HGSBulletin Volume 54 Number 4 Houston Geological Society December 2011
Deepwater Sedimentological Features as Shown in High-resolution Data Donated to Universities, Gulf of Mexico Page 21
TheBulletin Houston Geological Society
Volume 54, Number 4 December 2011 In Every Issue Technical Meetings 5 From the President by Steve Earle 13 HGS Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting Addressing Environmental Concerns in Shale Gas Devel- 7 From the Editor opment: Baseline Groundwater Sampling, Monitoring, by Ron Waszczak and Other Mitigation Strategies 30 GeoEvents Calendar 21 HGS General Dinner Meeting HGS Membership 55 Deepwater Sedimentological Features as shown in Application High-resolution Data Donated to Universities, 56 HPAC Gulf of Mexico page 10 57 Professional Directory Other Features Houston Geological Society Honky-To n k OFFICERS 15 HGS Legends Night 2012 Steven A. Earle President Unconventional Wildcatters Martin Cassidy President-elect Ho-Ho- David Meaux Vice President Christina M. Higginbotham Treasurer Hoedown Donald Walker Treasurer-elect 23 SIPES November Luncheon Meeting Matthew Cowan Secretary Sound U.S. Energy Security Solutions for the Nation Ron Waszczak Bulletin Editor page 19 Patricia Santogrossi Bulletin Editor-elect DIRECTORS 27 Earth Science Week 2011 John Adamick “Our Ever-Changing Earth” Jennifer L. Burton Martha McRae Cecelia Baum Raborn Gary Coburn HGS OFFICE STAFF 43 Remembrance Sandra Babcock Office Manager Roy K. Dokka Vacant Webmaster Mike Erpenbeck Office Committee Chair EDITORIAL BOARD 47 Government Update Ron Waszczak Editor Henry M. Wise and Arlin Howles Patricia Santogrossi Editor-elect Fang Lin Advisory Editor James Ragsdale Advisory Editor 51 Remembrance page 21 Charles Revilla Advisory Editor Alfred Wagner, Jr. Sandra Babcock Advertising Editor Lisa Krueger Design Editor
The Houston Geological Society Bulletin (ISSN-018-6686) is 52 December Crossword published monthly except for July and August by the Houston Geological Society, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079-2916. Phone: 713-463-9476; fax: 281-679-5504 53 November Crossword Answers Editorial correspondence and material submitted for publication should be addressed to the Editor, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079-2916 or to [email protected] Subscriptions: Subscription to this publication is included in the membership dues ($24.00 annually). Subscription price for non- members within the contiguous U.S. is $30.00 per year. For those outside the contiguous U.S. the subscription price is $46.00 About the Cover: Cable Shovel and Haul Truck, Syncrude Tar Sand Mine. Syncrude is a joint per year. Single-copy price is $3.00. Periodicals postage paid in venture of companies mining the Athabasca oil sands north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Houston, Texas. Mining activities concentrate on the McMurray Formation, a lower Cretaceous oil-bearing POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Houston Geological sandstone. The oil sands consist of a mixture of crude bitumen, silica sand, clay minerals, and Society Bulletin, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, water. The Athabasca deposit, named after the river which cuts through it, is the largest reservoir Texas 77079-2916 of crude bitumen in the world. Photo by Albert Holba page 27
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2 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Board of Directors 2011–12 http://www.hgs.org/about_hgs/leadership.asp President (P) Steve Earle Carrizo Oil and Gas 281-435-5020 [email protected] President-elect (PE) Martin Cassidy University of Houston 281-370-7346 [email protected] Vice President (VP) David Meaux BP America 281-366-2847 [email protected] Secretary (S) Matthew Cowan Consultant 713-777-0534 [email protected] Treasure(T) Christina Higginbotham Golder Associates, Inc. 281-620-7835 [email protected] Treasure-elect (TE) Donald Walker ConocoPhillips 832-486-3924 [email protected] Editor (E) Ron Waszczak ConocoPhillips 281-293-3088 [email protected] Editor-elect (EE) Patricia Santogrossi Statoil 713-918-8240 [email protected] Director 10-12 (D1) John Adamick TGS-NOPEC Geophysical 713-860-2114 [email protected] Director 10-12 (D2) Jennifer Burton Legado Resources 832-607-0074 [email protected] Director 11-13 (D3) Cecelia Baum Raborn Maersk Oil 713-346-5826 [email protected] Director 11-13 (D4) Gary Coburn Murphy Oil 281-782-7021 [email protected] Committee Chairperson Phone Email Board Rep. AAPG House of Delegates Tarek Ghazi 281-961-7632 [email protected] P Academic Liaison vacant D2 Ad Hoc Advertising Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 [email protected] E Africa Conference Al Danforth 713-780-8622 [email protected] P Arrangements (hotel contracts) David Meaux 281-366-2847 [email protected] VP Ballot/Elections Paul Hoffman 713-871-2350 [email protected] S Calvert Fund Carl Norman 713-461-7420 [email protected] PE Christmas Party Kelly Limbaugh 713-972-9200 [email protected] D3 Community Outreach vacant D1 Continuing Education Rosemary Laidacker 713-805-9672 [email protected] D1 Directory Michael S. Benrud 713-785-8700 x104 [email protected] D1 Earth Science Week Martha McRae 713-869-2045 [email protected] D2 Engineering Council of Houston Claudia Ludwig 713-723-2511 [email protected] D2 Environmental & Eng. Geologists Matthew Cowan 713-777-0534 [email protected] VP Exhibits Bill Mason 281-367-0357 [email protected] D3 Field Trips Gary Moore 713-466-8960 [email protected] D1 Finance Joe Lynch 281-496-9898 x134 [email protected] T Foundation Fund John Adamick 713-860-2114 [email protected] PE General Meeting David Meaux 281-366-2847 [email protected] VP Golf Tournament Mark Dennis 281-494-2522 [email protected] D4 Government Affairs Arlin Howles 281-808-8629 [email protected] D4 Henry Wise 281-242-7190 [email protected] D4 Guest Night Dave Reynolds 281-497-2485 [email protected] D4 HGS New Publications Bill Rizer 281-392-0613 [email protected] D1 Houston Energy Council Sandi Barber 713-935-7830 [email protected] PE HPAC Winona LaBrant Smith 713-952-2007 [email protected] S Imperial Barrel Connie Mongold 832-315-4991 [email protected] D2 International Explorationists Justin Vandenbrink 281-448-6188 [email protected] VP Legends Night Charles Sternbach 281-679-7333 [email protected] P John Tubb, Jr. 713-805-5649 [email protected] P Membership Shari Sartain 281-382-9855 [email protected] S Membership Growth Jeff Allen 713-871-2350 [email protected] D3 Mudstone Conference Frank Walles 713-265-6319 [email protected] P Museum of Natural Science Inda Immega 713-661-3494 [email protected] D2 NeoGeo’s Sameer Baral 440-941-7121 [email protected] D3 Nominations John Tubb, Jr. 713-805-5649 [email protected] P North American Interest Group Steve Getz 713-304-8503 [email protected] VP Northsiders Simon Hughes 713-264-2167 [email protected] VP David Tonner 713-516-6894 [email protected] VP Office Management Mike Erpenbeck 832-418-0221 [email protected] PE Publication Sales Dennis McConnell 281-362-4743 [email protected] D1 Remembrances Art Berman 713-557-9067 [email protected] EE Shrimp Peel Lee Shelton 281-381-1093 [email protected] D4 Skeet Shoot Tom McCarroll 713-419-9414 [email protected] D4 Social Media Dianna Phu 281-925-2491 [email protected] D3 Speaker Awards Mike Deming 281-925-7239 [email protected] VP TechnoFest John Tubb, Jr. I713-805-5649 [email protected] D4 Tennis Tournament Steve Brachman 713-268-8810 [email protected] D4 Vendor’s Corner Paul Babcock 713-859-0316 [email protected] TE Volunteer Coordinator Sue Pritchett 281-451-6522 [email protected] P Web Management Linda Sternbach 281-679-7333 [email protected] D3 HGS Office Manager Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 [email protected]
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 3 9 th ANNUAL WINTER EDUCATION CONFERENCE )06450/ 59t'$"3: Five Great Days of the Finest Geoscience Training for One Low Price
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4 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 From the Steve Earle President [email protected] President Threats and Opportunities appy Holidays, everyone! December discussions. Yes, we represent a 4000 member society, but your His a good month to reflect on the past Board of Directors comments still count as only one voice. year and to start thinking about our plans Multiple individual comments to the TBPG could matter more. for the upcoming year. The HGS hosted a very successful AAPG the From Convention and Exhibition last April and we have kicked off Second, licensed Professional Geologists or Geophysicists (PGs) another exciting series of technical talks. Of course, we have are bound by the set of rules as determined by the TBPG. PGs already been hard at work planning for a successful 2012 and I’d should know and understand these rules since they are required like to suggest some upcoming events you don’t want to miss as to follow them. Certain work products must be sealed; other you think about your schedule for the new year: products may be sealed, but are not required to be. The act of sealing a map or report has implications about the manner in • The Holiday Ho-Ho-Hoedown party on Monday, December 5, which the work was performed. It also means that the TBPG has organized by Kelly Limbaugh. jurisdiction to review it. PGs should understand the full • Legends Night on January 16 features pioneer explorers of the implications of using their seals on any work product. Barnett, Eagle Ford, Bakken and Marcellus shale plays. Charles Sternbach and John Tubb have put a Third, it is not clear how long those of us in great program together for you. Update on TBPG the oil and gas industry can stay exempt from • “The Mudstone Conference”, officially As we are going to press, the Texas Board of this regulatory trend. This particular set of the Applied Geoscience Conference, on Professional Geoscientists has called a rules includes work done in support of February 20-21. Frank Walles and his Special Meeting to consider the proposed reserves estimation, pore pressure prediction committee have put together another rules changes. In light of the overwhelming (think Macondo), shale fracturing, and negative response and political pressure from outstanding group of talks. monitoring of hydraulic fracturing the entire geoscience community, it is • Our Grand Canyon Field Trip in July is operations, any work used to sell prospects to expected that they will scrap these rules in an opportunity to see some classic the public, and CO sequestration tax credits. their entirety. There is good reason to believe 2 geology — every geologist should see that they will issue a directive that further Clearly all this would cut a wide swath the Grand Canyon! clarifies the exemption for oil & gas and through the petroleum exploration and minerals geoscience work. development work that is being done by our As I write this, the HGS Board of Directors members. State of Texas requirements could is in the middle of drafting a response to a Thank you to everyone who helped with this become federal rules, but the interstate set of proposed rules changes by the Texas effort, including all the environmental and mechanisms have not been established. Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG). geological engineering professionals that I hope you saw the announcements we sent joined us in resisting this unnecessary Finally, notification of our members on via e-mail, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. intrusion. breaking issues is evolving as the use of We hope you responded as well. There are social media increases. As of the end of however some issues with broad implications that are worth September, HGS had 511 members with LinkedIn, 257 Facebook mentioning here. fans, and 136 followers on Twitter. The ability to quickly get important messages out is essential. I’d like to recognize Dianna First, we’re all rather busy, so it’s nice to know that HGS watches Phu for helping HGS set up and appropriately use these new social your back. The proposed rules have the potential to alter the way media. We are starting to build a following and we are learning in which a large part of our work is done, whether you are licensed how to best use this technology. These social media should or not. Being blindsided by something like this is not pleasant, encourage more interaction. They are not just one-way especially as it may relate to one’s ability to earn a living. The HGS communication devices, so the members using them can have an Board of Directors identified, in these rule changes, possible impact on how they actually get used by HGS. threats and took an opportunity to notify our members and provide comments back to the TBPG. I trust that we will have As always, your HGS officers and directors are here to help you some impact, but it is important to realize that your individual and to promote the profession. Any feedback is always welcome. voice is also very important during these government agency Have a safe holiday and see you here next year. I
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 5 Back to Table of Contents Registration Now Open
APPLIED GEOSCIENCE CONFERENCE
February 20 - 21, 2012 Westin Memorial City 945 Gessner Road Houston, TX 77042 USA
Integrated Approaches to Unconventional Reservoir Assessment Optimization
Houston’Houston’ss premier gulf coast shale event featurifeaturingng invited experts from the industryindustry,, government and university for four technical ddisciplineiscipline sessions: *HRORJ\ \JRORH* *HRSK\VLFV VVFLV\KSRH* *HRFKHPLVWU\ WVLPHKFRH* \UW &RPSOHWLRQV VQRLWHOSPR& V
A professional devdevelopment technical event. Limited seating available. Sold out since 2007.
