairs: V. B. Sisson (Rice University). S. Mosher (University of Texas, Aust~n),'lnd W. M. Lamb (Texas A&M Un~wrsity). 7. Hydrogeologic controls on contaminant transport. Sponsored by GSA Hydrogeology D~v~sion.Ch'i~rs: R. M. C,~l~uano (University of Houston) and C. W. Krwtler (Un~vel-sitpof Texas, Austin). 8. MesozoiciCenozoic Micropaleontoloyy. Sponsored by the Paleontological Soc~ety.Chirs: R N.Kosen (Arco Oil and G'is Co.. Houstot>)and R. W. Scott (Aii-icuco Pioductio~iCo.. Ti;Is,i). 9. The role of planetary geology in the undergraduate geology curriculum. Spo~isorcri1:~ ill<> National Assoc~dt~cinof Geology Teachers. Chair: D. H. Locke (Richland College). 10. Magellan to Venus. Cha;rs: V. L. Sharpton (Lunar PIanc1a1-yInstitute, Housto~liand E. R. Stofm icJi.t Propulsion La0or;itory. Pasadena, California). FIELD TRIPS Pre-meeting 1. Mid-Cretaceous Carbonates in Central Texas and Sea-level Variations. (February 22-23) LEADERS: A. W. Droxler and J. L. Wilson (Rice Univers~ty),and R. W. Scott (Amoco Production Co.. Tulsci) 2 NASA Johnson Space Center. (February 22) L-EADEKS. J. W Dietrich and D. L. Anlsbury (Solar System Expiorat~onDivisio~l, NASA Johnson Spc3cc. Ct,nter, Houston) 3. United Salt Corporation Hockley Mine, Hockley, Texas. (February 22) I.EADERS: D. Wilson (United Salt Corporatio~l)and J. McCartney (Texas Brine Col-por;ltioii) 3. Recent Sediments of Southeast Texas. (February 22) LEADER: R. !. LeBhnr. Sr. (Rufus LeBlanc School of Cldst~rSed~nietits. Houston) f) Holocene Sea-Level Rise and Its Impact on Evolution of East Texas Coastal Environments. (February 23) LEADERS: J. R. Anderson and F. Siringan (Rice Univeri~tb) h Environmental'Engineering Geology in the Houston Metropolitan Area. (February 23) LEADERS: C. E. No!-man (University of Houstoli) and S. Aronow (Lamar Un~twsity.Rcwumont) Post-meeting 7 Paleogene Sequence Stratigraphy of the Brazos River Valleq, Texas (February 26) LFADERS T E Yc,ntcy (Tpxa5 A&M Ul~~vers~ty)P R Val (R~ceU~~iveri~tv) aild A Ddvrdoff (Tcms A&M Un~vers~tb) 8 Modern Mixed Carbonate/Silicicldstic Systems, Belize (February 26-March 2) L EADL-R A W Droxler (R~ceUmvrr~sty) SHORT COURSES 1. Geologic interpretation of Seismic profiles. (February 22-23) LECTURERS: A. W. Bally (Rice University). M. 0.W~thjack (Mobil Research and Development, Dall'js), dnd K. E. Meisl~nyand D. A. Fisher (ARC0 Oil and Gas Co.. Dallas) 2. Geochronology and Thermochronology. (February 23) LECTURERS: J. E. Wr~ght(Rice University), P. Copeland (University of Houston), and K. A. Hagerty (Geotrack International, Houston) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For additional information concerning the program, please contact Hans G. Ave' Lallcmmt (General Chairman) or James E. Wright (Program Chairman) at Rice University, Department of Geology and Geophys~cs,P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892 (713) 527-4880. Questions concerning entertainment, spouse activities, and other local arrangements may be addressed to Martha Lou Broussard at the same address and number.

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. January 1992 32 PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS BELOW. C0l. B PREREGISTRATION FORM SOUTH-CENTRAL SECTION. GSA oty Amount FEBRUARY 23-25,1992 t.~id-cretaceousCatbonates in Central Texas. Feb. 21-23...... (100) 110.00 i Please print or type Copy for your records Shaded areas are for your badge. ~.NASAJohnson Space Center. Feb. 22 ...... 11s t8.w 1 3.a.United Sdt Co~pora~onHockley Mine. Feb. 22. 5:30 a.m ...... (102) s 50 w 1 IMPORTANT b.United Salt Corporation Hockley Mine. Feb. 22. 8:15 a.m ...... (103) s 50.00 t 1. Full payment must accompany registration. Unpaid purchase orders not accepted as valid 4.Recent Sediments of Southeast Texas. Feb. 22 ...... (104) s 40.00 1 registration. 5.Holocane Sea-Level Rise 6 Its Impact on 2. use separate form for each registrant, professional or student. Evolution d East Texas Coastal Environments. Feb. 23 ...... (105) s 40.00 1 3. PREREGISTRATIONMUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MONDAY. JANUARY 20.1992. fi 6.EnvironmentaVEngineeringGeology in Cancellation deadline for full refund is January 27, 1992. u.d the Houston MetropolitanArea Feb 23 ...... (106) S 40.00 1 4. For registration information, please call the GSA registration coordinator at (303) 447-2020. 7.Paleogene Sequence Stratigraphy of me Brazos River Valley. Texas, Feb. 26 ...... (107) s 50.00 1 8.Modern Mixed Carbonate-Siliddastic Systems. Belie. Feb. =-Mar. 2 ...... (108) 5850 00 1

Illlllllllllllllll~11111111111111111~1111 1. Gedogic Interpretationof Seismic Reflection Profiles. Feb. 22-23 Employer~~erstyIAlf11BLiun(for badge) Professionals ...... (150) ~120.00 1 s 111111111111111111l111111111111111111111 12 Students ...... (151) S 60.00 1 t- Maililnyl address 01 allillation indcaled above O 3 2. Geochrondogy and Thenochronology. Feb. 23 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 5 8 ~rofessionals ...... s 60.00 1 s Address Students ...... (153) S 30.00 1 S

111111111111111111 111111 1. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Feb. 23 ...... ( 40) 5 12.00 - S -. cly stam ZIP cod0 5 2. Paleontdogical Society Luncheon. Feb. 24 ...... ( 60) s 11.W - S .-

111-11-1111 111-11-1111- 111-11-1111 $ 5 3. Banquet. Feb. 24 ...... (61) S 22.50 A S Work Phone Home Phone Fax $ 4. NAGT Luncheon. Feb. 25 ...... ( 62) S 11.00 - S - 1111111111111111111 111111111111111111111 5. GSA and HGS International Dinner. Feb. 25 ...... ( 63) S 21.00 - S -. Name 0 GuesVSpouse (Last) (hw I IIII1IIIIIIII~~Il~~~~~~~lz0 1. Feb. 24, Mexican food ...... lunch ( 64) S 7.00 - S- CV Sue'country 3 2. Feb. 25. Barbecue ...... lunch ( 65) S 7.00 - S -

1. Heritage Society Tour and Lunch. Feb. 24 ( 20) S 15.00 S Membership Affiliation A 0 GSA Member No. B 0 NAGT C 0 PS D 0 AWG E 0 HGS y, ...... - - $ 2. Tour of Rice University. Feb. 25 ...... ( 21) S 2.00 - S w ul 3. Manor House Lunch and SHopping. Feb. 25 ...... ( 22) S 23.00 - S - u, (Registration required for participation(PLEASE CHECK ONE): Col. A J $ 4. Galleria Shopping on your own, Feb. 24 ...... ( 23) S 4.00 - S - in all exhibas and technical sessions) Full Meeting or 1 Day Oty Amount 5. Galleria Shopping on your own. Feb. 25 ...... ( 25) S 4.00 - S- Y. 5 Professional Member ...... (1) $50 0 (2) $35 0 1 Total Column B S F Professional Nonmember...... ( 3) $65 0 (4) $35 0 1 Total Column A S 2 Student Member...... (5) $25 0 N/A O 1 Columns A + B = Total Remittance (full payment must be enclosed) 6 $ Student Nonmember (7) 0 NIA 3 1 m C_ 9 Guest (611 in name above for badge) ( 9) $12 0 NIA 0 1 Make checks payable in U.S. funds to 1992 GSA SouthCentral Meeting Z 3 SeumdaryschoolTeacher (42) $12 0 NIA 0 1 7FOR OFFICE USE I only - For field trips and short courses Payment by (check one): A- U- V- M- c % -4onregistrant fee (98) $10 O NIN 0 1 3 CashICheck 0 American Express 0 VISA - 3 IcK. OR CR Total Column A 0 Diners Club/Carte Blanche O Mastercard Expires GI m Eat A/R 1233 0- [IIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/I] Rel.NP?m-- s. To help us with scheduling of symposia, circle which symposia (up to twr) ywwould llke to atlend: 1. Tectonics and Evolution of me Gdf of Mexico Card Number -DI -- V) 2. Late Pleistocene-Hdocene Climate Record of Ihe Gulf Coast Comparison of North America and Eastern European Folded Belts 8. Relund CkX 9! 2 4.3. Response of Carbonate Platform to Sea-level Fluctuation: Cases m the Caribbean and the Gull of Mexico L n. 5. Sequence Stratigraphy of the Gulf Coast Paleogene: A Global Comparison Signature = 6. Evolution of Grenville Basement C % v, 7. Hydrogeologic Controls on Contaminant Transport 8. MesozoiclCenozoic M~cropaleontology 2 , GSA SC SECTION MEETING. w 9. The Rde of Planetary Geology in the Undergraduate Geology Curriculum N 10. Magellan to Venus MAIL TO I P.0. BOX 9140 BOULDER. CO 80301-9140 COMMITTEE NEWS

Report On The HGS/GCAGS Field Trip To The Sierra Madre Oriental Of Northeast Mexico by John Turmelle, Columbia Gas Development As opposed to a show-and-tell tour of interesting Gail Bergan, Reservoirs, Inc. locales, this trip was .geared towards interpretation and discussion. At Sierra Bunoelos, 45 km south of Saltillo, we Over the weekend preceding the GCAGS convention formed teams of two to four geologists and were given a last October, a distinguished group of 35 geologists were 1246 foot measured section across the Mexican equivalent joined by fellow explorationists from Pemex on a hard- of the transition from the Smackover through the Buckner working trip through the Mesozoic section exposed in the and Haynesville to the Bossier Shale. Our assignment was spectacular mountains surrounding Saltillo, Mexico. We to walk through the section using the handout as our guide, were led on the trip by Drs. James Lee Wilson and Robert and identify shallowing-upward cycles called parasequences. Goldhammer. Dr. Wilson, of course, has had great ex- Based on the parasequence stacking patterns, we were to perience in this region (he named some ofthe formations we group the units into systems tracts. These cycles consisted examined) and Dr. Goldhammer from Exxon Production of subtidal facies grading up to peritidal laminates or Research was ever-ready to put the section into a global exposure surfaces. An overlying marine flooding surface p~rspective using sequence stratigraphy. would initiate the next cycle. This depth-dependent Each participant on the trip received a copy of the new sedimentation is a more accurate record of relative sea level field guidebook right offthe printing press. On the plane, we changes than are siliciclastic deposits. Seismic data can read it voraciously until we crossed Falcon Reservoir and resolve to third-order sequences, 100 to 1000' of rock could see the broad, unbreached anticlinal mountains in the deposited over one to ten million years. In outcrop, distance. At the airport, Bob Goldhammer unrolled large however, we could see fifth-order parasequences super- Landsat photos of the Monterrey-Saltillo area so we could imposed upon the third-order cycles. These five-foot get our bearings. Monterrey lies at the northern edge of the intervals represent perhaps 10,000 to 100.000 years of Sierra Madre Oriental, a Laramide-aged thrust belt. The sediment accumulation. road to Saltillo follows the leading edge of these thrusts, so We hiked over to an old quarry worked in the Buckner on the bus ride there we saw the thrusted Jurassic Evaporite, a steep and scary bottomless pit. Our day ended limestones to the left and the folded Cretaceous deltaic at a railroad cut where we saw how the Haynesville shelf had deposits of the Parras Basin to the right. Along the way we foundered and the Bossier Shale, a relatively deeper water also saw a great effort by the Mexican concrete industry to facies filledwith belemnites, transgressed this surface. After level the Jurassic mountains. an evening of discussion and friendly argument over all we After dinner at our hotel in Saltillo, El Camino Real, a had seen, the group gathered around the pool early the next first-class accommodation, we had an evening of lectures by day to hear the various teams' conclusions. J. L. Wilson and Robert Todd on the Jurassic of the Gulf of Later Sunday morning we left for Potrero Garcia, a Mexico region. Our first stop the next morning was at the large salt-cored anticline just northwest of Monterrey. Only historic site of the Battle of Angostura, known as Buena one narrow exit drains the valley, hence its name, an easily Vista to the victorious army of General Zachary Taylor. fenced offnatural corral. The sides of the immense structure were absolutely vertical beds of the Sligo through the Pearsall equivalents. Inside the potrero one could see the Sligo reef front prograde over the Hosston as clearly as on any seismic survey. Our assignment was the same as the previous day, to examine and interpret the section before the experts offered their interpretations. Upon finishing our transect ofthis lower Cretaceous section, Bob Goldhammer pointed out "notch stratigraphy"; the limestone sequences were easily traceable in the' weathering pattern of the vertical beds against the skyline, amazingly similar to the computerized accommodation plot for this section. The Pearsall group here is notable for the deposition of massive rudist grainstones before the shelf was abruptly drowned at the 110 million year transgressive surface. , On Monday we completed our survey of the stratigraphic section. We walked the section from the Cotton These craggy cliffs lie at the entrance to Potrero Garcia, a Valley through what little evidence there was of a major sea salt-cored anticline northwest of Monterrey. level drop at 128.5 mybp (dang sandstones!). We saw

