October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 1

Canadian Publication Mail Contract - 40070050 $3.00 VOLUME 33, ISSUE 9 OCTOBER 2006

■ 2006 CSPG Honorary Address ■ Good News for Out of Province Geoscientist Registration in BC ■ Are Recent Discoveries a Template for the Future? October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 2 October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 3

CSPG OFFICE #600, 640 - 8th Avenue SW ,, T2P 1G7 Tel:403-264-5610 Fax: 403-264-5898 Web: www.cspg.org Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm Business Manager:Tim Howard CONTENTS Email: [email protected] Communications Manager: Jaimè Croft Larsen Email: [email protected] Conventions Manager: Lori Humphrey-Clements Email: [email protected] Corporate Relations Manager: Kim MacLean Email: [email protected] ARTICLES Membership Services: Sarah Barton Email: [email protected] Reception/Administration:Tanya Santry CONOCOPHILLIPS GLEN RUBY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ...... 26 Email: [email protected] STANLEY SLIPPER MEDAL – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ...... 27 EDITORS/AUTHORS Please submit RESERVOIR articles to the CSPG 2006 CSPG HONORARY ADDRESS ...... 29 office. Submission deadline is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior to issue date. GOOD NEWS FOR OUT OF PROVINCE GEOSCIENTIST REGISTRATION IN BC . 31 (e.g., January 23 for the March issue). ARE RECENT DISCOVERIES A TEMPLATE FOR THE FUTURE? ...... 32 To publish an article, the CSPG requires digital copies of the document. Text should be in Microsoft Word format and illustrations should be in TIFF format at 300 dpi. For additional information on manuscript preparation, refer to DEPARTMENTS the Guidelines for Authors published in the CSPG Bulletin or contact the editor. EXECUTIVE COMMENT ...... 5 COORDINATING EDITOR & OPERATIONS ...AND NOW A WORD FOR OUR SPONSORS ...... 7 Jaimè Croft Larsen CSPG TECHNICAL LUNCHEONS ...... 9 Tel:403-264-5610, Ext 227 Fax: 403-264-5898 Email: [email protected] ROCK SHOP ...... 13, 18 TECHNICAL EDITOR Ben McKenzie DIVISION TALKS ...... 17 Tarheel Exploration Tel:403-277-4496 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...... 17 Email: [email protected] JACK PORTER – VIGNETTES OF CANADIAN PETROLEUM GEOLOGY ...... 22 ADVERTISING Kim MacLean Corporate Relations, CSPG Tel:403-264-5610, Ext 229 Email: [email protected]

Advertising inquiries should be directed to Kim MacLean. The deadline to reserve advertising space is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior to issue date. All advertising artwork should be sent directly to Kim MacLean.

The RESERVOIR is published 11 times per year by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. This includes a combined issue for the months of July/August.

Advertisements, as well as inserts, mailed with the publication are paid advertisements. No endorsement or sponsorship by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists is implied.

The CSPG Rock Shop is an attractive and affordable way to target the CSPG readership. Spaces are sold at business card sizes (3.5” wide by 2” high). To reserve space or for more information, please contact Kim MacLean at 403-264-5610, ext. 205.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the publisher. FRONT COVER Design & Layout by Sundog Printing. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta. View looking north to Commonwealth Peak. Commonwealth Peak Printed in Canada by Sundog Printing. is formed by the steeply dipping, resistant, gray carbonates of the Upper Devonian Lower Palliser Formation that forms part of the east limb of an anticline. The brownish and more recessive arenaceous beds of the older Additional copies of the RESERVOIR are available Sassenach Formation lie below and to the west of the Palliser. Photo by Gordon Hurlburt. at the CSPG office for $3.00. 3 October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 4 October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 5

EXECUTIVE COMMENT

A MESSAGE FROM THE ASSISTANT SERVICE DIRECTOR, DAVE NEWMAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT They help determine the needs of each Jim Reimer committee, actively recruit volunteers and fill Result Energy voids by matching these volunteers to specific Tel:539-5207 Fax: 234-7116 [email protected] committees by their skill set or interests.They are an invaluable asset to the CSPG and I VICE PRESIDENT would personally like to thank them for all Colin Yeo their hard work and determination.Thank you Encana Tel:645-7724 Karen and Colin! [email protected] I first volunteered for the CSPG at the 1999 PAST PRESIDENT annual convention (thanks Douglas), and as a Jeff Packard Burlington service award received a shiny CSPG belt Tel:260-8041 Fax: 269-8285 buckle which is proudly displayed every year [email protected] VOLUNTEER AND HAVE A VOICE! during Stampede.Three conventions later, and FINANCE DIRECTOR Well, I'm nine months into my tenure as now as a member of the executive, I have to Marty Hewitt Assistant Services Director and I've had the say it has been very rewarding for me. I have Encana opportunity to see how the society operates met some very good friends and without a Tel:645-2544 Fax: 290-6668 on just about every level. Perhaps the one doubt aided my career through contacts I've [email protected] thing that amazes and impresses me the most made over the years… networking really ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR about the CSPG is how many volunteers it works in Calgary!! Peter Harrington takes to effectively run a not-for-profit society Rudyard Oil & Gas such as ours. Whether you're a new member looking for Tel:234-7622 Fax: 237-8837 [email protected] more insight into the industry or have been a For someone new to the society, or to some of member for years and are unsure of the PROGRAM DIRECTOR our less active members, the office staff and the direction of the society, then get involved, Memory Marshall Executive are the face of the society, as is volunteer, and have a voice in the future path Husky Energy Tel:270-1869 evident by our smiling mugs adorning this of the CSPG.You won't be disappointed. [email protected] article every month.What most members don't see is the over 400 volunteers who work The CSPG is always in need of enthusiastic, ACTING PROGRAM DIRECTOR behind the scenes on over 50 active energetic men and women who are willing to Doug Hamilton Encana subcommittees (see www.cspg.org/about/ donate their time to further the society's Tel:645-3193 Fax: 645-3590 society-structure.cfm for a listing of causes and programs. The society is literally [email protected] committees). It is these people who do the bulk nothing without our volunteers! of the work and who make the society what it ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR Nadya Sandy is – a model for every other technical society in If you wish to volunteer or contribute to the Esso Canada. One can liken it to the workings of a CSPG, please contact Karen Webster or Colin Tel:237-3925 Fax: 237-4234 ship (naval analogy – sorry, old habits), the Yeo of the Volunteer Management Committee [email protected] Captain plots the course and it's the crew that at [email protected]. SERVICE DIRECTOR does the work to get them there. Shannon Nelson Evers “Volunteers are not paid….not because they are EnCana Corporation Speaking of volunteering for the CSPG, here's worthless, but because they are priceless!” Tel:645-7651 Fax: 645-3352 [email protected] an interesting fact that's been getting a lot of …Anonymous. attention lately; “…approximately 50 to 75% ASSISTANT SERVICE DIRECTOR of the industry's geoscientists are expected to Who knows, maybe you could get a belt Dave Newman retire over the next five to ten years”…a buckle of your own – after all, everyone needs McDaniel & Associates Tel:218-1392 Fax: 233-2744 staggering figure to say the least! Over that one in Cowtown! [email protected] five- to ten-year period, a very large part of the society's volunteer base will disappear COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR with potentially disastrous consequences for Ashton Embry CSPG OPEN GSC - Calgary the CSPG. By being proactive and introducing Tel:292-7125 Fax: 292-4961 new members to the concept (and vital HOUSE [email protected] importance) of volunteerism, and by openly displaying its value to our membership, we can Drop-in to see our OUTREACH DIRECTOR David Middleton prevent any potential interruption to critical new digs... Petro-Canada membership services or activities. Tel:296-4604 Fax: 296-5176 Tuesday [email protected] One of the best tools at the society's disposal October 24th CORPORATE RELATIONS is our Volunteer Management Committee. It is 9am – 3pm Jim Reimer their mandate to “…provide members with Result Energy meaningful volunteer opportunities within the #600, 640 – 8th Ave. SW Tel:539-5207 Fax: 234-7116 Society and to reward them for their service.” [email protected] 5 October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 6

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THE CSPG GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ITS ... AND NOW A WORD FOR OUR SPONSORS CORPORATE MEMBERS: A MESSAGE FROM CORPORATE RELATIONS

ABU DHABI OIL CO., LTD. (JAPAN) E&P companies want the Society to APACHE CANADA LTD. continue providing top technical conventions and conferences along with a BAKER ATLAS strong continuing education component. BG CANADA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION, INC. Also, these companies want to be recognized as supporters of the Society as BP CANADA ENERGY COMPANY they recruit new employees and retain BURLINGTON RESOURCES CANADA LTD. current staff.

