Maverick Hypotheses Break Mold, Shift Paradigms in Reservoir Characterization, Says Harper
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Jan. – Mar. 2015/Vol.18, No. 1 Maverick hypotheses break mold, shift paradigms in reservoir characterization, says Harper Mavericks with new approaches have debunked some not considered by most, Pray offered a simple solution to of a lone maverick who went against the grain.) depositional and facies models accepted by industry for avoid licking the glue on a stamp—lick the envelope instead, Harper also cited George Mitchell, former CEO at Mitchell decades, said John Harper at the Ryder Scott Canada reserves remarked Harper. Energy & Development Corp., as a maverick in the 1980s and conference late last year. The technical advisor at Geo-Res- 1990s, as he pushed his company to experiment with Other mavericks ervoir Solutions in Calgary remarked, “The old archetypes for hydraulic fracturing of the Barnett shale to extract gas. The theory of continental drift, forerunner to the plate the U.S. gulf coast barrier islands and for the Wembley field in Oil industry historian Daniel Yergin said Mitchell’s frac- tectonics theory, was introduced by mavericks, said Harper, Alberta have given way to fact-based geoscientific models.” ing technique is so far “the most important and the biggest but it took almost four centuries for it to be accepted. He urged industry to do a better job documenting facts energy innovation of this century.” Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish cartographer and geographer, in the subsurface rather than forcing data to fit preconceived Barrier island facies model models. “Let’s look at the rocks and the facts before commit- The classical theory of barri- ting to our models,” Harper said. er-island formation is based on the U.S. gulf coast barrier-island “...to avoid licking the glue on a stamp, facies model and is the one used lick the envelope instead...” by most reservoir modelers, said Harper. The U.S. east coast – Lloyd C. Pray model is essentially the same. “It should come as no sur- Harper drew the distinction between data and models. prise however that not all barrier “Modeling is not data. It’s interpretation. Data and the wrong islands fit these models,” said interpretation become meaningless for investors,” he said. Harper. “Go back to sedimento- logical basics when looking at Lick the envelope instead core, logs and seismic. Look at Harper explained that mavericks and their hypotheses the depositional process don’t follow accepted opinion and are often dismissed as models, and recognize the scale irrelevant. “As Pierre Trudeau, former Prime Minister of at which they operate.” Canada, was quoted as saying, ‘Wherein there lies accept- The classical model—which ed opinion, therein lies the fallacy.’ We would do well changes significantly as the to remember this as we carry out our studies and our rate of sedimentation increases, modeling,” said Harper. commensurate with increased For geologists, rocks tell the story. coastal energy of combined Harper said that after carbonate geologist Above graphic: Basin-floor fans in deeper waters of St. George’s Bay winds, waves and topography—applies only in generalities, Lloyd C. Pray retired from the University of said Harper. Wisconsin–Madison, he visited students presented the idea in 1596 and it was lightly dismissed. It was challenged by L. Davis, a colleague of Harper’s, in immersed in computer modeling at a Alfred Wegener, German geophysicist, advanced the theory in a PhD thesis in 2002. Contrary to the accepted model, Davis’ lab and exclaimed, “Doesn’t any- 1912 but it was rejected by the scientific community. Ameri- hypothesis concluded that deeper water sediment fans one look at rocks around here can scientist John Oliver provided seismic evidence support- occur off a barrier island/spit. anymore?” ing plate tectonics in 1968 and the theory became universally Harper showed a series of basin-floor fans on the Flat recognized, said Harper. (Others argue that the theory was To illustrate an Continued on Page 10 alternative approach formulated by American, Canadian and British geophysicists in a cooperative effort over decades rather than by the effort Left image: East coast barrier island 2 3 Jan. – Mar. 2015/Vol.18, No. 1 RS Canada is 20 years old Grey Cup MVP Mitchell wins another championship Ryder Scott Canada is 20 years old this year. In Bo Levi Mitchell, son of Ryder Scott analyst Susan Bo Mitchell, second from left, presented autographed footballs to (from left) Larry Connor, managing senior 1995, Ryder Scott opened an office in Calgary to Mitchell, was named the Grey Cup most valuable player vice president; Fred Richoux, president; and Don better serve an expanding Canadian clientele and to in quarterbacking the Calgary Stampeders to the Roesle, CEO. Mitchell, son of Ryder Scott analyst Susan position the firm to be more active in this dynamic oil Canadian Football League championship on Nov. 30. Mitchell, was the quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders last year. He led the team to a Grey Cup and gas province. Before that, Ryder Scott had Mitchell completed 25-of-34 for 334 yards and the victory Nov. 30. evaluated Canadian reservoirs for many years from Stampeders outscored the Hamilton Tiger Cats 20 to 16. the Houston and Denver offices. “I can’t even describe it right now,” said the 24-year-old The firm’s expansion into Calgary quarterback. “Just to get that cup, to get that ring—when was dictated by the logistical it finally happens, it’s an indescribable feeling.” advantages of being bet- The Globe and Mail reported that “his main miscue ter able to meet client was an interception early in the fourth quarter, which needs in a timely man- kept Hamilton in it. Asked about what happened after ner and being close the game, when it didn’t matter anymore, Mitchell said, to the 800 oil and gas ‘INT. That’s what happened. Threw it to the wrong team.’ companies. Ryder Scott The smile did not leave his face.” also realized that Calgary Mitchell set the best record for a starting quarterback was home to a talented in CFL history with 12 wins and 1 loss in 2014, stated group of Canadian engineers Wikipedia. and geologists. He guided Katy High School in the Houston area to an Initially, Ryder Scott hired a small staff of engineers undefeated season and 5A Division II Texas state and geoscientists. Some two decades later, the office championship in 2007. has grown to 15 staff members who conduct studies He started at quarterback for two seasons for Southern for year-end evaluations, acquisitions and divestitures. Methodist University and passed for 4,590 yards with 36 Ryder Scott Calgary has also expanded its core touchdowns. In 2010, he transferred to Eastern services, providing reservoir simulation to complement Washington University where he led the Eagles to a its classical earth-science and engineering expertise. championship in the National Collegiate Athletic Associa- “Our Ryder Scott staff in Calgary is looking forward tion Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). to continued growth in the Canadian market,” said Mitchell won the Walter Payton award as the best Lynn Kis, senior vice president and head of the offensive player in the FCS. Calgary office. He presented two autographed footballs to Ryder Scott earlier this year. Photo reprinted with permission of the 4 Calgary Herald newspaper. 9.