HGS Bulletin Volume 35 No.9 (May 1993)

May 1993 BULLETIN

Volume 35

Number 9

THE GREAT $10.00 "EXPERIMENTAL" EVENING MEETING (See Ad, Page 8, and Meeting Survey, Page 9) * * * HGS JOBS HOTLINE (713)785-9729 * * * IN THIS ISSUE... - South Australia - The southern continental margin...... Page 12 - Can I eat the seafood? ...... Page 18 - Estimating reservoir size from seismic ...... Page 22 - Micromagnetics ...... Page 24 - Another party heard from...... Page 31 - New happenings at the Houston Museum of Natural Science ..... Page 34 - A collector's guide to vintage oil & gas books ...... Page 36 - Selecting "The Right" workstation ...... Page 44 AND MORE! See Centerfold for May Calendar and Geoevents. Non-Exclusive 2D/3D

.. , ,\.! , HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 7171 Harwin. Suite 314 Houston. Texas 77036-2190 (713) 785-6402 Fax: (713) 785-0553 Office Hours: 7 a.m. .4 p.m. - EXECUTIVE BOARD - President ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon. Consultant President-Elect ...... John M . Biancardi. Vicksburg Production Vice President ...... Dwight (Clint) Moore. Anadarko Petroleum Secretary ...... Jeannie Fisher Mallick. Excalibur Consultina Treasurer ...... Steve Brachman. Araxas ~x~loratioi Treasurer-Elect ...... Ann Ayers Martin. Tertiary Trend Exploration Editor ...... Susan M . van Gelder. Consultant Editor-Elect ...... Lynne Feldkamp. Emerald Tide Interests Executive Committeeman ('93) ...... William R . (Bill) Dupre'. University of Houston Executive Committeeman ('93) ...... Pinar Yilmaz. Exxon Production Research Executive Committeeman ('94) ...... Jeffrey W . (Jeff) Lund. Ashland Exploration Executive Committeeman ('94) ...... James A . (Jim) Ragsdale. Agip Petroleum .COMMITTEE Ct AIRMEN - Academic Liaison ...... B . J . Dovle. Brittanv. Exdoration. Advertising ...... Bruce Falkenstein, Amoco Production Arrangements ...... Douglas B . (Doug) Selvius. IP Petroleum Awards ...... Daniel J . (Dan) Bonnet. Houston Energy & Development Ballot ...... Steven H . (Steve) Shirley. UNOCAL Computer Applications ...... Mark Hodson. Consultant Continuing Education ...... Frank Huber. BHP Petroleum (Americas) Inc. Directory ...... Nancy T . Benthien. Marathon Oil Entertainment ...... Martin J . Oldani. Apache Corp . Environmental and Engineering ...... Robert B . (Bob) Rieser. The Bourdeau Group Exhibits ...... GeraldA.Cooley.PetCons&Assoc. Explorer Scouts ...... E . Dan Helton. Natural Gas Pipeline Co . Field Trips ...... Paul W . Britt. Texplore. lnc. Finance ...... David A . Fontaine. Consultant Historical ...... David B.Shephard.Amoco International Explorationists ...... Thomas A . (Thom) Tucker. Marathon Oil Library ...... Evelyn Wilie Moody. Consultant Membership ...... Michael H . (Mike) Deming. Amoco Nominations ...... Cyrus (Cy) Strong. Consultant North American Explorationists ...... Charles E . (Chuck) Buzby IV. Amoco Office Management ...... Gerald A . Cooley. PetCons & Assoc . Personnel Placement ...... L. G . (Joe) Eubanks. Preston Oil Co . Poster Sessions ...... John Preston. Tourmaline Exploration Co . Publications . New ...... William A . Hill. ARC0 Oil & Gas Publication Sales ...... Thomas T . (Tom) Mather. Columbia Gas Public Relations ...... Deborah K . (Debra) Sacrey. Consultant Remembrances ...... Bill C. Burkman. Consultant Research ...... PhilPo.er. Consultant Technical Programs ...... Dwight (Clint) Moore Anadarko Petroleum Transportation - SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES - GCAGS Representative ...... Patrick T . (Pat) Gordon. Consultant GCAGS Alternate ...... John M . Biancardi. Vicksburg Production Co . Advisor. Museum of Natural Science ...... Morgan J . Davis. Jr.. Consulting Geologist AAPG Delegate Foreman ...... Jeffrey W . (Jeff) Lund. Ashland Exploration AAPG-DPA Representative ...... Daniel L. (Dan) Smith. Texas Meridian Resources AAPG Grouplnsurance ...... Barbara Brernsteller Engineering Council of Houston Representative ...... Claudia P. Ludwig. Consultant - SCHOLARSHIP - Memorial Scholarship Board (Graduate) ...... Daniel L. (Dan) Smith. Texas Meridian Resources HGS Foundation (Undergraduate) ...... Hugh W . Hardy. Emeritus - HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL AUXILIARY - President ...... Mrs.Jim(Gwinn)Lewis President-Elect ...... Mrs . Jon (Joyce) Champeny First Vice President (Social) ...... Mrs . David (Lois) Matuszak Second Vice President (Membership) ...... Mrs. George (Shirley) Gordon Third Vice President (HGS Rep.)...... Mrs . Martha Lou Broussard Secretary ...... Mrs.Andre(Ann)Bouttle Treasurer ...... Mrs.Leslie(Dianne)White Historian ...... Mrs.Robert(Geri)Pace Parliamentarian ...... Mrs-Theresa Baker GeoWives President ...... Ms. Susan McKinley (Mrs. Allan B. Scardina)

The BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY (ISSN 0018-6686) IS publshed monthly except July and August by the Houston Geological Society. 7171 Harw~n. Su~te 314 . Houston . Texas77036 Subscr~ptiontotheBULLETlNHOUSTONGEOLOGICALSOCIETY ~sincludedIn membershlpdues(S18 00annuaIly) Subscriptionprtcefor non-membersw~thlnthe contlguous U S IS 525 00 per year and 546.00 per year for those outsjde the contlguous U S Slngle copy price IS 53 00 Second-Class Postage patd at Houston . Texas POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 71 71 Harwln. Sulte 314. Houston. TX 77036-2190

1 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety . May 1993 BULLETIN HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Vol. 35, No. 9 May 1993

BULLETIN COMMITTEE CONTENTS EDITOR: Sue van Gelder, 466-3348 Consulting Geologist DEPARTMENTS EDITOR ELECT: Lynne D. Feldkamp, 497-0503 President's Comments ...... 5 Emerald Tide Interests ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Society Meetings Business of Geology Dwight (Clint) Moore, 874-8730 General: Evening Anadarko Petroleum "Cenozoic Structural Evolution and Tectono-stratigraphic Computer Mark W. Hodson, 568-5009 Framework of Northern Gulf of Mexico", Fred Diegel ...... 6 Editorial Sandi M. Barber, 723-1480 General: Luncheon Consultant "Geologic Models and Reservoir Geometries of Auger Field, Donna Davis, 981-4345 Deepwater Gulf of Mexico", David McGee ...... 6 Consultant Mary Jo Klosterman, 591-5273 International Explorationists Exxon Exploration Co. "Falcon Basin, Venezuela", Larry Levy, 432-0008 Gene Murray. .lo LSL Resources ...... James A. (Jim) Ragsdale, 688-6281 Environmental/Engineering Geologists Agip Petroleum John M. Turmelle, 583-2328 "Geochemical Applications to Site Assments and Oak Ridge Oil and Gas Remediation - Case Studies", Dr. Victor Jones ...... 16 Environmental Dean Ayres, 729-7157 North American Explorationists HISD Hydrodynamic Effects on Mission Canyon (Mississippian) Events Oil Accumulations in the Billings Nose Area, David C. Callaway, 268-2114 Aquila Energy Williston Basin, North Dakota", Dr. Robert Berg ...... 20 Exploration Review Bill Eisenhardt, 774-6669 It's a Deal...... 7 Consulting Geologist Technical Articles International Explorationists ...... 10 William H. Roberts, 465-2228 Hydrexco Company International Brief - "South Australia Part I11 - Jo Ann Locklin, 954-6262 The Southern Continental Margin", Texaco George Tappan ...... 12 Manuscripts, inquiries, or suggestions should be directed to Editor, c/o HGS Bulletin, 7171 OntheMove ...... 11 Harwin, Suite 314, Houston, TX 77036. Deadline for copy issix weeks prior to publication. All copy must be typewritten and double-spaced on standard white paper. Line drawings and other PRICE SCHEDULE- RESERVATIONS POLICY illustrations must be photo-ready. If prepared on a MAY MEETINGS Reservations are made by calling the HGS offlce word processor, please send a copy of the com- (Non-members: add $2.00 to the meal price) (785-6402). At the meeting, names are checked against puter disc, preferably in either Pagemaker, Ven- See Meetings abstracts for times. the reservation list. Those with reservations will be sold tura or ASCII format, along with a hard copy of tickets immediately. Those without reservations will the text. HGS Evening Meeting, May 10 be asked to wait for available seats, and a $5 Photographs submitted for publication are Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $10.00 surcharge will be added to the price of the ticket. All welcome, but cannot be returned. HGS International Explorationists who do not honor their reservations will be billed Dinner Meeting, May 17 for the price of the meal. If a reservation cannot be Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... $21.00 kept, please cancel or send someone in your place. ADVERTISING HGS North American Explorationists COMMITTEE Dinner Meeting, May 18 Post Oak Doubletree Inn ...... Please call 785-6402 Texas 77036. The telephone number is (713) HGS Luncheon, May 26 Houston Club ...... $15.00

Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. May 1993 2 Contents Continued Environmental/Engineering Geologists ...... 16 Environmental Feature - "Toxic Contaminant Characterization of Aquatic Organisms in Galveston Bay: A Pilot Study", James M. Brooks ...... 18

North American Explorationists ...... 20 Feature - "A Method for Estimating Gross Sand Percentage and Reservoir Thickness from Seismic Sections: Example from Segno Field, Polk Co., Texas," Richard E. Bischke and Daniel J. Tearpock ...... 22

Feature - "Some Basic Similarities and Differences of Micromagnetics and Conventional Magnetic Surveys", J. P. Land ...... 24

Calendar and Geo-Events, Dave Callaway...... 28

Committee News...... 30 Explorer Scouts...... 30 Government Affairs ...... -31

Houston Museum of Natural Science - Phase 11, Face of the Future; 2001, MorganJ.Davis,Jr...... 34

Feature - "A Collector's Guide to Vintage Books on the Oil and Gas Industry, Alan N. Livingston ...... 36

Digital Digest - How to Select the Right Computer Workstation Software, Wayne S. Barnett ...... -44

Houston Geological Auxiliary...... 48

Exploration Activity Review, Bill Eisenhardt ...... 52

COVER PHOTO: Winged piercements occur in several places on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf, such as southern Vermilion, where salt movement has been both vertical and lateral during different periods of geologic time. See variations in seismic interpretation at the May 10 poster session. Courtesy of Rob Brooks, TGS-Calibre, and GECO-Prakla.

HAVE YOU EVER MADE A RESERVATION AND NOT SHOWN? I Several years ago the HGS Board adopted a policy of billing those who made reservations for an HGS dinner or luncheon event but did not show. Since the reservation list is used to guarantee the number of attendees to an event, the HGS must pay for that minimum number even if fewer people are served. Those who make reservations and do not cancel by the published cancellation time will be billed. For Luncheon and Dinner events, cancellation time is usually noon on the prior business day. Cancelling after that time, yet before the event, does not assure that you will not be billed. For those who are billed and do not pay, please be aware that the next time you attend an HGS lunch or dinner event, the treasurer or representative will ask to discuss the reasons prohibiting payment. Continued non-payment of billing will result in loss of membership privileges.

3 Bulleun Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 VENEZUELA - PDVSA 2nd ROUND Final applications to PDVSA due July 9 '93

EXPLORATION Our experience to date includes the following: Black Oil and Compositional Reservoir Simulation to In INTERA'S Exploiation Division, we have a team of estimate and optimise producing reserves as well as specialists with experience in Western Venezuela and evaluation of secondary and tertiary process in efforts other Central and South American countries. Fields of to further enhance ultimate recovery. activity have included:- Equation of State Characterization of reservoir fluids for conformation of dewpoint, bubble point, viscosity * Consultancy on location in Caracas. and formation volume factors. 2D and 3D Landmark based seismic interpretation. Field studies for exploitation of existing reserves by in- Sequence Stratigraphy. depth evaluation of behind pipe, in fill, by passed or Prospect Generation. unswept potential. Structural Mapping. Assessment of exploration and development prospects Basin Analysis. plus full project evaluation with risk adjusted Seismic Acquisition and Processing QC. economics. Negotiation of technical issues and contracts. DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION P.D.V.S.A.'s use and country wide license of ECLIPSE INTERA's Petroleum Division has had extensive experience allows easy porting of data sets following consulting performing consulting projects in Venezuela around the projects from our office to P.D.V.S.A.'s. This further Lake Maracaibo area and in the Oriente Basin in the region enhances INTERA's capabilities to perform simulation 1 of the city of Maturin. studies throughout Venezuela.

Contact: Caroline Neumann Contact: Andy Matthews or Gil Marais-Gilchrist lntera Information Technologies in Houston lntera lnformation Technologies in Henley, UK Telephone: 713 784 5800 Telephone: +44 491 575989 Facsimile: 713 781 1806 Facsimile: +44 491 576557

Bulletin Houston Geological Socrety. May 1993 4 PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS

It is always nice to announce the names of those individuals who have volunteered to head important organizations and committees. You need to vote this month for the candidates who willrun the HGS for next year; they are all outstanding. Our Nominations Committee Chairman, Cy Strong, is pleased to announce that James O. "Jim" Lewis has been chosen as General Chairman of the 1995 AAPG Annual Convention to be held in Houston. Deet Schumacher has graciously accepted the job as Vice-Chairman. Congratulations gentlemen! By the way, they willbe asking for your help real soon. . Tl)e biggest expenses that the Society incurs each year are in publishing the BtilletinI and the Directory. Much, if not all, of the cost of these two publications is borne by the many advertisers. Bruce Falkenstein, Chairman of the Advertising Committee, has done an outstanding job getting together all the ads for the Bulletin. Renewals are running ahead of last year and are projected to be above last year. The Directory Committee has had a much harder time trying to get ads. I guess some companies that are potential advertisers dljn't think anyone notices them in the Directory. They seem to forget that everyone who "networks" (and who can afford not to, these days) uses it as their daily phone book. Advertising pays off! Please help. The newest HGS publication, on "Productive Low Resistivity Well Logs of the Offshore Gulf of Mexico", is selling like hotcakes, not just because it's a great book at a great price, but also because we have an excellent Pub. Sales Committee Chairman in Tom Mather. He has great success selling them at our technical meetings. You can also get one at the Low Resistivity Pay Seminar to be held later this month. Check elsewhere in the Bulletin for details. I noticed from the Oil & Gas Journal that E & P budgets may not be much different than last year.. However, the average for independents looks like about 6.5% higher than last year. With a major end-of-winter cold spell, maybe it's time to increase the drilling for natural gas. On the negative side, the rig count has dropped below that of last year; tight gas tax incentives are ending. High risk wildcating is out; low-risk production buying, or development drilling, is in. So what does the geologist do? Look for development prospects, or ways to enhance some new owner's properties such as deeper drilling or 3-D shooting. . What we as geologists can really do is get better at networking - not just among ourselves - but with the rest of the country. We are the experts on economic minerals, on energy, and on the environment. We as earth scientists must let others know what is left on our planet and how to use it wisely. A lot of us grew up and went to college in non-oil industry states. Please, let your relatives and old friends back there know what is going to happen on earth if we all don't get our act together. We are going to try something different at this month's evening technical meeting. A straw poll earlier this year seemed to suggest it might be a good idea. The social hour willstart earlier, hot and cold hors d' oeuvres willbe served buffet-style while you peruse the poster session. Then all willsit down, theater-style, to listen to our speaker, Fred Diegel, talk about some Gulf Coast geology. Hopefully we can all get out early enough for a nice supper at home. See you at the meeting... $/~ Pat Gordon

5 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 l. based detachment systems. With progressive salt with- MEETINGS drawal during progradation, mini-basins evolve from slbpe basins above tabular salt to shelf basins bounded by arcuate HGS EVEN.ING HORS D' OEUVRES growth faults. Associated salt bodies evolve from pillows, MEETING-MONDAY, MAY 10,1993 ridges, and massifs to leaning domes and steep-sided Social Period & Poster Sessions, stocks. Allochthonous salt spreads from inclined salt bodies 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. that appear as feeder faults when collapsed. Coalesced salt Speaker presentation with convention style tongues from multiple feeders form canopies which provide seating, 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. subsidence potential for further cycles of salt withdrawal. Post Oak Doubletree Inn The Sigsbee Escarpment is the expression of salt flows overriding the abyssal plain tens of kilometers since the FRED A. DIEGEL-Biographical Sketch Paleogene. The distribution and reconstruction of Oligo- Fred Diegel is Re- Miocene salt-based detachments and mini-basins implies search Manager for the that a Paleogene salt canopy, covering large areas of the Structure and Tectonics present onshore and shelf, may have extended as far as the Section at Shell's Bellaire Sigsbee salt mass. Research Center in Houston. He graduated POSTER SESSION: from Franklin & Marshall "Gulf of Mexico REvolutions" College in 1980with a RA. 1: "Regional Cross-Sections and Palinspastic Reconstruc- in geology. He received tions, Northern Gulf of Mexico" by Fred Diegel (Shell M.A. (1982) and Ph.D. Development Company, Houston). (1985)degrees in structural 2: "Upper Tertiary Quaternary Detachment Surface, Gulf 'geology from The Johns Coast, Louisiana and Texas" by Robert Brooks (TGS Hopkins University where Offshore, Houston). he studied the geometry of 3: "Horizontal Component of Gulf of Mexico Salt Tec- imbricate thrusting in the tonics" by Robert Brooks and John Adamick (TGS Southern Appalachians. Offshore, Houston). He joined the Global Geology Section of Shell Research in 4: "Seismic Imaging of Salt Structures in the Gulf of 1985. In 1985-88, he was part of a large team studying the Mexico" by Davis Ratcliff(Amoco Production Company, tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the Cenozoic Gulf of Houston). Mexico. Other projects since that time include additional regional structural studies in the northern Gulf of Mexico, palinspastic reconstruction of cross sections from the salt HGS LUNCHEON MEETING- and growth fault regime, studies of the 3-D geometry and MAY 26, 1993 kinematics of growth fault networks, and 3-D seismic Social Period, 11 :30 a.m. interpretation techniques. Luncheon and Meeting, 12:00 p.m. The Houston Club CENOZOIC STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND DAVID T. McGEE-Biographical Sketch TECTONO-STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK OF THE NORTHERN GULF COAST David T. McGee is cur- CONTINENTAL MARGIN rently a Senior Geologist for Shell Offshore Inc. Structural evolution qf the northern Gulf Coast is working on the Auger Field controlled by progradation over deforming, largely alloch- development. He has been thonous, salt structures derived from a Jurassic salt section. working on Auger since The variety of structural styles is due to a range of Mesozoic 1990 during the predrilling salt structures, a variety of slope depositional styles, and the phase of the field develop- degree ofsalt withdrawal. Non-genetic tectono-stratigraphic ment. His responsibilities provinces describe regions of contrasting structural styles. have included development Provinces include 1) autochthonous salt provinces around and refining of reservoir the salt basin margins, 2) detachment fault provinces geologic models, well site onshore and on the shelf, 3) fault-bounded mini-basin/ selection, reserve esti- peripheral salt provinces, 4) tabular salt provinces on the mation, and assisting in continental slope, and 5) fold and thrust provinces at the formation of the plan of bas'e of the continental slope. Shale-based detachment development. systems, dominated by lateral extension, and allochthonous He received a B.A. in geology from the University of salt-based detachment systems, dominated by subsidence, Montana in 1983 and an M.S. degree in geology from the can be distinguished by geometry, reconstruction, and University of Oklahoma in 1985. Mr. McGee joined Shell in subsidence analysis. Many shale-based detachments are 1985 and spent five years working on regional geology and linked to deeper salt-based detachments. Large extensions prospect generation and evaluation in the Gulf of Mexico above detachments are balanced by salt withdrawal. Salt shelf and deep water. withdrawal mini-basins with associated salt bodies occur as He is a member of American Association of Petroleum isolated structural systems and as a component of salt. Geologists and the New Orleans Geological Society.