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 34 spectacular ball-and-pillow structures, trough crossbeds, Perhaps the best part of the trip was making new friends and and some channels cut in to a series of both coarsening- enjoying their camaraderie. upward deltaic and fining-upward fluvial parasequences. The section continued up through the Hosston and into the rudistid reefs of the Sligo. We took a long bus ride to see the PERSONNEL PLACEMENT COMMITTEE initial Triassic rift sediments, the Eagle Mills red beds A federal program called Trade Adjustment Assistance overlain by evaporites, and then finished our day with a (TAA) is available to workers who lose their jobs as a result dramatic drive down some precipitous canyons to the town of increased imports. (Canadian natural gas that is being of Linares. Exposed along the canyon walls was the deep- imported into the U.S. may allow individuals in the oil and water Middle Cretaceous Upper Tamaulipas Formation, gas business to qualify.) representing a very high relative sea level. We stopped to Workers may be eligible for training, a job search admire a large post-Columbian (ca. 25 ybp) rock mural allowance and other reemployment services. Additionally, which had been engraved into a cliffface. The theme of the weekly trade readjustment allowances (TRAs) may be stone carving was the development of agriculture in Coahila. payable to eligible individuals following exhaustion of their unemployment benefits. Usually, TRA benefits will be paid only if an individual is enrolled in an approved training program. The training program must be completed within two years. Multiple restrictions and limitations exist in eligibility and administration of the program. Persons interested in taking advantage ofthis program should start the application process as soon as possible because of the lengthy process involved in dealing with federal and state agencies. More information can be obtained from the following agencies: 1) The nearest local office of the Texas Employment Commission 2) Texas Employment Commission 638 TEC Bldg. 15th and Congress Ave. Austin, Texas 78778 3) U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance Room 6434 601 D. Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20213

REMEMBRANCES COMMITTEE Bill C. Burkman has replaced Charles K. Overton as Bob Goldhammer and Pat Lehmann explain their models of Chairman of the Remembrances Committee. sequence stratigraphy derived from the outcrops behind them.

Our flight back to Houston left in early afternoon, so we seized the morning to see Potrero Chico. Equally as impressive as Potrero Garcia, we were able to hike to the salt formation that cores the anticline. It was a refreshing stroll in a beautiful valley. It's so quiet in the desert that it seems a million miles from Houston, Texas. Those who didn't take the hike were able to examine impressive coral ~~ reef and reef-front facies along the valley walls. In this review, we haven't come close to relating all the AMERADA HESS CORPORATION lessons on stratigraphic modeling provided by Dr. u. S. EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION Goldhammer. They are included in the guidebook, an impressive compilation useful to those working throughout 1201 LOUISIANA, SUITE. 700 the entire Gulf of Mexico region. A recommendation to dine HOUSTON, TX. 77002 at EI Principal in Saltillo is not in the guidebook, but equally (713) 658-9770 valid. The night watchman at the Coahila Statehouse provided some of us a great memory of the town plaza.

35 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 L HGS PERSONNEL PLACEMENT FORM Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Present Employer:

CHECK BOXES BELOW IF THEY APPLY TO YOU Willing to relocate Resume on file Willing to work contract U.S. citizen

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE BS 0- 5 Years Major Company MS 6-10 Years Independent Company PHD 11-15 Years Service Company Certification '0 16-20 Years Consultant 21-30 Years Government 31 + Years Education

PROFESSION Petroleum Geologist Computer Geologist Hydrologist Geotech Geophysicist Micropaleontologist Engineer Petrophysicist cl

AREAS WORKED Federal Waters GOM Central Texas Canada State Waters GOM West TexasINew Mexico 0 Asia Texas Gulf Coast Arklatex Middle East Wilcox Mid Continent cl Europe Frio Rocky Mountains North Sea , Austin Chalk , West Coast USA Australia Other Eastern USA Central/South America South Louisiana Alaska Africa

Exploration Foreign Language Seismic Acquisition Development Research Seismic Processing Engineering Management/Supervision Seismic Interpretation Clastic Sedimentology Geotechnical Support Computer Applications Carbonate Sedimentology Log Analysis Economic Evaluation Micropaleontology Wellsite Remote Sensing Geochemistry Prospect Generation Reservoir Analysis Hydrology Technical Presentations Regional Geology Minerals Technical Writing New Ventures Stratigraphy Word Processing Enhanced ~ecovei~ Field Geology Sales

Complete form and return with resume to: Houston Geological Society 71 71 Harwin, Suite 314 Houston, Texas 77036 Attn: Personnel Placement Committee

Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 3 6 ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION . February 4-6, 1992 . George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, TX Stay ahead of your competitors with Sponsored by: current updates on both regulations and Assoc, of Engineering Geologists • a technological advances in: Pollution Engineering Magazine • . Groundwater Wastewater •

Preparations are underway for The 1992 G.S.-G.S.H. Membership Directory Have you moved? Changed jobs? Is your area code outside the 713 area? WE WANT TO KNOW! Mail any changes/correctionslads to: Houston Geological Society 7171 Harwin Suite 314 Houston, TX 77036 BUSINESS CARD ADS: Individuals may advertise in the Directory by sending your business card along with a check for $113 to the H.G.S. office.

Deadline for changes: January 15, 1992

37 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 EDUCATION CORNER

WORKSTATION TRAINING FOR ALL GEOSCIENTISTS MEETING THE

By Thomas Hobbs, North Harris College

Informed geoscientists are always looking for ways to There are no other training facilities like this in Texas advance their ~rofessionalskills in order to enhance their and maybe the country. We are developing an unparalleled performance in completion of projects for their employers, program that will allow virtually all geoscientists to acquire clients and themselves. Present economic trends within the affordable training on the most advanced interactive work- industry dictate that geoscientists must stay current with stations to achieve new goals in their careers. the developments in their field and the technologies that We have met with many corporate executives and advance the science. Staying current in technology provides local venders and have received much preliminary support. a competitive edge in this dynamic marketplace. It takes Several companies have already provided firm commitments well trained, intelligent, and experienced professionals to for their products and services. We are not asking for understand and interpret the information rising from the contributions but we are actively encouraging long-term explosion of data generated by ou~expandingtechnologies. partnerships in this program between our college, corpo- The introduction of interactive workstation technology rations and the venders who service the geoscience in- is considered to be a significant improvement for interpre- dustry. This benefits the venders by having their goods tation in the geoscience industries. Its capability to multitask utilized in the public and commercial sectors, the corpo- in complex applications allows the professional to complete rations have access to advanced training programs, and the projects that were impossible to attempt manually. As the college has the facilities and opportunity to provide the available data base increases exponentially, the interactive educational programs to support the needs of the com- workstation provides an efficient way to access, integrate, munity. interpret and evaluate this information effectively. Though There will be an open meeting of our Geology Advisory this technology is used primarily for petroleum exploration, Committee to outline the rest of the needs of the facility and its applications are spreading to mining, environmental to finalize the projected dates of completion so that the remediation, resource management, and engineering, inte- program will be up and running by the Fall, 1992 semester. grating these disciplines of the geosciences. All individuals who wish to help in the development of this Access to workstation technology is generally re- center are encouraged to attend this meeting to voice ideas stricted to professionals working for oil and gas companies and support. having the resources to supply and train them on these systems. Though there are several commercial groups who THE MEETING: provide training for computer applications, there are no Tuesday, January 28, 1992 at 6:30 p.m. in the facilities (with appropriate hardware, software, and training Teaching Theater (room A-126) of North Harris expertise) available to train geoscientists in advanced College, Please see the map for directions. For further workstation technology regardless of their professional or information and/or to discuss the program, please call employment affiliations. But maybe this situation is about to Tom Hobbs, Geology Dept. at 443-5796. change. . . North Harris College is developing, in partnership -, 7 with the geoscience community, a Geoscience Tech- nology Training Center. The GTTC is envisioned as a f North unique facility devoted to training professionals and Harris technical staff in the highly evolving field of interactive f workstation technology. Allied with our geology pro- College gram facilities and successful AAS degree for Geo- Thome Dr. logical Technicians, this center will house state-of- the-art hardware with interactive software systems which work in the Unix, Sun/IBM, Motif, and X- Windows environments. Credit classes will provide an introduction to basic N. Sun Houton Plcwy. computer competency and continue into advanced appli- - + 'B,~~* cations utilized in the exploration environment. Other programs will be tailored to meet the needs of the industry by providing flexible schedules to maximize employee participation, company specific courses, and career transition training. We are working with organizations to provide standardized industry-defined curriculum.

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. January 1992 38 UH SPRING COURSE SCHEDULE The following courses are scheduled to be offered by the Geoscience Department at the University of Houston for the Spring semester. Regular Registration will be January 6-7,10 a.m. - 7 p.m. For more information please contact Cassandra Heavrin at 749-1805. Course Number Time Course Title (instructor) 4378 7-8:30 TT Seismic Prospecting (Sheriff) 4383 5:30-7 MW Intro Well Logging (Talamantez) 4397 5:30-7 TT Geophysical Study of the Earth (Sheriff) 4397 7-10 M Geophysics & Reservoir Development (McDonald) 6341 4-5:30 MW Geochemistry I (Butler) 6344 4-5:30 TT Stable Isotope Geochemistry (Lawrence) 6358 4-5:30 MW Carbonate Sedimentology (Chafetz) 6361 4-5:30 TT Deltas and Deep Sea Fans (Dupre') 6366 5:30-7 MW Hydrogeology (Capuano) 6376 5:30-7 TT Adv. Tectonics & Sedimentation (Evans) 6378 5:30-8:30 T Space Geology I1 (King) 6397 TBA Advanced Ingneous Petrology (Reid) 6397 5:30-7 MW Intro Earthquake Seismology (Zhou) 7322 4-5:30 MW Seismic Inversion (Zhou) 7330 5:30-7 TT Potential Field Methods (Hall) 7366 7-8:30 TT Geophysics of Plate Margins (Hall)

M. KING HUBBERT COLLECTION the concepts of anisotropy, channel waves, absorption, ARRIVES AT THE signal and noise in the vibroseis method, seismic modeling, UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING velocity analysis and stacking, 2D and 3D time and depth migration, multiple suppression, and the Krey-Dix velocity The University of Wyoming has recently received the equation. personal files, correspondence and records of Dr. M. King Hubbert, a distinguished and prominent scientist in the Professor Krey spent his entire career with the geological and physical sciences for sixty years. German-based company Seismos GmbH, which became affiliated with PRAKLA in 1963. Both companies combined Hubbert's expertise covered a broad spectrum of their geophysical activities in 1971 under the name knowledge in the mechanics of geological structures and the PRAKLA-SEISMOS, which became part of GECO- physics of subsurface fluids. He is perhaps most widely PRAKLA in 1991. Although he retired in 1975, Krey has known for his publications at the national level on the role of remained active professionally as a scientific advisor to his petroleum and mineral resources in human affairs. former firm, as a consultant and continuing education

The Hubbert collection, consisting of 165 boxes, is instructor and as a prolific, participant at geophysical r. currently stored at the American Heritage Center on the meetings around the world. He has authored and co- University campus in Laramie where it will be processed in authored nearly 100 technical publications and was elected 1992. After processing, it will be placed with 325 other to honorary membership in the Society of Exploration geological, petroleum and mining collections as part of the Geophysics (SEG) in 1981. Krey was elected to honorary International Archive of Economic Geology where it will be membership in the European Association of Exploration available for public examination and research use. Geophysics in (EAEG) in 1988 and has received The Schlumberger Award (the highest honor bestowed by Interested parties should contact Dan Miller (307-766- EAEG) in 1979. 6506), Director of the I.A.E.G. for further details. His highest honor came in 1984 when he was informed of a proposal to name "a guided wave with P-SV particle NOTED SCIENTIST, PROF.THEODOR KREY, motion in a low velocity layer between two higher velocity TO RECEIVE MAURICE EWlNG MEDAL half spaces as a Krey wave", and to introduce this desig- AT SEG AWARDS CEREMONY nation into the geophysical nomenclature. Professor Theodor Krey received the Maurice Ewing GECO-PRAKLA, a Schlumberger company, is a Medal Award at the Society of Exploration Geophysics leading geophysical contractor providing integrated explo- (SEG) Awards & Music Ceremony in Houston, during the ration services worldwide, including seismic data acquisi- SEG International Conference and Exhibition. The medal is tion, data processing, interactive interpretation and non- awarded to an individual who has made major contributions exclusive data sales. to the advancement of the science and profession of exploration geophysics. Krey was honored for a brilliant 55-year career in Support The HGS exploration geophysics in which he has greatly advanced