For more information on registration, sponsorship and to view the speaker line-up, please visit www.hgs.org/en/cev/1290www.hgs.org/en/cev/1290.
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6 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 From the Editor
Ron Waszczak Editor [email protected] From the the From
Let There Be Peace on Earth And Let Peace Begin with Rare Earth Minerals
here have been a number of articles recently published in self-cleaning ovens and catalytic cracking in petroleum refining, TGeology, Scientific American, and National Geographic that call laser-range finders and precision-guided weapons systems, attention to rare earth elements (REE) and their hosts, rare earth phosphors for televisions and monitors, fluorescent and mercury- minerals (REM). On the periodic table, the rare earths are elements vapor lamps and carbon arc lighting, permanent magnets stable at 57 through 71, and have these less than familiar names: high temperature, high-refractive index glass and glass polishing, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, camera lenses and night-vision and welding goggles, and as samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, colorants in glasses, ceramics and enamels. holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium. Some researchers also consider scandium 21, The rapid rise in demand for REEs is and yttrium 39, to be rare earth elements. coincident with new increasing concern Rare earth elements are contained The rapid rise in demand over the geopolitics of discovered and primarily in the minerals bastnasite and for REEs is coincident with undiscovered REM reserves and monazite. Secondary resources are apatite, resources. cheralite, eudialyte, loparite, phosphorites, new increasing concern over xenotime, rare-earth-bearing clays, and National Geographic has reported “China spent uranium solutions. Though rare the geopolitics of discovered supplies 97 percent of the world’s rare earth minerals are relatively abundant in earth needs and has 48 percent of the the Earth’s crust, it is unusual to find them and undiscovered REM reserves world reserves. The United States has 13 in concentrations high enough for percent of world reserves, and Australia, economical extraction, and discovered and resources. Canada and Russia have substantial minable concentrations are far less deposits as well. Until the 1980s, the common than most other ores. Hence, the descriptive word “rare”. United States led the world in rare earth production, thanks largely to the Mountain Pass mine in California. American dominance During the past few decades, the demand for many items that ended in the mid 1980s when China entered the world market with utilize REEs has been rapidly rising. Items that are common and a roar. With government support, cheap labor, and lax or familiar include: rechargeable batteries and batteries for hybrid nonexistent environmental regulations, its rare earth industries automobiles, automotive pollution control catalysts, and portable undercut all competitors. The Mountain Pass mine closed in 2002. electronics such as laptop computers, cellular telephones, digital Over the next decade, China is expected to steadily reduce rare cameras, camcorders, compact disk and video disk players, and earth exports in order to protect the supplies of its own rapidly MP-3 players. Medical applications include dental and surgical growing industries, which already consume about 60 percent of lasers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), medical contrast agents the rare earths produced in the country. Fears of future shortages and isotopes, and positron emission tomography (PET) have sent prices soaring. The world is now scrambling to find other scintillation detectors. Other perhaps less familiar applications of sources of supply. “ REEs in manufacturing include: light alloys for aerospace, ceramic capacitors, high-temperature superconductors, microwave filters, The United States is the second largest importer of REEs; Japan is amplifiers in fiber-optic data transmission, chemical catalysts for the largest importer.
From the Editor continued on page 11
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 7 8 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 9 Grand Canyon Field Trip July 8-16, 2012 Visit one of the classic geologic wonders of the world. Raft the mighty Colorado River.
Enjoy seven nights on the river. Trip joins in Las Vegas and cost is $3100. For details or to register, go to the HGS website: http://www.hgs.org/en/cev/1326
10 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 From the Editor continued from page 7 ______Editor Geology reported on the dangers of a dominant world producer of world’s rare earth needs for 10 years based on current REEs, as is China: “Supply and demand normally determine the consumption. Ambassador Marc Grossman, U.S. Special market price of a commodity. As supplies shrink, prices go up. If a Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said “The United single country controls almost all of the production, and makes a States will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan’s firm decision not to export, then the entire supply of a commodity efforts to develop these resources through private-sector can be quickly cut off. That is a dangerous situation when new investment in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner the From sources of supply take so long to develop.” that benefits the Afghan people, expands markets, and promotes regional prosperity.” But hark the herald, there is news of hope in regard to potential and long term accessibility to newfound deposits of REEs. This past Scientific American reported on the USGS assessment: “Under September the U.S. Geological Survey released its report “Resource military cover, U.S. geologists have mapped Afghanistan’s deposits Estimate for Afghanistan Rare Earth Prospect”, a study funded by of critical minerals. The geologists were delivered to the site in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Task Force for Business and Black Hawk helicopters, and armed soldiers watched over them as Stability Operations (TFBSO). they scoured the ground for clues… The embattled country could fulfill the world’s requirement for rare earth and critical minerals USGS reports that Afghanistan’s Khanneshin carbonatite contains and end opium’s local stranglehold in the process. Overcoming the a major potential source of rare earth elements. The prospect’s country’s opium and Taliban strongholds with a mining bonanza principal ore mineral is bastnasite, the same mineral that harbors could change U.S. foreign policy and world stability.” most of the world’s rare earth reserves. The prospect is comparable in grade to world-class deposits in China and Mountain Pass, Peace, in many languages: la paix, Frieden, 平和, Fred, ειρήνη, ,amani ,ןדירפ ,pokój, miers, pace, síochána, kapayapaan, paz ,مالس California. The cconservative estimate for the tonnage of this ,béke, taikos, lapè, barış ,حلص ,deposit puts Afghanistan sixth on a list of countries with the 평화, vrede, свет, mír, pau, rauha largest rare earth reserves, and with enough reserves to supply the мир, ความสงบสุ I
Focused Workshops to Enhance Your Career
Deepwater Reservoirs New Directions in Carbonates *ANUARY s (OUSTON 4EXAS &EBRUARY s &ORT 7ORTH 4EXAS You have seen many changes in the last year in deepwater exploration New enhanced drilling techniques (geosteering in horizontal wells) and development, with new activity in offshore Gulf of Mexico, subsalt combined with new technologies and a better understanding of how to Brazil, west Africa, Mozambique, as well as in the Mediterranean and in economically produced hydrocarbons in carbonates have revitalized Asia-Pacific regions. AAPG is bringing together industry-recognized exploration for and development of carbonate reservoirs. experts in geology, hydrogeology, geophysics and engineering to share knowledge and experience about interdisciplinary methods to achieve Presentations will discuss different types of porosity, and the processes more profitable, repeatable results in deepwater offshore exploration and that both enhance and inhibit reservoir productivity. In addition, permeability production. issues are also addressed, and the new technologies and techniques that allow a closer and more detailed analysis of both permeability and porosity, This two-day workshop is ideal for geoscientists and engineers who with careful attention paid to drilling fluids and completions (including are actively involved in deepwater exploration, development, and hydraulic fracturing and waterfloods). technical studies. The goals of this third annual Deepwater GTW include providing a forum that showcases integrated studies of deepwater Join us to learn and discuss new and revitalized plays, reservoirs, affording ample opportunity for dialogue and lively group new technologies, and case studies / experiences involving discussions, and facilitating multi-disciplinary innovation in these the Mississippian in Oklahoma and Kansas, the Permian Basin, new challenging environments. We hope to evaluate "lessons learned" and carbonates in the Texas Panhandle and North Texas, and more. The new technologies as they apply to multiple regions around the world. workshop crosses thedisciplines and features presentations involving engineering, geology,
", ÊqÊ - 1--ÊqÊ , ÊqÊ-, ÊÊÊUÊÊÊ/ Ê*Ê/7Ê 8* , For information on these AAPG GTW’s, please log on to our website at http://www.aapg.org/gtw.
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 11 Back to Table of Contents 12 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Wednesday, December 14, 2011 HGS Environmental & Engineering Black Lab Pub, Churchill Room • 4100 Montrose Blvd. Dinner Meeting Social 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25 Preregistered members; $30 non-members & walk-ups Meeting To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pre-pay with Anthony W. Gorody, Ph. D., P. G., C. P. G. a credit card. President, Universal Geoscience Consulting, Inc. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available. Addressing Environmental Concerns in Shale Gas Development: Baseline Groundwater Sampling, Monitoring, and Other Mitigation Strategies
hale gas development has led to increasing concerns regarding and analysis of gas shows detected while drilling, casing head gases, Sthe impact of drilling and completions operations on produced gases, and free and dissolved gases in water supplies. groundwater quality and drinking water supplies. Relatively few This information, when evaluated within a well-characterized water wells are impacted by drilling operations geohydrologic framework, allow stray gas and there are no documented cases of there are no documented sources to be quickly identified and mitigated. groundwater contamination directly related to Because intrinsic bioremediation and natural hydraulic fracturing operations. In contrast, cases of groundwater attenuation are the only viable remediation impacts to groundwater quality resulting from contamination directly options for stray gas invasion, rapid and accidental releases of stray gases from effective response is the key to minimizing commercial gas wells are well documented. related to hydraulic impacts to groundwater resources. Low volume Failed casing cement jobs, uncemented annuli, stray gas releases also minimize monitoring costs and compromised casing cement bonds can, fracturing operations associated with verifying a return to baseline under just the right set of conditions, allow conditions as established prior to drilling. I
buoyant hydrocarbons to rise from depth and invade shallow Dinner Engineering & Environmental HGS aquifers. Yet such events are continually misinterpreted and Biographical Sketch reported by the media as resulting from well completion activities. DR. ANTHONY GORODY is a geoscientist with more than 30 years of diverse Pressurized stray gas invasion into shallow water supplies generates international and domestic oil and gas widely and commonly reported water quality impacts that the industry experience. His technical specialty general public perceives as resulting from hydraulic fracture relates to state-of-the-art forensic operations. Colloidal complexes and fine sediments normally geochemical fingerprinting and resting at the bottom of water wells rapidly become suspended hydrogeologic characterization techniques throughout the water column. Once such suspensions are useful for evaluating natural gas resources, introduced into the well pump intake port, normally clear water groundwater and surface water resources, in homes suddenly becomes colored, turbid, slimy, and smelly. produced water, and pollution in the Effervescing hydrocarbon gases, immediately noticeable and a near-surface hydrogeologic environment. Dr. Gorody’s work threat to safety, rapidly transform the redox environment in water experience includes domestic projects in the Appalachian, Piceance, wells to strongly reducing conditions. Such conditions excite the Denver, Washakie, Wind River, Powder River, Green River, San growth of strict anaerobes, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, which Juan, Raton, Fort Worth, Gulf of Mexico, Black Warrior, and Uinta can readily convert dissolved sulfate into odiferous, noxious, and basins, and international projects in the North Sea, Baltic, Telkwa toxic sulfides that can negatively impact air quality in homes. Many (British Columbia), Comox (BC), and Hat Creek (BC) basins. He of the health-related effects reported in water quality complaints earned his Ph.D. as a Weiss Scholar at Rice University, is a Certified appear to be consistent with short term exposure to stray gases and Professional Geologist, and is licensed and registered as a noxious fumes in small enclosed and poorly ventilated spaces. Professional Geologist in the states of Texas, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. He is president of his own firm, based in Houston, Risk-mitigation strategies needed to address such circumstances Texas, and provides training services to both operators and include baseline water sampling and monitoring. Forensic analyses regulatory agencies and consulting services related to baseline needed to identify stray gas point-sources also rely on sampling groundwater sampling and monitoring practices.
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 13 Back to Table of Contents
R S T FIFIRSTRST ANNOUNCEMENTAANNOUNCEMNNOUNCEMENT AND CALLCALL FOR PAPERS The 11th HGS-PESGBHGS-PESGB Conference on African E & P Africa: Continent of Discoveries HoustontHoust 201t 201on 20122, SeptemberSeptember 1111-12-12
The Westin Houston, Memorial City,City, 945 Gessner RoadRoad,, Houston, Texas
This annual conference has becomebecobecohas me established as the primaryprimarythe technical E &&E P conference on Africa. Scheduled for 11--11for 12 September 20122201 in Houston, a two-daytwoa day-two program of talks is planned along with technical posters and exhibits from sponsoring companies. Opening reception will be Monday eMonday eveningvening September 10th.
