EXPLORERAAPG

2 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 33, No. 12 December 2012 EXPLORERAAPG PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN ‘Communities’ Concept Starts to Grow By TED BEAUMONT ne of the AAPG Executive please let someone on the Executive Committee’s priorities during the Committee know and we will try to help. Ofirst five months of this fiscal year These informal groups are has been to study the Association’s * * * science program with the goal of doing excellent science – what creating new conduits for generating and On a different subject, in many places disseminating scientific content. we would like to do now is find around the world December is a holiday Fostering communities with specific ways to nurture them ... season. And as such it is a perfect time geologic interests within the Association to consider making a gift to the AAPG is an obvious strategy for meeting this BEAUMONT Foundation. goal. The Foundation supports many I’m happy to report that under the Our hope is that others will be ready in AAPG, like a “super committee” with worthy and significant projects, including leadership of Elected-Editor Steve the near future. authority to create new AAPG science Scott Tinker’s movie “Switch,” the Laubach and the past Vice President- products? Imperial Barrel Award, AAPG’s open Sections Marv Brittenham, AAPG is * * * The best part about all of this: access website Search and Discovery, indeed considering ways to better AAPG’s communities of interest are Distinguished Lecturers and Grants-in- empower “communities of interest” within A question being considered by the open to whoever is interested. They are Aid to students, just to name a few. AAPG – that is, community members AAPG Advisory Council, led by past intentionally very informal, so the trick Any contribution is appreciated. who share common interests in specific AAPG president Paul Weimer, is what is finding out about what they are and Have a wonderful holiday season! geological subjects. should the formal recognition be? where they are meeting. Several of these communities of Should it be as new divisions, like the And right now, this is mostly interest already have self-organized Energy Minerals Division, for example? accomplished by word of mouth. within AAPG. One example is the Or should it be some new entity within If you are interested in starting one “petroleum structure and geomechanics group,” chaired by Peter Hennings. These informal groups are doing excellent science in the background Candidates’ Bios, Responses Available Online ideo statements from all AAPG elect will serve in that capacity for one of Petroleum, University of Adelaide, of AAPG – and what we would like to Executive Committee officer year and will be AAPG president for Adelaide, Australia. do now is find ways to nurture them candidates, most filmed during the 2014-15. without harming them. Our fear is that V summer Leadership Conference in Tulsa, The slate is: Secretary by formalizing them we might stifle their continue to be available online at p Richard W. Ball, Chevron Upstream, enthusiasm or creativity. www.aapg.org. President-Elect Southern Africa SBU, Houston. At the same time, however, we would The candidates were filmed p Randi S. Martinsen, University of p Sigrunn Johnsen, independent like to help them share their ideas with responding to the statement, “Why I Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo. consultant with ProTeamAS, Stavanger, the rest of AAPG in new publications accepted the invitation to stand for AAPG p Kay L. Pitts, Aera Energy, Norway. and short courses – and the best way to office.” Bakersfield, Calif. do that probably requires some type of Biographies and individual information Editor formal structure. for candidates also remains available Vice President-Regions p Colin P. North, University of As mentioned, we’re happy that at online. p István Bérczi, MOL Hungarian Oil Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland. least one of these communities is ready Ballots for the election will open in and Gas, Budapest, Hungary. p Michael Sweet, ExxonMobil for formal recognition – the petroleum spring 2013. The person voted president- p John G. Kaldi, Australian School Production, Houston. structure and geomechanics group.

STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS AAPG Headquarters: From prospects to discoveries: The proof is in the colors: A new Washington Watch...... 32 1-800-364-2274 (U.S. & Canada only) 4 The art of the deal will be among 16 stratigraphic analysis technique, others 1-918-584-2555 the valuable lessons shared during ChromaStratigraphy, is being used Geophysical Corner...... 36 Managing Editor the inaugural DPA-sponsored to record changes in color in rock Historical Highlights...... 38 Vern Stefanic Playmaker Forum, coming soon in samples and produce a virtual core for email: [email protected] Houston. viewing. Spotlight On...... 42 Communications Project Specialist Professional News Briefs...... 43 Susie Moore Oklahoma geologists are digging One more time: The AAPG email: [email protected] 6 down deep – really deep – in 18 Foundation’s “explorer-in-residence,” Regions and Sections...... 44 Osage County in hope of finding Susan Eaton, is returning to Graphics/Production Foundation Update...... 45 helium, gas or CO2. Any of those Antarctica again on a scientific Matt Randolph will work – the significance is the expedition to study the geology and ­­email: [email protected] Readers’ Forum...... 46 potential new province. the climate found at the Bottom of Advertising Coordinator the World. ProTracks...... 47 Brenda Merideth It’s all about staying on target: Classified Ads...... 48 P.O. Box 979 14 Technological advances are Lost in the flood: AAPG member Tulsa, Okla. 74101 helping to make geosteering 28 Sam Epstein stayed – and survived In Memory...... 49 telephone: (918) 560-2647 an increasingly valuable tool for the devastating Hurricane Sandy Director’s Corner...... 50 (U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636) geologists involved in horizontal in Rockaway, N.Y. And Gerald (Note: The above number is for advertising purposes only.) wells. Friedman is part of the story ... Divisions Report (DEG)...... 50 fax: (918) 560-2636 email: [email protected] ON THE COVER: Ted Cheeseman, an adventurer who specializes in getting explorers to exotic Correspondents locales, stands atop a peak on Antarctica’s Devil’s Island, overlooking the Weddell David Brown Sea. AAPG member and EXPLORER Louise S. Durham correspondent Susan R. Eaton returns to Susan R. Eaton the “Bottom of the World” this month as Barry Friedman Scan this for the mobile version of the the AAPG Foundation-backed Antarctic current web Explorer. Explorer-in-Residence. Story on page 18. Some of what she saw on her previous expeditions there is shown to the left: 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, a colony of gentoo penguins on Booth 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] Island, off the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Advertising rates: Contact Brenda Merideth, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be The scenic and narrow Lemaire Channel 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 separates the island from the Antarctic that may be cited, used or discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2012 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All continent. Both it and the cover photo are 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. 33, No. 12 Vol. issues; add $72 for airmail service. courtesy of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris.

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 3 EXPLORERAAPG Program Set for Playmaker Forum Advancing the science he AAPG Playmaker Forum, Geology (Richard Stoneburner). organized by the DPA, will be held TJan. 24 in Houston at the Norris u Established Plays. It’s All About the Play Conference Center. Sessions will include: 3 Bakken Play and Vision for Domestic By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent Energy (Harold Hamm). u The Art of Exploration. 3 The Marcellus Shale Play (Bill Zagorski). an. 24, 2013, is heavily attended series of Discovery 3 10 Habits of Highly Successful Oil 3 Discovery, Reservoir Attributes and set to be a banner Thinking forums conceived and chaired Finders (Dan Tearpock and Bob Shoup). Significance of the Hawkville Field and Jday for AAPG’s by the forward thinking Sternbach. These 3 Exploration Creativity (AAPG Eagle Ford Shale Trend, Texas (Charles DPA division, which is successful forums have had a five-year run President Ted Beaumont). Cusack, Jana Beeson, Dick Stoneburner sponsoring a unique and are going stronger than ever. 3 Ideas to Profits – Creative Entry Into and Gregg Robertson). high-impact event on “I wanted to expand the conversation Successful Plays (Bill Maloney). that date in Houston. from discoveries to prospects,” Sternbach 3 Marketing Your Prospect at Prospect u Emerging Plays. It’s the Playmaker said. Expos (Robert Pledger). 3 The Mississippi Lime (Shane Matson). Forum, chaired by “Discovery Thinking is about discoveries, 3 Assembling and Presenting 3 Utica Shale Ohio (Ken Mariani). AAPG Honorary STERNBACH and Playmaker is about prospecting,” he Conventional Prospects (Steve Brachman). 3 Eagle Bine Activity (Tom Bowman). member and DPA continued. “The concept is that discoveries 3 Exploration, Appraisal and 3 Geoscouts: Leveraging AAPG and president Charles Sternbach. are the prospects that work. Development of Unconventional the DPA to Improve Your Professionalism Numerous AAPG members and others The upcoming daylong meeting has a Reservoirs: A New Approach to Petroleum (Rick Fritz). are familiar with the highly popular and speaker roster of industry heavy hitters who will share insight on some of today’s hottest plays – and more. There’s even a “Top 10” on the program dubbed Ten Habits of Highly Successful Oil Finders. “The thought was, wow, if we did a program like this we could advance all the goals of DPA that include providing member services, helping with all the prospecting, professional skills and inspiring our members,” Sternbach noted. “We’re also working to get a lot of young professionals involved,” he said. “In just one day, they can learn skills on prospecting from the experts that they can use immediately.

“I wanted to expand the conversation from discoveries to prospects.”

“This is not your father’s drawn out 10-week-long industry course,” he said. “This is right now; this is the bottom line. “I think the one-day format is an incredibly potent format,” he added. “It’s easier for people to break away to attend, and they get a lot of value for the trip if they come in from other cities. “We intended to really pack it in with the program.” Harold Hamm, the high-profile CEO of Continental Resources, will step up to the dais as keynote speaker. Additionally, Hamm will be honored as the recipient of the DPA Heritage Award, the division’s highest award, in recognition of his contributions to the industry and for providing inspiration to other professionals. Coincidentally, the meeting will take place two weeks prior to the annual winter NAPE meeting in Houston. “That way, people can use the skills learned to better evaluate prospects and deals,” Sternbach asserted. “If they’re still in the process of creating marketing material, two weeks gives them enough time. “This kind of program we’re providing is fundamental to what AAPG members are the best in the world at doing – prospecting and oil finding,” he said. “These skill sets drive our economic engines, yet a lot of conferences these days tend to be commercial and not focused on professional skill sets like the Playmaker program will do.” If you’re concerned that it’s too late to participate in some manner in this sui generis happening, not to worry. Sternbach emphasized that corporate sponsorship opportunities are still

available. EXPLORER 4 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 5 EXPLORERAAPG Is a new helium province possible? Oklahoma Geologists are Basement-Bound By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER Correspondent

n mid-November, the Wah-Zha-Zhi reflectors below the rhyolite basement.” #1-Deep well began drilling toward Marfurt confirmed that something is Ibasement in Oklahoma’s Osage there, definable by the 3-D seismic work, County. structurally highly deformed and with It’s not going to stop. steep dips up to 30 percent. The bottom of the sedimentary section “We see reflectors like that through in Osage County is at about 4,500 feet. several surveys of Osage County, Plans call for the well to go twice as Oklahoma. It’s clearly not a seismic deep. artifact. It’s not a multiple,” Marfurt said. And it’s not going “It could be a Precambrian to stop there, either. sedimentary basin. It could be a volcanic “This is actually intrusion, a sill,” he added. “We don’t quite exciting. It’s know.” very cool. We’re Ultimately, there was only one way to either going to determine what the feature is and what it learn a whole lot might contain: about basement, Drill a hole into it. or we might even Wickstrom said Spyglass has chosen Wickstrom find something Native American names for several of its economic,” said AAPG member Kurt recent wells. “Wah-Zha-Zhi” is the original Marfurt, professor of geophysics at the Osage language word for “Osage,” he University of Oklahoma. noted. Osage County recently has been The well should reach target depth home to the likes of actors Meryl Streep some time in December. and Julia Roberts and even George “We’re going to drill with air as far as Clooney, on site for the film version of possible, but we’ll be able to switch over the prize-winning play “August, Osage to a rotary mud system if necessary,” County.” Wickstrom said. But now, Osage County also will be While the idea of discovering home to one of the most historic – and hydrocarbons that far into basement geologically interesting – wells in the Osage County, Oklahoma, currently is home to one of the most historic – and geologically is intriguing, Spyglass Energy has a United States. interesting – wells in the United States. somewhat more exotic possibility in mind. Spyglass Energy Group in Tulsa is “The attraction is really that we are in a operating the Wah-Zha-Zhi well, drilling northwest of Tulsa. and Spyglass Energy principal helium province,” Wickstrom said. “We’re to 10,000 feet true vertical depth south “We acquired a 3-D seismic survey Charles Wickstrom. “In interpretation of the town of Foraker, about 50 miles several years ago, said AAPG member we discovered a basin with mapable See Osage Couny, page 8

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WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 7 EXPLORERAAPG Marfurt said. Osage County Of course, if the Wah-Zha-Zhi finds oil, from page 6 the crowd will go wild. “Those images below – where That possibility isn’t completely far-fetched, said AAPG member G. looking at this as a helium play that could the basement is – were striking. Randy Keller, director of the Oklahoma have natural gas or oil associated with it. It looks like a basin down there.” Geological Survey in Norman. Or CO2. We’ll take any of the above.” “Those images below – where the basement is – were striking. It looks like a Helium – And Other Targets, Too KELLER basin down there,” he said. “One could imagine a purely Gas produced from the shallower Amarillo, Texas, is a major commercial and quantify. traditional play,” he added. “We have no sedimentary sections in Osage County source of helium. The U.S. Bureau of Wickstrom thinks hydrocarbon idea what those reflectors are, but they has shown about three-quarters of 1 Land Management has announced that production also is a real possibility, look sedimentary.” percent helium, Wickstrom noted. the government’s open sale helium price even though the identified basin is more Keller described the shallower Osage The attraction of helium comes from for fiscal year 2013 will be $84/Mcf, up than 5,000 feet below the theoretical County layers as a series of sedimentary both its growing scarceness and its from $75.75/Mcf in 2012. basement top. He said shale could be zones that have been highly productive price. Helium prices have risen sharply Only a handful of companies target present as a source rock, or sourcing for both oil and natural gas. That history in recent years, climbing past $80 per helium production. Wickstrom said could come from Arkoma Basin shales. of prolific production extends back to thousand cubic feet. (See related story, helium is used as a background gas in “Downdip you’ve got Woodford Shale discovery of the giant Burbank oil field in page 10.) spectroscopic analysis of natural gas, all over the place. I don’t think there’s 1920. The Federal Helium Reserve near and requires special testing to identify a difficulty getting source into there,” “Then you get to the Precambrian basement,” he said, “which we have the bad habit of assuming is just a big layer of granite, in the most basic sense of the term.” Production out of basement rock does occur in other parts of the world, notably offshore Vietnam and in North Africa. And wells have produced from fractured Precambrian basement rock in central Kansas. “I’ve been studying Precambrian production around the world for several years now,” Keller said. “They just found Precambrian oil in Australia.”

Surprise!

