Geomechanics Issue In This Issue... Talking with Architects Some New Techniques for Acquiring Downhole Geomechanics Data Next-generation Hydraulic Fracture Modeling Image Logs 2017 Board of Directors
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Issue Contents: Recognition of wave influenced deltaic and bay margin sedimentation, Bluesky Formation, Alberta S.E. Botterill, S.G. Campbell, E.R. Timmer and M.K. Gingras
Sedimentology, ichnology and sequence stratigraphy of the Upper Devonian–Lower Mississippian Bakken Formation in eastern Saskatchewan L. Zhang and L.A. Buatois
Evolution of Li enriched oilfield brines in Devonian carbonates of the south central Alberta Basin, Canada G.F. Huff
Check out the newest Regional T R sequence stratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of the Bearpaw Formation issue of the CSPG (Upper Campanian), west central and southwestern Alberta plains Bulletin of Canadian B. Hathway Petroleum Geology Maximum age of the basal Cretaceous online today at Chinkeh Formation sandstones, Maxhamish Lake area, Liard Basin, British Columbia www.cspg.org M. McMechan, W. Matthews, F. Ferri and B. Guest BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2017
CSPG OFFICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT ELECT #150, 540 - 5th Ave SW Mark Cooper Clint Tippett Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0M2 Tel: 403-264-5610 Sherwood Geoconsulting Ltd. [email protected] Web: www.cspg.org Please visit our website for all tickets sales and event/course registrations [email protected] Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm The CSPG Office is Closed the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. OFFICE CONTACTS Membership Inquiries PAST PRESIDENT FINANCE DIRECTOR Tel: 403-264-5610 Email: [email protected] Greg Lynch Shelley Leggett Advertising Inquiries: Kristy Casebeer Tel: 403-513-1233 Email: [email protected] Shell Canada Ltd. NAL Resources Ltd. Sponsorship Opportunities: Lis Bjeld Tel: 403-513-1235 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Conference Inquiries: Kristy Casebeer Tel: 403-513-1233 Email: [email protected] Accounting Inquiries: Nancy Mosher Tel: 403-513-1232 Email: [email protected] FINANCE DIRECTOR Executive Director: Lis Bjeld Tel: 403-513-1235, Email: [email protected] DIRECTOR ELECT Mark Caplan Jim Barclay EDITORS/AUTHORS Please submit RESERVOIR articles to the CSPG office. [email protected] Submission deadline is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior [email protected] to issue date. (e.g. January 23 for the March/April issue) 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., at final size. DIRECTOR DIRECTOR CSPG COORDINATING EDITOR John Cody Alex MacNeil Emma MacPherson, Programs Coordinator, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Tel: 403-513-1230, Statoil Canada Ltd. Osum Oil Sands Corp. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The RESERVOIR is published 6 times per year by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. The purpose of the RESERVOIR is to publicize the Society’s many activities and to promote the geosciences. We look for both technical and non-technical material to publish. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the publisher. Additional copies of the RESERVOIR are available DIRECTOR DIRECTOR at the CSPG office. Kevin Parks Michael Webb No official endorsement or sponsorship by the CSPG is implied for any advertisement, insert, or article that appears in the Reservoir unless otherwise noted. All submitted materials are reviewed by the editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions, Alberta Energy Regulator Suncor Energy including letters to the Editor. Submissions must include your name, address, and membership number (if applicable).The material contained in this publication is [email protected] [email protected] intended for informational use only. While reasonable care has been taken, authors and the CSPG make no guarantees that any of the equations, schematics, or devices discussed will perform as expected or that they will give the desired results. Some information contained herein may be inaccurate or may vary from standard measurements. The CSPG expressly disclaims EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR any and all liability for the acts, omissions, or conduct of any third-party user of information contained in this publication. Under no circumstances shall the CSPG and Lis Bjeld its officers, directors, employees, and agents be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or expense arising in any manner whatsoever from the acts, omissions, or conduct of any third-party user. CSPG Printed by CBN Commercial Services, Calgary, Alberta. [email protected]
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 3 Start your year off right with the 2017 Geological Calendar
Available NOW for 10 dollars! Office: 150 540, 5th Ave SW Phone: 403.264.5610 MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
CANADA’S ENERGY GEOSCIENTISTS? By Mark Cooper
elcome to 2017 and I am sure paper regarding the proposed changes successful and will hopefully be repeated you will join me in hoping it will coming from the legislative review being in the future. The message is that we are Wbe a better year than 2016 for the conducted by APEGA. CSPG is also diversifying the technical content that energy industry. The signs are hopeful with working on a revised policy to continue we offer to our members and intend to an OPEC production cut underpinned by waiving fees for our members who are continue this process in the future by Saudi Arabia providing some stability and in transition, I hope that by the time you adding the number of Technical Divisions hopefully sustainable higher prices for read this the new policy will already have and supporting the reinvigorated oil. As I write this article the office move been announced. Hydrogeology and Environmental is underway to our new location at Suite Divisions we already have. 150, 540 5th Ave SW. CSPG has retained Finally I want to address the tagline its street presence while gaining the use of of the CSPG that appears on virtually So for me “Canada’s Energy a common classroom (100+capacity). This all of our materials, “Canada’s Energy Geoscientists” means that we are the will save CSPG a significant amount in the Geoscientists”. This, I am told, has created natural home for geoscientists that work current and subsequent financial years some confusion since it was added and I on Canadian sedimentary basins and although this is in some ways “back to the want to initiate a discussion on this by fluid flow within them whether it is Oil future” as the CSPG previously occupied describing what it conveys to me. I am and Gas production, Geothermal, Carbon the same space until the late nineties. going to borrow from a comment made by Capture and Storage, Hydrogeology or Kevin Parks the new Publications Director Environmental remediation as all of The Executive, the Board and the office at our strategy session in October. these aspects are inextricably linked. staff have had a busy Q4 with a number of The gist of this was that the CSPG has Coal is an energy source that many of things coming up. We received two major historically focussed on and continues our members have worked on in their reports on key topics. The first report to focus on the sedimentary basins of careers but current government policies was a thorough and comprehensive Canada and the fluids that are produced do not seem to be favouring coal as part commentary on the Ambassador out of and injected into the sedimentary of the long term future energy mix but Programme by the CSPG Ambassadors strata that they contain. This is a good coalbed methane may be resurgent at (Ian McIlreath, Colin Yeo, Brad Hayes, place to start discussing what “Canada’s some point in the future. The other pieces Ian Hutcheon, Ryan Brenner, Astrid Arts, Energy Geoscientists” represents. The of the energy mix such as Renewables, Gerry Reinson, Dale Leckie, Craig Lamb, majority of our members work in the oil Nuclear and Hydroelectric only touch Jim Reimer, Christian Viaux, and Tony industry; however this does not simply geosciences through engineering geology Cadrin) collated by Ian McIlreath. The require the extraction of hydrocarbons. which is not something that CSPG has second report addressed the Awards Large volumes of water are now involved particular expertise in and so I do not that the CSPG gives each year; again a in many oilfield operations, water which see that fitting the tagline of “Canada’s thorough and comprehensive report was needs to be sourced and recycled in Energy Geoscientists”. I hope this gets the submitted by a hard working committee an environmentally sensitive fashion. ball rolling on a discussion of this issue; (Colin Yeo, David Chunn, Gordon Carbon dioxide is now being captured over to you the membership. Williams, Denise Yee and Tony Cadrin) and stored underground which requires chaired by Ian McIlreath. We would like skills that overlap significantly with to thank Ian and all the contributors for hydrocarbon production. So rock/fluid the time spent in putting together these interactions in their various forms are reports which will form the basis for the key issues for many of our members. This evolution of those these programmes to fall CSPG has organised workshops on be fit for purpose moving forward. CSPG Geothermal Energy and Carbon Capture has also been working on a position and Storage both of which were very
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 5 CORPORATE SPONSORS/SUPPORTERS
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS
SAMARIUM SPONSOR DIAMOND SPONSORS
TITANIUM SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
T. Cadrin Holdings Ltd. CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Birchcliff Energy Ltd. RIGSAT Communications Compass Directional Services RPS Energy Canada Ltd. RS Energy Group Integrated Sustainability Consultants Ltd. Bannatyne Wealth Advisory Group Schlumberger Canada Limited TAQA North Ltd. Canadian Global Exploration Forum Cabra Consulting Ltd. Navigator Resource Consulting CMC Research Institutes, Inc. Pulse Seismic Inc. Synterra Technologies Encana McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd. Baker Hughes Calgary EV Cam Canada Inc. CAPL Roke Technologies Ltd. Halliburton ConocoPhillips Signature Seismic Processing Inc. LXL Consulting Ltd. Earth Signal Processing Ltd. Tectonic Energy Consulting Inc. Mount Royal University Valeura Energy *As of November 30th
6 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 – VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD...... 5
MONTHLY SPONSORS...... 6
PHOTO OF THE MONTH...... 8
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS...... 9
FRONT COVER GEOMECHANIC THEME ARTICLES Paragon Peak, Alberta. View looking north towards Paragon Peak Talking with Architects...... 10 in the Ramparts, Tonquin Valley, Jasper National Park, Alberta. Paragon Peak and the Ramparts are comprised of west-dipping beds Some New Techniques for Acquiring Downhole Geomechanics Data...... 12 of sandstone and conglomerate of the Lower Cambrian McNaughton Formation. Next-generation Hydraulic Fracture Modeling...... 14 Gord Hurlburt Image Logs...... 17 UPCOMING EVENTS
Technical Luncheons...... 19
Division Talks...... 25 SOCIETY NEWS
2017 Board of Directors...... 32
2016 Award Winners List...... 35
Member Updates...... 37
FROM THE ARCHIVES...... 39
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 7 PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Lherzolite, West Kettle River, British Columbia. Sample of the ultramafic igneous rock lherzolite, West Kettle River, British Columbia, from the collection of the University of Alberta. This ultramafic rock is seen in thin section with plane-polarized light (L) and cross-polars (R). It is primarily composed of olivine with minor orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel. Lherzolite is a major constituent of the Earth’s mantle. By: Zekai Jia
8 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
e hope that the holidays were With the themed editions we will also good to all our readers, giving highlight discussions with prominent Wsome much needed time to contributors, giving you the reader a little appreciate and reflect. We at the Reservoir more background into who these technical have also been doing some reflecting, on experts are and what has influenced their what we believe are important issues to careers in the Geosciences. We hope the Jason Frank our readers during these tough economic “Talking with Architects” series will be well “times.” We want to take this opportunity received and will continue on through the Technical Editor for the CSPG Reservoir to share some of the upcoming changes publication. Sr. Geologist at with you. Athabasca Oil Corporation Additional themes will include: Paradigm We have heard that having a print edition shifts – new ways to look at old problems. Jason Frank is a Professional Geologist who holds of the Reservoir is important to you. We A collection of articles focused on what a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. will continue to bring you technical we as Geoscientists consider to be “the He has over 16 years of experience in oil and articles, society news and information established,” making us reconsider what gas including technical and leadership positions on upcoming events, however we will we assume to be “facts.” Our academic in exploration and development both on and only mail out 6 editions during the 2017 edition will highlight some of the exciting offshore. Past experience includes Shell Canada publication year. This change reflects the work happening at our universities. Ltd., Burlington Resources Ltd., ConocoPhillips cost involved in bringing the Reservoir Other themes will focus on such topics Canada Ltd., and Talisman Energy Inc. Jason to members. We are viewing this as a as GeoConvention, rock properties and has volunteered for the Society in the past, most positive, as we can make other changes to laboratory testing and environmental recently chairing the Duvernay session at the enhance the Reservoir. considerations in our industry. Society’s annual convention (2014) and the Honourary Address Committee. The second change is that we are moving In closing, we would like to thank-you for to themed editions, focusing on specific renewing your memberships and continued technical aspects of Geology that will support of the Society. We have made it our act as the common thread throughout mandate to fill the Reservoir with timely, the publication. We kick of 2017 with a relevant and applicable articles, and we geomechnics theme. A big thank-you to will continue to do so. We also encourage Amy Fox who has spearheaded the effort, our membership to write in with requests and lends her considerable expertise to our or comments for the overall betterment of readers. our society.
Travis Hobbs Technical Editor for the Reservoir Professional Geologist at Encana
Travis Hobbs is an undergraduate from University of Calgary with a graduates degree from Simon Fraser University in Geology. Professionally has worked both domestically and internationally for 19 years in the Oil & Gas industry, and is currently celebrating 15 years with Encana. Industry roles have included development, exploration, management and business development. Prior to the Reservoir, Travis has held previous roles on convention committees and six years as the Chair of Continuing Education. As free time permits Travis enjoys cycling, cross-country skiing and teaching his two daughters violin.