The conference series, organized by members of the International Group of Houston Geological Society (HGS) and Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB) covers all aspects of African E&African E&E&P,P, with particular emphasis on ideas w neneww ideas for playfor playss and prospects, the of geology of the continent and its conjugate margins, and application of emerging technologies.
Technical Contributions and Sponsorships are now welcome. Send abstracts (~200 words) or a Topic as soon as possiblepossibleas but nonobut later than 16 March 2012,,2012 for consideration by the Technical Committee to [email protected]@hgs.org. The program be will be finalized bybyfinalized end April.April.end Extended abstracts are normally submitted once youryonce our paper is accepted and are issued on a conference CD.
bird Early bird registration will be available from April 2012,2012Aprilfrom , further details will be appear in the HGS Bulletin, PESGB newsletter and websites.
For information on sponsorship or exhibit space, contact [email protected]@hgs.org or [email protected] .
Conference Committee for 2012012:2: Al Danforth, Ian PoyPoyntz,ntz, Martin CassidyCassidy,, Justin Vandenbrink,Vanden , LucyLucyrinkb Plant and Claudia Lopez (HGS),(HGS ), Ray BateRay Bate,, Richard Dixon and Duncan Macgregor (PESGB).).PESGB(
14 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 HGS Legends Night 2012 Unconventional Wildcatters Monday, January 16, 2012 Special HGS Dinner Meeting Program You’ve been to these noteworthy HGS Meetings: Legends in Wildcatting (2000) Featuring Marlan Downey, Gene Van Dyke, George Mitchell, Joe Foster, and John Seitz Legends in Wildcatting (2003) With Bill Barrett, Michel T. Halbouty, Robbie Gries, Marvin Davis, and Thomas Barrow GeoLegends (2006) With Distinguished Geologists Peter Rose, Arnold Bouma, Peter Vail, and Albert Bally Legendary Fields (2007) Legends Night(2009) An Evening with T. Boone Pickens Legends of HGS (2011) With Distinguished Geologists John Amorouso, Dan Smith, Dick Bishop and Dave Rensink
HGS invites you to join us for the next of these memorable dinner events honoring four ‘unconventional wildcatters’ of the Barnett, Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Marcellus Shale plays: Dan Steward, Gregg Robertson, Michael Johnson and William Zagorski. Westin Memorial City • 945 Gessner Road • Houston, TX 77024 Social hour starts at 5:00 pm This special HGS Dinner Meeting has limited seating. Please make your reservations online at www.hgs.org , or by mailing in this reservation form with payment. Registration Reservations and prepayment encouraged by online reservation Or send check and form to: HGS Office, HGS Legends Night 2012, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079 Or fax this form with credit card number to 281-679-5504 Name: ______Company:______Work Phone: ______Email: ______No. of tickets desired: ______@ $45 each Total amount enclosed: ______Membership No. ______(Please include names of all attendees, for registration badges): ______Credit Card number and type: ______CVV or Card ID : ______Expiration Date (required): ______Name on Credit Card: ______Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: ______Billing Address for Card: ______City, State and Zip: ______
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 15 Back to Table of Contents HGS Legends Night 2012
2012 Unconventional Wildcatters Pioneers of the Barnett, Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Marcellus Shale Plays Online registration now open! Monday, January 16, 2012, 5:00pm – 9:00pm Westin Memorial City, 945 Gessner Rd., Houston, TX 77024 Event organized by HGS past-presidents Charles A. Sternbach and John Tubb HGS Legends Night Night Legends HGS HGS offered the first Legends in Wildcatting program in 2000. Since then, HGS has hosted 6 special ‘Legends’ meetings with varying emphases. The enduring format shows versatility and vitality. This year, we chose to feature Legendary Unconventional Wildcatters to celebrate the finders of the ‘East Texas Fields’ of our day.
HGS invites you to join us for the next of these memorable dinner events honoring four ‘unconventional wildcatters’ of the Barnett, Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Marcellus Shale plays: Dan Steward, Gregg Robertson, Michael Johnson and William Zagorski. These speakers are recognized by the industry as pioneers in their respective plays, all vital to our industry and nation, and which now employ many geologists and HGS members. The evening will be a tribute to innovation and persistence, with each wildcatter sharing their commonalities and lessons learned from each unconventional play.
DAN STEWARD, 2007. In addition to this honor Dan was selected by the American BARNETT SHALE Association of Petroleum Geologists for their 2007 Explorer of the Dan Steward is currently a Year award for his role in establishing the Barnett as one of the consulting geologist with Republic largest producing gas trends in the country and the model for shale Energy Operating in Dallas, Texas. resource plays worldwide. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the Dan has been assisted in his career by his wife, Gilda and their four University of Houston in 1972 and children. Without their inspiration and backing he would not have has been involved in the Oil and achieved the success and recognition he has today. Gas Industry for 46 years. During his career he has been employed GREGG ROBERTSON, by Ames Oil & Gas, Dresser EAGLE FORD SHALE Magcobar, Shell Oil Company and Gregg received a B.A. in English Mitchell Energy. During the period, 1981-2001, he was at Mitchell from the University of the South: and a member of their Barnett Shale team. During this 20 year Sewanee in 1978 and attended the period he held a number of positions within the company Graduate School of Geology at The management, but in one capacity or another he was always University of Texas at Austin from involved with the Barnett Shale Play. 1979-1980. He then returned to Corpus Christi to join in the family After the company’s merger with Devon in 2002, Dan joined business with his father Rock Republic Energy and continued his involvement with the Barnett Robertson, a geologist who Shale through their activities. This partnership has allowed him to founded First Rock, Inc. in 1975. apply the understanding of organic shale acquired from the Barnett Over the past 35 years, First Rock, to other shale across the North American continent. Inc. has operated oil and gas production across all of South Texas as well as running a well service company for twenty of those years. In 2005 Dan was asked to write a history of the evolution of the Most importantly, First Rock has participated in several large joint Barnett Play by George P. Mitchell. This history was published in ventures with larger independents as a consultant and non-operator.
16 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 2012
Gregg presented his experiences “From First Idea to 10 TCF in WILLIAM A. ZAGORSKI, 10 Months: Discovery of Eagle Ford Shale in Hawkville Field” MARCELLUS SHALE at an AAPG Discovery Thinking Forum, 2010. http://vidego. William A. Zagorski is vice multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=ff261vso president of geology for Range Resources Corporation’s Southern Gregg emphasizes the importance to study a trend in “infinite” Marcellus Shale division. He has detail, the importance of relationships in the industry, technical 29 years of exploration experience ability, and data integration. He is excited to educate, motivate, and in various unconventional plays, inspire others in the adventure of Discovery Thinking. He plans to joining Range Resources in 1993. update us on what has happened in the Eagle Ford Shale play over In 2004, Zagorski and members of the four years since inception. his group indentified the Marcellus Night Legends HGS Shale concept, which led to Range MICHAEL S. JOHNSON, Resources’ Renz Unit No. 1 BAKKEN SHALE Marcellus discovery well. The Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Mike Johnson was involved in the Geologists awarded Zagorski the title of “Father of the Marcellus discovery of Parshall Field and Shale” in 2008. Before joining Range, he had served as exploration helped set off the drilling boom for manager with Mark Resources Corporation and as chief geologist the Bakken oil play in the Williston with Atlas Energy Group. Zagorski holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Basin. Mike graduated from the geology from the University of Pittsburgh. Ohio State University with B.S and M.S degrees in geology in 1949. Bill presented his experiences “The Appalachian Marcellus Shale He was the District Geologist in Play: Discovery Thinking, Timing, and Technology” at an AAPG Wyoming for Amerada Petroleum Discovery Thinking Forum, 2010. He is happy to share critical Corp from 1949-1958. From insights, thought processes, and the importance of recognizing 1958-63 he was the Rocky anecdotal clues which can lead to paths of success. http://vidego. Mountain Exploration manager for Apache Oil Corporation. He multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=plprh26f has been an exploration consultant from 1963 to present. Note: The USGS recently announced that the Marcellus Shale may He has been a member of AAPG since 1948, a member of Wyoming contain 84 TCF gas plus 3.379 BBNGLS undiscovered resources; Geological Society since 1955, a member and officer of RMAG some estimates are much higher — in the 100 to 490 TCF gas since 1958, a GSA Senior Fellow since 1978, member of SIPES since range. 1964, and member of the AAPG Foundation since 2009. HGS Legends Night 2012 Sponsorships Available Mike has received the AAPG Outstanding Explorer Award 2009 Please contact the HGS office, 713-463-9476, or email (Parshall Field Discovery in North Dakota) and RMAG [email protected] for information on sponsorship opportunities. See Outstanding Explorer Award in 2009. He received AAPG Award of page 18 for the HGS Legends Night Sponosrship Form. Excellence top 10 Oral presentations AAPG Convention 2009 for Parshall Field, Discovery of the Year. He has been a speaker at AAPG All profits from this event will go to HGS’ two scholarship meetings in Denver 2009 and New Orleans 2010. programs: the Calvert Foundation Fund for Graduate Students and the HGS Foundation Fund for Undergraduate Students. Note: Recent news releases indicate that the Bakken may contain Each fund gives out seven scholarships per year to the top 24 BBO and 3.2 TCF gas. students from area Universities. I
HGS Legends Night 2012 continued on page 18
The HGS is pleased to announce that AAPG President Paul Weimer (Denver, Colorado) plans to attend and address the audience at the dinner. Also planning to attend, newly appointed AAPG Executive Director, David Curtiss. HGS is pleased to welcome our distinguished guests.
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 17 Back to Table of Contents 18 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Back to Table of Contents
2011 HGS Honky-To n k Ho-Ho-Hoedown Monday, December 5, 2011 5:30pm - 11:00pm Blanco’s Bar & Grill 3406 West Alabama @ Buffalo Speedway • Houston, TX 77027 • (713) 439-0072 Howdy y’all!