A pertinent paper on the Osage County basement structures appeared in the AAPG BULLETIN in 2011, Wickstrom said. Authors were Olubunmi Elebiju and AAPG member Shane Matson, along with Keller and Marfurt. Matson is an employee of Spyglass Energy. Elebiju was a University of Oklahoma student who now works for BP. Their work proposed that a regional episode of extension could have occurred in the early development of the 1.4 billion to 1.34 billion-year-old magmatic province, with basin formation during that interval. Osage County is bounded by the southern Nemaha Uplift to the west and the Ozark Uplift to the east. “We are in a very tectonically active area. The shallow structures have been produced for 100 years. The largest structures are related to wrench-fault tectonics, all of them related to the Nemaha Ridge,” Wickstrom noted. Spyglass Energy used a combination of seismic, gravity and aeromagnetic data to analyze the play area, he said. Wickstrom had studied the Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent Rift System (Keweenawan Rift) and understood the potential for early basin formation, but was still surprised when the Osage basement basin emerged from the analysis. “I’ve always been intrigued by the Midcontinent Rift, and we were aware of the possibility that deeper basins could exist,” Wickstrom said. ”I can tell you, we weren’t expecting it,” he added. If nothing else, the Wah-Zha-Zhi well should reveal significant new information about the northeast Oklahoma basement. And then there’s the exploration potential. Geoscientists in Oklahoma are pumped, or glowing, or chuffed, or whatever word you want to use. “As a scientist, I’m certainly very excited,” Keller said. “It’s a real wildcat

thing.” EXPLORER 8 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 9 Editor’s note: Kathryn Kynett is the current AAPG/AGI intern at the American Geosciences Institute. She graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences and a concentration in environmental geology from the University of California Santa Cruz, and she recently defended her master’s thesis in geosciences at San Francisco State University. EXPLORERAAPG What goes up might be coming down Congress Deadline Looms; Is Helium Doomed? BY KATHRYN KYNETT he helium shortage is not a $1.3 billion debt accrued from stockpiling household topic, but it could the helium. Tbe in 2013 if the Bush Dome The price of helium is a flat rate Federal Helium Reserve shuts down as calculated to pay off the debt with the mandated under the Helium Privatization volume in the reserve over a 15-year time Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-273). period, and adjusted over the years by the The looming crisis has been known consumer price index. for a while, but the reality is now fast At the time, this price was higher than approaching. the market price – but since 1996 the value A helium shortage would not just KYNETT of and demand for helium has increased affect the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day as new and existing technologies have Parade and party balloons. It would make producing skyrocketed. a microchip, running and producing a magnetic Under the Helium Privatization Act of 1996, the resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, launching a Federal Reserve will shut down upon payment of weather balloon or space ship and running CERN’s the helium program’s debt, which could occur as Large Hadron Collider more expensive – if not early as mid-2013 – and would cause chaos in the impossible. helium market. For some applications, like balloons, helium can Helium has become ubiquitous in a variety of be replaced. But for other applications, such as industrial, scientific and medical markets because producing an MRI, helium is irreplaceable. of its unique chemical and physical properties: Earlier this year the Senate Committee on Energy u As the second element on the periodic table, and Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss helium is very small. Unlike its neighbor hydrogen, legislative options to avoid shutting down the helium is an inert noble gas making it the best gas reserve and have introduced the bipartisan Helium to use for leak detection, mass spectrometry and Stewardship Act to extend the life of the reserve. for controlling atmospheres. There is still time for Congress to act – but time is u Helium is used for growing semiconductor running out. crystals and preserving important documents A Unique Resource – including, for example the Declaration of Independence. Some history: The federal government began u Liquid helium is the coldest substance stockpiling helium in the 1920s for national defense, on Earth and commonly used in cryogenics mainly for early blimps. As required by the Helium applications and research, where physicists study Privatization Act of 1996, the Bureau of Land the behavior of materials at very low temperatures. Management (BLM) has been selling helium from The largest market for helium is in cryogenics, Major helium-bearing natural gas fields in the United States, adapted from the the Bush Dome Federal Reserve, located north of U.S. Geological Survey, 2010 Minerals Yearbook, Helium. Amarillo, Texas, in the Cliffside gas field, to pay off a See Helium, page 12

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WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 11 EXPLORERAAPG with crude helium from the reserve as well Helium as from natural gas plants, which extract from page 10 While U.S. demand has leveled off in recent helium that are connected to the pipeline upstream of the refiners. making up 28 percent of its use in the United years, the worldwide demand has boomed. Refiners then produce high-purity States, followed by its use pressurizing and gaseous and liquid helium from both the purging equipment, which accounts for 26 private and federal crude helium supply. percent of its use in the United States. in helium-rich fields, which do not exceed Disruptions in the Force Under the Helium Privatization Act of 1996, u Finally, helium is lighter than air, which is 4 percent helium by volume. Extracting the BLM pipeline will shut down as well as why the federal government originally began helium from a natural gas field is considered Almost a century after the government’s the Federal Helium Reserve upon payment stockpiling it in the 1920s, and why the only economically viable when the field is higher dreams of helium blimp-aided wars, not of the $1.3 billion debt. economically feasible way of obtaining than 0.4 percent helium. only is a third of worldwide crude helium Even with the uncertainty of Bush helium is by extracting it from the ground. In most shale gas, the helium has already supplied by the Federal Helium Reserve, Dome’s future, there are other helium Helium forms in locations where the escaped. Helium usually is vented to the but two thirds of the worldwide supply supply disruptions that users are facing radioactive decay of uranium occurs along atmosphere when other impurities such as originates from the BLM crude helium – users are experiencing a shortage due with the formation of natural gas – however, it nitrogen, water vapor and carbon dioxide are pipeline system. to a combination of external events and is so light that once it escapes the ground, it removed from natural gas. The BLM connects a series of private preferential allocation to federal users. floats through the atmosphere to space. Currently the Federal Reserve sells helium helium extraction and refining plants to the For example, the ExxonMobil Shute The only economically feasible way to for such a low price, it is not economical for reserve through a 420-mile pipeline system Creek plant in Wyoming, the world’s obtain helium is as a by-product of natural a natural gas company to capture it while that runs from the reserve in northern largest single-source helium plant, went gas extraction. producing natural gas – and as a result, the Texas through Oklahoma to Kansas. The temporarily offline in 2011, and another Helium is only a byproduct of natural gas helium is lost to space. pipeline provides six private refining plants larger plant in Algeria has been offline since an explosion in 2004. A disruption in the helium supply is felt almost immediately by end-users, as the average amount of time between separation from natural gas and delivery to the end-user is 45 to 60 days – and the Federal Helium Reserve is the only significant depository that stores helium for the long-term in the world.

The Gathering Storm

While U.S. demand has leveled off in recent years, the worldwide demand has boomed. In 2007, in fact, the worldwide consumption of helium overtook U.S. consumption. Currently the United States comprises 40 percent of the worldwide demand followed by Asian nations at 26 percent. The top three runners-up to U.S. helium resources are Qatar, Algeria and Russia. Expansion is planned internationally – the world’s largest helium-refining unit is planned to come online in 2013 in Qatar. The worldwide demand can be met for the next five years by resources overseas but by relying on these resources the United States would become a net importer instead of exporter for yet another critical resource. U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Helium Stewardship Act (S. 2374), which would continue to fund the Federal Helium Reserve while the BLM establishes a market price for helium and transitions the reserve to a source exclusive to federal users. The bill provides a softer landing for a helium market in danger of crash landing; it accomplishes this by ensuring a responsible and beneficial drawdown of helium in the Federal Reserve in such a manner that protects the interests of users such as private industry, the scientific, medical and industrial communities, commercial users and federal agencies. If the helium debt is paid-off in mid-2013, and a bill has not passed by then, the Federal Helium Reserve and BLM pipeline will shut down. The Helium Stewardship Act was introduced in Congress in April 2012 and is awaiting further action. If the bill is not passed in the lame duck session of the 112th Congress, it will have to be reintroduced in the 113th Congress. Companies that require large supplies of helium, such as General Electric, are addressing the issue by investing in recycling and conservation technologies, which likely will be a trend that continues. There always has been a need for improvement in helium stewardship, but now like never before, there is an incentive. At present, the fate of the United States

as a supplier of helium is up in the air. EXPLORER 12 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 13 EXPLORERAAPG Guessing gone for geologists Geosteering Keeps Drillers On the Right Track By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent he headline-creating Austin Chalk Given that horizontal drilling was gaining boom that kicked off in the late 1980s traction as the go-to technology in various Tin south Texas provided a badly- “All geosteering is data locales, heads were coming together to needed ray of hope for industry players who refine the approach. had been sucker-punched by downward dependent. The data get pulsed And at that time, geosteering soon spiraling commodity prices earlier in the became the “next new thing.” decade. up from the bit, and you have to The technology basically is a means The brittle, fractured Chalk had long of steering the drill bit with reference to been a challenge to explorers; the key analyze that data.” geological markers. The markers often to its successful yet limited run this time GUNN are the top and bottom of the pay zone, around was the implementation of horizontal frequently defined via gamma ray or drilling technology – for the first time, of the pay zone interval than the long-used directional operators trying to stay on resistivity data. operators oriented their wells laterally at vertical wellbores. target deep in the subsurface, equipped Today, the relatively new “chromalogs,” predetermined depths to tap into far more It was, however, a tough go for principally with maps. which identify rock color, are proving successful as a second data point. In geosteering, subsurface data are interpreted in real time – or true time, to be more precise – to provide the geologist on the well with the information needed to enable the driller to stay on target in the lateral leg. This is not for the weak at heart, considering the geologist on the well must continuously make decisions “on the run” as the ongoing flow of downhole data are analyzed. Imagine the weighty responsibility of ensuring that the bit remains in, say, a 10- foot zone for a few thousand feet. It’s essential to know geologically where the well is at all times. The payoff from the resulting enhanced reservoir contact is worth it to the operator in a number of ways, including: u Less oil left behind. u Higher cumulative production.

Seeing Is Believing

It was inevitable the advantages of geosteering would trigger formation of new companies to specialize in this innovative procedure. One of the first to arrive on the scene was Horizontal Solutions International (HSI), which debuted in mid-1990s. “All geosteering is data dependent,” commented AAPG member George Gunn, vice president at HSI. “The data get pulsed up from the bit, and you have to analyze that data. “We depend on the directional drillers/ operators to get us the data ASAP so there is no delay in the analysis,” he said. “They either batch it and send it email, or it’s sent out electronically through a data system. “Through analysis of the data,” he said, “we’re able to tell them right away where they are stratigraphically, if the angle of the bit is keeping them consistent with dips of the formation they want to be in. “We can tell them if they cross a fault, and because of the angle of the bit and the dip of the formation, we can tell if they’re trending toward drilling out of the top or bottom,” Gunn noted. “Knowing that, they can direct the engineer to reorient the bit or continue as is.” For the uninitiated, AAPG member Jason Slayden, geology manager for the Permian Basin at XTO Energy, delved further into the basics. His extensive experience with geosteering includes the Woodford shale with its extremely complex structural environment rife with faults and dip changes. “The reason to use geosteering is, you’re drilling horizontally, so all the markers you’re looking for are stretched out, which makes

See Geosteering, page 22 14 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 15 EXPLORERAAPG Every rock tells a story Chromastratigraphy: Colors Are the Clues By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

ack in the day, geochemist dad. Today, he is an AAPG geologist and member and president of a family-owned Bpetroleum geologic services company, Ellington & engineer William Associates. “Bill” Ellington Jr. was “When I went in, I was surrounded by gainfully employed as lots of rocks and cuttings, but the only way a reservoir engineer to make sense of this was to turn them into who spent his days well log format,” Ellington said. “My goal looking at well logs. was to turn cuttings into well logs. Problem was, he ELLINGTON “One thing I noticed when all these wanted to look at Graphics courtesy of Ellington & Associates cuttings were lined up for processing rocks. analysis was the subtle changes in colors,” The opportunity came in 1989, when he Geologists using a new stratigraphic analysis tool dubbed ChromaStratigraphy® have he said. “We were trying to create logs for all joined the company formed by his retired discovered a “colorful” approach for correlation of chromatic data in well log format. sorts of properties but not creating logs for color changes, so that was the quest.” The “quest” turned out to be a 10-year journey for Ellington and his colleagues, as they continued to use a variety of techniques to try to capture the colors of the rocks – but never were they quite happy with the product. And then, ironically, an industry disaster triggered an all-out effort that led them to success. When the infamous Macondo blowout occurred it shut down about half of the company’s business because so much of their work was in the Gulf of Mexico. “We then spent considerable time doing self-funded research, and that’s when we perfected the techniques to get the product out,” Ellington said. “The changes in color in the rock have a story, yet no product was recording those colors; they are easily recordable so you’re able to log those changes.”

“One thing I noticed was the subtle changes in colors.”

A Colorful Creation

The resulting new stratigraphic analysis tool, dubbed ChromaStratigraphy®, can be defined as a quantitative technique for the rapid, reproducible characterization and correlation of chromatic data in well log format. Quantitative chromatic data can be reproducibly acquired from ditch cuttings, core or outcrop samples on rocks from any region or age, according to AAPG member Doug Kneis, senior sales adviser at Ellington & Associates. Here’s how it works: Raw color data are extracted from saturated slurries of pulverized sample and distilled water “using an imaging device and proprietary software to calculate an average color for that depth or interval,” Kneis said. This process, he added, can be implemented in a lab setting or at the rig site for near real-time results. “A key element of ChromaStratigraphy is the graphic display of the reconstructed color from the measured samples, which produces a virtual core much like viewing a real core or outcrop,” he noted. “This enables immediate recognition of facies and formation changes, particularly in well documented settings.”

