April 1993 BULLETIN
rlolume 35
Uumber 8
FIELD TRIPS AND SHORT COURSES GALORE (See ads throughout) * * * HGS JOBS HOTLINE (713) 785-9729 * * * IN THIS ISSUE... - HGS Officer Elections ...... Page 12 - Heluma and King Mountain Fields - Backthrusted Structures ...... Page 22 - Outstanding Student Awards ...... Page 36 - Organizing people for successful exploration ...... Page 38 - Clintonomics and Oil ...... Pages 20,43 AND MORE! See Centerfold for April Calendar and Geoevents. "Support those who support our Society." TEXAS CRUDE AN INDEPENDENT OIL & GAS COMPANY SINCE 1941 ANNOUNCING THE RELOCATION OF WElEXAS CRUDE COMPANIES TO THE lEXAS CRUDE BUlLDING AT 2803 BUFFALO SPEED WAY, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098 P. 0. BOX 56586, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77256-6586 TELEPHONE: 7'3-599-9900
Peter J. Fluor, President & C .E. 0. K. C. Weiner, Vice-president Doug OIBrien, Exploration Manager A1 Curry, Operations Manager
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Houston Headquarters Coastal Division Sales 7 131650- 1994 7131584-9394 HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 7171 Harwin. Suite 314 Houston. Texas 77036-2190 (713) 785-6402 Fax: (713) 785-0553 Office Hours: 7 a.m. .4 p.m. - EXECUTIVE BOARD - President ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon. Consultant 556-8170 President-Elect ...... John M. Biancardi. Vicksburg Production 937-8457 Vice President ...... Dwight (Clint) Moore. Anadarko Petroleum 874-8730 Secretary ...... Jeannie Fisher Mallick. Excalibur Consulting 353-1234 Treasurer ...... Steve Brachman. Live Oak Consulting 855-4825 Treasurer-Elect ...... Ann Ayers Martin. Tertiary Trend Exploration 661 -4294 Editor ...... Susan M . van Gelder. Consultant 466-3348 Editor-Elect ...... Lynne Feldkamp. R. M . Sneider Exploration 497-0503 Executive Committeeman ('93) ...... William R. (Bill) Dupre'. University of Houston 743-3425 Executive Committeeman ('93)...... Pinar Yilmaz. Exxon Production Research 966-6033 Executive Committeeman ('94)...... Jeffrey W . (Jeff) Lund. Ashland Exploration 531 -2900 Executive Committeeman ('94)...... James A . (Jim) Ragsdale. Agip Petroleum 688-6281 - COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN - Academic Liaison ...... B . J . Doyle. Brittany Exploration 893-6969 Advertising ...... Bruce Falkenstein. Amoco Production 556-2038 Arrangements ...... Douglas B . (Doug) Selvius. BHP Petroleum 780-5097 Awards ...... Daniel J. (Dan) Bonnet. Houston Energy & Development 650-8008 Ballot ...... Steven H . (Steve) Shirley. UNOCAL 287-7487 Computer Applications ...... Mark Hodson. Consultant 568-5009 Continuing Education ...... Frank Huber. BHP Petroleum (Americas) Inc. 780-5103 Directory ...... Nancy T . Benthien. Marathon Oil 629-6600 Entertainment ...... Martin J. Oldani. Apache Corp . 296-6326 Environmental and Engineering ...... Robert B . (Bob) Rieser. The Bourdeau Group 463-6151 Exhibits ...... Gerald A . Cooley. PetCons & Assoc . 665-8432 Explorer Scouts ...... E . Dan Helton. Natural Gas Pipeline Co . 963-3537 Field Trips ...... Paul W . Britt. Texplore. lnc . 341 -1 800 Finance ...... David A . Fontaine. Consultant 524-7040 Historical ...... David B. Shephard. Amoco 556-2119 International Explorationists ...... Thomas A . (Thom) Tucker. Marathon Oil 296-3623 Library ...... Evelyn Wilie Moody. Consultant 789-5999 Membership ...... Michael H . (Mike) Deming. Amoco 556-4458 Nominations ...... Cyrus (Cy) Strong. Consultant 464-5413 North American Explorationists ...... Charles E . (Chuck) Buzby IV. Amoco 556-3093 Office Management ...... Gerald A . Cooley. PetCons & Assoc . 665-8432 Personnel Placement ...... L . G. (Joe) Eubanks. Preston Oil Co . 367-8697 Poster Sessions ...... John Preston. Tourmaline Exploration Co . 222-8535 Publications . New ...... William A . Hill. ARC0 Oil & Gas 584-6436 Publication Sales ...... Thomas T . (Tom) Mather. Columbia Gas 871 -3326 Public Relations ...... Deborah K . (Debra) Sacrey. Consultant 462-0861 Remembrances ...... Bill C. Burkman. Consultant 783-6469 Research ...... Phil Porter. Consultant 668-6752 Technical Programs ...... Dwight (Clint) Moore Anadarko Petroleum 874-8730 Transportation - SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES - GCAGS Representative ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon. Consultant 556-8170 GCAGS Alternate ...... John M . Biancardi. Vicksburg Production Co . 937-8457 Advisor. Museum of Natural Science ...... Morgan J. Davis. Jr.. Consulting Geologist 432-0880 AAPG Delegate Foreman ...... Jeffrey W . (Jeff) Lund. Ashland Exploration 531 -2900 AAPG-DPA Representative ...... Daniel L. (Dan) Smith. Texas Meridian Resources 558-8080 AAPG Group Insurance ...... Barbara Bremsteller 751 -0259 Engineering Council of Houston Representative ...... Claudia P. Ludwig. Consultant 723-1436 - SCHOLARSHIP - Merriorial Scholarship Board (Graduate) ...... Daniel L. (Dan) Smith. Texas Meridian Resources 558-8080 HGS Foundation (Undergraduate) ...... Hugh W . Hardy. Emeritus 729-9208 - HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL AUXILIARY - President ...... Mrs . Jim (Gwinn) Lewis 468-3768 President-Elect ...... Mrs . Jon (Joyce) Champeny 465-2905 First Vice President (Social) ...... Mrs . David (Lois) Matuszak 392-3702 Second Vice President (Membership) ...... Mrs . George (Shirley) Gordon 494-1338 Third Vice President (HGS Rep.) ...... Mrs . Martha Lou Broussard 665-4428 Secretary ...... Mrs . Andre (Ann) Bouttle 496-1458 Treasurer ...... Mrs . Leslie (Dianne) White 974-3005 Historian ...... Mrs. Robert (Geri) Pace 855-7655 Parliamentarian ...... Mrs . Theresa Baker 782-2754 GeoWives President ...... Ms . Susan McKinley (Mrs. Allan B. Scardina) 556-1335
The BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (ISSN 0018-6686) is published monthly except July and August by the Houston Geological Society. 7171 Harwin. Suite 314. Houston. Texas 77036. Subscription totheBULLET1NHOUSTON GEOLOGICALSOCIETY is included in membershipdues(S18.0Oannually). Subscription price for non-members within the contiguous U.S. is $25.00 per year and $46.00 per year for those outside the contiguous U.S. Single copy price is $3.00. Second-Class Postage paid at Houston. Texas . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 71 71 Harwin. Suite 314. Houston. TX 77036-21 90. I 1 Bulletin Houston Geological Society . April 1993 BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Vol. 35, No. 8 April 1993
BULLETIN COMMITTEE CONTENTS EDITOR: Sue van Gelder, 466-3348 Consulting Geologist DEPARTMENTS EDITOR ELECT: Lynne D. Feldkamp, 497-0503 President's Comments ...... 5 Robert M. Sneider Explor. ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Business of Geology Letters to the Editor ...... 6 Dwight (Clint) Moore, 874-8730 Anadarko Petroleum Society Meetings Computer Mark W. Hodson, 568-5009 General: Dinner Editorial Sandi M. Barber, 723-1480 "Characteristics of Deep-Water Yegua Sandstones, Consultant Texas and Louisiana", Randall S. Miller...... 8 Donna Davis, 981-4345 Consultant General: Luncheon Mary Jo Klosterman, 591-5273 Exxon Exploration Co. "It All Begins With People", Marlan W. Downey ...... 8 Larry Levy, 432-0008 LSL Resources International Explorationists James A. (Jim) Ragsdale, 688-6281 "Pre-Cambrian-LowerCambrian Geology and Hydrocarbon Agip Petroleum John M. Turmelle, 583-2328 Occurrences of the Southern Portion of the Consulting Geologist East Siberian Platform", K. L. Talley ...... 10 Environmental Dean Ayres, 729-7 157 Environmental/Engineering Geologists HISD "Vitrification of Hazardous Wastes Using a Mobile Unit: Events David C. Callaway. 268-2114 An Evolving Technology", Dan Dietz ...... 18 Aquila Energy Exploration Review North American Explorationists Bill Eisenhardt, 774-6669 "Stratigraphic, Tectonic and Depositional History Consulting Geologist of California", Tor H. Nilsen Technical Articles ...... 20 William H. Roberts, 465-2228 Hydrexco Company Memorial Scholarship Fund...... 9 Jo Ann Locklin, 954-6262 Texaco HGS Officer Elections...... 12 Nelson C. Steenland, 666-0266 Geophysicist Manuscripts, inquiries, or suggestionsshould be directed to Editor, c.!o HGS Bulletin, 7171 Harwin, Suite 314, Houston, TX 77036. Deadline for copy issix weeks prior to publication. Allcopy PRICE SCHEDULE- RESERVATIONS POLICY must be typewritten and double-spaced on APRIL MEETINGS Reservat~onsare made by cdlllng the HGS olke standard white paper. Line drawings and other (785 6402) At the meet~ngnames are checked agdlnsl illustrations must be photo-ready. Il prepared on a (Non-members: add $2.00 to the meal price) list reservations See Meetings abstracts for times. the reservation Those w~th w~llhe sold word processor, please send a copy of the com- t~ckets~mmed~ately Those without reservations will puter disc, preferably in either Pagemaker, Ven- HGS Dinner Meeting. Apr. 12 be asked to Walt for abailable seats, and a $5 tura or ASCII format. along with a hard copy of Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $20.00 surcharge will beadded to the price of the ticket. All the text. who do not honor their reservations will be billed Photographs submitted for publication are HGS International Explorationtsts for the price of the meal If a resermlon iarlnoi be Dinner Meet~ng,Apr. 19 welcome, but cannot be returned. kept, please cancel or send someone In ylmr plxe Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $21.00 HGS North American Explorationists COMMITTEE D~nnerMeeting, Apr. 20 Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $20.00 located at 7171 Harwin, Suite 314, Houston, 785-6402 Please call Texas 77036. The telephone number IS (713) HGS Luncheon, Apr. 21 - Houstori Club ...... $15.00
BullPt~nHouston Geoloq~r.~lSor~~ty Apr~l 1993 Contents Continued
Environmental/Engineering Geologists ...... 18
North American Explorationists ...... 20 North American Explorationists Feature - "Heluma and King Mountain Fields Backthrusted Structures, Upton County, Texas", John M. Turmelle ...... 22
Calendar and Geo-Events, Dave Callaway...... 28
CommitteeNews ...... 30 Government Affairs ...... -20 Personnel Placement ...... 30 Field Trip ...... 19,30 Continuing Education ...... 31,32,35 Awards ...... 36 OntheMove ...... 33 Remembrances ...... 33
Business of Geology - "Appropriate People and Proper Organization for Successful Exploration", Marfan W. Downey ...... 38
Houston Geological Auxiliary...... 42
Government Affairs Brief...... 43
Exploration Activity Review, Bill Eisenhardt...... 50
COVER PHOTO: Jeff Requarth, Texstar Inc., points out the unconformable relationship between the Cupido (Sligo Equivalent) and the overlying La Pena Formation (Pearsall Equivalent). This section is found on the interior wall of Potrero Garcia, a breached salt anticline north of Monterrey, Mexico. The HGS/GCAGS Sequence Stratigraphy Field Trip studied these Lower Cretaceous rocks for four days in October 1991. Photo courtesy of John Turmelle.
HAVE YOU EVER MADE A RESERVATION AND NOT SHOWN? Several years ago the HGS Board adopted a policy of billing those who made reservations for an HGS dinner or luncheon event but did not show. Since the reservation list is used to guarantee the
number of attendees to an event. the HGS must .Dau z for that minimum number even if fewer ~eo~le. . are served. Those who make reservations and do not cancel by the published cancellation time will be billed. For Luncheon and Dinner events, cancellation time is usually noon on the prior business day. Cancelling after that time, yet before the event, does not assure that you will not be billed. For those who are billed and do not pay, please be aware that the next time you attend an HGS lunch or dinner event, the treasurer or representative will ask to discuss the reasons prohibiting payment. Continued non-payment of billing will result in loss of membership privileges.
3 Bullet~nHouston Geologncal Socrt.iy. April 1993 The ASETTh'log, our newest technology, is specifically designed to analyze texturally altered sidewall cores, archived core samples, thin-bedded reservoirs, and drilling-mud contaminated samples. An ASET analysis of unconsolidated core improves log interpretations, reservoir quality assessment, productive zone identification, and completion strategies. CORE LABORATORIES- Weetern Atlas International > L,lomre$,er conoany 5295 Holl~sterRoad Houston Texas 77040 (713) 460-9600 Fax (7 13) 460~8275
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Buller~nHouston Geolog~calSacdety. Aprll 1993 4 PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS
The HG Auxiliary put on an excellent party at their Lucky 'n Love evening back in February. Proceeds went to the Undergraduate Scholarship Fund. The HGA is always looking for new members and ways to encourage participation of current members. I think we should be most proud of the way the Auxiliary is always trying to help with scholarship donations. A special thanks to this year's President, Gwinn Lewis. Look for a big ad in this month's issue about our annual Guest Night coming up in June at the Museum of Natural Science. Our Program Committee and Arrangements Committee have done their usual outstanding job, and have tentatively lined up the IMAX film "Hawaii: Born in Paradise" and Ninfas for your viewing and eating enjoyment. Get your reservations in early because we fillup fast. The 1995 AAPG annual convention willbe held in our wonderful Bayou City. The HGS Nominations Committee is coordinating with the AAPG in Tulsa to select a Convention Chairman who is a successful geologist with proven leadership abilities and a demonstrated commitment to the AAPG as well as to the Houston geological community. Hopefully I can announce the name next month. And then you can expect a request to volunteer your time and talents. Elsewhere in this issue you should also see the biographies of the candidates the Nominations Committee has recommended to stand for election to the HGS Board for next year. I think we have a fine slate of people, all of whom willbe able to do their share to help President-Elect John Biancardi run the. show next year. Look for the ballots in May. Your vote is really appreciated. I regret to announce that our current Editor-Elect, Feather Wilson, has had to resign his position on the HGS Board due to increased professional and personal commitments elsewhere. We willmiss you, Feather. However, the Board has approved Lynne Feldkamp to fillout the remainder of the unexpired term through June, 1993. She has been doing an excellent job as an Associate ." Editor. Congratulations Lynne! In other actions, the HGS Board approved in principle to support the "Suggested Geologist Practice Act" as proposed by the Council of Professional Geological Organizations. If registration and certification is inevitable, the intention is for the best possible bill to prevail. Also, the Board approved a recommendation by the Office Management Committee that Margaret Blake's status be changed from an employee of the HGS to an employee of Four Star Printing Company under contract to the HGS. This change should save us a few dollars, give Margaret a few more benefits, and allow for more flexibility. The AAPG recently honored those entering their fiftieth year as members of AAPG. Of 79 who joined in 1943, nine are from Houston. Congratulations to Bob Baum, Jimmy Curran, Ted Ellsworth, Henry Guest, Russell Jeffords, Mac McDowell, Harry Stommel, Edward Walker, and Jack Williams. We have a wide variety of topics lined up at our dinner meetings this month. You can learn more about the Yegua right here in the Gulf Coast (and that includes "Yegua play" poster sessions, too), find out about the geology of California, or do some time traveling back to the pre-Cambrian of Siberia. Why not also come to our monthly luncheon on Texas Independence Day and find out that what it all boils down to in the oil patch is ... "People in Exploration". Hope to see you at one of the meetings... $/~ Pat Gordon
5 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE GEOMAP COMPANIES 33 Years of Sewiee OEOMAP@ (/ Geological Map Throughout U.S. Q COMPANY (/ Base Maps Starting @ $35 (/ Library Network * (/ Microfiche Logs To the Editor: (/ GIs Products & Services Including Field Maps and Custom Mapping The purpose of this letter is to express my concern about continuing education as fostered on professional GEOMAmRS (/ Digital Data Files Paleo & Sand Counts earth scientists today and to provide an alternative. It is Offshore / Onshore, TX & LA obvious that existing programs are based on good intentions Correlation Tops and convenience, but the benefits do not measure up to a Austin Chalk & Wiliston Basin reasonable return from the several tens of courses offered at several hundreds of dollars per course per participant. At this time, when continuing education is most critical for individual success, course enrollment is declining. High fees for and the results from such courses may be two of several reasons. In short, the programs are not meeting the needs of a great number of us, and in order to improve, it is necessary to let in some fresh air. Partici~antinterviews indicate that course content is very good. Any criticism is usually directed toward time constraints and costs. Most enjoy the presentations and workshops, but find their job habits unchanged months Call for product availability later. Could it be because training is not "on time" or in your area of interest. because of [the students'?] inability to translate academic information into workday applications? Toll Free 1-800-527-2626 In order to help a majority of us, am suggesting an Plano, Texas Houston, Texas Midland, Texas I (214) 578-0571 (713) 520-8989 (915) 682-3787 alternative, uncommon approach to continuing education. First, it should be continuing, applied science (new and tested concepts) in specific basins as opposed to academic or theoretical science, e.g., one period (3 hrs.) per week for To All Professional Engineers 16 weeks on Gulf Coast exploration. Second, it must be taught by persons who have done the work. Third, it must And Scientists In The Houston Area: be based on hard data (well logs, surface maps, geophysical The Physics Department at the University of information, geochemical data, etc.) in specific areas. Houston is soliciting old model computers of any Fourth, workshops should include project planning, data manufacture for use in data acquisition in science collection and research. evaluation techniaues. economics. classrooms. The computers donated will be given to report generation and oral presentations. it should neithe; teachers after they complete a training program in the be academic nor be a refresher. Its purpose is to empower use of these computers for science activities ex- the participant with working ideas, to provide innovative periments. The goal is to place eight computer educational opportunities in ap.plied sciences. This acquisition stations in at least one science classroom approach could strengthen our current approach. in every middle school and high school in the Houston Many community colleges, which incidentally have metropolitan area. Please inquire in your company as notoriously low registration fees are, are ideally suited for to the current disposition of obsolete but working such services. Except for the data bank, they have the computers or contact Tom Hudson at the Physics facilities, a large adjunct professor staff and the capabilities. Department of the University of Houston at (713) Presently, Houston Community College is investigating 743-3535 for more information. the feasibility of such a program. On behalf of Ms. Patti Carlton, Director of Continuing Ed. and Community Service Centers, P.O. Box 7849, Houston, TX 77270-7849 we welcome your input and inquiries. Albert F. Allong, CPG #2496 MARKR. ETHEREDGE a CONSUL~NGGEOLOGIST U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL
13 105 NORTHWESTFRWY.. SUITE 760 HOUSTON,TEXAS 77040 OFF(7 13) 939-8243
Bulletin Houston Geological Soc~ety.April 1993 HGS GUEST NIGHT FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and THE WORTHAM IMAX THEATRE
featuring
An Exclusive* HGS Showing of the Award Winning IMAX Film
"HAWAII: BORN IN PARADISEw**
with %7wZ&&DtiwmW&;ttw6ae I ** "Tentative Film and Caterer Selection $25.00 PER PERSON
SPONSORED IN PART BY
Petroleum Corporat~on
6:OO-7:OOpm Museum Doors Open. Social & Browsing Hour with Cash Bars Be Sure to See the Gem, Mineral. and Seashell Coi!ections! 7:OO-8:OOpm Dining in Museum on Two Levels 8:15-8:45pm Awards Presentations in Mtwwrn 9:OO-10:OOpm "Hawaii: Born in Paradise" in MAX Theatr~
Reservations and Payment Required by Mailing Check to: HGS Guest Night Event. 7171 Harwin. Suite 314. Houston, Texas 77036. Call HGS at 785-6402 to confirm receipt of your check. Send Your Check Soon , Only 400 Seats Available. Refunds available thu April Isf 1993 RESERVE rOUR SPACE EARLY, SINCE WE'VE SOU) OUT EACH PFEWOJS YEAR. NO SALES AT DOOR! ADMITTANCE BY NAME TAG ONLY! - This film is being shipped to the museun for our event only, and is not dwMed for any other showings. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is located in Hermann Park across from Miller Theatre at One Hermann Circle.