Once again, HGS is hosting the best dang holiday shindig in town. It will be a Rootin’ - Tootin’ good time! Saddle up your horse and mosey on down to Blanco’s Bar and Grill on December 5 where you can eat tasty vittles, wet your whistle at the cash bar and wear your cowboy boots for down and dirty country dancin’! Y’all register online, ya hear? Preregistration: Members: $35 Non-members: $40 At the door: Members: $40 Non-members: $45
Price includes dinner and 3 drink tickets SEATS ARE LIMITED. REGISTER ONLINE at http://www.hgs.org/en/cev/1222 For more information, contact: Kelly Limbaugh at (713) 922-2913 HONKY-TONK HO-HO-HOEDOWN REGISTRATION FORM Reservations and prepayment encouraged by online reservation or send check and form to: HGS Office, 2011 HGS Honky-Tonk Ho-Ho-Hoedown, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079 or fax this form with credit card number to 281-679-5504 Name: ______Company: ______Work Phone: ______Email: ______No. of tickets desired: Pre-registered Members & Spouses $35 ______Non-members $40______Total amount enclosed: ______Membership No. ______(Please include names of all attendees): ______Credit Card number and type: ______CVV or Card ID : ______Expiration Date (required): ______Name on Credit Card: ______Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: ______Billing Address for Card: ______City, State and Zip: ______
If you’re hankering to be a SPONSOR: Gold Nugget: $1,000 Silver Spur: $500 Bronze Bronco: $250 Give us a holler at [email protected] or [email protected] and HGS will send an invoice for your sponsorship level OR you can use a credit card by calling the HGS office at (713)463-9476
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 19 Back to Table of Contents BOREHOLE IMAGING COURSE Houston – February 28TH, 29TH and March 1ST2012 undreds of image logs have been acquired by US Oil companies in recent years. There is currently an important resource of image logs sitting in data archives. Images can Hprovide unrivaled information of the geological structure, stratigraphy and sedimentology from the wellbore. The application of image logs in our industry has long been undervalued or not fully appreciated. The interpretation of images is a skill that needs to be learned and the best way to do so is with some of the industries’ leading interpreters. Borehole images, both wireline and LWD can fill a vital data gap between core and seismic data. Course aims... Lecturers.... • Carry out QC of borehole image data: Lawrence Bourke and Brian Callaghan with wireline and LWD • the course co-ordinated by Nicola Capuzzo • Design a borehole image logging program • Provide a brief structural interpretation from our local Houston office. • Classify major lithofacies types and sediment dispersal indicators Date... • Describe fractures and faults • February 28th, 29th • Appreciate limits of borehole images and March 1st 2012 Who should attend... Venue... • Geologists, Petrophysicists & Geophysicists Houston, Texas. working with integrated reservoir models • Overview... Price... • Image log technology and practice • US$ 2,500 per attendee. • Quality control Price includes lunch, coffee and snacks, • Structural analysis Course notes and exercises. Horizontal well analysis • TASK GEOSCIENCE INC. reserves the right to change any • In-situ stress analysis details of this course and to cancel the course up to 30 days • Sedimentological characterization before the course due date. Please see our website for - in clastics and carbonate rocks. confirmation or news updates of this event. DAY 1: Introduction: Borehole Image, Dipmeter and LWD acquisition and processing techniques, Log quality and artefact image recognition. Structural Interpretation: Basic principles - quick-look interpretation, Structural dip identification, unconformities, Large scale fault deformation structures. Practical Exercise - tectonic tilt, faults, unconformities. DAY 2: Structural Interpretation: Fracture analysis. Practical Exercise - fracture analysis. Integration with surface seismic and production data. Practical Exercise - integration with seismic and production data. Analysis of borehole images in horizontal wells. Sedimentological interpretation: borehole image and dipmeter data. DAY 3: Sedimentological Interpretation (continued): borehole images - clastic sequences. Practical Exercise - clastics. Sedimentological interpretation: carbonate sequences. Practical Exercise - carbonates. Approaches to permeability classification - carbonates; Petrophysical applications of image logs, in-situ stress analysis. Practical Exercise - in-situ stress analysis. TO BOOK, GO TO: www.taskgeoscience.com for more details, or request a booking form today from [email protected]
TASK GEOSCIENCE INC. BASED IN HOUSTON, ABERDEEN AND PERTH, IS A BEST-IN-CLASS GEOLOGICAL CONSULTANCY TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, SPECIALISING IN THE INTERPRETATION OF BOREHOLE IMAGES AND THEIR TASK INTEGRATION WITH CORE AND OTHER WELL BORE DATA. Geosclence THE BOREHOLE IMAGE SPECIALISTS
Millennium Tower (Suite 1300) 10375 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77042 TEL: +1 713 785 5960 www.taskgeoscience.com • HOUSTON • ABERDEEN • PERTH
20 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Monday, December 12, 2011 HGS General Westchase Hilton • 9999 Westheimer Dinner Meeting Social Hour 5:30–6:30 p.m. Dinner 6:30–7:30 p.m. Cost: $28 Preregistered members; $35 non-members & walk-ups James A. Thomson Meeting To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pre-pay BP America with a credit card. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available. Deepwater Sedimentological Features as Shown in High-resolution Data Donated to Universities, Gulf of Mexico
presentation will include a fly-through of datasets in 3D space to illustrate observed sedimentological features and implied processes
that are analogous with ancient deepwater conditions. Dinner General HGS
In a project sponsored by BP’s Upstream Innovation Board, these datasets have recently been donated to a group of geoscience departments at North American universities. The schools are using the high-resolution deepwater data in research projects and in teaching activities. This will lead to the development of specialized expertise in the students with research results available to improve the understanding of geotechnical, geological, and engineering concepts in deepwater areas. Datasets were donated by BP and co-owners BHPBilliton, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell. I
ultiple sedimentological features have been identified in Biographical Sketch Mhigh-resolution seabed data collected in deepwater portions M R . JAMES A. T HOMSON is Senior of the Gulf of Mexico. These features show deepwater depositional Geohazards Specialist for BP in Houston, and erosional processes indicative of strong erosive bottom Texas, USA. In this role he has currents, abundant sediment sources, episodic seafloor failures, and responsibility for clearance of seafloor deposition of coarse sediments far from the shoreline. The features and shallow drilling hazards for BP are seen on high-resolution datasets collected over a multi-year deepwater projects primarily in the Gulf period, primarily at production facility sites being cleared of seabed of Mexico. He has worked in a range of and shallow hazards. marine basins globally, including offshore Angola, Canadian Arctic, Caribbean Sea The three data types examined are multibeam echosounder offshore Colombia, and Vietnam. Projects (MBES) for detailed bathymetric mapping, sidescan sonar for typically range from geohazards evaluation of new entry areas seabed imaging, and subbottom profiler for analysis of shallow through hazards clearance for drilling and production facilities, marine sedimentary layers. These data were gathered using an export pipelines, and post-abandonment activities. autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which provides co-located digital datasets for visualization and interpretation. This At the BP-Chevron Drilling Training Alliance, Thomson teaches the Shallow Water Flow module in the Deepwater Drilling course. He also lectures at the GSH-HGS Geoscience Day for new energy industry employees. Prior to joining BP in 1997, he held positions as a geoscientist in the geohazards, environmental, and petroleum exploration businesses.
Thomson holds an M.S. degree from Syracuse University (geology) and a B.S. degree from SUNY University students and faculty review deepwater data College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 21 Back to Table of Contents For Gravity and Magnetic Data Globally Count on Fugro– Mapping Geology to the Basement...
...And beyond with the most comprehensive non-exclusive airborne, land and marine potential elds geophysical database, including AeroMagnetic, Land Gravity, Marine Gravity and Bathymetry data around the world. Interpretation includes: Basement architecture Tectonic elements Structural/geologic fabric Salt mapping Depth to basement ArcGIS deliverables Fugro Gravity & Magnetic Services
For personal assistance & consultation, please contact [email protected] or 713-369-6123. www.fugro-gravmag.com
22 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 SIPES December Luncheon Meeting Sound U.S. Energy Security Solutions for the Nation
John Hofmeister Founder and Chief Executive Citizens for Affordable Energy, Washington, D.C. Meeting and former President, Shell Oil Company
urrent public policy and political leadership stand between the energy industry’s opportunities for the massive renewal and Crebuilding. An associated economic transformation could be a rising tide that lifts all ships out of a continued reliance upon a deteriorating 20th century energy system and jobless anemic recovery. The standoff has produced a prolonged US economic slow growth economy and a national energy crisis, Current public policy and where gasoline lines, brown outs and black outs might become part of our way of life for an extended time. The energy “abyss” will occur in a country and on a planet that have political leadership stand more energy than they will ever need. As citizens we can and must eliminate this between the energy industry’s Luncheon SIPES unnecessary and harmful blockage because it holds back prosperity and a future of affordable, available and sustainable energy for this and future centuries. opportunities for the massive Opening up the prospects for sustained economic growth, the energy to support that renewal and rebuilding. growth requires a practical and continued accommodation among all stakeholders. It requires real change, especially on the parts of industry, its employees and managers, Non-Governmental Organizations — some of whom have all but written off the reality of traditional energy sources as fuels of the future, and political leaders from both parties — who have consistently failed to address the nation’s energy security through eight presidential administrations and nineteen consecutive Congresses. Our ability to change will be the ticket to a better tomorrow. Our inability to change will lead to economic decline, social and energy inequity, and unprecedented political paralysis for decades to come. Our national security and even the future of democracy are at risk if the status quo is maintained. I
Biographical Sketch JOHN HOFMEISTER, upon retirement from Shell Oil Company in 2008, founded and heads the not-for-profit, nation-wide association, Citizens for Affordable Energy. This Washington, D.C.-registered, public policy education firm promotes sound U.S. energy security solutions for the nation that include a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policies and public education on energy issues.
Hofmeister was named President of Houston-based Shell Oil Company in March 2005, headed the U.S. Country Leadership Team. He became President after having served as Group Human Resource Director of the Shell Group, based in The Hague, The Netherlands.
As Shell President, Hofmeister launched an extensive outreach program, unprecedented in the energy industry, to discuss critical global energy challenges. The program included an 18 month, 50-city engagement across the country which enabled 250 Shell leaders to meet with more than 15,000 business, community and civic leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss what must be done to ensure affordable, available energy for the future.
SIPES Luncheon Meeting continued on page 25
Thursday, December 15, 2011 Houston Petroleum Club in the Discovery Room, 800 Bell St. (downtown Houston). Social 11:15 AM, Luncheon 11:45 AM Reservations Required: Make reservations by telephone (713-651-1639), fax (713-951-9659), website (www.sipes-houston.org), or e-mail [email protected] to B. K. Starbuck-Buongiorno by 12:00 noon on Tuesday preceding the meeting. You can now sign up for the meeting online at www.sipes-houston.org, but payment is still required by regular mail or at the door. Cost: $30 for SIPES Members and Chapter Affiliates who register by 12:00 Noon Tuesday; $35 for new registrations at the door. The price for guests, non-members and walk-ins is $35. No-shows will be billed.
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 23 24 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 SIPES Luncheon Meeting continued from page 23 ______
Hofmeister, who has participated as a business leader in the inner workings of multiple industries for over 35 years, also has held executive Meeting leadership positions in General Electric, Nortel and AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International).
Hofmeister currently serves as the Chairman of the National Urban League, is a member of the U.S. Energy Security Council and a member of the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. He serves as non-executive Director of the Hunting PLC, London, UK, Lufkin Industries Inc., CAMAC Energy, Inc., and the Sodexo North America Business Advisory Board. He is an Advisor to Liberty Power of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the nation’s largest minority owned power company. Hofmeister also serves on the boards of the National Energy Security Council, Washington, D.C.; the Foreign Policy Association, New York; Strategic Partners, LLC; the Gas Technology Institute and the Center for Houston’s Future. Hofmeister is a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. He also is a past Chairman and serves as a Director of the Greater Houston Partnership. Hofmeister is active in education, SIPES Luncheon Luncheon SIPES serving on the Energy Advisory Board at the University of Subsurface Consultants UPSTREAM CONSULTANCY SERVICES Houston. He is also a Director of the Texas Education &Associates,LLC • Consulting Reform Committee. • Projects & Studies • Direct Hire Recruitments Hofmeister earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Political UPSTREAM TRAINING SERVICES Science from Kansas State University. In May 2010 he was •Public•• In-House (private) Custom awarded an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Check our website Houston. www.scacompanies.com for 2012 Training Courses!! John Hofmeister is the author of Why We Hate the Oil 10700 Richmond Ave. General Inquiries: Suite 325 [email protected] Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider (Palgrave Training Course Registration: Houston, TX 77042 Macmillan, 2010). [email protected] 713/789-2444 Consultants/Direct Hire Recruitment Services: www.scacompanies.com [email protected]
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David Childers, ph: 713-658-0077, e-mail: [email protected] Total Plaza, 1201 Louisiana St., Suite 570, Houston, TX 77002
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 25 Back to Table of Contents
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Successfully landing and completing laterals is critical in shale oil and gas reservoirs, requiring a rigorous approach to seismic reservoir characterization. RSI is achieving quality results in this area by integrating fault and fracture modeling, geomechanicalgeomechanical properties, geologic information, and engineeringg data to predict SRV (stimulated rock volume) and EUR (estimated ultimate recovery). BringingBringing together world class rock physics, wellbore, seismic, microseismic, production, and engineering data is the key to success. how out nd o To nd out how you can add signi cant value o yourt data, contact us @ www.ProductionPrediction.com
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26 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 “Our Ever-Changing Earth” by Martha McRae
visualization of the “Tapestry of Time” with a geologic map, simulation of the hunt for oil with geophysical techniques using the “Magic Suitcase”, demonstation of earth-shaking to help understand seismic waves, and direct examination of rocks
and fossils on touch-carts. Earth Ever-Changing Our
Over 230 families were guided through “passport stations” where they participated in the various demonstrations to earn prizes that included Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) rock kits and Houston Geological Society (HGS) logo slinkys. We also supplied over Micropaleontology station at HMNS Family Energy Festival 30 individual kits and books to area science teachers. The materials ur annual Earth Science Week festivities celebrated the included American Geological Institute Onational Earth Science Week theme “Our Ever-Changing (AGI) Earth Science Week Toolkits and the Society of Petroleum Earth”. We kicked off the week with the Family Energy Festival at Engineers (SPE) “Oil and Natural Gas” book. Again this year, we the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) on Saturday, are very happy that the HMNS Energy Conservation Club joined 2011 Week Science Earth October 8th. The festival showcased volunteer demonstrations us at the celebration and provided a hands-on density experiment from eight area professional societies that involve Earth with “lava lamps” that all the kids enjoyed. We are especially grateful sciences. A full gamut of Earth science activities were presented: to the HMNS, SPE, Gulf Coast Section SEPM, and the Geophysical use of a microscope to look at microfossils, identification of Society of Houston (GSH) for volunteering their time, money, and petrified wood samples, illustration of “layer-cake” geology, materials to this event. We would also like to thank University of Houston’s Wavelets and Wildcatters student organizations and the geology students of San Jacinto College for helping make this event successful.
