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AAPG October Explorer Issue 2010

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AAPG October Explorer Issue 2010 EXPLORERAAPG 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.
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