Bureau of Economic Annual Report Geology Scott W. Tinker, Director 2014 Front and inside cover images: Two million boxes filling three giant warehouses across Texas— arguably, the largest collection of archival rock material in the world.

Contents

2 Adapting to New Challenges 6 Highlights 20 Awards and Honors 23 Outreach, Events, and Meetings 26 Publications 34 Transitions 36 Finances 37 Visiting Committee

A Letter from the Director

I am wrapping up my the global academic, government, 15th year as Director of and industrial communities. the 105-year-old Bureau of Economic Geology. As the Bureau continues to bring science, The past decade and engineering, and economics together a half has been both to address some of the world’s major inspiring and fulfilling. I am humbled to be challenges, we face funding tests of part of such a great organization with deep our own. Federal debt continues to geologic roots and rich research traditions. grow and Federal investment in research shrinks accordingly. On the industrial The Bureau has grown substantially in both side, increased supply and decreased size and, I believe, quality. Although there demand for oil in 2014 drove the price are many important components involved from over $100 a barrel to below in building a successful organization, there $60 a barrel in a matter of months, is little doubt that talent sits at the top of causing significant belt tightening in the stack. In this year’s Annual Report, we the private sector and attendant feature a selection of our talented junior reductions in research investment. research staff, who are working on a wide array of important fundamental and applied The Bureau will weather these gales. problems, as well as some of our more As we focus on several new, long- seasoned vets, many of whom have been term research partnerships that bring doing top-level research for 30, 40, and even government, science-funding foundations, 50 years. Three generations under one roof! industry, and academia together to It is this remarkable range of experience, address several critical issues, we expertise, and diversity that makes the know that the years ahead hold Bureau so highly valued and respected by many exciting opportunities.

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1 Adapting to New Challenges

The Next Generation of Bureau Researchers

For over 100 years, the Bureau of The novel investigations of these scrambling for the last decade Economic Geology has sustained up-and-coming researchers to close that workforce gap an international reputation for enhance the Bureau’s reputation, and to bring talented younger producing rock-based research allowing it to stay ahead of the professionals into these fields. that matters. Underpinning curve of a rapidly changing that reputation have been research environment. The Bureau of Economic generations of geoscience Geology has been fortunate researchers who have applied In the late 1970’s and early in its endeavor to close this their expertise and innovative 1980’s, the oil and gas industry troubling gap, with its deep base ideas to the earth-science was strong, attracting a large of experienced mentors and a questions of their day. As the number of young people into cadre of gifted new researchers, Bureau embarks on its second the field to study geology, all bringing impressive century, a new generation of petroleum engineering, energy backgrounds with them as they researchers has stepped up finance, and related subjects. spearhead new scientific thrusts to address a different era of Scores of graduates in these in energy and environmental technological and theoretical and similar disciplines readily labs. Space precludes listing all challenges that spring from found work in the industry. But of the laboratories and research the confluence of energy, the the crude-oil price crash of the efforts that are predominantly environment, and the economy. mid-1980’s brought exploration led and staffed by this new efforts to a halt and forced generation of Bureau researchers, oil and gas companies but a few are highlighted here. to pull back. Hiring virtually ceased, and the Drought has been a major academic programs that concern across different regions had produced so many of the United States for several industry employees years, and the Bureau has been were either curtailed or extensively studying both its discontinued altogether. cause and how to measure its A chasm began to open in effects. As part of that effort, the the oil and gas workforce, Soil Characterization Laboratory, with experienced led by Todd Caldwell, is the professionals growing headquarters for the Texas Soil closer to retirement as Observation Network (TxSON). the years passed and TxSON places soil-monitoring few trained individuals stations across the State to moving into the pipeline measure how dry its soils have to replace them. Energy become and uses that data to and environmental calibrate a new NASA satellite organizations of all types, launched in early 2015. With from the oil company the ongoing drought in Texas, majors to academic most rainfall is being absorbed institutions, have been by dry soil and is not running Todd Caldwell generates data for the Texas Soil Observation Network (TxSON). (continued on page 3) 2 off into streams and reservoirs, or recharging aquifers, so TxSON data will be increasingly important to the State’s water- management decision makers going forward. Rocks are the foundation for most Bureau research, and a great number of up-and-coming researchers devote considerable effort to harvesting data from the organization’s Core Research Centers. This next generation of From left: Athma Bhandari, Peter Flaig, Iulia Olariu, Chris Zahm, Xavier Janson, and Gregory Frébourg.

Bureau researchers includes people like Athma Bhandari, Gregory Frébourg, Iulia Olariu, Seasoned Scientists Harry Rowe, Xavier Janson, Peter Flaig, and Chris Zahm, who perform fundamental rock-based The Backbone of the research on subsurface cores. Bureau of Economic Geology The scope of research activities in this area includes everything The Bureau of Economic Geology is proud of its Veteran Bureau Scientists from low-magnification visual younger researchers, but the real backbone of the Top row: organization is its corps of seasoned scientists— Martin P.A. Jackson, description, to X-ray fluorescence the foundational researchers and project leaders Michael H. Young, and X-ray diffraction analysis to whom credit must be given for the Bureau’s Bob A. Hardage, to determine mineralogy and unparalleled reputation for scientific innovation and Bridget R. Scanlon, Sergey B. Fomel, trace-element chemistry, to objectivity. Many of these distinguished individuals Susan D. Hovorka, fracture description and rock- have been with the Bureau for decades, providing Stephen C. Ruppel, strength measurements. These a wide range of current research initiatives, and Robert G. Loucks activities are critical for defin- conveying their breadth of experience and stores Bottom row: of knowledge to scores of emerging scientists ing depositional environments Shirley P. Dutton, and facies, as well as mechanical and students. Lesli J. Wood, Jeffrey G. Paine, stratigraphy, all of which form These veterans of service to the Bureau of Economic Peter B. Flemings, the basis for developing models Geology have weathered the organization’s growth Michael R. Hudec of rock property distribution. and evolution, This research also provides basic always dedicated to its mission, information for calibrating and and have interpreting borehole and 3D tirelessly focused geophysical data. Allied activities on producing include rock sampling for thin research that sections (to refine depositional matters. The environments), stable isotope Bureau’s seasoned chemistry (to aid in correlations scientists have and interpreting diagenesis), created a scanning electron microscopy lasting legacy of achievement (to define pore types and distri- and success. bution and products of diagen- esis), and other procedures such as porosity/permeability analysis. The more knowledge gleaned from the rocks, the more

(continued on page 4) 3 Jiemin Lu and Brent Elliott transfer a water sample taken from a high T/P autoclave reactor. successful geoscientists and mining the world over will be in operations interpreting the characteristics more efficient of specific rock formations and successful. and fluid reservoirs. Among the next-generation The Low Temperature researchers Geochemistry Laboratory extensively provides equipment and using this lab for facilities to physically re-create their respective geochemical processes and research interests confirm theoretical models are Brent Elliott, crafted from field observations. Seyyed Hosseini, Modeling analytical data and and Jiemin Lu. integrating field observations help researchers to formulate The Bureau’s theories on Earth’s processes Organic that have occurred in the Geochemistry geologic record and on how Laboratory has rocks, minerals, fluids, and been developed to gases form the way they do. study hydrocarbon The work conducted in this chemistry and lab helps geoscientists to source-rock identify the geochemical and properties. The lab’s isotopic fingerprints for oil and capabilities include gas, and to better understand identification and the processes for mineral quantification of development, thereby paving 18 gas components; oil shales; liquid hydrocarbon the way to make future drilling extraction from organic-rich identification and quantification; (continued on page 5)

Post-Docs and Graduate Students a Vital Resource Over the last 10 or so years, the Bureau has tapped into a tremendously important resource that previously was not used extensively: post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. This young and energetic group of researchers has added much-needed horsepower to our existing permanent staff. In the mid-2000’s, the Bureau employed only 2–3 post-docs and 20 grad students. These numbers have increased substantially since then. Though the number of post-docs constantly varies, as of September 2014, the Bureau was hosting approximately 15 dedicated post-docs in all areas of research, from carbon sequestration to salt tectonics to geomechanics of fracture systems. This fiscal year, the Bureau employed and advised 54 graduate students, a solid increase in capacity and diversity. These folks have strengthened the Bureau in a number of ways. First, post-docs and grad students are strongly encouraged to publish peer-reviewed articles. From 2005 to 2013, the annual number of peer-reviewed articles increased from 76 to 124. In 2005, 32 of those articles were lead-authored by post-docs or grad students; by 2013, that number had increased to 47. Second, these young researchers are, in many ways, key components of Bureau research programs, conducting experiments in the laboratory and field as they learn the ropes of high-level geosciences research. Third, the post-doc fellows represent a source of potential permanent hires—a vital bonus as the demographics of the geosciences workforce is affected by retirements. We are proud of our participation in the training of these young scientists, and we benefit in many ways from their time at the Bureau. Sergey Fomel and his MS student Shaunak Ghosh.

4 Bureau Rock Archive Key to Research Two million boxes filling three giant warehouses across Texas—arguably, the largest collection of archival rock material in the world. That describes the Bureau's library of well core, cuttings, and other rock materials now housed and maintained as a public resource in its Houston, Austin, and Midland Core Research Centers. Geoscientists, engineers, researchers, educators, students, and the general public travel from around the world to unlock the stories held in these irreplaceable rocks that answer questions and generate new ideas about precious subterranean commodities like oil, water, and natural gas. Although the expensive process of coring a well is not as common these days, there is still no better way to determine rock characteristics firsthand. But how did the collection become so massive? Largely through donations of rock material over the years from companies large and small. When a company has learned what it can from the rocks it has retrieved from thousands of feet below its leases, there is no better option for their disposition than to donate them to the Bureau. The Bureau continually fields calls and e-mails from geologists and other industry representatives hopeful of turning over their cache of core, cuttings, and other rock samples to an organization with the facilities and people best positioned to care for them. One advantage to donating the rocks is the continued ability to revisit them, answering any new questions that may arise. Bureau staff are careful curators of these vital rock samples, preserving them just as if they were great books from an ancient library. Donating is also good for the bottom line: companies avoid costly storage and disposal fees. Companies donating rock material also make tax-deductible financial contributions to the Bureau's core research endowment, the proceeds from which help to pay for operations to care for the core, cuttings, and other rocks over time. Among the major donors to this endowment are Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, Marathon, Shell, and Occidental Petroleum. Ultimately, the Bureau's mammoth archive of rock material is the foundation for its cutting-edge energy and environmental research. For more information about donating rock material to the Bureau Core Research Centers, contact Mark W. Blount, External Affairs at the Bureau: 512-471-1509; [email protected].

and analysis of source rocks, of its researchers. The new institution’s direction for years including surface area, concepts brought to the table to come and allow it to adapt pore volume, and pore-size by the next generation of to, and impact, the challenges distribution. The lab’s researchers will help shape the of the future. sophisticated instruments allow detailed characterization of gas and liquid hydro- Tongwei Zhang, Daniel Enriquez, and Xun Sun carbons and of source-rock operate instruments that allow detailed characterization of gas and liquid hydrocarbons pores, information vital to and of source-rock pores. today’s shale exploration and production activity. Among the up-and-coming researchers who perform meticulous analyses in this lab are Tongwei Zhang, Xun Sun, and Daniel Enriquez. The Bureau continually strives to find and recruit gifted young professionals to explore the various realms of energy, environmental, and economics research. The Bureau is a dynamic institution whose research is driven not only by the times but also by the imagination

5 Highlights

Campaign for Texas The Bureau of Economic Geology would like to thank the many donors who contributed to our success during The University of Texas at Austin’s $3.12 billion Campaign for Texas, which concluded in 2014. The support of our donors was, and remains, vital to enhancing the research mission of the Bureau, and we are extremely grateful. Some of the major donors to the Bureau during the Campaign for Texas are listed below.

Afren plc Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. Cynthia and George Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Distrigas of Massachusetts LLC Mitchell Foundation & Feld LLP Dominion Resources Services, Inc. Nour USA, Ltd. University of Alberta El Paso Corporation Occidental Permian, Ltd. Alpine Energy LP Ernst & Young LLP O'Donnell Foundation American Petroleum Institute Exelon Corporation Rio Petroleum, Inc. Aramco Services Company Mr. James W. Farnsworth Mr. Jeffrey B. Roberts Association of International Forestar Group Schlumberger Information Solutions Petroleum Engineers GDF Suez Energy Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc. BG North America LLC North America, Inc. Shell International E & P, Inc. Mr. Walter E. Bloxsom GDL Foundation Alfred P. Sloan Foundation BP Amoco Oil Mr. Allen L. Gilmer Mr. Robert L. Stakes Brazos Royalty LLC Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund Mr. Richard K. Stoneburner Brigham Oil & Gas LP Handelshojskolen i Kobenhavn Scott and Allyson Tinker CenterPoint Energy Infinity Oil & Gas, Inc. Trend Technology, Inc. Chesapeake Energy Corporation International United Technology Trull Foundation Chevron Corporation Group LLC Valence Operating Company Chevron Energy Japan External Trade Organization Water Research Foundation Technology Company Jones Energy, Ltd. Ms. Cindy S. Ybarra ConocoPhillips Company Landmark Graphics Corporation

6 A Classroom at the Edge of the World "A Class- of a group of 58 graduate trip, hosted by research part- room at students and 17 professors to ner Statoil aboard the vessel the Edge study geology and petroleum Expedition, is detailed in Alcalde, of the engineering in Svalbard, Norway, a publication of The University World" which lies in the frigid reaches of Texas Ex-Students’ Association. tracks the of the Arctic. The Svalex (for To read the full story: http:// journey “Svalbard expedition”) field alcalde.texasexes.org/arctic/.

