22 Book Review: Canada Rocks – The Geological Journey 24 CSPG Finance Report 26 Reservoir Engineering for Geologists Part 5B 30 The Neoproterozoic Old Fort Point Formation, Southern Canadian Cordillera 35 Cadomin Tight Gas Reservoirs along the updip edge of the WCSB Deep Basin 40 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention

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ARTICLES Book Review: Canada Rocks - The Geological Journey...... 22 by Ashton Embry CSPG Finance Report ...... 24 by Peter Harrington Reservoir Engineering for Geologists CSPG OFFICE #600, 640 - 8th Avenue SW Part 5B – Material Balance for Oil Reservoirs ...... 26 Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1G7 by Ray Mireault P. Eng., Chris Kupchenko E.I.T., and Lisa Dean P. Geol. Tel: 403-264-5610 Fax: 403-264-5898 Web: www.cspg.org Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm The Neoproterozoic Old Fort Point Formation, Southern Canadian Cordillera ...... 30 Business Manager: Tim Howard Email: [email protected] by Mark D. Smith, R.W.C. (Bill) Arnott, and G.M. Ross Membership Services: Kristina Keith Email: [email protected] Cadomin Tight Gas Reservoirs along the updip edge Communications & Public Affairs: Heather Tyminski of the WCSB Deep Basin ...... 35 Email: [email protected] Conventions & Conferences: Shauna Carson by Brad Hayes Email: [email protected] Conventions & Conferences Assistant: Tanya Santry 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention Short Courses ...... 40 Email: [email protected] Corporate Relations Manager: Sarah Barton 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention Field Trips ...... 43 Email: [email protected] Programs and Services Manager: Lori Humphrey Clements 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention Guest Speakers ...... 46 Email: [email protected] Reception: Dayna Rhoads Email: [email protected] DEPARTMENTS EDITORS/AUTHORS Executive Comment ...... 5 Please submit RESERVOIR articles to the CSPG office. Submission deadline is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior to issue Technical Luncheons ...... 8 date. (e.g., January 23 for the March issue). Division Talks ...... 14 To publish an article, the CSPG requires digital copies of the Rock Shop ...... 29, 38 document. Text should be in Microsoft Word format and illustrations should be in TIFF format at 300 dpi., at final size. For additional information on manuscript preparation, refer to the Guidelines for Authors published in the CSPG Bulletin or contact the editor. Technical Editor Ben McKenzie Tarheel Exploration Tel: 403-277-4496, Email: [email protected] Coordinating Editor Heather Tyminski Comunications and Public Affairs, CSPG Tel: 403-513-1227, Email: [email protected] ADVERTISING Advertising inquiries should be directed to Sarah Barton, Tel: 513-1229, Email: [email protected]. The deadline to reserve advertising space is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior to issue date.

The RESERVOIR is published 11 times per year by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. This includes a combined issue for the months of July/August.

Advertisements, as well as inserts, mailed with the publication are paid advertisements. No endorsement or sponsorship by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists is implied.

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the publisher. FRONT COVER Blind Fiord, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut. Muskox bull standing on Lower Design & Layout by Sundog Printing. Printed in Canada by Sundog Printing. Permian Great Bear Cape Formation with same succession overthrusted in the background. Photo by Benoit Beauchamp. Additional copies of the RESERVOIR are available at the CSPG office for $3.00. RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008  PETRA® connects to the industry’s most popular data source

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For more information visit: energy.ihs.com/petra I_dY['/(-$$$ EXECUTIVE COMMENT A message from the Communications Director, Peggy Hodgkins PETRA® connects to In the fall of 2007, the industry’s most I was asked to join the CSPG Executive popular data source as Communications CSPG Director. EXECUTIVE Ashton Embry, who had been in this series that cover many of the other subjects position for seven years, was stepping down that our members will be exposed to in PETRAprovides geoscientists and engineers the analysis tools President and I saw an opportunity to help the their work environments. Lisa Griffith • Griffith Geoconsulting Inc. needed for today’s exploration and exploitation challenges Society achieve one of its important goals. [email protected] Tel: (403) 669-7494 A key underpinning of the Society is the With this in mind, let me describe the dissemination of high quality, relevant, useful, Communications objectives for 2008. IHS Enerdeq Desktop and IHS AccuMap directly export well Vice President and important information to its members. Graeme Bloy • West Energy Ltd. and production data into PETRA projects As the new Communications Director, it The Reservoir is the CSPG’s primary vehicle [email protected] Tel: (403) 716-3468 is my mandate to make sure that members to inform, entertain, and educate our have quick access to any and all information members. We would like to expand its Past President For the first time raster logs from IHS AccuLogs are available they need to do their jobs. scope so that it helps prepare members for Colin Yeo • EnCana Corporation the reality of prospecting in a mature basin. in PETRA for use with digital log data [email protected] Tel: (403) 645-7724 Communications within the CSPG can be This will be accomplished through a series broken down into three core areas of of articles that span the range of disciplines Finance Director focus: the Bulletin, the Reservoir, and the necessary to be a successful petroleum James Donnelly • ConocoPhillips Canada CSPG website. It is the goal of the CSPG geologist. Economics, joint interest and Download a trial version at ihs.com/energy/petra [email protected] Tel: (403) 260-8000 executive committee, and namely me, your land negotiating, drilling and completions, Communications Director, to continually production and facility engineering, and Assistant Finance Director evaluate and improve these services to make reserve assessments are all part of the David Garner • Chevron Canada Resources them vital to you, our members. We want world we work in. [email protected] Tel: (403) 234-5875 to know how we can improve the Reservoir so that you will want to hang on to copies As a geologist, it is not necessary to be an Program Director rather than tossing them in the recycle expert in any of these fields, but the more Randy Rice • Suncor Energy Inc. bin. We want to know how you like your we know about each, the better we are at Spend more time [email protected] Tel: (403) 205-6723 publications delivered to you. We want to our jobs as we interact with other experts. making decisions know how the website can better work for My plan is to lay out a three-year storyboard SERVICE DIRECTOR and less time you and to know what should be included of topics and recruit expert individuals or Jen Vezina • Devon Canada Corporation in it. I need to make sure that you have organizations that will contribute material managing data. [email protected] Tel: (403) 232-5079 an efficient way to access the information for each topic. The idea is to have a series you need to work productively in your of articles on each topic that will span Assistant Service Director interdisciplinary team. several issues of the Reservoir. Look back Ayaz Gulamhussein • NuVista Energy Ltd. at the series Simplifying Seismic, written by [email protected] Tel: (403) 538-8510 Last year, a key communications strategy Dr. Easton Wren during 2005, as an example was to use the Reservoir as a vehicle of what we are trying to achieve. Ben Outreach Director for making our members aware of new McKenzie (the Reservoir’s technical editor) Greg Lynch • Shell Canada Limited technologies and techniques that enable recently completed a seven-part series on [email protected] Tel: (403) 691-2052 them to participate more fully in integrated GIS. Lisa Dean with Fekete is currently work team processes. As more emphasis is publishing a series on reservoir engineering. ASSISTANT Outreach Director placed on exploitation activities, necessary These informative articles exemplify our Mike DesRoches • DesRoches Consulting Inc. skill sets are changing dramatically. It is goal of expanding our members’ awareness [email protected] Tel: (403) 828-0210 now reservoir characterization rather than in earth science advances. ©2007 IHS Inc. All rights reserved. exploration plays that dominate company Communications Director activities. Subtle bypassed pay, type well For the Bulletin, we plan to develop a Peggy Hodgkins • CGGVeritas production profiles, and geomechanics are proactive recruiting drive for new papers. [email protected] Tel: (403) 266-3225 only a few areas of expertise that geologists Of course, I will be working closely with new now must address as part of their team. co-editors Denis Lavoie of the GSC-Quebec Corporate Relations DIRECTOR This year, two technology series were run (eastern co-editor) and Rob MacNaughton Monty Ravlich • Sanjel Corporation For more information visit: in the Reservoir, covering GIS and reservoir of the GSC-Calgary (western co-editor) to [email protected] energy.ihs.com/petra engineering, and we hope to launch additional (Continued on page 7...)

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008  Proudly brought to you by Professionals in Geoscience and Engineering

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we make a difference www.apegga.org I_dY['/(-$$$ (...Continued from page 5) We are moving ahead to convert the Atlas of help increase the current inventory of papers. the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin to More contributions are needed, especially GIS format. A committee has been organized in the areas of case studies and practical and is ready to begin the conversion process. technology and techniques. How can we They will be determining what additional get more papers into the Bulletin? Should features can be linked to these digital maps, we consider using technical ghostwriters; such as type wells, cross-sections, and key should we consider a format similar to papers. This has the potential to be a very AAPG’s E&P Notes? powerful tool for our members to access large volumes of high-quality data quickly. A big concern is that many significant papers I find this to be a very exciting opportunity on Canadian petroleum geology are being for our members. published in the AAPG Bulletin rather than the CSPG Bulletin. I understand authors Finally, I see our website as a vehicle to want maximum exposure (the AAPG Bulletin bring everything together. Our members CORPORATE has a circulation ten times that of the CSPG can log in and access all sorts of Society MEMBERS Bulletin), so we will have to think long and news, publications, presentations, and tools. hard as to what we can offer CSPG authors. With advanced search engines and links to We also need to consider an e-Bulletin other data and applications, we will strive Abu Dhabi Oil Co., Ltd. (Japan) format. In this digital age, there is less to provide our members with the kind of APACHE CANADA LTD. need for space-consuming, paper-wasting information, technology, and know-how to BAKER ATLAS publications, but we are committed to serve increase their efficiency and effectiveness BG Canada Exploration & Production, Inc. those members who wish to receive the in their relentless search for oil and gas in Proudly brought to you by Professionals in BP Canada Energy company traditional hard-copy format. Canada and around the world. Canadian Forest Oil Ltd. I would like to thank long-serving editor Glen It is all about service to our members. Geoscience and Engineering canetic resources trust Stockmal for his excellent stewardship of the ConocoPhillips Canada Bulletin these last years. During that time, he Special thanks to Ashton Embry for getting me Core Laboratories Canada Ltd. reduced the cycle time for publication that is up to speed on the activities of the past few very important to contributors and ensured years and to Colin Yeo, who was instrumental in Devon Canada Corporation a steady stream of high-quality material for helping me write this article. Dominion Exploration Canada Ltd. our members. Duvernay Oil Corp. Alberta’s Professional Geoscientists and Engineers provide Albertans enerplus resources fund with many of the essentials of daily living. The work that they do allows fugro airborne surveys all of us to enjoy warmth, light, power, water and the ability to travel Annual Luncheon Event geologic systems ltd. and communicate over distance. GRIZZLY RESOURCES Ltd. Since 1920, Members of APEGGA, The Association of Professional Hunt Oil Company Of Canada, Inc. “Global Warming: Some Inconvenient Facts” Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta, have made a HUSKY ENERGY INC. difference in the daily lives of millions of Albertans by bringing science IHS and innovation to life. Patrick J. Michaels, PhD Imperial Oil Resources Limited Senior Fellow in Environmental Studies, CATO Institute Lario Oil & Gas Company The P.Geol., P.Geoph., P.Eng., and R.P.T. professional designations Research Professor of Environmental Science, University of Virginia represent the highest standards of quality, professionalism and ethics MJ Systems in geoscience and engineering. APEGGA Members can take pride in Murphy Oil Company Ltd. Friday, May 2, 2008 at 11:30 the role they play and the contribution they make to Alberta. APEGGA Nexen Inc. Metropolitan Conference Centre and its over 47,000 Members are committed to public safety and well- Penn West Petroleum Ltd. being through the self-regulation of the geoscience and engineering 333, 4th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta Petro-Canada Oil And Gas professions in Alberta. PETROCRAFT PRODUCTS LTD. Sponsored by the Visit www.apegga.org for more information. provident energy ltd. RPS Energy CANADA LTD. Friends of Science Shell Canada Limited Advocates of Climate Change Debate Sproule Geologists Suncor Energy Inc. $60 per ticket, $540 per table Professional Geophysicists TAQA North ltd. www.friendsofscience.org { Engineers Talisman Energy Inc. Ticket can be obtained by email (Visa/MC accepted): Total E&P Canada Limited [email protected] WEATHERFORD CANADA PARTNERSHIP Payment can also be made by cheque to: Friends of Science AS OF JANUARY 31, 2008 PO Box 23167 Connaught P.O., Calgary, AB T2S 3B1 we make a difference www.apegga.org

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One of the least worrisome aspects of war-torn countries, forsaken by democracy, Hydrocarbon Arctic energy development is probably the and where corruption and terrorism rule resource itself. Large gas discoveries were the day. In the end, the loathed regulatory energy from made during the first round of exploration problems in the North may pale relative to three decades ago. There is enough gas dealing with war lords or with governments the Arctic: in the large three fields of the Mackenzie with a propensity to renege on sealed Delta – Taglu, Ninglintgak, and Parsons deals. No matter what and where, going Holy Grail or Lake – to feed the yet-elusive Mackenzie after the big ones in the 21st century will Valley pipeline for the next 20 years. Huge be costly and risky. pipe dream? quantities of gas were also found in the Arctic islands, and shipping this gas to Biography SPEAKER market is within the realm of possibilities Dr. Benoit Beauchamp is an established Benoit Beauchamp if one is to believe a recent study by the scientist who joined the University of Calgary Arctic Institute of North America, Calgary-based Canadian Energy Research as a Full Professor in the Department of University of Calgary Institute (CERI). Geoscience in April 2005. Until then, he was a Research Scientist with the Geological Survey 11:30 am While oil was the prime reason for the early of Canada (GSC), where he conducted energy- Tuesday, March 11, 2008 round of exploration, the paucity of sizeable related basin analysis in the Canadian Arctic Telus Convention Centre oil discoveries was a disappointment for Archipelago. Calgary, Alberta early explorers. However, the recent discovery of 250 million barrels beneath In addition to leading more than a dozen major Please note: the Beaufort Sea by Devon Canada in 2006 field expeditions to one of Canada’s most The cut-off date for ticket sales is and the massive $585 million bid for a huge remote, but also most promising petroleum 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 6, 2008. offshore block by Imperial Oil and Exxon provinces, he established himself as a solid Ticket Price: $34.00 + GST. Mobil Canada this past summer may have scientist with a rich track record of government rekindled the oil flame. Beyond the known and academic publications. His curriculum Due to the recent popularity of talks, we discoveries, the vast area that extends from vitae speaks volumes of his leadership quality, strongly suggest purchasing tickets early, as the Delta and the Arctic islands, including excellence as a researcher, and stature in the we cannot guarantee seats will be available on both continental shelves to the north and local, national, and international scientific the cut-off date. east, holds much promise for many large community. and medium-size discoveries. It is only a matter of time before Industry Upon joining the University of Calgary, he was embarks seriously on exploration and A handful of companies did not wait for seconded to the position of Executive Director development of Canada’s Arctic energy the starting gun before taking a leadership of the Arctic Institute of North America, a resources. With conventional natural position. One of them is MGM Energy, an position that allows him to direct a vibrant gas production already in decline in the offspring of Paramount Energy, which sees research program. mature Western Canada Sedimentary the recent pullback from the North as Basin, the stubbornly low price of gas will an opportunity to get in early. The same He is currently on the Scientific Board of the recover before long. Oil currently hovers probably can be said of ConocoPhillips French Petroleum Institute (IFP). He was co- near $100 a barrel and could well pass Canada and Chevron Canada, which also Chair of the 2007 Gussow Conference on Arctic that benchmark within the year, getting acquired some offshore land dispositions in Energy Exploration and gave the 2007 CSPG ever closer, in absolute dollars, to levels the summer of 2007. Honorary Address at the Jubilee Auditorium not reached since the oil shocks of the in November 2007 to commemorate the 1970s. But beyond finding the resources in the International Polar Year. ground, above or below the sea, these At a time when the world’s largest fields gutsy companies all face a seemingly are in decline, only remote frontier areas endless list of challenges: a regulatory like Canada’s Arctic offer any hope for process that is seen as overly complicated large discoveries. And while China and and in the throes of too many interests, an India are rising, our U.S. neighbour shows environment that is harsh and unforgiving, no sign of losing its thirst for energy any a warming climate that is playing havoc with time soon. Supply, demand, and the price infrastructures, and political ramifications of commodities will be high on the mind that seem far more complicated than they of Industry decision-makers the day they used to be. decide to go north, but a flurry of other factors will also weigh heavily on industry’s Still, the conditions may not be decision-makers before they commit insurmountable when compared with the billions of dollars in capital investment to earth’s other last remaining areas with go after Arctic resources. substantial potential. These are often

