Using Geochemistry to Maximize Recovery

VOL3 • NO3 • MAY 2018

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: Using Geochemistry to Maximize Recovery

t ConocoPhillips, developing and A applying innovative technology is a key component of our daily operations. Our geoscientists and engineers Upper Eagle Ford collaborate in an effort to develop more effective ways to find and produce oil and natural gas. In our last newsletter, we shared an overview of Lower Eagle Ford

some of the ways we apply technol- Prod. Contribution ogy toward maximizing recovery. One of the most prominent technologies Time that we use in the Eagle Ford is time- Time-lapse geochemistry allows ConocoPhillips’ scientists to maximize recovery and lapse geochemistry. effectively drain the Eagle Ford reservoir. Geochemistry is commonly used in our business to assist in understand- for production, as well as the fluid now able to optimize the spacing and ing and modeling subsurface fluid properties of each layer. stacking pattern for subsequent wells properties; this information helps to With production over time from and therefore more effectively drain determine where we explore for and the wells, we collected oil samples for the Eagle Ford reservoir. how we produce hydrocarbons. One analysis. By matching the fingerprint of Our company is committed to of the most important decisions our the produced oil samples with the data continually improving in all aspects of geoscientists and engineers must from the cores, we are able to under- our business, particularly in innovation make is determining the optimal stand which layers of rock the produc- and technology. With advanced tech- horizontal and vertical distances tion is coming from and how efficiently nologies like time-lapse geochemistry, between wells (commonly known as the wells are draining those areas. With ConocoPhillips will be maximizing spacing/stacking pattern) predicted this understanding from time-lapse resource recovery in the Eagle Ford for to produce maximum hydrocarbons geochemistry, the Eagle Ford team is many years to come. from the reservoir. Through the application of time-lapse geochem-

istry, ConocoPhillips has been able to UEF

implement a development plan that L1 seeks to maximize recovery. So how does it work? Our scientists L2 began by compiling an extensive high frequency-database of oil samples from cores taken over many years. UEF

We then analyzed the samples by L1 tying biomarker indicators, essentially L2 “fingerprinting” the oil, to each layer of rock in the subsurface. The informa- Drained Undrained tion gathered from the cores revealed which layers of rock would be optimal ConocoPhillips technology optimizes spacing and stacking for better resource recovery. WELL, WELL…. IN THE COMMUNITY ConocoPhillips Supports Escondido Creek Parkway Project e believe the most effective social and charitable Winvestments are made through strategic relationships with organizations dedicated to serving our communities, day in and day out. That’s why ConocoPhillips is proud to support projects that address community needs like SARA’s (San Antonio River Authority) Escondido Creek Parkway. The Escondido Creek Parkway (ECP) project plan includes a mile-long nature trail connecting the sports fields at Joey Gulley park with the neighborhoods on the east side of Highway 181. The goal of the ECP project is to provide citizens from Karnes County and the surrounding region an opportunity to enjoy nature in a safe, family friendly environment. Aside from creating the first nature park in Karnes County, the project will serve as a necessary, safe passageway under the busy Highway 181. ConocoPhillips is committed to the safety and well- ConocoPhillips has committed to donating $75,000 to being of the communities in which we operate and with the ECP project. “We are honored to have ConocoPhillips our Eagle Ford field office located in Kenedy, we are as a partner in the Escondido Creek Parkway,” said Gallon especially pleased to support this worthy endeavor. Boehlke, SARA Board Director for Karnes County and ECP Oversight Committee Chair. “When this project is completed, it will become the face of Kenedy.”

WHAT’S HER BIT? Employee Spotlight: April Gonzales iving back to the community to safety statistics to organizing team Gmake it a better place is one of safety trainings, April’s commitment April Gonzales’ top priorities. to safety serves the needs of her A native of Corpus Christi, April colleagues, as well as the community. moved her family to Beeville in 2011 April also enjoys leading the to begin her career in the oil and local ConocoPhillips Community gas industry with ConocoPhillips. Investment Committee. Alongside She joined The Wood Group PAC a team of 18 fellow employees, she in 2011 as a contractor and in 2014 coordinates volunteer events and was hired on as an HSE (Health, philanthropic donations to local Safety, and Environment) associate nonprofit organizations, including with ConocoPhillips. In her current the South Texas Children’s Home “My son is growing up in the Eagle role, she supports all levels of the and the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch. Ford and I would like to do what we Eagle Ford team, ensuring that the Giving back to the community is can to ensure a better community organization is fully equipped to important to April and she’s thankful and environment for him to flourish”, deliver on our commitment to safety. ConocoPhillips promotes and says April. From compiling monthly driving encourages these efforts.

