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2 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG Vol. 32, No. 8 AUGUST 2011 EXPLORERAAPG PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN AAPG Centennial and Janus By PAUL WEIMER

he AAPG will celebrate its www.searchanddiscovery.com/ Centennial (100th) Anniversary specialcollections/discoverythinking. Tin 2017. We aren’t the oldest html. professional group for geologists – that We are taking the best honor belongs to The Geological Society u Geo-Legend Interviews – These of London. But we can claim the largest from our past to help shape interviews have a similar purpose to the number of members – more than 39,000 Discovery Thinking Forums, but have worldwide. our own future. been collected in a one-on-one format The 100th Anniversary Committee with some of our industry’s pioneers – already has started planning a WEIMER top explorers, research geologists and number of special events to honor this professors. momentous occasion. Several events Note: Ed Dolly is my co-author for Committee since April 2007, and our It’s incredibly inspiring to hear about at AAPG headquarters in Tulsa are this month’s column. We have been work and words have been largely not just their successes, but their planned during the anniversary year, but working closely on the 100th Anniversary interchangeable since that time. struggles as well, as the personalities of the big gala celebration will be held in these geo-legends shine through. Houston at the 2017 Annual Convention We currently are editing the first set and Exibition. To answer these questions, Charles, these presentations have been posted of videos, featuring Mike Johnson and There will be special projects as Ed, and Ted Beaumont have organized on the AAPG Search and Discovery site, John Amoruso, which are scheduled to well, befitting this milestone and the a well-attended forum at the AAPG with more to follow. be placed on the AAPG website by the questions that come with it, such as: Annual Convention and Exhibition since To learn the story behind the end of this year. Additional videos will be 3 In this time of rapid change in 2008, showcasing famous and not- E&P headlines, browse the videos posted later, featuring pioneers from all our industry, how can we look back to so-famous discoverers. Twenty-four of now that can be found at over the world. prepare us for the journey forward? The project includes the efforts of 3 What can AAPG provide to help all many, including Charles Sternbach, members in our jobs right now? Daniel Minisini, Will Green, Mike Party, The 100th Anniversary Committee, Candidate Data Set for Website Steve Sonnenberg, and us. chaired first by Charles Sternbach and iographies and individual p Lee Krystinik, Fossil Creek currently by Ed Dolly, ruminated on information for all AAPG Resources, Arlington, Texas. u Landmark Papers Project – The these issues for a considerable amount Bcandidates for the 2012-13 100-plus most significant papers on of time. We would like to introduce you Executive Committee will be available Vice President-Sections foundational principles and discovery to five projects that are under way. online in mid-August at www.aapg.org. p Thomas E. Ewing, Frontera thinking will be compiled in one place. Many of the results will be located on The president-elect winner will serve Exploration Consultants, San Antonio. This collection is intended to form a a website to be ready soon. in that capacity for one year and will be p Kenneth E. Nemeth, Schlumberger “body of knowledge” for our field, a key AAPG president in 2013-14. The vice Seismic Reservoir Characterization, reference for students, educators and u Discovery Thinking Forums – We president-Sections and secretary will Houston. practitioners as well. all know about geoscientists who have serve two-year terms. Randi Martinsen, Jim Steidtmann, made great oil and gas discoveries, but Ballots will be mailed in spring 2012. Treasurer and Jim Lowell are leading this project. how did they do it? The slate is: p Rebecca L. Dodge, Midwestern The collection is planned to be ready by How did they combine science and President-Elect State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. 2015. intuition? p Donald D., Clarke, geological p Deborah K. Sacrey, Auburn What did they notice that nobody else consultant, Lakewood, Calif. Energy, Houston. saw? See President, next page

STAFF TABLEofCONTENTS REGULARDEPARTMENTS AAPG Headquarters: Back in business: Signs of life can Death wish? State legislators Spotlight On …...... 24 1-800-364-2274 (U.S. & Canada only), be found in the Gulf of Mexico, are looking to cut funding for the 8 22 Historical Highlights...... 28 others 1-918-584-2555 thanks to a big discovery at one Louisiana Geological Survey, Communications Director site and a big development step at which could lead to its demise. Geophysical Corner...... 32 Larry Nation another. e-mail: [email protected] A multi-disciplinary team of Washington Watch...... 34 Quality control: Our understanding geoscientists has developed a Managing Editor 24 Regions and Sections...... 36 Vern Stefanic 12 of the origins of oil in the Gulf of new framework for the north Red e-mail: [email protected] Mexico continues to evolve – as has Sea region – and their findings Foundation Update...... 39 our insight into the impact that oil may cause a new reassessment of ProTracks...... 40 Communications Project Specialist quality has on overall success. the area’s resource potential. Susie Moore Professional News Briefs...... 44 e-mail: [email protected] Curtain going up: After years of The Write Stuff: One AAPG Correspondents 16 being overlooked, the Gulf Coast’s 40 member believes that the ability Membership and Certification...... 46 David Brown Tuscaloosa Marine Shale is to communicate is essential to a In Memory...... 47 Louise S. Durham shaping up to be the next big U.S. geoscientist’s career – and he’s Susan R. Eaton shale oil play. helping his peers learn how to Classified Ads...... 48 Barry Friedman embrace rather than shun the craft Readers’ Forum...... 50 Graphics/Production of writing. Matt Randolph Divisions Report (EMD)...... 50 ­­e-mail: [email protected] Advertising Coordinator ON THE COVER: Brenda Merideth P.O. Box 979 Gebel Duwi is a 758-foot tall Tulsa, Okla. 74101 mountain peak near Al Qusayr, Al Bahr telephone: (918) 560-2647 al Ahmar, Egypt – and pre-rift section (U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636) (Note: The above number is that is the landmark in a region studied for advertising purposes only.) by Hess geoscientists (left) who were fax: (918) 560-2636 Scan this for the looking for clues to the area’s geoloic e-mail: [email protected] mobile version of the framework and hydrocarbon potential. current web Explorer. What they found regarding this north Red Sea region led to an AAPG award- The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101- 3604, (918) 584-2555. e-mail address: [email protected]. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication winning paper. See story, page 24. Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: [email protected] Photo by AAPG member (and part of Advertising rates: Contact Brenda Merideth, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must be the Hess team) Paul Whitehouse. accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ensure return. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) does not endorse or recommend any products or services that may be cited, used or discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2011 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12 Vol. 32, No. 8 Vol. issues; add $72 for airmail service. WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 3 EXPLORERAAPG

book, supplemented by a searchable one head looking to the past and one President digital version for each outcrop study, looking to the future – an appropriate Election Results from previous page containing maps, photographs, GPS symbol for the goals of this Committee. data coordinates, and interpretations For a professional group as large Final; Officers u Outcrop Field Guides Project – As to be used by the lucky geologist in the as AAPG, there are many committees petroleum geologists, we need to study field. and staffers working toward providing certain outcrops. But few of us are The book and digital guides are products and services for members. Announced For fortunate enough to visit all of the world’s slated for release during late 2016. We wanted to highlight the Anniversary illustrative outcrops in person – and if we Committee this month, though, because do, the nuances of interpretation may be u AAPG: The First Hundred Years its activities will give us tools that impact AAPG Divisions unclear. – This history of our group, compiled the way we do our jobs. Andrew Hurst (project leader), by Rick Fritz, will significantly update With the continuing evolution of lection results have been announced Stephan Graham, and John Lorenz and supplement the existing books concepts and technology in our for all three AAPG divisions, and the are leading a project to address commemorating AAPG’s 50th and 75th profession, we are taking the best from Enew executive committees are now this problem, titled “Outcrops That Anniversaries. our past to help shape our own future. in place for the 2011-12 term. Have Changed the Way We Practice The newly elected presidents-elect Petroleum Geology: A Field Guide to * * * will serve in that role for one year and Classic Localities.” then assume their respective division The deliverable will be a richly Janus was the two-headed Roman presidency for the 2012-13 term. illustrated and annotated “coffee-table” god of transition and beginnings, with Election results and division executive committees are:

Division of Environmental Geosciences

p President-elect – Tom J. Temples, consultant, Clemson, S.C. p Vice president (one-year term) – Nancy “Anne” Fix, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Wash. p Secretary-Treasurer (two-year term) – M. Jane Ellis-McNaboe, PG, EnviroTech Consultants Inc., Bakersfield, Calif. Joining them on the DEG committee are: p President – Douglas C. Peters, Peters Geosciences, Golden, Colo. p Editor – Kristin Carter, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, Pittsburgh. p Past President – Mary K. Harris, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, S.C.

Division of Professional Affairs

p President-elect – Charles A. Sternbach, Star Creek Energy, Houston. p Vice president – Rick L. Nagy, consultant, Houston. p Secretary – Mark J. Gallagher, Encana, Dallas. Joining them on the DPA committee are: p President – Martin D. Hewitt, Nexen Petroleum, Plano, Texas. p Treasurer – Dan A. Billman, Billman Geologic Consultants Inc., Mars, Pa. p Past President – Daniel J. Tearpock, Subsurface Consultants and Associates, Houston.

Energy Minerals Division

p President-elect – Andrea Reynolds, Shell, Pittsburgh. p Vice president (one-year term) – Dale A. Fritz, Devon Energy, Oklahoma City, Okla. p Treasurer (two-year term) – David Tabet, Utah Geological Survey, Salt Lake City. Joining them on the EMD committee are: p President – Stephen M. Testa, State Mining and Geology Board, Sacramento, Calif. p Secretary – Frances J. Hein, Alberta Energy Research Conservation Board, Calgary, Canada. p Past President – Michael D. Campbell, I2M Associates LLC, Houston. 4 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

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AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 7 EXPLORERAAPG A little sign of life A Couple of Deep GOM Projects Get Go-Ahead By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent t’s been little more than a year since the Shell is set to implement a multi-billion infamous Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of dollar investment to develop its significant IMexico brought industry activity there to a Cardamom oil and gas field at Garden screeching halt for the most part. Banks block 427 in more than 2,720 feet of For the Gulf operators, it likely feels more water 225 miles southwest of New Orleans. like several years – for good reason. The Cardamom reservoir was discovered The event essentially turned the world in 2010. upside down for players in this offshore Further development drilling is on the arena, which provides about 30 percent of agenda along with installation of undersea the domestic crude oil supply. equipment. While government agency personnel Shell announced that the 100 percent plodded along devising innumerable new Shell-owned project is expected to produce requirements and restrictions, especially for 50,000 boe per day at peak production new deepwater permits, some rigs exited and more than 140 million boe during its the Gulf while many field personnel endured lifespan. a job hiatus or were kept busy with menial The company said its exploration plan tasks. Image courtesy of Shell for the field was the first to receive approval It would be unthinkable to abandon this since the federal government’s moratorium The Cardamom field is located 6.4 kilometers (four miles) below the seafloor on the other side hydrocarbon-rich area, and the good news for drilling was lifted. of a salt column from the main Auger fields. is that progress is being made for work to The Cardamom discovery well was resume, albeit at the proverbial snail’s pace. drilled from Shell’s Auger platform, Among the few permits issued since been put on hold by the moratorium. “We estimate a recoverable resource and production from the field will flow the moratorium, mainly in the shallow water, Located 250 miles southwest of New of more than 700 million barrels of oil through the Auger facility. Using existing two major deepwater projects received Orleans in about 7,000 feet of water, the equivalent combined in our Keathley infrastructure for production will diminish the the green light to proceed despite the dark KC919-3 wildcat well drilled into more Canyon blocks,” said AAPG member offshore footprint. cloud of regulatory uncertainty that continues than 475 feet of net oil pay and minor Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil The initial exploration well has been to hover over the region. gas in predominantly Pliocene sandstone Exploration Company. producing from Auger since December, Given the deepwater fields’ reputation reservoirs of high quality. The well confirmed “This is one of the largest discoveries 2010, and 2014 is the target date for first oil for major hydrocarbon resources, these a second oil accumulation in Keathley in the Gulf of Mexico in the last decade,” from the full project. particular projects likely will make the Canyon Block 919. he added. “More than 85 percent of the According to Shell, modifications to statement that the Gulf is back in business. As of early June, the well had reached resource is oil with additional upside the Auger platform will include additional 16,000 feet and the plan was to continue potential.” subsea receiving equipment, a new Keathley Canyon drilling. Cardamom production train and weight mitigation. This Additional pay intervals at Keathley is expected to significantly increase the ExxonMobil received a permit to resume Canyon were encountered in 2009 and Not far away another major project is drilling a deepwater exploration well that had early 2010. gearing up for big things. See Activities, page 14

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AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 11 EXPLORERAAPG Alteration, charging history play role All Crudes Are Not Created Equally By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

cientific He noted that’s when a step-change knowledge about occurred. Sthe origins of oil Katz Talk Set for GCAGS Meeting “Before that, people thought every sand in the Gulf of Mexico APG Honorary Member Barry Katz event marks the first time a GCAGS had its own source,” he said. “It’s a very Basin and the resulting will present his paper “Evolving annual meeting has been held in different working model that we have today; impact on oil quality Thoughts on the Origin of Oil in Mexico. it has been a gradual evolution.” has evolved over a A And it’s one that continues today – the Gulf of Mexico Basin and Its Impact Katz’ talk will be offered at 1:30 p.m. long period of time. on Oil Quality,” at the next Gulf Coast Tuesday, Oct. 18, as part of an oral something Katz will talk about during a The biggest Association of Geological Societies session on Petroleum Systems and Oil presentation at the upcoming GCAGS changes probably took KATZ annual meeting, set Oct. 16-19 in Quality Controls in the Gulf of Mexico. meeting in Veracruz, Mexico. place 20 to 25 years Veracruz, Mexico. Information and registration details He attributes the evolution of ago, according to AAPG member Barry The meeting’s theme is “Sharing for the GCAGS meeting can be found understanding of the origins of the oils Katz, Chevron Fellow and team leader for Knowledge to Add Value,” and the online at gcags2011.com. in the Gulf basin to evolving thoughts on hydrocarbon charge at Chevron. petroleum geochemistry and the significant expansion of the available geochemical database. Katz works the deepwater, although not the GOM. He has a particular interest in oil quality. He emphasized that oil quality is of increasing economic importance as exploration shifts to deeper water and as reservoirs become more challenging, owing to the impact of the quality of the oil on producibility and price.