CANADIAN FOREST OIL LTD. Our sponsors ask only one thing in return - CONOCOPHILLIPS CANADA listen to their message; talk to service Let me be honest and frank: the CSPG's company representatives and ask them CORE LABORATORIES CANADA LTD. Sponsors, Advertisers, and Exhibitors are about their service and products; walk the DEVON CANADA CORPORATION here to make money for their shareholders. exhibition hall at the convention and learn about what they have to offer. They may DOMINION EXPLORATION CANADA LTD. The Society uses sponsorship funds to have just the data or technique or insight DUVERNAY OIL CORP. provide our members with enhanced that you need to do your job better, faster, programs and services far beyond what our and cheaper. geoLOGIC systems ltd. dues would enable us to deliver. This is a GRIZZLY RESOURCES LTD. mutually beneficial arrangement that is The Society could never provide the kind of important to embrace if we are to continue programs and services we now do, at HUNT OIL COMPANY OF CANADA, INC. to maintain and expand services to our current dues level, without sponsorship HUSKY ENERGY INC. members. support. Our annual convention, technical luncheons, volunteer recognition, technical IHS As practicing geologists, we need the divisions, university outreach, and social IMPERIAL OIL RESOURCES LIMITED products, services, and expertise of service programs are but a few of the many companies to do our jobs accurately, quickly, programs and services supported by our LARIO OIL & GAS COMPANY and cost effectively. Although our sponsors. The Society needs and welcomes MJ SYSTEMS knowledge of the basin has increased, the their support. Without them, the Society single biggest influence on productivity has would be a poorer place, in more ways than MURPHY OIL COMPANY LTD. been the advent of electronic geological and just financially. NCE RESOURCES GROUP INC. engineering databases, image rasterization, and geological computing applications. It is As a CSPG member who may benefit from a NEXEN INC. service companies that are providing the sponsor's contributions to the Society, NORTHROCK RESOURCES LTD. means and capabilities to becoming more please take a moment to acknowledge and efficient and effective. thank our sponsors for their involvement PENN WEST PETROLEUM LTD. when the opportunity arises. Let them know PETRO-CANADA OIL AND GAS Again, let's be honest. Service companies that you saw their ad at a technical are in business to make money for their key luncheon, read about them in the Reservoir, PETROCRAFT PRODUCTS LTD. stakeholders. Market share is paramount, saw their sponsorship contribution at a PRIMEWEST ENERGY TRUST and is dependent on brand recognition, conference, or just say hi when you see product education to consumers, and them at a social function. PROVIDENT ENERGY LTD. feedback from customers. RPS ENERGY Kim MacLean, our Corporate Relations The CSPG provides an opportunity for Manager, works with service companies and LIMITED companies to target their primary audience other industry companies to align segments SPROULE ASSOCIATES LIMITED through an integrated marketing program of the Society to meet their marketing that uses a combination of direct marketing, objectives. Our key stakeholders are STARPOINT ENERGY LTD. trade shows, and print media to accomplish investing in the CSPG and are looking for SUNCOR ENERGY INC. their brand awareness, positioning, and sales their return on their investment. The growth objectives. We are a very Society is committed to providing value for TALISMAN ENERGY INC. concentrated group of users, decision their money and we thank Kim for TOTAL E&P CANADA LIMITED makers, and influence peddlers.They want a continually being in the forefront of this vibrant Society (marketplace) to continue constantly changing landscape. WEATHERFORD CANADA to attract and concentrate potential customers and to create opportunities to Colin Yeo partner with users that will build a loyal Vice President CORPORATE MEMBERS AS OF following. AUGUST 24, 2006

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TECHNICAL LUNCHEONS PROUD SPONSORS OCTOBER LUNCHEON

Episodic global tectonics: regressive surfaces (MRS) which mark the recognized in basins on other continents.This sequence stratigraphy meets change from regression to transgression in indicates that the episodic tectonism that plate tectonics marine strata. These basin-wide sequence generated the boundaries was very boundaries have a number of characteristics widespread and perhaps even of global SPEAKER which have tectonics written all over them. extent. Such episodic global tectonics can be Ashton Embry explained by perturbations in mantle Geological Survey of Canada 1) The strata below the unconformities convection and consequent changes in plate are often tilted and faulted. tectonic activity. The concept of episodic 11:30 am 2) There are major changes in global tectonic events fell out of fashion over Thursday, October 12, 2006 depositional regime across the 50 years ago but may be worth another look. boundaries. It potentially has considerable importance for TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE 3) There are major changes in sediment petroleum exploration. CALGARY, ALBERTA composition and direction of source areas across the boundaries. BIOGRAPHY Please note: 4) There are significant changes in Ashton obtained his B.Sc. from the University of The cut-off date for ticket sales is tectonic regime and subsidence rates Manitoba in 1968 and his M.Sc. (1970) and his 1:00 pm, Monday, October 9th. across the boundaries. Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Calgary. He Ticket price is $31.00 plus GST. has spent his entire research career with the The age of the MRS, established by Geological Survey of Canada on the stratigraphy, In the latter half of the 20th century we biostratigraphy, provides a reliable date for a sedimentology, and petroleum potential of the experienced exhilarating insights from plate given boundary and it coincides with the start Mesozoic succession of the Canadian Arctic.The tectonics, process sedimentology, and of tectonic collapse that initiated the next excellent outcrop exposures of the Arctic sequence stratigraphy and these concepts sequence. It appears that many of the combined with plentiful well and seismic data had a major impact on petroleum tectonically generated, Mesozoic sequence have provided an excellent laboratory for testing exploration. Things have settled down over boundaries of the Sverdrup Basin are the various stratigraphic concepts. the past decade and we have reached a same age as major sequence boundaries plateau regarding big, new concepts in sedimentary geology.We may be on the verge of another major shift in thinking. The interpretations from sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, and plate tectonics have led to a concept that I call “Episodic Global Tectonics”.Its main thesis is that the Earth is affected by relatively short-lived episodes of increased tectonic activity separated by longer intervals of relative quiescence. The widespread episodes of increased tectonism and epeirogeny seem to occur with a frequency of 1-2 million years and vary substantially in magnitude.

I was led to this concept by sequence stratigraphic analysis of the Mesozoic succession of the Sverdrup Basin of Arctic Canada. On the basin flanks, subaerial unconformities are used as sequence boundaries. Such surfaces are generated by base level fall related to either tectonic uplift or eustatic sea level fall. Low magnitude, high frequency (<0.5 MA) base level falls generate relatively minor sequence boundaries and are best related to eustatic sea level fall.

On the other hand, impressive, readily recognized unconformities reflect episodic, high magnitude, low frequency (2-50 MA) base level falls. The unconformities correlate basinward with prominent maximum

