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2 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 31, No. 10 OCTOBER 2010 EXPLORERAAPG PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN GOM Operations Enter New Era By DAVID G. RENSINK

P’s Macondo well has been plugged quickly. using top-kill techniques, and the oil As unfortunate as Macondo has Based on the observations that very Bon the surface of the Gulf of Mexico few deepwater rigs have left the Gulf is dissipating faster than many had been, it has created a laboratory of Mexico for international assignments predicted. The oil flow has stopped and and the changes in international rig the well has been sealed. This is very from which we will be able to answer counts have been minor, the GOM good news. questions we were only able deepwater moratorium seems to have You probably have heard all that you had a global impact. That likely is an over want to hear about this tragedy, but the to speculate about previously. simplification. Most GOM operators and collateral effects of the blowout are not RENSINK drilling companies have taken a wait and over by any means. see attitude, and the decision to deploy BP has retrieved the blowout questions regarding our ability to inspections were conducted. It makes their resources to international deepwater preventer stack (BOP) and, we can all respond quickly and effectively to the less sense to carry it through to its basins may not be made until later this hope, has determined why the last line of pollution caused by a major oil blowout November termination, since any safety year. defense did not work. in the Gulf of Mexico. It probably is more deficiencies discovered have been The issuance of few drilling permits The surface analysis of the BOP failure correct to say that it has exposed our corrected (see Washington Watch, page for new locations on the GOM shelf since may prompt design changes in the BOP inability to effectively respond to a spill of 44). The administration has stated the the blowout has essentially created a system, but it almost certainly will lead to this magnitude. moratorium will not last a day longer than de facto drilling moratorium in the entire new regulations on testing, maintenance Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil it deems necessary. Gulf of Mexico. Operators report the only and composition of the blowout preventer and Shell should be commended on their Even in November, there is no drilling permits currently being issued are stacks in both deep and shallow water. plans to deploy a rapid response system guarantee that the moratorium will not those that involve sidetracking existing We can expect to see any proposed to contain oil from any future blowout. be extended; nor is there any certainty well bores. changes for the Gulf of Mexico ultimately The moratorium on GOM deepwater that new drilling permits will be issued This premise of a de facto moratorium implemented worldwide. drilling made sense immediately after in a reasonable time frame after the is re-enforced by the cancellation of I hope this catastrophe will be as the Macondo blowout while safety moratorium expires for drilling to resume the western GOM lease sale originally close to a worst-case scenario as we will scheduled for August. ever see. In addition, there no longer is any As unfortunate as this has been, it has support for leasing in the eastern GOM, created a laboratory from which we will off the Atlantic coast or off the California be able to answer two questions we were coast. only able to speculate about previously: The spill is history and so is easy u What are the long-term effects of access to public lands – at least in the such a catastrophe? near term. Many of you would argue u How quickly will the ecosystem that we have never had “easy access” recover? to public lands. That may be true, but The answers to these questions whatever level of access existed in the will have great impact on future past has gotten more difficult. environmental assessment requirements President Dave Rensink, speaking at the recent AAPG International Conference and Exhibition for leasing. in Calgary. About 2,300 people registered. Watch the November EXPLORER for a full report. The catastrophe also has raised

STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS AAPG Headquarters: Honors and awards: Professor, Hostile – but fragile: Seismic Geophysical Corner...... 42 1-800-364-2274 (U.S. & Canada only), 4 researcher and visionary geologist 28 crews were challenged by the others 1-918-584-2555 John Shelton heads the list of environment for an operation in Professional News Briefs...... 43 Communications Director AAPG award winners as this year’s the transition zone of Canada’s Larry Nation recipient of the Sidney Powers Mackenzie Delta region. Washington Watch...... 44 e-mail: [email protected] Medal. Sweet sound of success: The Regions and Sections...... 48 Managing Editor The tide is rising: Seismic spotlight turns to oil in the Bakken Vern Stefanic 34 Foundation Update...... 54 e-mail: [email protected] 10 company officials say that the shale, and the focus was squarely industry mood – buoyed largely on the sweet spots. www.Update...... 56 Communications Project Specialist by offshore projects – is looking up. Susie Moore A crucial shortage in the world’s In Memory...... 56 e-mail: [email protected] A whole lotta shakin’ is going on – 38 supply of helium-3 could have a Correspondents 14 but the matter of human induced serious impact on an important Membership and Certification...... 58 David Brown seismicity remains a complex and tool for the oil and gas industry. Louise S. Durham heavily researched mystery. Classified Ads...... 60 Barry Friedman Going, going ... gone? Valuable Proof positive: Nodal seismic Director’s Corner...... 62 Graphics/Production 50 geoscience data may be lost Matt Randolph 20 technology lives up to its potential forever without some fast and ­­e-mail: [email protected] in the Gulf of Mexico. effective preservation efforts. Divisions Report (DPA)...... 62 Advertising Coordinator Brenda Merideth ON THE COVER: P.O. Box 979 Tulsa, Okla. 74101 Seismic crews are keeping busy telephone: (918) 560-2647 around the world – a fact documented (U.S. and Canada only: by the numerous stories in this month’s 1-800-288-7636) (Note: The above number is annual Geophysical Review issue for advertising purposes only.) of the EXPLORER. The cover shot fax: (918) 560-2636 captures the danger and excitement of e-mail: [email protected] exploring offshore West Greenland; the photo to the left captures the potential for paradise – the kind being sought The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members. Published at AAPG headquarters, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101, (918) 584-2555. e-mail address: [email protected]. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, Okla., and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the U.S.A. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one offshore the Andamen Islands in the year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12 issues; add $72 for airmail service. Advertising rates: Contact Indian Ocean (see page 40) – where Brenda Merideth, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ensure return. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) does not endorse or recommend any products or services that may be cited, used or seismic crews also are active. Cover discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2010 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved. photo courtesy of PGS. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: [email protected] Vol. 31, No. 10 Vol.

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 3 EXPLORERAAPG AAPG awardees to be honored in Houston Shelton Named Powers Medalist rofessor, researcher and visionary He had a 20- p Charles A. Distinguished Service Award geologist John W. Shelton has been year career as a Sternbach, Star Creek Presented to those who have Pawarded the 2011 recipient of AAPG’s professor at Oklahoma Energy, Houston. distinguished themselves in singular and highest honor, the Sidney Powers Medal. State University, p R. Randy Ray, beneficial long-term service to AAPG. Joining Shelton at the top of this year’s mentoring many of his R-3 Exploration, p Gretchen M. Gillis, Schlumberger, awardees list is Daniel L. Smith, exploration master’s students to Lakewood, Colo. Houston. vice president for Sandalwood Oil and Gas distinguished careers. p Robert L. p Gina B. Godfrey, PetroWeb, Denver. and independent geologist in Houston, Working with ERICO Countryman, p W.C. “Rusty” Riese, BP Alternative who will receive the Michel T. Halbouty and later Masera, Bakersfield, Calif. Energy, Houston. Outstanding Leadership Award. Shelton also was a SHELTON SMITH p Barry J. Katz, p Sigrunn Johnsen, RWE Dea Norge AS, Shelton and Smith are among the 42 pioneer in the concept Chevron, Houston. Oslo, Norway. award winners who have been announced of multi-client studies and took lead roles p Herman Darman, Shell International by AAPG and who will be recognized at the as both director and contributor on major Outstanding Explorer Award E&P, Rijswijk, Netherlands. opening session of the 2011 AAPG Annual projects in the North Sea, North Africa, the Presented to members in recognition of p Rick L. Ericksen, Mississippi Convention and Exhibition April 10-13 in Mediterranean, Africa and China. distinguished and outstanding achievement State Board of Registered Professional Houston. Smith is the fifth recipient of the Halbouty in exploration for petroleum or mineral Geologists, Jackson, Miss. AAPG awards, approved by the Outstanding Leadership Award, given in resources, with an intended emphasis on p Deborah E. Ajakaiye, Houston. Executive Committee, are presented recognition of outstanding and exceptional recent discovery. p John E. Ritter, Occidental Petroleum, annually to recognize individuals for leadership in the petroleum geosciences. p Douglas K. Strickland, Jayden Houston. service to the profession, the science, the Interviews with both Shelton and Smith Consulting, Oklahoma City. Association and the public. will be published in a future EXPLORER, Strickland is the principle discoverer of Grover E. Murray Among Shelton’s achievements over his and biographies and citations of all the Covenant Field in Sevier County, Utah, Distinguished Educator Award career is his foresight in the early 1990s to award winners will be included in a future the initial discovery within the central Utah Presented for distinguished and plan and implement AAPG Datapages, the BULLETIN. Overthrust Belt. outstanding contributions to geological Association’s digital library and publishing education, both at the university level and program. His leadership continued the Award winners announced by AAPG and Robert R. Berg toward education of the general public. growth in the digital library, and an award who will be honored along with Shelton and Outstanding Research Award p Lawrence D. Meckel, L.D. Meckel is in his name that recognizes the best Smith in Houston are: AAPG’s newest award, presented to and Company, Denver, honored for a contribution to the Search and Discovery honor a singular achievement in petroleum long teaching and training career for both website over the year. Honorary Member Award geoscience research. companies and schools, largely at the Shelton was an early developer of the Presented to members who have p Ole Jacob Martinsen, Statoil ASA, Colorado School of Mines. concepts and application of sedimentary distinguished themselves by their Bergen, Norway. p Ronald J. Steel, University of Texas at petrology and depositional environments accomplishments and through their service Martinsen, the head of exploration Austin, Austin, Texas. to petroleum exploration, and at Shell to the profession of petroleum geology and research at StatoilHydro, is widely regarded Steel is both professor and David Research was among the pioneers in to AAPG. as one of the key geoscientists in northwest Centennial Chair at the University of Texas applying depositional environments to p Steven L. Veal, DCX Resources, Europe. prospect definition. London, England. See Awardees, page 6

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 5 EXPLORERAAPG developed four global databases that are as the leader of exploration teams, working of Highstand Fluvial-Dominated Deltaic Awardees significant parts of the GIS-UDRIL project. (and scoring discoveries) in Venezuela, Lowstand Valley-Fill Deposits in the Upper from page 4 Nigeria, the North Sea (as leader of Shell Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Woodbine Public Service Award Expro) and Italy, among other ventures. Group, East Texas Field: Regional and at Austin, and Sixth-Century Chair of Presented to recognize contributions p John Wold, Wold Oil and Gas, Casper, Local Perspectives,” which appeared in the Sedimentary Geology at the University of of AAPG members to public affairs – and Wyo. February 2009 BULLETIN. Aberdeen, Scotland. intended to encourage such activities. Wold, an AAPG Public Service Award All are with Bureau of Economic Geology p Mark J. Doelger, Barlow and Haun, winner, has had a long and successful at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas. Special Award Casper, Wyo., for promoting geosciences career as a geologist and civic leader in Presented to individuals and in the public and at schools, including his Wyoming. Also, in 1969 he became the first Robert H. Dott Sr. organizations whose area of work may not efforts to have a U.S. Geological Survey professional geologist to serve in the U.S. Memorial Award qualify for one of the existing awards, but is Time and Terrain Map of the United States House of Representatives. Presented to the author/editor of the best worthy of Association recognition. mounted prominently in south Texas schools. special publication dealing with geology p Anthony Doré, Statoil, Houston. Wallace E. Pratt Memorial Award published by the Association. One of the most influential, honored and Pioneer Award Presented to the author(s) of the best p Claudio Bartolini and J.R. Román recognized geologists living in Russia, Presented to long-standing members AAPG BULLETIN article published each Ramos, for Memoir 90, Petroleum Systems Kontorovich has had a profound impact on who have contributed to the Association and calendar year. in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. the mapping and assessment of oil and gas who have made meaningful contributions to p William A. Ambrose, Tucker F. Hentz, Bartolini is with Repsol, Madrid, Spain, reserves in most Russian basins. the science of geology. Florence Bonnaffe, Robert G. Loucks, L. and Ramos is with Pemex, Mexico City, p Myron K. “Mike” Horn, M.K. Horn and p J. Myles Bowen, retired (Shell), Frank Brown Jr., Fred P. Wang and Eric Mexico. Associates, Tulsa. Newton Abbot, England. C. Potter, for “Sequence-Stratigraphic Horn, an AAPG Honorary Member, has Bowen had a long and successful career Controls on Complex Reservoir Architecture J.C. “Cam” Sproule Memorial Award Presented to younger authors of papers applicable to petroleum geology. p David M. Dutton and Bruce D. Trudgill, for the paper “Four-Dimensional Analysis of the Sembo Relay System, Offshore Angola: Implications for Fault Growth in Salt- Detached Settings.” Dutton is with Nexen Petroleum, Woking, England. Trudgill is with the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colo.

John W. Shelton Search and Discovery Award Presented to the author(s) of the best contribution to the Search and Discovery website in the past year. p Dwight M. “Clint” Moore and Robert O. Brooks, for the article “The Evolving Exploration of the Subsalt Play in the Offshore Gulf of Mexico.” Moore is with ION Geophysical, Houston, and Brooks is retired from TGS, Garland, Texas.

George C. Matson Award Presented to the best oral presentation at the 2010 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in New Orleans. p Satinder Chopra, for the paper “Detecting Stratigraphic Features via Cross- Plotting of Seismic Discontinuity Attributes and Their Volume Visualization.” Chopra is with Arcis, Calgary, Canada. His co-author is Kurt J. Marfurt, with the ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.

Jules Braunstein Memorial Award Presented to the best poster presentation at the 2010 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in New Orleans. p Eddy Lee, Craig Shipp, Willem Hack, J. Larry Gibson and Fa Dwan for the poster “Quantifying the Probability of Occurrence of Shallow Gas as a Geohazard.” AAPG members Lee, Shipp and Gibson are with Shell International E&P, Houston, and AAPG member Dwan is with Shell E&P Technology, Houston. Hack is with Shell International E&P, Houston.

Geosciences in the Media Award Presented for notable journalistic achievement that contributes to public understanding of geology, energy resources or the technology of oil and gas exploration. Granting of this award in any year is discretionary. p Ronald C. Blakey, for the significant contribution of his website. Blakey is professor of geology at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz. p Tom Zoellner, for his book “Uranium.” Zoellner is a professional journalist and lives

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GOM a downer for now, though Seismic Seeing Uptick in Demand By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