 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 TECHNICAL LUNCHEONS MARCH Luncheon sponsored by

loading of Laurentia (i.e., North America) transpressional tectonics within crystalline Acadian- by Gondwana (i.e., Africa) at the New York basement, the third detail, drove the classic promontory. The earliest syn-maturation detachment sheets of the Valley and Ridge Alleghanian fractures are microcracks around kerogen and Appalachian Plateau. flakes in black shale. Maturation-related orogenesis as pressure was enhanced by compaction Biography disequilibrium. Terry Engelder completed his Bachelor’s Degree revealed by in Geology at the Pennsylvania State University, Maturation continued to elevate pressure his Master’s in Geology at Yale University, and fracturing within within Devonian black shales to the point his Ph.D. in Geology at Texas A&M University. that macroscopic natural hydraulic fractures He is currently a professor of geosciences at the Appalachian (NHF) developed within the source rocks. Pennsylvania State University. The orientation of NHF in black shale and Foreland early coal cleats in the foreland reflects He has written over 130 research papers, a basin-wide stress field arising from the including “Stress Regimes in the Lithosphere.” oblique convergence of Gondwana and He has also received numerous awards, such as SPEAKER Laurentia, the second detail of Acadian- the Fulbright Senior Fellowship and the French- Terry Engelder Alleghanian orogenesis. American Foundation Fellowship. Pennsylvania State University This basin-wide joint system supports the His professional interests include frictional 11:30 am emerging view that dextral transpression properties of fault gouge, strain relaxation and Tuesday, March 25, 2008 controlled the kinematics in the mountain hydraulic fracture in situ stress measurements, Telus Convention Centre belt to a greater extent than previously fracture analysis with focus on development of Calgary, Alberta recognized. Further burial led to the natural hydraulic fractures, strain analysis in development of a complete fracture foreland fold and thrust belts, and analysis of Please note: network in siltstones and gray shale of the coupling between pore pressure and stress in The cut-off date for ticket sales is basin. This later system of fracturing evolved basins. 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 19, 2008. in Alleghanian stress fields arising when Ticket Price: $34.00 + GST.

Due to the recent popularity of talks, we strongly suggest purchasing tickets early, as we cannot guarantee seats will be available on Alberta Geological Survey the cut-off date. www.ags.gov.ab.ca 780.422.1927 Assets within the Appalachian Basin range from conventional clastic and carbonate • Bedrock and Surfi cial Geology reservoirs to source rocks of Devonian black shale and Pennsylvanian coal, all of • Diamonds and Metallic Minerals which are fractured. These fractures range from coal cleats and cracks around kerogen flakes to natural hydraulic fractures, tensile • Aggregate and Industrial Minerals joints in stiff beds, and late-stage cross joints. • Groundwater

With some exceptions this broad range of fracture types propagated with the help • Geological Hazards of pressure generation accompanying the positive V reaction during maturation of • Coal and Coalbed Methane hydrocarbons. • Geological Storage of CO and Acid Gas Before and during maturation, fracture 2 orientation in the Appalachian foreland was controlled by an evolving tectonic stress that reflects three important details of Acadian- Alleghanian orogenesis in the Appalachian hinterland.

First, pre-maturation, forebulge-related tensile joints in distal portions of the Alberta Geological Survey Acadian Catskill Delta complex reflect initial

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008  TECHNICAL LUNCHEONS APRIL Luncheon sponsored by

Time-lapse or 4D seismic data has proven of the 4D response, evaluate optimal 4D Seismic in value in reservoir management, increasing survey repeat times, and assess potential reserves and recovery by locating business impact. Once the field is under the deepwater – bypassed and undrained hydrocarbons, and production, effective 4D project execution optimizing infill well locations and flood requires collaboration among asset challenges and patterns. 4D seismic can also decrease team geoscientists, engineers, and field operating costs by reducing uncertainty operations with geophysical acquisition rewards in the reservoir geologic model and flow and processing specialists. simulation, optimizing completions, and SPEAKER minimizing the number of dry holes. 4D is Fields in West Africa and the Gulf of David Johnston simply the use of multiple seismic surveys Mexico demonstrate that the deepwater Exxonmobil Exploration Company shot over a producing field. Changes production environment presents unique AAPG Distinguished Lecture in the seismic response typically occur opportunities and challenges for 4D because of production-induced changes projects. Issues range from the impact 11:30 am in saturation and pressure. Successful 4D of surface facilities on data quality to Thursday, April 10, 2008 projects have been carried out in a wide contending with ongoing field operations. Telus Convention Centre range of geographical areas, geological In addition, aggressive drilling schedules Calgary, Alberta settings, and depletion scenarios. dictate a rapid turnaround of 4D data. But these fields have high drilling and well Please note: The cut-off date for ticket To maximize the value of a 4D seismic intervention costs and 4D seismic may sales is 1:00 pm, Monday, April 7, 2008. project, planning for 4D is a critical be the only available field-wide reservoir Ticket Price: $34.00 + GST. part of an overall field lifecycle strategy. surveillance tool. This presentation shows In exploration, assets can be screened how 4D seismic technology can be used Due to the recent popularity of talks, we for potential 4D application. Early in in deepwater reservoir management and strongly suggest purchasing tickets early, as development planning, 4D seismic models discusses some of the challenges faced in we cannot guarantee seats will be available based on reservoir flow simulations and its application. on the cut-off date. geologic models are used to estimate the magnitude and interpretability Biography David Johnston graduated in 1973 with his B.Sc. in Earth Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978. Between 1978 and 1979 Johnston did doctorial research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1979-2000 Johnston worked as a Research Geophysicist for Exxon Production Research Company. From 2000 to 2002 he worked as a Research Reservoir Imaging Geophysicist for ExxonMobil Upstream Expertise in heavy oil & deep basin reservoirs Production Research Company. Presently Johnston is a Senior Geophysical • Time Lapse (4D) Processing Advisor for ExxonMobil Exploration Company. Johnston has authored and co-authored over 25 • 4D Cross Equalization external publications, numerous publications internal to ExxonMobil, and presented over • Multicomponent (3C, 4C) Processing 50 technical papers at conferences including AAPG, SEG, SPE, and OTC. Johnston is • 3D Merging involved with AAPG, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Society of Petroleum Engineers, • PSTM with Common Offset Vector Binning and American Geophysical Union.

Hart Janssen B.Sc., Manager, Seismic Processing Direct: 403-260-3372 Main: 403-237-7711 www.sensorgeo.com

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predict the distribution of lithologies and properties that could not be defined or Reservoir-Scale reconstruct depositional histories. mapped using the well data alone. Seismic Although these conventional seismic Techniques employed by geophysicists for stratigraphic analyses are still used at least the past decade (inversion, seismic Stratigraphy fruitfully, new challenges and opportunities attribute studies, automated seismic confront the Petroleum Industry as it facies analysis, seismic visualization, etc.) SPEAKER faces the need to improve recovery from need to become routine parts of the Bruce Hart mature fields. These areas are commonly sedimentary geologist’s toolkit, whereas McGill University data-rich (lots of log, core, and production seismic interpreters (traditionally data), and covered by relatively small geophysicists in most companies) need 11:30 am three-dimensional seismic surveys that to study outcrops, core, and modern Tuesday, April 29, 2008 do not image all of the sequences or analogs in order to anticipate the Telus Convention Centre systems tracts that the reservoir rocks presence of depositional features that Calgary, Alberta are part of. As such, a new mindset cannot be resolved seismically. This cross- is needed, here termed reservoir-scale disciplinary interaction will undoubtedly Please note: The cut-off date for ticket seismic stratigraphy, to help geoscientists spawn new breakthroughs in sedimentary sales is 1:00 pm, Thursday, April 24, 2008. maximize the stratigraphic information geology, reflection seismology, petroleum Ticket Price: $34.00 + GST. they can extract from seismic data. geology, and related fields. Integration of geologic and geophysical Due to the recent popularity of talks, we concepts and data is critical. Biography strongly suggest purchasing tickets early, as Bruce Hart has a Bachelor’s Degree from we cannot guarantee seats will be available A case study from the Deep Basin McMaster University, a Master’s Degree on the cut-off date. (McCullagh, M.Sc., 2007, McGill University) from the Université du Québec à Rimouski, illustrates concepts and methods used in a and a Ph.D. from the University of Western The introduction of seismic stratigraphic reservoir-scale seismic stratigraphy. Every Ontario. He worked for the Geological Survey techniques in the 1970s gave sedimentary piece of available data, core, logs, seismic, of Canada, Penn State, and The New Mexico geologists in the petroleum industry and engineering data, was integrated Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources and Academia new tools for predicting to define stratigraphic controls on prior to joining McGill University in the lithology and analyzing the depositional production from the Cadotte Member in summer of 2000. From August 2006 – May history of sedimentary basins. Seismic the Wapiti Field area. Core and logs were 2007 (sabbatical leave) he was a seismic stratigraphy originally focused on large- integrated to establish a stratigraphic stratigrapher with ConocoPhillips’ Subsurface scale exploration problems and was based framework. Not all of the units defined Technology Group in Houston. on analyses of 2D seismic data in areas this way were resolvable seismically, and that were relatively “data poor” (i.e., few the three-dimensional seismic volume His research focuses on the integration logs, core, or production data). Reflection imaged only a relatively small portion of of 3D seismic and other data types in terminations, seismic facies, and other the depositional sequence represented reservoir characterization programs. His readily observable characteristics of seismic by the Member. However, the seismic 3D seismic work has addressed structural data were revealed to contain information data volume provided key information and stratigraphic problems from Paleozoic, that could be used, at least qualitatively, to about inter-well variability in reservoir Mesozoic, and Cenozoic clastic and carbonate reservoirs from the Alberta Basin, San Juan Basin, Williston Basin, Onshore and Offshore Gulf of Mexico, Permian Basin, Appalachian Basin, Scotian Shelf, West Africa, and Western Desert of Egypt. Reservoir characterization efforts have included evaluating fractured tight-gas reservoirs, porosity prediction in carbonate build-ups, sequence stratigraphy of lowstand deposits, extensional and strike-slip tectonics, and other topics.

He has over 50 technical publications (not including abstracts) and has taught courses and workshops for industry professionals on 3D seismic interpretation in Cairo, Copenhagen, The Hague, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Denver, New Orleans, San Antonio, Calgary, Halifax, and elsewhere, with participants working for companies such as Anadarko, ConocoPhillips, Nexen, Chevron, Apache, Shell, PetroCanada, Talisman, and others.

12 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 To us, it’s all about making your career a big success. Choose from over 50 exciting field seminars and short courses all designed with the goal of helping you explore and better understand your industry. For complete details on any of the field seminars and short courses offered by the AAPG, call +1 918 560-2650 or visit http://www.aapg.org/education/

SHORT COURSES Practical Salt Tectonics Reservoir Engineering for Petroleum Geologists Date: May 5-6, 2008 Date: May 28-29, 2008 Location: London, England Location: Houston, TX Instructor: Mark G. Rowan, Consultant, Boulder, CO Instructor: Richard G. Green, Saxon Oil, Dallas, TX http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=67 http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=71 Basic Well Log Analysis Exploring for Stratigraphic Traps Using Pressure/Depth Plots & Date: May 13-16, 2008 Locations: Austin, TX Salinities Date: June 2-4, 2008 Instructors: George B. Asquith, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Daniel A. Krygowski, The Location: Denver, CO Discovery Group, Denver, CO Exploration in StratigraphicInstructor: Hugh Reid, Hugh Traps W. Reid & Associates, Calgary, AB, Canada http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=109 http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=49 Essentials of Subsurface Mapping Date: May 19-20, 2008 Multi-Component Seismic Stratigraphy Location: Dallas, TX Date: June 11-12, 2008 Instructor: Richard Banks, Scientific Computing Applications, Inc., Tulsa, OK Location: Houston, TX http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=29 Instructor: Bob Hardage, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=42 Deep-Water Sands - Integrated Stratigraphic Analysis: A Workshop Using Multiple Data Sets Seismic Interpretation in Fold- and Thrust-Belts Using Date: May 26-28, 2008 Fault-Related Folding Techniques Location: London, England Date: June 17-20 Instructor: John M. Armentrout, Cascade Stratigraphics, Damascus, OR Location: Denver, CO http://www.aapg.org/education/shortcourse/details.cfm?ID=52 Instructor: John Shaw, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

FIELD SEMINARS

Modern Terrigenous Clastic Depositional Systems GEOTOUR! Geological Tour Through Alaska: A Trans-Alaskan Dates: May 1 - 8; June 14 - 21, 2008 Transect - Gulf of Alaska to Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean Location: Begins in Columbia and ends in Charleston, South Carolina Date: May 31 - June 10, 2008 Leader: Walter J. Sexton, Athena Technologies, Inc., Columbia, SC Location: Trip begins in Homer and ends in Fairbanks, Alaska http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=6 Leaders: Tom Plawman, BP, Anchorage, AK, and David Hite, Consultant, Anchorage, AK, for south-central Alaskan segment; Gil Mull, Santa Fe, N.M., Tom Plawman and David Hite for Submarine Canyons, Channels, Fans and Deep-water Brooks Range and northern Alaska segment Sequence Stratigraphy http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=113 Date: May 4-7, 2008 (beginning at noon on the 4th, ending late afternoon on the 7th) Location: La Jolla, San Deigo County, California Predicting Clastic Reservoirs Using Applied Sequence Stratigraphy Leader: John E. Warme, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO Date: June 7-14, 2008 http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=63 Location: Begins and ends in Salt Lake City, UT Leaders: Lee F. Krystinik, Fossil Creek Resources, Fort Worth, TX and Beverly Blakeney De- Controls On Porosity Types and Distribution in Carbonate Reservoirs Jarnett, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas, Houston, TX Date: May 18-23, 2008 http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=11 Location: Almeria Region, SE Spain, begins and ends in Las Negras, Spain. Fly from London/ Barcelona/Madrid Folding, Thrusting & Syntectonic Sedimentation: Leaders: Evan K. Franseen, Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, KS; Robert H. Goldstein, Perspectives from Classic Localities of the Central Pyrenees University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Mateu Esteban, REPSOL-YPF, Mallorca, Spain Date: June 16-20, 2008 http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=2 Location: Begins and ends in Barcelona, Spain Leaders: Antonio Teixell, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain, and Antonio Barnolas, Complex Carbonate Reservoirs: The Role of Fracturing, Facies and Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana, Madrid, Spain Tectonics http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=24 Date: May 24-30, 2008 (begins the afternoon of May 24 and finishes the afternoon of May 30) Location: Begins in Naples and ends at Rome International Airport (Italy) Sequence Stratigraphy and Reservoir Distribution in Leaders: Raffaele Di Cuia, G.E.Plan Consulting, Ferrara, Italy; Davide Casabianca, BP plc, a Modern Carbonate Platform, Bahamas Aberdeen, UK Date: June 16-20, 2008 http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=79 Location: Begins and ends in Miami, Florida. Four days are spent on a chartered boat in the Bahamas. Leaders: Gregor P. Eberli, Comparative Sedimentology Laboratory, University of Miami, Mi- ami, FL; G. Michael Grammer, Department of Geosciences, Western Michigan University, Kal- amazoo, MI; Paul M. (Mitch) Harris, Chevron Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA http://www.aapg.org/education/fieldseminars/details.cfm?ID=4