Unlocking GOM Origins

Years of study established that multiple petroleum systems ranging in age from the Jurassic to the Eocene occur in the GOM and are geographically limited. These systems produce oils of differing initial quality, depending on their lithology and depositional setting. Source rock attributes of these systems have largely been inferred via hydrocarbon geochemistry instead of detailed source rock characterization and definitive correlations. Katz noted there were three keys to unlocking current understanding of the GOM’s oil origins: u Acceptance of the disassociated nature of the Gulf’s petroleum systems. It’s now recognized that instead of being source-related, variances in oil character are caused by either post-charging alteration, level of maturation and/or charge timing differences. u Agreement that source rock volume was not an effective substitute for source rock quality. General acceptance that low concentrations of organic matter do not allow efficient expulsion. u Overall acceptance of the importance of vertical migration in deltaic systems and where halokinesis has occurred. Katz emphasized that the nature of the source rock is a very strong component of what is controlling oil quality in the Gulf, just like anywhere else. “In addition to the nature of the source rock, the alteration and charging history play an important role in establishing oil quality,” he noted. “Alteration processes include biodegradation, water washing, phase segregation and de-asphalting. “The charging history includes both the actual time of emplacement, late versus early generation, as well as whether multiple charging events might have occurred, introducing the potential for oil mixing,” Katz added. “Although most oil quality discussions focus on the degradation of oil quality,” he said, “increasing thermal maturity of the source or thermal stress on the oil-bearing

See Gulf Evolution, page 14 12 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 13 EXPLORERAAPG ‘Early Bird’ Savings Available Via Online Registration for Milan ICE nline registration is available for meeting will celebrate Alpine-Himalaya Fold resource plays with emphasis on the value this year’s AAPG International and aspire to the creative Belt and Foreland Basins of integration of disciplines. Conference and Exhibition – and O vision and spirit of – The tectonic evolution u Reservoir Management: From registering now can help you save innovation historically of the Alpine-Himalayan Outcrops to Assets – A look at new hundreds of dollars in fees. NTERNATIO associated with Milan I NAL chain and its influence technologies, work models and world-class CONF EREN This year’s conference will be held Oct. and the region. CE & EXHIBITION on sedimentation, reservoirs. 23-26 in Milan, Italy. The technical program discussed using a variety u Dynamic World of Uncooperative Members who register before either focuses on seven specific technical of technologies, outcrop analogs and Reservoirs: The Geoscience of of the “early bird” deadlines (Aug. 3 and themes: case studies. Unconventional Resources – What makes Sept. 21) can save hundreds of dollars off u Carbonate Reservoirs: From Pores u Rifts and Deltas – Focus will be on these reservoirs special? (See page 42.) registration fees. to Production – Aspects covered will rift to drift tectonics, crustal stretching and u Leading-Edge Technologies and the Also available online are housing details include the stratigraphic analysis and heat flow, pre-salt plays, continental and Future of E&P – The challenges of carbon and complete information on this year’s sedimentology of carbonate sequences, lacustrine reservoirs and delta systems management, new and leading-edge technical program, which is built on the plus the latest developments in the seismic from shelf to basin floor. technologies in geoscience and reservoir theme “Following Da Vinci’s Footsteps to imaging and modeling of carbonate u Advances in Integrated Geoscience engineering and future technological Future Energy Resources: Innovations From reservoirs and sequences. Applications – A session on all aspects of developments in the E&P industry. Outcrops to Assets.” u Where Africa Meets Eurasia: geoscience and reservoir engineering as To register or for more ICE details go

General chair Jonathan Craig said the Exploration and Production in the applied to conventional and unconventional online to aapg.org/milan2011. EXPLORER Activities from page 8 Cardamom liquid handling, cooling and production capacities. Cardamom presents a meaningful example of the myriad opportunities awaiting GOM explorers using the latest technology. Shell noted the discovery was a result of advances in seismic imaging and extended reach drilling. Its potential was initially recognized in the early stage of the Auger development, but it couldn’t be fully assessed owing to a layer of salt in close proximity, which affected the quality of traditional seismic images. Noteworthy improvements came about

via seismic imaging advances. EXPLORER Gulf Evolution from page 12

reservoir results in higher quality crude oils. “Another means of improving oil quality is through hydrocarbon recharge and the introduction of fresh hydrocarbons into a biodegraded pool,” he added.

The Value of Quality

Oil quality is a key component in establishing flow rates, flow assurance, producibility and the character of refined products. This is of particular importance in reservoirs where permeability is low and oil quality might limit flow, such as the Wilcox in the deepwater Gulf. When queried as to the impact of this knowledge on the leasing process, Katz noted that identification of which systems are working in different parts of the Gulf is taken into consideration, because this drives the nature of crude being generated. That, in turn, controls price at the wellhead, API gravity and how well it will flow. “You take what you know and put it into the framework,” he said. “You want to come up with a reasonable economic model, and part of that is oil quality. “We all see Brent and WTI quoted daily,” Katz noted. “But there’s a big range of values daily in the crude oil market as things are being discounted because of sulfur presence, lower API or higher metals. “You like to know as close to upfront as you can what you’re going to get,” he emphasized. “You don’t want to wind up with high sulfur content you’re not prepared for, because there won’t be any space on the platform to deal with it. “But you don’t overbuild to deal with

something that doesn’t exist.” EXPLORER 14 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

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Photo courtesy of Indigo Minerals A flare from the vertical “test” well that Indigo drilled recently in Vernon Parish, which established production in the Louisiana Eagle Ford. Similar in age and lithology to Eagle Ford Tuscaloosa Another Shale Playground By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

he word on the street indicates the next research professor at LSU. potentially big U.S. shale oil play is … “We did the study based strictly on logs, Tdrumroll, please: because we didn’t have access to any The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS). cores,” John said. Covering about 2.7 million acres and “We’re getting calls all the time now quite possibly more (depending on where about the play, mostly from landowners one draws the boundary) across central who want detailed information,” he added, Louisiana and reaching into southwestern “particularly about how much their land is Mississippi, this Cretaceous-age shale play worth.” is creating quite a stir, with early participants scurrying to prove the evolving play has legs. The Tuscaloosa The Marine shale zone is sandwiched Marine Shale once between the upper and lower units of the Tuscaloosa formation, which has was viewed as long produced enormous volumes of hydrocarbons from the fields drilled along no more than a the famed Tuscaloosa Trend. nuisance zone. The consensus among many geologists is the deep, high pressure Marine shale has sourced the amazingly productive sands in the Tuscaloosa Trend. Devon’s Presence In west-central Louisiana, the target shale in this new play is referred to as the A lot of eyes currently are focused on Louisiana Eagle Ford by some industry Devon, which has acquired a leasehold of folks, who note that it is similar in age and 250,000 acres across the shale in several lithology to the highly productive, liquids- Louisiana parishes and plans to drill two rich Cretaceous-age Eagle Ford interval in horizontal wells in the eastern area of the Texas. play this year. The Eagle Ford in Louisiana actually The wells reportedly may undergo as is dubbed the Eutaw. It lies atop the age- many as 15 frack stages. equivalent Tuscaloosa formation in the east, The shale is about 200 to 400 feet thick which is the locus of most of the current new at depths of 11,000 to 14,000 feet across action as well as earlier activity. Devon’s acreage position. Similarities in lithology make it difficult to Devon reportedly is anticipating a distinguish the Eagle Ford from the upper decision from the Louisiana Department of Tuscaloosa sands and clays. Natural Resources Office of Conservation Players in this new hot spot include regarding its requested approval for a Devon Energy, Amelia Resources, Indigo II drilling production unit in the Ethel Field Louisiana Operating LLC, Encana Oil & Gas in East Feliciana Parish, where it drilled a (via a partnership with Denbury Resources) vertical well to greater than 15,000 feet in and Goodrich Petroleum. depth. The carrot luring operators and others to AAPG member M.B. Kumar, chief pursue the Tuscaloosa Marine shale occurs geologist of the Conservation Office’s in the form of perhaps seven billion barrels geological oil and gas division, reportedly of oil awaiting recovery. This is the estimated commented that Devon’s application for volume noted in a study published in 1997, a production unit shows the company “An Unproven Unconventional Seven Billion believes the area around the well contains Barrel Oil Resource – The Tuscaloosa multiple leases. Marine Shale.” Indigo, running neck and neck acreage- The study and resulting publication are wise with Devon, has scooped up over a product of what at that time was Louisiana 240,000 net acres of leasehold and mineral State University’s Basin Research Institute, fees in central Louisiana in the western part which is now the Basin Research Energy of the play, according to Indigo chairman Section of the Louisiana Geological Survey, and CEO Bill Pritchard. noted AAPG member Chacko John, LGS director in addition to state geologist and See Marine Shale, page 20 16 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

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Image and photo courtesy of Indigo Minerals Indigo’s test well in Vernon Parish, where the “Louisiana The Cretaceous-age Tuscaloosa Marine Shale covers about 2.7 million acres and quite possibly more (depending on where one Eagle Ford” is underlain by the Edwards limestone rather draws the boundary) across central Louisiana and reaching into southwestern Mississippi. than the main body of Tuscaloosa sand. 3-D Survey Eyed For Marine Shale By LOUISE S. DURHAM EXPLORER Correspondent he deep, high-pressured Tuscaloosa Marine shale in central T Louisiana has long toyed with many industry explorers, spitting out just enough oil to tease even the most sophisticated geoscientists as operators drilled through it toward other zones. As a result, there have been on- again, off-again attempts over the years to kick off a Tuscaloosa Marine shale play in central Louisiana. The current effort involves a number of operators and is in high gear – and it may finally prove or disprove the economic recoverability of the estimated seven billion barrels of oil residing in this rock. It no doubt will be a challenging task, but some high tech help is in the making in the form of brand new 3-D seismic data, according to AAPG member Clint Moore, vice president of corporate development at ION Geophysical Corp. “Here at ION, we’ve developed a plan and are evaluating the technical and commercial scope for what could potentially be a large, multi-thousand- square-mile 3-D multi-component seismic survey,” Moore said. “It would be the most advanced and extensive ever acquired across central Louisiana. “Incorporating an image-based survey design and using INOVA’s cableless FireFly seismic acquisition system, we would minimize the environmental impact in the valuable densely-wooded southern pine forests in the region,” he noted, “and we would meet the structural imaging and reservoir characterization needs of operators with acreage positions in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale play and the (overlying) Austin Chalk play.” Moore said the seismic data would be processed using ION’s GXT data processing toolkit, which will allow maximum resolution of the sweet spots in both the shale and the chalk. “Explorationists would be able to technically high grade their acreage and drill the most geologically optimal locations earlier in the drilling program,” he said. “With the rock property insight gained from our program,” Moore added “the frack engineering teams will be able to optimize completion strategies in these

tight, fractured resources.” EXPLORER

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WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 19 EXPLORERAAPG Marine Shale ‘Father’ Moore Resistivity Varies from page 16 The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale once was By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent viewed as no more than a nuisance zone. t remains to be determined just how east, they drop to the 2.5 ohm-m range, A vertical “test” well that Indigo drilled Yet it was known to throw oil on occasion brittle or ductile the Marine shale is. whereas they average 3-5 ohm-m Rapides recently in Vernon Parish established when the drill bit passed through, causing IThis characteristic undoubtedly will and Vernon parishes to the west. production in the Louisiana Eagle Ford, it to pique the interest and imagination of fluctuate across the play and impact the A Scout Report dated June 22, 2011 as Indigo references the target interval many geoscientists over the years. rock’s susceptibility to successful hydraulic detailed the TMS activity in: on its leasehold. In this locale, the zone is “I don’t think it’s a stretch to call my fracturing. u Devon Energy vertical well: 15,500´ underlain by the Edwards limestone rather dad, the late wildcatter/geophysical Where the rock may be too soft to hold TD; E. Feliciana Parish; setting casing. than the main body of Tuscaloosa sand. engineer Alfred C. Moore, the ‘Father of the the fractures open, then it’s back to the u Devon Energy horizontal well: 18,950´ “We call it the Louisiana Eagle Ford, Tuscaloosa Marine Shale play,’” said AAPG drawing board – or onward to other plays. MD; E. Feliciana Parish; permitted. because it’s more like the Eagle Ford than member Clint Moore, vice president of Based on well log analysis, resistivity u Indigo II vertical well: 12,020´ TD; what’s going on to the east,” Pritchard corporate development at ION Geophysical. varies across the play. Higher resistivities Vernon Parish; post-frack; waiting on state noted. “We have better calcite percentage, “He was responsible for the initial of 7 ohm-m on average occur consistently potential. which means a better ability to frack.” focused effort to produce the shale in 1970, across the area of the Louisiana/Mississippi u Indigo II horizontal well: 15,500´ MD; Pritchard emphasized that they’re when he sold a Marine shale project to his state line in Wilkinson and Amite counties, Rapides Parish; permitted. cheering for the success of the companies former employer, Sun Oil,” Moore noted. “He West and East Feliciana, St. Helena and u Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., to the east, e.g., Devon, noting that “a rising also had partnered with Sun in Tuscaloosa Tangipahoa parishes, according to AAPG horizontal well: 15,230´ MD; Amite County; tide lifts all boats.” sand wells, all the while documenting oil member Kirk Barrell, president of Amelia re-entry; post frack; frack results not known. Indigo will spud a horizontal well in the shows from the shale just above the Lower Resources. In Washington Parish to the play in Rapides Parish in July. Tuscaloosa sands.” Based on the elder Moore’s project, Sun drilled a Marine shale well in Pike County, Mississippi, in 1971. The well had shows and was fracked, but was plugged. Undaunted, Moore persevered, selling his project to Callon, which put down two wells – with the second giving up a total of 3,500 barrels. He then took the project to Texas Pacific, which drilled the #1 Blades well in northern Tangipahoa Parish in 1977. The non- commercial well has produced 24 Mbo over the past 30 years from 134 feet of perfs and continues to give up a few bopd. Alas, Alfred Moore’s hopes to spur a major Marine shale development were dashed when the partnership’s leaseblock of 10-year leases expired.

Current Activity

It’s a whole different world today where sophisticated horizontal drilling technology along with high-tech multi-stage fracking procedures can create barn-burners out of wells that likely would be dusters otherwise. Still, each shale is different; in fact, properties within the same shale zone can vary from well to well, meaning these babies can require some high level customized care. Prior to Denbury’s purchase of Encore Acquisition, Encore took on a large leasehold in the Marine shale, acquiring acreage on the state line in the northeast end of East Feliciana Parish and going into Amite County, Mississippi. Encore drilled four horizontal wells in 2008. The initial three holes were plagued with myriad problems, and completions reportedly were not state-of-the-art, which can be a death knell of sorts for a shale well. Each well reportedly underwent only three frack stages, yet they’re still producing, albeit at miniscule rates, according to Zach Hart, reservoir engineering manager at Indigo. He quoted public data listing current production at 10 bopd for two of the wells and four to five bopd for the other. Encana recently took over as operator of the fourth Encore horizontal well in Amite County; it was not completed earlier. (At press time, Encana informed Clint Moore that it had filed a completion report on the Board of Education 1-H horizontal well; the find has been dubbed the Alfred Moore field – a fitting posthumous tribute.) It’s said that where there’s a will there’s a way, and some serious will can be generated by an estimated seven billion barrels of oil waiting to be tapped. Significant risk is a given, but it doesn’t require big bucks to stake a claim – for now. “About five months ago, the leasing price per acre was about $75 for a three-

See Shale, page 22 20 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 21 EXPLORERAAPG Drastic budget cuts spell doom What? No Geological Survey in Louisiana? By LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER Correspondent

he attention-grabbing antics LSU while associated with the of rapscallion Louisiana university,” John remarked. “Our Tpoliticians who often rule research projects, contracts, the roost, so to speak, have grants and publications are long overshadowed the state’s extremely valuable to explore considerable importance to the Louisiana’s oil, gas, water and United States, particularly in the mineral resources.” energy milieu. The region is rife with oil Key Contributions and gas fields, both on- and JOHN offshore, which have contributed Another bit of irony comes into significantly to the domestic energy supply play when considering the LGS folks were for many years. Top this off with the many way ahead of the game when it comes to petrochemical complexes and refineries, the Tuscaloosa Marine shale. and it’s an impressive mix. In 1997, under the aegis of the then For the past couple of years, the E&P LSU Basin Research Institute, they first spotlight has focused on the relatively researched and published a report new high-profile Haynesville Shale gas that tagged the TMS as an unproven play, concentrated mainly in northwestern unconventional seven billion barrel oil Louisiana. resource. The new, new play on the unconventional “With all of the Marine shale activity shale scene is the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale today, people are wanting more detail,” spreading across central Louisiana and into John said, “but we can’t do anything now southwestern Mississippi. It has evaded because of the budget cuts.” commercial production for years but may The LGS has long had a full plate in be on the cusp of a successful run given the addition to oil and gas. A look at only a few newly initiated ongoing activity there. (See of its numerous other key contributions is related stories, page 16.) revealing: Together, the two plays have the potential to create jobs, jobs and more jobs. u Faculty and staff often have taken on But not at the Louisiana Geological crucial roles during hurricanes, assisting Survey (LGS), whose days appear to be agencies ranging from federal to local to numbered. accomplish rescue and other efforts, in Given the notable evolving plays in the large part via specific map creation. state’s oil patch, it’s ironic, indeed, that the LGS may soon be rendered extinct owing to u The agency has been modeling lack of funds. freshwater aquifers and has a two-year Created legislatively in 1934, the grant from three parishes to analyze agency was moved out of the Department data from hundreds of wells to acquire of Natural Resources in 1997 to Louisiana information critical for continued State University (LSU), where it has been development of the Haynesville shale play. physically housed since its creation. For the fiscal year that ended June u Given the LGS staff’s recognized 30, the 17-staff-member LGS had a expertise in developing the geopressured- budget of $980,948 funded from the state geothermal resources of the Gulf Coast, appropriation to LSU. This followed a cut of LGS is among the state geological surveys about 13 percent during the previous three assisting the DOE in a $21 million program years. to establish a national data base of It gets worse. geothermal information. “Our budget will be cut 34 percent this year and maybe more,” said LGS director In the oil and gas arena, it’s no small and state geologist Chacko John, an AAPG matter that the Basin Research Energy member. “The budget is set to be phased- Section of the agency fills the role of a out within three years. geological research group catering to “LSU expects LGS to totally fund itself the requests and needs of independent from grants and contracts from external oil and gas companies, who have no in- sources during this three-year time span,” house research staff (in most cases). These he added. “This is virtually impossible, companies have long been the backbone of especially in today’s economic climate.” Louisiana’s success in oil and gas E&P. The situation brings to mind the adage Should the LGS actually be dismantled, “cutting off your nose to spite your face.” Louisiana will be the only state in the “The Survey has attracted millions of continental United States without a state

dollars in external research funding to geological survey. EXPLORER

are getting two-year extensions for Shale another $200. from page 20 “Well costs of about $9 to $15 million each is my guess, with vertical depth of about 10,000 feet to 15,500 feet, year paid-up lease,” said AAPG member depending on where you are in the play,” Kirk Barrell, president of The Woodlands, Barrell noted. Texas-based Amelia Resources, which Amelia has transacted a deal generates prospects and then seeks out covering about 55,000 acres with a partners. “They’re now getting $200 an partner and is marketing additional

acre for three years paid-up, and most acreage across the play. EXPLORER

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WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 23 EXPLORERAAPG