s that light at the end of the geophysical the moratorium has slowed the decision- For example, there’s litigation focused on now looking elsewhere. This could be quite tunnel getting brighter? making process among customers who are the federal government’s reported violation beneficial for the players having other areas I Maybe so. The consensus of many awaiting the outcome. of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and to work. participants in the seismic business is that “There’s a slowdown at the moment, the Endangered Species Act. There are plenty of these areas, and the activity levels are looking fairly respectable but it also could have a knock-on effect in “This is a big deal now for deep and seismic folks are right there. these days. 2011,” Walsh cautioned. shallow water,” said Joe Dryer, VP of data “PGS is marine-focused from an “One thing people are saying is the “The way the multi-client business works licensing at FairfieldNodal. “Several groups, acquisition standpoint,” Parker said. “We seismic industry has sort of bottomed out,” is you shoot a survey, and at some point including the Center for Biological Diversity, have vessels worldwide, including the North said Gregg Parker, senior VP of corporate you spend a few months processing and are suing the government for ignoring the Sea, West Africa, Brazil, Asia Pacific. marketing at PGS. “It’s been through a sell it the following year,” Parker said. “If marine mammal protection laws. “In fact, Asia Pacific is growing for us downturn and coming up.” companies aren’t able to shoot at present, “The lawsuit is aimed at the overall at the moment,” he noted. “We’ve moved AAPG member Robert Hobbs, CEO at then they can’t process over the winter to be industry, not just seismic,” Dryer some of our new technology into the TGS, concurred. able to sell in 2011.” emphasized. “It’s getting a lot of attention region.” “Seismic in general is positive,” he said. now.” TGS has announced several large pre- “We’re still seeing a recovery based on oil Questions in the Gulf The center filed a formal notice of intent funded 3-D surveys in northwest Europe companies return to investing in exploration to sue May 14, 2010. At press time, the and West Africa. versus where we were in late ’08 and early A potential upside stemming from the group had not filed the actual lawsuit. Hobbs noted they also have a large 2-D ’09.” present conundrum for the data folks and The organization reportedly accused the survey that covers all major basins offshore The uptick appears to be widespread, others is that customers may place more Department of the Interior, under Secretary Brazil. according to Bob Peebler, CEO at ION value on the benefits of high resolution Ken Salazar’s watch, of approving three “When we go into a basin, we acquire Geophysical. seismic in planning and implementing lease sales, more then 100 seismic surveys regional 2-D data and often go back for “From a macro perspective, we see drilling/exploration programs, according to and more than 300 drilling operations 3-D,” he said. “We look to continue investing activity picking up not only in North America Parker. without authorizations required by the in Brazil; it’s been a good area for us.” but also many markets around the world, No one is predicting the Gulf will once protection laws. Brazil has long been alluring to the in places such as Russia and the Middle again revert to its Dead Sea status of a Among many other grievances, there are industry, even more so now with all the pre- East,” Peebler said. “It’s not a strong market, number of years ago. long-standing complaints by environmental salt action and new production. but it’s better and it’s improving. It’s too valuable. groups that noise generated via seismic and “We have a long-term contract with “There’s still enough uncertainty in the “For the most part, everybody drilling activity is harmful to the mammals in Brazil, and have had more than one vessel global economy that we don’t think people recognizes that the Gulf of Mexico is still numerous ways, e.g., potentially interfering there over the course of two years,” Parker are clinking their champagne glasses,” he going to be very important for hydrocarbon with their communications. said. noted. “They’re still cautious. production,” Hobbs emphasized. “There’s The company has been working Brazil “We think the market should be stronger no doubt about that in the long term or even Global Activities for about 15 years and has one of the in 2011, barring the economy going back in medium term.” largest of its 20 data processing centers the ditch completely,” Peebler added. While there’s justified hand-wringing Despite some of the dark clouds located there. In fact, the processing Sounds reasonably rosy. over who has the staying power to deal with hovering over the industry, the sunshine center in Rio de Janeiro is going into a But there are thorns, particularly in the the increased costs and stringent – maybe does peek through. large upgrade due to back orders, and the marine side of the business. near-impossible – rules and regulations There’s buzz making the rounds that company has been awarded a fiber optic Think Gulf of Mexico drilling moratorium expected to come down the pike, the drillers some non-Gulf players are contemplating fixed installation project at Jubarte Field in resulting from The Big Spill. and seismic companies both have other the potential benefits of partnerships from the Campos Basin offshore Brazil. “Most people, both on the customer and challenges to overcome in the Gulf as well. companies mainly focused on the Gulf and The marine business needs to undergo a service side, are all kind of waiting to see slim-down of sorts. what develops in terms of regulation from “There’s still over-capacity in our the U.S. government,” TGS’ Hobbs said. industry,” Walsh said, “and that could hurt “There’s concern of what’s going to happen some companies.” from a regulatory standpoint and, as a TGS’ Hobbs agreed. result, who will play, who will be able to play. “The marine industry is still “We make our investment decisions on oversupplied,” he said. “It will take a while the number of customers we think might for seismic demand to match what new be interested in investing in new projects,” capacity the industry brought out recently.” Hobbs continued. “So we’re waiting along He noted that the mid-year E&P surveys with everyone else to see who those will be.” are encouraging for the seismic industry. TGS uses a business model that entails “There don’t appear to be significant putting together multi-client projects and reductions in E&P spending this year,” he then chartering other companies to acquire said. “This tells me there’s quite a bit of the data. Hobbs emphasized there’s no money left to invest in exploration this year, concern over investments already made in especially when you recognize it’s not being the Gulf, and the most recent one is ahead invested in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico of schedule in terms of sales. Photos courtesy of PGS now. John Walsh, VP of corporate marketing “If not there, it’s going to be spent at PGS, which currently has no GOM Though the seismic industry has been through some tough times, recent trends suggest a elsewhere like frontier basins outside the cautious return to a more active era and a more positive mood across the profession. surveys in progress or planned, noted that U.S.,” Hobbs predicted. 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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 11 EXPLORERAAPG A trend toward multi-client shoots Shale Plays Prop Land Seismic Action By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

and seismic is a whole different world ones you’re drilling more accurately.” from marine, and it’s experiencing its The ongoing anemic natural gas price, Lown uptick owing in large part to the hovering around $4/Mcf on a good day, has proliferation of shale gas plays in the United prompted many players to head toward States. shale oil plays along with shale gas plays These plays have become so ubiquitous that have a significant liquids component. – and productive – that natural gas storage No matter the type of production, seismic is over the top, while prices are virtually on data info has become a necessity not just life support. to try to zero in on the sweet spots but to This is bad and yet, in a way, not so bad. efficiently wrest the hydrocarbons from the “When prices were at $14, you could dense shales. almost drill anything, and the economics “One of the themes we’re talking about would work,” commented Bob Peebler, CEO at conferences is understanding plumbing at ION Geophysical. “Once prices drop, you of these reservoirs,” said Steve Trammel, Photo courtesy of WesternGeco have to look for ways to be more productive, senior product manager at IHS in Denver. Land seismic operations are seeing an uptick, too, thanks in part to the rise of shale gas plays. whether in drilling wells or completing the “In the 1980s, when we were drilling horizontal in the Bakken and the play fizzled,” Trammel said, “we were saying unconventional meant uneconomical. “In the late 1990s and 2000s, technology such as extended reach horizontal drilling, and multi-stage fracing combined with 3-D enabled greater understanding of these reservoirs,” Trammel noted. He emphasized that seismic data are important owing to so much variability of reservoir quality in the shales. “When you use 3-D in these resource plays, it gives you a view of the petrophysical and geomechanical properties of those reservoirs to better predict where most of the production zones are for the drill bit and for fracing the well,” Trammel noted. “Three-D also helps to identify where the fracture swarms are, where the fracture density really is,” he added. “Also, it tells you the orientation of the fracture matrix, which helps to determine the most effective drilling direction.”

Trends

Peebler emphasized there’s significant interest in geology and geophysics. “I think people are going back and looking at how to do more detailed geophysics and geology work and integrate it with the engineering and be more precise,” he said. “We’re more at the beginning of that than the end,” he noted. “People are still struggling to completely understand some of the workings of these reservoirs.” Peebler noted also that they’re seeing a trend toward more multi-client seismic surveys in the shales than proprietary shoots, which is a sensible approach given these are large areas with a lot of players. Global Geophysical Services, which is seemingly everywhere acquiring seismic data in the shale plays these days, is big on multi-client programs. “The bulk of our shale work is multi- client,” said AAPG member Richard Degner, president at Global. “There’s a huge economy of scale with these continuous reservoirs to record at scale over large areas and to have seamless contiguous datasets. “The multi-client business model lends itself favorably to those areas,” Degner emphasized. “We acquire very high resolution, or reservoir grade 3-D (RG3D®), which is important to optimize what are six to eight million-dollar wells and completions.” A non-seismic trend drawing attention in the shale arena is “the big fish swallowing the little fish,” according to Peebler. A notable example is ExxonMobil’s

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 13 EXPLORERAAPG A number of implications Yes, Virginia, There Is Induced Seismicity By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER Correspondent aybe it will catch on as a new saying: and storing supercritical – liquid – carbon Induced seismicity happens. What’s Shaking? Maybe More Than You’d Guess dioxide deep underground. M Science is still working to Most induced seismicity appears understand how and why earthquakes can esides the recent attention that u Mining (creating cavities in the to result from activities that alter pore be induced by human activity. But scientists Bhas been focused on oil and subsurface) also cause shear failure along pressure in areas with faults already studying the phenomenon have no doubt gas, geothermal and potential CO2 planes of weakness – but that is usually under stress. that induced seismicity occurs. sequestration sites, there are other areas due to relieving stress or subsidence, “If you force fluids into it, that ‘unlocks’ This has a number of implications for prone to produce induced seismicity. according to the laboratory. the fault. These fluids can be water or the energy industry, including oil and gas They include: wastewater, or other stuff, but the most exploration. u Tall Buildings. common is water,” Frohlich said. “Before 1950, induced earthquakes u Reservoir impoundment (water According to a National Taiwan “Studies show that most crustal rock is were like extra-sensory perception and little behind dams). Normal University study published in the under stress, and if there are little faults green men. Nobody believed they existed,” “Almost all of the significant (recorded Geophysical Research Letters, the stress there, they can sometimes shift if fluids said Cliff Frohlich, senior research scientist activity and in some cases felt activity) from the 508-meter Taipei 101 skyscraper reach them,” he noted. and associate director of the Institute for is associated with shear failure. These may have reopened an ancient earthquake Other activities can alter the Geophysics at the University of Texas at types of earthquakes can be very small fault and caused tremors in a previously subsurface and lead to measurable Austin. or large depending on the geologic stable area. quakes. That includes production activity. “Although that’s not entirely true,” he environment and available forces to cause On the other hand, it also has been “There have been fields where very added, “because when they built the an earthquake,” according to the DOE’s described as a “pinprick” on the Earth and shallow earthquakes occurred within hydroelectric dam by the Grand Canyon, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. insignificant on its effect. or near the fields, where people were they induced some earthquakes.” pumping out liquids instead of injecting Induced seismicity began drawing more Pressure Points was cancelled. them,” Frohlich said. attention in the early 1960s. The U.S. Army “There’s been renewed interest in drilled a 12,000-foot disposal well at its Scientists have recorded numerous induced earthquakes over the past few Getting the Fracs Right Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver and surface seismic events related to water years, for practical reasons,” Frohlich began injecting fluid in 1962. injection for geothermal energy projects. observed. The Earth Sciences Division of the In the following years, almost 1,500 For example, repeated quakes have He identified three areas of concern: U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence earthquakes occurred in the area. Most occurred around The Geysers, the u Geothermal energy. Enhanced Berkeley National Laboratory has were small, many not even noticeable by world’s largest complex of geothermal geothermal systems incorporate high- conducted studies into and held the local population, but the largest was a plants in an earthquake-prone area north pressure water injection. workshops about induced seismicity. magnitude 5.0 on the Richter scale. It shook of San Francisco. u Unconventional gas. Shale gas Most of the existing research centers both Denver and Boulder. Injections at the Hot-Dry-Rock (HDR) development in particular relies on on geothermal operations, although “By the late 1960s to early 1970s in enhanced geothermal project at Basel, hydraulic fracturing and requires Lawrence Berkeley noted “induced my business,” Frohlich recalled, “it was Switzerland, caused a series of small wastewater disposal. seismicity in oil and gas production has established that this kind of thing can quakes in late 2006 and early 2007. After u Carbon sequestration. Plans for happen.” a three-year study, the Basel HDR project carbon sequestration include pumping See Induction, page 16

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 15 EXPLORERAAPG large enough to be detected on the In 2008, residents of the Dallas-Fort More than 200 disposal wells were Induction surface with very sensitive sensors, let Worth area reported a series of small active in the Barnett Shale area, however, from page 14 alone be a hazard or annoyance,” a but noticeable ground quakes. Some and the authors questioned why there Lawrence Berkeley report commented. residents wondered if activity related were only one or two areas of felt been observed since the 1930s.” But enhanced geothermal operations to Barnett Shale drilling and production seismicity. To date, hydraulic fracturing by the also use hydraulic fracturing techniques, caused those events. At this stage of research, scientists are oil and gas industry hasn’t resulted in and those sometimes have resulted in Frohlich and AAPG member Eric still searching for answers about seismic reported surface earthquake events. induced seismicity. And some studies Potter from the University of Texas and activity triggers and the relationship Induced seismicity includes shear and have found detectable shear motion in a Brian Stump and Chris Hayward from between existing geology and induced tensile seismicity. When induced events rock tensile failure process. Southern Methodist University in Dallas events. have been significant, they’ve been Frohlich noted that operators wouldn’t studied the quakes and wrote a case “In the case of the DFW location, there related to shear failure. want to conduct a frac operation in an study paper published earlier this year. was a minor fault near the earthquakes. Hydraulic fracturing is a short- area where conditions could likely negate They found that the quakes could That might have had an effect,” Frohlich term, high-pressure process designed the effect of the hydraulic pressure. have been induced seismicity related to commented. to create tensile failure, to cause “If the model is there’s a fault that’s saltwater disposal activities that started He said the study did serve to fractures by what is sometimes called likely to slip, you wouldn’t want to lose the just seven weeks before the events eliminate the likelihood of induced a “mini-earthquake.” Frac activities for liquids,” he said. began. seismicity related to other concurrent oil natural gas production haven’t caused “We were able to locate the wells and gas operations in the Barnett Shale. detectable surface quakes. Barnett Case Study exactly, within a few hundred meters. No “Our study has found only “To our knowledge hydrofracturing to matter how you slice it, those events were earthquakes associated with disposal intentionally create permeability rarely Wastewater and brine disposal is within a few hundred meters of the wells,” wells. It isn’t the drilling. It isn’t the creates unwanted induced seismicity more a concern for the industry. Frohlich said. hydrofracturing. It isn’t the production,” he observed. Frohlich doesn’t rule out the possibility of induced events occurring from other activities, including oil and gas activity. Monitoring coverage is limited in Texas, a large state with many lightly populated areas. “An earthquake of 3.0 or 3.5 magnitude could happen in Texas and we might not know,” he said. That induced seismicity can and does occur isn’t in question, Frohlich noted. “Some people say, ‘It’s impossible that we’d be causing an earthquake.’ And those people are obviously unaware of the Denver earthquakes and all the other examples,” he said. Researchers are hoping for more tools, more monitoring, more data to study, more understanding of how existing faults and their type and orientation fit into the induced seismicity picture. “It’s in the interest of everyone,” Frohlich said, “whether you are a producer, a citizen or a scientist, to keep

doing the research.” EXPLORER

Crews from page 12

announced buyout of XTO with its impressive portfolio of domestic shale gas, tight gas, coalbed methane and shale oil. International interest in owning a piece of the action while acquiring the technology needed to develop shale plays overseas is obvious when considering the deals being cut between domestic shale players extraordinaire, e.g. Chesapeake, and other countries as well as sovereign wealth funds. In the seismic arena, Trammel said 4-D applications are becoming common in shale plays. Sensors placed down the wellbore serve various purposes, such as tracking the success of hydraulic fractures over time. Three-dimensional seismic is used for infill drilling all over the country, and Trammel emphasized that 3-D can potentially work wonders in abandoned fields, citing central Kansas as a good example. “With the industry chasing liquids so heavily, they’re using 3-D to find by-passed hydrocarbons around some of these old abandoned oil fields there,” he said. “It’s a wonderful example and could have far reaching effects. “When you consider the potential for enhanced oil recovery,” Trammel said, “one of the things we’ve studied is if we could increase oil recovery by only about 10 percent globally – which is very achievable – we will produce more oil than throughout

history.” EXPLORER 16 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

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OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 19 EXPLORERAAPG ‘… a non-cable land world in 10 years or less’ Nodal Seismic’s Light Footprint a Big Plus By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

vidence abounds that industry interest in 2005 when FairfieldNodal’s no-cable in nodal seismic technology continues Z3000® marine deepwater system was Eto escalate – for both land and marine first used for commercial application at the applications. BP-operated Atlantis Field in the deepwater There’s a wow factor here – even though GOM. the concept of autonomous ocean bottom Shell hopped onto the commercial nodal seismograph data acquisition is somewhat bandwagon in 2007, deploying the same old hat. deepwater system at its Deimos Field in It originated decades ago in both about 1,000 meters of water in the GOM. academic and government circles, The successful 3-D program included a prompted by their interest in deep crustal small scale 2-D node repeatability study, studies and nuclear test monitoring, aptly demonstrating that OBN data acquired respectively. with autonomous nodes exhibit repeatability, Many years later, in the late 1990s, making them ideal for 4-D implementation. SeaBird Geophysical developed the first “The uptick in the data quality was commercial autonomous OBN (Ocean greater than originally expected,” Bottom Node) system. Photos courtesy of FairfieldNodal Rosenbladt said. “We were thinking about FairfieldNodal has played a high-profile the long offset and wide azimuth helping role in the commercial development of Getting ready for nodal seismic operations aboard the Carolyn Chouest ROV/node vessel with illumination issues subsalt, and it turned autonomous OBN seismic technology, for the Shell survey in the Mars area of the Gulf of Mexico. out noise suppression characteristics were following years of experience manufacturing better than expected.” and applying systems that initially were – the nodal seismic systems are designed to Water Works Shell also used the deepwater system to nodal only in concept. meet a number of needs, according to Keith conduct a seismic survey in the Mars area Today, its efficient yet complex no-cable Matthews, sales director, systems division at Thus far, marine nodal seismic surveys in the GOM and now has the crew working nodal systems are quite straightforward in FairfieldNodal: have been implemented in the Gulf of elsewhere. The core part of the Mars area application. u More flexible acquisition geometries, Mexico, West Africa, North Sea and the program was a 4-D monitor survey that The autonomous battery-powered nodes e.g., wide and full azimuth for land surveys. Middle East. extends over a larger area than the original are deployed on the seabed or dry land, u Reduced downtime and maintenance. “From my personal reading of the tea survey. where they record data continuously for u Improved depth imaging. leaves, I see interest in nodal technology “Because you can replace those nodes pre-determined lengths of time before being u Increased productivity. picking up, with four early adopter majors back very accurately, it works nicely for retrieved to download and QC the acquired u Insignificant footprint. – Total, Chevron, BP and Shell – obviously 4-D applications as compared to streamer data prior to redeployment. “I think we’re headed for a non-cable having an interest in it and leading the way,” applications,” Rosenbladt noted. With no cables to contend with and land world in 10 years or less,” Matthews said Bob Rosenbladt, Shell’s geophysical “We’re seeing in many areas that nodal the flexible deployment capability of the predicted. “I expect a big chunk of the operations team leader-Americas. is cost effective and highly desirable, and autonomous nodes – even in the marine industry to switch to nodal systems without Autonomous nodal seismic acquisition environment, via remotely operated vehicles cables in that time frame.” attracted considerable industry attention See Nodal, page 22

