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In This Issue... Evaluation of Elk Point Basin Evaporites for Solution Mining and Basin Modelling Uncertainty in Geomechanics and Induced Seismicity Technical Evaluation of the Carbon/Oxygen logs Run in Blocks V and VI of the Lamar Field in the Maracaibo Lake Basin, Venezuela
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CSPG OFFICE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT ELECT #150, 540 - 5th Ave SW Clint Tippett Marty Hewitt Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0M2 Tel: 403-264-5610 [email protected] [email protected] Web: www.cspg.org Please visit our website for all tickets sales and event/course registrations Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm The CSPG Office is Closed the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. OFFICE CONTACTS Membership Inquiries PAST PRESIDENT FINANCE DIRECTOR Tel: 403-264-5610 Email: [email protected] Mark Cooper Jim Barclay Advertising Inquiries: Emma MacPherson Tel: 403-513-1230 Email: [email protected] Sherwood Geoconsulting Inc. [email protected] Sponsorship Opportunities: Lis Bjeld Tel: 403-513-1235 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Conference Inquiries: Candace Jones Tel: 403-513-1238 Email: , [email protected] Accounting Inquiries: Kasandra Amaro. Tel: 403-513-1232 Email: [email protected] FINANCE DIRECTOR Education Inquiries: Kristy Casebeer Tel: 403-513-1233 Email: [email protected] DIRECTOR ELECT Laurie Brazzoni Executive Director: Lis Bjeld Ray Geuder Tel: 403-513-1235, Email: [email protected] [email protected] EDITORS/AUTHORS [email protected] Please submit RESERVOIR articles to the CSPG office. Submission deadline is the 23rd day of the month, two months prior to issue date. (e.g. January 23 for the March/April issue) To publish an article, the CSPG requires digital copies of the document. Text should be in Microsoft Word format and illustrations DIRECTOR DIRECTOR should be in TIFF format at 300 dpi., at final size. Mark Caplan Alex MacNeil CSPG COORDINATING EDITOR Emma MacPherson, Communications Coordinator, Cenovus Energy Ltd. Osum Oil Sands Corp. Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 403-513-1230, [email protected] The RESERVOIR is published 6 times per year by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. The purpose of the RESERVOIR is to publicize the Society’s many activities and to promote the geosciences. We look for both technical and non-technical material to publish. DIRECTOR DIRECTOR The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full Kevin Parks Michael Webb without the consent of the publisher. Additional copies of the RESERVOIR are available at the CSPG office. No official endorsement or sponsorship by the CSPG is implied for any advertisement, Alberta Energy Regulator Suncor Energy insert, or article that appears in the Reservoir unless otherwise noted. All submitted [email protected] [email protected] materials are reviewed by the editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions, including letters to the Editor. Submissions must include your name, address, and membership number (if applicable).The material contained in this publication is intended for informational use only. While reasonable care has been taken, authors and the CSPG make no guarantees that any of the equations, schematics, or devices discussed will perform as expected EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR or that they will give the desired results. Some information contained herein may be Lis Bjeld inaccurate or may vary from standard measurements. The CSPG expressly disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions, or conduct of any third-party user of information contained in this publication. Under no circumstances shall the CSPG and its officers, directors, employees, and agents be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or CSPG expense arising in any manner whatsoever from the acts, omissions, or conduct of [email protected] any third-party user. Printed by CBN Commercial Services, Calgary, Alberta.
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPT/OCT 2018 3 THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS SAMARIUM SPONSOR DIAMOND SPONSOR TITANIUM SPONSORS
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 – VOLUME 45, ISSUE 5
MONTHLY SPONSORS...... 4
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS...... 6
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD ...... 7 THE BEST OF EDITION
A Sedimentological, Ichnological, and Architectural Comparison of Estuarine and Fluvial Outcrops Using Uav-Based Outcrop Modelling in the Lower Cretaceous Mcmurray Formation...... 8
FRONT COVER Evaluation of Elk Point Basin Evaporites for Solution Mining and Basin Modelling...... 16 Entrenched Meander – Colorado River. Horseshoe Bend is located just outside Page, northern Arizona. Here a meander Imaging Technology Breakthroughs Make the Analysis of Fine-Grain Rocks of the Colorado River has incised up to 300 More Routine; With Examples From the Oilsands...... 19 m into the Early Jurassic Navajo Sandstone. Tectonic uplift began in this region during the Late Cretaceous. The Navajo Sandstone Uncertainty in Geomechanics and Induced Seismicity...... 22 was deposited as giant, aeolian sand dunes. Photo: Jon Noad Technical Evaluation of the Carbon/Oxygen logs Run in Blocks V and VI of the Lamar Field in the Maracaibo Lake Basin, Venezuela...... 27 UPCOMING EVENTS
Technical Luncheon...... 32
Division Talks...... 35 SOCIETY NEWS
Stanley Slipper Medal Call for Nominations...... 45
CSPG Rock Analysis Workshop...... 46
2018 Ph.D. and M.Sc. Call for Theses...... 47
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 5 "THE BEST OF" EDITION
e often think of “the best" in utility of machine learning and artificial terms of a sporting event or a intelligence in conjunction with high Wrace, where participants are resolution photographs, short wave infra- ranked on how well they performed during red scanners, and X Ray Fluorescence to a given task. Finish the race first, and the aid in the interpretation of core data from gold medal is yours. In this edition of the heavy oil reservoirs. Reservoir, we’ve asked GeoConvention Jason Frank attendees what they thought were the best Scott McKean uses “the statistics we Technical Editor for the CSPG Reservoir of the past GeoConvention, and invited tried to avoid in school” and presents an Sr. Geologist at Athabasca Oil Corporation those authours to present their work in interesting look at uncertainty analysis in paper format. This is the second time we’ve geomechanics and induced seismicity. He Jason Frank is a Professional Geologist who holds invited “the best” to showcase some of their summarizes data from both the Montney a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Alberta. work, and we hope you enjoy it. A complete Formation at Kakwa, and Duvernay He has over 16 years of experience in oil and list of winners is printed on page 31. Formation at Kaybob. gas including technical and leadership positions in exploration and development both on and Derek Hayes and his co-authours present Rafael Becerra Delmoral presents a offshore. Past experience includes Shell Canada amazingly detailed outcrop images taken petrophysical logging technique that Ltd., Burlington Resources Ltd., ConocoPhillips by UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) of the can be utilized to measure actual oil Canada Ltd., and Talisman Energy Inc. Jason McMurray Formation. In conjunction with saturations within cased-hole logs. has volunteered for the Society in the past, most their observational data at the outcrop Utilizing Carbon/Oxygen logging, his recently chairing the Duvernay session at the scale, the authours are able to generate case study presents findings within the Society’s annual convention (2014) and the high-resolution 3D outcrop models that Lamar Field in the Lake Maracaibo Basin Honourary Address Committee. aid in their interpretations. The paper of Venezuela, where this technique was presents the readers with a set of criterial used, and results are presented. for discerning fluvial and estuarine facies within the McMurray Formation. Lastly, we wanted to remind you of the “Geology in your Neighbourhood” contest Elaine Lord and Nicholas Harris present from the last “GeoFun” edition. We’ve had their work on the Elk Point Basin a few submissions, but wanted to make evaporites, and how they relate to solution sure that you all get a chance to take a look mining and basin modelling. To this end at photos, and submit your answers. We their study aims to better understand salt will be posting answers in the next edition. distribution and facies variability to aid in predicting where suitable localities may Thanks again for your support of the exist for future energy storage sites. Reservoir. Travis Hobbs Sandon and Stancliffe have teamed up Your editors, Technical Editor for the Reservoir to present imaging breakthroughs that Jason and Travis Professional Geologist at Encana are making the analysis of fine-grained rocks more routine. They present the Travis Hobbs is an undergraduate from University of Calgary with a graduates degree from Simon Fraser University in Geology. Professionally he has worked both domestically and internationally for 19 years in the Oil & Gas industry, and is currently celebrating 15 years with Encana. Industry roles have included development, exploration, management and business development. Prior to the Reservoir, Travis has held previous roles on convention committees and six years as the Chair of Continuing Education. As free time permits Travis enjoys cycling, cross-country skiing and teaching his two daughters violin.
6 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD By MIchael Webb, Director
elcome back from summer volunteers who support the SIFT program, for a few years now, and is always looking vacation and welcome to for doing a great job reaching out to these for Canadian university venues for a great Wthis new edition of the CSPG students across the country. The incoming Distinguished Lecturer. In addition, Reservoir. I hope many of you had the SIFT co-chairs are Nicole Hunter and Colin our Ambassador program has been chance to visit some of Canada’s geologic Etienne, so please reach out and offer your very successful over the past few years, wonders this past summer, and share volunteer hours to help them put on a great meeting with university professors and them with family and friends. My two SIFT program next year. administrators to see how the CSPG could teenage sons are constantly amazed (or help impact their geoscience curriculum. more truthfully embarrassed) at my ability The University Outreach committee is The countless hours of volunteer time from to blather on about reservoir and source responsible for reaching students across ambassadors Colin Yeo, Brad Hayes, and rocks, mountain building events, structural Canada with the key messages of the CSPG. Ian McIlreath have helped the CSPG focus traps, and other topics whenever we are Among other events, lecture tours are a our outreach efforts across the country. on a holiday hike. Despite this, I know large part of our efforts to reach students The Outreach portfolio also includes that sharing the learnings of geoscience across Canada, and I’d like to thank the GeoWomen, led by co-chairs Jocelyn as applied within the energy industry is outgoing committee chair Sonia Brar and Keith-Asante and Mandy Williams, which a valuable contribution of the CSPG, and her committee volunteers for arranging helps women embark in a career in the we do this through the Society’s various strong technical lecture tours that were geosciences. Outreach activities. appreciated by the students. The incoming chair is Carson Brown, and he’d be happy I hope I’ve helped shine some light on our The 2018 Student Industry Field Trip was to hear from CSPG members with your Outreach portfolio in this short note. In highlighted in last month’s Reservoir in encouragement and ideas. addition, thanks are due to the CSPG office an article written by outgoing co-chairs staff who support the various outreach Jesse Schoengut and Vanessa Huey. SIFT Our CSPG Outreach portfolio is broader committees and events. The next time is one of our top outreach activities, giving still. Did you know we have a Distinguished you are near the offices, please drop in to undergraduate students from across Lecturer Program, where we ask a former say hi and thank our office staff for doing a Canada a chance to experience life as an Link Award winner (or other respected great job. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge oil and gas geologist. This year’s SIFT was speaker) to travel to various universities to the tremendous support of the CSPG a huge success and I’d like to thank Jesse give their technical luncheon talk? Andrew Foundation, which provides funding for and Vanessa, along with the numerous Fox has been heading up this committee much of the CSPG’s outreach activities.
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 7 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
A SEDIMENTOLOGICAL, ICHNOLOGICAL, AND ARCHITECTURAL COMPARISON OF ESTUARINE AND FLUVIAL OUTCROPS USING UAV- BASED OUTCROP MODELLING IN THE LOWER CRETACEOUS MCMURRAY FORMATION Derek A. Hayes1, Michael J. Ranger2, Eric R. Timmer1 and Murray K. Gingras1 1 Ichnology Research Group (IRG), Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta 2 Ranger Petroleum Consulting [email protected]
INTRODUCTION The lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation is the primary reservoir unit for the Athabasca oil sands, and therefore has been the subject of numerous studies over the past century. Arguably, the modern era of research began with the work of Flach and Mossop in the early 1980’s. Their work at the Steepbank River outcrops established that the ubiquitous epsilon cross-strata (later classified as "Inclined Heterolithic Stratification" or IHS) formed as fluvially- derived laterally accreted point-bar deposits overlying thickly-bedded cross-bedded sand, interpreted as basal dune deposits of the same channel (Mossop and Flach, 1983; Flach and Mossop, 1985). Around the same time, Pemberton et al. (1982) suggested that the ichnological assemblage in the IHS at the Steepbank outcrops was representative of deposition in brackish-water settings. In the years following these initial studies, mounting evidence such as the recognition of a significant tidal influence (Smith, 1987; Smith, 1988) and continued ichnological studies (Ranger and Pemberton, 1992) led to the acceptance of an estuary depositional model for the cross-bedded sand and IHS Figure 1: Location map indicating the location of the three studied outcrops. The Amphitheatre outcrop in the middle McMurray Formation. is adjacent to Fort MacKay, located along the MacKay river in Twp 94 R 11W4 (57° 11' 34.30" N, 111° 39' 50.09" W). The Steepbank #3A outcrop is north of Fort McMurray, located along the More recently, the acquisition of detailed Steepbank River in Twp 92 R 09W4 (57° 01' 0.75" N, 111° 26' 2.19" W). The Crooked Rapids outcrop three-dimensional seismic volumes in is southwest of Fort McMurray along the Athabasca River, located in Twp 87-88 R 12W4 (56° 35' the McMurray has uncovered widespread 38.98" N, 111° 52' 6.57" W). meander belts exhibiting point-bars on a similar scale to those found in the modern Mississippi River (Smith et al., 2009; bars with high width to thickness ratios that debate was renewed, with detrital zircon Hubbard et al., 2011; Labrecque et al., 2011; suggest deposition in the upper backwater work (e.g. Blum and Pecha, 2014; Benyon et Durkin, 2016; Blum, 2017). In plan-view, reaches of a river based on modern al., 2016) and geomorphology (e.g. Durkin seismic data show highly migratory point- analogues. As a result, the fluvial vs estuary et al., 2017) cited as the main arguments
8 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Figure 2: Orthomosaic of the Amphitheatre outcrop showing the stratigraphic relationship and spatial distribution of the two interpreted architectural elements. The basal cross-bedded sand unit is interpreted to be a middle estuary compound dune complex that is incised into by an inner estuary IHS-filled channel. The rose diagrams outline the architectural differences between the strata. Black petals represent master bedding orientation and red petals are palaeo-flow data. There is an architectural change from forward accreting compound dunes to laterally and vertically accreting IHS as evidenced by the rose diagrams. for a fluvially-dominated (albeit tidally these outcrops is achieved by using three- reversals and reactivation surfaces, are influenced) depositional model. dimensional photogrammetry techniques observed. Bioturbation in this unit is and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, sporadic and unevenly distributed, but The purpose of this paper is to discuss the or drone) to generate high-resolution bioturbation index can range from 1-3 facies and facies architectures of three 3D outcrop models to collect dense bed with Cylindrichnus and rare Siphonichnus lithologically similar (i.e. a basal cross- orientation datasets for analysis. These composing the ichnological assemblage. bedded sand unit overlain by an IHS unit), data are combined with sedimentological Of note, this low-diversity ichnological but depositionally dissimilar outcrops. and ichnological data acquired from assemblage is consistent with deposition in a Based on sedimentological, ichnological, logging the outcrops in the field. Of note, brackish-water environment. Accretionary and architectural observations, the cross- the palaeocurrent data collected at the bedding surfaces are gently dipping bedded sand and IHS units at each outcrop Steepbank #3 outcrops are from the (commonly less than 5°) and oriented in are separated into individual large-scale appendix sections of Jablonski (2012). For three directions: northeast, southeast, architectural elements interpreted to have a more detailed methodology, particularly and southwest (Fig. 2). Palaeocurrent been deposited in different physiographic regarding the collection of orientation data orientations show a dominant northeast- locations along a fluvial to estuarine from 3D outcrops, readers are directed to southwest trend, with a subordinate depositional system. Differentiating Hayes et al. (in press). southeast trend. Notably, the low dip of between these architectural elements master bedding surfaces and the tendency can be difficult, particularly in core. For ESTUARINE OUTCROPS for sediment transport to be parallel to example, a cross-bedded sand unit may Amphitheatre Outcrop master bedding accretion is characteristic be interpreted as fluvial channel dunes, The Amphitheatre outcrop is characterized of compound dune deposits (Allen, 1980; estuarine channel dunes, or estuarine by two main geobodies: a basal, 15 metre Dalrymple, 2010). Based on: 1) evidence compound dunes. Likewise, IHS can thick planar-tabular and trough cross- for metre-scale sedimentary structures form in fluvial or estuarine environments. bedded sand unit, and an overlying 8 commonly found in tidal environments; As such, this study identifies the key metre thick IHS-dominated unit which 2) a low diversity ichnological assemblage differences between fluvial and estuarine truncates the cross-bedded sand unit with consistent with the brackish-water facies in the McMurray Formation. a significant scour visible on the northeast ichnological model; and 3) orientation data side of the outcrop (Fig. 2). conforming to forward accreting bedforms, STUDY AREA AND METHODS the sand at Amphitheatre is interpreted to The outcrops included in this study are The cross-bedded sand at the Amphitheatre be a compound dune complex in a middle the Amphitheatre (Twp 94, R 11 W4), outcrop is medium-grained and thinly- to estuary setting. Steepbank #3A (representing all of the thickly-bedded (0.1-2 metres) with sand Steepbank #3 outcrops; Twp. 92, R 09 W4), beds thinning upwards. Sedimentary The overlying IHS-filled channel contains and Crooked Rapids (Twp 87-88, R 12 W4) features common in tidal depositional outcrops (Fig. 1). The characterization of environments, such as metre-scale current (Continued on page 10...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 9 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
(Continued from page 9...) energy conditions, possibly related to seasonal discharge variations of a river. These observations, combined with the lack of an ichnological signature and the lack of a discernable tidal influence, suggest that the cross-bedded sand unit at Steepbank may be ascribed to the deposition of simple dunes at the base of a fluvial channel.