For more info or to enroll call +1 918 560-2650 or visit http://www.aapg.org/aug/ More science than you can shake a pick at. DIVISION TALKS Emerging Petroleum Resources AND ENVIRONMENT Division sponsored by

controlled and the well was successfully is emerging out of the last Ice Age, that Random blowout, drilled and cased for a deeper target in the observed warming is being driven by the Paleozoic. The well however, never methane being released from clathrates? potential fuel delivered gas at the rate and volume that was anticipated. BIOGRAPHY source or driver of John Bothwell has a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering What caused this sudden release of gas from Queen’s University in Kingston. Starting in climate change? from the Quaternary? Field data and the iron ore mines of Labrador he has worked observations suggest that the gas was in mining and related projects across Canada SPEAKER released or dissociated from a clathrate eventually ending up in Alberta, where he has John Bothwell or gas hydrate that was trapped in the consulted on rigs and in the oil sands mines for Consultant, Calgary Quaternary tills. Clathrates are composed over 30 years. Bothwell is currently consulting of a solid water lattice with trapped natural for a company on a porphyry copper deposit in 12:00 Noon gas such as methane. Clathrates, which are British Columbia. He is a member of APEGGA. Friday March 14, 2008 found trapped in permafrost and below the Aquitaine Building sea floor, are formed in response to specific Information 2nd Floor Conference Room (+15 Level) temperature and pressure conditions. When All lunch talks are free and open to the public 540 – 5th Ave SW subjected to an increase in temperature or a and do not require registration. Please bring Calgary, Alberta drop pressure outside their stability field, the your lunch. For information or to present a talk gas hydrates dissociate, releasing methane. for the Environment Division please contact Ten years ago a surprising natural gas These clathrates could become potential Andrew Fox at [email protected]. blowout occurred in a well being drilled sources of natural gas as conventional pools For information or to present a talk for the northwest of Wabasca, Alberta. The experience declining productivity. Emerging Petroleum Resources Division please blowout occurred at a depth of 124 metres contact Michelle Hawke at Michelle.Hawke@ while drilling the surface hole through The dissociation of gases from clathrates bp.com. Quaternary glacial till. Various estimates of might also impact climate change, adding maximum gas flow were between 2 and 4 additional greenhouse gases to the Technical Division Events are sponsored by IHS MMCF per day. Eventually the blowout was atmosphere. Is it possible that as the Earth (http://www.ihs.com)

“Sharing Ideas – Embracing Opportunities” August 13 — 15 | 2008 Dalhousie University | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Canada Thematic Sessions (Oral & Poster Presentations) Margin Evolution & Development | Basin Petroleum Systems | Productive Fields & Analogues OTHER PROGRAM FEATURES PROGRAM INFORMATION Field Trips: Short Courses: David E. Brown Nova Scotia, Morocco, Portugal Practical Salt Tectonics | Petroleum Systems Modelling [email protected] Core Workshop: Seismic Data Room: Grant D.Wach Offshore N.S. Reservoirs & Facies Latest Central Atlantic Programs & Profiles [email protected]

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE March 1, 2008 LOGISTICAL INFORMATION All abstracts must by submitted through the conference website Trudy D. Lewis WEBSITE www.conjugatemargins.com [email protected]

14 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 “Sharing Ideas – Embracing Opportunities” August 13 — 15 | 2008 Dalhousie University | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Canada Thematic Sessions (Oral & Poster Presentations) Margin Evolution & Development | Basin Petroleum Systems | Productive Fields & Analogues OTHER PROGRAM FEATURES PROGRAM INFORMATION Field Trips: Short Courses: David E. Brown Nova Scotia, Morocco, Portugal Practical Salt Tectonics | Petroleum Systems Modelling [email protected] Core Workshop: Seismic Data Room: Grant D.Wach Offshore N.S. Reservoirs & Facies Latest Central Atlantic Programs & Profiles [email protected]

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE March 1, 2008 LOGISTICAL INFORMATION All abstracts must by submitted through the conference website Trudy D. Lewis WEBSITE www.conjugatemargins.com [email protected] DIVISION TALKS Palaeontology Division sponsored by

March 15: Lectures March 16: WORKSHOPS PALEO 2008: held in Jenkins theatre Room B108, Mount Royal College

Annual 9:30 AM – Introduction 9:00 – 12:00 AM APS president Dan Quinsey Sleuthing Ancient “Menu Mysteries”. Paleontology Presented by Dr. Karen Chin, Assistant 9:45 AM – Alwynne Beaudoin Professor and Curator of Paleontology Symposium Royal Alberta Museum – Seeds and shells at the University of Colorado at Boulder. from soft sediment: macrofossil analysis at Participants will learn about how coprolites Presented in conjunction with the some late Quaternary sites in Alberta can be used to decipher diet. CSPG’s Palaeontology Division, Alberta Palaeontological Society, and Mount Royal 10:15 AM – Kevin Aulenback 1:00 – 4:00 PM College Earth Sciences Department Heterospory and you, the heterosporous Introduction to fossil vertebrate track ferns of the Horseshoe Canyon identification and field techniques. Lectures and Poster displays Formation Presented by Rich McCrea, Lisa Buckley, Sat., March 15, 2008, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm and Tammy Pigeon, P.R.P.R.C. Participants 11:00 AM – Coffee Break will learn the basics of recognizing fossil Workshops tracks and the kinds of data and records Sun., March 16, 2008, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 11:15 AM – Lisa Buckley that are useful when reporting discoveries PRPRC – Determining ontogenetic and to a museum or palaeontologist. They will Saturday lecture events and poster viewings individual variation in Coelophysis bauri be given a short lesson on the different are free and no registration is required. teeth types of footprints and what animals Workshops, however, require registration potentially made them. Participants will and a minor fee. All are welcome. 11:45 AM – Eric Snively make their own replica cast of a dinosaur University of Alberta – Raptors x 10,000: footprint to take home. Mount Royal College Continuities of carnivorous dinosaur 4825 Richard Road S.W. feeding across their size range To register for workshops contact Mona Calgary, Alberta Marsovsky (403) 547-0182 or monahome@ 12:15 – 2:00 PM telus.net. Workshop fee is $15 per person, Lunch Break and Poster Displays per workshop. Make cheque payable to the HUGH REID’S Alberta Palaeontological Society, P.O. Box 2:00 PM – Richard McCrea 35111, Sarcee Postal Outlet, Calgary Alberta, SPRING PRPRC – Fossil vertebrate tracks Canada T3E 7C7. Deadline for registration is COURSES from the Gorman Creek Formation, February 29, 2008. northeastern BC PRACTICAL DST CHART For information on the lecture program please INTERPRETATION 2:30 PM – Darla Zelenitsky contact Philip Benham (Philip.Benham@shell. University of Calgary – Reproductive traits com) or phone (403) 691-3343. (Thorough Basic Course) in non-avian dinosaurs: a comparison with Apr. 14-18, 2008 birds and crocodiles Information This event is jointly presented by the 16 WAYS TO IDENTIFY 3:00 PM – Darren Tanke, Alberta Palaeontological Society, Mount BYPASSED PAY FROM Don Henderson Royal College, and the CSPG Palaeontology DST DATA Royal Tyrrell Museum – Erosion Rates and Division. For information or to present a loss of fossils in Dinosaur Provincial Park talk in the future please contact CSPG (More advanced, for those Palaeontology Division Chair Philip Benham at “comfortable” with DST charts) 3:30 PM – Coffee Break 403-691-3343 or programs@albertapaleo. Apr. 23-24, 2008 org. Visit the APS website for confirmation of 3:45 PM – Keynote Speaker: event times and upcoming speakers: http:// Karen Chin www.albertapaleo.org/. HYDRODYNAMICS University of Colorado – Coprolites and SEMINAR Dinosaur Biology (Oil & Gas Finding Aspects) Apr. 28 - May 2, 2008 5:00 PM – Finish

In-house courses available. For course outline visit: www.hughwreid.com 262-1261

16 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 DIVISION TALKS Basin Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy Division sponsored by

bearing pedogenic/alluvial interval that caps they represent a transgressive systems tract in Depositional and demarcates the lower McMurray. This a meso- to macro-tidal environment. “alluvial unit” is restricted to the deeper history of the parts of the Athabasca basin, but can be The upper member of the McMurray persistent over an extensive area. It contains Formation abruptly overlies the middle McMurray the only terrestrial trace fossil assemblage member. The contact is typically dramatic (insect burrows) recognized to date from in outcrop, but can be somewhat enigmatic Formation: the McMurray Fm. The alluvial unit also and elusive in core. In subsurface studies includes abundant coarse-grained, apparently several coarsening-upwards parasequences a model driven freshwater, fluvial channels. At outcrops have been identified in the upper McMurray. around Daphne Island in the Athabasca River, These are typically widespread and bounded by outcrop the alluvial unit lies directly and unequivocally by flooding surfaces exhibiting transgressive on brackish-water, epsilon, point-bar deposits erosion. Where the coarsening-upwards observation (the so-called IHS or Inclined Heterolithic gamma ray signature of the parasequences Stratification). is missing, some researchers prescribe an SPEAKERS incised valley fill. Mike Ranger Therefore, although the lower member is Independent Consultant, and commonly described as being dominantly Overall, the McMurray Formation appears Murray Gingras fluvial, we frequently observe brackish-water to reflect a stacked set of parasequences University of Alberta characteristics in outcrop. Fluvial channels punctuated by episodes of sea level rise. These are indeed a common element, but they parasequences are predominantly regressive/ 12:00 Noon appear to be constrained to the extensive progradational in nature, and therefore Wednesday, March 26, 2008 alluvial unit that caps the lower member. deltaic by definition. We interpret the middle EnCana Amphitheatre McMurray succession (the main reservoir 2nd Floor, East end of the The middle McMurray member lies on an unit) to represent a trans-regressive couplet. Calgary Tower Complex erosional, apparently transgressive, contact The lower megarippled sands constitute 1st Street and 9th Avenue SE with the lower McMurray alluvial unit. Two transgressive tidal sand deposits whereas the Calgary, Alberta facies associations dominate the middle (Continued on page 18...) McMurray member: thick, cross-bedded, We present here a model for the deposition megarippled sands, and thick sand- to mud- of the McMurray Formation built on the study dominated IHS beds with a brackish trace and observation of the outcrops along the fossil signature. The mega-rippled sands CORRECTION Athabasca River and its tributaries over many (the main reservoir) always underlie the IHS seasons. These observations can be carried beds, a package ranging up to 40 metres In the January issue of the into the subsurface, but not without difficulty in thickness. The prevailing interpretation due to restraints of scale and differences in has been that this succession represents a Reservoir the the nature of core versus outcrop. continuous genetic unit of thick estuarine 2006 Thesis Award Winners channel fills, where the lower mega-rippled The prevailing thought regarding the sands comprise the traction load in the were listed instead of the McMurray Formation is that it represents thalweg, merging upwards into point-bar (IHS) 2007 Thesis Award Winners. overall transgression wherein the lower deposits. This is commonly referred to as McMurray is mostly fluvial, the middle the Flach and Mossop model. More recently, The recipients of the 2007 McMurray is mostly estuarine, and the upper some researchers have suggested that the Thesis Awards are the McMurray is mostly marine in nature. We do estuarine channels comprise an incised valley not agree with this interpretation. Abundant fill complex. following: evidence from outcrop and core suggests the M.Sc. Thesis Winner that each of the lower, middle, and upper Although we agree with some elements of the is Jessica R. Rylaarsdam, members have experienced independent Flach and Mossop model, observations from complex histories not necessarily restricted outcrop suggest that the model should be the Ph.D. Thesis Winner to, or defined by, marine, brackish, or fresh modified and restricted in scope. We observe is Alexander J. MacNeil, water conditions. a regional, erosional discontinuity between the mega-rippled reservoir sands and the overlying and the M.Sc. Thesis There are a number of stratigraphic IHS point bars, which at least locally, precludes Honourable Mention is relationships that are observed to recur in their interpretation as a continuous channel outcrop. Each of the lower, middle, and upper fill. Furthermore, we find no strong evidence Patrick D. Johnstone. members contains boundaries and internal that the middle McMurray represents an stratigraphic surfaces that can be correlated amalgamation of incised valley fills. Rather, We would also like to over a wide area, and which we interpret to the IHS beds at all of the outcrops can be have sequence stratigraphic significance. explained as intensely crosscut channel and announce that Mike Finn is the distributary channel deposits. We also observe 2007 Link Award recipient. One of the units that is easily correlated an overwhelming marine-tidal signature in the within the McMurray Formation is a coal- mega-rippled reservoir sands and suggest that

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 17 (...Continued from page 17) studies to pursue a Ph.D. in petroleum geology at research focuses on applying sedimentology and erosionally overlying IHS constitute brackish- the University of Alberta. His dissertation was a ichnology to sedimentary rock successions, as a water (deltaic), distributary channel deposits. basin study of subsurface south Athabasca. Since paleoecological tool, a reservoir-development The sharp discontinuity between the units 1993 he has been an independent consultant tool, and in process sedimentology. is a regressive surface of erosion suffered and researcher, and has worked on many of the during the deltaic phase. major projects of the Athabasca and Peace River The authors have offered to host an extended, oil sands. Ranger is also an adjunct professor at informal discussion of the models and ideas The system appears to have been dominantly the University of Alberta. presented here. An additional 30 minutes have controlled by tidal forces in its initial and been allocated, and we welcome your input. middle stages (lower and middle McMurray), Murray Gingras evolving to a wave- and fluvial-dominated Murray Gingras received his diploma in INFORMATION system later in its history (upper McMurray) mechanical engineering technology from the BASS Division talks are free. Please bring your due to the physiography of the basin. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in lunch. For further information about the division, 1987, his B.Sc. degree from the University joining our mailing list, a list of upcoming talks, BIOGRAPHIES of Alberta in 1995, and his Ph.D. from the or if you wish to present a talk or lead a field Mike Ranger University of Alberta in 1999. Gingras has trip, please contact either Steve Donaldson Ranger attended Concordia University in worked professionally in the hydrocarbon at 403-645-5534, email: Steve.Donaldson@ Montreal and Memorial University in St. John’s industry at the Northern Alberta Institute of encana.com or Mark Caplan at 403-532-7701, Newfoundland before starting his career in Technology and as an assistant professor at the email: [email protected] or visit our web Calgary. Following eight years as a geologist for University of New Brunswick. He is presently page at www.cspg.org/events/divisions/basin- Gulf Canada Resources, he resumed his academic tenured at the University of Alberta. Gingras’ analysis-sequence-strat.cfm.