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 21 EXPLORERAAPG technology, and we’re all learning. available to industry. Bearing designations on to acquire both a 4-D and a surface Nodal “It’s a big aspiration to see nodes used that include no-cable, cable-free and micro-seismic survey for another client in from page 20 for large exploration areas, and we’d like to cableless, these systems include a different geographic area. An identical see if that can be made to happen,” he said. FairfieldNodal ZLand® system, ION system was used to acquire the high what we’re seeing looking down the road “That’s what we call a stretch goal.” FireFly®, Sercel UNITE, Ascend Geo Ultra, resolution, closely spaced data near two is if you can drive costs down, there will be and OYO GSR. wells that were being perfed and fraced. even more areas of application,” he said. Something For Everyone? Unobtrusive nodes are particularly suited Look for land nodal seismic systems to “The more you get the costs down, the more for congested, environmentally sensitive be in higher demand as the BLM tightens fields where it will be economic.” If you’re fretting that nodal seismic data urban environments. access to certain locales – particularly in the OBN costs have proven to be acquisition might be beyond your reach, it An example is the recently completed Rocky Mountain region, where the agency acceptable at the development or appraisal ain’t necessarily so. successful 2-D survey in the midst of the controls considerable acreage attractive to scale in most instances, and they also can “The big boys get to play first,” Matthews Long Beach and Signal Hill municipalities in the industry. be crucial assists in exploration surveys, noted. “But we already see an increase in California. Signal Hill Petroleum employed “The BLM just issued new restrictions for e.g., where a platform sits in the middle of a the number of smaller companies starting to the no-cable ZLand® system there, using archaeological areas, where they really don’t survey area restricting access. see the benefit of using nodes.” buried nodes to record over a part of the want crews on the ground at all,” Matthews But when it comes to competing with This is especially true on land, where giant Long Beach/Signal Hill oil field, where said. “It’s getting tougher to get permits for the costs of large-scale streamer WAZ the use of no-cable nodes in particular it is the principal operator. (See October seismic crews because of these sites, and a surveys over, say, 200 OCS blocks, nodal means absolutely no troubleshooting. This 2009 Explorer.) lot of crews have professional watch crews technology is not there – yet. translates into faster shooting and higher Both civic officials and residents to be sure they don’t disturb archaeological “It will take a step change to compete productivity, resulting in lower overall cost expressed approval at the conclusion of the sites. with streamer on something like that,” and the potential for fewer HSE incidents. project. “The land permitting challenge is in Rosenbladt said. “But it’s still an evolving A number of nodal land systems are Survey operator SISCO then moved addition to complying with restrictions such as mating season for grouse, worm reproduction and other such issues,” Matthews added. “It’s easier to get permits with minimal impact no-cable nodal systems rather than using external geophone strings, cables and such as these things pile up, increasing the chance for damage,” he noted. “A no-cable nodal seismic system is very low impact as you only make two passes because of the way of deploying and retrieving nodes.”

‘Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper …’

If you think urban environments and issues such as ancient remains, wildlife hanky-panky, etc., discourage the use of cable acquisition systems, consider the jungle. Imagine carrying copious amounts of heavy cables and equipment into these areas of dense vegetation. Surveys using lightweight nodal systems comprised of fewer pieces of equipment require fewer crewmembers traipsing in and out of these sensitive locales. This results in far less environmental impact. Vegetative cutting and clearing are minimalized, along with the number of fly camps and potential helicopter support flights, according to comments made by BP during a fairly recent presentation at the Indonesian Petroleum Association annual confab. The company noted that added benefits are expected from autonomous nodes based on the simplicity and flexibility of the system. For instance, internal timing and positioning via GPS means obstructions are much simpler to address, without sacrificing subsurface sampling and redundancy. Steve Mitchell, vice president, systems division manager at FairfieldNodal summarized the principle issues that must be addressed in order for nodal systems to meet the coming demands and needs of industry. “The next generation node must be smaller, lighter, cheaper, more plentiful and longer lived,” Mitchell said. “Much of the mass of the OBN unit is in the batteries,” he noted. “Reducing power requirements is key to extending deployment longevity and reducing size and unit cost. “Smaller, cheaper and longer-lived nodes will make larger 2C surveys or denser 4C surveys cost effective. “In the deep water, ROV operations represent a significant portion of overall cost structure,” Mitchell noted. “Innovative deployment and retrieval methods that reduce this cost could facilitate the expansion of OBN technology into more

markets.” EXPLORER 22 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 23 Per Eivind Dhelie presented the paper “Successful 3-D Seismic Exploration Offshore West Greenland Using Dual-Sensor Streamer Technology” at the recent AAPG International Conference and Exhibition in Calgary, Canada. EXPLORERAAPG

Photos, graphic courtesy of PGS Working on the back deck in Arctic conditions can be cold and tough – but crews were well prepared with modern seismic equipment designed to withstand the wear and tear. Technical Sea ice distribution for the six-month period July to December 2009; the white Xs mark the downtime was limited to only a few hours for the whole three-month arctic campaign. survey areas. The survey ended November 6 – just in time before the sea-ice moved in again. ‘Stoplights’ managed infill plan Greenland Gets 3-D Look BY LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

hen it comes to hydrocarbon were acquired as far back as the 1970s sections outcropping along the coast of Greenland to five different source intervals exploration, challenges are a given. and as recently as 2008. Several wells have the nearby Nuussuaq Peninsula reveal dating from Cretaceous to Paleogene. W And when it comes to a list of been drilled thus far. excellent quality reservoir, source and seal “Four-way structural closures have daunting regions for exploration, the Arctic (At press time, Greenland’s offshore rocks overlain by Paleocene age volcanics,” been mapped based on vintage seismic ranks about as high on the list as anything in potential was underlined when Cairn Energy he said. “These offer excellent analogs to data in the West Disko area, despite sub- the world. announced it had tested pockets of oil and sections potentially buried deep beneath basalt data quality issues,” he added. But the potential for possible big finds in evidence of gas in the Baffin Bay Basin.) the ocean floor. “And interpreted gas clouds along with certain locales, e.g., offshore West Greenland, Even so, a commercial discovery has “Additional positive hydrocarbon amplitude anomalies, some with favorable is a powerful incentive for the companies to long remained elusive. indicators include numerous oil seeps AVO signatures, can be observed in the figure out whatever it will take to keep the “The potential for hydrocarbon discovery discovered along the coast in the Disko- shallower Tertiary section, hinting at potential exploration process moving along. remains high,” said Per Eivind Dhelie, chief Nuussuaq-Svartnhuk Halvo region,” deeper hydrocarbon charges.” West Greenland has a sketchy history of geophysicist at PGS. Dhelie said. “These have been typed by exploration. Two-dimensional seismic data “Upper Cretaceous sedimentary the Geological Survey of Denmark and See Greenland, page 26

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 25 EXPLORERAAPG u Volcanic flows with associated dikes Greenland and sills within and overlying prospect from page 24 objectives. It was determined that PGS’s dual-sensor 3-D GeoStreamer technology with deep-tow Unfriendly Regions capabilities was the method-of-choice to overcome the data acquisition hindrances To the chagrin of the interested indigenous to the area – namely the weather companies, this is a downright unfriendly and the seismic imaging challenges. The area for seismic data acquisition. more than 2,200-square-kilometer 3-D As PGS geared up to acquire two 3-D surveys took place in West Disko Blocks 5 seismic surveys for Husky Oil Ltd. in the and 7, which are operated by Husky. Arctic waters offshore West Greenland in Dhelie noted that dual-sensor streamer 2009, the company approached the task technology allows for streamers to be with eyes wide open. towed at greater depths –15 meters for this Dhelie, outlined some of the formidable project – than conventional (hydrophone- challenges to seismic exploration there, only) seismic cables without compromising including: the high frequency spectrum. With all u Short three-four month ice-free season. six seismic streamers at tow depth of 15 u Avoiding icebergs during acquisition. meters, surface noise is minimized and “This is a downright unfriendly area for seismic data acquisition” – but also a bit beautiful. u Hard water-bottom notorious for strong the operational window can be increased, Fantastic icebergs were both dangerous and compelling. multiple energy. allowing acquisition to proceed in inclement weather conditions. Over the course of the Arctic program, downtime for weather was 3 percent and 12 percent for Blocks 7 and 5, respectively, which was significantly lower than expectations if streamers were towed at a more conventional depth. “The deep-towed streamers also enhance the natural frequency response below 20 hertz, which is important for sub- basalt imaging,” Dhelie said. “We used the 2-D vintage data from the area to analyze and optimize acquisition parameters, and special attention was focused on source optimization for increased low frequency penetration. “The increased energy recorded in the amplitude spectrum lower than 20 hertz was found more appropriate to penetrate primary energy through attenuative volcanic rocks than what conventional tow depths have achieved historically,” he noted.

Warning: Iceberg Crossing

Even though the survey was implemented during the area’s annual ice- free period, weather conditions were far from summer-like. “The water temperature was below zero,” Dhelie said, “so when you take things out of it they freeze instantly, which we knew in advance. “In the water, these things are moving around, so they don’t freeze,” he said. “Also, this is salt water, which helps prevent freezing.” Special consideration in program operations included radar imaging for iceberg detection to avoid striking the icebergs, given that the survey spread made it impossible to turn quickly to avoid obstacles. Because the survey had to be accomplished during the brief ice-free season and the icebergs likely would obstruct sail lines, project success required efficient infill management. Dhelie noted that a proprietary infill method commonly referred to as the “stop- light system” proved to be invaluable. Stop- light plots were constructed and reviewed online by Husky and PGS to determine the need for extra infill lines. Survey operations boasted no negative incidents. “There were thumbs up everywhere,” Dhelie said. “The dual-sensor technology proved invaluable to the survey efficiency as well as to the very good data quality,” he emphasized. The project was the first 3-D survey in this locale where other companies also hold blocks. If a successful well should come in, it most likely would open up a whole new

area to exploration, Dhelie suggested. EXPLORER 26 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 27 Fred Kierulf presented the paper “Arctic 3-D Seismic Across the Transition Zone From the Beaufort Sea Onto the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada,” at the recent AAPG International Conference and Exhibition in Calgary, Canada. EXPLORERAAPG Mackenzie Delta Effort Yields Gas Well Not Much is Easy For Arctic TZ Shoot By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

ften the mere mention of transition according to Fred Kierulf, geophysicist at zone (TZ) 3-D seismic surveys brings MGM. Oto mind oppressive heat, mosquito Vibroseis was used on land. swarms and other unpleasant thoughts. Once a survey is completed in this part After all, many of these surveys occur of the world, operators submit a report along coastal zones in various parts of the to the government describing the work world where heat, humidity and predatory accomplished and how it was done. In other critters can make life miserable for seismic words, the parameters of past surveys are crews much of the year. all in the public domain. But is this worse than the challenge “This is not high tech, but it’s a tough posed by acquiring data in a frozen TZ? environment, so we have to use proven It’s likely a toss-up. technology,” Kierulf said. “It’s an area where There was ice aplenty for MGM Energy’s technology continues to develop based on TZ 3-D program conducted during everyone’s input. the winter of 2007-08 in the Canada’s “We read about all that had been done Mackenzie Delta region, Northwest and used all the hard work that had already Territories, including portions of the Ellice been done in the Delta,” he noted. “There and Langley islands, Mackenzie River are about a hundred past surveys we channels and the shallow Beaufort Sea. read through to see what the guys did and The 144-square-kilometer survey, problems that were encountered.” dubbed the North Ellice 3-D, was located on He likened it to heading out to wild, the northwest edge of the Mackenzie Delta, wooly parts of the world, reading journals of with the TZ between onshore and offshore those who went before. frozen during acquisition. There are only a couple of seismic The data were acquired during a 111- operators in this area, and they bring all their day stretch beginning Dec. 10, 2007. skills to this challenging part of the world. Field operations kicked off the previous “Everyone uses the same group of guys September in order to pre-position the who know the equipment that works there Photos, data courtesy of MGM Energy Corp. equipment and camp prior to freeze-up of as there are not a lot of options,” Kierulf the Mackenzie River. noted. “It’s not state-of-the-art, but it’s close.” Scenes from the 3-D seismic survey on the northwest edge of the Mackenzie Delta’s transition Over the course of the survey, about 65 zone – a 144-square-kilometer project that required 4,505 dynamite source points (on ice) and percent of the source points were dynamite 2,125 Vibroseis source points (on land). Top: A view of camp before the big freeze up. Bottom: shotholes drilled through floating sea ice, See Arctic, page 30 Action after the freeze arrived.

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WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 29 EXPLORERAAPG Arctic from page 28

A Short Window

The end product is good quality seismic data, but the effort required to get there appears to be almost archaic in these times when business – owing to all the high tech electronic communications gadgets and gizmos – sometimes is accomplished essentially in an instant. “Getting the information organized and down from north of the Arctic Circle to the computers that can process it takes a long time,” Kierulf said. “We were shooting in February and March and had to decide before the middle of summer where to drill the wells the next year.” Dynamite source below floating sea ice showing ice cracking noise bursts. He emphasized there are only a few winter months to acquire seismic and to drill wells. Not only do sensitive species use both land and marine portions of the area in the summer, but drilling crews need to exit the ice before it begins melting. “There’s time pressure to get it all done and to get the tapes and such down from there on a weekly flight,” he emphasized. “The processing had to be done quickly, and this is harder to do when there are long distances involved and you don’t have the Internet. “We were essentially trying to do real time processing even though we had to wait for the tapes to come down almost by dog sled,” Kierulf commented humorously. He explained that Internet access of a sort actually was available, emphasizing that the connection shared by 150 people was like a dial-up, which was not conducive to sending shot records. In fact, everyone there was completely out of touch with the world for days at a time during big storms.

‘Ugly Seismic’

In its raw state, Kierulf said the acquired data doesn’t look like seismic from anywhere else. Not surprisingly, there were significantly different seismic responses recorded on the ice compared to data collected over the islands. “It’s ugly seismic with strange noises,” he noted, “and you can’t just run it through standard computer processing. You must spend a lot of time to make it look good yet rather quickly.” The seismic data processing was contracted to WesternGeco, and Kierulf had high praise for the processing folks, emphasizing that they did a great job. MGM has drilled two wells based on the processed seismic, but they failed to encounter significant hydrocarbons. A third well went down based on earlier seismic data; it was a gas discovery. There have been commercial discoveries in the region, but they await development seeing as how the product can’t be sold because construction of the Mackenzie Gas Project Pipeline has been delayed repeatedly, according to Kierulf. He noted that a consortium of the majors is going through regulatory and environmental reviews to build a pipeline. Meanwhile, MGM intends to go back later to drill, as they believe there are other opportunities based on the 3-D seismic just acquired – but absent the pipeline, there’s no rush. As Kierulf said: “We’ll wait until there’s

a better economic reason to do it.” EXPLORER 30 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

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32 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 EXPLORERAAPG

OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 33 Scott Stockton presented the paper “The Use of 3-Component Seismic Data to Identify Sweet Spots in Fractured Bakken Reservoirs” at the recent AAPG International Conference and Exhibition in Calgary, Canada. EXPLORERAAPG Bakken fractures yield the goods Oil Shale Takes Turn in Spotlight By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

hale gas is in. executive vice president of Vector Seismic Shale gas is out Data Processing in Denver. “You need S Shale oil is in. at least 1,000 barrels a day to be able to No one would argue that the direction smile when you leave the wellhead.” of this industry can change on a dime – and fortunately, most players have learned Oh, So Sweet that you just gotta go with the flow. Following the all-out drilling charge to Enter multi-component seismic data to punch down as many help ID the sweet spots. wellbores as possible In early 2009, Vector Seismic formed – often to hold onto a consortium to evaluate the seismic leases – in the still- signature of fractured reservoirs in the relatively-new shale Middle Bakken. This ultimately led the gas plays across the company to determine that differences United States, there in the seismic image of shear waves now is a massive over producing wells vs. dry holes in inventory of clean- the Bakken formation are key for drilling burning natural gas. success. STOCKTON In fact, you might The Middle Bakken has proved elusive be tempted to make a buck or two by when it comes to detailed imaging from scouting for new facilities to store the Graphic, photo courtesy of Vector Seismic Data Processing conventional surface seismic applications, burgeoning supply. for two reasons: Best to cool your heels. and North Dakota, which is becoming carbonate middle member, which is u With a thickness typically between 15 With all this new natural gas supply increasingly popular following a period of ordinarily referred to as a dolomitic sand and 60 feet at a depth of 8,000 or so, it’s and $4/Mcf – give or take – looking tops successful yet relatively low profile action. or sandy dolomite. below resolution of conventional seismic for now, there’s talk of laying down some Adding to the allure of this play is the This middle section is the target of the methods. rigs. It’s not about resting on laurels and U.S. Geological Survey assessment that drill bits that ordinarily go down about u The P-wave response of seismic taking time off to chill, but to head for the revealed the Bakken harbors about 3.65 10,000 feet vertically before veering energy in the fractured vs. non-fractured other new best thing, i.e. oil shales and/ billion barrels of undiscovered technically horizontally into the brittle dolomite, rock is virtually identical. or gas shales rich with liquids, such as the recoverable oil along with 1.85 Tcf of where multi-stage fracing is used to more Stockton noted that companies Eagle Ford in South Texas. associated/dissolved natural gas and 148 efficiently produce the oil. have acquired significant amounts of It’s a matter of simple math: oil mbo of natural gas liquids. Not all wells are created equal. conventional seismic data in the play and continues to fetch a price generally in the The widespread Upper Devonian- “When you spend maybe $7 million on are getting a great structural picture – but upper $70/bbl range. Lower Mississippian Bakken formation a horizontal well and bring it in at 200 to The Big Dude shale in the oil game is comprised of an upper and lower 300 barrels a day, that’s economic failure,” is the Bakken shale oil play in Montana shale member and a mixed siliciclastic said AAPG member Scott Stockton, See Bakken, page 36