39 Bulletln Houston Geologrcal Soclety. January 1992 BUSINESS OF GEOLOGY

APPLICATIONS OF DESIGN IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY by Carol M. Lucas and Sandy K. Astrup

The accommodation facilities vary greatly well the disturbances which occurred during isolation (for among offshore installations, ranging from in- example, vivid hallucinatory activity), it appears that expos- adequate to elaborate. It is important that such ing the disorganization of brain function similar to, and in facilities provide a safe, quiet, ventilated and some respects as great as, that produced by drugs or hygienic environment for the crew during their lesions.' Among the disturbed brain functions are impair- work and life offshore. - from Safety Problems in the ment of color perception, hallucinations involving color, and Offshore Petroleum Industry by thelndustrial Labour the distortion of color images." Office, Geneva (1978). . The book Tight Spaces, Hard Architecture and How to Humanize it, by Robert Sommer (1974), quotes a clinical This report presents some ideas and quotations on the study by Professor M.D. Vernon about the effects of a interaction of color, lighting, texture and personalization monotonous environment. " 'At first the subjects slept a applicable to offshore oil rig lifespace design. It will highlight great deal, but after about a day' they could sleep only in some specific problems and offer solutions to creating a snatches. They became bored and restless, unable to safer living space for rig crews. concentrate. In fact, when their intelligence was tested, it Every detail can be addressed when considering was found to have deteriorated. They frequently suffered selections of furniture, furnishings, finishes and equipment. from visual and auditory hallucinations. When they emerged The benefits and drawbacks of each selection must be from their incarceration, their perceptions of their sur- carefully considered. roundings were impaired. Objects appeared blurred and If we begin to pay attention to this, until recently, unstable; straight edges, such as those of walls and floors, ignored aspect of offshore life, we can effectively: looked curved; distances were not clear; and sometimes the 1. improve safety features, surroundings moved and swirled round them, causing 2. decrease downtime, dizziness.' This surely suggests the need for reasonable 3. increase personnel efficiency, exposure to color and other sensptions in an environment. 4. establish a balanced lifespace environment, and It also points out the need for variety. Blank surfaces tend to 5. make informed and timely materials replacement fade out if viewed continuously. Even colors may fade into selections. neutral gray. Vision seems to degenerate unless stimulated, Such a workins schedule combined with extreme and the mind itself drops into lethargy." environmentar conditions (cold, heat, Arctic nights, etc.) and extended isolation from families COLOR and friends, can have serious effects on offshore Color can be a useful tool when applied to offshore personnel morale, fatigue and, in the end, safety. living spaces to keep workers mentally healthy and encourage good judgement in situations where unimpaired judge- - Industrial Labour Office (1978). ment could mean the difference between life and death. PROBLEMS OF THE OFFSHORE LIFESPACE Most problems facing offshore environments center COLOR REACTIONS around the by-products of sensory deprivation in an atmo- Birren (1978) contends that "If colors such as red and sphere of extremes, i.e.; monotony and chaos. Sensory orange tend to increase blood pressure, pulse rate, and deprivation involves the lack of stimulation to the mind and other autonomic functions, the stimulation will be tem- body in one's surroundings. The result of this deprivation porary, after which response may drop below normal. alters perception, and in turn alters judgement. Conversely, if blue tends to cause retardation, later Faber Birren, in his book Color and Human Response responses may rise above normal. From these observations (1978), cites a study done by three Canadians whose it is clear that physiological and psychological color findings were, " 'It is unlikely that the effects observed after reactions, to be actively maintained, require constant isolation can be attributed merely to the forgetting of change and sequences. And this constant change is pre- perceptual habits during the isolation period. They seem to cisely what will help to counteract sensory deprivation." resemble somewhat the effects reported after administration of certain drugs (such as mescaline and lysergic acid) and COLOR AND SAFETY after certain types of brain damage. When we consider as Personal observations of offshore environments focus

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, January 1992 40 on the interior and the exterior of the rig. Currently, The general consensus as stated by Birren (1978), offshore interiors are generally finished with materials that "Artificial light should preferably be neutral and slightly are readily available but not always selected with design in warm in quality. If a modest amount of longwave UV can be mind. Exteriors are also not always thought out. For added, so much the better. For the best appearance of instance, studies have shown that the use of only one color human complexion, furnishings, food, the light source in industrial facilities tends to dehumanize the space. should be well balanced in its emission of red, yellow, green, Careful applications of color variations will bring the space blue, violet. If there are gaps, some objects in the environ- to a more psychologically manageable scale. ment may have an ungainly look. High levels of illumination Color in safety has already been explored but continues may be unnecessary except where difficult eye tasks are to to expand in new applications. Designers must keep abreast be performed." with these updates to address new technology and new machinery which can create additional safety concerns. TEXTURE Birren (1978) summarizes this concept as follows: "To keep Different textures are an essential part of softening the people alert in areas where they may be exposed to hazards, offshore environment, because they add interest and help to color has had widespread and highly practical use. While evoke the memories of nature which make us feel more this application only indirectly concerns sensory depri- comfortable. Texture can be the use of different materials vation, it does serve a rational purpose in industry where and finishes that people touch and feel, or can be emulated indifference or monotony may cause attention to flag and with the use of color and light where certain fabrics and where as a consequence there may be danger to life and finishes are used that survive in the given environment, such limb." as the marine environment. Faulkner, Faulkner and Nissen in Inside Today's Home (1986), state that "Texture can also PROPER USE OF COLOR add to the psychological effects: Smoother surfaces feel Color can be used to help alleviate some common cooler, while thick, plush and rough textures add warmth." offshore problems. Temperature can be normalized, noise can be reduced. acrid smells can be lessened while leasa ant smells are enhanced, dampness can be offset, and weight/ "Surrogate windows in the form of tropical fish size can be brought to human scale. For example, in The tanks or terraria could be provided." Color Compendium, Hope and Walch (1990) state that "compensation can be made (for noise) through understanding the relationship of color and mental association, Faulkner et. al. (1986) add that "Texture affects us in a and choosing appropriate colors. Loud noise is associated number of ways. First, it brings a physical impression of with the most active effects of warm colors: the reverse is everything we touch. Upholstery fabrics, for example, if true for cool colors. People mentally correct'a loud red with coarse and harsh, can be actually irritating. If too sleek, they a high saturation red; rarely does one speak of a loud blue. look and feel slippery and cold. The most popular fabrics High pitched or shrill sounds tend to be compared with tend to be neither excessively rough nor smooth." Second, saturated and light hues; these may be offset by olive "texture affects sound quality. Hard, smooth surfaces greens. Muffled sounds appear more so in dark surround- reverberate and magnify sound while soft, porous textures ings; lighter colors will compensate." absorb it. Third, texture is a factor in (rig) maintenance. The shiny surfaces of brightty polished metal or glass are LIGHT easy to clean but show everything foreign; rougher surfaces, Light can influence color in our environment. It, for such as bricks or rugs with high pile, call less attention to example, could be defused, and therefore the whole foreign matter but are harder to clean; and smooth surfaces spectrum of light is not present. This could change the color with visual textures combine most of the good qualities of of an object when all of the spectrum is not there to interfere both." Thus texture remains an integral part in creating an with or enhance the color of the object. It has also been ergonomic environment in offshore lifespace situations. noted in the book, Color And Light in Man-Made Continued on p. 51 Environments by Frank H. and Rudolf H. Mahnke (1979), that human beings require exposure to the full spectrum of light. Since fluorescent lighting fixtures prevail in the offshore environment, it is necessary to introduce full spectrum lighting. Local incandescent light can be used in the environment where no access to the outside exists. Light is very important in making confined spaces more habitable and comfortable. "Research on lighting has shown that workers greatly Eqdoration and Production Company over estimate the amount of daylight they receive, and they ATnnsco EmeyCompany do this in proportion to the distance they are located from 2800 Post Oak Boulevard the windows. The psychological feeling that one has access P. 0. Box 1396 to daylight seemed more critical in many cases than the Houston, Texas 77251 - 1396 actual amount of daylight falling on one's desk. Paneling and 71 3-439-2000 the use of textures would be another way to relieve the basement look. Surrogate windows in the form of tropical fish tanks or terraria could be provided (Sommer, 1974). i 41 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, Jantlary 1992 Texas Water Commission continued from D. 27 record in hirinq- and promotion of minority. personnel. in professional and administrative capacity is, frankly, gullies every time it rains. We must reduce the discharge of abysmal. For example, the Governor's Office offers execu- hazardous waste into our environment-from our in- tive level training through its Management Development dustries, and from our households. I am convinced that in Center. The Water Commission employs about 1100 working partnership with the private sector, we can find the people. Last year, we sent only five employees from our 'Ourage and the good to lhose problems. The minority communities to participate in that excellent pro- Water Commission must reach out and involve the people gram. We are going to change that through aggressive of this state. You see, my friends, we must act. Because recruitment. We are going to change that through the what is at stake is our health and safety. And that of our efforts of the Minority Advisory a working children. We want you - need you - to be a part of our team. I am aware of perception and past experience within "...we are now devising a five-year plan to protect minority communities that government officials are more our water, air andhnd resources from degrada- adept at calling for your active involvement - than in taking the steps which allow it to happen. At the Texas Water tion and our food resources from contamination." Commission, we are going to take those extra steps. Every state agency, every board and commission, and every group created by my valued colleague. Commissioner Buck appointee has firm marching orders from the Legislature Wynne. We are going to change that through innovative and from Governor Richards in that regard. And I bring to programs of career development and continuing education. that charge my own conviction: Something is wrong -some We have critical need of skilled professionals. Biologists. effort is missing - when environmental action and concern Hydrologists. And so on. We are not going to settle for the is thought to be the luxury and domain of the wealthy. In old explanation that qualified applicants in these fields every facet, the Water Commission needs to reflect the cannot be found among women and in our black, Hispanic, diversity of this state. It does not at this time. That must Asian-American, and Native American communities. Our change. Our efforts will focus on two areas: employment recruitment program is going to target minority career fairs opportunity, and doing business with firms owned and and specific colleges and universities that have the degree operated by women and members of ethnic minorities. plans and develop the technical skills the Water Commission Legislation enacted this year commits the Water Com- needs. We are going to establish a scholarship fund for mission and other state agencies to an overall employment minority and women students who wish to pursue an goal of 30% minority representation. As of June 30,1991, the education in the environmental sciences. This fund will Water Commission fell far short of that policy goal. Members target second and third year college students. We must of ethnic minorities accounted for 16.8% of our staff involve the youth of this state in our quest for a clean and personnel. Only 4% of our employees were black. Our past safe environment. Among young women, and in our minority

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Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. January 1992 42 communities, 1 am confident the ideals, the ideas, and the talent required will not be found in short supply. In years past, the Water Commission has scarcely registered in the area of granting purchasing orders and service contracts to women and minorities. In fiscal 1990 and 1991, the Water Commission placed 2475 orders totaling $3,079,259.22. In dollar amounts, 4.9% of that business benefited the enterprise of women. Point zero one percent [.OlCYt]was directed to businesses owned by Hispanics. Point zero zero four percent [.004%] to businesses owned by blacks. That, my friends, must change. Part of the problem there is that we do not know the Company businesses and the professionals who can provide these necessary goods and services. For example, government agencies are well-known, volume consumers of items such as ball-point pens, paper clips, staplers, and reams of paper. Recently, it took the Water Commission four months to find a minority-owned office supply firm. By the same token, P.O. Box 1188 Houston, Texas 77251 managers and sales personnel in the private sector seldom know how to go about doing business with the state. And it's hard for them to find out. At the Water Commission, we are taking cues from the General Land Office, the Comptrollers Office, and other state agencies that have built successful HOUSTON OKLAHOMA CITY purchasing and contract programs involving women and minority-owned enterprise. We are working with Hispanic TYLER DENVER chambers of commerce and black chambers of commerce. Last week, we hosted a mixer in Austin with the Minority CORPUS CHRISTI SACRAMENTO Purchasing Council - so that Water Commission personnel could meet and know available suppliers of goods and MlDLAND CALGARY services like computer softwares and English/Spanish translations.