Spanish-Language Webinars Vanessa Nuñez- Nuñez-Lopez created and of extra-heavy oils, such as Lopez of the delivered three CCS-focused those in the massive Orinoco Bureau's Gulf webinars to the Comisión Belt. This webinar was the first Coast Carbon Federal de Electricidad (Mexico’s in a three-part series that the Center is helping Federal Electricity Commission), Institute will hold in Spanish to overcome the Academic Council of Earth for Venezuelan stakeholders language barriers in Science Schools, and La Secretaría who are exploring ways to limit technology transfer with a series de Energía (Mexico’s Ministry the impact of the country's of Spanish-language webinars of Energy). Nuñez-Lopez also carbon-intensive activities exploring enhanced oil recovery delivered another webinar on climate change. The next (EOR) and carbon capture and hosted by the Institute, covering webinar will focus on immiscible storage (CCS). As part of the “The Global Status of CCS” and CO2‑ EOR and associated issues. Global CCS Institute's capacity outlining the challenges of For more CCS information: development with Mexico, utilizing CO2 for the development http://www.globalccsinstitute.com.

Facilities Renovation Campaign In 2014, the Bureau began a major effort to raise funds to bring its labs and research facilities to a state-of-the-art level. This effort is a top priority for the Jackson School. There are funding opportunities to underwrite a core examination building to be used exclusively by Bureau researchers, or to support upgrades to research complexes and individual labs. For more information, contact Mark W. Blount: 512-471-1509; [email protected]. As this report went to press, it was learned that UT President Bill Powers had committed The University to invest $7.5 million in support of the ongoing lab renovation campaign in early 2015. The Bureau is very grateful for this vote of confidence in its research capabilities and will continue to seek external funding for the overall effort.

7 Bureau Awarded Grant for Shale Oil Study Principal Investigators: Scott W. Tinker, Svetlana Ikonnikova, and John Browning With U.S. oil production from oil plays and their impact on immense U.S. shale gas plays: the shale formations making future energy supply. The Alfred Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, international headlines, a team P. Sloan Foundation recently and Marcellus. of researchers from the Bureau confirmed the award of the has just been awarded over grant, coming on the heels of The shale oil study will be the $1.5 million to study the the completion of the team’s most comprehensive look at nation’s two most prolific shale groundbreaking study of four actual well-by-well results from the Bakken and Eagle Ford shale oil plays to date. The 2-year study will include geologic description, resource estimation, and future-production modeling, leading to greater understanding of expected oil recovery from each existing well. The study will then extrapolate the results to predict the potential recovery from all potential well locations in each basin, giving a “bottom- up” view of projected production and reserves. Ultimately, the study will help to determine the capability of U.S. shale oil to contribute significantly to oil supply for the next 20 years, Workflow in shale plays analysis. under various economic and technological assumptions.

Project Offers Resources for Educators In 2014, the Switch Energy to the core of energy concepts. free online downloads of the Project, led by Bureau director In conjunction with the National film and its specific segments Scott W. Tinker and filmmaker Energy Education Development to educators; the website Harry Lynch, developed a (NEED) Project, the Switch surpassed 1 million page views number of resources to help Energy Project is developing in 2014 and has hosted over educators promote energy curricula that will incorporate 185,000 unique visitors. For education, awareness, and the Energy Lab videos into more information, visit: http:// efficiency. Tinker, Lynch, and NEED’s existing materials. www.switchenergyproject.com/ the Switch Energy Project education/energy-lab. team wrapped production on Tinker and Lynch previously the Switch Energy Lab series collaborated on Switch, the of educational videos, which award-winning documentary are intended to be used in about the future of global classrooms along with existing energy that has been seen curricula or in other educational by over 8 million viewers. environments such as museums. The Switch Energy Project has In these brief videos, Tinker provided free DVD’s of Switch, uses unique experiments and in chapter format, to nearly fieldwork to demystify the 30,000 teachers worldwide. complex world of energy and get The Project’s website offers

8 Gulf Coast Carbon Center Principal Investigators: Susan D. Hovorka and Timothy A. Meckel The Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) continues to be a leader in the development of strategies that improve the robustness of geological carbon storage (GCS) and monitoring technolo- gies. In 2014, the work of the GCCC was defined by six broad themes.

 “How much, how far, how fast” is a research theme focusing on understanding the dominant subsurface flow processes. The key challenges for GCS are significant: in buoyancy- Globally, sources of CO2 (in green) align with offshore geologic storage capacity. dominated flow, CO2 may travel much farther than anticipated (how far) by conventional modeling/simulation, thereby stored during commercial  The best geologic storage greatly decreasing volumetric implementation of carbon options in many parts storage efficiency (how much) capture utilization and storage of the world may be in and possibly impacting security (CCUS). The research for subsea sedimentary basins; (how fast). this theme clarifies the role however, only small parts of EOR as part of CCUS and of this potential have been  GCCC investigates the improves understanding sufficiently assessed to engage evolution of fluid chemistry of greenhouse-gas stakeholders. Another GCCC from the deep reservoir accounting when EOR research theme incorporates to the near surface as it is part of the system. recent in-house data collection pertains to geological carbon and research with findings from sequestration. Field tests such  Many monitoring techniques global offshore storage projects as those at the Cranfield site for assurance of carbon storage to identify areas around the in Mississippi, the Hastings have been demonstrated, world where the best synergies and West Ranch sites near and a commercial monitoring exist both for early GCS Houston, and UT’s Brackenridge program will likely involve experiments and for large- Field Laboratory in Austin all the use of a number of scale deployment in an aid in the characterization these techniques. One offshore setting. of dissolution, dilution, GCCC research theme adsorption, and mineral- focuses on streamlining  Knowledge transfer has fluid interaction. Integration the design of industrial-scale long been a goal of the with laboratory analysis and monitoring programs by Gulf Coast Carbon Center, numerical simulation extend field demonstration of and the group continues results and interpretation. monitoring tools and to leverage its established, development of high-profile programs to  Another research theme monitoring-network engage key stakeholders, studies the technical changes optimization strategies including decision makers that would be imposed on under a risk-informed and relevant industry and current CO2 enhanced oil paradigm. regulatory participants, recovery (EOR) operations and to provide formal by large volumes of CO2 and informal education.

9 GCCC Policy Briefings In December 2014, Gulf to present “Monitoring and Coast Carbon Center (GCCC) Environmental Protection at researchers Katherine Romanak Geologic Carbon Storage Sites” and Vanessa Nuñez-Lopez for the U.S. Congressional attended the COP20 climate Briefing Series “Energy from conference in Lima, Peru, where the Earth.” The series was they were invited to attend designed by a consortium of a briefing by Mike Boots for professional geoscience societies a small group of university to inform energy legislation by representatives. Boots heads making technical information the White House Council on available to U.S. policy- makers. Romanak gave her Katherine Romanak and Vanessa Nuñez-Lopez in Lima Environmental Quality (CEQ), with CEQ head Mike Boots. which helps to develop the briefing during Part 6 of the Administration’s environmental series, “Geologic Carbon Storage: and energy policies and Feasibility, Technology, and initiatives, and works closely Challenges,” and addressed issues to minimize risk, including with Federal agencies to such as geological requirements groundwater impacts and the implement them. for carbon dioxide storage; potential for induced seismicity; potential for storage in the and monitoring needs for Earlier in the year, Romanak United States; facility design storage verification and traveled to Washington, D.C., and technology; strategies public assurance.

Reservoir Quality in Deep Shelf Gas Plays Principal Investigators: Shirley P. Dutton and Robert G. Loucks reservoir quality and sequence-stratigraphic and associated risk framework of lower Tertiary factors. Previous Wilcox sandstones in the phases of the project western GOM, using cores from summarized Tertiary Fandango Field, Zapata County, reservoirs of the in far south Texas. These upper northern Texas Gulf Wilcox sandstones provide Coast, the southern additional information about Texas Gulf Coast, the composition and diagenesis and the Louisiana of Wilcox reservoirs in the coast, as well as the western GOM and are particularly Upper Cretaceous applicable to understanding Tuscaloosa Wilcox sandstones in the and Woodbine deepwater Perdido fold belt The Bureau has an ongoing sandstones in onshore Louisiana area along the boundary research project to study and Texas, the adjacent shallow between U.S. and Mexican reservoir quality in the deep shelf, and the deepwater GOM. waters. shelf gas play and adjacent deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Deep shelf and deepwater In 2015, the stratigraphic The major research goal of research this year expanded the coverage of the study will this project is to decrease the study of deep lower Tertiary expand to include Upper exploration risk in deep to reservoirs after new data Jurassic sandstones of the ultradeep drilling by providing from far south Texas became Cotton Valley Group and concepts and empirical data available. Investigation in 2014 Smackover Formation, focusing that can be used to forecast focused on the reservoir quality on the northeastern GOM.

10 Sustainable Water Resources Program Principal Investigators: Bridget R. Scanlon and Jean-Philippe Nicot In 2014, the Sustainable hydrologic Water Resources (SWR) Program information compared hydraulic fracturing in data- (HF) water use for oil versus gas constrained production within the Eagle Ford regions. Shale. The group found similar average water use in oil and The SWR group is gas zones per well; however, also investigating about twice as much water is shallow aquifers used per unit of energy in the across several oil zone as in the gas zone. Texas shale These unconventional water- plays—including to-oil ratios (0.2–1.4) are within Barnett, Eagle the lower range of those for Ford, Haynesville, U.S. conventional oil production and the Delaware (0.1–5), indicating that the Basin—to United States is using more understand the water because HF has expanded source, origin, oil production, not because and flux of HF is using more water per methane, which unit of oil production. appear to be mostly natural. The SWR group evaluated In addition to the vulnerability of HF by comparing extensive field- Roxana Darvari HF water demand with supply sampling effort performs in the semiarid Texas Eagle Ford to understand rock-water play, the largest global shale- the transport and interaction experiments oil producer. Current HF water geochemistry in autoclave demand equates to ~16% of of methane in reactors. total water consumption in the the subsurface, play area. The variety of water the group is also sources in semiarid regions investigating indicates that, with appropriate methane attenuation The SWR group, in collaboration management, water availability and the assimilative with the Center for Agriculture should not physically limit capacity of the aquifers. Resources of the China Academy future shale energy production. of Sciences, has evaluated the Working with industry impact of irrigated agriculture on The SWR group uses GRACE partners, the SWR group groundwater sustainability and satellites to assess trends in also performs rock-water nitrate loading of the aquifers water storage in global river interaction experiments in of the North China Plain and the basins and aquifers, including autoclave reactors at reservoir U.S. High Plains. Both aquifer the Murray–Darling Basin and conditions, under high systems are critical for food the High Plains, Central Valley, temperatures and pressures. production, located in similar and NW India aquifer systems. Core fragments are exposed semiarid climate zones, and The group compiled extensive to various HF fluids, and vulnerable to climate extremes. data from global models and chemical evolution of the This investigation followed on a monitoring data for comparison fluid and petrographic changes foundation of extensive research with estimates of water-storage through time are noted, pro- and publication on the Ogallala changes in these basins, as well viding a fine understanding Aquifer of the High Plains, estab- as data on remote sensing and of the nature of the flowback lishing the Bureau as the leader modeling networks to provide and produced water. in water resources of the region.