The overlying IHS is sedimentologically, ichnologically, and architecturally distinct from the cross-bedded sand. It is characterized by thinly-bedded (2-20 centimetre) fine- to very fine-grained sand interbedded with mud. Within the sand beds, sharp-based current ripples and planar- tabular bedding are common. Bioturbation index throughout the IHS varies from Figure 3: Orthomosaic of the Steepbank #3A outcrop showing the stratigraphic relationship and spatial 1-4. Both sand and mud beds contain distribution of the cross-bedded sand and IHS units. The basal cross-bedded sand is interpreted as simple Cylindrichnus, Skolithos, and Planolites. fluvial dunes. These dunes are abruptly overlain by laterally-accreting estuarine IHS. The rose diagrams The collected IHS bedding orientations and depict the architectural differences among the preserved strata at the Steepbank #3 outcrops, with palaeocurrent data, courtesy of Jablonski master bedding data in black petals and paleocurrent data in red petals. As evidenced by the rose (2012), show an average deviation of 77° diagrams, there is a clear change in bedding architecture between the fluvial dunes and estuarine IHS, suggesting an orthogonal relationship with the fluvial dunes having no preferred accretionary growth direction while the estuarine IHS accretes between accretionary growth direction toward the northeast. and flow direction (Fig. 3). Based on: 1) a discontinuity to the underlying fluvial a coalified log near the channel base. The trend in flow direction oriented northeast- dunes; 2) bedsets that thin and muddy channel fill conforms to the shape of the southwest is the result of tides in the upwards; and 3) an increase in bioturbation scour, with IHS beds having apparent channel during deposition. upwards, the IHS unit at Steepbank is dip from 3-9°. The IHS is composed of interpreted to be a laterally-accreting interbedded fine- to very fine- sand and Steepbank #3A Outcrop estuarine point-bar deposit. Importantly, silt beds, with bedding typically on a An interpreted orthomosaic of the middle all of these characteristics are consistent centimetre to decimetre scale. Bioturbation McMurray is shown in Figure 3. For the with vertical sections of laterally accreting index ranges from 1-4. Trace fossils in this purposes of this study, only the middle point-bars in tidally influenced brackish- unit include Cylindrichnus, Planolites, McMurray strata will be discussed at water settings (Smith, 1987; Gingras et al., and Gyrolithes, which represents a Steepbank. The Steepbank #3A outcrop is 1999; MacEachern et al., 2010). common ichnological assemblage in mud- characterized by two main architectural dominated IHS in the McMurray Formation geobodies: a basal, 8-10 metre thick, Discussion of Estuarine Facies and Facies (Shchepetkina et al., 2016a; Gingras et al., medium-grained planar tabular and trough Architectures 2016). Bed orientation data is consistently cross-bedded sand unit sharply overlain by In estuarine cross-bedded sand (i.e. dipping toward the southeast, while a 20 metre thick IHS succession consisting the compound dune complex at the palaeocurrent data is orthogonal to the of pervasively bioturbated fine- to very Amphitheatre outcrop), the presence of master bedding surfaces, although it shows fine-grained sand and mud couplets. metre-scale flow reversals and reactivation a bimodal trend in flow direction (Fig. 2). surfaces coupled with a low-diversity Based on these observations, the IHS unit The cross-bedded sand is thickly bedded, brackish-water ichnological assemblage at Amphitheatre is best interpreted as a typically between 0.2-2 metres thick, and point toward deposition in a tidally- brackish-water inner estuary channel fill completely devoid of bioturbation. Thin dominated estuary environment (Fig. succession that shows both lateral accretion interbeds of decimetre-scale dunes with 4A). Architecturally, middle estuary (master bedding and palaeocurrent data mud clasts preserved on the dune toesets dunes display a dominant trend of are oriented orthogonal to each other) are observed locally. Master bedding forward accretion related to the dominant and vertical accretion (IHS conforms to surfaces are steeply dipping (typically flood- and ebb-tide orientation in the the shape of the scour, appearing to be above 8°) and show no preferred accretion estuary (NE-SW in this study) (Fig. 2 rose concave-upward) tendencies. Given that direction while palaeocurrent data (from diagrams). A subordinate master bedding the presence of Cylindrichnus, a burrow Jablonski, 2012) indicates flow direction is trend oriented orthogonal to the dominant formed by a marine polycheate, provides toward the northwest (Fig. 3). As evidenced flood-ebb tide oriented dunes is apparent indirect evidence for a tidal influence on by the range in cross-bed thickness, the (SE in this study), with these smaller dunes the IHS, it is plausible that the bimodal sand was likely deposited under varying forming as a result of flowing water in the
10 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Figure 4: Plate illustrating common sedimentary structures, bioturbation, and stratigraphic relationships between cross-bedded sand and IHS at outcrops interpreted to be estuarine. A) Metre-scale flow reversal with arrows indicating the palaeoflow direction based on the orientation of the cross-beds. Amphitheatre outcrop, compound dune complex. B) Pervasively bioturbated IHS consisting of a low-diversity, high intensity assemblage of Cylindrichnus (Cy) and Skolithos (Sk). Steepbank #3A outcrop, IHS unit. C) Close-up of the scoured contact separating the compound dune complex and the overlying IHS. Amphitheatre outcrop. D) The sharp contact between fluvial dune sand and the overlying estuarine IHS. Steepbank #3A outcrop. troughs of large-scale dunes during low Gyrolithes – all of which are common in size is apparent in addition to pervasively tide (Dalrymple, 1984b). The interpreted estuarine IHS in the McMurray Formation). bioturbated IHS overlying sparsely compound dunes in the McMurray are At Amphitheatre and Steepbank, both bioturbated (Amphitheatre) estuarine sand similar architecturally and in scale to sand and mud lithosomes are bioturbated, or unbioturbated (Steepbank #3) fluvial those at Cobequid Bay in the Bay of Fundy suggesting more gradual sediment sand. The sedimentological, ichnological, (Dalrymple, 1984a; Dalrymple, 1984b) accumulation in an estuary channel when and architectural differences between the despite the McMurray being a mesotidal compared to the seasonal discharge of a cross-bedded strata and overlying IHS at setting (Smith, 1987) in contrast to the fluvial channel. On top of the pervasive these outcrops is compelling evidence modern macrotidal regime at Cobequid bioturbation, estuarine IHS is considerably that the contacts between the units at both Bay. more heterolithic than fluvial IHS – this outcrop locations are disconformable, results from the propensity for mud and therefore may represent important By far the most characteristic feature flocculation in estuarine environments as a stratigraphic surfaces within the McMurray in estuarine IHS is the presence of result of the mixing of fresh and salt water. Formation (Ranger and Gingras, 2008). an ichnological assemblage that is diagnostic of deposition in brackish- Stratigraphically, the contact between cross- FLUVIAL OUTCROP water (Fig. 4B). Because stressful living bedded dune sand and IHS at the estuarine Crooked Rapids conditions for organisms are common outcrops suggest they are two genetically At the Crooked Rapids outcrop, one in brackish-water environments (e.g. separate units. At the Amphitheatre outcrop, kilometre of continuously exposed strata resulting from fluctuations in salinity or an inner estuary laterally accreting IHS- provide extensive depositional strike and high sedimentation rates), a number of filled channel incises into a middle estuary dip views of large-scale architectural units. predictable trends in bioturbation are forward accreting compound dune deposit, Similar to the aforementioned estuarine manifested in estuarine deposits. Gingras resulting in a disconformity (Fig. 4C). outcrops, the Crooked Rapids outcrop is et al. (2016) provide a comprehensive Similarly, we recognize an abrupt contact characterized by two main architectural review of brackish-water bioturbation, but at all Steepbank #3 outcrops (Steepbank elements: a basal 13 metre thick, fine- in general estuarine strata will contain a #3A-C), with no evidence for interfingering grained, trough to low-angle planar tabular low-diversity, locally high intensity suite or grading, between the fluvial dune sand cross-bedded and planar-bedded sand of diminutive, marine-derived, infaunal and inner estuary laterally accreting IHS overlain by a 13 metre thick IHS unit. In trophic generalists (e.g. Cylindrichnus, (Hayes et al., in press) (Fig. 4D). Above contrast to the Amphitheatre and Steepbank Skolithos, Planolites, and monospecific these contacts, an abrupt decrease in grain (Continued on page 12...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 11 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
(Continued from page 11...)
Figure 5: Image of the Crooked Rapids outcrop showing the stratigraphic relationship between cross-bedded dune sand and IHS. Here, the cross-bedded sand climbs up the point-bar surface and grades laterally into IHS toward the top of the bar. This results in an interfingering relationship between the cross-bedded sand and IHS, which suggests they are elements of the same architectural unit. The rose diagrams show that the point-bar accretes toward the southwest. outcrops, the contact between the cross- consistent dip direction toward the west- (Fig. 5 rose diagrams). bedded sand and the IHS at Crooked southwest for at least 500 metres laterally, Rapids is observed to both interfinger with master bedding surfaces dipping Together, the cross-bedded sand and IHS laterally and grade vertically. In effect, between 4-10° and, as will be shown, the are sedimentologically and ichnologically the cross-bedded sand unit constitutes master bedding is the basal component consistent with fluvial point-bars: they are a lower sand-dominated component of of an IHS architecture. Based on the devoid of bioturbation and sedimentary the IHS architecture. Due to the scale of abundance of high-energy indicators such structures that commonly indicate the the Crooked Rapids outcrop (the outcrop as amalgamated lateral accretion surfaces presence of tides (e.g. large-scale flow is over a kilometre wide), this paper will and the scale of cross-bedding, this unit, reversals, reactivation surfaces, double mud focus only on the lateral transition from which is devoid of bioturbation, is likely the drapes, etc.) while containing a significant sand-dominated to IHS-dominated strata, lower part of a fluvial point-bar. amount of organic matter and coal interpreted to represent a single fluvial fragments. Importantly, these two units are point-bar (Fig. 5). The overlying IHS at Crooked Rapids is observed to interfinger with one another sedimentologically and architecturally over 50-100 metres laterally, demonstrating In the cross-bedded sand unit, bed similar to the cross-bedded sand unit. a gradational facies architecture (Fig. 6E). thickness may be upward of 1.5 metres, The IHS consists of inclined, interbedded As such, based on the sedimentology but typically range from 0.5-1 metre thick fine-grained sand and organic-rich silt. and architectural similarities (both units (Fig. 6A). Trough cross-beds are common Ichnologically, the IHS conforms to studies accrete toward the southwest), the cross- closer to the base of the unit, and grade of modern point-bars in the fluvial reaches bedded dune sand and overlying IHS are upward into planar tabular cross-beds, of estuaries - bioturbation is extremely rare, taken together to represent the lower and planar beds, and current rippled sand, and is limited to surface traces that have upper parts of a single fluvial point-bar at representing a decrease in energy upward a low preservation potential in the rock the Crooked Rapids outcrop. consistent with fluvial point-bar facies record (Shchepetkina et al., 2016b). The IHS models (Allen, 1970). Along the entire sand beds are current rippled and typically Discussion of Fluvial Facies and Facies extent of the outcrop, organic detritus between 20-60 centimetres thick, which is Architecture commonly drape the foresets of the dunes noticeably thicker than sandy IHS beds at In the McMurray Formation, Crooked and are deposited in the dune bottomsets Amphitheatre and Steepbank (Fig. 6D). Rapids is the only outcrop that shows (Fig. 6B). Within massively appearing sand, Furthermore, the IHS sand beds gradually widespread evidence for fluvial deposition coal fragments up to 2 centimetres wide thicken downdip until the silt beds of the on a large scale. Because the cross- are scattered throughout (Fig. 6C). Internal IHS couplets are occluded. Throughout bedded sand and IHS units at the Crooked erosional surfaces between successive sand the IHS, similar to the underlying cross- Rapids outcrop are sedimentologically, beds are common, and are interpreted bedded sand, organic detritus is abundant. ichnologically, and architecturally similar, as truncated lateral accretion surfaces IHS bedding dips typically between 8-16° the entire outcrop will be discussed as a following the freshet flooding phase in toward the southwest, roughly the same whole. the channel. Orientation data show a direction as the cross-bedded sand below
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Vertical sections through the channelized architectural unit at the Crooked Rapids outcrop show that sedimentologically, the strata conform to fluvial facies models (Allen, 1970). Specifically, the upward transition from trough cross-beds to planar bedding and ripple cross-lamination suggest a decrease in energy level up the point-bar resulting from a shallower water depth. The presence of abundant organics and coal fragments throughout the outcrop, although not unequivocal evidence of fluvial deposition, still point toward a higher riverine influence than what is interpreted at the estuarine outcrops (Fig. 6B-C). When coupled with the lack of sedimentary structures common in tidally- dominated depositional environments and the lack of bioturbation, these observations point toward a deposition in a fluvial environment.
Fluvially-dominated IHS typically results from two-stage sedimentation: 1) sand beds are deposited, usually as bedload during phases of high river discharge during seasonal freshet flooding events; and 2) organic-rich mud beds are deposited as suspended load during Figure 6: Plate illustrating common sedimentary structures and the stratigraphic relationship between waning flow conditions during times cross-bedded sand and IHS in the fluvial Crooked Rapids outcrop. A) Metre-scale cross-bedded dune sand. of lower fluvial discharge (Sisulak and B) Decimetre- to metre-scale cross-bedded dune sand with abundant organic detritus in the bottomsets Dashtgard, 2012). As a result, the sand beds of the dunes. C) Coal fragments in massively-appearing sand. D) Expression of fluvial IHS in outcrop. E) of fluvial IHS (representing the freshet) are The interfingering relationship between cross-bedded sand and IHS. characteristically thicker than estuarine IHS, where the tidal prism in addition to fluvial discharge moves the turbidity
Figure 7: Idealized vertical sections of estuarine and fluvial point-bar strata. All core photos shown are 7cm wide. A) Vertical estuarine point-bar succession after Smith (1987) and MacEachern et al. (2010). Sandy lateral accretion beds are characteristically thinner than fluvial lateral accretion deposits, and muddy strata is abundant throughout the bar. Bioturbation is dominated by a low-diversity assemblage in the channel (BI of 1-3) with an increase in BI upward. Core photos are from the 16-21-95-11W4 core. B) Vertical fluvial point-bar model after Allen (1970). Modified from Donselaar and Overeem (2008). Note the abundance of sand in lateral accretion deposits, as well as the lack of bioturbation and fining-upward trend. Bioturbation in overbank deposits may be variable, but consists of meniscate traces created by insects. Core photos are from the 13-22-95-11W4 well. (Continued on page 14...)
