Alaska: Early Frustrations Led to Later Success by ROSS COEN
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EXPLORER 2 JUNE 2014 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 35, No. 6 June 2014 EXPLORER PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN Doing What We Said We’d Do – Well, Did We? BY LEE F. KRYSTINIK The end of the “doing what we say we of daily business that have been dealt with, do” theme has arrived – but not the end but these are some of the larger issues of doing what we say we will do at AAPG! addressed by the EC this year. We must work much more I wish to thank Randi Martinsen, our ell, much as promised by my effectively at showing our relevance president-elect, along with Richard Ball predecessors, the year indeed has (secretary), Tom Ewing (vice president- Wflown by quickly and this is my last within geoscience – perhaps most Sections), John Kaldi (vice president- column to you as president. Soon, I will find especially to the public. Regions), Deborah Sacrey (treasurer), Mike myself with more time to explore for oil and Sweet (editor) and Larry Wickstrom (HoD gas and get back to riding my horse – if he chair), who all served on this year’s EC KRYSTINIK still recognizes me. with distinction, hard work and exceptional So did we actually accomplish what we u Advisory Council Initiatives – The AAPG I offer congratulations to all of our professionalism. They have done a great job set out to do this year? House of Delegates reached a consensus volunteers and staff who have worked so for AAPG this year! This year’s Executive Committee and passed a revision of the sponsorship diligently to create this additional surplus! Huge thanks also to David Curtiss, addressed a broad range of items and we requirement, reducing it to one sponsor, executive director, David Lange, deputy accomplished most of our goals: and membership application forms have u Cooperative Efforts with Our Sister executive director, and the people of our been changed accordingly, along with an Societies – The Unconventional Resources wonderful AAPG staff for all of their hard u DEO-GIS – Though we hope the inclusion of the AAPG Code of Ethics for all Technology Conference (URTeC), work, day in and day out! name will change to something more applicants and renewing members. International Petroleum Technology reflective of what a cool system it is, DEO- Other initiatives are under study and Conference (IPTC) and Offshore Technology * * * GIS (Datapages Exploration Objects) is some may be brought forward next year. Conference (OTC) all represent very a map-based portal into all past AAPG successful and ongoing joint efforts with What about new challenges to be publications, largely for corporate clients. u Fiscal Responsibility – Keeping AAPG other societies like SPE, SEG and EAGE. tackled? With it, users have the ability to quickly fiscally viable is a key effort in every term. The effort to expand our cooperative find any map, cross-section or other For example: efforts will continue in response to u Inclusivity – AAPG no longer is just exploration element and download it 3 The Imperial Barrel Award is one of our membership and the sponsoring a North American organization, and we to their own desktop already in a GIS our most popular programs, but also the companies who are requesting more fully must continue to reach out to geoscientists georeferenced or geolocated format. most costly, thus highly sensitive to potential integrated technical meetings. across the globe, to share our science and This AAPG Datapages product ties in downturns in industry sponsorship. Incidentally, I was reminded by the OTC our approach to professionalism. with our effort to make Datapages more Contingency plans have now been put technical committee that the call for papers This also means open acceptance of the profitable on behalf of AAPG. It is being in place to keep the program alive and for the next OTC will be issued as this fact that we will learn as much or more than rolled out to sales and will continue to be functional in the event of tight financial column is printed, and I encourage anyone we share – and these experiences will make expanded as we head toward our 100th times. working in the offshore arena to contribute AAPG far better. anniversary. 3 The 100th Anniversary Committee’s an abstract – it is a fantastic technical venue Opportunities abound for us to include planning efforts are now much more to showcase your geoscience! more young professionals, women and u Three-Year Business Plans – Three- focused and we expect to see clearly people of all backgrounds from around the year business plans, tied to AAPG’s long- defined budgets by our last EC meeting in u Though the EC can claim no credit, world, and we should do so! term strategy, are almost complete and will June. AAPG’s new website also has been rolled be presented to the Executive Committee 3 Our financial buffer had fallen to nine out this year. It is a giant leap, initiating a u Unity – AAPG comprises approximately as I depart. months of operations, and our goal was to long journey forward – and we appreciate 40,000 people from 118 different countries, The next near-term step is to understand expand that buffer. the diligent and ongoing efforts of our staff in and we are, by nature, different. the fiscal impact of each component of Here’s the good news: This year we will this huge endeavor! But despite the many different cultures, the rolled-up business plan and allocate be moving $750,000 out of our operating resources and plan budgeting accordingly. funds and into our investments portfolio. There are many other bits and pieces See President, next page STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS Managing Editor Canary in the Oil Patch: As Colorado Waiting in the Wings: As the Bakken, Historical Highlights ........................... 32 Vern Stefanic 06 goes, so goes the nation when it 20 Eagle Ford, Marcellus and other shale email: [email protected] comes to energy and environmental plays make national news, the Cane Policy Watch ....................................... 42 Assistant Managing Editor policy and the court of public opinion. Creek reservoir might be a dark Brian Ervin horse poised to emerge as another Geophysical Corner ........................... 44 email: [email protected] Balance of Energy: The EXPLORER major shale play. interviews Colorado Gov. John Regions and Sections ........................ 46 Communications Project Specialist 10 Hickenlooper and others about The Kids Are All Right: Videos made Susie Moore ProTracks ............................................ 48 email: [email protected] presiding over the national nexus of 26 by AAPG Student chapters get energy and environmental politics. rave reviews, particularly the work Foundation Update ............................. 50 Graphics/Production of the San Diego State University Matt Randolph Reversal of Fortune: With an economy chapter. Classified Ads .................................... 53 email: [email protected] 14 in decline and a population exodus Across the Border: A comprehensive Advertising Coordinator only a few short years ago, North Director’s Corner ................................ 54 Steve Praytor Dakota has transformed into a 38 look at Mexico’s revolutionary P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101 boom state, thanks to the Bakken energy reforms. Divisions Report (DEG) ...................... 54 Phone: (918) 560-2647 – fax: (918) 560-2636 formation. (U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636) (Note: The above number is for advertising purposes only.) email: [email protected] ON THE COVER: North Dakota’s Bakken formation CORRESPONDENTS stands out among several plays in the United States that have driven the David Brown Louise S. Durham nation’s energy boom of recent years Diane Freeman and transformed the economies of Barry Friedman Scan this for the their surrounding communities. Photo Heather Saucier mobile version of the courtesy of Vern Whitten Photography. Ken Milam current web Explorer. Photo courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum Left: Anadarko Petroleum’s operation at Wattenberg field, which The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101-3604, (918) 584-2555. e-mail address: [email protected]. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tulsa, OK and at additional mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER, is among several major production P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: [email protected] areas in the Rocky Mountains section Advertising rates: Contact Steve Praytor, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be covered in this month’s EXPLORER. accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ensure return. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) does not endorse or recommend any products or services that may be cited, used or discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2013 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12 Vol. 35, No. 6 Vol. issues; add $72 for airmail service. WWW.AAPG.ORG JUNE 2014 3 EXPLORER President Hogg Voted AAPG President-Elect from previous page ohn Hogg, an AAPG Others on the 2014-15 Honorary member and vice committee – and serving the ways of doing business and geoscience Jpresident of exploration and final year of their two-year term priorities, we share a common bond of operations for MGM Energy of service – are vice president- passion for geoscience. Corp., in Calgary, Canada, has Regions John Kaldi, Australian We must find ways to communicate been voted president-elect by School of Petroleum, University much more effectively with AAPG Regions the AAPG membership for the of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, and AAPG Sections.