9 October 9/13/06 9:06 PM Page 10

PROUD SPONSORS OCTOBER LUNCHEON

3D seismic visualization from flattened time slicing, 3) interval attribute geoscientist.These examples will highlight the a geological perspective; analysis, 4) voxbody interpretation and integration of seismic stratigraphic and examples from shallow-water mapping, 5) 3D perspective rendering, and 6) seismic geomorphologic analyses essential and deep-water environments opacity rendering. for maximum benefit to be derived from geologic analyses of 3D seismic data. SPEAKER Stratigraphic horizons can be interpreted and Henry W. Posamentier horizon attributes such as reflection BIOGRAPHY Anadarko Canada Corporation amplitude, dip magnitude, dip azimuth, and Henry W. Posamentier is the General Manager of curvature, can then be imaged directly in 2D Geoscience and Technology for Anadarko 11:30 am or 3D space. Techniques such as variable Canada. Prior to joining Anadarko in 2001, he Thursday, October 26, 2006 illumination can enhance geomorphologic was with Veritas Exploration Services (2000- interpretations, and, when integrated with 2001), the Atlantic Richfield Co. (1991-2000), TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE stratigraphic analyses, can yield insights Exxon Production Research Co. and Esso CALGARY, ALBERTA regarding distribution of source, seal, and Resources Canada, Ltd. (1979-1991), and at reservoir facies. Stratigraphic intervals Rider University, Assistant Professor of Geology Please note: bracketing sections of geologic interest can (1974-1979). The cut-off date for ticket sales is be evaluated for amplitude and frequency 1:00 pm, Monday, October 23rd. content and can contribute to geologic Dr. Posamentier's research interests have been in Ticket price is $31.00 plus GST. interpretations.Time slices and flattened time the fields of sequence stratigraphy and slices can bring to light geologic features that depositional systems analysis, where he has In recent years, 3D seismic has become an other techniques might overlook. Voxel published widely. Most recently, he has employed essential tool for the interpretation of picking can further bring out features of an interdisciplinary approach using 3D seismic subsurface stratigraphy and depositional geologic interest.This method involves auto- visualization integrated with borehole data to systems. Seismic stratigraphy in conjunction picking of connected voxels of similar seismic interpret depositional systems and develop basin with seismic geomorphology, calibrated by character, a technique that can illuminate fill histories, in particular with reference to deep- borehole data, has elevated the degree to discrete depositional elements in three water depositional settings. In conjunction with which seismic data can facilitate geologic dimensions. Similarly, opacity rendering, this he has been active in advancing the discipline interpretation. 3D seismic data has enabled which makes opaque only those voxels that of seismic geomorphology. In 1971-1972, Dr. interpreters to visualize details of complex lie within a certain range of seismic values, Posamentier was a Fulbright Fellow to Austria. He depositional systems that can be incorporated can further bring out features of stratigraphic has served as an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer to into borehole planning for exploration as well interest. Examples of fluvial, shallow marine, the United States (1991-1992), an AAPG as development needs so as to improve risk and deep marine are shown. A variety of Distinguished Lecturer to the former Soviet Union management significantly. Common techniques visualization techniques are applied to these (1996-1997), and an AAPG Distinguished for geologic visualization include 1) imaging examples in an effort to illustrate the variety Lecturer to the Middle East (1998-1999). stratigraphic horizons, 2) time slicing and of interpretation techniques available to the

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PROUD SPONSORS NOVEMBER LUNCHEON

Emerging plays in Saskatchewan: completions and large sand-fracture industry to look beyond traditional gas Shallow gas and the Bakken and completions in low permeability reservoirs have producing areas of western Saskatchewan. Torquay formations, Southeastern resulted in significant new Bakken production in Three exploration plays are emerging: Saskatchewan the Viewfield-Stoughton area of southeastern 1) wildcat exploration of the eastern margin of Saskatchewan. Careful examination of cores, the Western Canada sedimentary basin; SPEAKER geophysical logs and production data indicate a 2) unconformity-related plays such as those L.K. Kreis & M.Yurkowski high potential for further development through associated with the Belle Fourche sandstone; Saskatchewan Industry and Resources horizontal completions in low permeability 3) shale gas. The stratigraphic framework and by-passed pay and in undiscovered reservoir petrophysical characteristics of potential gas 11:30 am sandstones of the Middle Member of the reservoirs are not yet well understood. Tuesday, November 7, 2006 Bakken Formation in southeastern Saskatchewan. BIOGRAPHY TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE Kim Kreis has worked as a petroleum research CALGARY, ALBERTA In recent years, dolostones and dolarenites of geologist with Saskatchewan Industry and the Upper Devonian Torquay Formation, Resources since 1983. Kim obtained both his B.Sc. Please note: underlying the Bakken Formation, have, for and M.Sc. in geology from the University of Regina. The cut-off date for ticket sales is the first time, also proven to be productive His most recent research has been focused on the 1:00 pm,Thursday, November 2nd. along their subcrop edge in an area straddling hydrocarbon potential of the Bakken and Torquay Ticket price is $31.00 + GST. the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border. In this formations in southeastern Saskatchewan. area, large land positions have been taken in Upper Devonian to Lower Misssissippian pursuit of 40° API oil from the Torquay Melinda Yurkowski has worked as a petroleum Bakken Formation shales in the Williston Basin Formation at depths of less than 1100m. geologist with Saskatchewan Industry and are inferred to have generated and expelled at Resources since 1999. Prior to this she worked as least 16 billion m3 (100 billion of barrels) of light The past five years have seen a dramatic a petroleum geologist in the private sector for four oil (~40° API), but only a small fraction of this increase in exploration for shallow biogenic years. Melinda also earned both her B.Sc. and Bakken-sourced oil has been identified in, or gas pools in low-permeability Cretaceous M.Sc. in geology from University of Regina. Her produced from, Williston Basin reservoirs. Over sandstones, siltstones, and shales in current research is focused on the geology of the the past few years, multi-lateral horizontal well Saskatchewan. High gas prices have encouraged shallow gas deposits of Saskatchewan.

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PROUD SPONSORS NOVEMBER LUNCHEON

Commercial CBM production place to proven reserves, including well spent several years drilling Frontier projects in at Corbett Creek – from design evolution, pad-based drilling, Northern Canada and offshore East Coast. His resource to reserves geosteering using 3D seismic, and first exposure to CBM in the Western Canada geological controls on production. Sedimentary Basin came at the end of the SPEAKER 1980s. During the 1990s he worked for a Mike Finn Corbett represents the complex and series of intermediate and small oil and gas Trident Exploration Corp. iterative interaction between all functional companies on a large number of North disciplines to achieve continuous American basins. This is where and when he 11:30 am improvement of results and solve an worked with partners who were having success Tuesday, November 21, 2006 increasingly detailed matrix of variables in the American CBM basins. Mike joined that ultimately affect production outcomes. Trinity Energy in 2000, and commenced TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE It also showcases Trident's community drilling on Mannville projects that year, CALGARY, ALBERTA development philosophy – asset-based including Corbett. In 2002 he joined Trident community development – which is a Exploration when they purchased the Corbett Please note: strategy for working with communities to asset from Trinity. Mike Finn is currently the The cut-off date for ticket sales is identify and act upon positions of strength Chief Geologist and Director of CBM Assets at 1:00 pm,Thursday, November 16th. – not weakness – to create win-win Trident, exploring for and developing Ticket price is $31.00 + GST. situations. This strategy has provided Horseshoe Canyon and Mannville CBM. Trident with our social license to operate This presentation will review the in an environment where the implications development history of the Corbett of coalbed methane development are project from its inception in 2000 as a five- misunderstood by stakeholders and spot vertical pilot through to the current industry. horizontal development scheme. We will look specifically at the changes in BIOGRAPHY exploitation strategy that were Mike Finn graduated from the University of instrumental in converting the resource-in- Alberta in 1979 with a B.Sc. in Geology. Mike

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DIVISION TALKS PROUD SPONSORS CORE AND SAMPLE DIVISION

Coal and fractured shale and production in Canada, our hearing from our “experts” we will have an sampling requirements in understanding of these reservoirs from a open discussion on current and future Alberta petrological perspective is advancing, but is issues regarding core and sample dependent on our access to core and drill submission and availability. If you are unable 12:00 Noon cutting samples. Obtaining adequate to attend, but wish to have your opinions Tuesday, October 3, 2006 amounts of material, collected in suitable brought to the meeting, please email your condition, is key to building a good data set ideas to: EUB Core Research Centre, of material for our study of these 3545 Research Way N.W. reservoirs. Doug Hayden, Chair, CSPG Core and Calgary, Alberta Sample Division via [email protected] In our initial meeting, some of the “leading A discussion of current needs, EUB edge” researchers that are working on Check the CSPG website for updates on regulations, and expected future demand these reservoirs will share their views on the group’s activities and projects. If you for core and drill cuttings in non- the current situation of core and sample would like more information on upcoming conventional reservoirs. availability, and we will be inviting EUB staff activities of this group, please contact Doug that are involved in formulating regulations Hayden via [email protected] With the rapidly developing attention on for sample requirements to update us on CBM and fractured shale gas exploration current and future regulations. After