34 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 35 EXPLORERAAPG you do a converted wave (3-C) seismic Bakken survey, it means you have available to from page 34 you all kinds of P-wave sources, such as dynamite and Vibroseis. If you can get as good an image with vibrators, you can they haven’t been able to ID the fractures, save a lot of money. which are required for reservoir to exist in “We recorded a high resolution line the tight siltstone having little or no native twice over the area of interest, once with porosity or permeability. vibrators and once with dynamite,” he “We took a high resolution approach, noted. going in very broadband,” Stockton said. A high resolution converted wave “This does image the thin beds and small seismic profile tied the dry-hole Behm faults that are potentially indicative of the Energy well in Mountrail County in presence of fractures, but it doesn’t get northwestern North Dakota with Bakken you all the way home.” producing wells to the west in Parshall They decided to use converted-wave and Sanish fields. The seismic signature recording, given there’s only one working of the waveform on the converted-wave set of shear wave vibrators available in image shows marked differences that can the continental United States, according be correlated to natural fractures in the to Stockton. He noted these were Bakken formation and better production. The 3-component geophones used to record the Vector Bakken 2-D/3C test line are true unavailable at the last minute. geophones. Each phone was buried in a pre-drilled pilot hole. “In retrospect, I was glad,” he said. “If Hot and Haute

The MO in the Bakken play thus far has been to chase after tectonic fractures. Even though deep underground, e.g. 8,500 to 12,000 feet, they tend to “pop” on the surface showing up pretty much as straight lines, or lineaments. The other fracture mechanism is hydraulic, which Stockton thinks is key to really prolific wells in the Middle Bakken. It’s all about the Bakken petroleum system, which is a closed, self-sourced system. The combo of a uniquely closed petroleum system, a high thermal gradient and volumetric expansion of the Upper and Lower Bakken kerogen into oil has resulted in high potential for creating in situ fractures parallel to bedding planes. “When kerogen cooks out of the Bakken shale it experiences an intense volumetric increase of about 114 to 170 percent,” Stockton said. “There’s great energy stored in that volume increase and it wants to fracture the rock, mainly along bedding planes.” He noted that the horizontal fractures can be a huge factor in terms of where the reservoir is and where it’s best. “Where the tectonic fractures intersect the hydraulic, you get the best wells,” he emphasized. “You get great wells where you have both, good wells where you have hydraulic fractures, okay to good wells where you have vertical (tectonic) fractures.” It’s all mighty hot and haute. But the oil won’t do anyone any good if it just sits on site in tanks. “The current interest in the Bakken might be called a frenzy,” Stockton exclaimed. “Now that we’ve shown that seismic can tell where the oil is, the big problem is the infrastructure – like, how do you get oil out to the market?” In the advanced technology milieu of shale drilling and production, the current transport solution is so low-tech one is tempted to laugh. But, hey, it works. Plus, it’s a fine example of good old oil patch can-do. Scott noted some of the companies bought a bunch of old rail lines and rail cars and basically have tanker trains that they load up with oil to transport to Oklahoma and elsewhere for refining. “This is American ingenuity at its best,” he exclaimed. “It was one heckuva idea. “This is a massive transportation issue,” he said, “and there are a lot of abandoned rail lines up there in North Dakota.” Given the potential for so much more production in this play, perhaps some enterprising investors will figure out a way

to go long on old rail cars. EXPLORER 36 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 37 EXPLORERAAPG Rare gas selling for $500 per liter Lack of Helium-3 Sounding Alarms By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER Correspondent

crucial shortage in the world’s The same concern has spread supply of helium-3 could alter the to companies that need helium-3 for A use of an important tool for the oil 84.7% Neutron detectors for security commercial applications. and gas industry. Supplies of the common form of And that’s just one problem. The rare helium found on Earth, helium-4, also are 1.2% Low-temperature research helium isotope also is used in applications shrinking. That’s an ironic reality, since ranging from cryogenic studies to lung helium itself is the second most common imaging in medicine. 1.7% Medical research element in the solar system. Far and away the largest consumer Helium-3 also is fairly abundant, of helium-3 in the United States recently 2.5% Oil and gas detectors scattered among the planets, in the soil has been the Department of Homeland of the Moon, in the Earth’s mantle. But Security, which uses it in radiation even though it’s present in the Earth, it is sensors. Think of trying to stop someone 9.9% Neutron-scattering, laser and increasingly scarce on the Earth. who’s smuggling a small amount of other physics research Inter-American explores for natural plutonium for a nuclear weapon. gas that contains a significant amount “Crisis really is the best word for this Rough breakdown of helium-3 use over the past five years. The largest use, by far, is for neutron of recoverable helium, Sears said. He situation,” said AAPG member Bo Sears, detectors for security screening by the departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Energy. acknowledged that helium exploration is a vice president of Inter-American Corp. in tiny part of the overall industry. Dallas, one of the industry’s small number “We’re a traditional oil and gas of helium explorers. Downhole neutron tools measure the wellhead, and the U.S. Bureau of Land company but we’ve begun focusing on For oil and gas companies, helium-3 amount of hydrogen in rock pores as an Management raised helium gas prices helium exploration. In our case it makes is an essential component in neutron indication of porosity. to $75 per thousand cubic feet, helium-3 more sense to go after the high helium-4 logging tools used worldwide. “Since the neutron porosity now typically sells for at least $500 per reserves,” he noted. “Helium-3 is used in neutron measurement is a key measurement,” liter. Even when helium is found with natural detectors for neutron porosity tools, Roscoe said, “it is run in almost every oil “Two years ago it was $85 a liter. gas, the percentage content is usually which are one of the key instruments and gas well in the world.” Government agencies didn’t know the small. used to locate hydrocarbons, estimate U.S. was running out of helium-3 until “Economic helium is anywhere from petroleum reserves and make production A Costly Shortage 2008,” Sears said. 0.3 percent up to the highest we’ve seen, decisions,” said Brad Roscoe, scientific At least one reported helium-3 purchase which was 9 percent. That was in the advise and nuclear program manager How bad is the shortage? was for more than $2,000 per liter. Four Corners area and that supply was at Schlumberger-Doll Research in The U.S. Department of Energy When the severity of the shortage exhausted in the 1960s,” Sears said. Cambridge, Mass. reportedly has less than a one-year became apparent earlier this year, “Ideally,” he added, “we’d want a “The neutron device is particularly supply. Russia, another helium-3 seller, alarms went off throughout the scientific helium composition of at least 1 percent.” used to establish the rock and fluid has essentially stopped exporting it. community, especially among those parameters which help determine these While natural gas recently sold for researchers who had no substitute for properties,” he added. under $4 per thousand cubic feet at the helium-3. Continued on next page

38 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Continued from previous page A Crucial Asset

A Critical Need The usefulness of helium-3 in well logging tools lies partly in its high Project areas for Inter-American absorption cross section, which gives it include New Mexico, Utah, Colorado high neutron detection capability. and Kansas. Most helium-rich gas in the “In well logging two measurements United States is found in the mid-continent traditionally have been used to estimate and southwestern states. the porosity of sedimentary formations Target helium-rich fields indicate an – one based on gamma rays scattering abundance of uranium and/or thorium in and the other on neutron scattering,” said basement rock, since their radioactive Darwin Ellis, author of the classic text decay produces helium, and the presence “Well Logging for Earth Scientists.” of heavy, deep-seated faulting. Ellis described the use of the logging The very small amount of helium-3 tools: found with helium-4 can be separated “The gamma ray scattering device out – at considerable cost and in limited measures the bulk density of the rock quantity. formation from which the porosity (volume “It’s in the parts per million. On average fraction of fluid-filled formation) is in natural gas deposits it’s 0.2 parts per estimated, usually assuming that the fluid million of the helium-4 content,” Sears said. in the porous volume is water or brine with Because of the a density close to 1.0 g/cc. relative abundance “If the porous volume is saturated of primordial with gas or hydrocarbon with a density helium-3 in the much less than 1.0 g/cc, the effect on mantle, geochemists the density is to reduce its value and use the helium-3/ the consequent interpretation is to over- helium-4 ratio as estimate the porosity of the formation. a tracer to identify “The neutron scattering device exploits the presence of a the large influence the presence of mantle component in SEARS hydrogen has on the slowing-down of petroleum systems, neutrons, so its response is dominated by he noted. the hydrogen content, not the density, of Sears said Inter-American uses the the formation which, in clean, shale-free helium-3 ratio to help define helium-4 formations, is associated with the pore potential. Analysis of some gas has found fluid. an anomalously high ratio, especially in “These devices are calibrated to give New Mexico. an accurate estimate of the formation Helium-3 extraction plants could be porosity when the suturing fluid is water. If built near helium-rich gas fields, but the the formation contains light hydrocarbon estimated cost is in the tens of millions of or gas, the hydrogen density is less than dollars per plant. that of a water-saturated formation and the Yet the helium scarcity is so critical that consequent estimate of porosity from the all options are on the table. device will be less than the actual porosity. “At this point in the helium-3 crisis, “When the measurements from these every little bit helps,” Sears said. “My two devices are displayed together on concern is that the oil and gas industry will a log they are transformed so that the be squeezed out entirely. It could have a porosity estimates overlap when the horrible effect on the industry, because all formation porosity is water-filled – the two neutron tools use helium-3.” traces lie on top of one another. Thanks in part to nuclear disarmament, “If the pore fluid is replaced by a lower the United States once had a substantial density hydrocarbon or gas, the density supply of helium-3. Tritium (hydrogen-3) estimate of porosity will increase and the used in nuclear weapons was recovered neutron porosity estimate will decrease – as the warheads were dismantled. Tritium yielding a graphical signature on the log produces helium-3 as it decays. of a possibly very large separation that A declining amount of recovered even a novice interpreter can recognize tritium and a surge in demand in the years as a gas zone.” following the 9/11 attacks caused the Roscoe said helium-3 also allows stockpile to dwindle. the industry to create logging tools that Because the half-life of tritium is over 12 are “small and robust” and capable of years, Sears said “even if dedicated tritium withstanding difficult and even tortuous production began today, which is cost prohibitive, it would be years before you get any meaningful amount of helium-3.” See Helium-3, page 41

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 39 EXPLORERAAPG India Seismic Gets New View By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent hen you reprocess a line of basin, volcanic arc and back-arc basin seismic data, the second time areas of the Andaman Sea Basin east of Waround can provide a passel of the emergent islands. new info. “The earlier processing was good for This was the case when Spectrum the time,” Scaife said. “We reprocessed ASA reprocessed a 10,600-kilometer line using both industry-wide algorithms of 2-D multi-client data in the geologically and our own in-house algorithms; the complex area offshore the Andaman project included both pre-stack time and Islands off India’s east coast. depth migration, or PSTM and PSDM, “The seismic data are from five respectively. Graphic courtesy of Google Maps different surveys ranging from 1982 “The main objective of the to 2001 vintage,” said Gary Scaife, reprocessing effort was to provide a The Andaman Islands, located in a basin known for its complex tectonic history, is frontier geological adviser at Spectrum. “The good quality regional survey,” he said, territory for explorationists – and a recent target for a seismic reprocessing effort. seismic dataset extends over the fore-arc “and to improve the interpretability of the complex structures found within the dataset by improving the imaging of the entire seismic section, both shallow and deep.” Spectrum was awarded the project via the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons in India. The Andaman Sea Basin has evolved through a complex SCAIFE tectonic history beginning in the Cretaceous associated with the oblique convergence between the Indian and west Burmese tectonic plates. Scaife noted the main tectonic elements that can be observed going west to east: u Andaman Trench/Inner Slope. u Outer High/Trench slope break. u Fore-Arc Basin. u Volcanic Arc. u Back-Arc Basin. u Mergui Terrace. “The Indian sector of the Andaman Sea Basin is regarded as frontier territory, with only 13 wells drilled in the project area east of the Andaman Islands,” Scaife said. “The first of these wells hit gas in Miocene limestone.” This discovery was determined to prove the existence of active hydrocarbon systems that contain generating hydrocarbon source, reservoir and seal features along with migration and trapping mechanisms. “Even so,” Scaife noted, “the majority of the basin, particularly deepwater, has yet to be explored.”

Pleasing Potential

The Andaman Sea Basin lies between and on trend with the mature hydrocarbon-producing provinces of Myanmar to the north and Indonesia to the south. Both these areas contain world class producing fields. Scaife emphasized that features observed on the Spectrum reprocessed seismic appear to be analogous to these fields and indicate these successful play fairways can be extrapolated into the Andaman Sea Basin frontier area. Late Cretaceous and Eocene age sediments are reported to be the primary source rocks in the basin. They possibly are the source of the gas in the Miocene in the aforementioned discovery well. “Biogenic gas is reported to be sourced from Neogene sediments as

Continued on next page 40 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

Data courtesy of Spectrum ASA An example of limestone build-up – the basin’s cap rock. The section length is 28 kilometers.

Continued from previous page Scaif summarized the considerable challenges to the reprocessing effort: u Data spread over a large area evidenced from the present day active incorporating very varied geological mud volcanoes,” Scaife said. “Miocene terrains. carbonates and turbidites of the Mio- u Differences in ages and parameters Pliocene are reported to be the reservoir of acquisition and the very sparse grid. rocks with intra-formational shales and u Big bathymetric range from very tight limestone of Neogene age acting as shallow water to 3.5-plus kilometer water cap rocks within the basin.” depth. Interpretation of the reprocessed data u Often dealing with high relief and has shown that the Andaman Sea Basin abrupt changes in water depth. harbors all of the necessary components u Structural/tectonic complexity, e.g., for successful hydrocarbon exploration. numerous steep dips with the angle and The interpretation identified potential direction of dip varying dramatically source, reservoir (carbonates and within short distances. clastics) and seal intervals and also u Complicated ray paths and structural and stratigraphic trapping considerable amount of data from out of geometries. the plane of the section complicating the Scaife noted that direct hydrocarbon velocity analyses and contaminating the indicators (DHI) are observed, which multiples. include: u Shallow reefs, rugose small-scale u Gas clouds. structures and very variable velocities u Bright and flat spots. scatter energy and complicate deeper u Seabed pock marks. imaging. u Vent mounds. When all was said and done, the He added that bottom-simulating imaging was improved via: reflectors indicate the presence of gas u Reducing multiple contamination. hydrates. u Enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio by attenuating energy scattered by No Slam-Dunk shallow geology. u Improving the continuity of events. Granted, the reprocessing program u Enhancing the temporal and spatial yielded significant results over the earlier resolution and, therefore the seismic processing. character. But getting from there to here was no u Improved imaging of the deeper

slam-dunk. section. EXPLORER

the gas and ongoing research into Helium-3 possible substitutions. from page 39 “The industry is trying to develop alternative technologies to helium-3 for our environment. Until that is in place, downhole conditions. the industry is trying to reduce the “Currently, there are no alternatives amount of gas it uses, re-use neutron for our industry that meet all of our detectors where possible, and recycle requirements,” Roscoe noted. gas from old detectors,” Roscoe said. “These requirements include If the industry can’t get adequate very small size, very high detection helium-3 supplies or develop workable efficiency, high count-rate capability, alternatives, serious challenges could good gamma-ray discrimination, ability develop, Roscoe noted. to work at high temperatures – normally “This would result in a shortage of 175 C and up to 260 C – and ability to information to the oil companies on how withstand a high shock and vibration to best manage and complete their environment,” he said. reservoirs,” he said, “which could have Industry response to the helium-3 large financial implications and affect

shortage includes an attempt to recycle the ultimate producible reserves.” EXPLORER