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(Continued from page 13...) maximum, which dictates where sand SUMMARY 7) Abrupt changes in bedding architecture and mud will be deposited in the system Considering the recent re-emergence of (i.e. forward vs. lateral accretion), grain (Ranger and Pemberton, 1992; Lettley et the debate on whether middle McMurray size, and bioturbation intensity across al., 2005). Since fluvial IHS is controlled Formation strata is dominantly estuarine the aforementioned contact. mainly by high-energy river floods, often or fluvial, this study discusses the key times the silty waning-flow deposit is sedimentological, ichnological, and In contrast, outcropping strata interpreted eroded by the succeeding freshet phase, architectural differences between deposits to represent fluvial deposition is resulting in the amalgamation of sand beds found in brackish versus fresh water in characterized by (Fig. 7B): and the lack of silty or muddy strata. This outcropping McMurray strata. There are contrasts with estuarine IHS, where the several notable differences in the facies 1) The lack of discernable sedimentological deposition of sand and mud occurs more and facies architectures between estuarine evidence for tidal modulation. gradually, as evidenced by the occurrence and fluvial deposits in the McMurray of bioturbation in both sand and mud Formation, which are summarized below 2) An abundance of terrestrial organic lithosomes (Gingras et al., 2016). (and in Figure 7, which is a schematic detritus and coalified debris. comparison of estuarine and fluvial The lack of bioturbation in the Crooked laterally-accreting point-bar strata). 3) Event-driven deposition on the point- Rapids outcrop is similar to what has been bar, as indicated by the abundance of observed in the fluvial reaches of modern Outcropping strata ascribed to deposition truncated lateral accretion surfaces estuaries (Hauck et al., 2009; La Croix in estuarine depositional environments in related to larger seasonal flooding et al., 2015; Shchepetkina et al., 2016b; the McMurray Formation are characterized events. Shchepetkina et al., 2016c). Work by these by (Fig. 7A): authors has shown that in freshwater 4) Inclined heterolithic stratification channels landward of brackish-water 1) The presence of sedimentary structures consisting of sand beds up to 60 incursion, bioturbation is rare and most common in tidally-dominated centimetres thick interbedded with thin commonly absent on subtidal and intertidal environments (e.g. metre-scale flow organic-rich silt – neither lithosome is point-bars. In fact, colonization below the reversals and reactivation surfaces). bioturbated. water line in continental environments is rare (Hasiotis, 2002; Gingras et al., 2016). 2) Inclined heterolithic stratification 5) The lack of bioturbation in both cross- Consequently, much of the bioturbation in consisting of thin current-rippled sand bedded dune sand and IHS units – fluvial environments typically occurs either beds (2-20 centimetres) interbedded this conforms to studies on the fluvial on the channel margins or in overbank with muddy strata – both sand and mud reaches of modern estuaries. environments (as opposed to in the lithosomes are pervasively bioturbated. channel), where insects produce meniscate 6) Cross-bedded sand deposits climbing up ichnogenera such as Taenidium, Scoyenia, 3) An ichnological assemblage that consists the surface of the bar, grading laterally Beaconites, and Naktodemasis (Gingras et of a low-diversity, locally high intensity into IHS in the upper point-bar strata. al., 2016). suite of diminutive, marine-derived, infaunal trophic generalists (Pemberton 7) A gradual contact showing an From an architectural point of view, et al., 1982; Gingras et al., 2016). interfingering relationship between the the observed relationship between the cross-bedded sand and IHS, implying cross-bedded sand and IHS at Crooked 4) Inclined heterolithic stratification that the two units are genetically related to Rapids is significantly different from the conforms to estuarine lithofacies models each other. contacts observed at the Amphitheatre – bedsets thin and muddy upward, while and Steepbank outcrops. Most notably, bioturbation intensity increases upwards 8) No change in bedding architecture at the Crooked Rapids outcrop, the two (Smith, 1987; MacEachern et al., 2010). (i.e. both units laterally accrete toward units are observed to interfinger over tens the southwest) or grain size across the to hundreds of metres laterally (Fig. 6E). 5) Ichnological assemblages that include aforementioned contact. They are in effect elements of the same Cylindrichnus or Gyrolithes, since the architectural unit. The nature of this contact presence of either ichnogenera act as an The results of this study provide some clarity results in cross-bedded sand climbing up indirect tidal indicator considering that into the debate regarding the depositional the point-bar and grading laterally into IHS the tracemakers are marine polychaetes origin of McMurray Formation strata. As toward the top of the bar. This observation that must be advected into an estuary by evidenced by the three outcrops presented is crucial – when coupled with consistently tides. in this study, fluvial and estuarine deposits southwestward accreting bedding data in do coexist in the McMurray Formation. both the cross-bedded sand and IHS units, 6) A sharp, locally incising contact in Importantly, in both fresh- and brackish- the interfingering relationship provides outcrop at the base of the IHS, implying water deposits, there is a predictable unequivocal evidence that together they that it and the underlying cross-bedded distribution of facies that conform to are genetically related, and therefore are dune sand are not genetically related. either fluvial or estuarine lithofacies deposited on the same fluvial point-bar. models. Therefore, the recognition of
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sedimentological and ichnological features outcrop, since the facies models for these Cenovus Energy, Nexen Energy, and pertaining to either interpretation outlined depositional environments show markedly Woodside Energy generously provided in this paper can be applied to core different defining features. funding for this project. datasets to supplement (or, in some cases, hinder) interpretations based off seismic ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES volumes and detrital zircon work. In a A Natural Sciences and Engineering Full List of References available on the nutshell, this work shows that fluvial and Research Council of Canada (NSERC) CSPG website estuarine deposits in the McMurray can be Discovery Grant to MKG helped fund differentiated with relative ease, at least in this research. BP Canada, Husky Canada,
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 15 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
EVALUATION OF ELK POINT BASIN EVAPORITES FOR SOLUTION MINING AND BASIN MODELLING Elaine L. Lord1, Nicholas B. Harris1 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E3
Introduction Salt is soluble, impermeable, and self- nature of EPG salt deposits and predict The Lotsberg and Prairie Evaporite salts of annealing, making it ideal for the where salt caverns are best developed. To the Middle to Upper Devonian Elk Point development of caverns for energy storage this end we map evaporite cycles in the CAB Group (EPG) were deposited landward (Mortazavi and Nasab 2017; Mannan for halite thickness, potash and insoluble of the Presqu’Ile Barrier in the Alberta et al. 2014). One specific application is bulk percent, as well as insoluble interbed Basin, which is subdivided into the Central compressed air energy storage (CAES), thickness, continuity, and lateral extent Alberta sub-basin (CAB) and North Alberta which is particularly applicable to within the salt formations, to be subdivided sub-basin (NAB; Fig. 1). Parts of the CAB renewable energy sources that have into facies to assist in salt characterization preserve the entire evaporite depositional variable energy outputs. by paleoenvironmental interpretation. sequence of the EPG (Fig. 1). The NAB does not contain Lotsberg evaporites and is not To successfully mine a salt cavern, geologic Dataset the focus of this study. Previous studies understanding is necessary to avoid cavern We examined six drills cores and 320 well have estimated salt thicknesses of EPG collapse, winging, or mining of unsuitable logs from the CAB that intersect the Prairie evaporites in the CAB and NAB (Grobe salt beds (e.g., under minimum thickness; Evaporite and Lotsberg salts (Fig. 1). Petrel 2000; Hauk et al. 2017). Kunstman et al. 2007). Our objective is is used to map well log data, which are cross to use facies modelling to determine the validated by logging formation thickness,
Figure 1 Map of Alberta with the approximate boundary between the Northern Alberta Basin (NAB) and Central Alberta Basin (CAB) indicated by a dashed line. Yellow-shaded field is the extent of the Prairie Evaporite Formation and the orange-shaded field is the extent of the Lotsberg Formation. Studied drill cores are highlighted with black stars and well logs with black circles. Figure 2 Unit thickness isopach maps for the Prairie Evaporite Formation (A) and the Lotsberg Formation The purple star indicates well UWI: 100/07-17- (B) in the Central Alberta Basin (CAB), with 25 m interval spacing. The Muskeg Formation is coeval to 056-21W4/00. Cross-sections AA’ and BB’ are the Prairie Evaporite Formation. The Meadow Lake Escarpment is emergent topography for the Lotsberg labelled. Grey regions were emergent Devonian Formation. Sharp outer edges are an artifact of the picked Petrel boundary topography
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lithology, and halite purity from drill core. of lagoon conditions when the basin was flooded by fresh seawater.These insoluble Results interbeds act as seals during solution Distribution of the Lotsberg Formation in mining, restricting salt solution below the our study area conforms to Early Devonian interbed; they can also collapse as salt is emergent topographic features, such as mined from under the bed, potentially the Meadow Lake Escarpment to the east destabilizing the side walls of the cavern (Van Hees 1958) and the surface of the resulting in structural instability. Tracing sub-Devonian unconformity (Burrowes each cycle allows us to accurately estimate and Krause 1987; Moore 1988; Figs. 1, 2, 4). thick interbed depths. The Prairie Evaporite Formation is more extensive than the Lotsberg Formation in Conclusions the study area (Fig. 2) and pinches out to the Within our study area, the Prairie Evaporite west, where it interfingers with the coeval Formation is thickest and shallowest near-shore Muskeg Formation, which in eastern Alberta, making it suitable consists largely of anhydrite, carbonate, for cavern development. The Lotsberg and minor halite. The EPG deposits dip to Formation was deposited less extensively the south west in the CAB. over the basin, and is abruptly truncated by the Meadow Lake Escarpment to the south We define six evaporite cycles throughout west. However, near its depositional center, Figure 3 Correlated well log (left) and our the Prairie Evaporite Formation and four the Lotsberg Formation has lower volumes interpreted core log (right) for the Lotsberg in the Lotsberg Formation (Fig. 3), marked of insoluble components, making it a more Formation in well UWI: 100/07-17-056- by increasing concentrations of potash predictable unit for development. 21W4/00. Core location is noted with a purple minerals and insoluble sediments upward star in Figure 1. Depth is true vertical depth. in each cycle that can be correlated with Acknowledgements gamma ray and density logs. We thank Tyler Hauck, Matt Grobe, Chris Schneider, and Tim Lowenstein for their Discussion input. We also thank the Core Research The depositional extent (Fig. 2) and dip (Fig. Center, Plains Midstream Canada, Imperial 4B) of the Prairie Evaporite and Lotsberg Oil, and Newalta for kindly allowing us Formations modeled from well logs are access to cores. This study is supported comparable to findings of previous studies by grants from Alberta Innovates, NSERC (Grobe 2000; Rogers 2017). Both formations CRD, Rocky Mountain Power, and Compass meet or exceed the minimum thickness Minerals. required for safe salt cavern creation (≥ 100 m) and do not exceed the maximum burial References depth of 2000 m (Kunstman et al. 2007). Burrowes, O. and F. Krause 1987. Overview Both formations are shallowest in eastern of the Devonian system: subsurface of Alberta (Fig. 4), and therefore more suited Western Canada Basin: SPG Special to economic development. Publications, Devonian Lithofacies and Reservoir Styles in Alberta, 13th CSPG Core We subdivide salt beds into stratigraphic Conference and Display, p. 1-20. cycles, within which depositional facies Figure 4 Depth cross-sections of the Prairie are interpreted based on the relative Grobe, M., 2000. Distribution and thickness Evaporite and Lotsberg Formations along the abundances of halite, potash, clays, of salt within the Devonian Elk Point group, AA’ and BB’ lines indicated in Figure 1. and their anhydrite, and carbonates. We interpret western Canada sedimentary basin: Earth respective facies cycles, each cycle is represented the beginning of each cycle as lagoon facies Sciences Report, v. 2, p. 1-12. by a different color. Cross-sections are presented (halite with disseminated clays, anhydrite, with 100x vertical exaggeration. Cycle colors are and carbonates) overlain by salt pan facies Hauck, T., J. T. P., Hathaway, B., Grobe, equivalent to Figure 4 (halite with potash minerals, and more M., and MacCormack, K., 2017. New anhydrite than carbonates), Warren 2006; insights from regional-scale mapping and Jackson and Hudec 2017. The transition modelling of the Paleozoic succession from lagoon to salt pan facies within the in northeast Alberta: Paleogeography, cycles indicates deposition in standing evaporite dissolution, and controls on water within a peri-continental inland Cretaceous depositional patterns on the sea under normal evaporative conditions sub-Cretaceous unconformity: Bulletin of (Kendall 1978). Thick interbeds of insoluble Canadian Petroleum Geology, v. 65, no. 1, minerals were deposited at the beginning (Continued on page 18...)
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(Continued from page 17...) p. 87-114. C., Scorfield, B., Naini, N., and Cheng, J., 602-624. 2014. Techno-economics of energy storage: Jackson, M. P., and Hudec, M. R., 2017. Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, p. Rogers, M. B., 2017. Stratigraphy of the Salt tectonics: Principles and practice, 3-11. Middle Devonian Keg River and Prairie Cambridge University Press. Evaporite formations, northeast Alberta, Moore, P. F. 1988. Devonian geohistory Canada: Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Kendall, A. C., 1978. Facies models 12. of the western interior of Canada: CSPG Geology, v. 65, no. 1, p. 5-63. Subaqueous evaporites: Geoscience Special Publications, Proceedings of the Canada, v. 5, no. 3. 2nd International Symposium on the Van Hees, H., The Meadow Lake Devonian System, Memoir 14, Volume I: Escarpment-Its Regional Significance Kunstman, A., Poborska-Mlynarska, K., Regional Syntheses, p. 67-83. to Lower Palaeozoic Stratigraphy1958. Urbancyzk, K., 2007. SOLUTION MINING Williston Basin Symposium. IN SALT DEPOSITS: Outline of recent Mortazavi, A., and Nasab, H., 2017. Analysis development trends, AGH University of of the behavior of large underground oil Warren, J. K., 2006, Evaporites: sediments, Science and Technology Press. storage caverns in salt rock: International resources and hydrocarbons, Springer Journal for Numerical and Analytical Science & Business Media. Mannan, P., Baden, G., Olein, L., Brandon, Methods in Geomechanics, v. 41, no. 4, p.
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18 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
IMAGING TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGHS MAKE THE ANALYSIS OF FINE-GRAIN ROCKS MORE ROUTINE; WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE OILSANDS G. Sandon, and R.P.W. Stancliffe | Enersoft Inc., Calgary, Canada
INTRODUCTION SWIR Sandstones are always described in core Short Wave Infra Red (SWIR) scanners have and chip samples more thoroughly than been available for a number of years but mudstones and siltstones. This is primarily it is only recently that the technology has due to oil and gas being more easily been come robust and to not need external produced from the sandstones and the cooling (Text-figure 2). Scanners can now inability to image the fine sediments easily. be obtained which collect data from the 900- Furthermore, collecting the information 2500 nannometer wavelength range with a created large databases which were difficult scan width of the order of 0.5 millimeters. to collate and only resolved the properties The SWIR energy is absorbed by molecules of a small sample set. With the introduction within the rock at different wavelengths and of new technologies into rock evaluation it these unique spectra are used to determine is now possible to completely describe all the mineralogy. Each received pixel can be core and chips collected at sub millimeter subdivided into less than 10 nannometer resolution. Using machine learning wavelengths subsets for this investigation. and Artificial Intelligence technology it The technology is good for resolving weakly is possible to automate many parts of bonded molecules such as carbonates and Figure 1: Core being imaged using a camera the process to produce unique datasets hydrocarbons but cannot resolve those system mounted on a robotic frame cheaply and quickly. A selection of imaging with strong bonds such as iron sulphates. technology types are discussed below along However, the latter can be resolved using with some products of use in the oilsands XRF scanning. and other plays. XRF NEW IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) uses X rays High Resolution Photographs to bombard a core or chip sample and With the advent of cheaper high record the fluorescence generated at performance digital cameras and lenses different wavelengths after the excitement (Text-figure 1) it is now possible to take is removed. This fluorescence is related photographs of core and chips with to the type of molecules present. In the resolutions on the order of 25 microns past the technology was only able to (the sand/silt boundary is 64 microns). It resolve a certain number of elements is possible to increase the resolution to the but, with the advent of helium emersion micron level by using focal plane stacking and higher energies, the spectrum has of images and subsequent processing to been widened to include sodium (useful create an in-focus image. To achieve this in clay discrimination) and metals. The quickly and accurately it has been found that instrument is a spot sampler and needs robotic control of the camera mount and time to collect the fluorescence energies its controls is the optimum methodology. though this again has been speeded up and A biproduct of the automation is that the is now often used with robotic positioning. exact location of the image is known and The technology is complementary to SWIR can be used subsequently to produce strip and used in conjunction as a quick and Figure 2: A state of the art short wave infra red images and sampling locations. powerful way to generated mineralogical scanner mounted on the robotic frame data, along with bitumen saturation. (Continued on page 20...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 19 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
(Continued from page 19...) INTEGRATION CHALLENGES The very large amount of data created with each picture and scan has required the use of cloud computing to integrate and store the huge datasets. Also machine learning and artificial intelligent algorithms have to be used to speed processing and allow real time interrogation of the products required. An example is the use of image recognition technology to look at core scans which can be used to outline all the mud laminae or breccia within a core (Text- figures 3-4). The data can then be used to determine the density of mud present in a unit and determine the likely hood of the mud altering the permeability of the rock to steam or solvent.