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 9 GEOMECHANICS ARTICLES
“TALKING WITH ARCHITECTS” CSPG Reservoir Interview with Pat McLellan Travis Hobbs with Amy Fox
at McLellan is a geological engineer many outdoor activities so we’ve spent with a long history applying plenty of time with family and friends Pgeomechanics to reservoir hiking, backpacking, skiing, canoeing and characterization, drilling, completions, kayaking. I’ve been a long time member of reservoir engineering, and of late, induced the Calgary Canoe Club as a coach, director seismicity. He began his oil and gas career and a competitor. Most recently I raced with Petro-Canada, moved to Shell Canada at the world outrigger championships in 1987, and later Shell Research. In 1994 in Australia, and finally got to make the he founded the consulting, software and Molokai to Oahu crossing with a Canadian training firm Advanced Geotechnology Inc. Master’s team. I’m looking forward to a that was sold to Weatherford International cold winter (still in the gas business!) and in 2006. He graduated with a B.Sc. in another good ski season. Geological Engineering from Queen’s University in 1979, and obtained a M.Sc. Q: What attracted you to the Earth in Geotechnical Engineering from the Science discipline, and when did you University of Alberta in 1983. He has realize you wanted to focus on the field of conducted over 500 technical projects, geomechanics? authored or presented more than 160 technical papers, and instructed some A: Well that does go back a ways, but the Clint Tippett, a Queen’s grad student at 130 short courses worldwide. Pat was earliest recollection I have of knowing I the time, who hired me as a field assistant the recipient of two best paper citations wanted to be outdoors working in some for a GSC crew on Northern Baffin Island and a Distinguished Service Award from field of earth science was a Grade 11 (ostensibly to carry his rock samples) left a the Petroleum Society. He was a Society geography course. I was lucky enough to lasting mark. of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished land a field job mapping landslides with Lecturer in 2003. He has also served as the Department of Natural Resources in Q: What is your best field memory (hike/ director of the Petroleum Society and the Eastern Ontario while still in high school field work/looking at rocks)? Petroleum Technology Alliance of Canada, and that cinched it for me. I entered the and continues to participate in conference engineering program at Queen’s knowing A: As an undergrad I had great field organization committees for the CSPG, I wanted to be in the geological discipline. experiences working on landslides, mineral AAPG, SPE and ARMA. From late 2010 to It was probably about my third year at exploration in Northern Ontario, and 2016 he was a senior technical advisor at Queen’s when I decided to pursue a career mapping on a helicopter supported crew Talisman (now Repsol) and was a member in geotechnical engineering, which led along the northern coast of Baffin Island of the Independent Technical Panel created me to apply to graduate school in Alberta. with the GSC. Doesn’t get any better when by CNRL and the AER to review the Primrose My interest in petroleum geomechanics you did your traverses on skis early in the Bitumen Flow to Surface events. Through developed over my first few years working season. Unlike many of my fellow grad McLellan Energy Advisors Inc. he currently in Calgary on offshore islands and ice scour students in the geotechnical group of Civil provides consulting services, project hazards in the Beaufort Sea. Engineering at U of A, I sought out a field management and training courses for investigation of large rock avalanches in a energy industry clients in unconventional Q: Who were the influences on your work remote part of the Mackenzie Mountains in resources and oil sands. during your early education/training? the Yukon and NWT for my thesis research. My professional career in Calgary, working Q: Tell us something about the personal A: There were many I would say from principally in the subsurface, sadly did not side of Pat McLellan. What are your teachers, professors, researchers to lend itself to many field excursions. I did interests outside of work? employers: Herb Helmstaedt and Doug however have a great experience when I was VanDine at Queen’s; Norbert Morgenstern, seconded by Petro-Canada in 1985 to the A: Well I’m married to my very supportive Dave Cruden and Peter Kaiser at the Ocean Drilling Program Leg 110 for 6 weeks wife Charlene and our two daughters, University of Alberta; Wayne Savigny of in the Atlantic Ocean, drilling through the Brynn and Kathryn are currently attending Thurber Consultants; Sebastian Bell at the Barbados Accretionary Prism. I always try UBC. I’ve been a life-long participant in GSC; and Leo Roodhart at Shell Research. to make the CSPG structural geology field
10 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 GEOMECHANICS ARTICLES
trip run each fall. I saw somewhere that the scientist on board ODP Leg 110, 1985; induced seismicity and remote sensing. I one who sees the most rocks wins. I won’t first commercial use of microseismic to plan to continue to pursue these passions win but it’s been fun trying. map hydraulic fractures in Alberta, 1986; for selected clients, and to teach my industry profiling of in-situ stresses with micro- courses a few times a year. I contemplate Q: How much have you worked in western frac testing, Alberta 1986; research on stepping back into the geomechanics Canada vs. other geographic areas? the effects of natural fractures during software business, and no doubt have a few hydraulic fracturing including simulation, more technical papers to write. At the same A: A bit by design, I’ve always worked out of laboratory and field tests, 1990 to time, I also have a long bucket list of canoe Calgary. I turned down a posting to Shell’s present; geomechanical investigations trips and other adventures, so like anything Research Lab in The Hague, but soon of gas hydrates below permafrost in it’s a balance. after founded Advanced Geotechnology. the Mackenzie Delta, NWT, 1998-2006; During my consulting career I travelled to wellbore stability and sand production Q: What are some key messages you or undertook projects for clients operating investigations including the development of would like to share with the industry or exploring in Venezuela, Columbia, new models and innovative software, 1988- professional just starting to collect, Ecuador, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, China, 2009; assessment of caprock integrity risks analyze and apply geomechanical data? Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, for thermal EOR and CO2 sequestration Taiwan, Nigeria, Gabon, Egypt, Tunisia, (1995 to present); casing integrity and A: I have a few suggestions for new Algeria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, UAE, India, induced seismicity resulting from hydraulic professionals working in geomechanics. Norway, Australia, United Kingdom, and all fracturing in unconventional gas reservoirs First, just because you have an equation for over the USA. Probably about a 65/35 split (2010 to present). something, does not mean it is necessarily on Canadian to foreign project work. so. I see this blind adherence to theory Q: What technical breakthroughs do in many people early in their careers, Q: How would you say geomechanics has you see on the geomechanics horizon? and I’ll admit to having been there once changed over the course of your career? Where do you see our roles in applying myself. Come to expect surprises in real geomechanics going? How can students/ measured data, and don’t be afraid to A: Most certainly there is a much greater professionals today best prepare for this? entertain multiple working hypotheses awareness of this specialty, in both the until all of the facts are in. Sometimes engineering and geoscience communities. A: Speaking just from subject areas I’m there is not just one acceptable answer. There are many more conferences, training more familiar with I would say we’ll see new Geoscientists tend to have less trouble with courses and workshops on the topic, technical breakthroughs in such topics as: this approach; engineers can be more rigid especially with the rise of unconventional geomodelling with geomechanics; dynamic about accepting the inherent uncertainties oil and gas resources in the last decade. risk assessment through the life of the field; of earth materials. Secondly, my suggestion Computing power enhancements have large-scale geomechanical simulation for young staff is to be a technical sponge made some types of geomechanical linked to monitoring of reservoir and – absorb as much about the science as you modelling much more practical. At the caprock deformation; remote monitoring can. Join multiple technical societies to get same time geomechanics has yet to be with differential InSAR; sweet spot a broad perspective. Thirdly, be practical accepted into the mainstream of many identification in fractured reservoirs; and when arriving at a solution, be that an companies, partly because it falls at that induced seismicity hazard identification exploration, development or operational interface between classic engineering and and forecasting. Exciting times indeed. I practice. geoscience disciplines. We need to become see a role for applied earth scientists and better communicators to demonstrate engineers in many aspects of these new the value add. I think we’re getting there, technologies; but clearly broad, integrated as evidenced by the geomechanics staff skill sets are required. Our university and complement in many operators and a few industry training needs to foster these sort service companies. of inter-disciplinary skills.
Q: Can you describe some major Q: What are your plans/goals for the next achievements or favorite projects over 3 to 5 years? your industry career? A: I must say that after working more than A: I’ve been quite fortunate to have had three decades I still have trouble with the R opportunities to work on many varied word. I truly get a kick out of looking at new projects that were often at the interface problems and solving challenges in a wide of geoscience and engineering. Some range of resource management, especially favorite ones would include: mapping and at the technology edge; e.g., steam injection modelling of ice scouring phenomena in processes, CO2 sequestration, optimizing the Canadian Beaufort Sea, 1984; physical multi-stage stimulation, microseismic,
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Some New Techniques for Acquiring Downhole Geomechanics Data Amy D. Fox, PhD, PGeo, Enlightened Geoscience Ltd.
n enduring problem in the field of geomechanics is the need for Alogs and/or core data to determine geomechanical rock properties. Over the past few years, new technologies have been under development to solve this problem, providing in situ geomechanical data more quickly and at lower cost than traditional methods. This innovation seems to be coming from small start-ups rather than the big service companies, most of which have laid off a vast number of their technical experts. In this short article we highlight three such innovation incubators.
FractureID, based in Denver, calculates geomechanical properties from data collected at the bit during drilling, eliminating the need to acquire wireline logs or core in a separate run. The company Figure 2. Screenshot of Rocsol Technology’s proprietary software. has trademarked the term “Drillbit Geomechanics.” Fracture ID’s focus is not just on determining commonly used related to rock failure caused by the bit itself. determined is unconfined compressive rock properties such as Young’s modulus Stress-strain relationships are then used to strength (UCS), which is critical for and Poisson’s ratio, but also in identifying determine the in situ rock properties. With geomechanical wellbore stability analyses fractures, faults and bedding planes. They resolution of less than one centimeter, the but usually requires time-consuming use data recorders placed near the drill results can be used to develop detailed and costly core testing to obtain. Much bit to record drilling vibrations, which are plans to stage well completions and target like Fracture ID, the analysis results can production in specific zones. After only be used to plan hydraulic fracture stages, about 18 months in development, the but they can also help reduce drilling company has already run the tool in more inefficiencies and non-productive time. than 70 wells and has a client list that Rocsol’s methodology is the brainchild of includes 15 operators in the U.S., ranging Geir Hareland, Chief Technical Advisor, from supermajors to private equity funded who developed it while he was a professor start-up E&Ps. They expect to be running the at the University of Calgary following many tool in Canada by early 2017. President and years of experience with vertical wells. founder Chris Neale says “the industry has With industry partners, Geir then “took a become very focused on efficiency” in each lot of those ideas and moved them to the and every well, as opposed to efficiency in horizontal side,” says Rocsol President Deryl large, so-called factory drilling campaigns. Williams. Deployment doesn’t require any A presentation is available on their website special hardware, just the integration of (www.fractureid.com) by providing your Rocsol’s software into existing rig systems, contact information. which keeps the cost relatively low. Alternatively, the data can be processed Rocsol Technologies, based in Calgary, using stand-alone software for planning uses patented technology to interpret and simulation. The technology has been standard data recorded during drilling field tested in more than 30 wells, mostly to determine parameters such as weight- in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, on-bit, Young’s modulus, porosity, and the results validated against industry permeability and Poisson’s ratio for drill standard tools. Several presentations and Figure 1. Screenshot of FractureID’s elastic bit efficiency and fracture mapping. papers are available via their website (www. property software. One important parameter that can be rocsoltech.com).
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Another Calgary-based company, Integrity Insitu, incorporates proven technology from the world of civil engineering to determine in situ stress and rock mechanics data. About five years ago, towards the latter part of an 18-year career in the oil and gas industry, Cory Fehr, President and CEO, became particularly frustrated by the need to wait for slow and costly triaxial core test data, and this frustration led him to invent the Integrity Tool. He enlisted the help from both industry and academic associates, funding from private investors and support from both the provincial and federal governments. The tool consists of three parts – a pressuremeter, a minifrac and a shear head device – and the combined data set allows for the determination of a suite of geomechanical data including cohesion and angle of internal friction, Figure 3. Screenshot of Integrity Insitu’s pressuremeter analysis software. from which UCS can be determined. The field that one could argue hasn’t changed prototype tool has a 6” diameter, is run on much in a few decades. Despite an drill string and can be deployed at depths increased awareness of geomechanics up to 1,000 meters. A second tool with and a proliferation of geomechanical extended capabilities is expected to go modeling software, few big strides have into production in 2017. More information been made in providing inputs to those is available upon request at their website models. The three companies introduced (www.integrityinsitu.com). in this article are great examples of small players in the oilfield service industry Innovative solutions to geomechanical pushing the envelope and leading us into problems are a breath of fresh air in a the geomechanical future.