We also want to engage you directly in environmental initiatives of the Water Commission. Whether you are a THE OIL & GAS DIRECTORY prime contractor or a subcontractor, we want to encourage your participation in environmental cleanup, waste water projects, and other environmental programs. We want to Regional and Worldwide Exploration - Drilling & Producing help you explore business opportunities that will benefit both the environment and the economy of this state. Under Twenty-Second Edition 1992 the federal Superfund program, essential cleanup of major toxic waste sites has directed $2.2 million to Texas women and minority-owned subcontractors in fiscal 1989 and 1990, P.O. BOX 130508 $2.3 million in 1991 and 1992. And that doesn't count the HOUSTON. TEXAS mi9 public need and the business opportunity contained in our state Superfund and Underground Storage Tank programs. Texas has more underground fuel storage tanks than TELEPHONE 71315298789 any other state - over 137,000 of them - and one-fourth of those tanks may be leaking benzene and other toxic substances. One spill contaminated wells fed by an aquifer FAX: 71315293646 beneath the north Texas town of Quanah in 1988. Last winter, vapors from spilled gasoline invaded the sewer system of Pharr. Fire department officials feared a massive explosion. And ten miles from Pharr, beneath a busy PUBL ISHED ANNUAL 1 Y IN NOVEMBER intersection of McAllen, four feet of gasoline is reported floating on the ground water table. Situations like that Books shipped inside USA (Surface Mail) threaten the health and safety of all Texans. The Water Postpaid $60.00 (Plus 8#% Sales Tax in Texas) Commission cannot meet that challenge without engaging - and paying - representatives of the private sector. Books shipped outside USA Mi Air) While very few firms represented at this conference may Postpaid $75.00 (U.S. Funds) qualify as prime contractors in federal Superfund cleanups, I suspect a good number of you could safely help us get leaking gasoline tanks out of the ground. I cannot emphasize Continued on page 52

43 Bulletin Houston Geologfral Soclety January 1992 FEA TURE

PERSONAL LIABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM, AND ETHICS IN GEOLOGICAL PRACTICE

by David M. Abbott, Jr. *,2

INTRODUCTION include time and money lost in defending yourself against a In this paper I address the liabilities you face as charge that is made. individual geologists practicing your profession. I also They can, however, easily include time and money lost in suggest how a variety of professional practices coupled with defending yourself against a charge that is made. constant consideration of ethical issues can help you avoid or minimize the liabilities you face. While my experience in SOURCES OF LIABILITY this field relates to the considerable liabilities for geologists What sorts of events trigger consideration of a lawsuit under the securities laws, I will address a broader range of by an aggrieved party? Simply, something didn't turn out as areas. I will begin by focusing on the liabilities - the planned. Money was lost because of such things as: personal and professional risks - each of you assumes by the well was dry or watered out after 6 months; practicing geology. I do this to get your attention and to the gold grade turned out lower than expected or the demonstrate why practicing your profession in a careful, wrong bulk density was used; consistent, professional, and ethical manner is worth the the dam whose foundation you engineered broke; time and effort. a drinking water supply was contaminated; a house slid down the hill or into a sink hole, or was GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE LIABILITIES hit by a falling rock or flood or mudslide; or The liabilities faced by the practicing geologist are some insider trading occurred. stipulated by a variety of laws. I won't attempt to make a list All of us can easily conceive of all sorts of things which of all the laws; I will simply state that if a project you have could and sometimes do go wrong. As a final example, worked on doesn't go as expected, you may be faced with consider the U.S. Park Service's and U.S. Forest Service's the possibility that some upset party will be looking to sue - decision to let naturally caused forest fires burn and the an increasingly common event in these days of dramatically results of that policy in Yellowstone National Park during increased litigation. the summer of 1988. The political heat and even scientific The possible liabilities stemming from geologic practice debate over an environmental science-based decision has run a gamut from: been intense for the responsible personnel in these agencies, simply losing out on a promotion or repeat or referral including the scientists who recommended the policy. business; The point of this gloomy - even frightening - losing your professional stature; beginning is simply to recognize that we live in an increas- being fired from your job or by your clients; ingly litigious society. Malpractice suits and damage suits being enjoined and/or fined in a civil lawsuit; to against all types of professionals are proliferating. Mal- being jailed for a criminal violation for participation in practice insurance coverage is increasingly difficult and fraud. expensive to obtain. And if you don't have insurance, your Any of these liabilities adversely impacts your bank house, your bank account, and all your other assets may be account. Some do so severely and dramatically and some so on the line. subtly that you may not be aware of them immediately. Regardless of their severity, these liabilities stem from AVOIDING OR REDUCING YOUR LIABILITY actual or perceived unprofessional or unethical practice. By Now let me turn to some things you can do and can "perceived," I am including those instances where you did avoid doing in order not to experience personally, or at least not, in fact, practice unprofessionally or unethically but to minimize, the impact of the foregoing events. I will do this were perceived to have done so by the party making the using the AIPG's Code of Ethics.3 Rather than going allegation. We must remember here that PERCEPTION IS through the whole Code, I am going to use various parts to REALITY regardless of the truth of the matter. Unless you illustrate specific examples of appropriate and inappropriate become aware of the perception - and you may not - and professional and ethical practice. However, if you haven't you change it, the negative consequences will follow. These read the Code of Ethics recently, I suggest that you do so. consequences may not include the actual imposition of one And while reading the Code, think about how the principles of the legal penalties listed above. They can, however, easily in it apply to your particular practice. The results of our professional practice are almost Reprinted w~thpermission from The Professional Geologrst, Part 1, June 1991; Part 2. August, 1991. always put into reports of some sort. In this paper I am going

Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSoclety. January 1992 44 Austln Geologlcal Soclety Membershlp Appllcatlon

The Austin Geological Soclety began when a small group d geobglsts met in April. 1965, lo pomote better professional communication among geologists In Austin. On October 7. 1965. the organization became a really wiih the adopi of a Constitution and Bylaws.

The Austin Geologlcal Soclety (AGS) is an affiliate organization of the American Association d Petroleum Geologists. We participate in the activities of that association and have representatives In Is House of Delegates. We are also a full-fledged member of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and our President sits on the GCAGS Board of Diedors.

We invite you to share in our programs. Your membership will bring you: - notice of AGS meetings with speakers, usually held at noon on the first Monday of each month. August through May - notice of AGS field trips to sites. of geological interest - social gatherings of geological professionals in the Austin area - a monthly Newsletter lo keep you Informed of Society and reglonal news and events d interest to geologists - the oppoflunity lo bemme acquainted with fellow geologists in the Austin area

Aflicle I. Section 1. of the AGS Bylaws describes the categories of and requirements for membership in the AGS: (1) To be eligible for Active Membershlp, an applicant shall have a degree in geology from a recognized college or university, or the equivalent experience, or have been actively engaged In the application d geology or related scientific or professional work for a minimum of two years. (2) Consideration for Honorary Membership shall be based on continued dedication and service to the Austin Geological Society. Honorary members shall be selected by the Executive Board. Any Active Member may sclbml the name of an individual to the Executive Board for mnsideration as an Honorary Member. (3) Any person who is a student in good standing. studying for a degree in geology oc related science, is eligible for Student Membership. Student Members shall not be eligible to vote or hold elective oMce.

Date of Application

Please enroll me in the Austin Geological Sodety as (please check as appropriate):

( ) New Active Member ($15 prior to Nov.. $11.25 Nov.Jan.. $7.50 Feb.-April. $3.75 MayJuly) ( ) New Student Member ($5.00 prior to Nov., $3.75 Nov.Jan., S2.W Feb.-April, $125 MayJuly) ( ) Renewal Adive Member ($15 duedyr.) ( ) Renewal Student Member ($5 duedyr.)

If your membership Information in AGS files is anent. please check here ( ). Othemise. please provide any d the information requested below that is not in AGS files:

Name Telephone (office) (residence)

Home Address

Employer Address

Current Professional Affiliation and Professional Interests

Preferred Mailing Address: ( ) Residence ( ) Olfice ( ) Other

Summary of Education (school. degree 6. field. year of gradualion)

Member of the American Association d Petroleum Geologists? ( ) yes ( )no

Brief summary of how you qualify for membership in the Austin Geological Society (refer to Adide I. Section 1 of the AGS Bylaws. printed above):

Bulletin Houston Geolog~i.il Society Jdnudry 1992 to call the geologist's work product a "report" regardless of whenever the employer's or client's best interests would be form. By "report" I mean any form of written work product, best served by such service. maps, cross sections, photographs, drawings, results of 10. A member shall make an effort to issue professional computer programs utilizing data you analyzed, etc. on advice primarily within the member's expertise. An em- which you have recorded your observations and interpre- ployer or client shall be notified if any professional advice tations, and any oral reports of your observations and outside of the member's expertise is issued. interpretations, again regardless of type. To me these provisions of the Code of Ethics require Section 1 of the Code of Ethics, General Principles, the professional and ethical geologist to ascertain not only addresses the need to exercise the highest standards of what he is being asked to do, but also to ascertain the professional responsibility, scientific knowledge, and per- purpose for which the information is being obtained: how sonal honor. Honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, imparti- the report or opinion will be used. The answers to these ality, candor, fidelity to trust, inviolability of confidence, and questions will suggest the degree of detail required, the honorable conduct are identified as dynamic living principles amount of money available to do the work, whether the for guiding professional practice and life in general. These requested work will answer the ultimate questions for which principles seem simple. But careful, honest reflection sug- the work is being done, and whether the geologist is gests that they are goals to strive for, goals which are never competent to perform the work or whether others are perfectly attained. The rest of the Code of Ethics addresses actually better qualified for the job or should be employed as specific issues related to these principles. Fundamentally part of a team. these General Principles are tied not only to the particular actions discussed in the rest of the Code but also to one's TWO EXAMPLES-DETERMINING THE feelings about those actions. Reflect on a particular pro- NATURE OF THE JOB posed action, recommendation, whatever. Do you honestly Let me give you a personal example. Cdrleen Achuff, feel comfortable about it? If you do, fine. If not, then your gut the other Commission geologist, and I are essentially in- is telling you that something must be changed. I know this house consultants. Our "clients" are the lawyers in the sounds very unscientific. But I am learning how important it various Commission offices. One recent case involved the is to stop and ref!ect on what's happening and how I'm question of whether or not a particular property contained feeling about it in all aspects of my life, personal and gold reserves as claimed by the property's promoter. The professional. I'm much more comfortable with myself and lawyers, who were not familiar with mining geology, asked if what I'm doing when I take this time for reflection. And we could prove that there was no gold on this property. We commonly enough, I've heard other geologists who are explained that to literally do what was asked would require involved with some sort of troubled project mention that many months and hundreds of thousands of dollars in something didn't feel right about the project, the recom- drilling. Nor was it necessary to do this drilling in order to mendations, the way work was actually done, or the people establish that the promoter was making misrepresentations. involved. Pay attention to these feelings. The real question was whether the Commission could show Sections 2 and 3 of the Code of Ethics address relations that the promoter had no basis for representing that gold of members to the public and to the employer or client. existed in the claimed quantities. This was a much easier These sections contain more concrete suggestions than and cheaper question to answer. We could take a few those in the General Principles of Section 1. samples in the areas the promoter identified as high-grade Subsection 4 of Section 2 provides fundamental and, if the assays failed to support the claimed amounts of guidance for practice. It states: gold, we would have a basis for proving that the promoter A member should not give a professional opinion or submit was making fraudulent claims. a report without being as thoroughly informed as might be Another example illustrates how a professional's work reasonably expected, considering the purpose for which the failed the client through failure to fully ascertain what the opinion or report is requested. requested work was to be used for. A geologist was hired by Subsections 8 and 10 of Section 3 also contain funda- a state securities agency to go out and sample a property. mental admonitions: All he was told was where the property was located. The 8. A member shall engage, or advise an employer or client geologist took a few scattered samples as instructed. But to engage, and cooperate with, other experts and specialists the money and time spent was wasted. All the promoter had

MARC B. EDWARDS a Geological Consulting & Regional Studies (713)668-5488 MIOCENE

Southwest Louisiana Lower Miocene study in progress

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety January 1992 46 to do was claim that the samples had been taken in the with the fraud cases I see involve one or more of the wrong place. This is an example of the client not under- following factors: standing how the job should be done and the geologist failing The report is incomplete or has been high-graded. to ask about the purpose for which his examination was Only selected parts are included in a summary. sought. Important caveats are left out. These two examples illustrate the importance of The report has been changed. Numbers have been determining what you are being employed to do and the use altered, pages are substituted. Lots of things can be to be made of your work. Only if you understand what is done with photocopiers; we do them ourselves for really wanted can you determine whether the appropriate legitimate reasons. In one case, assays showing frac- type and degree of work is being requested by the client and tions of an ounce per ton had digits added to the left whether you are capable of doing the work. of the decimal point. In another, the type font on one page was distinctly different from the other THE USE AND MISUSE OF pages suggesting additions, deletions, or significant GEOLOGIC REPORTS IN FRAUDS changes to the text. The first two subsections of Section 2 of the Code of Additional sections are added to the report. One Ethics enloin the professional geologist from making petroleum geologist got repeat business from an oil unwarranted, exaggerated, or unsupported statements that and gas promoter. In his first job for this client, the might induce participation in an unsound enterprise and geologist's report had been accurately reproduced in from know~nglypermitting the use of his or her reports, the offering material. However, in the second job, a maps, etc for any unsound or illegitimate undertaking. I reserve estimate had been added. have a lot of experience with these types of enterprises in In the most blatant case I've heard of, a consultant's my work with the Commission's Enforcement Division. In stationary had been stolen and a report written on it. most cases I am familiar with, the geologic information In cases like these, absolving the geologist of liability contained in the fraudulent offerings or statements about a was relatively easy. Indeed in such instances, the geologist company were not prepared by geologists who are members whose work has been misused becomes a witness for the of technical societies, particularly the peer-review societies prosecution. such as AIPG, AAPG, SIPES, and SEcG. But there are more subtle problems. For example, The most common types of problems with reports consider the short (page or two) oil prospect write-up prepared by reasonably competent geologists in connection intended for other geologists familiar with the area of the