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 6 l GEOLOGIC MODELS AND RESERVOIR GEOMETRIES OF AUGER FIELD, Losing Your DEEPWATER GULF OF MEXICO

Located 214 miles southwest of New Orleans in 2862 ft. of water, Auger Field will have a world-record water depth I1 We write Technical Revorts 11 Tension Leg Platform (TLP). Probable reserves of 220 11 Geolo y, Geophysics, ~niineerin~ MMBE exist in four main Plio-Pleistocene turbidite pay Ef icient Re~ortProduction horizons. The field contains volatile oil and condensate rich f 11 gas trapped along a deep paleoridge related to a shallow I1 Drafting, cokputer Graphics piercement salt dome and large down-to-the north and down-to-theeast fault systems. Ten development wells have MA~A Houston (71 3) 855-7293 been predrilled following the initial discovery in 1987 and Denver (303)794-8826 appraisal in 1988. Profitable development of this turbidite field depends on predictive geologic models constructed from well log, core and 3-D seismic data. The reservoirs range from laterally continuous sheet IT'S A DEAL sands ("S" and lower "Q") to amalgamated channel sands with overlying levee and overbank deposits ("N" and "0"). GeoQuest Systems to Market Two Applications Over half of the reserves (120 MMBE) exist in the lower From Radian Corporation Pliocene "S" sand which has an average porosity of 24% and GeoQuest Systems, Inc. and Radian Corporation permeability of 150 md. The reservoir geometry of the lower announced the signing of an agreement whereby GeoQuest portion of the "S" sand consists of layered sheet sands Systems will market two of Radian's software applications, laterally correlatable over thousands of feet. Core shows a CPS-30 and the Full Fault Modeling System (FFMSTM). dominance of 1-2 ft. partial Bouma sequences. The upper CPS-3is a computer mapping system used to model (x,y, z) portion of the "S" sand is also correlatable, but core shows data for geologic, environmental and GIs applications, and mostly massive sand with amalgamation surfaces that are FFMS automates volumetric modeling of multiple horizons very difficult to identify. The upper surface of the reservoir is with vertical and non-vertical faults. Both applications will channelized with local removal of 20-40 ft. of sand. The be marketed worldwide in conjunction with GeoQuest geologic model developed for the "S" sand has allowed a Systems' Interactive Exploration System (IES*) and planned wide spacing development program. Charisma* product lines. The "Q" sand is composed of two sand packages Fujitsu America, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, interpreted as sheet sands and an overlying third sand announced its first VPX series supercomputer order after interpreted as a non-leveed channel deposit. Reservoir entering the U.S. supercomputer market last March. continuity is not expected to be as good as the "S" due to GEOCO-PRAKLA, part of the Schlumberger Oilfield Ser- poorer correlatability and varying rock quality. vices group, will install Fujitsu's VPX220 model vector The shallower lower Pleistocene "N" and "0"amalga- supercomputer for large computational demands associated mated channel sands have average porosities of 29% with with 3-D seismic processing at its Houston, Texas com- permeabilities of 800-900 md. These reservoirs consist of puting center. massive sands deposited by amalgamating channels topped by thinning upward laminated sands and silts of levee and overbank deposits. Apparent shingling in the "0" sand necessitates an accurate geologic model to maximize HGS GRADUATE MEMORIAL drainage with the minimum number of wells. SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Houston Geological Society and the Graduate Memorial Scholarship Fund Board acknowledge and sin- cerely thank the following donors and contributors, who made recent gifts to the Fund: Donors George M. Nevers Zinn Petroleum Co. Contributors Mr. & Mrs. Ralph B. Cantrell (in memory of Harry Kilian) Nurman S. Neidell

HGS 25 AND 50 YEAR MEMBERS If you, or someone you know is a 25 or 50 year member of the Houston Geological Society, please contact Robert Hixon at 653-7419 as soon possible. Those eligible will be honored at the dinner meeting on May 10th.

7 Bulletin Houston Geological Soc~ety.May 1993 THE HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS A NEW "RANK WILDCAT, EXPERIMENTAL IDEA" THE MAY lOTH MONTHLY DINNER MEETING WILL INSTEAD BE A

HOT & COLD HORS DwOEURVE-ONLYBUFFET EARLY EVENING MEETING FOR ONLY $10 !

Monday, May loth, 1993 At Doubletree Hotel - Post Oak Featured Speaker: Mr. Fred Diegel, Shell Oil Presentation: "Cenozoic Structural Evolution and Tectonstratigraphic Framework of Northern Gulf of Mexico" Major Poster Session: "Gulf of Mexico Revolutions"

Hors D'Oeurves: Chicken Fingers W/Dijon Sauce; Beet Brochettes; Tortilla Chips W/Chlli Con Queso; Veggies with Dip & Cheese with Crackers. Social Period with Poster Session: 5:15pm - 6:30pm. Speaker Presentation with Convention Style Seating: 6:30pm - 7:15pm. See Meetlng Notlce for More lntormatlon and Call Margaret at HGS Ottice 785-6402 tor Reservations. Also, Fili Out the Evening Meeting Questionnaire in this Bulletin.

Bulletin nounton Geological Society. May 1993 8 HGS GENERAL DINNER MEETING QUESTIONNAIRE In response to many members' concerns about the $20 cost per meal that we pay to most any quality facility for an HGS meeting, the HGS Executive Committee has unanimously agreed to experiment with a new, less-expensive format for the May 10Evening Meeting. Depending on the feedback from that event, and the results from this survey, some combination of hot and cold Hors d'oeuvre-Only meetings and traditional Dinner meetings may be offerednext year. This effort is an attempt to lower the price of attendance at an HGS meeting to $10, and yet maintain a quality and professional environment in which to regularly meet your colleagues and hear excellent speakers. Hopefully, by halving the cost, we will see a significant increase in monthly evening attendance, and thus an even greater participation in this high-profile HGS event. As always, your suggestions and concerns are appreciated! Please check the appropriate box(es): 1. I attend the 9 Monthly General Dinner Meetings (September thru May): a. 7-9 times b. 4-6 times c. 3 or less times d. First time this year Xerox, complete and mail by May 31st to: 2. The cost of the dinner Meeting HGS Evening Meeting Survey 7171 Harwin, Suite 314 a. comes out of my pocket, and at $20 seems too expensive. Houston, Texas 77036 b. comes out of my pocket, and at $20 is priced about right.

c. is reimbursed by my employer. 1 3. The concept of a Hot and Cold Hors d'oeuvres-Only Evening Meeting with convention-style seating for only $10 a. is very attractive. c. is moderately unattractive. b. is moderately attractive. d. is very unattractive. 4. The timing of a Hors d'oeuvres-Only Evening Meeting is important, so members can still get home for dinner if they so desire. Traditionally, our dinner meetings have met: 5:30-6:30 social; 6:30-7:30 dinner, and 7:30-8:30 speakers (with break). Which timeframe would you like to see for an Hors &oeuvres-Only Meeting: a. 5:15-6:30 Social (1-114 hr.) c. 5:30-6:45 Social (1-114hr.) 6:30-7:15 Speaker (314 hr.) 6:45-7:30 Speaker (314 hr.) b. 5:OO-6:15 Social (1-114 hr.) d. Social ( hr.) 6:15-7:00 Speaker (314 hr.) Social ( hr.) 5. Job Status a. Employed b. Unemployed c. Retired d. Contract e. Consulting f. Independent Please make additional comments below:

'Environment Anahsis'

9 Bullet~nHouston Geological Society, May 1993 INTERNA TIONAL EXPLORA TIONISTS

HGS INTERNATIONAL GROUP faults in addition to north-north west-trending normal faults DINNER MEETING-MAY 17,1993 and fracture patterns commonly associated with dextral Post Oak Doubletree Inn strike-slip models. Social hour, 5:30 p.m., Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Commercial production is currently limited to the Technical Presentation, 7:30 p.m. Tiguaje and Cumarebo areas. The former occurs as four small fields (:1:52MMBO) related to structures developed by EUGENE J. MURRAY-Biographical Sketch dextral movement along the Oca fault. The Cumarebo Field (:1:60MMBO) is a thrusted anticline on the northern flank of Gene Murray graduat- the Falcon foldbelt. The tectonic complexity and sandstone- ed from Boston State dominated nature of the onshore Falcon Basin severely limit College with a B.S. in potential field size. geology in 1973 and from Significant, yet currently undeveloped, reserves have Western Michigan in 1975 also been discovered offshore in the Gulf of La Vela. with a M.S. in geology. Fractured granite, carbonates, and sandstones associated He was first employed with tilted fault block structures have tested hydrocarbons by Texaco to work offshore in several wells. Gulf Coast Louisiana from 1975 to 1978. In 1978 he was hir~d by Occidental INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS Petroleum where he gained COMMITTEE MEMBERS 1992-1993 his initial experience in South America, with an Chairperson: emphasis on Peru and Thorn Tucker, Marathon Oil. 629-6600 Argentina. In 1981 he was Technical Program: transferred to Pakistan and spent 3 years as Oxy's Chief Lyle Baie, New Ventures-SETSCO ...... 777-1222, Geologist. In 1984 he was transferred back to Bakersfield Hotel Arrangements: and spent a year as lead geologist for a Sub-Andean Basin Harold Davis, Studies Group. Anadarko...... 874-8785 In 1985 he joined Kerr-McGee Corporation and has A/V Arrangements: gained wide-ranging experience in the geology of the North Shah Alam, Consultant with CGG 784-0740 Sea, the Middle East anq South America. Finances & Tickets: This presentation was first shown at the AAPG/SVG Ed Loomis, Amoco Egypt...... 556-3079 International Congress in Caracas , Venezuela on March 17, 1993. Announcements and Company Representative contacts: Wynn Gajkowski, Total Minatome ...... 739-3034 FALCON BASIN Directory: REGIONAL GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK Herb Duey, Consultant...... 531-0950 AND PETROLEUM OCCURRENCES Please contact your company representative or call HGS for ticket reservations at 785-6402. The Falcon Basin developed during the late Eocene as a result of dextral strike slip movement along the Caribbean-South American plate boundary. During the Oligocene and early Miocene as much as 16,000 feet of /', sediment, dominantly sandstones and shales, accumulated .;".- - .."",;.;.;.;,;.'. - within the east-west trending, pull-apart basin. Localized ... the wrlte~~:::erj'terDrlse carbonate buildups were also developed in association with the Paraguana and Dabajuro Platforms. During the middle to late Miocene, uplift of the now emergent Central Falcon Basin Anticlinorium (Falcon fold- Technical wrl!ir~gJlnd editorial services belt) resulted in the northward progradation of delta systems. Sandstones associated with these deltas now make up the producing reservoirs within the basin. The from 1~lli:if.litiC'eprofessional. complex present-day structural configuration is the result of rl continued movement along the Caribbean-South American plate boundary. Landsat imagery and fieldmapping indicate """"""""""""'" a basin dominated by northeast-trending folds and thrust 10118 DUChamD,Houston, TX 77036 713) 773-9230

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 10 ON THE MOVE Charles R. Harrison has moved his residence and company's office to Ruidoso, New Mexico. Company name is PRIME TIME OIL & GAS CO., LTD.; address is P.O. Box 432, Ruidoso, NM 88345; phone 505/25&4785. Steve Carlson has transferred to Unocal Indonesia Ltd. and will be working as a senior development geophysicist in the Balikpapan, Kalimantan office. He was previously with Unocal's Middle East/Europe/N. Africa Group in Sugar Land, TX. Stratamodel, Inc. announced the appointment of Mr. George C. Steinke as President. Mr. Steinke will work from the corporate headquarters in Houston and direct all company operations. Danny Phillips, one of the co-founders fhini 'I XorNtfn I 11/ttrn lruvinw Optn Iuf liddia,f of the company, will now assume the role of vice chairman As you mry rlrerdy know, CNnr Hrtlod Petroleum Corp. ([IIPCI hu nomlnrted 3l and will focus on product strategy and development. block, k fl seperate oasbore wor of northern and wertun Ulu for exploration by Steve Scott has recently sold all of his stock in fortlfr compdcs. A dnbm of two lcearlnj rounds we pluntd. tk bid dadllne Geophysical Pursuit, Inc. He has spent over 12 years in the for the flrrt kound , lwd br ChLt Urtlonal 01 fxplorrtlon & Devtlorul Corp seismic brokerage industry, 3 years with Seismic Exchange, ICNODCI b October 31 wd dt Second lound Is schedvkd to open dalnj 4th Qtr. '93 and the past 9 years as Vice-president of Geophysical Pursuit. Steve is seeking other interests in the energy lblt declslon to open Ulnr's nacthcrn ud western provlncer to lorelJl oll cor service industry. His mailing address is The Esperson panler 11 In marked contrart to tk tomtry's past natlonlstlc phllo,ophy o Buildings, 808 Travis, Suite 1508, Houston, Texas 77002. relf~tllmct, orljlnaly wdattd by the late MIO be-trrj In 1460. But to tliest recent dtvdortnts, we would IRe to re&d yo1 bf our petroleum ~eolojy repor of onshore CBlna. Ihh report Is Ut most comprdtnslve conpiation of ondort AMOCO TO OPEN COURSES Qlnac hydrocubon jeolojy rvallrbk to dalt. Geolojlcal, ~cophyslcrl lac drllllnj deta we lhrstrrted throujh cdor contour maps md exploration reports Internal Training Courses are now being selectively offered to the Oil Industry at a break-even cost by Amoco :or More Information Contact Our Houston Office A! Production Company on a space available basis. Below is a 7131995-1764 description of two current offerings. 1. Modern Carbonate Sediments Field Seminars. June 14-19 and June 21-26, 1993. Location: The Caicos ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM Bank, Caribbean. Principals: Duff Kerr, Mike Lloyd, and GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATIONISTS Ron Perkins. Cost: $2650 per participant, includes lodging (double occupancy), all'meals, tips, luggage handling, The next meeting of the Houston chapter of the transportation from Miami, Florida and back, use of Association of Petroleum Geochemical Ex~lorationistswill snorkeling equipment, guidebook and tuition. Participant be at 3:00 p.m, on Thursday, May 6 in ~eethgRoom One of must provide own transportation to and from Miami, the Research Library of the Downtown Houston Public Florida. Registration Deadline: May 1 for the June 14th Library. Michael A. Abrams of Exxon Exploration Co., Seminar and May 7th for the June 21st Seminar. Please Houston will present a talk on "The Distribution of Sub- send $500 deposit with name, affiliation, address and surface Hydrocarbon Seepage in Near Surface Marine telephone number to David R. Matuszak at the address Sediments". For additional information contact Jack Land below. 2. Ancient Carbonate Margin Architecture Field Seminar, Sept. 19-23, 1993. Location: The Guadalupe Mountains, West Texas and New Mexico. Principals: Duff Kerr and Mike Lloyd. Cost: $1350 per participant, includes lodging (double occupany), most meals, transportation in Union Texas Petroleum the field, guidebook and tuition. Participant must provide own transportation to and from El Paso, Texas. Registra- !I tion Deadline: August 7, 1993. Please send $300 deposit with name, affiliation, address and telephone number to Houston London David Matuszak at the address below. Jakarta Karachi Detailed course descriptions provided on request. Please contact: 1330 Post Oak Blvd. David R. Matuszak, Room 14.176 P. 0. Box 2120 Amoco Production Co. Houston. Texas 77252-2120 501 WestLake Park Blvd. Phone: 713/623-6544 Houston, TX 77079 Fax: 7131'968-2771 (713) 556-3444, Fax (713) 556-2102.

11 Bulletin Houston Geological Soaety, May 1993 INTERNA TlONAL BRIEF

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Part 111 - The Southern Continental Margin* by George Tappan Three Mesozoic basins, the Bight, Duntroon, and basement blocks, Early to mid-Cretaceous fault blocks, and Otway basins, occupy the southern continental shelf of stratigraphic traps, are some of the variety of plays in this South Australia in the central portion of the Australian shelf-to-basin environment. Complex, highly variable struc- Southern Rift System. Two of these, Bight and Otway tures in water depths exceeding 1000 m may have con- basins extend onshore and into the neighboring states of siderable hydrocarbon potential, but remain largely unex- Western Australia and Victoria. The Otway Basin, both in plored. South Australia and Victoria, has been the subject of Early exploration by Shell included regional gravity, considerable exploration effort, and has commercial gas aeromagnetic, and reconnaissance seismic surveys. A total production. Bight and Duntroon basins are underexplored, of 22,404 seismic line kilometers have been acquired to date. and remain frontier areas for modern exploration techniques. The first exploratory well, Apollo-1, was drilled by Outback Oil Co. NL in 1975, and was followed by Shell's Potoroo-1the Bight Basin same year. Both locations are above the 200 m isobath on The Early to Late Cretaceous Bight Basin occupies the the east side of the basin. Jerboa-1 penetrated Cretaceous western portion of the shelf, extending into Western draped over a tilted basement block. One well, Mallabie-1, Australia. It spans the shelf from about 300 km inland to the was drilled onshore. None found indications of hydrocar- continent-ocean boundary in water depths of as much as bons. 500m. It comprises three sub-basins, Recherche, Eyre, and Ceduna, filled with fluvial to paralic sediments of Early Duntroon Basin Cretaceous age, disconformably overlain by Late Cre- Duntroon is entirely offshore. It covers water depths taceous near-shore marine to non-marine deposits. ranging from 80 m to 5000 m. It was developed on the The earliest sediments are non-marine sandstones and southern flank the Archean to Proterozoic Gawler Craton, shales of Neocomian age, unconformably overlying early and is limited to the east and west by a north-northwest, Paleozoic sediments or Precambrian basement. The Neo- south-southeast trending fault system. These regional faults comian in unconformably overlain by Berremian to Albian separates it from Bight Basin on the west and Cambrian glauconitic and carbonaceous claystone, standstone, silt- sediments that crop out on Kangaroo Island to the east. The stone, and shales, representing a lacustrine to restricted basin has been divided into two structural zones. an inner marine environment. An Albian-Cenomanian claystone, half-grabenzone, and an outer step-faulted zone. Extensive siltstone, shale sequence disconformably overlies the Bar- rift-related tectonism provided anticlinal collapse due to remian-Albian, and is also disconformably overlain by a late shale movement, particularly in the outer zone. The typical Cretaceous marine sandstone in the onshore and vlatform rift sequence consists of Early Cretaceous non-marine portions of the basin. In the Ceduna sub-ba;in, it is syn-rift clastics conformably overlain by Late Cretaceous conformably overlain by marine shales of the prodelta and fluviodeltaic to marine post-rift sediments. slope facies, and a Late Cretaceous lower delta plain with stacked distributary bars. The most organically rich shales, with TOC averaging 2.88%, are found near the base of the Neocomian. The kerogens are dominantly amorphous and have a high potential for liquid hydrocarbon generation. Shales in the Albian average 0.94% TOC, but may have only moderate to poor gas potential. Clastics of the non-marine Neocomian are the principal reservoir. Find-to medium-grained, micaceous glauconitic Albian sandstones have reasonable reservoir quality, and the Late Cretaceous delta plain sandstones have excellent reservoir potential, provided there is adequate seal. Compaction drape of Cretaceous sediments over tilted

*Reprinted with permission from International Exploration Newsletter, March 15, 1993.