SAVE THE DATE SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON MOVEMENT: FROM CONVENTIONAL TO UNCONVENTIONAL
October 10 12, 2017 | Banff, AB
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Next-generation Hydraulic Fracture Modeling Amy D. Fox, PhD, PGeo
ttempts to model hydraulic fractures started in the late 1970s and early A1980’s. At that time large hydraulic fracture projects were being conducted in vertical wells in tight gas reservoirs, but the fractures didn’t seem to be draining the reservoir volume expected. The early models were mainly 2-dimensional and assumed a single hydraulic fracture initiated in an open hole, aligned axially along a vertical well and symmetrical on either side of the well. As horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracture completions ramped up in the 2000’s and into the 2010’s, software providers and researchers scrambled to update their models. For many years complex solutions were still not widely available commercially, so completions engineers were continuing to use tools that Figure 1. Example of a 3-D GOHFER model showing interacting hydraulic fractures in neighbouring they knew were not necessarily appropriate horizontal wells. but were all they had.
The good news is that solutions seem to Bob Barree of Barree & Associates out of the story changed as tools like dipole sonic have finally arrived. A quick web search Lakewood, Colorado created one of the and geomechanics workflows developed. results in more than 15 different software first hydraulic fracture models as part of programs for modeling hydraulic fractures. his PhD research several decades ago. So why did it take so long to transform the Most product web sites contain a substantial Barree’s software, GOHFER Figure 1, vertical well models into more accurate amount of information including white continued to evolve over the years and has models for horizontal multi-stage fractures? papers and case studies, and in many cases been widely adopted across the oil and gas The physics of fracture propagation are no one can request a trial software license. industry. Bob, who was kind enough to be different. One of the biggest problems was Many of the programs available now meet interviewed for this article, points out that creating the user interface to get necessary some, if not all, of the following criteria: one of the perceived drawbacks to the new, information such as azimuth, fracture • 3-dimensional more complex models is that they have spacing and interference from other • can model multiple stages potentially large data requirements. There stages/other wells into the model correctly. • allows for asymmetrical fractures simply isn’t an easy answer; the more you “It’s been an evolutionary process,” Bob • accounts for stage-to-stage stress physically try to describe the system, the says. Another problem in unconventional interference more difficult it becomes. He routinely reservoirs is time. We tend to use just the • handles structural controls on fracture gets complaints that the software needs too first few months of production to try to propagation and interaction with natural much data. Bob sees that at this point the predict long-term, but we might need fracture sets industry can choose to go down two very years to understand any real change in • easily integrates LAS log data different paths – either acknowledge this production due to the fracture job, or • can analyze DFIT/minifrac data need for data and collect what is necessary fracture and well spacing. • provides production forecasts to build better models, or follow the current • is real-time enabled trend of not designing a fracture job, instead The next challenges for hydraulic fracture pumping huge volumes of fluid, potentially models include full integration with The degree to which various programs risking the value of the asset. Technological 3-D geomechanical earth models, and adhere to the fundamental physics and advances in data collection might help. coupling multi-well models with reservoir incorporate geology and geologic processes That’s what happened as in vertical wells. simulation to develop a production profile can vary quite widely, so it is important to Bob says many people at first saw little that actually means something and can do some research when choosing which point in a 3-D simulator, citing that nobody predict 2 or 3 years down the road. To do tool to use. would bother getting the data needed, but this, Bob says, “you have to get everything
14 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 GEOMECHANICS ARTICLES
right,” including cleanup, SRV, etc., which fractures are expected to act. The result is their potential. Some issues that still need is no easy feat. Many reservoir simulators that rarely does reality match the modeling to be addressed are the low energy of the focus on fracture dimensions, not fracture results. overall system, how difficult it is to clean conductivity. To address this problem, up the fractures post-stimulation, better lift GOHFER incorporates 30 years of data The current industry downturn has Barree for unloading the horizontal section, and from Stim-lab, a division of CoreLab, that & Associates’ work down significantly, water production. runs a joint industry research consortium but they are continuing with software on fracture conductivity. The Stim-lab data development knowing that the value of provides a tremendous knowledge base simulation will still be there as things to understand how proppant works and recover so long as industry overcomes its how fractures behave. When Stim-lab was brute force mentality. Bob estimates that an independent company they also had a currently less than 10%, probably even research consortium on proppant transport less than 5%, of fracture jobs are actually to understand how sand moves through simulated. “Not understanding the system the fracture, and that’s when they first is massively costly, far more costly than if partnered with Barree & Associates. Many you did the work up front to understand of the consortium members are proppant the system, but that’s a hard lesson for makers and big service companies. Bob people to learn it seems,” says Barree. The points out that few fracture simulators oil and gas industry has become successful incorporate laboratory work of, e.g., at placing stimulations as designed, but rheology and clean-up models, and instead the way the wells are operated after the simply use a set of equations based on how completion doesn’t allow them to reach
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 15
The 2017 Mountjoy Conference sponsored by SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) and CSPG (Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists) will be held the week of June 26-30, 2017 in Austin, Texas, at the University of Texas Commons Learning Center and the Bureau of Economic Geology Core facility.
The Technical Program Committee (David Budd, Gregor Eberli, Cathy Hollis, Don McNeill, Gene Rankey, Rachel Wood) on behalf of the SEPM and CSPG, is very pleased to announce that the ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS NOW OPEN for the 2nd Mountjoy Carbonate Research Conference!
The theme of the meeting is "Carbonate Pore Systems”.
The meeting will be a mix of oral and poster presentations (Monday and Thursday), an in-meeting fieldtrip (Tuesday), and a full-day core workshop (Wednesday). The meeting will provide abundant time for discussion and interaction with the technical presenters and attendees. Those attending the Conference will gain an improved understanding of porosity at variable scales in carbonate rocks. Registration for the meeting opens in February, 2017 and is capped at 150 people maximum. Details of the meeting, and the trips, are located at http://www.sepm.org/MountjoyII
In a glance, the technical sessions and session Chairs include:
Sedimentological, Stratigraphic, and Diagenetic Controls on Development of Carbonate Pore Systems Mike Grammer | Oklahoma State University James Bishop | Chevron David Budd | University of Colorado
Microporosity in Conventional and Unconventional Carbonate Reservoirs Steve Kaczmerak | Western Michigan University Gregor Baechle | Consultant, Houston, TX Bob Loucks | BEG University of Texas
Multiscale Prediction and Upscaling of Carbonate Porosity and Permeability Neil Hurley | Chevron Ralf Weger | University of Miami Beth Vandenberg | British Petroleum (BP)
Interactions in Multi-Modal Pore Systems Bob Goldstein | University of Kansas Charlie Kerans | BEG University of Texas Alex MacNeil | Osum Oil Sands Co.
Visualization, Quantification, and Modeling of Carbonate Pore Systems and Their Fluid Flow Behavior Paul M. (Mitch) Harris | University of Miami / Rice University Gregor Eberli | University of Miami Gareth Jones | ExxonMobil
The technical committee would also like to invite submission of abstracts for the all-day core. Cores representing a spectrum of geologic time and depositional settings, as well as unique diagenetic environments from some of the most significant producing reservoirs will be on display. The cores will be highlighted in a core preview display during the technical sessions on Monday. Wednesday will be the full core display and discussion with presenters at the Austin Core Research Center (CRC), located adjacent to the University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology headquarters.
The core workshop represents a great way to see examples of all sorts of different reservoirs, and to get your hands on the rock. The core displays will demonstrate important aspects of reservoir quality of both conventional and unconventional carbonate reservoirs.
For any questions, feel free to contact the conference General Chair or any of the Technical Program chairs:
General Chair: Paul (Mitch) Harris | [email protected] Technical Program Chairs: Don McNeill | [email protected] Gene Rankey | [email protected] Core Conf. Chair: Laura Zahm | [email protected] Field Trip Chair: Astrid Arts | [email protected] 16 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 GEOMECHANICS ARTICLES
When Public Data Isn’t Necessarily Public – An Appeal to AB and BC Regulators, Software Vendors and Operators Amy Fox
wo very important data types for In addition, the scans were black and geomechanics are image logs and white, which simply blacked or whited out Tmechanical tests on core. Both are much of the data. Later grayscale scans well data and are therefore required to be were a slight improvement. Around 2008, submitted to the regulators by operators British Columbia began accepting PDF or or their representatives. Naturally, as equivalent digital image files and original with any other well data such as density data in the form of DLIS files, and no longer logs and completion reports, one would required paper submissions. If the CD/ expect to be able to access image logs and DVD is stored in the well file and the well mechanical core tests through the regulator file accessed in person, a digital copy of the or a software package such as geoSCOUT, data or PDF can be obtained by the public. AccuMap, or GeoCarta fairly easily. In an experiment around 2014 I had the BC Unfortunately, not so, for reasons detailed Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) scan, in below. For the sake of brevity, this article colour, a paper log for me and send it to me will focus only on image logs. digitally, but the resulting file size was too large to be opened by any software program. Invented in the late 70’s, image logs started Alberta started accepting PDF files soon being used with some frequency throughout after BC, in 2009. To my knowledge, there is the 1980’s and 1990’s. The earliest images no way to obtain digital copies of image logs were simple cameras lowered into a well from the AER. In 2013 the AER indicated on a cable (the borehole televiewer, or that they had a plan to distribute digital BHTV). Modern optical image logs use image logs through a third party, but so far much fancier cameras but require a clear nothing seems to have come of it. fluid in the well, so they don’t generally get used in the oil and gas industry. Instead, Using any of the three common software the petroleum industry commonly uses packages mentioned above, it is difficult electrical (e.g., Schlumberger’s Formation even to figure out in which wells image logs Figure 1: Portion of an Alberta FMI log run in MicroImager, or FMI) or acoustic (e.g., were run. The raster logs are unclassified, 1992, as available to the public today. Baker Hughes’ Circumferential Borehole inconsistently labeled, and/or not depth- Image Log, or CBIL) image logs. While registered. If you know how to look for they cost more than a standard wireline them, you can find about 10,000 wells with examples showing the quality of what log, image logs provide tremendous value across Alberta and BC with some indication was available versus an original quality by allowing interpreters to measure and that an image log was run, but that doesn’t image. More than a year later the appeal characterize geologic features such as mean the log is available. The only way to was finally denied because the regulator lithology, sedimentary structures, fractures find out if the log is available is to go look simply had no way to meet the request, the and faults as well as drilling induced through the raster logs for each and every original files being either lost, inaccessible features such as breakouts1. well individually. In my experience, less or not reproducible. At around the same than half of the wells identified actually time I made a direct appeal to twenty or In the early days of image logs, there was no have available rasters, and maybe 20% of so operators to release the data to me easy way to store, transfer or reproduce the those are of sufficient quality to analyze. themselves or authorize the sale of a copy large files associated with the data. Paper to me by the service companies that ran the logs were submitted to the regulators, who In 2013 I submitted a request under the logs. In all but two cases I got no response then scanned them. Quality problems were Alberta Freedom of Information and at all. In one case the operator sent me a log widespread for several reasons. One was Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act for a small that was not an image log, and in anther the that in many cases operators submitted list of image logs run in the Duvernay. The operator called me and said, “Why should (by accident or on purpose) unoriented, request was immediately rejected on the we give it to you? If you can’t get it, then uncorrected field plots instead of the basis that the images were already available. we have a competitive advantage by not final plots from the service companies. I made an appeal to the commissioner releasing it.”
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 17 GEOMECHANICS ARTICLES
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Enlighten Geoscience Amy Fox [email protected] +1 (587) 436-8376
HEF Petrophysical Consulting Kris Vickerman [email protected] +1 (403) 269-3158
1For more information about image logs and their applications, please see the Geomechanics for Everyone article series starting in the September 2013 issue of Reservoir and The Value of Borehole Image Logs article series starting in the January 2015 issue of Reservoir.
Figure 2: Left: Section of an FMI image in the Duvernay as submitted to the AER (Courtesy of HEF Petrophysical). The image shows stress induced wellbore breakouts and tensile cracks as well as significant pre-existing natural fractures. Right: Sample of the same image log in the raster format available to the public. Over the past several years I have spoken One service company that maintains an with geoLOGIC systems ltd., makers of archive of thousands of dipmeter and geoSCOUT, and IHS, makers of AccuMap, image logs in both Alberta and BC is about the difficulty in accessing image logs HEF Petrophysical. Since 1992 HEF has through their software. I was hoping to find processed and analyzed more than 6600 some support both in figuring out how to such logs in the two provinces, and their improve how their software finds image logs database contains nearly every single one. and in pressuring the regulators to provide better quality images. I’ve also spoken In the absence of support from the with members of the OGC and AER, but software vendors or the regulators, HEF without results. I was hoping that even if the Petrophysical and Enlighten Geoscience regulators can’t provide the logs themselves, are looking to form an industry data if they declared that the original-quality, consortium for image log access. We are processed images are public data, then that very early in the process and are currently would require operators to provide them seeking expressions of interest. Please either directly to the public or through the contact us for more information: service companies.