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 41 The Geophysical Corner is a regular column in the EXPLORER, edited by Bob A. Hardage, senior research scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, the University of Texas at Austin. This month’s column is the second in a four-part series on 3-D seismic design. EXPLORERAAPG GEOPHYSICALCORNER Next Step: Geology Guides the 3-D Design By BOB HARDAGE

his month we continue our look at source-to-receiver offset exists is to define 3-D seismic design, focusing on color- the source-line and receiver-line spacings to Tcoded area labeled “Part 2” be approximately the same as, or less than, on figure 1. the shallow-target depth Z1. A good choice is to set the line spacing at one-half or less Shallowest Target and Line Spacings of the shallow target depth. An example of one possible design is The depth of the shallowest target that shown on figure 3. This particular geometry must be imaged across a prospect is a key illustrates a common design philosophy control on the geometry of a 3-D acquisition in which the receiver-line spacing is grid, because that depth dictates the approximately the same as the shallow- distance that source target depth, but for reasons of economy and receiver lines (that is, to reduce the number of source should be separated. stations per square mile), the source line If there is a shallow spacing is slightly larger. interface that has a For this design, all source-receiver known dip across pairs inside shaded area ABCD satisfy a prospect, that the offset restriction that results in reliable interface should imaging of stratigraphy at, and even slightly Figure 1 – Planning steps that can be followed to design a 3-D seismic acquisition geometry. This be imaged even if above, depth Z within that shaded area. 1 article discusses the topics identified by the outlined area labeled Part 2. it is not related to a Similar overlapping, restricted-offset areas reservoir – because HARDAGE like ABCD extend completely across this by making the image particular 3-D grid. dip match the known dip, data processors Thus, by answering the simple question are assured the static corrections, shallow “what is the shallowest target to preserve velocity analyses and other data processing in the 3-D image?” a first approximation for procedures that affect reflector dip and source-line and receiver-line spacings that continuity have been correctly done. should be used in the 3-D field program can In other cases, a shallow reflector may be made. need to be imaged so it can be used to make isopach maps. Deepest Target and Swath Size

If this shallowest target is at a depth Z1, then a 3-D grid should be structured so The next parameter in the 3-D design is that for every stacking bin there are several the depth of the primary, or deepest, target (at least three or four, and ideally seven or that is to be imaged. This depth is labeled

eight) source-receiver pairs that: Ztar on figure 2, and the raypath picture u Are separated a distance no greater shows the source-to-receiver offset range

than Z1. that is particularly critical to imaging a target u Cause reflection points to fall inside the at this depth involves source-receiver pairs bin. that are separated distances that range from

Figure 2 is a section view showing zero to Xmax, where Xmax equals depth Ztar. raypaths that result when a source-to- Larger source-to-receiver offsets up to a

receiver offset equals the shallow-target distance of 2Ztar also are important for both

depth Z1. If a source-to-receiver offset data processing and imaging reasons; thus

exceeds Z1, there is a high probability that offsets in the range Ztar to 2Ztar also should the illuminating wavefield will be critically be created by the recording swath.

refracted at or above Z1 and will not provide When a seismic wavefield is generated a reflection image of the shallow target. at a particular source station, the 3-D Therefore, a 3-D design must ensure that at recording swath is defined as that area Figure 2 – Section view of Earth layering that is to be imaged. A 3-D designer needs to know two every stacking bin there are several source- spanned by the active receivers that record critical depths: (1) depth Z1 of the shallowest reflector that has to be Imaged, and (2) depth tarZ receiver pairs that are separated a distance the seismic response generated at that of the primary target to be studied. If multiple targets exist at various depths, then Ztar should be that does not exceed offset distance X station. min defined as the depth to the deepest target. The shallow target depth 1Z controls the source-line shown on figure 2, where X =Z , the depth In concept, these active receiver stations min 1 and receiver-line spacings, which should be no larger than the offset distance Xmin shown here. of the shallowest target. The deep target depth Ztar defines the physical size of the recording swath, which should span an An effective way to ensure this minimum Continued on next page area having a width of about 2Xmax in both the in-line and cross-line directions.

Figure 3 – An example of source/ Figure 4 – Recording swath designed to image receiver-line spacings designed to a deep target at depth Ztar. The swath is the image a shallow target at a depth Z1. area enclosed by rectangle ABCD, and the In this example, the distance between active source stations for the swath are all of the the receiver lines is set to a value that stations on source lines S1 through S9 that are equals shallow-target depth Z1. In other between receiver lines R5 and R6 (the shaded instances a designer may elect to set strip). The fundamental requirement is that there the receiver-line spacing to be 0.5Z1 must be several source-receiver offsets that are or less. All of the source-receiver pairs approximately twice the magnitude of target inside the shaded area ABCD have offset depth Ztar. This offset condition exists when (1) separations that are small enough to the active source stations are on source lines image stratigraphy at depth Z1. Several S1 and S2 and the receiver stations between (three to five) source-receiver pairs can source lines S8 and S9 are active, or when (2) be found that cause reflection points the active source stations are on source lines S8 to be positioned inside each stacking and S9 and the receiver stations between source bin, such as the two bins that are lines S1 and S2 are active. Some designers set highlighted, which creates a continuous, diagonal distance EC equal to Ztar; others set low-fold image across the shallow one of the widths EF or EG equal to Ztar. Either target. For reasons of economy, the option is satisfactory. At least one dimension source-line spacing often is made larger of the recording swath must be approximately than the receiver-line spacing, as is done twice as long as depth Ztar to the primary (or here, to reduce the number of source deepest) target. The number and length of stations per square mile. receiver lines inside the swath are controlled by the source-line and receiver-line spacings and by the channel capacity of the recording system.

42 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG Editor’s note: “Professional News Briefs” includes items about members’ career moves and the honors they receive. To be included, please send information in the above format to Professional News Briefs, c/o AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101; or fax, 918-560-2636; or e-mail, [email protected]; or submit directly from the AAPG Web site, www.aapg.org/explorer/pnb_forms.cfm. EXPLORERAAPG PROFESSIONALNEWS BRIEFS

David G. Ashton, to evaluation manager, Royal Dutch Shell, Houston. Kuwait Energy, Salmiya, Kuwait. Previously consultant, Great Missenden, England. Tim Kustic, to technical services manager, California Division of Oil, Gas and Donald Burdick, to A&D manager, Geothermal Resources, Sacramento, Calif. Laredo Petroleum, Tulsa. Previously asset Previously district supervisor, California team leader-Pan West, Laredo Petroleum, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Tulsa. Resources, Sacramento, Calif.

Marcus L. Countiss, to manager- Henry M. Lieberman, to senior development, Plains Exploration & geoscience consultant, Canadian Development, Houston. Previously International Oil (USA), Houston. Previously senior geophysicist, Plains Exploration & advanced senior geologist, Marathon Oil, Development, Houston. Houston.

Howard Fishman has retired from Matthew R. Martin, to manager-E&P Chevron after 35 years of service. Fishman technical services, Newfield Exploration, resides in Heber City, Utah. Houston. Previously asset manager-Gulf of Mexico, Newfield Exploration, Houston. Gary S. Grinsfelder, to vice president- exploration, LeFrak Energy, Houston. Richard “Rich” McLean, to exploration Previously president, TXCO Resources, manager, Canadian International Oil (USA), Houston. Houston. Previously exploration manager, Marathon Oil, Houston. Mark Grummon, to senior geologist, Resolute Natural Resources, Denver. Jim Swartz, to general manager- Previously vice president, North American operational excellence, Chevron, San Exploration, Denver. Ramon, Calif. Previously asset development manager-Kern River, Chevron North Greg Hummel, to senior geologist, ERG America E&P, Bakersfield, Calif. Resources, Brea, Calif. Previously senior geologist, BreitBurn Energy, Los Angeles. K.B. Trivedi, to principal geologist, PetroSA, Cape Town, South Africa. Alan S. Kornacki, to geochemistry Previously chief geologist, Oil & Natural Gas consultant, Weatherford Laboratories, Corp, Dehradun, India. Houston. Previously principal geochemist, Candidates Add Video Comments ideo comments by candidates The slate is: for AAPG office are now available Vonline at www.aapg.org. President-Elect The comments, filmed during the p Edward A. “Ted” Beaumont, recent AAPG Leadership Conference independent consultant, Tulsa. in Tulsa, show the Executive Committee p John C. Dolson, DSP Geosciences candidates talking about why they and Associates, Coconut Grove, Fla. accepted the invitation to stand for an AAPG office. Vice President-Regions Biographies and individual p David C. Blanchard, El Paso Egypt information for AAPG officer candidates Production, Lasilky, Maadi, Egypt. also are available online. p Stuart D. Harker, Circle Oil Plc, Ballots will be mailed in spring 2011. Finchampstead, U.K. The president-elect will serve in that capacity for one year and will be Secretary AAPG president in 2012-13. The vice p Charles A. “Chuck” Caughey, president-Regions and secretary serve ConocoPhillips, Houston. two-year terms. p Denise M. Cox, Storm Energy, Complete election campaign rules Panama City, Fla. also are available online.

Continued from previous page recording swath spans all the receivers inside rectangular area ABCD centered should form a continuous areal coverage about source point E. completely around the source point and To satisfy the raypath requirement shown extend at least a distance Ztar (the depth on figure 2, either the diagonal distance EC to the primary target) in all directions away or one of the half-widths EF or EG must be from each active source station. approximately the same as the target depth

In practice, however, only Ztar. approximations of this type of ideal It is arbitrary as to which of these recording swath sometimes can be created. recording swath dimensions to set equal to

For example, if a square swath with side Ztar. The number of receiver lines included in dimensions of 2Ztar causes the number of swath dimension AD is determined by the receiver stations to exceed the channel receiver-line spacing (figure 3). capacity of the recording system, then a rectangular-shaped swath is commonly * * * used, with the long dimension of the rectangle being 2Ztar to create the required All of the first set of design parameters long offset distances, and the narrow indicated on figure 1 now have been dimension being as large as the channel calculated using geology to guide the capacity of the recording system will allow. design. A typical, rectangular 3-D recording The next step is to determine if these swath is illustrated on figure 4. The active choices of source- and receiver-station source stations are all of the source points spacings, source- and receiver-line on source lines S1 through S9 that are spacings and recording swath size result in

between receiver lines R5 and R6, and the an acceptable stacking fold. EXPLORER WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 43 David Curtiss, head of AAPG’s Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C., can be contacted at [email protected]; or by telephone at 1-202-684-8225. EXPLORERAAPG WASHINGTONWATCH AAPG Adds Voice to Moratorium Conversation By DAVID CURTISS, GEO-DC Director

s oil spilled from the Macondo well Independently, the National Commission into the Gulf of Mexico in the days “An offshore drilling is also reviewing the use of moratoria. It Afollowing the Deepwater Horizon drill asked the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), a rig explosion, the White House scrambled Washington, D.C., think tank, to assist with to respond. President Obama ordered the moratorium is a blunt policy the assessment. Department of the Interior to conduct a BPC in turn invited a diverse group of safety review of offshore operations and tool that is more destructive stakeholders to respond to a questionnaire report back within 30 days. In the interim, on aspects of offshore exploration, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced than beneficial.” production and safety practices. the department would not issue new CURTISS AAPG President David Rensink deepwater drilling permits. responded on behalf of the Association, The 30-day review, delivered May Feldman of the U.S. District Court Eastern economy for more than six months,” providing geological context, discussing 27, recommended specific measures to District of Louisiana in his ruling. The Landrieu said. how oil and natural gas operators manage increase safety and enhance oversight of moratorium was not in the public interest, In response to the barrage of criticism, risk and uncertainty, and offering AAPG’s offshore operations. These measures were the judge concluded, and granted a both the White House and the Interior view on the use of moratoria. codified and communicated to industry preliminary injunction against it. Department indicated willingness to “An offshore drilling moratorium is a through two “Notices to Lessees and Many Gulf Coast leaders agreed. consider an earlier lifting of the drilling blunt policy tool that is more destructive Operators” (NTL No. 2010-N05 and -N06). “During one of the most challenging suspension. than beneficial,” Rensink wrote. “Its high The president simultaneously extended economic periods in decades, the last thing “I remain open to modifying the new cost has been evident this year, as the the suspension on deepwater drilling – we need is to enact public policies that will deepwater drilling suspensions based moratorium imposed in May exacerbated defined as wells in more than 500 feet of certainly destroy thousands of existing jobs on new information,” said Secretary the already substantial economic harm water – until Nov. 30, while the National while preventing the creation of thousands Salazar, “but industry must raise the bar experienced along the Gulf Coast from this Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon more,” wrote Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on its practices and answer fundamental tragic event. Consequently, AAPG believes Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling investigated. (R) in a letter to President Obama and questions about deepwater safety, blowout that future federal plans for spill response The move drew criticism from both Secretary Salazar. He urged enforcement of prevention and containment and oil spill preparedness should not include the use of industry and political leaders. existing regulations and emphasis on safe response.” moratoria.” Hornbeck Offshore Services, which operations. The administration issued a revised In its report to the National Commission, supports deepwater and ultra-deepwater Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana) moratorium in July, after Judge Feldman’s BPC stated the moratorium gave drilling and operations, filed suit against acknowledged there is no risk-free energy ruling, focusing on the technical government and industry opportunity to Salazar, alleging “the federal government’s production, but called on the administration specifications of the drilling operation review and enhance operational and safety imposition of a general moratorium on to implement new drilling practices, rather than water depth. And as part of practices. The changes initiated after the deepwater drilling for oil in the Gulf of such as those suggested in the 30-day this process, Secretary Salazar instructed 30-day review, together with on-going Mexico was imposed contrary to law.” review report, rather than issue a blanket Michael Bromwich, director of the Bureau improvements, should be fully implemented “[T]he Court is unable to divine or fathom moratorium. of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and enforced. If done, this “new regime will a relationship between the findings [of the “I believe that we can demonstrably and Enforcement, to conduct fact-finding provide an adequate margin of safety to 30-day review] and the immense scope improve the safety of deepwater drilling meetings across the country on offshore of the moratorium,” wrote Judge Martin without shutting down the Gulf Coast safety and best practice. See Washington, page 46

44 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 45 EXPLORERAAPG Registration Opens for ATC egistration is now open for OTC’s “ATC will provide a world-class venue inaugural Arctic Technology to present creative solutions to this RConference, created to keep energy challenging Arctic arena,” said Pierre- professionals on the cutting edge of Alain Delaittre, chair of the ATC Technical exploring and producing in the world’s Program Committee. “With a highly harshest climate. specialized technical program of over ATC is set for Feb. 7-9 in Houston. 150 presentations, high-level speakers, The technical presentations will feature networking events and exhibition, ATC will speakers from a dozen countries – Canada, provide opportunities for gaining additional Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, experience and expertise to oil and gas Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, professionals who attend.” Singapore, Sweden, United Kingdom and ATC was created after the the U.S. the United States – representing top E&P Geological Survey in 2008 completed an companies and covering seven key topical assessment of undiscovered conventional areas: Resources; Exploration Drilling; oil and gas resources in all areas north Production Drilling, Facilities and Export; of the Arctic Circle, revealing unlimited Physical Environment; Logistics and Marine opportunities for companies and countries Transport; and Regulatory and Environment. that can find solutions to the Arctic’s many challenges. The agency determined that 90 billion barrels of oil, 1,669 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 44 billion barrels of natural gas liquids have the potential of being discovered in the circum-Arctic. About 84 percent of the entire resource is expected to occur in offshore areas. ATC is built upon OTC’s successful model of multidisciplinary cooperation and contribution, with 14 technical societies and organizations – including AAPG – working together to deliver the world’s most comprehensive Arctic Event. “ATC is a truly international event focused on the cutting-edge technologies and ... emphasizing respect for the people and the environment of this harsh region,” Delaittre said. For more information or to register go to

ArcticTechnologyConference.org. EXPLORER

Washington from page 44

responsibly allow the resumption of deep water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico,” the report concluded.

* * *

As I write this in early September, it is unclear whether the administration will lift the drilling suspension before Nov. 30. But if the moratorium ended tomorrow, what effect would that have? Would business resume as if nothing happened? Former Shell President John Hofmeister appeared on Bloomberg Television on Aug. 30 warning that it could be 1-1/2 to 2 years before a new deepwater well is drilled. He fears that early permits will be challenged in court, leaving the judiciary to decide whether drilling will proceed. And the impact of new regulations could have a chilling effect on offshore E&P activity, resulting in decreased Gulf oil production. Lifting the moratorium is necessary, but only the first step. There are many policy decisions, from permitting and environmental regulations to taxes, needed to ensure robust domestic oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. These decisions ultimately require public acceptance. According to Rasmussen, public support for offshore drilling ranged from 56 percent to 64 percent this summer, with 53 percent of voters supporting deepwater drilling. That’s good. Our collective challenge is to educate the public and policy makers about what good policy decisions are.