APPLICATIONS OF ROCK SCANNING Figure 3: a RedGreenBlue image of a mud breccia within an oilsands pay zone. The breccia particles Reserves are outlined in red with the maximum apparent length and breadth labelled in blue. The yellow circles It is now possible to obtain the oil content are large sand grains showing they are present within the breccia unit. Computer analysis of the core of a sandstone at half a millimeter intervals separated the mud from the oilsands so that volumetric analysis can be automatically calculated. along the complete length of a core. The total volume of hydrocarbon can then be calculated with increased accuracy. Also, the recovery factor, using the chosen extraction technology, can be determined at significantly higher resolution. The presence of gas, lean and water-rich zones can be located and various cutoffs applied to determine the chances of their presence altering the oil recovery. The data can be plotted as a curve and integrated with FMI logs and lower resolution standard suite curves to further resolve the reservoir properties.
Chip Substitution For Coring The collection of chip samples which are on depth, containing minimal cavings and with known chemical contamination is a major challenge for drillers. Often Figure 4: Computer interpretation of the apparent dip of mud laminae found in an oilsands core. expensive core is cut rather than spending time examining the chips. However, new information. protocals potentially make upscaling a collection technologies tied in with detailed thing of the past. drilling records, such as Pason, create chip Geomodels samples which are suitable for analysis. The The data available for geomodelling a Baffles And Barriers caved chips can be automatically removed play has always been fiscally constrained The presence of mud laminae and breccia after scanning, using image analysis, to and time consuming to obtain. Also has often been recorded as ‘non-pay units’, leave a clean sample for description and laboratory work is destructive and thus with arbitrary cut offs and rarely described investigation. Clay mineralogy, cement non reproducible, and rarely of statistical in detail. Using machine learning it is now typing and even geomechanical properties significance. In the past upscaling has possible to locate each laminae or breccia can be resolved so that the placement of been the solution to the data limits with clast automatically and determine if it frac charges can be optimised as well as the resulting reduction in accuracy of contains sandy laminae and bitumen filled the location of flow control devices. This the model. The new datasets combined trace fossils. Any sandy units are potential chip dataset can now be used to the fullest with the increasing computational power pathways for steam and solvent which and even stored chips can be scanned for available, and artificial intelligence reduces the effectiveness of the structures
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to act as barriers. Integration of this data the maximum operating pressure over the modeling and selection of slotted liner with other techniques, such as bitumen a wide area of the field. Scanned core is sizes along with the controlling of the initial geochemisty typing (microbial degradation depth corrected to the centimeter level start up of the SAGD process. Furthermore, profiling) has the potential to resolve the making mini frac placemen more accurate the technique merged with others has the effectiveness of the baffling over time. It and into a known mineralogy. Correlation potential to provide permeability data for will also negate the use of thickness cut offs of the rock tested can then be made giving the rock. Hitherto this has been generated presently used in modeling which has lead a higher confidence in the calculated using lab tests which take months to to inaccurate models of fluid flow. Maximum Operating Pressure. complete at significant costs.
Cap Rock Description And Modeling Grain Size And Shape Measurements IN SUMMARY The current description of cap rock strength The high resolution camera data can be The new integration of high resolution is based on the logging of core samples, merged with the SWIR scans to resolve scanning and imaging of core and chips petrophysically generated characteristics the size and shape of hundreds of grains is a step change in the description of rock and integrating the data with mini frac with one scan. This technology makes the properties not just in the pay zone but also tests. The latter are costly, nonrepeatable resolution of grain size and shape possible the cap rock. The technology has great and performed in the well at a chosen over the entire pay zone, without using potential in unlocking new data sources, depth determined using logs. Often no sieves or lasers. The technique is also increase data accuracy and finally provide mineralogy is run on the core from the test non-destructive and repeatable producing geological datasets which can be used to interval. The data is then upscaled for the curves of grain size change at P10, 50 and make production models which actually whole depth of the cap rock to determine 90 intervals. This is especially important for work.
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 21 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
UNCERTAINTY IN GEOMECHANICS AND INDUCED SEISMICITY Scott McKean
ABSTRACT a framework developed by Dr. Maurice presenting a probability curve when asked The article discusses uncertainty with Dusseault when assessing hydraulic a yes/no question (for good reason). As a focus on geomechanics and induced fracturing related problems (see Shafiei professionals, this prompts us to present seismicity. It goes over some of the pitfalls et al. (2018) for a working example). a “best guess” based on the information in dealing with sparse data and presents Dusseault’s Hierarchy of Needs, shown we have at hand. This intuitively and some strategies for handling uncertainty in Figure 1, allows teams to prioritize mathematically makes sense since our better. A hypothetical analysis of induced the information used for geomechanical best guess should represent the P50 or seismicity in the Duvernay is used to show decisions and filter out unnecessary noise. maximum likelihood estimate. But we need how best guesses, sampling approaches, The framework progresses from a high-level to be careful with how we determine our and Bayesian statistics can affect important structural interpretation and progressively best guess, especially for uncertain data decisions. moves into finer levels of detail. It provides and skewed distributions. both a playbook for data collection and a INTRODUCTION guide to analysis. Similar frameworks are There are two pitfalls with single point Our work as geologists and engineers used in play evaluation, operations, and estimates which I’ll illustrate using involves extremely complex environments. financial analysis and, in my opinion, are matrix permeability data from the Kakwa The subsurface involves a lot of uncertainty, crucial for any successful decision. It’s also Montney and Kaybob Duvernay (Figure regardless of whether we are exploring, no surprise that geology tops the hierarchy 2). First, we don’t effectively communicate drilling, or operating. This article revisits the in most of them. how “certain” we are about a parameter. statistics we tried to avoid in undergrad and The standard deviation (or variance) showcase why it is useful in the subsurface should always accompany a value where we typically have a (very) limited because variance is the quantification amount of data. It walks through statistical of uncertainty. In Figure 2, we are more frameworks for dealing with uncertainty, “certain” about the permeability data from specifically focusing on geomechanics and the Duvernay than the Montney because of induced seismicity. the spread in the probability distributions. Most professionals grasp this, but it’s so It’s important to divide uncertainty into important to this article and how we make the natural variability that exists in the decisions that it’s worth reiterating. Second, earth and uncertainty that results from our we need to be very careful about what imperfect understanding of that variability. central tendency measurement (i.e. best If we had a crystal ball that revealed the guess) we use. We learn about the mode, subsurface perfectly, natural variability median, and mean in university, but quickly would still exist and would need to be forget them because all of our classes focus considered. Unfortunately, geophysicists on normal distributions. The world isn’t haven’t released a crystal ball inversion yet normally distributed, and these measures and our imperfect understanding almost have big consequences when dealing with always overshadows the ground’s natural rock properties. In Figure 2, the central variability. Variability and uncertainty tendency measures are consistent for the are usually lumped together and can be Duvernay because it is a relatively well difficult to deal with. defined and symmetric distribution (albeit Figure 1. Dusseault’s Hierarchy of Needs for it with a huge lower tail). But, our best The first strategy that is often used to hydraulic fracturing. Conceptual information is guesses vary by three orders of magnitude handle uncertainty, but seldom discussed, prioritized from top to bottom in terms of how for the Montney because it is a less certain doesn’t involve any math. It involves using it should be collected. It also prioritizes the distribution. This simple example shows a conceptual framework for the evaluation importance of specific geomechanical parameters the importance of considering data and prioritization of information. In when conducting an analysis. visualization, variance, and an appropriate my mind, this is far more important central tendency measurement before than statistical analysis and without it, THE TARNISHED MEAN entering the AVERAGE() function in Excel. any statistical analysis would be deeply Decision makers prefer clear, singular flawed. In geomechanics, I often refer to answers and are generally wary anyone
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θ, µ) equation for evaluating fault failure the Kaybob strike north and are therefore (Equation 4). well oriented for shear slip from a northeast striking σ_H (Nelson, 2001; Maxwell, 2009).
There are two possible explanations for the high propensity of north striking faults. Stress relaxation and a rotation of the σ_H azimuth during recent orogenies like the Figure 2. Pulse-permeability data plotted on a Jurassic Cordilleran deformation may have 2 logarithmic scale for the Kaybob Duvernay (blue) occurred (Wright et al., 1994) . The fault and Kakwa Montney (red) Formations. The mean A positive hydraulic perturbation decreases formation may also have been caused by the (solid), median (dashed), and mode (dotted) lines the effective normal stress σ( _n-u) and presence of the Chinchaga rift basin, which for each distribution are shown. the fault’s frictional shear resistance. is an extensional structure that generates This is suspected to cause the majority of high angle normal faults by combining INDUCED SEISMICITY & THE MOHR earthquakes since friction provides the reef building processes and Precambrian COULOMB EQUATION majority of a fault’s strength. In most cases, basement faulting (O’Connell et al., 1990)3. My research group and I study induced cohesion is neglected or considered to be seismicity - earthquakes attributable to less than 3 MPa (Zoback, 2010). It’s also Assuming that this provides a sufficient industrial activities that are large enough to possible to “remotely” trigger a fault by framework for the presence of north-striking be felt at surface (generally local magnitude increasing the total shear stress acting on faults and causal explanation of IS in the (ML) 2 or above on the Richter scale). it, which is generally caused by volumetric Duvernay4, we can continue investigating Induced seismicity is a major challenge changes from injected fluid and proppant the probability of induced seismicity by for the Canadian energy sector, especially in hydraulic fracturing. This might not moving through Dusseault’s Hiearchy of in the Duvernay. Many researchers like be a major contributor in “soft” clay-rich Needs. This analysis focuses on the current Hitzman et al. (2012) have shown that reservoirs like the Duvernay, but volumetric reservoir stresses (#2 in the hierarchy and oil and gas activities have a significant strain can ramp up quickly in “stiff” low σ_h, σ_H, and u in the MC equation) and potential for triggering seismicity by either porosity reservoirs like the Montney. the orientation and strength of the fault increasing the pore pressure around a fault (#6 in the hierarchy and c, θ, and µ in the or perturbing the in situ stress regime. INDUCED SEISMICITY IN THE MC equation) for brevity. But, determining Some of the largest earthquakes attributed DUVERNAY how hydraulic fracturing perturbs the stress to hydraulic fracturing have been observed Tectonics and structural accommodation regime around a fault (#3 through #5 in the in the Devonian strata of the Horn River leave most areas of the crust critically hierarchy) is hugely important and worthy Basin (ML 4.36, Farahbod et al., 2015) and stressed. Induced seismicity risk can of several more articles (and a lot more the Duvernay (ML 4.44, Schultz et al., 2015 develop in any tectonic environment, but research). Let’s look at several scenarios for and Atkinson et al., 2016). overpressured1 regions are particularly how we would interpret the MC equation susceptible. If the right conditions exist, it and its parameters with uncertainty in The rest of this article focuses on the becomes possible for a minor perturbation mind. influence of uncertainty on a hypothetical to trigger seismicity. Unfortunately, the induced seismicity analysis. Most Kaybob area of the Duvernay may be an Scenario 1: Central Tendency Values practitioners use Mohr-Coulomb (MC) unfortunate example of a formation with the Lela et al. (2017) used the MC equation to failure theory (Mohr, 1900; Labuz and right conditions for IS. It is overpressured screen faults and setup a geomechanical Zang, 2012) to analyze fault activation. It’s and subject to a relatively high difference model. Their best guess of reservoir stresses relatively simple and assumes that a fault between the maximum (σ_H) and and fault strength was used to evaluate will trigger once the shear stress (τ) on the minimum (σ_h) stresses, resulting in high the effects of a completion, with the input fault plane exceeds the shear strength of shear stress. A large number of the faults in values in Table 1. The model showed the fault (τ_f). This in turn is a product of Lele et al. Soltanzadeh et al. (2015) & Fox et al. (2015) the fault cohesion (c), the normal stress on Parameter (2017) Mean Distribution Shape Scale the fault plane (σ_n), the pore pressure in the fault (u), and the coefficient of sliding θ (°) 45 45.7 Normal 45.7 8.9 friction (μ) (Equations 1 to 3 - Jaeger, c (MPa) 0 1.5 Gamma 3.75 2.5 1959). We can resolve the shear and normal σ_H (kPa/m) 27.2 29.5 Normal 29.5 1.3 stresses on a fault based on the angle σ_h (kPa/m) 19.0 21.0 Normal 21.0 1.0 between the minimum horizontal stress u (kPa/m) 15.8 16.5 Gamma 495 30 and the fault azimuth using Equations 1 µ (-) 0.6 0.6 Gamma 98.6 164.4 and 2 (a zero angle results in pure normal Table 1. The mean values from the Duvernay studies of Lele et al. (2017), Soltanzadeh et al. (2015), and stress). The above equation can then be Fox et al. (2015). The light red values the input values (or hyper parameters) of the parameter distributions. combined with fault strength (Equation 3) The 95% confidence intervals for each distribution match the ranges provided in Soltanzadeh and Fox to create a six-parameter (c, σ_h, σ_H, u, et al.’s study. (Continued on page 24...)
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(Continued from page 23...) that the fault was stable with a 0.9 MPa other hand, draws random samples from 10.1%. This difference will increase with “capacity” prior to a treatment and that a probability distribution. The range for every parameter we add to our models, to relatively minor pressure perturbations the parameters is nearly identical in both a point where uniform grid sampling gives could cause failure. If we were to repeat approaches, but the focus of the sampling nonsensical answers for high dimensional this analysis with the mean values from differs significantly. Figure 4 compares analyses (a twenty parameter material Soltanzadeh et al. (2015) and Fox et al. the uniform and normal distributions – it balance model for example). (2015) and an assumed cohesion and shows that the bulk of the area under the friction, the fault now has a “capacity” probability density5 curve lies in the center In this example, both “best guess” of 5 MPa. This would be enough to keep of the normal distribution, as opposed approaches reported a stable fault, but the fault in Lele’s analysis stable despite to being equally distributed under the our sampling approaches showed that we a seemingly small change in parameters. uniform distribution. could expect a critically stressed fault 10% Both studies show that an “average” fault of the time. This could significantly affect with an “average” orientation should be our development strategy if the shut-in stable given a moderate separation between costs from a red light seismic event (Schultz hydraulic stimulations and the fault. This is et al., 2017) are considered. But we still good news, but is it realistic? How certain have a huge problem if our model predicts are we of that answer? a failure rate that is much higher (or lower) than what we’ve actually observed. How Scenario 2: The Sensitivity Tornado & do we update this model to reflect our real Sampling Techniques observations? The next approach to uncertainty is to evaluate model sensitivity. We systematically analyze possible outcomes based on best/worst/average scenarios or a sampling of a range of parameters that are often represented in a Tornado diagram (Figure 3). But, we need to be careful because the results of this approach depend on how we sample the parameters, which I’ll show by comparing grid sampling to a bootstrap Monte Carlo analysis.
Figure 4. A comparison of a uniform distribution for pore pressure with a normal distribution. The area under both curves sums to unity and the horizontal and vertical axes are the same for both plots.