J. Douglas Uffen, P.Geoph (APEGA), P.Geo (APEGBC) LAB & ANALYTICS Over 30 years of experience in Seismic Interpretation Coordinate Geoscience Project Management / Business Development Initiatives PETROGRAPHY AND THIN-SECTION ANALYSIS / X-RAY Domestic (Plains & Foothills) / International FLUORESCENCE - IN LAB AND PORTABLE / X-RAY DIFFRACTION / Conventional / Unconventional Exploratory / Exploitation / Development Modes CORE & SAMPLE STUDIES / RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION
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18 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
Rum Smugglers and Runoff: How Salinity Stress Affects Neo-Ichnology in a Microtidal Estuary SPEAKER Anton Wroblewski, ConocoPhillips
11:45 am Thursday, January 12th, 2017 Marriott Hotel, Kensington Ballroom Calgary, Alberta
Please note: The cut-off date for ticket sales (razor clams), and a variety of crabs, Rollover Pass (a manmade tidal inlet where is 1:00 pm, five business days before event. bivalves, and polychaetes which construct smugglers used to roll barrels of whisky [Thursday January 05, 2017]. CSPG Member incipient Siphonichnus, Ophiomorpha, and rum across the narrowest portion of Ticket Price: $45.00 including GST. Non- Thalassinoides, Skolithos, Polykladichnus, the barrier spit) on Bolivar Peninsula in Member Ticket Price: $55.00 including GST. Psilonichnus, Cylindrichnus, Paleophycus, 1955 has resulted in an increase in average Arenicolites, and Planolites. When salinity in the southeast corner of East Each CSPG Technical Luncheon is 1 APEGA freshwater runoff increases, as it did Galveston Bay, but its influence does not PDH credit. Tickets may be purchased dramatically during the spring of 2016, reach the main body of Trinity Bay, or the online at www.cspg.org catastrophic stress extirpates most of the delta. These observations suggest that bay benthic organisms that are not tolerant to head deltas in microtidal estuaries can be such hostile physicochemical conditions. more complex and difficult to recognize ABSTRACT Sampling in March, 2016 resulted in the than previous studies have indicated. The combined Trinity-San Jacinto- recovery of only dead bivalves (Taegelus) Galveston Bay (TSGB) complex is a and empty shrimp and crab burrows, BIOGRAPHY microtidal, wave-dominated estuary although polychaetes (especially Glycinde Anton Wroblewski got his PhD in clastic along the Texas coast that provides an and Glycera) were still present in the 0 stratigraphy and sedimentology from the excellent opportunity to examine the ppt waters of the delta front. Populations University of Wyoming (2002) and moved relative influences of freshwater runoff, of crustaceans and bivalves will rebound to Chicago, where his wife attended grad tidal circulation, storm events, and as salinity levels rise again, but the next school at U of C, and he worked first as a sedimentation on incipient traces. The episode of extreme freshwater runoff will barista, then as an undergrad lecturer at TSGB conforms to proposed ichnological result in another mass death. Sediment Northeastern Illinois University. In 2006, models of microtidal estuaries in some accumulation rates are slow enough that he joined ConocoPhillips in Houston as aspects, but includes some novel and these repeated colonization/extirpation a stratigrapher in Upstream Technology unexpected features. While the average events result in moderate to high and has since worked in exploration, size of burrow diameters decreases with bioturbation indices and a moderate to and currently Applied Geosciences. His proximity to areas of freshwater fluvial high diversity of traces in the delta front specialty is shallow marine and fluvial input, ichnotaxonomic diversity does deposits. If viewed in the rock record, the clastic systems, with a helping of ichnology not. This is because during periods of Trinity bay head delta might be interpreted on the side and he is currently working on drought and minimal freshwater discharge, as a more open-coast delta, and the full Canadian Oil Sands, Rocky Mountain tight salinity can reach 12-15 ppt on the Trinity magnitude of its annual and semi-annual reservoirs, Alaskan deltaic reservoirs, and bay head delta, allowing colonization by salinity fluctuations could easily be lost anything else that comes down the pike. Lepidophthalmus (mud shrimp), Taegelus in the ichnological signal. The opening of
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 19 STUDENTS! Did you know there is over $20,000 available
in CSPG awards and scholarships?!
Amount Scholarship/Award Application Deadline Available
Regional Graduate Student Scholarships ($2,500 x 4) January 20, 2017
Undergraduate Student Awards ($1,000 x 4) January 20, 2017
Student Event Grants ($1,000 x 5) March 17, 2017
Andrew Baillie Award ($1,000 x 2) GeoConvention 2017
Please visit www.cspg.org/students for more information
20 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
Variations in Sequence Stratigraphy, Accommodation Space, Paleodrainage and Depositional Style between the Underfilled and Overfilled Foreland Basin Portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin
SPEAKER deposits. Of the 25 top wells from the paleodrainage and associated shoreline Brian A. Zaitlin, Zaitlin Geoconsulting Ltd. foreland basin: orientation. The Overfilled Foreland Basin is characterized by clastic dominated Thomas F. Moslow, Moslow Geoscience • 4/20 of the top 20 oil/condensate wells fluvial to marginal marine fluvial, deltaic, Consulting Ltd. (20%) in the Deep Basin are characterized estuarine, shoreface and shelf deposits as occurring in the Overfilled Foreland sourced from the west. Paleodrainage 11:30 am Basin setting (Dunvegan, Belly River); associated with the overfilled foreland Tuesday, February 7, 2017 basin is characterized by fluvial and fluvial deltaic systems oriented from west to Marriot Hotel, Kensington Ballroom • 1/20 of the top 20 oil/condensate wells (5%) are in the Deep Basin Underfilled east. Shorelines are oriented north-south, Calgary, Alberta Foreland Basin (Gething); parallel to the length of the foreland basin. Key reservoir targets are associated with the Please note: The cut-off date for ticket sales • 20/20 of the Top 20 gas wells (100%) are Dunvegan fluvial, distributary and deltaic), is 1:00 pm, five business days before event. Deep Basin Underfilled foreland Basin Belly River (channels, shorefaces) and [Tuesday, January 31, 2017]. CSPG Member (Spirit River Group – Wilrich, Falher and Cardium/Second White Specks). Ticket Price: $45.00 including GST. Non- Notikewin). Member Ticket Price: $55.00 including GST. The organzation of the WCSB-FB The Underfilled Foreland Basin is reservoirs into Underfilled vs Overfilled Each CSPG Technical Luncheon is 1 APEGA characterized by restricted marine and FB settings, and a detailed understanding PDH credit. Tickets may be purchased marginal marine mixed carbonate and of both the depositional environment and online at www.cspg.org clastic deposits (Nordegg-Rock Creek) sequence stratigraphic framework are sourced from the south and east; overlain by the first hierarchical steps in the better ABSTRACT clastic dominated fluvial to marginal marine understanding of Deep Basin conventional The Jurassic-Cretaceous foreland basin of (shoreline, deltaic and estuarine) deposits and unconventional targets. According to the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin of the Fernie (Nikinassin), Lower Mannville Bhattacharya (2016), the source-to-sink (FB-WCSB) is considered one of the (Basal Quartz – Ellerslie, Ostrocod, (S2S) concept is focused on quantification premier hydrocarbon provinces of North Glauconitic, Spirit River (Wilrich, Falher of the various components of clastic America. The FB-WCSB is characterized by and Notikewan) and Upper Mannville. sedimentary systems, from initial source multiple conventional and unconventional Accommodation space increases to the sediment production areas, through the stacked reservoirs within in a deep basin north and northwest. Paleodrainage dispersal system, to deposition within a system (DBS), and can be organized into: associated with the Underfilled Foreland number of potential ultimate sedimentary Basin is characterized by fluvial and fluvial sinks. During the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous • A lower Underfilled foreland basin, deltaic systems oriented dominantly (WCSB - Underfilled Foreland Basin), with the main reservoir units associated from south and southeast towards fluvial systems consisting of continental- with the Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous north and northwest, splitting around scale low slope, axially drained rivers, Nordegg, Poker Chip, Rock Creek, Fernie- paleotopographic highs associated with formed the 40-m-deep channels in the Nikinassin, Mannville (and stratigraphic erosional remnants preserved from the Mannville Group in Canada. During equivalents); and migration of peripheral forebulge events. times of maximum transgression (WCSB Shorelines are dominantly oriented east- – Overfilled Foreland Basin) of the • An upper Overfilled foreland basin west and are organized into falling stage, Cretaceous Seaway, such as the Turonian consisting of the Joli Fou, Viking, lowstand, transgressive, and highstand and Campanian, the western North SWS, Cardium and Belly River (and parasequences and parasequence sets. American foreland basin was characterized equivalents). The shorelines are segmented along strike by smaller-scale (typically 10-m deep), into compartments due to multiple point steeper gradient sand and gravel bedload An analysis of both the top 20 oil/ sources of sediment from the multiple S-N rivers, dominated by transverse drainages condensate rates and top 20 natural gas oriented fluvial and fluvial deltaic systems in the rising Cordillera. This created a rate wells (grouped on a boe/d basis from occurring along the length of the shorelines. number of smaller river-delta S2S systems Alberta in 2015) were organized into pre- along the coast, such as the Dunvegan, foreland basin, underfilled foreland basin The transition between Underfilled Ferron, Frontier, Lance and Cardium and overfilled foreland settings. Fifteen and Overfilled Foreland Basin deposits formations. of those wells were from pre-foreland is marked by a reorganization of (Continued on page 22...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 21 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
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Conventional (conglomerate shoreface) reservoirs were major exploration targets from their first discovery in the late 1970s until the advent of horizontal drilling in the Deep Basin in 2005. Primary porosity (3 to 8%) and permeability (1 to 50md Kmax) of the conglomeratic reservoirs are well within the conventional range of reservoir quality. Highest Kmax values are associated with bimodal to unimodal clast-supported, chert-pebble conglomerate facies.