11 Center for Energy Economics Exploration Principal Investigators: Michelle M. Foss and Gürcan Gülen Geophysics The Center for Energy Economics gas prices. CEE research efforts (CEE) developed and continues include supporting midstream Laboratory to update an industrial projects infrastructure and associated Principal Investigator: Bob A. Hardage database that tracks increasing developments. The Exploration Geophysics demand for natural gas in gas- CEE research was also the Laboratory (EGL) develops intensive sectors. Preliminary multicomponent seismic results of this comprehensive basis for expert testimony on potential natural-gas utilization technology and performs field inventory of 144 projects tests that demonstrate practical received widespread coverage and electric-power-sector modeling results to the uses of that technology. The in numerous media outlets, and EGL’s present focus is the presentations on CEE results Public Utility Commission of Texas workshop on the development of direct-S reflection have been delivered to a wide seismology that utilizes only range of audiences, including EPA’s proposed clean power rule and implications for Texas. The vertical-displacement seismic the Gulf Coast Power Association, sources such as vertical vibrators, URTeC, and the International CEE is also tracking the impact of EPA regulations on coal vertical impacts, and shot-hole Energy Credit Association in the explosives. These sources are United States; the annual Flame power-plant retirements and the potential for increased gas commonly viewed as only P-wave gas conference in Amsterdam, sources. A “direct-S” mode is an the Netherlands; and the use in power generation. Using AURORAxmp®, the group models S-wave produced directly at a Emirates Center for Strategic source station rather than the Studies and Research 20th electricity markets to evaluate the impacts of coal retirements, common P-to-SV converted Annual Energy Conference in mode created at interfaces Abu Dhabi, UAE. CEE research renewables integration, and capacity markets for the Electric remote from a source station. on industrial gas demand also EGL research is producing has been featured in numerous Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the United States. evidence that direct-S modes corporate board and advisory produced by P-wave sources presentations. CEE researchers continue to work are equivalent to direct-S In 2014, the CEE initiated on the Bureau’s shale resource- modes produced by horizontal- investigations of global assessment study, contributing displacement sources such as petrochemical value chains, to economic and statistical horizontal vibrators. These latter especially the ethylene chain, analyses. A goal for 2015 is to sources are considered to be to evaluate the competitiveness produce an expanded summary the gold standard for direct-S of U.S. petrochemical facilities report that blends shale-gas illumination of geology. resource-assessment findings in a world of increasing capacity Once accepted that a in the Middle East and Asia, and with CEE analysis and modeling on gas utilization. P-wave source generates a to evaluate fluctuating oil and robust direct-SV mode, a fascinating possibility arises— that SV-P converted modes can be used to make S-mode images and to obtain S-wave attributes across geologic targets. The appeal of SV-P modes is that they exist in common P-wave seismic data. Downgoing illuminating SV-wave fields are produced by vertical- displacement sources (P-wave sources), and reflected upgoing P-wave fields are recorded by single-component vertical geophones (P-wave receivers). (continued on page 13) 12 Four seismic images extracted from wave fields produced by a vertical-vibrator source. Two images (P-P and P-SV) are produced by the direct-P mode, and two images (SV-P and S-S) are produced by the direct-SV mode. A, B, C, and D are depth-equivalent horizons in the four image spaces. Data collected in the Midland Basin. Thus it is conceivable that with Four patents have been issued benefit. A company EGL technology, decades of to the Board of Regents of called VertiShear has been legacy P-wave seismic data can the University of Texas System established to assist the be reprocessed to extract direct-S to protect EGL’s direct-S University in commercializing information and S-wave attributes. technology for University this technology.

Reservoir Characterization Research Laboratory Principal Investigators: Robert G. Loucks and Charles Kerans The Reservoir Characterization The group continues to photogrammetry and unmanned Research Laboratory (RCRL) for emphasize the integration of aerial vehicles—captured and carbonate studies is a worldwide outcrop and subsurface data that characterized 3D outcrop leader in carbonate research can be applied to exploration models in the Permian of West and has been an active and production in carbonate Texas, in numerous Cretaceous partner with industry for strata worldwide. In 2014, outcrop localities in Central the past 27 years. During the RCRL conducted outcrop Texas, and in large-scale facies 2014, 33 member companies analog studies of various and fracture patterns of West participated in the group’s shallow-water strandplain and Caicos. The group also increased annual meeting to review shelf strata, as well as of drowned- its capability of rock-properties research milestones. The RCRL shelf “unconventional” settings. characterization by adding also conducted several field The role of oceanic anoxic events a range of rock mechanics trips, core workshops, and site in influencing long-term trends tests that use the new Bureau visits to company offices. in platform evolution has also triaxial equipment in workflow. been an Successful calibration of the ongoing Equotip Bambino to rock focus of mechanics analysis allows for the the characterization of high- group’s resolution rock-strength profiles research. in carbonates, which the RCRL has demonstrated in the In 2014, Niobrara Chalks and the Scurry the RCRL— Area Canyon Reef Operators using Committee (SACROC) unit.

13 Near Surface Observatory Principal Investigator: Jeffrey G. Paine The Near Surface Observatory (NSO) is an aggregation of several Bureau research groups and individuals who conduct studies focused on the surface and near-surface environment. Augmenting the efforts of staff is a suite of airborne, surface, and borehole instruments that provide information on the Airborne lidar image of Hoover Dam, Nevada. physical properties of the near surface and allow NSO researchers to conduct (1) geologic mapping In addition, the NSO completed Installation is complete for the in diverse environments, and two quadrangle-scale geologic Texas Soil Observation Network (2) studies on coastal hazards maps of Quaternary strata in (TxSON), which consists of and geomorphic change, the Copano Bay area as part 39 soil-moisture and wetlands status and trends, of the Bureau’s larger geologic precipitation stations in coastal rookeries vulnerability, mapping effort described the Texas Hill Country near landscape characterization and more fully on page 18. Fredericksburg. In partnership evolution, periglacial landforms, with NASA’s Jet Propulsion The NSO used data from its lidar soils, water bodies, and Laboratory, it will serve as a team’s late-2013 airborne lidar soil-moisture monitoring. calibration and validation site survey of the Wink, Texas, area to for the Soil Moisture Active On the coast, highlights include determine decadal subsidence Passive (SMAP) satellite, which rates near two large sinkholes that launched in January 2015. Data  completing a study collapsed in 1980 and 2002, and are transmitted in real time to assessing historical Texas to assess collapse risk in adjacent the Bureau and are available shoreline change and areas. The NSO is also analyzing at http://www.beg.utexas.edu/ its postglacial context; its 2013 airborne lidar survey in soilmoisture/.  evaluating the nearshore Nevada to determine vegetation bathymetric and coastal characteristics that enable A major new instrument was geomorphic change-monitoring development of a fine-scale added to the NSO in 2014: a capabilities of the Chiroptera model to understand and predict time-domain electromagnetic airborne lidar instrument the occurrence of the desert (EM) system (WalkTEM) that can adjacent to South Padre tortoise in the Boulder City be used to explore the electrical Island and Rollover Bay; Conservation Easement and conductivity structure from the similar landscapes. Primary  assessing the vulnerability ground surface to depths of objectives are to determine of upper Texas coast 200 m or more and is useful for vegetative cover, percent shade rookery islands to oil spills; Quaternary stratigraphic studies cover, and species richness of and water-resource investigations.  acquiring airborne lidar data perennial and ephemeral species. The hyperspectral system was in the Copano and Aransas The lidar team also returned damaged in an aircraft crash Bay system to assess land loss to the Alaskan North Slope for before its first test flight and is and coastal vulnerability; and several weeks in 2014 to conduct currently under repair. The EM  completing the 17th year a large airborne lidar and imaging system has been field tested at of the Bureau's highly survey near Prudhoe Bay to the Cranfield CO2 sequestration successful outreach effort, assess thermokarst lake depths site in Mississippi and in a geologic the Texas High School and volumes, and to characterize mapping project on the central Coastal Monitoring Program. periglacial landforms. Texas coast.

14 Advanced Energy Consortium Principal Investigators: Scott W. Tinker, Jay P. Kipper, David Chapman, and Mohsen Ahmadian In 2014, the Advanced Energy hydrocarbons, either through Consortium (AEC) completed improved recovery or reduced its 7th year of operation and cost. Multiple ideas are 1–2 continued to manage a diverse years away from broad com- international portfolio of mercial development and nanosensor projects on behalf deployment by or on behalf of its members. Applied nano- of AEC members. and microscale subsurface Advanced Energy Consortium's first-generation sensor research is ongoing, This year, the AEC also prototype multisensing microsystems shown here were with broad collaboration and continued to manage a developed by a team at the University of Michigan. funding to more than 30 growing list of publications universities around the world. and intellectual property The AEC also continues to on behalf of its members. two all-project reviews, in Boston focus research on five specific The group has sponsored over and Houston, allowing over applications, including sensing 40 patents and 200 published 150 researchers and consortium applications to water flooding manuscripts to date and has members to share ideas and and hydrofracturing, as well as successfully established a new discuss projects. With the group’s chemical enhanced oil recovery. area of scientific research that cutting-edge research and These applications were selected merges nanotechnology and collaborations, academic and by AEC membership as viable the oil and gas industry. The industry leaders continue to options for eventually helping AEC also hosted several focused acknowledge the AEC as a source them with the extraction of workshops in 2014, as well as of innovation and discovery.

Geothermal Energy Is Hot! Principal Investigator: Bruce L. Cutright The Bureau hosts a small team systems, steam generators of innovative researchers who that use low-boiling-point are certain that "unconventional refrigerants instead of water geothermal” energy is the to produce steam, allows us cheapest, cleanest way to meet to tap into much cooler heat Geothermal map Texas' electricity requirements sources than do traditional of Texas; red trends for years to come. In an effort geothermal systems, which need are warmer. led by the Bureau's Bruce to be located over geologic hot Cutright, Texas became the spots. These new binary-cycle base-load, consistent power largest contributor of data to the generators need bottom-hole (not intermittent), and the temperatures of only 200–400°F, newly launched U.S. Department process produces no CO2. of Energy National Geothermal and there are over 26,000 Data System (NGDS), an online existing oil and gas wells in Texas "Every oil producer in the open-source platform that alone that already meet that State should look at this as a facilitates the discovery and use criterion. A pair of these wells way to extend the economic of geothermal data, enabling circulating hot brines through life of mature or watered- future researchers to speed a binary-cycle heat-exchanging out fields with high reservoir geothermal energy development. system can produce electricity temperatures," says Cutright. that is less expensive than that "Look at the benefits: a Why does geothermal energy from any other renewable energy continuing income stream for make so much sense today? For source (according to a recent the operator, royalties for the one thing, the development of Department of Energy analysis). landowner, and severance taxes binary-cycle heat-exchanging This geothermal energy is also for the State—what's not to like!"

15 rocks. In parallel with this new area of focus on fault-rock structural diagenesis and fault attributes across a range of scales, the FRAC program seeks to develop practical tools that can be deployed in petroleum exploration and development. To those ends, FRAC tests methods on industry data sets, on timetables set by typical industrial operations, then rigorously evaluates the quality, timeliness, and economic value of the results. FRAC requires that testing of diagnostic and predictive approaches developed from outcrop, core, and well-test studies be ultimately cost effective and generally carried out in areas of interest to member companies.

Fracture Research and The aims of this project are both Application Consortium fundamental and practical—to improve prediction and diagnosis Principal Investigator: Stephen E. Laubach of natural-fracture attributes in Accurate fracture characterization deep subsurface, mechanics, hydrocarbon reservoirs, accurately and prediction is the goal of the no matter how complete, are simulate their influence on Fracture Research and Application inadequate. In the presence of production, and assess fractured Consortium (FRAC). Understanding reactive fluids like hot water, reservoir response to stimulation fractures in the deep subsurface ubiquitous in the subsurface, operations (such as hydraulic is critical to accurate predictions chemical reactions are essential. fracturing). New analytical of subsurface fluid flow and rock Development of fracture arrays methods lead to more realistic strength. Fluid flow in fractured can usefully be thought of as characterization of fractured rock is increasingly important in a chemical transformation. and faulted reservoir rocks. recovering water and hydrocarbon Focusing on the geochemical These methods produce data supplies and geothermal energy, reactions in fractures and that can enhance well-test in predicting flow of pollutants surrounding rocks was a and seismic interpretations underground, in engineering breakthrough that led to new, and that can readily be used structures, and in understanding more effective and accurate ways in reservoir simulators. large-scale crustal behavior. of predicting and characterizing Fractures are exceedingly hard to fractures; this approach is called Teamwork and integration of sample in meaningful ways, and structural diagenesis—a new results from many disciplines models to date have been hard research and training paradigm are essential to the success to test, partly because fractures in sedimentary geochemistry of FRAC. The consortium is formed by different processes and structural geology, and a key based on an alliance between can look alike—if analysts element in the FRAC program. scientists and engineers at the don’t know what to look for. Bureau of Economic Geology The recent focus of FRAC has and at the Petroleum and Rigorous application of fracture been on unconventional and Geosystems Engineering (PGE) mechanics continues to yield deep sandstone reservoirs, and Geosciences departments of insights. But for fractures in the mudstone systems, and carbonate The University of Texas at Austin.

16 Applied Geodynamics Laboratory Principal Investigators: Martin P. A. Jackson and Michael R. Hudec The Applied Geodynamics These models are applicable for and stratigraphic traps that are Laboratory (AGL) is dedicated companies drilling wells in salt- current targets for hydrocarbon to producing innovative new flank and subsalt settings, where exploration and production. concepts in salt tectonics. This correct prediction of in situ research comprises a mix of stresses is critical. Finally, the AGL is actively physical and mathematical collaborating with researchers modeling, seismic-based The geological team is from around the globe. Current mapping, and structural- investigating how the opening efforts include projects with stratigraphic analysis of of the South Atlantic Ocean the University of Colorado, the some of the world’s most affected the salt basins on National Oceanography Centre spectacular salt basins. either side of the rift. Studies (Southampton), Imperial College in the Campos Basin, Brazil, (London), and Université de The AGL’s physical-modeling show how stretching and Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (Pau). program studies the evolution separation of the salt layer These projects ensure that the of salt structures on passive deformed the overlying rocks, AGL stays on the cutting edge margins around the world. forming many of the structural of modern salt-tectonic research. Key structural styles investigated in 2014 include bucket-welded minibasins, extensional keels beneath salt sheets, internal salt- flow patterns in salt canopies, and radial- fault arrays around salt domes. The goal of this modeling is to provide kinematic and geometric models that can be used by geophysicists to improve seismic interpretations. The AGL’s geomechanical- modeling effort studies stresses and fluid pressures around evolving salt structures. This year’s research included investigations of the impact that source- layer welding has on stresses around salt domes, as well as of how near-feeder stresses change during emplacement of an overlying salt sheet.