The results of grid and bootstrap sampling are compared in Figure 5, by plotting the shear stress against the effective normal stress. This plot is exactly the same as a Mohr circle plot, with a single point for Figure 5. An illustration of grid sampling (left) and Figure 3. A tornado diagram of the parameters each fault and stress combination. The bootstrap Monte Carlo (right). The plots show the used in the grid sampling and bootstrap Monte two plots may look similar, but take note stress states for 10,000 samples, showing the Carlo analysis. The width of the bars was of the highest density region in each plot. resolved effective shear stress against normal determined using z-score standardization. The The grid sampling approach (somewhat stress on a fault. The points are semi-transparent centered bold value represents the mean of the unsurprisingly) has a uniform distribution and higher density areas are darker. The grey lines distribution. The left and right values represent of densities whereas the bootstrap show each realization of the MC failure envelope, the 95% confidence interval. resampling focuses on the central portions with the mean value plotted in black. Points of the distribution. This significantly denoting a triggered fault are plotted in red. Grid sampling randomly resamples each affects the calculated probability of parameter, assuming a uniform distribution failure - grid sampling calculates a 13.6% across the entire parameter range. The probability of triggering a fault whereas Scenario 3: Bayesian Analysis & Markov- bootstrap Monte Carlo procedure on the the bootstrap Monte Carlo calculates Chain Monte Carlo Analysis
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A maladjusted model is a common problem from which we can infer c and µ and the eventually centering on 4.5% - the observed in engineering analysis. A conventional posterior probability of failure6 given our probability of failure. approach would history match the model observed completions. by adjusting the parameters near the top of The regression also calculates the posterior the tornado diagram. We would torture the The stress and azimuth from the bootstrap distribution for cohesion and friction data until it confesses the “right” answer. Monte Carlo analysis were used to (Figure 8). These distributions now reflect Yet, this approach moves us in the opposite simulate hypothetical observations with an both our prior information (which could direction of what probabilistic thinking come from academic studies for example) is trying to achieve. We want to develop a and our observations. The coefficient of model that accurately predicts an outcome friction is much more sensitive to our given messy and noisy data. Changing observations than cohesion – a conclusion our input parameters ad hoc divorces our replicated in several other analyses that was model from reality and effectively throws observed failure rate of 4% (Figure 6). The only revealed through Bayesian inference. away all the data that we spent considerable distributions for c and µ from Table 1 were time and money obtaining. used as priors in the model. A Bayesian logistic regression was done for each Fortunately, Thomas Bayes and his observation and the posterior distributions contemporaries developed a statistical for cohesion, the coefficient of sliding method for updating our models with friction, and the probability of failure were observed data. Bayesian statistics allows calculated using a Markov Chain Monte us to build a model using our best Carlo (MCMC) approach. The MCMC understanding of its parameters and then method travels around the P(D|X)P(X) update it to reflect our actual observations. space and samples the posterior, which This helps us make better decisions under is effectively a tricky and hard to compute large uncertainties. Bayes rule (Equation high dimensional integral. It does this with 5) calculates the updated (i.e. the posterior an evolutionary algorithm that maximizes or P (X|D)) probability for a model’s the number of samples taken from high parameters, conditional on the observed probability regions and provides robust data. This is based on a normalized results. distribution of how our data is generated (i.e. the likelihood or P(D|X)) and our As we provide the Bayesian analysis more understanding of the model parameters observations, it focuses the posterior on (i.e. the prior or P(X)). Bayesian statistics the data and moves away from our prior is growing rapidly – it is the base for many assumptions. Figure 7 shows how the machine-learning algorithms and there are probability of failure is updated as we lots of open source tools for doing it. See move from 10 to 1000 observations. Even Jordaan (2005), Gelman et al. (2013), and with 10 observations, the posterior already Figure 7. The results of the Bayesian logistic Kruschke (2014) for some great references. shows that something isn’t right and that regression, showing the prior and posterior the assumed “certainty” we had in the probability of failure. The posterior quickly shifts It can be challenging to setup and analyze prior is misplaced. More observations away from the prior, but has low confidence a Bayesian model, but the results can be increase our confidence in this conclusion, with 10 observations (left). The credibility of the impressive. For induced seismicity, we can posterior increases with 100 (middle) and 1000 separate the MC equation into what we (right) observations. are trying to predict (whether we trigger a large event or not) and what we are using as predictors (the parameters of the MC equation). The predictors can be separated into observable and latent/ unobservable parameters. It’s possible (albeit difficult) to measure the stresses before a completion program (σ_h, σ_H, and u) and the azimuth (θ) of a fault that did (or didn’t) slip. But, we Figure 8. Prior and posterior distributions for the will never be able to measure the cohesion MC equation in the Bayesian logistic regression and sliding friction (c and µ) of the fault. We Figure 6. An illustration of 1000 simulated with 100 observations. The coefficient of friction can link the MC equation to a trigger or not completions, 44 of which triggered significant (left) changes much more than the cohesion (i.e. binary) IS outcome using a logistic or seismicity. The grey lines show each realization (right). The observations support a more certain log odds function (Equation 6). This creates of the MC failure envelope, with the mean value friction distribution and actually decrease the a hierarchical logistic regression model plotted in black. Triggered events are shown in red. certainty of the cohesion distribution. (Continued on page 26...)
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(Continued from page 25...) CONCLUSION Farahbod, A.M., Kao, H., Walker, D.M., Plummer, M., 2017. JAGS version 4.3.0 user The goal of this article was to discuss and Cassidy, J.F., Calvert, A., 2015. Investigation manual. promote careful use of uncertainty in of regional seismicity before and after geology and engineering. I personally don’t hydraulic fracturing in the Horn River Basin, R Core Team, 2014. R: A language and find probabilistic thinking that intuitive and northeast British Columbia. Can. J. Earth Sci. environment for statistical computing. find Bayesian statistics especially confusing. 52, 112–122. doi:10.1139/cjes-2014-0162 R Foundation for Statistical Computing, But, I’ve been inspired by what can be Vienna, Austria. 2013. accomplished using a statistical framework Fox, A.D., Soltanzadeh, M., 2015. A and hope that you’ll consider some of the Regional Geomechanical Study of the Schultz, R., Stern, V., Novakovic, M., concepts I’ve introduced. Our industry is Duvernay Formation in Alberta, Canada. Atkinson, G., Gu, Y.J., 2015. Hydraulic full of big decisions based on sparse data, Geoconvention 2015, Calgary, Alberta. fracturing and the Crooked Lake Sequences: and probabilistic methods and thinking are Insights gleaned from regional seismic needed to handle them effectively. Gelman, A., Stern, H.S., Carlin, J.B., Dunson, networks. Geophys. Res. Lett. 42, 2750–2758. D.B., Vehtari, A., Rubin, D.B., 2013. Bayesian doi:10.1002/2015GL063455. To summarize the article takeaways, use Data Analysis. a conceptual framework to guide analysis Schultz, R., Wang, R., Gu, Y.J., Haug, K., and decision making well before plotting Hitzman, M.W., 2012. Induced Seismicity Atkinson, G., 2017. A seismological overview and analyzing data. This article introduced Potential in Energy Technologies, National of the induced earthquakes in the Duvernay Dusseault’s Hierarchy of Needs as a Academies Press. doi:10.17226/13355 play near Fox Creek, Alberta. J. Geophys. geomechanical example. Be aware of how Res. Solid Earth 122, 492–505. single-point estimates can lead you astray and Jaeger, J.C., 1959. The frictional properties of why sampling techniques need to be used joints in rock. Geofis. Pura e Appl. 43, 148– Wright, G.N., McMechan, M.E., Potter, with care. Consider Bayesian techniques as 158. doi:10.1007/BF01993552 D.E.G., Mossop, G.D., Shetsen, I., 1994. a method for incorporating observations into Structure and architecture of the Western your model. This article used hierarchical Jordaan, I., 2005. Decisions under uncertainty: Canada sedimentary basin. Geological Atlas logistical regression to robustly incorporate IS probabilistic analysis for engineering of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin observations with the MC equation and infer decisions. Cambridge University Press. 4, 25–40. fault strength parameters. Kruschke, J., 2014. Doing Bayesian data Zoback, M.D., 2010. Reservoir ACKNOWLEDGMENTS analysis: A tutorial with R, JAGS, and Stan. Geomechanics. Cambridge University Press, The Canada First Research Excellence Fund Academic Press. Cambridge, U.K. and Microseismic Industry Consortium sponsor my Ph.D. research. This article Labuz, J.F., Zang, A., 2012. Mohr Coulomb Endnotes wouldn’t have been possible without the failure criterion. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 45, 1 A region with the pore pressures well above guidance of my supervisor Dr. Jeff Priest, 975–979. doi:10.1007/s00603-012-0281-7 the hydrostatic gradient of 10 MPa/km my co-supervisor Dr. Jan Dettmer, and my research team lead Dr. David Eaton. This Lele, S.P., Tyrrell, T., Dasari, G.R., Symington, 2 Faults generally form at 30 degrees to the work grew out of the ReDevelop program W.A., 2017. Geomechanical Analysis of maximum horizontal stress, so barring coordinated by Dr. Celia Kennedy and was Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Seismicity other structural influences from reef shaped in collaboration with Jieyu Zhang at Duvernay Field in Western Canadian formation or rift basins, a stress rotation and Suzie Jia. I’m so grateful to be part of an Sedimentary Basin. Geoconvention 2015, must have occurred. amazing geomechanics community with some Calgary, Alberta. amazing mentors that include Patrick Collins, 3 This is also an active area of U of C research. Amy Fox, Shawn Maxwell, Patrick McLellan, Maxwell, S.C., Jones, M., Parker, R., Miong, Steve Rogers, and Mehrdad Soltanzadeh. The S., Leaney, S., Dorval, D., D’Amico, D., Logel, 4 Forgive the overly simple overview of the analysis in this article wouldn’t have been J., Anderson, E., Hammermaster, K., 2009. geology – I’m an engineer after all. possible without JAGS (Plummer et al. 2017) Fault activation during hydraulic fracturing. and R (R Core Team 2017). SEG Tech. Progr. Expand. Abstr. 2009 1552– 5 Probability density is a measure of the 1556. doi:10.1190/1.3255145 likelihood (or odds) of sampling a range REFERENCES of values. In Figure 4, for example, Atkinson, G.M., Eaton, D.W., Ghofrani, Nelson, R., 2001. Geologic analysis the probability of pore pressure being H., Walker, D., Cheadle, B., Schultz, of naturally fractured reservoirs. Gulf between 16 MPa and 17 MPa is 35% for R., Shcherbakov, R., Tiampo, K., Gu, J., Professional Publishing. the uniform distribution and 50% for the Harrington, R.M., Liu, Y., Van Der Baan, normal distribution. M., Kao, H., 2016. Hydraulic fracturing O’Connell, S.C., Dixon, G.R., Barclay, J.E., 1990. and seismicity in the Western Canada The origin, history, and regional structural 6 This approach is involved and the details Sedimentary Basin. Seismol. Res. Lett. 87, development of the Peace River Arch, Western are omitted here for brevity. It is the subject 631–647. doi:10.1785/0220150263 Canada. Bull. Can. Pet. Geol. 38A, 4–24. of a technical paper in preparation.
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TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF THE CARBON/OXYGEN LOGS RUN IN BLOCKS V AND VI OF THE LAMAR FIELD IN THE MARACAIBO LAKE BASIN, VENEZUELA Rafael Becerra D. - Department of Physics, University of Alberta. Hugo Govea – PDVSA Petroleos de Venezuela.
ABSTRACT There are mainly two modes in which these Carbon/Oxygen (C/O) logging technology tools determine the fluid saturation: (1) can be used to evalu¬ate candidate wells thermal neutron cross section or Sigma to be recompleted since they meas-ure (capture mode), and (2) C/O ratio (inelastic the actual oil saturation on cased holes scattering mode). The first one can only and allows one to identify by-passed be used when the salinity of the formation zones independently of water salinity. water is higher than 25000 ppm, since the However, in the last 15 years, the use of Sigma of oil is similar to fresh water. Goode this tech¬nology for monitoring residual et al (1994). When the formation water hydrocar-bon saturations in the Maracaibo salinity is lower than 35000 ppm, the C/O Lake Basin, West Venezuela, has decreased ratio is used to determine the presence of to the point that it has not being exploited hydrocarbons in the reservoir based on the recently, mostly due to lack of confidence principle of high C/O ratio = Oil. in the results given for these tools in the past.
My investigation sought the reasons why such results have not been as expected, analyzing the causes of discrepancies between the results and the actual production behaviour, to determine whether it is associated with reservoir Fig. 1. Geographical map showing the location characteristics, hole environment of study area. Modified from Castillo and Mann conditions or due to the interpretation of (2006). the acquired data. completion fluids. In order to know the Fig. 3. Windows method to determine the In this study it was found that poor pre- residual hydrocarbon saturation in this type relative concentration of chemical elements in job planning was largely responsible for of wells, there are few options available. the formation. Once the Carbon and Oxygen previous disappointing results, since half of One of the most useful tools are the so- concentrations are quantified, a C/O ratio is the wells where the technology was applied called pulsed-neutron tools, which emit determined. High C/O ratio= Oil. Low C/O ratio = did not meet the conditions required. high neutrons to the formation through Water. Eyvazzadeh et al (2004). Another significant finding of this study the wellbore fluids, the casing/tubing and was that C/O data can actually be processed cement. METHODS and interpreted by operators, using a 8 well were selected out of 38 with C/O commercially available petrophysical logs, run between 2000 and 2007 in the software. This allows one to obtain in most Maracaibo Lake Basin. cases, quantitative results similar to those given by service companies, which also To achieve the objective of this investigation, provides a way to control the quality of the the data available from three different interpretations before making any decision service companies was reinterpreted “in- that involves high financial investment. house”, by using a commercial petrophysical software and a linear equation for oil INTRODUCTION Fig. 2. Inelastic scattering of neutron producing saturation (which had not been done before To determine the hydrocarbon saturation distinctive gamma rays depending on formation in the operating company, where I worked from well logs in cased wells, conventional mineralogic composition and fluids in the poral as an intern during this study), taking into open hole tools do not work due to the space. D. Avendano (2006). consideration two main factors: presence of casing, tubing, cement and (Continued on page 28...)
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(Continued from page 27...) (1) the configuration of the completion of the well, such as the presence of double tubular (e.g. casing and production tubing), the quality of the cement behind casing, the presence of open perforations, and hole/ casing diameter.
(2) The wellbore fluid distribution, or hold- up (volumetric fraction occupied by each Table 1. Summary of conditions of the two wells presented in results. fluid phase at a certain depth).
Fig. 4. Different factors considered during the evaluation of the results of C/O data.
In addition, the results were compared with the production data and the petrophysical interpretations from neigh-bouring wells Fig. 6. Composite log showing the fluid contacts drilled before and after the C/O log. in the wellbore and how in most part of the log interval the fluid hold-up was unknown. Finally, the data was re-interpreted in- house using a mathematical linear equation in order to compare the results with those of the vendors along with production data Well A Fig. 5. Completion diagram of well A showing the and neighbouring wells. log interval. RESULTS Two wells (well A and B) are presented to No match between C/O and production show how the completion configuration and the knowledge of the fluid’s hold- This well was logged through a complex up is critical for obtaining a satisfactory completion scenario, with producing interpretation of the results of C/O logs. In tubing and three unknown fluids in the Fig. 7. Production graph from well A showing the terms of porosity, both well had values of wellbore (figures 5 and 6). Oil satura¬tions production of oil and water before and after the more than 15% along the log interval which (So) computed from C/O log ranged from C/O log. is favorable for the use of the technology. 10 to 40 %. In spite of the low So values, the operator de¬cided to perforate the Regarding the casing diameter, both well misinterpretation of reservoir fluids. fulfilled the requirement of the technology well in the interval 12266ft – 12320 ft (3738.7m - 3755.1m), appar-ently based on with 5.5in (139.7mm) casings. However, Well B neighbouring‘s wells data. Well A was logged under challenging Good match between C/O and completion configuration and without the neighbouring wells knowledge of the fluid’s hold-up, which is After the perfora¬tion, the well produced 99% oil (1000 BBL/day) during 3 years (fig. believed leaded to the misinterpretation This well was evaluated without the 7), which contradicted the interpreta¬tion of the results, since C/O log interpretation presence of producing tubing in the from the C/O logs. One possible reason was not in accordance with the production wellbore which made less difficult the for the discrepancy is the lack of data. interpretation of the C/O data (fig. 8). knowledge of the fluids in the wellbore Oil saturations (So) computed from C/O (fig. 8). The knowledge of fluid’s hold-up In the other hand, the results of well B logs in the upper interval ranged between is critical during the processing of the data were in accordance with other sources of 55%-65% which was in accordance with a obtained from C/O logs and the failure of information such as production data and neighbouring well drilled 3 months later include this information may lead to the open hole logs. the C/O log (Fig. 9).
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lower interval, the C/O log showed high oil drainage with So averaging 40% (Fig. 9). Despite this information, the operator perforated the interval getting a production of 70% of water.
The results obtained from C/O in this well demonstrated to be very useful to evaluate the accuracy of the technology since they were corroborated by a neighbouring well’s production data. Unfortunately, due to the lack of confidence on this technology in the Maracaibo Lake Basin, the operator made its decisions ignoring the C/O data Fig. 10. Vendor vs In-House Interpretation showing and obtaining as a result high water cut a very good match. production from the lower interval and did not exploited the reserved detected by the C/O in the upper interval.