See Colors, page 24 16 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 17 Susan R. Eaton, an AAPG member for nearly 30 years and a Calgary-based AAPG EXPLORER correspondent for more than a decade, is AAPG’s Antarctic Explorer-in-Residence. Members can follow Eaton’s next expedition via her blogs from the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica as she participates in a geology and geophysics expedition from Dec. 29 to Jan. 19. EXPLORERAAPG No More Leopard Seals – This Time, Her Feet Will Be On Solid Ground was snorkeling in a gin-and-tonic mix pounds and they can the animal determined that I The expedition is called “Antarctica, of brash ice near a gentoo penguin dispatch a 40-pound was neither predator nor prey, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands Icolony in Antarctica when a leopard penguin in mere seconds. an underwater ballet ensued Scotia Arc Tectonics, Climate and Life.” seal charged me, not once but three times, In order to get up-close- between this graceful animal and Led by Ian Dalziel, professor of geological its mouth agape and jaws seemingly and-personal with these Photo courtesy of Emory Kristof the not-so-graceful snorkeler. sciences at the Jackson School of detached. beautiful creatures, Eaton and the “critter cam.” It was a magical moment that Geosciences at the University of Texas Squaring off face-to-mask – the leopard snorkelers brave -2 I’ll never forget. at Austin, the expedition will focus on the seal’s face, my scuba diving mask – I degrees C waters and hang out with Bitten by the polar bug, I’ll return to interplay between geology, geophysics, counted the freckles on the animal’s upper penguins, their primary prey. Antarctica this month, from Dec. 29 to glaciology, plate tectonics, climate and life. palate and inspected its deadly tri-serrated I held my ground (and my breath) Jan. 19, participating in my third Antarctic This time, I’m intent on exploring teeth. during the consecutive bluff charges, expedition since 2010 – and my second Antarctica from above the water, with my Charismatic predators of the Southern pulling my arms towards my core and trip sponsored in part by the AAPG feet squarely planted on terra firma. Ocean, leopard seals weigh in at 1,400 diverting my eyes downwards. Once Foundation. – SUSAN R. EATON Foundation’s ‘Explorer’ returns to Antarctica Scientists Will Explore a Frozen Classroom By SUSAN R. EATON, EXPLORER Correspondent

ntarctica, the world’s final frontier, Ice Palace: of 2,100 junior high school students in represents an outstanding outdoor Members of the Calgary – who enthusiastically drummed A laboratory to research planetary 2012 International their feet on the auditorium floor as I processes, including the impacts of Antarctic Expedition walked onto the stage – or speaking to climate change and ocean change. took a moment the New York Explorers Club, my role as During the past 50 years, the Western to commemorate a geoscientist is to translate what I learn Antarctic Peninsula has warmed three their trip with this in Antarctica, educating and empowering degrees C, triggering a cascading series photo. Susan R. people to formulate scientifically- of geological and biological changes in Eaton, the AAPG driven global solutions for today’s this fragile ecosystem that have global Foundation-backed social, economic, energy and global implications. Antarctic Explorer- sustainability challenges. During the past two years I’ve used in-Residence, As the AAPG Foundation’s Antarctic Antarctica as an experiential teaching was the trip’s sole Explorer-in-Residence, I invite you to join platform, speaking to many of AAPG’s geoscientist. This me, virtually, as I explore the Bottom of key stakeholders about the pivotal time, she won’t be the World. role that geoscientists play in studying alone. climate change and ocean change. Whether presenting to an audience Photo courtesy of 2041/ 2012 International Antarctic Expedition Continued on next page

18 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Ian Dalziel, conducting geophysical work in the field, in Antarctica. Photo courtesy of the Jackson School of Geosciences

Continued from previous page GSA anniversary we’ll be celebrating advances in geoscience – our science, ‘The Dimension of Time’ our societal impact and our unique This Time, Expedition Has Urgency thought processes – with a series of century ago, Sir Ernest airborne gravity system in Antarctica’s Organized around the 125th meetings, field trips and publications Shackleton’s scientific teams of Gamburtsev Province, discovering anniversary of the Geological Society throughout 2013. Ageologists and geophysicists sub-glacial ghost mountain ranges – of America (GSA), it and the Jackson “We decided that it was only fitting explored Antarctica because it was extending 800 kilometers, or the length School of Geosciences have assembled to have the inaugural event be a grand there, and because it was unclaimed by of the European Alps – and sub-glacial a world-renowned group of earth science expedition to one of the most remote any nation. lakes. professors from the Jackson School and fascinating geological areas which During this heroic age of Antarctic One hundred years later, Antarctica of Geosciences, Stanford University, surrounds the Scotia Sea,” she said. exploration, geoscientists discovered is still unclaimed by any nation. This Pennsylvania State University and the Mosher, who is participating in the volcanoes, mountain ranges, fossils, mysterious continent belongs to citizens Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Scotia Arc expedition, explained that a coal and minerals in this uncharted of the world and is development-free The expedition begins in the Falkland similar trip, celebrating the International continent. until 2041, when the Madrid Protocol, Islands and continues to the island of Geologic Congress in 1989, spawned In 1909, geoscientists in Shackleton’s declaring it a place for peace and South Georgia and the Western Antarctic decades of research on Rodinia, the Nimrod Expedition planted the British scientific endeavors, expires. Peninsula (the three areas constitute the supercontinent that existed between 1.1 flag at the South Magnetic Pole. Today geoscientists explore “Scotia Arc”). billion and 750 million years ago. Antarctica still contains many Antarctica, not because it’s there, but AAPG member Sharon Mosher, dean “Who knows what new ideas we will geological secrets: In 2009, Columbia because it might not be there – in its of the Jackson School of Geosciences discover on this voyage?” she asked. University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth icebound majesty – in the future. and chair of GSA’s 125th anniversary Observatory Institute deployed an – SUSAN R. EATON celebrations, said that “In honor of the See Antarctica, next page

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 19 EXPLORERAAPG Arc as the “nexus of the world’s great Antarctica climate engine,” Dalziel said, “You from previous page can’t understand the climate unless you understand the solid Earth. Things One hundred intrepid explorers from happening in the interior of the Earth can 15 nations will travel – on a voyage of impact the surface of the Earth in a way discovery for 22 days – aboard the that biology cannot.” MV Akademik Ioffee, a 117-meter-long, Dalziel’s research quantifies isostatic Russian ice-strengthened vessel. The rebound of the land below Antarctica’s explorers will study the dynamic Earth continental glaciers, and suggests that and the relationship between plate it’s occurring at a rate of one millimeter tectonics, glacial processes, climate and per year. Using airborne gravity surveys life. And, they’ll experience numerous and a network of on-the-ground seismic Serengeti-like moments, witnessing some stations, he measures the density of of the largest concentrations of wildlife on Antarctica’s continental ice sheets and of the planet. the underlying Earth’s crust and mantle. Dalziel, the expedition’s scientific Dalziel’s recent geological and leader, is a research professor with geophysical investigations indicate that the University of Texas Institute for Antarctica’s continental ice sheets may Geophysics and a Fellow of the not be thinning as rapidly as satellite Geological Society of America. He has images from space have previously over 40 years of Antarctic experience in measured. plate tectonics and volcanism. A self-described “old-fashioned Back To The Future structural geologist,” his Antarctic research involves studying the interaction Robert Dunbar, one of the expedition’s between plate tectonics and the scientific lecturers, is the W.M. Keck environment. Professor of Earth Sciences and the “Climate change is happening,” Victoria P. and Roger W. Sant Director of Dalziel said. “There are uncertainties, the Earth Systems Program at Stanford and we’re trying to quantify them – one University. He’s also the J. Frederick thing that earth scientists bring to the and Elizabeth B. Weintz Fellow in table is the dimension of time.” Undergraduate Education and a Senior Fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute Deep Factors for the Environment and the Institute for International Studies. Rapid warming of the Western A marine geologist, Dunbar has Antarctic Peninsula has attracted global traveled to Antarctica more than 31 times scientific attention, and geoscientists, during the past 30 years. He studies the biologists and oceanographers are impacts of climate change – both today working together to quantify the and in the geological past – from the changes taking place in our planetary Photo courtesy of Robert B. Dunbar tropics to the poles. environment. A region of great mystery and beauty: A dramatic iceberg in the Western Antarctica peninsula. Describing Antarctica and the Scotia Continued on next page

20 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Transformational Impact: One Good Expedition Story Led to Another By SUSAN R. EATON, EXPLORER Correspondent n January 2012, Justine Wild, age 14, Justine Wild she’s spoken to 30 individual elementary embarked upon an expedition-of-a-lifetime. (far right) in classrooms; two high school assemblies; one I Justine, a petite and resourceful the Western Girl Guide group; and one mining group. ninth grade student from Kamloops, British Antarctic Justine’s mother describes the experiential Columbia, joined 60 other teenagers from Peninsula, transformation in her daughter as “profound.” around the world crossing the perilous January 2012. Imagine where our careers might have waters of the Drake Passage to the Western taken us, had we traveled to Antarctica, at Antarctic Peninsula. age 14, to study glaciology, geology, climate My outreach and educational activities change and ocean change in the planet’s (funded in large part by the AAPG greatest outdoor laboratory. Foundation) played a role in Justine’s Photo courtesy of Justine Wild But, it’s never too late – whether you’re decision to travel to the Bottom of the World; 14, 34 or 64 years old, Antarctica, the world’s during the past 20 months I’ve encouraged “My daughter was so moved by Susan’s incredibly thankful to Susan for inspiring my final frontier, renews the human spirit of Justine and others to follow their dreams, and Antarctic presentation, her amazing photos daughter to pursue her passions.” exploration and scientific discovery, creating I’ve provided them with an Antarctic road and video clips, that she applied for Students Since her return from Antarctica in late enlightened global citizens who return home map to make it happen. On Ice, a program Susan described during January, this engaging student has delivered with newfound knowledge and hands-on

Here’s what Royanna Wild, a mining her presentation. Susan is a great role model an astonishing number of presentations experience. EXPLORER geologist and Justine’s mother, said: for youth, especially young women. I’m about her Students On Ice expedition –

Continued from previous page from climate change,” Dunbar said, icebergs that they spawn – as “equal paleoclimate and to predict future climate noting that Antarctica is warming at a opportunity transporters” of sediments change, Dunbar has drilled (and cored) Specializing in paleoclimate and rate that’s eight times that of the global from the land to the continental shelf. through the Ross Ice Shelf, Earth’s biogeochemistry, Dunbar runs the Stable average. “When you visit Antarctica, you Most geologists, he said, view largest floating ice shelf. Not only has Isotope Lab at Stanford University. get a sense of the rate of change that’s turbidite flows as the primary mechanism he drilled through the ice shelf – it’s the His research attempts to quantify heat possible. for offshore sediment transport, but size of Alaska – but he’s drilled through transfer from the warmest to the coldest Dunbar is a proponent of teaching in he adds, “I’m always amazed by the the underlying water column and 1,300 parts of the planet. Descending in the field and “on the ice.” transport capabilities of ice.” meters into the unconsolidated sea floor submersible submarines to 2,000 meters He describes glaciers – and the In order to reconstruct Antarctica’s sediments that often contain boulders in the deep ocean, Dunbar has explored measuring 50 centimeters across. and documented this rarely-seen Dunbar describes this ground- underwater world – he’s made 14 deep Various sites provide additional www.susanreaton.com. breaking research as “drilling back into dives and has discovered, on average, a information on Antarctica and Eaton’s 3 Sharon Mosher’s home page: the future.” couple of new species during each dive. upcoming expedition: www.jsg.utexas.edu/researcher/ His paleoclimate reconstructions – Dalziel and Dunbar believe that 3 Jackson School of Geosciences sharon_mosher. from ice and sediment cores and from

increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 expedition overview and itinerary: 3 Ian Dalziel’s home page: biogeochemistry – show that the Western translate to ocean warming; acting as a www.cheesemans.com/ www.ig.utexas.edu/people/staff/ian/. Antarctic’s ice shelves have melted, huge heat sink, the ocean transports this antarctica_jsg.html. 3 Rob Dunbar’s home page: completely or almost completely, 30 to 40 extra energy to the Antarctic ice shelves 3 Susan R. Eaton’s website, dunbar.stanford.edu/dunbar_ges.html. times during the past three to four million and glaciers. Antarctic blog posts and videos: years, precipitating a sea level rise, each

“Heat storage in the ocean comes time, on the order of six meters. EXPLORER

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 21 EXPLORERAAPG analysis, but I want our guys to understand Graphic courtesy of Horizontal Solutions International Geosteering and think about where they are without from page 14 relying on a geosteering company,” Slayden noted. “If they don’t stop to think where they them difficult to interpret or visualize,” are, the direction things are moving, they Slayden said. “The geosteerers have won’t know if the geosteering is right or software that lets them compress curves wrong. into a vertical type log and fit them back into “The geosteering company provides a vertical correlation. us with a second set of eyes looking at the “It helps us by allowing us to visualize data,” he continued. “This provides us with formation dip changes,” he said. “Even a comfort level that’s very important and when you go across faults they’re able to very valuable. match you up with where you faulted to, “It’s also a very cost-effective solution.” which can be especially difficult. “In the Woodford, where you have faults Advances in technology and software help “geosteerers” visualize formation dip changes. Tackling Complex Geology that are smaller scale than the 3-D seismic can see, you’re not expecting these faults XTO also has used it in coalbed methane its lengthy history and a bevy of longtime Chief Oil & Gas has had myriad and they can pick them up fairly quickly,” plays and currently is applying it in some of experienced consultants on the roster, the occasions to apply the geosteering process Slayden noted. their sand plays in the Permian Basin. company is often called on to do just that. in various plays. “It’s a tool to visualize where we are in a There is a relatively new trend for a Slayden opted to take a different They drilled several hundred horizontal vertical sense while drilling horizontally.” company such as HSI to take on the entire approach. wells in the Barnett shale play using HSI Besides using this tool in various shales, geosteering process for a client. Given “My people and HSI both provide an personnel, according to Steve Collins, geologist at Chief’s Carrollton-based office just outside of Dallas. He noted that in some areas where they operate, the geology is “calm” so that landing the laterals and staying on target is pretty much a slam-dunk. This is not the case in the Marcellus shale, where Chief has been drilling for about six years. “In some areas in Pennsylvania, the geology is very complex across some of our leases,” Collins noted. “There are very large thrust faults, so landing those laterals and keeping them on our centerline target can be challenging. “The primary tool we use for geosteering in Pennsylvania is the LWD gamma ray log,” he said. “It’s great for steering there because you have obvious gamma ray signatures in the Marcellus that can be mapped for miles across counties.” Collins noted they monitor the geosteering, but HSI assumes the principle responsibility for the steering. “They’re part of our geo-team and are very valuable to us,” he said. “This frees up our geologists for other duties, so it’s very cost efficient, too.” Pre-planning is key to successful geosteering, and Collins offered a concise summary of their approach: “We acquire 3-D and interpret it, and the lateral is based on this,” he said. “We want to go around large thrust faults and areas with high bed dips, and the geophysicist(s) will interpret this along the lateral based on 3-D. This information goes to the geosteerer so he knows what to expect. “When we start drilling, we use the LWD gamma ray, generally putting it in at kick-off point,” Collins continued. “That gamma ray data are periodically transferred to the HSI geosteerer who has the gamma ray data from a nearby pilot hole that drilled vertically through the entire Marcellus section. “As he’s (steering) horizontally with the gamma ray readings, he’s interpreting stratigraphically where he is and (the driller) will make adjustments with the bit, going up or down to stay on centerline target. “On reaching TD, we review the HSI interpretation of where the lateral has landed, what the bed dips were, whether any faults were cut. We take this interpretation and compare to what the geophysicist(s) indicated we would see based on 3-D. “In the majority of cases, the two have compared very closely. We have a lot of confidence that we know exactly where the lateral has landed along section, where a fault may have been encountered. As we place the frac stages in the Marcellus, we know where to place them. “The HSI interpretation also helps to determine where not to frac, such as where we cut a fault,” he said. “We’ll skip across

the faulted interval.” EXPLORER 22 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 23 EXPLORERAAPG creating a type well log for the section Colors by running a Chromalog,” Kneis added. from page 16 “When you start drilling offset wells, you’ll be able to correlate them to the type log.”