It’s a discussion we need to have. EXPLORER 46 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 47 Regions and Sections is a regular column in the EXPLORER offering news for and about AAPG’s six international Regions and six domestic Sections. Contact: Carol McGowen, AAPG’s Regions and Sections manager, at 1-918-560-9403; or e-mail to [email protected]. EXPLORERAAPG REGIONS&SECTIONS Horn River Basin Keeping Canada Hot By CAROL McGOWEN, Regions and Sections Manager

anada’s Horn River Basin has been return on investment in British Columbia’s described as significantly larger than natural resources. Cthe Barnett shale area in Texas, which “Shale gas plays in northeastern British currently produces three billion cubic feet Columbia may be a long way from market,” per day. Third-party estimates predict the Bennett acknowledged, “but the British Horn River area could hold 50-100 trillion Columbia government has taken an open cubic feet of natural gas, making it the approach to ensure the country’s resources hottest resource play in North America. are competitive in North American markets.” But anyone working in western Canada can attest that production and development Evaluation and Strategies of this resource is costly – and when it comes to transporting the resources to Gas producing Devonian-Mississippian market, northeastern British Columbia is at age strata in northeastern British Columbia the end of the proverbial pipeline. have been described as thermally mature What makes the Horn River competitive silicious shales. Shale gas production from with other North American shale gas plays? the Horn River formation is well documented, British Columbia offers a series of along with the laterally equivalent Besa River, Nexen’s summer frac operation in the Horn River Basin; new pipeline construction projects and royalty credit programs that are helping to Muskwa and Fort Simpson. export facilities in the region could guarantee improved transport of gas to global markets. incentivize drilling activity in the province. Formation thicknesses of 500 feet And although most drilling sites are in and more represent enormous reservoir remote locations, British Columbia’s British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, competitive with other North American gas potential. reinforced road construction methods and Mines and Petroleum Resources, Bill plays. Rocks that are both silica rich and that unique well site drilling pads facilitate year- Bennett, instituted a series of innovative Year-round drilling is made possible have total organic content (TOC) of 5-plus round drilling. royalty deductions provided to companies with special drill site pads designed for the percent are considered most favorable for Plans for new pipeline construction in exchange for company investment in British Columbia climate and its pervasive shale gas reservoir exploration due to the projects and export facilities could road and pipeline infrastructure projects that “muskeg” environment – thick boggy layers rock propensity for enhanced fracturing of guarantee improved transport to global improve access to underdeveloped areas in of organic peat that forms a hard frozen brittle, organic-rich and silica-rich facies, markets. British Columbia. surface in the winter but in summer are soft according to the integrated formation In August, 16 companies doing business The royalty deduction programs provide and wet. The credits also apply to reinforced evaluation report of Ross and Bustin, in British Columbia received royalty credit incentives for infrastructure development, road construction projects and well-site University of British Columbia (AAPG awards under the Infrastructure Royalty deep wells, marginal wells, remote drilling pads, and facilitate doing business during BULLETIN, January 2008). Credit Program totaling $115.6 million. They locations and wells drilled during the British Columbia’s wet, summer season. In other words, rock intervals that have were Apache, Canbriam Energy, Cinch summer. These incentives are designed The province encourages energy higher carbonate and silica content may be Energy, CNRL, Crew Energy, Encana, to provide enough profit margin to move industry investment in general, and Bennett expected to respond favorably to fracture Encana-Questerre, Ironhorse-Grizzly, ISH technically complex and expensive-to- points to steps taken by the government stimulation. Energy, Nexen, Pavillion, Ramshorn, Shell, produce wells to economic viability, thereby and the ministry to streamline regulatory Talisman and Taqua North. making shale plays in British Columbia more processes in helping to ensure a favorable See Canada, page 51

48 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 49 EXPLORERAAPG What is the Value of Old Data? By BARRY FRIEDMAN, EXPLORER Correspondent

magine you have a collection of old “I was leaving a well site,” he recalled, only records from this well and earlier work The Downfall eight-track tapes in a box in the attic; “at the end of a well, when the tool pusher for the same client, but records from earlier Iunfortunately, your eight-track player is stopped my truck, and said, ‘You had better clients. Admittedly, Beattie knows there’s not long gone, sold in a garage sale in the late take this.’ “This led me to question how much much he can do in technical terms to help ’70s and by now, no doubt, in a landfill. Beattie remembers the moment with a other data had been dealt with in such a save this day. The music in that box, though – some clarity of something that occurred weeks cavalier manner.” “I do not have any great knowledge brilliant, some forgettable – is still important ago. In other words, he began thinking of data storage systems,” he said, “but I to you, still helping to unravel adolescent “He passed me a thick roll of Geolograph about all the geologic work out there – how was hoping that creating an interest might and philosophical mysteries. charts,” Beattie said. “At my base, I opened accurately was it recorded, catalogued, The key thing is this: the music is still this roll, and found that this contained not protected? And where is it now? Continued on next page good. Making matters worse, you never transferred any of it to cassette, never burned it to a CD, didn’t upload it to an MP3. Preservation of Rock Material a Daunting Task You can’t find it on iTunes and the guy at APG has long been involved in the But without the rock material to begin geoscience data and bring greater Best Buy laughed when you asked whether Apreservation of geologic data – an effort with, “none of this would be possible.” awareness of these issues to the public. anyone was selling eight-track players that now continues through the Preservation New technologies utilized on older data The committee accomplishes this anymore. of Geoscience Data Committee. already have revitalized many old oil or gas through: What do you do now? The committee’s chairs are Michael D. fields and have contributed to the discovery u Annual meetings, where geoscientists Gordon Beattie, a geologist now based Laine, with the Utah Geological Survey of new resources, she said. share their various perspectives on in Kilmarnock, Scotland – about 25 miles in Salt Lake City, and Beverly Blakeney “We as geoscientists do not know what problems associated with, best practices south of Glasgow – believes the petroleum DeJarnett, with the Houston Research questions will become critically important in for and innovative ways of finding funding industry is facing a similar dilemma. Center at the Bureau of Economic Geology the future – we don’t know what questions for geoscience data preservation. Beattie was both a drilling fluids in Austin, Texas. will be asked or what problems will need to u Working closely with other entities engineer, mudlogger and wellsite geologist And they agree with Gordon Beattie’s be solved,” she said. involved with geoscience data preservation, for MB Petroleum Services during the concern. “Without preserving the already acquired such as the state geological surveys that past four decades, but now he has a new “There is a serious need ... for a strong geologic material and associated data, we are often the repositories for geoscience mission: Making sure others see that data push to preserve all kinds of geoscience will have to start from scratch.” data (such as geophysical logs, field preservation is a crucial concern that must data – not just well site information, but As an example, DeJarnett said “the notes, cores, cuttings and other geologic be addressed. rock samples such as cores and cuttings, very popular concept of CO2 sequestration samples). The industry, he says, soon will be losing as well,” DeJarnett said. “Without the owes part of its success to the ability of u Working with and disseminating important historical data because there proper preservation of much of this rock geoscientists to re-analyze existing cores information from the U.S. Geological Survey will no longer be equipment available to material, the geosciences will truly be at a and other data to quickly assess the and other federal bureaus involved with the decipher it. disadvantage in the future.” feasibility of CO2 sequestration for certain same problem. It’s a novel on a floppy disc; a wedding Industry technologies alone “have reservoirs and regions.” “We HAVE to make this preserved shot on an old reel-to-reel. evolved at such an incredibly rapid pace,” But DeJarnett has something more data and rock material accessible to the It’s Back to the Future. she said, “and we can now do analyses that urgent to add to the situation – namely, her geoscience community,” DeJarnett said. And it’s a problem that’s been many people never even imagined on older, committee’s mission, which is to promote “Otherwise, what good is it?” concerning him for 40 years. already acquired cores and cuttings.” collection, preservation and utilization of – BARRY FRIEDMAN

50 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 EXPLORERAAPG Continued from previous page Geolograph charts, IADC reports, well logs and rig diaries.” are now under way or planned to bring someone with experience in this field Canada connect British Columbia shale gas forward. Back to the Future from page 48 resources to global markets. “I am hoping (to) instigate a trawl through TransCanada kicked off construction the memories of some AAPG members Getting back to that fortuitous meeting Thanks in part to the credit program, Aug. 6 on the first pipeline to cross for old data – and to introduce some of the with that tool pusher and the information Nexen Inc. has doubled its position in the Alberta-British Columbia border. younger members to a variety of material handed him, he said, “Indeed there were northeastern British Columbia to 90,000 The Groundbirch pipeline project will they have not considered,” he said. many wells drilled with only Geolograph and acres – 10 percent of the company’s global connect natural gas supplies in the Part of the problem, he believes, had to microscope giving running data.” holdings. Horn River Basin in northeast British do with the sheer volume of the activity back And knowing not just how the data Ron Bailey, Nexen’s general manager Columbia to the Alberta system. The then. was collected but also its location today is for shale gas, describes the Horn River $200-300 million project is scheduled for “During the boom of the 1970s-’80s the “anyone’s guess. Shale as having “great rock quality – 50 completion by November 2012. average rig count peaked at almost 6,000,” “In some locations they went to specified percent thicker even than the Barnett.” A planned Pacific Trail Pipeline Beattie observed. “Since then the average storage, North America and Europe,” but Bailey evaluates shale gas reservoir will move gas from northeast British has fallen to below 3,000.” he says not all, joking at one point that rock by five criteria: Columbia to Kitimat, British Columbia, But because of that boom, much of some might be upstairs in some Chinese u Gas in place per section. where the Kitimat LNG export terminal the record-keeping may not have been as restaurant. u Estimated EUR per well. will open to the rapidily growing professional as one might have hoped. So what can be done about it and, u Fracability – the Horn River Shale is economies of the Asia Pacific export “While the vast majority of this activity equally as important, who could and would a more fracable reservoir rock due to its markets. was carried out by well-established oil do the necessary transfers and updating? higher silica content, two to three times Kitimat’s terminal is approximately companies in proven areas,” he said, “The gap could be filled by a trawl greater than the Barnett Shale. 400 miles north of Vancouver, offering a “there was some work done by short-lived carried out (e.g.) by members of AAPG u Gas quality – this is a negative factor shorter, less expensive shipping route exploration groups.” or PESGB, who can remember where in the Horn River Shale, having 10-12 across the north Pacific. Natural gas will

And he talks about what he calls the the material obtained from, and (more percent CO2 that must be extracted before be cooled and liquefied at the terminal “doctors and lawyers oil companies:” “The importantly) where it was stored,” he pipeline transport. for export via ship to growing, natural scale of novice personnel recruitment and suggested. u Reservoir productivity – the Horn gas markets in South Korea, Japan, technical innovation meant there was a He also believes, in the case of River is highly productive. China and Southeast Asia. variation in appreciation of results and in electronically stored data, there may be a “Nexen’s interest in the area has “When completed, the Kitimat data storage.” case for a specialized unit being able to increased as we have learned more about LNG export terminal will provide The point, he says, was that not all access and apply current standards to early production strategies,” Bailey said. “And a new market-demand outlet for exploration or record keeping was done to material. by drilling larger programs, our costs British Columbia, a critical factor in or with precise instructions. “There was such pressure to reach the have decreased while our confidence has the commercial development of the More problematic is that this “treasure target formations that smaller, more marginal increased.” Horn River shale gas play,” said Mike trove” of information, as he calls it, now shows were frequently overlooked,” Beattie Nexen will soon deploy an eight-well Dawson, president of the Canadian needs to be examined or transferred before said. “These may only be discovered by drilling pad with an average of 18 fracs Society for Unconventional Gas. the storage technology is completely lost examining the raw data obtained during per well. According to Bailey, “Our frac Kitimat is designed to be linked to and nobody can remember how to access drilling.” program achieved an industry leading the pipeline system servicing Western the computer languages used. Until then, he seems to be saying, pace of 3.5 fracs per day.” Canada’s natural gas producing regions “The information collected at that time important geologic information, like your old via the proposed Pacific Trail Pipelines, is still relevant,” he emphasized, “but is Janis Joplin “Pearl” eight-track, will sit in an Pipeline Infrastructure a $1.1-billion (Canadian), 300-mile

held in a diversity of formats – cassettes, attic and a truck or a Chinese restaurant, (463-kilometer) project. EXPLORER

HP cartridges, large floppy discs, tapes, waiting to be unearthed. EXPLORER New pipeline construction projects etc. There is also raw data, in the form of

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 51 EXPLORERAAPG No cost for new members Members Offered Disability Insurance APG’s Committee on Group There is no cost to the new member Insurance recently announced a or AAPG for this benefit for the initial six A“no-cost” new member disability months of coverage. This is very similar insurance benefit for new U.S. members to the “no cost” $30,000 Group Term under age 50 who have graduated from Life Insurance benefit which has been college. provided to new members for many Terry Hollrah, committee chair, years. called the new benefit, which became Hollrah said AAPG is now one of effective June 1, 2010, “a tangible and the very few national professional very personal enhancement to AAPG associations that provide new members membership.” with two valuable types of coverage – term life, and disability income insurance. The new member disability income benefit provides $600 of monthly protection for up to two years beginning on the 61st day of total disability. Coverage is guaranteed issue with no exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Benefits can be increased, subject to customary underwriting requirements. New members can renew both the term life and disability income plans as long as they retain their membership and pay the renewal premiums, which are payable after the “no-cost” coverage periods expire. These insurance benefits can be valuable because they are personally portable throughout a member’s professional career, regardless of employer changes. For more information contact AAPG’s GeoCare Customer Service Department toll-free at 1-800-337-3140, or e-mail [email protected].

GCAGS’ 60th Meeting Set in San Antonio

A varied technical program that examines both the onshore and offshore activity and potential of the prolific Gulf Coast region has been planned for the AAPG Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies’ annual meeting, set Oct. 10-12 in San Antonio. The theme for the meeting – GCAGS’ 60th annual – is “Weathering the Cycles.” Also meeting will be the Gulf Coast Section of SEPM. The technical program will include a special daylong Stricklin Symposium on Tuesday, Oct. 12, titled “Forming and Filling the Gulf of Mexico Basin: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Tectonics, Source Rocks and Petroleum Systems.” Other technical sessions include Organic Shales of the Gulf Coast – Controls On Reservoir Quality and Producibility; Carbon Sequestration; Water for A Growing Region; Integrated Answers in Subsurface Exploration for Shelf-to-Ultradeep Opportunities; and Preparing for the Crew Change in the Geoscience Work Force. The program also includes an opening session featuring AAPG President Dave Rensink and a keynote address by past AAPG president Scott Tinker, plus two luncheons. For more information go online to www.gcags2010.com/index.html.

52 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 53 Natalie Adams has been named manager of the AAPG Foundation. She previously worked in fundraising for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, as alumni director, executive director of the Alumni Association and serving on the Alumni Foundation Board. She also has served on the board for the Alzheimer’s Association. EXPLORERAAPG FOUNDATIONUPDATE Gifts Make Impact By NATALIE ADAMS, AAPG Foundation Manager he AAPG Foundation provides vital beginnings when they were introduced to funding to the Association in support AAPG, many by their college advisers. Tof educational opportunities plus the Your gift to the Foundation represents dissemination of knowledge and information your desire to reciprocate for AAPG’s on key aspects of geosciences and continued availability through a long and petroleum geology around the globe. rewarding career and a lifetime of esteemed This would not be possible friendships. without the generosity of The Foundation’s financial remarkable individuals like you. campaign, “Meeting Challenges Your contributions allow us to … Assuring Success,” is moving reach and impart knowledge closer to the $35 million goal, with to today’s young geoscientists, the latest numbers coming in at which is critical to the success of $28,455,910. the business of petroleum. Your help is needed. If AAPG Philanthropy is defined as has provided services and benefits “goodwill to fellow men,” and that have been instrumental in your especially “an active effort to ADAMS professional growth and your desire promote human welfare.” The is to see future generations gain AAPG Foundation has received donations from this culmination of vast experience and from some very charitable individuals, passion for the earth sciences, then now is and we are charged with balancing the time. AAPG plans to be well-positioned those resources among our many valued for the challenges of the future. programs. Partner with AAPG today. With your gifts, the AAPG Foundation will For information on how your gift can continue its stewardship for the betterment make the greatest impact, go to AAPG.org of the science and the profession of and click on Foundation, or contact Natalie petroleum geology. Adams, Foundation manager, AAPG has a long history of advancing 918-560-2644, or e-mail [email protected]. the science of petroleum, and is a leader Contributions to the AAPG Foundation among geoscientific societies. This are tax deductible for persons subject to

organization has inspired so many of our U.S. income tax. EXPLORER industry’s professionals from their humble