INNOVATIVE RESULTS: IN-HOUSE Fig. 8. Completion diagram of well A showing the INTERPRETATION log interval One of the more valuable findings of this project was the application of a mathematical equation to process an interpret the C/O curves in-house (by the
operator). In fact, one of the possible reasons why the operator company where this project took place had lack of confidence in the results is that their petrophysicists are not able to interpret this Fig. 11. Composite log showing in tacks 4 and type of logs by themselves. 5 how the water saturation interpretation from vendor and this project match very well. Track 1: This simple linear mathematical equation Volume of clay. Track 2: resistivity curves (OH). was applied by zones based on the C/O Track 3: Calculated porosities from OH logs. Track curve responses which is also a result 4: Vendor C/O water saturation. Track 5: In-house of the tool response to the reservoir water saturation C/O interpretation. Track 6: C/O fluids and minerals and to the other ratio far detector. environmental elements such as wellbore fluids, completions accessories and cement of information on the wellbore conditions. behind casing. When comparing the results, it was observed a very good match One of the main factor to be considered between the interpretation provided by the during the pre-job planning phase is the vendor and the one obtained in this project availability of other sources of data such as (figures 10 and 11). neighboring wells or production logs (PLT) in whose cases the C/O logs may not be CONCLUSIONS necessary. The C/O technology can be applied to evaluate candidate wells (cased holes) to During the pre-job planning phase, an be recompleted by the identification of involvement of the petrophysicists of the Fig. 9. Comparison of the results of C/O log in well by-passed zones in formations where the operating B with two neighbouring wells. water salinity is low or unknown, as long as a good pre-job planning is performed for company is key since they have a broader The upper zone was not perforated in the selection of the wells. Actually, it was knowledge of the reservoir to be evaluated. this well. However, the neighbouring well found that the wells evaluated either did not produced oil with only 10% of water in completely fulfill the logging environment The uncertainty in the interpretation of C/O the same unit. In the other hand, over the conditions required by the technology or data was found to be high in the following the uncertainty was too high due to the lack conditions: (Continued on page 30...)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 29 TECHNICAL ARTICLE
(Continued from page 29...) 1. Double tubular along the logging quality check of the interpretation provided to Holocene structural and stratigraphic interval. by the vendors. development in south Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, inferred from well and three- 2. Hold-up unknown NOMENCLATURE dimensional seismic data”. AAPG Bulletin C/O = Carbon/Oxygen ratio (2006) 90 (4): 529-565. 3. Open perforations (wellbore fluid OH = Open Hole reinvasion) PLT = Production logs Avendano D. “Reporte y Análisis del So = Oil saturation Registro PND-S Pulsed Neutron Decay – 4. Poor cement Sw = Water saturation Spectrum. Precision. Ciudad Ojeda, (2006). Sw V = Water saturation from vendor To reduce this uncertainty, it is Sw IH = Water saturation In-House P.A. Goode, A.M. Sibbit and S.Y. Loid. highly recommended to run an “Reservoir Saturation Determination independent sensor to know the hold- ABOUT THE AUTHOR in the Eromanga Basin Using Carbon/ up (Gradiomanometer, PLT) and, run a Rafael is a PhD Student in the Depart¬ment Oxygen Logging”. SPE. Conference Paper, Cement Evaluation Log before the C/O log, of Physics at the University of Alberta, from Melbourne, Australia 1994. information that will be useful during the where he also received his MSc. degree interpretation of the results. in Petroleum. He formerly worked as a Ramsin Y. Eyvazzadeh, Oscar Kelder, Wireline Field Specialist for Schlumberger. A.A.Hajari, Shouxiang Ma and Abdallah M. Finally, it was found that it is possible He is currently working on magnetic Behair. “Modern Carbon/Oxygen Logging to interpret the C/O data in-house with measurements on core samples to identify Methodologies: Comparing Hydrocarbon a commercial petrophysical software, anisotropy and other petrophysical Saturation obtaining in most cases good quantitative properties. results similar to the ones from the vendors. Determination Techniques”. SPE. This interpretation, along with the broader REFERENCES Conference Paper. Houston, Texas. 2004. knowledge of the reservoir may be used as a M. V. Castillo and P. Mann. “Cretaceous GO TAKE A HIKE
A unique sponsorship opportunity is available for individuals and companies!
VISIT WWW.CSPG.ORG/GTAH FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE THE AVAILABLE HIKES
A group of dedicated hikers have documented hikes in Western Canada for CSPG. In addition to the stun- ning scenery you are a guided through, each hike has a short discussion of the geological background with annotated photographs of the area. These hikes originally appeared as part of the "Go Take A Hike" series in the CSPG Reservoir in honour of Cindy Riediger. The material was reworked and expanded with lots of additional supporting information added for those who want to know everything about where they are hiking. There are 83 hikes that will be compiled and are set to be published in early 2019
30 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 Congratulations to the GeoConvention 2018 Technical Program Award Winners
Title Presenter Award
Learnings From FiberOptic Science Pad - ECA Swan Pilot Jimmy Zhang Best Oral Presentation
The Ostracod Fm. in Alberta’s Deep Basin: Applying petroleum Geoff MacDonald Best Oral Presentation system fundamentals to identify an underexplored lacustrine basin Fault Activation During Multi-Well Completion: Fault Slip to Ground Shawn Maxwell Best Oral Presentation Motion Pushing the limits of the Montney at Gold Creek – From seismic to Pippa Murphy Best Oral Presentation simulation Part 3 Google your way to maximising geoscientific value. Marc Boulet Best Oral Presentation
Deciphering the subsurface and engineering controls on Alexa Tomlinson Best Oral Presentation well performance in the Montney (Honorable Mention)
Communicating the Value in GeoScience – Quantify, Jessica Galbraith Best Oral Presentation Communicate, Improve. (Honorable Mention)
Managing Induced Seismicity in Canbriam`s Altares Field - an up- Brad Bialowas Best Oral Presentation date (Honorable Mention)
Liz Lappin Best Oral Presentation Petro-Lithium: The Evolution of Energy in Alberta (Honorable Mention) Mudstones and siltstones: geologically under-utilized sediments in Russell Stancliffe Best Oral Presentation bitumen pay descriptions, with examples from the McMurray and (Honorable Mention) Clearwater Formations
What Lies Beyond the Rainbow Steven Lynch Best Poster Presentation
Christopher Harrison Best Poster Presentation Geographic Information Systems For Seismic Line Optimization (Honorable Mention)
A geomechanical comparison of the Duvernay and the Montney Scott McKean Best Student Oral Presentation
Influence of sedimentary facies on geomechanical properties in the Marco Venieri Best Student Oral Presentation Duvernay Formation, Fox Creek area, AB, Canada New Insights about Organic Matter and Petroleum Migration from Yihua Liu Best Student Oral Presentation co-occurrence of two organic phases with contrasting properties (Honorable Mention) in Lower Carboniferous Banff Formation
Graveyards of Industry – Exploring the effects of a resource-reliant Aaron Lang Best Student Oral Presentation economy on the towns of early Alberta (Honorable Mention) Best Student Oral Presentation Probabilistic approach to reservoir quality modeling of the Noga Vaisblat Montney Formation in the Pouce Coupe Field (Honorable Mention) Technical Evaluation of the Carbon/Oxygen logs Run in Blocks V Rafael Becerra Best Student Poster Presentation and VI of the Lamar Field in the Maracaibo Lake Basin, Venezuela
Tyler Spackman Best Student Poster Presentation Seismic monitoring with continuous seismic sources (Honorable Mention) It’s About to Get a Lot Less Salty – Comparison of a Fluvial Derek Hayes Best Student Poster Presentation Outcrop to Estuarine Outcrops Using UAV-Based Outcrop (Honorable Mention) Modelling in the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation Best Student Oral Presentation Evaporite Sedimentology in South-Central Alberta: Prairie Elaine Lord Evaporite and Lotsberg Formations (Geology Focus) Ruiqiang Li Best Student Poster Presentation An Overview of Shale Gas Deposits in Eastern Canada (Geology Focus)
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 31 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
UPCOMING EVENTS
Reservoir Geology of the Montney Formation from analysis of flowback and produced fluids, petrophysics and lithofacies analyses
SPEAKER ABSTRACT precipitation and dissolution of minerals, Marc Bustin, Ph.D., P. Geol., FRSC R.M Bustin, A.M.M. Bustin, and J. Owen ion exchange, imbibition, and diffusion/ | University of British Columbia, osmosis. In general, the chemistry and Department of Earth, Ocean Detailed analysis of fluids and solids volume of flowback waters from Montney and Atmospheric Sciences mineralogy and fabric from flowback completions varies with the completion waters from fifty Montney Formation program, reservoir lithofacies, depth of Time: 11:30 am doors open horizontal well completions in Western burial, and hence geographically and Date: September 18, 2018 Canada, when coupled with petrophysical stratigraphically. In detail; however, the Location: Marriot Hotel, and lithological analysis of core, provides flowback volume and chemistry varies insights into the reservoir geology, which with a plethora of variables most of which Kensington Ballroom in turn enables strategies for optimising have multicollinearity. These variables 110 9 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2G 5A6 well completions, production, and well include, completion fluid chemistry, surveillance. number of stages, shut-in time, surface CSPG member ticket price: $44.50+gst area of the fracture network/stimulated Non-member ticket price: $55+gst The chemistry and volume of flowback reservoir volume, length of flowback Please note: The cut-off for ticket sales fluids following well completions is period, connate water chemistry, and is 1:00pm, five business days before the a complex product of the mixing of ambient stress field. event. September 11, 2018. connate water and completion fluid and fluid-rock interactions that includes The cumulative volume of flowback fluid
30th Annual CSPG/CSEG/CAPL 10km/5km Road Race and Fun Run
Thursday, September 20, 2018 Register NOW!
To register please go to www.cspg.org Member Rate: $40+gst | Non-member rate: $50+gst | Student & In-Transition rate: $25+gst
Join us on race day on an out-and-back course along the beautiful Bow River pathway. If you are looking for a competitive race or just want to have fun, come join us!
32 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
from Montney completions ranges from reactions. Reservoir surveillance using and ‘soften’ the fracture face promoting about 15% to 30% of the volume injected. geochemical models coupled with proppant embedment, early collapse of The proportion of connate water in the analysis of the flowback and produced non-propped fractures, and creation of flowback water, based on conserved fluids provide a means of predicting and fines, which in turn may plug the proppant element and isotope analyses, varies from mitigating against salting and scaling in pack and stabilise emulsions. about 10% to 60%, and the proportion the reservoir, due to dehydration of saline of connate water increases with time of connate water during gas production. The variably large proportion of completion flowback. The total dissolved solids (TDS) fluid remaining in the reservoir after of Montney flowback fluids range up to 230 The mechanics of mixing between flowback is a product of the low initial 000 mg/L, with Cl and Na ions accounting completion fluid and connate water is reservoir water saturation, the increase in for about 75% to 95% of the total dissolved complex and poorly understood. Analysis capillary pressure of imbibed completion solids. Other major ions are Ca, K, Mg, of connate water and fluid saturations fluids due to fluid-rock interactions, and Sr, and locally SO4. With cumulative indicate that most of the unconventional much lower differential pressure during flowback, the TDS and most ions, for all Montney Formation is below irreducible flowback than during completions. wells, increases linearly, although the rate water saturation. Yet the isotopic data of increase varies between wells, and with indicates that a significant proportion BIOGRAPHY stratigraphy, lithofacies (parasequence), of the flowback is connate water, even R. Marc Bustin is a Professor in the and geographic area. Deviation from the though the total volume of water recovered Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences linear increase in TDS and conserved is generally much less than 30% of the total at the University of British Columbia elements with cumulative flowback, volume injected. Imbibition experiments and president of RMB Earth Science reflects opening or closing of the fracture and measures of wettability indicate the Consultants. Bustin received his BSc system(s) with declining pore pressure, Montney has mixed wettability, but is and M.Sc. degrees from the University of variation in connate water chemistry preferentially oil wet. The spontaneous Calgary and his PhD from the University and reservoir geology along laterals, and/ and forced imbibition/osmosis of drilling of British Columbia. or fractures that have grown out of zone. and completion fluids results in significant Geochemical modeling also indicates fracture skin damage, resulting in a Bustin is an elected Fellow of the Royal that the ions that deviate from the linear decreased relative matrix permeability Society of Canada and a registered mixing model are impacted by fluid-rock by up to two orders of magnitude. In professional geologist in the province of interactions including precipitation, addition, the imbibed completion fluid, British Columbia. dissolution, and/or ion exchange depending on composition, may weaken
DigitCore Library and CoreSearch Databases Merged
DigitCore Library acquired the www.CoreSearch.ca database on May 31st, 2018. DigitCore Library now has depth-registered core images for ~9,000 wells in Western Canada and keeps expanding coverage every month. 24-7 online access to the DigitCore Library and CoreSearch.ca is by annual subscription for companies, organizations, and individuals. DigitCore also offers its clients high-resolution photography of core for wells not already in the Library. Contact us to find out how you can get this work done for free. The DigitCore Library is seamlessly integrated with DigitCore Software, the world’s first 3rd- generation core logging and data integration application for geologists. You can analyze and interpret core directly from the high-resolution digital core images using our software.
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 33 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON
UPCOMING EVENTS
When all else fails, try planar lamination - Possible insight into the Montney and other similarly fine-grained reservoirs
SPEAKER then, is the equally, if not more common Bill Arnott | Department of Earth occurrence of planar-laminated strata and Environmental Sciences that grade continuously upward to University of Ottawa mud(stone) with no intervening unit suggestive of low-energy bed-load Time: 11:30 am doors open transport. Date: October 16, 2018 Location: Marriot Hotel, Based on experiments using sediment- propelled density currents passing Kensington Ballroom through a medical-quality CT scanner, 110 9 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2G 5A6 it is argued that the absence of these low-energy structures is not related CSPG member ticket price: $44.50+gst to incompatible flow speed, transport Non-member ticket price: $55+gst bypass or erosion, but instead to near- Please note: The cut-off for ticket sales bed sediment concentration conditions is 1:00pm, five business days before the that discourage spatially non-uniform event. September 11, 2018. sediment transport and the consequent initiation and amplification of bed- ABSTRACT surface defects that otherwise would Planar-laminated strata are ubiquitous evolve into distinctively internally cross- in modern and ancient sedimentary stratified bed forms. As expected these environments that range from the conditions are common in both coarse- BIOGRAPHY continental to deep marine, and and fine-grained, high-energy density Bill Arnott is a Professor and current include economically important units currents. Of particular note, then, is that Chair of the Department of Earth and like the Montney Formation and other these conditions also form in low (depth Environmental Sciences at the University similarly fine-grained units in the averaged) sediment concentration fine- of Ottawa. His research and that of his Western Canada Sedimentary Basin grained flows, which because of low merry band of undergraduate, graduate and worldwide. Planar lamination sediment concentration also have low and postdoctoral researchers is outcrop indicates that bed-load sediment flow speed. It is these latter currents and laboratory based and focuses on transport is more or less spatially that are being increasingly recognized sedimentary environments that range uniform and irrespective of flow type as the principal physical mechanism from the continental to the deep marine, (unidirectional, oscillatory, combined) responsible for mobilizing and depositing sediment transport and depositional a planar bed surface is the stable bed much of the sediment in distal shallow- processes that range from unidirectional state, which commonly, and most marine and deep-marine environments, to oscillatory to combined, open channel intuitively, coincides with high-energy including units like the Montney to density currents, and increasingly the transport conditions. Under low energy Formation and other non-conventional geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Earth. conditions, on the other hand, and reservoir units around the world. It is in beginning at threshold transport, bed these settings where spatially uniform surface sediment transport typically bed-surface transport should dominate, becomes spatially non-uniform and the and accordingly, planar-laminated bed surface ornamented by an array of strata should, and does, dominate bed forms that build above and below the sedimentary record. Notably also, the general bed level. Accordingly, the these planar-laminated strata exhibit a commonality of planar lamination, distinctive alternation of centimetre- to especially in shallow- and deep- sub-millimetre-thick, well-sorted clay- marine settings, would suggest that rich and clay-poor laminae, which may a significant part of the sedimentary have important implication on overall record was deposited under high- stratal rheology, and accordingly, fracture energy transport conditions. Puzzling development and propagation.
34 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 DIVISION TALKS
BASS TECHNICAL DIVISION TALK
Clay mineralogy of the Duvernay and Muskwa Formation: Where have all the smectites gone?