For an example, Ellington mentioned Steering Toward Success that his company is working with an operator who is moving to a new location Geosteering would seem to be a in its general operations area and wants tool that can benefit significantly from to map out a new color chart, basically on ChromaStratigraphy technology. the two pilot holes they will be drilling. “In 90 percent of the wells being drilled “When they go horizontal, their colors now in unconventional resources, people will be locked in for the organic event are steering with one data point, and where they like to go horizontal in the that’s the gamma ray off their pilot or offset Eagle Ford,” he said. “When you’re in a wells,” Kneis said. “Where you’re trying new area you have to create a type well to stay in zone on an important well, the log, just as with an exploration well when Chromalog gives them a second data you run suites of well logs and create a point that is inflexible. type well log where you make zonations “We have the color chart already based on changes, events your well logs established in the trend, and the color will see. Users say that ChromaStratigraphy technology provides additional data points that prove is what it is,” he noted. “The computer “We’re adding additional data tracks, valuable when horizontal wells and geosteering are in use. sees it and locks the color in and can tell you exactly when you get out of section, whether you’ve faulted up or down.” Geosteering application is possible because the data analysis can be done close to real time either at the well site or in the lab. Ellington noted that their chromatic analysis technique also can function as a quickly-available proxy for total organic carbon in addition to its value for stratigraphic identification and correlation. Besides numerous domestic shale plays and other plays, including overseas, the company is using its technology in legacy wells in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to assist with correlations in conventional reservoirs. “We can go back and pull samples out of storage that were drilled 20 years ago or whenever,” Kneis said. “Using ChromaStratigraphy, we can create well logs from cuttings on older wells to correlate with new things people are wanting to do. “We have also taken outcrops like the Eagle Ford and related those back to the

subsurface.” EXPLORER RMS and Eastern Section Name Levorsen Winners inners of the A.I. Levorsen Award have been announced Wfor two recent AAPG Section meetings. The Levorsen Award is given to the presenter of the paper judged to be the best at its respective Section meeting.

u For the Eastern Section meeting, held in Cleveland, the Levorsen Award goes to AAPG member Hannes E. Leetaru, with the Illinois State Geological Survey in Champaign, Ill. His paper was titled “Carbon Capture and Storage and Precambrian Topography in the Illinois Basin.” His co-author was Robert Finley, also with the Illinois State Geological Survey in Champaign.

u For the Rocky Mountain Section meeting, held in Grand Junction, Colo., the Levorsen Award goes to AAPG member Timothy Nesheim, with the North Dakota Geological Survey in Bismark, N.D. His paper was titled “Examination of Source Rocks Within the Tyler Formation (Pennsylvanian), North Dakota.” His co-author was Stephan Nordeng, also with the North Dakota Geological

Survey in Bismark. EXPLORER

24 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 25 EXPLORERAAPG

26 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 EXPLORERAAPG

DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 27 EXPLORERAAPG Gerald Friedman again is part of Epstein’s life NYC Member Stayed – And Survived Sandy By BARRY FRIEDMAN, EXPLORER Correspondent

oly #&!@. I lost my cable!” Deli, “is I told Peggy, I told the authorities, For Samuel Epstein, a ‘We’re not going through this again. “H32-year AAPG member “I told the authorities, ‘We’re not We’re staying home.’ And the city said, and delegate for New York state and ‘Fine, you want to stay, you’re on your surrounding areas who resides in an going through this again. We’re own.’ Then, they evacuated, but not area that was ravaged by nature’s horrific staying home.’ And the city said, ‘Fine, before saying, ‘Do not, DO NOT, call us. forces, that’s when he knew the now We’re not coming for you.” infamous Hurricane Sandy was serious. you want to stay, you’re on your own.” Hours later, he saw the barometric (If you’re asking yourself, “Only then?” pressure at 940 mb, a number he had you’re not alone.) EPSTEIN never seen before. “I’m watching television,” he recalls, “This wasn’t good.” “and then … nothing.” He also has had more than 27 I said, ‘#*&^ that!’” And the bridge off the island was First, a little history. publications in referenced scientific To talk to Epstein is to feel like you’re closed – nobody in or out – and a crazy Before Epstein’s house was turned journals concerning petroleum talking to Bobby Bacala from The storm was coming. over to insurance adjusters, he lived in exploration, production and – wait for Sopranos; he’s funny, acerbic, laughs “Yeah, I had been watching the Rockaway Beach in New York, situated it – in the September 2007 issue of the loud and grew up on the lower East Side Weather Channel, but when I saw that on the Rockaway Peninsula in New York Journal of Carbonates and Evaporites, of Manhattan Island. reading, I knew I had miscalculated.” City, in the borough of Queens. the effects of global warming on sea level “We had no heat, tenement lifestyle ... Then, the power went out and I It is on the South Shore of Long Island changes. Far from the masses, far from the elitists,” thought to myself, ‘Now, pal, you’re – and in late October it was Sandy’s He knows, he knows ... he says of his childhood. &$@%#^.’” WELCOME mat. So why didn’t he evacuate when He talks of it with warmth and The storm started to howl, and he The smart ones residing there he heard the warnings of Sandy’s fast- fondness. started thinking of Bruce Springsteen’s evacuated. approaching arrival? This too: he’s a devoted Jew, fluid in “I’m on Fire:” Now senior vice president of He laughs about it now (sort of). the Talmud, the text of Jewish law. “At night I wake up with the sheets investments and wealth management Two words: Irene and stubbornness. All of that plays into this story, too; all soaking wet/ adviser for Merrill Lynch, Epstein, “Previous experience worked against of that changed. And a freight train running through the who has a master’s in geology from me,” he said from his cellphone, weeks Middle of my head” Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – that after the event, as he waits, yes, for the Lost In the Flood connection matters to this story – had cable guy. He felt that train – and he saw the been a senior petroleum geologist for “Look,” he says, only a bit defensively. Epstein doesn’t scare easily, so when ocean coming down the street, so he Cities Service Oil and Gas and Getty Oil. “I had lived through Hurricane Irene. authorities told him to leave, he told them went down to his basement to check the He also is president of Geoval They told us to leave. We (he and his where they could put their evacuation. conditions. His Anderson Windows held, Consultants in New York City, and wife, Peggy) did – we spent two nights in A mistake. he says, but water was coming in from … executive director/consultant to Touro a hotel in Manhattan, but the storm was “So what happened,” he says, the walls. College regarding its Department of a dud. It was a non-event; so when they his accent as thick as a corned beef Earth and Environmental Studies. told us again to leave days before Sandy, sandwich from NYC’s famed Carnegie See Sandy, page 30

28 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 29 EXPLORERAAPG “The full collection of by on the street below. Twelve- Sandy Talmud,” Epstein says of the text foot waves were breaking against from page 28 of Jewish law he owned. “There houses. were treasures, too. Gone.” “If I die,” I thought, “I’m going He takes a breath. And to die,” says the man who lived It was all gone. then like a fighter shaking off a through both attacks on the World Numerous amounts of priceless maps, bad round, Epstein comes out, Trade Center – he was in the first edition books and, worse, work he did swinging. building both times, 1993 and 2001. with his old friend, his mentor from RPI, the “But it’s irrelevant. It’s gone, Both times he made his way out. late Gerald Friedman. it’s gone.” FRIEDMAN There was no way out, only up, Friedman, whom Epstein calls the father He made his way upstairs; and he didn’t want to go. of geology in Israel, brought Epstein into Peggy was still downstairs, hoping to grab “I didn’t want to go into the attic. There geology, brought him to Israel to work in the a valuable flash drive, when the water burst were no windows, I didn’t want to box Eliat. He gave the eulogy when Friedman through the back door. myself in. The house, the sky, the island was died, and now their work together – papers, “The door came at her like a surf board,” rocking. research, maps, charts – was floating like he said. “I told my wife it would stop by nine. It fish in a bowl. They moved upstairs. has to.” “He molded me,” Epstein says of his “If it’s a hurricane during full moon, it’s a It didn’t. mentor. perfect storm.” Not until midnight. The more he sloshed around the This was perfect. Somehow, he fell asleep, at around three Epstein’s neighborhood: The damage that basement, the more he saw what was no From their bedroom window, they could that morning. When he looked out the next Hurricane Sandy wrought was devastating. more. see living room furniture and cars going morning, he saw a NO STANDING sign covered in water. It was 13 feet tall. He made his way outside. A refrigerator was floating by; his two cars were underwater. It was just day one.

The Ties That Bind

The next days were a blur. No power, no heat, no cable. “No cable, no reason to live, right?” he asks. There was no telephone service, no Chinese delivery. But then his cell rang. As if out of a movie, it was Gerald Friedman’s daughter, Judy Rosen, who lives in Forest Hills, N.Y., which is farther inland. Before the hurricane even arrived she had asked if he needed a place to stay. Now, he needed a place, period. His house was full of sand and ocean and floating memories – and the Friedman family once again was about to be an important part of his life. Epstein’s son was able to get through to Sam and Peggy’s house, put them in his car and drove them to the Rosen’s residence – where they stayed for a week. As far as the Rosen’s were concerned, they could have stayed for a year. “It’s the kind of people they are,” Epstein says of Stuart and Judy Rosen. “There were 14 people in their household for seven days,” says the man who, once again, recalled the tenement on the east side of Manhattan and all the families living together, also out of necessity. Of both times, he says, “it was beautiful.”

Epilogue

Epstein has moved to Brooklyn, where he’ll likely be for at least a year. And sure, he regrets not leaving when he had the chance – but he maintains, “Previous experience worked against me.” And that article on sea level change that he wrote for the 2007 Journal of Carbonates and Evaporites? He plans on writing an update. But for now, Peggy is safe, his friends, his three children, two grandchildren – all safe. Something else is, too. “Did you hear?” he asks. “A guy on Rockaway had a Torah that washed away. They found it two hours later two blocks away in a swimming pool.” And then he laughs. You can hear him smile. He has to go.

The cable guy has arrived. EXPLORER 30 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 31 Edith Allison, director of AAPG’s Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C., can be contacted at [email protected]; or by telephone at 1-202-643-6533. EXPLORERAAPG WASHINGTONWATCH The Year That Was(n’t) – D.C. Action Was Rare By EDITH ALLISON, GEO-DC Director

he 112th Congress (January 2011 total represents less than 2 percent of bills to January 2013) has passed little introduced. Tlegislation – in fact, it set a record for At least some of the bills u Of those 179, 21 percent were to inactivity, and no bills impacting petroleum rename a federal building. exploration and production have been introduced into the 112th Congress u In comparison, the 110th Congress, passed. which introduced a record 14,000 bills, A few pieces of legislation, however, are likely to be reintroduced in the passed 460, or 3.3 percent, of which 32 have passed either the Senate or the House percent renamed a federal building. and could be resurrected in the lame-duck future and some may become law. This lack of accomplishment, according session, starting after the Nov. 6 election, ALLISON to most pundits and citizens, reflects a or could be reintroduced in the 113th body that is highly polarized and that lacks Congress in 2013. introduced. houses of Congress. a large cadre of members committed to A look at what has been accomplished u Twenty-five bills relating to oil and u One hundred seventy nine bills have compromise. Given the historic inaction, so far in the 112th Congress is revealing: gas exploration and production have been passed both houses of Congress and Congress is unlikely to pass any energy bills u Slightly over 10,000 bills have been introduced, but none have passed both been signed into law by the president. That in the lame-duck session, between the Nov. 6 elections and when the next Congress starts on Jan. 3, 2013.

* * *

What follows is a summary of oil and gas exploration and production legislation that was introduced into the 112th Congress. This serves as not only a history lesson, but a predictive tool. At least some of the bills introduced into the 112th Congress are likely to be reintroduced in the future and some may become law.

u Many bills were introduced while a controversial issue was in the news. For example, in the first year of the 112th Congress bills were introduced in both the House (H.R.1084) and Senate (S. 587) to repeal the oil industry exemption to the Safe Drinking Water Act and require that companies disclose the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. This was when the movie “Gasland” had recently come out and fracking with a “k” had just entered the popular lexicon. Both bills have been ignored by Congress since they were introduced in early 2011.

u In May 2012 the Bureau of Land Management announced draft regulations that would require proof of wellbore integrity (a cement bond log) before a well on federal land could be hydraulically fractured. This action stimulated the introduction of a suite of bills that would allow states to regulate wells on federal lands: 3 H.R. 4322, to clarify that a state has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on federal land within the boundaries of the state. 3 H.R. 6235, Federal Lands Energy Regulatory Certainty Act of 2012. 3 S. 2248, Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act. None of these bills has made it to the first step of a committee hearing.

u Of 25 oil and gas exploration and production bills introduced, 14 of the bills would require the government to increase leasing of federal lands, onshore and offshore, and Native American lands. For example, H.R. 1230, Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, would require a lease sale of lands offshore Virginia, and H.R. 4301, the Energy Exploration and Production to Achieve National Demand Act, would repeal the drilling moratorium in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. H.R. 1231, Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act, would require lease sales in the Atlantic Ocean,