Photo courtesy of Paul Whitehouse A team of Hess geoscientists studied the rugged terrain surrounding Gebel Duwi in the north Red Sea region, looking for clues that could help answer questions about the area’s potential. Team gains in understanding deposition Red Sea an Intriguing Frontier By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER Correspondent

oes the north Red Sea area hold north Red Sea and evaluation work done involved in,” Scott said. “The holes went understanding of sandstone and carbonate more energy resources than we ever by Hess scientists at the 2010 AAPG through these pre-rift rocks, and we were deposition offshore. Drealized? International Conference and Exhibition in hoping we’d find the source rock there.” A special difficulty in identifying That might seem like a strange question, Calgary. Although some samples and data were prospects on the offshore Hess block is the because both Saudi Arabia and Egypt The paper was so well received that it available from older drilling in the 1970s, need for subsalt imaging. border the north Red Sea – and, yes, won last year’s Gabriel Dengo Memorial Hess went to Cairo for permission to get “Imaging subsalt is quite a challenge, those countries are known to have some Award, presented to honor the best oral more samples for study, she said. but at Hess we have an internal expertise,” hydrocarbon resources. presentation at the conference. Testing of shallow boreholes showed a Scott said. What’s surprising is the possible extent Her co-authors were AAPG members thick, oil-prone section within 50 kilometers According to Scott and the Hess of additional resources in the area: Benn Hansen, Niall McCormack and Laura of where Hess wanted to drill. team, reprocessing and new seismic data u Hess Corp. has evaluated Red Lawton, all with Hess in London, and AAPG The secondary source rock also acquisition have “produced a step-change Sea geology for a drilling program on its members John Guthrie, Steve Crews, Andy appeared to be present. improvement in imaging of the prospective exploration block there. The studies found Pepper and Caroline Burke, all with Hess in “I went back and looked at the pre-rift section.” “all the key elements of the Gulf of Suez Houston. geochemistry of the oil from the wells that Hess scientists have used several petroleum system exist in the north Red Other co-authors were Graeme Gordon, had been drilled before. When we plotted approaches in evaluating the north Red Sea.” Dean Griffin, Rod Graham and Tim Grow. out the oil shows, it was actually a mixture Sea’s prospectivity, “trying to think of new u Recent years have brought a flurry of the sources,” she noted. ways to solve the problem,” Scott said. of gas discoveries in the Nile Delta. Two Were Better Than One Scott primarily used two biomarkers In her work, “I had a load of meetings by In November, BP Egypt reported an to evaluate the oil shows – one a marker teleconference with our global experts in Oligocene deepwater discovery on its Scott said a key to their analysis was based on carbonate content, the other an Houston who were sort of mentoring me on Hodoa prospect in the West Nile Delta area. evaluating the potential presence of two anoxia indicator. the process,” she noted. u Apache Corp. continues an active source rocks – and first and most important “You could separate out the oil families “In doing the geochemistry, I actually program in northern Egypt, stretching as was a marine, pre-rift source rock found in based on these facies indicators,” she said. used a piece of software used by our far east as Beni Suef in the Nile Valley. other parts of the region. “The overall trend of the biostratigraphy planners. It was a novel use that allowed Somewhat under the radar, Apache “We were looking to see if that prolific matched what we were seeing in these oil me to analyze a large amount of data in a completed 177 wells in Egyptian Middle-to- source rock could be extended to the north families.” short time,” Scott said. Late Cretaceous targets during 2010 and Red Sea,” she said. The Red Sea exploration block held planned to complete another 171 this year. The other was a secondary source rock A New Framework by Hess covers a 100-kilometer by Most of Apache's attention in Egypt intermittently present. She described it as 250-kilometer area, Scott said. She called it has shifted to its western concessions, “not as dependable, but it is thought source A multi-disciplinary team at Hess a “completely frontier exploration area.” including the Faghur Basin, where it some fields in Saudi Arabia.” developed a new framework for the “The size of the block is really large – it’s recently reported results of a discovery that “One thing that was a game-changer region. Onshore fieldwork and mapping humongous,” she said. “And there are only

flowed 7,150 barrels of oil and 11.4 million was the onshore bore holes that Hess was of sediments and faults led to a better five wells there now.” EXPLORER cubic feet of gas per day. u Israel, with a small patch of shoreline SPOTLIGHTON ... on the Gulf of Aqaba, could have 250 billion barrels of oil in oil-shale deposits. ‘Team’ Internship Changes Career Course The country is starting an initiative aimed at By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER Correspondent commercial production. u China-based seismic company BGP etroleum geology has always “In Ireland, there are Cambridge. I’d say my focus at that time recently completed an acquisition project attracted bright young people. about two.” was structural. At Imperial I broadened for Saudi Aramco. It also began conducting P Thankfully, diversity is now Scott attended and did quite a bit of work in sequence a large-scale, complex 2-D survey around entering the profession, as evidenced by Cambridge University stratigraphy, biostratigraphy,” she recalled. the Red Sea, including both onshore and an increasing number of them today are in England, where Involvement with AAPG contributed to offshore areas. women. she joined and was her development as a geologist. She was u And some of the most intriguing AAPG member Jennifer Scott, who president of the on the Imperial College Imperial Barrel frontier exploration possibilities lie in the goes by “Jenni,” is a petroleum geologist Cambridge Union Award team that captured second place Red Sea itself. for the Regional New Ventures Team at debating society and at the 2008 AAPG annual meeting in San Hess is evaluating chances on its North Hess Corp. in London, England. contemplated life as SCOTT Antonio. Also helping was experience Red Sea Block 1 concession, where a Geology was a natural choice for Scott, an attorney. gained on field trips as a graduate student well drilled in 1,700 meters of water on the if not an obvious one. That changed after she took a summer to Utah and the Wessex Basin in England. Cherry prospect earlier this year failed to “I wasn’t sure when I was at college internship at Shell Exploration in Rijswijk, The highlight of her AAPG experience find commercial production. Hess had an what I wanted to do – I actually thought for the Netherlands. so far might be winning the 2010 Gabriel 80 percent interest in the well and Premier a long time that I wanted to be a lawyer,” “The internship was a real project,” she Dengo Memorial Award, presented for Oil 20 percent. she recalled. said. “You were part of a team.” giving the best oral presentation at the “This has been a block where four wells Scott is from Northern Ireland. Her At Shell she witnessed first-hand the AAPG International Conference in Calgary. had been drilled, and they found shows but uncle, a minister in Dublin, once allowed arguments over a drilling prospect. “I absolutely couldn’t believe it when I no large hydrocarbon accumulations,” said a fledgling rock band to practice in his “With the debating and the thinking and got the email. I have the award on my desk AAPG member Jennifer Scott, a geologist church hall, she said. also the science, I found that working at and I still look at it and think, ‘How did that for Hess in London. That Irish band was U2. an oil company really pushed my buttons,” happen?’” she said. “What Hess has been looking at is Ireland’s relatively small size and social she said. Closing in on three years as a geologist whether the Gulf of Suez play can be closeness mean such coincidences are not After graduating from Cambridge, she at Hess, Scott said she couldn’t be happier extended south,” she said. uncommon, according to Scott. went into a master’s program at Imperial with her choice of careers: Scott’s credentials to speak to the “In the rest of the world, they say there College in London. “I am so grateful, because for years I subject are strong; she presented an are six degrees of separation,” she said. “I ended up specializing in geology at could have been a lawyer. Oh, dear!” overview of the petroleum systems of the 24 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 25 EXPLORERAAPG

26 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 EXPLORERAAPG

AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 27 Naomoto Komatsu, former executive vice president of Teikoku Oil Co. Ltd. (currently INPEX Corp.) and former vice president of the Geological Society of Japan, discovered the Minami Nagaoka gas field as Teikoku’s as exploration manager in 1979. His achievement was published as the special paper of World Petroleum Congress in 1983. In 1960 he worked with the discovery well of the Khafji oil field in the Persian Gulf. EXPLORERAAPG Pioneer Map Charted Anticlinal Structures BY NAOMOTO KOMATSU

t first glance the structural contour northernmost portion of the Japanese map and the cross section shown Islands. Ahere look as if they had been During the job and training, the students published in the late 1920s by AAPG in the learned how to use the transit, prismatic “Structure of Typical American Oil Fields” compass and barometer, which Lyman memoir. had brought from the United States. In But look closer: These maps are much their spare time he taught them physics, older – they were prepared and published mathematics and chemistry. in Japan in the 1880s, long before the After he completed three years of survey petroleum mining industry started to hire KOMATSU work in the Hokkaido region, Lyman agreed geologists and also before Israel C. White to extend the contract with the Japanese proposed the anticlinal theory. government for an additional three years. The authors of those maps and cross On this occasion they studied main island section were the American geologist areas, where oil was being produced from Benjamin Smith Lyman (1835-1920) and his hand-dug wells near oil seepages along the 13 young Japanese colleagues. western coast of Japan. At the request of the India government in They also drew topographic maps at 1870, Lyman worked for a year as a pioneer 1/6,000 scale, on which they described the field geologist for petroleum mining in the results of their geological survey. Until then Punjab district, and published a map that such highly precise maps had not been probably is the first structural contour map available in Japan. in the world (after E.W. Owen, 1975). In 1872, immediately after his return from Map Publication India, Lyman received an invitation from the Japanese government to work for three When his contract expired in July of 1879, years in Japan as a geologist surveying coal Lyman decided to remain in Japan until he and oil deposits of the island of Hokkaido. could prepare an initial draft of his reports His first task upon arriving in Japan the and maps. following January, before starting survey After submitting his reports to the work, was to select appropriate assistants. Japanese government, Lyman bade The assistants he selected were 13 brilliant farewell to his Japanese disciples and Japanese students from a new school friends and left Japan in December 1880. established by the Japanese government, He arrived at his hometown, Northampton, and Lyman began by training them Mass., May 19, 1881, via Singapore, extensively in the basics of geology and Calcutta and Paris. surveying. In February 1882, Teiichi Kada, one A few months later Lyman and the of Lyman’s Japanese disciples, visited Top – B.S. Lyman (1835-1920) and Japanese colleagues, at his office in Tokyo. Bottom – students departed to begin a field survey geological structure map and well correlation section in the Niigata area, published in 1880s. in the Hokkaido region in the undeveloped See Lyman, page 30

28 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 29 Historical Highlights is an ongoing EXPLORER series that celebrates the “eureka” moments of petroleum geology, significant discoveries and the perseverance of our colleagues through stories that emphasize the human interest side of our E&P profession. If you have such a story – and who doesn’t? – contact Hans Krause at [email protected]. EXPLORERAAPG Lyman from page 28

Hokkaido his former teacher with their completed geological contour maps. For this long trip to Massachusetts, Kada gave up his position at the Department of Engineering of Japan. Though the oil field maps were refined with Lyman’s guidance by the summer, Lyman was aware the Japanese government had no budget to publish their maps. He printed 200 sheets of those maps at his expense and let Kada take them back to Japan. (The figure on page 28 is part of those heartfelt maps.) Photo courtesy of The maps show beautiful anticlinal JX Nippon Oil & Energy structures drawn at 100 Japanese shaku (approximately 100 feet) contour intervals The first well in Amase field. Location map for Amase Field in Japan. superimposed on the topographic maps at 10 shaku contour intervals. This method of expression is almost the same as the prospect maps we make today. It is amazing that such maps were published five years prior to I.C. White’s “Anticlinal Theory;” those oil field structural maps were probably the second most important work of Lyman after his assignment in the Punjab district in India, and are some of the oldest subsurface structural contour maps in the world. They were the fruit of Lyman’s and his disciples’ ardor, commitment and strong sense of responsibility.

The Anticlinal Theory

After Lyman’s departure from Japan, most of his disciples held positions in the coal mining industry and continued to apply the subsurface contouring methodology they had learned with Lyman in their coal work. Several years passed, and nobody took any notice of Lyman’s oil field maps. In 1888 an oil corporation was established in Japan, and that company acquired a petroleum lease at offshore Amase area in Niigata Prefecture (approximately 250 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, along the Sea of Japan coast). A wildcat was drilled in 1890 from an artificial island built on an oil- seeped inter-tidal zone using a cable tool rig imported from the United States. This first well was successfully completed and confirmed oil production in the Amase oil field. This tale of success is the origin for Nippon Oil, the first Japanese petroleum company. Unfortunately, the still-primitive Japanese petroleum industry hired few of Lyman’s disciples, who might have led basic methodology for petroleum exploration. This means that Nippon Oil’s success had not been done directly using Lyman team’s advanced techniques. However, we recognize that the luckily successful wildcat was located on the axis of the anticline on Lyman’s contour map – and unexpectedly proved the anticlinal theory. Nevertheless, Lyman criticized the anticlinal theory all in his life. Perhaps he was strongly affected by J.P. Lesly, who not only was Lyman’s uncle but also his teacher. Lyman wrote to Eijiro Sagawa, a Japanese geologist who visited him in 1911: “It appears evident that the anticlinal theory is yet very far from having become thoroughly established as the simple and principal guide of the position of the oil pools.” However, Lyman’s petroleum exploration methodology, which incorporates surface and subsurface structural elements, is still widely applied. Today a tiny and forsaken petroleum memorial is all that rests on the location of the Amase discovery, Japan’s first oil-

producing area. EXPLORER 30 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 31 The Geophysical Corner is a regular column in the EXPLORER, edited by Bob A. Hardage, senior research scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, the University of Texas at Austin. This month’s column is the final in a five-part series dealing with S waves and fractures. EXPLORERAAPG GEOPHYSICALCORNER For Fractures, P + S = Maximum Efficiency By BOB HARDAGE

n areas where fracture-producing stress fields have been oriented at Figure 1 – Fracture orientation across a Idifferent azimuths over geologic time, prospect area and two crooked-line profiles there can be fracture sets of varying (the dotted lines) used to evaluate fracture intensities and different orientations attributes. The solid lines show the position of across a stratigraphic interval. the images created by crooked-line processing. This month, in the last part of our five- Arrows labeled SH define the polarization of part series, we consider here how to use the SH particle-displacement vector on each shear (S) seismic data seismic line. An older, pre-fold fracture set is to locate a fracture oriented north-south; a younger and more- set oriented at a dominant fold-related fracture set is oriented specific azimuth in a east-west. Line 1 follows the orientation of target interval that is the dominant younger fractures. The SH embedded in a thick displacement vector along Line 1 is the slow-S section dominated by mode for the younger fractures. Line 2 follows a younger and more the trend of any north-south fractures that may dominant fracture set be present. The SH displacement vector along oriented in a different Line 2 will be the fast-S mode for the younger, azimuth. HARDAGE dominant, pre-fold fractures. Modified from Alford and others (1989). * * *