Foundation (General) George C. Sharp In memory of Audrey W. Adams Michael S. Shearn Ronald Ray Sistrunk Matthew D. Adams John Fraser Shields Michael M. Adams Robert Charles Shoup Don R. Boyd Memorial Grant Enrique Aguilera-Hernandez William L. Soroka Charles Julius Franck John Alexander Howard Allen Sykes Nawal A. Al-Rushaid Nicholas William Taylor Herbert G. and William Casey Armstrong Philip Allen Teas Shirley A. Davis George W. Bayne Don F. Tobin Named Grant George Robert Bole Megan Emily Tuura Ortega Herbert G. Davis In memory of Jim Lewis John H. Van Amringe In memory of Erik Mason Patricia Borrego Victor J. Veroda Marvin D. Brittenham Noel B. Waechter Robert K. Goldhammer In memory of Susan Wygant Young Memorial Grant James A. Peterson Steven L. Dorobek Martha Lou Broussard Awards Fund Arnout J.W. Everts Mary E. Broussard Best Student Paper Stephen C. Ruppel Karen Marie Brown and Poster Award Daniel Robert Burggraf Jr. John Douglas Jeffers Michael S. Johnson Michael C. Burkard Named Grant Earl Patrick Burke Jr. Michel T. Halbouty Karen Marie Brown In memory of Memorial Leadership Award Dennis M. Burke Steve H. Hill Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Juan Carlos Calvo Educator Award Martin Macdermott Cassidy A.I. Levorsen Ricky G. Cox James Ernest Catlin Memorial Award Igor Chiambretti Andrew D. Waggener L. Austin Weeks Brian Stephen Cook Memorial Grant Gareth Edwin Cross Teacher of the Year Award Alexander Baldwin McInnis Robert William Crown Stephen Gerard Crumley Laura E. McLaughlin Greg R. Davidson Stanley Daniel Wyatt Douglas Vincent Davis Jr. Bridge Fund In honor of Alan Tamm James Harrison Davis Donald D. Clarke In memory of Merrill Haas In honor of Scott Tinker Weimer Family Named Grant Matthias Raymond Densley Carrizo Oil and Gas Ira Pasternack Edwin Harris East Bradley Ward Dean ExxonMobil Foundation Tom and Janice Tinker K-12 Education Fund Matching gift for Wayne Schild In honor of Scott Tinker Robert James Ardell D. Ramsey Fisher In memory of Mac McKinney Jr. Bryant Robert Fulk Digital Products Fund Charles C. Barrick William E. Gipson Rice University Michael David Brondos Peter Gordon Gray John Douglas Jeffers Grosvenor Brown In honor of William Charles Burkett Patrick J.F. Gratton University of Kentucky Donald D. Clarke Norman W. Grimes Jonathan L Konkler Marilyn Taggi Cisar Edward Wyman Heath Michael C. Dean Yasunori Higuchi University of Michigan Gerard Cornelius Gaynor Steve H. Hill Megan Emily Tuura Ortega Mary Ann Gross James Stephen Hnat James Anthony Helwig James Michael Hollywood University of Oklahoma John Douglas Jeffers Peter A. Horst Kenneth Aniess Donald Watson Lewis Cynthia A. Huggins In memory of Erik Mason Dudley Joe Hughes University of Tulsa Paula Louise MacRae Curtis Carlyle Humphris Jr. John David Muselmann Alexander Baldwin McInnis John Douglas Jeffers Glen Edward Vague Jr. Eric Henry Johnson University of Wyoming Laura Cutright Zahm John Michael Keating Mark A. Olson Robert M. Kieckhefer Named Public Service Fund George E. King Distinguished James A. Gibbs Harvey R. Klingensmith Lecture Fund In memory of William R. Dixon Jonathan L. Konkler Serge Rueff Robert C. Leibrock William Cameron Schetter Publication Roy Oliver Lindseth In memory of Dean Morgridge Pipeline Fund Ruben Martinez Martin Macdermott Cassidy Thornton Howard McElvain Grants-in-Aid Fund Donald H. Michel Roy D. Adams E.F. Reid Scouting Fund Steve Nemcsok Chevron Humankind Gary Charles Robinson Brett Norris Matching gift for Brett J. Ortego Amy E. Whitaker Visiting Geoscientist Robert Hartley Richards Kevin Joseph Keogh Endowment Fund Thomas J. Schull John David Sistrunk Jr. Tako Koning 54 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 55 EXPLORERAAPG WWWUPDATE AAPG, PTTC Combine For Online TECHPLACE By RON HART, Datapages Manager

t’s all about the reservoir. Every development geologist knows I– once you find it, you have to produce it. And that sometimes presents some non- traditional challenges. Since the early 1990s, The Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) has bridged the gap between larger, technology- rich companies and the smaller operators who depend on partners and consultants for the latest technology. PTTC has been a conduit for government-sponsored research to the independent companies who operate in areas with marginal economics. The basic unit of the online service is PTTC was designed to help the people the workshop summary. More than 1,500 who need it the most and – through a workshops have been produced since PTTC 20-year program of workshops, articles, began, and most of the information is still newsletters and telephone services – PTTC relevant today. More than 100 of these same has introduced thousands of “mom-and-pop” workshop summaries have been condensed energy companies to new ideas for better into executive summaries, which offer an production and best practices. overview of the same information in three to All that is now online. six pages and also are available. TECHPLACE is a new online information All workshops are categorized into four resource provided by the PTTC and AAPG/ main topic areas: Datapages. This cooperative effort captures u Exploration. and delivers technology insights from PTTC’s u Reservoir and Development. historical activities that can be used to make u Operations and Production. important technology decisions that positively u Drilling and Completion. affect your company’s bottom line. You may search the entire collection or TECHPLACE allows users to access hone your search to one of these categories. workshop summaries and workshop TECHPLACE plans to grow by adding notebooks, browse past issues of the PTTC content, just like its older sibling, Datapages’ Network News plus see upcoming PTTC and Combined Publications Archives database. other events of interest. Specializing in secondary and tertiary A 12-month subscription to TECHPLACE recovery, reservoir engineering and is $195 – less than the cost of a single geological E&P subjects, TECHPLACE workshop. And users can search-and- hopes to host a number of partner purchase single workshop summaries via a collections apart from the geoscience focus pay-per-view option, without a subscription, of Datapages’ other offerings. Check it out at techplace.datapages.com. today at techplace.datapages.com. INMEMORY James A. Blaha, 81 Miami, Fla., Aug. 15, 2010 Littleton, Colo., July 17, 2010 Edmund Louis Russell Jr., 83 Jeffrey A. Boyer, 60 Bakersfield, Calif., July 13, 2010 Katy, Texas, June 22, 2010 Charles Philip Walters (Life ’46) Albert Chauvin, 85 Manhattan, Kan. Jacksonville, Texas, July 16, 2010 Robert M. Wynne, 80 Doyle William Davis, 86 Midland, Texas, July 24, 2010 Oklahoma City, Aug. 13, 2010 Noel Henry John Frith, 59 (Editor’s note: “In Memory” listings are Lindfield, Australia, April 14, 2010 based on information received from the William Lewis Grossman, 95 AAPG membership department. Age at San Marcos, Calif., Jan. 18, 2010 time of death, when known, is listed. When James Hill Hafenbrack, 90 the member’s date of death is unavailable, Aurora, Colo., Aug. 4, 2010 the person’s membership classification Violet De Pena Y Lillo, 87 and anniversary date are listed.)

56 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 57 EXPLORERAAPG Pay Dues Online By VICKI BEIGHLE, AAPG Membership Manager ere’s an important reminder for all the highest dues level for non-members. AAPG members: You can pay your u Our member benefits package Hdues at any time by going to our provides access to a variety of career online site at www.aapg.org. services, including a graduated dues Here’s why keeping your membership structure, based on the member’s individual current can be one of the best professional ability to pay; networking opportunities; moves you can make: conferences/exhibitions; training; job/ u Members receive discounts resume posting service; member registry; throughout the year, including meeting and the latest information, news and registrations (10 percent or more) and technology within our industry. publication purchases (25 percent or more). Our goal is to be indispensible to all u Members automatically receive the geoscientists and our members’ career EXPLORER and BULLETIN as part of their partner for life. membership benefits – a bargain that Don’t miss out. Make dues payments would cost more than five times more than today on aapg.org.

MEMBERSHIP&CERTIFICATION The following candidates have submitted Canada applications for membership in the Afolabi, Bunmi, Nexen, Calgary (J.R. Association and, below, certification by the Connick, D.A. Leckie, C.H. Idiagbor) Division of Professional Affairs. This does not constitute election nor certification, but Kazakhstan places the names before the membership at Fisher, George C., EPC Munai, Munai (F.H. large. Henk, K.M. Willis, J.J. Girgis) Any information bearing on the qualifications of these candidates should be Mexico sent promptly to the Executive Committee, Juarez, Juan I., Pemex Exploration and P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Production, Villahermosa (F. Monroy- Information included here comes from the Santiago, J. Patino, V.M. Valois) AAPG membership department. (Names of sponsors are placed in Nigeria parentheses. Reinstatements indicated do Akinwale, Sean Temitope O., Applied not require sponsors.) Energy Ltd., Lagos (A.R. Ojelabi, A.O. Membership applications are available Esan, I.O. Ogun); Briggs, Tamunoseleipiri, at www.aapg.org, or by contacting Shell Petroleum Development Co. Nigeria, headquarters in Tulsa. Port-Harcourt (I.T. Preye, G.O. Giwa, O.O. Falade); Esharegharan, Ovokerhoyi For Active Membership Innocent, Shell Petroleum Development Co. Nigeria, Warri (I.T. Preye, G.O. Giwa, O.O. Alabama Falade); Feghabo, Inaingo, Shell Petroleum Chasse, Jacques, State Oil and Gas Board of Development Co. Nigeria, Port-Harcourt Alabama, Tuscaloosa (J.H. Masingill III, B.L. (I.T. Preye, G.O. Giwa, O.O. Falade); Fresh, Bearden, B.H. Tew Jr.) Ibifubira, Shell Petroleum Development Co. Nigeria, Port-Harcourt (I.T. Preye, G.O. Giwa, Colorado O.O. Falade); Koleoso, Kazeem Adewale, Rutty, Patrick, Aspect Energy, Littleton (M.L. Oando Exploration & Production Ltd., Peffer, S.G. Schulz, C.W. O’Melveny) Lagos (O.A. Ojo, O.T. Odusote, B. Olaleye); Onyehara, Iheanacho Theddeus, Omel Michigan Energy, Lagos (M.L. Afe, E.G. Odior, A.O. Barranco, Roswell Keith, Michigan Adesanya) Consolidated Gas/DTE Energy, Novi (reinstate) Peru Allcca, Miguel Angel, Petrolifera Petroleum del North Carolina Peru, Lima (M. Nicho-Pacheco, V.R. Sanz, Reid, Jeffrey C., North Carolina Geological J.C. Quinto) Survey, Raleigh (R.D. Perkins, S.D. Heron Jr., K.M. Farrell) Saudi Arabia Waheed, Mohammed AbdulNauman, Saudi Nebraska Aramco, Dhahran (M.O. Al-Amoudi, I.A. Al- Haley, Bruce W., Sparta Energy, Lincoln (R.L. Ghamdi, H.M. Al-Otaibi) Schumacher, M.P. Carlson, P.G. Martin)

New York Palmerton, David L., The Palmerton Group, Certification East Syracuse (B.R. Gill, A.M. Van Tyne, L. The following are candidates Collart) for certification by the Division of Professional Affairs. Texas Aryal, Niranjan, Schlumberger, Houston (W.A. Cantwell, C.L. Johnson, W.W. Xu); Cutright, Petroleum Geologist Bruce Lee, University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin (E.C. Potter, Alaska S.W. Tinker, W.A. Ambrose); Gulick, Sean William A. Hunter, Chevron, Anchorage Sandifer, University of Texas at Austin, Austin (B. Vorhees, D. Sturm, K. Pitts) (W.A. Ambrose, W.P. Mann, M. Sen); Hasiuk, Franciszek J., ExxonMobil, Houston (K. Texas Lohmann, L.J. Weber, J.A. Simo); Reuber, Erin Michael P. Lewis, Discovery Sesslar, Maersk Oil, Houston (C.D. Clerk, B.W. GeoServices Corporation, Forney (M. Horn, L.E. Duncan); Simmang, Cody Michelle, Pospisil, R. Findley, R. Larson) Core Laboratories, San Antonio (C. Keairns, R.B. Riess, B.E. Wawak); Velasquez, Monique, West Virginia Chevron, Houston (D.B. Buthman, S.M. Patti, Thomas H. Mroz, USDOE NETL, D.S. Beaty); Wang, Jianwei, Schlumberger, Morgantown (J. Lorenz, D. Morse, D. College Station (W.B. Ayers Jr., J.U. Abiazie, Billman) R.B. Martin)

58 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG Editor’s note: Jeffrey Levine served on the now-sunsetted AAPG Committee on Global Climate Change as a representative of the Energy Minerals Division, co-chairing a series of scientific forums on climate change at national and international AAPG meetings. He is a geologist specializing in coal and unconventional gas resources, in Richardson, Texas. EXPLORERAAPG Commentary MWH – A Tool to be Used Properly By JEFFREY R. LEVINE

ello. My name is Jeff, and I’m a hypotheses to explain skeptic.” what we were seeing. “H That’s how I might introduce This forced us to think myself if I were enrolled in a twelve-step creatively – “outside program aimed at keeping my inveterate the box.” skepticism under control; but there is no Only after such program, and I don’t want to keep formulating seven it under control anyway. Skepticism has hypotheses could we served me well as a geologist, and I’ve begin to pare down had many exciting insights by doubting LEVINE the list. We could reject the accuracy and validity of various data or hypotheses that were conclusions I’ve encountered – including inconsistent with the evidence, or in conflict my own! with established scientific laws. Alternatively, During my three years serving on the we could accept as “plausible” or “likely” now “sunsetted” AAPG Global Climate any hypotheses that were supported by the Change Committee I turned my skeptical evidence. eye toward the arguments and evidence In some cases, additional data would be both for and against the theory of needed to further pare down the list; but if “anthropogenic global warming” (AGW). I’ve in the end, we were left with more than one weighed the available evidence, I’ve tried possible explanation, this would be the best to assess its reliability, and I’ve reached my we could do. conclusions – for the time being, at least. But my purpose here is not to discuss * * * my conclusions, nor even to discuss the Over the past few years, a number of evidence. The AAPG leadership has my colleagues have cited the principle of wisely decided that climate change is not Multiple Working Hypotheses as the basis a subject we need to be debating publicly. for their skepticism regarding interpreted Unfortunately, politicization of this issue has human impact on climate. They regard “poisoned the waters.” AGW – the consensus view of the scientific Rather, my goal is to discuss the community – as the “ruling theory,” and by pathway by which we reach our virtue of their training, believe it essential to conclusions. I do so in the hope that over consider alternative hypotheses. the course of time, this may contribute to While I respect their intentions, however, a more rational discourse and a greater and strongly endorse skepticism in the congruity of opinion. Convergence of pursuit of scientific truth, MWH can serve as opinion will happen eventually, by the way, a useful tool only when it is applied properly. as has already happened within the climate If applied improperly it may not merely research community. This is the way of yield invalid results, but can simultaneously science. The only question is when. In this engender a false sense of confidence that regard, sooner is better. one has been rigorous and thorough in application of scientific reasoning, when in * * * fact the opposite may be true. Scientists are continually trying There are several potential pitfalls that to improve our understanding of the can be fatal to successful application of world around us. At any given moment, MWH. Prominent among these is that the however, our understanding is flawed and method entails two essential components: incomplete. In some cases, even a broadly u Formulating as many alternative accepted “consensus” view ultimately hypotheses as might be conceived. proves to be in error. u Testing and ranking these hypotheses Given this state of perpetual according to the available evidence. imperfection, how does one avoid the trap Some skeptics feel they've done their of clinging to established interpretations duty by applying the first step, while that may not be the best? T.C. Chamberlin’s neglecting to rigorously apply the second. method of Multiple Working Hypotheses Such an exercise, however, will serve (MWH) can potentially provide a remedy, principally to increase confusion and doubt, but only if it is properly applied. particularly among those who are less Chamberlin, a geologist who served familiar with the relevant data, while failing to as president of the University of Wisconsin accomplish Chamberlin’s goal of avoiding and subsequently as director of the Walker dogma and improving understanding. Museum at the University of Chicago, A significant underlying problem articulated his method in a series of papers in the application of MWH is that the and lectures during the 1890s. concept of the "ruling theory" is commonly Chamberlin’s goal was to encourage misunderstood. Chamberlin did not creative thinking in scientific inquiry, necessarily intend this term to describe the particularly when working with complex, predominant, or "consensus" view, although multivariate systems such as geology or in many circumstances it will. Rather, “ruling climate, which may have complicated theory” can describe any hypothesis that interactions and feedbacks. He recognized happens to be favored by an individual that it is easy to overlook some fundamental scientist. relationship or the important role of a In other words, Chamberlin was previously unrecognized variable. concerned about bias. One of the principal goals of MWH is to Chamberlin’s meaning is made clear avoid becoming mired in what Chamberlin in the subtitle to his essay, which states, termed the “ruling theory.” “With this method the dangers of parental An influential professor of mine, Dr. affection for a favorite theory can be Eugene Williams, taught us this method circumvented.” The phrases “parental when I was a graduate student in geology at affection” and “favorite theory” imply Penn State. Williams was almost obsessive parochial, proprietary bias toward a in his commitment to MWH. When we particular hypothesis. were confronted with some puzzling set of Thus, to my understanding, Chamberlin’s observations, perhaps on a field trip or while challenge to us as scientists is not conducting a lab exercise, he would insist that we come up with no fewer than seven See Commentary, next page WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 59 EXPLORERAAPG (and fought!) through this dispute, and in Commentary many cases had to work patiently to acquire from prevous page the evidence necessary to convince their skeptical colleagues that “horizontal plate necessarily to doubt someone else’s “ruling motion” offered a superior explanation for theory,” but rather to doubt our own! observed geological phenomena than the ruling theory of “vertical tectonics.” * * * Overcoming one’s own ruling hypothesis It is generally agreed that skepticism can challenge the best of us, but all such is an essential element of the scientific issues are eventually resolved by further method. research and additional data. A considerable risk confronting well- intentioned skeptics, however, is believing * * * that they can demonstrate their open- Given that human nature has not mindedness, both to themselves and changed appreciably since Chamberlin others, by daring to question the “status proposed his method, it can be safely quo.” Defying the norm, though, does not assumed that climate scientists are no necessarily exempt one from the risks of less susceptible today than they would “parental affection for a favorite theory.” have been 100 years ago to adhering In fact, Chamberlin’s entire approach to the “ruling theory.” It is under such is predicated on the assumption that circumstances that valid skepticism the human mind is inclined toward bias becomes especially critical to reaching a and that, as scientists, we must struggle valid conclusion. diligently to avoid it. Individual opinions may understandably It is for this specific reason that MWH differ on complex scientific questions requires consideration of all possible such as climate change. It is not justified, interpretations of the data. Equally however, to presume that someone who has important, however, is that each alternative reached a conclusion different from our own hypothesis must be assessed impartially. has simply failed to apply MWH – yet I’ve I don’t believe Chamberlin’s intention heard this argument made (or implied) by was to be skeptical only of the ruling theory skeptical geologists in support of their own while applying a lesser degree of scrutiny positions on climate change. to competing hypotheses, but rather to Ironically, the very presumption of guilt judge all hypotheses equally. Continuing to in failing to apply MWH itself represents entertain hypotheses for which there is little a failure to apply MWH, as alternative or no supporting evidence renders MWH hypotheses might be that: persons holding little more than a charade. divergent views have access to more Unfortunately, the goal of avoiding bias data, or have a deeper understanding of can be very difficult to attain, no matter the relevant scientific principles, or have how lofty our intentions. In interpreting the a broader background in the scientific drivers of contemporary climate change, literature, or – in some cases – are less we do not have the luxury of being able to susceptible to bias. design a “double blind” experiment, as in We may conclude through these pharmaceutical testing, for example, and examples that Chamberlin’s method of thus are forced to rely on our own integrity. Multiple Working Hypotheses can be a The history of geology has seen many powerful tool in scientific inquiry, but like successful applications of Chamberlin’s any tool (such as chainsaws, here in Texas method – one notable example being the where I live, for example) is subject to abuse debate during the 1960s and ’70s over if not used properly, and according to the

continental drift and plate tectonics. Many manufacturer’s guidelines. EXPLORER of our more senior members in AAPG lived CLASSIFIEDADS