18 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 DIVISION TALKS SEDIMENTOLOGY Division sponsored by

broader question of when the Tibetan plateau are therefore interpreted as having been Using the actually became a large topographic feature reset during burial. Thus, paleoelevation is more difficult to resolve. Oxygen isotope reconstructions derived from the oxygen sedimentary values of nonmarine carbonate provide isotope values of these paleosol carbonate a means of investigating paleoelevation nodules are completely erroneous. record to histories. The oxygen isotopes of carbonate nodules in paleosols and lacustrine limestone However, slightly younger strata (Eocene) reconstruct the are a function of the oxygen isotope in southern and central Tibet have paleosol values of local water and precipitation, carbonate nodules that retained their original rise of the which in turn, are strongly influenced by oxygen isotope values and indicate southern- elevation. Thus, oxygen isotope values of central Tibet was at an elevation of ~five Tibetan Plateau nonmarine carbonate can be used to infer kilometres above sea level by 40 Ma. These paleoelevation. A necessary precondition paleoelevation data are inconsistent with SPEAKER of this technique, but one that is difficult to several tectonic models that propose only Andrew L. Leier, assess, is that the sampled carbonates have recent (<10 Ma) surface uplift in the region. Department of Geoscience, not been altered during diagenesis. University of Calgary BIOGRAPHY [email protected] The oxygen isotopic component of this Andrew Leier received a B.S. in Geology from investigation yielded both positive and Bucknell University (Pennsylvania), an M.S. in 12:00 noon negative results. Samples were collected Sedimentary Geology from the University of Thursday, March 27, 2008 from paleosol carbonate nodules and Wyoming, and a Ph.D. from the University of BP Tower, 240 – 4 Ave SW, Room 201 marine limestone from Cretaceous strata Arizona in 2005. From 2005 to 2007 Leier was throughout southern Tibet. Implausibly a post-doc at Princeton University. Leier recently The Tibetan plateau is the largest low oxygen isotope values measured in joined the University of Calgary as an Assistant region of elevated topography on earth, the marine limestone indicate extensive Professor in the Department of Geosciences. encompassing an area approximately half the diagenetic alteration of the original isotopic Leier’s interests are in basin-scale sedimentary size of Canada and at an average elevation values. The oxygen isotope values of studies and investigating tectonic and climatic of five kilometres above sea-level. Plateau paleosol carbonate nodules are identical to controls on the sedimentary record. construction is typically associated with those of the altered marine limestone, and the collision between India and Asia at ~55 Ma; however, several collisions between northward-migrating terranes and southern Asia are thought to have preceded the Indo- Asian collision, leading to speculation that plateau formation may have commenced as early as the Mesozoic Era.

Mesozoic strata in southern Tibet record a dynamic tectonic history. Upper Jurassic strata in central and southern Tibet consist of deepwater clastic sediments that coarsen- and shallow-upward into lower Cretaceous marginal marine sandstone and fluvial conglomerate. These strata were deposited in a peripheral foreland basin that formed as the southernmost terrane of Tibet was sutured onto southern Asia. Middle Cretaceous strata consist of a widespread orbitolinid-bearing limestone that was deposited in a shallow marine seaway. Upper Cretaceous strata consist of arkosic fluvial sandstone and mudstone, including numerous paleosols. These strata were deposited in a foreland basin that formed as a volcanic arc and north- verging fold-thrust belt developed along the southern margin of the plateau.

Whereas the sedimentary record contains clear evidence of crustal deformation and rock uplift during the Cretaceous, the

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 19 DIVISION TALKS Geofluids Division sponsored by

response to the energy crises of the 1970s, generation have been examined in British Geothermal the federal government ran a Geothermal Columbia (total estimated 1,500 MW Energy Program (from 1976 to 1986). capacity) but have not been developed resource Resultant work provided a first-order to date. Sedimentary basins of western assessment of national geothermal energy Canada have also been shown to host potential in potential which spurred a number of test localized areas of high temperature waters sites that have shown both economic that could be used to generate electricity. Canada savings as well as significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While historically discovering hot water SPEAKER has been a bad thing, there exists potential Dr. Stephen Grasby, Still some areas of high geothermal to make ‘dry wells’ a profitable geothermal Geological Survey of Canada potential have never been developed to energy resource. Estimates of total in- full realization. More recent increases place geothermal energy resources of 12:00 Noon, in energy prices, declining conventional the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin Friday, March 28, 2008 oil reserves, and increased concern over (~13x1021J) exceed that of oil and gas Aquitaine Tower Auditorium greenhouse gas emission has combined to energy reserves. (on +15 Level), renew interest in alternative renewable Room 1400, 540 – 5th Avenue SW, energy supply. Canada has recently seen a rapid expansion Calgary, Alberta of low temperature developments, over Geothermal energy can be subdivided 40,000 private installations representing As of 2005, the global generation of into high and low temperature. High 2,546 TJ/year of direct use. Many new electricity from geothermal power reached temperature resources, restricted to developments and private home owners 8,900 MW. Direct use of geothermal western Canada, allow direct generation are now considering geothermal energy energy (space heating, heat pumps, etc.) of electricity, whereas low temperature as a viable heating option. Spurred by accounted for 28,000 MW. Despite high resources available across the country the success of using warm waters in the potential, geothermal energy has been a allows for use of direct heating and heat abandoned and flooded mine at Springhill largely undeveloped resource in Canada. In pump technology. Potential sites for power Nova Scotia, several towns are examining flooded mines for similar potential. In general, Canada has a well defined and extensive renewable geothermal energy resource, a resource that has only barely Benchmark ACTUAL been realized. BIOGRAPHY Stephen Grasby obtained his Ph.D. in aqueous Finding & Development Costs geochemistry from the University of Calgary in 1997. Since then he has worked at the Geological Survey of Canada – Calgary, as well • compare to 12 conventional strategies as holding Adjunct Professor positions in the Department of Geology, University of Calgary (7 gas, 5 oil) plus Tight Gas & CBM and in the Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba. He has been active • ‘drill vs. buy’ (M&A data from in the Groundwater Program and currently Sayer Energy Advisors) leads the project on assessment of regional aquifers. He is recognized for his expertise on • full cycle economics (with Sproule) the biogeochemistry of thermal and mineral springs in Canada. In addition he has worked for 38 plays, including 10 unconventional for several years in Canada’s High Arctic on chemostratigraphy and regional correlations • extensive Trust analysis within the Sverdrup Basin, in addition to work • Early Bonus: 2 complimentary 8-page on petroleum potential in the basin. Natural Gas Topic reports

iv Ann ers th ar 5 y For more info on this 22nd FD&A Analysis, contact: 2 Bill Gwozd, P. Eng., (403) 234-4299, ziff ENERGY GROUP [email protected] Global Energy Advisors 1982-2007

20 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 21 BOOK REVIEW: Canada Rocks – The Geological Journey | by Ashton Embry

understand. One of the most impressive and shaped our landscape over the past features of the book is that everyone from 2½ million years. seasoned geologists to non-scientists with a vague curiosity about rocks will find the The chapter on resources emphasizes book highly informative and entertaining. mining and again there is a wealth of information compacted into the breezy The next five chapters are the heart of the text and great diagrams. This chapter book and describe the five main geological provides a good way to get an update regions of Canada – Precambrian Shield, on the latest hypotheses and theories Interior Platform, Atlantic Canada, Arctic, on mineral formation. For example, I and Cordillera. I found it most useful had not realized that all the kimberlite to learn about the latest thinking about occurrences in Canada can be related to the areas which I am less familiar with, hot spot tracks which developed as North such as the Precambrian Shield where America drifted westward in Mesozoic I spent a very long field season some and Tertiary. 42 years ago. The story of the growing Precambrian continental masses from I was surprised at the very short section “Arctica” to “Nena” and culminating in on oil and gas. Although the authors cover “Rodinia” opened up a new way of looking some of the basics, they could have greatly at our fly-infested Shield. I read the Arctic fleshed out this section, especially given chapter with both interest and a critical the great contribution of the petroleum This is the first time I have ever written an eye, wondering if the authors would do my industry to Canada and to geoscience. unsolicited book review. However, after favorite bit of Canada justice. I am pleased having gone through this book by geologists to report they have indeed captured the The chapter on environmental geology is from the University of Toronto, Nick latest concepts of the geological history comprehensive and covers topics such as Eyles and Andrew Miall, I felt compelled of the Arctic basins and I could only smile water resources, pollution, earthquakes, to let our members know that, at last, we when I came across a picture which used rock falls, and medical geology. Global have a wonderful, user-friendly account of a much earlier version of me as a scale. warming is also addressed in a well the geological evolution of Canada. The If anyone wants a concise and accurate balanced account and it was good to see authors rightly note in the preface that summary of the development of Arctic that the authors assessed a two minute geological text books used in Canada most Canada, this account fits the bill. penalty to the erroneous and misleading often employ examples from areas outside hockey stick curve. The book ends with of Canada, a strange occurrence given I am sure our members will be most a short chapter on how geology has been that Canada has the most diverse and well interested in the treatment of Western a big contributor to the shaping of a exposed geology in the world. The authors Canada geology and the authors have Canadian identity. Fittingly, the authors leave no doubt about Canada’s geological done an admirable job of describing and point out that “Canada is a nation whose bounty and they unabashedly show it illustrating the rocks and history of the rocks and peoples are all from some off with countless exquisite pictures of Western Canada Sedimentary Basin and place else.” geological phenomenon from all of our the adjacent mountain belt. The Paleozoic diverse geological provinces. history is reviewed in the Platform chapter In summary, this is a book that should be and the authors nicely adopt the Sloss in every Canadian household. It presents Besides the many outstanding sequences to form the framework for their the science of geology and the geology photographs, the book also contains descriptions. The Mesozoic and Tertiary of Canada in a very colourful and easy to many, well conceived, colourful diagrams sedimentary packages are well integrated understand fashion, a feat never before which go a long way to help explain how into the Cordillera chapter and the linkage accomplished. I have no doubt that any the geology of Canada came to be. The between the basin development and the geologist who flips through the book will authors emphasize the long plate tectonic mountain belt is emphasized. not be able to resist the urge to purchase history of Canada from the Archean to it. It is the ideal source book for a basic the present and clearly demonstrate how Given that Nick Eyles’s main research understanding of the geology of every Canada is an amalgamation of continental area is glacial geology, it is not surprising region of Canada and it may well inspire fragments which have been brought that the book contains an excellent young people to pursue a career of studying together over billions of years. In the first chapter on the Pleistocene geology of Canadian rocks. We owe Eyles and Miall a three chapters, the authors discuss some our country. I learned a lot from this debt of thanks for portraying our science key geological principles and methods account and, again, it is the outstanding and our rocks in such a fine fashion. such as dating rocks with zircons and how pictures and illustrations that allow one plate tectonics works. Their explanations to readily grasp the big picture of how are very clear, well illustrated, and easy to and why glaciers have waxed and waned

22 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 “We need a world-class team to manage one of Western Australia’s greatest assets.”

Professor Alan Robson – Vice-Chancellor

A teaching and research centre for petroleum geoscience is being established within the School of Earth and Geographical Sciences at The University of Western Australia (UWA). Funding related to this initiative is being provided by Woodside Energy Ltd, Chevron Pty Ltd, the Western Australia Energy Research Alliance (WA:ERA) and UWA. The Centre is expected to begin operation early in 2008. The School of Earth and Geographical Sciences at UWA is one of the leading geoscience groups in the world with established strengths in resource industry teaching and research. The successful applicants will be joining a group with extensive experience in teaching and research designed for the needs of the local and international resource industry. WOODSIDE-CHEVRON CHAIR IN PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCE (REF: 2107) This position is funded by Woodside Energy, Chevron and UWA. The Chair’s role calls for an outstanding geoscientist with a demonstrated record of achievement in petroleum geoscience. Applications are also encouraged from individuals early in their career who can demonstrate outstanding potential. The appointee will have primary responsibility for building and leading a unique and sustainable research and education enterprise and will also provide technical advice to the sponsoring companies. Experience of working in, or closely with, the petroleum industry is essential. The appointment is initially for 5 years with extension of this term and the opportunity of a permanent appointment dependent on the success of the Centre and satisfactory performance reviews. RESEARCH FELLOW/SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW (REF: 2108) This three year appointment is funded by the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance (WA:ERA). The appointee will play an active role within the petroleum geoscience discipline in the University and industry and will work closely with WA:ERA partners in particular the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Applications are sought from candidates with expertise in any field of petroleum geoscience but with preference given to geologically oriented interpretation of seismic reflection data. The successful applicant’s expertise will complement the geophysical, petrophysical and reservoir-scale expertise available in UWA, CSIRO and Curtin University. Experience of working in, or closely with, the petroleum industry is highly desirable. Closing date: Friday, 28 March 2008.

The University of Western Australia offers an attractive remuneration package including generous superannuation and leave provisions, fares to Perth (if applicable) for appointee and dependants along with a removals allowance. For further information regarding the positions please contact Professor Mike Dentith, on 61 8 6488 2676 or email [email protected], School of Earth and Geographical Sciences The Information for Candidates brochure which includes details to assist with your application may be found at https://www.his.admin.uwa.edu.au/Advertising/2107-2108CandidateInformation.pdf or via a link at http://jobs.uwa.edu.au/ or contact Ms Toni Pilgrim, Human Resources on +61 8 6488 3533, email [email protected]. Written applications should be sent to Ms Toni Pilgrim, Human Resources, M350, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 or to lodge an application electronically please refer to the Information for Candidates brochure for details.

Committed to International Excellence

UNWH00019 CSPG 2007 Finance Report | By Peter Harrington, 2007 Finance Director

It is my pleasure to report to the CSPG Society’s finances is our annual convention. Technical Luncheons showed a strong membership on your Society’s fiscal position We had another successful annual convention increase in attendance during fiscal 2007. as of its year-end of August 31, 2007. The in 2007 both from a technical as well as a Profits from technical luncheons remain CSPG again had a strong financial year while financial perspective. The annual convention relative low however ($4,871 in net income organizing and delivering on a wide variety realized a net profit of $387,271 to the during fiscal 2007 from revenues of $462,774) of technical and social events. The ongoing CSPG, not including profits the society made as the technical luncheons are budgeted with success of the Society is due in no small part on field trips and short courses run during a fairly low profit margin. The loading of to our energetic volunteers with the help the convention (this year those amounts are webcast versions of our luncheons on our and support of our skilled and dedicated included under Education). website costs $45,000 – $50,000 per year office staff. but is an important part of the CSPG’s It’s abundantly clear that without a efforts to market it to our members who For fiscal 2007 the audited financial statements successful and robust annual convention, reside outside of southern Alberta and thus show a deficit of $27,043 on revenues of the CSPG finances would be significantly represents a good investment for the CSPG. $2,609,196 less expenses of $2,636,239. impacted. Fiscal 2008 should provide During the audit process last year a total another strong convention year for the CSPG membership increased during fiscal of $27,358 in net accruals were mistakenly CSPG with the planned joint annual 2007 thanks to the efforts of the Membership left in fiscal 2006. If those accruals had been convention along with the recently Committee supported by our office staff. We properly accounted for, the CSPG would completed Gussow conference. ended the year with membership income of have ended fiscal 2007 with a small ($315) $323,680, up 1.4% from last year’s total. The surplus. We do a conservative annual budget Continuing Education continues its resurgence CSPG has not raised its annual dues since which typically projects a small surplus. and posted a profit during fiscal 2007 of 2002 thanks to the monies provided by such $79,877, up from last year’s profit of $65,146 efforts as the annual convention, continuing This year there were a number of unforeseen and from the fiscal 2005 profit of only $1,051. education, and the Reservoir along with the and unpredictable circumstances which Continuing Education is now coordinating conservative financial planning strategy resulted in some negative impacts on our final the field trips and short courses during the carried out by the Society. numbers. Also, some delays in invoicing will annual convention as well as at other times result in some revenues associated with fiscal throughout the year. 2008 should be another The CSPG Reservoir showed a profit of 2007 events (like the Student Industry Field successful year for our education efforts as $82,584 during fiscal 2007, down from Trip) being included in next year’s financials. we’ve now added an annual CSPG Education $95,182 in 2006 and $103,707 in 2005. The As in past years, one of the main drivers of our Week beginning in late October. Society is planning for a larger Reservoir in the