The fracture orientations and two crooked-line surface profiles where compressional (P) and S-wave seismic data were acquired are illustrated on Figure 2 – (a) Comparison of P-wave images. All figure 1. events are time aligned at the tie point, showing Two fracture trends are present: that, at this location, P-wave velocity is invariant u An older, pre-fold fracture set perpendicular and parallel to fractures. (b) oriented approximately north-south. Comparison of SH images. Reflections on Line u A younger, more dominant set, 1 occur at later times than do corresponding oriented approximately east-west, reflections on Line 2 because of the wave- produced during a regional orogeny that propagation physics of fast-S and slow-S modes fractured massive intervals of rock. through the dominant, younger fracture set that The older fractures can be open and extends across most of the overburden above gas-filled in a targeted unit at a depth of the fracture target. Modified from Alford and approximately 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). others (1989). The objective is to find this relatively thin interval with a north-south fracture set embedded in a thick section of profiles are depth registered across the more dominant, fold-related, and non- reservoir target interval. productive east-west fractures. Here, the image on Line 1 is advanced in time to align key reflection events A and * * * B above and below the targeted reservoir, the circled event at the tie point. If the P-wave and SH-wave seismic data desired north-south fractures are present acquired along the two crooked-line within the reservoir interval, the reflection profiles are shown as figure 2. The event will dim on Line 2, because the SH P-wave profiles tie at their intersection polarization on that profile would be the point, showing that P waves exhibit minor slow-S mode for a north-south fracture set. difference in velocity when they propagate As shown in parts three and four of parallel to and orthogonal to the east-west this series (June and July EXPLORERs),

fractures that extend across a large part of slow-S velocity S2 decreases when

the geological section. fracture density increases, and thus S2 This weak reaction of P-wave velocity reflectivity weakens as shown in this to fracture orientation is one reason why example. In contrast, the reflection would P-waves have limited value for analyzing remain bright on Line 1, where the SH fracture systems. polarization is the fast-S mode for north- A different behavior is observed for south fractures. the SH data. SH reflections on Line 2, That reflectivity behavior is what is where the SH particle-displacement is demonstrated inside the circled target aligned with the dominant east-west interval. fractures (figure 1), arrive earlier than do their corresponding reflections on Line * * * 1, where the SH particle-displacement vector is orthogonal to the extensive east- The exploration problem described west fractures. here of locating a subtle fracture set As has been described in the hidden by a more dominant fracture set preceding articles of this series, the SH is one of the most challenging that can polarization along Line 2 is the fast-S be encountered in interpreting fracture mode for the east-west fractures, and the attributes from seismic data. SH polarization along Line 1 is the slow-S The fundamental principle illustrated mode for east-west fractures. by this case history is that multicomponent By comparing these P and SH images, seismic data that provide both P and S we see hard evidence that S-wave Figure 3 – Comparison of event-aligned SH images across the targeted sandstone reservoir. data are far more valuable for fracture velocity reacts more strongly to fractures The SH image on Line 1 is advanced in time so that there is a reasonable alignment of events analysis than are single-component than does P-wave velocity. A and B that span the reservoir interval, the interval circled at 2.5 s. Within this circled data P-wave data alone. window, the dimming on Line 2 means that the SH polarization on Line 2 is the slow-S mode Incidentally, this story and its * * * for the fracture target. Because the SH polarization on Line 2 is east-west (figure 1), then illustrations are taken from a 20-year old north-south fractures must be present within the reservoir interval for SH motion on Line 2 to U.S. patent (#4,817,061) – showing that A valuable interpretation procedure is be a slow-S mode. Modified from Alford and others (1989). good technology can be found in places

illustrated on figure 3, where the two SH other than technical journals. EXPLORER 32 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 33 Editor’s note: David Curtiss, head of AAPG’s Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C., can be contacted at [email protected]; or by telephone at 1-202-684-8225. EXPLORERAAPG WASHINGTON WATCH Lack of Energy Policy Affects Jobs By DAVID CURTISS, GEO-DC Director

ersistently high employment by U.S. and challenges to creating and filling these standards – upward of 9 percent jobs is the subject of a new study under P– figures as a prominent issue for “Hurdles to domestic energy way at the National Research Council politicians of every stripe seeking to gain or (NRC), the operating arm of the U.S. hold political office in the 2012 election. production could result in the National Academies, titled “Emerging Work Perhaps you’ve had the good fortune of Force Trends in the U.S. Energy and Mining avoiding the campaign advertisements thus loss of over 500,000 existing Industries.” far. Enjoy the quiet. They are coming, and The study was made possible thanks to the mantra is jobs, jobs, jobs. or potential jobs.” strong congressional support led by Senate “Energy, Jobs & the Economy: Powering CURTISS Energy and Natural Resources Committee America’s Future,” a report issued in June chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) by the Consumer Energy Alliance highlights has severe consequences for the economy production could result in the loss of over and funding provided by the Department the vital role that the energy sector plays in now and in the future – costing hundreds 500,000 existing or potential jobs,” CEA of Energy’s National Energy Technology the economy and job creation. of thousands of jobs and billions in lost writes. Laboratory. “[T]he lack of a national energy policy revenues … hurdles to domestic energy Better understanding the opportunities It will analyze: u The need for and availability of workers for the oil, natural gas, coal, geologic carbon sequestration, nuclear, geothermal, solar, wind and non-fuel minerals industries. u The availability of skilled labor at both entry level and more senior levels. u Recommendations for actions needed to meet future labor requirements. AAPG members Sally Benson, Joel Renner and Reginal Spiller all are members of the study committee. One of the information sources the NRC committee undoubtedly will be reviewing is the recently issued “Status of the Geoscience Workforce 2011,” authored by Leila Gonzalez and AAPG member Chris Keane of the American Geological Institute’s (AGI) work force program. Using data collected independently – along with available federal, industry and professional society sources – the report provides a broad survey of trends, education and jobs across the geosciences.

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Earth science education in primary and secondary schools (kindergarten through high school) remains a challenge: In high school only three states – Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina – require earth science coursework for graduation, and in 12 other states earth science credit counts toward graduation. The lack of an Advanced Placement (AP) or honors course in geology further restricts the exposure students have to the geosciences as a possible course of study in college. In response, university geoscience departments have developed targeted outreach programs to high school students. As a result, the study finds, these departments are “making progress in filling the gap caused by the lack of an AP geology course, increasing geosciences enrollments at the undergraduate level, and building community awareness of the importance of the geosciences.” This is having a positive impact on the number of geosciences degrees conferred in the United States – bachelor’s degrees were up 7 percent in 2009-10 over the previous year, and master’s and doctoral degrees were up 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively. That is good news, but it’s not enough. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there were more than 260,000 geoscience jobs in 2008. The demand for geoscience jobs will grow 35 percent by 2018, according to AGI estimates, when they factor both job growth and normal work force attrition. That’s more than 350,000 geoscience

Continued on next page 34 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG 3P Starts Aug. 30 AAPG Delegation Visits Capital nline registration remains open for AAPG’s second Polar EO-DC welcomed eight development in the petroleum Petroleum Potential conference AAPG members to geosciences, and talked about O Washington, D.C., in May for hydraulic fracturing technology. and exhibition – popularly known as G the 3P Arctic meeting – which will AAPG Congressional Visits Day Sincere thanks to all of our be held Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at the World 2011. participants: Paul Britt, Ross Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax, This annual event is an Clark, Cheryl Desforges, Mike Nova Scotia. opportunity for AAPG members Fogarty, Pete MacKenzie, Clint 3P Arctic offers papers, posters, to meet with legislators and their Moore and AAPG past presidents short courses and field trips, staff – as well as regulators and Will Green and Dan Smith. Thank all focused on the latest data, policy makers in the Executive you for helping bring science to perspectives and experiences Branch – to talk about energy our nation’s policy makers. involved in Arctic exploration and issues facing the nation. If you’d like to join us for potential. Our conversations in May a future CVD please email The technical session themes centered on the interrelationships [email protected] to be added to include: of energy, gas prices, the Past AAPG President Will Green (left) and AAPG member the invitation list. u Baffin Bay-West Greenland. economy and the environment. Clint Moore (right), part of the 2011 Congressional Visits Day We’ll publish dates for our next u Barents Sea and Northeast We also discussed the need for delegation, with U.S. Rep. Bill Flores (R-Tx). CVD as soon as they’re available. Greenland. a federal role for research and – DAVID CURTISS u Cenozoic Uplift of Arctic Margins and Implications for Petroleum Potential. u North Atlantic Conjugate Margins and the Arctic Connection. u Arctic Petroleum Systems. u Canadian Arctic Basins. u Alaska and Beaufort-Mackenzie Basins and Fold-Thrust Belts of the Western Arctic. u ECORD – European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling. u Siberian Arctic: Laptev, East Siberian and Russian Chukchi Seas. u Evolving Tectonic Interpretations and Models – Including Insights from New Seismic and Potential Fields Data. u Appraisal of Arctic Petroleum Resources. u Geophysical Innovations and Evolving Technologies for Arctic Data Collection, Processing & Interpretation. To register or for more information go online to www.3parctic.com.

Continued from previous page jobs in 2018 – yet, only 1,500 geoscience graduate degrees are conferred each year in the United States, leaving a significant shortfall in the available domestic labor pool. This shortage is evident in the oil and gas sector, despite the typically higher salaries than in other geoscience sectors. For oil and gas, “the number of younger geoscientists in their early 30s is approximately half the number of those nearing retirement age.” The situation is even worse in the government sector. “The demographic wave that the oil and gas industry sees looming on the horizon is already crashing over the federal scientific work force,” said Chris Keane, who is AGI’s technology and communications director. There is no shortage of societal needs requiring geoscience professionals, the study notes. But there has been a consistent shortage of skilled workers to meet these needs – and this shortage undermines both “public awareness of the profession as well as [in] investment in geoscience education.” One essential ingredient to maintaining a strong geoscience work force is investment in research and development, which is a principal driver of science and technology employment. The federal geoscience R&D investment has shrunk since 2004, the study finds. That is yet another compelling reason for us to highlight the need for geoscience R&D, and especially a robust federal oil

and natural gas R&D program. EXPLORER WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 35 Regions and Sections is a regular column in the EXPLORER offering news for and about AAPG’s six international Regions and six domestic Sections. Contact: Carol McGowen, AAPG’s Regions and Sections manager, at 1-918-560-9403; or e-mail to [email protected]. EXPLORERAAPG REGIONS &SECTIONS Ideas Shared on South America Tour By CAROL McGOWEN, Regions and Sections Manager

ith expertise as both a professor Weimer understood that the concepts and consulting geologist, of shale oil, shale gas and unconventional WAAPG President Paul Weimer’s resource plays were new and not background is well-aligned with the energy traditionally taught in Latin American industry renaissance currently under way in universities. Latin America. “A slide showing a dramatic increase Weimer’s full title is “Professor, Bruce in Williston Basin oil production since D. Benson Endowed Chair, University of 2005 really got the students’ attention Colorado Director of Energy and Minerals and illustrated how the application of new Applied Research Center, consulting technologies to unconventional resource geologist,” and during a recent AAPG plays has transformed the production of oil visit to Latin America, Weimer captured from just one formation,” Weimer said. “The the attention of university students, faculty Williston Basin was ranked 98th oil province and professionals alike with a half-day in the world in terms of daily production seminar on the future of conventional and – now, in just five years, it is ranked 13th unconventional resource plays. in daily production, due to the Bakken Weimer’s tour – the third in a recent resource play. series of annual AAPG presidential visits to “I wanted students and professors to Latin America – spanned four countries in realize the major change that has occurred 11 days, with stops in Buenos Aires, Rio de in petroleum systems concepts which Janeiro, Lima and Bogota. enable exploration for unconventional Latin America Region Vice President resources,” he said. “These changes, now Victor Vega accompanied Weimer to AAPG President Paul Weimer presents his seminar before a full house in the Margarita applied to exploration and production in Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, and then- Gonzalez Auditorium at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Bogotá. North America, are coming to Latin America AAPG vice president-Regions Alfredo but will require training, new skills, new Guzmán joined Weimer in Peru for his technologies, new ways of thinking.” second visit to the country. Colombiana de Geologos y Geofisicos del of the spectacular technology used by By the end of the trip Weimer had In each country, local affiliated societies Petroleo for their hospitality. Meetings with the petroleum industry, the future of their captured the attention of nearly 250 hosted AAPG, coordinated logistics with these societies and leading companies profession and what they can expect in their university students from 10 universities. universities and assisted with business helped define local education and training petroleum industry careers. In Bogota, six AAPG student chapters appointments. needs, along with future opportunities for The seminar, titled “The Petroleum participated in the seminar. Thanks go to the leaders and members industry-society-AAPG collaboration. Industry in the Next Decade: An Overview In Lima, Weimer gave the presentation of Asociación Argentina de Geólogos y Among Weimer’s goals for his visit of the Science, Technology and AAPG,” to Universidad de San Marcos students Geofísicos Petroleros, Asociacao Brasileira was outreach to universities and AAPG is intended for graduate students, upper- de Geologos de Petroleo, Sociedad student chapters by teaching a seminar level undergraduate students and local Geologica del Peru, and Asociacion designed to give students a strong sense professionals. Continued on next page

36 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Long Beach Abstracts Are Invited bstracts continue to be accepted online for the 2012 AAPG Annual AConvention and Exhibition (ACE), which will be held April 22-25 in Long Beach, Calif. The ACE theme is “Directing the Future of E&P – Starring Creative Ideas and New Technology,” and the technical program will comprise 11 themes: u Active Oil and Gas Fields: Development and Production – A look at state-of-the-art production, development resources. (W.C. “Rusty” Riese) geoscience and multidisciplinary u Environmental and Energy studies applied to both mature and new Research – The relationship between fields worldwide. (Theme chair: Tony environment and energy, safety and

Reid) oil spill response to CO2 capture and u Emerging Frontiers – Recent sequestration. (Chris Smart) discoveries, emerging exploration u Structural Geology and plays and breakthroughs in geoscience Neotectonics – State-of-the-art thinking technology. (Carlos Marcellari) and research into structural geology u Siliciclastics Reservoirs: and tectonics. (David Ferrill) Exploration and Characterization u Geophysics and Seismology – – Current trends and concepts of Technology and recent advances in siliciclastic reservoir deposition and geophysics, with special emphasis on characterization. (Andrea Fildani) integrating geology and geophysics u Carbonates and Evaporites: in exploration and production. (Steven Exploration and Characterization Getz) – Current knowledge and research into u Geoscience Principles and carbonate reservoirs and evaporates. Applications – A broad range of (Sean Guidry) geological topics, focusing on the u Unconventional Resources – application of various principles and Where we are and what’s ahead for technologies in natural resource unconventional resources, including exploration and production. (Hilario predictive geologic controls on Camacho) unconventional reservoir performance. u AAPG and SEPM Student Poster (Steve Sonnenberg) sessions. (Sean O’Connor) u Basin Analysis and Petroleum Abstracts must be received by Sept. 22. Systems – Concepts and ideas that To submit an abstract, or for cover the broader aspects of basin- more information, go to aapg.org/ scale petroleum systems and geo- longbeach2012. histories. (Barry Katz) Exhibition and sposorship u Alternative Energy – Exploration opportunities also are available online – and use of energy outside conventional or contact [email protected] for more and unconventional oil and gas information.