POSITION AVAILABLE information about the Boone Pickens School of Geology can be found on the web http://geology. okstate.edu along with additional information about TWO ENDOWED FULL PROFESSOR POSITIONS these opportunities. Inquiries may be directed to OSU BOONE PICKENS SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY Dr. Todd Halihan (todd.halihan at okstate.edu) or Dr. Jay Gregg (jay.gregg at okstate.edu). Committed The Boone Pickens School of Geology at to health and safety Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) seeks applications maintains a tobacco free work environment. for two endowed chairs: the Chesapeake Energy Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/ Corporation Chair of Petroleum Geoscience and the Equal Opportunity/E-Verify employer committed to Devon Energy Corporation Chair of Basin Research. diversity. We are particularly interested in candidates with interests in one or more of the following: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * unconventional energy resources, petrophysics, reservoir characterization/modeling, tectonics of Field Station Executive Director, Geological sedimentary basins, depositional and diagenetic Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington systems, and basinal fluids. These chairs will be filled at the level of Professor, will carry tenure in The Department of Geological Sciences at Indiana the School of Geology, and will be effective August University, Bloomington, invites applications for a 2011. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in senior administrative appointment to advance the geology or related field and have an outstanding initiatives for developing programs and infrastructure record of research. The applicant must be committed envisaged in the strategic plan for the IU Geologic to excellence in teaching both undergraduate and Field Station in Montana. graduate students, will be expected to supervise We seek an individual of renowned repute in M.S. and Ph.D. level graduate students and develop industry and/or academia who can implement a courses in her or his specialty. business plan for the Field Station that will support The successful candidates will join a faculty of and sustain significant curriculum expansion and eleven geoscientists and will take leadership roles infrastructure enhancement. Critical qualities for in a department that has close ties to the petroleum this position include the ability to reinforce existing industry. The School’s teaching and research links with industry and alumni and to co-ordinate all facilities include state of the art geophysical field activities associated with the Field Station. and laboratory equipment and software, the Devon Applicants should hold a degree in geosciences, Visualization Laboratory, and a wide range of possess extensive managerial skills and industrial petrographic and geochemical instrumentation. The experience, and a proven record of teaching geology School also has a recently renovated field camp in the field. Familiarity with the IU Geologic Field facility near Canon City, Colorado. Station program and its setting is strongly preferred. Candidates should submit a letter of application, The responsibilities and terms of the position, initially including a discussion of research interests and funded as a half-time appointment, are negotiable approach to teaching, along with a curriculum vitae and will be based on qualifications. Residency at the and contact information for three references to: Field Station is required during the summer and in Endowed Chair Search, Boone Pickens School of Bloomington during part of the academic year. Geology, 105 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma Enquiries should be addressed to Simon Brassell, State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-3031. Screening of candidates will begin on November 8, 2010 and continue until the position is filled. More Continued on next page

60 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Continued from previous page * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Petroleum Exploration Geologist Professor and Chair, Department of Geological Newfield Exploration Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405- Tulsa, OK 1403, [email protected]. Applications must be submitted on-line at https://jobs.iu.edu/ (#2015). Seeking Geologist, responsible for conducting Indiana University is an equal opportunity/ detailed prospect analysis and play fairway affirmative action employer, and encourages assessments within the Mid-Continent Region plus applications from women and minority candidates. the generation and presentation of prospect ideas and leads to management. This position would be * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * located in Tulsa, OK. The successful applicant will generate and SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY update maps, logs, cross-sections and corporate UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING databases with new tops, correlations, shows and other pertinent geological data. Develop regional, The Department of Geology and Geophysics multi-county stratigraphic framework and subsurface (http://geology.uwyo.edu) invites applications correlations. for a tenure-track, Assistant Professor position in Minimum qualifications, ten years of experience, sedimentation/stratigraphy. Ph. D. is required at the knowledge of Mid-Continent upstream oil and gas, time of appointment. We seek an individual who experience with conventional and un-conventional shows the potential to develop an internationally plays, experience doing play-fairway analysis recognized, externally funded research program, assessments. Send resume to [email protected]. will be involved in the undergraduate and graduate teaching mission of the department, and will complement departmental strengths. Specialty FOR SALE is open and may include such diverse fields as petroleum geology, quantitative basin analysis, Mudlogging units with easy to learn software. seismic stratigraphy, carbonate sedimentation, Very reliable, full featured, portable units. Contact paleoclimate reconstruction, and physical Automated Mudlogging Systems. sedimentology. Relevant instrumentation in the Department includes: fission-track laboratory, multi-sensor core logger, micro-analytical facility, (303) 794-7470 www.mudlogger.com high-abundance sensitivity TIMS, LA-ICPMS, a next generation multi-collector ICPMS and a modern reflection seismology lab. The University includes the School of Energy Research (http://www.uwyo.edu/ ser/) and a centralized Stable Isotope Facility (http:// MISCELLANEOUS uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/SIF/). Applications should include a statement SAMPLES TO RENT of research and teaching interests and accomplishments, curriculum vita, and the names International Sample Library @ Midland – and contact information of three references. Review Formerly Midland Sample Library. Established in of completed applications will begin November 1947. Have 164,000 wells with 1,183,000,000 well 15, 2010. Send a compiled electronic copy (PDF samples and cores stored in 17 buildings from 26 version preferred) of your application to the search states, Mexico, Canada and offshore Australia. We committee ([email protected]). If you have also have a geological supply inventory. additional application materials to send, please direct them to Sedimentary Search Committee, Dept. 3006, Phone: (432) 682-2682 Fax: (432) 682-2718 Geology & Geophysics, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity-affirmative action employer. Eliminate pilot holes and drill more horizontal payzone with SES technical GEOSTEERING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SOFTWARE! SES is for geologists who are dissatisfied with drafting-tool methods of geosteering. Project Director, University of Texas Gulf Basin Free trial. www.makinhole.com. Stoner Engineering Depositional Synthesis Project LLC.

The Gulf Basin Depositional Synthesis (GBDS) is an industry sponsored consortium operated CLASSIFIED ADS by the University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) with a 15-year record of developing and providing consortium members a You can reach about 30,000 detailed, comprehensive, and integrated synthesis petroleum geologists at the lowest of the Cenozoic history of the entire Gulf basin. The per-reader cost in the world with a new GBDS director will direct the existing program and will spearhead development of new research classified ad in the EXPLORER. initiatives. This is a senior-level position requiring Ads are at the rate of $2.90 per a PhD degree with 10 or more years of industrial word, minimum charge of $60. And, experience in petroleum exploration with emphasis for an additional $50, your ad can on regional studies, reservoir sedimentology of clastics and/or carbonates, petroleum systems, and appear on the classified section on GIS database applications. the AAPG web site. Your ad can reach more people than ever before. Please refer to posting number 10-08-18-01-0371 for a full description and requirements of the position Just write out your ad and send and for instructions on how to apply at http://utdirect. it to us. We will call you with the utexas.edu/pnjobs/index.WBX. The University of word count and cost. You can then Texas at Austin is an EEO/affirmative action employer. arrange prepayment. Ads received All positions are security sensitive, and conviction verification is conducted on applicants selected. by the first of the month will appear in the subsequent edition.

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 61 EXPLORERAAPG DIRECTOR’SCORNER On the Cusp of Beginning a New Era By RICK FRITZ, AAPG Executive Director

eginning” is one of the most political policies. important words in our vocabulary. One of the most interesting “new “BGreat philosophers and thinkers Even though I have worked beginnings” discussed was Arctic have expounded on “beginning.” exploration. This new frontier presents Plato said, “The beginning is the most for AAPG for 11 years I feel unique challenges and tremendous important part of the work.” opportunities. We are now at the threshold Horace said, “Once begun, a task is like AAPG is at the edge of a of development of this vast area as blocks easy.” (I’m not sure I agree with that one!) have been taken and exploratory wells Cicero said. “Before beginning, prepare “beginning.” planned for the near future. carefully!” FRITZ AAPG is very involved in the science of Longfellow said, “Great is the art of the Arctic with its Polar Petroleum Potential beginning, but greater is the art of ending.” compared to the present. New resource The panel in this session comprised: conference scheduled for Halifax, Nova Even though I have worked for AAPG for plays will be developed and new technology u Jose Luiz Roque, E&P executive Scotia, Canada, late next summer. AAPG 11 years I feel like AAPG is at the edge of a will allow the re-development of old fields. manager drilling, Petrobras. also operates the Arctic Technology “beginning.” This theme was established by Communications will change significantly. u David Lawrence, executive vice Conference for the Offshore Technology President Dave Rensink when he asked the Watches, cell phones and laptops will be president-exploration and commercial, Shell. Conference, to be held Feb. 7-9 in Houston. leadership to consider this year as a new obsolete, and we will disseminate scientific u Robert “Bobby” Ryan, vice president of beginning and contemplate the future for the information in ways we’ve never dreamed. global exploration, Chevron. * * * Association. u Tony Doré, global exploration vice To that end the Advisory Council is in the * * * president-North America, Statoil. One of my favorite quotes on “beginning” process of reviewing the AAPG Strategic u Rod Nelson, vice president- is from Thomas Edison, the great applied Plan. In September I attended the Communications, Schlumberger. scientist and inventor, who once said, “I start At the AAPG Leadership Days in August, International Conference and Exhibition They discussed the challenges and where the last man left off.” the major theme was, “What would AAPG in Calgary, Canada. The overarching opportunities of future projects and how It is an understatement to say that there look like in 2035?” theme of the meeting was forward the industry will face increasing technical will be a lot of changes in our industry and The demographics of AAPG would be looking at unconventional reservoirs and difficulties and financial risks. Many of the profession in the next 25 years. AAPG is now significantly different. Most likely AAPG will unconventional thinking. plays have been known to the industry for at a critical stage of its development, and it have more members living outside of North One of my favorite sessions was the some time, but commodity prices were too is important to take steps to prepare for the America than within. Many of the baby management forum titled “E&P Challenges low for exploration and development. changes observed by the Association and boomers will be retired and the current in Complex Environments: From the Arctic Of course, unconventional reservoirs industry leadership. students and young professionals will be in to Deep Water.” It featured keynote speaker were an important part of this discussion. leadership positions in their companies and Amin Nasser, senior vice president-E&P for Oil and gas shales around the world are professional associations. Saudi Aramco. The session co-chairs were now in play, and although we now have the In 2035 there will be tremendous Pinar Yilmaz, of ExxonMobil, and Sa’id A. technology for development there are still advances in science and technology Al-Hajri, of Saudi Aramco. many obstacles, such as land issues and

DIVISIONS’REPORT DPA: Ethics and Professionalism By DANIEL J. TEARPOCK, DPA President

ow time flies when one is having fun! high standards of * * * Congressional Visits Day in Washington, I am into the first three months of business ethics, In July, I participated in the Regions D.C., in September. Hmy DPA presidency and things are personal honor and presidents’ teleconference call at the Led by David Curtiss, GEO-DC director, really hopping. professional conduct. initiation of Carol McGowen, the AAPG and Deborah Sacrey, DPA Governmental Being president gave me reason to All AAPG manager for Regions and Sections. This call Affairs Committee chair, the AAPG/DPA cogitate upon ethics and professionalism members should take gave me the opportunity to discuss DPA’s goes to Washington twice per year to meet as it pertains to geoscientists. time to reflect not plans for international expansion. with lawmakers and their staffs to answer As geoscientists, we all know the only on your technical The teleconference call already has questions and offer geological insight and vital importance of possessing sound skills and abilities but resulted in two new, confirmed DPA expertise. technical skills and knowledge in our TEARPOCK also on your ethics international activities: Energy is back on the radar screen in area(s) of specialty. But how often do we and professionalism. u I have been invited to present a talk Washington – the Senate is considering consider how ethics and professionalism A good reputation can take years to build, to the Dhahran Geoscience Society in both energy and climate change legislation. play important roles in our daily work and but only one second to destroy. Saudi Arabia in late October on the DPA, its overall careers? function within the AAPG and our planned u At the upcoming GCAGS annual Steve Sonnenberg said it well in the * * * global expansion. meeting (Oct.10-12) in San Antonio, the DPA DPA publication “Guiding Your Career As As I mentioned in my last article (July And we can’t forget the AAPG’s ICE held is a sponsor of two short courses: Ethics for A Professional Geologist,” when he stated: EXPLORER), the DPA is expanding our in Calgary last month. The DPA sponsored a Lunch, offered on Monday, and Ethics for “Honesty is fairness and mission of ethics and professionalism to very successful Wednesday luncheon with Breakfast on Tuesday morning. straightforwardness of conduct. It is the AAPG global Regions. To date, we nearly 180 people in attendance. David C. These two courses are taught by J. Cary adherence to the facts. It is the refusal to have approved the DPA Bylaws change Elliott presented a talk entitled, “Evaluation Barton of Barton, East & Caldwell. lie, steal or deceive.” to establish a councilor for each AAPG and Classification Issues of Unconventional To further excite geoscientists to join their Ben Franklin was quoted as saying: “A global Region. With the assistance Resources.” Elliott is the Chief Petroleum colleagues at the GCAGS, Oktoberfest is lie stands on one leg, the truth on two.” of the Regions presidents – David Advisor for the Alberta Securities being held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8-9. Professionalism, honesty and ethics Dolph (Canadian Region), David Cook Commission. What good geologist can turn down a beer equal integrity. When we combine (European Region) and Joe Lambiase at Oktoberfest, especially while sitting on the integrity and competence, they form (Asia-Pacific Region) – we already have * * * Riverwalk in San Antonio? For sure, I will be the cornerstones of a geoscientist’s three outstanding international Regions Domestically: there! successful career. councilors. They are: u DPA participated in September at the AAPG has a Code of Ethics. Its general u Bill Haskett, Canadian Region. Eastern Section’s annual meeting in two * * * principles are: u John Brooks, European Region. ways – I gave the All-Division Luncheon talk, One final note: THINK VOLUNTEERISM! u Geology is a profession and the u Bob Shoup, Asia-Pacific Region. titled “The Division of Professional Affairs The AAPG and DPA work hard to privilege of professional practice requires We are excited about our first (DPA): Professionalism as it Applies provide value to its members in many professional morality and professional three Regions councilors and are to Petroleum Geoscience,” and we ways. However, we cannot accomplish our responsibility. confident that they will do a great sponsored a short course on “The goals without the assistance of YOU, our u Honesty, integrity, loyalty, fidelity job within their Regions to spread Quality Control of Subsurface members. to trust and inviolability of confidence the DPA’s mission of Ethics and Maps.” Please consider volunteering on a are incumbent upon every member as Professionalism, as well as committee, running for office, chairing a professional obligations. build our membership within u The GEO-DC once conference or participating in some way to

u Each member shall be guided by these regions. again hosted its Geosciences assist your society. EXPLORER 62 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Headline Here Headline Here BY AUTHOR NAME XXXXXYYYYZZZZ

WWW.AAPG.ORG OCTOBER 2010 63 EXPLORERAAPG

64 OCTOBER 2010 WWW.AAPG.ORG