In contrast, unconventional reservoirs are associated with lowstand to falling Brian A. Zaitlin, Ph.D., P.Geol., C.P.G., Zaitlin Thomas F. Moslow, Ph.D., P.Geol. stage, low accommodation, pebbly chert Geoconsulting Ltd. sublitharenite and quartzose sandstone comprised of shoreface- to- wave Esso, PanCanadian, Encana, Suncor and Professor (1985–1994) at the University dominated delta facies associations. Enerplus Resources Fund, EOG Resources) of Alberta and Louisiana State University Matrix permeability values are below the and in Corporate Banking/Private Equity (1983-87). In 1995 Tom was employed resolution of routine core analysis in these with the BMO A&D Advisory Group and by Canadian Hunter Exploration as a characteristically “tight” unconventional Native American Resource Partners. Sr. Geological Advisor. He subsequently reservoirs, which are exploited almost joined Ulster Petroleums as Chief Geologist exclusively through horizontal drilling Brian’s focus is on both conventional and in 1997 and was appointed Vice President, and multi- stage frac completions. The unconventional new play development New Ventures and Technology. In 2000, Spirit River Group (Wilrich, Falher and throughout the Western Canada Tom became a co-founder and principal of Notikewin), commonly referred to as the Sedimentary Basin, Rocky Mountain Basins, Midnight Oil & Gas Ltd. as Vice-President “Wilrich” resource play are an excellent Appalachia and various international of Exploration which led to the creation of example. Reservoir attributes are basins. His research interests lie in the Daylight Energy Trust where he served as interpreted to be the product of deposition understanding of siliciclastic fluvial, Vice President of Geology and Geophysics. on low profile, dissipative shoreface/delta coastal and shallow-marine depositional He held executive positions in subsequent fronts developed in a low accommodation systems and their preserved stratigraphy, affiliated companies including Midnight setting. The reduced accommodation space and in applying this knowledge to reservoir Oil Exploration and Pace Oil and Gas Ltd. results in commonly occurring incisions of characterization and modeling. He is the He retired from Pace at the end of 2011and shorefaces and delta front facies by fluvial author of more than 100 peer-reviewed in early 2012 formed Moslow Geoscience and estuarine channels. Conglomeratic and technical papers and oral presentations, Consulting. Tom has won numerous coarse grained shoreface parasequences and is the recipient of numerous awards awards and honours for his work and are products of deposition on steep including the CSUR Sproule Innovation research on topics pertaining to the Triassic profile, highly reflective shorefaces in and Achievement Award, CSPG Medal and Lower Cretaceous of the Deep Basin high accommodation settings. In contrast, of Merit for best published paper, CSPG of Western Canada and tight gas/resource finer grained shoreface and delta front Tracks Award for Education, CSPG Ph.D. play geology in general. He has taught parasequences are products of deposition Thesis award, co-authored AAPG, SEPM a variety of professional development on low profile, dissipative shoreface/delta and CSPG Best Paper/Oral Paper Awards, courses focused on applied petroleum fronts in low accommodation settings. and was an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer. geology subjects in Canada, USA and South America. He has authored or co-authored BIOGRAPHY Brian holds a BSc. (Geology) from over 75 publications in a variety of journals Brian A. Zaitlin, Ph.D., P.Geol., C.P.G., Concordia (Loyola) University (1979), a on topics mostly pertaining to clastic Zaitlin Geoconsulting Ltd. MSc. (Geology) from University of Ottawa sedimentology, subsurface geology and Brian A. Zaitlin is currently President (1981), and a Ph.D. (Geology) from Queen’s reservoir architecture in unconventional and Owner of Zaitlin Geoconsulting (Kingston) University (1987). Brian is a clastic resource plays. Ltd, providing consulting services and registered Professional Geologist (APEGA), applied training seminars to the oil and Certified Petroleum Geologist (AAPG-DPA) gas industry. Brian has >35 years of front- and a member of the AAPG, CSPG, CSUR, line exploration/exploitation, R&D and RMAG and SEPM. A&D experience, and has progressively worked as a Geologist, Explorationist, Thomas F. Moslow, Ph.D., P.Geol. Technical Specialist, Technical and Dr. Tom Moslow is an Adjunct Professor Exploration Advisor and Chief Geologist in the Department of Geosciences at with a variety of E&P companies (e.g. Gulf, the University of Calgary and a former
22 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
Applied Political (geo)Science: The History, Context and Technical Basis Behind Central European Petroleum's Guhlen Discovery, Brandenburg State, Eastern Germany
SPEAKER substantial oil and liquid-rich gas deposits to CEP, the former communist Peter Putnam, are known from the Zechstein-hosted national petroleum company, it and Central European Petroleum Ltd. LMG (70 mmbo) and BMB (135 mmboe) its successor own all historic well Alula Damte, fields of western Poland. A prominent and seismic information. CEP has Central European Petroleum Ltd. gap between significant accumulations overcome the challenge of data access is found within the easternmost German by acquiring its own seismic and well 11:45 am state of Brandenburg. Central European data, acquiring legacy data from the Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 Petroleum ('CEP') posted and acquired the owner under a range of commercial conditions, and forensic investigations Marriott Hotel, Lubben exploration license in the gap and the Guhlen discovery resides within this of museums and government agencies. Kensington Ballroom acreage. As an example, after the ownership of Calgary, Alberta the communist national petroleum Beyond being on the regional trend, CEP company passed to Gaz de France-Suez Please note: The cut-off date for ticket sales targeted Brandenburg acreage because: (now 'Engie') in 1994, several thousand is 1:00 pm, five business days before event. employees lost their jobs. Several of Tuesday March 07, 2017]. CSPG Member I. The state is one of the poorest in these former employees subsequently Ticket Price: $45.00 including GST. Non- Germany but has a resource economy created a museum dedicated to the Member Ticket Price: $55.00 including GST. based mainly on lignite mining. petroleum industry of the former GDR. Within this museum CEP staff Each CSPG Technical Luncheon is 1 APEGA II. Historic petroleum exploration and found a significant amount of data PDH credit. Tickets may be purchased development activity was carried out otherwise unavailable to the public online at www.cspg.org by the former national communist and also uncovered those approaches petroleum company 'EEG' (i.e., only and techniques used during GDR ABSTRACT one competitor has ever worked in the operations. The museum also provided Germany sits astride the North European area). insight into the limitations of EEG's Plain, one of the world's great geopolitical activities (see next point). corridors that also rests upon much of III. The availability of, and ease of access to, a large sedimentary basin known as the much open acreage at favorable terms. II. An absence of modern subsurface 'Southern Permian Basin' that stretches information and approaches. As an from the southern North Sea into western IV. The limited availability of subsurface example, most wells were drilled by Ukraine. As well as being a well-trod data which historically limited EEG before seismic was acquired. Prior invasion route, this region is also the competition for acreage, to CEP operating activities there was location of many pipelines that carry only one small 3D seismic data set in exported petroleum from Russia to central V. The proximity to large markets reliant the state. CEP acquired the largest and western Europe which makes this area to a significant degree on Russian (275 km2) 3D seismic data set found to one embodying much actual and potential imported petroleum. date east of the Elbe River in Germany; geopolitical conflict. acquisition of this data set included VI. Stable regulatory and legal regime a significant area covering a large Commercial hydrocarbon accumulations based on German mining law. recreational lake. found within Permian Rotliegend sandstone and Zechstein carbonate reservoirs form a Since German re-unification in 1990, III. The exploration trend upon which near-continuous chain extending from the exploration in this region has been CEP's Guhlen discovery sits extends British sector of the North Sea eastwards hindered by the following challenges, all of through a very large former military through the Netherlands, Germany, and which have been overcome by CEP: area that is plagued by contamination into western Poland. Giant gas fields in by unexploded ordnance dating back this trend include the Rotliegend-hosted I. German mining law stipulates that, to World War II and the Cold War. Groningen (100 Tcf; Netherlands and under certain conditions, subsurface To provide surface access CEP has western Germany) and Altmark-Salzwedel data can be held confidential in conducted unexploded ordnance (7 Tcf; westernmost portion of the perpetuity. As there has historically surveys, one of which resulted in the former communist German Democratic been only one operator that created controlled explosion of 4.5 tons of Republic ('GDR')) accumulations whereas virtually all subsurface data prior munitions. (Continued on page 24...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 23 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
(Continued from page 23...)
The Guhlen-1a well provided one of the The test of Guhlen-1a resulted in a recovery operations, reserves assessments, research largest test results harvested from any well of 1,692 boepd formed of the following and training. Over his career he has been, onshore northwestern Europe over the past constituents: at various times, an employee, an advisor to several years. The evolution of the Guhlen technical and management teams as well prospect included the following steps: I. 17 mmcf/d of raw gas, with rate limited as boards of directors, a board member, and by tubular size, formed of 5.2 mmcf/d a founder of new companies. Early stage I. Acquisition of gravity data along hiking of hydrocarbon gas and the rest was companies started by Peter have raised over trails and roads surrounding the Guhlen- mostly nitrogen with minor amounts of $1 billion in equity from investors inclusive 1a location. Interpretation of this data carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. of large private equity firms, sovereign suggested the presence of an untested wealth funds, pension funds and family structural high. II. 509 b/d of natural gas liquids formed offices. With experience on six continents, mostly of butane and pentane. he is currently the Chair and Chief Executive II. Acquisition of a regional 2D seismic Officer of Central European Petroleum grid confirmed the presence of the III. 293 b/d of condensate and 23 b/d of oil. Ltd., a private petroleum company focused structural high. on eastern Germany. Peter holds a Ph.D. The following was also measured during from the University of Calgary and is a III. A vertical well, Guhlen-1, was drilled the test: past-President of the Canadian Society of with a sub-commercial hydrocarbon Petroleum Geologists, a former adjunct gas flow obtained on test from a I. Flowing well head tubing pressure of professor at the University of Calgary, and porous but tight Zechstein grainstone 3,035 psi/207 bar. a former councilor of the Association of pervasively cemented by anhydrite, Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of halite and carbonate. The reservoir II. Maximum drawdown was 7%. Alberta (APEGA). He has published widely was 40 meters thick with 20 net meters as an author of scientific articles dealing deemed hydrocarbon-bearing. No III. No reservoir depletion was measured. with various facets of petroleum geology bottom water was measured on well and is a regular guest lecturer at Canadian logs and no aquifer water was recovered IV. No formation water was recovered. universities. on test. The runway created by a combination of Alula Damte is a structural geologist with IV. Acquisition of 275 km2 of 3D seismic the Guhlen-1a test result with the well over 24 years of petroleum industry and data surrounding the Guhlen well location low on a large regional structure, teaching experience. He has worked in which represented the largest data set that extends at least through a previously evaluating petroleum systems in varied of its kind ever acquired in the state. 'no-go' region covered by one of the largest structural styles including intracratonic The data was subsequently inverted in former military bases in Europe, results in rift basins, convergent plate margins a way similar to that employed by the a prospective fairway up to 50 km long and and offshore coupled shelf extensional Polish national petroleum company in covering an area of several hundred km2. It and basinward toe thrust systems. He its discovery of large Zechstein-hosted may turn out that, with successful appraisal has provided exploration and business accumulations in western Poland. and additional exploration, the Guhlen development advice and led exploration discovery will be the largest German find ventures in geographically diverse areas V. A sidetrack well, Guhlen-1a, was in a generation and may open up a large that include onshore and offshore frontier subsequently drilled from the original conventional play type within the eastern basins of Canada, North and East Africa, Guhlen-1 well into a seismic anomaly German borderlands. The immense the Middle East, the Gulf of Mexico, South located about 700 meters to the geopolitical upsets of 20th century Europe America, Australia and onshore Europe. southwest of the original bottom hole echo today within the realms of energy He is currently the President and COO of location. The sidetrack location was supply, competing national interests and, Central European Petroleum Ltd (CEP), drilled low on the structural flank in at least for CEP's purposes, the creation of the Geschäftsführer of CEP's German order to avoid gas as the initial play substantial commercial opportunities. subsidiary, and he also serves as Chairman concept was focused on oil. The of Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd. Alula is sidetrack discovered 46 meters of Biography a Fulbright Scholar and holds a PhD from highly fractured oolitic grainstone with Peter Putnam is a geologist with 37 University of California, Santa Barbara. variable matrix porosity and virtually years of varied global experience at no anhydrite or halite cement. The both technical and executive levels. His reservoir displays an 8 meter gas cap endeavors have covered the areas of resting upon a 38 meter oil leg with no exploration, development (inclusive of bottom water, based on log analysis. primary, secondary and thermal recovery),
24 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DIVISION TALKS
BASS TALK
The Spoiler of the Decade: Middle and Lower Montney Formations are former Carbonate Deposits
SPEAKER strong bottom water currents. The shallow depositional “siliciclastic” sequence Raphael Wust, PHD, PGeo, carbonate shelf (20-100 m) extended tens of stratigraphy interpretations should be Trican Geological Solutions km away from the eastern shoreline and active abandoned in light of this new information. fault systems resulted in complex sediment Time: 12:00 Noon accommodation space across the basin. BIOGRAPHY Date: Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 Raphael Wust received his MSc in Geology in Location: geoLOGIC Classroom During burial, hydrothermal fluid flow and pore 1995 from the University of Bern, Switzerland fluid migration resulted in large scale mineral and his PhD in Geology in 2001 from the (2nd Floor), Aquitaine Tower, dissolution and alterations of hydrated calcite, University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 540-5th Avenue S.W., Calgary low-Mg-calcite, aragonite, biogenic hydrated From 2002 to 2009 he was a Lecturer and Senior silica and small amounts of clay (combining Lecturer in Marine Geology/Sedimentology ABSTRACT to >80% of original sediment composition). at the School of Earth and Environmental In sedimentary research, whether it is a Thin section examination shows that minerals Sciences, James Cook University in Townsville, carbonate or a siliciclastic unit, the ultimate goal were trans- and neoformed into dolomite, Australia. End of 2009, Raphael Wust joined is to identify paleodepositional environments, quartz, feldspar and clay minerals. The current Trican Geological Solutions as a Technical sediment composition and levels of sediment mineral assemblage and texture (laminated to Advisor in Calgary. He remains an Adjunct compaction and diagenetic history. The Lower pseudo-laminated quartz, feldspars, dolomite Senior Lecturer at James Cook University. Triassic Montney Formation of the Western and limited calcite, mica and clays) appear Canadian Sedimentary Basin is generally under macroscopic conditions as dolomitic He is author and co-author of over 45 interpreted as a sequence of interbedded “sandy silt- and mudstones” and hence have scientific papers and numerous field-guides siliciclastic sandstones, siltstones and shales led to an incorrect classification of these and technical reports. He was involved and deposited in a shallow, clastic ramp setting rocks as siliciclastic deposits. Rather than led several geological (including CBM) that deepens to the West and fed by turbiditic accumulation through depositional processes, field trips/studies in Australia, Indonesia, feeder channels. Although modifications of high levels of compaction/dissolution and Malaysia and Panama. He has organized and this “general” depositional setting have been mineral trans- and neoformation during burial run unconventional coal and shale gas/oil proposed, they all infer a siliciclastic source led to laminar concentration of organics, geological short courses in Panama, Canada and depositional environment. Sediment detrital minerals, and authigenic silicates and Australia since 2000. His professional transport and deposition occurred along the and dolomite observed in the Lower and interests include modern and past sedimentary northwestern margin of the Supercontinent Middle Montney. The diagenetic alterations environments, organic geochemistry, and Pangea and only towards the eastern margins, and textural transformations are the result marine geology. Raphael Wust currently geographically localized coquina units of burial diagenesis under the influence of leads Trican Geological’s Study Group which recognized within the middle member are hydrothermal fluids. We estimate that the is finalizing a new regional Montney Study interpreted as inner shelf restricted deposits or Middle Montney Formation has lost ~50- (AB) focusing on chemostratigraphy, rock parts of turbidite tributaries. >65% of its near-original sediment thickness, properties and mechanical well profiling using primarily due to compaction and dissolution new high-resolution data from 23 wells. Over the last two years, evidence from BC of original carbonate (low-Mg-calcite/ and AB cores analyzed by Trican Geological aragonite) and siliceous mud material. INFORMATION Solutions shows that the “classic” Montney BASS technical division talks are free. Please depositional model needs to be revised. New This presentation discusses new evidence of bring your lunch. For further information research of the Middle and Lower Montney the Middle and Lower Montney Members of about our division, to join our mailing list, shows that the lithology represents former BC and AB and how the wavy or laminated receive a list of upcoming talks, or if you wish to carbonate deposits (bioclastic carbonates deposits formed and what processes may present a talk or lead a field trip, please contact to carbonate muds, i.e. packed biomicrite to have influenced the lithological texture. A either Steve Donaldson (BASS) at 403-808- micrite) that were strongly altered during burial new depositional and diagenetic model of a 8641, or Mark Caplan (BASS) at 403-975-7701, and multiple diagenetic phases. The shallow Montney carbonate-dominated shelf margin or visit our web page on the CSPG website at shelf bottom waters were well-oxygenated and is also presented. This new model may have http://www.cspg.org. The new venue is the benthic and planktonic shells were abundant significant exploration implications as GeoLogic Room (2nd Floor), Aquitaine Tower, (although of low species diversity) which were industry continues to search for new targets 540-5th Avenue S.W., Calgary. Aquitaine Tower transported and deposited by occasional within the Montney Formation. Moreover, is also the new home of the CSPG offices.