Continued from previous page ICE 2013 Kick Off

Highlighting the stop in Bogota was and then gave the same presentation to a reception hosted by the Colombian interested scientists from industry. National Hydrocarbon Agency (ANH) to The seminar slides and exercise celebrate and launch the AAPG 2013 materials were donated to each university International Conference and Exhibition in with the intent to motivate students to Cartagena. explore deeper in pursuit of energy industry ANH director Armando Zamora careers. confirmed support of the 2013 ICE by the Colombian agency, and Enrique Industry, Affiliates Meetings Velasquez, AAPG Latin American Region president and exploration vice president for At this time of intense industry activity in Ecopetrol, pledged his company’s support Latin America, leaders from 15 companies for the conference. plus members of the local societies met with Victor Vega, who will serve as the the AAPG delegation of Weimer, Vega and Bogota ICE general chair, explained the Guzmán. approach he plans for building the ICE The companies and societies technical program. consistently indicated strong interest in “Having the ICE in Colombia is a great expanding their interaction with AAPG, opportunity for integration of the Latin hosting Geosciences Technology America Region,” Vega said. Workshops and regional AAPG lecturers. “The idea is that local associations from Companies in turn were asked to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and encourage their young professionals to Peru will help in putting together country- be an active part of AAPG programs. And specific themes to discuss the most ideas were discussed for company support relevant topics related to exploration in their of neighboring universities, such as regular countries,” he added. interaction with student chapters, providing During meetings with leading upstream internships and serving as industry mentors sector companies, the AAPG delegation for the Latin America Region Imperial Barrel personally invited companies from each Award Program. country to participate in the Cartagena ICE In Brazil, Petrobras hosted the AAPG and exchanged ideas for the program. delegation at the newly expanded CENPES In Lima, for example, AAPG met with research center and laboratories dedicated Pluspetrol, Savia, Petrobras and Compañía to Petrobras pre-salt projects. While there, Española de Petróleos, Sociedad Anónima. geoscientists from Petrobras discussed Ideas were discussed for fieldtrips to supporting the AAPG student chapter at outcrops where the producing section of

nearby Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. the Camisea gas field is fully exposed. EXPLORER WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 37 EXPLORERAAPG Foundation (General) Linda J. Christianson Peter Gordon Gray Amoruso Special University of North Dakota Jay M. McMurray Memorial Olanrewaju A. Aboaba Veronica Ciavarella Arthur Randolph Green Publications Fund Steven George Stancel Grant-in-Aid Audrey W. Adams James Lane Claughton Joseph G. Greenberg Karen Wagner Walter P. Kleweno Matthew D. Adams Thomas W. Clawson Jeremy Theodore Greene Foundation Donors University of Texas In memory of Keith Robert Adamson William Atlee Clement Jack Lee Gregory The names that appear here are of those who have made donations to Awards Fund Mendoza Jose J. Hernandez J.M. McMurray Tammy L. Alcorn Lester Woodrow Clutter Jack T. Gregory Robert Berg Steven D. Mills Beth Ann Aldrich Walter House Cochran Bob Greider the AAPG Foundation in the past month – predominately through adding Outstanding Research Award Mruk Family Named Grant Ubertino Aliaga John Thomas Coleman Gerhard E. Greiner James Robert Lantz University of Utah Denise M. Cox Malcolm Edward Allan Edward Wilson Collins Paul John Gribas some additional monies on their annual dues statement. Gregory Martin Larberg Edith C. Allison Peter MacKenzie David M. Allard J. Spencer Collins William V. Grieser To these people, and to those who have generously Changsu Ryu Jeffrey Lloyd Allen James W. Collinson David G. Griffin University of Wyoming Ohio Geological Society Gregg Steven Alletag Bruce B. Cone Norman W. Grimes made donations in the past, we sincerely thank you. Best Student Paper Nicholas G.K. Boyd III Named Grant David L. Allin Randy L. Cone Steve K. Grimsley and Poster Award Peter MacKenzie Joel R. Alnes Jack Conklin Richard Hughes Groshong Jr. With your gifts, the AAPG Foundation will continue William Wallace Bayne Virginia Tech James McDonald Anibal Cesar Alves Sheridan Caraway Conley Robert John Groth Douglas Charles Bleakly David Ray Grogan Pittsburgh Association of William Anthony Ambrose Marvin Keith Conn In memory of its stewardship for the betterment of the science and Randal Eric Gibson Arthur Craig Mullenax Petroleum Geologists John J. Amoruso Clarence Frederick Conrad Andy Alpha S. George Pemberton Katharine Lee Avary Garrick A. Anderson Louis J. Conti Paul Michael Guerino the profession of petroleum geology. Ritchie Wayland Digital Products Robert Matthews Anderson David Richard Cook Samuel Cole Guy Search and Discovery Fund Donald A. and Mary O’Nesky Thomas Westley Angerman Richard Dale Cook Jose Ignacio Guzman Ziad Beydoun Memorial Award Richard Herbert Gartner Named Grant Bruce S. Appelbaum Rucsandra Maria Corbeanu Matthew Hackworth The AAPG Foundation Trustees Alan Peter Heward Donald A. O’Nesky J. David R. Applegate Scott Alan Corsair Albert Haertlein Karen Wagner In honor of Jim Hartman Richard L. Appling Curtis E. Covey Waldine Haertlein Distinguished Lecture Fund Julie Dee Bell Kunio Arai Peter Franklyn Cowell Neil Wallace Hamilton Jules Braunstein Edward B. Picou Jr. George Robert Bole Wenche Helena Asyee Jason Charles Cox Thomas M. Hamilton George William Krumme Frederick Dale Mueller John Michael Robinson Michael William Strickler Memorial Award Named Grant Kazuyoshi Hoshi Leonard McCaskie Atkins Jr. John George Cox In memory of Gary F. Land Arthur Craig Mullenax Stanley Edmund Roe Terrell Blane Stroud Hege Marit Nordgard Bolas William S. Peirce Yusaku Konishi Clayton Richard Ayers Ronald Thomas Cramer Thomas Barrow Robert H. Lander David Stewart Muller John F. Rogers Tony R. Stuart John Christian Scheldt Robert H. Lander Arthur Paul Baclawski Corbin William Crews Gary James Hampson Royce C. Landman James Alfred Mulligan III Margaret Anne C. Rogers Christopher W. Stull Geoscience in Media Award Douglas Keene Morton Jonas W. Bailey Jennifer R. Crews Harry John Hansen Charles W. Landmesser Paul Edwin Mullinax Michael A. Rogers Michael L. Stults Barry R. Gager John H. and Colleen Silco Ronald Alan Nelson Rogers J. Bailey Myrt E. Cribbs Andrew D. Hanson William Edward Langenbahn George King P. Munson Jr. William Dake Rose Jr. Eddy A. Subroto Named Grant Tracy Michelle Quan Alfred Harry Baker Jr. Joseph William Cross Dexter Lee Harmon James Robert Lantz Daniel Joseph Murphy Sr. Sigmund J. Rosenfeld James George Sullivan Jr. Michel T. Halbouty Memorial Robert Anselm Ortalda Samuel Thompson III Kate Hadley Baker Dona Long Crouch John A. Harrell Laurn R. Larson James Howard Murphy In honor of Robert W. Sullivan Jr. Leadership Award In memory of Seymour R. Baker H. John Cumming David William Harris Jeffrey L. Lawton Janet Lee Murphy Charles A. Sternbach, Aaron Kent Summerfield Heinz Martin Burgisser In memory of Charles V. James Parkinson; John Schuyler Baldwin Robert E. Curtis Jeanne Elizabeth Harris Donald Clement Le Van Michael James Murphy Lawrence D. Meckel, Lee J. Suttner In memory of Erik Mason Chuck” Campbell In honor of Hy Seiden Lawrence Archer Baldwin M.A. Custer In memory of Wayne Lebsack Patricia O’Brien Murphy John W. Shelton, James D. Suydam Jerome Paul Walker Charles William Welby Thomas Ashley Baldwin Paul H. Daggett Andy Alpha Danny Howard Ledford Robert Gerard Murphy Steve L. Veal, Robert Bidwell Suydam Holland Excellence Award In honor of John George Arnold Ball Jr. Jeffrey L. 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Jarvis In honor of AAPG staff Dianna Ruth Phu Vinton Hubbard Sholl Guang Ming Wang Oregon State University William A. Morgan George Kenneth Edgerton Lorenz M. Braren Steven R. Fekete James William Jennings Jr. Michael Kelly McInerney M. Dane Picard Martin Richard Shumway Andrew Craig Warford Jason Dennis Chaytor Gary Wayne Ford Edward B. Breland Paul B. Feldman Mark Ming-Jung Jiang Alexander Baldwin McInnis Edward Beauregard Picou Jr. John H. Silcox Douglas Raymond Waterman John M. Kachelmeyer Norman H. Foster Barry R. Gager Joseph Lawrence Brewton Hershal Cevera Ferguson Jr. Brian Scott Joerger John C. McKallip Jr. Leo Piedimonte George M. Simmons William Gorom Watson Memorial Grant Mark Lewis Hales Donald A. Brice Robert Bruce Ferguson Ben Johnson III Jere W. McKenny Michael L. Pierce William Dwight Simmons Alecia Lucille Wawrzynski Princeton University Kevin Patrick Corbett Andrew S. Harper Andrew L. Brill Ellis Charles Fernalld Glenden Fordice Johnson Harven Michael McKenzie Richard Lee Piqune Michael Arthur Simms Christopher James Wayne Andrew Yelenosky Brian Russel Frost Melissa Kelly Harrell Samuel B. Bristow Alan James Fernie James Franklin H. Johnson Steven Darryl McKenzie Robert Starl Pittman Grigore Simon Michael G. Webb Steven Maurice Goolsby Paul Carrington Henshaw Jr. James Hollis Britton Jr. Belinda Peggy Ferrero- Michael Sam Johnson Cameron Robert McLain Kay L. Pitts Howard Muncie Simpson Stephen John Webb Southern Methodist University David Lawrence Read Don Dennis Irwin Ronald F. Broadhead Hodgson Robert Kern Johnson George Lee McLeod Jeremy B. Platt Iyabode Tokunbo Sindiku Kane Christopher Weiner Lorraine “Lori” Longo Charles W. Landmesser G.W. Brock Joao C.A. Figueira Wayne Perry Johnson Mark McLeod Bernard Podolsky Mark Alan Sippel Bonnie Renee Weise Harold J. Funkhouser Kay Lani Lee Larry Dennis Brogdon William Robert Finley James Allen Johnston David Albert McMahon Jr. Michael D. Podolsky John David Sistrunk Jr. Joseph Leonard Weitz Stephen F. Austin Memorial Grant Nina C. Lian Hilary James Brook Nicholas Hugh Finucane Matthew Allen Johnston Charles E. McMunn Gary Neil Polasek Damir Stjepan Skerl In memory of State University Andrew D. Hanson Claudio Dario Manzolillo Ellis Craig Brooks Nicholas E. Fischietto Thomas Johnson Joiner Mike McTeague John F. Polasek Anthony J. Skeryanc Hugh D. Miser William Harold Kaufman Stephen K. Marks James R. Broten James D. Fisk Crandall Davis Jones Thomas Andrew McWhorter Richard M. Pollastro Isaac Edwin Skillern John Patrick F. Welch Jean G. Funkhouser George Mavris Mary E. Broussard Claudio Pires Florencio George R. Jones Michael R. McWilliams Edward Joseph Porter Christopher E. Slagle Edmund Gerald Wermund Jr. Texas A&M University Memorial Grant Ernest R. Morrison Don M. Brown Arthur Henry Forbes Jr. James C. Jones II Alan Wayne Meeks Tony M. Preslar Houston Leale Slate James Edward Werner Richard Herbert Gartner Jean K. Funkhouser Harry William Mueller III James Alexander Brown Jr. Gary Wayne Ford James S. Jones James Edward Melland George Flory Pritchard Robert Gerard Slyker Jr. James Charles West Hugh Nicholson Johnnie Boyd Brown William Jack Ford Jeffrey Tyler Jones Gary Michael Mercado Ronald W. Pritchett Daniel Lester Smith Thomas E. West Jr. Texas Tech University Lawrence W. Funkhouser Anne Verity Oldham Philip Rodney Brown Michael C. Forrest Jon Rex Jones David Morris Mercer Harry Ptasynski Greggory P. Smith John Martin Wetzel Abdulsamee K. Albahbahani Named Grant David W. Oldham Timothy Scott Brown Richard M. Foshee Larry L. Jones Craig Thomas Meyer Donald Gerard Puglio John Charles Smith Ronald Richard White Richard Herbert Gartner Andrew D. Hanson William S. Peirce Harrison T. Brundage Helen Laura Foster Thomas William Jones Robert Lee Meyer William Moore Quackenbush Lawrence Ralph Smith John Michael Widmier * Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hollis Chase Savage Reid In memory of Donna Lynn Fouch-Flores David Paul Jordan Edward George Mickel Spencer Scott Quam Marlis Earl Smith Chandler Thomas Wilhelm Tulane University * Mr. and Mrs. Robert Snell Stanley Edmund Roe John H. Hefner Frederick Braitling Fowler John E. Jordan Jr. Robert Calvin Milici Tracy Michelle Quan Robert Ryland Smith Peter Hawley Wilkinson Arthur H. Johnson * Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Robert R. Sartain Arthur Charles Brunton Todd Arthur Fowler Robert R. Jordan David Hunter Miller Kenneth Robert Quarfoth Roger William Smith Jack J. Williams Stoneburner Sharon M. Sartain David Gerald Bryant Bruce Wendell Fox Thomas Eugene Jorden Jim Patrick Miller In memory of Thomas Ray Smith James Woodrow Williams University of Arkansas * In honor of Lawrence John Christian Scheldt Huyen Thi Thanh Bui Matthew J. Frankforter Juan I. Juarez Wayne David Miller Uno Nummela Timothy L. Smith Joel Steven Williams Kate Hadley Baker Funkhouser’s 90th birthday John Joseph Schneider Charles T. Bukowski Jr. Christopher Dale Franks Robert Stan Jumper Wayne Millice Michael Joseph Quinn Brian McKenzie Smyth John Glynn Williams Jerry P. Siok John David Bukry Stephen K. Frazier Paul David Kaminsky Richard Alvin Mills John Michael Rakowski Walter S. Snyder Lynn Williams University of Calgary Robert K. Goldhammer Charles Robert Speh George W. Burg Troy Allen Freund William Henry Kanes Steven D. Mills Rafael E. Ramirez Kurt G. Sommer Steven John Williams Gordon Leon Marney Memorial Grant In memory of Capt. Jack David Warren Burge Samuel Arthur Friedman John M. Kapchinske Susan Dearborn Mills Victor O. Ramirez Stephen A. Sonnenberg William L.M. Wilsey Karst Smallwood, USAF Paul J. English Hans Max Bisewski William A. Burgett Larry P. Friend Robert William Karlewicz Robert Clarkson Millspaugh Gene Austin Ratcliff Donald A. Soper Augustus O. Wilson Jr. James Rudolph Strawn Jennifer R. Crews Daniel Robert Burggraf Jr. George W. Friesen Thomas Clifton Kartrude Charles Van Horn Mims Christopher Arthur Rautman John Stanfield Spaid John W. Wilson In memory of F.A. Peterson University of California, David Lilburn Homan William Charles Burkett A. Eugene Fritsche Michael Dean Karvelot Robert John Minck Barry Joseph Rava Dennis M. Sparks Mark Dale Wilson Erika Syba Berkeley Robert William Karlewicz Barry Wayne Burkhardt James Philip Frymire Joe Alfred Keeling Jay Preston Mitchell Robert L. Read Stephen William Speer Paul D. Wilson David Lowell Tett Nicholas G.K. Boyd III Jerry Glen McCaskill Jr. Kim Robert Butler Jonathan Edwards Funk William A. Keller Robert Bruce Mitchell Brian Glover Reddick William Robert Speer Todd Montgomery Wilson David Paul Thetford Paul Carrington Henshaw Jr. Laura Ines Net Malcolm Butler Victor Hugo Gabela Jr. Allen L. Kelley Steven D. Mitchell Bill K. Reed Charles Robert Speh Wilbur Dean Wilson Linda Joyce Tollefson John O.D. Byrd John Anderson Gambill Steve B. Kelly Stephen C. Ruppel Stanley Arnold Mollerstuen Bernard William Regel In memory of Capt. Jack Stephen M. Windle University of Southern California Robert William Waring D. Gregory Cable Carlos Alberto Garcia James William Kendall Michael Arthur Simms Julio Andres Montano Kevin Wayne Reimer Karst Smallwood, USAF James Charlton Wise Andrew S. Harper Steven John Williams Stephen Douglas Caffery Beatriz Garcia-Fresca Martin Charles Kennedy Benjamin J. Sloan William Clyde Moody Jr. Fritz W. Reuter Charles Boardman Speice William G. Womble Louis Jay Rothenberg Mark Allan Yanoski Susan Kiefner Cage Arthur John Garden Nicholas J. Kerr John Edward Mooney Craig Wayne Reynolds Charles W. Spencer Mark Randall Wood Edwin Leslie Trice III Gregory Phillip Yvarra Richard Joseph Callaway Richard Anthony Garrard Raphael V. Ketani Judy O. Mooney J. David Reynolds III Samuel C. Spencer Jack Landis Woods University of Thomas Ross Cambridge Richard Herbert Gartner Mohammed A. Kidwai Clara-Luz Mora Eddie W. Rhea Gary Splittberger James Charles Woodson Grants-in-Aid Committee Boone Pickens Ted Cammarata Daryl R. Gaumer Fiona Elizabeth Kilbride California-Santa Cruz John Lee Moran Michael A. Richter Harry V. Spooner Jr. John Henry Wright Jr. Named Grant Digital Geology Fund Joseph Kent Campbell Hongxing Ge Gary Lee King Laurie D. Green Sidney Stuart Moran John Grayson Ridgway Robert Hoag Springer Timothy Francis Wright Peter MacKenzie Kenneth O. Daniel Brian Stewart Carl James E. Geitgey James Richard King David Leslie Ewart Moreton Julius Mosal Ridgway Colin Leonard Stabler Qiang Xu University of Colorado David Ray Grogan Alfred Townes Carleton Jr. Matthew David Gentry Steven Ray King Kirk Brannen Morgan Wade Clark Ridley David William Stangl Chaoqing Yang William Wallace Bayne Michel T. Halbouty Clara-Luz Mora Don Forrest Carlos James A. Gibbs Gregory L. Kirkland Sr. Lee A. Morgan Noel D. Rietman Philip Herald Stark Fu-Pang Yang William Thomas Box Jr. Memorial Grant David Andrew Taylor Kenneth Walter Carlson Ewa Anna Ginal Pete John Klentos Michael Brown Morgan Natasha Marie Rigg Robert Kenneth Steer Yong Cai Yang John Jerome Degenhardt Jr. John R. Carmony William E. Gipson Tim Klibert Frederic August Tietz Stanley Sherwood Morgan Kenton Nile Riggs Edward Anthony Steiner Andrew Yelenosky Publication Pipeline Fund Larry S. Carter In memory of James Edward Kline Aaron A. Van Den Berg Michael Scott Morris William F. Ripley John Russell Stephens J. Marc Young Bernold M. “Bruno” Hanson Claudio Dario Manzolillo Jack Cleveland Cartwright Nelson E. Webernick Jack A. Klotz Stanley Ray Morris Pilar R. Ritcherson Richard Clay Stever William Allen Young University of Houston Memorial Environmental Grant Gerrit Wind Francisco F. Carvalho Kirk Girouard Joe R. Klutts Ernest R. Morrison Alberto Riva John Rolland Stewart James Joseph Zambito IV Harven Michael McKenzie Craig M. Dingler Tom Ann L. Casey Jerome E. Glass Roy Knappe Jr. Lonny D. Morrison Cecil R. Rives John W. Stewart Gerald Paul Zieche Walter T. Levendosky E.F. Reid Scouting Fund Manuel John Castro Craig Lee N. Glassinger Kerry Dan Knight Douglas Keene Morton Jess Perry Roach Robert Graham Stewart Robert Leonard Zinn University of Illinois William A. Keller Paul Anthony Catacosinos David Hendrix Glenn Harold William Knudsen Neil Gerard Moss Jeffrey Alan Roberts Emily Laws Stoudt Barry Lynn Zinz Robert H. Lander James E. Hooks Thomas Leland Chamberlin Stephen M. Golas Mark Harry Koelmel Richard Parker Mott Larry Edmund Roberts Stephen Malcolm Strachan James Michael Zotkiewicz William W. Wilson Memorial Grant Visiting Geoscientist Fund Jon Duckett Champeny Judd Goldberg William F. Koerschner III Larry Richard Moyer Philip Kenneth Roberts Dieter Helmut Strack David William Zwart Kathryn Hickmon Dando Edith C. Allison Arthur Lawrence Champine Duncan Goldthwaite Kazumasa Koide Edward C. Mozley Betty May Robertson Spencer Boyd Street III Mark Alan Dando Karen Wagner Jacques Chasse Landry “Lanny” J. Goodman Martin Arthur Kopacz Brett Stephen Mudford Lloyd Bain Robertson Geoffrey William Streitel University of Kansas John Ernest Chatfield Mathew Goolsby Richard A. Kopp David James McBride Jayne L. Sieverding Bruce Ned Cheatham Kim P. Granzow Suwisa Koysamran L. Austin Weeks Igor Chiambretti Patrick John F. Gratton L. Michael Kozimko The monthly list of AAPG Foundation contributions is based on information provided University of Missouri- Frank E. Kottlowski Undergraduate Fund Karen I. Christensen Patrick Sean Gratton Christopher Mark Kravits by the AAPG Foundation office. Columbia Memorial Grant Katharine Lee Avary David J. Christiansen Jr. Sara Marie Gratton Max Allen Krey Mark Edward Petersen Steven John Johansen Douglas Charles Bleakly 38 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG The Foundation’s “Meeting Challenges … Assuring Success” campaign has raised $34,334,961 as of June 30, and will continue through 2011 with a goal of raising $35 million. EXPLORERAAPG FOUNDATION UPDATE 1,529 Members Donated to AAPG Foundation BY NATALIE ADAMS, AAPG Foundation Manager