PROUD SPONSORS GEOFLUIDS DIVISION CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DATE: October 10-11, 2006 The role of aqueous soluble sectioned towards the outlet of the EVENT: CSPG Course – The organic components of core-flood displayed surfaces exhibiting architecture of fluvial systems petroleum during wettability hydrophilic tendencies. Meanwhile, LOCATION: Calgary,Alberta alteration hydrophobic behaviour was observed in a INFO: www.cspg.org sample from the core inlet which fits with SPEAKER the rapid removal of the surface active DATE: October 17-18, 2006 Dr. Barry Bennett compounds to the rock from the migrating EVENT: CSPG Course – The origins of Petroleum Reservoir Group petroleum. stratigraphic sequences University of Calgary LOCATION: Calgary,Alberta In a case study from the Dhahaban, Oman INFO: www.cspg.org 12:00 Noon we also show that the surface active Thursday, October 19, 2006 compounds, represented by polar non- DATE: October 17-18, 2006 hydrocarbon fraction of petroleum, are EVENT: Saskatchewan and Northern ConocoPhillips Auditorium depleted from migrating petroleum through Plains Oil & Gas Symposium 3rd Floor (above +15 Level) surface adsorption into the carrier bed LOCATION: Regina, Saskatchewan 401 – 9th Avenue SW system. The removal of phenols from the INFO: www.sgshome.ca Calgary, Alberta migrating petroleum occurs over ca. 60 km, whereas benzocarbazoles are present in all DATE: November 21-23, 2006 The behaviour of fluoren-9-one, carbazole, petroleum accumulations along the entire EVENT: Yellowknife Geoscience Forum benzocarbazole and C0-C3-alkylphenols (350 km) migration pathway. The results LOCATION: Yellowknife, NWT during a simulated petroleum migration show that the behaviour of polar non- INFO: www.nwtgeoscience.ca/ forum experiment indicates these compounds are hydrocarbons under simulated migration & www.miningnorth.com surface active.The surface activity exhibited experiment mimics closely their behaviour by these compounds during the core-flood in the natural petroleum migration system. DATE: May 23-25, 2007 experiment increase in the order: fluoren- EVENT: Yellowknife 2007, GAC-MAC 9-one < carbazole < benzocarbazole < C0- Annual Meeting C3-alkylphenols.The compositional changes LOCATION: Yellowknife, NWT shown by the C0-C3-alkylphenols appeared INFO: www.nwtgeoscience.ca/ to correlate with the wettability yellowknife2007 descriptions obtained on core material using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM). Core samples prepared from the original core and core material 17 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 18

PROUD SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL DIVISION

Hydrocarbon potential of The stratigraphic sequence includes alluvial (Almandine Resources Inc.), which operated since Cenozoic Basins in the Tuman fans, fluvial channels, coal beds, lacustrine 1977 and has interests in producing gas & oil River area of North Korea (DPRK) deposits and volcanic units within these fault wells in the WCSB. Over his career, Bob has bounded half graben basins. Outcrop and core worked for a number Calgary-based oil companies SPEAKER hole sampling provided source rock data that (Amoco, Home Oil, Canadian Hunter, Wascana) R.C. (Bob) Mummery suggest hydrocarbon generation. New and a successful geophysical (Teknica Resource Golden Eagle Energy Inc. geological ideas and unconventional business Development Ltd.) consulting company. He has concepts encourage a re-evaluation of the held both management and senior technical 12:00 Noon prospectivity of the region. Over the years, positions in these companies. Over his career, Bob Thursday, November 2, 2006 gravity, magnetic, and seismic surveys were has international experience in Indonesia, undertaken in the study area and can be used Australia, Pakistan,Vietnam, Cuba, Ireland, Alaska, Encana Amphitheatre to test new geological concepts. Exploration is Egypt, and North Korea (DPRK). 2nd floor, east end of the also encouraged by the fact that most of the Calgary Tower Complex 14 wells drilled in the 1960s had oil & gas In addition to his technical responsibilities, Bob is 1st Street and 9th Avenue S.E. shows. Recent field trips have been made to the Executive Officer for the Canadian Geoscience Calgary, Alberta verify results from these data, mainly gathered Council. Over the years Bob has been active in in the 1960s. This talk will summarize the several technical societies and held offices,received The Tuman River area is located in the earlier exploration results, present the awards and served on committees in the AAPG, extreme NE portion of the DPRK (North expected plays types and methodologies for SEG, CSEG, and CSPG organizations. He has also Korea) near the border of the PRC and Russia. evaluating the prospectivity of this region. served on and co-chaired several federal For obvious political reasons, the region has government committees, which advise the Minister been "out of bounds" to western explorers. BIOGRAPHY of Natural Resources (Canada). Recent "softening" of the world's view of the Dr. Mummery is an explorationist with over 30 DPRK allows access to this exploration area years of experience in the exploration for oil and INFORMATION untouched since the mid-1960s. Russian- gas reserves in the Western Canada Sedimentary There is no charge. Please bring your lunch.The Korean exploration teams explored this Basin (WCSB) and International areas. Bob is facilities for the talk are provided complements of region during that period and prematurely currently VP Exploration of Golden Eagle Energy EnCana and refreshments by Aeon Exploration concluded that no commercial accumulations Inc. a Calgary-based private oil & gas explorer and Inc. For further information or if you would like to of hydrocarbons were present in any of the producer. He was owner/manager of a successful give a talk, please contact Bob Potter at (403) several Cenozoic basins located in the area. geological/geophysical consulting company 863-9738 or [email protected].

ROCK SHOP October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 19

PROUD SPONSORS STRUCTURAL DIVISION

Inference of fold stress/ lithological characteristics of both the unit of Primary consulting and teaching activities address kinematic history from small interest and the bounding units. the development and geometry of structures in faults and shear fractures fold-and-thrust terranes and the evolution and BIOGRAPHY assessment of natural fracture systems. SPEAKER Several years ago William (Jamie) Jamison received a William R. Jamison M.Sc. from the University of Calgary and, INFORMATION The Upper Crust Inc. & subsequently, a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He Talks are free and do not require pre-registration. HEF Petrophysical Consulting Inc. was employed in the research groups of Cities Please bring your lunch. Pastries and drinks are Service and Amoco through the 1980s, followed by a provided by HEF Petrophysical Consulting, and the 12:00 Noon stint as an Associate Professor at Memorial room is provided by Petro-Canada. If you would like to Thursday, October 5, 2006 University. For the past decade he has been a be on the Structural Division e-mail list, or if you'd like consulting structural geologist in Calgary, and his to give a talk, please contact Jamie Jamison at Petro-Canada professional time is now split between The Upper (403) 269-3158 or [email protected]. West Tower, Room 17E (17th floor) Crust Inc. and HEF Petrophysical Consulting Inc. 150 6th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta

Fractures and faults in rock develop in response to the regional and local stresses, and the displacements along or across these features accommodate much of the strain within structures developed in the upper crust. Both detailed and general observations of the orientation and displacement characteristics of these features (especially small faults and shear fractures) can provide insight into fold history and mechanics. In many of the sandstone and conglomerate units within the Cretaceous section that have been folded in the Foothills region there are some recurring relationships between the development/offset on shear fractures and small faults and the stage of fold development.

During the early folding stages, these shear features occur with type III and type I orientations. Slickensides and offsets on both systems indicate sub-horizontal (bedding-parallel) contraction, parallel to the regional transport direction. As fold limb dips approach 20º, type II shear features with dip-slip slickensides initiate in the hinge regions. These produce extension sub- parallel to bedding and perpendicular to the fold axis.As the fold amplitude increases, type II shear features with dip-slip offsets become pervasively developed through the limbs of the fold, accommodating down-dip extension of the fold limbs.Type I fractures continue to develop and/or reactivate throughout the fold.These consistently have horizontal-slip indications, reflecting horizontal contraction in the transport direction that persists in addition to bending in the hinges and extension of the fold limbs. On steeply- dipping fold limbs there can be late-formed shear features that are sub-parallel to bedding (type III), with down-dip slickensides. Offsets indicate these features can either extend or contract bedding.

The shear features observed indicate bed-parallel, fold-axis perpendicular contraction during the initial stages folding, followed by extension due to bending in the hinges in the intermediate stages of folding. As folding advances, flexural slip and bed- parallel extension occurs through the fold limbs. The development and distribution of the various shear features are clearly a function of structural position, and they are also very dependent on the

19 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 20

PROUD SPONSORS PALAEONTOLOGY DIVISION

Alberta Palaeontological Society The Alberta Palaeontological Society INFORMATION open house and fossil clinic welcomes CSPG members, families, and the This event is jointly presented by the Alberta general public to their Open House and Palaeontological Society, Mount Royal College, 7:30-9:30 PM Fossil Clinic. APS members and guests will and the CSPG Paleontology Division. For details or Friday, October 20, 2006 have specimens on display and resident to present a talk in the future please contact experts will be on hand to help identify fossils CSPG Paleo Division Chair Philip Benham at 403- Mount Royal College that are brought in to the clinic. Fossils found 691-3343 or [email protected] the Room B108 on the summers field trips and expeditions APS website for confirmation of event times and 4825 Mount Royal College Gate S.W. will also be presented and discussed. upcoming speakers: http://www.albertapaleo.org/ Calgary, Alberta