REGISTRATION FORM FOR HGS GUEST NIGHT EVENT Enclose check payable to HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
NAME: -- COMPANY: -- WORK PHONE: - GUEST NAME: Bouma b-c-d and cod turbidite sequences. They were MEETINGS deposited in channel-levee complexes on a slope fan of a lowstand systems tract. HGS DINNER MEETING-APRIL 12,1993 The sandstones have core porosities up to 23%, but Social Period, 5:30 p.m. average porosity is 16%.Permeabilities are typically in the 1 Dinner and Meeting, 6:30 p.m. to 20 md range. The sandstones are moderately well to well Post Oak Doubletree Inn sorted, very fine-to fine-grained and classify as feldspathic litharenites. They are cemented by a combination of quartz RANDALL S. MILLER-Biographical Sketch overgrowths, dolomite, kaolinite and local chlorite or illite/ After retiring from smectite. Secondary porosity from feldspar dissolution is seven years of professional common. The sandstones have undergone significantly baseball, split between the greater cementation than the EY and DY Yegua sandstones. Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos, Randy HGS LUNCHEON MEETING- Miller graduated with a de- gree in chemistry and geo- APRIL 21, 1993 logy from the University of Social Period, 11 :30 a.m. California at San Diego in Luncheon and Meeting, 12:00 p.m. association with Scripps The Houston Club Institute of Oceanography MARLAN W. DOWNEY-Biographical Sketch in 1980. In 1981, he joined Vetter Research in Califor- Marian W. Downey nia and was involved in the was appointed President of . research and evaluation of ARCO International Oil geothermal reservoirs. and Gas Company In 1982, Randy joined Reservoirs, Inc. in Houston, (AIOGC), a division of ARCO, on June 22, 1992. Texas and pursued graduate studies at the University of He is also a Senior Vice Houston. He has twelve years of industry experience as a President of ARCO. His geologist, specializing in the application of sedimentology and petrography for exploration and development of oiland responsibilities are over- gas reservoirs. He has conducted and been involved with seeing oil and gas explo- numerous regional and field core studies in the Gulf Coast, ration and production for Alaska and North Sea areas. These studies have included ARCO in foreign countries. the Woodbine, Tuscaloosa, Wilcox, Vicksburg, Yegua, Prior to being appoint- Lobo, Frio, Miocene and Smackover trends in the Gulf ed AIOGC President, Mr. Coast and the Jurassic, Triassic and Permian sections in the Downey was Senior Vice North Sea. As Vice President of Geology at Reservoirs, Inc., President of Exploration his current work involves a Regional Core and Biostrati- for ARC a International Oil and Gas Company. In that graphic Study of the Miocene in the Gulf of Mexico and assignment, he was responsible for developing and execut- various international core studies. ing an aggressive world-wide exploration program which included both new venture exploration, as wellas functional CHARACTERISTICS OF responsibility for the exploration efforts in subsidiary DEEP-WATER YEGUA SANDSTONES companies in Indonesia, the U.K. and Dubai. TEXAS AND LOUISIANA Mr. Downey worked for Shell Oil Company from 1957 to 1987. He spent four years in Shell's Research Center The downdip Eocene Yegua trend of Texas and charged with the responsibility of making Shell's theoretical Louisiana has been one of the most active trends in the Gulf work in organic geochemistry useful in finding oil. In 1969, Coast for the last eight years since the discoveries of Mr. Downey became Shell's youngest Chief Geologist, and Torro Grande and Shanghai fields. The focus ofexploration' in 1973 became Shell's first Alaska Division Exploration has been and continues to be in the expanded EY and DY Manager. Mr. Downey moved to Shell Oil's International sandstone sections. These sandstones were deposited in Exploration & Production business in 1977 and became fluvial-dominated delta and shallow marine environments at Vice President of Shell, and then President of Shell Oil's or near the shelf margin, as a prograding wedge of a newly formed international subsidiary, Pecten International. lowstand systems tract. Mr. Downey r'etired from Shell in 1987 after 30 years of Only a few deep Yegua tests have been drilled basin- service. ward of the Yegua shelf margin trend. These wells have encountered Yegua sandstones in the Nodosaria mexicana IT ALL BEGINS WITH PEOPLE and Anomalina umbonatus sections at depths of 14,500 to 16,300feet. Sedimentological analysis of conventional cores Discussions about the business side of geology some- through these sandstones indicate that they were deposited times presume that exploration can be restricted to financial by gravity-flow mechanisms in lower slope to possibly basin matters. Finding an oil field with a prudent allocation of risk plain settings. The sandstones are thin bedded and com- capital is certainly the most important objective of a monly graded. The thicker sandstones are massive appear- successful exploration manager. Techniques for efficiently ing and the thin bedded sandstones commonly exhibit finding oil fields require that risk capital be leveraged by use
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 8 l of human intelligence and innovation. Each exploration w. L. CALVERT success is a triumph of originality and risk-taking...finding MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND buried treasure where no one else has found it. Only one student re- Able exploration teams are hot -house flowers, requiring ceived a new $2500.00 continuous encouragement and challenges, and are often HGS Memorial Scholar- blighted by dogmatic and hierarchical supervisors. Proper ship this academic year - management of exploration people requires attention to Mr. Curtis Link. Renewal staff morale, creating mutually shared goals for achieve- awards of $2500.00 each ment, prompt and public tributes to excellence, and private were extended to 3 stu- and thorough analysis of failures. When people in an dents who are progressing organization are encouraged to do more work, better work, toward their M.S. and and work more useful to the company, then the people in the organization can be said to be well-managed. Well- Ph.D. degrees: David managed companies with first-class staff always outperform Hicks at the University of their competitors in the long run. Texas-Austin; David Sivils at New Mexico Tech; and YEGUA POSTER AND Charles Thornton, Texas CORE STUDY SESSION A&M University. Since 1978 the W. L. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Come early (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.) to the April 12, 1993 Fund has awarded a total of$88,000 in graduate scholarships HGS dinner meeting and you can study some very interest- to 28 students (6 female, 22 male) studying at 13 different ing cores. Reservoirs Inc. is providing some core from their universities. Eight of the recipients have been in Ph.D. expanded Yegua study area. programs and 20 in M.S. programs. The poster session for this evening also focuses on the Current ~embers of the scholarship board are: Dan Yegua Formation. Let's see where the boom trend of the 80's Smith, Chairman; Peggy Rice, Vice Chairman; Sabin is headed in the 90's. Who knows, even some of us old Marshall, Treasurer; Carl Norman, Secretary; and John Yegua "experts" might learn something new. Biancardi, HGS President-Elect.
LlrtDER DOUGHTIE .,...~:;::::;::::(::::."" . I ? the wrlte~:::~tln.terDrlse ErtE~Y. IrtC. :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.'.' Is seeking quality Gulf Coast and South Texas prospects. Technical wr:~!iq~l~~d ~ditorial services Close in, low to moderate risk. Open acreage or ready to drill. from 1::::liii:i~i.~liceprofessional. Contact
John W. Doughtie (71J) 650-8646 713) 773-9230 1200 Travis Ste. 715 Houston, TX 77002
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Hebbronville Houston Victoria " CorpusChristi. ' Tel 512-348-2353 Tel 713-457-1851 Tel 512-573-4202 , Tel 512-884-0683<' Fax 512-884-8283 Fax 713-457-1759. Fax 512-884-8283 .:';Fax512-884~8283,.
9 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 INTERNA TIONAL EXPLORA TIONISTS
HGS INTERNATIONAL GROUP DINNER MEETING-APRIL 19, 1993 Post Oak Doubletree Inn Social hour, 5:30 p.m., Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Technical Presentation, 7:30 p.m. Authors: L. F. TYSHENKO, B. L. RYBYAKOV, age clastics, and Lower Cambrian-age pre-salt carbonates. K. L. TALLEY (speaker) A very effective regional seal is provided by thick Lower to Middle Cambrian-age evaporites, part of the East Siberian KEITH TALLEY-Biographical Sketch Salt Basin, which is the largest salt accumulation in the Keith received a B.S. world. The post-salt sedimentary section consists of Upper from Humboldt State Uni- Cambrian to Jurassic clastics and volcanics and is non- versity in Geology and prospective for hydrocarbons. Oceanography, and an The Irkutsk Amphitheatre is part of the greater Lena- M.S. in Petrology from Tunguska Petroleum Province, and is divided into four 'SMU in 1975. He has petroleum sub-provinces: the Pri-Sayan/Venisey worked for Exxon, Mobil, Depression, the Lena-Angara Terrace, the Nepa-Botuobin GSI, Sohio (BP) andis cur- Arch, and the Pri-Baikal/Patom Marginal Trough. rently a consultant to The Pri-Sayan/Venisey Depression petroleum sub- Pluspetrol International province has hydrocarbons present in Lower Cambrian concentrating on Russia, sub-salt clastic reservoirs, with key areas being the Lysk- . China, the Far East and Udinsk and Angarsk paleohighs. The region is relatively Australia. His career has unexplored. The Lena-Augara Terrace sub-province has involved both minerals and petroleum exploration and he has experience in the Western U.S., Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico and SETTING THE STANDARDS IN the U.S.S.R., having lived in several foreign locations while performing his exploration function. GRAVITY AND MAGNETICS PRE-CAMBRIAN-LOWER CAMBRIAN GEOLOGV AND HYDROCARBON OCCURRENCES OF THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE EAST SIBERIAN PLATFORM The present day structure, geology and hydrocarbon occurrences of the southern portiQn of the East Siberian Platform are the result of complex, long-term geological processes. From a regional point of view, the southern portion of the platform is an asymmetric basin controlled by block faulting of the Archean to Proterozoic-age crystalline LCT basement rocks. This basin, called the Irkutsk Amphi- theatre, is filled by a thick complex of sedimentary deposits D MarineDataAcquisition ranging from Upper Riphean to Jurassic in age. The basin is bounded on the southwest by the East Sayan Folded Belt D LandOperations and on the southeast by the Baikal-Patom Uplands. Total thickness of the sedimentary cover ranges from two kilo- D DataProcessing meters over the Nepa Arch to seven and one half kilometers D InterpretationsandModeling in the Pre-Sayan- Venisey Depression. Pre-Cambrian-Lower Cambrian sedimentary deposits D WorkstationSoftware are sub-divided into four stages: the Riphean complex, the subsalt complex, the salt complex, and the post-salt com- plex. Data acquired from over 700 wells have proven that LCTHouston,Inc. four regional oil and gas bearing horizons are present in the 1155DairyAshford,Suite306 . Houston,Texas77079 phone(713)558-8383 fax(713)558-8384 tlx 910-240-8667 sedimentary cover: Riphean-age carbonates and clastics, . . Vendian-Lower Cambrian siliciclastics, Lower Cambrian-
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 10 very large deposits of gas and condensate associated with COMMITTEE MEETINGS VendianILower Cambrian siliciclastic reservoirs. The key HGS International Explorationists Committee dinner field in the region in the Koviktinskoye gaslcondensate meetings will be on the third MONDAY night of each deposit with very large proven recoverable reserves. Explo- month at Post Oak Doubletree Inn in the Galleria area ration potential is high in this area. The Nepa-Botuobin Arch starting with a 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6:30 p.m. dinner and subprovince includes the Nepa Paleohigh, a regional 7:30 p.m. technical presentation. basement high since pre-Cambrian times. The main hydro- carbon reservoirs are also VendianILower Cambrian silici- clastics which pinch out against the flanks of the paleohigh. This sub-province contains all the major oil deposits of the region, including the giant Verkhne-Chonskaya oil field. In INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS the central part of this paleohigh, where siliciclastic reser- COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1992-1993 voirs are absent, oil is present throughout the pre-salt Chairperson: carbonate horizons of the Osinsky, Ust-Kut, and Preo- Thom Tucker, Marathon Oil ...... 629-6600 brezhensky formations. The PriBaikal/Patom sub-province is located along the margin of the East Siberian Platform. Technical Program: Here, sub-salt terrigenous complexes have been the main Lyle Baie, Consultant...... 739-8000 targets for hydrocarbon exploration, although to date, little Hotel Arrangements: exploration has been carried out. Harold Davis, Information gained over the last 50 years on the Anadarko...... 874-8785 geology of the southern East Siberian Platform has resulted A/V Arrangements: in the discovery of significant pre-Cambrian and Lower Shah Alam, Consultant with CGG ...... 530-3376 Cambrian hydrocarbon deposits. In the past, much skep- Finances & Tickets: ticism has been voiced about the possibility of such old Ed Loomis, Amoco Egypt ...... 556-3079 hydrocarbon occurrences actually existing. Today, over Announcements and Company Representative contacts: 700 wells have found 15 hydrocarbon fields in these Wynn Gajkowski, Total Minatome 739-3034 reservoirs, including the world class supergiants of Verkhne- ...... Chonskaya, Koviktinskoyte, and Yurubcheno-Tokhomo. Directory: These fields are undeveloped and provide a considerable Herb Duey, Consultant ...... 531-0950 resource potential for the development of the oil and gas Please contact your company representative or industry of the Irkutsk region. call HGS for ticket reservations at 785-6402. . Technical Career Day for Engineers, Scientists and Technicians & Technically-based Employers to Find Each Other
Sponsored by, and held at, Houston Engineering and Scientific Society A nof-/or-pro/i~orgonrzofron supporting the fechnrcol and rndustnd wmmunrty of Housion stnce 1918
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Meet with employment and technical department representatives of many regional companies. They are seeking qualified applicants like you for various positions.
1 More Information? Call [713) 613-8871 OR (7131 629-7308 1
11 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 HGS OFFICER ELECTIONS, 1993-1994 NOMINEES FOR HGS PRESIDENT-ELECT, 1993-1994 Constitution, Article III,Sec. 2. The duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings, call special meetings, appoint such committees as are not provided for in the constitution, and jointly with the Secretary and the Treasurer sign all written contracts and other obligations of the Society. Article III,Sec. 3. The President-Elect willserve as a member of the Finance Committee, and on the Board of Directors of the Houston Geological Society Memorial Scholarship Fund. This person shall prepare to serve as President and, in the absence of the President, shall assume the duties of that office. If the President is not able to complete the term, the President-Elect shall assume that office for the remainder of the administrative year, and shall also serve the following presidentIal term.
PAUL F. HOFFMAN DWIGHT "CLINT" MOORE Academic Academic Training: Training: 1975 University of Texas at Austin, B.S. Geology 1978 Southern Methodist University, B.A. Geology 1978 Experience: Southern Methodist University, B.B.A. Finance 1991-Present Duncan Energy Company, Houston: General Manager Experience: Exploration & Production - Gulf Coast Region 1987.Present Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 1981.90 Ladd Petroleum Corporation, Houston: Geologist, Staff Geologist-Offshore Gulf of Mexico Manager of Geology, General Manager - Explo- 1986-87 Diamond Shamrock Corporation (now Maxus Energy) ration, Vice President - Gulf Coast Region Senior Business Analyst-Corporate Planning & 1979.80 Intercomp Resource Development and Engineering, Develop. Houston: Project Geologist 1978.86 Diamond Shamrock Corporation 1975.79 Cities Service Company, Houston: Exploitation & Geologist-Offshore Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Exploration Geologist MAFLA, and California 1973-78 Professional Summers working for Independent father or other independents Affiliations: HGS, AAPG (CPG #4002) Professional Professional Affiliations: Local: HGS, GSH, NOGS, DGS, LGS, MGS, SGS, Actiuities: STGS (CPG #3785) 1989.90 HGS Secretary National: AAPG, GSA, SPWLA, SEPM, SPE, SCA 1987-90 Member, AAPG House of Delegates 1988 AAPG Annual Convention, Presenter Professional Actiuities: 1988 AAPG Annual Convention (Chairman - Alumni 1992-93 HGS Vice-President Activities Committee) 1984-87 Member, AAPG House of Delegates 1992-93 Chairman, Technical Program Committee 1992-Present Advisor, HGS & AAPG "Career Options for the 1990's" seminars 1992.Present Member, AAPG.DPA Government Affairs Committee 1992-Present Advisor, HGS Ad Hoc Committee on Education regarding Government Affairs 1990-Present HGS/NOGS Joint Project Chairman and Editor-in- Chief, "Productive Low Resistivity Well Logs of the Offshore Gulf of Mexico" 1990-Present HGS Project Co.Chairman of IMAX.HMNS Annual Guest Night Event 1990.Present Member, HGS Technical Publications Committee 1990- Present Member, NOGS Technical Publications Committee 1988.Present AAPG House of Delegates
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 12 NOMINEES FOR HGS VICE PRESIDENT, 1993-1994 Article III,Sec. 4. The duties of the Vice President shall be to serve as Chairman of the Technical Program Committee and, in the absell.ce of the President and President-Elect, to assume the duties of the President for no longer than the remainder of the administrative year.