2 EAGLE FORD LANDING MAY 2018 HERE’S THE DRILL: A CLOSER LOOK Don’t Trash Our Town Amount of roadside trash pick-up in Karnes and DeWitt counties. The Science Behind Seismicity 2015 ydraulic fracturing, 72,641 lbs. Hor “fracking,” is a topic of interest to many landowners. When we hear or read about an earthquake in the areas 2016 where we live and work, 69,014 lbs. we have questions and concerns about what is causing the tremors, and if they are related 2017 to hydraulic fracturing 80,165 lbs. in nearby oil and gas fields. Example of a TEXNET monitoring station at the Research and ex- University of Texas at Dallas. perience reveals that SOURCE: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/files/texnet/docs/ hydraulic fracturing is a TexNet-Report-2016.pdf As of March 2018 safe process with little also monitors seismic reports in the 14,080 lbs. chance of causing an earthquake of any areas where we operate to ensure we significant magnitude. That is especial- are aware of and can respond to any ly true in this area given the geology of = 10,000 lbs. of trash seismic events that may impact our the Eagle Ford. When “earthquakes” do operations or nearby communities. occur, they could often be referred to The company fully supports as micro-earthquakes. These tremors independent research and reporting are not like the earthquakes that we on this issue by several universities In addition to ConocoPhillips’ hear about in California or other areas in Texas, including The Center for philanthropic support, April is prone to large earthquakes and are too Integrated Seismicity Research. We proud to work for a company that light to do any damage to buildings also have employees working closely demonstrates its SPIRIT Values, or infrastructure. In fact, most of the with scientists and engineers at the supports a work-life balance, events reported are not felt or seen at Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, and encourages learning and the surface at all and are only detected The University of Texas Austin, Texas development, both internally and using super sensitive seismic sensors A&M and SMU to collect the necessary externally. set out by the University of Texas. technical information from the Eagle In her spare time, April enjoys Some studies have linked increased Ford area to perform scientific work watching her seven-year-old son, seismic rates to the disposal of pro- to better understand issues such as; OJ, play baseball, basketball and duced water in saltwater disposal whether observed seismic events are football. She also enjoys spending (SWD) wells. ConocoPhillips has its own natural or induced, what might lead to time with her mother, Lodi, getting Global Induced Seismicity Guideline an induced micro-seismic event and manicures at the local nail salon, to understand and mitigate potential how they could be avoided. and doing arts and crafts with seismic risks related to the planning For more information on hydraulic friends. and operation of injection wells. Given fracturing, visit www.powerincoopera- our expertise in subsurface geology, we tion.com or for information about some proactively engage with state regula- of the research underway, visit www. tors on the location of SWDs near our beg.utexas.edu/cisr. areas of operations to reduce the risk of induced seismicity. ConocoPhillips

MAY 2018 EAGLE FORD LANDING 3 ConocoPhillips Brings a Focus on STEM to Eagle Ford Communities

f you’ve been to one of the festivals in Cuero or Kenedy Iin the last year, you may have noticed a 40-foot trailer wrapped in photos of space, aeronautics and energy with the sign “Trailblazer” on it. Those who wandered into the trailer were greeted by volunteers who took visitors through five hands-on exhibits aimed at teaching energy, space, weather, biotechnology and aerodynamics. The TAME Trailblazer, as the vehicle is called, is an inter- active museum on wheels. In 2017, it traveled more than TAME’s mobile classroom, the Trailblazer. 20,000 miles around Texas and reached more than 20,000 students. Trailblazer is a product of the Texas Alliance for scholarships, which are awarded to students who have Minorities in Engineering (TAME), and thanks to a grant been accepted to an accredited university or community from ConocoPhillips, this exhibit is just one way that college to pursue a career in science, technology, engineer- ConocoPhillips is bringing awareness of energy, science, ing or math-related fields. technology, engineering and math and related careers to During 2018, the Trailblazer will again make an appear- Eagle Ford communities. ance at various festivals and functions in the Eagle In 2017, ConocoPhillips donated $80,000 to help Ford, including Yoakum’s Tom Tom, and the “Drilling support TAME ‘s programs. Aside from the Trailblazer Deeper in the Oil and Gas Industry” student event at the exhibit, the grant funds STEM competitions, in which ConocoPhillips Kenedy Office and at George West High students compete in individual math and science tests and School. For more information about TAME, visit the organi- are grouped into teams to participate in the Engineering zation’s website, tame.org. Design Challenge. The grant also funds three TAME

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