Bulletin Houston Geological Soc~ety,May 1993

The oldest sediments penetrated to date are Neo- Late Cretaceous Sherbrook Group is a deltaic wedge, up to comian-Barremiandark carbonaceous mudstones and inter- 5 km thick in the south. It likely overlies the Otway Group, bedded gritty sandstones. The Cretaceous has not been but the Otway is too deep to be considered an exploration entirely penetrated, but a thick Jurassic above Cambrian or target. Swarms of down-to-basin faults parallal the coast. older basement is possible. Aptian lacustrine shales are Jurassic fluviolacustrineshales with shallow intrusives, overlain by non-marine to paralic mudstones, claystones, known from a few wells in Victoria, are presumed the oldest siltstones, and minor coals of Albian age. A late-Early sediments, and may be present in the deeper, undrilled, Cretaceous fluviodeltaic sequence, consisting of interbed- parts of the northern troughs. The oldest known unit, of ded claystone and sandstone, becomes increasingly sandy Early Cretaceous age, is a package of braided fluvial near the top, and is overlain by Cenomanian sandstone, sandstones, with a thick fluviolaustrine shale and siltstone siltstone, and coal. The transition from paralic to marine is sequence between the lower and upper sand units. On the marked by delta front sandstones with excellent reservoir extreme northern margin, only the shaly facies is present. characteristics, and followed by prodelta shales and mud- These early sediments are unconformably overlain by fluvial stones during maximum transgression in the Santonian. siltstone/shale sequence with some minor sandstone units. The Campanian-Maastrichtian is represented by a trans- A thin, but regionally extensive sandstone occurs as a basal gressive-regressive alternation of claystones and sand- unit above the unconformity. stones, and is separated from the Tertiary Eucla Basin by a regional unconformity. Principal source rocks are the Albian-Cenomanian lacustrine mudstones and swamp coals. Shales and siltstones commonly contain type 111 kerogens. Albian delta distributary channel sands with porosities up to 28%, and Cenomanian fluvial to upper delta plain sandstone with porosities of as much as 30% are the main reservoir objectives. The Santonian delta front sands and the lower delta plain bars also have excellent reservoir characteristics. Highly faulted, rotated, or collapsed anticlinal structures, tilted fault blocks, and stratigraphic traps on the flanks of anticlines offer a variety of trapping mechanisms. The complexity of the structures calls for high-resolution seismic data for adequate control and interpretation. Regional aeromagnetic and seismic data have been collected in various surveys since 1966, and three exploratory wells have been drilled in the basin. Shell drilled OTWAY BASIN Platypus- 1and Echidna-1in 1972. Platypus-1was drilled to a total depth close to the oil window, and Echidna-1 inter- sected the oil window at 2042 m, but both were abandoned. Duntroon-1was drilled by BP Petroleum Development Ltd. on a wide rollover anticlinal structure in 1986. It also nearly The Late Cretaceous is a deltaic wedge that thickens reached the top of the oil window, but may not have been rapidly seaward, to the south, and unconformably overlies drilled on a closed structure, and was abandoned. BHP the Early Cretaceous. The upper portion is a prograding Petroleum (Victoria)Pty Ltd. holds two exploration licenses, delta with some marine influence. EPP 25 and 26, which cover the area surrounding the three Source rocks are mainly gas-prone, and may be found wells. in the shales of the basal and upper Early Cretaceous, or possibly from shales below the known section. Oil has been Otway Basin recovered from two wells in Victoria. It is also produced in negligible amounts from the Caroline-1 well. In July 1992 The Otway Basin, another of the series of southern heavy oil, presumably sourced from the Early Cretaceous, coastal basins formed as a result of Jurassic to Cretaceous was recovered from a 32 m interval below 2514 m in the rifting between the Antarctic and Australian plates, has seen Sawpit-1well. C0,from a magmatic source has been noted more activity than the other coastal basins. Fifty-two in Caroline and Landbroke Grove fields, and in the Kalan- exploration wells have been drilled to date, mostly onshore, gadoo- 1 well. and discovered gas reserves are estimated at 800MMm3. The main proven gas reservoir is the basal Cretaceous The northern limit is marked by outcrops of early Paleozoic sandstone, which in Katnook Field has porosities in excess metamorphic and igneous rocks. The southern limit of the of 25%, permeabilities in excess of 1000 md, and flowed wedge of rift fill and continental margin sediments may more than 16 MMcfd on test. Reservoir quality is also extend as far as 160 km offshore. Otway Basin borders excellent in other Cretaceous sandstones. Duntroon Basin on the west and extends to the east into Victoria, where it is being actively explored. Traps are generally complex steep-sided, east-west faulted anticlines in the Early Cretaceous, and northeast The basin contains two major sedimentary sequences tilted fault blocks bounded by closely spaced rift-parallel that are of interest for petroleum exploration. The Early Cretaceous Otway Group, with proven gas reservoirs in faults in the Late Cretaceous. Meandering fluvial channels fluviolacustrine sediments, is known only in the north where or pinch outs offer good possibilities for stratigraphic traps. it occurs in northwest-southeast-trending half-grabens. The Cuntinued on page 39.

Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. May 1993 HGS GUEST NIGHT FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993 at THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and THE WORTHAM IMAX THEATRE

featuring From the Makers of the Hit Film "Grand Canyon" An Exclusive* HGS Showing of the Spectacular NEW MAX Film "HAWAII: BORN IN PARADISE1' wlth Mexican Fajita Buffet Dinner Catered by Pappasito 's ** '7ent8tiw Food rd Caterer &leclkm $25.00 PER PERSON

SPONSORED N PART BY

v-v Petroleum Corporation

8:OO-7:OOpm Musaum Doors Open, Soclal & Browslng How wlth Cash Bars Be Sure to Sea the Gem. Mknral, and Seaahel Collectlonsl 7:OO-0:OOpm Dlnlng in Mumeurn on Two Levels 8:lS-8:45pm Awards Presentstlons In Mmeum @:00-10:OOpm "HawaH: Born in Paradise" in IMAX Theatre

Resorvatlons and Payment Requlred by MaHlnp Check to: HGS Guest Nlght Event. 7171 Harwln. Sulte 314. Houston, Texas 77036. Call HGS at 785-6402 to conllrm recelpt ot your check. Send Your Check Soon . Only 400 Seats Available. R.hnd. .ud.#. mU Apl 1.$1993 RESEMrOU)~EARY,SHCE~'VESOLDOUTEACH~yEAR NO SALES AT DOOR! ADMITTANCE BY NAME TAG ONLY1

The Houston Museum of Natural Sclence Is located In Hermann Park across from Mlller Theatre at One Hermann Clrcle...... REGISTRATION FORM FOR HGS GUEST NIGHT EVENT Enclose check payable to HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MAW COMPANY: - WOW PWM: GUEST NAME:

15 Bullettn Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERING GEOLOGISTS

HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERING COMMITTEE LUNCH & DINNER MEETINGS-MAY 12,1993 Topic (same at both luncheon and dinner): Association of Organic Geochemists, the Houston Geologi- "Geochemical Applications to Site Assessments cal Society, the National Water Well Association, and the and Remediation - Case Studies" Texas Water Well Association. Presented by: Dr. Victor Jones Exploration Technology, Inc. GEOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS TO SITE ASSESSMENTS AND REMEDIATION - LUNCHEON: CASE STUDIES Place: Houston Community College Conference Room 221, San Jacinto Bldg. The performance of every engineering and environ- 1300 Holman at San Jacinto mental company conducting operations at a hazardous (Cafeteria available on 3rd floor) waste site is directly dependent on their ability to provide accurate and correct information regarding the type and Time: Social - 11:45 a.m. concentrations of hazardous wastes encountered on the Program - 12:OO p.m. site, yet their choice of geochemical analytical techniques, DINNER: both in the laboratory and on-site are often relegated to a Place: Italian Market and Cafe fairly low priority to save on cost, particularly for real-time 2615 Ella Blvd. screening devices. (Located behind NW Memorial Hospital In addition, EPA methods are often used even if just south of 610 North Loop) inappropriate for analysis of the specific components. For Time: Social - 6:00 p.m. example, the PID detector is most often the instrument of Program - 6:30 p.m. choice for onsite screening in spite of the fact that it more Note: A $1.00 surcharge will be charged by the restaurant often than not yields erroneous information. Gas chromato- even if you don't order food or drink. graphic, derivative spectrometers, UV fluorescence, and infared TPH techniques are compared and contrasted for After the Dinner Meeting the Career Change Net- applications involving volatile hydrocarbons, chlorinated working Group will meet for 30 minutes or less. solvents, and older, less volatile components such as aged diesel or fuel oil. VICTOR T. JONES-Biographical Sketch Plume maps constructed from soil gas data measured Victor T. Jones received his Ph.D. in Physics from on specific, selected components offer a far more accurate Texas A&M University in 1969, and is founder and President and cost-effective method for defining the horizontal extent of Exploration Technologies Inc. He has been involved in of most subsurface contaminants than are the limited the application of surface geochemical techniques to both number of boreholes usually deployed. Boreholes should be exploration and environmental studies for more than screened continuously and used primarily to determine the twenty-two years, initially at the Superior and Gulf Oil vertical extent of the contaminants encountered. Solvent Companies, then at Woodward Clyde Oceaneering and extractions followed by high-resolution capillary GC finally at ETI. During his tenure as Director of Geochemical methods are recommended to aid in the identification of the Applications for Gulf Research and Development Co., he was able to apply all of the known geochemical exploration concepts to both exploration and environmental problems SKB lW- and to develop and further refine exploration geochemical K%3 em Center, Inc. methods to environmental applications. Since founding ETI, Dr. Jones and his staff have further FOSSILS * MINERALS * GEMSTONES refined and applied exploration geochemical methods to GEOLOGIST TOOLS * BOOKS * LAPIDARY SUPPLIES numerous environmental assessments over all types of JEWELRY AND SILVERSMITHING CLASSES petroleum product transportation, processing and storage CORE SLABBING AND POLISHING areas, including salt dome storage caverns, mined drifts, underground coal gasification reactors, leaky well casings, WE ARE A FAMILY BUISNESS. OFFERING: pipelines, refineries, and underground petroleum storage FRIENDLY SERVKE. VARIEM AND FAIR PRKES tanks. 5462 NORTHFREEWAY ( C45 & TIDWELL ), HOUSTON, TEXAS Dr. Jones is a member of the American Association of - OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY - Petroleum Geologists, the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of.Chemists (Fellow), the Association of (713) 694-7219 Petroleum Geochemical Explorationists, the European

Bulletln Houston Geological Society. May 1993 specific contaminants found and to determine relative ages CONTINUING EDUCATION and mixing of different products. This type of information is SHORT COURSE of particular importance during remediation. Numerous ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNG case studies will be used to demonstrate these concepts. GEOLOGISTS Title: "Air Control Regulations and Monitoring HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNG Methods" FIELD TRIP Location: Paul Revere Middle School Auditorium "Superfund Sites of Harris County" 10502 Briar Forest (just west of Beltway 8) May 8,1993 Date: Monday, June 7 and Tuesday, June 8, 1993 The Houston Geological Society's Environmentall Engineering Committee is sponsoring a day-long field trip to Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (two-evening course) several of the Superfund sites existing in and near the Houston metropolitan area. The Superfund sites are indus- The course will be presented by both Air Control trial locations which have been placed on the National Board personnel and industry professionals involved Priority List under CERCLA (Comprehensive Environ- in regulatory activities and air monitoring work. mental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980). CERCLA and the SARA Reauthorization Act of 1986 are Course Description: the federal regulations dealing with the cleanup of uncon- Due to the numerous air control regulations enacted in trolled hazardous wastes on abandoned sites. Both acts are the last few years, many companies have been experiencing commonly known as the "Superfund" law. ever-increasing restrictions on the level and quality of air The field trip is being conducted in conjunction with the emissions permittable from their sites. Because of these publication of a technical guidebook on the Superfund sites developments, companies and regulatory agencies are in the Harris, Montgomery, Chambers and Galveston experiencing an increasing need to hire personnel who have Counties of Texas by the Houston Geological Society. a knowledge of air regulations and methods for monitoring Focus of the field trip will be on both the geologic/ air quality at plant sites. This course has been put together hydrogeologic characteristics of the Superfund sites and on to give an overview of the pertainent regulations, definitions the remediation designs for cleanup or containment of and methods used in the air control industry. hazardous wastes. Personnel from the Texas Air Control Board will give The field trip will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on reviews of the recent air control regulations and discussions Saturday, May 8, 1993. Registration is limited to 45 partici- on hazardous and criteria air pollutant classifications. Two pants, based on available transportation. Pre-registration is forms of air monitoring will be presented by air control firms; mandatory, and a fee of $40.00 is requested to cover fugitive emissions monitoring of leaks from pipelines and transportation, lunch, refreshments and field trip guidebook stacklincineration monitoring. A presentation on air dis- materials. persion modeling is also planned. Geologists who have For more information or to register, please contact made the career transion into the air control industry will Paul Britt, Texplore, Inc. at (713) 341-1800 extension 34. discuss the job market and "transferrable skills" for working in air control. There are two new Rain Forest exhibits Individuals having an interest (or even a curiosity) in for you to visit this spring or summer! this potential job market should watch the June HGS Check out the Bulletin for specific dates for this short course. For further information, please contact Nancy Boschetto at 579-8999 (8 Houston Museum of Natural Science a.m. to 5 p.m.) or Zubair Haq at 495-9828 (12 noon to 12 and the Moody Gardens Pyramid in Galveston. midnight). ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE

GBNEP Project Summary TOXIC CONTAMINANT CHARACTERIZATION OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN GALVESTON BAY: A PILOT STUDY

Summary of a project by James M. Brooks, Principal Investigator The Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University Editor's Note: the following article is published with the opposite trend with higher concentrations in fish tissue. permission from Bay Line, a quarterly publication of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs-toxic com- Galueston Bay National Estuary Program (GBNEP), spring pounds related to petroleum and its combustion) were 1993 issue. highest in oysters. Overall PAH levels were not extremely Can I eat the seafood? This is a common question in the high compared to other estuaries. minds of people concerned about Galveston Bay. The Chlorinated pesticide concentrations were generally question is difficult to answer. Historically, little information similar in oysters, crabs, and fish, with higher concentrations has been available about toxic contaminants in finfish and in some individual animals and in fish livers (which have high shellfish from Galveston Bay. That's why GBNEP funded lipid content). Most pesticides except dieldrin showed the this project to characterize contamination in edible fish and typical decreasing trend of PCBs, BHC, down-baychlordanes, shellfish in Galveston Bay. DDTs. The sampling design called for the analysis of con- Concentrations of these contaminants provided few taminants in five species of seafood organisms from four surprises, and fell within the expected range based on sites in Galveston Bay. The contaminants included heavy previous studies. Findings were generally consistent with metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and PCBs. The five chronic pollutant loading to the Bay, and were near the species studied were the Virginia oyster, blue crab, spotted median for the Gulf of Mexico. seatrout, black drum and southern flounder. Collection sites included Morgans Point at the mouth of the Houston Risk to Consumers Ship Channel, Eagle Point off San Leon, Carancahua Reef in Risk associated with consumption of average amounts of West Bay, and Hanna Reef in East Bay. seafood in some parts of the bay was estimated to be above Based on the contaminant levels in seafood, the risks to the 1~10.~benchmark risk level previously used by EPA to seafood consumers was estimated. Risk assessment is a flag possible problems. (The benchmark risk indicates a 1in scientific procedure to determine the probability of adverse 10,000 chance of contracting cancer over a 70-year life health effects from a specific exposure to a toxic agent. The span.) The risk from oysters at Morgans Point and fish at chief goal of risk assessment is to characterize the types of Morgans and Eagle points was estimated to be higher than hazards associated with a substance and then to estimate risk from oysters or fish from other locations. The higher the probability that those hazards will affect exposed popu- risks, (which come primarily from elevated levels of PCBs lations or individuals. It is important to note that the risk and PAHs) were higher in the upper bay where effects of assessment estimate that this study produced gives only a increased inputs from the ship channel and the Trinity River snapshot of information about contamination of Galveston would be expected. Bay aquatic organisms. An average consumption level is assummed to be 13 ounces of fish, or about 2 ounces of crab or oyster meat per Contaminant Levels in Seafood month. The more you eat, the higher your risk. However, Oysters were generally the most contaminated species, seafood taken from most areas of the bay is safe. fish were intermediate, and crabs were the least. Although results varied among compounds and organisms, higher Significance of Findings contaminant levels were generally found in upper Galveston Therisk levels noted above have much of uncertainty and Bay (Morgans Point, near the Houston Ship Channel), and they cannot be used to determine harm to any single decreased down bay. individual eating,seafood from Galveston Bay. Neither the Trace organics and certain trace metals such as zinc, authors of the study nor the GBNEP can determine the lead, nickel, copper, cadmium and silver were higher in significance of these findingsto you - that can only be done oyster and crab tissues than fish tissue. Mercury showed by considering the results for yourself. In thinking about this

Bulletin Houaton Geological Society, May 1993 question you should consider atdeast the following sources program, participants must have a bachelor's degree in of uncertainty in this study: geology or a related field. Transcripts are required. Risk calculation is far from foolproof. The formula is Class size is limited to 60 participants per session. The very sensitive to assumptions that must be guessed at: official application deadline was March 19, but applications how much seafood is consumed are still being accepted. Send application form, resume, transcripts, 2 letters of professional reference, and a brief the health effects of individual compounds (dose- statement of professional goals to: Cathy Southwick, OSU response), School of Geology, 105 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, how well the compound is biologically absorbed OK 74078-0451. For more information or a brochure, Organisms were sampled during an unusual flood. contact Cathy Southwick at (405) 744-9244. Salinities were extremely low, greatly affecting fish distribution and possibly affecting contaminant levels. Sampling coincided with the Apex barge spill. Some tissue samples clearly showed petroleum compounds related to the spill.