LYLE F. "BUD" BAlE RONALD A. NELSON
Academic Academic Training: Training:' 1970 Texas A&M University, Ph.D. Geological Ocean- 1975 Texas A&M University, Ph.D. Geology ography 1972 Texas A&M University, M.S. Geology 1967 Texas A&M University, M.S. Geological Ocean- 1970 Northern Illinois University, B.S. Geology ography 1964 Experience: University of Notre Dame, B.A. Geology 1975-Present Amoco Production Company Experience: 1992- Present Staff Geological Associate 1992- Present Sino Energy Technology and Service Corporation 1991-92 Manager, Geological Services (SETSCO) - Geological Consultant/Business 1990-91 Division Consulting Geologist Development in China 1985-90 Geological Advisor 1986-92 BHP Petroleum - New Ventures Management for the 1980-85 Research Supervisor Americas 1975-80 Research Scientist 1983-86 Monsanto Oil Company (Acquired by BHP) 1970 Lindgren Exploration Offshore Exploration Manager/Manager of Geo- sciences Professional Affiliations: AAPG, Certified Petroleum Geologist #2727 1978-83 Cities Service Co. (Acquired by OXY) - Manager, HGS, ISRM, SPE, IASTG Geological Research, Tulsa Oklahoma 1974-78 Cities Service Co. Professional " Geolo,SicalAssociate - Offshore GOM Actiuities: 1970-74 TEXACO, INC. 1991-Present AAPG Distinguished Lecture Committee Geologist Onshore/Offshore Texas 1985- Present AAPG Advisory Board on Treatise of Petroleum Geology Professional 1983- Present AAPG School and Short Course Lecturer Affiliations: HGS, AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist #4976 1983-88, Professional 1990-92 AAPG Associate Editor Actiuities: 1987 SPE Distinguished Author 1992-Present HGS International Explorationists Technical Program 1984-86 AAPG House of Delegates (TGS) 1992 HGS Career Options Seminar-Presenter 1983-85 TGS Councilor-at-Large 1990-92 AAPG House of Delegates 1982-83 AAPG Distinguished Lecturer 1987-88 AAPG National Convention - AAPG Technical Pro- gram Chairman
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13 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 l . NOMINEES FOR NOMINEES FOR HGS SECRETARY, 1993-1994 HGS TREASURER-ELECT, 1993-1994 Article III,.Sec.5. The duties ofthe Secretary shall be to Article III, Sec. 7. The duties of the Treasurer-Elect keep the Minutes of all meetings, to attend to allcorrespon- shall be to assist the Treasurer, to become familiar with the dence, and jointly with the President and Treasurer, to sign details of the office of Treasurer, and to assume the duties of allwritten contracts and other obligations ofthe Society. He the Treasurer in the event the Treasurer is absent. The shall assume the duties ofthe President in the absence of the Treasurer-Elect shall serve for one year as such and in the President, President-Elect and Vice President for no longer following year assume the office of Treasurer. than the remainder of the administrative year. JEANNIE FISHER JOSEPH G. "JOE" MALLICK SAMUELS
STEVEN H. BRACHMAN PAUL W. BRITT
JEANNIE FISHER MALLICK Academic Training: 1981 Michigan State University, M.S- Geology 1979 Michigan State University, B.S. Geology 1978 University of Michigan, B.S. Botany Experience: STEVEN H. BRACHMAN 1993- Present Excalibur Consulting 1992 Pohlman & Associates, Inc. Academic 1990-92 Pogo Producing Company Training: 1986-90 TOTAL Minatome Corporation 1983 Pennsylvania State University, M.S. Geology 1984-86 Excalibur Consulting 1978 Eastern Illinois University, B.S. Geology 1980.84 Tenneco Oil Company Experience: Professional Consultant 1992-Present Affiliations: AAPG, AIPG (CPG #7540), SEG, HGS, GSH, 1990.92 Wintershall Energy-Houston SPWLA, COGS 1984-90 SOHIO/BP Exploration 1981-84 Professional Gulf Oil Company Actiuities: Professional 1992-93 HGS Secretary Affiliations: HGS, AAPG (CPG #4279), OCGS, SIPES, Crude 1990- Present AIPG Texas Section Application Screening Committee Club 1989-Present AAPG House of Delegates Professional 1989-90 Houston Geotech:90 Convention Manager Actiuities: 1988-89 Houston Geotech '89 Assistant Convention Manager 1992-93 HGS Treasurer 1991-92 HGS Treasurer-Elect 1991 GCAGS Convention, Personnel Placement Chairman 1988-91 HGS Chairman, Personnel Placement Committee JOSEPH G. "JOE" SAMUELS 1982-83 Assoc. Editor, "Shale Shaker", Journal of OCGS Academic Training: 1970 Washington University-SI. Louis, Missouri PAUL W. BRITT 1969 Institute of Technology-SI. Louis University, B.S. Geology Academic Training: Experience: 1985. Present Consultant 1977 Eastern Michigan University, B.S. Geology 1983.85 Hamman Oil and Refining Experience: 1978-83 Border Exploration Company 1992-Present T explore, Inc. 1970.78 Western Geophysical Company 1987-92 Elf Aquitaine Petroleum Professional 1986-87 Independent Geologist and Consultant 1980-86 Union Texas Petroleum Affiliations: HGS, AAPG (CPG #4771), AAPG Div. ofProL Affairs, 1979-80 American Natural Resources SEG, SIPES 1978-79 Exploration Logging Professional Actiuities: Professional 1992-Present Member AAPG House of Delegates Affiliations: HGS, AAPG (CPG #3727), SIPES, SPWLA, SPE, 1990-Present AAPL HGS Luncheon Registration 1988-91 GSH Sporting Clays Program Committee Professional 1989-90 GCAGS 41st Annual Convention; Printing and Publi- Actiuities: cations Committee Chairman 1990-Present HGS Field Trip Committee Chairman 1990 SIPES Secretary - Houston Chapter 1992- Present AAPG House of Delegates 1990-92 SIPES Prospect Buyers Guide List (Houston) 1992 HGS-GSA Field Trip Committee Coordinator 1990 SIPES National Convention (Houston) Publications 1991 HGS-GCAGS field Trip Committee Coordinator Committee 1987-88 Member, HGS Field Trip Committee 1990, '91, '92 AAPG-SIPES Model Forms - Agreements Committee
Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 14 NOMINEES FOR HGS EDITOR AND EDITOR-ELECT, 1993-1994 Article III, Sec. 8. The Editor shall serve for one year and shall have general supervision and final authority in soliciting, accepting, and rejecting all material on technical subjects for publication in the Bulletin. The Editor shall appoint, replace, and reappoint such volunteer managing editors, associate editors, or assistant editors, from among (~~~~,& the Society membership as may be required to accomplish the publication of the Bulletin. LYNNE D. FELDKAMP JOHN M. TURMELLE .A FULL SER.VICE LI.BR.ARY
Access data from your * desktop computer by modem * LOG AND MAP COVERAGE
Texas RRC Districts 1-6 South Louisiana Gulf of Mexico LYNNE D. FELDKAMP, EDITOR contact Brenda 658-8449 Academic 1201 Louisiana Suite 300 Training: Houston, Texas 77002 1990 University of Tulsa Graduate studies: petroleum engineering program MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE 1979 Bowling Green University, M.S. Geology Program 1975 Bowling Green University, B.S. Biology and Chemistry Experience: 1991- Present Consultant/instructor, R. M. Sneider Exploration 1979-91 Amoco Production 1975 U.S.G.S., Environmental Branch Professional Affiliations: HGS, AAPG, Michigan Geological Society, RMAG, New Mexico Geological Society Professional Activities: 1991- Present HGS Bulletin Associate Editor 1988- Present SEG Development Geophysics Committee PALEO-DATA, INC. 1988 AAPG National Convention, Tech. Session, Chairman '" 6619 Fleur de Lis Drive 1987-88 AAPG/SPE/SEG Liaison subcommittee on Integrated New Orleans, Lou isiana 70124 Studies 1987 HGS Directory Committee (504) 488-3711 1986- Present AAPG Development Geology Committee 1986 AAPG National Convention, Tech. Session, Chairman
T. Wayne Campbell Francis S. Plaisance, Jr. JOHN M. TURMELLE, EDITOR-ELECT Arthur S. Waterman Academic Albert F. Porter, Jr. Training: Michael W. Center 1992 Oklahoma State University, Graduate studies: Norman S. Vallette hydrogeology program 1979 Bowling Green University, M.S. Geology Program 1975 supports the Bowling Green State University, B.S. Geology Experience: 1992-Present Consultant, West Texas, Oklahoma 1984-92 Columbia Gas Development 1983-84 Challenger Minerals 1978-83 Cities Service Company 1976 FWA prilling HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL Professional Affiliations: HGS, AAPG, West Texas Geological Society Professional Activities: SOCIETY. 1993 HGS Bulletin Associate Editor 1992 HGS Speaker, Mid-Continent Exploration Group 1991-92 HGS Field Trip Committee 1990 HGS Permian'Basin Group Tech. coordinator (now N. American Explorationists)
15 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 L
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Africa Americas Pan African and Karoo Study Argentina (Plan Argentina 1992) (Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia) Guatemala Namibia Caribbean Zaire Bahamas Mozambique Frontier Formation, Green River Basin, Wyoming South Atlantic Atlas (available April 1993) Yegua Formation in the Houston Salt Basin Angola (database of seismic and well data) Cretaceous Niobrara Formation of the Rocky Gabon (database navigation and well data) Mountains
CIS Mid East / FarEast / Australia Yakutia / Sakha Carnarvon Terrace Khabarovsk Vietnam Kamchatka China .Y Sakhalin Pakistan A NE Asia : Tectonic Atlas &$jA For further details contact: Caroline Neumann lntera Information Technologies 10200 Richmond Avenue, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77042 Tel: (713) 784-5800 Fax: (713) 781-1806 NOMINEES FOR HGS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN, 1993-1994 Article III, Sec. 7. The President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the four executive committeemen shall constitute an Executive Board. The Executive Board's duties shall be to receive and pass upon all applications for membership, to appoint officers to fillvacancies occurring during the year, and to have general supervision of the affairs of this organization. Sec. 8. The duties ofthe Executive Committeemen shall be to serve on the Executive Board and to assist the President in administrative duties. Article III, Sec. 1. ...The tenure of executive committeemen shall be two years with two members being elected each administrative year. JAMES R. LANTZ ROBERT B. RIESER DOUGLAS B. SEL VIUS SUSAN M. VAN GELDER
JAMES R. "JIM:' LANTZ DOUGLAS B. SEL VIUS Academic Academic Training: Training: 1984 Texas A&M University, M.S. Geology (Center for 1982 University of Michigan, M.S. Geology Tectonophysics) 1980 Calvin College, BA Geology 1976 University of Vermont, B.A. Geology Experience: Experience: 1988.Present BHP Petroleum (Americas) Inc. 1980-Present Amoco Production Company 1982.88 Tenneco Oil Company Professional Professional Affiliations: AAPG,HGS Affiliations: HGS, AAPG, SEPM Professional Professional Activities: Activities: 1992- Present Member, AAPG House of Delegates 1990.93 Chairman, HGS Arrangements Committee 1987-Present Member, HGS Continuing Education Committee 1990.93 Project Co. Chairman, HGS Annual IMAX-HMNS 1990-92 Chairman, HGS Continuing Education Committee Guest Night Event 1990.93 Project Co-Chairman, HGS Annual President's Dinner and Awards Night
ROBERT B. "BOB" RIESER .. Academic Training: 1990 Wright State University, Groundwater Hydrology 1976 Ohio University, M.S. Geology SUSAN M. VAN GELDER 1973 University of Notre Dame, B.S. Geology Academic Experience: Training: 1992- Present The Bourdeau Group 1980 University of Tennessee, M.S. Geology 1988-92 Groundwater Technology, Inc. 1977 Franklin and Marshall College, B.A. Geology 1987.88 Petroleum Information Experience: 1986-87 Consultant 1989- Present Consultant 1985 Equitable Energy 1988 Petrophysics, Inc. 1983.85 David K. Davies & Associates 1986.87 Consultant 1981-83 Texas Oil and Gas 1980-86 Mobil Oil 1976.81 Amoco Production Professional Professional Affiliations: Affiliations: HGS, NGWA, AIPG HGS, AAPG, VAGN (Russian Geological Society) Professional Professional Activities: Activities: 1993 AIPG, Texas Section President-Elect 1992.Present HGS Bulletin Editor 1993 HGS, Career Change Short Course 1989.Present Member, AAPG House of Delegates 1991.93 HGS, Career Change Networking Group Leader 1991-92 HGS Bulletin Editor.Elect 1991-93 HGS, Long Range Planning Committee 1989.91 HGS Bulletin Managing Editor 1989.93 HGS, Chair Environmental/Engineering Geology 1988.89 HGS Bulletin Associate Editor Committee , 1989 AIPG, Texas.Section Annual Convention Org. Committee 1988,89,91 HGS, Environmental/Eng. Geology Field Trip Guide- book Editor 1988 AIPG, Texas Section Newsletter, Assistant Editor
17 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 - - - ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERING GEOLOGISTS
HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNG COMMITTEE LUNCH & DINNER MEETINGS-APRIL 14,1993 Topic (same at both luncheon and dinner): mobile vitrification service to pyrolize all types of hazardous "Vitrification of Hazardous Wastes Using A toxic waste into a glass end product. Typical incineration Mobile Unit: An Evolving Technology" methods use oxygen for combustion and leave behind a hazardous, toxic and leachable ash end product. The Presented by: Dan Dietz, vitrification process traps hazardous waste in a glass matrix Founder and Chairman of the Board at a molecular level in a controlled plasma arc torch for Environmental Waste Vitrification Inc. furnace. The end product will have the consistency of either LUNCHEON: thermally shocked granulated aggregate which can be sold Place: Houston Community College to glass companies as feed stock or as glass bricks for use in Conference Room 221, San Jacinto Bldg. the construction industry. 1300 Holman at San Jacinto Glass products have included toxic constituents for (Cafeteria available on 3rd floor) thousands of years, containing concentrations of lead, Time: Social - 11:45 a.m. - 12:OO Noon arsenic, heavy metals, etc. (depending upon the color and Program - 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m. quality of the glass desired for the product). These uses of DINNER: glass within our homes and businesses have not threatened Place: Italian Market and Cafe our existence, due to the inert nature of glass. The 2615 Ella Blvd. vitrification process allows the conversion of toxic waste (Located behind NW Memorial Hospital streams into a useful product which can be recycled back just south of 610 North Loop) into feed stock or into the environment. Time: Social - 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. The mobile unit used by EWV in the vitrification Program - 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. process can be brought on-site where wastes are generated Note: A $1.00 surcharge will be charged by the restaurant and allows the elimination of hazardous products without even if you don't order food or drink. transport or burial of the wastes off-site. This process is exempt from many of RCRA permitting procedures for storage, transport and disposal of hazardous wastes, along DAN DIETZ-Biographical Sketch with giving the facility the capacity to operate using recycling a Dan Dietz is the'~ounderand Chairman of the Board technologies. The exposure to liability is greatly reduced for Environmental Waste Vitrification Inc. He is a graduate due to cutting out a potential third-party mishandling of the of the University of Houston and has previously been hazardous waste streams. involved in the financing of real estate ventures, oil and gas The cost savings per ton should be dramatic for all projectsand other investment programs. Mr. Dietz has over different waste streams over transport and disposal of five years' experience in the vitrification of hazardous, toxic hazardous wastes by incineration or dumping in permitted and medical wastes and was principally responsible for the landfills, not to mention the savings from costs of ongoing design of the mobile vitrification unit used by EWV. liability. The facility can be viewed by the general public as Approximately one million dollars has been invested in the performing a clean-up operation as compared to simply design and engineering of the vitrification process as well as burying the product or converting it to another chemical Environmental Protection Agency test demonstrations. form which can still produce toxic leachate.
VITRIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTES CAREER CHANGE NETWORKING USING A MOBILE UNIT: GROUP MEETINGS (bimonthly) AN EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY Career Change Networking Group will meet briefly for Due to the increasing environmental and economic 30 minutes or less after Environmental Dinner Meeting at restrictions affecting the disposal of hazardous wastes, the Italian Market and Cafe on April 14th. alternatives to processes such as landfill and incineration The regular Career Change Networking Group Meet- are needed to meet the needs of industry and governmental ing will be held on April 26th starting at 7 p.m. (unknown agencies. Vitrification technology offers and environ- location at press time). mentally safe as well as an economically attractive alter- For information on topic and location, contact: Bob native. Rieser (Chairman) 463-6151 (home) 820-1818 (work) or Environmental Waste Vitrification Inc. has developed a Ralph Taylor (Publicity) 528-1232.
I: Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 18 HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY ENVIRONMENTAUENGINEERING FIELD TRIP
"Su~erfundSites of Harris Countv" May 8,1993 DANGER The Houston Geological Society's Hazardous Environmental1Engineering Committee is Waste sponsoring a day-long field trip to several of Area the Superfund sites existing in and near the Houston metropolitan area. The Superfund sites are industrial locations which have Keep Out been placed on the National Priority List under CERClA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980). CERCLA and the SARA Reauthorization Act of 1986 are the federal regulations dealing with the cleanup of uncontrolled hazardous wastes on abandoned sites. Both acts are commonly known as the "Superfund" law.
The field trip is being conducted in conjunction with the publication of a technical guidebook on the Superfund sites in the 'Harris, Montgomery, Chambers and Galveston Counties of Texas by the Houston Geological Society. Focus of the field trip will be on both the geologic/hydrogeologic characteristics of the Superfund sites and on the remediation designs for cleanup or containment of hazardous wastes.
The field trip will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 500 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 1993. Registration is limited to 45 participants, based on available transportation. Pre-registration is mandatory, and a fee of $40.00 is requested to cover transportation, lunch, refreshments and field trip guidebook materials.
For more information or to register, please contact Paul Britt, Texplore, Inc. at (713)341-1800 Extension 34.
HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY FIELD TRIP ENVIRONMENTAUENGINEERING COMMITTEE SUPERFUND SITES OF HARRIS COUNTY May 8, 1993 REGISTRATION FORM
Work Phone: Home Phone:
Enclose check for $40.00 payable to HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, and return this form to: Paul Britt, Texplore, Inc., P.O. Box 450, Richmond, Texas 77406
Information on starting point of trip and logistics will be corresponded upon registration.
19 Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. April 1993 NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORA TIONISTS
HGS NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS GROUP DINNER MEETING-APRIL 20, 1993 Social Period, 5:30 p.m., Dinner and Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Post Oak Doubletree Inn tectonism have'yielded many problem's in (1) understanding subsurface structural and stratigraphic relationships, (2) predicting the presence of suitable reservoirs, sources, TOR H. NILSEN-Biographical Sketch seals, and traps, and (3)developing models that can be used Tor H. Nilsen earned for more than one formation in a small part of one basin. his Ph.D. from the Uni- However, the remarkably prolific production from many versity ofWisconsin in 1967 basins and reservoirs continues to inspire the search for and is presently an inde- future reserves. pendent consultant. Pre- .vious experience includes research geologist, Shell AD HOC COMMITTEE ON Development Co.; Re- EDUCATION REGARDING GOVERNMENT search Geologist, U.S. AFFAI RS Army Map Service; Re- search Geologist, USGS ONE OF TWO VIEWS OF AN OIL IMPORT FEE Menlo Park; President of Proposal. People for an Energy Policy (PEP) recom- RPI Pacific, Inc. and presi- mends that President Bill Clinton institute an import fee of dent ofApplied Earth Tech- $5 per barrel on all foreign crude oil. They further recom- nology, Redwood City, CA. mend that this fee be credited directly to payoff the National His principal research in- Debt. terests have been comparative studies of modern and PEP, you may recall, is an non-profit organization ancient submarine and alluvialfan systems; the sedimentol- ogy and tectonic framework of ancient turbidite systems in based in Houston and dedicated to promoting "rational the Pacific Rim and Mediterranean Sea areas. He has policies pertaining to energy related issues". PEP provided the questions/answers regarding energy issues by now- applied stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and structural President Clinton in the December '92 HGS Bulletin. analyses to hydrocarbon exploration and development in nonmarine and marine depositional systems in various Significant benefits will result from an import fee, although such a fee willraise the price of liquid fuels in the types of basins. He has been a visiting professor at the United States. PEP argues that an oil import fee would do Universities of California (Berkeley), Torino, Florence, the following: Bologna and California State Universities at San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego, and has taught for many companies . Create new, taxable jobs at home and thus promote in different parts of the world. He has authored many books our domestic economy; and publications on deep-marine depositional systems. . Reduce foreign imports and thus ameliorate our balance of payments; STRATIGRAPHIC, TECTONIC, AND . Help conserve energy resources (higher prices tend DEPOSITIONAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA to limit consumption); The geologic history of California is extraordinarily . Assist in protection of the environment (somewhat complex. Numerous and varied sedimentary basins have lower possibility of tanker accidents). developed within divergent, convergent, and transform tec- Argument. The argument for the PEP proposal is tonic settings that have generally succeeded one another mainly economic. Much of it is based on a study carried out through time and space. However, many basins have by Charles River Associates. CRA is a Boston-area policy, evolved under the simultaneous influence of contrasting science, economics, and energy analysis consulting group. tectonic styles. As a result, polycyclic, polyhistoric, and We all know that the decline in domestic oil/gas polygenetic basins are common. Because these basins are production has hit our industry hard. The CRA study, locally extremely rich in hydrocarbons, an understanding of however, points out that the impact goes beyond oil people. their stratigraphic, tectonic, and depositional histories is CRA asserts that loss of $1 million of annual domestic critical to the development of suitable exploration and revenue results in a loss of 69 jobs nationwide. Since 1985 development strategies. Geometrically complex reservoirs (see chart), the United States has lost an average of 1.84 are the norm, and multiple cycles of deposition and Continued on page 44.
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 20 THIS IS MICRO-STRAT INC.