he AAPG Foundation closed-out Special Publications Fund to the Amoruso ExxonMobil Exploration, was a graduate of Heights.” the 2010-11 fiscal year on June 30 Special Publications Fund, in honor of UCLA and the University of Wisconsin. Sponsorships are being requested for Twith 1,529 contributions that totaled the service and the financial commitment Recipients can be from any university the business meetings, field trip and table $2,180,648. that John J. Amoruso has made to the with a geology department. sponsors. This enables the Foundation to support Foundation. The Trustee Associates would like to dozens of programs and provide many Amoruso, a member of the Foundation u Attention Texas Tech alumni and welcome Martin Shields as a new member. more scholarships and awards to deserving Board of Trustees, also is a past AAPG friends – the Eddie David Challenge He has been a member of AAPG since students – so thanks to all who have president, a winner of the Michel T. Halbouty Grant needs only $28,980 to establish an 1980 and lives in The Woodlands, Texas. contributed this year! Outstanding Leadership Award and an endowment for the Texas Tech University. For information on the TA’s upcoming The Foundation’s annual report is AAPG Honorary Member. David, a Trustee Associate, has agreed meeting, or on joining the group, go online to available online at the Foundation website. to match gifts for two new grants up to foundation.aapg.org/trusteeassociates.cfm. * * * $100,000. The new Eddie David Named * * * In other Foundation news: Grant is restricted to graduate students at * * * The Foundation Trustees met in June Texas Tech University as part of the AAPG When paying your AAPG dues, here’s and took action on several proposals, u The Mansfield Library at the University Foundation Grants-in-Aid program. something to consider: Add a contribution to including: of Montana Missoula is looking for a donor The new George B. Asquith Scholarship the AAPG Foundation in your payment. to establish a University Subscription for its for Excellence in Petroleum Geology will By doing so you can help the AAPG u Approved using $62,500 from the library. be selected annually by the Texas Tech Foundation reach the next generation. Visiting Geoscientists Fund for travel The University of Montana has its main Foundation and will be based on research Give online at foundation.aapg.org/ expenses related to an extended AAPG campus in Missoula, as well as branch achievement and academic merit for a donate.cfm, or mail to AAPG Foundation, outreach trip of AAPG President Paul campuses in three other locations: Montana graduate student studying exploration of P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Weimer. Tech in Butte, UM-Western in Dillon and the hydrocarbon resources. Credit card donations can be made by Weimer is presenting a half-day short Helena College of Technology in Helena. To contribute to this initiative, contact the calling 1-888-945-2274, ext. 644. course, free of charge for students and Those interested should contact the Foundation office. You also can contact the office for professionals, titled, “The Petroleum Industry Foundation office at 918-560-2674. information on supporting the Foundation’s in the Next Decade: An Overview to the u In June we published a list of 22 mission through a bequest or other Science, Technology and AAPG” (see u The Foundation also is seeking people who have contributed to the planned gift. related story, page 36). His travels will take donations specifically for two funds in its Foundation for 10 or more consecutive him to more than 34 locations around the Grants-in-Aid program – the Gretchen years – but there is a 23rd person whose * * * world during his term. Nakayama Memorial Grant and the Kenneth name was inadvertently omitted. That would Three AAPG Foundation Trustee u Approved a proposal from AAPG’s O. Stanley Memorial Grant. be Jack Martin, who has contributed to the Associates have recently died: Virginia Search and Discovery for $50,000. Search Nakayama was a researcher for Foundation for 20 consecutive years. Monaghan, Thomas Edwards Matson and and Discovery is a free, digital online ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company. past AAPG President Don Freeman Tobin geoscience database and is available to She was a graduate of University of * * * (see related story, page 47). geoscientists, academia and members of Rochester and University of California- The 34th annual Trustee Associates Their obituaries can be found at www. the general public. Davis. meeting will be held Sept. 7-11 at Lake foundation.aapg.org under the “Trustee

u Changed the name of the former Stanley, a geological adviser for Tahoe, Calif., with the theme “Reaching New Associates” tab. EXPLORER

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 39 “ProTracks” is a new ongoing feature of the EXPLORER, offering news and information pertinent to getting started or getting better in your career. EXPLORERAAPG PROTRACKS Having the ‘Write’ Stuff Essential for Geologists By SUSAN R. EATON, EXPLORER Correspondent

APG member Matt Hall is inspiring into the public domain. geologists and geophysicists to write “I can’t stand the fact that writing A about what makes them tick: earth should be left to the so-called ‘experts,’” sciences. said 40-something Hall, a Ph.d geologist, Whether it’s discussing the recent geophysicist and former copy editor of earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the math texts for the Reed Elsevier Scientific eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano in Group. Iceland or innovative presentations at “We’ve all got something to contribute, oil and gas conferences, Hall wants to and there are almost no boundaries,” he “democratize” earth science writing, said. “Writing is a way to reflect one’s own expanding it beyond the formal realm of work as a geoscientist.” academic and peer reviewed journals and Further encouraging his peers to get creative, Hall says, “Dive in. Be bold. That’s what the Wikipedia editors say.” Hall, a principal consultant with Agile Geoscience Ltd., is at the forefront of a current paradigm shift that’s re-evaluating how the general public (and geoscientists) views the act of writing itself. Most readers, according to Hall, view themselves as passive consumers of information, and not as writers. “The audience is important,” Hall said, “but it’s also about the writer being engaged – the process of writing and publishing (blogs, magazine articles or conference papers) engages the individual. “Engagement is going to drive excellence in what we do,” he continued. “And it will inspire kids to get involved in earth sciences.”

Write, Right?

Hall has designed a writer’s tool kit and short course for geoscientists, laying the foundation for his peers to contribute – write, email, blog or tweet – their ideas and opinions on geoscience issues, taking advantage of all available platforms, including the new social media. It is, for him, a new career opportunity. In May Hall taught his inaugural course, “Writing for Earth Scientists,” at the CSPG- CSEG-CWLS joint annual convention in Calgary, Canada, attracting nine students. His one-day course focuses on the principles of clear, accurate writing, and provides students with practical, down-to- earth writing skills. The course acknowledges how geoscientists view the world, and capitalizes the power of combining written text with various types of figures – maps, cross-sections, tables, bar graphs, mathematics, units of measurement, signs and symbols – to produce maximum impact. Students are encouraged to bring samples of their past or present work for classroom discussions and feedback, and at the end of the course they depart with homework. To Hall’s surprise, many of his Calgary students – all geologists and geophysicists – weren’t just interested in technical writing; they were also curious about writing fiction, blogs and “fun-to-read” articles. “A couple of years ago, this course would have been about writing for technical journals,” he said. “Writing doesn’t have to be that big a deal; it can actually be fun. People generally read for fun or for entertainment.”

Continued on next page 40 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG Continued from previous page the course of performing his daily job, Hall’s colleague at Agile Geosciences. Dahl regularly posts informal reports, “But writing creates a level playing posters and dynamic maps, soliciting field; it’s a more thoughtful way to peer reviews within the ConocoPhillips’ communicate.” An ‘Invaluable Tool’ global family of experts. Hall is based in Mahone Bay, Nova “There is a shift going on in the Scotia, a sleepy town in Nova Scotia But are writing skills becoming company toward rewarding people for where the steeples of its three waterfront obsolete in the age of the new social their sharing of knowledge and not just churches used to serve as beacons media? for their technical knowledge,” Dahl to sailors. Yet, Hall’s geoscience blog Just the opposite is true, according said. “And there’s no better way to show (www.agilegeoscience.com) – which to AAPG member Mark Dahl, a geologist your performance than to write about it. is gaining quite a global following – with ConocoPhillips Canada in Calgary “Some managers who don’t want connects him to the oil and gas industry. who attended Hall’s course. to participate in this new form of One of Agile’s pet projects is open “Writing skills have become more communication become isolated within software, providing free source code important, especially with the advent of their own teams and companies,” he and applications (“apps”) to geologists tweeting and blogging,” Dahl said. “And added. and geophysicists, complete with videos I want to be part of that community.” Dahl’s comments are echoed by Evan on how to use the apps. Dahl regularly contributes to Bianco, another course participant. “You have to have a tough skin ConocoPhillips’ in-house Wikipedia “A lot of oil and gas geoscientists to blog,” Bianco said. “With blog site, which is extensively peer reviewed may think that writing is not important, publishing, you go through hundreds of throughout the company, from its because in a meeting the loudest voice peer reviews, and it happens after you

upstream and downstream divisions. In wins,” said Bianco, a geophysicist and Matt Hall, geologist and writer. publish.” EXPLORER

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 41 EXPLORERAAPG Unconventionals Will Get Global Showcase at Milan ICE By JEFF ALDRICH

he fast-approaching AAPG World of Uncooperative Reservoirs – The International Conference and Geoscience of Unconventional Resources,” T Exhibition in Milan will showcase – in which will feature a topical, integrated association with EMD – a comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment of oil and unconventional resources program with gas shale, tight reservoirs and coal bed global scope, ranging in scale from methane. the nanopore to the petroleum system, The program will kick-off with an update exploring the latest in applied geoscience on coal bed methane exploration and and engineering. breaking developments in Australia, India, The Milan ICE will be held Oct. 23-26, UK and Germany; move on to high-potential under the general theme “Following Da tight rock plays in China and Germany; and Vinci’s Footsteps to Future Resources: then introduce an exciting “super-mature” Innovations from Outcrops to Assets.” gas play concept in South Africa. The unconventional program is the Shales will then increasingly become emphasis of ICE Theme VI: “Dynamic the oral session focus and start with an examination of rock properties, geomechanics, impact of regional stresses and hydrocarbon maturation on fracturing, the prediction of reservoir pressure from fracture types, and gas generation at very high “can not happen” maturities.