SPEAKER mineral transformation with the basins which focuses on assessing regional Raphael Wust, PhD, PGeol., wust@ due to increased burial pressure and unconventional targets including shales, agatlabs.com | AGAT Laboratories, temperature after deposition. However, tight silt- and sandstones. In addition, the it also allows us to make interpretations group supports geological investigations Time: 12:00 pm about possible original detrital clay mineral of clients projects on shale oil/gas, tight Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018 influx as well as paleoocean currents gas and tight oil with a particular focus Location: geoLOGIC Classroom (2nd and paleotopographic relief of these on: -Evaluation of thermal maturity and sedimentary basins. The presentation organic geochemistry; -Characterization Floor), Aquitaine Tower, 540-5th will showcase some of these hypothetical of mineralogical, sedimentological Avenue S.W. and potential paleodepositional models. and stratigraphic compositions of In addition, a review of clay mineral unconventional units; -Geological ABSTRACT crystallinity changes with increasing burial assessments of unconventional reservoirs/ The Muskwa and Duvernay Formations are depth will be shown and implications for source rocks including factors such as contemporaneously deposited stratigraphic drilling activities highlighted. porosity, permeability, conductivity; -Rock- units of the late Devonian (Frasnian) in the fluid interactions including frac-water Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The BIOGRAPHY treatment and clay mineral interaction. organic-rich and fine-grained sediments RAPHAEL WUST received his MSc in were deposited within adjacent basins Geology in 1995 from the University of Bern, DIVISION INFORMATION north (Muskwa) and south (Duvernay) Switzerland and his PhD in Geology in 2001 BASS technical division talks are free. Please of the Peace River Arch on the western from the University of British Columbia bring your lunch. For further information shelf of the North American Craton. in Vancouver. From 2002 to 2009 he was about our division, to join our mailing list, Despite their proximity, clay mineralogical a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Marine receive a list of upcoming talks, or if you wish compositions are markedly different and Geology/Sedimentology at the School to present a talk or lead a field trip, please the mineralogical composition strongly of Earth and Environmental Sciences, contact either Steve Donaldson (BASS) at influenced early unconventional oil/gas James Cook University in Townsville, 403-808-8641, or Mark Caplan (BASS) at exploration activities. Australia. End of 2009, Raphael Wust 403-975-7701, or visit our web page on the joined Trican Geological Solutions Ltd. as CSPG website at http://www.cspg.org. We In this presentation, several key aspects of a Technical Advisor in Calgary. He remains would like to thank geoLOGIC Systems clay minerals and clay mineral distributions an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at James for sponsoring the new classroom, AGAT across the formations will be discussed Cook University. Dr. Wust’s Ph.D work Laboratories for sponsoring refreshments including: focused on sedimentary and geochemical and Belloy Petroleum Consulting Ltd. for comparisons between modern and past sponsoring this technical division. • Clay mineralogical compositions within coal-forming inland basins. He is author the Duvernay and Muskwa formations and co-author of over 40 scientific papers and numerous field-guides and technical • Smectite clay minerals in the Muskwa reports. He was involved and led several Formation geological (including CBM) field trips/ studies in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia • Diagenetic clay mineral transformations and Panama. He has organized and run within the Muskwa Formation unconventional coal and shale gas/ oil geological short courses in Panama, • Clay mineral variability within the Canada and Australia since 2000. His Duvernay Formation professional interests include organic geochemistry, marine geology, and modern Variability in clay mineral compositions and past sedimentary environments. He is observed in both formations, from has completed several consulting projects the eastern shallow buried deposits to in Egypt, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the western deeply buried deposits. North America. Raphael Wust currently These changes infer a progressive clay leads the AGAT Laboratories Study Group
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 35 DIVISION TALKS
GEOMODELLING DIVISION TALK
Building a Provincial-Scale Geomodel of Alberta’s Subsurface: AGS’ 3D Provincial Geological Framework Model of Alberta
SPEAKER AGS’ 3D geomodelling Paulina Branscombe | Alberta workflow will be Geological Survey (AGS) branch of presented as well the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) as examples of complexity at working Time: 12:00 pm on a basin scale, Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018 issues with variable Location: Husky Conference Room data distribution and learnings from A, 3rd Floor, +30 level, South Tower, provincial-scale 707 8th Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta model construction. Additional recent AGS ABSTRACT geological models, The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) has examples of physical constructed a provincial-scale three- 3D prints of AGS’ dimensional (3D) geological model of geological models Alberta’s subsurface (excluding an area and AGS model representing the approximate extent of applications will also Cordilleran deformation and the Rocky be discussed. Mountains). The 3D Provincial Geological Figure 1. Oblique view of the 3D Provincial Geological Framework Model of Alberta (version 1) from the bedrock topography surface to the base Framework Model of Alberta (3D PGF) 3D geological models of the model in the Precambrian. Transparent grey mass represents represents AGS’ current provincial scale can be used as single the Rocky Mountains and approximate deformation belt; vertical geological understanding and is based holistic geological exaggeration = 40 x). on decades of geological interpretation foundations and can and conceptual models. The 3D PGF is facilitate communication an evergreen geological model that is of subsurface characterization, hazard and unconventional plays) and their BP constructed using a truly multi-disciplinary assessment and management of resources. Anchorage (Alaska) office (heavy oil) for and iterative approach. These models can also be used to support 9 years starting off in Operations and then science-based decision making and inform focusing on Development/Appraisal. The current 3D PGF (Version 1) spans regulatory decisions related to the safe and 602,825 km2 and includes 32 model zones sustainable management of the Alberta’s She is an APEGA P.Geo. and is currently extending from ground surface to an resources. the “Manager, Geological Modelling” of arbitrary flat base with the Precambrian a team of geoscientists, geomodellers, (5000m below sea level) (Figure 1). The BIOGRAPHY geostatisticians and engineers within the model was built using over 600,000 Paulina completed both her undergraduate Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) branch of input data points largely from downhole geology and graduate geology degrees at the the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). geophysical log pick interpretations, University of Alberta. Her M.Sc. (Geology) outcrop data and resampled map was on the geochemistry and evolution of DIVISION INFORMATION lineaments. fluids involved in the dolomitization and There is no charge for the division talk, and precipitation of metals and non-metal we welcome non-members of the CSPG. Version 1 of the 3D PGF was published on minerals at Pine Point lead-zinc mine in the Please bring your lunch. For details or to Alberta Geological Survey’s website on May Northwest Territories (a middle Devonian present a talk in the future, please contact 4, 2018. The model is available via three carbonate hosted deposit). Weishan Ren, [email protected], or deconstructed standard format digital David Garner, [email protected]. data components (picks, model extents, Her career started off in hard rock field model horizons), an iMOD 3D visualization geology but during the last oil boom (and bundle and a complimentary AGS Open mining bust) her career shifted to oil File Report describing model methodology. and gas. Paulina worked for BP Canada in their Calgary office (conventional
36RESERVOIR ISSUE 4 • JULY/AUGUST 2018 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 201836 DIVISION TALKS
OPERATIONS DIVISION TALK
Proactive Geosteering with 3D Geo-models How Operations Teams Save on Capital and Improve Well Results
SPEAKER panels cut through the driller plans with Rocky Mottahedeh, P. Geol., P Eng. the updated structures and properties President, CEO United Oil & Gas providing a view to the drill. Accurate Consulting and SMART4D Geosteering placement also ensures that engineered & Geomodelling Software wells in shale plays with multi-zone (bench drilling) potential are correctly placed for Time: 12:00 pm optimizing the completions and recovery. Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 There is a 25 year history of technology development behind SMART4D. It was field development, the process has evolved Location: geoLOGIC Classroom developed to give an in-house technical from Heavy oil to Tight Oil & Shale plays (2nd Floor), Aquitaine Tower, advantage and was released in 2015 for with hundreds of wells. 540-5th Avenue S.W. E&Ps as a 3D mapping, modelling, well planning, geosteering, visualization & ABSTRACT integration environment of G&G and Case studies will illustrate how advanced drilling data. Team collaboration is the processes in geo-modelling, correlation integral purpose in delivery of the real-time facilities, automated 3D kriging, WITSML technology in networks and in the cloud. rig data aggregation, team-collaboration & Field services companies also recognizing real-time web-reporting processes improve the power of the 3D process they can run horizontal well placements and save capital from rigs or anywhere. for operators. Delivery of the SMART4D Application whether cloud based or in SMART4D’s responsive 3D models are networks allows complete real-time access updated after correlations (within 3-5 of shared earth model and related real- minutes), the drilling corridor ahead of time panels and views for all stakeholders. the surveys is continually updated using This process saves time and resources for all offset data, all of the time. Model sizes E&Ps. The 3D model based approach with can be very small to hundreds of wells. A over 1000 well’s experience is providing proprietary 3D kriging engine is the key BIOGRAPHY a path for consistent quality landings, here where multiple structures, isopachs Rocky has over 35 years of Geology lower doglegs, added formation accuracy, and property models such as gamma and and Reservoir Engineering experience. faster drilling, focused drilling in the sweet porosity can run simultaneously. Graduated from Geological Engineering spots and less drilling issues. Apparent dip at University of Toronto in ‘81. In the early estimations extracted by the application The application is a workhorse in allowing years he worked with TransCanada and and target planners that measure doglegs for geosteering of multiple wells in multiple PanCanadian. Through United, Rocky has interactively when placed in the sweet plays simultaneously. The process has worked with a large number of E&Ps in spots ahead of the surveys reduce the worked for a single operator with 8 rigs Canada, the US and internationally and actual doglegs. concurrently. The Operator reduced rig develops SMART4D technology related to days by 18%. A number of KPI’s shared by geosteering, geo-modelling and evaluation Complex 3D model generation processes clients will be presented and discussed. of infill potential using static and dynamic are simplified to single commands to re- simulations. generate structure maps, isopachs and The reservoir property models are also property model in minutes. Operated by input for volumetric estimations and Geoscience professionals, the learning a Volumetric Sweep Mapping (VSM) models become an integral part of their simulator to model 3D drainage/footprint workflow, saving time in every aspect of of horizontals in all resource types and their work for every well geosteered or fracs. at fraction of time of large simulators. upcoming well(s). The learning system All aimed at saving capital and de-risking of
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 37 DIVISION TALKS
OPERATIONS DIVISION TALK
Regulating the Profession of Geoscience: some thoughts on the roles of governments, regulatory agencies, individual professionals, companies, and academia.
SPEAKER to which we as professionals must adhere, Broad experience: major, large, junior and George Eynon, PGeo – geos offer observations indicating a significant start-up oil & gas companies; professional • eynon associates lack of effective collaboration among the associations; regulatory agencies; various regulatory agencies and academia, education/research institutes; consulting Time: 12:00 pm which can create problems for Professional firms. Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Geoscientists. Location: geoLOGIC Classroom BIOGRAPHY (2nd Floor), Aquitaine Tower, Managing Director & Principal Consultant 540-5th Avenue S.W. with geos • eynon & associates consulting.
ABSTRACT A seasoned executive and board member The legislated purpose of regulating the with 45 years’ professional practice in professions of engineering and geoscience is the protection of the public. Although progressively senior technical, research, there is much emphasis on ethics and management, executive, board, and professionalism by the regulators of leadership roles in Canada, USA, Norway, the professions, there is little on the Denmark, and several other countries. relationships of the professional, financial or operational regulatory authorities, or Currently works with the University of between those agencies and academia. Calgary’s School of Public Policy in its Regulatory agencies rarely collaborate, Extractive Resources Governance Program, and universities pay insufficient attention as a Board member of CSUR, as an to ethics and professionalism in their instructor for Oak Leaf Energy Training— curricula. and is President-elect of APEGA.
Licensed professionals have obvious Formerly, served as an ERCB Board conflicts between an obligation to clients Member and AER Hearing Commissioner. and corporate shareholders on the one hand, and conducting operations in the public interest under a professional code of ethics on the other. Commonly, regulation of these two “masters” is in the hands of different agencies: in Alberta the principal ones are the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), and the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC). As well, academia and governments play a role in individual professionals’ working lives—and therefore in their ethical and professional conflicts. 1602 – 5th St N.E. A varied 45-year career in many T.I.H. Consulting Ltd. Calgary, AB. T2E 7W3 jurisdictions affords a unique 360° view of Geologic Well-Site Phone: 403-233-7729 the oil & gas industry and its professionals. Supervision www.tihconsulting.com This, and the legal and ethical obligations e-mail: [email protected]
38 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 DIVISION TALKS
ALBERTA PALAEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY DIVISION TALK
Stromatolites of South Western Alberta Including Chief Mountain
In addition to the main presentation by Dr. other areas in southern Alberta and British a member of the Alberta Palaeontological Terry Poulton, Barry Rogers will provide a Columbia. His talk will discuss their Society for 15 years and is a wannabe brief presentation. existence, the Lewis Thrust Fault and show Geologist/ Rockhound. pictures of these 1.4 billion old fossils SPEAKER on Big Chief Mountain, Waterton Lakes DIVISION INFORMATION Barry Rogers has been a member of the National Park, and in the Castle River This event is presented jointly by the Alberta Palaeontological drainage. Stromatolites are deposited by Alberta Palaeontological Society, the Society for 15 years. cyanobacteria and are confused by many Department of Earth and Environmental as green algae. They took C02 from the Sciences at Mount Royal University, and Time: 7:00 pm air and combined it with calcium from the Paleontology Division of the Canadian Date: Friday, September 21, 2018 the sea and are given credit for raising Society of Petroleum Geologists. For details Location: Mount Royal the oxygen levels that support our current or to present a talk in the future, please environment. contact CSPG Palaeontology Division University, Room B108 Chair Jon Noad at [email protected] BIOGRAPHY or APS Coordinator Harold Whittaker ABSTRACT Barry Rogers has a Degree in Agricultural at 403-286-0349 or contact programs1@ Barry first discovered Stromatolites in the Engineering from the University of albertapaleo.org. Visit the APS website for rip rap on Waterton Dam during a club Saskatchewan and a Masters Degree from confirmation of event times and upcoming field trip. He has since found them in the The University of Stirling, Scotland where speakers: http://www.albertapaleo.org/. Waterton/Glacier National Parks and in he met his wife Kate MacBeth. He has been
Call for Course Submittals! The Spring Education Committee is collecting course proposals for Spring Education program.