17 State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery Program Principal Investigator: William A. Ambrose The goal of Basin, as well as other active A regional study of the Eaglebine the State plays such as the Frio Formation Trend in southeast Texas of Texas of the Gulf Coast. focused on a play where recent Advanced horizontal wells have produced Resource A wide variety of new reservoir oil and gas in heterogeneous, Recovery characterization projects (field low-permeability, distal-deltaic (STARR) studies) and eight new regional deposits in the Woodbine Group. program is studies contributed to the Results will be released in an to increase successful completion of new upcoming issue of the American royalty and wells and improved oil- and gas- Association of Petroleum severance recovery strategies. Study areas Geologists Bulletin. tax income to the State from oil include the Woodbine Group in and gas production within Texas. Cherokee, Rusk, Tyler, Polk, and In 2014, the STARR program During the 2012–2014 biennium, Navarro counties; the Marble completed additional the STARR program was revenue Falls Formation in Jack County; projects contributing to the positive by a net factor of 15.6x, the Cline Shale and Wolfcamp understanding of Texas resources chiefly because of several thousand formations in Howard and and associated environmental successful wells drilled in the Glasscock counties; the Glorieta concerns, including research on highly productive Eagle Ford Formation in Ward County; geothermal resources, minerals Shale play in South Texas and the Eaglebine Trend in Leon, mapping, geological hazards the tight-oil Spraberry-Wolfcamp Madison, and Fayette counties; mapping, energy economics, (Wolfberry) play in the Permian and the Frio Formation in Nueces drought vulnerability, and County and adjacent areas. coastal habitat monitoring.

Geologic Mapping Principal Investigator: Edward W. Collins The Bureau provides Texas with STARR program that studies a geologic-map database and mineral and earth resources related information that serves as and geologic hazards. a primary data source for applied earth-science investigations. Researchers Eddie Collins, Brent Maps address State needs such Elliott, Jeff Paine, and Chock as (1) planning and managing Woodruff conducted geologic land use; (2) studying erosion, mapping for Bureau projects in sedimentation, and habitat 2014. The seven maps produced changes of coastal environments; include the Aransas and Mission (3) developing earth and deltas of the Copano Bay area, mineral resources; (4) studying to support ongoing studies of aquifer recharge; (5) evaluating shoreline changes and fluvial- unconventional shale oil and gas deltaic deposition, and provide exploration/production areas; baseline data for the planning and and gravel resources for road and (6) studying Texas geologic management of land use. Other construction, cement production, hazards. Bureau mapping projects 2014 Bureau maps explore the and hydraulic fracturing; and (3) a include the STATEMAP program, potential economic development North Central Texas area where which is part of the National of mineral/earth resources in sand and limestone are quarried. Cooperative Geologic Mapping Texas, including (1) West Texas Ongoing and planned geologic Program administered by the areas with occurrences of rare mapping involves statewide U.S. Geological Survey, and a earth elements; (2) South Central economic development of component of the Bureau’s Texas areas with new sand mineral and earth resources.

18 Quantitative Clastics Laboratory Principal Investigator (acting): Peter P. Flaig The Bureau’s Quantitative  Completing a study on  Using satellite imagery in Clastics Laboratory (QCL), the effects on lithospheric the Cretaceous McMurray whose mission includes structures and overlying clastic Formation of Alberta, Canada, providing its member companies basin evolution and fill in to produce a new classification with reservoir analogs and the southeastern Caribbean scheme for washover fans investigating petroleum systems subduction to strike-slip to improve reservoir models. for both academia and industry, transition zone, with significant Subsurface analysis provided continues to grow into what applications to industry. evidence of bedrock-controlled could be considered the best flood-tidal deltas.  academic-based clastic research Studying the change in facies  program in the world. This and stacking patterns across Using the storm-dominated year the QCL continued its the Permian–Triassic boundary Cape Sebastian Sandstone in cutting-edge research in fluvial- in Antarctica that is revealing the Pacific Northwest, along deltaic shallow-marine and submarine-shelf channels, with other Cretaceous strata deepwater systems, in addition levees, lobes, river-dominated and modern deposits from to maintaining and continuously deltas, braided streams, and Hurricane Sandy, to model updating one of the largest coal measures. This study of a hummocky cross-stratification databases of clastic reservoir tectonically active basin also and sediment transport along analogs available. Recent or has implications for oil and the shelf. gas reservoirs in related basins, ongoing investigations using  Studying the use of near- outcrop exposures; subsurface including the Bowen, Karoo, and Paraná. seafloor high-resolution core, well logs, and seismic; geophysical data to and remotely sensed surface  Using remotely sensed data understand the interaction data sets include the following: to measure the morphology between gravity-driven and of modern rivers, analyze  Using outcrops of the current-controlled processes influences on river width Schrader Bluff and Prince in deepwater and ultra- and sinuosity across the Creek formations on the deepwater environments, conterminous United States, North Slope of Alaska as focusing on the lower and calculate river-groundwater analogs for shallow reservoirs. continental slope to abyssal- exchange rates across the Identifying depositional plain transition of the central Mississippi River drainage basin. environments at the marine Gulf of Mexico basin. to continental transition that include wave-storm dominated shorelines, muddy deltas, and fluvial feeder systems.  Providing outcrop analogs and reservoir models for highly variable systems such as the Blackhawk, Sego, and Loyd formations of Utah and Colorado, which preserve wave, tide, and river-dominated sys- tems along complex coastlines.  Continuing an investigation into the sealing capacity of mass transport complexes, which should aid in the reevaluation High-resolution GigaPan photomosaic of wave- and storm-dominated deposits within the of depositional and reservoir Grassy Member of the Blackhawk Formation. Submarine canyon north of Tusher Canyon, Utah. models for these deposits. (Persons for scale—can you find the two geologists in this photo?)

19 Awards and Honors

Bureau Named a “Top Workplace” and a broad reputation as a world achieve, and that they’re having leader in energy and environmental fun! This honor is a tribute to each research, the Bureau is the oldest of them and to their tremendous and second-largest research unit contributions to the success of at The University of Texas at Austin. the Bureau of Economic Geology.” Bureau director Scott W. Tinker The Austin American-Statesman For the second time in 3 years, said, “I’m really gratified that we survey was conducted by the Austin American-Statesman have been honored in this way Workplace Dynamics LLC. survey of area employees has again. It shows that our researchers Employers named as “Top named the Bureau of Economic and staff continue to feel that the Workplaces” were first nominated Geology as one of a handful of Bureau is a productive place to by their employees and then “Top Workplaces” in the city for 2014. work, that they enjoy the family selected by analysis of employee With 120 researchers (representing atmosphere that we strive to responses to the survey. 27 countries), 50 support staff,

Doris M. Curtis Medal: Shirley Dutton Shirley (GCSSEPM) for her “outstanding Scientist at the Bureau, Dutton Dutton contributions to our understanding co-directs the Deep Shelf Gas received of the Gulf of Mexico Sedimentary Consortium; her current research the 2014 Basin and other basins worldwide.” involves diagenesis of deep to Shirley Dutton accepts her medal Doris M. GCSSEPM president J. Carl Fiduk ultradeep sandstones of the Gulf from GCSSEPM president Carl Fiduk. Curtis presented the medal to Dutton at of Mexico. The award, named for Medal the 2014 Gulf Coast Association Doris Malkin Curtis, a pioneer in from the Gulf Coast Section of the of Geological Societies (GCAGS) studies of Gulf Coast geology, was Society for Sedimentary Geology convention. A Senior Research established by the GCSSEPM in 2007.

Norman Falcon Award: Darrin Burton and Lesli Wood Darrin Burton 2014 Norman Falcon Award for issue of Petroleum Geoscience. The (Quantitative their paper "Geologically-based award is presented by the European Clastics permeability anisotropy estimates Association of Geologists and Laboratory Research Fellow) for tidally-influenced reservoirs Engineers (EAGE) for the best paper and Lesli Wood (QCL Principal using quantitative shale data," published in Petroleum Geoscience Investigator) received the published in the February 2013 in the preceding calendar year.

GCAGS Journal President’s Award for Outstanding Paper: Jerry Lucia and Bob Loucks Senior Research core taken from the Clino well in carbonate reservoir geology, Scientists on the western slope of the reservoir characterization, Jerry Lucia and Bob Loucks Great Bahama Bank, focuses petrophysics, and reservoir received the 2013 President’s on the early transformation of modeling. Loucks’ present research Award for Outstanding Paper a depositional lime mud to a includes deeply buried reservoirs in the GCAGS Journal for microporous microspar fabric. in the Gulf of Mexico; evaporite “Micropores in Carbonate Mud: Lucia, who is retired but still and carbonate paleokarst; and Early Development and Petro- works part time for the Bureau, is pore networks in carbonates, physics.” Their study, based on an internationally known expert sandstones, and mudrocks.

20 Bureau Publication Awards: Sergey Fomel and Other First Authors Sergey Fomel (S. Fomel, L. Ying, and X. Song). accounted for 70 of these earned The award was established publications; these distinguished the 2014 “to recognize exemplary authors were also honored at Tinker Family BEG Publication publications of demonstrated or the Bureau's Publication Awards Award “for his exemplary expected scientific or economic Dinner. Sergey Fomel, Alex Sun, publication record in exploration impact, or those that otherwise and Changbing Yang had the geophysics and his dedication increase the visibility of the greatest number of first-author, to the development of the BEG scientific community.” peer-reviewed papers in 2013, open-source software Madagascar,” Bureau researchers were prolific with four each. Bill Ambrose and as demonstrated in the 2013 in 2013, with more than 100 peer- Bob Loucks shared the distinction Geophysical Prospecting paper, reviewed publications featured of being honored 6 years in a row, "Seismic wave extrapolation using in academic journals worldwide. every year since the inception lowrank symbol approximation” A total of 45 Bureau first authors of the Bureau’s awards program.

Society of Exploration Geophysicists Awards: Fomel, Chen, and Sripanich The for their excellent technical Chen, and Yanadet Sripanich Society presentations at the 2014 SEG were ranked among the “top 30 of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Annual Meeting in Denver. Papers papers” presented. This is the recognized three Bureau members by Sergey Fomel, Yangkang 13th such honor for Fomel.

Council on Earth Sciences Appointment: Steve Laubach Senior Research Scientist (DOE) Office of Basic Energy mission strategies. Composed Steve Laubach has Sciences, plays an important role in of scientists from national been appointed to the monitoring cutting-edge science, laboratories and universities, Council on Earth Sciences for a and in planning and conducting the Council gathers twice a year 6-year term. The Council, sponsored workshops on science areas that to discuss DOE Geosciences by the U.S. Department of Energy have long-term relevance for DOE activities across the agency.

Geosciences in the Media Award: Scott W. Tinker Bureau director Scott W. Media Award. The award is of oil and gas exploration.” Tinker and Harry Lynch, presented “in recognition of The Switch Energy Project has co-producer and director notable journalistic achievement in reached millions of viewers of the global-energy documentary any medium which contributes to around the world through the film Switch, together received public understanding of geology, film, its online outreach, and its the AAPG's Geosciences in the energy resources, or the technology broad energy-education efforts.

Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award: Charlie Kerans Senior Research Scientist distinguished and outstanding says, "I enjoy demonstrating Charlie Kerans has contributions to geological to my students their wisdom been selected for the AAPG's education. Kerans, who holds in studying sedimentary Grover E. Murray Memorial the Robert K. Goldhammer Chair geology, a field that offers Distinguished Educator Award, in Carbonate Geology in the fascinating subject matter which is given in recognition of Jackson School of Geosciences, and welcoming cohorts."

21 Robert R. Berg Award and Karst Award: Bob Loucks At its 2014 communicate these findings The Karst Award was first presented Annual to the geoscience community." in 1999 to recognize individuals Convention The award, given in recognition who have had a considerable and Exhibition, of a singular achievement in impact on karst science and the AAPG presented Senior petroleum geoscience research, research. Loucks accepted his Research Scientist Bob Loucks is the AAPG's fifth highest award. award at the March 2014 Karst with its Robert R. Berg Outstanding Award Banquet in Houston, Research Award, "for his key This year, Loucks also received the where he gave an invited talk research in characterizing pore 2014 Karst Waters Institute (KWI) on “How Modern Karst Studies systems in hydrocarbon-bearing Award for his research on Lead to Understanding the sedimentary successions and the relationship between paleo- Development and Burial Evolution his ability to enthusiastically karst and hydrocarbon reservoirs. of Paleokarst Reservoirs.”

Charles J. Mankin Memorial Award: Scott Hamlin and Robert Baumgardner The Bureau's recognizes the outstanding state Wolfberry (Wolfcampian-Leonardian) Scott Hamlin geological survey publication Deep-Water Depositional Systems and Robert Baumgardner were with an emphasis on surface or in the Midland Basin: Stratigraphy, named recipients of the 2014 subsurface geologic mapping, Lithofacies, Reservoirs, and Charles J. Mankin Memorial Award compilations, and associated Source Rocks, has been among by the Association of American reports. Hamlin and Baumgardner’s the Bureau's best sellers since State Geologists (AASG). The award Report of Investigations No. 277, its publication in 2012.