Theme VI co-leaders for the upcoming AAPG ICE in Milan are Paul Basinski, with Ardent Exploration and the EMD ICE co-chair, and Vlastimila Dvorakova, with the Czech Geological Survey and also the AAPG European Region president-elect. Their organizing team included Neil Fishman, with the U.S. Geological Survey and also the EMD ICE co-chair and EMD Gas Shales Committee chair; Erdem Idiz, Shell; Jeff Aldrich, Greenpark Energy; and Ravi Misra, ONGC – all of whom help solicit, thoroughly screen and organize submissions from around the world.

Geophysics is used to improve petrophysical reservoir characterization – which, in turn, is input as a primary driver in the modeling of optimized massive hydraulic fracture stimulations. Subsurface challenges faced in the development of shale gas reservoirs also will be described, and insights will be shared regarding: u The impact of mudstone facies variation on reservoir parameters. u The origin and classification of pores. u Effect of stress on permeability. u The prediction of fluid phases and properties – citing examples from plays including the U.S. Eagle Ford shale, and those in Poland and China. The unconventional oral sessions will conclude with “Shale Oil and Gas Case Studies: The Toolbox to Assets (I & II)”, in which 16 papers will cover lessons learned, risk assessment techniques and results, and practical exploration and development tips from shale plays across Europe as well as the United States’ Bakken and Niobrara; Canada’s Horn River Basin; Russia’s Bazhenov; and China’s Ordos Basin. The Theme VI organizing committee set criteria that demanded authors to demonstrate that the paper or poster would be geoscience- or engineering- focused, current in either the research or the concepts being presented, would add to the specific session assigned and, critically, be relevant to industry geoscientists. “We ended-up with a killer program,” said Paul Basinski, with Ardent Exploration and the EMD ICE co-chair, “with examples from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and

See Milan ICE, page 46 42 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 43 “Professional News Briefs” includes items about members’ career moves and the honors they receive. To be included, please send information in the above format to Professional News Briefs, c/o AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101; or fax, 918-560-2636; or e-mail, [email protected]; or submit directly from the AAPG website, www.aapg.org/explorer/pnb_forms.cfm. EXPLORERAAPG PROFESSIONAL Communications Garners Award newsBRIEFS Terry Axtmann, to senior geological he AAPG Communications with a credit card-shaped USB that adviser, Samson, Tulsa. Previously senior Department has been included a downloadable PowerPoint geological adviser, Pioneer Natural Tawarded the APEX 2011 and video presentations about the Resources, Woking, England. Award of Excellence in the Member Association. Also created was an & Customer Communications attractive key-shaped USB presented Paul M. Basinski, to vice president- category for its work on the in a small pouch that contained the geology and geophysics, Ardent multi-media “We Are AAPG” multi-media presentations. Exploration, Houston. Previously senior project. The AAPG-branded USBs geologic fellow-global unconventional APEX 2011 – the 23rd Annual were intended for continued use resources new ventures, ConocoPhillips, Awards for Publication Excellence by the recipients to provide a Houston. – is an international competition lasting reminder of the services the that recognizes outstanding Association provides. Lindell Bridges, to vice president- publications from newsletters The 2011 APEX Awards drew over exploration, Realm Energy International and magazines to annual reports, content and the success of the entry in 3,300 entries, with awards given in 11 Corp., Vancouver, Canada. Previously brochures and websites. conveying the message and achieving main categories. Other award winners senior vice president-geoscience, EQT According to the APEX 2011 judges, overall communications effectiveness.” included Lockheed Martin, FedEx, Merrill Corporation, Pittsburgh. “The awards were based on excellence The “We Are AAPG” project included Lynch, Bank of America and Toyota. in graphic design, quality of editorial a 32-page, four-color hard-bound book Edward Fenk, to senior energy leader, Mutual of Omaha Bank, Houston. Previously vice president-corporate banking energy industry team, Allied Irish Bank, Houston.

Stephen A. Hermeston, to president and CEO, CGX Energy, Toronto, Canada. Previously new ventures manger, Remora Energy, Houston.

Bonnie Milne-Andrews, to manager- geological operations, Hyperdynamics, Houston. Previously manager-development South Texas, Swift Energy, Houston.

Tim Parker, to president and CEO, Ardent Exploration, Houston. Previously president and CEO, HighMount E&P, Houston.

Petros Papazis, to shale gas team lead- tech services, Chevron Energy Technology, Houston. Previously integrated interpreter, Chevron Canada Resources, Calgary, Canada.

Kermit Witherbee, to geothermal energy geologist/analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colo. Previously national geothermal program manager, Bureau of Land Management, Washington, D.C.

Ian Woollen, to independent consultant, Woollen Consulting, Edinburgh, Scotland. Previously senior geotechnical adviser, PKN Orlen, Warsaw, Poland. Student Expo Starts Sept. 8 he 14th annual AAPG-SEG Student Expo is set for Sept. 8-9 at the TGeorge R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The Student Expo is designed to link geosciences students with industry recruiters. Students benefit from networking, sharing their résumé, presenting their research and having the opportunity to meet with several potential employers. Companies get a cost-effective way to recruit from a diverse and talented student population. Activities include: u Job interviews. u Open poster sessions. u Icebreaker reception. u Field trip and short course option. Students should submit their résumés and poster abstracts by Aug. 29. To register or for more information on the program and travel grants that are available, go to www.studentexpo.info.

44 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 45 EXPLORERAAPG MEMBERSHIP&CERTIFICATIONt The following candidates have submitted Hillis, R.B. Ainsworth, J.G. Kaldi); Hand, Nicolas, applications for membership in the Association. AWE, Sydney (B. Kunjan, E.R. Matthews, G.M. This does not constitute election, but places the Bradley) names before the membership at large. Any information bearing on the qualifications Colombia of these candidates should be sent promptly to Bayona, German, ARES, Bogota (V.O. Ramirez, the Executive Committee, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, E.J. Jaimes, I.D. Olaya-Lopez); Mosquera Okla. 74101. Ramirez, Juan Carlos, Petrobras Colombia, Information included here comes from the Bogota (E.J. Jaimes, A.D. Hurtado Artunduaga, AAPG membership department. V.O. Ramirez) (Names of sponsors are placed in parentheses. Reinstatements indicated do not Indonesia require sponsors.) Sapiie, Benyamin, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Membership applications are available at Bandung (Y.H. Setiawan, N. Guritno, H. Darman) www.aapg.org, or by contacting headquarters in Tulsa. Italy D’Argenio, Bruno, IAMC-CNR, Naples (reinstate) For Active Membership Malaysia Arkansas Oruganti, Bhargava Ram, Petronas Carigali Sdn, Fears, Paul Cordry, Southwestern Energy, Kuala Lumpur (A. Garg, N. Pendkar, J.A. Plata Conway (K.L. Martin, M.L. Justus, R.T. Dupree) Torres)

Louisiana Netherlands Chumley, Matthew Carmody, Nadel & Gussman, Roberts, Jason James, Shell International B.V., Shreveport (T.G. Carmody, D. Sevier, S.C. Den Haag (K.D. Gerdes, M.J. Foley, J. Spinnler) Cowgill); Stuart, Christopher “Joe” N., C&C Technologies, Lafayette (R.A. George, G.K.P. New Zealand Munson Jr., F.W. Harrison Jr.) Jackson, Nick, The Jackson Group, Wellington (W.L. Leask, R.P. Brand, B. Ricketts) Ohio Griffith, Elizabeth Morris, Kent State University, Nigeria Kent (D.K. Holm, R.C. Laudon, I.D. Sasowsky) Adedosu, Taofik Adewale, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (A.O. Esan, Oklahoma A.R. Ojelabi, A.O. Ekun); Igbanor, Temitope Currie, Jason Wellington, Devon Energy, Michael, Earthsource Hydrocarbon, Lagos (B. Oklahoma City (S.A. Stirling, C.D. McKinney, O.L. Pindar, I.J. Ayodele, O.S. Matthew); Ogbekene, Broyles); Dombroski, Brian, Chesapeake Energy, Ivy Eseoghene, Degeconek Nigeria, Lagos Oklahoma City (A.A. Middleman, D.W. Combs, (O.A. Aboaba, I.J. Ayodele, T. Sindiku); Oriade, T.P. Seeley); Hoaglund, Steven, Chesapeake Olabiyi Foluso, Degeconek Nigeria Ltd, Lagos Energy, Oklahoma City (F.W. Gagliardi, L.W. (I.J. Ayodele, K. Kanu, I.T. Sindiku); Osuagwu, Holman II, R.W. Pope); Renfrow, Russell D., Hyacinth Maduakolam, Nigerian Agip Oil Co., Mid-Con Energy, Tulsa (B.S. Huntsman, H.L. Abuja (D.A. Orubiri-Bokolo, D. McPherson, K.O. Townes, J.S. McGhay); Rich, Andrew John, Ladipo); Owoyemi, Ajibola Olaoluwa, Chevron Samson Resources, Tulsa (W.A. Keller, J.D. Pigott, Nigeria, Lagos (O. Bakare, A.O. Ekun, O.O. S.J. Tolbert); Robinson, Danielle D., Newfield Esan); Udofia, Grace Godwin, EarthSource Exploration, Tulsa (W.A. Donaldson, L.M. Knox, Hydrocarbon, Lekki (E.I. Enu, I.M. Akaegbobi, G.W. Van Swearingen) O.K. Ulu)

Pennsylvania Norway Malizia, Thomas R., Chevron, Moon Township Kido, Machiko, Norske AEDC AS, Stavanger (K. (C.J. Jump, S.S. Lutz, W.G. Zempolich) Miyazawa, T. Tsuji, F.T. Lysell)

Texas Peru Berg, Landon Oliver, Cabot Oil & Gas, Graham Lajo Yanez, Jorge Anibal, Savia Peru S.A., San (A.S. Wylie Jr., J.W. Abshire, J.C. Hickman); Isidro (P.A. Alarcon Medina, Kiko H. Valencia, de Wynter, Allison, Mid-Con Energy, Houston Mario Eudoro Chavez-Cerna) (reinstate); Didericksen, Brad, Chevron, Houston (L.C. Knauer, T.D. Elam, S.M. Decker); Qatar Numelin, Tye, ExxonMobil, Houston (J. Sitchler, Ahmad Zamri, Ahmad Fairus, ExxonMobil/ R.F. Ruppert, G.M. Gaskins); Weems, Ian RasGas Co., Doha (J.G. Kaldi, D.G. Rensink, C.J. A., Technical Drilling Services, Amarillo (A.J. Strohmenger) Kolodziej, J.R. Murlin, J.V. Miesse) Saudi Arabia Garner, Nicoli, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran (B.P. Argentina Wallick, J.J. Faulhaber, R.G. Hart) Carstens, Gustavo Jose, independent consultant, La Plata (P.A. Marshall, V.H. Vega, P. Weimer); South Africa Melli, Angela Teresa, Pluspetrol S.A, Capital Davids, Sean, Petroleum Agency SA, Cape Federal (G.C. Rossi, P.A. Malone, M. Arteaga) Town (C.A. Caughey, K. Latter, J. Roux); Salomo, Jonathan Peter, Petroleum Agency SA, Cape Australia Town (C.A. Caughey, K. Latter, J. Roux) Arian, Natt, Arian Petroleum, South Morang (R.R.

event – especially for those focused on the Milan ICE white-hot world of global unconventionals. from page 42 Theme VI is just one of the seven technical themes set for Milan (see story, North America, including 40 oral and pager 14) – but it definitely will hold its own 24 poster submissions, featuring an by bringing in some of the top researchers outstanding field of industry-leading in the field with the most up-to-date results experts, where cutting-edge insights will of their research and field investigations. be shared that can help unlock these vast That, combined with the committed but very challenging resources.” service providers on the exhibition floor, Basinki, who was the driving force will give everyone a great opportunity behind the three EMD-oriented themes for to better acquaint themselves with the the 2011 Houston AAPG ACE, observed leading-edge of these complex and that the shale-related sessions there had challenging reservoirs. record attendance. We know this is a program that Given the terrific authors, depth and will challenge some concepts of breadth of fresh insights, and differential unconventional reservoirs, and we look program that the ICE Theme VI team has forward to sparking discussions that even worked so hard to create, he believes Da Vinci would approve of. Milan will represent another “must-attend” We hope to see you in Milano!

46 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG “In Memory” listings are based on information received from the AAPG membership department. Asterisk denotes AAPG Honorary Member. EXPLORERAAPG INMEMORY Past AAPG Nestor Nicholeris, 86 President Don F. Ventura, Calif., Jan. 17, 2011 Tobin died June 28 at Charles Louis Runnels, 80 his ranch in Bandera Fairhope, Ala., May 21, 2011 County, Texas. He Roy Gene Sharrock, 77 was 95. Houston, Oct. 18, 2010 The son of an William Parker Slater, 82 Irish immigrant and Canyon Lake, Texas, Feb. 5, 2011 pioneer ranching Robert Russell Smart, 91 family, Tobin was TOBIN San Clemente, Calif., May 14, 2010 raised in Wyoming Wayne Foster Stanford, 89 and graduated with a degree in geology Richardson, Texas, May 5, 2011 from the University of Colorado and William R. Thurston, 90 entered the oil industry. He then served Durango, Colo., June 6, 2011 in the U.S. Army Air Corps training * Don F. Tobin, 95 pilots in meteorology and navigation. He Bandera, Texas, June 28, 2011 graduated from St. Mary’s Law School in Kenneth Watts Jr., 84 San Antonio in 1944. Winnfield, La., Aug. 5, 2010 An independent geologist who Eugene Anthony Ziemba, 79 explored and produced in Texas, Arvada, Colo., Dec. 21, 2010 Louisiana and Oklahoma, Tobin served as AAPG president in 1993-94 and received the AAPG Distinguished Service Award in 1991 and Honorary Membership in 1998. He also was a Trustee Associate of the AAPG Foundation.

* * *

Karl Henry Alt, 87 Oklahoma City, May 8, 2010 Richard Clarence Bell, 82 Flat Rock, Ohio, March 29, 2011 Charles Edward Bondurant, 71 Fredericksburg, Texas Sept. 6, 2010 Hal Stone Dean, 88 Midland, Texas, Feb. 12, 2011 William Blake Fox, 82 Casper, Wyo., May 5, 2011 Donald Dean Geil, 80 Liberty, Mo., Sept. 11, 2010 William R. Gerber, 54 Woodward, Okla., March 10, 2011 Jack Webster Grigsby, 89 Shreveport, La., April 27, 2011 Curry Walker Hall, 78 Houston, Oct. 8, 2010 Alan Ray Hansen, 82 Lakewood, Colo. March 25, 2009 George Richardson Harlow, 83 Paoli, Pa., April 27, 2011 John Hardin Hefner, 82 Houston, April 6, 2011 Chesley Coleman Herndon Jr., 83 Oklahoma City, April 6, 2010 Harley Norman Hotchkiss, 83 Calgary, Canada, June 22, 2011 William J. Hunter, 80 Lodi, Calif., Oct. 7, 2010 Charles T. Jenkins, 87 Duncan, Okla., June 8, 2011

Mid-Con Set For OKC “ xploiting Known Reserves as a Bridge to the Future” is the Etheme for this year’s annual Mid-Continent Section meeting, set Oct. 1-4 in Oklahoma City. The meeting will offer a special symposium on “A Characterization of the Mississippian Strata – From the Surface to the Subsurface.” Technical session topics include: u Shale Plays and Unconventional Reservoirs. u Seismic Techniques and Borehole Evaluations. u New Ideas In Old Areas. u Exploration Technologies – Old and New. Information and registration can be found online at 2011aapgmcsectionmeeting.org.