24 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 future with additional technical content (we’ve fiscal 2007 totaled $803,435. The oil industry over last year’s total. While that sounds like already seen some of the enhancements in has changed and what could be done by a lot of money, it represents less than 40% of recent editions of the Reservoir) which should volunteers in the past now has to be handled our expenses for fiscal 2007. We completed also result in additional profits. through the office. Also, we could not have a review of our surplus fund during 2007 realized our significant increases in the and did not recommend any changes to The CSPG’s various social events are technical and financial results of our annual our investment portfolio or to the size or budgeted to run at a small profit in order convention (to give just one example) without rationale behind the fund itself. to help cover the overhead costs carried by the work of our office staff. Our increased the Society to run these events (office costs, office presence has allowed us to grow many My job as your Finance Director would not staff costs related to sponsorships and ticket areas of our Society, including sponsorship have been possible without the help of many sales, etc). We are able to run a broad range and advertising, which has allowed us to keep individuals. The entire CSPG office staff is of social events at a reasonable price to our membership dues constant while increasing to be commended for their support of all members and these events are a key part of various activities including outreach. the CSPG’s efforts, and I’d like to personally our Society’s contribution to the industry thank both the Business Manager, Tim and our profession. Additionally during fiscal 2007 a number Howard as well as Kim MacLean (Corporate of maternity leaves, staff changes, and Relations) for their help and assistance to me Outreach has been a growing part of our other staffing issues created a challenging throughout the year. I’d also like to thank the society’s efforts and expenditures over the environment for the CSPG office, especially entire CSPG Executive for their support of last number of years. As we raise more money considering Calgary’s overheated job market my work. through sponsorships as well as through the last year. All in all considering the challenges efforts of the annual convention, continuing and resources available to the CSPG, our Any individual builds on the work of his/ education and the like, much of the excess investment in our office staff has been money her predecessors and hands off to their resources have been channeled into outreach well spent. successors. I’d like to thank Marty Hewitt, efforts. Outreach expenditures totaled the previous Finance Director as well as $154,078 in fiscal 2007, up from $143,602 last In order to protect our Society from James Donnelly who will be succeeding me, year. Our efforts in this area will continue to unexpected events, we maintain a surplus for their help over the past two years. I grow in the future with the addition of new fund (not to be confused with the CSPG know the Society’s finances will be in good programs including the 100 Student Jobs and Trust which is used to fund both CSPG hands under James’ stewardship over the K-12 Education initiatives. outreach activities along with other general next year. philanthropic efforts). The CSPG surplus fund The CSPG’s largest single expense category had an estimated market value of $1,017,057 Peter Harrington is office overhead or “Operations,” which in on August 31, 2007, an increase of 2.43% 2007 Finance Director

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 25 Reservoir Engineering for Geologists Part 5B – Material Balance for Oil Reservoirs | by Ray Mireault P. Eng., Chris Kupchenko E.I.T, and Lisa Dean P. Geol., Fekete Associates Inc..

Material balance calculations for oil reservoirs are more complex than for gas reservoirs. They must account for the reservoir volumes of the produced fluids and the effect of pressure depletion on the oil volume remaining in the reservoir. They must account for the formation, expansion, and production of solution gas. The calculations must also account for the expansion of the reservoir rock and formation water, since they have similar compressibility as oil. As noted in last month’s article, typical compressibility ranges are:

• Rock: 0.2 to 1.5x10-6 kPa-1 • Gas: 10-3 to 10-5 kPa-1 (Varies significantly with reservoir pressure.) • Water: 0.2 to 0.6x10-6 kPa-1 • Oil: 0.4 to 3x10-6 kPa-1

Nonetheless, in theory, material balance calculations can provide an independent estimate for the original oil-in-place for a solution gas drive reservoir with sufficient production history.

Havlena and Odeh (1963) developed a Figure 1. Gas Reservoir P/Z Material Balance Diagnostics. useful graphical procedure for estimating the oil-in-place volume for a solution When an oil deposit has a gas cap, the place (referred to as “m”). Now upward gas drive reservoir (see Figure 1). By material balance calculations must curvature on the Havelena-Odeh plot rearranging the material balance equation also account for gas cap expansion and indicates that the “m” value (size of so that the total withdrawals from the production. However, there are now too the gas cap) is too small relative to the reservoir are grouped onto the y axis many unknowns to develop a unique solution selected oil volume. Downward curvature while all the expansion terms are grouped by material balance alone. Estimating the indicates that “m” (size of the gas cap) is on the x axis, the correct oil-in-place value oil-in-place in the presence of a gas cap too large (Figure 3). will generate a straight line trend on the first requires a volumetric estimate for the graph. Thus the oil volume for a solution size of the gas cap. Then the size of the Due to the fact the solution is non-unique gas drive reservoir can be determined by oil deposit can be estimated via material many combinations of OOIP and “m” can successively iterating until a straight line balance calculations. be found that will mathematically match the is achieved. Upward curvature indicates reservoir production and pressure history. that the value selected as the OOIP is too Though it cannot independently determine Mathematically successful solutions can small. Downward curvature indicates that the oil-in-place volume when a gas cap range from: the selected value is larger than the true is present, the Havlena-Odeh plot can size of the oil deposit. Various formulations assist in confirming the consistency of • A large oil volume with a relatively small of the material balance equation can be the proposed solution. For every gas cap gas cap. sourced in any of the references cited. volume, there will be a corresponding oil- • A small oil volume with a relatively large in-place volume that together result in a gas cap. Figure 2 presents a Havlena-Odeh plot straight line pressure trend on the Havlena- • Multiple intermediate oil and gas cap for a solution gas drive reservoir with Odeh plot. As before, upward curvature volume combinations. an OOIP of 49 MMSTB. The four points on the plot indicates that the OOIP value calculated from reservoir pressure is too small; downward curvature that it is The dilemma can usually be resolved by measurements are in good agreement too large (Figure 3). using geological knowledge to identify the with the predicted trend based on the material balance solution(s) consistent with OOIP value. Inadequate pressure build- In practice, a table of values for OOIP the reservoir’s physical geometry. This up time may be the reason that the third is often set up and iteration performed consistency check provides the best chance pressure measurement comes in slightly on the ratio of the reservoir volume of determining the correct magnitude of below the predicted trend line. of the gas cap relative to the oil-in- OOIP and OGIP.

26 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 • An upward curvature when there is pressure support due to fluid influx. • A downward curvature when there is a pressure deficit.

The Havlena-Odeh plot cannot however, identify the reason for pressure support or the pressure deficit. Potential reasons for pressure support include:

• An unaccounted-for water injection/ disposal scheme. • Flow from a deeper interval via a fault or across a fault from an adjacent reservoir compartment. Note that the fluid can be any combination of oil, gas, and water. • “U tube” displacement of the producing reservoir’s water leg by a connected reservoir. The connected reservoir is usually gas-bearing and may be undiscovered. • Expansion of water. Due to the limited Figure 2. Multi-Well Gas Reservoir P/Z Plot. compressibility of water (0.2 to 0.6x10-6 kPa-1) the water volume must be at least 10 times the reservoir oil volume for water expansion to provide pressure support. Thus the Cooking Lake aquifer underlying Alberta D-3 oil pools has the potential but water legs in clastic reservoirs are too small.

Potential reasons for a pressure deficit or downward curvature include:

• Later time interference from unaccounted- for producing wells. • Rock compressibility in an overpressured reservoir. • An inflow that gradually decreases over time, perhaps because of depletion or because flow across the fault decreases/ ceases below a certain pressure threshold.

In cases where fluid inflow is suspected, knowledge of the reservoir geometry is an absolute requirement to limit the possible reasons for either an upward or downward curving trend.

Thus far, the discussion has been on the Figure 3. Multi-Well Gas Reservoir Pressure vs. Time Plot. theoretical challenges to material balance analysis. In addition, a real world challenge Geologic knowledge of the reservoir geometry task significantly more challenging than might is the scatter that is present in the pressure is also essential when attempting to assess be concluded from this article. data. As with gas systems, oil well pressure fluid influx into a reservoir. For example, data must first be correctly grouped into water influx into a D-3 reef with an underlying The Havlena-Odeh plot is also useful when common reservoirs to generate reliable aquifer could be assessed by periodically logging fluid influx is suspected, as in possible trends. But oil pressure data generally selected wellbores to determine and relate a inflow across a fault. In theory, measured exhibits greater scatter because: rising oil-water interface to a water influx reservoir pressures on a Havlena-Odeh volume. Once the influx volume is estimated, plot will exhibit (Figure 4): • Longer build-up times are required to in theory a material balance estimate for the extrapolate the pressure data to a reliable original oil-in-place volume can be calculated. • A straight line for a volumetric (solution gas estimate of reservoir pressure, due to the However, internal compartmentalization of or gas cap) expansion reservoir provided increased viscosity of oil. the reef into multiple reservoirs may make the the OOIP and OGIP values are correct. (Continued on page 28...)

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 27 (...Continued from page 27) • Pressure gradients across the reservoir are more pronounced, due to the oil viscosity. • Pressure differences in an oil column, due to the density of the oil, are sufficient to require careful correction to a common datum. • Multiple perforation intervals and inadvertent commingling of intervals that were isolated by nature creates the potential for crossflow and further confuses the pressure data interpretation.

Other potential sources of error include: • Thermodynamic equilibrium is not attained. • PVT data that does not represent reservoir conditions. • Uncertainty in the “m” ratio. • Inaccurate production allocation.

Yet despite the foregoing theoretical and practical challenges, material balance analysis has proven its worth, with the accuracy of the analysis generally increasing as the reservoir is produced. In Fekete’s experience, the most reliable analyses are obtained by integrating the reservoir geology; Figure 4. Single Well Gas Reservoir P/Z Plot. fluid properties; and the well production, pressure, and completion histories into a consistent explanation.

References Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, 2004. Determination of Oil and Gas Reserves. Petroleum Society Monograph CL Consultants Number 1, Chapter 7. Limited Havlenah, D., and Odeh, A.S. 1963. The Material Balance as an Equation of a Straight Line. Trans., AIME, Vol. 228, p. 896. • Geological Consulting • Vast domestic and international Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook, experience since 1979 2005. Procedures for Estimation and Classification of Reserves, Vol 2, Section 6. • Extensive technical support • Gas detection and log annotation available Craft, B.C., and Hawkins, M.F., 1964. Applied • Geoprint software Petroleum Reservoir Engineering. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. • Competitive rates • Member of APEGGA Look for our next article on “Well Test Interpretation/Pressure Transient Analysis” in • Member of IS Net World and the April issue of the Reservoir. HSE Canada This article was contributed by Fekete Associates, 3601A - 21 St. NE Inc. For more information, contact Lisa Dean at Calgary, AB T2E 6T5 Fekete Associates, Inc. Tel: 403.250.5125 Tel: 403.250.3982 www.clconsultants.ca

28 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 ROCK SHOP

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RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 29 THE NEOPROTEROZOIC OLD FORT POINT FORMATION, Southern Canadian Cordillera | by Mark D. Smith, R.W.C. (Bill) Arnott, and G.M. Ross

Part 1: Historical Background and Stratigraphic Formalization

INTRODUCTION Regional stratigraphic markers are essential for reconstructing large, poorly fossiliferous sedimentary systems. In the same way that the Exshaw Formation forms part of a pan- North American series of nearly isochronous black shales, the Old Fort Point Formation (OFP) of the Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup (WSG) is a unique stratigraphic marker that provides a key element in reconstructing the WSG sedimentary basin and linking it with coeval global events. The OFP is a predominantly fine-grained mixed siliciclastic / carbonate marker unit, locally exposed over an impressive area of 35,000 km2 in the southern Canadian Cordillera (Figure 1), and key for regional stratigraphic correlations. The WSG has long been plagued by complex stratigraphic nomenclature due largely to its indistinct (some would say monotonous) lithologic character, immense size of the depositional system, structural complexity, and small study areas (Figure 1). These uncertainties have resulted in a complex and commonly confusing stratigraphic nomenclature for not only strata of the OFP, but the entire WSG (Figure 2).

The distinctive nature and widespread occurrence of the OFP led to its recognition by several authors as a significant and correlatable horizon throughout the southern Canadian Cordillera. Stratigraphically upward, the OFP comprises three lithological units:

1) fine-grained siltstone-mudstone that Figure 1. Simplified geological map of the WSG, southern Canadian Cordillera showing prominent outcrop grades upward to a rhythmic limestone localities of the OFP and correlatives (modified from Ross and Murphy, 1988). / siltstone; 2) organic-rich mudstone/pelite that locally Cordillera, and its importance as a sedimentology and sequence stratigraphic is sulfidic; and stratigraphic marker recognized, there is no framework of the deep-marine OFP. 3) heterogeneous lithofacies including diamictite, single study that has specifically focused on breccia-conglomerate, sandstone, quartz the detailed sedimentology and stratigraphy History of Previous Work arenite, calcareous arenite, arenaceous of the OFP on a regional scale. This and the The first report of lithologies consistent limestone, limestone, and mudstone- next paper on the OFP stem from the current with the OFP was by Charles Doolittle siltstone. These units and their stratigraphic Ph.D. research conducted by the first author. Walcott in 1910, from his work in the Lake relationship are unique when compared to The purpose of this paper is to provide the Louise area (Figure 1, Location A). He strata in other parts of the WSG in the historical background of work conducted identified two Precambrian units, the Corral southern Canadian Cordillera. over the last ~100 years, and the current Creek (lower conglomerate-sandstone) and effort toward a formal stratigraphic definition Hector (upper slate) formations that were Although the OFP has been described from of the OFP and its three constituent members. unlike the cliff-forming quartz arenites in many locations in the southern Canadian The second paper presents details of the the overlying Cambrian. The division of

30 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 the first group to conduct detailed structural and stratigraphic mapping of the Precambrian Miette Group within Jasper National Park in the 1960s (Figure 1, Location B). The Old Fort Point Formation was first informally named in the 1950 Edmonton Geological Society Fieldtrip Guidebook to describe a unit consisting of phyllite, limestone, limestone breccia, and conglomerate that were easily differentiated from other Miette Group stratigraphy. The name “Old Fort Point” comes from a prominent local landmark south of the Jasper townsite where accessible exposures of the unit are located (Figure 3A). C. R. Evans completed a M.Sc. thesis (1961) mapping and describing the OFP at the landmark, followed by the Ph.D. work of J. L. Weiner (1966) who Figure 2. Stratigraphic nomenclature of the WSG, southern Canadian Cordillera. correlated the OFP on a more regional scale within Jasper National Park. Compilation these two formations over the study area significance of the Mount Temple member of these works and formal definition of the was feasible using the distinctive lithologies as a marker horizon in the Lake Louise OFP and proposed regional correlations consisting of purple/green slate, limestone, area and assign names to OFP lithologies were first published in Charlesworth et and limestone-bearing conglomerate to (Taylor Lake and Mount Temple members), al. (1967). Subsequently, J. D. Aitken of mark the base of the Hector Formation. He but these were not properly defined, the Geological Survey of Canada was the also identified the Precambrian-Cambrian being published in the 1957 conference first in 1969 to unequivocally correlate the contact as an angular unconformity fieldtrip guidebook of the Alberta Society OFP of the Jasper area with the distinctive but incorrectly placed it at the base of of Petroleum Geologists. basal unit of the Hector Formation in immature conglomerates, shown later to be the Lake Louise area. He also corrected Neoproterozoic in age. William Carruthers During the first half of the 20th century, Walcott’s placement of the Precambrian- Gussow was the next to conduct work on additional reconnaissance mapping was Cambrian recognizing that its “angular” Precambrian rocks in the Lake Louise area carried out in a number of other regions in nature was in fact a prominent Precambrian during the 1950s. He revised the stratigraphy the southern Canadian Cordillera of Alberta erosion surface (submarine canyon to comprise a single stratal unit, the Hector and British Columbia. These workers studied by R.W.C. Arnott for his M.Sc. in Formation, but then subdivided it into four included: Walcott (1913) in the Mount 1984) and documented the magnitude of informal members: Robson area; J. A. Allan, P. S. Warren, and erosion along the regional unconformity R. L. Rutherford (1932) in the Jasper area; and (Aitken, 1969). 1) basal Corral Creek member (coarse- J. F. Walker (1926), C. S. Evans (1933), and grained, immature); J. E. Reesor (1957) in the Purcell Mountains. The recognition of a consistent, probably 2) Taylor Lake member (purple argillite or These authors described lithologies correlative, fine-grained triad (siltstone, shale); consistent with the OFP, but no specific limestone-siltstone, organic-rich mudstone) 3) Mount Temple member (rhythmic bedded subdivisions or implications of a regional throughout the southern Cordillera limestone); and marker horizon were noted. resulted from detailed mapping beginning 4) an unnamed upper member (coarse- in the early 1980s by a number of workers grained, immature). He was also the first Henry A. K. Charlesworth and his graduate at Canadian institutions: to recognize (or at least document) the students from the University of Alberta were (Continued on page 33..)