See Washington, page 34 32 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 33 EXPLORERAAPG 3 A resource assessment of NPR-A by Washington the U.S. Geological Survey. Save the Date: Congressional from page 32 This bill reflects another common theme in energy legislation introduced over the years: A government assessment of the Visits Day Set for April 15-17 Pacific Ocean and eastern Gulf of Mexico. undiscovered resource is required on the Legislation to open the eastern Gulf of assumption that the information will stimulate APG has tentatively scheduled and briefing materials. Mexico has been introduced in the past but or accelerate development. its next Congressional Visits Day CVD will start with an afternoon has never gained much traction, perhaps The value of this requirement is dubious. A(CVD) for April 15-17. briefing on how Congress works and the because the citizens of Florida, regardless Resource assessments of the 1002 Area of CVD provides an opportunity for legislative process; ways to make your of their political affiliations, oppose drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the AAPG members to discuss petroleum visits successful; and issues that are close to their shores. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf have not science and energy issues with of concern to Washington. The second stimulated new leasing. decision makers in the legislative and day will be devoted to small-group visits u Several of the bills impacting leasing executive branches of the federal to executive branch offices, and the apply specifically to Alaska federal lands u Three of the energy bills specify government. It also is an exciting third day will be devoted to small-group and waters. For example, H.R. 2150, the actions to improve the federal permitting introduction to the world of politics that visits to congressional offices. National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPR-A) process. For example, H.R. 4383, will provide you with tools to use at the For more information, contact Edith Access Act, would require: Streamlining Permitting of American local and state levels once you return Allison, AAPG’s GEO-DC director, at 3 At least one lease sale per year in Energy Act of 2012; H.R. 945, Streamlining home. [email protected]. NPR-A. America's Various Energy Needs Act; and AAPG staff will schedule the 3 Timely development of surface H.R. 1115, Streamlining America's Various meetings, as well as provide training infrastructure to support oil production. Energy Needs Act, would have federal agencies expedite their permit approval process.

u Finally, several bills were introduced and one passed (H.R. 3765, Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, Public Law 112-78) to force the president to quickly approve the application for the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas. The president did not approve the initial application, but the pipeline permitting process is continuing – haltingly. Although the controversy continues and is extensively covered by the news media, the issue has not generated any legislation

since December 2011. EXPLORER

Photo courtesy of PeterROd via flickr.com Call for Papers Remains Open For Cartagena ICE he call for papers remains open for the next AAPG International TConference and Exhibition, which will be held Sept. 8-11 in Cartagena, Colombia. The meeting theme is “Energy for Integration and Prosperity.” Victor Vega, with Equion Energia Ltd., in Bogota, D.C., Colombia, is the general chair. The technical program will feature six main themes. They are: u Latin American Basins and Petroleum Systems. u Unconventional Resources. u Challenges in Heavy Oil. u Mature Fields. u Deep Water Exploration and Production. u Environmental Geology. In addition to these will be a “special session” on the History of Petroleum Geology, chaired by Hans Kraus – editor of the EXPLORER’s monthly “Historical Highlights” column – and Daniel Truempy. The deadline for abstract submittal is Jan. 18. To submit an abstract, or for more information on ICE 2013, go to

www.aapg.org/cartagena2013. EXPLORER

34 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 35 The Geophysical Corner is a regular column in the EXPLORER, edited by Satinder Chopra, chief geophysicist for Arcis Seismic Solutions, Calgary, Canada, and a past AAPG-SEG Joint Distinguished Lecturer. This month’s column deals with quantifying facies variation. EXPLORERAAPG GEOPHYSICALCORNER A Solid Step Toward Accurate Interpretations By SATINDER CHOPRA and RITESH KUMAR SHARMA n last month’s structure or the subsurface compaction Geophysical Corner trend. As these low frequencies are not Iwe discussed the present in the seismic data, the impedance unsupervised seismic traces derived from the seismic do not waveform classification exhibit the compaction trend that the method, which provides impedance logs do. qualitative information When seismic data are transformed into on lithology in terms impedance values, the low frequency trend of facies variation in a usually is added from outside – say, from the given subsurface target CHOPRA available impedance logs. By doing so, the zone. derived impedance values will have a range While this information of values similar to the value range exhibited is useful, more work by the impedance log curves. needs to be done for Such a method is termed as absolute characterizing such acoustic impedance inversion. formations of interest in In figure 1, the addition of the low- terms of porosity and frequency trend is demonstrated to the fluid content. For this inverted impedance trace from seismic. purpose, impedance Sometimes it is not possible to determine inversion of seismic the low frequency trend accurately, which data could be used, SHARMA possibly could be due to the unavailability which essentially means of the log data. In such cases, the derived transforming seismic amplitudes into impedance range will be devoid of the impedance values. compaction trend, but would still exhibit the This month we discuss here such relative variation of the impedance values. impedance characterization of the Such a method is termed as relative formations of interest. acoustic impedance inversion.

* * * * * * Figure 1

Seismic signals have a narrow frequency Impedance trace derived Low frequency trend Impedance trace derived In the last Geophysical Corner bandwidth, say 8-80 Hz. Frequencies below from seismic. (in red) derived from from seismic with the low we discussed the seismic waveform 8 or 10 Hz are lost either by bandpass impedance log (in black). frequency trend as in (b). classification method for describing the filtering circuits in the recording instruments facies variation of Middle Jurassic Doig or while processing of seismic data to Sonic logs, on the other hand, have a While the high frequencies show the sandstones in Western Canada. We eliminate the low frequency noise usually very broad frequency bandwidth, extending high-resolution information on the log, the present in the data. from 0 to well over many kilohertz. low frequencies exhibit the basic velocity Continued on next page

36 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Continued from previous page pick up the same example to determine the changes of impedance in the Doig sandstones in a lateral sense, which would be reflective of the porosity changes. In figure 2a we show a horizon slice from the relative acoustic impedance volume derived from the input data volume. Within the sand boundary (in black), there are variations in impedance. We also computed the absolute acoustic impedance on the same volume, which is shown in figure 2b. Though the overall impedance pattern still appears more-or- less the same, there is a significant variation in the impedance (red color) within the sand boundary. Figure 2 – Horizon slice through the (a) relative acoustic impedance volume Figure 3 – Equivalent horizon slice to that of * * * (b) absolute acoustic impedance volume passing through the Doig sandstone. figure 2, through the relative acoustic impedance volume generated from thin-bed reflectivity The May 2008 Geophysical Corner derived from the input seismic volume. described a thin-bed reflectivity inversion method that outputs a reflectivity series –and demonstrates that the apparent resolution of the inversion output is superior to the resolution of the input seismic data used to generate the reflectivity response. This aspect makes the method ideal for detailed delineation and characterization of thin reservoirs. We derived the reflectivity from the seismic data used for generating the impedance displays in figure 2, and then generated relative acoustic impedance from it. The result is shown in figure ,3 where the impedance variation exhibits a pattern that is more focused than the impedance variation in figure 2a and similar to that in 2b – but superior. The main reason for this is probably the absence of the seismic wavelet in the data used to derive the relative acoustic impedance in figure 3. Impedance inversion on highly resolved seismic data retrieved in the form of reflectivity is useful for making accurate interpretations, and so proves advantageous.

We thank Arcis Seismic Solutions for

permission to present this work. EXPLORER

Editor’s note: Chopra and Sharma are both with Arcis Seismic Solutions, Calgary, Canada. Call for Papers Issued for IPTC '14 he call for papers has been issued for the seventh International TPetroleum Technology Conference, set Jan. 20-22, 2014, in Doha, Qatar. The theme for the multi-society event will be “Unlocking Energy Through Innovation, Technology and Capability.” IPTCs are sponsored by AAPG, SEG, SPE and EAGE, rotating yearly between Doha and the Asia Pacific region. The 2013 IPTC will be held March 26-28 in Beijing, China. Proposed technical topics are: u E&P Geoscience Challenges. u Reservoir. u Drilling and Completion. u Production and Operations. u Engineering Projects and Facilities. u Field Development. u Mid-Stream Gas. u Over-Arching Industry Issues – HSE, Security, Human Resources, Business and Social Challenges. The call for papers deadline is April 12. To submit an abstract, or for more

information, go to iptcnet.org. EXPLORER

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 37 Historical Highlights is an ongoing EXPLORER series that celebrates the “eureka” moments of petroleum geology, the rise of key concepts, the discoveries that made a difference, the perseverance and ingenuity of our colleagues – and/or their luck! – through stories that emphasize the anecdotes, the good yarns and the human interest side of our E&P profession. If you have such a story – and who doesn’t? – and you’d like to share it with your fellow AAPG members, contact Hans Krause at [email protected]. EXPLORERAAPG HISTORICALHIGHLIGHTS Entrepeneurs Finished the Falklands’ Story By PHIL RICHARDS

xploration success in the harsh waters around the Falkland Islands – a self- Egoverning British Overseas Territory disputed by neighboring Argentina – has taken considerable time to achieve, but is now starting to prove to have been worth the wait. With just 22 wells drilled and seven discoveries made during the latest drilling campaign since early 2010, the Islands’ oil potential has been transformed from the nadir days of the 1998 oil price crash, which saw the likes of Shell, Amerada Hess, Teikoku, Murphy, Fina and Lasmo withdraw from the area after drilling just six holes with Photo courtesy of Norman Clarke various shows but no discoveries. When the Falkland Islands government Figure 2 – Colin Phipps, center, with other oil company representatives in the government launched its first – and to date, only – offices in Stanley, Falkland Islands, 2007. From left: Bruce Ferrar, Howard Obee (both Borders competitive licensing round in 1995, only the and Southern Petroleum); John Hogan (Argos Resources), Lewis Clifton, Ian Duncan and Colin relatively shallow water blocks to the north of Phipps (all Desire Petroleum); Sam Moody (Rockhopper); Tim Bushell (Falkland Oil and Gas the Islands, in less than 500 meters of water, Ltd); David Bodecott (Rockhopper); Stephen Luxton (ex FOGL, now director, Falkland Islands were deemed to be either attractive enough Figure 1 – Licences now and in 1995. Mineral Resources); and Stephen Phipps (Desire Petroleum). or technically feasible to explore. Shell, Hess and Lasmo, with their associated partners subsequent years changed the path of British Parliament, and as a backbench And there things laid, and possibly of the time, took the lion’s share of the more exploration in the region and led eventually MP in the 1970s had traveled to the might have stayed, until he came along to attractive acreage, amidst relatively fierce to the present brink of production that the Falklands and Argentina on a Parliamentary a lecture that I presented to the Petroleum competition for the perceived prized blocks Islands now anticipate. fact-finding mission, partly to investigate Exploration Society of Great Britain in 1993 (see figure 1). attitudes around what he perceived to in an attempt to promote early exploration of Remember, this was in an era when Phipps Finds the Potential be “deeply entrenched and persistent the region. the large and mid-sized companies still folklore in the Falklands that the Islands Phipps rekindled his interest in the engaged in wildcat exploration of frontier Typical of the early entrepreneurs was are underlain and surrounded by vast Islands and successfully applied for all the areas! the late Colin Phipps, a petroleum geologist accumulations of oil.” less attractive acreage around the periphery A couple of entrepreneurs, with disparate who had built Clyde Petroleum from a small Phipps’ own 1977 geological analysis of the highly prized northern basin, knowing reasons for having business interests in consulting company in the 1970s to one of the potential was that it was immediately that no government in those days would the Islands, also entered the game at this of the United Kingdom’s largest and most obvious that “there has been remarkably lease its most attractive acreage to a stage, and with several more like-minded successful independents. little geological work of any kind carried out individuals who were to follow them in Phipps also was once a Member of the in the Islands.” See Falklands, page 40

38 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 39 Editor’s note: Phil Richards is the petroleum manager at the British Geological Survey, and has been the principal technical adviser to the Falkland Islands government since 1992. He was instrumental in developing and marketing the framework for exploration activity around the Falklands and has been involved with all technical aspects of the exploration of the region, and the development of work programs, since then. He also worked extensively as a consultant on the UK Continental Shelf, in South America, the Caribbean, the USA and West Africa, and has published widely on basin analysis and exploration topics. This article is published by permission of the Executive Director BGS (NERC) and the Department of Mineral Resources, Falkland Islands Government. EXPLORERAAPG Falklands New Targets for a New Century from page 38 Phipps and Desire Petroleum worked tirelessly with the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the regulators in the newly formed and fledgling independent Falkland Islands Mineral Resources company set up, as his new vehicle Department for the next decade to kick- Desire Petroleum was, to exploit just the start exploration again after the price Falklands opportunity. crash. With some persistence and In a paper written with a colleague from forethought, Phipps also managed to take Shell in 2000, I identified how the basin’s a small equity position with Lasmo in a best remaining potential lay adjacent to couple of the more prized blocks at the the eastern rift margin, and with Desire time. we set about trying to identify sand entry When the first six wells, drilled in 1998, points, acquire new 3-D data and find an proved a working oil and a separate Figure 3 – Amplitude and seismic drape of Sea Lion field. affordable deep water semi-sub to drill at gas petroleum system in the Cretaceous an affordable price. lacustrine rift basin to the north of the Desire’s 3-D data identified numerous Islands, everyone thought that we were on barrel – led to the majors pulling out of the couple of fishing industry entrepreneurs, basin margin targets, and in 2010 Desire the brink of exploration success. basin, leaving their small-equity partners, holding some of the prime acreage in the eventually found a rig to drill in the region The vagaries of the oil price, however the likes of Desire Petroleum and Argos northern rift basin, with its proven world again. However, not before another – and its 1998 crash to less than $10 per Resources, a local company started by a class lacustrine source rock. entrepreneur – this time a complete industry outsider, and a lawyer to boot, but with other Falklands business interests – had convinced the regulator to licence to him the ex-Shell acreage, where Shell in 1988 had encountered live oil coating their logging tools as they pulled out of their second hole and, as it transpired, out of the basin itself (figure 2). That entrepreneurial lawyer, Richard Visick, with an eye for a Shell walk-away and sensing a great opportunity, set up Rockhopper exploration, shot his own 3-D across the eastern basin margin and, following the promotional literature from the regulator’s department that suggested looking for basin margin sands, signed up to Desire’s drilling campaign and set about drilling the potential basin margin fans immediately to the east of Shell’s oil shows (figure 3). The rest, as they say, is history, with the resulting Sea Lion discovery (STOIIP, about 1.2 billion barrels) currently being readied for development by Premier Oil.