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2 1 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~c,llSoclety 4pr,1 1993 NORTH AMERICAN FEATURE
HELUMA AND KING MOUNTAIN FIELDS BACKTHRUSTED STRUCTURES UPTON COUNTY, TEXAS* by John M. Turmelle Consulting Geologist, Houston, Texas Abstract necessarily coincident with the geology of the field. For Heluma Field was discovered and initially developed in example, the reported production from East Heluma 1956 as a four-well Ellenburger pool with marginal Devonian (Devonian) Field is not only those wells in the backthrust reserves uphole. For seventeen years it was reasonable to block. Reference to Heluma and King Mountain fields in map the field as a tilted fault block at the Ellenburger level. this paper includes all the associated fields which cover the In 1973, a field extension well proved that the fault structures. which bounded the field was not a down-to-the-east high- Although this paper is presented from a historical angle reverse but rather a low-angle backthrust which perspective, all the assumptions and suppositions are the overrides and does not cut the Ellenburger. The Devonian author's. The writer was not involved with the discovery or came in 500' structurally high to the older wells and has develo~mentof these fields nor has he worked for anv of the since produced six million barrels of oil. Fourteen additional various operators with interests in these fields. The contour Ellenburger producers were drilled beneath the backthrust. maps of the fields at different times are not vintage Present spacing shows that some wells were structurally documents from company files but my invention only. The low due to drilling into Ordovician-aged sinkholes developed purpose of this paper is to provide an example of how the on the Ellenburger surface. unexpected can result in major reserve additions. I hope it King Mountain Field is a long narrow anticline which can be used as an analogue elsewhere. has produced five and one-half million barrels of oil from the Ellenburger. Developed in the late 1950's, it has the same REGIONAL SETTING style of backthrusting as Heluma Field but with a lesser The studied oil fields lie in west-central Upton County, throw. Texas, 15 miles west of the county seat of Rankin. Gardiner (1988) described the regional geology of the entire Central INTRODUCTION Basin Platform (CBP).This study is a detailed look at some Two similar oil fields in west-central U~tonCounty. -. of the features described in that article. Figure 1 shows that Texas,tell an interesting story in structural geology and field the two oil fields lie along the north side of the Big Lake development. Heluma Field was discovered in 1956 and Fault, the boundary between the Midland Basin and the developed as a four well Ellenburger producer. Seventeen Reagan Uplift. The Fort Stockton Block of the Central years later, extension drilling proved that what may have Basin Platform lies directly to the southwest of this area. been perceived as a high-angle fault bounding an Ellenburger During the Early Pennsylvanian this structure was uplifted block was, in fact, a low-angle backthrust fault which and tilted to the northeast. The crest of the block was overrides the Ellenburger. A Devonian section of lime and eroded down to pre-Cambrian basement and Lower Paleo- chert was drilled 500' structurally high to the old field and zoic formations subcrop around the bald-headed high. was oil productive. Fourteen Ellenburger producers were Lower Paleozoic formations thicken onto the CBP and thin drilled beneath the backthrust fault. Four other Ellenburger going into the present Midland Basin because the tectonic wells were completed on the far side of a sinkhole which had movements broke apart the older Tobosa Basin. In this originally provided a misleading structure top. Backthrust study area, pre-Fusselman thinning reduces the thickness faults and karst features are also evident at King Mountain of the section to the east by 20%. Gardiner emphasized that Field four miles to the east of Heluma Field. shear zones deformed the block margins but the blocks The production records of the oil wells in these two were not structurally deformed internally. The Fort Stock- fields are not reported individually but by lease. Further, the ton Block may have served as a buttress against which production is reported under many field names: Heluma, shear forces were converted to a compressive force. East Heluma, West Heluma, South King Mountain, etc. A The Big Lake Fault is traceable in an east-west well may also change field names as it changes producing direction for 100 miles. The most apparent movement on zones. Study of the records shows the field names are not the fault is 1500' to 2500' of down-to-the-norththrow. The - 'Reprinted with permission from Transactions, Southwest sect lor^ A.A.P.G. Con- amount of left-lateral motion is indeterminate as no pierce- vention, 1992 (Publication SWS 92-90). ment points on opposing sides of the fault have been
Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSocnety, Aprn 1993 22 Figure 1. Pre-Pennsylvanian structures in the Southern Permian basin. described. Hills (1970) documented evidence of that sort on The compressive stress required to create a backthrust the Pecos Valley Fault which parallels the Big Lake Fault 20 fault is available from the vertical couple of subsidence into miles to the south. In that area, the subcrop pattern of the the Midland Basin and uplift along the Central Basin Lower Paleozoic formations is offset by about three miles. Platform. An example of this type structure is found in Close well control shows the fault plane is nearly vertical outcrop alongthe northeast flank of the Bighorn Mountains and the formations on opposing sides of the fault are of in Wyoming. Furner (1990) describes the present high-angle different thicknesses. Hills concluded that the fault had on an out-of-the-basin reverse fault as due to the rotation of left-lateral displacement. Gardiner (1990) described the Big a previously low-angle thrust fault. The scale and magnitude .1 Lake Fault as one of several in the region with dominantly of the structures in his article are similar to that of the vertical motion but with enough oblique-slipmovement to Heluma backthrust. produce strike-slip type structures. He describes Heluma and King Mountain Fields as just such features; two positive DISCOVERY OF KING MOUNTAIN FIELD, 1955 flower structures caught in a compressive bend in the Big King Mountain Field was discovered on April 24, Lake Fault. 1955 by the Humble Oil and Refining #1 Rosa H. Barnett The strain ellipse for an east-west trending left-lateral located in the SW corner of section 83, Block Y, GC & SF fault system (see Gardiner's figure 4) predicts that secon- Survey. The well was drilled to a total depth of 11,855'in the dary right-lateral R' shears which splay off the main fault (the Ellenburger. The Ellenburger was extensively cored and Big Lake Fault) will trend in a NE-SW direction. This is not drill-stem tested. Oil repeatedly flowed to surface and no the case at Heluma and King Mountain fields. These water was recovered on the tests. Subsequent drilling structures lie along a NW-SE trend as the mapping below showed the well had been drilled to a total depth 12' above will show. Gardiner's figure 8 is a seismic line which the oil/ water contact of -8771. The well was perforated from transects the south side of Heluma and the north end of 11,775' to 11,840' and flowed at a rate of 1615 BOPD. King Mountain. The line has been interpreted to show the oil During the next two years, 20 development wells were fields as classic flower structures. The sense of displacment drilled, 16 of which were productive in the Ellenburger. on the faults is left-lateral,contrary to the predicted case for Mapping of the section above the Ellenburger reveals that an R' shear. These structures are the result of compression some of these wells cut a westward directed thrust fault created by a stress field which does agree with the strain which repeats portions of the Devonian, the Fusselman, and ellipse in Gardiner's example. In this paper there is evidence the Simpson (Cross-section B-B'). not of shear faults but of NW-SE trending reverse faults and The cumulative production from the Ellenburger fold axes. through 1990 has totalled 5,571,311 BO and 1.2 BCF of Structures in the Permian Basin are foreland uplifts casinghead gas. Cumulative production from the Devonian contemporary with the ancestral Rocky Mountains and is 1,579,283 BO and 8.428 BCFG from 21 wells. Up-hole analogous to the Laramide-aged forced-fold blocks there. zones in the Pennsylvanian have added an additional
23 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 A A' WEST EAST HELUMA FIELD rrwa 1-1 nunor IIXB a AM CU I&sT *I,uy.m-...l nus WJK n *o)'lli*.al )4-lr& Vtlhsh.i I-weed I-1.P.ku
-:I numnm,*.",..,." ,.,I "*I.""'" n,nu.1". lnll v,v~n.14- nn a-m trn.7. .,.ID a
Cross Section A-A'
1,106,394 BO through the end of 1990. Total production fault, downthrown to the east, separated the field from the from all zones over the structure has reached 7,705,378 BO Gulf #1N McElroy Ranch, two miles to the east and over through the end of 1990. 2500' structurally low at the Ellenburger level. The sinuous fault shown on the cross-section is an exaggerated depiction DISCOVERY OF HELUMA (ELLENBURGER) of a nearly vertical fault where the well bore has crossed it FIELD, 1956 several times. Evidence that the highest well, the Wilshire Heluma Field was discovered on February 23,1956 by the Texas Pacific Oil &Gas Company's #1 Jacobs Livestock Co. located 4623' fnl and 3346' fel of section 98, G.W. Patterson Survey. The well was drilled to a total depth of 10,888' in the Ellenburger. Tests of the upper Ellenburger recovered oil and below 10,726' (-7790)formation water was recovered. The well was perforated and acidized from 10590 to 10650. It flowed 1369 BOPD from a 18/64" choke with 925# of tubing pressure. This well produced 664,299 BO from the Ellenburger until 1975 when it was plugged back to produce from the Devonian. During 1956, five development wells were drilled to exploit the discovery (Figure 2); three were completed as good Ellenburger wells and the other two made marginal wells in the Devonian and the Pennsylvanian. The four Ellenburger wells originally drilled in 1956 have made 2,049,430 BO through 1990.
- -. -- -. DISCOVERY OF HELUMA (DEVONIAN) FIELD, liE1.IJMA FlCl D 1ll.lu.lc.l 1973 EI.LENRIIRGER STRUCTURE The geology of Heluma Field would have seemed straight-forward in the early 1970's. The structure was a westward dipping fault block (cross-section A-A'): a major Figure 2. Heluma Field following initial development.
Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. April 1993 24 Oil of Texas #34 Jacobs Livestock, is close to this fault is threefold. First, the Fusselman, Montoya, and upper Simpson formations, are present as a distorted and thickened section. Second, the lower Simpson and the Oil Creek shale section is thin, and in the Ellenburger, an anomalous shale section which could be a repeated Oil Creek shale is present. Third, even though this well was the highest and reported the greatest intitial potential, it was the poorest producer. A fault would limit the reservoir's drainage area to the east. On December 7,1972, The Texas Pacific Oil Company spudded the #1 Mobil-Cook in the southwest corner of section 71, Block Y, T.C.R.R. Survey, one half mile to the east of the Wilshire Oil #1-34 (Figure 3). Several more wells had been added to the field by this time and the new well control showed the structure to be broader than the 1956
map might allow. At that time the potential of the Devonian #(EL tJMA FIELD urron counrv. ssxrs to be a major producing reservoir would have been III.IP.1L.l DEVONIAN STRUCTtJRE considered poor. The two wells which had been completed _r in 1956 had been plugged and abandoned after each made less than 35,000 BO. In 1972 only one well in the field was Figure 3. Devonian control as Texas Pacific #1 Mobil-Cook producing from the Devonian and that well would prove is spudded.
m B' WEST EAST KING MOUNTAIN FIELD
Ill4WllK IW WJK IlUI WllK IIW MlK I-W Wlkfh (-IW kan 6-w. Il*(Lr I-WI.YQn
131) llllU tI.II 19O 1114W.111 II~~IOY~, 1.51 1111*.111 I 44~rnb ,,?,...I, >*,,,,,m,,,,,,",., I*, i.".,,,* ,*, ,",t"..t# *,,> I*, IIH.Y"II0 I,D*1"." ,*.0.11 . I-l,).Yn> ,,,,,",. ,,,w,, 1-1 ,,,"Mu 1111* 141.11 ,I(. ,.,,*n, ,..,,.,m, 111 ll2,l Ihl ,,.,.1,." t tW". ,*Ir '.,I ill" .,I\* ,
Cross Section B-B'
2 5 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSociety, Apr~l1993 over the next ten years to make 53,000 BO. Other wells truncation has thinned the Mississippian over Heluma which had tested the Devonian had recovered shows of Field. Regionally, the Barnett Shale underlies the uncon- oil-and gas-cut mud. formity but locally, on Heluma Field, the Woodford Shale Below the Pennsylvanian unconformity in the Mobil- and the Devonian limestone subcrop.The Mississippian Cook, Texas Pacific found no Mississippian section present thins subtly over King Mountain although the backthrust and instead drilled directly into the Devonian lime 490' fault thickens the section in the Texas Pacific #2B Rosa higher than at the Wilshire well. The well stayed in the Barnett in section 20. Fradean Field lies along a north-south Devonian for an anomalous 1362'. Three hundred and trend with King Mountain Field separated from it by the Big fifteen feet from the top of the Devonian the well encoun- Lake Fault. On the south (upthrown) side of this fault the tered a thick porosity zone. The neutron porosity log reads Mississippian thins abruptly and at Fradean Field the an interval of 390 net feet over 5% porosity and a remarkable Mississippian has been eroded off. 173 net feet over 15% porosity. A drill stem test of this unit The Devonian structure map (Figure 8) shows a flowed gas to surface in 30 minutes and reversed out 4500'of backthrust fault present at both oil fields.At Heluma Field it HOGCM. The well emerged from the Devonian section 10' heaved the ~evonianover itself for 1200' with a throw of high to the Wilshire #1-34 at the Fusselman level and 500'. The fault plane dips at about 25 degrees. At King remained so at the Ellenburger. Mountain Field the dip of the backthrust fault plane flattens The well was initially completed in February, 1973 in out from north to south. In the center of section 83 the fault the Ellenburger for 300 BOPD but three months later the is vertical. The heave progressively increases until in operator perforated the Devonian and the zone flowed 132 section 20 it is about 1000'. The throw of 150' is much less BO + 14 BWPD. Texas Pacific drilled four more wells on the than at Heluma Field. The fault plane resembles an airplane Mobil-Cook lease and the cumulative production from the propeller as it curves from 90 degrees to 10 degrees. Devonian alone is 1,463,840 BO, an average of 292,000 The Devonian isopach map provides the best control BO/well. A total of 27 producing wells have been completed on the extent of the backthrust faulting but this is the level in the high Devonian fault block.'During the middle 1970's where the maps lose control points, especially along the most of the Ellenburger completions in Heluma Field were south side of Heluma Field. A normal section of Devonian at plugged back to the Devonian and completed as old well Heluma Field ranges from 880' to 920' . Where the workovers. Total cumulative Devonian production on the backthrust cuts the Devonian its total thickness increases structure is 6,024,848 BO and 21.785 BCFG with by far the to a maximum of 1385' in the Texas Oil and Gas #1A predominate portion coming from the backthrusted portion Damron in the northeast corner of section 4. At King of the field. A cumulative isoproduction map suggests that Mountain Field, as the throw and the heave increase to the the increased structural position and the increased frac- south so does the Devonian isopach thickness. The Texas turing of the reservoir due to the fault led to the increased Pacific #lA Rosa Barnett, center of section 20, contains a productivity. Productive zones are in the hanging wall of the maximum thickness of 1287' of Devonian. backthrust block. Total production from all zones over the structure has reached 11,243,445 BO through the end of 1990. HGS/GSH FIELD TRIP STRUCTURE OF HELUMA AND KING SEISMIC DATA MOUNTAIN FIELDS ACQUISITION A series of subsurface structure and isopach maps were constructed on the major pre-Pennsylvanian horizons Saturday, April 24 using electric log correlations and two regional seismic HOSTED BY: lines. Structure contour maps on the top of the Devonian, Virgil Harris with Halliburton Geophysical Services the Fusselman, and the Ellenburger, are included at the end 6909 SW Freeway, HOSIJ~O~,TX 77074 of this paper as Figures 8, 9 and 10. Other maps not included in this report are described below. Halliburton's new Vision 24 -bit In the study area, Bend conglomerates have onlapped land recording system coupled with the pre-Pennsylvanian unconformity. The Heluma Field Sensor-super geophones will be structure covers about 4500 acres at the Base Penn level, displayed and demonstrated, with 400' of closure. King Mountain Field is a doubly along with its supporting equipment. plunging anticline about four miles long. There is 600' of closure at the Base Penn level covering about 2500 acres. LOCATION: Both fields are faulted on the east. The Gulf Oil #1N Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Park & Ride Lot behind McElroy Ranch, section 72, Block Y, T.C.R.R. Survey was the Holiday Inn at 1-10 and Highway 6. The group the first well drilled in the study area, in 1953. The Base Penn will then proceed to the Halliburton Geophysical level lies 2300' downthrown to Heluma Field. Likewise, the Services test site, near Brookshire. Hunt Oil #1 R.P. Amacker drilled a half mile east of King Mountain Field is downthrown 1600'. This amount of throw REGISTRATION: is sufficient to juxtapose the Devonian and Ellenburger pay There is no trip fee, but you must provide own sections against the Pennsylvanian and Woodford shales transportation. Halliburton will graciously provide which are the probable source rocks. a barbecue lunch and cold drinks. Registration or The Mississippian isopach map includes the Barnett cancellation is needed by April 22, by calling the Shale, a Mississippian lime marker and thewoodford Shale. HGS/GSH office at 785-6402 or 785-6403. A complete section should total about 750' in thickness but
Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 2 6 The Fusselman structure map (Figure 6) when com- and the porosity zone in the Devonian. The best fit for the pared to the Devonian structure map demonstrates how top-of-Devonian reflector is that which is, in fact, at the base the backthrust faults migrate eastward towards the base- of the porosity within the Devonian. Structurally, this level ment controlled fault. At Heluma Field, three wells clearly is at 8793 (-5894)in the Mobil-Cook. Compared to the top of show the repeated Fusselman. At King Mountain Field four the Devonian in the Wilshire well (-5581) it would have wells drilled through the Fusselman twice. appeared that the Devonian would be 313' low. On the Fusselman to Ellenburger isopach map anoma- The writer assumes that the single-fold seismic data lous thicks are due to two separate causes. Regionally, the available in 1956 would not have been able to resolve the interval is thinning eastward. Across the study area the complexities described above. Figure 3, the contrived section thins from 1164' in the northwest of section 88 to historical Devonian structure, assumes that the improved 870' on the downthrown east side of King Mountain Field. seismic surveys of the early 1970's would have enabled the The interval thickens on the backthrust blocks where the interpretors to see the intermediate fault block. Because of Fusselman limestone has been repeated and it also thickens the above described miscorrelation, the throw on the fault on Heluma Field in at least one well-controlled circular would have been the opposite of what is now known. A feature which coincides with an Ellenburger low. careful study of King Mountain Field could have lead the The backthrust fault does not cut but rather conceals operators to know that the backthrust fault was a possibility. the east half of the Ellenburger structure (Figure 10). The Even in 1992. we need to know all the features in the oil fields fault rides above the Ellenburger within the overlying before we interpret the seismic lines. The reader is invited to Simpson at a low angle to bedding. The map shows only the look again at Gardiner's figure 8, seismic line WNY-213, and major high angle reverse faults from which the backthrusts apply the maps presented with this article. originated. At Heluma Field, the well control shows the crest of the structure to be relatively flat except for the lows KARST FEATURES created by paleo-sinkholes. Cross-section C-C' demon- In recent years there have been a number of studies on strates how the top of the Ellenburger group may not reflect the effects of karsting on Ellenburger reservoirs. Ader true structure. False interpretationsof dip or faulting can be (1980) reported on how the old assumptions of a vertically created by correlating the cave roof to the cave floor. fractured, water drive homogenous reservoir were toc Two regional seismic lines, part of a survey shot in simplistic. Restrictive zones within the Ellenburger can 1985. traverse the ends of these fields as thev are oriented inhibit effective drainage. Kerans (1990) explained how northeast-southwest. The lines were helpful in placing the these restrictive zones developed. The Ellenburger Group fault cuts and in guiding the contouring style. Evident from and its stratigraphic equivalents were deposited as a these data is the lack of folding in this study area. The low continent-wide carbonate platform. During the middle of area between Heluma and King Mountain Field is not the Ordovician a major fall in sea level exposed this vast synclinal. On the seismic line, it is a flat area which was not area to leaching by meteoric waters. An extensive karst uplifted by the faulting. The tilt on the reflectors is probably surface complete with cave systems, sinkholes, and mogotes to the north. developed. The original depositional facies and sub-group formation boundaries play only a small role in present SEISMIC MODEL porosity distributions resulting from this karsting period. Taking advantage of what is now possible with the When the Tippecanoe sequence transgressed this present well control, modern logs, and modern technology surface the cave systems were filled with the sands and it is apparent why the high backthrust block remained shales of the Simpson Group. On gamma-ray logs, this cave undrilled for so long. Sonic logs from two wells and density fill interval within the Ellenburger is recognized by its higher logs from two other wells drilled during the 1970's were digitized and synthetic seismograms were created for each. Throughout this area the most prominent seismic event is the interface between the slower Woodford Shale (10,000 ft./sec.)and the faster Devonian limestone (20,000ft./sec.). This surface creates a large positive reflection coefficient and on a normal polarity seismic section is shown as a high amplitude peak. Consequently, the top of the Devonian reflector is the most commonly mapped deep structural horizon in the Midland Basin. The base of Penn unconformity is relatively indistinct vertically and is laterally variable; therefore, the seismic response is more complex than at the Devonian. Generally, the unconformity is a broad low amplitude trough. The synthetic seismogram of the Texas Pacific #1 Mobil-Cook, the discovery well within the backthrust block, shows no prominent top-of-Devonian reflector because the entire Mississippian section is absent. Instead of a trough, the Penn-on-Devonian horizon creates a peak of moderate amplitude. In the Mobil-Cook, the thick porosity zone described above has created its own seismic signature. There is a remarkable yet easily mistaken coincidence in the Figure 4. The backthrust fault at Heluma Field. seismic response between the normal Mississippian section Continued on page 45
27 Bullet~nHouston G~ologtc,~lSo~lety April 1993 April CALENDAR of EVENTS Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturdav 1 2
HGA HGS April Fool's Day Party Tennis Tournament Briar Club Westside Tennis Club
7 8 SEG School SPWLA Westside -Artificial Intelligence, Apr. 5-6 - HGA Bridge Luncheon Lee Etnyre AAPG Briar Club Radisson Suite Hotel 4- Environmental Short Course -+ Apr. 56 North American Prospect Expo. -e - Apr. 6-7 13 14 15 HGS ENVIR/ENG HGS SHORT COURSE HGS AWG Dinner Luncheon Organic Geochemistry HGS SHORT COURSE DINNER MEETING Rosemary Jaworskyi Houston Comm- Clg. Exxon Auditorium Buying Oil & Gas 8:OO-4:OO Randy Miller Morningside Thai Committee Meeting Reserves Post Oak Doubletree Dinner SlPES /SPEE Italian Mkt. & Cafe Exxon Auditorium Joint Luncheon 8:OO-4:OO AAPG School Sidney Moran - Balanced Cross Sections, Apr. 13-14 Petroleum Club 19
HGS INTN'L HGS NORM AMERICAN DINNER MEEIING DINNER MEETING SPWLA Greenspoint Keith Tally Tor Nilsen HGS LUNCHEON Luncheon Post Oak Doubletree Post Oak Doubletree Marlan Downey Baroid Cafeteria GSH Luncheon Houston Club SPWLA Galleria Luncheon Robert Grabner Marriott Galleria H.E.S.S.