PROUD SPONSORS BASIN ANALYSIS DIVISION

Geological controls on bitumen properties. Darcy's Law and hypothetical BIOGRAPHY quality in the Athabasca Oil simulation models demonstrate that changes Milovan Fustic, P.Geol., obtained his Sands deposit in chemical and physical properties of undergraduate degree (B.Sc. Hons.) in 1993 bitumen play an important role toward from the University of Belgrade,Yugoslavia and is SPEAKER understanding the processes required to currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Milovan Fustic mobilize and upgrade the bitumen. Calgary. Milovan's project aims to develop Department of Geology and Geophysics Recent advances in the study of petroleum advanced reservoir and fluid characterization University of Calgary biodegradation suggest that these processes approaches to better describing and are geologically controlled. The variations in understanding the processes leading to reservoir 12:00 Noon measured bitumen viscosities, estimated heterogeneities in the Athabasca tar sands. His Thursday, October 5, 2006 biodegradation level (using molecular research forms one of the components within the markers), and bulk molecular composition in Alberta Ingenuity Centre for In Situ Energy EnCana Amphitheatre the Athabasca tar sand reservoir were (AICISE), a major energy research centre that 2nd Floor, East end correlated with the various reservoir aiming to develop strategies for more efficient, Calgary Tower Complex conditions and facies. cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable 1st Street and 9th Avenue S.E. processes and technologies towards improving Calgary, Alberta The results obtained indicate that bitumen is recovery and upgrading of Alberta's vast and heterogeneous on a vertical scale in the virtually untapped bitumen reserves. The Athabasca Oil Sand deposit contains an reservoir and that the best reservoirs in estimated 1.7 trillion barrels of heavily terms of bitumen quantity may not Prior to joining academia, Milovan worked in the biodegraded oil that occurs as a solid phase necessarily be the best reservoirs in terms of petroleum and mining industry for 12 years. In (bitumen) ranging from 6° to 11° API. Current bitumen quality. A close relationship was 2000 he joined the industry as a technologies for bitumen exploitation and found between the bitumen composition and geologist with Albian Sands Energy Inc., a SHELL upgrading require large amounts of energy. its viscosity, implying that bitumen properties Canada Ltd. leading joint venture with Chevron are predictable and could potentially be Canada Ltd. and Western Oil Sands formed to While reservoir quality is commonly mapped at high resolution. This provides a develop SHELL's Oil Sands properties in the assessed using classical approaches, very little new level of information suitable for Athabasca region. This unique opportunity attention is given to describing the variation optimising either in-situ or surface mining allowed him to study many aspects of reservoir in bitumen composition and physical operational recovery of bitumen. heterogeneity directly from the inside of the reservoir.

He is a registered professional geologist with APEGGA, and a member of AAPG, CSPG, CWLS, Saskatchewan and Northern Plains and CHOA.

Oil & Gas Symposium INFORMATION BASS Division talks are free. Please bring Regina, Saskatchewan - October 17 and 18, 2006 your lunch. For further information about the division, joining our mailing list, a list of upcoming talks, or if you wish to present a talk or lead a field trip, please contact either Steve Donaldson DON’T MISS IT! at 403-645-5534, email: Steve.Donaldson @encana.com or Mark Caplan at http://www.sgshome.ca/index_fi les/Symposium.htm 403-691-3843, email: [email protected] or visit our web page at www.cspg.org/ basin_analysis.html. 20 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 21 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 22

JACK PORTER- VIGNETTES OF CANADIAN PETROLEUM GEOLOGY

J.B. TYRRELL’S INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERIOR OF CANADA’S PRECAMBRIAN SHIELD

José (Joseph) Mercredi had informed Joseph Tyrrell, following the latter’s arrival at Fon du Lac,that a portion of the supplies,requisitioned by D. B. Dowling at , had already arrived at his post. Included was a canoe, which had been used in 1890 by R. G. McConnell of the Geological Survey during his exploration of the Athabasca petrolem region.

The prearranged rendezvous at Fon du Lac of Tyrrell and Dowling, with their respective parties, occurred on July 28th, with Tyrrell and his party having arrived the previous evening. Dowling’s freight included the additional provisions, obtained at Fort Chipewyan, to sustain the two parties for the remainder of the field season.After Dowling informed Tyrrell that the Hudson’s Bay sternwheeler, Grahame, would be departing from Fort Chipewyan for Fort McMurray on August 7th,to make her last upriver trip of the season; Tyrrell reacted by assigning two members of his party to leave immediately by canoe for Fort Chipewyan with his burdensome collections of rock samples. Apparently, his specimens arrived at the Survey’s headquarters in Ottawa before Tyrrell and Dowling had completed their respective survey routes.

The Grahame had been named after the former Chief Commissioner James A.Grahame built at Fort Chipewyan in 1883 and made her Grahame’s Landing (later renamed Fitzgerald). of the Hudson’s Bay Company.This vessel had initial commercial journey on June 15th of the This landing marked the head of the Cassette the distinction of being the first steamer to following year, passing down the to Rapids, a 16-mile stretch, terminating at Fort operate in the basin. She was its docking berth, appropriately named Smith. The same year the Grahame made her first upriver trip to Fort McMurray (1974, MacGregor, J. G.: Paddle wheels to Bucket- wheels on the Athabasca, pub. McClelland and Western Canada Geological Edge Set Stewart Ltd., pp. 88 & 89). While steaming upriver along the banks of exposed bituminous 2006 Version sand of the valley, the Now available for import into ACCUMAP, GEOSCOUT and other applications: Grahame’s stoker collected chunks of congealed bitumen, which he tossed into the 1) Mississippian Subcrops and Devonian 5) Colony/Sparky/Lloydminster Grahame’s fire-box to enhance the capability of Reef Edges - AB, NE BC, NT and SK Reservoir Trends - East-central AB the wood fuel to generate steam (1978, 2) Triassic Halfway, Doig, Charlie Lake 6) Bluesky-Dunlevy Reservoir Trends Charlebois, Peter, Dr.: Sternwheelers - Arch, Alberta, NE BC - NE BC & Sidewheelers – The Romance of Steamdriven 3) Rock Creek Subcrop Edge - Alberta 7) Viking Fm. - Alberta Paddleboats in Canada, pub. NC Press. Ltd., p. 4) Glauconitic Channel Trends 8) CBM - Horseshoe Canyon, Mannville 117). This incident, involving the first - AB and SK exploitation of bitumen – derived from the All edges are formatted as map features for use in Accumap McMurray Formation – as a commercial energy and ESRI Shape files for other programs. source, is historically noteworthy; albeit, based For more information contact: on a spontaneous experimental act! Mike Sherwin 403-263-0594 After Tyrrell’s rock specimens had arrived at email: [email protected] www.sherwingeological.com Fort McMurray, they, in all likelihood, were temporarily warehoused, pending their

22 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 23

transfer to a sturgeon-nose scow returning up While Donaldson Dowling was making final Landing, as having been a participant with the Athabasca River with lighter bundles of preparations for his descent of the Athabasca Dowling’s survey party. Suffice to say, it would furs, destined for the Hudson’s Bay River from Athabasca Landing, he hired a fifth seem logical, based on his sailing experience warehouses at the head of Grand Rapids, a man to include in his party; an experienced on Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Winnipeg with river distance of 87 miles.This narrow course boatman who was familiar with the rapids and Tyrrell’s parties, during the previous two field of the Athabasca River, above Fort McMurray, intricacies of the river’s course. Besides his seasons, that he was included. consisted of a maze of rapids, some two canoes, a single mast sailing boat, the appropriately named: Cascade Rapids, Pterodactyl, was included, the latter to Dowling’s party left Athabasca Landing on June Crooked Rapids, Boiler Rapids and Grand expedite his investigations along the 150-mile 24th, 1892 to descend the Athabasca River’s Rapids.To ascend this section of the river, the passage, stretching from the mouth of the 250-mile course to Fort McMurray. No doubt scow, apart from a few passengers, was devoid Athabasca River and fronting the southern the Pterodactyl took some pounding as she of its oarsmen.Two of the scowmen remained coastline of , eastward to Fond ran the gauntlet of the river’s rapids. However, aboard; one at the prow and the other at the du Lac. Apart from the forementioned river with the skillful assistance afforded on board stern, both standing with poles in hand, to boatman, hired by Dowling, Tyrrell makes no the small fishing smack by a scow’s steersman, prevent the craft from striking rocks. The mentioned of James Collins,who had delivered she successfully executed the challenge remainder of the scowmen, with leather chest the Pterodactyl!*-?2ESERVOIR!D?3EPTPDF0- from Selkirk, Manitoba to the without a mishap. harnesses attached to a single lengthy line, its (Continued on page 24...) end fixed to the scow, would track in tandem, from the river’s bank, the scow upriver in a debilitating struggle to overcome the force of the river’s current. The scowmen, most of whom were either metis or native, were characteristically - latter day voyageurs. It required, on an average, in excess of 30 hours of unrelenting labour for the scows to reach the pier at the head of Grand Rapids (Ibid.: 1974, MacGregor, J. G. - pp, 104 & I05).