A huge addition to our Earth Science Week lineup this year was our participation in the 1st annual Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) “Energy Day”. This family- friendly downtown festival was held Saturday, October 15th in partnership with the City of Houston, and was geared toward educating K-12 students and the public about energy. The festival had over 12,000 visitors, over 60 interactive exhibits that demonstrated energy innovation, Earth Science Week Art, Essay, and Multi-media contest winners and their teachers Earth Science Week 2011 continued on page 29
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 27 28 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 continued from page 27 ______
technology, efficiency, conservation, and the role of all forms of energy in meeting our current and future needs. Please visit the Energy Day website is http://www.energyday 2011.org/ for more information.
The HGS had a large booth and sponsored two activities at the Energy Day festival. Neal Immega led several groups on a walking Downtown Building Stone Tour that wound its way around the buildings near City Hall. Also in our booth,
Janie Schulke led a popular hands-on activity for both Earth Ever-Changing Our teachers and students, that demonstrated why hydrocarbons are considered a non-renewable resource. Providing rock kits and books At the Energy Day event, all winning entries of our 2nd annual Earth Science Week Art, Essay, and Multi- media contest were displayed. During the month of September, entrants from grades K-12, submitted works that expressed creative insights on the HGS booth at Energy AGI theme “Our Ever-Changing Day Earth.” We joined forces with the CEA and with the HMNS Energy Conservation Club to sponsor the contest and to participate in the judging process. 2011 Week Science Earth We received 175 entries from 19 public and private schools across the Houston metropolitan area. First, Second, and Third place were awarded for each category during an on- stage ceremony. Both winning students and teachers received cash awards, trophies, and certificates as well as teaching materials for the classroom. We extend our thanks to Statoil who provided cash awards for the students. Teacher awards Showing dionsaur teeth were provided by the HGS and the HMNS-Energy Conservation Club. All of the award winners and their submissions are listed and displayed on the HGS website on the Earth Science Week page.
The Art Winners are: • First Place: Haley Maelyn Lumbert (10) and teacher Victoria Rivas Marine of Dickinson Elementary in Sugar Land • Second Place: Karissa Bray (10) and teacher Victoria Rivas Marine of Dickinson Elementary in Sugar Land • Third Place: Salam Habra (10) and teacher Sarah Sharafeldin of Iman Academy, Houston Earth Science Week 2011 continued on page 33 Showing shallow geophysics machine
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 29 December 2011 S u n d a y M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y
Members Pre-registered Prices: Reservations: General Dinner Meeting...... $28 The HGS prefers that you make your reservations on-line through the HGS website at Nonmembers & walk-ups ...... $35 www.hgs.org. If you have no Internet access, you can e-mail [email protected], or call Env. & Eng...... $25 the office at 713-463-9476. Reservations for HGS meetings must be made or cancelled by Luncheon Meeting ...... $30 the date shown on the HGS Website calendar, normally that is 24 hours before hand or on the last business day before the event. If you make your reservation on the Website or Nonmembers & walk-ups ...... $35 by email, an email confirmation will be sent to you. If you do not receive a confirmation, International Explorationists ...... $28 check with the [email protected]. Once the meals are ordered and name tags and lists are North American Explorationists ...... $28 prepared, no more reservations can be added even if they are sent. No shows will be billed. 4 5 6 7 31st Annual GCSSEPM Bob F. Perkins Research Honky-Tonk Conference Ho-Ho-Hoedown HGS Board Meeting 6 p.m. Hilton Houston North Hotel Blanco’s Bar & Grill, Page 19 Page 12
11 12 HGS General 13 14 HGS Envionmental & Dinner Meeting Engineeering “Deepwater Sedimentological Features Dinner Meeting “Addressing Environmental Concerns in as shown in High-resolution Data Shale Gas Development: Baseline Ground- Donated to Universities, Gulf of Mexico”, water Sampling, Monitoring, and Other James A. Thomson, Westchase Hilton Mitigation Strategies”, Anthony W. Gorody, Page 21 Black Lab Pub, Page 13 18 19 20 21
25 26 27 28
Christmas HGS Office Closed
30 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 GEOEVENTS T h u r s d a y F r i d a y S a t u r d a y Upcoming GeoEvents
1 2 3 February 20-21, 2012 NOW Applied Mudrocks Conference you can make (AGC) Houston, TX your reservations on-line at March 8-10, 2012 www.hgs.org Oil History Symposium and Field Trip Houston, TX 8 9 10 April 22-25, 2012 AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition Long Beach, California
July 8-16, 2012 Grand Canyon Field Trip 15 16 17 Trip joins in Las Vegas, NV SIPES Luncheon Meeting September 11-12, 2012 “Sound U.S. Energy Solutions for HGS/PESGB Conference the Nation” Houston, TX John Hofmeister, Petroleum Club Page 23 November 4 -7, 2012 Geological Society of America 22 23 24 Charlotte, North Carolina
April 6-9, 2014 AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition Houston, Texas
29 30 31
Collarini Energy Staffing Inc. Full–Time and Temporary Exploration and Production Personnel Geoscience Facilities Drilling Production Reservoir Engineers Landmen Management Procurement Information Technology Health and Safety Accounting Administrative Support 11111 Richmond Avenue, Suite 126 www. collarini.com 4200 South I-10 Service Road, Suite 230 Houston, Texas 77082 Metairie, Louisiana 70001 Phone (832) 251-0553 Phone (504) 887-7127 Fax (832) 251-0157 Connecting the Industry’s Experts Fax (504) 887-7162
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 31 km and counting...
The World’s Second Largest 2D Multi-Client Seismic Library*
*In July Spectrum added more than 500,000 km to its Marine 2D Multi-Client library making it the world’s 2nd largest. The library includes some of the best regional Multi-Client datasets available in the Mediterranean, Eastern Gulf of Mexico, N.W. Australia and N.W. Europe. The newly enhanced Spectrum library now exceeds one million km of seismic data covering all major sedimentary basins worldwide.
www.spectrumasa.com
32 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 continued from page 29 ______
The Essay Winners are: • First Place: Allison Gentry (11) and teacher Helen Roberts of Spring Branch Middle School, Houston • Second Place: Yazeed Radwan (12) and teacher Dawn Miller of Iman Academy, Houston • Third Place: Zainab Hammeed (11) and teacher Dawn Miller of Iman Academy, Houston
The Multi-media Winners are:
• First Place: Sara Lyle (17) and teacher Stephanie Miller of A&M Earth Ever-Changing Our Consolidated High School, College Station • Second Place: Rama Bushra Imad (15) of Clear Horizons Early College High School, Houston • Third Place: Maci Loving (11) and teacher Jennifer Reyes of New Caney Sixth Grade Campus, New Caney GSH station showing how seismic works On Sunday, October 16th we concluded our Earth Science Week celebration with a public field trip to explore the Eocene outcrop, Whiskey Bridge, ten miles south of Bryan, Texas where Hwy. 21 crosses the Brazos River. This site has been described as the most fossiliferous locality in the state. It is a great place for beginners to look for, and easily find, beautiful whole fossils. We had two paleontologists on hand and several volunteers that helped describe the geology of the outcrop and the paleoenvironment of deposition Volunteers demonstrated how to correctly recover and identify fragile marine fossils. Several junior colleges had both instructors and students participate. We especially appreciate Blinn 2011 Week Science Earth College for their large turnout and helpful geologic discussions throughout the day. Over 100 people participated in the field excursion.
We would like to thank our entire collection of affiliated societies, volunteers, sponsors and participants for making our Earth Science Week activities a huge success this year. A special thanks to our newest committee members, Marc Fagleman, Bill Marshall, Heather McCarren, and Becky Kowalski, for their countless hours on the logistics of Earth Science Week. We also thank Janie Schuelke, Neal Immega, and Ken Thies for sharing their technical expertise on our demonstrations and fieldtrips. Ashley Garcia and Bryan Guzman also deserve special thanks for helping with the HGS booth and AV equipment. Learning about “layer-cake” geology We look forward to seeing everyone again next October. Planning for our 2012 event will begin next August but it is not too early to get involved. This event provides a lot of opportunities for our membership to give back to the community and share our passion for science. If you would like to take part, we are looking for HGS members to join our committee. There are a lot of ways to get involved. Please contact the HGS Education Outreach Committee Chair Jennifer Burton or HGS Earth Science Week Chair Martha McRae if you have interest. Lastly, please tell your friends in the teaching community about us. Have them contact us at [email protected] to get on our mailing list. We would love to have them and their students take part in our activities.
For more information on the HGS Earth Science Week Committee, visit http://www.hgs.org/earthscienceweek/ Understanding why hydrocarbons are non-renewable Earth Science Week 2011 continued on page 35 sources of energy
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 33 34 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 continued from page 33 ______Our Ever-Changing Earth Ever-Changing Our
Leading the Downtown Building Stone Tour
Brushing away sediment to reveal Eocene marine fossils Outcrop along the Brazos River with participants Earth Science Week 2011 2011 Week Science Earth
2nd Annual Earth Science Week Art, Essay, and Multi-media Contest Winners Art Winners
Third Place: Salam Habra (10) and teacher Second Place: Karissa Bray (10) and teacher Sarah Sharafeldin of Iman Academy, Houston Victoria Rivas Marine of Dickinson Elementary in Sugar Land First Place: Haley Maelyn Lumbert (10) and teacher Victoria Rivas Marine of Dickinson Elementary in Sugar Land Earth Science Week 2011 continued on page 37
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36 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 continued from page 35 ______
Multi-media Winners Our Ever-Changing Earth Ever-Changing Our
First Place: Sara Lyle (17) and teacher Third Place: Maci Loving (11) and teacher Stephanie Miller of A&M Consolidated Jennifer Reyes of New Caney Sixth Grade High School, College Station Campus, New Caney Second Place: Rama Bushra Imad (15) of Clear Horizons Early College High School, Houston
Essay Winners
1st Place Essay
How Change Shapes Our Planet 2011 Week Science Earth Allison Gentry The geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere interact in different ways to change the earth. Two critical examples of these processes are global warming and the loss of rain forests. These changes will have a large effect on the health of our planet.
Global Warming is another name for the Greenhouse Effect, a change that happens when the sun’s rays come down through the atmosphere, hit the earth, and bounce back into space. But when CO2 gathers in the atmosphere, it keeps the heat close to the earth, gradually letting the average temperature rise. People drive cars, factories let out fumes, and regular fires all let more CO2 into the atmosphere, letting it get hotter and hotter here on earth. Soon, the temperature rises high enough that the icebergs start to melt along with the North and South Poles. Scientists track Global Warming by measuring temperatures and seeing if the icebergs and Poles are still at a reasonable size.
Another vital example is deforestation. Deforestation is when people cut down trees and plots of land for different uses. Trees let out Carbon Dioxide, a gas that is important for all organisms to survive, so when there are less trees, there is less Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. Trees also help to stop erosion and also keep water clean. Scientists try to help people become aware of this problem and plant trees everywhere to keep water and air clean.
We can try to stop Global Warming and deforestation by emitting less CO2 into the air by not riding in the car as much or planting new trees that take in CO2. By becoming aware of these problems and working together to stop them, we can have a cleaner, healthier, Earth.