Hats Off! Award: Scott W. Tinker The Texas Award to Bureau director through science and education; Independent Scott W. Tinker at its 68th for his leadership in examining Producers Annual Convention in March. the intersection of energy, the and Royalty TIPRO periodically recognizes environment, and the economy; Owners individuals who have taken for his research endeavors in Association exceptional strides to help ensure fields of study vital to the oil (TIPRO) continued safe and responsible and natural gas industry; for his TIPRO’s former chair David F. presented hydrocarbon development in dedication in striving for Texas Martineau and Scott W. Tinker. its 2014 Texas. Tinker was recognized excellence; and for his service Hats Off! “for his tireless pursuit of truth to the citizens of Texas.”

AGU Fellow: Bridget Scanlon The American soils, salts, and groundwater evaluating scientific eminence Geophysical Union resource sustainability in arid are a major breakthrough or (AGU) has named and semiarid lands.” The honor discovery, paradigm shift, or the Bureau's Bridget Scanlon recognizes AGU members who sustained impact. This year's a 2014 AGU Fellow for “new have attained acknowledged class of 62 Fellows is less than understanding of plant, land eminence in the Earth and space 0.1% of the total AGU use, and climatic effects on sciences. Primary criteria for membership worldwide.

22 Outreach, Events, and Meetings

Bureau Engages at Industry Day Where can you learn about the latest Bureau research, hear from fascinating speakers, mingle with guests from companies and Using a 3D microscope, Greg Frébourg demonstrates small-scale sedimentary agencies large and small, and features of the organic-matter-rich 13 Fingers have Texas barbecue among the Formation (Anadarko Basin, Texas Panhandle). rocks of one of the largest core collections in the world? Nowhere else but the Bureau's Industry Day! The 2014 event, "Discovering the everything from new findings in fields. In addition, Associate Bureau: Energy, Economics, and carbon capture and storage to Director Eric Potter unveiled plans the Environment," was held in pore structures in shale plays. for a new West Texas Resource April at Austin's Core Research Initiative during Industry Day's Center. Over 65 guests from 33 Highlights of this year’s Industry special session. The annual event companies and 8 State agencies Day included guest speakers Scott accomplished its goal of inform- experienced firsthand the breadth Anderson of the Environmental ing a broad spectrum of industry of Bureau research by talking to Defense Fund and Peter Duncan and agency representatives researchers and students who of MicroSeismic, who presented about new ways to engage presented 38 posters featuring new information in their respective with the Bureau.

Bureau On Hand for Petra Nova Groundbreaking

Bureau of Economic Geology re- to capture CO2 produced from the (CCPI) to receive $167 million searchers are heavily involved in W. A. Parish power plant, a massive in funding. the new Petra Nova Carbon Cap- coal-burning facility. An estimated The Bureau has been assisting ture System, which recently broke 1.6 million tons of CO2 per year will ground in Fort Bend County, Texas. then be injected via an enhanced Petra Nova with planning for the Among the dignitaries present at oil recovery (EOR) operation into upcoming operations phase since the groundbreaking were Scott W. Hilcorp’s West Ranch oil field in 2010, including contributions Tinker, direc- Jackson County. The Bureau's to the original DOE proposal, tor of the GCCC will monitor the first support with EOR site suitability Bureau, and 3 years of geologic storage of and characterization, and help with the application for National Susan the injected CO2. Hovorka, Environmental principal The system is projected to be Policy Act (NEPA) investigator fully operational by mid-2016. approval. GCCC of the Gulf When complete, it will be the researchers, Coast Car- largest post-combustion CO2- including bon Center capture project in an existing Vanessa Nuñez- (GCCC). coal-fueled power plant in the Lopez and United States. The project was Rebecca Smyth, Petra Nova, a joint venture between selected by the Department of have played NRG and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Energy (DOE) through its Clean significant roles in the planning Exploration, is being constructed Coal Power Initiative Program and implementation of the project.

23 Bureau Symposium Features Innovative Posters The 2nd Annual Bureau Research Patterns, Subsalt Thrusting, Computing Services" poster. Symposium, held in September, Suprasalt Extension and Salt Maria Nikolinakou’s poster won featured over 30 posters Expulsion.” The poster also the award for Best Feedback Device. showcasing novel research. won awards for Most Ground- Poster topics included aerial Breaking Research and Best salinity surveys, marine seismic Use of Color. Alexander Sun, applications, nanosensors, and Bridget Scanlon, and Kristine massive undersea flow. Tim Dooley, Uhlman won Best Overall Martin Jackson, and Michael (Environmental Research) for Hudec won Best Overall (Energy their "Enabling Environmental Research) with their "Squeezing a Management Decision Support Large Canopy on a Slope: Suturing and Public Outreach Using Cloud- JSG Dean Sharon Mosher studies the work of Rob Reed.

Education and Outreach Key Aspects of Bureau’s Service Resource Center Science Teachers hundreds of Bureau maps and information sheets to conference The Bureau’s Resource Center Conference attendees. provides geologic information The Bureau’s Linda Ruiz McCall to the geoscience community, and Scott Rodgers reached more educators, and the public through than 150 Texas science teachers Explore UT its Public Information Office, Bureau staff joined in the Geophysical Log Facility, Map Explore UT campus open-house Room, and Texana Library, as well activities for the Jackson School of as The Bureau Store, which features Geosciences in March. The annual publications by Bureau researchers. event aims to inform the public The Resource Center is open about The University of Texas weekdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. mission of teaching, research, and and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. public service. Bureau-led activities Bureau Information Geologist at Explore UT included “What Linda Ruiz McCall, who also To Do with CO ,” “Cure for the serves on the Texas Groundwater 2 Feverish Earth,” “Find Gold,” and Protection Committee, is the in professional development Center’s manager. For more workshops at the Conference information: http://www.beg. for the Advancement of Science utexas.edu/info/res_ctr.php. Teaching (CAST) held in Dallas in November. McCall was also the keynote speaker for the Linda Ruiz McCall 30th Annual Texas Earth Science addresses the students Teachers Association (TESTA) attending Career Day. dinner during the conference. In support of TESTA’s Sharathon, the Bureau donated 60 Earth Science Week toolkits and Bureau map sets to earth science teachers. McCall and Rodgers also distributed

24 “3D Geology Visualizations.” Texas High School Bureau staff volunteering at Coastal Monitoring the event included Jan Braboy, Heather Christensen, Program Sharon Campos, Sara Clough, In 2014, the Texas High School Ursula Hammes, Sue Hovorka, Coastal Monitoring Program, Seunghee Kim, Kim LaValley, led by Tiffany Caudle, marked Linda Ruiz McCall, Mahdi 17 years of engaging residents Moghadam, Prisca Ogbuabuo, of the Texas coast Johnathon Osmond, Reuben in the study of Reyes, and Valerie Siewert. their natural environment. Bureau scientists provide the tools and training needed for students and teachers to learn how to measure the topography, map the vegetation line Earth Science Week and shoreline, Career Day and observe Kitty Milliken leads a GeoFORCE trip to The Bureau hosted the weather and the Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas. 15th Annual Earth Science Week wave conditions. Career Day in October. Over 350 middle-school students from the Austin area came to the GeoFORCE 3D Visualization Team J. J. Pickle Research Campus for Bureau scientists Tiffany Caudle, The Bureau’s 3D Visualization a day of presentations, exhibits, Peter Flaig, Greg Frébourg, team was busy in 2014, with and face-to-face interaction with Kitty Milliken, and Jeffrey Paine presentations at 11 events, 70 geoscience professionals. joined University faculty and including for the Hill Country In addition to Bureau staff, industry partners to lead over Science Mill in Johnson City, participating organizations 600 Texas students on spectacular Hill Country Alliance, prospective included the U.S. Geological field trips for the Jackson School’s students in surface and hydrologic Survey, the Austin Geological GeoFORCE program. Since processes, and visitors from Society, Statoil, Schlumberger, 2005, the program has proven Abu Dhabi University. Visualization the Lower Colorado River Authority successful in preparing Texas high team members from the Employees' United Charities, and school students to become part Bureau include John Andrews the Jackson School of Geosciences. of the geosciences workforce. and Scott Rodgers.

Chock Woodruff instructs middle- Presentation for the Hill Country Science Mill. Participants school students during Career Day. donned 3D glasses to view 3D models of subsurface reservoirs. 25 Publications

The Bureau Store, the official store of the Bureau of Economic Geology, serves the geoscience community, educators, and the general public by offering more than 2,000 books, maps, and digital products published by the Bureau’s research staff. The store also sells publications issued by UT’s Texas Memorial Museum, the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies (GCAGS) and several of its member societies, and the Gulf Coast Section of SEPM (GCSSEPM). Items on the store’s List of Publications (http:// www.beg.utexas.edu/pubs/LOP.pdf ) can be purchased online (http://begstore/beg.utexas.edu/store/) or at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Contact store staff members Amanda R. Masterson and Dennis J. Campa at [email protected] or by phone at 512-471-7144.

Book Tectonostratigraphy and Allochthonous Salt Tectonics of Axel Heiberg Island, Central Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada: Harrison, J. C., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology Report of Investigations No. 279, 124 p. The authors examine Axel Heiberg Island (northern Nunavut), which contains the thickest Mesozoic section in the Sverdrup Basin. The island, only 370 km long, is second only to Iran in its concentration of exposed diapirs: 46 diapirs of Carboniferous evaporites and associated minibasins. The Axel Heiberg canopy is one of only three known exposed evaporite canopies.

Posters: Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change Long-term rates of Gulf shoreline movement along the Texas coast have been determined through 2012 from a series of shoreline positions that includes those depicted on aerial photographs from the 1930’s to 2007, ground GPS surveys, and airborne lidar surveys in 2000 and 2012. Net rates of long-term shoreline movement measured at 11,749 sites spaced at 164 ft (50 m) along the 332 mi (535 km) of Texas shoreline fronting the Gulf of Mexico average 4.1 ft/yr (1.26 m/yr) of retreat. For readability, these posters show every third data point at an alongshore interval of 492 ft (150 m).

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Southern Padre Island and Brazos Island, Texas: Rio Grande (U.S./Mexico Border) to Port Mansfield Channel: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0010, scale 1:24,000. (continued on page 27) 26 Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Eastern Matagorda Peninsula, Texas: Colorado River to Brazos River: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0011, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Bolivar Peninsula, Texas: Bolivar Roads to High Island: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0012, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Mustang Island and North Padre Island, Texas: Northern Padre Island to Aransas Pass: Caudle, T. C., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0013, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Galveston Island, Texas: San Luis Pass to Bolivar Roads: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0014, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Brazos River to San Luis Pass, Texas: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0015, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, High Island to Sabine Pass, Texas: Caudle, T. L., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0016, scale 1:24,000.

Gulf of Mexico Shoreline Change, Western Matagorda Peninsula, Texas: Pass Cavallo to Colorado River: Caudle, T. C., Paine, J. G., Andrews, J. R., and Suarez, J., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Poster, PS0017, scale 1:24,000.

Maps Geologic Map of the Hood Quadrangle, Texas: Collins, E. W., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0209, scale 1:24,000. This quadrangle is one of several for the mapping study of the North Central Texas transportation corridor north of the Fort Worth area. Maps for this corridor provide a basic geologic framework to aid in managing water and earth resources, planning land use, identifying aquifer recharge areas, and identifying sources of aggregate and other earth resources. Geologic units exposed across this corridor comprise about 1,500 ft of Cretaceous shelf and shore-zone deposits, including the upper Antlers sand, clay, and conglomerate; Walnut limestone and marl; Goodland limestone; Kiamichi marl and clay; Duck Creek limestone; and Forth limestone. Goodland limestone and Antlers sand are potential earth resources and are quarried in adjacent areas. Antlers deposits in the subsurface compose the Trinity Aquifer, a major aquifer of the region. (continued on page 28) 27 Geologic Map of the Gunsight Hills South Quadrangle, Texas: Elliott, B. A., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0211, scale 1:24,000. This map is one of several 1:24,000-scale maps of the Trans-Pecos region, focusing on mineral resources associated with Tertiary intrusives and volcanic rocks of West Texas. Maps for this region provide a basic geologic framework to aid in managing water and earth resources; planning land use; and identifying sources of rare earth elements, precious and base metals, uranium, thorium, fluorine, beryllium, and other earth resources. This study area covers Tertiary hypabyssal rhyolite laccoliths and volcanic rocks north of the Sierra Blanca peak, including the Round Top rare-earth-element prospect, Little Round Top, Little Sierra Blanca, and Triple Hill subvolcanic rhyolite laccoliths within and overlying Cretaceous Cox sandstone and Finlay and Buda limestone stratigraphy. The Tertiary intrusive and volcanic rocks provide excellent potential for hydrothermal mineral resource formation, skarn development, and magmatic ore resources in West Texas.