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 25 DIVISION TALKS
BASS TALK
Integrated approach to understand which reservoir characteristics lead to better Montney productivity
SPEAKER Published XRD based brittleness formulas Last but not least, is the importance of the Jean-Yves Chatellier have so far fail to address the problem of type maturity level and the distinction between and distribution of calcite which can make in-situ gas and migrated gas within various Time: 12:00 Noon the rock more brittle (higher Young’s Modulus part of the Montney sequence. Text book Date: Wednesday, with increased carbonate cement) or ductile examples of shale dehydration within the February 15th, 2017 (higher Poisson’s ratio when carbonate Montney will be shown in the in-situ dry gas pelecypod rich); XRF can directly distinguish domain using a very large data set of flow Location: geoLOGIC Classrooom between these two types in the Montney back water geochemistry; all this with the (2nd Floor), Aquitaine Tower, using Ca-Mn ratios. Similarly while quartz associated potential for soaking/marinating 540-5th Avenue S.W., Calgary content may increase brittleness, quartz these reservoirs and dramatically improving cement impairs fraccability and can be easily productivity. ABSTRACT estimated using Si-Zr ratios. Additionally, petrophysics based brittleness has been BIOGRAPHY The unconventional Montney play is successfully cross-correlated to single or multi Jean-Yves Chatellier has been working for extensive in area as well as in thickness XRF elements, giving tools to better design frac large oil companies for thirty years and has and offers a large range of facies and stages in Montney horizontal wells. been focusing on North American shale and associated properties. Identification of the tight sand reservoirs for the past nine years. best targets and the optimal frac design Small pore throat size may leave He has published extensively on structural will rest on understanding the variability in hydrocarbon left behind within the reservoir. geology, sedimentology, geochemistry and rock properties such as brittleness and pore A new integrated approach will be discussed reservoir engineering. He is presently co- throat size, the nature of the hydrocarbon that invokes comparing gas composition chair of the AAPG Research Committee and in place and the maturity level of the from chromatography with blended cutting very active in other societies (CSPG, SPE). various Montney intervals. Combining gas. The derived pore throat sizes have He is presently initiating and managing two inorganic and organic geochemistry with been calibrated against the ones based on separate consortia dealing with Montney geomechanics and other rock properties capillary pressure curves using a new 30% and Duvernay organic and inorganic can be simple and economically very Hg based formula. geochemistry to optimize frac design. rewarding.
26 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DIVISION TALKS
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION TALK
Geology and Geopolitics: partners in the international exploration risk assessment process.
SPEAKER responsibility of the exploration team. BIOGRAPHY Tim Marchant | University of Calgary Strange, as the exploration professional is Tim Marchant has over 35 years experience often the first company representative on in Canadian and international energy Date: February 8th, 2017 the ground in a new basin or a new country exploration, development, production and Location: CNOOC Nexen entry. new business development. Tim joined Annex Theatre 801-7th Amoco Canada in 1980 and moved to Cairo Geopolitical savvy in the exploration in 1997 as Nile Delta Exploration Manager Ave SW, Calgary AB team can be a significant advantage for Amoco Egypt. Following the BP-Amoco entrepreneurial international upstream merger, he held a series of roles in North Africa ABSTRACT companies. It goes well beyond local and the Middle East including VP Exploration Conventional portfolio management “license to operate” considerations. BP Egypt Oil, Exploration Manager separates geopolitics from technical risk in A more complete geopolitical and ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia, General Manager the exploration risking process. geotechnical assessment can better BP Abu Dhabi, President BP Kuwait Ltd. and quantify both the upside and downside VP Middle East E&P BP International. But political and cultural nativity may risk for companies and potential be as serious a risk factor for exploration investors. Dr. Marchant has been an Adjunct Professor investment decisions as the quality of the of Strategy and Energy Geopolitics, source, reservoir, trap and seal. I will use examples from the Middle East, Haskayne School of Business, University North Africa and Eastern Europe to explore of Calgary since September 2009. He also Geopolitics, also referred to as above- the link between earth history, recent history currently serves as a non-executive director ground risk, is assumed to be beyond the and current politics in the exploration of Vermilion Energy, Cub Energy and process. Valeura Energy Inc.
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 27 DIVISION TALKS
PALAEONTOLOGY DIVSION TALK
Mammals and climate change in the Eocene of North America
SPEAKER together with notable fossil deposits on the change throughout the late Wasatchian Dr. Alexander Dutchak, University of Calgary American plains and the Canadian Cypress and early Bridgerian Early Eocene Climatic Hills Formation, provide an excellent geologic Optimum, Raven Ridge, Colorado/Utah.’ Time: 7:30 pm record of this interval. During this time, he was mentored and Date: January 20, 2017 nurtured by Dr. Jaelyn Eberle at the University Location: Mount Royal This presentation aims to discuss some of of Colorado and Dr. Richard Stucky of the the methods used to identify climatic and Denver Museum. University, Room B108 mammalian faunal variability in the rock record, and how these geologic signatures Dr. Dutchak has lectured in the Department ABSTRACT relate to one another across central North of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the The Eocene Epoch (~55.5 – 35 million years ago) America during the Eocene Epoch. University of Alberta (2011) and in the encompasses a number of significant climatic Department of Earth Sciences at, Mount Royal events in addition to well-documented BIOGRAPHY University (2011-2014). He is presently an immigration and extinction events that Dr. Dutchak received a BSc (Honors instructor in the Department of Geosciences played an integral part in determining the Palaeontology) from the University of Alberta at the University of Calgary (2014-present). current distribution of mammals across North in 2002. It was during his undergraduate America. In particular, the warming events of degree while taking classes from Dr. Richard Dr. Dutchak’s research interests include the Early and Middle Eocene, and the cooling Fox that he developed his passion for patterns of mammalian faunal variation event at the end of the Eocene are associated mammalian fossils. Dr. Dutchak completed associated with intervals of climate with significant fluctuations in mammalian his M.Sc. from the University of Alberta change, immigration and emigration faunal composition. The sedimentary basins in 2005. He completed his PhD from the corridors between sedimentary basins, and of the American Rocky Mountain region, University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010. His latitudinal diversity gradients throughout dissertation was titled ‘Mammalian faunal the Paleogene. Fossil characterisation through destructive morphological modelling
SPEAKER density contrast between the fossil and the was involved in the development of a novel Dr. Christopher Boyd, Geoscientist at Shell surrounding sediment. Often these techniques high-resolution modelling technic for in- are not successful due to low density contrasts, situ, low-density contrast specimen. He has Time: 7:30 pm or cannot produce sufficiently high resolution subsequently had several papers published Date: February 24, 2017 models of large fossils. Fossil description using on the topic and has introduced a new species Location: Mount Royal serial grinding and photography does not using these methods. He currently works as a depend on a density contrast and does not Geoscientist at Shell and spends his evenings University, Room B108 have the same size limitations. This method and weekends working on proto-conodonts has been used on a growing database of fossil from the lower Cambrian of Newfoundland. ABSTRACT specimen, including for taxonomic purposes Destructive analysis of fossils is not for the faint and the introduction of new species. Information: of heart. However, in some circumstances, This event is presented jointly by the destructive analysis is the best or potentially BIOGRAPHY Alberta Palaeontological Society, the the only way to collect the necessary data. Chris Boyd has had a passion for geology, Department of Earth and Environmental A methodology has been developed which palaeontology, and the deep past ever Sciences at Mount Royal University, and uses precision serial grinding and high- since his childhood searching for trilobites the Palaeontology Division of the Canadian resolution digital photography to produce on the riverbanks of Newfoundland. Chris Society of Petroleum Geologists. For details high-resolution full colour morphological completed his Studies at Memorial University or to present a talk in the future, please models of both fossils and surrounding of Newfoundland. During his time at MUN contact CSPG Palaeontology Division Chair sediment. This technique is a highly accurate he worked in both the palynology lab and Jon Noad at [email protected] or APS and reliable method for modelling and the neo-ichnology research lab. Chris also Coordinator Harold Whittaker at 403-286- describing specimen when traditional non- ran a photography business on the side 0349 or contact programs1@albertapaleo. destructive methods fall short. Traditional during his studies. His experience with org. Visit the APS website for confirmation non-destructive methods of in-situ fossil photography combined with his passion for of event times and upcoming speakers: modelling involve the use of X-radiographs or palaeontology led him to take on a Ph.D in http://www.albertapaleo.org/ CT scanning, both of which rely on sufficient morphologic modelling of fossils, where he
28 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 DIVISION TALKS
STRUCTURAL DIVISION
Structural Geology Mountain Scrambling in the Alberta Rockies Front Ranges, Banff and Kananaskis areas.
SPEAKER Over more than 25 years since living in Tie your boots, adjust your poles and fill up Dr. Normand Bégin, Calgary, I was fortunate enough to capture your water bottles, we are going for some Repsol Oil & Gas Canada some rarely seen (and never shown to me scrambles and geo-hikes in our Rockies before) examples of complex structural backyard! Time: 12:00 noon geometry along the leading edge of some Date: January 12th, 2017 of the major Front Ranges thrusts rooted BIOGRAPHY Location: Schlumberger, Second from the McConnell slab, such as in the Normand Bégin graduated with a B.Sc. Rundle, Sulphur Mountain and Bourgeau in Geological Engineering from Laval Floor of the Palliser One Building, ranges. A unique set of photos will be University and followed up with a Ph.D. in 125 9th Ave. Calgary T2G 0P6 shown, taken from the summits of several Geology at Queen’s University in 1989. After peaks scrambled along strike of those Front 4 years of mining exploration and structural ABSTRACT Ranges, as well as from mountain passes field mapping in the Precambrian Shield of Most examples of leading edge deformation and some bushwhacked unnamed routes. the NWT, with some postdoctoral research in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Together, it will bring along an unrevealed at the University of Calgary, he joined the Cordillera west of Calgary, shown in classic perspective of the tremendous changes Foothills Research Project there in 1994 for structural field trip transects in the Bow in the internal structural architecture at 2 years. For the last 21 years, he has been and Kananaskis valleys, are photos taken the vicinity of those major frontal thrusts, working with Talisman Energy, now Repsol from the main highways running through otherwise not accessible from only roadside Canada, almost exclusively as an exploration the provincial and mountain parks. They views. Such views are important to integrate geologist in several thrust-fold belts: represent stunning views of the structural to exploration efforts in a thrust-fold belt Canadian Rockies, Llanos Belt in Columbia, geometry and the role of mechanical regime, with a set of scattered 2D seismic Zagros in Kurdistan and onshore and stratigraphy of rock formations involved, lines to start with for targeting a prospective offshore Papua New Guinea. Throughout helping to generate great and lively reservoir along-strike in a “6-inch-only” his career at Talisman Energy, he has exchanges by the road but often away from diameter hole. Several examples will be been involved with hands-on geosteering the outcrops. Whether it is the McConnell shown to hopefully trigger some discussion operations of 50 wells in those deformed Thrust at Mount Yamnuska, the Exshaw about the relative timing and interaction belts, from spud to completion. Along with Thrust at Heart Mountain, the Rundle Thrust between folding and thrusting, both in a dip current and past co-workers (Byron Veilleux, at Three Sisters and Sulphur Mountain and strike sense of those Front Ranges. In Geoff Rait, Matt Pachell, Lans Taylor and Thrust at Banff Springs, the views from the the end, this talk is not to reinvent the wheel Bob Quartero), collectively named the “Big road only show a snapshot of the variability of knowledge transferred to geoscientists by Boyz” he has been co-teaching a week- in the structural style and its evolution along the pioneers of Rocky Mountain Geology, long Structural Geology Field School in the strike of those prominent thrust faults, both but rather displays an array of structural Alberta Foothills and Rockies Belts for Fold in their adjacent footwall and hangingwall features rarely seen, from those shown and Thrust Systems. compartments. repeatedly in common roadside field trips.