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!ers Manager Exploration Inland Business Unit 5847 San Felipe, Suite 3600 (71 3) 780-51 02 Houston, Texas 77057

47 Bullet~nHouston Geologlial Soclrty Jdnuary 1992 play. This type of letter report contains all the reasons why If the report's distribution should be limited to particu- the well should be drilled and none of the negative aspects of lar readers, say so. For example, if it is not intended the area. The person for whom it was written already knows for non-industry readers, say so. them. There are two problems with this type of report. First, 3. Write clearly and simply. Erudition is pompous, particu- it assumes knowledge of the negative factors on the part of larly if not warranted - you are not writing a doctoral the intended recipient, which may not be a warranted dissertation. Clearly distinguish between facts, inter- assumption. Second - and more common - is the pretations, and opinions. situation where this report gets into the hands of unintended 4. Include the negative information along with the positive recipients. Say the proposed well is not drilled by the information. Don't assume that the reader knows it. company to whom the prospect was proposed. Instead, the That is, include an assessment of the risks along with prospect gets farmed out and along with the farm-out goes the wotential for success. the report which comes into the hands of a promoter who 5. Be very careful with loaded terms: those havins- has found the report of his dreams. He doesn't have to alter economic, degree of assurance, safety limit, or similar it at all before showing it to the mullets.4 impliications. Define the terms you've used, and use Another type of all too common and problematic type orthodox, generally accepted definitions. Can you of report involves careless use of terminology. Reserves is support your statements? Would you care to defend the a term with a definite, economic meaning. When you state report in court? Remember that you might have to. that reserves exist, you are talking about a mineral 6. If the report covers only part of the topic, note that commodity you know can be extracted at a profit, and you additional information is required to complete the have the detailed data to support your belief. Be very picture. For example. "This report covers ody the careful with reserves or any other terms or language geologic aspects of the proposed project. It does not implying economic viability. consider the engineering and economic factors required for determination that reserves exist." 7. If vou become aware of a factor outside vour area of study which would affect the project, note it and suggest The professional and ethical geologist should appropriate work. In one of my earlier examples, I know not only what he is being asked to do but mentioned the NIMBYs. If in the course of vour work you become aware of such a problem or even potential the purpose for which the information is being problem, it is worth mentioning that the issue should be obtained. addressed. Perhaps the client hasn't recognized the problem or the degree of its importance. 8. Date and sign the reports. It may be important to know who knew what and when. Discussions of safety factors in an engineering project 9. Try to put all your opinions in writing. At least keep carry the same sort of potential legal consequences. Again good notes of your meetings and discussions with be very careful of terminology. clients. Make memoranda of phone conversations. A different group of problems results from the report 10. Keep copies of your reports. If a question is ever asked which covers only a part of the whole project. For example, about what you did, you will have a copy. This is your you do a report on the reservoir or fluid movement best insurance against those who are creative with copy properties of a particular sandstone for an enhanced machines. recovery project or for a pollution control program. Your 11. If someone is going to use your report to raise money, report is not intended to consider the economic or political obtain copies of the offering documents and review aspects of the project. The NIMBYs (the "Not In My Back them before consenting to the use of your name, Yard" folks) will be out in force if the project is proposed, but opinions, or report in the offering. Review the offering that isn't your concern and you say nothing about these documents, looking not only for correct summarization non-geologic aspects in your report. Again we have a situation which could be exploited by the unscrupulous. The foregoing examples barely scratch the surface of potential types of liabilities that lurk within a geologist's report. However, they are sufficient to suggest the following considerations for professional report ~riting:~ 1. All your reports should state: for whom they were prepared; the questions you were asked to answer; and the questions you were - and were not - able to answer. 2. State what you did and how you did it. If you used someone else's work, state that is what Mike Mc Williams you did. For example, state that you used client- supplied data or that you obtained some data from another consultant's report. Use of someone else's 909 Fannin St., Suite 3250 data is common enough, but state its source. In Houston, Texas 77010 addition, examine the data and if you notice that the data seem inconsistent with what you know, check it (713) 757-9626 out. The "ostrich" defense may be a very limitedone.

Bulletin Houston Geolog!cal Soclety. January 1992 48 of your work but also for factors which might invalidate to disclose illegal activities or public safety issues, but I won't your conclusions. For example, the prospect might be go into this issue.) Confidential information includes specific good if costs are strictly controlled, but you notice a geologic data, proprietary geologic methodology and con- heavy promote, extra overrides, etc. Require changes cepts, business data, business plans and strategies, areas of

or other necessary disclosures - or change your interest, information about various actual and proposed

conclusions if necessary - prior to consenting to the deals, etc. Not only do you have the obligation not to use of your work. disclose confidential information, you also have the obli- Beforc leaving the subject of reports, I want to briefly gation to disclose to your employer or client the existence of address what you can do if your reports are misused. The any conflicts of interest you may have. This includes such first issue is knowing that your report is being used. You things as interests in adjoining leases, knowledge of informa- know. or should know, what use will be made of the report tion from a former employer or client which you are not free by the person for whom it was written. But, as I have to use, etc. Many larger companies have non-compete suggested. I-eportsgo in files and get resurrected along with clauses in emdovment. - contracts or as other conditions of previously deceased projects. If your report is being widely employment. Be sensitive to the possibilities. If you have the used, particularly to raise money for a prospect from a lot of slightest doubt about an issue, discuss it with the parties people, some offeree is likely to call you asking if you wrote involved. the report. If the dam you did foundation work on two years For example, suppose you worked in an area for one ago fails 5 years from now, the post-mortem investigation employer or client. Some time later another client or will dust off the old files. This is a situation where having kept employer, or you as an individual, want to work in the same good not~smd memoranda will be very useful to you. area. Even if you don't have the data you worked on originally, you will remember certain critical pieces of information. Your memorv cannot be erased like a computer disk. Ask the previous employer if there is a problem. One common solution in the oil ,industry is for former "Not only do you have the obligation not to employees who are interested in aparticular area to obtain a disclose confidential information, you also have farm-out on the area from their former em~lover.. - A particular form of the misuse of confidential infor- the obligation to disclose to your client the mation for personal gain has been a hot topic in the financial news, and even in the movies, during the past couple of existence of any conflicts of interest you may years. This is insider trading. I would like to remind you that have." the classic case that set the foundation for the current crop of insider trading cases was SEC u. Texas GulfSulfur (SEC u. TGS) (258 F. Supp. 262 (1966) and 401 F2d 833 (1968)) which revolved around the discovery of the Kidd Creek massive sulfide deposit near Timmons, Ontario. When you learn of a problem, question the persons In SEC u. TGS, four earth scientists - two geologists, misiising your information. Write them a letter asking for a mining engineer, and a geophysicist - who lead Texas prompt CI~Iificat~on. If there is a problem, scream - loudly Gulf's massive sulfide exploration program were among the and often. Write letters requesting specific action, and send very limited number of people who knew, that after several copies to t l~eSEC or other appropriate agencies noting at years of looking at hundreds of prospects and drilling barren the bottom of the letter that a copy is being sent to these to marginal holes on 65 prospects, the initial 655-foot drill agencies. Clearly set out how your work is being misused. hole on the 66th prospect went through glacial overburden Withdraw your consent in writing, if you gave one, for the and into 599 feet of solid massive sulfides with average report's use. Notify whomever you feel needs to know about visually estimated grades of 1.15% copper and 8.65$6 zinc. the problem by phone and in writing. In writing complaint Subsequent assays revealed average contents of 1.18% letters, cleclrly set out the facts. Let the appropriate copper, 8.264 zinc, and3.94 troy ounces per ton silver over investigator-s determine which laws, if any, are being broken - you don't want to open yourself up to a libel suit. By distancing yourself from and alerting others to the potential problem, you are removing yourself from liability for fraud committed without your knowledge or consent. If ULTRAMAK 0U & GAS LIMITED you don't dct, your inaction places you at risk of aiding and 16825 NORTHCHASE DRIVE abetting the fraud, of being a knowing participant, and of HOUSTON. TEXAS 77060 being a potential defendant. (713) 874-0700 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST I Let rnt7 turn now to another aspect of Sect~on3 of the SEEKING WELL DEFINED, LOW TO MEDIUM Code of Erhics, addressed in several subsections - the RISKED ONSHORE. AlYD OFFSHORE issues of conflrts of interest and confidentiality. These two GULF COAST DRILLING PROSPECTS. issues are closely related. In the course of your professional practice. you will learn a wide variety of types of confidential CONTACT: STEVE M. SMITH information which are not to be used or disclosed without the consen: of the party from which you obtained it. (There RAPWIT K. DAS is an exception to this general rule which involves your duty 602 feet of core (SEG u. TGS, 410 F2d 833 (1968), p.843). think of no better way for the AIPG to demonstrate its After learning of the results of this hole and later, similarly commitment to educate its members and foster ethical and encouraging information and prior to the public announce- professional practice. ment of the discovery, these four defendants either personally or through agents purchased TGS stock or calls Regional Geologist, U.S. Securities & Exchange thereon. In addition, one of the four tipped others about the Commission, Denver Regional Office, 410 - 17th St., Suite discovery and the tippees purchased TGS securities as well 700, Denver, CO 80202. The Securities & Exchange (SEG u. TGS, 410 F2d 833 (1968), p. 842-843). The four Commission, as a matter of policy, disclaims responsibility earth scientist defendants' violations of the securities laws for any private publication or statement by any of its stemmed not from the fact of their knowledge of the drilling employees. The views expressed herein are Mr. Abbott's results, but from the fact that they turned this confidential, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission non-public information to personal gain by purchasing or of Mr. Abbott's colleagues on the Commission's staff. Texas Gulf stock or calls or by tipping friends to buy. These An earlier version of this paper was presented at the activities led to findings that illegal insider trading had AIPG's Annual Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September o~curred.~ 29, 1988. A samizdat edition of this paper has been in circulation for about 2 years now. This edition differs from the earlier edition only in bringing this footnote and footnote 3 up to date and in the correction of some grammatical and A case of insider trading involved the geologists typing errors. 3 In writing this paper (June, 1989) I used the Code of and petroleum engineers who were the officersof Ethics existing in 1988 and published in the 1989 Member- ship Directory. The Code of Ethics was revised on a new public oil and gas company. December 11, 1989. However, I believe that the general ethical concepts addressed in this paper are still valid even if the organization and wording of the Code of Ethics have Another case of insider trading involved the geologists changed. and petroleum engineers who were the officers of a new, For those unfamiliar with oil-patch jargon, mullet is a public oil and gas company. They were on the rig floor when "[h]umorous and patronizing reference to an investor with the logs were run on a well in which their company had a 25% money to put into the drilling of an oil well with the working interest. The logs indicated that this was the expectation of getting rich; a sucker: a person who knows potential company-maker well. They called their broker nothing about the oil business or the operator with whom before they called their public relations firm. In their he proposes to deal" (R.D. Langenkamp, 1977, Handbook defense, they argued that well logs measure electrical and of Oil Industry Terms and Phrases, 2nd ed.: Petroleum radiation properties of rocks, not the amount of oil which Publishing Co., Tulsa, OK). can be produced. The Commission's staff agreed with the "he AIPG's 1986 pamphlet, Organization and Con- defense's characterization of geophysical measurements tent of a Typical Geologic Report, contains many excellent but pointed out that well logs are routinely used to suggestions and recommendations. There is, however, not determine whether holes should be comdeted and to make a great deal of overlap between the pamphlet's suggestions initial reserve estimates. And the defendants considered and mine. This lack of overlap results from the different these scientifically derived squiggly lines to be sufficiently approachs to report writing taken by the pamphlet's important enough to make the decisions to buy the authors and myself. Use the pamphlet and this paper company's stock. Based on their actions, the geophysical together when writing your reports. results were material information. That is, information 6The legal opinions in SEC u. TGS address a number of which alone or in important part triggers an investment aspects of the defendant's activities which are not addressed decision. Use of inside - that is, undisclosed material in this paper. Some of these activities resulted in findings information - is illegal. that insider trading occurred, others did not. I suggest that, For those of vou in the environmental business, consider what you have when your monitoring well suddenly shows contaminants leading out of your client's site. If you CROSBIE-MACOMBER own some of your client's stock and sell it (or sell it short) Paleonlologlcal Laboralory. Inc. before that information is released, you can be fined for up 2705 Dlvlalon SI.. Suile 4. Melalrle. LA 70002 to three times the losses you avoided by selling early. You (504) 885-3930 might even, like Ivan Boesky or David Winans, go to jail. Wm. A. Brmntlmy. Jr. Thomas M. Rmllly

W. Ormnl Blmck Brlmn R. Rummo CONCLUSION I Planktlcmenthb Foramlnllarm I've touched on a number of issues, but there are many Calcareous Nannolosslls more that haven't been mentioned. I hope I have impressed upon you the fact that unprofessional and unethical practice Cornpulerired data format "CHECKLIST" results in negative economic consequences, ranging from Qraphlc Ranga Charl Depldlng: Sequence Boundaries lost income to time in jail. I urge you to regularly read the Condensed Secllons Code of Ethics and to carefully consider how each of its Slrlplog Deplcllng: Relallve AbundanceslSample provisions bears on the work you are doing. I will even Sandffihale Rallos recommend that you write up summaries of your musings PlanktldBenlhlc Rallos on particular issues and send them to the TPG Editor. I can Faunal and Floral Dlverslly Qraphs