The Hudson’s Bay’s sternwheeler, Athabasca, was built at Athabasca Landing in 1887 and was placed in service during the following year.The Company had originally intended her to reach its Lesser Slave Lake post and nearby Grouard Mission, located at the northwestern extremity of Lesser Slave Lake. By steaming up the Athabasca River to its confluence with Lesser %VALUATE Slave River (Mirror Landing), the Athabasca was presumed to be capable of navigating this YOUROPTIONS tributary to its outpouring from the east end of Lesser Slave Lake. Unfortunately, seasonal fluctuations of the river’s water level, coupled with its meandering course and rock-strewn river bed, prevented on a number of occasions the Athabasca accessing its post and Grouard 4HERESMORETOGOINGTOWORKEVERYDAYTHANSIMPLY Mission. Consequently, the Athabasca engaged herself in a scheduled Athabasca River run, /UREXPERTISEISIN COLLECTINGAPAYCHEQUE from her base at Athabasca Landing,down river EVALUATION to the head of Grand Rapids and return !T!*- THEREWARDSALSOINCLUDEBEINGABLETODOWHAT upriver,a combined distance of 330 miles (Ibid.: 1974, MacGregor, J. G. - pp. 97, 104 & 145). /URSTRENGTHISIN YOUDOBEST SHAREWHATYOUKNOWANDSETYOUROWNWORK OURPEOPLE SCHEDULE!SPARTOFTHE!*-TEAM YOUCANTAKEPRIDEINOUR In all probability,Tyrrell’s rock specimens were freighted on the Athabasca from the head of REPUTATIONFORSUPERIORCUSTOMERSERVICEnANDFORPROVIDING Grand Rapids to Athabasca Landing.From there EXPERTEVALUATIONOFCORPORATERESERVES ACQUISITIONSAND they would be transported by horse-drawn wagon over an improvised road, a distance of DIVESTITURES ANDSPECIALRESERVES 100 miles, to .The northern terminus of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway was at )FYOUREASEASONEDEXPERTINRESERVOIRENGINEERING GEOLOGY Strathcona, located on the south side of the North , opposite GEOPHYSICSORPETROPHYSICSWHOWOULDLIKETOEVALUATEMORE Edmonton.The railway had reached Strathcona WAYSTOEXPANDYOURPERSONALANDPROFESSIONALHORIZONS on July 15th, 1891. However, a bridge linking WWWAJMANET Strathcona with Edmonton was not completed  PLEASEGIVEUSACALLORVISITOURWEBSITE until April, 1900 and the first train crossing of the occurred on October 30th, 1902. %VALUATIONSTHATSTANDTHETESTOFTIME

23 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 24

(...Continued from Page 23) The Firebag River, a tributary of the stratified deposits forming the plateau. The No mention is made in Tyrrell’s report of the Athabasca River located 28 miles Devonian limestone, which has formed the 50 miles of intermittent exposures of downstream from Bitumount, flows floor of the valley for five or six miles, is here bituminous sand occurring along the northwest; its confluence occurring on the overlain by four feet of “tar sand”.The section Athabasca River valley from Fort McMurray Athabasca’s east bank. Dowling traversed at the forks of the Fire-bag (sic) River, is in to Bitumount. Nor is there any mention in this small river up its northwest course, a descending order, as follows: Director Selwyn’s Summary of Exploration, distance of 18 miles, to its forks with a Athabasca River to Reindeer Lake (In part A smaller branch, the Marguerite River, which 1. Stratified sand 90 feet for I892, Annual Report, 1892 - 93). It seems drains the region to the northeast. Prior to 2. Stratified clay 40 feet that Dowling was required to submit an reaching the forks, Dowling observed small 3. Tar sand (Dakota) 4 feet independent report to his superior, Tyrrell. exposures of Devonian stromatoporoid He, in turn, quoted passages from Dowling’s limestone, whose presence in the stream (1) The bedding in this is accentuated by dark text, which were unrelated to the fore- bed, had created intervals of small rapids. streaks of sand saturated with tar. mentioned bituminous sand occurrences. He related this limestone to a similiar facies (2) A few small pebbles were seen near the Notwithstanding, Dowling did describe, as he had examined near the base of the lower part and the clay smelt of petroleum, quoted in Tyrrell’s report, the presence of in- middle Devonian, outcropping at the north and probably rests on the “tar sand”.” situ bituminous sand in the Firebag River end of Lake Winnipegosis, in Manitoba’s valley, located 75 miles north of Fort Interlake region. He further noticed the After arriving at Lake Athabasca, Dowling McMurray. Further examination of the emission of sulphuric gas at the site and its commenced his survey of its south shore.At occurrences of bituminous sand along the attendant yellow to orange residue formed a distance of 12 miles east of the delta of the Athabasca River valley may have been on the beds. Athabasca River, he first investigated the area deemed unnecessary by Selwyn, as the result of Old Fort Bay and ascended the river of the of the extensive investigations by Robert Bell At the forks of the Firebag and Marguerite same name, which drains the country to the of the Geological Survey of Canada (ref.: Rivers, Dowling describes the presence of southeast. Near the lower reaches of Old “Report on part of the basin of the Athabasca Lower Cretaceous sediments (McMurray Fort River, Dowling noted exposures of river, North West Territory, part CC, Report Formation) overlying Middle Devonian strata. horizontal beds of Athabasca sandstone. of Progress, 1882 - 1884”), as well as the To quote Dowling: “the sections in the banks Further up the river, some eight miles from survey by Richard George McConnell, also of of the valley are perhaps the most clearly the lake, he reported that: “solid rock is met the Survey (ref.: “Summary of exploration in defined of any in the district. The stream, for the first time, in the bed of the stream. It the Athabaska (sic) petroleum regions, impinging against the east bank, has cut it away is in the form of a fine-grained and very hard Alberta. In part A(for 1890), Annual Report, and formed a steep escarpment in the clays sandstone, similar in texture to the Potsdam 1890 -91). and sands, exposing over 140 feet of the (Upper Cambrian) sandstone of Eastern

24 October 9/13/06 9:53 PM Page 25

Canada. It is light coloured, weathering rusty, and in thick beds, lying about horizontal.”

Following Peter Pond’s departure from the Athabasca country in the spring of 1788, Alexander Mackenzie, who had been Pond’s clerk, was placed in charge of the ’s Athabasca District. Pond had descended the Athabasca River in 1778 and had established a trading post the same year on the east bank of the river, above Embarras Portage, approximately 22 miles from the lake. He identified this post as No, 18 on his map dated 1787, which post was later referred to as Pond’s House.Alexander Mackenzie, after remaining at Pond’s House with Pond during the winter of 1787/1788, had instructed his cousin, Roderic McKenzie, whom he had selected as his clerk, to locate a favorable site on the coastline of Lake Athabasca and erect there a trading post.

Old Fort Point is a conspicuous narrow promontory, located six miles east of the Athabasca River’s delta and forms the northwest margin of Old Fort Bay. It was on this feature, in the autumn of 1788, that Roderic McKenzie built the first Fort Chipewyan. It was named after the natives of the region, with whom the North West Company would be trading. The decision by Roderic for the site was, in part, influenced by the area’s excellent fishing resource. This post had the distinction of being the point of departure, in 1789, of Alexander Mackenzie’s epic voyage down the great river, that now bears his name. The first Fort Chipewyan became the repository for a very large collection of books, including manuscripts of journeys made by earlier fellow travellers. This library’s contents were selected and catalogued by the scholarly Raderic McKenzie for the enjoyment and edification of officers of Fort Chipewyan and other northern posts, especially during the long nights of winter.

In 1802, old Fort Chipewyan was abandoned as a fur-trading post, but remained as a fishing station. The new Fort Chipewyan was relocated to the north shore, some 20 miles west by northwest, to a location one-and-one- half miles east of Lake Athabasca’s discharge into the Slave River. Following the union of the Hudson’s Bay Company and North West Company in 1821, its function as a Hudson’s Bay Company’s depot and trading establishment gradually fell into decline by the close of the 19th century. During the 1870s, it was rebuilt on its former site by the Bay’s Roderick MacFarlane. However, it now remains a quiet settlement, a nostalgic reminder of its active past (1946, Blanchet, Guy, H.; The Beaver, March, Outfit 276: “Emporium of the North,” pub. Hudson’s Bay Company,Winnipeg, pp. 32 – 35).