Geologic Map of the Lasca Quadrangle, Texas: Elliott, B. A., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0212, scale 1:24,000. This map is one of several 1:24,000-scale maps of the Trans-Pecos region, focusing on mineral resources associated with Tertiary intrusives and volcanic rocks of West Texas. Maps for this region provide a basic geologic framework to aid in managing water and earth resources; planning land use; and identifying sources of rare earth elements, precious and base metals, uranium, thorium, fluorine, beryllium, and other earth resources. This study area covers Tertiary hypabyssal rhyolite laccoliths and volcanic rocks south of the Sierra Blanca peak, and the east side of the Quitman Mountain caldera system, within and overlying Cretaceous Cox sandstone, Finlay and Buda limestone, Etholen conglomerate, and Bluff Mesa limestone stratigraphy. The Tertiary intrusive and volcanic rocks provide excellent potential for hydrothermal mineral resource formation, skarn development, and magmatic ore resources in West Texas.

Geologic Map of the Losoya Quadrangle, Texas: Elliott, B. A., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0213, scale 1:24,000. This map is one of several 1:24,000-scale maps of the region south of San Antonio, focusing on sand resources in the Tertiary stratigraphy of South Central Texas. Maps for this region provide a basic geologic framework to aid in managing water and earth resources; planning land use; identifying aquifer recharge areas; and identifying sources of aggregate, sand, gravel, and other earth resources. This study area lies within an Eocene-age Carrizo-Wilcox fluvial-deltaic setting to transitional marine transgressional Reklaw Formation and Queen City Sand. The Carrizo Formation is an important sand resource in South Central Texas, and the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer recharge zone is important for water resource management in the region.

(continued on page 29) 28 Geologic Map of the Bayside Quadrangle: Aransas Delta and Copano Bay Area, Texas Gulf of Mexico Coast: Paine, J. G., and Collins, E. W., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0214, scale 1:24,000. This map is one of four 1:24,000-scale maps of the Aransas and Mission deltas area, Texas Gulf of Mexico Coast. This study area lies within modern-to-Holocene Aransas and Mission fluvial-deltaic and bay/estuary settings. Here, the Aransas and Mission river valleys dissect Pleistocene fluvial-deltaic deposits of the Beaumont Formation. The map of the Bayside Quadrangle depicts the geology for the area where the Aransas delta progrades into the western margin of Copano Bay. Geology of this area partly consists of upland Pleistocene Beaumont clay, silt, sand, and minor gravel of fluvial-deltaic interdistributary and distributary settings. Sand-rich channel facies of the Beaumont Formation are displayed. The area also includes part of the upper Beaumont Formation barrier facies, Ingleside deposits. Modern-to-Holocene delta plain and bay margin deposits and tidal flats are adjacent to Copano Bay.

Geologic Map of the Mission Bay Quadrangle: Mission Delta and Copano Bay Area, Texas Gulf of Mexico Coast: Paine, J. G., and Collins, E. W., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0215, scale 1:24,000. The geologic map of the Mission Bay Quadrangle is another 1:24,000-scale map illustrating the geology of the Aransas and Mission deltas area, Texas Gulf of Mexico Coast. The map of this quadrangle depicts an area where the Mission delta prograded into Mission Bay during the mid-to-late Holocene. Geology of the area partly consists of upland Pleistocene Beaumont clay, silt, sand, and minor gravel of fluvial- deltaic interdistributary and distributary settings. Sand-rich channel facies of the Beaumont Formation are displayed. Modern-to-Holocene fluvial floodplain, levee, crevasse splay, point bar, clay dune, and terrace deposits occur within the Mission River valley. Delta plain and bay margin deposits are adjacent to Mission Bay.

Geologic Map of the Smithwick Quadrangle: Woodruff, C. M., Jr., 2014, The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Open-File Map, OFM0216, scale 1:24,000. The Smithwick Quadrangle of Burnet County straddles the Colorado River along the impounded upper reaches of Lake Travis. Quaternary alluvial deposits (sand, gravel, silt, and clay) occur as terraces above lake level and as discontinuous valley deposits along tributary streams. The map shows a major unconformity between Cretaceous and Paleozoic strata. Cretaceous units in this area include: Sycamore Sand, Hammett Shale, Cow Creek Limestone, Hensel Sand, Glen Rose Limestone, discontinuous Paluxy Sand, Walnut Formation, Comanche Peak Limestone, and Edwards Limestone. Pennsylvanian strata (Smithwick Shale, Smithwick Sandstone, and Marble Falls Limestone) directly underlie the Cretaceous section. In places, these Paleozoic rock units are displaced by normal faults that trend northeast–southwest and locally juxtapose the upper Paleozoic strata against lower Paleozoic units (Ordovician Ellenburger Group and Cambrian San Saba Limestone). (continued on page 30) 29 2014 Peer-Reviewed Publications by Bureau Researchers

Altman, S. J., Aminzadeh, B., Balhoff, M. T., Daigle, H., Thomas, B., Rowe, H. D., and Far, M. E., and Hardage, B. A., 2014, Bennett, P. C., Bryant, S. L., Cardenas, M. B., Nieto, M., 2014, Nuclear magnetic Interpretation of fractures and stress Chaudhary, K., Cygan, R. T., Deng, W., resonance characterization of shallow anisotropy in Marcellus Shale using Dewers, T., DiCarlo, D. A., Eichhubl, P., marine sediments from the Nankai multicomponent seismic data: Hesse, M. A., Huh, C., Matteo, E. N., Trough, Integrated Ocean Drilling Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE105–SE115, Mehmani, Y., Tenney, C. M., and Program Expedition 333: Journal of http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0108.1. Yoon, H., 2014, Chemical and Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, hydrodynamic mechanisms for v. 119, no. 4, p. 2631–2650, Flaig, P. P., Fiorillo, A. R., and McCarthy, long-term geological carbon storage: http://doi.org/10.1002/2013JB010784. P.J., 2014, Dinosaur-bearing The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, hyperconcentrated flows of Cretaceous v. 118, no. 28, p. 15103–15113, DeAngelo, M., and Hardage, B. A., 2014, Arctic Alaska: recurring catastrophic event http://doi.org/10.1021/jp5006764. Application of 3C/3D converted beds on a distal paleopolar coastal mode reflections, King County, Texas: plain: PALAIOS, v. 29, p. 594–611, Ambrose, W. A., 2014, Coal, in Warwick, P. D., Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE39–SE45, http://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2013.133. and Hackley, P. C., eds., Unconventional http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0181.1. energy resources: 2013 review: Natural Fomel, S. B., and Landa, E., 2014, Structural Resources Research, v. 23, no. 1, p. 20–23, Duncan, I. J., and Wang, H., 2014, Estimating uncertainty of time-migrated seismic http://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-013-9224-6. the likelihood of pipeline failure in images: Journal of Applied Geophysics, CO2 transmission pipelines: new insights v. 101, p. 27–30, http://doi.org/10.1016/ Ambrose, W. A., Hentz, T. F., and Smith, D. C., on risks of carbon capture and storage: j.jappgeo.2013.11.010. 2014, Facies variability and reservoir International Journal of Greenhouse quality in the shelf-to-slope transition, Gas Control, v. 21, p. 49–60, http:// Fomel, S. B., and van der Baan, M., 2014, Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.11.005. Local skewness attribute as a seismic Woodbine Group, northern Tyler and phase detector: Interpretation, southeastern Polk Counties, Texas, U.S.A: Duncan, I. J., and Wang, H., 2014, Evaluating v. 2, no. 1, p. SA49–SA56, GCAGS Journal, v. 3, p. 1–19. the likelihood of pipeline failures for http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0080.1. future offshore CO2 sequestration projects: Anders, M. H., Laubach, S. E., and Scholz, C. H., International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Gale, J. F. W., Laubach, S. E., Olson, J. E., 2014, Microfractures: a review: Journal of Control, v. 24, p. 124–138, http:// Eichhubl, P., and Fall, A., 2014, Structural Geology, v. 69, p. 377–394, doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2014.02.004. Natural fractures in shale: a review http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2014.05.011. and new observations: AAPG Bulletin, Dutton, S. P., and Loucks, R. G., 2014, Reservoir v. 98, no. 11, p. 2165–2216, Bedayat, H., and Dahi Taleghani, A., 2014, quality and porosity-permeability trends http://doi.org/10.1306/08121413151. Interacting double poroelastic inclusions: in onshore Wilcox sandstones, Texas and Mechanics of Materials, v. 69, no. 1, Louisiana Gulf Coast: application to deep Gasparik, M., Rexer, T. F., Aplin, A. C., Billemont, P., p. 204–212, http://doi.org/10.1016/ Wilcox plays, offshore Gulf of Mexico: DeWeireld, G., Gensterblum, Y., Henry, M., j.mechmat.2013.10.006. GCAGS Journal, v. 3, p. 33–40. Krooss, B. M., Liu, S., Ma, X., Sakurovs, R., Song, Z., Staib, G., Thomas, M., Wang, S., Bertalan, T., Islam, A., Sidje, R., and Carlson, E., Etminan, S. R., Javadpour, F., Maini, B. B., and Zhang, T., 2014, First international 2014, OpenMG: A new multigrid and Chen, Z., 2014, Measurement of gas inter-laboratory comparison of high- implementation in Python: Numerical storage processes in shale and of the pressure CO4, CO2 and C2H6 sorption Linear Algebra with Applications, v. 21, molecular diffusion coefficient in kerogen: isotherms on carbonaceous shales: p. 685–700, http://doi.org/10.1002/nla.1920. International Journal of Coal Geology, International Journal of Coal Geology, v. 123, p. 10–19, http://doi.org/10.1016/ v. 132, p. 131–146, http://doi.org/ Chen, Y., Fomel, S., and Hu, J., 2014, Iterative j.coal.2013.10.007. 10.1016/j.coal.2014.07.010. deblending of simultaneous-source seismic data using seislet-domain shaping Fan, Z. Q., Jin, Z. H., and Johnson, S. E., 2014, Gasparrini, M., Sassi, W., and Gale, J. F. W., regularization: Geophysics, v. 79, no. 5, Oil-gas transformation induced subcritical 2014, Natural sealed fractures in p. V179–V189, http://doi.org/10.1190/ crack propagation and coalescence in mudrocks: a case study tied to burial geo2013-0449.1. petroleum source rocks: International history from the Barnett Shale, Fort Worth Journal of Fracture, v. 185, no. 1–2, Basin, Texas, USA: Marine and Petroleum Cheng, J., and Fomel, S. B., 2014, Fast p. 187–194, http://doi.org/10.1007/ Geology, v. 55, p. 122–141, http://doi.org/ algorithms for elastic-wave-mode s10704-013-9901-9. 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.12.006. separation and vector decomposition using low-rank approximation for Fang, G., Fomel, S. B., Du, Q., and Hu, J., 2014, Hardage, B. A., Sava, D., and Wagner, D. E., anisotropic media: Geophysics, Lowrank seismic-wave extrapolation on a 2014, SV-P: an ignored seismic mode v. 79, no. 4, p. C97–C110, staggered grid: Geophysics, v. 79, no. 3, that has great value for interpreters: http://doi.org/10.1190/GEO2014-0032.1. p. T157–T168, http://doi.org/10.1190/ Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE17–SE27, GEO2013-0290.1. http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0096.1.