SPWL4 Downtown Luncheon HGA Bridge Metro Racquet Club Briar Club - AAPG Annual Meeting, New Orleans. Apr. 25-28 - GEO-EVENTS HGS APRIL EVENTS MEETINGS APRIL 12, 1993 (Dinner Meeting) Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. "Deepwater Yegua Play Sandstones" Social Period 5:30 p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. Randy Miller (see page 8) Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. or cancelled by noon Friday, April 16. Social Period 530 p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. APRIL 20, 1993 (Dinner Meeting) Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made HGS NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS or cancelled by noon Friday, April 9. "Stratigraphic, Tectonic, and Depositional History of APRIL 14,1993 (Luncheon/Dinner Meeting) California" HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNGGEOLOGISTS Tor Nilsen (see page 20) "Vitrification of Hazardous Wastes Using a Mobile Unit: an Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. Evolving Technology" Social Period 5:30 p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. Dan Dietz (see page 8) Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made Luncheon: Houston Community College, Room 22 or cancelled by noon Monday, April 19. 12:00 noon. Dinner: Italian Market & Cafe, 2615 Ella Blvd. APRIL 21,1993 (Luncheon Meeting) Social Period 5:30p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30p.m. (Buy your "It All Begins with People in Exploration" own dinner) Marlan Downey (see page 8) Houston Club, 811 Rusk APRIL 19,1993 (Dinner Meeting) Social Period 11:30 a.m., Lunch and Meeting 12:OO Noon. HGS INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made "Geology and Hydrocarbon' Occurrences in the Pre- or cancelled by noon Tuesday, April 20. Cambrian of the Southern Portion of the East Siberian Platform" Keith Talley (see page 10) OTHER EVENTS North American Prospect Expo, Westin Galleria, Westin AROUND THE COUNTRY Hall, Apr. 6-7. AAPG Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Apr. 25-28. HGA Bridge, Briar Club, Timmons & Westheimer, 10:OO a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Apr. 7 SCHOOLS AND FIELD TRIPS SPWLA Westside Luncheon, Lee Etnyre, "Statistical AAPG Environmental Short Course, Apr. 5-6. Evaluation of Waxman-Smith's Data", Radisson Suite Hotel, 10655 SEG School, "Artificial Intelligence & Geophysical Data Katy Frwy. 11:30 a.m., Apr. 8. Analysis", Apr. 5-6. AWG Dinner, Rosemary Jaworskyi, "Career Change for AAPG School, "Balanced Cross Sections", Apr. 13-14. Women Geoscientists in the 90's and Beyond", Morningside Thai Restaurant, 6710 Morningside Drive, 6:OO-8:00 p.m., (If attending call Anglia Sweet 556-7067) Apr. 13. SEMINARS, COURSES, AND ENTERTAINMENT J SIPES/SPEE Joint Luncheon, Sidney Moran, "Oil and Gas April 2,1993 (Tennis Tournament) Westside Tennis Club, Property Evaluation, Maps", Petroleum Club, 11:30 a.m., Apr. 15. 1200 Wilcrest, 12:00 Noon - 5:00 p.m. Reservations to Mike Walker GSH Noon Luncheon, Robert Grabner, "Geophysics: The 4342 W. 12th, Houston, TX 77055 must be made or cancelled by Potential and Limits for Reservoir Description and Monitoring", March 31. H.E.S.S., 3121 Buffalo Speedway, 11:30 a.m., Apr. 19. April 15 (Short Course) "Organic Geochemistry in Field SPWLA Galleria Luncheon, Marriott Galleria, 1750 West Development", Bob Ellsinger, Exxon Auditorium, 800 Bell St., 8:00 Loop South, 11:30 a.m., Apr. 20. a.m. - 12:OO noon. SPWLA Greenspoint Luncheon, Baroid Cafeteria, 3000 April 17, 1993 (Short Course) "Buying Oil and Gas North Sam Houston Parkway East, 12 Noon, Apr. 22. Reserves" Various Speakers, Exxon Auditorium, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 SPWLA Downtown Luncheon, Metropolitian Racquet p.m. Club, One Allen Center, 11:30 a.m., Apr. 27. HGA Bridge, Briar Club, Timmons & Westheimer, 10:OO a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Apr. 28.
FUTURE HGS MEETINGS AND EVENTS (May)
MAY 8, 1993 (Field Trip) MAY 18, 1993 (Dinner Meeting) ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERINGGEOLOGISTS NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS MAY 10,1993 (Dinner Meeting) Post Oak Doubletree Inn Post Oak Doubletree Inn MAY 21,1993 (Luncheon Meeting) MAY 17,1993 (Dinner Meeting) Houston Club, 811 Rusk INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS Post Oak Doubletree Inn
Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 COMMITTEE NEWS
PERSONNEL PLACEMENT COMMITTEE The Personnel Placement Committee received 83 requests for personnel during 1992, a 22% decline from the 107 requests that were received for 1991 and a 49% decline from the 165 requests that were received in 1990. The hard reality of the situation, put simply and plainly, is that there is less of a domestic oil business than there was in past years. This phenomenon has greatly affected our Society. The Personnel Placement Committee is researching new ways to identify employment leads and notify members. Now for the BIG question. Does the HGS Jobs Hotline really ever get anyone hired? YES! The best approximation is that the Personnel Placement Committee, by way of the HGS Jobs Hotline, gets people hired for about 15% of the requests it receives. Although that number is low, pro- fessional recruiters (head hunters) only place 25 to 35% of the requests they receive. Generally, prospective employers who use the HGS Deep thinking. Top results. Jobs Hotline already have several potential candidates in mind before they call the Personnel Placement Committee to place their request. Prospective employers are using the I I Hotline to see if there is anyone else out there that may be 2950 North Loop West, Suite 300 better qualified than those candidates that they have Houston, Texas 77092 (713) 688-628 1 already identified. A full 70% of the requests that are not I I filled fall into this category. It takes work to gain the attention of prospective employers who have identified Colorado River-Grand Canyon Raft Trip candidates before they have called the Personnel Placement Registration Form Committee. What kind of work? Don't fax in that same old generalized resume. Tailor your resume to fit the request. Use a cover letter to tell the prospective employer that you have the skills that they are seeking. Yes, tailoring your Address: resume and writing a cover letter takes time and may cause expense, but your competition is willing to do it. Are you? Please take note of the advertisement in this month's Bulletin for the Technical Career Day on Saturday, April 24, sponsored by the Houston Engineering and Scientific Phone (work): Society. This may be a good place to check out that Plan B career option, just in case that international exploration Phone (home): manager's job doesn't open up.
FIELD TRIP NEWS: Colorado River-Grand Canyon Raft Trip Number of Persons: The Houston Geological Society 9-day Colorado River I prefer to (circle appropriate letters): rafting experience in the Grand Canyon has been resched- uled to early August 1994. The pre-registration deadline for A. Meet in and return to Flagstaff, Arizona participation is June 1, 1993, and registration with a $400 B. Meet in and return to Las Vegas, Nevada deposit will be November 1, 1993. The total trip cost is expected to be between $1400 and $1450 per person C. Caravan as a group to visit geological points of interest exclusive of transportation to Flagstaff. If you think that this on the way to the Grand Canyon may be the geological field trip (or vacation) you've been D. Caravan as a group to visit geological points of interest looking for, register early, as the available seating is limited on the return trip to Houston to 35 people, and some places are already filled. Those pre-registering will be given priority. Please complete the E. Tour either the North Rim or South Rim before or after the raft trip. following form, and send it to: J. D. Lazor, 11115 Fonda, Houston, TX 77035. F. Fish for trout while in the Canyon
I Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety Apr~l 1993 30 Buying Oil & Gas Reserves A Golden Parachute for Geologists?
Many geologists are currently frustrated by the lack Course Focus: of job opportunites in the energy business. Some * Geological Aspects sayindividuals have compensated for this * Producing Properties business climate by purchasing and operating their * Workover Properties own oil and gas production. This team-taught + Land and Legal Agreements course will highlight the "pro's" and "con's" of * RRC Regulations owning your own working and royalty interests. * Environmental Considerations * Liabilities and Incorporation Your speakers will include: * Accounting and Tax Concerns ]im Gibbs, an independent geologist Patrick Gratton, an independent geologist Date and Time: Hiram Lucius, a landman with Shore Oil Saturday, April 17,1993 Bill Hamby, a consulting engineer 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Iohn Preston, an independent geologist Exxon Auditorium Feu ther Wilson, an environmentalist, and 800 Bell Street John Breed, an attorney. Registration and Cost: These instructors will discuss their own personal $30 before April 12,1993 experiences with: $40 at the door * Recognizing Profitable Situations * Avoiding Pitfalls Send check to: * Buying and Selling Houston Geological Society * Getting Help When You Need It 7171 Harwin, #314 * Using Reserve Reports Houston, Texas 77036 * Using Economics Reports Sponsored by the Continuing Education Committee of your Houston Geological Society HGS CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE PRESENTS
RESERVOIR GEOCHEMISTRY: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS USED IN SOLVING DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION PROBLEMS
Date & Time: Thursday, April 15, 1993, 7:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Location: Exxon Auditorium, Exxon Building, 800 Bell, CEU: 0.3 Course Description: Reservoir Geochemistry case histories from the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere will be presented along with a discussion of problem solving scenarios where geochemistry can provide added value to oil and gas fields. Geochemistry can solve reservoir- and production-related problems, and is an area of interest at most major oil companies, where it is shedding its "exploration only" label. Applications from the Gulf of Mexico and other basins include identification of regional hydrocarbon filling directions, recognition of re-migration of fluids within a structure, determi- nation of reservoir fluid continuity using oil fingerprints, and calculation of production allocation from commingled horizons. Production-related applications include identification of problems such as leaky tubing and casing strings, packer failure, and identifying drilling contaminants in reservoir rocks and fluids. The how, when, where and why to sample for a successful geochemical program will be covered. This course on reservoir geochemistry is application-oriented, and chemistry will be kept to a minimum. You should gain an understanding of what can be done at the reservoir level and be able to initiate your own geochemical study.
Instructor: Robert J. Elsinger has recently joined Humble Geochemical Services in Humble, Texas as a geochemist after spending 10 years with Chevron. He received a B.S. in geology and biology from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in geology from the University of South Carolina. In 1982 he joined Chevron in New Orleans as a development geologist working in the offshore Gulf of Mexico area. During the next seven years he held various positions including Geochemical Coordinator, and primarily dealt with reservoir and production geochemistry. In 1989 he transferred to Chevron Oilfield Research Company and became Supervisor of Organic Geochemistry Research.
Cost: Pre-Registration by April 8, 1993 At Door Members $40.00 $45.00 Non-Members $45.00 $50.00 Students $20.00 $25.00
CROSBIE-MACOMBER Paleonloloplcml Laboralory. Inc. 2705 Dlvlslon Sl.. Sulle 4. Mdmlrle. U 7W02 (504) 885-3930 Wm. A. Br8nll8y. Jr. Thorn88 M. flellly 333 Texas Street, Suite 1500
W. Orant Ol8cL Irlmn fl. Flu880 Shreveport, Loulslana 71 101
PlanLIIcWvnlhlC Forarnlnllmr8 124 Heymann Boulevard, Sulte 103 Calcareous Nannolwslls Lafayette, Louisiana 70503
Compulerlzed dale formal "CHECKLIST* Graphlc Rsngs Chad Depldlnp: Actively seeking well documented exploration Sequsnce Boundarlea and development prospects in the Gulf Coast Condensed Secllons Slrlplop Daplcllng: Region. Prospect Ideas Preferred. Rdallvs AbundancsalSampla SandEhals Ralios Contact: Robert E. (Bob) Osborne, I1 Planhllc/Bsnlhlc Rallo8 Faunal and Floral Oivwrslly Graphs (318) 429-2200
B~11811nHouston Geologcal Society Apr~l1993 REMEMBRANCES Wendell Lewis, 74, died February 10, 1993. BILL BURKMAN
ON THE MOVE Bruce Clardy, formerly a geological consultant in Houston, has joined Danco Exploration, Inc. as Vice President, Exploration and Production.
I Losing Your 1
We Write Technical Reports Geology, Geophysics, Engineering Efficient Report Production Drafting, Computer Graphics
IIL AND GAS INDUSTRY PERSONNEL LLOG EXPLORATION COMPANY
433 Metairie Road 1 53 Petroconsultunts Suite 600 Metairie, Louisiana 70005
LLDG Exploration Company, an aggressive privately owned independent oil company, is Resources actively seeking South Louisiana onshore and state waters drilling prospects. LLOG Services pursues close in, non-pipe plays with strong subsurface WILL LOCATETHE PETROLEUMPROFESSIONALS YOU NEED control. LLOG Exploration is also seeking prodacing properties with development drilling potential. We drilled ANYWHEREIN THE WORUI 15 wells in 1992 and are interested in drilling 15 to 20 wells in 1993.
(onto& Petro~onsultantsS.A. Human Resources Services Contact: Jim Zotkiewicz P.O. Box 152 - 24, themin de lo Mairie - I258 Perly - Geneva or Doug Cristina SWITZERLAND Tel. +4l 22 721 1863 - Fox+41 22 721 1919
Bullem Housion Geological Soe~ely.Aprd 1993 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 SHORT COURSE Sponsored By The Continuing Education Committee
ADVANCED SEISMIC/SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY: ITS ROLE IN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 11, 7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Instructor: Dr. Frank Brown
Location: Amoco Production Company, 580 West Lake Park Blvd. (between Eldridge & Hwy. 6 and between Memorial and Interstate 10) Room 1377 (13th Floor) West Lake I1 (Texas Commerce Bank Bluilding).
Parking: West Lake I1 garage to the west or Amoco Visitors Parking Course Fee: $50.00 Advanced Registration Only (includes 250 page manual)
Class Limited to 40 people.
Who Should Attend: Geologists and geophysicists who want the latest ideas in the application of sequence- stratigraphic concepts using principally seismic data in petroleum exploration and reservoir characterization.
Course Outline: The objective of this course is to introduce the participants to state-of-the-art concepts and methods and to provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in applying the concepts in several sedimentary basins around the world.
The course is strongly geologic and focuses especially on recognition, delineation, mapping and prospecting for stratigraphic potential and hydrocarbon plays.
Cyclic sequences, depositional systems tracts, and their application to hydrocarbon exploration and development.
Case Histories (workshop - sequences, systems tracts, and lateral relationships).
Case histories showing the application of seismic/sequence stratigraphic methods in actual exploration give the participant an objective view of the use of hydrocarbon-play concepts to predict reservoir, source, seal, and trap potential.
Following lecture sessions, each participant interprets hands-on seismic profiles to solve real exploration or reservoir problems using the new concepts, methods and models.
Participants are provided illustrated manuals that address basic seismic stratigraphy, new concepts of sequence stratigraphy, interpretation of depositional systems tracts, and the generation of hydrocarbon plays.
The Instructor: L. Frank Brown - an international geological consultant, earned his B.S. degree from Baylor University in 1951, and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1953-55. He worked for Chevron (1955-57),before joining the University of Texas at Austin in 1957, where he served as Professor, Geological Science and Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology. Professor Brown retired from the University of Texas in 1989 to expand his consulting to full time. He has consulted worldwide in both training and exploration for fifteen years in such countries as Brazil, Argentina, Taiwan and South Africa. His honors include: Distinguished Lecturer for AAPG and 1990 Monroe Cheney Science Award.
Registration: To register, mail check, name, phone number and course name to: Houston Geological Society, 7171 Harwin, Suite 314, Houston, TX 77036.
3 5 Bulletin Houston Geologtcal Society, Aprll 1993 AWARDS
HGS OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
The Houston Geological Society is proud to present this year's Outstanding Student Award winners. Each year, the HGS requests that the geology departments from six local universities select one undergraduate or graduate student who has exemplified both academic and service achievements. These students are honored at the April HGS Dinner meeting with an inscribed plaque and a check for two hundred and fiftydollars. The HGS congratulates all of these students and wishes them the very best in their future endeavors.
BRENDA JONES ERIC STROM Lamar University Texas A&M University Brenda Jones enrolled in Lamar Eric Strom earned his bachelor's University in the spring of 1990 after degree in geology from Rice Univers- graduating Magna Cum Laude from ity in 1988. After graduation, he Central High School (Beaumont). In worked for two years with the USGS 1991, she won the Tennison Award, at Woods Hole making digital 3-D given to the student with the highest perspective maps of the ocean floor. combined average for mineralogy and Eric began work on his master's in optical mineralogy. During the fallof geology at Texas A & M University in 1992, Brenda was awarded the 1990, with an emphasis in hydro- Sabine Neches Claims Association geology. His thesis involves modeling Scholarship and the Renfro Scholar- the ground-water flow at Yucca ship. She has also made the Dean's List twice in two years. Mountain, Nevada Test Site, under the direction of Dr. She expects to graduate with a Bachelor's degree in May of Patrick Domenico. Eric anticipates to complete his degree 1993 and pursue a master's degree in environmental in May 1993, and will then begin working with the Water geology with a focus on hydrogeology. Resources Division of the USGS at Jackson, Mississippi.