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 47 CLASSIFIED ADS You can reach about 30,000 petroleum geologists at the lowest per-reader cost in the world with a classified ad in the EXPLORER. Ads are at the rate of $2.90 per word, minimum charge of $60. And, for an additional $50, your ad can appear on the classified section on the AAPG web site. Your ad can reach more people than ever before. Just write out your ad and send it to us. We will call you with the word count and cost. You can then arrange prepayment. Ads received by the first of the month will appear in the subsequent edition. EXPLORERAAPG CLASSIFIEDADS POSITION AVAILABLE okstate.edu and http://geology.okstate.edu respectively. Inquiries about this position may be directed to Dr. Todd Halihan (todd.halihan at okstate.edu) or Dr. Jay Gregg Petroleum Exploration Geologist (jaygregg at okstate.edu). Committed to health and Newfield Exploration safety, Oklahoma State University maintains a tobacco Tulsa, OK free work environment. Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/E-Verify employer Seeking Geologist, responsible for conducting committed to diversity. detailed prospect analysis and play fairway assessments within the Mid-Continent Region plus the generation * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * and presentation of prospect ideas and leads to Petroleum Geologists management. This position would be located in Tulsa, Sr. Petroleum Geologists OK. Coal Geologists The successful applicant will generate and update LINC ENERGY OPERATIONS maps, logs, cross-sections and corporate databases CASPER, WY–ANCHORAGE, AK–HOUSTON, TX with new tops, correlations, shows and other pertinent geological data. Develop regional, multi-county Petroleum Geologists should provide expert stratigraphic framework and subsurface correlations. interpretation of petroleum related geological data. Minimum qualifications, ten years of experience, Timely reports and recommendations are generated knowledge of Mid-Continent upstream oil and gas, pertinent to acquisitions, evaluations, reserve estimating experience with conventional and un-conventional plays, and field development. Must work well with multi- experience doing play-fairway analysis assessments. disciplinary teams. Send resume to [email protected]. Qualifications: Post graduate qualifications preferred; working experience in petroleum geology and field * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * development are essential. Must be experienced with exploration, oil field, land drilling and production Postdoctoral Research Associate in Stratigraphy/ terminology and methods. Sedimentology Duties: Work closely with stakeholders to ensure best Reservoir Characterization and practice in O&G operations utilizing geologic knowledge. Modeling Laboratory Develop, scope and execute development programs Department of Geological Sciences for field optimization and EOR suitability. Interpret University of Colorado at Boulder geologic data to fully optimize producing assets. Manage drill rig programs including site based drilling The Reservoir Characterization and Modeling activities. Manage and supervise a team of drillers, Laboratory (RCML) at the University of Colorado at geologists, and other support employees. Structural and Boulder invites applications for a research associate geophysical interpretation including seismic analysis (postdoctoral) in clastic stratigraphy and sedimentology. and interpretation. Develop computer models (PETRA), This is a 1-yr. position, to begin summer or fall 2011, with rollout plans, budgets, scope of work, drilling programs the possibility for extension. The individual will primarily in relation to exploration sites and producing assets. conduct reservoir-scale, outcrop-based research on Coal Geologist positions for Linc Energy will be the stratigraphic characteristics and variability of fluvial responsible for analyzing, reporting and advising on systems of the Williams Fork Formation (Colorado), the geology of the coal deposits within Linc Energy’s and evaluate the controls on reservoir architecture, areas of interest. Provide expert interpretation, heterogeneity, and connectivity. Research opportunities evaluation, resource calculations and advice based on will exist for the individual to conduct detailed outcrop exploration results and pre-existing data. Work with the and subsurface 3-D “reservoir” modeling of the fluvial UCG Technical Team. Emphasis will be in exploration, deposits. Refer to www.jobsatcu.com, posting # 814089. database management, computer modeling, Applicants must have a Ph.D. at the time of appointment. geotechnical analysis, subsidence and estimation of Experience with outcrop characterization is required, and resource quantity and quality. Some field activity and some experience or interest in 3-D geological (reservoir) drill site work possible. modeling is desirable. Candidates should send the Qualifications: 5+ years experience in coal geology following documents: a CV, statement of professional (CBM or mining); demonstrated field experience; goals and research interests, and contact information computer modeling in Petra preferred; geotechnical for three professional references to: Dr. Matthew experience particularly in subsidence preferred. Pranter, Associate Professor and director, Reservoir Demonstrated ability to correlate seams and assess Characterization and Modeling Laboratory, Department seam geometry, associated strata, quality, geohydrology of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado at and geotechnical aspects of a coal deposit.. Boulder, 399 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0399, or matthew. For more information on LINC ENERGY, and for [email protected]. a complete listing of open positions, please visit our The University of Colorado is committed to diversity website at www.lincenergy.com. Please send resumes and equality in education and employment; and to: [email protected] conducts background checks on all final applicants being considered for employment. FOR SALE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

DEVON ENERGY CORPORATION Mudlogging units with easy to learn software. Very CHAIR OF BASIN RESEARCH reliable, full featured, portable units. Contact Automated Mudlogging Systems. The Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is extending its search for (303) 794-7470 www.mudlogger.com the endowed Devon Energy Corporation Chair of Basin Research. This Chair will be filled at the level of Professor, will carry tenure in the School of Geology, and * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * will be filled by January or August 2012. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in geology or related field and have Exploration Library for Sale an outstanding record of research, commensurate with the rank of tenured full professor and a demonstrated Several thousand geoscience related books, record of funding. The specific field of study is open publications, maps, etc. for sale. Everything from mid but special consideration will be given to geoscientists 1800’s USGS reports (Powell Expeditions) to current with interests in reservoir characterization and modeling, publications. Detailed inventory in process. Also have unconventional petroleum reservoirs, depositional and/or 2008 Cannon 8100 44” plotter, Neurascanner (Turbo diagenetic systems, geochemistry of petroleum systems, model, 6 Mo. old), Thermal log printer. Located in and/or origin and migration of basinal fluids. Preference Oklahoma City, call or email to express interest. will be given to candidates with a close working relationship with the petroleum industry. The applicant Jason Strickland must be committed to excellence in teaching both (405) 228-8539 undergraduate and graduate students, will be expected (405) 209-9079 to supervise M.S.- and Ph.D.-level graduate students [email protected] and develop courses in his/her specialty. The successful candidate will join a faculty of twelve geoscientists and will take a leadership role as part of campus and industry research groups in a department MISCELLANEOUS that has close ties to the petroleum industry. The school’s teaching and research facilities include state-of-the- SAMPLES TO RENT art geophysical field and laboratory equipment and software, the Devon Visualization Laboratory, and a wide International Sample Library @ Midland – range of petrographic and geochemical instrumentation. Formerly Midland Sample Library. Established in 1947. The School also maintains a field camp in Canon City, Have 164,000 wells with 1,183,000,000 well samples Colorado. and cores stored in 17 buildings from 26 states, Candidates should submit a letter of application, Mexico, Canada and offshore Australia. We also have a including 1) a discussion of research interests, 2) geological supply inventory. approach to teaching, 3) curriculum vitae, and 4) the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone Phone: (432) 682-2682 Fax: (432) 682-2718 numbers of three references to: Devon Chair Search, Boone Pickens School of Geology, 105 Noble Research * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-3031, Phone: (405)-744-6358, Fax: (405) 744- Eliminate pilot holes and drill more horizontal payzone 7841. Screening of candidates will begin on October 17, with SES technical GEOSTEERING SOFTWARE! SES 2011 and continue until the position is filled. is for geologists who are dissatisfied with drafting-tool More information on OSU and the Boone Pickens methods of geosteering. Free trial. www.makinhole.com. School of Geology can be found on the web http://osu. Stoner Engineering LLC. 48 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 49 Letters to the editor should include your name and address and should be mailed to Readers’ Forum, c/o AAPG EXPLORER, P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101, or fax (918) 560-2636; or e-mail to [email protected]. Letters may be edited or held due to space restrictions. EXPLORERAAPG READERS’FORUM An Important Addition guidelines on air quality, it only makes sense As such, seeing the persistent use the word (and awareness of the practice, After reading the article on clean coal to produce clean coal if it is economically of the terms frack and fracking in AAPG thanks largely to non-industry news technology in the July EXPLORER, I realized sustainable. All of the examples of clean- literature is irritating to AAPG members that coverage of the Marcellus Shale play)

a crucial part of the article – CO2 EOR – was coal sites cited in the article, particularly are involved in the application of hydraulic has entered the public lexicon, and non-

entirely omitted. Weyburn, are relevant to CO2 EOR, fracturing. industry publications and editorial styles For example, Texas, ranking sixth in U.S. and illustrate the need for economic Please consider eliminating the “k” words – especially the Associated Press, which coal production, has abundant coal and sustainability if clean coal is to ultimately be from your editorial pieces. is the style used by the EXPLORER and

lignite resources that could produce CO2 for a viable process. Dave Cramer other industry publications – decided that EOR. Fortunately, Texas and neighboring William A. Ambrose Houston “frack” is a word the public more readily states contain a variety of oil reservoirs Austin, Texas recognizes.

having EOR potential from injection of CO2. Editor’s note: Mr. Cramer’s letter was Hence, when the public uses Internet

CO2 flooding in the Permian Basin in Texas (Editor’s note: The entire Q&A session one of five we received this month that search engines (such as Google) to find and New Mexico has produced >1 billion with Ambrose, who is the chair of EMD’s were critical of our use of the word “frack” out more about the practice, “fracking” barrels (Bbbl) of oil since 1971. Advanced Coal Committee, can be found online at as a term for hydraulic fracturing. We often links to a lot more news stories than Resources International, in a 2006 study, www.aapg.org/explorer/2011/07jul/clean_ suspect there are many other members does the industry-preferred “fracing.” finds that an additional 5.6 Bbbl of oil from coal0711.cfm.) who share this view, and we appreciate Since one of our missions at AAPG is to 127 reservoirs can be technically recovered receiving all comments. communicate our members’ story with the

in the Permian Basin from miscible-CO2 Frac vs. Frack We can assure you, however, the public at large – to provide the opportunity flooding. This is a comment on the spelling of decision to change from “frac” to “frack” for the public to get all sides of the story The Gulf Coast also has a considerable contractions or shortenings of the term was not done casually – nor is it our – we want to do all we can to ensure

CO2 EOR potential. A 2005 study by the hydraulic fracturing in which the letter k is experience that only those with anti- that EXPLORER stories about hydraulic Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) used, (e.g., frack, fracking.) industry bias are using the word. fracturing are the ones that people read.

suggests that CO2 EOR can recover People involved in the application of As AAPG members know, industry While some may disagree with our >4.7 Bbbl of oil the Gulf Coast in Texas, hydraulic fracturing have never routinely publications such as the EXPLORER decision, please understand that we Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. used spellings with the letter k. This is routinely used the word “frac” for years debated the matter for several months To date, the U.S. oil industry has because the letter k is not present in the when writing about hydraulic fracturing before officially declaring (in January) the

injected over 600 million tons of CO2 and spelling of the root word, fracturing. – even though, to the public, there was style change. is currently producing ~250,000 barrels Terms such as frack or fracking have no such word at the time. It was industry Perhaps it’s like the classic Beta vs. VHS

of oil per day with CO2 EOR. According to appeared relatively recently in print, and are shorthand, but since for all of those conflict; in the early days of video, industry economic analysis by the Center for Energy associated with adversaries of the hydraulic years only the industry read such stories experts KNEW Beta was the superior

Economics at the BEG, onshore CO2 EOR fracturing industry. Often, these adversaries there were no complaints that industry technology, but the public CHOSE VHS. projects break even at $60-$80/barrel for are poorly informed and have disseminated publications had essentially created a word In the case of frac vs. frack, the public has

$100-$200 per ton of CO2. incorrect or misleading information to the to reflect the way our sources talked about once again voted. We don’t want to lose Although, as stated in the article, it is public regarding the hydraulic fracturing the process. the chance to communicate with them important to be in compliance with federal process and its environmental risks. For the past 18 months or so, however, because of a controversial “k.”

DIVISIONS’REPORT It’s an unconventional world Remaining Relevant – Not a Problem! By STEPHEN M. TESTA, EMD President

MD members live in an ordinary. In fact, EMD-related interests unconventional and alternative world. are becoming more mainstream in our E Now that may not sound like a EMD will continue to play a daily dialogue – just look at the current positive thing, but I beg to differ. interest among our colleagues and It’s a new year, with a new EMD significant and increasing role as public in gas shale. Executive Committee and president, and I am hopelessly optimistic for political there is renewed interest in unconventional interest grows in unconventional leadership that will move us toward a and alternative energy resources. This and alternative energy resources. national energy policy that is reasonable sounds somewhat like an oxymoron (think and economically and environmentally tight sands, heavy gas or synthetic natural TESTA sound. gas) in the sense that what we refer to as EMD will continue to play a significant unconventional and alternative implies increase over the next decade. gas hydrates with the goal of evaluating and increasing role as interest grows in

that in an EMD world what we do is out of u Although not expected to play a whether CO2 can be injected in a gas unconventional and alternative energy the ordinary and maybe not even relevant. significant role in global production for hydrates reservoir resulting in the resources. This is clearly demonstrated Several things have happened over the another decade, oil shale is projected to production of methane while permanently by the increase in EMD membership

past several years that are causing EMD increase two to potentially five-fold over sequestering CO2. (160 percent since March 2010), to be of more value – or as I would say, the next five years. Industry interest should increase as increasing numbers of individuals “relevant” – as we look ahead. sustained commercial production is tapping into EMD’s website resources A national political push away from the * * * achieved. (EMD web portal activity up 100 percent conventional to the unconventional and Nuclear power has re-emerged over in page views and 900 percent in alternative energy resources is a primary Looking toward the future in regard to the past decade and accounts for about visitors), and an increase in ballots cast factor. the alternatives, coal remains a significant 20 percent of our electricity – increased in the recent election (up 145 percent In review of the Annual Energy component of the world’s production from 2003 to 2007 and decreased until from last year). There is no enthusiastic Outlook 2011 with Projections to 2035 and energy consumption, albeit recently mid-2010. Even with events following indifference here. published by the U.S. Energy Information dropping slightly from supplying about 50 the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and I am both excited and honored to Administration, it is stated that: percent of the U.S. electrical generation tsunami, and resultant Fukushima have the opportunity to serve as the u Shale gas production will continue down to 47 percent. incident, future trends are certainly 2011-12 EMD president. As the new to increase strongly, almost four-fold from Recent technological developments upward, at coal’s expense, over the next EMD Executive Committee develops 2009 to 2035. and advances in clean coal, underground 25 years. and moves forward with our agenda for u The United States continues as the gasification and coal-to-liquids technology Geothermal funding continues at the the upcoming year, our primary purpose world’s leader in coalbed gas exploration, are anticipated to expand our reliability federal level with increases in funding is to continue to demonstrate and booked reserves and production. With a and dependency on coal’s role in the anticipated. maintain our relevancy – and how we major increase of shale gas production, energy mix. Did I forget to mention that energy communicate not only to the choir but to coalbed methane production is Coal production and consumption consumption is anticipated to go up all of our stakeholders. anticipated to remain steady to 2035. are anticipated to rise, and currently across the board? You probably already These are exciting times for EMD u Tight gas sands currently represent coal accounts for over half of the total knew that. and those involved in energy resources. about 25 percent of the U.S. annual gas energy use in the United States – and coal The out of the ordinary is increasingly production. production is projected to increase by * * * becoming the ordinary – extraordinary u Oil sand (bitumen) commercial 21 percent to as high as 41 percent from ordinary. production more than doubled during the 2009 to 2035. In summary, I am far from convinced I invite you all to participate in this

last decade, and is expected to steadily Field tests continue in regards to that EMD is all about being out of the innovative and challenging venture. EXPLORER 50 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG EXPLORERAAPG

WWW.AAPG.ORG AUGUST 2011 51 EXPLORERAAPG

52 AUGUST 2011 WWW.AAPG.ORG