Figure 3. OFP localities in the Jasper National Park. A) Old Fort Point Landmark. B) Geikie Siding along Highway 16.

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 31 Figure 4. OFP localities on the Lake Louise Ski Hill. A) Temple Lake and Geikie Siding members, Wolverine Bowl. B) Whitehorn Mountain Member, Boomerang Ski-Run. Ski hill (images used courtesy of the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.).

32 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 (...Continued from page 31) code (NACSN, 2005). The type locality approximately 15 km west of Jasper, Alberta 1) Phillip S. Simony and graduate students from for the OFP comes from the prominent (Figure 3B). The selection of this site as the the University of Calgary including: J. Pell landmark located <1 km southeast of Jasper principal reference section is based on a in the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains where strata of the OFP crop out (Figure number of factors: it is well exposed, easily (Figure 1, Location H); J. A. Carey in the 3A). Unfortunately, the locality is a poor accessible, close to the previously defined Cushing Creek and McKale River areas, type section because it is unrepresentative type locality, the recent Re-Os isochron Rocky Mountains (Figure 1, Location of the full OFP succession with only strata age (607.8 ± 4.7 Ma) is from this locality D); M. R. McDonough in Mount Robson of the upper member exposed, and lacks the (Kendall et al., 2004), and representative Provincial Park area and Selwyn Range, more regionally extensive and recognizable strata of all three members crop out. Despite Rocky Mountains (Figure 1, Location C); lower two members that enabled basin-wide its suitability in many stratigraphic aspects, and T. E. Kubli in the Dogtooth Range, correlation (e.g., Ross and Murphy, 1988). neither the basal nor upper contact with Purcell Mountains (Figure 1, Location F). the WSG are exposed and thus, a number The new principal reference section of the of supplementary reference sections for the 2) Eric W. Mountjoy and graduate students OFP is proposed to be the Geikie Siding OFP have been designated (Figure 1). from McGill University: R. Forest, G. A. roadcut outcrop located along Highway 16, (Continued on page 34..) Klein, R. G. Deschesne and S. E. Grasby in the Park and Selwyn Ranges, Rocky Mountains (Figure 1, Location C); and R. G. Deschesne in Jasper National Park, Rocky Mountains (Figure 1, Location B).

3) Other projects included: D.C. Murphy and AAPG 2008 Annual R. L. Brown from Carleton University in the Cariboo Mountains (Figure 1, Location H); Convention and Exhibition S. E. Grasby and R. L. Brown in the Selkirk Mountains (Figure 1, Location G); and M. J. Warren and Ray Price from Queen’s April 20-23 • San Antonio, Texas University in the Purcell Mountains (Figure 1, Location E). Find new plays and new ways to maximize your reserves potential These projects focused primarily on unraveling the structural complexity in their respective areas and resulted in a number of location-specific, informal names for the It’s all here at AAPG OFP including: Old Fort Point Formation, Kaza Group “marker,” Baird Brook Division, you should be here too Comedy Creek unit, and upper and lower markers (Figure 2). During this time, mapping The best and most promising new technologies by Gerry M. Ross from the Geological 1,000+ oral and poster sessions Survey of Canada examined the Windermere succession from a sedimentological The collective expertise of thousands of geoscientists perspective and recognized the stratigraphic Network and share ideas with like-minded professionals significance of this distinctive marker horizon in the Cariboo Mountains and correlated it State-of-the-art displays showcasing the with other regions in the southern Canadian best products and services Cordillera (Ross and Murphy, 1988). 225+ exhibiting companies Towards Stratigraphic Register by April 1 and save up to $200 Formalization Given the significance of the unit, it is www.aapg.org/sanantonio or call +1 781 821 6732 important to properly formalize the stratigraphic nomenclature of OFP across the southern Canadian Cordillera. We will also introduce three new members, the Temple Lake, Geikie Siding, and Whitehorn Mountain members according to the North American Stratigraphic Code (NASCN, 2005). The following summary is a brief description of the forthcoming work that outlines the proper stratigraphic formalization.

The name “Old Fort Point Formation” is to be retained and simply undergo a revision in definition to receive proper designation as outlined by the recently amended stratigraphic

aapgMAR08cspg_sd.pdf 1 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH2/11/08 2008 8:39:58 PM 33 (...Continued from page 33) mudstone, rare sandstone, and rhythmic comes from the railway marker Geikie Siding, Based on previous studies and more recent limestone-siltstone packages of the lower located along Highway 16, approximately 15 detailed work, we also propose three new OFP. The name of the member comes km west Jasper (Figure 3B). lithostratigraphic subdivisions for the OFP: from an exceptional exposure near Temple Temple Lake Member (lower), Geikie Siding Lake on the northeastern slope of Mount Whitehorn Mountain Member: the Member (middle), and Whitehorn Mountain Temple, Lake Louise area. A similar, well Whitehorn Mountain Member (WMM) Member (upper). These names are based exposed section is located in Wolverine is introduced to describe lithologically on geographic features where well exposed Bowl, at the Lake Louise Ski Resort (Figure diverse strata in the upper part of the representative sections can be easily 4A, page 32). OFP. It is composed of diamictite, breccia- observed, and for the most part, do not conglomerate, sandstone, quartz arenite, duplicate names already in the literature. Geikie Siding Member: the Geikie Siding calcareous arenite, arenaceous limestone, Member (GSM) is introduced to describe the limestone, and mudstone-siltstone. The Temple Lake Member: the Temple Lake light grey to dark grey, fine-grained mudstone name of the member comes from Whitehorn Member (TLM) is introduced to describe (shale and pelite) unit with rare beds of dark- Mountain where, <0.5 km downslope from the variably coloured (purple, green, grey limestone and fine-grained sandstones the peak, is a representative section located red-brown, grey) fine-grained, siltstone- of the middle OFP. The name of the member on the “Upper Boomerang” Ski Run (#64) of the Lake Louise Ski Resort (Fig. 4B).

Summary The Old Fort Point Formation is a lithologically unique unit that forms an important stratigraphic Take your pick marker horizon in the WSG, and is mappable and correlatable on a regional scale in the southern Canadian Cordillera. The purpose of formalizing the stratigraphic nomenclature of the OFP in accordance with the North American Stratigraphic Code (NASCN, 2005) is an attempt to provide a simple and consistent stratigraphic framework for this important marker horizon in the WSG of the southern Canadian Cordillera. The next paper will summarize the main stratigraphic and sedimentologic elements of the OFP and describe its depositional environment in a sequence stratigraphic framework.

References Aitken, J. D., 1969. Documentation of the sub- custom solution Cambrian unconformity, Rocky Mountains Main Ranges, Alberta. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 6, p. 193-200.

Charlesworth, H. A. K., Weiner, J. L., Akehurst, A. J., Bielenstein, H. U., Evans, C. R., Griffiths, R. E., Remington, D. B., Stauffer, M. R., and Steiner, J., 1967. Precambrian Geology of the Jasper Region, Software Services Data Consulting Alberta. Alberta Research Council Bulletin, 74 p. GeoCarta Tools Digitizing Solutions 3D Modeling Log Digitizing Express Database Executive Map Suite Technical Records 3D Modeling GeoVista The Rat Imaging Workstation Rentals Land Data Digital Data Imaging Seismic Data Loading enerGISite OeX Formation Tops Data Westcan Raster Maps Crosslog Suite AB Formation Limits Kendall, B. S., Creaser, R. A., Ross, G. M., and Selby, D., 2004. Constraints on the timing of Marinoan “Snowball Earth” glaciation by 187 There is no wrong answer. Re-187Os dating of a Neoproterozoic, post- glacial black shale in Western Canada. Earth and At Divestco, we understand what it means to be a customer. You like Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 222, p. 729-740. to be able to depend on a service provider to act in your best interests, give you exactly what you need, and only what you want. Divestco’s NACSN, 2005. North American Stratigraphic integrated offering for geological professionals gives you the ability to SOFTWARE Code; North American Commission on choose from a wide range of geological products and services to suit your Stratigraphic Nomenclature. AAPG Bulletin, Vol. unique needs. Pick anything you want, choose a bundled offer or let our SERVICES experts create a custom solution for you. DATA 89, p. 1547-1591. CONSULTING Call Jennifer Davies at 403.537.9904 www.divestco.com Ross, G. M., and Murphy, D. C., 1988. or email [email protected] for more information. TSX: DVT Transgressive stratigraphy, anoxia, and regional correlations within the late Precambrian Windermere grit of the southern Canadian Cordillera. Geology, Vol. 16, p. 139-143.

34 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 Cadomin Tight Gas Reservoirs along the updip edge of the WCSB Deep Basin | by Brad Hayes, President, Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd.

mapped. Very poorly sorted conglomerates are typical of proximal alluvial fan settings; sorting generally increases eastward such that moderately sorted medium- to coarse- grained sandstones with minor pebbles are common in fluvial strata of the Spirit River Valley (Figure 4).

Conglomerates are typically chert litharenites, with well rounded chert pebbles ranging from granules up to several centimetres in diameter. Sorting is poor, with finer sands filling interpebble pore spaces; only rarely is pebble-supported porosity observed. Finer sandstones feature more quartz and better sorting overall. Sedimentary rock fragments are locally common, as are coal and mud clasts. Less common accessories include detrital carbonates, feldspars, and igneous/ metamorphic rock fragments. (Continued on page 36..)

Figure 1. Cadomin situation map, Western Canada. Fox Creek Escarpment is updip depositional edge of Cadomin. West of the Deep Basin edge, Cadomin strata are gas saturated, and gas can be produced wherever there is sufficient permeability. To the east, gas and oil are produced from conventional stratigraphic and structural traps.

(This article is an expansion of a presentation Cadomin sediments are the initial fill of the made at “Let it Flow” – the 2007 CSPG / CSEG northward-draining Spirit River Valley system, Convention Core Conference, in May, 2007) which is bounded sharply to the east by the Fox Creek Escarpment in the north, and the Stratigraphy and Distribution Taber Escarpment in the south (Figure 1) The Cadomin is a widespread sandstone and (Gies, 1984; Smith et al., 1984; Hayes, 1986; conglomerate ranging from five to more than Smith, 1994; Hayes, 2005). 25 metres thick. It lies sharply on the pre- Mannville unconformity, and is abruptly or Reservoir Description gradationally overlain by Gething and Lower Poorly sorted fine- to coarse-grained Mannville non-marine rocks. sandstones and chert pebble conglomerates characterize the Cadomin (Figures 2, 3). Cadomin strata represent an initial pulse of Alluvial fan to fluvial environments of pediment, alluvial fan, and fluvial sedimentation deposition are indicated by large-scale, high- in Early Cretaceous time, following uplift of energy cross-bedding, poor sorting, lack the Columbian orogenic highlands to the of marine features, and position atop the Figure 2. Poorly sorted Cadomin conglomerate with west. Pronounced subsurface and outcrop pre-Mannville unconformity. There are no sandy matrix. Extensive silicification has almost completely destroyed primary matrix porosity. thicks, particularly evident at Mount Belcourt characteristic internal stratigraphic markers, Brittle fractures (some filled) provide some overall and Peace River, mark major depocentres. and specific reservoir trends have not been permeability to the Cadomin reservoir.

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 35 is isolated production from Foothills fractured reservoirs at Ojay / Hiding Creek (northeastern B.C.), and at Chinook Ridge / Narraway (west-central Alberta), but some of this is commingled with the Nikanassin, so that the Cadomin contribution is difficult to differentiate.

Reliable resource estimates are not available for the Cadomin. Both GSC and Canadian Gas Potential Committee assessments combine the Cadomin within several play types. More importantly, existing resource assessments do not address significant strides made within the last few years in producing gas from low- permeability Cadomin reservoirs.

Cut Bank Ridge – Groundbirch Productive Trend Deep Basin Cadomin prospectivity was established with the initial development of the Elmworth Field in the early 1980s, and was extended into B.C. with Canadian Hunter’s exploration drilling in the late 1980s. However, economic production rates Figure 3. Cadomin conglomerate – some interpebble Figure 4. Cadomin sandstone from a well near the could not be systematically achieved with the porosity occurs where sandy matrix is absent, but it eastern margin of the Spirit River Valley in west- has been largely filled by white authigenic clay. central Alberta. Note better sorting in sands and technology and gas prices of the day. isolated pebbly lens. In 2003, EnCana completed acquisition of (...Continued from page 35) Hydrocarbon Occurrences and a large acreage position at Cutbank Ridge, Cadomin reservoir quality is generally poor. Production capping 18 months of purchasing land and Pervasive silica cement occludes most quartz The Deep Basin was first defined in Canada drilling delineation wells. Based upon their sand-supported porosity, while pressure within the Cadomin Formation, and is well “resource play” concept first employed at solution has produced sutured/stylolitic documented at Elmworth and adjacent Greater Sierra in the Jean Marie, EnCana contacts, and has reduced porosity in more areas (Gies, 1984; Varley, 1984) (Figure 1). determined that the Cadomin could be chert-rich sands and conglomerates. White The Cadomin produces gas from the updip exploited economically using current drilling (kaolinitic) clays fill much of the rare pebble- edge of the Deep Basin in northeastern and completion practices, and economies supported porosity (Figure 3). Cadomin rocks B.C. and adjacent Alberta, at Wild River of scale associated with drilling and tying in are characteristically glassy and brittle, but have in west-central Alberta, and at Hooker/ many wells in a contiguous area. Burlington locally developed considerable permeability High River in southwestern Alberta. There Canada (now ConocoPhillips) and other as the result of small- to moderate-scale fracturing (Figures 2, 4). In places, core is rubbled or has not been recovered.