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, January 1992 50 if you are interested, that you read the opinions. My point in Applications of Design, continued from p. 41 this article is to raise the issue of insider trading; it is not to PERSONALIZATION exhaustively discuss the subject. Personalization is the ability to put one's individual imprint on one's surrounding (from Robert Sommer's Tight DAVID M. ABBOTT, JR.-Biographical Sketch Spaces - HardArchitecture andHow toHumanizeIt, 1974) Mr. Abbott received an AB degree in earth sciencs Two of the best ways to personalize a work or living space from Dartmouth College in 1971 and an MS degree in are to establish color schemes that are not exactly alike, and geology from the Colorado School of Mines in 1975. He to allow each individual to have some input for his particular joined the Commission's staff at the Denver Regional Office space. in February 1975 as a geologist and March 1981 was The use of this principle in offshoreenvironments could promoted to Regional Geologist. He is responsible for focus primarily in the crews quarters and recreation areas. reviewing the natural resource aspects of filings made in the Denver and Los Angeles Regional Offices and works on the CONCLUSION natural resource aspects of enforcement matters for all of Offshore lifespace design has not as yet been one of the the Commission's offices. He is a Certified Professional major considerations in the oil industry. However this Geologist and is a member of the American Institute of report has defined some of the problems and the benefits Professional Geologists; a Certified Petroleum Geologist that can be achieved with more emphasis on lifespace and a member of the American Association of Petroleum planning either in initial rig design and construction or with Geologists; a fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists; routine maintenance and replacement. The economic and a member of the Geological Society of America; the advantage in avoiding down time and legal cost with Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME); the lifespace planning would give an economic edge to any Society of Petroleum Engineers; and the Rocky Mountain enterprise. Association of Geologists. He has authored a number of papers and given numerous speeches on the interplay BIBLIOGRAPHY between geology and securities law and other aspects of Birren, Faber, 1978: Color and Human Response, Van professional geologic practice. Nostrand Reinhold, New York, N.Y. Faulkner, Ray, Sarah Faulkner and Luann Nissen, 1986, Inside Todays Home, Holt, Reinhart, Winston, New York, N.Y. Contaminatton, continued from p. 24. Hope, Augustine, and Margaret Walch, 1990, The Color the manhok, which acted as a sump for this gasoline/water Compendium, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, mixture. N.Y. Remed~dtionactivities included the excavation of the Industrial Labour Office, 1978, "Safety Problems in the US'T system: a hole was found in one of the tanks and the Offshore Petroleum Industry", Geneva Switzerland piping was In poor condition. A groundwater remediation Mahnke, Frank H. and Rudolf H. Mahnke, 1979, Color and system was designed to: 1) remove the gasoline floating on Light in Man-Made Environments. the water table and 2) extract and treat the contaminated Sommer, Robert, 1974, Tight Spaces, Hard Architecture groundwater. Lastly, a vapor recovery system was installed and to Humanize It., Prentice Hall, New Jersey. to minimize the accumulation of explosive vapors in the Townley, Wyatt, July, 1991, "World Beautiful", Cosmopoli- vicinity of the utility manhole. To date, over 1400 gallons of tan Magazine, pp. 156. free-phase product have been recovered. Conclusion Biographical Sketch The hidden liability of leaking UST systems is becoming Carol M. Lucas, T.A.I.D., received her B.S. in geology more apparent to the public from environmental, financial, in 1974 from the University of Texas at Austin. She has and legal perspectives. Already, the use of double-walled worked as a geologist for Pennzoil, Sohio, Enserch, Superior USTs and piping, fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks, and and, most recently, ARCO. Carol currently serves as cathodic prorection systems should decrease the number of recording secretary for the AAPG National House of leakages from USTs and piping. Monitoring systems in the Delegates and is a former chairman of the Houston Chapter secondary wall of the UST or in the tankhold allow for the of the House of Delegates. early detectmn of a leak and minimize the impact of the Recognizing a need for enhanced safety and decreased release on the environment. Stricter government regulations down-time on offshore rigs and vessels, Carol studied are requiring tank registration, leak detection systems, interior planning at the Art Institute of Houston, where she corrosion protection, and overfill/spill prevention systems received her degree in 1990. by the end of the 1990s. Advanced remediation techniaues Sandy K. Astrup, A.S.I.D., T.A.I.D., attended the such as biort.mediation or thermal desorption provide for University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the more comdete removal of the hvdrocarbons from the soil University of St. Thomas, Houston, in 1980. She is a and/or grhundwater when releases do occur. With the Registered Interior Designer, a member of the Board of advent of the improved technology, tank design, leak Directors of A.S.I.D. in Texas, and is an instructor at the Art detection systems. and secondary containment combined Institute of Houston. Her work has been featured in with comprehensive regulations, the hope for the future is Houston Metropolitan Magazine. that soil and groundwater contamination resulting from Together, Carol and Sandy are C.M. Design Tech- UST leaks w~llbe minimized or eliminated. nology. They can be reached at (713) 856-9910.

5 1 Bulletin Houston G~olog!calSoilrty January 1992 HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL A UXlLIA R Y

HAPPY 1992: Many thanks go out to co-chairmen Shirley Gordon, YEARBOOK INFORMATION Nancy Anderson and their committee members, Jeanne Cooley, Myrtie Fish, Peggy Haueter, Mae Larson, Elinor McKinlay, Myrtis Trowbridge and Judy Carter for giving us (Last Name) (Your Name) iSpouse's Name) such a special Christmas Luncheon December 4, 1991. Shirley Gordon hosted a tree trimming party at her home for the committee, who put the finishing tourches on the Address adorable trees that were used as centerpieces. Great door prizes were given, The Sugar and Spice Singers put all of us in a great Christmas Spirit, and everyone enjoyed Dave Zip Ward, our guest speaker. PLEASE DON'T MISS OUR NEXT EXCITlNG FUNCTION: Home Telephone A VALENTINE SWEETHEART DINNER DANCE is being planned by co-chairmen Daisy Wood and Annette HGS Member's Company Mather, to be held February 14 at the Lakeside Country Club. Their committee, consisting of Pat Burkman, Hjordis Hawkins, Carolyn Holland, Delores McLeod, Mary Jean Texas Water Commission Pawley, Janet Peppiatt, Geneva Quigley, Jan Stevenson and continued from p. 43 Mae Barclay, who designed the lovely invitation, met for lunch at Daisy's home to set plans in motion for the event. enough: you do not have to be a multi-million dollar "Gillie and the Boys" will be playingmany romantic tunes - engineering firm in order to help us do the work that so plan ahead to bring your sweetheart. Not only are must be done. Houston Geological Auxiliary members eligible to buy The Water Commission is empowered and obliged to tickets; Houston Geological Society members can also help the people of Texas meet these enormous challenges. purchase tickets. Please look for the invitation enclosed in Our problems and responsibilities are large indeed. But so is this issue for your convenience in mailing your checks in this magnificent opportunity. I have but one regret. My before the deadline, February 1, 1992. mentor and noble friend Mickey Leland couldn't be here to A special new affair is being planned this year, a see and share this New Texas with us. Mickey was a BRIDGE BUFFET LUNCHEON, to be held on March 31. wonderful public servant. He understood that environ- The ladies may reserve a table for their own foursome or mental quality is the concern of all people, in all walks of life. sign up for the party bridge rotation. Gwen Caussey, Joy That's why he consistently received a 98 percent approval Payne and Rosann Hooks are planning this event. Watch rating in this nation's environmental forums. As we move the mail for your January Eclectic Log which will include all forward and seek the clean water our health, prosperity, details. and future demand, I am guided by that strong and decent To those of you who would like your spouse to enjoy shadow. As convinced as he was ... that we can make things membership in the Auxiliary, please complete the appli- better. That all the people can take a hand and play a role in cation on this page and return with a check for $15.00 to the this most just system of government on earth. That we can Membership Chairman, Mrs. Keith Hawkins, 2515 Anniston, succeed. With the help of Almighty God, let us begin. Thank Houston, Texas 77080, (713) 462-2925. you very much.

II Technical & Management Training New Training Technologies Human Resources Management 4 Public and In-House Programs 4 Training Simulations 4 Quality Management Systems 4 Professional Petroleum Engineering 4 Synergistic Training 4 Human Resource Development Institute 4 Computer-Assisted Institute 4 Drilling Technology Institute Training 4 Business Environment Models 4 Production Analysf Training 4 Manpower Planning Models 4 Technical Publishing Oil & Gas Consultants International, Inc. P. 0.Box 35448, Tulsa, OK 74153-0448 Toll-free 1-800-821-5933 or 918-742-7057 Fax 918-742-2272

Bulletjn Houston Geolog~calSoclety. January 1992 52

EXPLORA TION ACTIVITY RE VIEW

By Bill Eisenhardt Consultant, Geol. Representative-Geomap Co.

National Rig Count: November 16-803; Year Ago-1,124 Gulf of Mexico Rig Count: 105

GULF COAST production between 4800-7800' is already present in the Texas area. At the lower Frio horizon the new find spots on the Enron Oil & Gas is drilling ahead at an undisclosed north flank of a small faulted anticline. depth at its #1 Benavides, et a/, a 12,200' Wilcox test one In the extreme northeastern corner of Orange County, mile east of multi-pay production (including Wilcox) at Cole Exxon is completing its #1 Lindsey from the Yegua one mile West Field in southeastern Webb County. Closest test of east of Hackberry oil production at Hartburg SE Field. Flow comparable depth is the Brown(Hamon) #1 Benavides, 2 rate was 498BOPD and362 MCFGPD from 12,976-13,012'. miles northeast, which was D&A in the Wilcox at 12,237' There is no production at a comparable depth in the TD. At the Carrizo Wilcox horizon the wildcat spots on immediate area. At the Hackberry horizon the discovery northwest dip in close proximity and upthrown to a large spots in a mild re-entrant along irregular southeast dip. down-to-the-southeastfault. WCS Oil & Gds is holding for discovery allowable at its About 8 miles southeast, in the extreme southwestern #1 Cameron Minerals 5 3, miles west of Corrigan in corner of Duval County, Mobil Producing TX & NM will northern Polk County. The wildcat was horizontally com- drill a 20,000' Wilcox wildcat on the southeast flank of pleted in the Austin Chalk, flowing 7,538 MCFGPD, 69 Yegua-productiveThanksgiving Field and 5 miles southeast BCPD and 202 BWPD from open hole between 10,082- of Wilcox production at Bruni NE Field. The #1 Moreno- 12,951'. Total horizontal displacement measured 2863'. Killam is 5 '/, miles southwest of the Shell #1 Roach, ef a1 Austin Chalk structure here is regional south dip with broad which was abandoned at 17,500' in the Wilcox after logging local nosing. a predominance of shale with occasional poorly developed sands in the deeper portion of the hole. At the Carrizo South Louisiana Wilcox horizon the new venture spots on the distal EP Operating has staked a 15,100' wildcat 1 I,, miles southeast flank of a faulted anticline, with potential for both west of Starks Field (Miocene, Anahuac, Frio) in western downthrown and upthrown closure at substantially deeper Calcasieu Parish. The #1 Blake 14 will test the Cockfield horizons. at a location south of the current "Downdip Cockfield; Anaqua Oil & Gas has staked a 5900' Frio wildcat 2 ',; Yegua Trend". The Petro-Hunt #1 Walker-Louisiana Prop- miles southeast of Vicksburg production at McDaniel Field erties (D&A at 14,036'), about a mile southwest, logged in south-central San Patricio County. The #I Mayo is less several well developed Cockfield sands between 13,200- than 300' southwest of the dry Buttram #1 Cleveland which 13,600'. At the Hayes horizon the new venture spots on penetrated numerous Frio sands down to its 7006' TD. At regional southeast dip. the upper Frio horizon the new test appears to be located In Vermilion Parish, Ballard Exploration will drill the within a broad, shallow syncline, possibly on the distal #1 SL 13884 in White Lake 1 ?;miles north of Lower portion of a slight northwest plunging nose. Miocene (Cris 'll', Disc 'B') production at Lac Blanc Field. In northern Lavaca County, Hanson Minerals has The projected 13,700' TD should be sufficient to reach the opened Gorge Field at its #1 Steffek, a new Wilcox Siphonina dauisi section. About 1000' northeast, Texaco's discovery 1 i/2 miles northwest of Wilcox oil production at dry #1 SL 3047 logged well developed Robulus chambersi Valentine Field. Flow rate was 54 BOPD and 50 MCFGPD sands between 12,200-12,360'. At the Rob chamber-si through perfs 8555-63'. At the top Wilcox horizon the new horizon the wildcat spots on the upthrown edge of the trace find spots near the crest of a southeast plunging nose along of a large up-to-the-northeast fault, apparently fault- regional dip. separated from the producers at Lac Blanc Field. Exxon is Fina Oil &Chemical has completed its #I Goff Mineral drilling ahead at its #4 SL 711, an 18,500' deeper pool test in Trust as a new Frio discovery 2 1/2 miles east of Miocene and Duck Lake Field in far western St. Martin Parish. Projected Frio gas production at Kubenka Field in northern Jackson TD should enable it to penetrate the Planulina palrnerae County. Flow rate was 721 MCFGPD from 4015-24'. Top and Cris R zones (lower Miocene). Planulina sands are Vicksburg structure here is regional southeast dip with local prolific pays at Mystic Bayou, East Bayou Postillion and nosing. Garden City fields in the area. The #4 is located on the north In northwestern Chambers County, Amerada Hess flank of the Duck Lake structure south of the large east- has tested a flow rate of 3,800 MCFGPD from Yegua perfs west Duck Lake Fault, and should pass from the down- 13,014-034'at the #1 Moreau, its indicated discovery 4 miles thrown block into the upthrown block at a depth of southwest of Barbers Hill Dome. Shallow Frio and Miocene approximately 15,500'.