To be continued...

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CONOCOPHILLIPS GLEN RUBY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

ConocoPhillips Canada is proud to Since inception, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists has been continue the ConocoPhillips Glen a forum for sharing ideas and knowledge about the geology of Western Ruby Memorial Scholarships in Canada and the Canadian frontiers.This knowledge exchange has played Geosciences. These scholarships are a fundamental role in the successful development of the Canadian oil presented each year to second, third, industry. Glen Ruby's legacy thrives three-quarters of a century later. and fourth years students to promote excellence in petroleum GEOLOGY ConocoPhillips has been active in Canada since 1880 through the and GEOPHYSICS. activities of heritage companies including Continental Oil Company, Marland Oil/ Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas, British American, Royalite, $2,000 Asamera, , Stampeder, Mannville, Crestar, Gulf Canada 2nd year geoscience student Resources, Poco, Canadian Hunter, Burlington Resources, Conoco $3,000 Canada, and Phillips Petroleum. We proudly honour Glen Ruby as a 3rd year geoscience student pioneer and industry leader and we are pleased that the memorial scholarships will assist in the development of future geoscientists. $5,000 4th year geoscience student APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 15, 2006 Scholarships will be administered through the Educational Trust Fund of ConocoPhillips Canada is pleased to recognize and honour a pioneer the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. The CSPG Educational who has had a lasting influence on the Canadian Oil and Gas industry. Trust Fund is active in promoting Geoscience in our schools, our From 1926 to 1929, Glen Ruby was Vice President and General Manager community and our industry. of Marland Oil's Canadian partnership, Hudson's Bay Oil and Gas.While in Alberta he was a driving force behind the inaugural meeting and If you would like to apply for the Glen Ruby Memorial Scholarships in formation of the Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists (renamed GeoSciences, please visit www.cspg.org and download Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists in 1972).Glen Ruby dedicated an application form. his life to exploration and has been recognized as one of the great pioneers in the global search for oil and gas. In addition to Canada, he successfully explored for oil in Chile,Alaska, and the US Rocky Mountain basins.At one time he was credited with having made the most northerly and southerly oil discoveries in the world.

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STANLEY SLIPPER MEDAL – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS BY JOHN HOGG, COMMITTEE CHAIR

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Committee is currently calling on the CSPG The Stanley Slipper Medal is the CSPG's highest membership to provide additional nominations for this Honour. “This pioneer and explorer in geology, prestigious award. The Award winner must be a CSPG engineering, and natural gas technology bequeathed a member and should be able to attend the awards fundamental knowledge, years ahead of his time and presentation to be held in 2007. was considered by many a virtual Leonardo da Vinci of the Petroleum Industry. Slipper, our first President, Please include an updated bibliography and letters in deserved the honour (unbeknownst to him) of our support of your nominee. highest award in the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists” (Aubrey Kerr). Nominations should mail, faxed or emailed before Friday October 6, 2006 to: The medal is presented annually by the CSPG for outstanding contributions to oil and gas exploration John Hogg in Canada. Last year the medal was awarded to Chairman Gerry Macey. CSPG Stanley Slipper Committee 600, 640 – 8th Avenue SW The contributions of the winner of this award should Calgary,Alberta encompass a number of activities related to aspects of Canada T2P 1G7 petroleum exploration. Such activities include: initiating and or leading exploration programs, significant Email: [email protected] discoveries on new or existing exploration tends, Telephone: (403) 260-8313 teaching and or training of explorationists, and Fax: (403) 264-5898 involvement in and leadership within geological societies and professional organizations.

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A DIVISION OF THE DATA GROUP OF COMPANIES October 9/15/06 10:42 AM Page 29

2006 CSPG HONORARY ADDRESS

Special Thanks to Our 2005 Sponsors. HURRICANES: IMPACTING ALBERTA This year's CSPG Honorary Address finds us MARQUEE SPONSOR at the Southern Alberta Jubilee on the evening of October 24, 2006. As in the past, this integral part of the CSPG's Outreach program strives to bring interesting and topical science into our community, while PARTNER SPONSORS educating the general public on the roles of our societies and geoscience in the community at large. This year we will reach an audience of over 2,500 junior-high- aged children during a free afternoon performance, and an evening performance for PLATINUM SPONSORS the general public.

We strive to be topical and current, and Hurricanes certainly seems to fit that bill. We will open the evening with a lecture from Jerry Sexton. Jerry specialises in coastal geomorphology working in South Carolina POWER on coastal and shelf sands through his company Athena Technologies. Some of you GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS AJM Petroleum Consultants Esprit Energy Trust may have been lucky enough to attend his ConocoPhillips Canada Ltd. Mancal Energy Inc. field school which he runs for industry. Jerry IHS Murphy Oil Company, Ltd. will bring some first-hand experience with Paramount Resources Ltd. Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd. hurricanes to Calgary and discuss their Petro-Canada Oil & Gas impact on coastlines. MEDIA PARTNERS Calgary Herald While hurricanes impact the geologic record, Sundog Printing we have also seen their impact on our industry. Daniel Collins, a director with Cambridge Energy Research Associates, will shed some light on impact of hurricanes on the oil and gas industry and Calgary specifically.

This year's address will have the doors of the Jubilee open at 5:30, so that you can take advantage of our pre-event lobby displays and silent auction. Speakers will run from 7pm – 9:30pm, with a question and answer period to follow. Tickets are $10 each, or $5 for students, seniors and groups and will be available through TicketMaster. The event is always a great way to catch up with old friends and introduce your families to our industry, we hope to see you all there in October.

If you are interested in learning more about the CSPG Honorary Address please contact Jennifer Dunn at [email protected]. And, as always, there are still sponsorship opportunities available. If you think that the Honorary Address is something that fits your corporate sponsorship profile please contact Kim Maclean at [email protected].

Looking forward to next year's address we are planning to recognise the International Polar Year 2007-2009. 29 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 30 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 31

GOOD NEWS FOR OUT OF PROVINCE GEOSCIENTIST REGISTRATION IN BC ANDRIA INK, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FOR APEGBC The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) recently introduced a policy change under the Canadian Council of Geoscientists' Inter-Association Mobility Agreement (IAMA) that will facilitate the registration process for Geoscientists in BC.

Under the new policy, Professional Geoscientists applying for registration under IAMA need only submit an application form and fee, confirmation of membership in good standing from their home Association, and proof of Canadian citizenship or residency. A complete application is typically processed within one week.This new policy will affect both new and current IAMA applicants. Professional Practice examinations will be waived if applicants have passed a similar exam in another Canadian Association / Ordre or if applicants are Professional members of other Canadian Associations / Ordre for more than five years.

Recognizing the inherent mobility in APEGBC's incoming president for 2006/2007,Tim Smith, P.Geo (BC) and P. Geol (AB) making field observations and geoscience practice and demands of the taking notes.Tim is the current BC Director of the Canadian Council of Professional Geologists and specializes in slope hazard assessment, landform investigations, and risk analysis. industry, APEGBC has adopted this process to assist out-of-Province Geoscientists in complying with requirements of provincial law. APEGBC hopes to facilitate individuals who have been transferred or who have projects in BC by making the registration process simple and expedient. APEGBC believes that this improved process will be warmly welcomed by the mining and oil and gas sectors.

According to the BC Engineers and Geoscientists Act, the "practice of professional geoscience" means: reporting, advising, acquiring, processing, evaluating, interpreting, surveying, sampling, or examining related to any activity that: (a) is directed towards the discovery or development of oil, natural gas, coal, metallic or non-metallic minerals, precious stones, other natural resources or water, or the investigation of surface or sub-surface geological conditions; and, (b) requires the professional application of the principles of geology, geophysics, or geochemistry.

All geoscientists must be registered in all provinces in which they practice. More information and registration details are available at http://www.apeg.bc.ca/reg/ InterProvincialGeos.html

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ARE RECENT DISCOVERIES A TEMPLATE FOR THE FUTURE? CANADIAN DISCOVERY LTD.