Core analyses show very low porosities (commonly <5%) and permeabilities (<0.5 mD, with many values <0.1 mD) in deep Cadomin sections in the western parts of the basin. Where fractures occur, porosity values remain low, but permeabilities are in the 0.5-10 mD range, with spikes to 100 mD+ corresponding to larger fractures. Updip toward the Deep Basin edge, reservoir quality improves to 5-10% porosity and 1-10+ mD, reflecting less extensive diagenetic degradation. Pressure transient analyses indicate in situ permeabilities of 0.01 to 0.5 mD.

Conventional well log suites are reliable in assessing Cadomin lithologies and porosity. Permeabilities are more difficult to assess, however, because of variations arising from grain size, sorting, and fracturing. Locally, bitumen or pyrobitumen may appear as Figure 5. Thin section showing relatively poor intergranular porosity and cross-cutting fractures within chert porosity on porosity tools. pebbles. Partially filled fractures impart limited permeability fairways within Cadomin strata.

36 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 operators have also aggressively pursued the Cadomin at Cutbank Ridge since 2003. To the northwest at Groundbirch, intensive drilling since 2005 for deeper Triassic targets has extended the Cadomin Deep Basin edge play fairway.

The updip edge of the Cadomin Deep Basin is well defined by gas production downdip, and formation water tests updip. Isolated water recoveries in the Deep Basin may be attributed to locally trapped “perched” water accumulations, or to mud filtrate recoveries. Almost every well completed in the Cadomin Deep Basin has flowed some gas, but economic rates and reserves (at reasonably projected gas prices) are limited to better reservoir rock found in a narrow band along the Deep Basin updip edge.

Cutbank Ridge is a good example of modern engineering technology and elevated long-term gas prices making a previously uneconomic “tight” gas play economic. The Cutbank Ridge area itself does not appear to be unique in terms of Cadomin reservoir characteristics, and current drilling is expanding the play northwestward toward Groundbirch and southeastward toward Wapiti.

Hooker / High River Field Cadomin strata (locally termed the Basal Quartz) lie within a north-south trending valley system in the Hooker / High River area, part of a more regional valley mappable over 150 km. Drilling depths range from about 2,300 metres in the north to more than 3,200 metres in the southern part of the valley trend (Figure 6).

Gas was discovered in conventional traps in the Basal Quartz valley fill to the north at Crossfield in the 1960s. Spence (1997) mapped the Basal Quartz valley system southward, into an area with little well control. Reservoir quality deteriorated downdip, and conventional traps were difficult to define. Following Spence’s work, Compton Petroleum identified an extensive Cadomin / Basal Quartz fairway in the Hooker / High River area, and assembled an extensive land position. In 1999, they participated in the High River discovery well, which demonstrated that gas was present and producible. Today, Figure 6. Situation map, Cadomin / Basal Quartz at Hooker / High River. Intensive development has taken place the Hooker / High River development covers downdip of the Deep Basin edge, at depths where economic porosity and permeability are preserved. The valley about three townships, and is controlled trend can be traced southwestward, but production tests in Twp. 13 and 14 show lower permeabilities. almost completely by Compton.

The Cadomin / Basal Quartz valley-fill section through compaction and silica cementation. is significantly poorer at 4-35-14-1W5, at Hooker / High River ranges in excess of Reservoir quality is highly variable – core where a Cadomin core exhibited average 25 metres thick, but exhibits considerable analysis porosities generally range from porosity and permeability of 6.0% and 0.4 variability, with net/gross ratios below 50% in 5-14%, with permeabilities of 0.1-5mD, but mD, respectively. In situ values are probably some wells. Sandstones are finer grained and isolated sweet spots with better sorting considerably lower, as the reservoir is buried less pebbly than the Cadomin to the north, and/or coarser grain size exhibit 20-80 mD to almost 3,500 metres at this location. and have experienced significant degradation permeability. Downdip, reservoir quality (Continued on page 38...)

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 37 (...Continued from page 37) Basin. Considerable exploration potential Hayes, B.J., 2005. Revisiting the Early Cretaceous However, considerable secondary solution remains in southwestern Alberta, where the paleogeography of N.E. British Columbia – porosity has been observed in a number updip margin is poorly defined, and further important stratigraphic controls on large gas fields. of cores, and the potential for porosity north, between Townships 20 and 50, where CSPG Reservoir, Vol. 32, #1. enhancement in coarser reservoirs at depth the Fox Creek Escarpment veers westward must be considered. toward the mountain front, and regional fluid Hayes, B.J.R., M. Junghans, K. Davies, and M. relationships are poorly known. Stodalka, 2003. New Deep Basin gas plays at A core production area in Twp. 16-18, Hooker Alberta: extending Deep Basin prospectivity Rge. 29W4 has been developed with well Regionally, Cadomin reservoirs thicken southward . Proceedings, AAPG 2003 Conference, densities of up to 4 wells/section (Figure westward, but suffer degradation of reservoir Salt Lake City (extended abstract). 6). Compton reportedly uses 3D seismic quality through compaction and cementation. attribute mapping to highgrade infill Gas resource potential in these areas is huge, Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd., 1998. Mannville locations. Hayes et al. (2003) reported but is only now being realized as production and Jurassic petroleum geology of the Chin Coulee average initial deliverabilities of 1.2 MMCF/D, on a large scale. Specific structural trends Area, South-Central Alberta. Non-exclusive report. with associated liquids of 20 Bbl/MMCF, and at Ojay, Hiding Creek, Chinook Ridge, and reserve potential of 6 BCF/section through Copton / Narraway in the central Foothills Schultheis, N.H., and E.W. Mountjoy, 1978. the main pool area. Cumulative production are under active development. Cadomin conglomerate of western Alberta – a values vary substantially, reflecting reservoir result of Early Cretaceous uplift of the Main Ranges. quality variations and staged development More generally, an important strategy for Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology, Vol. 26, of the pool. The best wells have produced accessing tighter Cadomin gas resources in #3, p. 297-342. 50-100 e6m3 over about 4.5 years. the future is through drilling for multizone potential, so that other zones share the Smith, D.G., 1994. Foreland Basin. In Geological Formation water has not been encountered economic burden. Successful development Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary within Hooker / High River, and a Deep Basin at Elmworth, Wapiti, and Wild River all Basin. G.D. Mossop and I.Shetsen (compilers). regime appears to exist where impermeable depend upon accessing gas in uphole zones, Calgary, Canadian Society of Petroleum Rierdon shales separate the reservoir and in many cases, commingling it with the Geologists and Alberta Research Council, from the underlying Mississippian regional Cadomin. p. 277-296. aquifer. The Deep Basin updip limit has been interpreted to occur in Twp. 19-20, near the References Smith, D.G., C.E. Zorn, and R.M. Sneider, 1984. Rierdon subcrop edge. Gies, R.M., 1984. Case history for a major Alberta The paleogeography of the Lower Cretaceous of Deep Basin gas trap: the Cadomin Formation. In: western Alberta and northeastern British Columbia Cadomin Tight Gas Summary Elmworth – Case Study of a Deep Basin Gas Field, in and adjacent to the Deep Basin of the Elmworth and Future Activity AAPG Memoir 38, p. 115-140. area. In: Elmworth – Case Study of a Deep Basin The Cadomin is the best defined and most Gas Field, AAPG Memoir 38, p. 79-114. widespread tight gas play in western Canada. Gordon, A.A., and M.E. Reichenbach, 2004. Deep Basin sandstones and conglomerates Cadomin Formation mechanisms that control Spence, B.R., 1997. Sedimentology of the Lower blanket the western margin of the WCSB, reservoir quality and fluid sensitivity. Proceedings Cretaceous Basal Quartz formation, southwestern and large gas fields are being developed ICE 2004 Conference, CSPG. Alberta. University of Calgary, M.Sc. thesis, 220 p. in several distinct areas – Groundbirch / Cutbank Ridge / Wapiti, Wild River, and Hayes, B.J., 1986. Stratigraphy of the basal Varley, C.J., 1984. The Cadomin Formation: a model Hooker / High River. These developments are Cretaceous Lower Mannville Formation, southern for the Deep Basin type gas trapping mechanism. based upon occurrence of the best reservoir Alberta and north-central Montana. Bulletin of In: The Mesozoic of Middle North America, CSPG quality along the updip margin of the Deep Canadian Petroleum Geology, Vol. 34, #1, p. 30-48. Memoir 9, p. 471-484.

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38 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008

2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention Short Courses

Pre-convention courses is a new book, illustrated with a wealth and live demonstrations emphasize course of new photographs, maps and diagrams, material. SCPRE01 that describes the four-billion-year Sequence Stratigraphy: A Practical geologic history of Canada for a non- Understanding of Basinal Controls for technical audience. This course describes SCPRE08 Mapping and Exploration and explains the Phanerozoic history of Concepts, Models, and Case Studies Instructor: Andrew Miall Canada’s sedimentary basins by situating of Dolomitization – with Applications Date: May 5 – 6, 2008 the development of the North American to Hydrocarbon Exploration and continent within the context of global plate- Development A practical course designed to assist the tectonic evolution. Instructors: Hans Machel and Jay Gregg petroleum geologist in the identification Date: May 8 – 9, 2008 of different types of sequence, based on the generating mechanisms. The sequence SCPRE05 This course summarizes the major advances architecture in a given basin (thickness, Sequence Stratigraphy: and current controversies in dolomite extent, isopach pattern, composition) may Principles and Applications research. A major part of this course deals reflect the action of several simultaneous Instructor: Octavian Catuneanu with the various dolomitization models, processes interacting locally to globally over Date: May 7 – 9, 2008 from early to late and from shallow to deep, a wide range of time scales. from hypersaline reflux to hydrothermal This course presents the concepts and dolomitization and MVT mineralization. practical applications of sequence These concepts will be applied to SCPRE02 stratigraphy for petroleum exploration and hydrocarbon exploration and development, Shale Gas Critical Fundamentals, production. All concepts are illustrated with specific reference to the Devonian of Techniques and Tools for with field examples of seismic, well-log, Western Canada. Exploration Analysis core, and outcrop data. In-class exercises Instructor: Basim Faraj emphasize the recognition of sequence Date: May 5, 2008 stratigraphic surfaces and systems tracts SCPRE09 on well-log cross-sections, seismic lines, An Introduction to Petroleum This one-day course will introduce and outcrop profiles. Geostatistics the fundamental differences between Instructor: Clayton Deutsch conventional, hybrid, and shale gas plays. Date: May 8 – 9, 2008 Source and reservoir rock attributes of SCPRE06 shale gas plays will be discussed as well Practical Sequence Stratigraphy: The fundamentals of geostatistical tools as GIP calculations, water, oil and gas Concepts and Applications for constructing models of geological saturations, essential laboratory, and Instructor: Ashton Embry heterogeneity and quantifying uncertainty optimum geochemical and mineralogical Date: May 5 – 6, 2008 are presented. The practical application parameters. Slickwater completion (vertical of tools and procedures for constructing and horizontal) lessons learned from the This two-day course presents the concepts and high resolution models of surfaces, facies US will be detailed. Canadian plays will be practical applications of sequence stratigraphy and petrophysical properties will be highlighted and discussed. for petroleum exploration. Workshop covered with examples. Emphasis will be exercises will emphasize the recognition and placed on reproducing all available data correlation of sequence stratigraphic surfaces and quantifying uncertainty for improved SCPRE03 on well log cross-sections. decision making. Basic Petroleum Economics Instructor: Dave Volek Following the course, participants will have Date: May 6, 2008 a clear understanding of the use of sequence SCPRE10 stratigraphy for predicting facies types and Exploration 101: Learn the principles of cash flow discounting and geometries away from control points. Basic Geological and Seismic present value – and how these principles apply Principles in the Upstream in making capital investment decisions in a world Petroleum Industry of risk. Bring your laptop with a spreadsheet SCPRE07 Instructor: Easton Wren program for lots of “learn-by-doing.” Visit the 3-D Seismic Interpretation Date: May 9, 2008 (Half-day) Finance section of www.oilfinancier.com to Instructor: Bruce Hart inspect this seminar’s topics. Date: May 7 – 8, 2008 This is a brief, yet illuminating, introduction to exploration and will take the participant An introduction to 3D seismic technology, through the normal progression from SCPRE04 emphasizing fundamental principles of the the origins of oil and gas to geological Canada Rocks: The Geological History interpretation process. Course touches concept to prospect definition to drilling of Canada’s Sedimentary Basin on physical basis of seismic method, the exploratory well using a combination of Instructors: Nick Eyles and Andrew Miall acquisition and processing effects on geological and seismic tools. This course is Date: May 7 – 8, 2008 data interpretability, 3D survey design, open to all interested parties, but preference 3D visualization, and 3D interpretation will be given to exhibitors and students. “Canada Rocks: The Geologic Journey” workflow. Short exercises, case studies

40 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 SCPRE11 examination of several cores that illustrate Wireline Production Logging is an Risk and Analysis of various facies types and/or significant invaluable means in assisting Reservoir and Exploration Plays stratigraphic surfaces. Completion Engineers in understanding Instructor: Gary Citron the effects of completions and stimulations Date: May 9, 2008 on a well. Production logging can also be SCPRE13 used as a diagnostic tool in checking cross This course serves as a companion with Exploration: From Geology to the flow between zones, packers or sliding R&A’s successful course “Exploration Seismic Section sleeves integrity and channels behind Economics, Risk Analysis and Prospect Instructor: Bob Parker casing. This one day course will cover Evaluation.” While The Prospect is the Date: May 7 – 9, 2008 all PL tools available in the industry and economic unit of exploration, The Play is the specific applications of each tool. More operational unit. Accordingly, this course This 3-day course takes the participants information on this course may be found addresses what many authorities believe through the complete cycle of exploration in the Final Circular or online at www. to be the most difficult and critical task in geophysics. It starts with a review of GEOconvention.org. Petroleum Exploration: the selection of geological principles – the target of the CPSG Reservoir plays and concessions in which to explore. seismic tool. It then looks at seismic Color acquisition and processing – how the SCPRE15 Deadline: Feb 1, 2008 subsurface is imaged. A section on the Formation Damage Evaluation, SCPRE12 seismic response to geology examines Reduction and Removal The Stratigraphic Setting of Lower how these images appear on the seismic Instructor: Brant Bennion and Middle Triassic Strata, Western section, and looks at pattern recognition Date: May 6, 2008 Canada Sedimentary Basin as a tool in interpreting both structural and Instructor: Jim Dixon stratigraphic features. The course ends with Course will consist of a combination of Date: May 9, 2008 hands-on interpretation exercises (including interactive lectures and question-answer some interpretation pitfalls). sessions. Course Content includes: The objective of this course is to help • Definitions of formation damage explorationists understand the regional • Major mechanisms of formation damage stratigraphic setting of Triassic rocks SCPRE14 • Mechanical damage mechanism and how this can be used in a more Production Logging • Chemical damage mechanisms local exploration program. The course Instructor: Munir Sharar • Fluid –fluid issues is four hours long and consists of two Date: May 5, 2008 • Wettability alterations and their impact lectures, some correlation exercises and an on reservoir performance • Biological formation damage issues • Thermally induced formation damage • Formation damage and horizontal wells • Why is damage more a concern in horizontal wells

SCPRE16 Learn about Logging - Acoustic Logging Instructors: Denis Schmitt, Doug Patterson, in Three Days John Walsh Your company expects you to interpret and understand Date: May 7, 2008 open-hole logs in the  eld. Incorrect and inaccurate data The objective of this course is to provide may lead to decisions that will cost your company tens of both an overview and understanding of thousands of dollars. the theory, physics, and measurements of borehole acoustic devices. The course will If you’re a geologist or technologist and want to learn more discuss the basic system configurations of about logging, this three-day course is for you. Logging the older generation monopole devices, – Finding the Oil and Gas is a hands-on course that will still being utilized, as well as the new generation mulitpole and cross-dipole improve your understanding of the various open-hole systems more commonly used. The critical logging methods, as well as wellbore parameters and issues of log quality control and the borehole logging theory. Learn from Baker Atlas – the leaders in environmental effects will also be covered. open-hole logging. The course focus will be the application and limitations of the measurements from This course will be held in Calgary, these devices in petrophysical, geophysical, April 22-24, 2008 and reservoir engineering disciplines using real-world examples. www.enform.ca Toll Free: (800) 667-5557 Direct: (403) 250-9606 (Continued on page 42...)