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety January 1992 54 MESOZOIC TREND In adjoining Union Parish, Mike Rogers Drilling has East Texas discovered Smackover oil about a mile northwest of Bechtel Energy Partners has staked an 11,500' Glen Junction City and less than % mile north of the Arkansas- Rose wildcat 3 miles south of Glen Rose production at Louisiana state line. The #1 Jerry gauged 141 BOPD (40" Alabama Ferry Field in southeastern Leon County. The #1 API) and 106 MCFGPD from 8925-31'. Top Smackover Wilson, et a1 is about 2 miles west of the Gibraltar(Parten) structure here is regional south/southwest dip with local #1 Dorrell, D&A at 11,200' after unsuccessfully testing the nosing. The recently discovered Stateline Field (also Glen Rose, Buda, Edwards and Woodbine. Structure at the Smackover oil) is approximately on strike about 4 miles top Glen Rose "B" is regional southeast dip with local northwest. nosing. In northern Freestone County, Fina Oil & Chemical Mississippi will drill a 12,000' Smackover wildcat 1 5/2 miles north of Three deep wildcats have been staked southwest of Cotton Valley Lime and Smackover production at Neal Laurel Field in central Jones County. Wakefield will drill Field. The #1 Ferguson is 2000' north of a 12,150' dry hole the #1 Grafton to 16,500' to test the Cotton Valley; while (Texaco #1 Anderson) which tested the Smackover at Norcen Explorer has staked two Hosston tests, the #1 11,618-622' with no details released. Rodessa perfs at 6950- Smith (16,000' TD) and the #1 Houston (15,500' TD). This 56' tested noncommercial. At the top Smackover horizon flurry of activity is two miles north of Tallahoma Creek the new venture spots on the north flank of a faulted salt Field, discovered by Norcen in December 1990 at the #1 ridge, in close proximity to the west bounding fault of the Moffett which flowed 968 BOPD and 700 MCFGPD from overlying graben. upper Cotton Valley perfs 16,199-212'. A deeper Cotton A 13,000' Travis Peak test, the #1 Tex-Harvey Valley zone at 16,567-634'(0A) swabbed 150 BOPD, while Partnership, has been staked by Oryx Energy in western shows were reported in Hosston and additional Cotton Smith County, one mile northeast of the operator's #2 Valley sands. At the base Ferry Lake horizon the wildcats Bracken Grandchildren, discovery well for Noonday Field, spot on a southwest plunging nose upthrown to the large which flowed 7,653 MCFGPD from lower Rodessa perfs west-bounding fault at Laurel Field., 12,212-379'(originally reported as Travis Peak). At the base Massive Anhydrite horizon the wildcat spots on the steep GULF OF MEXICO north flank of a faulted structural anomaly within a salt Paramount Petroleum and partners have announced a withdrawal syncline, and appears to be fault-separated from significant gas discovery in a new fault block in Vermilion the #2 Bracken Grandchildren. Block 16 Field off the central Louisiana coast. During Bishop Petroleum has completed a Travis Peak gas discovery 1 1/2 miles southeast of James production at the one-well Mitchell-Stark Field in north-central Cherokee County. The #1 Dyess flowed 828 MCFGPD from perfs 9448-66'. At the top Pettet horizon the new find spots on the distal southwest flank of the Gallatin Field structure. dB m r ~n.rgy mu& Dovolopmont -"- Corporr tlon North Louisiana - South Arkansas A Cubmldlary ol PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISE Oryx Energy is preparing to drill its second horizontal OROUP INCORPORATED well into the Upper Cretaceous Saratoga Chalk of Fort Jessup Field in eastern Sabine Parish. The #2 Sonat Minerals, located in Section 13, T7N, RlOW, is about 6 miles OIL AND GAS east of the operator's #1 Sonat Minerals, completed earlier EXPLORA TlON & PRODUCTION in the year from the Saratoga, pumping 124 BOPD, 23 MCFGPD and 46 BWPD. At the top Upper Cretaceous horizon the new venture spots on southeast dip, downthrown to a down-to-the-northwestfault. Farther east in northern Lasalle Parish, Oxy USA has James B. Gresham permitted a second horizontal Wilcox test in Olla Field. VP Exploratlon BHL of the #E-16 Tremont H is about 1700' north of last Thomas M. Deeter year's pilot test, the #13-1 Tremont H, completed in the Mgr. Onrhore (h1eroro:c) Exploratlon Cruse Sand of the Wilcox flowing 605 BOPD (33" API). James D. McCullough Production over a 9 %-monthperiod has averaged over 240 Mgr. Offshore Ex~lorallon BOPD, quite impressive considering the number of Cruse producers in this area and their production histories. Michael S. Young Mgr. Onrhore (Gulf Coast) Exploration Two new Smackover fields have been discovered in southern Arkansas. In southeastern Columbia County, Jeems Bayou Production has opened McLendon Branch Field at its #1 Grayson, et a/, 1 M miles south of Cotton -- Valley and Jones Sand production at Atlanta East Field. 1000 Loulrlrna, Sulte 2900 Hourton, Texrr 77002 (713)750-7300 Flow rate was 202 BOPD (42" API) and 50 MCFGPD through perfs 9256-66'. At the top Smackover horizon the discovery spots on the south flank of the Atlanta East structure. .

55 Houston Geolog~calSoclety Bullet~n.January 1992 production testing, the State Lease 3762 #8 flowed 12.4 Turkey MMCFGPD and 79 BCPD through Miocene perfs 16,196- State company TPAO has suspended its stratigraphic 292'. In addition to the discovery pay, more than 100 feet of test Kozluk 1 as an oil discovery after reaching a total depth known Miocene pay sands were also logged at about of 3870 m (12,697'). No other details have been released. 12,000'. Vermilion Block 16 Field covers about 8,200 acres Location is in the Southeast Turkey Basin, 8 miles ESE of and, since its discovery in 1962, has produced more than Mobil's Selmo oil field. 295 BCF gas and 14.6 MMB oil, according to Paramount. AFRICA INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Algeria Provided by PETROCONSULTANTS, Foreign Scouting Agip has reported a third oil discovery in its Zemoul El Division, Geneva, Switzerland Kbar Block (403E) in Ghadames Basin District 5. Wildcat Bir Rebaa West 1 was suspended at TD 3700 m (12,140') LATIN AMERICA after testing light oil at flow rates up to 6,000 BOPD from the Brazil (Offshore) early Triassic Argilo-Greseux sand interval. Location is Petrobras' 4-RJS-449 made a new-pool gas discovery just under 2 miles WNW of Agip's 1990 discovery Bir Rebaa north of the Enchova Field, 2.2 miles northeast of the 1-RJS- Nord 1 which tested an aggregate 3,572 BPD of 51" API oil. 391 noncommercial oil discovery and 77 km (48 miles) SSE of Cabo de Sao Tome. Total depth was 2182 m (7159'). No Egypt (Offshore) other details were released. Shell has spudded its first well in the Marakia concession, located in the Mediterranean Sea west of Alexandria In Colombia the Northern Egypt Basin. Wildcat Marakia 1-1IS testing Argosy, the Garnet Resources subsidiary, has announ- structural traps at the Alam el Bueib (Lower Creta- ced a fourth discovery in the Santana B Block in the ceous) and Khatatba (Jurassic) horizons. Putumayo Basin. The Miraflor 1 was drilled to TD 2120 m (6956'), and five Upper Cretaceous zones between 1789 Tunisia 2073 m (5870-6802') were tested. The Caballos Sand Marathon's Bir Drassen 1 wildcat. in the Cap Bon (6782-6802') flowed 25 BOPD and was swab tested at 335 permit, has penetrated a gas-bearing fractured limestone BPD. The Villeta Middle 'T' Sand (6683-6700') flowed 104 reservoir over 250' thick in the Eocene Bou Dabbous BOPD and tested 760 BPD on swab. The Villeta Upper 'T' Formation at an interim depth of 823 m (2700'). A short- Sand (6654-77')flowed 77 BOPD and swab tested 619 BPD. term natural flow test yielded 5,000 MCFGPD. The well wdl The Villeta 'U' Sand (6477-6500') flowed 240 BOPD and continue to a projected TD of about 1350 m (4429') to tested 1,290 BPD on swab. Finally, the Villeta 'N' Sand (5870-5896')flowed 283 BOPD (11.7" API). Gravities for the four upper zones averaged about 27 API. Dolan & Associates Wildcat Florida 1 will follow Miraflor 1, and will test the European Non-Exclusive Reports Cretaceous Villeta 'N', 'U', and 'T' sands and the Caballos in a fault trap lying on the upthrust side of two Central and Eastern Europe has been an area of contlnulng ~nterestfor Dolan 8 Assoc~atesslnce the m~d1980 s In 1987 we produced In assoclatlon mtt- bisecting reverse faults, a structure similar in type and Petroleum Geolog~calAnalys~s Ltd the report ent~tled slightly larger than that at Miraflor 1, located about 10 km (6.2 miles) north. PETROLEUM GEOLOGY AND HYDROCARBON PLAYS OF THE EASTERN ADRIATIC

T~ISreport concentrates upon coastal and offshore Yugoslav~aand Albanla Ecuador Follow~ngon from the success of thls study we have recently completed a Occidental's Laguna 2 has reportedly confirmed the complimentary report In assoclatlon mm Petroleum Geolog~calAnalys~s Ltd commercial potential of the recently completed Laguna 1oil and Petra-Chem Ltd which examlnes the source rock potenbal of thls reglon discovery. The appraisal well, deviated to a BHL just under GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOURCE ROCKS a mile northwest, flowed 1,605 BOPD (20" API) from a 66' AND SEEPS FROM WESTERN GREECE ASD interval in the Lower Cretaceous Napo "U" between SOUTHERN YUGOSLAVIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR 3125-3148 m (10,253-329').A 49' interval in the "T" Sand PETROLEUM EXPLORATIOK between 3189-3205 m (10,463-516') tested 1,780 BOPD We are also pleased to announce the complehon earller th~syear of a serles of four companion reports produced In conlunctlon w~thQuantock Geolog~cal (25.9" API), while the two zones in the Napo Formation Serv~cesentltled yielded an aggregate of 2,710 BOPD (19.5-22.2' API). CENTRAL EUROPEAN OIL & GAS EUROPE EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION Spain I. Galicia (Poland and Ukrain~.) 2. Sava and Drara Basins (Yugoslavia & Hungan.) Repsol suspended appraisal Vizcaya 9-4 as a gas/ 3. Vienna Ba9in (Austria and Czechoslovakia) condensate well following four successful drill stem tests, 4. Basins of the (;reat Hungarian Plain presumably in the objective Cenomanian limestones. For further ~nformat~onplease contact Reports that the well had penetrated about 200 m (656') of David Edgar Gus Wilson gross pay before reaching its TD of 2375 m (7792') are 3 Old Lodge Place 6610 Hamin, Suite 154 unconfirmed. The appraisal is about 315 mile WNW of the St. Margarets, Twickenham Houston Middlesex, TW1 IRQ, England Texas, 77036, USA 1981 gas discovery Vizcaya B-2in the Vizcaya B permit Tel: (081) 891 0064 Tel: (713) 781 3945 which tested 29.8 MMCFGPD and 140 BCPD from a highly Fax: (081) 892 7094 Fax: (713) 973 2055 fractured limestone reservoir between 2164-2235 m (7100- 7333').