1602 – 5th St N.E. T.I.H. Consulting Ltd. Calgary, AB. T2E 7W3 Geologic Well-Site Phone: 403-233-7729 Supervision www.tihconsulting.com e-mail: [email protected]
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 29 20172017 CSPGCSPG SquashSquash TournamentTournament
Registration Open!
When: February 2-4th, 2017 Where: Bow Valley Club | 250 6 Ave SW Calgary
For more information and to register online go to www.CSPG.org
Registration deadline is Wednesday January 25th @4:00pm DIVISION TALKS
STRUCTURAL DIVISION
Density and Size of Rectangular Fractures in Boreholes
SPEAKER fractures. The disadvantage of the method is Charles Berg that average fracture height and length have to be supplied. Although height and length Time: 12:00 Noon can be determined by comparing this and Date: February 2, 2017 the following P32 method, the aspect ratio of Location: Schlumberger, Second length to width still needs to be provided. Floor of the Palliser One Building, The second P32 method involves the direct 125 9th Ave. Calgary T2G 0P6 calculation of the total, borehole-enclosed fracture area, height, and length to determine ABSTRACT not only P32 but also average fracture height An important part in determining the and length. The figure shows the relationship of effect of fractures on reservoir properties the borehole to enclosed fracture area, length, is the determination of 3D fracture density and height. (The figure depicts only two of the (P32). Arguably as important, but less well eighteen possible configurations.) Calculation understood, is fracture size. This presentation of P32 is based on a method introduced by fracture height and length might only need describes a new way to simultaneously Narr, et al., (2004). In this method, P32 is to be determined occasionally, and on the calculate P32 and fracture size from image calculated by dividing total borehole-enclosed rest of the wells the equation could be used. log data. There are two basic parts to this fracture area by the borehole volume. A basic Additionally, in older wells, the equation presentation. The first part is the conversion assumption of the method is that borehole- would allow determination of P32 from pre- of fracture frequency data (F) to P32 using a enclosed P32 is representative to the P32 in the existing dip data or cores once average fracture new equation. The second part involves direct surrounding rock volume. This assumption size has been determined. (Oriented cores are determination of P32 as well as the calculation was proved accurate by the Monte Carlo not necessary as long as the relative dips and of average fracture height and length based on model to within the model standard deviation. azimuths of bedding to fractures are known.) borehole-enclosed fracture area, height, and length. It is reasonable to assume that borehole- REFERENCES enclosed fracture height and length are also Narr, W., 1996, Estimating average fracture The new equation for the conversion of F representative of the average height and spacing in subsurface rock, AAPG Bulletin, into fracture density is derived from a Monte length of the surrounding rock volume. This v. 80 no.10, p. 1565-1586. Carlo-type model similar to discrete fracture assumption was also proved accurate by Narr, W., D. Shechter, and L. Thompson, networks. The basic inputs for the equation the Monte Carlo model. The calculation of 2006, Naturally Fractured Reservoir are fracture dip and azimuth, bedding dip enclosed fracture area, height and length is Characterization, Society of Petroleum and azimuth, and average fracture height and accomplished by simple geometric means, Engineers, 97 p. length. The derivation involves the extension for example, if just the edge of a fracture of Narr’s (1996) general equation to include intersects the borehole, the enclosed edge BIOGRAPHY fracture length as well as the angle of the length is the distance between the two points Charles spent the early part of his career fracture-length axis relative to the borehole on the borehole wall. Enclosed area can then as an exploration geophysicist and axis. There were 1620 modeled points with be determined by first calculating the cross- development geologist, mostly in the a wide variation in input parameters and sectional enclosed area and then dividing Southern Rocky Mountains, Midcontinent, with thousands of randomly placed fractures that by the sine of the angle that the fracture and the U.S. Gulf Coast regions. He holds generated for each point. The model calculates plane makes with the borehole axis. Once the an MS in Geology from Colorado School enclosed areas and lengths by breaking the enclosed area, length, and height have been of Mines and a BS in Geology from the fracture area and side lengths into small, determined, the average height and length University of Texas at Austin. In 1993 he discrete parcels of area and length and then can be determined from a simple equation. started ResDip Systems as Owner and adding up those parcels inside the borehole. The different methods of area calculation for Developer, where he currently works. He The equation fit the model to within the the different borehole/fracture configurations has published articles in subjects as diverse standard deviation of the model itself, which have also been tested against the model. as dip interpretation and the application of was 0.1%. This method for calculating fracture effective medium theory to the calculation density has the advantage of being calculated The two methods for calculating P32 are of water saturation. directly from azimuth and dip of beds and complementary. In a given field, average
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 31 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Education: B.Sc. Geology, Imperial College London (1974); PhD. Geology, University of Bristol (1978) Experience: Honorary Professor – University of Aberdeen (2009 present), Owner, Sherwood Geoconsulting Inc (2008 present), VP Middle East & Global New Ventures EnCana Corporation (2002 2008); Structural Specialist PanCanadian Petroleum (1994 2002); Structural Specialist BP (1985 1994); Lecturer in Geology University College Cork (1980 1985)
Professional CSPG, APEGA, GSL Memberships: Volunteer GeoCanada 2010 CSPG Co chair (2009 2010), Joint Annual Convention 2006 –CSPG Co chair Work: (2005 2006), GeoCanada 2000 CSPG Technical Co chair (1999 2000), Publications Committee (1995 1999), Link Award Lecture Tour (1998) Awards: 2010 President’s Award, 2006 President’s Award, 2003 Tracks Award, 2000 Tracks Award, 1998 Link Award, Service/Volunteer Awards
Education: B.Sc. Geology, Carleton University (1974); M.Sc. Geology, Carleton University (1976); Ph.D. Geology, Queen's University (1980) Experience: Shell Canada (1980 2014) Project Coordinator Central MacKenzie (2011 2014) New Ventures (1998 2011) Various Exploration, Development and Corporate Strategies (1980 1997)
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA, GSA, AGU, PHS Memberships: Volunteer Chair of Stanley Slipper Gold Medal committee (2010 Present); Trustee on the CSPG Educational Work: Trust Fund (2007 2010); Committee member/trip leader Student Industry Field Trip Committee (1982 Present); Chair History and Archives (1998 Present); Committee member Medal of Merit Award (2008 Present); Chair 75th Anniversary Committee (2001 2002) Awards: CSPG Service Award (2010 2015); CSPG Volunteer Award (2009); H.M. Hunter Award (2004); CSPG Tracks/Service Award (1989, 1991, 1992, 2002)
Education: B.Sc. Geology, University of Ottawa (1983); M.Sc. Geology, Washington State University (1985); Ph.D. Geology, University of Alberta (1989).
Experience: Shell Canada Ltd (1998 present); Geological Survey of Canada (1989 1998).
Professional CSPG, APEGA Memberships: Volunteer CSPG/CSEG/CWLS GeoConvention General Co Chair: Integration (2013); Geoconvention Work: Partnership Agreement Committee (2012 2013); GeoCanada 2010 Convention Organizing Committee; CSPG Finance Director (2010 2011); Earth Science for Society Committee (2009 2010); CSPG Trust Fund Committee (2007 2009); CSPG Outreach Director (2007 2009); CSPG Bulletin Associate Editor (2001 2007); SIFT Fieldtrip Leader (1999 2005); CSPG speaker and chair at several conventions and luncheons; 20 refereed publications within and outside CSPG.
Awards: CSPG Volunteer/Service Awards; CSPG Tracks Award.
32 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 Education: B.A. (Honours, Geology/Geography), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (1985). Masters Geology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (1987) Experience: Manager Development Geology NAL Resources (2015 present), Exploration Manager EOG Re- sources Canada (2011 2015), Exploration Manager Horn River Division EOG Resources Canada (2010 2011), Geological Advisor Horn River Division EOG Resources Canada (2009 2010), Team Lead Peace River Arch/BC North Enerplus (2006 2009), Clastic Specialist EOG Resources Canada (2004 2006), Exploration Lead Geologist, PanCanadian Petroleum/Encana (2002 2004), Senior Oil Development Geologist PanCanadian Petroleum (1997 2002), Geologist, Petroleum Recovery Institute (1988 – 1997).
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA Memberships: CSPG Volunteer: Session Chair Devonian Mississippian Unconventional (2013), Thesis Awards Committee (1989 1992) AAPG/SPE Field trip Logistics AAPG conference 1992 Organizing Committee SPE/CIM/Canmet Volunteer: Horizontal Well Conference 1994, 1996 Board of Directors Canadian SPE 1998 2003 Awards: CSPG Service Award (1992)
Education: B.Sc. (Honours) Geology, Carleton University (1976); Ph.D. Geology, University of Calgary (2000) Experience: Semi Retired (2015 Present); Geology Advisor ConocoPhillips Canada/Burlington Resources (2004 2015); Exploration Mgr, VP Exploration Ice Energy, Java Energy, Southpoint Resources (2001 2004); Regional Geologist Poco Petroleums Ltd. (1996 2001); President Springtide Ener- gy Ltd. (1995 1996)
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA, CWLS Memberships: CSPG Volunteer Co Chair CSPG Core Conference (2015 2016); Communications Director CSPG Board of Work: Directors (2010 2012); Co Chair Horn River Basin Shale Gas Sessions, CSPG Convention (2010 2011); Associate Editor CSPG Bulletin (2005 2007); Co Chair Core Conference, CSPG/ CSEG/CWLS Convention (2005 2006); Chair & member Medal of Merit Committee (1997 2006); Director CSPG Board of Directors (1996 1997) Awards: CSPG Service Award (2015, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2004, 2002); CSPG Volunteer Award (2010); Graduate Thesis Award (2001)
Education: B.Sc. (Honours) Geology, University of Wales (1989); M.Sc. Geology, University of Alberta (1992); Ph.D.Geology, University of British Columbia (1997). Experience: Geological Prospect Generator Partners Energy Development Corp (2016); Senior Geological Advisor, Athabasca Oil Corporation (2014 2015); Geoscience Manager, Athabasca Oil Corporation/Brion Energy (2007 2014); Staff Geologist, Shell Canada Ltd. (2002 2007); Geologist, Total S.A. (1997 2002).
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA, CHOA, CWLS, SEPM. Memberships: Volunteer GeoConvention 2016 & 2017 session co chair; Associate Editor of CSPG Bulletin (2016 2019); Work: CSPG Graduate Thesis Committee (2015 onwards); Technical lecture tour for CSPG University Outreach (2016); AAPG/CSPG ACE 2016 Planning Committee for Oil Sands Theme; CSPG Conferences Directors (2015 & 2016); Various volunteer positions for CSPG since 2004; Current technical reviewer for several scientific journals (CSPG, CJES, CJPT). Awards: CSPG Volunteer Award (2007); CSPG Service Award (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013).
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 33
Education: M.Sc Geochemistry, University of Calgary Experience: Rakhit Petroleum Consulting, Petrel Robertson, PanCanadian/EnCana, EOG, MGM Energy, Statoil Canada - Currently Exploration Advisor, East Coast Exploration
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA Memberships: Volunteer Work: General Co-Chair 2012 GeoConvention-Vision, Technical Program Chair 2007 CSPG/CSEG/CWLS annual Joint Convention, Conference Chair: 2004 Gussow Geoscience Conference, GeoCanada 2000, CSPG Committee on Conventions Awards: CSPG Tracks Award 2012, CSPG Best Student Poster 1995, CSPG Volunteer/Service Awards
Education: B.Sc. Honours, University of Saskatchewan (1998); M.Sc. & Ph.D. Geology, University of Alberta (2001, 2006) Experience: Geologist - Osum Oil Sands Corp. (2012-Present); Geologist - Imperial Oil (2007-2012); Geologist - Anadarko/CNRL (2006-2007)
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA, IAS, SEPM Memberships: Volunteer Chair - Mountjoy Carbonates Conference (2015); Committee member - Technical Luncheon Work: Committee (2014 - Present); Associate Editor - Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology (2007 - Present); Outreach Speaker (2009); Field Trip Leader (2006, 2007) Awards: Best Core Presentation, CSPG Core Conference (2016); Service Award (2013-2015); Volunteer Award (2012); PhD Thesis Award (2007)
Education: B.Sc. (Honors) Geology, University of Alberta (1985); M.Sc. Geology, University of Alberta (1989); Ph.D. Geology, University of Calgary (1998). Experience: Vice President, Chief Geologist - Alberta Energy Regulator (2009-Present); Manager, Provincial Geologist - Alberta Geological Survey (1999-2009); Exploration Geologist - Petro-Canada (1996- 1999
Professional CSPG, AGU, APEGA, IAH, SPE Memberships: Volunteer Work: Committee member & Co-Chair - Hydrogeology Division (1980s-1990s); Committee member - Geotreasures Exposition committee (2000) Awards: Volunteer Award (2000, 2014).