OSU TO HOLD GROUND WATER SCHOOL The School of Geology at Oklahoma State University is Gravity Data STATIONS pleased to announce that the intensive short course Rocky Mountains 89,500 Practical approaches to Ground Water Hydrology and Alaska 23,700 Contamination, will be presented through two identical six- Applachia 38,900 week sessions during the summer of 1993. These sessions Northwest 15,700 will take place May 17 - June 25 and July 7 - August 17 on the Oklahoma State University campus. The mission of the ArizonaINew Mexico 29,250 program is to provide fundamental hydrogeologic training Other areas 25,000 through a practical, interdisciplinary approach that deals Digital or hand-contoured with base maps with the detection, prevention, monitoring, and control of ground water contamination. Bouguer, residual, interpretations The registration fee for the 1993 program is $2850. This Some data along seislines fee includes all instruction, textbooks and materials, com- Also Gulf Coast photogeology, 150,000 sq. mi. puter programs, lab fees, field trips, and meals and housing for the 6-week course. Participants may enroll for an optional 9 hours of graduate credit for an additional $573.75 PGB Data Services for graduate tuition and $15 for graduate admission. Those C/OPhoto Gravity Corp. choosing not to enroll for graduate credit will be awarded 20 10615 Shadow Wood Drive Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion, all Houston, Texas 77043 students will receive a certificate of completion reflecting (713) 827-8812 Fax 465-01 35 graduate credit or CEUs. Since this is a graduate level

19 Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORA TIONISTS

HGS NORTH AMERICAN become of critical importance with increased drilling and EXPLORATIONISTS GROUP DINNER discoveries. At the mature stage, hydrodynamic concepts MEETING-MAY 18,1993 can be readily applied in exploration and development to Social Period, 5:30 p.m., reduce risk and to increase success ratios. The south flank Dinner and Meeting, 6:30 p.m. of the Williston Basin is an example of a mature area with Post Oak Doubletree Inn significant hydrodynamic effects on oilaccumulations. Early exploration was aimed at stratigraphic traps in the Mission Canyon Formation, but the development of major fields ROBERT R. BERG-Biographical Sketch showed that all are strongly influenced by hydrodynamic flowand some oilaccumulations may be largely independent Dr. Berg is Professor of porosity pinchouts. of Geology and holds the Examples of hydrodynamic effects are illustrated by Michel T. Halbouty Chair the BillingsNose fields, and the Elkhorn Ranch and Knutson at Texas A&M University. fields. All of these accumulations have hydraulic gradients His academic experience on the order of 10 ft./mi. (2 m/km) or more; tilted oil-water of 26 years was preceded . contacts with gradients of about 25 ft./mi. (5 m/km); by industrial experience of displacement of oil downdip to the northeast; and variable 16 years as an exploration formation-water salinities that range from nearly fresh to geologist and geophysicist. His research has concen- highly saline. Some producing zones have been described as purely hydrodynamic traps, lacking both structural and trated on the geological stratigraphic closure. Future success will depend on properties of reservoir applying hydrodynamic concepts in exploration and sandstones, the role of development drilling, and prediction methods are illustrated hydrostatic and hydro- by possible extensions to existing one-well fields. Simple dynamic pressures in oil accumulation, and the ori- graphic techniques can estimate the limits of production before drilling, but a knowledge of local structure is most gins of abnormal reservoir pressures. His publications important to the interpretation. include 70 papers and one book, and he has supervised the research of 106 graduate students. He has served as President of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (1966) and President of the PUBLICATION SALE American Institute of Professional Geologists (1971) and holds Honorary Membership in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Institute of Pro- fessional Geologists (1971) and holds, Honorary Member- Oil & Gas Fields of S.E. Texas ship in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies. In 1981 he Volume II was awarded the AIPG's Ben H. Parker Medal for "Out- 90 Field Studies standing Service to the Profession" and in 1988was elected 525 Pages May, 1987 to membership in the National Academy of Engineering. In 1993 he received the Sidney Powers Memorial Award of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists for out- Maps, Cross-Sections, Type Logs standing contributions to petroleum geology. also Reservoir and Production Data

HYDRODYNAMIC EFFECTS ON MISSION WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE CANYON (MISSISSIPPIAN) OIL ACCUMULATIONS IN THE BILLINGS NOSE AREA, WILLISTON BASIN, NORTH DAKOTA ,$10 per copy No mail orders, please. Robert R. Berg*, William D. DeMis, Alan R. Mitsdarffer To Order: Hydrodynamic effects on oil accumulations generally Call can be recognized at an early stage of exploration but Tom Mather -871-3326 *Speaker

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 20 To All Professional Engineers And Scientists InThe Houston Area: The Physics Department at the University of EXPLORING THE Houston is soliciting old model computers of any manufacture for use in data acquisition in science classrooms. The computers donated will be given to GULF COAST teachers after they complete a training program in the use of these computers for science activities ex- periments. The goal is to place eight computer acquisition stations in at least one science classroom in every middle school and high school in the Houston metropolitan area. Please inquire in your company as to the current disposition of obsolete but working computers or contact Tom Hudson at the Physics Department of the University of Houston at (713) 743-3535 for more information.

PEL-TEX OIL COMPANY THE GEOMAPQ COMPANIES of Five Post Oak Park, Suite 1530 33 Years Service Houston, Texas 77027 GEOMAPQ V Geological Maps Throughout U.S. COMPANY (/ Base Maps Starting @ $35 TEL (713) 439-1530 rf Library Network .f (/ Microfiche Logs FAX (713) 439-1023 V GIS Products & Services Including Field Maps and Custom Mapping GEOMAmRS V Digital Data Files Palm & Sand Counts NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT Offshore 1 Onshore, TX & LA Correlation Tops PRODUCERS CONFERENCE Austin Chalk & Williston Basin A conference on "New Technology for Independent Producers" will be held at the Warwick Hotel in downtown Denver, May 6-7, 1993. Co-sponsors are National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER), Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA),Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG), and Independent Petroleum Association of the Mountain States (IPAMS). Papers will be given in concurrent sessions on drilling, testing, and com- pletions; reservoir characterization; enhanced oil recovery, including microbial processes; 3-Dseismic; and well logging. Preprints will be distributed at the conference. Registration $115. For a program, call RMAG at 3031573-8621. Call for product availability in your area of interest. Toll Free 1-800-527-2626 Plano, Texas Houston, Texas Midland, Texas StratiGraphics (214) 578-0571 (713) 520-8989 (915) 682-3787

"PALEONTOLOGICAL SERVICES"

STEVE ROSE AND ASSOCIATES 41 FAUlNQ STAR COURT. THE WOODLANDS. TX 77381 Show your support for 171 31 363-3465 HIGH RESOLUTION BIOSTRATIGRAPHY domestic exploration PLANKTIC I BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA I NANNOFOSSILS COMPUTER GENERATED (RAGWARE) PLOTS by attending the CHECKLISTS DEPICTING SEQUENCE BOUNDARIES I MAXIMUM FLOODING SURFACES North American Explorationists ABUNDANCE I DIVERSITY GRAPHS PLANKTIC I BENTHIC RATIOS Group Meetings! STRIPLOGS

2 1 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, May 1993 FEATURE

A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING GROSS SAND PERCENTAGE AND RESERVOIR THICKNESSES FROM SEISMIC SECTIONS: EXAMPLE FROM SEGNO FIELD, POLK CO., TEXAS by Richard E. Bischke and Daniel J. Tearpock Subsurface Consultants & Associates, Inc. ABSTRACT initial porosity (4) of about 68% (Dickinson, 1953; Xiao and Most geoscientists know that shale sections have a Suppe, 1989), while sand sections have an average initial higher initial porosity than sand sections. Thus, upon burial, porosity of about 40% (Atwater and Miller, 1965; Xiao and shales compact more than sands. It also follows that if a Suppe, 1989). This means that upon bwial, shales will growth normal fault is present within a compacting sand- compact more than sands, and that growth faults in shale shale section, then the growth fault will have ashallower dip sections will flatten more than growth faults in sand sections within the move highly compacted shales and a steeper dip (Fig. 2B, compacted state). This differential flattening be- in the less compacted sands. Compaction of a growth shale tween shale and sand sections produces the "sand indicator" section above a growth sand section produces a fault or antilistric fault bend shown in Figure 1 and 28. These surface that is convex, or antilistric. This antilistric fault qualitative geometric observations can be quantified using shape is a sand indicator. We illustrate the use of fault dips equations presented in Xiao and Suppe (1989),Bischke and as sand indicators in a quantitative study of the Segno Field, Suppe (1990) and Tearpock and Bischke (1991). Quantita- Polk Co., Texas, where Gow (1962) first published similar tive analysis is used to estimate gross sand percentages and qualitative observations in the Houston Geological Society thicknesses from normal fault dips. Bulletin. The method appears to generate reasonable Often when drilling an exploratory well, one of the least estimates of sand percentages that compare favorably to known factors is the presence and thickness of sand. local well log data. Tearpock and Bischke (1993)reviewed a "dry hole analysis" of a number of wells drilled worldwide and found that in 31% INTRODUCTION of the cases studied the exploratory wells were dry due to In this paper we discuss a method for estimating one of the following factors: percent sand and depth to reservoir from growth normal 1. objectives pinched out, fault dips obtained from seismic sections. The method 2. objectives shaled out, appears capable of determining average sand percentages 3. objectives faulted out, or and thicknesses usisng vintage seismic profiles. The tech- 4. objectives tight. nique is based on the observations of Bischke and Suppe The methods presented in the paper can address the (1990) who notices, as did Gow (1962)and Roux (1978),that the dips of growth normal faults change from shale sections into sand sections. Most seismic profiles from extensional areas are verti- cally extended or horizontally compressed. This has the effect of straightening out fault surfaces and masking true changes in fault dip. Figure 1 from the Brazos Ridge, EXPLORATION, INC. Offshore Texas, is a depth-corrected profile. This non- distorted section shows antithetic growth fault surfaces that 333 Texas Street, Suite 1500 Shrewport, Louisiana 71 101 are antilistric or convex into a sand section. This fault geometry follows from the fact that shale sections have a 124 Heymann Boulevard, Suite 103 higher initial porosity than sand sections (Dickinson, 1953; Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 Atwater and Miller, 1965), and thus shales compact more than sands (Xiao and Suppe, 1989). Actively seeking well documented exploration The process can be visualized as follows. If a growth and development prospects in the Gulf Coast normal fault cuts an uncompacted sand-shale section Region. Prospect Ideas Preferred. located near the sea floor, then the fault will be planar before sedimentary compaction (Fig. ZB, uncompacted state). In Contact: Robert E. (Bob) Osborne, II the Gulf of Mexico, U.S.A., shale sections have an average (31 8) 429-2200

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoclety. May 1993 SAND INTERVAL

Figure 1 - Digitized and depth corrected seismic from Brazos Ridge, Offshore Texas, showing Fault No. 1 turning convex or antilistric into a sand section. Average sand-shale ratios from a nearby well are shown in insert (From Bischke and Suppe, 1990; published by permission of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies).

COMPACTION ALONG A first three problems and should help explorationists mini- GROWTH NORMAL FAULT mize a major source of disappointment in both frontier and developed areas. In a previous work, Bischke and Suppe (1990) were UNCOMPACTED concerned that hanging wall block deformation caused by 41 SHALLOW ELEMENT motion along major growth faults would deform the associated hanging wall synthetic growth fault surfaces (Hamblin 1965; Xiao and Suppe, 1992), thus preventing the use of the \ BURIED AND COMPACTED ELEMENT percent sand technique with these faults. In this paper we present evidence from the Segno Field, Polk Co., Texas, that the shallow portions of a large or major synthetic fault can be used to predict sand percentages. In this example we review an Eocene sand-shale section.

ANTlLlSTRlC FAULT GEOMETRY CONDITIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE METHOD UNCOMPACTED COMPACTED Before reviewing the Segno Field study, we briefly SECTION outline the conditions and uncertainties that affect sand LOWER percentage estimates. A more detailed discussion is pre- I \ = 687'o I SHALE SECTION hy FAULT sented in Bischke and Suppe (1990) and Tearpock and -- Bischke (1991). HIGHER SAND SECTION FAULT DIP The estimates apply to the footwall portion of com------pacting growth normal faults. Typically, it is possible to correlate the footwall data into the hanging wall block cI, = INITIAL POROSIN where sands may be thicker. B. The method is not intended to apply to the deeper portion of major synthetic faults. For deep analysis, the Figure 2 - Cross-section showing uncompacted shallow antithetic faults cutting a rollover should be used to element and a buried compacted element of material B. A estimate percent sand. planar growth fault upon compaction has a flatter dip in a The method does not apply to limestones. shale section, as compared to a sand section. This creates The method has a depth resolution that is dependent the antilistric or "sand indicator" fault bend (From Tearpock upon the ability of the seismic data to resolve normal and Bischke 1993, published by permission of Tearpock and fault dips. Bischke). Continued on page 40.

Bulletdn Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 FEATURE

SOME BASIC SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF MICROMAGNETICS AND CONVENTIONAL MAGNETIC SURVEYS by J. P. Land Research and development have given the petroleum as shown in the table of Figure 1(Flanagan et a/.,1988). The explorationist a marvelous array of technology to aid efforts authors used this characteristic of sedimentary rocks in to efficiently seek out and define hydrocarbon deposits. correlating seismic reflectors across listric faults in the One of the tools, magnetic surveying, in its present stage of Louisiana offshore. To do this, they measured the magnetic development, can play a more strategic role through responses of the faulting of shallow formations with different surveys designed to emphasize anomalies from local variations in the magnetization of near-surface sediments, in- FORMATION SUSCEPTIBILITY VARIANCES cluding geochemical alteration products of hydrocarbon microseepage. The basic responsibility of all the petroleum exploration reconnaissance methods is to lead the search for hydro- Sangamon 76 x lo-' (cgs) carbon accumulations by eliminating areas of little or no apparent production potential and to focus on prospective lllinoian 86 x lo4 (cgs) local features. The economic importance, then, of the airborne magnetic method's ability to detect local sedi- Yarmouth 55 x 104 (c~s) mentary structure and indirect indications of hydrocarbon microseepage, in addition to defining the structural and Af tonian 74 x 10- (cgs) topographic detail of basement, is deserved of consideration. Nebraskan 26 x 104 (c~s) When two rock bodies with different ferromagnetic mineral content are in contact, the Earth's magnetic field is Upper Pliocene 65 x lo-' (cgs) locally distorted and a magnetic anomaly created. The Middle Pliocene 46 x 104 (c~s) wavelength of a magnetic anomaly is a function of the distance between the magnetic sensor, the magnetometer, Lower Pliocene 89 x lo4 (cgs) and the causative body. The shorter the distance, the shorter the anomaly wavelength. Conversely, the shorter the wavelength, the shallower the source of the anomaly. Regardless of the depth of our targets, near-surface or Figue I This table illustrates the variance of magnetic basement, these basic principles apply. susceptibilities for sedimentary formations in the Louisiana Originally, magnetic surveys in petroleum exploration offshore region. Magnetic susceptibilities range from 26 x 106 were ground-based. The tripod-mounted magnetometer (Nebraskan) to 89 x lo4 cgs (Lower Pliocene). From Flanagan was only a few feet above the ground survace. Though et al. (1988). measurements of the magnetic field were thus more sus- ceptible to non-geological interference caused by nearby magnetic susceptibilities. A second example of the mea- metallic and cultural objects, W. P. Jenny, in making ground sured effects of the faulting of shallow sediments is shown in survey measurements, recognized repeatable variations in Figure 2 (Land, 1989).The fact that sedimentary rocks vary the magnetic field that were not caused by cultural sources in their magnetization, formation to formation, was applied and, because of their short wavelength, could not be by Jenny with the objective of detecting local sedimentary responses from basement sources at depths of -10,000 to structure (1940, 1941, 1942, 1952 and 1961). He used the -30,000 feet as were common to his surveys in the Gulf term "micromagnetics" to set it apart as a magnetic survey Coast. He concluded that such responses had to be caused capturing magnetic responses from the entire sedimentary by sources in the upper sedimentary section and were section. probably due to magnetization contrasts created by the Whether magnetic anomalies are caused by sources at structural deformation of the shallow sediments. great depth or sources in the shallow subsurface, the cause Though the magnetic susceptibilities of sedimentary of a given magnetic anomaly will always be the magnetization rocks are typically minor compared to those of metamorphic contrast created by the contact of rock bodies of different or igneous formations,they do vary, formation to formation, magnetic character.

Bulletln Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 In 1974 Donovan reported bleaching and mineralogic than in conventional surveys. The tighter survey grids of differences of the surface rocks at the Cement Field in micromagnetic survey, commonly 0.3 x 1.0 mile or smaller, Oklahoma as indicators of geochemical alteration due to the allow the line-to-line correlation of the details of shallow- microseepage of hydrocarbons. In 1979 he associated "high subsurface responses and the definition of shallow faulting, wavenumber" magnetic anomalies with the vertical zonation important to designing follow-up programs such as surface of "magnetite" in the upper sector of five boreholes across geochemical ground-truthing and site-specific seismic. the field. Though Donovan's work at Cement Field has been We know that measurable susceptibility contrasts can shown to be flawed in certain regards (Reynolds et al., be created by geochemical alteration as well as by structural 1991), Foote (1987 and 1989) has subsequently demon- and depositional processes. The potential of the modern strated that the magnetic susceptibilities of subsurface magnetic method, then, is that it allows us to resolve formations overlying hydrocarbon reservoirs are greater magnetic anomalies of which some may be indirectly than those of the same formations outside the production related to the local accumulation of hydrocarbons. The areas. The writings of others such as Wold, 1984; Mathews, upward microseepage of the light hydrocarbons can lead to 1986; Roberts, 1989; and Price, 1986, provide further insight geochemical processes that produce secondary magnetic into the geochemical and migration processes associated mineralization in the shallow subsurface which in turn with hydrocarbon accumulations. produces high-wavenumber magnetic anomalies which are The Earth's magnetic field in a sedimentary basin is a better resolved by surveys flown at lower flight levels and multi-wavelength complex with anomalies sourced in the closer line spacing. shallow subsurface superimposed on deeper-sourced anom- Nowhere in the literature, however, has it been demon- alies. A micromagnetic survey is simply a magnetic survey strated that the magnetic method is a direct. detector of designed to capature the total spectrum of magnetic hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons by themselves are not mag- responses of an area, i.e., all wavelengths from those caused netic. Assuming the method to be a direct detector is bound by sources in the shallow subsurface to those caused by to lead to expensive, negative results because what may be sources at or beneath the basement surface by shortening prospective anomalies can also be created by various the sensor-to-source interval from the standard 1,000-foot situations of contrasting formation magnetization values. constant barometric flight level of conventional airborne There is no unique solution to the cause of any given surveys to a constant terrain clearance of 500 feet or less. magnetic features. The danger in assuming that a certain Additionally, the spacing of traverses and tie lines is less Continued on page 50

FAULTED ANTICLINE MODEL (Courtesy of Kutek Exploration)

F'i2 This computer-modelledrepresentation illustrates the magnetic response to a shallow faulted anticline. The depth of the faulted formation ranges from 80 to 200 feet; the displacement is 40 to 80 feet. The faulted formation has a magnetic susceptibility of 60 x 106 cgs; the enclosing formations have susceptibilities of 30 x 106 cgs. The magnetic signature indicates that the magnetic contrast occurs where the beds are faulted, resulting in a high-wavenumber anomaly. Wavelets have an amplitude of approximately 0.25 gamma. J' Productive Sands

Low-resistivity, low-contrast (LRLC) pay sands are being found and produced today, whereas these intervals were commonly overlooked, ignored or considered wet in the past. LRLC intervals contain significant reserves, and often exist as bypassed zones in otherwise mature basins. LRLC pays can now be recognized through proper identification and evaluation techniques, including the use of well logs, samples, and, indirectly, seismic data.