KEITH KLEPEIS University of Texas at Austin Keith Klepeis earned his bachelor's degree in geology from LES JESKE Colgate University in 1987, graduat- Stephen F. Austin State University ing with high honors. At Colgate, he Les Jeske received his bache- participated in several research lor's degree in geology from Uni- projects, including a six week oceano- versity of Texas at Austin in 1984and graphic cruise, strain measurements is currently working on his master's of slates, and geochemistry of hard degree in geology at Stephen F. rocks using an SEM. In August 1987, Austin State University. Before be- Keith began work on a master's ginning graduate studies, he gained degree in marine geophysics at Uni- three years experience in reservoir versity of Texas at Austin. After participating in a month of evaluation with Norward., Energy field work in the Andes of southern Chile, he decided to Services, Ltd. In addition, Les has pursue a Ph.D. in structural geology. Under the direction of served as a financial consultant with Dr. Ian Dalziel and Dr. Sharon Mosher, Keith is investigating a major investment firm for over four years. His research the development of the Cordillera Darwin with special interests include clastic depositional systems and carbonate regard to the evolution ofadjacent Magallanes Foreland fold- and clastic diagenesis. His thesis involves a regional study of and-thrust-belt and the South American - Scotia Plate the depositional systems and resulting diagenetic history of boundary. Keith has also been involved with bathymetric the "Frisco City Sand" (Jurassic of Alabama). Les also mapping of the sea floor surrounding the Antarctic Penin- serves as president of Sigma Gamma Epsilon and Vice sula. He plans to pursue a career in teaching and research. President of the student chapter of AAPG at SFASU. Continued on page 42.
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 36 l CALL FOR OUACHITA PAPERS This is the first announcement and call for papers for a one-day workshop and two-day field trip on the "Geology and Resources of the Eastern Frontal Belt, Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma." Sponsored by the Oklahoma Geo- A 8ubddUry or PU8LIC 8CRVICC CNICRPRI8C logical Survey, the workshop and field trip will be held in the MOW WCORPORA T8D fall of 1994 at the Robert S. Kerr Conference Center, I Poteau, Oklahoma. OIL AND GAS If you have any questions about the program, or would EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION like to submit a paper for publication in the guidebook, please contact Neil Suneson at (405) 325-3031.
JUDGES NEEDED FOR SCIENCE FAIR James B. Gresham The 1993 Science and Engineering Fair of Houston will VP Explorailon be holding their annual event on April 1-3at the Astroarena Thomas M. Deeter for science students in 7th through 12th grades. Some 1300 Mgr. Onrhore (Me~orolc)Explorailon students participated in this event last year and it has been James D. McCullough customary for the Awards Committee of HGS to provide Mgr. Offrhore Exploratlon judges and awards for the geological entrants. If you receive Mlchael S. Young this Bulletin in time and are available on the evening of Mgr. Onrhore (Ouli Coart) Explorailon Friday, April 2, we could use some extra help in judging these deserving students. If you have the desire and time, please contact John Hollins at 951-0853 (W).
1000 Loul8lanr, Sulta 2800 Hourton, Taxar 77002 (713)750-7308 I Spring 1993 Class Schedule I Sandstone Depositional Characterization avid ~nvironment;Practical Geological Reservoir Evaluation of Sandstone Petroleum Applications Reservoirs Characterization for Engineers Course Outlitre Course Outlilre Course Outline One-day practical course to aid Tlre purpose of this course is to enable the An advanced one-day school that exploration and development programs. Thc participant to: emphasizes reservoir description, evaluation reservoir potential of individual environments and geological controls on reservoir quality. is discussed in detail, and related to porosity, Prevent and cleanup forma tion damage Tlle importance of integrating geological - permeability and log response. Prediction of Find additional reserves petrophysical - engineering information is reservoir size, shape and heterogeneity is *Reduce test and completion costs stressed with numerous sandstone and stressed. Methods for recognition of *Develop rock based log models for carbonate examples. Also stressed is the environments from logs and small samples reservoir characterization importance of developing an accurate (sidewall cores, cuttings) forms an important Use geologc data to optimize waterflood geological model. part of the course. and EOR projects Date: March 24,1993 Date: March 31,1993 Date: April 14,1993 For more information call 713-358-2662
37 Bullet~nHouston Geologlrdl Soclety April 1993 BUSINESS OF GEOLOGY
APPROPRIATE PEOPLE AND PROPER ORGANIZATION FOR SUCCESSFUL EXPLORATION* by Marlan W. Downey, Senior Vice President ARC0 International Oil and Gas Company Plano, Texas Discussions about being successful in the oil business Proper management of exploration people requires sometimes Dresume that attention can be restricted to attention to staff morale, to creating mutually shared goals financial matters; that the real business is proper manage- for achievement, prompt and public tributes to excellence, ment of shareholders' risk capital. Finding an oil field with and private and thorough analysis of failures. When people such a prudent allocation of risk capital is only part of the in an organization are encouraged to do more work, and to task of successful exploration managers. It is the leverag- do work more useful to the company, then the organization ing of risk capital by human intelligence and inno- can be said to be well-managed and productive. vation that yields extraordinary profits from explo- ration successes. Is wise investment of risk capital enough? How does one aggregate the appropriate people and It is sometimes argued that exploration success can be the proper organization to besuccessful? It is not easy to be assured by merely the wise investment of risk capital; that it successful, and it requires addressing numerous questions. is the wise investment of money, not the management of How important is the role of people in exploration money and people that is important. success? Can one quantify the worth of staff contributions Successful exploration belongs to a unique class of versus the contribution of risk capital? Are geologists and investments; it requires constant creation of high quality geophysicists really necessary for exploration success? Can new venture opportunities. The creation and assessment of investments in research and in training and motivating staff new ventures is done by people, and their innovative be justified on an economic basis? Is "lntellectual Capital" a thinking gives value to their creations. real and measurable benefit to a company? ("lntellectual All the wisdom of Solomon can be applied to the Capital" is defined as the net value provided an organization management of risk capital invested in a poor quality by its investment in non-operating technical staff.) Can exploration venture, and it will not raise the probability of companies see the worth of their "Intellectual Captial" success one iota. Profitable exploration requires wise investment reflected in their earnings? Can a corporation investment of risk capital in people's ideas. afford exploration staff in difficult economic times? What Organizational structures for low-cost exploration work structure is most useful in making money? What The proper organizational structure to carry out should we look for in hiring? In firing? ... In organizing for successful exploration varies with the character of the project effectiveness? What are the responsibilities of problems faced by individual companies it depends on the exploration people to management? relative importance that is attached to managing risk capital Management of people for exploration success versus managing people and risk capital. It depends on Exploration success has a number of similarities to whether the company can rely on off-the-shelf technology to successful treasure hunting. Each exploration success is a solve its important problems. It depends on whether the triumph of originality and risk-taking... finding "treasure" company has the financial resources to look at long-term where no one else has found it. benefits versus short-term constraints. Because of the extraordinary need for innovation and Some people consider that the most cost-effective risk-taking in successful exploration, a management successful exploration strategy requires only a few people structure that curbs original thinking will harm successful on a "technical loan committee", wisely allocating money to idea generation. Able exploration groups are hot-house submitted ventures. A company established to simply select flowers requiring continuous encouragement and chal- and fund the most attractive ventures provided to it by lenges, and are blighted by dogmatic and hierarchical others would seem to have extraordinary cost advantages. management styles. Many of the most successful explo- Staff, overhead, and research charges would be minimal. ration teams flourish in entrepreneurial settings, and Indeed, in difficult times, many companies behave as if their exploration staffin successful companies are often seen to optimal organization is composed only of financial man- be "mavericks" in conventional corporate culture. agement, production staff,and a pool of investment capital. *Presented at the AAPG Seminar on "Creating, Managing &Evaluating Mulfidisci. Such a "loan-committee" company provides an excellent plinary Teams" June 21, 1992. Reprinted with perm~ssionof AAPG. way of maximizing return from a provided selection of
Bulletin Houston Geological Soc~ety.Apr~i 1993 3 8 investment opportunities. However, a "loan-committee" by companies, it is instructive to review how unit costs vary company, lacking technical staff and research, has no between competing companies. Data amassed on 30 large guaranteed access to highest quality exploration ventures. energy companies (Salomon Bros., 1989) illustrate the Such a company is able to make efficient use of the ventures spread of cost efficienciesbetween companies in finding and supplied to it, but it cannot create its own agenda for action developing hydrocarbons. These differences between com- or see deeply into the technology and risks of the offered panies, over numerous trials and an eight-year time period, ventures. Its technology is only the relict intellectual capital probably are an accurate reflection of the differences of its technical staff. A "loan-committee" company between, say, the "most efficient" 15 companies and the minimizes front-endexpenses, but restricts the company to "less efficient" 15 companies in the 30-company group. participating in other peoples' offerings. On a weighted dollar/barrel basis; the "most efficient" In contrast, a "major" company whichsupports its own group of companies found and developed reserves for $6.40 staff and research chooses to accept the burden of their BOE versus $9.10 BOE for the "less efficient" group. costs. It accepts the cost burden only because the company perceives benefits. Internal (captive) staff provide their Very large differences in cost-efficienciesare apparent companies the very best ventures they create (as well as a between the two groups. Volumes found by the first group review of outside offerings). High quality technical staff, should yield profits; volumes found by the second group supported by an active research group, allows a company to probably will not. All these companies have the ability to broaden the choices for exploration ventures. Such a invest anywhere in the world. What makes the difference company does not need to restrict its exploration search to, the benefit of luck, or the value of the intellectual capital of say, onshore shallow drillingobjectives. "Major" companies the organization? Is it luck? ("LUCK": a beneficial outcome who support their own exploration staff do so because they that occurs earlier in the chance sequence than the expect that technical staff will provide worth to the company statistical average). "LUCK" can certainly play a part; but substantially in excess of their cost. Properly harnessed, the "luck" should not be a consideration when alaraeu number of intellect and experience of a company's captive exploration wildcats are drilled an many investments are made over a staff should so provide. long period of time. The differences in economic outcome are the benefits from high quality staff and management. Are geologists and geophysicists necessary for explo- ration success? Simply stated, well-managed companies with first- class staff always outperform their competitors, in the Many people can make money from exploration long run. successes: those who sell services; those who buy and sell leases; those who loan money. These people profit from Can a company afford an exploration staff in difficult exploration successes, but are not necessary for success. economic times? Geologists and geophysicists are essential to explo- ration success. Their value arises because their earth- During good times, it is an extraordinary temptation for knowledge technical skills provide a three-fold benefit to entrepreneurs to vastly expand companies using cheap A investors: 1) location of exploration prospects; 2) studies debt and additional staff. rampant increase in staff narrowing the range of uncertainties in parameters numbers often indicates a company out of control. If ever necessary for success, and 3) providing a more accurate cash flow cannot cover bank debt and overhead costs, such assessment of risk and possible reward. companies are found to be paper tigers and falter immedi- ately. Staff expenses are only a very modest nortion of the Economic justification for research costs costs of running an oil company, but staff costs are often seen as the only controllable part of corporate expenses. "Major" oil companies do not support large research expenditures for altruism or for public image; they support It is one of the paradoxes of modern business that staff staff and research expenditures because major companies are always described as the core and heart of a business in find that technical staff expenditures provide a proprietary good times, but, all too often,are the first things cut out of a advantage. Major companies have created a captive pool of company fallen on bad times. staff intelligence and experience that they value because it In difficult economic times, costs must be decreased to returns profit as a multiple of its direct cost. Major allow survival of the company. Given assured survival of the companies consider that staff and research expenditures company, further cost cutting by staff and research re- justify their own costs by providing an enhanced return on ductions must be carefully examined by officers of the the company's exploration investments. company to see if further reductions may cause a deterio- Smaller companies are accustomed to pay a "premium" ration in the company's long-term ability to make money. when joining with a major in its risk investments. When smaller companies pay a premium to join with a major, it is a What work structure is most useful in successful tacit recognition of the value added by the larger exploration? companies'investment in captive staff and research. It is always possible; it may sometimes be necessary, for large There is an old truism that work expands to fill the time companies to cut back on research ...and coast on allotted. It is important that cost-effective technical work momentum and industry knowledge. Such companies are have time constraints, have schedules and targets for trying to survive, not grow and compete. accomplishment that are mutually derived by workers and management. Measurement of "Intellectual Capital" The most effective way to accomplish high-quality In assessing the value of the intellectual capital amassed work in a specific time frame is by using ephemeral project
39 Bullettn Houston Geolog~calSocuety Apr~l1993 (problem-solving) teams led and coordinated by a project leader. These teams should aggregate on the basis of need, after value-ordering the needs of the company. They should draw on all needed talent in an open and cooperative C#CI TRAINING manner, and should press towards problem resolution on a fixed timetable. Nothing focuses the mind like a due date! After conclusion, the project should disaggregate, with members moving to other vital projects. PETROLEUM How should we hire? When should we fire? Hiring is one of the most important duties of senior management, and care should be taken that it not be SEMINARS delegated to a low level. Hiring provides the influx of the right type of people to create and maintain a successful organization. One cannot build a great sports team by Advanced Seismic Stratigraphy: casually hiring college athletes, nor create a successful exploration organization by casually accepting college A Sequence and Wavelet Analysis Workshop technical graduates. My personal hiring criteria look some- MaylO-14 . Dallas . $1,125 thing like: Basic Well Log Interpretation 1) Hire people smarter than myself; MaylO-14 . Houston . $1,125 2) Hire people who are hard-working 3) Hire people who have not matured (not stopped Database Management and Computer Applications growing); May 10-14 . Dallas . $1,125 + computcrchargc 4) Hire people who work well with others. introduction to Exploration Geophysics As important as hiring is, unfortunately, firing. The MaylO-14 . Houston . $1,125 action is not made easier by euphemisms such as termi- nations, releases, separations, etc. It is a duty that managers Sequence Stratigraphy owe to their employees, their retained staff, and the person Six-Day Field Seminar being fired. It should be done quietly, gently, after written May 10-15 . Austin . $1,450 and openly discussed summaries of shortcomings. It should be done early in the employment life of the employee, while Reserves and Economic Evaluation of the employee is best trained and most re-hirable. It repre- Producing Properties sents a mistake made by the management of the company May 17-21 . Houston . $1,125 in selecting someone not filling the narrow needs of the company. Basic Petroleum Economics Successful exploration and production is a long-term May17-21 . Houston . $1,125 business, and companies that are not financially strong and Abnormal Pressure Detection and Prediction well managed offer shaky platforms for technical careers. May17-21 . Houston . $1,125 Companies properly managed for the long term should hire staff carefully, prune regularly and judiciously, and Structural Styles in Petroleum Exploration avoid across-the-board terminations. Six-Day Field Seminar What are the responsibilities of exploration staff to June21-26 . JacksonHole . $1,450 their employees? Production Logging When asked, it seems that many exploration staff feel June 21-25 . Colorado Springs . $1,125 that their job is to manage a budget, lead a stratigraphic study team, or find drillable prospects. The task of an Structural Geology Workshop exploration group is to make money for shareholders! If the June 28-July 2 . Denver . $1,125 staff do not recognize that as their primary purpose, how can they possibly be successful? Being an explorationist is not a license to spend other peoples risk money, or an HOW TO CONTACT OGCl excuse to test your geologic concepts with corporate call 1-800-821 -5933 or monies. Exploration staff who do not focus their efforts on making money for investors will find themselves looking for 1-91 8-742-2334 other patrons of their arts. FUX 1-91 8-742-2272 Conclusions Mailing address P. 0.Box 35448 Tulsa, OK 741 53-0448 Successful exploration and production is a long-term business; companies need to be financially strong, have excellent managers, and a first-class staff. When these staff are aggregated into effective groups that are solving im- portant problems and making money for the corporation, you have a successful company.
Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, Apr~l 1993 40 Attention.' Oil & Gas Companies and Environmental Geol~l Companies mW%_'''"!;;r'atZyour * a lower cost t qualityIe
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6916ASHCROFT HOUSTON, *TEXAS 77081 713/771-3875 FAX 713 /771-8203 * FOUR STAR PRINTING CO. HAS PROUDLY BEEN TYPESETTING, PRINTING, BINDING & MAILING THE HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER PRINTING FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS. *
41 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993
L HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL AUXILIARY
What an abundance of talent this group has! One boffo the club will enjoy high tea, followed by the installation of social event after another! And thanks constantly due one new officers. lady after another! For more information, contact Linnie Edwards at As you receive this, the great Bridge and Games Day 785-7115. luncheon on April Fool's Day has just occurred or is right Geo-Wives is .the newcomers club for the HGA. around the corner. Any way you slice it, bouquets are in Monthly activities allow HGA members of ten yea,rs or less order for Co-Chairmen Joy Payne and GenJva Quigley, to become better acquainted. Call membership chairperson assisted in no small way by everyone's helpmate, Gwen Peggy Haueter at 1-251-1769for details. Caussey. Another well-done opportunity for fellowship SUSAN McKINLEY among the geological ladies. By the way, our bridge groups President meet three times a month for various levels and desires, even throughout the summer months. Student Awards, can't. from page 36. There's still more coming up - on May 20, Suzanne Howell and Carlita Laurent are FASHIONING a super KAIHONG WEI luncheon for us at Lakeside Co.untry Club with a spring Rice University fashion show to boot! Attention, you men out there! Show this to your spouse Kaihong Wei received his under- graduate degree in geology from and encourage her to join our merry group. We welcome Wuhan College of Geology in 1982, members at any time. For information, telephone Member- and remained on staff until 1986. He ship Shirley Gordon (494-1338)or me (468-3768). started graduate studies there and GWINN LEWIS was about to get his master's degree President in 1989 when events in China precip------....------....------.-...... itated his departure. He entered the HGA MEMBERSHIP FORM graduate program in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Rice University in the fallof 1989,received his master's in May 1992 and is now pursuing a Ph.D. Wei's (Your Name) (Spouse's Name) research is on the initiation and propagation of faults, on which he has published several articles. During the sum- Address mers of 1990 to 1992 he has worked as an intern for Total Minatome, Exxon and Texaco, respectively. Zip ALTA CATE Home Telephone University of Houston HGS Member's Company Alta S. Cate received her B.A. degree in psychology from Tulane (Dues are $15 per year, check payable to Houston (Newcomb College) in 1962. She Geological Auxiliary) received her master's degree in Send to: Mrs. Shirley Gordon Geology from the University of HGA Membership Chairman Houston in 1987 and is currently 3110 Briar Court pursuing a Ph.D. at UH. Her master's Sugar Land, TX 77478 thesis focused on the population dynamics of brachiopods and gas. GEO-WIVES tropods from the Upper Pennsylvan- ian Strawn, Canyon and Cisco The next meeting of Geo.Wives is scheduled for April Groups of North-Central Texas. For her dissertation, Alta 21 at 10:00 a.m. beginning with a tour of the Fanthorp Inn is attempting to use the taphonomy and geochemistry of Historic Site in Anderson, followed by a luncheon at the mollusk shells from Texas coastal bays as a guide for Southern Breeze Plantation in Navasota at 11:45p.m. Our paleoenvironmental interpretation. Alta has published day in the country ends with a tour of the Blue Bell several articles based on her thesis and dissertation re- Creamery in Brenham at 2:15 p.m. search, and on the Cretaceous / Tertiary boundary in The May activity willbegin with viewing of works of art Texas. She is a member of Sigma Xi and Sigma Gamma at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 2:15 on May 12. After the tour, Epsilon.
Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 42 L GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS BRIEF
HOUSTON INDEPENDENTS URGE CLINTON TO DECLARE ENERGY "...the gasoline tax would do absolutely nothing SECURITY FEE ON IMPORTED OIL to create American jobs."