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 41 (...Continued from page 41) The one-day course will introduce attendees forming structures for fold-thrust belts will SCPRE17 to the following aspects of Borehole Imaging: be presented. Problem sets will provide hands Log-Core Integration • Tool theory and data acquisition on experience in interpreting subsurface Instructors: John Nieto, Ross McLean, • Data processing workflows structures using seismic and well data. David Kelly • Identifying bed boundaries Date: May 8, 2008 • Fractures • Faults SCPST02 This course provides an in-depth look at • Micro-faults Applied Structural Geology the integration of wireline log response and • Rose diagrams Instructors: Mark Cooper & Marian Warren rock lithofacies as seen in core. The course • Schmidt plots Date: May 20 – 22, 2008 instructors will take several carbonate and • Azimuth Frequency plots clastic formations at the Core Research • Dip Domain analysis How can an understanding of the way in Centre and demonstrate that these can be • In situ stress which rocks deform impact exploration, subdivided based upon log response. This • Identifying sedimentary features development, drilling, and production of classification leads to a reservoir ‘facies’ • Artifacts hydrocarbons? curve which can be used directly in shared • See how the basic rules of fault geometry can Earth Modeling, petrophysical evaluation, be applied to compressional, extensional, POST-convention courses and reservoir engineering. Course attendees inverted, and strike-slip tectonic regimes may be geoscientists, petrophysicists, or • Learn how to apply simple but rigorous reservoir engineers. A basic knowledge of SCPST01 geometric techniques to construct core lithofacies description and wireline log Structural Styles and Interpretation structural cross-sections in a variety of response would be an advantage, but is not Techniques in Fold-Thrust Belts tectonic regimes essential. By the end of the day, attendees Instructor: Shankar Mitra • Learn how structural models can aid in will have a better appreciation of techniques Date: May 20 – 23, 2008 planning directional drilling of integrating core description and wireline • Common pitfalls in correlating faults logs in to their daily workflow. Fold-thrust belts contain complex trap- • Why does a fault seal or not; Is there an forming structures, which are not well answer imaged on seismic data. The objective of • Impact of deformation in reservoirs on fluid SCPRE18 the course is to discuss the use of 2D and flow, including fractured reservoirs Borehole Imaging 3D structural models and techniques for Instructors: Paul Elliott, Tahereh Mirzadeh constructing maps, balanced cross sections The aim of the course is to provide a Date: May 9, 2008 and 3D interpretations. Models of trap- basic overview of how structural geology techniques can improve the finding and production of hydrocarbons. The course will involve both lectures and practical exercises.

SCPST03 Clay Minerals and Their Effect on the Electrical Behavior of Shaly Sands Instructor: E.C. Thomas Reservoir Characterization Date: June 17, 2008 Expertise in heavy oil & deep basin reservoirs This one-day course will cover the fundamentals of the following topics: • AVO / LMR Analysis • The structure of clay minerals • The origin of cation exchange capacity in • Neural Network Analysis clay minerals • Understanding how the cation exchange • PP & PS Registration properties of clay minerals alters the • Joint PP & PS Inversion conductivity of brine-saturated shaly sands • Development of the Waxman-Smits • Fracture Detection Analysis using Azimuthal AVO equation as a model to compute water saturation when cores and their analyses • Spectral Decomposition are not available Time Lapse Analysis • Bound water and how it is measured, including comparison to NMR • Handling laminated shaly sands using the Thomas-Stieber approach to derive Carmen Dumitrescu porosity and water saturation of the sand P.Geoph., M.Sc., Manager, Reservoir Geophysics laminae Direct: 403-260-6588 Main: 403-237-7711 • Advantages of having horizontal and www.sensorgeo.com vertical resistivity measurements for the analysis of shaly sands

42 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS Convention field trips

Pre-convention This interesting half-day tour examines the Columbia, to discuss basic controls on subsurface rocks, sedimentary features, and fossils hydrocarbon reservoir nature and distribution, FTPRE01 beautifully displayed on the buildings of Calgary. as well as similarities and differences between the Virgelle Member at Writing-on Stone We will also see the building rocks used by our outcrop and subsurface sections. The following Provincial Park, Southern Alberta: Analogue landscapers and sculptors. The rocks range in three days are spent visiting Lower, Middle, and for a Subsurface Exploration Target age from PreCambrian to Tertiary, and come Upper Triassic outcrop localities along the shores Leader: Rudi Meyer from as far away as Scandinavia and India; some of Williston Lake. Date: May 7 – 8, 2008 were even quarried locally. Maximum Attendance: 14 participants POST-convention The primary aim of this field trip is to provide FTPRE03 FTPST01 an overview of high-resolution stratigraphic Triassic Sedimentary Framework and Fluvial Architecture of the relationships and depositional facies within Sequence Stratigraphy, Williston Lake, Lower Tertiary Porcupine Hills Virgelle Member sandstones of the upper British Columbia Fm, Southwest Alberta Cretaceous Milk River Formation, southern Leader: John-Paul Zonneveld Leaders: Derald Smith, Peter Putnam Alberta. Continuous outcrops offer three- Date: May 6 – 9, 2008 Date: May 16, 2008 dimensional exposures to illustrate relevant Maximum Attendance: 14 participants Maximum Attendance: 15 participants sedimentologic and stratigraphic linkages (Trip begins and ends in Fort St. John) across a range of scales, from metre-scale bed- Fluvial architecture in the Porcupine Hills Fm. forms to successions 5-30 km apart. The Williston Lake, British Columbia, field (Paskapoo equivalent) of southwestern Alberta course centres around the sedimentologic and is best exposed where Willow Creek cuts stratigraphic development of the Triassic rocks in through the north end of the Porcupine Hills. FTPRE02 Western Canada. Excellent outcrop equivalents These early Tertiary rocks consist of channel-fill Geological Walking Tour - of all major producing subsurface units (Montney, and crevasse-splay sandstones and overbank- The Building Rocks of Calgary Doig, Halfway, Charlie Lake, Baldonnel, and shallow lacustrine, poorly cemented siltstones. Leader: Bill Ayrton Pardonet) are observed and discussed. The first The largest channel-fills average 12 m thick, but Date: May 7, 2008 day of the field course is spent at the provincial are limited in width from 100 to 200 m, while Maximum Attendance: 30 participants core storage facility in Charlie Lake, British (Continued on page 44...)

April 27-29, 2008 Holiday Inn/ND State Fair Center Minot, ND USA * Bakken! Bakken! Bakken! * Crude Oil Bottleneck * Technical Talks * Prospect Expo 16th * Dr. Michael Economides * Updates on “Hot plays” * State Land Sale

Registration information is available at www.ndoil.org

Have questions? Call 701-223-6380, or email [email protected] or write to WBPC, PO Box 1395, Bismark, ND 58502

RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 43 (...Continued from page 43) geoscientists exploring or exploiting these types This field seminar will compare the origin of adjacent crevasse-splay sheet sandstone beds of reservoirs anywhere in western Canada. dolomite and evolution of pore systems of are greater than 1,000 m in lateral extent, two lithologically distinct types of dolostones but are only 0.50 to 2.0 m thick. Outcrops in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The first consist of 30% sandstone and 70% siltstone. FTPST03 day of the seminar is in Calgary and consists On the basis of stratigraphy, architecture, and Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Deposits of a half-day of lectures on these dolostones lithologies, we interpret these fluvial facies as of Northeast British Columbia: and their subsurface analogues, and a half-day being most analogous to modern anastomosing Exploring the Surface and Subsurface core seminar focused on Devonian ‘Cairn’- fluvial deposits. Hydrocarbon-bearing upper Leaders: Godfried Wasser style dolostones and origin of porosity in Cretaceous Willow Creek, St. Mary, and Belly Date: May 20 – 23, 2008 dolostones. The second day will be a field trip River Formations have similar fluvial architecture Maximum Attendance: 11 participants to view hydrothermal dolostones hosted in to that of the Porcupine Hills. (Trip begins and ends in Fort St. John) Cambrian exposures in southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia. This is a 4-day course, comprising a fieldtrip at FTPST02 Williston Lake, a core workshop and lectures Upper Cretaceous Shelf and on the N.E. British Columbia gas reservoirs FTPST05 Shoreface Sandstones: Montana covering the Bluesky to Nordegg interval. Geology of the Outcrops and Alberta Basin Cores Areas discussed include Buick, Beg, Blueberry, Athabasca Oil Sands Leaders: Peter Putnam, Derald Smith Peejay, Bernadette, Siphon, Silver, Cutbank, and Leaders: Mike Ranger, Murray Gingras Date: May 20 – 22, 2008 Grizzly. The course addresses petrography, log Date: May 26 - 29, 2008 Maximum Attendance: 15 participants analysis, and core and cuttings examinations as Maximum Attendance: 20 participants well as production and pressure history. (Trip begins and ends in Ft. McMurray) Upper Cretaceous wave-impacted sandstones form important (historical and current) This three-day field excursion to the Fort petroleum reservoirs in western Canada and FTPST04 McMurray area provides an excellent oppor- Montana. Although sheet-like in gross geometry, Major Dolostone Reservoir Types, Outcrops tunity to observe the geology of the Athabasca sufficient heterogeneity exists in these deposits and Subsurface Analogues Western Oil Sands, as well as the engineering and mining to influence exploration strategy, well operations, Canada: Distinct Types or Continuum? technology related to recovery of the bitumen. completions, and production practices. Excellent Leaders: Graham Davies, Jack Wendte Numerous outcrops along the Athabasca, exposures of these units in north-central Date: May 21 – 22, 2008 Christina, and Steepbank Rivers will be visited Montana provide useful analogues for those Maximum Attendance: 20 participants by high-speed jet boat and helicopter.

TH  $3EISMIC3YMPOSIUM 14ANNUAL “Seismic for Un Conventional Plays”

Kickoff Speaker: Peggy Williams Senior Exploration Editor, Oil & Gas Investor Magazine Exploration Trends Across the Globe, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists the Continent and the Rockies

Downtown Marriott Hotel Denver Monday, March 17, 2008

Denver Geophysical Keynote Speaker: Society Larry Lunardi -ARK Vice-President-Geophysics, Chesapeake Energy Corp. 9OUR 3-D Seismic for Unconventional Plays

#ALENDARS
• Talks: 8am-4pm • Lunch * 20 Booths Online Registration: • Abstracts Book • Social Hour: 4-6pm www.rmag.org

44 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 45 2008 CSPG CSEG CWLS CONVENTION GUEST SPEAKERS

Meet Rick Mercer, a 2008 that better illustrated than in his historic one- Convention Guest Speaker hour CBC special, Rick Mercer’s Talking to Think This Hour Has 22 Minutes... Think Made Americans, which attracted 2.7 million viewers In Canada... Think Talking To Americans... Think across Canada, making it the highest-rated The Rick Mercer Report. Now you understand comedy special in the history of Canadian why Rick Mercer has become “Canada’s television. The special drew rave reviews and Unofficial Opposition.” He understands what media attention across North America and amuses, delights, and occasionally enrages the world. Canadians about our politicians, our media elite, and our great neighbour to the south, and Hailing from St. John’s Newfoundland, Mercer has the comedic skills and satirical sensibility premiered his one-man show at Ottawa’s to translate that into some of the funniest National Arts Centre (NAC) in 1990. Show television on the planet. Me the Button, I’ll Push It became a national hit and was performed from St. John’s to Rick Mercer is without a doubt one of Vancouver. His second one-man show, the this country’s most highly respected writer/ critically acclaimed I’ve Killed Before; I’ll actors, having garnered many awards and Kill Again opened at the NAC in 1992. It accolades since he burst on to the stage at played to sold-out houses across Canada. A the National Arts Centre in 1990. He has third one-man show, A Good Place to Hide, premiered at the NAC in May 1995, and was met with critical praise and full houses.

He has hosted the East Coast Music Awards, Meet Peter Tertzakian, a 2008 The Gemini Awards, The Juno Awards, the Convention Guest Speaker history series It Seems like Yesterday, the Best-selling author of A Thousand Barrels annual Canada Day show from Parliament a Second, published by McGraw-Hill, Peter Hill, and the CBC Television special The Next Tertzakian is the Chief Energy Economist Great Prime Minister. Time and Maclean’s of ARC Financial Corporation, one of the have published his work, and in June 1998, world’s leading energy investment firms. his first book, Streeters, was published by Doubleday and quickly rose to #1 on the Tertzakian’s background in geophysics, Globe and Mail’s National Best Seller List. economics, and finance, combined with his Mercer currently hosts The Rick Mercer entrepreneurial spirit, helped him rise from the Report, one of the CBC’s most popular and trenches of hands-on oil exploration fieldwork acclaimed shows. A book based on the show to become an internationally recognized, will be released in September 2007. top-ranked expert in energy matters.

Often seen and heard through media outlets around the world, Tertzakian has been a featured guest on many high-profile radio and television shows including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In print, Tertzakian has been featured in US News and World Report and has contributed editorials to won numerous Gemini awards for his writing widely read publications like The Globe and performances, the Sir Peter Ustinov and Mail and Forbes.com. He also writes a Award at the prestigious Banff Television weekly column, ARC Energy Charts, and is a Festival, and was the 2004 recipient of The sought-after public speaker. National Arts Centre Award at the Governor General’s Awards for the Performing Arts. Tertzakian has an undergraduate degree in He is also the only civilian to be awarded the Geophysics from the University of Alberta, Canadian Arms Forces Commander Land and a graduate degree in Econometrics from Force, Command Commendation—this in the University of Southampton, U.K. He also recognition of his ongoing support of Canada’s holds a Master of Science in Management armed forces, which has included several of Technology from the Sloan School of visits to Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Management at MIT. But the awards only tell a small part of the He lives in Calgary, Alberta, one of the story. Mercer has become Canada’s most world’s leading oil and gas centers, with his celebrated entertainer because of his ability to wife and two children. connect with ordinary Canadians. Nowhere is

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RESERVOIR ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2008 47 © 2004 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. ATL-04-7487 never seen before! seen never you’ve like mud oil-based in Images Imager: EARTH never seen before! seen never you’ve like mud oil-based in Images Imager: EARTH features, rock texture, fracture orientation and estimate net-to-gross. estimate and orientation texture,features,fracture rock sedimentary and structural identify accurately to well oil-based next your in service Imager EARTH the use can you how out find to today us Call deviations. hole all at contact pad in coverage borehole 63% with you provides arms,it articulated individually on mounted pads 6 its With in operates service Imager EARTH The images. mud oil-based in before seen never details you giving than less of resolution vertical a offers Atlas Baker from imager micro-resistivity proven This Imager EARTH The Baker Atlas – The Best Choice Best The – Atlas Baker images in oil-based mud with great hole coverage. hole great with mud oil-based in images micro-resistivity high-resolution delivers www.bakeratlasdirect.com 7.5mm SM service at a standard logging speed of speed logging standard a at 200mm diameter holes while maintaining while holes diameter 152 to 533mm diameter boreholes. diameter 275 m /hr www.bakerhughes.com Baker Atlas