Earth Science Week 2011 continued on page 39
Teachers — contact us at [email protected] to join our mailing list. We would love to have you and your students take part in our ESW activities!
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 37 38 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Earth Science Week 2011 continued from page 37 ______
2nd Place Essay The Dying Earth Yazeed Radwan The Earth is very strong yet fragile. Over the years, humanity has pushed at the limits of the Earth, pushing it into chaos because the Earth, like the human body, works as a system—when one part is damaged, the whole system in damaged.
The Earth is composed of four spheres—the geosphere, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. These spheres are closely connected and interact with each other. The geosphere helps shape and develop the other spheres such as the shaping of the hydrosphere’s ocean floor through volcanic eruptions and other geological processes. It provides humanity with minerals, but has been depleted of Earth Ever-Changing Our many of its resources.
The hydrosphere also plays an important role in the environment. It is set in motion by the movement of the atmosphere above, and provides humans with a wide variety of foods and of course water. But, because of the constant air and water pollution, its resources have been harmed.
The atmosphere is by far the most important sphere. It is where weather occurs and provides us with the oxygen we need. It has been harmed dramatically by air pollution which may be the cause of the nationally feared “global warming”.
The biosphere contains all the living creatures in every ecosystem, and each of these creatures lives in one of the spheres of Earth. They provide humans with all of their food but have decreased because of excessive hunting and air and water pollution.
All in all, the Earth is a fragile object that needs our attention. We must be caring of it to save it, and I believe Earth can be saved if everyone would take the right steps. We must study Earth’s spheres to learn how help them, and then the Earth will be healthy once more. Earth Science Week 2011 2011 Week Science Earth
3rd Place Essay The Flow of Change Zainab Hameed
A drop of water. It falls, sparkling and glistening, even from the murky sky above. It is only alone for a moment before another drop begins to fall next to it. And another. And another. And soon this lone water droplet is surrounded by hundreds, then thousands, then millions of other droplets around it that join together to form a sweeping and cascading flow of water that holds the strength and power to bring change, form rivers, carve stone, and even give life.
Each drop of water is one of us. Together, we can save the planet. Each and every one of us must put in our own effort to save this unique planet we call home. The power for change lies in us, whether it be good or bad, and so far there has been too much bad. If we keep acting carelessly, then we will lose all of the bounties the earth provides.
Irresponsible decisions can have direct and indirect effects on us. For example, we have to stop polluting the air and plants. People are getting asthma because of all the pollution in the air. We use pesticides in the plants that not only we, but animals also eat. People go in individual cars and increase the pollution instead of carpooling and going in one car.
We can stop all of this by not being careless and appreciating what our planet provides for us instead of taking advantage of it. We need to do the three Rs: Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. All it takes is these small changes, little by little, and if everyone can make these small changes, there is no stopping us. Together, we can clear the skies and help form the beautiful rainbow our earth deserves.
For more information on the HGS Earth Science Week Committee, visit http://www.hgs.org/earthscienceweek/
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 39 Back to Table of Contents GulfG lf CoastC t AAssociation iti off GGeological l i l SSocieties i ti andd theth GulfG lf CoastC t SectionS ti off SEPMSEPM
62nd Annual Convention CALLL FOR PAPERSPAPERAPERS
ANNOUNCING THE NEW GCAGS Memoir Series Beginning with the 2012 Annual Convention in Austin, GCAGS S will annually publish a collection on of formally peer reviewed articlesles in the new GCAGS Memoir Series: Gulf Coast Geology. The GCAGS Memoir series will be the premier scientific publication relating to Gulf of Mexico geology! This hard-bound memoir, focusing on all geoscientific aspects of the greater Gulf of Mexico region, will be produced each year in concert with the traditional GCAGS Transactions volume, and both will be distributed at the annual convention. An editorial board, which serves for 3 years, will oversee the review process. The memoir will consist of 10 to 20 articles selected by the editorial board from among the most timely and significant abstracts submitted for the Transactions and will also contain invited papers. Like the Transactions contributors, authors of memoir articles will present either an oral or a poster presentation at the annual convention. ABSTRACTS AND PAPERSPDNASTCARTSBA PPAA SREP The deadline for abstract submission for both Transactioransactionsr and the Memoir Series is December 2, 2011. Complete submittal instructions, including all pertinent due dates, are posted on www.gcags2012.comwww.gcags2012.com
40 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Maps in Schools! by Alison Henning he Houston Geological Society is excited to be part of the mutually enhancing the landscape and its underlying temporal TMaps in Schools project! The goal of the project is to “plant structure, this digital tapestry outlines the geologic story of the seeds of geologic curiosity” in continental collision and breakup, students by encouraging an interest in mountain building, river erosion and science in general and geology in deposition, glaciation, volcanism, and
particular. We think that the USGS other events and processes that have Schools! in Maps Tapestry of Time and Terrain Map can shaped the region. do just that and we need your help. HGS will be distributing maps to With the recent approval of Earth schools through our various outreach Science as a fourth year of high school programs, but we also want our science in Texas, more students than ever members to get involved. We encourage before will be exposed to the geosciences. each and every one of you to deliver a This is the perfect opportunity for the HGS to share its knowledge map to a school. It could be your kids’ or grandkids’ school, your and enthusiasm for Earth Science with local students. This map neighborhood school or the school across from your office. Maps offers a great entrée into local classrooms by providing a starting are available at the HGS office and at most technical meetings. The point for discussion. maps are rolled and unmounted. If you need help finding a school or need tips for presenting the map in a classroom, please contact The Tapestry of Time and Terrain Map depicts both the topography Alison Henning at [email protected]. and geology of the United States. It is the most detailed and accurate portrait of the U.S. land surface and the ages of its underlying rock The Maps in Schools project was initiated by Owen Hopkins of the formations yet displayed in the same image. The map resembles Corpus Christi Geological Society and is funded by the Gulf Coast traditional 3-D perspective drawings of landscapes with the addition Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS). I of a fourth dimension, geologic time, which is shown in color. In
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 41 Back to Table of Contents Test Drive the New PowerLog 3.2 in a Free Workshop See how easily you can complete your petrophysical workflows with PowerLog 3.2: Increased Usability: • Improved editing functionality • All project data is at your finger tips with our searchable database. • Multi-well processing is easy, fast & accurate. Advanced Interpretation Tools: • Image log analysis • Obtain more accurate resistivity determination with Multi-well Crossplot Laminated Shaly Sand Analysis – LSSA. • Perform Interactive Electrofacies modeling using FaciesID. • Quantify lithologies, fluids, and porosity with StatMin. • Model Density, P, and Shear logs, and perform fluid substitution with the rock physics module – RPM. Sign up today! Contact Jeff Martin at [email protected]
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42 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Remembrance
ROY K. DOKKA (1951-2011)
The LSU community lost one of its most dedicated research and faculty members when ROY K. DOKKA, PH.D., passed away on Monday, Aug. 1, at his residence. He was 59 years old. Dokka is survived Remembrance by his wife of 37 years, Margie Dokka, daughters Saundra Dokka and Kristina Dokka Knight.
Dokka was the executive director of the Center for GeoInformatics; director, Louisiana Spatial Reference Center; and holder of the Fruehan Family Professorship in engineering at LSU at the time of his passing. “For 31 years, Roy was a friend, mentor and inspiration to the many lives he touched at LSU and his passing leaves a great void in our college,” said College of Engineering Dean Rick Koubek.
Dokka joined LSU’s Department of Geology & Geophysics in 1980 as an assistant professor after receiving his Ph.D. in geological sciences from the University of Southern California. He was promoted to full professor in 1990 and became the first recipient of the Adolphe G. Gueymard Professorship in Geology & Geophysics in 1998. In 2001, he became the first executive director for the Center for GeoInformatics. Dokka then joined the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and helped build new research and academic programs in Geodesy and GeoInformatics.
In 2002, he initiated the Louisiana Spatial Reference Center, a partnership with the National Geodetic Survey-NOAA, focused on creating a state-of-the-art positional infrastructure for Louisiana. In 2003, he was selected as holder of the Fruehan Family Professorship in engineering. He had the unique distinction in that he was the only professor in LSU history to have been honored with endowed professorships from two different colleges (Science and Engineering).
Born in 1951, Dokka received his bachelor’s degree in 1973 from California State University, Northridge, and his master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1976. His research interests centered on the application of the Global Positioning System, or GPS, and geodetic leveling to study the massive subsidence that is affecting Louisiana’s coast and midcontinent, and on understanding the role that tectonism and climate play in creating landscapes. Dokka’s areas of specialization included earth systems science and engineering, and applications of the global positioning systems and geographical information systems.
In 1992-93, Dokka served as a program director at the National Science Foundation, or NSF. He had been a member of several national policy committees for NSF and NASA dealing with geology, geographical information systems and geodesy. He also served as past- president of the South-Central Section of the Geological Society of America. Dokka was a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and was awarded a lifetime honorary membership in Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Freshman Honor Society, for his record of outstanding teaching.
He received a Presidential Citation in 2003 for “outstanding service to the surveying profession in Louisiana” from the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors. He was also the 2008 recipient of the Commander’s Medal for Excellence from the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
LSU honored Dokka as one of the 2008 and 2009 “Rainmakers,” by the Office of Research & Development, recognizing 100 exceptional members of the LSU faculty for their pioneering research and innovative scholarship in earning the highest levels of outside funding and mentoring the finest graduate students. In 2009, he served as coordinator for the Geotechnical Group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The importance of his work in Louisiana Geology and the promise of LSU C4G cannot be overstated and will serve as a proud legacy of Roy Dokka. I
Should you hear of a fellow HGS member’s or contributor’s passing, please send information to the Editor-Elect at [email protected]
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 43 Back to Table of Contents WHEN KNOWLEDGE COUNTS...
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44 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 HGS Welcomes New Members
New Members Effective October 2011 ACTIVE MEMBERS Michael Sommers Kristen Frederick Victor Agbe-Davies Fan Xu Aspen Jacobs Members New David Allard ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Chungi Jiang Daniel Allen Steven Andrews Nimesh Kapadia Erica Bradstreet Maria Hale Alkesta Maili Chunsen Dai James Healy David Mathews Nathan Glondys Edrina Torres Kristie McLin Thomas Goebel Sean McWhorter Michael Halpin EMERITUS MEMBER John Meixner Hiroshi Iwamoto Richard Colomes Yassine Oukaci
Monica Miley John King Alli Oyepeju Welcomes HGS Clint Miller Crystal Pletka Anthony Moherek STUDENT MEMBERS Siavash Rastagi Eric Obrock Abrahim Abduslam Laura Stanley Andre Picarelli Adekunle Adeyeye Johanna Tarley Shelby Plitzuweit Sumiyyah Ahmed Lin Zheng Paul Roberts Alex Barnard Antonio Serna Abigail Bufkin Welcome New Members
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46 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Government Update by Henry M. Wise, P.G. and Arlin Howles, P.G.
If you’d like the most up-to-date information on Texas rules, regulations, and Update governmental meetings, we direct you to the HGS website to review The Wise Report. This report, which comes out as needed, but not more often than once a week, offers the most up-to-date information that may be of interest to Texas geologists.