Bold Steps Forward

Despite the industry’s reluctance to take a punt in the deeper water blocks east and south of the Islands in 1995, the government embarked on a successful open-door invitation in the early 2000s, and attracted two more gambling entrepreneurs into the area, stepping boldly where the majors feared to tread. Borders and Southern Petroleum was set up by the Scottish mining millionaire Harry Dobson, who had trained as a farmer in his younger days, and developed a Falkland’s interest during a cruise ship visit there; the company went on to make the first deepwater discovery south of the Islands when it spudded the Darwin gas condensate field discovery well earlier this year. Similarly, Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd, which was the brainchild of the late legendary Australian entrepreneur and share promoter Alan Burns – who had founded Hardman Resources previously in Perth and subsequently the Bahamas Petroleum Company – went on to claim the Loligo gas discovery this past September, on acreage that had recently been farmed into by the Italian giant Edison. Entrepreneurs make a real difference, particularly those with an emotional attachment to a concept or a place. And as in many places worldwide – where the majors went but gave up early – there have been rich pickings around the Falkland Islands for those small, aggressive companies willing to take a punt, believe in the geology, work closely with the regulator and invest in frontier

exploration. EXPLORER 40 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 41 EXPLORERAAPG SPOTLIGHTON Wigley’s Vision: Making Data More Accessible By BARRY FRIEDMAN, EXPLORER Correspondent

n the valued storage areas of AAPG Instant Delivery offices in Tulsa, in electronic files and Idatabases, cabinets and binders and “What would be really good, To do that, obviously, he had to first make loose leaf folders and online archives a deep index from which users could mine. there are approximately a half million instead of just accessing this archive That body now consists of 550,000 entries maps, photos, AAPG BULLETINs, – with 10,000 more entries coming on each AAPG publications, well logs and other from a text search, is if people could year – and within those entries are layers important geoscience information. access the archive from a map.” and layers of additional information. To cull through it all – separating, if He uses the word “metadata,” a word he you will, the wheat from the chaff – is time WIGLEY says he hates, but nonetheless describes consuming, inefficient, frustrating and DEO. often fruitless. digital “deep indexing program” that will the information online,” he said, “you “It’s data about the data.” And it’s heavy. euphemistically cram reams of paper go into a little search screen, click the At the moment, this system’s details Helping AAPG move deeper into the and materials into a desktop Geospatial boxes you want to search, and if you’re are still evolving, but he says DEO will be 21st century is Datapages Inc., a wholly Information System (GIS) application lucky, something comes up and you find available as a subscription and will be owned subsidiary of AAPG that is the so users could have ready access to something. “really dynamic.” With all the good work digital publisher for both AAPG and the material – all the material, or just the “If you’re not, you get nothing,” he out there, he says, especially in the area of the geoscience community. It digitally material that was needed. quickly added. “I mean, it’s ok, but it’s a (Search and Discovery), “we need to be on captures geological publications –­ He was a natural for the director role little clunky.” top of that.” including the services of the Archives, because: Well, he wants the possibility of that Wigley emphasizes again – in fact, he Search and Discovery and GIS-UDRIL u He has enormous, world renowned “nothing” to go away. And he hates clunky. did so on a number of occasions during the – and archives them to electronic media, expertise in the area. “What would be really good,” he said, interview – that it is the deep index that will thereby ensuring their future viability. u DEO, basically, was his idea. “instead of just accessing this archive from be the most prized possession and most And helping Datapages get that job a text search, is if people could access the difficult hurdle of DEO done is AAPG member Peter Wigley. Going Deeper archive from a map.” “It’s the creation that took forever,” Wigley Wigley, a London-based consultant, With the map as the interface – the says of the index, which began in the 1990s. is a long-time director on the Datapages Wigley’s vision for DEO was and is to actual browser – he hopes that users will One of its special features is called “geo board – and an expert in data use cutting-edge technology to make data be able to go “deep, deep down” into the referencing,” which entails tagging a map acquisition, storage and utilization. It was and other information easily accessible to archive itself. so it can be pulled into a GIS application only natural that he be named director all geoscientists. “We don’t want to stop at the title, and used with other map layers. of the soon-to-be-launched Datapages And it’s not that there wasn’t because embedded into the article are lots “But you need to add the coordinates Exploration Objects (DEO) initiative. information already to be found online; the of figures, namely maps, seismic sections, so it lines up in all the right places,” says DEO, an exciting and potentially problem was it was cumbersome, difficult cross sections, core photographs … a AAPG member Ron Hart, AAPG Datapages significant advancement for data- to locate and, once discovered, often whole suite of things called expiration manager. seeking geoscientists everywhere, incomplete. objects. promises to be what Wigley calls a “At the moment, if you want to access “We want to get right down into that.” Continued on next page

42 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG PROFESSIONALnewsBRIEFS

Clarence P. Cazalot Jr. has been elected Stephen Hermeston, to chief technical Barnett district, Chesapeake Energy, Daniel B. Williams, to senior chairman of the American Petroleum officer, White Rose Energy Ventures, Oklahoma City. development geologist, Suncor Energy Institute’s Board of Directors. His one-year London, England. Previously chief Norge, Stavanger, Norway. Previously senior term begins Jan. 1. Cazalot is president and executive officer, CGX Energy, Houston. Sharon Mosher is the 2013 president geologist, 3-D reservoir characterization, CEO of Marathon Oil in Houston. of the American Geosciences Institute. Envision, Stavanger, Norway. Richard Loftin, to senior staff Mosher is dean and the William Stamps John Cryan, to principal geophysicist, geologist, Apache Corp., Houston. Farish Chair at the Jackson School of Mark Yarlot, to manager of geology, Tullow Oil, London, England. Previously Previously geologist, Ballard Exploration, Geosciences at the University of Texas at Hathaway, Bakersfield, Calif. Previously geophysicist, Anadarko Algeria, Hassi Houston. Austin. geological adviser, Vintage Production Messaoud, Algeria. California, Bakersfield, Calif. James McIlroy, to senior Scott Pinsonnault, to director, Deloitte Robin Dean, to geological manager, explorationist-east Carpathians group, CRG, Dallas. Previously vice president, (Editor’s note: “Professional News Briefs” PRE Resources, Denver. Previously OMV Petrom S.A., Bucharest, Romania. SFC Energy Partners, Denver. includes items about members’ career moves geological manager, Gasco Energy, Previously senior seismic interpreter, and the honors they receive. To be included, Denver. Petroleum Development Oman, Muscat, Berry H. “Nick” Tew Jr. is president- please send information in the above format Oman. elect of the American Geosciences to Professional News Briefs, c/o AAPG Rusty Gilbert, to technical services Institute. Tew is the state geologist of EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101; manager, Chevron, Moon Township, Allen Middleman, to geology manager- Alabama and director of the Geological or fax, 918-560-2636; or e-mail, smoore@aapg. Pa. Previously earth science mentor, east region, Denbury Resources, Plano, Survey of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. org; or submit directly from the AAPG website, CABGOC, Malongo, Angola. Texas. Previously geoscience manager- www.aapg.org/explorer/pnb_forms.cfm.)

Continued from previous page

“It used to be, you buy a text book, you had just the book,” Hart said, “but now you have all the supporting information online.” According to Hart, with the old system, it could take users four-eight hours to even locate the map he or she wanted. “And now it can be done with a click of the mouse,” he said. It will be an Internet-based delivery system to customers, which will be quite a difference from, literally, the voluminous binders that companies used to receive from AAPG. Time is a big byproduct. Now, in keystrokes, people can access information that took hours – like extracting maps. “We literally used to ship it out to them in binders.” Hart added that users no longer want to wade through, literally, mounds and mounds of materials, maps and reports, which is why GIS applications are so in demand.

Give It Back

As you can imagine, to compile all this information in one place is not cheap. “It’s costing a huge amount of money bringing this stuff together and keeping it operational,” Hart said, explaining the reason the system will be a subscription service. “The idea is that they will get full global searching,” promising that those who use the system will be, in a sense, at an “all-you- can-eat buffet.” For the system to have any worth, though, it needs to be updated regularly. Both Wigley and Hart say this will be done on a monthly basis once DEO is up and running – something they both say will occur in March. Specifically, Wigley says a company in India is working on converting file formats from images to georectified map layers. For Wigley, who created a similar index for the Exploration Fabric of Africa Project and who’s now a bit closer to retirement, says he can see the light at the end of this digital tunnel. “The bones of the index have been established, so from there I have been able to create a 10-year test. “It’s payback time for me,” Wigley said on why he’s willing to spend the next part of his career in a sunny room at his Devonshire house, watching sheep in the field and building the database. “When you get to a certain age, and if you don’t like gardening – and I don’t – I want to do something,” he said. “I have been a member of AAPG since 1974, and

it’s time to give something back.” EXPLORER WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 43 Editor’s note: Regions and Sections is a regular column in the EXPLORER offering news for and about AAPG’s six international Regions and six domestic Sections. This month’s column was written by Ciaran Larkin, conference producer for AAPG’s London office. EXPLORERAAPG REGIONSandSECTIONS Inaugural event in Istanbul APPEX Regional Starts Strong By CIARAN LARKIN

early 200 attendees from 29 countries attended the inaugural NAPPEX Regional 2012 event, held Nov. 8-9 in Istanbul, Turkey, and organized in association with Turkey’s National Oil Company, TPAO. The participants came together to make deals and discuss challenges London, an established forum for those relating to the regional exploration looking to build partnerships and promote of eastern Europe, the eastern prospects for exploration and production Mediterranean region, the former Soviet all over the world. Union and northern Iraq. The inaugural APPEX Regional venue The event was built on the success of was Istanbul’s Ceylan Intercontinental the annual APPEX Global conference in Hotel. Tankers passing through the Bosphorus strait were clearly visible from the upper floors, emphasizing the region’s position as a hub of activity for the oil and gas industry. “TPAO was delighted to be the key sponsor of the first ever Regional APPEX event held in Istanbul, (which) brought together the right people from the region and beyond,” said Mehmet Uysal, TPAO chairman and president. “The excellent topical speaker sessions were invaluable and the networking opportunities were highly useful – and combined with the established APPEX format, ensured the deal making was a more straightforward process.” The program itself was split geographically, starting with a broad focus on central and eastern Europe and then diverging into specific sessions on the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, northern Iraq, the former Soviet Union and east Mediterranean. Highlights included: u Tony Hayward, CEO of Genel Energy, gave an account of his company’s exploration activities in Kurdistan and put forward a timeline for oil supply to Turkey. u Alex Jackson, political risk analyst for Menas Associates, spoke about maritime border issues in the Caspian Sea, providing an expert legal perspective on the prospects for diplomatic confrontation between countries that are building naval capacity in the region. u Lilit Cota, director of exploration projects in southeast Europe for INA, gave a presentation on offshore oil and gas exploration in Croatia with an emphasis on the Adriatic Sea, in particular, as well as additional information on the challenges of operating in a new legal environment. A unique aspect of APPEX is the popular prospect forum, which gives independent oil companies an opportunity to pitch current exploration opportunities to the audience. APPEX Regional 2012 featured a wide range of prospects from places such as Italy, Tunisia, the Sicily channel, Albania, the Arabian Sea and, of course, Turkey. A gala celebration dinner organized by TPAO was held the final day, and the attendees’ feedback was encouraging, including these comments: 3 “Participating in APPEX was really a pleasure for me. I had opportunities to listen to relevant presentations and meet a lot of experts.” 3 “Thanks for the excellent organization and for hosting us in Istanbul.” 3 “It was thoroughly enjoyable and useful, and all the delegates I spoke to about it said the same. Looking forward to

next year’s event already!” EXPLORER 44 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Deadlines Near Student Grants he application deadlines for AAPG GIA grants provide financial assistance Foundation grants available to to graduate students (currently enrolled Tundergraduate and graduate in master’s or doctorate programs) whose students are fast approaching. thesis research has application to the In all cases, the application form and search for and development of petroleum other information can be found online at and energy mineral resources, and/or to foundation.aapg.org/index.cfm. related environmental geology issues. There are 84 grants available, ranging u For the L. Austin Weeks in value from $500 to $3,000. Undergraduate Grants, the application New graduate grants this year include: deadline is Dec. 16. 3 John and Erika Lockridge Named New this year – an AAPG Foundation Grant – $3,000 for the Colorado School of committee will select a maximum of 67 Mines. students and AAPG Student Chapters 3 M. Ray Thomasson Named Grant – to receive a Weeks grant. Each selected $1,000 each for the University of Wisconsin chapter and student will receive $500. and University of Missouri. Chapters can nominate one student to 3 Martin D. Hewitt Named Grant apply online; please contact your faculty – $1,000 for McMasters University, adviser to be nominated. Canada. 3 Grants-in-Aid Committee Named u The Grants-in-Aid graduate grants Grant – $500 for the “Chairman’s Choice.” deadline is Jan. 13.

FOUNDATIONUPDATE Gunn Gives Million Dollar Gift By NATALIE ADAMS, AAPG Foundation Manager

he AAPG Foundation has meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. The received a $1 million gift from event, chaired by Don O’Nesky, TAAPG Honorary member included business meetings, and past AAPG president Bob recreational events, field trips Gunn, of Gunn Oil Co. in Wichita and various tours. Falls, Texas. Herb Davis received the Gunn also is one of the 2012 Chairman’s Award for founding Trustee Associates, his outstanding service to having joined in 1976, and he the Foundation. The award is has supported many of the GUNN given to recognize persons Foundation’s programs over his who have made extraordinary entire career. contributions, both monetary and service, His most recent gift was designated for to the Foundation. the Foundation’s General Fund. Trustee Associates officers for the Gunn, a nationally noted petroleum coming year also were announced. They geologist, was AAPG president in 1978. will be: He also is one of AAPG’s most honored p Dick Bishop, chair. members; awards include the Sidney p Rick Fritz, vice chair. Powers Memorial Award, AAPG’s highest p David Worthington will serve his honor, plus the Public Service Award and second term as secretary/treasurer. the DPA Heritage Award. The next Trustee Associates annual meeting will be held Sept. 22-25 at the * * * Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Wash. Information on joining the Trustee The AAPG Foundation Trustee Associates is available online, at