Your Instructors:

Robert M. (Bob) Sneider, of Robert M. Sneider Exploration, Inc., is a Houston-based explorer and consultant. His 36 years of experience with Sneider and Meckel, and Shell have given him a broad, worldwide perspective. Bob has served as an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, and is a contributing editor of the new low resistivity publication. Would you have plugged John T. Kulha, is a petroleum engineer with Loren & Assiciates, Inc., Houston, Texas. John specializes in multi- this 1,270 BOPD well exploration evaluation and development studies of completion? complex lithologies, shaly sands and dual porosity systems. Together with Bob, John lectures around the world, and he served as a coordinator for the low resistivity volume. Course Materials: Course Focus: Each participant will receive a set of course notes * Geological causes of LRLC intervals and a copy of the 1993 HGS/NOGS publication * Depositional and diagenetic environments Productive Low Resistivity Well Logs of the whore * Evaluation of logs and samples Gulf of Mexico. The average historical production of * Quick-scan log techniques the 150 examples in this atlas is 550 MBO or 6.0 * Seismic expression and recognition BCFG, and each sample well indudes detailed core * Producing examples from onshore and offshore Gulf of and electric log data. Mexico, Nigeria, Italy, the North Sea and Russia (CIS) Repistration and Cost: Date and Time: $50 before May 12,1993 Wednesday, May 19,1993 $60 at the door 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Send check to: Exxon Auditorium Houston Geological Society 800 Bell Street 7171 Harwin, #314 Houston, Texas 77036

Sponsored by the Continuing Education Committee of your Houston Geological Society

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 Houston Geological Society 11th Annual sweet GF Shoot Greater Houston Gun Club 6700 McHard Rd. 437-6025 Saturday, June 19, 1993 1 N $45 Includes 50 Targets, Ammunition, - 11 Door Prizes, and Refreshments A8TRODQE We are limited by time and field availability to approximately 200 shooters, so please REGISTER EARLY. Registrations received after Friday, 0 June 11 will be on a stand-by basis or returned. LOOP 610 We will try to stay on schedule, rain or shine, soplease register for your earliest t 2 n convenient start time, be on time, and shoot your rounds quickly. Start times will be a0 assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Shooters who wish to squad together V) must mail their registrations together. McHard Rd

12 and 20 gauge ammunition will be provided; you must use this ammunition for this event. G,H~., -ston Gun Club 6700 McHard Rd NSSA and ASC safety and scoring rules apply: Modified Lewis Class Scoring 437-6025 System.

Name: Tel: (Res.) (Off .)

Address: Company:

Guests: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Preferred starting time: (circle one) 7:OO 8:OO 9:OO 10:OO 11:OO 12:OO

Number of shooters $45 each: Check One: 12 gauge 20 gauge ------.----.-.--.-.---.-----.------.------*------.---.------.------.------.------.------.---- Disclaimer: lacknowledge that neither the Houston Geological Society nor the Greater Houston Gun Club will be held responsible for injury or accidents during this event.

Mail registration and check to: Houston Geological Society, 7171 Harwin, Ste. 314, Houston, TX 77036-2190 (Make checks payable to HGS Entertainment Fund, and remit with registration)

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 CALENDAR of EVENTS ------Sunday Mondav Thursday Fridav Saturday

HGS ENVIRON/ENG Field Trip

- Offshore Technology Conference, May 3-6 -

HGS ENVIR/ENG HGS Committee Meeting- DINNER MEETING AWG Dier Vktor Jones SPWLA Wgtside Fred Susan Longacre HousbDn Comm. CIg. Luncheon Diegel Italian Mkt. & Cafe Post Oak Doubletree Morningside Thai Radisson Suite Hotel Geowives Art Review & High Tea Rik-Carlton - 18 20 HGS SmES LUNCHEON NORTH AMERICAN EXP. Les White HGS JNTN'L HGS SHORT COURSE Petroleum Club DINNER MEETING Low-resistivity. DINNER MEETING Dr. Robert Berg SPWLA Gene Murray Lou;ccontrast Post Oak Doubletree Productive Sands Greenspoint Luncheon Post Oak Doubletree Exxon Auditorium HGA SPWLAGalleriaLuncheon Luncheon & Fashion Shou Marriott Meria Lakeside C. C.

SPWLA Downtown HGSLUNCHEON Luncheon David McGee Metro Racquet Club Houston Club GEO-EVENTS HGS MAY MEETINGS MAY 10,1993 (Evening Meeting) MAY 18,1993 (Dinner Meeting) "Cenozoic Structural Evolution and Tectono-stratigraphic HGS NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS Framework of Northern Gulf of Mexico" "Hydrodynamic Effects on Mission Canyon (Mississippian) Fred Diegel (see page 6) Oil Accumulations in the Billings Nose Area, Williston Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. Basin, North Dakota" Hors &Oeuvres and Social Period 5:15 p.m., Program 6:30p.m. Dr. Robert Berg (see page 20) Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. or cancelled by noon Friday, May 7. Social Period 5:30 p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. MAY 12,1993 (Luncheon/Dinner Meeting) Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made HGS ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERINGGEOLOGISTS or cancelled by noon Monday, May 17. "Geochemical Applicationg to Site Assessments and Reme- MAY 26,1993 (Luncheon Meeting) diation - Case Studiesn "Geologic Models and Reservoir Geometries of Auger Field, Dr. Victor Jones (see page 6) Deepwater Gulf of Mexico" Houston Community College, Conference Room 221 David McGee (see page 6) 2121 San Jacinto Bldg., 1300 Holman at San Jacinto Houston Club, 811 Rusk Social Period 11:45 a.m., Lunch and Program 12:m noon Social Period ll:30 a.m., Lunch and Meeting 12:m Noon. Italian Market & Cafe, 2615 Ella Blvd. Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made Social Period 5:30p.m., Dinner and Program 6:30p.m. (Buy your or cancelled by noon Tuesday April 25. own dinner) MAY 17,1993 (Dinner Meeting) SEMINARS, COURSES, AND ENTERTAINMENT HGS INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS MAY 8,1993 "Falcon Basin, Venezuelan HGS Environmental/Engineering Field Trip Gene Murray (see page 10) "Superfund Sites of Harris County" Post Oak Doubletree Inn, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. Social Period 5:30 p.m., Dinner and Meeting 6:30 p.m. MAY 19,1993 Reservations by name only, telephone 785-6402. Must be made HGS SHORT COURSE or cancelled by noon Friday, May 14. "Low-resistivity, Low-contrast Productive Sands" R. M. Sneider, J. T. Kulha

OTHER EVENTS Offshore Technology Conference, May 3-6. SIPES Luncheon, Les White, "Working with Russian Logs", AWG Dinner, Dr. Susan Longacre, "Revisiting our Geologic Petroleum Club, 11:30 a.m., May 20. Models", Morningside Thai Restaurant, 6710 Morningside Drive, SPWLA Downtown Luncheon, Metropolitian Racquet 6:008:00 p.m., May 11. (If attending call Anglia Sweet 5567067) Club, One Allen Center, 11:30 a.m., May 25. d Geowives Art Review and High Tea, Ritz-Carlton, May 12. SPWLA Westside Luncheon, Radisson Suite Hotel, 10655 AROUND THE COUNTRY Katy Frwy. 11:30 a.m., May 13. AAPG Pacific Section Annual Meeting, Long Beach, 1750 Calif., May 5-7. SPWLA Galleria Luncheon, Marriott Galleria, West NIPER-DOE Conference on "New Technology for Inde- Loop South, 11:30 a.m., May 18. 67. HGA Luncheon and Fashion Show, Lakeside Country Club, pendent Producers", Denver, Co., May 11:30 a.m., May 20. SCHOOLS AND FIELD TRIPS SPWLA Greenspoint Luncheon, Baroid Cafeteria, 3000 HGS Environmental/Engineering Field Trip, "Superfund North Sam Houston Parkway East, 12 Noon, May 20. Sites of Harris County," 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., May 8.

FUTURE HGS MEETINGS AND EVENTS (June) JUNE 7-8,1993 (Short Course) JUNE 21,1993 (Short Course) ENVIRONMENTAL/ENGINEERlNGGEOLOGISTS Introduction to Unix "Air Control Regulations and Monitoring Methods" North Harris College JUNE 11,1993 (Guest Night Dinner Meeting) JUNE 18,1993 inner-~eeting) IMAX/Science Museum NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS JUNE 18,1993 (Dinner Meeting) Post Oak Doubletree Inn NORTH AMERICAN EXPLORATIONISTS JUNE 28,1993 (Luncheon Meeting) JUNE 21,1993 (Dinner Meeting) Houston Club, 811 Rusk INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATIONISTS JUNE 1993 (Short Course) Post Oak Doubletree Inn "Acquisition and Quality Assurance in Processing of 3-D Seismic Data" Exxon Auditorium

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 COMMITTEE NEWS

EXPLORER POST 2004 POST NEWS CAN USE YOUR HELP Post 2004 has voted to go to Mammoth Cave National Explorer Post 2004 has scheduled an open-house Park, Kentucky for their Superactivity trip. The Super- meeting to discuss their needs and desires and YOU are activity trip is a weeK of fun and camping...and sometimes invited. The Officers and Advisors invite you to come out spelunking. Our trip will take place in early June; the first and get to know us on May 13th at the Panhandle Eastern week when school is out. We are presently selling T-shirts building, 5400 Westheimer Court, at 7:30p.m. Refreshments and doing weekend car washes to raise money for our trip. If will be served. We could use your help even if it.is only anyone knows of some interesting sights to see in this area, advice! ! we'd love to hear from you. Explorer Post 2004 is a group of high school students from the Cy-Fair School District. They enjoy camping and going to points of geologic interest as well as learning about the earth sciences. Anyone interested in becoming a field trip leader for a weekend or a guest speaker is encouraged to call Dan Helton at 963-3537 (w) or 894-0953 (h). FUTURE AWG TOPICS Tuesday, May 11: 1993

6:00. 8:00 PM

DR. SUSAN LONGACRE Senior Scientist Texaco E&P, Technology Dept. AAPG EDITQR

PRESENTS

Explorer Post 2004 recently went camping at IIREVISITING OUR GEOLOGIC MODELSII Enchanted Rock State Park (above) and visitedPedernales Falls State Park (below). TALK WILL START PROMPTLY AT 7:00 PM

------The Morningside Thai Restaurant 6710 Morningside Dr. (at Holcombe)

DinnerMeetingl Opento the Public

CALL ANGLIA SWEET AT 556-7067 FOR RSVP

ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN GEOSCIENTISTS

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 30 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS BRIEF

ANOTHER PARTY HEARD FROM: propose with regard to each? THE LIBERTARIAN VIEW ON a) Develop programs to ensure a significant expansion ENERGY POLICY in U.S. oil and natural gas production. b) Set clear ceiling on foreign oil imports. c) Add significantly to the Strategic Oil Reserve. It has come to my attention that the HGS Bulletin d) Other policies to reduce U.S. dependence on included answers to a questionnaire on energy policy by foreign oil. President Clinton. It is my understanding that President Bush's position on energy issues had been included in an To remain competitive with the world economy, we earlier issue. must keep our energy costs competitive with the world The Libertarian Party, founded in 1971, is the third energy market. Any subsidy, protective tariff, quota, or largest political party in the United States, and has been price guarantee would be an additional burden on our still- since the late '70's. During the '92 election, our presidential suffering economy. The government cannot create jobs candidate, Andre Marrou, was on the ballot in all 50 states without destroying other jobs in the process. In fact, it (before Perot). We have automatic ballot status in many always destroys more jobs than it creates in this attempt. states including Texas and have won several political offices However, any burdens placed upon our domestic oil across the nation, in spite of the fact that we accept no and gas industry by the federal government, whether due to federal funds. misguided previous policies or deliberate vindictiveness, Since our demographic studies have shown that we are should be terminated immediately. Specifically, we call for heavily represented in professions such as engineering and the repeal of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Hepburn Act geology, one would think that your readers would be of 1906, the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act of 1978, the interested in the Libertarian Party positions on energy Federal Powers Act of 1935, the Public Utility Holding issues. To that end, I have compiled answers to the same Company Act of 1935, the Public Utility Regulatory questions answered by Mr. Clinton in your January issue. Practices Act of 1978, and the Connally Hot-Oil Act. While the '92 election has been decided, these issues B. STATES' RIGHTS will be around for a long time, and your readers need to be 1. Do you believe states that are carrying the bulk of exposed to different viewpoints in order to make informed the nation's demand for energy are receiving equitable decisions in the future. compensation for the depletion of their non-renewable John Kormylo, Ph.D. resources? Chair To the extent to which oil and gas are being produced Harris County Libertarian Party on state-owned land, if a state government does not feel that it is receiving equitable compensation, it should stop producing. Since value is subjective, the only meaningful definition for "equitable price" is free market price. The only LIBERTARIAN ENERGY POLICY legitimate complaint would be that the Federal government is interfering with the market mechanism (which it is). A. STRATEGIC CONCERNS AND FOREIGN POLICY As for oil or gas which are produced on land which is IMPLlCAnONS OF U.S. OIL DEPENDENCE. not owned by a state, the state government deserves no 1. To what extent do you believe that U.S. dependence compensation. They may choose to tax such production, on foreign oil supplies constitutes a serious threat to the but they have no right to it. Taxation may be necessary, but security of this nation? it is still evil; and while governments have the power to tax, None whatsoever. A short conflict can be handled with they do so by concession rather than by right. available stock. In a long term conflict in which overseas In addition, we support privatization of all government shipping is cut off (either militarily or politically), the owned resources, and are open to the idea that a contiguous domestic price will increase followed by an increase in oil or gas reservoir belongs to whomever discovers it. domestic production (unless the government does some- C. ENHANCING DOMESTIC OIL AND NATURAL GAS thing stupid like impose price controls). The Strategic Oil PRODUCTION. Reserve has proven to be totally ineffective in its designed role and should be privatized. 1. Which, if any, of the following policies would you What would constitute a security risk as well as an implement in an effort to stimulate the domestic production unwarranted burden on the economy would be to deplete of oil and gas, and what PRECISELY would you propose our known reserves at above market prices. with regard to each? 2. Which, if any, of the following policies would you a) Reduce or eliminate the oil and natural gas section implement in an effort to reduce U.S. dependence on of the Alternative Minimum Tax. foreign oil supplies, and what PRECISELY would you It is the goal of the Libertarian Party to eliminate all

3 1 Bulletin Houston Geologtcal Soc8ety. May 1993

- -*--- --.------"- .-"-,.~--- - - A- income taxes, firstly because they cannot be enforced for which there are already market remedies (e.g. com- without violating the privacy of every citizen, secondly modity futures). Historically, the government has caused because they are incomparably harmful to the economy in more problems in this area than it has cured. Even the old terms of incentives, and thirdly because they provide far boom and bust days could have been prevented by properly more revenue than the government needs in order to handling property rights regarding fluid reservoirs. perform its constitutional functions. e) What other policies would you propose to stimulate While every aspect of the income tax is harmful, some domestic and natural gas production. sections are more harmful than others. Certainly the oil and natural gas section of the Alternative Minimum Tax qualifies Stimulating domestic production is neither a legitimate as one of the more vindictive sections. concern of government, nor necessarily a wise decision at this time. However, elimination of barriers or burdens on b) Develop new tax incentives to spur increased any industry from existing regulation etc., is always a wise domestic oil and natural gas exploration. decision. It is not our goal to lower one tax while raising another. D. FINDING THE APPROPRIATE BALANCE BE- Since domestic production is marginally economic, domes- TWEEN ENERGY PRODUCTION AND ENVIRON- tic exploration is probably not a good investment. In either MENTAL PROTECTION. case, investment decisions are something which governments are notoriously bad at, nor are they a legitimate 1. Would you favor or oppose the development of aspecial function of government. set of tax incentives that would support the environmental remediation efforts of oil and gas companies, by allowing c) Create a special set of incentives to prevent the premature abandonment of marginal oil wells. them to apply some of the costs of that remediation to the taxes that are tied to future exploration and development. We favor extending or even eliminating the requirement that non-producing wells be plugged if this does not So long as the Federal government is legally and represent an environmental hazard. Annual royalties or financially an involved participant in environmental issues, leases can and should be renegotiated, even if only to then tax breaks for private activities in that area are maximize total cumulative revenue for each reservoir. justifiably and historically beneficial. However, the Libertarian Party favors the abolition of d) Develop mechanism to guarantee a price floor for the EPA or any regulatory agency which is not liable for domestic oil and natural gas, in order to prevent damages resulting from its decisions. When and if the severe price fluctuations. Federal government is no longer spending money on Severe price fluctuations are a legitimate business risk, environmental concerns, then it will no longer have an

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incentive to offer such tax breaks. 4. Under what circumstances, if any, would you favor the 2. Would you favor or oppose opening the Arctic National burning of coal if natural gas is available as an alternative Wildlife Refuge to limited exploration drilling, in order to fuel? determine the amounts of oil and gas that could be Currently gas has the best energy/price and energy/ produced in that area? pollution ratio and should reasonably stay that way for a 3. If commercial quantities of oil and natural gas were while. As a consumer of energy, the government should found in ANWR, would you allow production to proceed, if plan to convert to gas where indicated by the payback the industry can guarantee that the land will be fully period. restored to its original condition after commercial pro- However, it is not the function of the government to duction ceases? require, subsidize, promote, or even advise the consumption of any particular energy source to the economy at large. The Libertarian Party favors privatization of all Federal (Have you ever known the government to behave more lands, including ANWR. The rights for exploratory drilling intelligently than the market?) or production would then depend on the new owners. 5. What specific plans would you develop in order to 4. Would you favor or oppose the imposition of so-called ensure that, if the U.S. experiences a colder than normal "green taxes," such as a carbon tax on fossil fuels. winter, deliveries of natural gas to residential and com- The Libertarian Party is opposed to any form of mercial customers will not be interrupted due to the lack of taxation, especially new taxes. available supply? E. THE DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC NATURAL While there are increased costs associated with in- GAS AND COAL PRODUCTION. creased reliability, the market is quite capable of determin- I. What specific role do you foresee for NATURAL GAS ing the optimal tradeoff between reliability and low price. for the next ten years? As Adam Smith pointed out in The Wealth of Nations, "a famine has never arisen from any other cause but the 2. What specific role do you foresee for COAL for the violence of government attempting, by improper means, to next ten years? remedy the inconveniences of a dearth." Price regulation is 3. Since natural gas and coal are the most abundant in fact the culprit in almost every supply shortfall. Eliminating domestic energy resources, what incentives and research all price controls and regulations would probably end gas support, if any, would you provide to stimulate the develop- shortages once and for all. In any case, that is as far as a ment of new methods of combining these fuels in order to government should go. produce energy in environmentally responsible ways. Continued on page 48.