The chairmen of three of the nation's largest indepen- Hoglund said, "Yesterday's renewal of hostilities in Iraq dent energy companies have urged President Clinton to underscores the dangers of overdependence on Mideast oil adopt an energy security fee on imported oil and petroleum and the need to develop our own petroleum resources." products. Mitchell said the United States is subsidizing Arab Speaking at a press conference in Houston on January OPEC through defense dollars spent on protecting oil 14. Forrest E. Hoqlund of Enron Oil & Gas Company,. -. supply lines in the Persian Gulf. "The energy security fee ~eor~eP. ~itchei of Mitchell Energy & Development would serve to more accurately reflect those hidden costs Corp. and Raymond Plank of Apache corporation said the American consumers pay for foreign oil," he said. "It is my majority of American independents are solidly behind the understanding that the president can mandate such a fee by security fee as the single best action President Clinton can executive order." he added. take to simultaneously create jobs, enhance the environ- The executives noted that foreign oil producers are not ment, improve the trade balance, reduce dependence on subject to the same environmental costs and regulations as foreign oil and raise revenues to offset the Federal deficit. their American counterparts. The energy security fee would The energy leaders said they believe some sort of help level the playing field in that respect, they said. energy tax is inevitable and suggested that President Plank said President Clinton's statements indicate "an Clinton "can kill a multitude of birds with one stone" if he excellent understanding of America's energy situation and a adopts an energy security fee on imported oil and products willingness to consider an energy security fee." He urged as opposed to higher gasoline taxes or a BTU tax. independents, royalty owners and concerned citizens to "A BTU tax is simply a bad idea all the way around," write or telegram the incoming president to show their said Hoglund, "because it would penalize natural gas, which support. is the best of all fuels from an environmental standpoint." He Courtesy of Mitchell Energy Public Relations Dept. added that he believes it "unlikely that a BTU tax will be given serious consideration by the new administration." Mitchell said that while a sasoline- tax hike would raise revenues and encourage conservation, "it would place a disproportionate burden on the poor, the middle class and consumers dependent upon automobiles for transporta- What do you think tion." He noted that the gasoline tax "would do absolutely about this and other issues? nothing to create American jobs or stem the tide of oil imports." Write us! Plank said. "Ursent- action is needed to halt the exportation of American jobs overseas, which will continue as long as foreign suppliers have the ability to manipulate US. energy markets by undercutting domestic prices." He said nearly a half-million jobs already have been lost in the petroleum industry alone over the last decade. "That's just the tipof the iceberg when you consider the multiplier effect throughout the U.S. economy," he added. - srre IVW . Plank said he and other independents would reinvest Kw's Gem Center, Inc. incremental earnings from the security fee into creating exploration and development jobs within the United States. FOSSILS MINERALS GEMSTONES The three executives said that for the first time, the GEOLOGIST TOOLS BOOKS LAPIDARY SUPPLIES independent sector of the energy industry is uniting behind JEWELRY AND SILVERSMITHING CLASSES an energy security fee on imported oil. They noted that CORE,SLABBING AND POLISHING industry trade associations - the Independent Producers Association of America, the 7-million-member National WE ARE A FAMILV BUSNESS. OFFERING: Association of Royalty Owners, and state associations of FRIENDLY SERVICE. VARlElY AND FAIR PRICES independents - have come out in favor of the fee in recent 462 NORTH FREEWAY ( 1-45 & TIDWELL 1. HOUSTON. TEXAS days. The executives expressed support for President - OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH S4NRDAY - Clinton's intention to emphasize domestic natural gas as the cornerstone of his national energy policy and urged him to (713) 694-721 9 adopt the security fee in his first 100 days as a first step.
43 Bulletmn Houston Geologtcal Soctety Aprn 1993 Oil Import Fee, continued from page 20. capacity was added by strong oil prices during the seventies Note the diagonally ruled area above the decline line extrapolated from 1972-1976production rates (see figure). Identified, increased production amounted to 13.9 billion AVERAGE U.S.A. DAILY OIL PRODUCTION barrels with value equal to over one quarter of a trillion From 1967 to 1993 dollars. PEP points out that this "$263 billion stayed home and paid taxes. It also bought cars... and, more importantly, made productive jobs."
Balance of Payments. The study, at least as reported by PEP, only mentions the balance of payments issue. The most recent figures I have on this issue indicates that we are buying $42 billion annually of imported oil. In principle, to avoid becoming debtors to our suppliers, we must in turn sell them $42 billion of goods and service. We are currently running about 100 billion dollars short annually of even trade with all our suppliers. I can't help but think that the US must bring balance of payments under control unless we are to ultimately repudiate our international debt.
Conservation and Environment. No comment on YEAR the conservation and environmental aspects of the PEP case other than to say I think that they are right. I waste a lot million barrels of daily production ('bvbdop"). In '85, of cheap gas in my '79 Lincoln when I should be taking the avbdop was about 9 million; today, it's about 6.8 million, a bus. I've watched two tankers come apart so far this winter. drop of 2.2 million. Multiply and divide by various numbers I tend to shrug these things off, but inside, I don't think any such as an average price of $16.50 per barrel of oil, etc. The of us are truly indifferent to conservation and to protection bottom line number is 764,617 jobs lost per year since 1985 of the environment. as a consequence of lost oil resource production in the United States. Multiply by seven years since '85. The An alternative view. What's the case for no import number is 5.3 million jobs!! Such losses have to be a brake fee? Space in this issue does not permit extended discussion on the economy. by me; and I would likely seem a suspect advocate, having On the other hand, PEP argues, an achievable increase already revealed my pro-import fee position. I would like, of 1 million barrels of oil per day on average over the next however, to find someone iuilling to argue that case. If I can, four years will create 415,500 new jobs and yield a 56 billion it will be reported in the next issue. Recently, Dr. Hisham M. dollar reduction to the national debt. Nazer, Saudi energy minister, speaking to the Cambridge Energy Research Associates seminar in Houston (February Comment on Estimate. Not having seen the CRA, I 10, 1993) stated that he thought an import fee was a "bad" cannot reproduce details of their argument, particularly that idea. Clearly, there is another side to this issue. 1 million dollars equals 69 jobs. However, I certainly see losses in our industry and to some extent can assess losses to "non-oil" people, e.g. car dealer, yardman, surgeon. How JACK HOWARD. Chair large these losses are is difficult for me to judge, but my rough-cut economic estimates lead me to conclude that (Editor's Note: While we wait until next month for Dr. removal of one million dollars of funds from the domestic U.S. Nazer's view, see p. 43 for more on the pro-fee side from economic engine will, indeed, result in no-jobs for about 50 some local industry leaders.) to 100 employable citizens. The estimate of 69 people per million dollars looks about right to me.
Comment on Use of Fee for National Debt. The proposal to use import fees to reduce national debt is WESTERN KANSAS WELL DATA. constructive. We currently import 8.5 million barrels of oil daily. A fee of $5 per barrel will contribute about 16 billion Good current set completion cards dollars per year to reduction of National Debt. The debt, in two 10drawer triple wide cabinets: which was 900 billion dollars at the start of the Reagan administration, has grown to 3,200 billion as of 1990. new 1988. Asking $5,000.00. Clearly, we've got a way to go, but even simple demonstra- tion that we intend to control debt may be an additional - Call - benefit to paying it down. Bill Stinson History of Consequences of Support for Domestic (817)582-8144 office Prices during mid-70s. The CRA study also analyzes the aftermath of the period of strong oil prices during the mid (817)582-3242 home. '70s. Their key point is that significant additional production
Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ely. April 1993 44 Heluma, continued from page 27.
C C' NOR1H SOUTH SINKEIOLES IN HELUMA FIELD
IIIU a L cfi ICM STM~OCUCHG WU~ICN. 1114RCK ion SW rmW(N; 1r-h~N1lnwal Il-kab)limal #-*dl lmral lX-kob'~lk!fat I-kdlIWorl
Cross Section C-C'
radioactivity. At King Mountain Field an example of the This theory of karstification has been applied to cave fill zone can be seen in the Texas Pacific #4 McClure Ellenburger oil fields, such as Mobil Oil's Pegasus Field in from 11,650' to 11,700' (cross-section B-B'). In the Wilshire northern Upton Co. Hurley (1989) described how these Oil #1-34 at Heluma Field the same zone which could have ideas were used to test the reservoir mechanics and to look been interpreted as a repeated Oil Creek shale is more for bypassed oil zones. Cave features are present at both likely a cave fill deposit (cross-section A-A' and cross- Heluma and King Mountain Fields (Cross-section C-C'). section C-C'). This zone was thoroughly cored and an The effectiveness of the drainage at these fields is beyond examination of the available core chips is consistent with the scope of this paper but there is an another interesting this interpretation. Below this and recognizable from core consideration. The karstification of the Ellenburger surface studies is the cave collapse facies. Blocks of all sizes fell created false and misleading structural tops.The Wilshire through air or water to the cave floor and now form a Oil #34 Jacobs Livestock drilled to and cored a cave fill breccia commonly cemented with a white to pink saddle section from 10,492' to 10,616'. It was completed initially in dolomite. the cave collapse zone and later in the cave roof. The The cave roof is now an extensively fractured reservoir, northwest offset to this well, the Lone Star #1A Jacobs so fractured it would have at the time formed a very weak Livestock drilled ilito the Ellenburger 303' low to the roof. Kerans suggests the fracturing formed much later as Wilshire well. Lone Star drilled only 25' of Ellenburger in nearly 1000' of overburden deposited during the Tippecanoe order to stay above the oillwater contact which had sequence caused the collapse of the cave roof and its previously been identified in the field's discovery well. One differential compaction upon the cave fill. He cites evidence would think that to move north from the Lone Star #1A from both outcrops in the Franklin Mountains and from oil would be downdip. fields which have locally thick Fusselman developed over an Figure 7 shows that in the Lone Star #1A the 1219' Ellenburger cave system. This would imply that the caves section from the Fusselman down to the top of the had remained open for as long as 50 million years. Ellenburger is now completely surrounded by wells with a
45 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 LAKE FAULT Z MU TO TM WYUCJI CM(TtD . @ AS a nwt~IW mvcw
Figure 5. Devonian structure. Figure 6. Fusselman structure. Figure 7. Ellenburger structure. regular section of 950' to 1000'. Wright (1979) stated that ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS unusual thickening of the Simpson section may be due to Thanks go to Columbia Gas Development Corporation fill-ins of karst topography developed in Ellenburger dolomite and to the Permian Basin/ Mid-Continent exploration team prior to Simpson deposition. The Lone Star #lA drilled into for granting me the permission and the time to put this a paleo-sinkhole. To the northwest of the Lone Star well, paper together. Tom Turmelle reviewed and edited the text 200' of structural advantage was regained. Four additional and made suggestions as to its organization. Jack Holter, wells were completed in the Ellenburger on the far side of Jr. drafted the maps and illustrations. the sinkhole. Two other wells in Heluma Field have an anomalously thick Fusselman to Ellenburger interval. If these wells were drilled into a sinkhole with a geometry similar to that at the Lone Star well then structurally high REFERENCES Ellenburger wells could be adjacent. Ader, J.C., 1980, Stratification testing results in revised The presence of the sinkholes on Heluma Field, an concept of reservoir drive mechanism, University Early Pennsylvanian-aged structure, is coincidence. The Block 13 Ellenburger field: Journal of Petroleum karstification of this area occurred long before the uplift so Technology, v. 32, p. 1452-1458. the entire Ellenburger surface, down into the deepest troughs, should be similarly covered with these features. Furner, R.B., 1990, Structural Geology of the Walker Mountain-Northern Piney Creek Area, Bighorn Moun- CONCLUSIONS tains, Wyoming: Wyoming Geol. Assoc. Guidebook, When the development of these oil fields is recreated v., p. 19-38. with 20-20 hindsight we can see some important lessons for Gardiner, W.B., 1990, Fault fabric and structural sub- future exploration projects. The first assumptions about the provinces of the Central Basin Platform: a model for structure of an oil field may not be correct. Alternative strike-slipmovement: West Texas Geological Society configurations must be considered and not lightly dismissed Publication 90-87, p. 15-27. as impossible. Possibilities and ideas for prospects in the Permian Basin can be gained from the study of the forced Hills, J.M., 1970, Late Paleozoic Structural Directions in folds in the Rocky Mountain region where exposures still Southern Permian Basin, West Texas and South- create great debate as to their genesis. We shouldcarry the eastern New Mexico: AAPG Bulletin, v. 54, p. arguments from there down into the subsurface of the 1809-1827. Permian Basin. Hurley, T.J., 1989, The Pegasus Ellenburger Field-an In addition, care needs to be taken when mapping the Interdisciplinary Re-evaluation, PBS-SEPM Research Ellenburger as a structural horizon. The karstification of its Seminar, Midland, Texas, oral presentation. surface prior to the deposition of the Simpson may give a misleading interpretation. Isopach values up through the Kerans, C., 1988, Karst-controlled reservoir heterogeneity Fusselman level were effected by the the sinkholes and the in Ellenburger Group carbonates of West Texas: collapse of underlying caves. Isopach maps of the Oil Creek AAPG Bulletin, v. 72, p. 1160-1183. Shale, and from the Fusselman to the Ellenburger, are Wright, F.W., 1979, Petroleum Geology of the Permian essential not only to the reservoir engineers but to a Basin: West Texas Geological Society Publication geologist trying to extend the limits of a field. NC. 79-71, 98 p. I
PRODUCTIVE LOW RESISTIVITY WELL LOGS OF THE OFFSHORE GULF OF MEXICO
THE VOLUME IS BEING OFFERED 'AT A PRICE OF ONLY $20.00 PLUS $4.00 HANDLING AND POSTAGE FEE. (POSTAGE AND HANDLING REOUTSIDE OF NORTH AMERICA IS $13.00.) MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO NOGS. SEND ORDERS AND INQUIRIES TO:
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TELEPHONE ORDERS (504) 286-6325 (COLLECT CALLS NOT ACCEPTED)
49 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, April 1993 EXPLORATION ACTIVITY REVIEW
By Bill Eisenhardt Consultant, Geol. Representative-Geomap Co.