ABSTRACT Between 2003 and 2005, technological advances and high commodity prices influenced the drilling of approximately 72,000 wells in the Western Canada Sedimentary (WCSB) and Williston Basins. Of these wells, 24% are categorized as exploratory and 76% as development. Status distribution has gas dominating with 73% of the total completions versus oil at 27%. There were both key exploration discoveries and significant resource play development. These were not limited to one area or stratigraphic interval, but were situated across Western Canada and range in age from the Devonian through to the Cretaceous.What are the characteristics of the recent discoveries in Western Canada? Can this information be used as a template for future discoveries? This paper will summarize recent discoveries and provide a statistical review of the recent drilling activity that can be used to assess current trends and predict future discoveries. It was originally presented at the 2006 CSPG-CSEG-CWLS convention as “2003-2005: Recent discoveries in WCSB and Williston Basins.”

INTRODUCTION Recent discoveries and statistical analysis of drilling activity between 2003-2005 in the WCSB and Williston Basin can be used to assess current trends and predict future discoveries. The years 2003-2005 were chosen because there is sufficient, relevant public information available and the dataset is a reasonable size. The distribution of exploratory and development well events for the period 1995 to 2005 demonstrates that the years 2003, 2004, and 2005 were consistent in levels of activity and results and thus provide an excellent base for additional detail (Figure 1).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE BASINS Between 2003 and 2005, technological advances and high commodity prices influenced the drilling of approximately 72,000 wells. Of these wells, 24% are categorized as exploratory (NFW, NPW, Figure 1. Distribution of Wells by Year. DPT, Outpost) and 76% as development. Status distribution has gas dominating 73% of the total completions versus oil at 27%. The area examined includes the Canadian During this 3-year cycle, Cretaceous below the Cretaceous.Table 1 lists the top portions of the Western Canada formations dominate the top 10 producing wells with IP rates >12 mmcf/d from the Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) and the zones drilled as shown in Figure 2. 2003-2005 period. The new conventional Williston Basin. The statistical data was discoveries and recent resource plays are generated using Canadian Discovery’s Gas-producing wells with the top average delineated by colour. Exploration & Development Geotechnical initial production values (IP) generally Evaluator (EDGE) product. produced from zones stratigraphically Oil-producing wells with the top average 32 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 33

period. The development wells were removed from this particular table because they were dominated by oil sands-related horizontal development wells. Eight wells, highlighted by orange on this list, are recent Devonian Nisku conventional oil discoveries.

Maps of Rig Release data (Figure 3) do not reveal significant trends with respect to the distribution of exploration and development activity in western Canada from 2003-2005.

The top operator in Western Canada for the last three years was EnCana, with Canadian Natural Resources, Husky Oil, and Apache Canada the next three dominant players (Figure 4).

Figure 5 plots the calculated Average Ultimate Recoverable BOE (data from xi technologies inc.) versus the RR year.This Figure 2. Distribution of Wells by Production Zone. graph illustrates that over the last 10 years the average decline is 9.7%. Without question, the average size of pools, in terms initial production values (IP) produced illustrates the top exploration wells with IP of both numbers of wells and recoverable from all stratigraphic zones. Table 2 rates >400 bopd from the 2003-2005 (Continued on page 35...)

Table 1.Wells with IP rates > 12 mmcf/d 33 October 9/13/06 9:07 PM Page 34

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Table 2. Exploration Wells with IP rates > 400 bopd.

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Figure 3.Well Rigs released by year. (...Continued from Page 35) high risk and high reward prospects occur. HUGH REID’S DISCOVERIES Exploration oil plays focus on deeper Present exploration in Western Canada is Devonian targets. In terms of resource 2006 divided between conventional discoveries plays, gas is found within the Deep Basin FALL COURSES and resource play developments. During Tight Gas area, oil is the target in the 2003-2005, recent conventional discoveries Williston Basin, and CBM plays occur 16 WAYS TO IDENTIFY can be categorized as those associated with across central and southern Alberta. BYPASSED PAY FROM the disturbed belt areas and those DST DATA targeting “deep” horizons. These include Highlighting these same plays on a (More advanced, for those Monkman, Lynx, Solomon, Tay River, and stratigraphic chart shows that the “comfortable” with DST charts) Cabin Creek along the Disturbed Belt distribution is not limited to geological trend and Pembina and Mega-Venus within Eras or provinces. Oct. 11 - 12, 2006 the deep Devonian. The unconventional resource play developments are the Deep WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE??? HYDRODYNAMICS SEMINAR Basin Tight Gas plays at Cutbank Ridge, Where do we go from here? The data from Leland, Groundbirch, and Sundown and the the 2003 to 2005 discoveries suggest that (Oil & Gas Finding Aspects) Coalbed Methane (CBM) plays at Oberlin, operators can continue to exploit their Dec. 4 - 7, 2006 Corbett Creek, and throughout Southern own respective niches, but can also expand Alberta. Development of a conventional- their horizons. With high commodity PRACTICAL DST CHART style resource play is in the Viewfield- prices, mature areas will remain economic, INTERPRETATION Sinclair trend in the Williston Basin. All of even in the face of smaller pool sizes and (Thorough Basic Course) these plays and other recent activity are more costly drilling and completion Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, 2007 highlighted in Canadian Discovery Digest programs. Unconventional plays should also Exploration Reviews or CEO activity be considered as part of a long-term In-house courses available. overviews (www.canadian discovery.com). strategy as they provide consistent For course outline visit: additional reserves and production. www.hughwreid.com Figure 6 illustrates selected conventional discoveries and resource play Figure 8 illustrates the trends of 262-1261 developments. Exploration gas plays are recoverable hydrocarbon reserves based distributed along the disturbed belt, where on drilling over the past ten years. The

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Disturbed Belt play, both in the Mesozoic and Paleozoic sections, illustrates that real gains can be made in production if capital and trained personnel are available. While the Disturbed Belt play tends to be dominated by operators with a history in this play type and large capital budgets, there is opportunity for consortiums of smaller operators to chase similar plays. In this scenario no single operator faces the prospect of being unduly hurt by lack of success and each participant can reap considerable benefits from success. As geophysical operations have become technically stronger, interpretation has become easier and more likely to yield positive results, even for less experienced operators. Consortiums of companies willing to be co-operative rather than purely competitive in certain circumstances could effectively pursue plays such as Tay River. Figure 4.Top operators. The rejuvenation of the Beaverhill Lake sand play demonstrates that success can be achieved in stratigraphic intervals and areas that traditionally have been overlooked. Galleon Energy has shown that significant production can be achieved in areas that have similar geological settings to previous discoveries but which were under-explored.

The broadening of ideas, as is the case with Tusk Resources’ play at Mega, is exploration that requires imagination and buy-in from management but where the economic rewards can be substantial.

Resource plays such as shale gas in Saskatchewan are growing, evidenced by large exploration permits in previously undrilled areas at Domremy and Shell Lake. Companies that do not have large historical reserves can accumulate a significant resource base at relatively low cost. Resource plays continue in the Deep Basin where larger companies predominate due to the substantial drilling and completion costs involved. On the other hand, Figure 5. Average Ultimate Recoverable BOE vs. Rig Release year. relatively small operators can aggressively pursue CBM plays. ‘sweet spots’ are highlighted in orange and These under-explored areas exist in all reds and point to areas where success has play types. Utilizing the industry’s data Pure mining of the oil sands is obviously the been achieved. Explorationists should resources, explorationists can indeed world of huge capital requirement, however utilize this type of trend mapping to identify, quantify, and develop programs for the region between mineable oil and highlight areas that are geologically similar future gas and oil recovery. conventionally producible oil holds but have not had the same results. In those significant potential for operators that can regions, there may be less competition and This review of exploration and identify areas where higher grade oil is costs may be lower.Although the risks are development over the past three years isolated. Similarly, there are areas available higher, the rewards can be substantial. points out some key drivers. The (Continued on page 38...)

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(...Continued from Page 37) for exploitation of heavy, less moveable oil, which requires more complex infrastructure and engineering, but which have the potential for significant profitability.

Down-spacing will significantly improve productivity and reserves bases for both gas and oil prospects. Operators should constantly review producing properties for that additional potential while other companies should look for this type of opportunity. Technical development in enhanced oil recovery technologies such as CO2 injection can provide future reserve potential in conventional mature areas. Figure 6. Locations of 2003-2005 Significant Discoveries.

The wide variety of under-drilled areas, stratigraphic horizons, and conventional and unconventional plays within the WCSB presents opportunity for the combination of diligence, good information sources, technical strength, imagination, and a little luck to add significantly to corporate assets for many years to come.

Figure 7. Stratigraphic Occurence of 2003-2005 Significant Discoveries.

Figure 8. Trends of Recoverable Hydrocarbon Reserves. 38 October 9/13/06 9:08 PM Page 39

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