AGI Government Affairs Monthly Review Resources Committee, hosted a special briefing for senators by the (September 2011) American Energy Innovation Council of the Bipartisan Policy Government White House Postpones New Ozone Standards Center about their report, “Catalyzing American Ingenuity”. The On September 2, 2011 the Obama Administration sent a letter to report highlights the need for an active government role in energy Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Lisa Jackson innovation, recommends ways to improve the effectiveness of requesting a withdrawal of draft ozone standards that would have government innovation programs, and lays out options to pay for set the strongest smog standards yet. Though the ozone standards energy innovation investments. are up again for review in 2013, many environmentalists and many Democrats had hoped to set the 60 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) LightSquared Creates Interference, Costs and limits before then. The White House reiterated that the move was Controversy not politically motivated but done due to concern over duplicate LightSquared, a new wireless technology backed by billionaire regulations. Some in industry and some Republicans praised the Philip Falcone, is likely to render the Global Positioning System move as a major relief to businesses worried about the costs of (GPS) useless due to a bandwidth overlap issue. The U.S. Air Force meeting the stricter standards. If implemented, the measure would and local police forces, among others, consider this potential have cost the economy up to $90 billion a year by EPA’s own problem a threat to national security. Falcone believes the analysis. bandwidth issue is due to the receivers on the satellites, each of which would only require a 10 cent filter to fix the problem. The In response, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) floated an amendment GPS industry disagrees, saying that this is a bandwidth physics at an Environment and Public Works Committee markup to issue, not a quick-fix technology issue. The industry has requested restrict the rules from being reevaluated through 2013 though he sample filters from LightSquared to test them, but they have not did not ask the committee to vote on it. Environment and Public received any from the company. Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has promised to hold an oversight hearing into the administration’s decision to pull the During a House Committee on Armed Forces hearing on standards. September 15, 2011 General William Shelton, head of the Air Force Space Command, gave testimony which detailed the effects of Senate Committee Passes RESTORE Act LightSquared technology on GPS systems. According to his On September 21, 2011 the Senate Committee on Environment testimony, all types of aviation receivers, including handheld, and Public Works passed the Resources and Ecosystems aircraft, and weapons receivers, were adversely affected by Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies LightSquared transmitters as far away as 16.5 miles, while high- (RESTORE) Act. It was passed on a voice vote with bipartisan precision GPS units used for geological surveying were affected out support and included an amendment to provide interest-based to 213 miles. funding to a national endowment for the oceans. The interference issue is also driven by costs and politics. Adding Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Oil Pollution Act, BP and a filter to every GPS driven device would be expensive. According other involved parties are required to pay penalties for their role to media reports, LightSquared has offered to pay the U.S. military in the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the U.S. Treasury. The about $50 million to retrofit or replace GPS units, while the RESTORE Act would direct 80% of the fines to the Gulf Coast military counters that the costs are much higher. LightSquared states for environmental and economic restoration. The measure could compete with AT&T and Verizon networks, creating will next need to be voted on by the full Senate and then by the significant competition in the marketplace. Finally, media reports House, which has no similar legislation for consideration. a role for politics in this controversy, by suggesting that some unnamed Democrats have connections with LightSquared and that Senate Energy Committee Hosts Report on Energy Policy the Administration is fast tracking approval for the company. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Republicans, such as Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and chair and ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Government Update continued on page 49
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48 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Government Update continued from page 47 ______
Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) are very concerned about these Enforcement (BSEE) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Update reports and the potential costs and are requesting more oversight. Management (BOEM) replaced the Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE). NRC Standstill Means Uncertain Future for BOEMRE was put in place as part of an overhaul of the former Yucca Mountain Minerals Management Service (MMS) in the aftermath of the BP On September 9, 2011 four members of the Nuclear Regulatory Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010. The well blowout and Commission (NRC) voted 2-2 on whether to uphold a June 2010 resulting spill highlighted problems with having resource decision by the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to management, leasing, revenue collection, and safety and Government Government prevent the Obama Administration from pulling the Department environmental oversight managed by one agency. The new of Energy (DOE) application for the proposed Yucca Mountain reorganization separates the former roles of MMS into three nuclear waste repository in Nevada. independent agencies within the Department of the Interior. The third agency, the Office of Natural Resource Revenue (ONRR), has The 2-2 vote has been interpreted in different ways. Republican already been established and is responsible for the collection and Commissioner William Ostendorff, who has publicly voiced his disbursement of royalties, fines, bonuses, penalties, and assessments support for Yucca Mountain, said the split is “legally for onshore and offshore energy production. Michael Bromwich, unambiguous” and that the licensing board’s decision should who had directed BOEMRE since its inception, will lead BSEE and stand. Democratic Commissioner William Magwood argued that Tommy Beaudreau will lead BOEM. the indecision means Congress is now responsible for deciding the fate of Yucca Mountain. Though five members serve on the Chairman Doc Hastings of the House Committee on Natural commission, including Chairman Gregory Jaczko, the vote was Resources has proposed an alternative form of reorganization split because Democratic Commissioner George Apostolakis which would separate the former MMS into the Bureau of Ocean recused himself. Apostolakis previously participated in the Energy — responsible for planning, leasing, and environmental project’s scientific review, which was conducted at Sandia National studies; the Ocean Energy Safety Service — responsible for Laboratory. permitting, safety, and inspection; and an Office of Natural Resources Revenue — responsible for collecting all royalties and The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 requires the DOE to site, revenues for onshore and offshore energy production. construct, operate, and close a repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. It was amended in 1987 to designate USGS Mineral Resource Assessment in Afghanistan Yucca Mountain as the only site for waste disposal. In 2010, the Made Public Obama Administration pulled DOE’s licensing application from Developed jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the the NRC and has repeatedly zeroed out funding for Yucca Afghan Geological Survey, and the Department of Defense (DOD), Mountain. The DOE has indicated that Yucca Mountain is not an the results of the Afghan Mineral Study were released in September. appropriate site for a nuclear waste repository. Though Afghanistan’s mineral wealth had been characterized before by the USGS in a 2007 report, this research comes from a NRC Prioritizes Seismic and Flood Safety Review 2009-2011 study which relied heavily on airborne hyperspectral of Reactors analysis which produces highly detailed 3-D profiles. The USGS The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is prioritizing the studied 24 areas including the large copper and cobalt deposit near twelve safety recommendations of the Near-Term Task Force and Kabul, the iron-rich areas in central Afghanistan, the copper and seeks to collect updated seismic and flooding data from America’s gold deposits in the Southeast, and the rare earth deposits in the 104 operating nuclear power plants “without unnecessary delay.” Helmand Province. The study was funded by the DOD Task Force The report recommended addressing protection, mitigation, and for Business and Stability Operations. emergency preparedness issues with a long-term goal of overhauling the agency’s regulatory structure. The NRC asked its Ohio Geological Survey in Danger staff to select which recommendations should be addressed first The Ohio Geological Survey (OGS), which provides the state with and these prioritizations were expected in early October. These critical information regarding its natural resources, is at risk of priorities should improve safety and be implemented as soon as becoming extinct. Ohio currently relies on OGS for geologic possible. The staff recommends actions to reduce seismic and records and samples, information for infrastructure development, flooding risks as top priorities. support for research for the state’s regulatory agencies, and information to reduce risks from hazards. OGS has lost its entire BOEMRE Replaced by BSEE and BOEM general-fund revenue budget and is down to 23 employees from On October 1, 2011 the new Bureau of Safety and Environmental Government Update continued on page 51
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50. If OGS is lost then the state will also lose matching federal grant risk of radioactive contamination in the water system. The report Update money that supports jobs and work within the state. A recent study details historical flood zone areas and maps out the mining site’s conducted by Kleinhenz & Associates estimates that the products, hydrologic connection to Mill Creek, Whitethorn Creek, and the services, and data provided by OGS contributed about $575 million Banister River. to the Ohio economy in 2010. In addition to these potential losses, the elimination of OGS would result in an increase of $1.5 billion Virginia Uranium, Inc. (VUI) would like to mine the 119 million in project costs. pound deposit should the moratorium be lifted. VUI CEO Walter Coles, Sr. said that the exploration sites were not located in flood Virginia Environmental NGO Releases Report on Coles zones, nor will the mine, mill, or waste be located there. Coles has Government Hill Uranium Deposit added that the ore body is located well above the flood plain and The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League is calling for the company is willing to perform any regulatory studies that additional water studies at the Coles Hill uranium deposit in Virginia legislators require. Though he is aware that many people southern Virginia before legislators vote on lifting the mining in Southside, VA need jobs, Coles said he would abort the project moratorium. The environmental group released a report on if the National Academy of Sciences report, due in December, September 26, 2011 that documented historical flooding trends at deems uranium mining in Virginia unsafe. I the uranium mining site which, if developed, could increase the
Remembrance
ALFRED WAGNER, JR. (1928-2011)
LFRED AGNER R
A W , J . passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday, September 25, 2011. He was born June 11, 1928 in Winedale, TX, to Remembrance Alfred and Lina (Spies) Wagner. He graduated from Round Top Carmine High School in 1945, where he played basketball and won a district championship. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Geology in 1949. At A&M, he was a 1st Lieutenant in the Corps of Cadets. Al married his high school sweetheart, Ruby Lee Doerr, on September 4, 1949. After graduation, he went to work for Lane Wells in Odessa, Lubbock, and Monahans, Texas. He and Ruby moved to Sinton, TX in 1952 when Al was hired as a geologist for Plymouth Oil Company. In 1957 they moved to Corpus Christi where he worked as a geologist for Skelly Oil Company, and in 1965 to Houston as Senior District Geologist. Al then ventured out on his own as an independent geologist.
Times were hard but, being a frugal man, he always managed to put money aside every month to provide for his family. With the help of his wife, Ruby, he built a successful oil exploration company, which he managed until his death. He was a member of American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Houston Geological Society, and Texas A&M Association of Former Students. He made generous contributions to the Corps of Cadets and 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M and was a loyal Aggie through and through. His family always joked that he “bled maroon”. He was a staunch supporter of the Winedale Historical Society, his family’s homestead, and he and Ruby served on the Board of Directors there for nine years. He had a kind and generous heart and always willing to help those in need. His passions in life included his ranch in the hill country, hunting, fishing, dancing, world travel, the fighting Texas Aggie football team and band, his children and grandchildren, and most especially his loving wife, Ruby.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years, Ruby, daughters Linda Wagner Ward and Cedi Ward of Phoenix; sons James G. Wagner of Dallas and Ross E. Wagner of Houston. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Verline Grace Wagner and Melvin Fuchs. I
Should you hear of a fellow HGS member’s or contributor’s passing, please send information to the Editor-Elect at [email protected]
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 51 Back to Table of Contents December Crossword of Geologic Terms 2 3
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Geologic Terms Geologic 5 6
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December Crossword of of Crossword December 22
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ACROSS 21 Gd, named after Johan Gadolin to honor his investigation of rare earths 4 treatment of mined material making it more concentrated or richer 22 materials left over after separating the valuable fraction from the uneconomic fraction of an ore 5 Sc, named for the region in northern Europe where this rare earth ore was discovered 23 using an item more than once
6 Ce, named after the dwarf planet named after the Roman 24 Eu, named for the continent goddess of agriculture 25 Lu, named for the city which later became Paris 9 Sm, named after Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets who discovered this rare earth’s ore 26 Tm, name from the mythological “farthest northern land”
16 restoration of land and environment to a surface mine site 27 processing used materials into new products after extraction
17 U, used in the first nuclear weapon used in war DOWN 18 Pm, named after the Titan who brought fire to mortals 1 V, named after the Germanic goddess of beauty and fertility 20 Ho, named for Stockholm, native city of one of its discoverers
52 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 2 Pr, name from the Greek words meaning “leek-green” and 12 Yb, named for the village of Ytterby, Sweden “twin” 13 La, name from the Greek word meaning “to be hidden” 3 Er, named for the village of Ytterby, Sweden 14 Nd, name from the Greek words meaning “new” and “twin” 6 breaking, crushing, or grinding of coal, ore, or rock 15 In, named for the indigo blue line in its spectrum Terms Geologic 7 Ga, name from the Latin word meaning “gaul” 19 hard, dry carbon substance produced by heating coal to a very 8 nation which produces over 97 percent of the world’s rare high temperature in the absence of air earth supply 22 Tb, named for the village of Ytterby, Sweden 10 Dy, name from the Greek word meaning “hard to get” 23 minimizing waste by buying and using less 11 Y, named for the village of Ytterby, Sweden
November Crossword Puzzle Answers
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C H A of Crossword December M U D P O T S O N C N S C H I S T K O D H K L E U U Y T C H E V R O N C D W H A L E O T Answers A T R E G E Y S E R S N I O R E Y M E T A S O M A T I S M S N H N H O F U M A R O L E M R E P S A A P R O T O L I T H S I N T E R C M L A U B I R A I I B P L
T Y E L L O W S T O N E D A E Crossword November E N A U R I C E L A N D B C A W L T G S L A T E C O N V E C T I O N B O E A U R E O L E F O L I A T I O N I E S H O T S P O T S
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 53 Back to Table of Contents Full Color Ads HGS Bulletin Instructions to Authors NowAll materials Available! are due by the 15th of the month, 6 weeks before issue publication. Abstracts should be 500 words or less; extended abstracts up to 1000 words; articles can be any length but brevity is preferred as we have a physical page limit within our current publishing contract. All submissions are subject to editorial review and revision. Text should be submitted by email as an attached text or Word file or on a clearly labeled CD in Word format with a hardcopy printout to the Editor. Figures, maps, diagrams, etc., should be digital files using Adobe Illustrator, Canvas or CorelDraw. Files should be saved and submitted in .ai (Adobe Illustrator) format. Send them as separate attachments via email or CD if they are larger than 1 MEG each, accompanied by figure captions that include the file name of the desired image. DO NOT EMBED them into your text document; they must be sent as separate files from the text. DO NOT USE POWERPOINT, CLIP ART or Internet images (72-DPI resolution) as these do not have adequate resolution for the printed page and cannot be accepted. All digital files must have 300-DPI resolution or greater at the approximate size the figure will be printed. Photographs may be digital or hard copy. Hard copies must be printed on glossy paper with the author’s name, photo or figure number and caption on the back. Digital files must be submitted in .tif, .jpg or .eps format with 300-DPI or greater resolution at the printing size and be accompanied by figure captions that are linked by the file name of the image. The images should be submitted as individual email attachments (if less than 1 MB) or on CD or DVD. Advertising The Bulletin is printed digitally using QuarkXPress. We no longer use negatives or camera-ready advertising material. Call the HGS office for availability of ad space and for digital guidelines and necessary forms or email to [email protected]. Advertising is accepted on a space-available basis. Deadline for submitting material is 6 weeks prior to the first of the month in which the ad appears.