3 3 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 - - HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

PHASE II, FACE OF THE FUTURE: 2001 by Morgan J. Davis, Jr. New happenings are at the Houston Museum of this will demonstrate to the visitor the important role of Natural Science, or did you think you hadseen everything at chemistry in the everyday world. our natural science museum? Concepts used in the new Rain Forest Center exhibit During the past few years, many of our members have will be among the most unique designs in the country. Walt become aware through HGS social functions or personal Disney would have been very envious. visits, of the new additions to the museum such as the On entering the center from the main lobby, the visitors Wortham IMAX theater, construction of the Cullen Grand will pass by sequential audio/graphic displays acquainting Entry Hall, The George Observatory near Richmond and them about the significance of what they will see. Then they recent renovations on the Planetarium. All of that ambitious will pass into a dimly lit cave-like tunnel where the sounds of addition was called "Face Of The Future: 2001" by the cascading water and cries of exotic animals sets the mood driving forces within the museum. for what will follow. In September of last year, the second phase of that The first thing seen on leaving the tunnel is a waterfall program was announced by the Houston Museum of plunging 40feet into a deep limestone pool (Mayan Cenote) Natural Science involving a major building expansion plan from rock ledges above. All of this is highlighted by dense that includes extensive exhibit renovations. The new ca~ital living tropical vegetation. Then the trail goes up a set of campaign program will cost $23 million and is projected to wooden steps anchored in the rocks going up into the upper be finished by the summer of 1994. reaches of the rain forest beside a 50-foot-hishbuttress tree Highlights in the new program are: and even higher rock ledges festooned witk~ivingplants. A 65,000-square-foot wing occupying four levels for Leaving the rain forest, the visitor enters an actual regrouping the Weiss Energy Hall as well as providing flowering meadow filled with live butterflies! Then the path badly needed storage for present collections and leads upwards to a vantage point by a replica of a Mayan traveling exhibit space. temple where the entire exhibit can be viewed. When A new 25,000-square-foot tropical rain forest center visitors decide to leave the living exhibit, they can enter the that will occu~vthree levels dried butterfly room where rare examples of the museum's A multi-level 410-space parking garage with elevators 100,000-specimen collection are displayed. adjacent to the museum. This part of the program Many people do not realize that our Museum is a has been completed and was opened to the public on private non-profit organization. It is successful because so March 1 of this year. many far-sighted Houston business leaders have under- Over $17.8 million of the capital funds has already been stood that education should be the driving force behind its raised; the garage was financed by a $3.75 million tax- efforts. Even without the new addition, it is one of the most exempt bond issue. visited museums in the United States. In 1992, over 2.3 On the main level of the new wing, a state-of-the-art million people (over a half-million of them students) enjoyed designed Weiss Energy Hall will feature energy exhibits. its unique facilities. In addition to the visitors, the Museum Displays will incorporate the most recent interactive has served millions more people via extensive outreach methods such as computer graphics and touch screens to programs, teacher workshops and other educational pro- outline the entire process of energy development, from the grams throughout the nation. formation of oil and gas to how science is used to locate, What can we do as members of HGS besides enjoy the recover, refine, and utilize energy products. The Hall will exhibits offered at the Museum? Since the main thrust of also address global environmental concerns. HGS is to promote education and science, our organization, Enlargement of the Hall of Paleontology to approxi- and its members on an individual basis, can be of great help mately 8000 square feet will illustrate the development of life in adding to the collections and advising the Museum on through use of fossil specimens. Featured exhibits will be new ways of effectively educating the general public through displays of specimens collected in Texas and around its scientific displays. Houston. Reinstallment of the Welch Chemistry Hall will utilize interactive displays with other innovative teaching tech- Support HMNS! niques. Actual displays will feature hands-on components for all ages, from elementary school students to adults. All of Visit Today!

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 34 3 5 Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSociety. May 1993 FEA TURE

A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO VINTAGE BOOKS ON THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

by Alan N. Livingston Editor's Note: The purpose of this article is to provide number of copies were printed, and most of the copies some basic information about material available, how to ended up in the hands of libraries, corporations, or indivi- evaluate it by both quality and price, andsome fundamental duals who use the material, the chance of finding a copy for guidelines for those who wish to sell, buy, or start a sale is usually remote. collection of published oil and gas material. By far the most popular category of books dealing specifically with the oil industry is history oriented. Included Since Daniel Yergin's publishing of his Pulitzer Prize- in this category are publications about companies, indivi- winning book The Prize in 1991, there has been a renewed duals, regions, politics, etc. While involving geology and interest in collecting books and material on the history of the engineering, this material is primarily about people and oil and gas industry. This is not to say that there has never events, such as the story of Colonel Drake or the discovery been an interest in collecting early material published on this of the East Texas field. This is the heart of any collection industry's history. However, that interest peaked in the about the oil and gas industry. early '80s. At that time, it seemed that every oil company The industry as we know it today began in 1859 in and related business had old photographs of early oilfields Pennsylvania. Looking only at the domestic industry, the on their walls and volumes of books in their executives' office bookcases telling the story of the industry. The collapse of the domestic oil business that followed ended this phase for all but serious collectors. Many books, NEED 0.C.S WELL DATA? photographs, and other material ended up on the shelves of antiquarian and used books stores at a fraction of what they had sold for just a few years before. This was a golden opportunity for the prudent collector, but because of the drop in demand, many dealers in this subject moved to other fields. Spurred by Yergin's book and the television series, interest is again picking up in this subject. There are about a dozen good used and antiquarian book stores in Houston. Only a few of them have sections dealing with the oil and gas industry. If oil and gas books are to be found, look under sections devoted to Science, Technical, Texana, or other areas of history. In most Houston stores, Texana is your best bet. The information that follows should help you feel more comfortable and knowledegable the first time you walk through a dealer's door. Types of Publications The technical publication field is dominated by engineering books full of countless tables of pressure guides, mud weights, pipe and valve sizes, etc. As a rule, the value of these books depends on the usefulness of the data. Much of Call LEXCO today to find out this material was published by university presses or techni- how your P.C. can get well cal publishing houses and was printed in limited numbers, informaton for any Block in the and sold at high prices. Individuals or corporations often need a specific book because of the technological data Gulf Of Mexico without online within the book, yet the book was never reprinted and has charges. been out of print for a number of years. Many times they are willing to pay high prices for this material. When a limited Ph. 713-370-4313

Bullei~nHouston Geolog~calBullet~n. May 1993 geographic center was the northeast region until the turn of the century. There was production in California, Kansas, and even Texas before 1900, but the oil industry was still based in the northeast. Therefore, most of the early books and material was written about that region. Not until World War I and the twenties did a quantity of printed material begin to appear on the industry in the southwest. Since that era, much of the historial material coming out on the Frank W. Harrison American oil industry has been based in this region. In & Associates perspective, the oldest material we will find will be only around 130 years old, with most of the material relating to major discoveries and personalities in the southwest less ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF AN OFFICE AT than 75 years old. Collectibility of Printed Material 1010 LAMAR, SUITE 401 Three things determine the collectibility and value of HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002 books and related material. One is quality. Second is scarcity. Third is condition. Quality is the hardest of these TELEPHONE: 713-650-8011 three to define, because it 'is subjective. If we consider FAX: 713-650-8305 quality of content, we must defer to the opinions of the experts who have evaluated published material. I have found the best way is to look for bibliographies compiled by people knowledgeable on the subject. While certain bibliographies may cover only one subject or topic, the same SPECIALIZING IN GULF COAST GEOLOGY books may be included in a broader bibliography. For example, John Jenkins, recognized as one of the leading UNITIZATION, EXPERT WITNESSES figures in the Texas antiquarian book field, listed seven oil MINERAL EVALUATIONS, DEAL EVALUATIONS and gas books among the more than 200 books listed in his important publication Basic Texas Books. J. Frank Dobie, 200 Audubon Blvd. 1010 Lamar, Suite 401 possibly Texas' foremost teacher and writer, in his book Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 Houston, Texas 77002 Guide of Life and Literature of the Southwest listed nine Tele: 318-232-4031 Tele: 713-650-8011 books about the oil industry. On a more national basis, Fax: 318-235-5333 Fax: 713-650-8305 Wright Howes in his book U.S. IANA which lists 11,620 important books published in the U.S.A. between 1650 and Marc 6. Edwards & J. lwd Tu(tle's LOWER MlOCENE REGIONAL STUDY SOUTHWEST L(HIlS16NA IS NOW MILABLE

Sequence Stratimphv - Structure - hoductioo Logs - Seisrnic - Paleo

Cocrtact= Marc 8. Edwards Bob Orake J. Lwd Tutffe (7 I31 6685988 R13j 6-55 R13j 6-55

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 1950, lists only eight books dealing exclusively with the oil and gas industry. Of course, all of the books listed in the above-mentioned bibliographies are highly collectible. Two of the better bibliographies that deal only with oil and gas material include Walter Rundell, Jr.'s Texas www muk Dewolopment Petroleum History: A Selective Annotated Bibliography, Corporrtlon A Subddl.ry of PUELIC SERVICE ENTERPRISC which appeared in the "Southwestern Historical Quarterly" OROW INCORPORATED in 1963 contains over 60 listings, and E.B. Swanson's book A Century of Oil and Gas in Books, A Descriptive Bibli- OIL AND GAS ography published in 1960. The Swanson book, which contains hundreds of listings, is a must for any serious EXPLORA TlON & PRODUCTION collector. Another way to use bibliographies is to look at the bibliographies located in the backs of books dealing with the industry to see what references the author used to compile his book. Afew of the best bibliographies of this type include James B. Gresham those listed in the following books: C.A. Warner's Texas Oil VP Exploratlon and Gas Since 1543, James A. Clark's The Chronological Thomas M. Deeter History of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries, Carl Mgr. Onrhoro (Mo.~orolc)Exploratlon Coke Rister's Oil! Titan of the Southwest, and Daniel James D. McCullough Yergin's The Prize. Mgr. O(frhoro Ex~loratlon Another decision we must make concerns the reason Michael S. Young for obtaining the book. If we are interested only in the book's Mgr. Onrhoro (Qult Coart) Exploratlon contents, then it is unimportant if the book is in its fifth printing or is a paperback. What is important is if the book is readable. However, if we are a collector of books, other factors may determine its value and collectibility. This is where the factor of scarcity becomes important. 1000 Loul8lana, Sulta 2900 Hourton, Tmxrr 77002 (713)750-7300 As a rule, most collectors desire a first edition, first printing of any item they add to their collections. Many times, in dealing with oil and gas books, there was only one edition and one printing. However, some books have sold more copies than the publisher originally planned, and additional printings were made. The Prize has had at least four printings and is now available in paperback. Other times, changes or updates may be made in the book, and different editions will be printed. All of this information is PALEO-DATA, INC. usually available on the publisher's page of the book. However, different publishing companies code this infor- 6619 Fleur de Lis Drive mation in different ways. The coding system may vary with New Orleans, Louisiana 70124 the age of the book and the publisher. Books are available (504) 488-37 11 for collectors describing the coding system used by different publishers. As a rule for collectors, first editions usually carry a higher price than subsequent printings. T. Wayne Campbell Another factor influencing scarcity is whether the book Francis S. Plaisance, Jr. Arthur S. Waterman is signed or inscribed. A book signed by the author may add Albert F. Porter, Jr. considerably to the collectibility and value. If the book is Michael W. Center inscribed as a presentation copy by the author to a friend or Norman S. Vallette associate, that may make it even more desirable and valuable. If the person to whom the book is inscribed and supports the presented is famous, the value and collectibility may increase dramatically. The provenance or past ownership history can be an important factor in determining the value of the book. One additional point that needs to be stated concerning both quality and scarcity: many books that may be poor HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL books from a content standpoint can still be valuable. It could be that the book was the only book published and in very limited numbers, and its scarcity makes it valuable. The SOCIETV author may have become famous with a subsequent book, and his early books become desirable even if it is his later writings that made him famous. The age of the book alone is not necessarily a factor in determining collectibility and value.

Bulletin Houston GeologSEal Society. May 1993 38 The third factor is condition. The condition of a specific the history of this industry from my personal library. Today, book will greatly determine its collectibility and value. Listed while I am no longer active in the oil and gas industry, I feel a below are criteria used to judge the condition of a book. stong tie to its history and early leaders because of the 1. All collectible books are worth considerably more with knowledge gained. Although collecting books and building a the original dust jacket in good condition on the book. library is an intellectual pursuit, to really be successful, the 2. Marks in the book lower the collectibility of the bodk. true motivation must come from the heart. 3. A broken spine lowers its ultimate value. 4. The book should have been kept dry and clean. Biographical note- 5. Missing pages or torn pages repaired with scotch tape Alan Livingston is a Houston antiquarian and collector dramatically lower the value of even the rarest books. He can be reached at 932-6748. "AB Bookman's Weekly Magazine" (the Bible for antiquarian dealers and collectors) has established a condition rating system which is generally accepted. The describing terms are: (1)as new, (2) fine, (3) very good, (4) good, (5) fair, (6) poor, (7) ex-library, (8) book club, and (9) South Australia, continued from page 14. binding copy. Use of this system has made it possible to Although Otway Basin has been actively explored purchase books and printed material through the mail and since the 1890s, the first well was drilled much earlier, in has provided a better system for pricing 1866 at Alfred Flat. The first deep exploration well, Robe-1, books comparatively based on their condition. was drilled in 1915. Commercial COPwas discovered at Caroline-1 in 1968, but almost 20 years passed before the Pricing first commercial gas discovery was made at .Katnook in In buying oil and gas books, one must remember that 1987. Ladbroke Grove Field followed in 1989. The entire there is not a set pricing system. While dealers print catalogs area onshore, and nearly half that offshore is under license. and price sheets, in many instances prices can vary greatly. Many times there are two copies of the same book in a Reference dealer's store, both in similar condition but not at the same price. This may be especially true in books priced under $30 Condensed from Petroleum Exploration and Development that are displayed under two different subjects. Oil and gas in South Australia, department of Mines and Energy, books will be higher in price in Houston stores if they are September 1992. located under the Texana category. Cities in other sections of the country like new York, Washington, and San francisco generally have a much smaller selection of oil and gas books, but they are at considerably lower prices than here in Texas. LLOG EXPLORATION COMPANY Today one could purchase a quality number of oil and gas books that would be the core of a collection for between $25 and $50 per book. When using dealers' catalogs as 433 Metairie Road guides for book prices, remember that the price listed is Suite 600 what the dealer wants for the book. That price may not Metairie, Louisiana 70005 necessarily be what price the book actually sold for or the value of the book, because the book may not have even LLOG Exploration Company, an sold. When one gets to understand the business better, aggressive privately owned there are other ways to determine actual selling prices independent oil company, is versus list prices. actively seeking South Louisiana onshore and state Conclusions waters drilling prospects. LLOG Today is a very good time to begin building a core pursues close in, non-pipe collection of an oil and gas library. Many good books are available at reasonable prices. Prices are still weak for selling plays with strong subsurface more common books on this s-ubject but can be good for control. LLOG Exploration is rare and unusual items if sold through a knowledgeable also seeking producing dealer or a collector. Price alone should not necessarily be a properties with development determining factor on whether one adds a book to his drilling potential. We drilled library. 15 wells in 1992 and are There are a number of dealers who are knowledgeable interested in drilling 15 to 20 about oil and gas material. If one is seriously interested in wells in 1993. collecting, it would be good to get to know these individuals. In starting a collection, it is good to have a focal point. Develop a goal and take your time in achieving it. One last point which I believe is important is that you Contact: Jim Zotkiewicz have to enjoy what you are doing. It has been almost thirty years since I bought my first oil and gas book. I wish I could (504) 833-7700 say that I have read everything I have acquired, but that would not be true even though I have enjoyed learning about

3 9 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 NORTH Estimating Sand Percentage and Reservoir Thickness SOUTH from seismic Sections, continued from page 23.

WELL CB 0 A

SEGNO FIELD STRUCTURE ON TOP OF Y - A SAND

0 mn Gonerallzed after GOW (1%2), Houston Geologlcal Society, p.187 -191 SEGNO FIELD m T.D. $1745 o oooiooon POLK COUNTY, TEXAS

A Note that FAULT PLANE DIP STEEPENS In SAND FORMATIONS I( After GOW (196?), Houston Geologlcal Soclrty, p.187 -191 Figure 3A - Location map for section A-A' and Well No. 8. Figure 3B - Cross-sectionA-A' across Segno Field (redrawn from Gow, 1962). Gow noticed that the large synthetic 5. The technique requires that the seismic data be depth growth fault steeped its dip into sand sections, and he corrected. The most accurate and cost-effective way to recorded this observation on the profile (Published by accomplish this task is to digitize the fault trace and use permission of the Houston Geological Society). the best available velocity versus depth information. In frontier areas this may require using pre-stack velocities. 6. For deep analysis, the antithetic faults cutting a rollover should be used for estimating percent sand. converted to interval velocities and used to depth correct 7. Appropriate porosity versus depth functions must be the seismic data. This "crude" depth correction procedure available (Atwater and Miller, 1965; Baldwin and Butler; combined with the maximum 25-fold data should provide a Xiao and Suppe, 1989).Faults cutting local wells can be good illustration of the method. We generally find that a used to locally calibrate the porosity-depth equations interval velocities produce acceptable results, but at depth and to improve the percent sand estimates. where the seismic section loses resolution, the sand percent estimates can be in error by a factor of two. Better velocity PERCENT SAND ESTIMATES AND DEPTH functions and higher resolution data improve the estimates. TO SAND SECTIONS FOR SEGNO FIELD, Depth to reservoir however, is typically more accurate and POLK CO., TEXAS varies between 0 - 15%error in total depth. Nevertheless, Several companies are knowledgeable in the qualitative where data on the presence of sands are poor or lacking, aspects of this sand percentage method. For example, Roux knowledge of possible sand conditions seems better than no (1978) taught an industrial short course that described how knowledge at all. normal faults flatten their dips in shale sections. One of The fault on the half-scale section shown in Figure 4 was Roux's seismic lines showing a change in fault dips through picked by noticing the continuity - frequency change across sand-shale sections is reproduced in Lowell (1985, Fig. 7- the fault surface. The fault, which is steep between 0.0 to 13). Also, Gow (1962) wrote on a cross-section from the about 1.0 sec., flattens out down to the stong reflector Segno Field, Polk Co,, Texas (published in the Houston located at 1.45 sec. (Fig. 4). After depth conversion the Geolocial Society Bulletin), "Note that fault plane steepens strong reflector represents the contact between the Cock- in sand formations" (Fig. 38). Clearly logic, empirical field Shale and the Yegua Sand, as observed on the observations and theory support the validity of the method. reference logs shown in Figure 5. The fault then steepens dramatically down to the 2.0 sec. level through the Yegua Procedures Section. The fault then flattens again in an interval that We re-examine the Segno Field using a conventional correlates to the Cook Mountain-Sparta shales (2.0 to 2.4 seismic profile supplied by Arco and the methods presented sec., Fig. 4). It is observed to steepen again between the 2.4 in Bischke and Suppe (1990) or Tearpock and Bischke to 2.55 sec. levels, which correlates to the Wilcox Sand (Fig. (1991). The seismic line lies near profile A-A' shown in 5). Figure 3A, and is a maximum 25-fold line shot and processed The fault trace was digitized, depth corrected and I in 1976 (Fig. 4). The RMS velocities at sp 75 (Fig. 4) are analyzed for sand percentage using a proprietary computer

Bulletln Houston Geological Soc~ety.May 1993 40 SHOT POINT

Figure 4 - Seismic section from Segno Field. Fault surface is picked by noticing coherency-frequency change across fault surface.Fault surface zigzags through sand-shale sections similar to examples presented in Roux (1979). Fault has a higher dip in sand sections. For example, notice steeper dip through Yegua sand between 1.45 to 2.0 sec. Typically, sections must be depth corrected to clearly observe changes in fault dip. This vintage 1976, maximum 25-fold section contains coherent diagonal noise (published by permission of Arco Oil and Gas Company).