(continued on page 31) 30 Hardage, B. A., and Wagner, D. E., 2014, Islam, A., and Carlson, E., 2014, A fully non- Landry, C. J., Karpyn, Z. T., and Oyala, O., 2014, Generating direct-S modes with simple, iterative technique for phase equilibrium Pore-scale lattice Boltzmann Modeling low-cost, widely available seismic sources: and density calculations of CO2 + brine and 4D X-ray computed microtomography Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE1–SE15, system and an equation for CO2: Journal imaging of fracture-matrix fluid transfer: http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0095.1. of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Transport in Porous Media, v. 103, no. 3, v. 115, p. 31–37, http://doi.org/10.1016/ p. 449–468, http://doi.org/10.1007/ Hardage, B. A., and Wagner, D. E., 2014, S-S j.petrol.2014.02.007. s11242-014-0311-x. imaging with vertical-force sources: Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE29–SE38, Islam, A., Korrani, A., Sepehrnoori, K., and Landry, C. J., Karpyn, Z. T., and Oyala, O., http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0097.1. Patzek, T., 2014, Effects of geochemical 2014, Relative permeability of reaction on double diffusive natural homogenous-wet and mixed-wet porous Harrison, J. C., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2014, convection of CO2 in brine saturated media as determined by pore-scale lattice Exposed evaporite diapirs and minibasins geothermal reservoir: International Boltzmann modeling: Water Resources above a canopy in central Sverdrup Basin, Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, v. 77, Research, v. 50, no. 5, p. 3672–3689, Axel Heiberg Island, Arctic Canada: p. 519–528, http://doi.org/10.1016/ http://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR015148. Basin Research, v. 26, p. 567–596, j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.05.040. http://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12037. Laubach, S. E., Eichhubl, P., Hargrove, P., Islam, A., Lashgari, H., and Sepehrnoori, K., Ellis, M. A., and Hooker, J. N., 2014, Fault Harrison, J. C., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2014, 2014, Double diffusive natural convection core and damage zone fracture attributes Tectonostratigraphy and allochthonous of CO2 in a brine saturated geothermal vary along strike owing to interaction salt tectonics of Axel Heiberg Island, reservoir: study of non-modal growth of of fracture growth, quartz accumulation, central Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada: perturbations and heterogeneity effects: and differing sandstone composition: The University of Texas at Austin, Geothermics, v. 51, p. 325–336, http:// Journal of Structural Geology, v. 68, Bureau of Economic Geology, doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2014.03.001. Part A, p. 207–226, http://doi.org/ Report of Investigations No. 279, 10.1016/j.jsg.2014.08.007. 124 p., http://doi.org/10.4095/293840. Islam, A., and Patzek, T., 2014, Slip in natural gas flow through nanoporous shale Le Pen, L., Bhandari, A. R., and Powrie, W., Hentz, T. F., Ambrose, W. A., and Smith, D. C., reservoirs: Journal of Unconventional 2014, Sleeper end resistance of 2014, Eaglebine play of the southwestern Oil and Gas Resources, v. 7, p. 49–54, ballasted railway tracks: Journal of East Texas basin: stratigraphic and http://doi.org/10.1016/j.juogr.2014.05.001. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental depositional framework of the Upper Engineering, v. 140, no. 5, 14 p., http://doi. Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Turonian) Islam, A., Sepehrnoori, K., and Patzek, T., 2014, org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001088. Woodbine and Eagle Ford Groups: AAPG A computationally efficient approach to Bulletin, v. 98, no. 12, p. 2551–2580, applying the SAFT equation for CO2 + H2O Liu, M., Xu, X., Sun, A. Y., Wang, K., Liu, W., http://doi.org/10.1306/07071413232. phase equilibrium calculations: Journal and Zhang, X., 2014, Is southwestern of Solution Chemistry, v. 43, p. 241–254, China experiencing more frequent Herrera, R., Fomel, S. B., and van der Baan, M., http://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-013-0119-2. precipitation extremes?: Environmental 2014, Automatic approaches for seismic Research Letters, v. 9, no. 6, 14 p., http:// to well tying: Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, Jackson, C. A.-L., Jackson, M. P. A., Hudec, doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/9/6/064002. p. SD101–SD109, http://doi.org/10.1190/ M. R., and Rodriguez, C., 2014, Internal INT-2013-0130.1. structure, kinematics, and growth of a Liu, Y., Illangasekare, T. H., and Kitanidis, P. K., salt wall: insights from 3-D seismic data: 2014, Long-term mass transfer and Hooker, J. N., Laubach, S. E., and Marrett, R., Geology, v. 42, no. 4, p. 307–310, mixing-controlled reactions of a DNAPL 2014, A universal power-law scaling http://doi.org/10.1130/G34865.1. plume from persistent residuals: exponent for fracture apertures in Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, sandstone: Geological Society of America Janson, X., Lucia, F. J., Jennings, J. W., Jr., v. 157, p. 11–24, http://doi.org/ Bulletin, v. 126, no. 9–10, p. 1340–1362, Bellian, J. A., Abubshait, A. A., Al-Dukhayyil, 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2013.10.008. http://doi.org/10.1130/B30945.1. R. K., Mueller, H. W., and Cantrell, D., 2014, Chapter 12: Outcrop-based 3D geological Long, D., Longuevergne, L., and Hudock, J. W., Flaig, P. P., and Wood, L. J., and reservoir model of the Uppermost Scanlon, B. R., 2014, Uncertainty in 2014, Washover fans: a modern Khuff Formation in central Saudi Arabia, evapotranspiration from land surface geomorphologic analysis and proposed in Pöppelreiter, M. C., ed., Permo-Triassic modeling, remote sensing, and classification scheme to improve sequence of the Arabian Plate: GRACE satellites: Water Resources reservoir models: Journal of Sedimentary EAGE Publications, p. 269–302. Research, v. 50, no. 2, p. 1131–1151, Research, v. 84, no. 10, p. 854–865, http://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR014581. http://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2014.64. Klokov, A., Irkabaev, D., Ogiesoba, O. C., Skachek, K., and Munasypov, N., 2014, Loucks, R. G., and Reed, R. M., 2014, Scanning- Ibrahim, M., Favreau, G., Scanlon, B. R., Diffraction analysis for the Sortym electron-microscope petrographic Seidel, J. L., Le Coz, M., Demarty, J., Formation using vertical seismic profiling evidence for distinguishing organic-matter and Cappelaere, B., 2014, Long-term data: Journal of Seismic Exploration, pores associated with depositional organic increase in diffuse groundwater recharge v. 23, no. 5, p. 463–480. matter versus migrated organic matter in following expansion of rainfed cultivation mudrocks: GCAGS Journal, v. 3, p. 51–60. in the Sahel, West Africa: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 22, no. 6, p. 1293–1305, http://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1143-z.

(continued on page 32) 31 Lu, J., Mickler, P., Nicot, J. -P., Yang, C., and Nikolinakou, M. A., Hudec, M. R., and Singh, H., Javadpour, F., Ettehadtavakkol, A., Romanak, K. D., 2014, Geochemical Flemings, P. B., 2014, Comparison of and Darabi, H., 2014, Nonempirical impact of oxygen on siliciclastic carbon evolutionary and static modeling apparent permeability of shale: storage reservoirs: International Journal of stresses around a salt diapir: SPE Reservoir Evaluation & of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 21, Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 57, Engineering, v. 17, no. 3, p. 414–424, p. 214–231, http://doi.org/10.1016/ p. 537–545, http://doi.org/10.1016/ http://doi.org/10.2118/170243-PA. j.ijggc.2013.12.017. j.marpetgeo.2014.07.002. Smith, A. J., Flemings, P. B., and Fulton, P. M., Lü, X., Yang, H., Song, J., Versteegh, G. J. M., Ogiesoba, O. C., and Hammes, U., 2014, 2014, Hydrocarbon flux from Li, X., Yuan, H., Li, N., Yang, C., Yang, Y., Seismic-attribute identification of natural deepwater Gulf of Mexico Ding, W., and Xie, S., 2014, Sources brittle and TOC-rich zones within vents: Earth and Planetary Science and distribution of isoprenoid glycerol the Eagle Ford Shale, Dimmit County, Letters, v. 395, p. 241–253, dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) South Texas: Journal of Petroleum http://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.03.055. in sediments from the east coastal sea Exploration and Production of China: application of GDGT-based Technology, v. 4, no. 2, p. 133–151, Smith, A. J., Flemings, P. B., Liu, X., and paleothermometry to a shallow http://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-014-0106-1. Darnell, K., 2014, The evolution of methane marginal sea: Organic Geochemistry, vents that pierce the hydrate stability v. 75, p. 24–35, http://doi.org/10.1016/ Reed, R. M., Loucks, R. G., and Ruppel, S. C., zone in the world's oceans: Journal j.orggeochem.2014.06.007. 2014, Comment on “Formation of of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, nanoporous pyrobitumen residues v. 119, no. 8, p. 6337–6356, Merrell, M. P., Flemings, P. B., and during maturation of the Barnett http://doi.org/10.1002/2013JB010686. Bowers, G. L., 2014, Subsalt pressure Shale (Fort Worth Basin)” by Bernard et al. prediction in the Miocene Mad (2012): International Journal of Smye, K. M., Brigden, C., Vance, E. R., Dog field, Gulf of Mexico: AAPG Coal Geology, v. 127, p. 111–113, and Farnan, I., 2014, Quantification Bulletin, v. 98, no. 2, p. 315–340, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2013.11.012. of alpha-particle radiation damage http://doi.org/10.1306/06251312156. in zircon: American Mineralogist, Rezaveisi, M., Javadpour, F., and v. 99, p. 2095–2104, http://doi.org/ Meyer, N., Breecker, D. O., Young, M. H., and Sepehrnoori, K., 2014, Modeling 10.2138/am-2014-4664. Litvak, M. 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Y., Wang, D., and Xu, X., 2014, Research, v. 84, p. 1185–1199, at ZERT and Mt. Etna: International Journal Monthly streamflow forecasting using http://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2014.92. of Greenhouse Gas Control, v. 30, p. 42–57, Gaussian Process Regression: Journal of http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2014.08.008. Hydrology, v. 511, p. 72–81, http:// Milliken, K., Ko, L. T., Pommer, M., and doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.01.023. Marsaglia, K. M., 2014, SEM p etrography Sajjadiani, S., Javadpour, F., and Jeje, A. A., of eastern Mediterranean sapropels: 2014, Trajectory and transit patterns Ukar, E., and Cloos, M., 2014, Low- analogue data for assessing organic of isolated nanoparticles in structured temperature blueschist-facies mafic matter in oil and gas shales: Journal of micromodels: Austin Journal of Chemical blocks in the Franciscan mélange, Sedimentary Research, v. 84, p. 961–974, Engineering, v. 1, no. 2, 9 p. San Simeon, California: field relations, http://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2014.75. petrology, and counterclockwise Scanlon, B. R., Reedy, R. C., and Nicot, J. -P., P-T paths: Geological Society of Nicot, J. -P., Scanlon, B. R., Reedy, R. C., and 2014, Comparison of water use for America Bulletin, v. 126, no. 5/6, Costley, R. A., 2014, Source and fate hydraulic fracturing for unconventional p. 831–856, http://doi.org/10.1130/B30876.1. of hydraulic fracturing water in the oil and gas versus conventional oil: Barnett Shale: a historical perspective: Environmental Science & Technology, Wallace, K. J., Meckel, T., Carr, D. L., Environmental Science & Technology, v. 48, no. 20, p. 12386–12393, Treviño, R. H., and Yang, C., 2014, Regional v. 48, no. 4, p. 2464–2471, http://doi.org/10.1021/es502506v. CO2 sequestration capacity assessment http://doi.org/10.1021/es404050r. for the coastal and offshore Texas Miocene Scanlon, B. R., Reedy, R. C., and Nicot, J. -P., interval: Greenhouse Gases Science Nikolinakou, M. A., Flemings, P. B., and 2014, Will water scarcity in semiarid and Technology, v. 4, p. 53–65, Hudec, M. R., 2014, Modeling stress regions limit hydraulic fracturing of http://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.1380. evolution around a rising salt diapir: shale plays?: Environmental Research Marine and Petroleum Geology, v. 51, Letters, v. 9, 14 p., http://doi.org/ Wang, H., and Duncan, I. J., 2014, Likelihood, p. 230–238, http://doi.org/10.1016/j. 10.1088/1748-9326/9/12/124011. causes, and consequences of focused leakage marpetgeo.2013.11.021. and rupture of U.S. natural gas transmission pipelines: Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, v. 30, p. 177–187, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2014.05.009.

(continued on page 33) 32 Wang, H., and Duncan, I. J., 2014, Under- on groundwater resources at carbon Yuan, S., DeAngelo, M., and Hardage, B. A., standing the nature of risks associated sequestration sites: Environmental Science 2014, Interpretation of fractures and with onshore natural gas gathering & Technology, v. 48, no. 5, p. 2798–2806, joint inversion using multicomponent pipelines: Journal of Loss Prevention in http://doi.org/10.1021/es4041368. seismic data—Marcellus Shale example: the Process Industries, v. 29, p. 49–55, Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE55–SE62, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2014.01.007. Yang, C., Hovorka, S. D., Delgado-Alonso, J., http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0146.1. Mickler, P. J., Treviño, R. H., and Phillips, S., Wei, S., DeAngelo, M., and Hardage, B. A., 2014, Field demonstration of CO2 Zeidouni, M., 2014, Analytical model of 2014, Advantages of joint interpretation of leakage detection in potable aquifers well leakage pressure perturbations P-P and P-SV seismic data in geothermal with a pulselike CO2-release test: in a closed aquifer system: Advances exploration: Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, Environmental Science & Technology, in Water Resources, v. 69, p. 13–22, p. SE117–SE123, http://doi.org/10.1190/ v. 48, no. 23, p. 14031–14040, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2014.03.004. INT-2013-0084.1. http://doi.org/10.1021/es5044003. Zeidouni, M., Nicot, J. -P., and Hovorka, S. D., Wei, S., DeAngelo, M., and Hardage, B. A., Yang, C., Hovorka, S. D., Young, M. H., 2014, Monitoring above-zone 2014, Interpretation of multicomponent and Treviño, R. H., 2014, Geochemical temperature variations associated seismic data across Wister geothermal sensitivity to CO2 leakage: detection in with CO2 and brine leakage from field, Imperial Valley, California: potable aquifers at carbon sequestration a storage aquifer: Environmental Interpretation, v. 2, no. 2, p. SE125–SE135, sites: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Earth Sciences, v. 72, no. 5, p. 1733–1747, http://doi.org/10.1190/INT-2013-0083.1. Technology, v. 4, no. 3, p. 384–399, http://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3077-0. http://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.1406. Weijermars, R., Dooley, T. P., Jackson, M. P. A., Zhang, R., Song, X., Fomel, S. B., Sen, M. K., and Hudec, M. R., 2014, Rankine models Yang, C., Treviño, R. H., Zhang, T., and Srinivasan, S., 2014, Time-lapse for time-dependent gravity spreading of Romanak, K. D., Kerstan, W., Lu, J., prestack seismic data registration and terrestrial source flows over subplanar Mickler, P. J., and Hovorka, S. D., 2014, inversion for CO2 sequestration study slopes: Journal of Geophysical Research: Regional assessment of CO2–solubility at Cranfield: Geophysical Prospecting, Solid Earth, v. 119, no. 9, p. 7353–7388, trapping potential: a case study of the v. 62, no. 5, p. 1028–1039, http://doi.org/10.1002/2014JB011315. coastal and offshore Texas Miocene http://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2478.12114. interval: Environmental Science & Weijermars, R., and Jackson, M. P. A., 2014, Technology, v. 48, no. 14, p. 8275–8282, Zhang, T., Yang, R., Milliken, K. L., Ruppel, S. C., Predicting the depth of viscous stress http://doi.org/10.1021/es502152y. Pottorf, R. J., and Sun, X., 2014, Chemical peaks in moving salt sheets: conceptual and isotopic composition of gases framework and implications for drilling: You, Y., Flemings, P. 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T., 2014, How heterogeneity management strategies for CO2 http://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggu174. in the shear dilation of a deposit controls capture and sequestration under the mechanics of breaching slope failure: uncertainty through inexact modeling: Weijermars, R., Jackson, M. P. A., and Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Applied Energy, v. 113, p. 310–317, van Harmelen, A., 2014, Closure of Surface, v. 119, no. 11, p. 2381–2395, http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.07.055. open wellbores in creeping salt sheets: http://doi.org/10.1002/2013JF002983. Geophysical Journal International, Ziolkowska, J. R., 2014, Optimizing biofuels v. 196, no. 1, p. 279–290, Young, M. H., Green, R., Conkle, J. L., production in an uncertain decision http://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggt346. McCullough, M., Devitt, D. A., Wright, L., environment: conventional vs. advanced Vanderford, B., and Snyder, S. A., 2014, technologies: Applied Energy, v. 114, Wolaver, B. D., Cook, C. E., Sunding, D. 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33 Transitions