Associates recently held its 35th annual foundation.aapg.org. EXPLORER

Foundation (General) Awards Fund Fred A. and Jean C. Dix George Andrew Anderson III Michel T. Halbouty Named Grant Jessie Valdez Becerra Outstanding Leadership Award James E. Briggs Janet Brister Stephen A. Sonnenberg Harry Douglas Cowan Harry and Joy Jamison Named Grant Robert D. Cowdery Daniel A. Busch Library Fund Harrison C. Jamison In memory of Robert Gutru Anthony Reso In memory of R. Frederick Flege Edward Julian L. Davies In honor of Charles R. Stelck Digital Products Fund Herbert G. Davis and Shirley A. Davis Rodger Espy Denison Kansas State University Named Grant In memory of August Goldstein Jr. Amanda L. Cashman Herbert G. Davis William Frederick Dost Jr. In memory of Robert Gutru Edwin Harris East Oklahoma State University James Howard Frasher Alexander Ray Simms Jay M. McMurray Robert D. Gunn Memorial Grant-in-Aid Ronald A. Howard Rice University Linda Lebsack Sigrunn Johnsen Alexander Ray Simms In member of Jay M. McMurray Stephen Robert Kenney Amanda Lynne Kern Distinguished Lecture Fund Michael S. Johnson Named Grant David Ray Lemons Fernando J. Zuniga-Rivero Thomas Groves and Paulett Groves Gary Wayne Litschke In honor of Alfred G. Fischer John William Mason Robert K. Goldhammer In memory of Tom Lyons Education Fund Memorial Grant Kenneth Eugene Masters ExxonMobil Foundation Janok P. Bhattacharya Beverly Edith McMahon Matching gift/Philip Braithwaite Mark David Sonnenfeld Larry Nation Lawrence Harold Davis Richard Kelty Stoneburner Sergio Rivero Ojeda Howard Alfred Johnson Whiting Oil and Gas Samuel Hibner Peppiatt George Stanley McJannet Matching gift/Mark Sonnefeld Paul Edwin Potter Sandy Meyer Harry Ptasynski Susan Smith Nash E.F. Reid Scouting Fund In memory of S.T. Ayers Peggy Stork Terri Duncan Peter Robert Rose In memory of E.H. Stork Jr. Ronald L. Hart Vinton Hubbard Sholl A. Kurt Tollestrup Bryan Haws In memory of Joe Jeffers John Cochran Worley George M. Simmons Grants-in-Aid Fund In honor of Charles E. Jacobs Anthony Joseph Spano Bernold M. “Bruno” Hanson Lee J. Suttner Memorial Environmental Grant Publication Pipeline Fund Jorge Eduardo Toro Alava Paul H. Dudley Jr. Martin Macdermott Cassidy Eugene Claude Tripp In memory of Bruno Hanson William Gorom Watson In memory of Robert N. Watson

WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 45 Letters to the editor should include your name and address and should be mailed to Readers’ Forum, c/o AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101, or fax (918) 560-2636; or e-mail to [email protected]. Letters may be edited or held due to space restrictions. EXPLORERAAPG READERS’FORUM

Outstanding Field Trip cosmos 40 years ago and for continuing About 10 people, including myself, to inspire today’s young scientists. attended the Singapore “Geothermal Don Clarke Excursion,” which was a one-day Lakewood, Calif. pre-conference field trip associated with September’s AAPG 2012 ICE in It’s Time Singapore. The field trip leader was Dr. It’s time for Congress, the administration Grahame Oliver, National University of and related government agencies (EPA in Singapore. particular) to recognize, and accept, fossil The main purpose was to visit a hot fuels as the principal suppliers of energy spring where the water comes to the for our nation’s needs for decades to come. surface at a hot 70 degrees C. But there It is time to reduce and, where possible, was much more to the field trip than eliminate the huge subsidies supporting studying and discussing Singapore’s alternatives (solar, wind, biofuels), none geothermal potential. We also visited of which can compete with fossil fuels for three spectacular outcrops of Permo- efficiency or cost. Alternatives will not be Triassic fractured granites, and also needed for some time as we now have an examined Upper Triassic Jurong abundance of fossil fuels resulting from Formation sediments that outcrop along new technology in drilling and producing the north shore of Sentosa Island. oil and natural gas. Singapore is a small and crowded It is time to develop a North America city state – it squeezes about 5.5 million energy policy for the United States, people into an area covering only 700 Canada and Mexico. The three working square kilometers – so it is not the sort together will result in energy self- of place where one expects to see some sufficiency, thus freeing the United States good geology. However, Professor Oliver from importation of oil from those who are knew all of the interesting geological not our friends. All that is required for a spots – and everyone in the group was North America energy policy is to free up unanimous in their appreciations to him our own areas (offshore, Alaska ANWR, for leading an outstanding field trip. etc.) for drilling and open our borders Tako Koning and build a few pipelines (Keystone XL, Luanda, Angola for example) to bring oil and gas from Canada, Alaska and Mexico to the U.S. Golden Moon Memories market. It was December 1972, I was in In order for a North America energy graduate school working on my master’s policy to emerge, Mexico will require our in geology and Apollo 17 had just landed help in developing their considerable on the Moon. One of the two lunar oil and gas reserves, particularly those astronauts was Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, located along the U.S. Mexico border and a geologist. their portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Wow! Now the question: How can the United I was raised in the San Fernando States best help Mexico? Since the United Valley by parents who worked at States is the principal market for illegal Rocketdyne on the great rocket engines drugs, this market could be substantially that propelled Dr. Schmitt to the moon. I reduced by U.S. legalization of drugs. Start could hardly have been more motivated with legalizing marijuana and continue to be a geologist. Think about it: The with legalizing other drugs when U.S. only scientist to go to the moon was distribution centers are in place to provide a geologist. Maybe I would be lucky controlled substance for those in need. enough to travel to the moon some day. Will the United States take such action? For the time, the next best thing It is time. happened. Dick Baille A company in Studio City had Houston developed a high definition television camera that was used by Schmitt and Two Suggestions Gene Cernan on the moon, and during The United States could be energy lunar excursions they would shoot independent within five years if it would high definition video. The signals were do these two things: broadcast back to NASA, and NASA u First, convert our vehicles to would send them to the company natural gas. This would save 50 percent in Studio City for processing. The of our (use of) foreign oil. processed images would be viewed on The Love stores in Oklahoma have their high definition television prior to natural gas filling stations. The cost of being sent back to NASA. natural gas equivalent is about one-third My father and I were invited to join a the cost of gasoline. small group and spend the day viewing The multi-million dollars the feds loan these images in real time prior to them being for one ethanol plant would build dozens sent to NASA. Our small group was the first of natural gas filling stations. to see the lunar astronauts move about on u Second, lifting the ban on 80 the moon in high definition color TV. percent of our offshore drilling would let My Dad was as excited as I was – our oil companies supply the other half the only people with a better view were within five years. Schmitt and Cernan. It was a wonderful Marvin E. Frankamp day of excitement and bonding with my Wichita, Kan. father. It was also one of the strongest motivators for me to continue studying geology. Continued on next page Sadly, my dad and I never made it to space, but I did get to meet and know Jack Schmitt. He is every bit the hero and IBA Correction role model I hoped he would be. he winning school of the 2012 I am still a geologist and love it. I wish Imperial Barrel Award competition our country still had the spirit for space was misidentified in the travel that President Kennedy boosted to T November EXPLORER. prominence. It has been 40 years since The winning school was the Harrison Schmitt walked on the moon. University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Jack, thank you for braving the 46 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG PROTRACKS Section Meet-N-Greets Networking: A YP Bonus By JONATHAN ALLEN and NIKKI MORRIS, AAPG YP Committee

APG’S Young u In Bakersfield, Calif., the Professionals aspire to local YP chapter partnered with A build an understanding two other young professional of the many benefits that come organizations in the area with membership in AAPG – the Society of Petroleum with the younger generation Engineers Young Professionals of geoscientists. We strive to and the Young Professionals make the value of a lasting in Energy – for an end-of- relationship with the Association summer networking event that evident to everyone. ALLEN brought together over 70 young To that end, the YPs have professionals working in all worked tirelessly forming local areas of the energy industry. chapters around the world. Petrotechs, landmen, These local chapters are lawyers and accountants all actively providing valuable had the opportunity to network events and services to the YP with one another in a relaxing population. atmosphere – as well as One of the many benefits win some great raffle prizes of membership in the world’s provided by Halliburton. largest geological society The event also provided a is access to the AAPG MORRIS group of summer interns with membership network – and one the chance to network with of our most successful initiatives is our young professionals from a variety of YP networking events. different companies and disciplines, This month we’re highlighting two thereby broadening their understanding recent local chapters’ networking events of the industry. demonstrating the value that comes with Officials called the event a great AAPG membership. success – and the partnership between the Bakersfield YP groups is expected to u The Southwest Section YPs held a grow over time. “Meet-N-Greet” in September during the West Texas Geological Symposium in Along with networking events at the Midland, Texas. local level, YPs regularly hold similar Concho Resources sponsored the events at the Section/Region meetings event, which featured a group of 30 as well as the AAPG annual conventions geophysicists, geologists, graduate (ACE) and international conferences students, landmen and Southwest (ICE). All of these events have helped Section/WTGS leaders networking in a expand our young professionals’ small, informal group setting. understanding of AAPG and the industry Specifically, participants were able in which we work. to talk with each other about current Additionally, the contacts and work projects and learn about others’ friendships made at these events serve expertise. as a fundamental reminder of one of the The event provided an excellent many benefits of this Association: High- opportunity for students and YPs to quality industry connections are just a interact with the Society and Section handshake away from being part of your leadership. The Southwest Section YPs network. are planning to expand their activities into the Dallas/Fort Worth area and (Editor’s note: Jonathan Allen are currently working with the Dallas represents the AAPG Pacific Section and Geological Society to host a similar event Nikki Morris represents the Southwest in the fall. Section on the YP Committee.)

Continued from previous page … our society has become intolerable, unforgiving and "zero-risk" taking. u Regarding high leasing costs: Yes, it’s a huge up-front high-risk capital Thank You, Ted outlay without any assurance of success. Regarding the September President’s That's the reason why large companies Column by Ted Beaumont (“Changing wait until success is reported widely; Times, Changing Needs”): Thank you, majors, would rather buy the success Ted, for highlighting some very common- and not take the frontal risks. sense issues involved with finding and One solution may be to go at the developing unconventional resource URPs with a consortium model, which I plays (URPs). think won't violate any "anti-competition" Here are my brief comments: laws on books. There are many u The article’s title should also include advantages in such approach. "Changing Investment Climate," due to Please keep on writing such the ever-growing interference by the U.S. interesting columns for us. Environmental Protection Agency, and Also, thank you for bringing all the exploding political situations in many players, e.g. AAPG, SPE, SEG, in this oil-producing nations that are making any giant game of finding "new resources." investment very risky. More inclusion in such serious dialogue u How much data? The closest and is good for the harmonic growth of our most common analog is the millions of industry, and for better success for the cases of physicians' requirements for upstream community at large. "various tests"/data-acquisition each year. Kumar Bhattacharjee Why do they exist? To avoid all risk-taking Houston WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 47 CLASSIFIED ADS You can reach about 32,000 petroleum geologists at the lowest per-reader cost in the world with a classified ad in the EXPLORER. Ads are at the rate of $2.90 per word, minimum charge of $60. And, for an additional $50, your ad can appear on the classified section on the AAPG web site. Your ad can reach more people than ever before. Just write out your ad and send it to us. We will call you with the word count and cost. You can then arrange prepayment. Ads received by the first of the month will appear in the subsequent edition. EXPLORERAAPG CLASSIFIEDADS

POSITION AVAILABLE and sample preparation facilities. The university Last Call for URTeC Papers supports a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art analytical facilities through the Institute for Imaging and Analytical Geology Tenure Track Position Technologies (http://www.i2at.msstate.edu). he call for papers deadline has Department of Earth Sciences The Department of Geosciences currently has 15 The University of South Alabama been extended for the inaugural tenure-track faculty members and 11 instructors. The department offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in geoscience T Unconventional Resources The University of South Alabama Earth Sciences and a Ph.D. degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science Technology Conference (URTeC), a joint Department invites applications for a tenure-track faculty within five areas of emphasis: atmospheric sciences, position at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor venture that will bring together for the first u Other Unconventional Reservoirs. geology, environmental geosciences, geography, and level beginning August 15, 2013. Candidates with geospatial sciences. In addition to the on-campus time the key disciplines and technologies u Formation Evaluation of research and industry experience in petroleum geology, programs, our distance learning programs enroll more engaged in the development of North Unconventional Reservoirs. geophysics, and related sub-disciplines are particularly than 700 undergraduate and graduate students. Further encouraged to apply. Minimum qualifications are a Ph.D. American unconventional resource plays. u Fracture Characterization. information about the Department of Geosciences can degree in geology at the time of appointment. Interested Papers will be accepted through u Lateral Well Characterization. be found at http://www.geosciences.msstate.edu . potential applicants may review position Candidates should submit a letter of application, Dec. 12. u Flow Mechanics in Tight Reservoirs. requirements at the following web site: www.usouthal. curriculum vitae, and names and e-mail addresses URTeC, sponsored by AAPG, the u Laboratory Methodologies. edu/geography/. The University of South Alabama is an of three people who may be contacted for letters of Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer. Society of Petroleum Engineers and the u Reservoir Monitoring. recommendation. Applicants must also complete a Personal Data Information Form (PARF # 6982) online at Society of Exploration Geophysicists, will u Organic Geochemistry. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * be held Aug. 12-14 in Denver. u Well Performance Prediction. http://www.jobs.msstate.edu. MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY Organizers are seeking papers u Fluid Behaviors. We will begin reviewing applications upon Location: Mississippi State, MS from petroleum engineers, geologists, u Drilling Optimization. submission. Mississippi State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Phi Beta Kappa geophysicists and other professionals u Completion Optimization. The Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State members are encouraged to apply. University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track interested in sharing innovations, best u Geomechanics. For submission or further information please contact: Assistant Professor position in geospatial technologies practices and experiences in integrated u Three-D Seismic Applications. Dr. Shrinidhi Ambinakudige with geology background. Anticipated start date is Chair of the Search Committee approaches for North American u Health, Safety and Environmental August 16, 2013. A Ph.D. degree in the geosciences or Mississippi State University unconventional resource plays. Issues. a closely related field in natural sciences with emphasis Department of Geosciences in geospatial technologies, and geology is required at The event, organizers say, fills the The three technical program co- P.O. Box 5448 the time of appointment. Evidence of peer-reviewed Mississippi State, MS 39762 unique need for a peer-reviewed, chairs are AAPG Honorary Member and journal publications and potential to develop an science-based unconventional resources past president Steve Sonnenberg, with externally-funded research program are required. The Phone: (662) 325-3915 candidate will teach introductory through graduate-level conference that will take an asset the Colorado School of Mines; AAPG Email: [email protected] courses in remote sensing, image processing, web GIS, Website: http://www.geosciences.msstate.edu team approach to development of member Ken Beeney, with Devon Energy; and advanced spatial analysis. The candidate’s area unconventional resource plays. and Luis Baez, with BG Group. of expertise within geology is open, but we welcome * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The program includes 20 themes “The combined power of these three candidates with a background in environmental geology, structural geology, sequence stratigraphy, paleontology, applicable to unconventional resources leading scientific organizations means The School of Earth Sciences and Environmental oceanography, geophysics, and/or software use in Sustainability at Northern Arizona University invites and appeals to engineers, geologists and URTeC has the potential to be the most subsurface analysis. applications for a tenure-track appointment as an The successful applicant will be expected to geophysicists, including: substantial inter-society collaboration Assistant Professor in Geophysics for August 2013. The develop courses in their area of expertise to support the u Unconventional Project since the Offshore Technology successful candidate will teach senior and graduate department’s Ph.D. program in Earth and Atmospheric courses in Geophysics and other classes as needed, Development. Conference began in the 1960s,” they Sciences. The successful candidate will be expected conduct a successful sponsored research program u Unconventional Reservoir write. to be active in mentoring of graduate students through in Geophysics, and support the Earth and Planetary teaching, course development (both traditional Characterization. To submit an abstract, or for more Systems emphasis area of the new Earth Sciences and and distance learning technology), and scholarly Environmental Sustainability PhD program. Minimum u Unconventional Shale Plays. information and/or to request information research activities (including publishing peer-reviewed qualification is an earned PhD in Geophysics, OR, an u Unconventional Tight Oil and on exhibiting and sponsoring, visit the manuscripts and acquiring external funding). He or she earned PhD in related area with dissertation-related Tight Gas. URTeC website at www.urtec.org. must be willing to collaborate with existing faculty. The 2 research in Geophysics, conferred by start date. u Unconventional Coal Seam/Bed And remember: The deadline is department has a collaborative relationship with HPC in parallel processing and visualization environment;