41 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 program. Given that the method uses interval velocities and vintage data, the sand percentage estimates are surprisingly accurate. The results, shown in Figure 6, are compared to WELL NO. 8, SEGNO FIELD average sand percentages observed in Well No. 8 shown in figures 3a and 5. Observations Estimates of percent sand are determined using both the AtwaterIMiller (1965)and XiaoISuppe (1989)porosity depth equations are shown in Figure 6 by the (thin) solid and dashed lines, respectively. Local well data were not used to calibrate the equations. The average sand percentages observed in the reference Well No. 8 are indicated by the solid bold line. The method estimates that the section from 5200 to 7000 ft. contains 58 to 64 percent sand (Fig. 6). In Well No. 8, good sands averaging 61% percent sand exist from 5200 to 6000 ft. in the Yegua Formation. The Atwater/ Miller determinations are always more conservative than the Xiao/Suppe estimates.

PERCENT SAND ESTIMATE SEGNO FIELD, ARC0 SEISMIC LINE

-2000 -

-4000. ------JACKSON e -8000- P ------"A ]! W - . COOK MOUNTAIN-SPARTA ------"I".--lfi

-1 oOOo~C------

-120007 1 0 20 40 80 8 0 PERCENT SAND

1 =ATWATER/MILLER 'I =XIAO/SUPPE I =OBSERVED IN WELL 18

Figure 6 - Sand percentage estimates for Segno Field, Arco line A. Method predicts that good sands are to be encountered on the level of the Yegua (on about the 5000 to 7000-ft. level), and on the level of the Wilcox (at about 9000 to 10000 ft.). In this particular example, the percent sand estimates are bracketed by the AtwaterIMiller and Xiao/- Suppe determinations. Typically, when using interval velocities to depth correct the data the depths to reservoir Figure 5 - Electric well log data from footwall, Well No. 8, estimates are more accurate than the percent sand esti- Segno Field showing stratigraphic section. mates.

Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 42 The method is dependent on seismic resolution and Hamblin, W. K., 1965, Origin of "reverse drag" on the therfore the technique loses resolution as seismic profile downthrown side of normal faults: GSA Bulletin, v. 76, loses resolution. Recent data is often-capable of resolving p. 1145-1164. faults down to the 15,000 to 20,000-ft. levels. The loss of Lowell, J. D., 1985, Structural styles in petroleum ex- resolution on the 2.5 sec. level makes the fault more difficult ploration, Oil and Gas Consultants International, Tulsa, to pick (Fig. 4). Our pick of the fault on the maximum 25 fold Oklahoma, 470p.Roux, W. F., Jr., 1978, The line suggests that good sands are to be expected on about development of growth fault structures. AAPG Struct- the 9000 to 9800-ft. levels. In Well No. 8, sands averaging ural Geological School Notes, p. 1-32. 57% are encountered on the 8300 to 9500-ft. levels. Tearpock, D. and R. E. Bischke, 1991, Applied subsurface The method predicts seal which at times can also be a geological mapping, Prentice-Hall, 648p. problem. The method correctly predicts that seal or shale ,Tearpock, D. and R. E. Bischke, with J. Brewton and H. exists from about 3500 to 5000 ft. (Jackson Shale), and then Austin, 1993, Quick look techniques and pitfalls of below the 7000-ft. levels (Cook Mountain-Sparta-Recklaw- prospect evaluation, Subsurface Consultants, Lafay- Weches Shales). In Figure 6, the zero percent sand intervals ette, La., 350p. are illustrated between the dashed lines. Xiao, Hong-bin and J. Suppe, 1989, Role of compaction in listric shape of growth normal faults, AAPG Bulletin, v. 73, p. 777-786. Xiao, ~bng-binand J. Suppe, 1992, The origin of rollover, APPLICATIONS AAPG Bulletin, v. 76, p 509-529. The method seems to have broad application to extensional terrains subject to compaction. Applying the technique one can: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. provide percent sand estimates prior to drilling, or the We wish to thank Arco Oil & Gas Company for sale or purchase of a lease or property. allowing us to use the seismic line (Fig. 4) in this publication. 2. provide reservoir thickness estimates prior to drilling We also wish to thank Dallas Spears, Joe Brewton, and that can be used to calculate potential reserves. Hongbin Xiao for their review of the paper and suggestions 3. predict the presence of reservoir and seal horizons. We which have been incorporated into the final draft. know of examples where reservoir rock was absent within mature fields. 4. predict the target depth of the well. In other words, HGS SHORT COURSES there is no reason to drill a well to 15,000 ft. if no sands exist below 10,000 ft. ACQUISITION AND QUALITY 5. construct three-dimensional sand percentage maps to ASSURANCE IN PROCESSING better site wells. OF 3-D SEISMIC DATA When: June 1993 (Date to be announced) 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CONCLUSION Where: EXXON Auditorium Often, prior to drilling one of the greatest uncertainties 800 Bell (Petroleum Club is the presence and thickness of reservoir rocks. The - Houston, Texas 77002 method for estimating sand percentage, from growth normat fault dips on seismic sections, appears to be a robust Who: ' Team taught by Houston's leading technique. The method can be applied to crestal antithetic geophysical contractors. growth faults or to the shallow portions of large synthetic Cost: $15.00 Registration at the Door growth faults that have not experienced deformation. The $10.00 Pre-Registration method should reduce risk prior to drilling. .' Sessions: AM - Program - Acquisition Design . - PM - Program - Data Processing Quality Assurance REFERENCES - Atwater, G. I. and E. E. Miller. The effect of decrease ih ALSO: porosity with depth on future development of oil and INTRODUCTION TO UNIX gas reserves in South Louisiana, AAPG Bulletin, u. 49, FOR GEOSCIENCE PERSONNEL p. 334. Baldwin, B. and C. 0. Butler, 1985, Compaction curves, When: June 21, 1993 AAPG Bulletin, v. 69, p. 622-626. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Bischke, R. E. and J. Suppe, 1990, Calculating sandstone- Where: North Harris College shale rati~s,~fromgrowth normal fault dips on seismic 2770 W. W. Thorne Dr. sections, Trans. Gulf Coast Association Geological The Geoscience Technology Training Society, v. XL, p. 39-49. Center Dickson, G., 1953, Geological aspects of abnormal reservoir pressure in Gulf Coast Louisiana, AAPG Bulletin, v. 37, Who: Taught by Clifford Kelley, an exper- p. 410-432. ienced UNIX user and NHC instructor Gow, K. L., 1962, Segno Field, Polk County, Texas; Cost: $50.00 Limit 15 people Houston Geological Society Bulletin, p. 187-191. I 43 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 DIGITAL DIG EST

HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT COMPUTER WORKSTATION SOFTWARE by Wayne S. Barnett* AGIP Petroleum Purchasing digital data, software, and computers for brings in a technical representative to discuss the program exploration systems has become as pitfall-infested as inter- capabilities and requirements that you are attempting to preting seismic data. In part, this is because many of us lack purchase, still insist that the discussions be followed with experience in the computer business, and succumb to the written documentation. If you feel that you may not hype that, many software sales people employ. The following understand all that is being presented, or that they are eight guidelines can help buyers navigate through the attempting to be less than forthright, do not hesitate to get purchase of a geoscience workstation system. In the outside help. context of this paper a workstation consists of the software that is used to manipulate data for an analysis. It is Axiom to rule two: VERBAL RESPONSES ARE NOT preferable to determine the functionality you need in such DOCUMENTATION. software and choose a software system before determining Be cautious if the vendor will not clearly state their the hardware on which the software will be mounted. This product's capabilities in writing. There have been cases article will concern itself with the purchase of software. where the salesperson assured the buyer that the product would do all of the functions that were required, but after the Rule one: KNOW WHAT YOU WANT product was installed, it was found that some of the The first thing that a buyer should do when planning to functionality had been lost becuase of coding problems. purchase software is to list the objectives that the purchase Additionally, it was discovered some modules could not is to fulfill. If you feel that you need help in determining what perform several of the tasks necessary to perform the software you need, ask others who already have systems required functions in a straightforward manner. that do the types of things that you wish to accomplish. Most people are willing to offer advice or suggestions on the types of systems that may be needed, and may even suggest companies that might be able to serve your needs. When soliciting information from vendors, it is a good idea to clearly state your purchase objectives and submit them to the vendors in writing, listing the functions and features you expect in the software.

Rule two: INSIST THAT DOCUMENTATION ON SOFTWARE FUNCTIONALITY BE IN WRITING. This is probably the most important rule to follow when purchasing software or any other product where functionality is important. This documentation should explain exactly how the vendor solves the task. This is important to know because there are usually several ways to accomplish a task. do they use a third party solution, or did they develop their own solution? If the buyer does not make sure the vendor has developed a solution within their own software, the buyer may be saddled with an expensive "workaround" to solve a problem. If the vendor is not willing to state clearly how their product works, then do not continue discussions until documentation is received and the vendor is willing to explain the solution in easily understood terms. This may seem a harsh way to deal with a company, but if the Deep thinking. Top results. salesperson is not willing to comply, you may be stuck with a product that will not do what you wish. If the salesperson I I 2950 North Loop West, Suite 300 *Barnett, a geophysicist, has several years experience with a wide variety of Houston, Texas 77092 (713) 688-628 1 geascience software and workstations. Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety, May 1993 44 ' Rule three: BE WILLING TO INSIST THAT THE SOFTWARE BE REMOVED FROM YOUR Wool my Exploration, Inc COMPUTER IF THE FUNCTIONALITY PROMISED

IS NOT PRESENT.- - Offers Bonus plus ORRI for Very often software sales people use the "warm puppy" open acreage Prospect/Ideas approach to sales: they install the software on a short-term in Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast or trial basis. Then when the users become used to having it, or otherwise tied to it, they ask for the contract. This approach is acceptable if the user remembers that test drives are just that and are not long-term commitments. Try Prospects should be at 1-t 50 BCSG to test as many brands of software for a particular task as or 5 MBO with sam danic support, possible. Do not allow the vendor to dictate the terms of the prefer nonral ~~~BSWOd dmm trail installation beyond a 30- or 60- day time limit. If softwareis installed for a trial period, arrange a period when there will be people available in your shop to test it. Plan a test series of tasks that will be performed with the software on a regular basis. Plan also to allow the tester some freedom to test some of the other features of the software and to explore and verify the versatility of the program modules. If fuanctionality that has been promised appears to be missing let the vendors know the short- comings of the program and allow them to show you how those functions can be performed. Sometimes the syntax of a particular function may be obscured by the vendor's own CONSULTING GEOLOGIST software jargon. If the required functionality is not usable in U.S. AND IKTERNATIONAL a straightforward manner, end the test evaluation and have the software removed.

Rule four: FOR ANY SOFTWARE EVALUATION USE ONLY A LIMITED DATA SET. A standard data set should be available to use in testing software. Consider using a set of data that is not "ideal". Such a data set should have a variety of problems, such as data omissions, errors, and formatting problems. If an interpretation station is being considered, then use a set of data that has seismic, wells, and geographic data. Make sure the data set includes enough different kinds of data to adequately test the ways the software integrates and manipulates data. If large data sets are used, the programs should run properly, but will take more computer space and more of your tester's time to evaluate the product. Additionally, some software companies will charge a fee to load your data in the software database if large data sets are used, or if the data is not of a type that they can already load. If custom work needs to be done to get data into the software database, make sure that there is a clear understanding of who pays for the work and who has the rights to the loading Access data from your software ajterwards. If the buyer pays for the work, they * desktop computer by modem * should at least get the rights to the associated loading software at no additional cost when they buy the product. LOG AND MAP COVERAGE

Rule five: INSIST ON REASONABLE DISCOUNTS Texas RRC Districts 1-6 ON ADDITIONAL SETS OF THE SAME South Louisiana SOFTWARE. Gulf of Mexico When negotiating prices, plan ahead. In the future you may require additional copies of the software. When contact Brenda 658-8449 additional copies are installed or sold, the sales person does 1201 Louisiana Suite 300 not usually have to make as hard a sale as on the original Houston, Texas 77002 purchase. In many cases the buyer picks up the phone and requests additional copies, so the vendor's only incremental MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE costs are for copying and sending the software. Some oil and gas application software companies have discount structures as steep as 66% for the second and subsequent copies of their software, so there is no reason to pay full

Bulletin Houston Geolog~calSoc~ety. May 1993 price for additional copies. Even multiple copies of shrink- forced to reload or convert data every time it is transferred wrapped products may be obtained at a discount. Some from one program to another. To develop a properly software companies try to use the approach to oil companies integrated solution the user first should determine what the that the price per barrel for oil is not discounted therefore main objectives are to be for the workstation. Around this their software should not be discounted. That is correct if oil main set of objectives build a system that will complement is purchased on the spot market. Better prices for oil may be those objectives. If, for instance, the users' main data is well obtained if buying in quantity and assuring the producer that log information, the system should center around the they have a market for their product. Software is not sold on manipulation of well log data. the spot market. In addition, the long-term health of the Rule eight also applies to any additions to existing vendor is usually not only from the initial sale price of the workstation software. Once the central software package is product but the long-term support money paid for upkeep purchased and in use, any additional modules should be of the software and for services such as training. able to access the database that is already developed. If the new modules can not be integrated, a judgement must be Rule six: ASK FOR REFERENCES FROM OTHER made as to the need for that particular package versus the USERS OF THE PRODUCTS AND FOLLOW UP increased costs and efforts of supporting a non-integrated application. Here again, do not rush. Interview several BY CALLING THEM AND ASKING ABOUT THE PRODUCTS BEING CONSIDERED. companies that may have packages that will be compatible This is very important. Even though the vendor will with your existing hardware, softwareand operating system. probably give a list of the clients that are pleased with the product, a call to a few of the references may be informative. During one evaluation, an established client who was called APPLYING THE EIGHT RULES about a product under consideration commented with Once again, begin with the first of these rules and work prompting, "It doesn't work". through the evaluation process with the various vendors Ask around to locate other users who are not on the until you find the software that best meets your require- vendors reference list. Questions to ask other users include ments. As additional software is evaluated the process "Does the product perform the functions you were pro- usually becomes easier. The testers become familiar with mised?', 'Wow long did it take to learn to use the software" the different packages and are able to learn new packages or and "Is the client support responsive?" When considering modules more easily. Following these eight rules usually will the purchase of a softwaresystem, do not act too hastily. In lengthen the software evaluation process, but will result in a better workstation configuration. most cases there are several products that will do the job. Don't hesitate to use an actual project to test the software. Many software companies are willing to do a limited project as a test case, or you may decide to pay a consultant who knows the software to conduct the project. Either of these solutions will give a demonstration of the product with real data in the hands of an experienced user. NORCEN EXPLORER, INC. The next step should be to use the software in-house.

Rule seven: REQUIRE THE NAME OF THE CLIENT 550 WestLake Park Blvd., Suite 350 SUPPORT MANAGER AND A LIST OF THE Houston, Texas 77079 CLIENT SUPPORT PERSONNEL AND THE PROGRAMMING STAFF. (713) 558-6611 Once the software is purchased, product support is important. A list of client support personnel and their backgrounds will help to give an indication of the type of Byron F. Dyer support that will be available. If there is no well-defined client support department, it may be difficult toobtain support for the software once it has been installed in your office. If the - programming staff is also the support staff, support may not CROSBIE-MACOMBER Pabddoglut Labonlwy. lm. be up to the required standards. Many times the pro- nos ~wkn51.. 8u1m 4, MIIW. u 7m grammingstaff is very talented but they are not applications- (504) 005-3950 oriented individuals or they may not know how geoscientists should apply the software to get reliable results. Support staff should have a background in the area that the geoscientist is working; petrophysicists should support petrophysical software, for example.

Rule eight: INSIST THAT THE COMPONENTS OF A WORKSTATION OPERATE IN AN INTEGRATED MANNER. An integrated package of software solutions should be the goal of an efficient workstation development program. If the solutions are not properly integrated, the user may be

Bulletin Houalon Geolcgical Society. May 1993 46 Attention: Oil 6 Gas Companies and Environmental I

* 713 771-3875 FAX 713 / 771-8203

FOUR STAR PRINTING CO. HAS PROUDLY BEEN TYPESETTING, PRINTING, BINDING & MAILING THE HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY B ULLETIN ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER PRINTING FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.