Bull~t~nHouston Geological Soc~etyJanuary 1992 56 evaluate a second objective in the Abiod Chalk. The Japan discovery appears to confirm the presence of a gas cap In late September, Japex suspended wildcat Kita overlying the oil column in the Bou Dabbous limestone Ayukawa AK-1 as an oil and gas discovery after gauging a which was encountered in Marathon's earlier Belli 1 dis- combined flow of 1,159 BOPD and 1,059 MCFGPD from covery on the adjacent Grombalia permit. four zones in the Miocene Onnagawa Formation. Loca- tion is in the Akita Basin on Honshu Island adjacent to the FAR EAST 1989 Ayukawa Higashi 1 gas discovery. Indonesia (Onshore) On South Sumatra, Pertamina/Golden Spike encoun- AUSTRALIA tered gas at wildcat Tempirai 1 in the Raja-Pendopo Block. Queensland Best flow achieved during several drill stem tests was 2,710 OCA has suspended wildcat Wilga 2 as an oil discovery MCFGPD and 48 BCPD from 1532-1536m (5026-40') in the after testing 100 BOPD (38" API) and 261 MCFGPD on a Batu Raja Formation. single DST in the Middle Triassic Moolayember Forma- tion. Drillsite is in OCA's PL 14 (Kincora) in the Surat- Indonesia (Offshore) Bowen Basins, just under 2 miles south of the 1985 Marathon has suspended wildcat KRA 1 in the Kakap Carbine 4 gas discovery. South Block in the Natuna Sea as an oil and gas discovery. I Flow rate was 6,200 BOPD (44" API) and 4,150 MCFGPD from the Tertiary at 2208-2294 m (7244-7527'). The new find is 6 miles ENE of Marathon's KF Field which produces from the Oligocene Gabus Formation. In the Mahakam Delta Marine Block in the Makassar Strait, Total has confirmed its recent Peciko Barat-laut 1 gas/conden.;ate discovery. Appraisal well Peciko Barat-laut 2, drilled to TD 3690 m (12,107') 1 % miles south of the discovery, flowed an aggregate of 49,170 MCFGPD and 979 BCPD (40-56" API) during four tests in several separate reservoirs in the Middle Miocene Kampung Baru Group. A second outpost, Peciko Barat-laut 4, is currently being drilled about 1 !; miles west of the discovery.

PETROLEUM GEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS LTD

MESOZOIC SOURCE ROCKS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA A reassessment based on analysis by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography

+ The report will provide a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Mesozoic source rock potential of the offshore basins of Western ASHLAND EXPLORATION INC. Australia. It will be based on new analyses of the identified SUBSIDIARY OF ASHLANO OIL. INC. source rock horizons, particularly by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography, supplemented by data available in the public domain. + The potential source rocks of Western Australia contain considerable amounts of terrestrially derived material. Available 14701 ST. MARY'S LANE, SUITE 200 data, particularly Rock-Eval, may seriously underestimate the oil 77079 potential of the sequences. Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography provides a more accurate analytical technique for assessing the source type. P.O. BOX 218330 + Delivery of the new data to purchasers will begin in 1991. The 77218 final report will be completed by mid 1992. + Contact: Petroleum Geological Analysis Limited John Scott (Australia) Grenville Lunn (UK) Tel: 61 9 454 5201 Tel: 44 734 594802 Fax: 61 9 454 5522 Fax: 44 734 575074 Saker Geological Services Gus Wilson Tel: (713) 781 3945 Fax: (713) 784 0638

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety January 1992 "Support those ufho support our Society."

Olllca. (713) 558-1714 GENEOS PETE COKINOS (713) 170-0590 PETROLEUM AND GEOLOGICAL Geologist - Geophysicist - En~ineer ENGlNEERlNG CONSULTANT M.L. "Newt" Feldman place your business card here. INUEPENDENT PROOUCER AN0 OPERATOR COn8ulllng Ceotaplsl

TELEPHONE Send 81 13 with two cards and 14091 832 OJRB 9~7~~AZEL ST FAX

PO Box 370931 340 Seuenlh 51rc.'t 711 300 2711 P 0 Rox $181 Monlara CAW037 C931 (4151 728 3373 Klngwood JOHN GREEN Texas JOHN W. GREEN CO. 77339 Geophys~calConsulting VICTOR H. ABADIEIll Marilyn Crane and Management CONSULTING GEOLOGIST Conwltlng Poleontolog~st

27 Amer~canaBu~ld~ng I I Dallas Street Office: (713) 757-1 15' CERTIFIED PETROLEUM GEOLOGIST AAPG NO 3936 CALIFORNIA REGISTERED GEOLOGIST LIC NO 4040 louslon. Texas 77002 Home. (7133465-21 1

MITCHELL, P. ANDERSON Geologist PETCONS & ASSOCIATES Pelroleurn Consunants Amcncana Building XI l Dallas. Suile 927 Houslon, Texas 77002 8414 Braes Meadow Drive STUART HASTING: w&, &%! BG gad, &LC/. (713)650-3060 Houston. Texas 77071 Chairmar

P 0. Box 441372 (713)4W.7693 -BSC Houston, TX 77244.1372 B L S Exploraf~on.Inc WE MAKE GEOCHEMISTRY WORK HAROLD V. HILTON JAMES B BENNETT RANDALL SCHOTT Cotlned Pclrolrum Gmlotlrl CPO 1)01 GaoDh~ws

aO 1 um Sl#ael (7131 3632176 Thnd Flow Bus 17131 650-1378 8701 lvca Tmlr Dnw FAX 0131 292-3528 I HOUYm. Texas 77032 Thc Udn& Tar 7391 Tekx 881137 DGSI Tribow Oil And Gas Corp. BOB DRAKE BURTON C. BOWFN 1010 Lamar Pres~dent Su~te1580 PALE0 MARKETING, INC. Houston. TX 77002 WILLIAM D. TURNER 5525 Kd7lt! WEST aMML Geolog~st YnlEDlrn HOVITON. TLWs 77072 ROBERT H. FORDE Telephone (713) 650-3614 I Geologist 713dW1251 OFFICE 713-690-4255

T. WAYNE CAMPBELL Hurst Drafting. inc PALEO-DATA, INC. Swte 1900 806 Mem Street CONSULTING PALEONTOLOGIST AND GEOLOGIST Ai W. Dugan, President Houefon. Texas 77W2 Robert W. Kent, Vice President 6619 FLEUR De LIS DRIVE NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA 70124 1415 Loulalana Sultw 3100 (713) 658-1141 (504) 488-37 1 1 Houaton. Twxaa 77W2 Fax: 658-0739

TECHNICAL TWSLATIONS -.~/ JACKE. COFFMAN MARK R.ETtlEREDGE Spanish - English PRESIDENT Consultmg Cwlogisl U.S. and lntcrnorionol ALJCJA A. JMERJTO (;eob~~ct SONORA PETROLEUM CORP I201 LOUISIANA SUITE 31W 7015 W. Tidwcll Rd.. Slc I 11-6 011 939-8243 HOUSTON TEXAS 77W2 llouwm. Texas 77092 llm. 890-1286 9418 Mndovrrnfr Hoesron. Ten. 11063 (7131 7Ri 4879

LOUISIANA TEXAS FAST I ACCURATE FREE REPORT! REWRTIG CWAW JACK COLLE VKEULY ML h GAS RPWT- NEW LARRY I JONkS LOUTCIYS. tOUIL€rKM JACKCOLLE & ASSOCIATES &ORLGHO. PRFCII>CNT SO.NOLffFU. CONSULTING GFOLDGIST b PALEONTOLOGIST MS. W h FU 911 WALKER SUITE 321 CALL FMI PREIffi - 0'5'KATYFRUY HOUSTON TEXAS 71W2 K'wE FWR (4) WEmY REPORTS J G WARD FREE FOR UENTlCNffi JACK COLLE RESTRICTW 713 228 8271 713 - 238-8221 APRY RFt R?? 9555 RES 457-7798

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoclety. January 1992 "Support those who support our Society."

Willlam A. Monroe -Consulting Geologist-

Development Geology Prospecl Evmluallon WILLIAM A. LAMONT Houston. Texas I GEOPHYSICAL CONSULTANT 4923 MAPLE ST Olllce Resldenc 7 131881-9970 7131493-475,

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BARRY K VA> SAND1 I 1 lrrttaq Trend, Fxplorolmn, Inc Pt MBA Q Chuck L. Reagan VAN SANITT & ASSOCIATES. INC. Pelrulrum Enjinrrrmg C'oordimntr ond Flnorr~c'4nolyrir 9 110 Off ~ce(7 13) 524 633 1 Res 266-81 14 9525 Ka15 Freewas (713) Suirr 13.8 31 71 i 465 3792 ANN AYERS MARTIN Fax (7 13) 524-9 132 Housron Texas 77025 Rer 713 40: 7256

713/789-4104 FAX 713i467-1785 J DON McCLELLANU George F Watford 0 Cecil R. kves GEOLMjlST PETROLEUM GEOWGIST

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Telex RCA 265780 SKRGL UR Omce (713) 781.31115 FAX (7131 973-2055 Hane (713) 720-8738 TGS ONSHORE JAMES W. ROACH GEOPHYSICAL PETROLEUM GEOLOGIST Augustus 0. Wilson, Ph.D. COMPANY Sakr OeobplCal ServkH

333 C.AY SuTE BOL W1O Hadn *G~s-o~7EIA' -- C. Norm Meador Carbonale Ow Sub 154 ilili -0es: UARKf114C19fPllESFtiTL-IIE Sedlmatary Pshdcgy H-. Taru 77038 Redona1Qsol- Studies U S.A

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MANUEL ZEGARRA AND ASSOCIATES Cheryl Desforges Miller Geolog Qeo h ics WLOWION CON.LLTPJS~NTERNATIONAL Extenslvl, Resldenl Experlence In Pod, Vaneruela - South Amerlcs and USA. (US Depl, of Labor - Cen: TEC J014274782) 3233 Mndchaee'Blvd. 1902 13 5894422 Houslon. Terea 77082 Fax: 113\ 782.1572

WMESTIC FOREIGN

LEO SHISHKEVISH, Ph.D. STRATCO

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Bullet~nHouston Grologicdl Socl~fy.January 1992 "Support those who supvOUT Society. "

ADVERTISERS Agip Petroleum Enron Omni Laboratories Amerada Hess Corp. Four Star Printing Co. Paleo Data, Inc. Arkla Exploration GECO-PRAKLA Petroleum Information Corporation Ashland Exploration Co. Geomap Company Petroleum Geological Analysis Ltd. BHP Petroleum Halliburton Logging Service Petroleum Testing Service, Inc. Cabot Oil & Gas Haztech International Sandefer Oil & Gas Inc. Crosbie-Macomber LCT Tech-Reprographics Dolan & Associates Kerr McGee Transco Exploration & Production Co. EDC Norcen Explorer, Inc. Ultramar Oil & Gas Limited Marc B. Edwards Oil & Gas Directory United States Geological Survey

Consult~~gPetroleum Natural AAPC OROUP INSURANCE PROGRAM seo onour lasnarxva: PROGRAM KALINEC & TILLEY Gas 8 Geolog~calEnglnPer Geophysics & Goobly Rospzl Evdudm JOHN D. BREMSTELLER Stmc~r.1 C Slr.lipphic Inarpelnion Scisrnic Alaibute Anaksis. . SvnLhclict. h Modelin8 Harry E. Otell, Jr. Prt,oleurn Consuilant BARBARA BREMSTELLER Frr~rdRecnoin . AVO Brim J. Kmllnec - Gcophyskisl i CrsIn W. Tilley - Geologist . CW 2713 .SlPES 2WS TELEPIIONFS 6065 Hlllcroh. Suiu: 302 (713) 774-6210 1347 Oueen~loih 1013 JAN JACXNTOBLDG UFP~CE751.025~ !7131723 6266 HOUSTON TX 7100P RFS 774-31"" Itwston. Texas 77081 Houston Texas 77096

BARREDA & ASSOC. DRAWS INTERESTS, INC. CONSULTINO GEOUXIISTS JEFFREY J. DRAWS Ph D Appllad Carbonate Sedlmantology Luis A. Sanchez-Barreda, Ph.D. Re~bnalPlay Evaluabn SOUTHERN STATES PROFESSIONAL Sprrialisr in Lmn Amcrico Resewolr DesapHonlMadellng LOG ASSOCIATION. INC. Snsmic hrtrprcration - Exin Arurlysir Facbs and Pornsky EwlvHon 91 1 WALKER ST In-House and FlehY Cattvnalo SemlnafS 3Yl SIN JKINTO BLDO HOUSTON. TEXAS 77W2 P 0. Box 707 4133 Tennywn. Hwston. Texas 77005 (40309) I)ARI)ARI KNOX (113) 2252175 Nav.sou. Tesu 77868 Td 825-2741 (713) 887-9844 ON)1 (713) 687-Y53 (H) OPEPATIONS MANAGER FAX I ZS3314 USA. Fnx: 1409) P5-3117 E H STORK, Jr EDWARD McFARLAN. JR E. H. Stork, Jr. & Assoc.'~,Inc. GEOLOGK tL (ON

Robert H. Barton Pres~dent

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JACK N. TULLER ELLINGTON& ASSOCIATES OIMCHXMICAL I-ABORATORXIW SOUTH COASTEXPLORATION CO. I I TWO POST 0.1 C.*T"AL ODBO KATY PWY. swrc 2050 O~~NCF7131810 I077 199 SUITE 1880 POST OARBkuo HOMC 7131619 1270 HOUSTON W.E. E.ILIJ ELLINOTON TX 77094 HOUSTON Ttus 77058 FAX 7131960 1157 PIERIDLNT (7131 907.74RO

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSocaefy, January 1992 60 ANNOUNCING THE NEW PREMIER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

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Fax: (713) 785-0553 Business Phone: (713) 785-6402 Please call from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Monday through Friday. PHONE: ( ) DATE: Bulletin Houston Geological Society SECOND CLASS 71 71 HARWIN, SUITE 314 U.S. POSTAGE HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036-2190 PAID 1 Houston, Texas 1