Methane. Dec. 12. EXPLORER maintains a GIS laboratory, biogeochemistry laboratory, Continued on next page

48 DECEMBER 2012 WWW.AAPG.ORG Editor’s note: “In Memory” listings are based on information received from the AAPG membership department. An asterisk denotes AAPG honorary membership. EXPLORERAAPG INMEMORY

AAPG Honorary member Robert J. Gutru, 96 John W. Rold, a retired consultant Wichita, Kan., Oct. 6, 2012 in Littleton, Colo., died Sept. 10. Philip Thayer Hayes, 89 He was 85. Grand Junction, Colo. Rold received his bachelor’s July 30, 2012 and master’s degrees in geology Richard Kenneth Hose, 92 from the University of Colorado, ROLD Cupertino, Calif., July 28, 2012 Boulder, and worked for Chevron for 20 years Robert George Knabe, 94 before starting the Colorado Geological Survey Houston, August 26, 2012 in 1969. He retired from the Survey in 1992 and Leslie William Lease, 91 did private consulting work for 18 years. Kirkland, Wash., April 9, 2012 He received AAPG honorary membership Willard Oswald Lowe, 86 in 2006. Sun City West, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2012 Arlen Dee Poole, 72 Elwood Bailey Bredell Jr., 84 Fayetteville, Ark., Sept. 3, 2012 Cornville, Ariz., Sept. 28, 2012 * John W. Rold, 85 Patrick J. Chesterman, 60 Littleton, Colo., Sept. 10, 2012 Calgary, Canada, Sept. 14, 2012 C. Brent Shumard, 67 Arthur Beverly Elliott Jr., 79 Tulsa, Sept. 14, 2012 Hilton Head Island, S.C. John Frank Sulik, 81 Oct. 22, 2012 Corpus Christi, Texas, Sept. 3, 2012 Evard Pitts Ellison, 89 James Ross Underwood Jr., 85 Houston, August 10, 2012 Plano, Texas, May 16, 2012 Jodie Gillespie, 41 Francis Clark Whisler, 84 Marks Point, Australia, Oct. 5, 2012 Russell, Kan., Aug. 2, 2012

Continued from previous page Department of Zoology, 501 Life Science West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, Phone: (405)- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 744-5555, Fax: (405) 744-7824. Screening of candidates will begin January 1, 2013 and continue until the position Tenure-track Faculty Position in Applied Geophysics, is filled. The filling of this position is contingent upon Baylor University available funding. More information on Oklahoma State University and the Boone Pickens School of Geology can Baylor is actively recruiting new faculty with a strong be found on the web at http://go.okstate.edu and http:// commitment to the classroom and an equally strong geology.okstate.edu, respectively. OSU is an AA/EEO/E- commitment to discovering new knowledge. Baylor Verify employer committed to diversity. OSU-Stillwater aspires to become a top tier research university while campus is a tobacco-free campus. reaffirming and deepening its distinctive Christian mission as described in Pro Futuris * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (http://www.baylor.edu/profuturis/). The Department of Geology at Baylor University Tenure track assistant professor in geophysics/ invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor petroleum geology job ad in Applied Geophysics. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in geophysics, physics, or geology with an emphasis in The department of Geography, Geology, and the geophysics at the time of appointment (August 2013). Environment at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Preference will be given to a candidate with a strong (SRU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant background in quantitative sciences whose research Professor position in Geophysics/Petroleum Geology to interests complement those of existing geophysical begin August 2013. We seek candidates with expertise strengths in our department. Current strengths include in applied geophysics, exploration seismology, and/ earthquake seismology, potential field methods, or petroleum geology. The successful candidate will geodynamics, and petroleum geology. teach introductory geology courses and develop To apply, email a statement of teaching and research and teach geophysics, petroleum geology, and other interests, CV, transcripts, and the names and contact appropriate upper-level courses. The successful information for three references to: Chair, Geophysics candidate should also have the potential to develop a Search Committee: [email protected]. successful undergraduate research program. A Ph.D. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, in Geosciences with an emphasis in geophysics or Baylor encourages minorities, women, veterans and petroleum geology is required at the time of appointment. persons with disabilities to apply. Apply: Candidates should submit applications online at https://careers.sru.edu/hr. Attachments to the * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * application include a letter of application, including statements of teaching and research interests, HEAD OF SCHOOL POSITION curriculum vitae, e-copies of all academic transcripts, OSU BOONE PICKENS SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY and three letters of reference. For those unable to submit electronically, please send applications to: Dr. The Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma Xianfeng Chen, Chair, Search Committee, Department State University invites applications for the School of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, Slippery Head position. This is a tenured position at the rank Rock University of Pennsylvania, 329 Advanced of Associate Professor or Full Professor to be filled by Technology and Science Hall, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; July 1, 2013. Salary is competitive and commensurate e-mail: [[email protected]]. Review of application with the experience and qualifications of the successful will begin January 22, 2013 and applications will be candidate. Applicants should have a PhD in geosciences accepted until the position is filled. Slippery Rock or a related field, have an outstanding research and University of Pennsylvania is an Affirmative Action/Equal teaching record and be highly regarded and recognized Opportunity Employer. SRU encourages minorities, by the national and international geoscientific community. women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply. A record of an established collaboration with the energy industry is desirable. Prior administrative experience is MISCELLANEOUS preferred and potential for academic leadership and mentoring is expected. The Boone Pickens School of SAMPLES TO RENT Geology Head position is designated 50% administration and 50% academic. The successful candidate will be International Sample Library @ Midland – allowed to have reduced teaching load, but will maintain Formerly Midland Sample Library. Established in 1947. a research program through externally-funded projects, Have 164,000 wells with 1,183,000,000 well samples peer-reviewed publications and mentoring of graduate and cores stored in 17 buildings from 26 states, students. The specific research field is open but the Mexico, Canada and offshore Australia. We also have a successful candidate is expected to strengthen the geological supply inventory. School’s research foci in conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, continental tectonics and neotectonics, Phone: (432) 682-2682 Fax: (432) 682-2718 and surficial processes and environmental studies. Currently the School has 14 tenured and tenure-track * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * faculty, 3 research scientists/post-doctoral fellows, 15 PhD students, 50 MS students, and 140 undergraduate Eliminate pilot holes and drill more horizontal payzone students. The School has recently expanded and with SES technical GEOSTEERING SOFTWARE! SES will continue growing in terms of student enrollment, is for geologists who are dissatisfied with drafting-tool additional faculty, and external resources. The School methods of geosteering. Free trial. www.makinhole.com. houses modern research and teaching facilities, including Stoner Engineering LLC. EXPLORATION 2013 well-equipped geochemistry, geophysics, remote sensing, sedimentology, and tectonics laboratories, as * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * well as technology-enabled classrooms and the Devon Visualization Laboratory. The School also maintains EXPLORATION 2013 a Field Camp in Canon City, Colorado. The School’s mission and activities are strongly supported by an Missed the shale plays and still want to find some extended network of alumni and an active advisory board. oil? Fear Not. Undrilled prospects are still out there and The School maintains a strong faculty-student-alumni many are likely oil. For you who are still looking I can offer relationship and active student chapters for professional some drillable prospects in the 3500’ to 10,000’ depths in organizations. Applicants should submit statements East Texas, plus being in areas where fair lease bonuses detailing: (1) Leadership vision, (2) Research interests, are possible. So---if you like the sound of this and have and (3) Teaching philosophy, along with a Curriculum exploration funds give me a call, phone, email or smoke Vitae, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and signal and we can discuss this in detail. phone numbers of three references to: Boone Pickens School of Geology Head Search c/o Dr. Loren M. Smith, Allen C. Locklin, (903) 592-1308 [email protected] WWW.AAPG.ORG DECEMBER 2012 49 EXPLORERAAPG DIRECTOR’SCORNER Advancing The Science, With Purpose By DAVID K. CURTISS, AAPG Executive Director (See accompanying stories, page 4.) he Bosphorus is a thin strait Building on the successful Discovery separating the continents of Europe Thinking forums at ACE and ICE, this and Asia. For millennia it has been a We seek to advance science to find T one-day program will provide you with crossroad, where east meets west, in the oil and natural gas to fuel the world’s updates on hot plays around the United beautiful city of Istanbul. And it is here States, as well as build skills needed to that we’ve just concluded the first-ever growing need for energy. That is where succeed at an A&D conference, such Regional APPEX conference. the true value of what we do as petroleum as APPEX, or prospect expos, such as Building on the highly successful NAPE. Global APPEX held annually in London, geoscientists becomes evident. Charles has established a stellar nearly 200 delegates from 29 countries CURTISS lineup of speakers – and we’re packing came to Istanbul, this regional hub of a lot of useful information into one day, commerce – and location of AAPG’s 2014 it is where science, technology and find oil and natural gas to fuel the world’s as well as opportunities to network with International Conference and Exhibition exploration creativity meet business growing need for energy. other professionals. It’s part of our on- – to meet for two days and talk about oil opportunities. That is where the true value of what going commitment to demonstrate the and natural gas investment opportunities It’s about finding and making deals to we do as petroleum geoscientists relevance of our science and provide in eastern Europe and central Asia. explore and produce oil and natural gas. becomes evident. value to our members and prospective I would like to thank TPAO, the Turkish Ours is fundamentally an applied Connecting science and business is members. Petroleum Corporation, and its president science. As an association our purpose also the focus of a brand new product and CEO Mehmet Uysal and his team for is to advance the science of petroleum developed by DPA President Charles * * * their strong support, which made this a geology. Sternbach, in cooperation with AAPG’s memorable and successful event. I also But we don’t do science for science’s education department: the AAPG/DPA The AAPG/DPA Playmakers Forum is want to thank our host society, the Turkish sake. We seek to advance science to Playmakers Forum. where oil finders gather. I urge you to visit Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the Education page at our website for its president, Ismail Bahtiyar, as well as Nearly 200 attendees more information and to register for this all of our sponsors for supporting this from 29 countries event. Go to aapg.org/forum/playmaker/ meeting. attended the inaugural index.cfm. I’d also like to recognize APPEX APPEX Regional 2012 And mark your calendars for our next Committee chair Mike Lakin, the AAPG event, held Nov. 8-9 in A&D conference: The Global APPEX will European Region Council and Jeremy Istanbul, Turkey. be held March 5-7 in London. Richardson, Anisha Patel, Fionn Devine The event was built Hope to see you there. and Ciaran Larkin, our AAPG team in on the success of the London for a superb job organizing the annual APPEX Global conference. conference in London, an established forum * * * for those looking to build partnerships and APPEX is an acquisition and promote prospects. divestiture (A&D) conference. As such,

DIVISIONSREPORT DEG Enjoys a Successful Season of Outreach By TOM TEMPLES, DEG President everal AAPG meetings have taken place since the last issue Coming: A new section of the website Sof the EXPLORER was published, that will provide links and information including the International Conference and Exhibition in Singapore, and the regarding technical studies, research, annual meetings for the Eastern Section data and “on-the-ground” happenings (Cleveland) and GCAGS (Austin, Texas). All had successful environmental relevant to shale gas development. sessions, and the turnout for each was TEMPLES excellent. hydraulic fracturing (“fracing”) in recent * * * We also are building a new section in content from characterization and years. The latest, by Matt Damon, is called of the website that will provide links and remediation of hydrocarbon spills to legal “Promised Land” and due to premiere at The speaker for the joint DEG/EMD information regarding technical studies, and regulatory issues in production. the end of December. luncheon in Singapore was John Fontana, research, data and “on-the-ground” The 2012 IPEC meeting agenda and How it portrays the oil industry remains who spoke on the topic of “Water Well happenings relevant to shale gas abstracts can be found online at ipec. to be seen, and it is interesting that the ‘Problems’ in Areas of Unconventional development. utulsa.edu/Conf2012/2012agenda.htm. film is being partially financed by the Resource Development: Appearances are government of Abu Dhabi. Deceiving and Solutions are Many.” * * * * * * Please continue to spread the truth In his talk, John discussed ways to about hydraulic fracturing to the public. design a monitoring program to assess In addition to the recent AAPG The latest issue of our quarterly Let’s not bury our heads on this issue so water quality and determine potential meetings, I also had the distinct pleasure e-newsletter, “Spheres of Influence,” is vital to the petroleum industry. The United source(s) of contamination in water wells to attend the Integrated Petroleum now out. One of our regular sections is States has the opportunity to become proximal to active drilling areas. Environmental Consortium (IPEC) called the “Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” energy independent in the near future The good news: A link to his slide show conference in Denver at the end of which is a collection of hyperlinks to the all because of the reserves that this can be found on DEG’s website at deg. October. latest Internet-based articles regarding technology has made accessible here at aapg.org. For those not familiar with IPEC, it is the petroleum industry that can be, well, home. This is only one example of the kind a joint effort by the University of Tulsa, you know, good, bad or ugly. of information we are now including on the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma All DEG members receive the * * * our website to provide our membership State University and the University of e-newsletter, and all issues are archived with relevant research and current events Arkansas to facilitate reductions in the on the DEG website. DEG hopes that you remain engaged associated with both industry and the cost of compliance with environmental in the environmental aspects of our work. environment. If you have not visited the regulations, thereby increasing the * * * If you are not already a DEG member, DEG website recently, please take a competitiveness of the domestic consider joining to become involved in moment to do so – I think you will find it petroleum industry. As you are no doubt aware, several the environmental side of the energy

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