I I

47 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety, May 1993 HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL JOINT TGSIGSTISPUSPWLA WORKSHOP Geosclence and En Ineerln : A UXZLZAR Y FOCUSon Horizontal ~hln~~rfllng Ma 10 - 11,1993 8:0g AM - 5:00 PM Kepllnger Hall, Univenit of Tulsa 600 So. College, Tulsa, Jklahoma

This has been a funtastic year for the Auxiliary. We are The purpose of the mhrena Is to brt.r mmmuniatkn and th. tnrufor of winding down to our final meeting of the 1992-93 season. technology between the (our dlsclpll~wrof weii Log Arum. There will arr hi22tt25ingP? Our Co-Chairmen Suzanne Howell and Carlita Laurent presentations by mccgntzed ape*. are putting on a super style show with our own fabulous Reglstratlon fee Is $75 per penon. and hdudw coat d handouts. two lunchea and a members modeling styles from Isabell Gerhart. The banquet on Monday evening, May 10. luncheon will be Thursday, May 20th, at Lakeside Country prmOIstmHm b RequIMmshr osr& to wssrrr,prlWp.Uar. Club. So get your reservations in quickly and I will see you For Infomtlon please contad 9mn Tn)lei Amoco PIodudkn Co.. (918) 660 - 3525 there. or Fnnk Schkdar. Xwbf Expkntbn. (01 b) 742 - 7422 We've had a lot of hard-working members this year. Our dedicated Social Chairman, Lois Matuszak, organized some really exceptional parties. New this year was our fund-raising event to increase our donation to the HGS Scholarship Fund. Shirley Gordon and Mary Harle did a great job tracking the membership and as always Martha Lou Broussard was efficient in coordinating everything Make Checks Payable to: QST (Horlz. Wing Conf.) Mall registration and your check to: Ms. Jocqwlyn Pop., Am- Hoar Corp.. with the HGS. Ann Boutte was a very organized and P.O. Box 2010. Tulu. OK 74102 accurate Secretary and our money was in very good hands Note: Hotd Reamwatlons are IlmHed. The DouM.tm Inn. In dormtown Tuba, has moms avlslabk at a roup dl.count mte of $62.50. Re~~atbnSnu be nu& with Dianne White. Geri Pace prepared a wonderful catllng (011) 687 - &. To Insum dbmunt rota, msntkn TOSIGS&PUSPW% scrap book for this year with pictures by our photographer, Conferencename . Mildred Davis. Theresa Barker, our Parliamentarian, kept our meetings properly in order. Janet Steinmetz and Pat Hefner did a great job on the yearbook and Gwen Caussey, Suzanne Womack and Janice Haye kept us all notified by mailing out the party invitations and the Eclectic Logs. Rosanne Hooks did a lovely job of sending messages Advertise in the of condolence and making name tags. The SOScommittee, headed by Annette Mather, put in many hours of work at the HGS office. Our Eclectic Log, ably put out by Jennifer Bulletin! Biancardi, was delightful to read this year and our publicity chairman, Nancy Pojmor, did a super job. At the May meeting I will turn the Auxiliary over to our new President, Janet Steinmetz. Janet has willingly served the Auxiliary in almost every capacity doing a wonderful job Affairs,continued from page 33 so I know the HGA will be in very capable hands. 6. What new Federal programs (tax incentives, regulatory GWINN LEWIS relief) would you propose, if any, in order to encourage the President expanded use of natural gas nationwide and to boost the development of natural gas reserves? The Libertarian Party favors the creation of a free GEO-WIVES market in oil & gas by instituting full property rights in The final meeting for the 1992-93 Geo-Wives year will underground oil & gas reservoirs and by the repeal of all be May 12 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel beginning at 2:15 p.m. 'federal and state controls over price and output in the After viewing the hotel's art collection, the club will enjoy petroleum industry. All government owned energy re- high tea, followed by the installation of new officers. sources should be turned over to private ownership (from For more information, contact Linnie Edwards at the 1992 LP National Platform). 785-7115. We also advocate withdrawal from the International Geo-Wives is the newcomers club for the HGA. Energy Agency, rescinding the CAFE standard, rescinding Monthly activities allow HGA members of ten years or less the Federal motor-fuels tax, elimination of remaining user to become better acquainted. Call membership chairperson fees and import duties on imported energy, abolishing Peggy Haueter at 1-251-1769for details. antitrust limitations, and terminating all civilian-related SUSAN McKINLEY functions and abolition of the Department of Energy. President JOHN KORMYLO, HCLP.Chair

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 LlNDER UGHTIE ENE INC. Is seeking quality Gulf Coast and South Texas prospects. Close in, low to moderate risk. Open acreage or ready to drill. Contact John W. Doughtie (713) 650-8646 1200 Traz~isSte. 715 Houston, TX 77002

I II II

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49 Bulletin Houston Geological Society, May 1993 J. P. Land REFERENCES Continued from page 25 Donovan, T.J., 1974, Petroleum microseepage at Cement, Oklahoma - evidence and mechanism: AAPG Bulletin, V. 58, pp429-446. type of magnetic feature indicates the accumulation of Donovan, T. J., R. L. Forgey, A. A. Roberts, 1979, hydrocarbons and the importance of comparing the mag- Aeromagnetic detection of diagenetic magnetite over netic responses to other types of data are well illustrated by oil fields: A.A.P.G. Bulletin, v. 63, n. 2, pp 245-248. figures 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, magnetic and surface geo- Flanagan, G., S. G. Davis, C. L. Campbell, and J. K. chemical surveys of a sector of Grimes County in southeast Doughtie, 1988, integration of high sensitivity magnetics Texas (Land, 1991). and seismic data to define salt and sediment structures In Figure 3A, two positive residual magnetic features in the Gulf of Mexico: Expanded abstract for 58th are separated by a strong, linear negative trend. As shown in Annual Meeting of Society of Exploration Geophysi- Figure 3B, two equally-strong structural "highs" are in- cists, 1988. terpreted to be separated by a major fault. Foote, R. S., 1987, Correlations of borehole rock magnetic Figure 4A shows the major feature of a detailed surface properties with oil and gas producing areas: Assoc. of geochemical survey of the same area, interpreted as Petroleum Geochemical Explorationists Bulletin, V. 3, indicating hydrocarbons trapped against the southeast side n. 1, pp. 114-134. of a northeast-trending fault interpreted from subsurface Foote, R. S. and G. J. Long, 1988, Correlations of oil and gas information as upthrown to the southeast. producing areas with magnetic properties of the upper Figure 4B shows the sedimentary structures interpret- rock column, eastern Colorado: Assoc. of Petroleum ed from the magnetic data superimposed on the geo- Geochemical Explorationists Bulletin, v. 4, n. 1, pp. chemical feature. Note the lack of any measurable hydro- 47-61. carbon microseepage associated with the magnetic anom- Jenny, W. P., 1940, The magnetic method and its interpre- alies northwest of the main fault. What were first taken to be tation problems: International Oil, July, pp, 53-57. two equally prospective magnetic features separated by a Jenny, W. P., 1941, Geological and geophysical profiles fault are, therefore, unequally prospective. The magnetic through the Eola Field, Louisiana: Oil & Gas Journal, features on both sides of the main fault are interpreted to be Sept. 11. the result of the local structuring of weakly magnetized Jenny, W. P., 1942, Micromagnetic surveys in the Sparta- sediments; and, though geochemical alteration may have Wilcox trend of Texas and Louisiana: The Oil Weekly, contributed to their origin, hydrocarbons are trapped only June 15th. on the southeast side of the fault. Ground-truthing such Jenny, W. P., 1961, High aeromagnetic accuracy provides magnetic features with surface geochemistry is obviously detailed coverage: World Oil, v. 153, n. 4, pp. 91-92. important to successful drilling. Land, J. P., 1989, The micromagnetic method: In Advanced It is evident that conventional magnetic surveys and Surface Exploration Bulletin v. 7, n. 1. micromagnetic surveys have basic similarities. Both are Mathews, M. D., 1986, Effects of hydrocarbon leakage on constrained by the same laws of physics and both measure earth surface materials: in Unconventional Methods in magnetic responses of varying wavelengths created by Exploration for Petroleum and Natural Gas., Symp. IV, magnetization variations and structure. In short, survey M. J. Davidson (ed.), SMU Press, Dallas, pp. 27-44. objectives and specifications and scales used in the analysis Price, L. C., 1986, A critical overview and proposed working of data and presentation of results are the only real model of surface geochemical exploration: in Uncon- differences in the two types of survey. ventional Methods in Exploration for Petroleum and In conclusion, it is important to remember that a Natural Gas., Symp. IV, M. J. Davidson (ed.), SMU magnetic survey measures the Earth's total magnetic field Press, Dallas, pp. 245-304. - all the wavelengths resolvable at a particular sensor-to- Reynolds, R. L., N. S. Fishman and M. R. Hudson, 1991, source interval level. At the lower flight levels required to Sources of aeromagnetic anomalies over Cement oil capture the near-surface magnetic responses, we also field (Oklahoma),Simpson oil field (Alaska),and Wyoming- capture all other longer wavelengths measurable in a given Idaho-Utah thrust belt: Geophysics, v. 56, pp. 606-617. region; deeper-sourced, intrasedimentary anomalies as well Roberts, W. H. 111,1981,Some practical uses of temperature as those sourced at and beneath the basement surface. A in petroleum exploration. Symposium 11, Unconvention- survey flown close to the ground surface will gather more al Methods in Exploration for Petroleum and Natural information than one flown at a higher altitude. Gas, Southern Methodist University, P. 8-49. The near-surface is the zone in which secondary Wold, R. J., 1984, Aeromagnetic detection of anomalies mineralization may be present due to the microseepage of produced byf chemical alteration over oil-gas deposits: hydrocarbons from traps at depth, a process which can Published by Terrasense, Inc., Sunny vale, California. locally alter magnetic susceptibilities and create a magnetic expression that is a lead to be site-specifically investigated by more definitive and more expensive methods The economic importance of the modern magnetic method is that, along with its established attributes of speed, Have you voted? access and economy, it has the potential of resolving magnetic features which may be indicative of local sedi- Send in your HGS Ballot mentary structure and/or the geochemical alteration products of hydrocarbon microseepage on either a local or TODAY! regional scale.

Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoclety. May 1993 50 miles

Bullet~nHouston Geological Soc~ety.May 1993 EXPLORA TION ACTIVITY RE VIEW

By Bill Eisenhardt Consultant, Geol. Representative-Geomap Co.

National Rig Count: March 20-614; Year Ago-643 Gulf of Mexico Rig Count: 104 (Domestic activity is reviewed quarterly and will next appear in June.) INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Friesland concession. The wildcat was drilled to TD 4280 m Provided by PETROCONSULTANTS, Foreign Scouting (14,043') and found gas in the lower Permian Slochteren Division, Geneva, Switzerland Sandstone, the same reservoir as in the giant Groning gas LATIN AMERICA field, located about 25 miles east. NAM anticipates at least Brazil 700 BCF recoverable reserves in the new field. Petrobras' wildcat 1-PRP-1-SE(Ponte do Rio Poxim 1) United Kingdom in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin encountered an oil zone In Northern Ireland, Nuevo Energy spudded explora- between 1425-1442 m (4675-4731') in the Cenomanian- tory well Annaghmore 1, the first well to be drilled in the Albian Taquari Member (Riachuelo Formation). Prelim- area since 1979 and in Northern Ireland since 1990. inary tests indicated an average flow of 530 BOPD (22" API) Location is in PL 9/88, about 27 miles northwest of Belfast. from an undisclosed interval. The well is currently drilling Primary objective is the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone, below 1480 m (4856') towards its planned TD of 2100 m which lies below the Tertiary Atrim Basalt, and proposed (6890') to evaluate an undisclosed primary objective. Drill- total depth is 850 m (2789'). site is in the suburbs of Aracaju, Sergipe State's capital. United Kingdom (Offshore) Colombia Amerada tested 10,100BOPD at their 211/23b-11 wild- In late December, Triton made an oil discovery in the cat just west of Dunlin. Further exploration in the area is Middle Magdalena Basin at wildcat La Liebre 1. Located planned. Chevron's 16/26-24 Britannia appraisal tested up in the El Pinal Block, the well was drilled to TD 4177 m to 35,900 MCFGPD, 1,750 BCPD and 500 BOPD (40" API). (13,705') and yielded an aggregate of 1,100 BOPD (29" API) This closes the Britannia appraisal program. from two undisclosed intervals. Original objectives were the Hamilton discovered a new Carboniferous structure Oligocene Mugrosa and the Eocene La Paz formations. at 44124-4 which flowed 34,400 MCFGPD on test. Lasmo's lk6/12a-18 South Birch appraisal flowed Ecuador 6,500 BOPD from a new reservoir above the main Brae pay. Petroamazonas has completed Limoncocha Norte 1as Pre-development studies of the field are underway. a significant oil discovery 1 1/2 miles NNW of Occidental's Limoncocha 1. The new find confirmed the northern extension of the Limoncocha structure which had been AFRICA drilled by Occidental in 1986. Limoncocha Norte 1 tested Algeria 1,158 BOPD (27.7" API) from two zones in the Napo "T" Anadarko has made an oil and gas discovery in the El Member and 2,794 BOPD (20" API)' from the Napo "U". Merk concession in the Ghadames Basin. Wildcat El Two additional tests were run in the upper zone of the Merk 1 (EMK-1) was drilled to TD 3750 m (12,304') and Napo "T" yielding 2,675'BOPD and 2,880 BOPD. encountered two productive intervals in the Triassic. Petroproduccion's wildcat Ishpingo 1 tested a maxi- Tests of 10 feet of perfs in the lower zone gauged 1,972 mum flow rate of 5,492 BOPD (16.5" API) from two intervals (4674-84'and 4692-4746') in the Lower Campanian Upper Napo M1 sand member. Another zone, in the Maastrich- tian Basal Tena Formation, reportedly tested 3,332 BOPD ATWATERCONSULTANTS, LTD. (15" API). Appraisal Ishpingo 2 is due to spud soon. Regktered & Certified Petroleum Consultants Venezuela Corpoven suspended new-pool wildcat Pirital3E as an Petroleum Engineering + Geology + oil and gas discovery in the Greater Furrial Trend. The Interactive 3D Seismic Interpretation Using new find, drilled to TD 18,970', flowed an aggregate of at least 3,530 BOPD and 11,100 MCFGPD from the Oligo- CHARISMAISun Sparc2 Workstation cene Naricual Formation. Currently available in-house database of nonexclusive EUROPE 3D seismic coverage for the Gulf of Mexico Netherlands NAM announced it made the largest onshore gas 318 Camp Street TEL (504) 58 1 - 6527 discovery in 20 years at wildcat Anjum 1, located on the New Orleans, LA 70130 FAX (504) 524 - 7798 northwestern shore of the Lauwersmeer in the Noord-

Bulletin Houston Geological Society. May 1993 BOPD (46" API) and 3.7 MMCFGPD. Testing of the second zone is currently underway. E~Ypt FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS Aqir, subsidiary IEOC tested oil at wildcat Zarif 2 in the 1993 TSOP ANNUAL MEETING Ras ~attaraconcession. Flow rate was 1,700 BOPD from OCTOBER 813.1993 the interval 1362-1385 m (4469-4544'). Located on the Ras Qattara Ridge, in an area where there have been no NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A. discoveries so far, the wildcat's main objectives were TbTenmmnudM.mh@dRrsoch*lor mbP-(T(K)P)rlMkldWW Cretaceous Bahariya and Abu Roash sediments. Testing ~~Vn)vm(**O*YPmOdobrem.%. was continuing at the end of the year. Nigeria Agip encountered gas and condensate at wildcat Ajaketon 1 located in OML 63 in the Niger Delta, about 6 miles WNW of Shell's Egbomie 2 oil discovery of 1975. Primary objectives were sandstones in the .Oligocene to Miocene Agbada Formation. Nigeria (Offshore) In early February, the local company Express abandoned as an oil well wildcat Ukpokiti 1located in OPL 74 in the western Delta on the northwestern edge of the Niger Delta Basin. Drilled to TD 3047 m (9997'), the hole was plugged back to 2521 m (8271'). Several zones were tested, resulting in an aggregate flow rate of 10,500 BOPD. Aulhorl rlH M r.sue$w lo .ubmll papen lor publklllon In lrpdml hall. 01 hp#& awch.mlshy. ~~rlMnquhdWomD.anbr31.1~. NEAR EAST Bahrain In late December, Harken spudded its second wildcat in Bahrain. Muharraq 1 is located on Muharraq Island, northeast of Manama. With a projected TD of 2700 m (8859'), the wildcat will target the Jurassic Arab and Fadhili formations. Malaysia (Offshore) Oxy reports a new gas discovery at wildcat Selasih 1, Neutral Zone drilled on the Central Luconia Platform in permit SK-8, Drilling operations resumed in the Neutral Zone after a offshore Sarawak. Flow rate was 41,900 MCFPD of sulfur- hiatus of more than three years when Saudi Arabian free gas (carbon dioxide 2%) plus 283 BCPD (45" API) Texaco spudded Wafra Deep Test 1in November. Located through 197' of perfs below 1320 m (4331') in Neogene in the Wafra Field with a proposed TD of 4115 m (13,501f), reefal carbonates. the new venture will test Jurassic formations. Principal production in Wafra Field is from the Neocomian Ratawi Pakistan Formation. In early December, Amoco commenced drilling operations in the Kohat EL, located in the Bannu Trough Yemen (Northwest Frontier). Wildcat Kahi 1will target the Paleo- Two operators recently tested oil in fractured base- cene Hangu and the Cretaceous Lumshival formations. ment. Canadian Occidental reportedly encountered about Occidental confirmed the Ratana 1 discovery in its 70' of oil-filled fractured basement in a well in the Masilah A Ratana ML in the Potwar Basin. Appraisal Ratana 2 flowed concession, probably outpost Sunah 4, re-entered and 23,000 MCFGPD and 938 BCPD (45" API) through perfs drilled to an approximate depth of 3027 m (9932'). In the 4884-4998 m (16,024-16,398') in the Paleocene Patala and East Shabwah license, Total suspended its second wildcat, Lockhart formations. Drillsite is about 3 miles WSW of the Kharir 1, as a basement discovery after reaching a total discovery Ratana 1which was drilled in 1989 and could not depth of 2720 m (8924'). Established reservoirs in the region be evaluated due to technical problems. are the Lower Cretaceous Qishn and Jurassic Kholan Union Texas has completed its wildcat Nakurji 1 as a sandstones. gas discovery after testing 21,100 MCFGPD from the Lower Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation at 1762-64m FAR EAST (5781-88'). China China National Petroleum Corp. has made a significant AUSTRALIA hydrocarbon discovery in the Tarim Basin (Xinjiang Uygur Offshore Autonomous Region). Drilled on the TZ-4 structure in the BHP's wildcat Troas 1 in the offshore Otway Basin Taklimantan Desert, the well encountered three zones recorded gas shows in two intervals but was plugged and which initially tested 1,800 BOPD and 1,870 MCFGPD. abandoned. BHP will follow with two additional Otway Two appraisals have since been drilled confirming the wells, La Bella 1 and Eric the Red 1. discovery. Based on results to date, recoverable reserves In the Timor Gap Zone of Cooperation, Marathon are estimated at about 600 MBO. continues to drill wildcat Basilisk 1A as a tight hole.

53 Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSoc~ety May 1993

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Bullet~nHouston Geolog~calSociety May 1993

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------Peter J. Fluor, President & C.E. 0. K. C. Weiner, Vice-president Doug O'Brien, Exploration Manager A1 Curry, Operations Manager Bulletin Houston Geological Society SECOND CLASS 7171 HARWIN, SUITE 314 U.S. POSTAGE HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036-2190 PA1D Houston, Texas

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