National Rig Count: February 20-656; Year Ago-667 Gulf of Mexico Rig Count: 104
GULF COAST Vicksburg, Yegua and Cook Mountain production at Texas Raywood West Field in southern Liberty County. Principal Enron Oil & Gas has completed its #1 Williamson as a targets are Vicksburg sands equivalent to those producing new Lobo gas discovery about a mile southeast of lower oil at Raywood, Raywood West and Raywood Southeast Wilcox production at Las Pintas Field in northeastern fields. At the top Yegua horizon the wildcat spots near the Webb County, opening Las Pintas East Field. Flow rate was crest of a southwest plunging nose and appears to be fault- 1,616 MCFGPD (2,700 MCFGPD-CAOF) through perfs separated from production at the Raywood fields. 7742-92'. At the lower Wilcox horizon the new producer A 6000' wildcat has been scheduled by S&J Operating spots near the crest ef a southeast plunging nose, in southern Tyler County, 1213 miles northwest of Yegua immediately downdip from the.bulk of the Las Pintas field and Wilcox oil production at Hillister Field. The #1 Rice will wells. evaluate the Yegua 2 miles southwest of Kent Exploration's In southwestern Hidalgo County, Beach Exploration #1 Pope, an 8011' dry hole which encountered well devel- has opened Bisonte Field with their #1 Maria Diaz about '/2 oped but nonproductive Yegua sands below 4400'. Top mile northeast of a pair of old, shut-in and subsequently Wilcox structure here is regional southeast dip. abandoned Daskam Field gas wells. The new discovery Shell Western Exploration and Production has aban- flowed 48 BOPD, 24 MCFGPD and 27 BWPD from perfs doned its #1 Ryman,a 16,050' Frio test 2 '/4 miles north of 5147-54' in the reported Vicksburg "V-5"Sand. At the Tex Matagorda in southern Matagorda County. No details warreni horizon the new find is upthrown to a down-to-the- were released. In the same area, just over a mile southeast, east regional fault, with anticlinal closure apparently present Energy Development drilled its #1 Braman Jr. to TD 18,542' on both sides of the fault. in 1980 without success, but no iurther information was Farther east, in northeastern Cameron County, reported. And 3 3/4 miles southwest, the 18,500' dry Superior Benchmark Land & Exploration has staked a 4600' wildcat #1 Robbins Estate encountered thin, silty upper Frio sands 1%miles east of the Miocene-productive Parks Farm Field. interbedded with thick marine shales between 9220-10,745'. The #1 Rancho Atascosa Unit, located about 3/4 mile At the base Miocene horizon the #1 Ryman spots on local southeast of the same operator's recent #1 Arroyo dry hole southeast dip, about 3 1/2 miles west of Big Hill Dome. (TD 9225'), will likely tprget Amphistegina sands (middle Miocene). At the Amphistegina horizon the new venture South Louisiana spots on a downthrown east plunging nose fault-separated Great River Oil and Gas has completed its #1 Leger- from Parks Farm Field by a down-to-the-eastregional fault. Humble as a gas producer and extension of Riceville Field in In southeastern LaSalle County, Christico Petroleum extreme northwestern Vermilion Parish. Flow rate was is waiting on pipeline for two indicated discoveries 16 miles 18,122 MCFGPD and 384 BCPD through perfs 16,940- southeast of Cotulla and 3 miles southwest of the one-well 17,070' in a Miogyp sand. At the Camerina 'A'horizon the Quinnsache Southwest Field (Carrizo, 3648-51'). The #1- new producer spots on northeast dip downthrown to a 103 and #2-103 South Texas Syndicate (TD 6300' and 6208', down-to-the-south regional fault and downdip from existing respectively) were perforated and tested at unreported production. intervals in the Wilcox. At the lower Wilcox horizon the two Just offshore Terrebonne Parish, the William G. Helis indicated discoveries spot on southeast dip, with the #1-103 Estate #1 SL 14158 was completed as a new Upper being upthrown and the #2-103 being downthrown to a Miocene gas discovery, opening Ship Shoal Block 45 Field. small up-to-the-coast fault. Location is about 3 3/4 miles northwest of Ship Shoal Block Farther east, in east-central Live Oak County, 67 Field, discovered in 1955. The new producer flowed Christico Petroleum has staked a 9350' Wilcox test about a 5,242 MCFGPD and 118 BCPD through perfs 10,731-741'. mile north of Yegua and Wilcox production at Mikeska At the Amphistegina %'horizon the new find spots on the Field. The #1-A Ray is 2000' northeast of Cenergy Explora- southwest flank of a large south plunging nose. tion's #1 Ray which was drilled to TD 13,890' in the Wilcox, perforated and tested an upper Wilcox sand at 8690-8700', MESOZOIC TREND and was subsequently abandoned. At the top Wilcox East Texas horizon the wildcat spots on northeast dip and upthrown to ARC0 Oil & Gas will drill a 9700' Glen Rose wildcat in a down-to-the-southfault. southwestern Houston County, 4 miles east of Glen Rose Royal Oil & Gas is drilling below 7100' toward a 7600' production at Alabama Ferry SE Field. The #1 Green is also projected TD at its #1 Walker Unit about a mile north of about 13/4 miles northeast of the Global Nat. Res. #1 Adams,
Bullet~nHouston Geological Soc~ety,April 1993 50 KRAKER PETROLEUM CORPORATION 1030 OIL & GAS BUILDING NEWORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70112
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0 ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE TOPS AND ENVIRONMENTS HIGH RESOLUTION PALEO 0 FORAMINIFERA NANNOPLANKTON PALYNOMORPHS
5 1 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. Apr~l 1993 Exploration Data Services of the Gulf Coast REGIONAL OFFSHORE STRUCTURE MAPS Two Pertinent Horizons 5500 Correlated Logs State & Federal waters - Miocene through Pleistocene Brazos Area Galveston Area High Island Area West Cameron Area Updated Semi-annually NORCEN EXPLORER, INC. Available For Minimal Monthly Fee Correlated Well Tops and Pertinent 550 WestLake Park Blvd., Suite 350 Well Information Available Houston, Texas 77079 on Computer. (713) 558-6611 For More Information Call Byron F. Dyer
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Bulletln Houston Geolog~calSoctety Aprll 1993 5 2
- a Ft. Trinidad Field outpost. At the Glen Rose "B" horizon shows in sidewall cores from the Glen Rose and the wildcat appears to be in a broad, shallow re-entrant Mooringsport. Structure at the base Massive Anhydrite is along southerly regional dip. regional southwest dip with broad local nosing. Two wildcats have been staked in north-central In extreme western Vernon Parish, Sonat Exploration Anderson County with different targets. Wisenbaker has scheduled a second horizontal Austin Chalk test Production will drill a 13,000' Travis Peak test, the #1 about f/2 mile southeast of the town of Burr Ferry. The #1 McAlpine "A" will be drilled to TD 16,950' (TVD 12,617') Brunt, et al, on the northeast flank of Concord Dome, 3/4 mile from Woodbine oil production in Concord Dome Field. with a proposed total horizontal displacement of 4710'. Deepest previous test in the immediate vicinity was the Bottom hole location will be about 1000' southeast of Gulf's Humble #1 Horwitz on the east side of the salt dome, which #A-1 Lutcher-Moore, which was abandoned in 1970 after was still in the Pettet at its 12,294' TD. losing circulation and sticking the drill pipe at 12,529' in the Austin Chalk. Structure at the top Lower Cretaceous is About 4 miles northeast, WCS Petroleum has sched- regional southeast dip. uled an 11,000' James test, the #1 Watts, one mile west of Rodessa production at the one-well Norwegian Creek Alabama South Field. At the base Massive Anhydrite horizon the Fina Oil &Chemical will drill a 15,500' Smackover test wildcat spots on a strong southeast plunging nose. in extreme southern Monroe County, 5 miles southwest of the town of Uriah. The #1 Schram is about 1'/2 miles west of C. W. Resources is continuing its exploration around Phillips'#l ATIC 12-14, drilled in 1991, which initially flowed the salt domes of southern Smith County with its #1 98 BOPD and 108 MCFGPD from Smackover perfs 14,710- Manziel GU, a scheduled 13,000' Travis Peak test on the 750', but produced for only two months for a total of 857 east flank of Brooks Dome. The same operator is also BO. At the Smackover horizon the wildcat appears to be presently conducting operations for a successful comple- located in a north-south trough, based on limited deep tion of the #1 Neeley, a similarly deep wildcat one mile control. northwest. In extreme northwestern Escambia County, Cobra Another salt dome test is scheduled for northern Oil & Gas has completed the #1 ATIC 10-10 as a Smack- Smith County where Thor Operating will drill its #1 Vilbig over oil and gas discovery about two miles south of to 12,700' on the southwest flank of Steen Dome. The Smackover production at Vocation Field (Monroe County). wildcat should test through the Travis Peak. The Paluxy Flow rate was 317 BOPD and 844 MCFGPD through perfs and Rodessa are productive on the east flank of the dome in 14,243-263'.At the top Smackover horizon the new find Fender Field. Nearest hole of comparative depth is the spots on the southwest flank of the Vocation structure, but 16,510' Exchange #1 Mallory 4 miles northwest which was additional log data, when released, may indicate a separate ultimately completed as the Cotton Valley Sand discovery structure. for Lindale Ridge Field. At the base Massive Anhydrite Amerada Hess has staked a 21,000'Norphlet test, the horizon the wildcat spots near the edge of the salt stock and #1 Nelson, et al, in southwestern Baldwin County near the should encounter the Lower Cretaceous beds in a slightly eastern shore of Mobile Bay and about 11 miles west of the elevated position against the salt. town of Foley. There is shallow Miocene gas production in the area, but the nearest Norphlet production is approx- North Louisiana imately 15 miles southwest at Mobil Oil's Lower Mobile Bay Mosbacher Energy has staked an 11,500' Smackover (Mary Ann) Field. Closest deep well control is 10 miles wildcat in far western Bossier Parish about midway northeast where Allied Chemical and Union Texas drilled between Caddo-Pine Island and Alden Bridge fields. The #1 their #1 Chandler to 19,457' in the Norphlet before junking Elgin Heirs is about 4 miles northeast of the Latham the hole. Several cores were cut in the Smackover but no Exploration #1 Sentell Estate, drilled to TD 11,055' with no details were released. shows or tests reported in the Smackover, and eventually (INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS will appear next completed in the Cotton Valley as a shut-in gas well in month.) Caddo-Pine Island Field. Nearest Smackover production is 12 miles northeast at Rocky Mount and Serepta fields. At the base Cotton Valley "B" Lime horizon the new test spots on east dip off the Caddo-Pine Island structure. In southeastern Jackson Parish, Ranger Investments StratiGrap h ics has staked a 10,000'Hosston test on the southeast flank of @ "PALEONTOLOGICAL SERVICES" the Anabelle salt dome. The #1 Ewing is about 5 miles northwest of Rodessa, Hosston and Cotton Valley gas STEVE ROSE AND ASSOCIATES production at Vixen Field. Although several North Louisiana 41 FAUlNQ STAR COURT, THE WOODLANDS, TX 77381 salt domes have been tested since 1991, only Hunt's #1 (713) 363-3465 Willamette on Prothro Dome in Bienville Parish has been HIGH RESOLUTION BIOSTRATIGRAPHY PLANKTIC 1 BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA I NANNOFOSSILS successful, flowing 2,667 MCFGPD from Rodessa perfs I 5714-5878'(0A). COMPUTER GENERATED (RAGWARE) PLOTS CHECKLISTS DEPICTING SEQUENCE BOUNDARIES I Palmer Petroleum will drill a 5000' Mooringsport test MAXIMUM FLOODING SURFACES in northern Natchitoches Parish about 2 '/2 miles south of ABUNDANCE I DIVERSITY GRAPHS Hosston production at Alpha Field in adjoining Red River PLANKTIC I BENTHIC RATIOS Parish. The #1 Henry Insurance Agency is 3 '/4 miles east of STRIPLOGS Continental's #1 Joyce, D&A at 6815' after recovering no "Support those who support our Society."
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Ti~phrqhc Paul W. Britt Geologist PE1ROI.EUM DRAFTING 1408-ASTONEHOLLOW Log analysis, cross soctioris, and mapping SUITE 400 KIHGWOOO. TEXAS 77339 713 368-6511 P.O. Drawer 450 (713) 341-1800 P.O. Drawer 450 (713) 341-1000 Richmond. Texas 77469 fax: exl. 55 JUNE H BRENAN Richmond. Texas 77469 fax: exl. 55
OUISIAHA TEXAS
JACK COLLt T. WAYNE CAMPBELL A PRINCIPLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PALEO-DATA, INC. JACKCOLLE & ASSOCIATES CONSULTING PALEONTOLOGIST AND GEOLOGlSl CONSULTING GCOLffilSl L PAL~ONTLILOG~ST Michael J. Carroll 91 I WALKFR SUITE 321 6619 FLEUR Dm LIS DRIVE Slall Geoscientist HOUSTON TEXAS 77002 NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA 70124 i5Ml 4053711 11702-6 Grant Rd. Sultr 222 JACK COLLE J G WAAD Cyprew Trxns 77429 (713) 370-7912 713 2288221 713 2788221 RE5 822 9555 RCS 457 7298 DRAVIS INTERESTS, INC. BOB DRAKE GENEOS PETE COKINOS JEFFREY J. DRAVIS Ph D PETROLEUM AND GEOLOGICAL Applied Carbonate Sedimentology ENGINEERING CONSULTANT PALE0 MARKETING, INC. Regional Play Evaluation INDEPENDENT PRODUCER AND OPERATOR Reservoir DescriptiorvModeling 5525 mmmmnw Facies and Porosity Evolution TELEWONE SUTEDlaI 947 HAZEL ST (400) 632-0368 In-Hwse and Field Cabanale Seminars BEAUMMVT.TX77701 FAX (409)858-5603(WEAVER) H~VSTCN.WAS 7m 4133 Tennyson. Houston. Texas 77005 (713) 667-9844 (W) l(713) 667-5453 (H) 71.175 OFFICE 713-650-4255 -
ELLINGTON& ASSOCIATES OmClRUlCAL LABORAmRma WALLACE G. DOW President OOOS KATY FWY. (713) 363-21io RVITE IPS? 13105 N0~rnwE.s~FRW. Sum 760 8701 Nc\\ Tralls Drkc WE. 5- -NOTON HOUSTON. TX 77001 Housm~.TEXAS 77040 OFF(713) 939-8243 Pacmlorn~ (71~1as7.71~0
Horizontal, Directional, B Vertical Logging I OlW 1713) 5%-I784 1713) 870-0590 Raymond J. Forbish SML SERVICES Qmologiul Consullant I M.L. "Newt" Feldman Computerized Mud Logging consunlng Odoglst Associated wth: Integrated Fhld Stud)..: 1. J Srnlth 6 Company. Inc. Structure. Stratigraphy. 1331 Lamar. Suits 1340 Petrophys~cs.Reservow I Houston. Texas 77010 Product~onExploitation. Project 2211 N.W. Mlllfsy Hwy. BRIAN M. SWANSON Suite 8117.118 GeologlrVOvmor (713) 651-0651 Idont~fication6 Documenlal~on S.n Antmb. TX 70213 409-2€+9193 I KALINEC B TILLEY TGS-CALIBRE GEOPHYSICAL Geophysics and Geoiogy COMPANY INTERPRETATION DIVISION CONSULTING BIOSTRATIGRAPHY Domestic and International RASHEL ROSEN BERNARD SHAFFER FORAMINIFERA. CALPIONEUIDS hANNOFOSSILS
I JOHN GREEN JOHN W. GREEN CO. Geophysical Consulting and Management
827 Americana Building 81 1 Dallas Strm Office: (713) 757-115 IHwaon. Texas 77002 Home: (713)465-211
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INI-EGRATED lJMC PETROLEUM CORPORATION UOI LOUI.IOPP 1-1. 1400 aOU.104 1.10 ?TOO8 GeoscleNcE W. Kurt IIilarides OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY President HAROLD V. HILTON UMC Prtroloum Corporation is sarklng ~tghQuality. Elgh Potential Oprn Acroago laras In tho Gull Coamt PI-. COP~OC~.nob-ri L BllOIl ~Loratiora~anaa-r ms 6- - *no
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Bm8ln Ewllullon ,XXXXXX' Pmpc( M.rkdng Inlegnted Dab Wlpln ;u JURASIN OIL AND GAS IM R M CONSULTANTS 332 So. Lynchburg Rd. Baytown, Texas 77520 713-424-1777 SOUTHERN STATES PROFESSIONAL I LOG ASSOCIATION, INC. WILLIAM A. LAMONT GEOPHYSICAL CONSULTANT " ...... -. .- . - CONSULTING 3% S*N JACINTO BLDQ OWNER PETROLEUM HOUSTON. TEXAS 77002 4973 MAPLE ST ROBERT MACKE GEOLOGIST BARBARA KNOX (713) 2262175 OELLAIRE. TEXAS 77401 RES 713668-0067 I OPERATIONS MANAGER FU: I 22C33l4 Tower Resources Corporation I Itrtiory 1 rrnti; Exploralinn Inc - 421 N. Rodeo Dr., Suite 1577 EDWARD McFARLAN, JR Beverly Hills. California 90210 GEOLOGICAL CO\\i\l'l 14\T Tel(310) 822-3900 Fax (310) 822-4460 TOWER RESOURCES RESIDENCE OFFIC t 10631 GAWAIN LANE 3131 W ALABAU4 \i'llF 551 HOUSTON. TEXAS '7024 HOUSTON TEXAS '-11,In (713) 464.0596 (,I31 529.4li4 AUN AYFRS MARTIN J. Phil Martin, Jr. Tribcm Oil And Gas Gorp. I JACKE. COFFMAN BURTON C. BOKN PRESIDENT I Presi&nt WILLIAV B, TUW3 IN0 Lmr#I580 SONORA PETROLEUM CORP ROBERT H, FOKE Houston, Tx, 77002 12(1* LOUISIANA SUITE 31m HOUSTON TEXAS 77m2 WILLIAN C, BISHOP (713) 650-3614 - '-it '-it DAVIS PADGETT EXPLORATION EXPLORATION CONSULTING J. DAVID REEVES CARL M. PADGETT Consulting Geophysicist CONSUITING GEOPHYSICIST Joseph R. Davis P 0 Box 7748 1303 Emerald Green Blvd. Office (713) 981-7026 DOIIOSTexas 75209 10250 Bissonnet. Suite 326 Houston. Texas 77094 (7133 579-355C Houston, TX 77036-7837 Res. (713) 87s-0440 2141357-3730 Wiuakip Aaeaddm, 9~c. LOYD TUTTLE PALE0 CONTROL, INC. Don Ming STEVE H. HILL 512J 883-5662 MICROPALEONTOLOGY PALEOECOL~GY CONSULTING PETROLEUMGEOLOGIST (7131 659-7301 I100 M~LAMBUILO~NCI HOME:(713) 467-4166 SUITE 100 SUITE 3460 AUTO: (713) 248-3634 HOUSTON -EXAS - 092 HOUSTON. TX 77002 FAX:(713) 654-9136 OFFICE '13 69C 1255 AEaDEhCE '13 A66 922 StratiGrapltics Cecil R. Rives PALEONTOLOGICAL SERVICES PFTROI EUM CFOLOCIST (713) 363-3465 STEVE ROSE AND ASSOCIATES FORAMINIFERA NANNOPLANKTON PALEOECOLOGY 547 TtiRFE CORNERS 713/46-4203 TELEPHONER HOUSTON. TCXA5 77024 FAX 7131467-1785 1013 RAN IAC'INTO Hl.lX7 OPPICE 761-OPn' 41 FALLING STAR COURT THE WOODLANDS, TX 773t ItOURTON TX 77001 RER. 774-3189 Bulletin Houston GeoIog~~aISociety Awl 1993 "Support those who support our Society." ADVERTISERS Agip Petroleum Geco-Prakla Masera Corp. Ashland Exploration Co. Gillring Oil Company Micro-Strat Core Laboratories Halliburton Logging Service Norcen Explorer, Inc. Core Service, Inc. Houston Log Assn. OGCl Crosbie-Macomber lntera Information Technologies Paleo Control David K. Davies Keystone Exploration Paleo Data, Inc. EDC King's Gem Center Petroconsultants Edelrnan, Percival & Assoc. Kraker Petroleum Corp. Petroleum Information Mark B. Edwards LCT B. R. Stinson Exploration Data Service of Gulf Coast Lexco Data Systems Stratigraphics Mark R. Etheredge Linder Doughtie Energy, Inc. Texas Crude Four Star Printing Co. LLOG Exploration Co. J. Loyd Tuttle Geomap Manzanita Enterprizes Write Enterprise - -- K SANDT BARRY VAN WARD HYDRODYNAMICS INC. PE.. AS.A.. M.BA. I GRANT S. WARD VAN SANDT & ASSOCIATES, INC. Perroleurn Engineering Conrultonb Petroleum Hydrodynamic Consultant and FinonclalAnalyrb 11 1 Westview Drive Kalispell, Montana 9525 Katy Freeway Suite 138 011.: 7131465.3792 59901-3368 Houston. Texas 77024 Res: 7131467.7256 &Phone/Fax (406) 756-3762 Consultmg Petroleum, Natural Gas (L Geological Engineer I George F. Watford XXO Cltt'wp Center WICKER GEOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC. ('13) 651-1400 1200 S~nxthStreet Harry E. Otell. Jr. (L Assoc~ates FAX h51.12R5 Hoilsron. Texa 77002 1527 SOUTH HEARTHSIDE 5347 Oueensloch (713) 341-8165 RICHMOND. TEXAS 77469 Houston. Texas 77096 1713) 723-6268 FLORIDA Office Telaphone ALABAMA (305) 564-2554 MISSISSIPPI owm MANUEL ZEGARRA AND ASSOCIATES Geolog Geoph ics MITCHELL ENERGY & DEVELOPMENT CORP. PANKLXDLE INDUSTRIES, INC. EXP~RATIONCON~U~AN~NTERNA~ONAL ~l$~~,!~~~77360 EXPLORATION .PERMllTlNG WELL 6rlTlNQ Extensive Resident Experience in PerG, Venezuela - South America and U.S.A. .EXPLORATION .PRODUCTION .GAS PROCESSING (US Dept. of Labor - Cert: TEC J014274762) George M. Hidle. P.G. Post Office BOX 11983 3233 Windchase'Blvd. 1802 (713 5894422 I General Manapcr Ft. Laudsfdale. FL 333301983 Houston, Texas 77082 Fax: (7131 782-1572 B.E.S.T. SECREURIALSERVICES TGS-CALIBRE JAMES W. ROACH 16350 Park 10 Pbcc. Suite 100-6 Houamn.Tu;. 77084 GEOPHYSICAL WnOLrUM 0E0L001.T COMPANY ONSHORE DIVISION PERSONALlZEDlCONFlDENTlAL SERVICE CIC~IMNT 333 CLAY SUITE 3900 MARV SAGER JWR EIPL0RATK)N.INC. Word Procarins 24.H~Oll InDicarion zmae ~IIAILAIR. SUITS 114 OW 11~'1e4.4~ HOUSTON. TEXAS 77002 *Tnnuripion *Editins BERT HOYT HOUWION. nrrs77042 mu.; 7sa.s704 PHONE 713 951-0853 7131579.1378 579-BEST Fa.: 7131578.7644 FAX 713 739-7130 TERRY COLLINS CEOSTRA'I' CONSULTANIS i AM LOOKlFiG FOR DRILLING PACKAGES FOR Donteqlic and Infern~l~on~l Charles E. (Chuck) Konen INVESTMENT BY ME OR MY INVESTORS. lnternational Consubant CHARLES A. ROSS Key acreage must al~adybe held, and a wll ready to be 600 Ilghhnd Dr., BcUingharn WA 982256410 drilled. 011 prospeck only. Sk well mln!murn field slze. Petrophysics l Fonnation Evaluation (206) 734-3040 I $400.000 maxirr~umdry hole cost. Analysis of DepaiHolul Sequences. Environments of Depition, Please send pmspect packages lo: Palmoic Fasil As. determlnstiona. Sue Gordon and Biostrrtigraphic rhldie. hx P.O. Box 2424 Jackson Hole, WY 83001 (713, 376-4638 16719 Mandeville Petroleum Exploration, Development, and Reservoir rhldies (30- 739-9151 Sorina. Texas 77379 WoMwide Polical Boundary Disputes. Scoff ShernweM Secunty R~sks. Risk Management. Director. Weslrn Hemisphere JAVAN N. MEINWALD, PG Fred W. Kelly, Jr. Gooscience Consultant Internal~mlPdttical Affairs Consultant Sierra 3730 Brandywine Drive Ph. (504) 8857169 Sierra Gaophyslcs, Inc Metairm. LA 70002 FAX (504) 8857168 14434 Twisted Oak bne Phone: (713) 496-7654 2700 Post Oak Boulevard, Surfe 1900 Phone- (713) 961.1077 Hamon. Texas T7079 CornwServe: 70335.1214 Houston, Texas 77056 US A. FAX. (713) 621-5458 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. April 1993 Bulletin Houston Geological Society SECOND CLASS 7171 HARWIN, SUITE 314 U.S. POSTAGE HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036-2190 PA1 D Houston, Texas GeologicAge and Fomations-For formation anal^. Seamless Interface to PI'S Production Data Manager k~~~P.oauctkbData (PDM) Decline Plot Softwardenerate,graph, and ++ analyze decline plots and reserve forecasts, fast. Well Test Data-Accurate flow rates and pressures for well life projections. 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