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Be a web page Sponsor Effective June 1, 2009 you can now have your company logo picture posted on the Website. To have an ad posted, you must provide us with the graphic and give us the URL it should link to when clicked. Example Sponsor Logo All ads appear in the “Our Sponsors” box in the upper left of the page. Each ad is displayed for a short time and replaced by the next ad in the list. Each ad will be randomly displayed on each page. Size in Pixels: Logo Calendar Logo Website Business Card Personal Resumes GeoJobBank Strip Only 2 Available (Members only) Posting 120wx90h One year $1400.00 $2500.00 Free Free 6 months $750.00 $1500.00 Free Free 1 month NA NA Free Free $100.00 All Sponsor logo images must be 120 W x 90 H pixels and be no more than 8 bits per pixel with a maximum of 256 colors. The format can be either GIF or JPG, preferably interlaced or progressive. It is important to make the image file size as small as possible so that it will transfer to the users’ browser quickly. To arrange to become a web page Sponsor, contact the [email protected]
54 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 Discover I American Express, I MasterCard, I VISA, I ______plcn’ intr______Dt ______Signature______Date Applicant’s Earth Science Work Experience Work Science Earth ______School ______Degree ______Major ______Year School ______Degree ______Major ______Year Endorsement by HGS member (not required if active AAPG member) Endorsement by HGS member (not required if active Name: ______Signature______Date Check, I Card # ______Expiration Date: ______Card I.D. ______Mail this application and payment to: Society Geological Houston 77079-2916 TX 250 • Houston, Suite Lane, Mary’s 14811 St. 713-463-9476 Fax: 281-679-5504 Telephone: Payment method: ) card of or back front on number – 3 or 4 digit I.D. (Card Associate membership in the Houston Geological Society and pledge to abide by its Active or K North American E&P (other than Gulf Coast) American E&P North (onshore & offshore) Gulf Coast E&P Check here if a full-time student. I hereby apply for K Application to Become a Member of the Houston Geological Society of Member Houston a the Become to Application college or university; university and have been engaged in the professional study or practice of earth science for at least five (5) years. International E&P K Environmental Geology K AAPG member No.: ______To the Executive Board: Executive the To Constitution and Bylaws. K Membership Chairman ______HGS Secretary HGS ______ChairmanMembership ______Work Phone: ______Fax Number: ______Phone:Work ______Fax Address: Mailing Preferred Circle Home Office Affiliations:______Professional K K Professional Interest:Professional K Home Phone:Home Name: Spouse’s ______Email: ______Job Title: ______Company: ______Address:Company ______Name: Name: ______Address:______1) Have a degree in geology or an allied geoscience from accredited 2) Have a degree in science or engineering from an accredited college 1) Be involved in the application of earth or allied sciences. 2) Be a full-time student enrolled in geology or the related sciences. revised 8/6/10 revised Qualifications for Active Membership Active for Qualifications students) (including Membership Associate for Qualifications HGS Join on click and www.hgs.org at online Apply fee) re-instatement $5 – renewals (Late 30. June Each Expire Dues Annual are free. pay $12.00; students members are $24.00; emeritus dues Annual
December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 55 Back to Table of Contents Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council News Winona LaBrant Smith, HGS Liaison 713-952-2007 or [email protected] News
PAC is excited to begin the Holiday where their two children, John and Kelley, were born at Ramstein HSeason with entertainment by the St. Air Force base. Thomas Episcopal School Pipe Band and Highland Dancers. The Episcopal School Deciding that he didn’t want to fly, Mike went to work as a clerk Pipe Band started in the early 1960s when for Shell in New Orleans. He advanced with Shell to become the the school’s founding Rector, The Reverend General Manager of the Land department. Three stints in New T. Robert Ingram, decided he wanted a Orleans were interpsersed with assignments in Jackson, Mississippi, band with a distinctive identity. His love of Houston and Los Angeles with an eventual return to Houston. his Scottish heritage led him to the bagpipes and the idea of a pipe band. Getting young Texan boys to Kathy has been a volunteer at the New Orleans Museum of Art, learn to play the bagpipes and drums, and to wear kilts, was not an where she was vice-chairman of Activities for the Women’s easy undertaking, but neither was saying no to Rev. Ingram. Rev. Volunteer Committee, and at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Ingram persuaded Pipe Major Donald Shaw Ramsey, then living in She has studied at Glassell School and the Water Color Society of California, to come to the school to conduct two-week workshops. Houston for many years. She has been a Sunday school teacher, The Episcopal School Pipe Band has been directed by Harry Isensee Altar Guild Directress for many years, Endowment Board member, since 2010 and Lyric Todkill since 2005. The Pipe Band has grown and member of the Vestry at St. Francis Episcopal Church. She has to become one of the world’s most respected, winners of the Juvenile been a member of and served on the board of the Women’s World Pipe Band Championships in 1985, 1995, 1998, 2004, and Auxiliary, Houston Association of Professional Landmen, and was 2006. The Highland Dancers program at the school has produced elected president for 2004-05. She is a charter member of HPAC.
Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council Auxiliary Petroleum Houston numerous U.S. and Scottish champions and was the first American She was president of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae club of Jackson, group to win a world championship in a quarter century. This Mississippi. She belongs to the Alexander Love Chapter of the Holiday Season event will be held at the Westin Galleria Hotel, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution and was Monarch Room, 5060 West Alabama, Houston Monday, December formerly a vice chairman of the chapter. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Organizers Mary Ann Cole and Kathy McLean-Murphy will be assisted by Bernadine Billard, Sally Mike retired from Shell in January 1990; he died that same month Blackhall, Linda Dobbins, Kathi Hilterman, Kaye Horn, Ann due to complications from diabetes. Kathy spent the next 10 years Koster, Elinor Macmillan, Noma Macurda, Donna Parrish, and traveling around the world with her sister and brother-in-law from Helen Thomas as hostesses. New Orleans.
It is not too soon to mark your calendars for the Winter Event In 2000, Kathy met and married Jim Murphy, an independent oil Monday, March 12, 2012 to be held at the Junior League Tea Room. man and widower. Together they have 5 children, 4 grandchildren, The event organized by Daisy Wood, will have a Game Day, St. and 2 great- grandchildren. Jim and his son own Sweetish Hill Patrick’s Day theme. Bakery in Austin. They sell delicious cookies available at Whole Foods and Rice Epicurean Markets. We are honored to have Kathy HPAC introduces you to another member of our virtual garden as a member of HPAC! of charismatic ladies. Katherine Anne Steinmayer McLean-Murphy was born in Remember that HPAC has several Interest Groups: Bridge: New Orleans, Louisiana, the third child of Audrey Thompkins, 713-686-0005, Daisy Wood, 713-977-7319, Dorothy and Reinhard Steinmayer. Her or Phyllis Winborn 713-729-3732. Book Club: Phyllis Carter, father was chairman of the geology 281-397-9888 or Martha Lou Broussard, 713-665-4428. HPAC department at Tulane University and early Exploring Houston: Martha Lou Broussard, [email protected] or in his career worked for Roxanna Petroleum, Linnie Edwards, 713-785-7115. later to become Shell Oil. Geologists, please encourage your spouses to join HPAC, where they Kathy attended Newcomb College working toward a Fine Arts will have the opportunity to meet other spouses of Geologists, degree when she met Mike McLean, then captain of the football Geophysicists, Engineers, and Landmen. They will participate in team at Tulane. They were married and Kathy worked for a year informative and entertaining programs, delicious lunches, and for Greyhound while Mike earned a degree and a regular welcoming fellowship. The HPAC membership form is included on commission in the Air Force. She accompanied Mike around the the next page. (Contact: Winona LaBrant Smith at 713-952-2007 world for the next 38 years. They lived for three years in Germany or [email protected]) I
56 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 You are invited to become a member of HPAC 2011–2012 dues are $20.00 Mail dues payment along with the completed yearbook information to Sally Blackhall, 8714 Sterling Gate Circle, Spring, Texas 77379 YEARBOOK INFORMATION
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Professional Directory
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December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 57 Where is Your Charles S. Knobloch Business Card? Attorney at Law . Registered Patent Attorney Texas Professional Geoscientist - Geophysics $135 per 10 Issues 4900 Woodway, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77056 p: 713-972-1150 . d: 713-335-3021 . f: 713-972-1180 . 713.463.9476 [email protected] [email protected] www.arnold-iplaw.com
58 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011 JAMES S. CLASSEN Looking for close-in deals BUS. 208-854-1037 P.O. BOX 140637 RES. 208-854-1038 BOISE, ID 83714 FAX. 208-854-1029
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December 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 59 7500 SAN FELIPE, SUITE 250 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77063
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Directory of Oil Company Name Changes – 21st Edition
Have you ever wondered how to go about tracking down core, In the case of McFarlane Oil Company, a quick check of the Directory paleo results, test data or mud logs on an old well? Pretend that indicates that the Company ultimately went to Devon Energy. Under the you have a well absolutely critical to your prospect or idea. You are trying to Devon listing in the Directory, you learn that McFarlane went to Seagull find additional information on a McFarlane Oil Company drilled back Energy in 1982, Seagull went to Ocean Energy in 1999, and Ocean Energy in the early 1980’s. Problem is – McFarlane Oil Company no longer went to Devon in 2003. While there are no guarantees that any of the exists. So what do you do, where do you go? “Googling” McFarlane Oil desired well data made the entire transition, there is at least a road map one Company brings you 14 sources that mostly deal with dated reports and can pursue to potentially locate the information. One could contact Devon to see litigation. if they still have the old well files or possibly contact geoscientists who worked at any of the successor oil companies for their insights. If you have a copy of the “HGS Directory of Oil Company Name Changes”, you at least have a different and data-specific path to pursue. A new 21st edition (April 2011), of the HGS publication, “Directory of Oil Company Name Changes”, is now available through the Bureau of This publication is a cross-referenced list of domestic oil and gas, Economic Geology. The cost of the directory is $15.00 and it can be exploration and production companies that have sold major assets or have obtained from the BEG. The contact information is as follows: changed their names due to a merger, acquisition or reorganization. The purpose of this directory is to provide an oil company road map that may Bureau of Economic Geology assist geologists in tracking down logs, samples, cores, paleo, drilling University of Texas in Austin, Attn: Publication Sales reports, production histories and other well data that may be obscured by University Station, Box X, Austin, Texas 78713-8924 these numerous name changes. Phone: (888) 839-4365, www.beg.utexas.edu
60 Houston Geological Society Bulletin December 2011
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* HGSBulletin Volume 54 Number 4 Houston Geological Society December 2011
Deepwater Sedimentological Features as Shown in High-resolution Data Donated to Universities, Gulf of Mexico Page 21