John Ames, Computer Illustrator in the Bureau’s Media illustration, and enjoyed learning new software department, retired in 2014. He began his and tinkering with computer hardware. In addition career at the Bureau in 1980 as a pen-and- to creating maps, John was a skilled technical ink draftsman and traditional cartographer. illustrator who worked with researchers to accurately In his early days, it often took months and a illustrate their publications and presentations. steady hand to produce the color separations One major undertaking was the drafting of 2009’s for many of the Bureau’s complex maps. Chronostratigraphy of Cenozoic Depositional Sequences Examples of his projects include a number of color and Systems Tracts: A Wheeler Chart of the Northwest maps in the popular Geologic Atlas of Texas (GAT ) Margin of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. John is an avid series and the four-sheet Tectonic Map of Texas. outdoorsman who enjoys scuba diving, sailing, John embraced the department’s transition to digital hiking, camping, and photography.

Sigrid J. Clift, Public Information Geologist, retired Information Geologist in 1999, helping people with their in February 2013 after more than 24 years questions about geology and other topics. Sigrid was with the Bureau. At her standing-room- also coordinator of the Petroleum Technology Transfer only retirement party, Associate Director Council (PTTC) Texas Region and head of the Bureau’s Jay Kipper praised Sigrid for her outstanding Resource Center (supervising the library, bookstore, and work as a Research Scientist Associate. Geophysical Log Facility). Throughout her career, Sigrid A prolific author, Sigrid was lead or participated in GeoFORCE and many other outreach secondary author of numerous journal articles, events for students and the public, including organizing contract reports, and guidebooks, and of 12 annual Earth Science Week Career Days for middle- Reports of Investigations 211, 232, and 255. school students. In 1989, Sigrid began her career at the Bureau’s Core In 2008, Sigrid won the Jackson School’s Outstanding Research Center, preparing and producing thin sections Staff Award, and in 2011 she won the JSG Outstanding used in research projects. In 1991, Sigrid moved to the Service Award. Sigrid continues to be active in the Bureau’s main building, making maps and cross sections, Austin Geological Society, in which she heads the doing petrographic analyses, and undertaking many Publications Committee, and with the Bureau’s other research tasks. Sigrid became the Bureau’s Public STARR program.

Lana Dieterich, who retired in 2013, began her career at for supporting successful proposals for funding. She the Bureau as a proofreader in 1987, advancing also mentored junior staff in the essentials of editing. to editor 2 years later. Her master’s degree Known for her quick wit and sense of style—editorial from UT in teaching English as a second and sartorial—Lana, in her parallel career, has been an language came in handy as the Bureau’s award-winning actor in Austin theater for more than research scope grew globally and the staff 30 years, achieving a place on the list of Austin’s Top composition became more international. Lana Forty Stage Actors (named by the Austin Chronicle). edited major reports, atlases, maps, and papers, as well as She has also appeared in films. For her many roles maintaining detailed staff resumes, which were essential and accomplishments, we can only say, “Brava!”

Claudia Gerardo, departmental buyer, retired in Claudia received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees August 2014 after 11 years with the Bureau. in Foods and Nutrition through Human Ecology at The only purchaser during much of her Central Michigan University and excelled at preparing tenure, Claudia excelled at finding obscure wonderful dishes and organizing food-related events and exotic equipment and at finding the at the Bureau. Her thesis project was “The Use of a best prices for purchases. Vendors and folks Methocellulose Derivative as a Fat Substitute in a at the Bureau alike respected her for her Baked Product.” (She tested her theory with brownies.) forthright and honest, tough-as-nails negotiations. She continues to give back to her community by She was also expert at working within the University participating in arts-related and homeowner’s of Texas System and at expediting hurried requests. association volunteer work.

34 Kitty Milliken retired as a Senior Research Scientist in application of electron microbeam imaging and analysis January 2015 after working at The University to interpret chemical and mechanical histories of of Texas for most of the last 40 years. Kitty mudrocks (oil and gas shales). started at UT in the fall of 1975, where During her career, Kitty has authored and co-authored she served as a Teaching Assistant in the more than 80 peer-reviewed papers and has prepared Department of Geological Sciences while award-winning digital resources for teaching sandstone completing her master’s degree. Her first and carbonate petrography. As a Lecturer in the stint at the Bureau was in 1979–1980, when she joined Department, she taught mainly graduate courses, a team investigating diagenesis and reservoir quality of particularly Siliciclastic Petrology. She served as Tertiary Gulf Coast sandstones and their significance to Associate Editor of the Journal of Sedimentary Research geopressured geothermal production. Kitty completed (1993–2000) and as Co-Editor (2004–2008). In 2006, her Ph.D. at the Department in 1985 and worked there, she toured as a Distinguished Lecturer for the AAPG. except for two short stints elsewhere, until 2008, Kitty will begin her retirement with a flourish: she conducting research on diagenesis of a wide range is the 2015 recipient of both the AAPG Robert R. Berg of siliciclastic sediments and the evolution of rock Outstanding Research Award and the Wallace E. Pratt properties in the subsurface, while also running the Memorial Award for the best AAPG Bulletin article microbeam and XRD facilities. In 2008, Kitty returned published in 2013. to the Bureau, where her research focused on the

Seay Nance retired in December 2014 after serving Laboratory. Seay’s expertise is broad: stratigraphy, 37 years at the Bureau. He began his Bureau sedimentology, geomorphology, structural geology, career in 1977, processing core in the Core hydrogeology, and geochemistry. He also has deep Research Center, which at that time was experience in both subsurface and outcrop studies. known as the Well Sample Library. Seay Seay is author or co-author of over 60 publications and went on to supervise both the Sedimentation had made over 70 oral presentations. Seay has been a Laboratory and the Thin-Section Laboratory lifelong student, earning three degrees in geology from before moving into research in 1983. His research The University of Texas at Austin spread across 30 years; projects include West Texas Waste Isolation, Reservoir he completed his Ph.D. in 2010. To the Bureau family, Characterization Research Laboratory, Superconducting Seay has been a dependable friend, a go-to guy, Super Collider, Coalbed Methane, Permian Basin a mentor, and a gadfly. Geological Synthesis, and Mudrock Systems Research

Fred Wang retired in June 2014 after 23 years at data into the construction of flow models. The reservoir the Bureau. Fred, who received his Ph.D. projects he was involved in include several giant West in Petroleum Engineering from Stanford Texas fields such as Seminole, Hobbs, and Fullerton. In University in 1986, joined the Bureau as a addition, Fred made significant advances in modeling Research Fellow in 1991; he was promoted to carbonate reservoirs using outcrop data from the Research Associate in 1992 and to Research Guadalupe Mountains. In later years, Fred used his Scientist in 2001. As a member of the engineering talents to optimize production from the Reservoir Characterization Research Laboratory (RCRL), giant East Texas Field and to understand production Fred was an important part of a team effort researching from the Haynesville and Barnett gas shale plays. He improved methods for constructing realistic carbonate was a member of the team that received the prestigious reservoir models. His primary focus was developing new Wallace E. Pratt Memorial Award from the AAPG in methods for integrating geologic and petrophysical 2011 for their work on the East Texas Field.

Lesli Wood, Senior Research Scientist, departed the organizations and has won numerous national Bureau in December 2014 for the Colorado awards for presentations, papers, and posters. School of Mines, where she is a full professor and holds the prestigious Robert J. Weimer Lesli’s remarkable 17-year run at the Bureau was fueled Endowed Chair in Petroleum Geology. by her seemingly unlimited energy and enthusiasm. In 2005, Lesli founded the Bureau’s Though she once remarked, “I do not claim to know Quantitative Clastics Laboratory (QCL) what I am talking about,” she does indeed know what Industrial Associates Program; by 2014, sponsorship she’s talking about and, as supervisor to perhaps had grown to 16 companies. (In her absence, QCL more graduate students than anyone else in the will continue as one of the 10 Industrial Associates Jackson School over the past decade, has shared programs at the Bureau.) Lesli also holds leadership her research interests in clastic sedimentology, roles in several national and regional professional sequence stratigraphy, and seismic geomorphology.

35 Finances

Grants, Contracts, and Other Revenue

Fiscal Year 2014

Fulltime- Equivalent Staff

u Visit our website: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/ t u Visit our store: http://begstore.beg.utexas.edu/store/ t

36 Visiting Committee

The Bureau’s Visiting Committee provides vital counsel to the Director and staff regarding research programs and opportunities, strategic direction, and other significant issues.

Mr. Bud Scherr Mr. John W. Gibson, Jr. Chair (since August 2011) Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer Tervita Corporation Calgary Director Valence Operating Company Alberta, Canada Scott W. Tinker Kingwood, Texas Associate Directors 1 Mr. Dale Kohler Eric C. Potter, Energy Division 1 Mr. Scott Anderson Critical Infrastructure Liaison Michael H. Young, Environmental Systems Division Senior Natural Gas Policy Advisor Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Jay P. Kipper, Administration and Finance U.S. Climate and Energy Program Austin, Texas Environmental Defense Fund Website: www.beg.utexas.edu Austin, Texas Mr. C. Michael Ming Media Manager: Cathy J. Brown General Manager Ms. Annell R. Bay Oil & Gas Technology Center Editor: Stephanie D. Jones Non-executive Director GE Global Research Apache Corporation Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Senior Graphics Designer: Jamie H. Coggin Houston, Texas Illustrator: Jana S. Robinson 2 The Honorable Jerry Patterson Photographer: David M. Stephens Mr. Bud Brigham Texas Land Commissioner Chief Executive Officer Texas General Land Office External Affairs and Gift Information: Mark W. Blount Anthem Ventures Austin, Texas 512-471-1509, [email protected] Austin, Texas Public Information and Outreach: Linda Ruiz McCall Chairman Carlos Rubinstein1 512-471-0320, [email protected] Mr. Tim Brittan Chairman Austin Core Research Center: James Donnelly President Texas Water Development Board 512-471-0402, [email protected] Infinity Oil & Gas, Inc. Austin, Texas Denver, Colorado Houston Core Research Center: Randy McDonald 713-466-8346, [email protected] The Honorable Barry T. Smitherman2 The Honorable Susan Combs2 Chairman Midland Core Research Center: Andrew Faigle Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Railroad Commission of Texas 432-686-9902, [email protected] Austin, Texas Austin, Texas Geophysical Log Facility: Daniel H. Ortuño 512-471-7139, [email protected] Mr. James W. Farnsworth Dr. Charles R. Williamson Publications, The Bureau Store: Amanda R. Masterson Chief Exploration Officer Chairman 512-471-7144, [email protected] Cobalt International Energy Weyerhaeuser Co. and Talisman Energy Houston, Texas Sonoma, California Research and Administrative Facilities J. J. Pickle Research Campus 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 130 1 New members Austin, Texas 78758-4445 2 Departing members 512-471-1534, Switchboard 512-471-0140, Fax Mailing Address The University of Texas at Austin University Station, Box X Austin, Texas 78713-8924 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Nonprofit Org. Bureau of Economic Geology U.S. POSTAGE Jackson School of Geosciences PAID University Station, Box X PERMIT 391 Austin, TX 78713-8924 Austin, Texas Address Service Requested

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