Education: B.Sc University of Alberta (1993); M.Sc. Geology, University of Alberta (1996); Ph.D Geology, University of Wyoming (2001) Experience: Principal Geoscience Advisor, In Situ, Suncor Energy, (2012-present); Manager of Geology and Geophysics, Mackay River, Suncor Energy (2009-2012); Senior Geologist, Petro-Canada (2005- 2009); Geologist, Imperial Oil (2001-2005)
Professional CSPG, AAPG, APEGA, SPE Memberships: Volunteer Co-chair - Technical Luncheon Committee (2010-present); Thesis Award Committee (2005- Work: present); Lecturer - University Outreach (2016); Committee Member - CSPG Sedimentology Divi- sion (2004-2007); Committee member - Alberta Paleontological Advisory Committee (2004- 2010); CSPG speaker and technical session chair at several conferences Awards: CSPG Volunteer Award; CSPG Services Award
34 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 2016 CSPG Awards
TECHNICAL AWARDS VOLUNTEER AWARDS Andrew Cook Les McMillan Stanley Slipper Gold Medal President’s Award Thomas Cox David Middleton for outstanding Career Contributions to for Outstanding Service by a CSPG Member Barrie Dargie Stephen Minions Oil and Gas Exploration in Canada Tim De Freitas Ryan Mohr
Brad Hayes Foon Der David Morrow Edward (Ted) Bogle Noel Devere-Bennett Bob Mummery Ian DeWolfe Jacey Neumann R.J.W Douglas Medal H.M. Hunter Award Steve Donaldson Eric Niven Tina Donkers Jon Noad for Outstanding Contributions to for Distinguished Service Eva Drivet Brett Norris the Understanding of Sedimentary to the Society Dave Drover Rob North Geology in Canada Dawn Hodgins Kyle Durocher Kirk Osadetz Dale Leckie Gordon Stabb Markus Ebner Brenda Pearson Marc Enter John Peirce Richard Evoy Guy Plint
Honorary Membership Tracks Award Peter Fermor Kyla Poelzer for Distinguished Service to the Society for Members Who have Set New Patrick Fothergill Frank Pogubila Tony Cadrin Standards of Excellence Andrew Fox Brian Pratt Jocelyn Frankow Jim Reimer Alexis Anastas Lloyd Freeman Gerry Reinson
Link Award Riona Freeman Weishan Ren for Best Presentation– David Clyde Milovan Fustic Claude Ribordy Technical Luncheon Series Alex MacNeil David Garner Kristin Rohr Dallin Laycock Ian McIlreath Sasan Ghanbari Kevin Root “Muddy Clinoforms and the Chad Glemser Jen Russel-Houston Service Awards Stephen Grasby Terry Sami influence of Aggregated Mud for Members who have Served the Darcie Greggs Megan Simons Clasts” November 17, 2015 Society for over Five Years Tony Hamblin Randy Smith Tim Hartel Tom Sneddon Medal of Merit Peter Hay Geoffrey Speers James Ablett for Best Paper Related to Simon Haynes Vern Stasiuk Norbert Alwast Canadian Petroleum Geology Norman Hopkins Glen Stockmal George Ardies Denis Lavoie Amir Hosseini Martin Teitz Astrid Arts Kristy Howe Scott Thain Nicolas Pinet Peter Aukes Stephen Hubbard Damien Thenin Jim Dietrich Ryan Axani Ian Hutcheon Clint Tippett Zhuoheng Chen Bill Ayrton Dale Issler Elizabeth Turner Olena Babak Wim Jalink Christian Viau “The Paleozoic Hudson Bay Basin Wes Bader Samantha Jones John Waldron in northern Canada: New insights Jim Barclay Ian Kirkland Michael Webb Ali Beken into hydrocarbon potential of a Melanie Klucker Gerald Wendland Philip Benham frontier intracratonic basin” Shawn Lafleur Gordon Williams Barry Bennett Larry Lane Jay Williams AAPG Bulletin, V. 99 No. 5 (May 2015) Khaled Benzaoui Craig Lamb Andrew Willis Tim Bird Dale Leckie Colin Yeo Medal of Merit Honorable Mary Luz Borrero Sid Leggett Darin Brazel Mention Jaime Lo Carson Brown for Best Paper Related to Paul MacKay Canadian Petroleum Geology Chuck Buckley Robert MacNaughton Jean-Yves Chatellier Gary Prost Leena Markatchev Burns Cheadle Guy Peasley Jane Marzetti Guoxiang Chi Darin McCollum Andre Chow “The Umiak Field discovery North- Heidi McDonald Nancy Chow west Territories Canada” Ben McKenzie Penny Christensen Margot McMechan AAPG Bulletin, V. 99 No. 2 (February 2015) Shawna Christensen
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 35 (Continued from page 35...)
Volunteer Awards James Duggan Jassie Kang Jennifer Noade Anne Sherman for Members who Paul Durkin David Keighley Natalia Noskova Jason Shtand Hayley Edwards Jürgen Kraus Darcy Novak Darren Singleton have Served the Nanna Eliuk Melissa Kuechler Ada Opene Brant Skibsted Society for up to Five Mona Enachescu Ross Kukulski Lauren Ostridge Kelly Skuce Years Alison Essery Brent Kuntz Sharleen Overland Amber Sprague Colin Etienne Kelty Latos Kelsea Pedersen Tony Stadnyk Lindsey Abbott Duncan Findlay Stan Lavender Russ Phillips Larry Strong Leye Adeboye Martin Fowler Jason Lavigne George Pinckney Brodie Sutherland Nawras Akkad Jason Frank Carmen Lee Sharlene Pollock Natalie Sweet Ryan Baker Adam Fraser Stacia Leonard Andrei Popescu Amy Switzer Nadine Beaudoin Jean Francois Gagnon Rochelle Longval Mary Ellen Price Ryan Szol Laurie Bellman David Gardner Adam MacDonald Hairuo Qing Balazs Toro Jennifer Benyon Dan Gee James MacEachern Garrett Quinn Torrie Turner Jeff Boissonneault Ray Geuder Sabita Makoon Singh Mark Radomski Stuart Tye Sonia Brar Murray Gingras Heather Makowecki Kamal Rae Michael Wamsteeker Ryan Brenner Meriem Grifi Dennis Deepreet Mand Mike Ranger Pei Ling Wang Harrison Brown Dale Hardcastle Vanessa Marcheggiani Aaron Reimchen Neil Watson Robin Buckley Bill Haskett Croden Cindy Robinson Melissa Williams Gary Bugden Caterina Heikkinen Ryan Martin Katie Romansky Jamie Wills Whitney Bysterveld Brian Hester Adrienne McDougall Cynthia Sawatzky Richard Wong Lisa Cartier Travis Hobbs Ryan McKay Armin Schafer Keith Yaxley Maria Castillo Toro Nicole Hunter Ben Montgomery Tyler Schmidt Denise Yee David Chunn Art Irwin Jason Moore Jesse Schoengut Tanya Yeomans Michelle Clements Bryce Jablonski Kevin Morrison Jennifer Scott Robin Dixon Brad Johnston Andy Mort Nicole Sendziak Ruben Dominguez Brittan Jones Rachel Newrick Kathleen Shannon
36 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
IN MEMORIUM
Valerie Ethier (nee Girling), 1931-2016 Val died on November 17, 2016 at age 85. Val graduated with Honours in geology and geography from UBC in 1954 and was offered a job, at the rate of pay set for men, by three large companies. She was one of only two female geologists exploring in Canada's oil and gas industry, long before the word feminism came into use and decades before the industry fully opened to women. She completed her Master’s Degree in Geology at University of Calgary in 1970, and remained affiliated with the University
for many years, publishing extensively on the Aldridge Formation, and on Sullivan orebodies. In the 1980s and 1990’s she again worked as an exploration geologist in industry, and as a consultant to industry. In the early 1990’s, she developed a workshop on estimating porosity and permeability in drill cuttings, which continues to be taught to this day. She is remembered for being kind and generous to all her colleagues, and for taking great pleasure in helping, and then watching, them be successful. Her professional friends and colleagues recall her as “truly a renaissance woman” for her time.
Dr. Robert George McCROSSAN, March 27, 1924 – November 20, 2016 Bob died peacefully in his home following a brief battle with cancer. He leaves his son, John (Janice); two grandsons Riley and Michael; nieces Sandra Heywood and Barb Espiritu; nephew Peter McCrossan; and many close friends. He was born and raised in Vancouver. He attended the University of British Columbia where he earned his B.Sc. Geology. While working in Calgary, he met Janette (1925 – 2009), his wife and dearest companion of 58 years. He furthered his education with a M. Sc. and Ph.D in Geology at the University of Chicago, prior to embarking on a successful career as a Petroleum Geologist with Esso Resources, the Geological Survey of Canada, and with Sirte Oil in Libya. Bob's contributions 2017to Canadian M geologyembe have beenr outstanding.ship OneRen of his ewmany careeral accomplishments was the publication of the atlas, Geological History of Western Canada (with Dr. R.P. Glaister, a
colleague and lifelong friend). The Atlas was used extensively by industry and became an indispensable teaching aid in university geological departments all over the world. Bob was MaPast-Presidentke sure yofo theur Alberta mem Societybers hofip Petroleum is pai dGeologists; and up his generous service to his professionto date has to been en srecognizedure discou by then awardts a oft upHonorarycoming Life membership in the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. Bob will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his love of gardening,CSPG e photography,vents and politics, Con fandere a npassionces! for a healthy discussion/argument. He was most content with a glass of good scotch, a comfortable pair of blue jeans, a solid pair Robert McCrossan during his time as of rubber boots, and a big cigar. ASPG President
2017 Membership Renewal
Make sure your membership is paid and up to date to ensure discounts at upcoming CSPG events and Conferences!
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 37
2017 Membership Renewal
Make sure your membership is paid and up to date to ensure discounts at upcoming CSPG events and Conferences!
CORRECTION MUNDIREGINA RESOURCES CANADA INC. 56 Roehampton, Unit 62, St. Catharines, ON, L2M 7S8 Tel: (905) 688 8083 In the December 2016 issue Figure 10 in the Cell: (905) 978 1364 Ontario Oil & Gas Series, Part 4 Article (pg. 22) was incorrectly displayed. Below is the [email protected] correct image and caption. We apologize for this error. KEY points on our Gaspe Conventional LIGHT OIL (Shallow) stacked play
Three World Class High Impact Exploration Plays, the ABBA, Mundiregina and the Largest the Champlain (some of these are the largest un drilled structures (as defined by Seismic) in North America. Conventional Light Oil 500,000 acres Very Thick Oil Column in Forillion Very Large Structures (GIANTS) Stacked Layers/plays A 30 Mile wide Anticline Structure (Champlain) A 10 Mile wide Anticline in (ABBA) There are four (4) deep water Ports, Gaspe Conventional Light Oil and Conventional Natural Gas 3,000 miles closer to market Gaspe with it Thrust faults is in many respects similar to the WSB “ Deep Basin “ SEEKING joint ventures/farm-in
Figure 10. Kettle Point type well (Phillips, 2014), showing Kettle Point Formation from 82.5 metres to 156.2 metres. Driller terminology has been used to describe the formations of the underlying Hamilton Group.” SAVE THE DATE Keep an eye on the CSPG website for information on upcoming Short Courses & Field Seminars taking place during the first two weeks of May!
38 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 CSPG RESERVOIR THROUGH THE YEARS!
The first Reservoir was published in The Reservoir was published 11 times a 1996 heralded in a big visual change 1974 and was a small slim volume: year, with the occasional photo year- for the reservoir: full colour covers as 6” by 9” and only 8 pages long. book supplement, virtually unchanged well as a few colour pages inside. The for 20 years. In 1994, a big change was magazine was still the same size, but made: colour was added to the cover! three times as long as the first volume.
In September 1997,the Reservoir The newer style was a hit, and graced switched to the 8” by 10.5” magazine This new cover didn’t last long, and a the cover for almost 10 years, when, in format you hold today. year later it was changed. 2008, the distinctive red frame was added to the cover.
If you have any CSPG photos that you’d like to share with the archive, please contact Morgan at [email protected].
RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 39 Call for Abstracts
Information on abstract DEADLINE: specifications and how to submit can be found online at JANUARY 17th, 2017 www.cspg.org/CoreConference Registration
General Delegate Registration: $175.00 CAN REGISTRATION OPEN: Core Presenter Registration: $150.00 CAN FEBRUARY 6th, 2017 Core Meltdown Ticket*: $ 25.00 CAN
*One Core Meltdown Ticket is included with general and presenter registrations.