To submit a course: Go to www.cspg.org – Education– click on Submit a Course Download the form and submit the completed form to [email protected]
Course submittals will be accepted until noon on October 31st, 2018
Questions? Please email [email protected]
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 39 DIVISION TALKS
ALBERTA PALAEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY DIVISION TALK
Ammonites witnessed the growth of Canada
SPEAKER the geological contributions from several volcanics in the Arctic and the Cordillera Dr. Terry Poulton, Geological previous and on-going studies of Canadian frontiers. These strata of different ages Survey of Canada, Calgary Jurassic ammonites. are superficially similar, and unravelling them required knowledge of the ages Time: 7:30 pm BIOGRAPHY derived from their fossils. To this end, Date: Friday, September 21, 2018 After completing a B.Sc. at University GSC supported a Ph.D. project at Queens Location: Mount Royal of Calgary in geology (1968) and field University, which led to a full-time job in experience with the Geological Survey early 1975 after Dr. Frebold retired. After University, Room B108 of Canada (GSC) during the summers, years of undertaking specific research Terry was offered an opportunity to projects and contributions to several ABSTRACT study for an M.Sc., with University of regional syntheses, as well as stints in lower A major role of paleontologists in a Calgary professor Dr. Philip Simony to and “middle” management in GSC, Terry geological organization is to interpret the document the sedimentary sequence and continues to pursue topical research at GSC age and depositional characteristics of paleoenvironments in Late Precambrian in Calgary. sedimentary rocks as aids to mapping, low-grade metamorphic rocks west of sedimentary basin analysis, and resource Golden, B.C. As this was being completed INFORMATION exploration activities. Ammonites are (1970), he also worked with PanArctic Oils This event is presented jointly by the of exceptional value for understanding Ltd, mapping and analyzing Mesozoic Alberta Palaeontological Society, the Mesozoic marine strata because of the strata on western Ellesmere and Axel Department of Earth and Environmental many morphological features they exhibit, Heiberg Islands prior to the expansion Sciences at Mount Royal University, and their rapid evolution and the widespread of their hydrocarbon drilling program the Palaeontology Division of the Canadian distribution of many of them. During eastward from the discovery wells on Society of Petroleum Geologists. For details Jurassic time, North America was actively Melville Island. By agreement, the fossils or to present a talk in the future, please growing by accretion of oceanic terranes collected were studied by GSC’s long- contact CSPG Palaeontology Division Chair to its western margin; associated east- time mollusc specialists Hans Frebold Jon Noad at [email protected] or APS west compression initiated the ancestral and George Jeletzky. Canada was still in Coordinator Harold Whittaker at 403-286- Rocky Mountains and affected the Western the post-WWII growth spurt, and GSC was 0349 or contact programs1@albertapaleo. Canada Sedimentary Basin in the plains. actively exploring its resource potential org. Visit the APS website for confirmation The Jurassic also saw the early stages of the and terrane, which included large areas of event times and upcoming speakers: opening of the western portion of the Arctic of Mesozoic sandstones, mudstones and http://www.albertapaleo.org/. Ocean, and its precursor in the Sverdrup sedimentary basin in Canada’s Arctic archipelago. Since the earliest discoveries in Canada in the 1850’s, ammonites have enabled correlations of strata over long distances and provided precise ages by comparison of their sequences with the international standards, which have been mainly established in Europe. However, the identification of ammonites, and therefore the determination of their ages, is not always straightforward, in part because of the re- appearance of superficially similar forms at different times and in different lineages. Additionally, the occasional development of distinct marine faunal provinces was sometimes extreme, with few or no species in common with Europe at certain times during the Jurassic. This presentation will discuss some of the challenges and
40 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 DIVISION TALKS
ALBERTA PALAEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY DIVISION TALK
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park & National Natural Landmark Nebraska
In addition to the main presentation by Dr. The ash (averaging one foot in depth) from They have been on every ocean of the Chad Morgan, Pete Truch will provide a this event blew into the hollow where a world (as Geographers have named them), brief presentation. water hole was. Over time, the Ash Hollow although technically there is only one. In Formation resulted, consisting of tan addition to having travelled to 68 countries, SPEAKER sandstone and grey-white ash, which varies they have been in every jurisdictional part Pete Truch is an APS member in thickness from 3 to 5 feet. Captured in of Canada from Territories to Provinces, and a retired ardent traveler the ashbed, among other Pliocene critters, and now, with the visit to Ashfall Fossil are fully articulated skeletons of rhinos Beds State Historical Park in Nebraska, Time: 7:00 pm Teleoceras major; camels Protolabis have visited all 50 States. Date: Friday, October 19, 2018 heterodontus; Procamelis grandis ; three toed horses Pseudhipparion gratum and DIVISION INFORMATION Location: Mount Royal one toed horses Pliohippus pernix. This event is presented jointly by the University, Room B108 Alberta Palaeontological Society, the Excavating and leaving the skeletal remains Department of Earth and Environmental ABSTRACT in situ resulted in a unique method of Sciences at Mount Royal University, and The Yellowstone Hotspot (located in exposure within the confines of a large the Paleontology Division of the Canadian Yellowstone National Park) has produced protective enclosed building. Thus, a Society of Petroleum Geologists. For details five super-volcano calderas in the last visitor can see the bone beds and creatures or to present a talk in the future, please 14 million years. The Bruneau-Jarbidge exposed in their original mortuary poses, contact CSPG Palaeontology Division Chair caldera resulting from the explosions of a number of which Pete will show in his Jon Noad at [email protected] or APS super-volcanoes between 12.5 and 10 summary presentation of a site visit made Coordinator Harold Whittaker at 403-286- million years ago have direct relevance to in 2017. 0349 or contact programs1@albertapaleo. Ashfall, as this has been determined to be org. Visit the APS website for confirmation the source of the ash. Using single-crystal BIOGRAPHY of event times and upcoming speakers: laser fusion Argon40/Argon 39 dating the Pete and his wife Doreen are ardent http://www.albertapaleo.org/. tuff of the volcanic ash (with adjustment) travelers. In 2010, they joined the ranks of yields a date of 11.93 million years. This famous circumnavigators of the globe (in one eruption is called the “Tuff of the Ibex a ship) including Captain Cook’s goat who Hollow”. surpassed them by having done it twice!
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RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 41 DIVISION TALKS
ALBERTA PALAEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY DIVISION TALK
Highlights from the Middle Cambrian Stephen Formation
SPEAKER as well as newly discovered fossils, the Middle Cambrian Stephen Formation Chad A. Morgan, Ph. D. Candidate, including ~505 Ma bacterial filaments, under the supervision of Dr. Charles Department of Geoscience, University and unusual geometric trace fossils Henderson and co-supervised by Dr. of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta found in the 'platformal' (formerly thin) Brian Pratt (University of Saskatchewan). Stephen Formation. Additionally, a brief His research has taken him to Burgess Time: 7:30 pm introduction to an as of yet unpublished Shale fossil sites in Kootenay National Date: Friday, October 19, 2018 and newly discovered Burgess Shale Park as well as field sites in Yoho and Location: Mount Royal fossil site in Yoho National Park, which Banff National Park. His research interests has yielded a large number of Margaretia include invertebrate palaeontolgy, trilobite University, Room B108 dorus specimens will also be presented. taxonomy, carbonate sedimentology, and This site with its large population of M. ichnology. ABSTRACT dorus specimens may aide in deciphering The Middle Cambrian Stephen Formation the taxonomic affinity of this problematic DIVISION INFORMATION has a long and storied history in Burgess Shale fossil (whether they belong This event is presented jointly by the palaeontology. The formation originally more closely with modern algae or are tubes Alberta Palaeontological Society, the included the famous Burgess Shale constructed by hemichordate worms). Department of Earth and Environmental lagerstätten found in Yoho National While the Cambrian may not always have Sciences at Mount Royal University, and Park by Charles Walcott in the early 20th the most impressive large fossils found in the Paleontology Division of the Canadian century, and has subsequently become Alberta, this talk will hopefully reveal the Society of Petroleum Geologists. For details one of the most internationally recognised amazing array of exciting science currently or to present a talk in the future, please rock units in western Canada. During being undertaken and still left to be done contact CSPG Palaeontology Division Chair this talk an introduction to the historic on the half billion year old record found in Jon Noad at [email protected] or APS background and the current cutting-edge western Canada. Coordinator Harold Whittaker at 403-286- science surrounding this formation will be 0349 or contact programs1@albertapaleo. discussed from Walcott to Franco Rasetti, BIOGRAPHY org. Visit the APS website for confirmation to ongoing research at the University of Chad Morgan is a PhD candidate in the of event times and upcoming speakers: Calgary. Results on trilobite taxonomic Department of Geoscience at the University http://www.albertapaleo.org/. reassessments and biostratigraphic of Calgary. He is currently conducting analyses for the formation will be presented research on trilobite biostratigraphy of
42 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 DIVISION TALKS
CSPG STRUCTURAL DIVISION TALK
Fracture characterization and vugular porosity distribution in Devonian carbonates using image logs and core data
SPEAKERS Fracture intensity curves in the Elk Point BIOGRAPHY Dragan Andjelkovic, Hakima Ali Group show values between 10-20 fractures Dragan has been with Schlumberger Lahmar, Gabriel Garcia Rosas per metre. The average total vugular porosity Canada for 11 years working as a borehole (Schlumberger) (VISO) estimated from image logs is 2%, geologist. His previous experience includes within certain discrete depth intervals, 10 years in the mining industry in Ontario Simona Costin & Becky Rogala and can be attributed to the presence of and eastern Canada. He holds a masters in (Imperial Oil Limited) connected vuggy areas and fractures. The geology from the University of Belgrade. heterogeneity analysis show that the base Time: 12:00 pm of the Keg River Formation is most suitable Hakima has been with Schlumberger for 12 Date: Thursday, September 6th 2018 for water disposal. This talk presents the years working in various parts of the world, Location: Schlumberger Palliser results within a regional context of fracture including Algeria, Kuwait and Canada. She One Building orientation and distribution within the holds an engineering degree in petroleum Devonian. geology . 200, 125 - 9th Ave SE, Calgary
ABSTRACT Resistivity borehole images (FMI) were acquired in a series of wells drilled in the Devonian Elk Point and Beaverhill Lake Groups, in oil sands leases in NE Alberta. The data were used for characterization of fractures and porosity systems in these formations, and in particular to identify zones suitable for water disposal. Since the images were of excellent quality, the geological data derived could be interpreted with a high level of confidence.
The borehole image analysis shows that the Keg River Formation contains substantial porosity heterogeneity, which varies spatially due to the presence of natural fractures and vugs. The objective of this study was to characterize and quantify this heterogeneity, using FMI images, and validate the results with core data (Fig 1).
Another aim of this study was to examine if fractures exhibit regional systematic trends, or if they are more localized and random. Cross cutting relationships of the fracture sets and vugs were examined, in order to determine relative chronology of events.
Two main fracture cluster intervals were identified within the Keg River and Fig. 1. An example of partially open Waterways Formations, dominated by fractures and vuggy facies, as seen partially open non-systematic fractures. from both the FMI image and core.
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 43 DIVISION TALKS
CSPG STRUCTURAL DIVISION TALK
A Structural Excursion along the Rundle Thrust in the Front Ranges, Canmore, Alberta
SPEAKERS (Figure 2) such as classic fault-propagation Francois Tremblay (P.Geo) & Leena folds and their structural fabric (Figure 3) Markatchev (Geologist), with contributions that are otherwise hidden from roads. We from Dr Gerry Reinson (Consultant) will give a virtual tour of the 2 traverses from the trip. Time: 12:00 pm Date: Thursday, October 4th 2018 The rock units encountered are age- Location: Schlumberger equivalent to known hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Foothills and Alberta Palliser One Building Plains, and have had a profound impact on Figure 1: Subdivision of Canadian Rockies into 200, 125 - 9th Ave SE, Calgary shaping the economic landscape of Alberta. three belts. Red star shows location of field trip (adapted from McMechan and Macey, 2012). ABSTRACT Interesting comparisons will be made This talk will present a review and between our tour and previous large-scale discussion of the Structural Division Field mapping carried out in the area. Trip, to be held in the Front Ranges (Figure 1) in Canmore on Saturday September Another objective of the talk is to 22nd, 2018 (see www.cspg.org/structural). emphasize the variety of scales of structures encountered and comparing them to Coal seams from the Cretaceous Kootenay world-class commercial discoveries in Formation were exploited in Canmore from Canada and internationally. 1887 to 1979. These footwall shales and coals were plastically deformed into tight REFERENCE: and often overturned structures within McMechan, M., Macey, E., 2012. Geology the broad Mount Allan Syncline that runs of the Rocky Mountains west of Calgary, through the Bow Valley Corridor. Perhaps Alberta in the Kananaskis west half map overlooked, structurally higher, within the area (82J). Paper presented to CSPG/CSEG/ CWLS GeoConvention 2012, Calgary, Rundle Thrust Sheet, spectacular structures Figure 3: Stereonet of bedding, fractures and a Alberta, 14-18 May 2012. in the Devonian, Mississippian and weak cleavage in the Palliser Formation in the Permian section are present in the hanging field trip area. wall zone. BIOGRAPHY Francois Tremblay holds a B.Sc. degree This presentation highlights features visited (Hon.) in Geology from the University professional geoscientist with over 10 in the field trip, including exposures of of Calgary and a M.Sc. in Geophysics years of experience in exploration and the Rundle Thrust, and major structures from Leeds, United Kingdom. He is a development. He has worked exploration in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific. He currently works as an exploration geophysicist on projects across Australasia.
Leena Markatchev has a B.Sc. degree (Hon.) in Geology from the University of Calgary and a M.Sc. from the University of Ottawa. She has worked for 7 years in the exploration and development of the Williston and Western Canada Sedimentary Basins.
Figure 2: View looking southeast of an anticline in the Fairholme Group.
44 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 Stanley Slipper Medal Call for Nominations
“This pioneer and explorer in geology, engineering and natural gas technology bequeathed a fundamental knowledge, years ahead of his time and was considered by many a virtual Leonardo da Vinci of the Petroleum Industry. Slipper, our First President, deserved the honour (unbeknownst to him) of our highest award in the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists” Aubrey Kerr
The Stanley Slipper Medal is amongst the CSPG’s Highest Honours. The medal is presented annually for outstanding contributions to petroleum exploration and development either in Canada or by Canadian-based petroleum geologists working internationally. The contributions of the winner of this award may encompass one or more activities including initiating and/or leading exploration or development programs, making significant discoveries on new or existing exploration trends, applying new technologies to exploration and exploitation, and teaching and/or training of petroleum geologists. In contrast to other CSPG awards, the Stanley Slipper Award recognizes, in part, accomplishments in business and in the broader petroleum industry through the application of the knowledge of petroleum geology. The award is limited to individuals. Candidates must be alive at the time of their selection. The 2017 Stanley Slipper Recipient winner must be a petroleum geologist and a CSPG member. Alison Essery The committee is currently calling on the CSPG membership to provide nominations for this prestigious award. Please include an updated biography and letters in support of your nominee. It is recommended that potential nominations be vetted with the Committee Chair early in the process in order to avoid, if possible, duplicate nominations for the same person. Please consult the Career Achievement Awards section of the website for additional requirements and expectations related to the nomination process.
Nominations should be mailed or emailed before October 12 to: CSPG Stanley Slipper Committee– Clinton Tippett 150, 540 – 5 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 0M2 Email: [email protected] Stanley Slipper Medal
RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 45 SOCIETY NEWS
TIME TO DISCUSS ADVANCES IN THE ROCK ANALYSIS OF HETEROGENEOUS RESERVOIRS R.A.W 2019 Planning Committee: Amin Ghanizadeh – University of Calgary, Stan Stancliffe – Independent Consultant, David Robertson – Schlumberger Reservoir Laboratories, Ken Glover- Trican Well Service
ight rock and oilsand reservoirs are and geomechanical characteristics of enhanced recovery processes. currently the hottest unconventional these reservoirs and their relationship Tresource targets in western Canada. with the controlling lithological factors are, The Rock Analysis Workshop (R.A.W.) These reservoirs are heterogeneous therefore, fundamental to the quantification will bring together professionals and geological systems with variations in and prediction of hydrocarbons-in-place subject matter experts, dealing with composition and fabric existing from the and production in these resources. multidisciplinary characterization of micro- up to the macro-scale, depending unconventional and bitumen reservoirs, on their bitumen and total organic Economic flow rates in tight oil and gas to share experiences gained through carbon (TOC) content, thermal maturity, plays, which commonly have permeability laboratory and field operations. The mineralogical composition and diagenetic values down to the nanodarcy range, are workshop will focus on new advances history. The impacts of these lithological governed by a complex series of multi- in rock characterization and the added factors on hydrocarbon storage and scale physico-chemical processes within value of field applications. A variety of transport properties of these reservoirs space and time throughout the fracture leading operators, service providers, and are, however, rock-specific and are not and matrix systems. This is also true when national/international universities will necessarily similar among all plays. The analyzing the quality of cap rock over an oil provide up-to-date discussions on multiple micro-structure of these reservoirs, sands reservoir. technical topics. These include highlights in particular, can differ significantly on advanced geochemical, petrophysical between different formations and even Routine core analysis techniques, primarily and geomechanical characterization within the same play/area. Within the developed for conventional reservoirs techniques, case studies, and operator matrix system of these unconventional with comparatively higher porosity/ and governmental regulatory perspectives. reservoirs, hydrocarbon storage capacity permeability and less complexities, A dedicated panel session will explore is partly controlled by “in-situ” water may not be fully applicable to tight rock potentials for collaboration among saturations, pore volume, surface area reservoirs or cap rock investigations, operators, technology developers, service (e.g. for hydrocarbon (ad)(ab)sorption), failing to provide a realistic understanding providers and governmental regulatory and pore size distribution whereas pore of fluid storage, potential barriers and agencies. throat size distribution, tortuosity, pore flow mechanisms that occur during field- connectivity, permeability and wettability scale production. In the face of ongoing The Canadian Society of Petroleum attributes influence long-term production. suppressed commodity prices, the energy Geologists (CSPG) and technical committee Mechanical characterization of tight industry seeks innovative core and cuttings are currently soliciting speakers and rock and oilsand reservoirs is further analysis techniques that allow reliable, fast, presenters for this event (invitation-based an important step in the evaluation and inexpensive and efficient identification only) and thank all of the invited speakers completion of these unconventional of reservoir “sweet spots” and provide in advance for their valuable and insightful reservoirs. Combined with the field-scale critical data for assessing exploration, contribution. For further information geological features and the ‘‘in-situ’’ stress completion and hydrocarbon recovery on workshop registration, agenda, regimes, the geomechanical properties strategies to produce hydrocarbons accommodation and sponsorships, please of these unconventional reservoirs play a more efficiently. Understanding how to visit the event’s website or contact Candace key role in planning of drilling, completion advance characterization methods at all Jones at [email protected]. Looking and hydraulic fracturing practices. scales is therefore critical for predictable forward to meeting you all in R.A.W. 2019! Knowledge of geochemical, petrophysical development through primary and
46 RESERVOIR ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 2018 Ph.D. and M.Sc. CALL FOR THESES
Ph.D. AWARD Win $5,000, a framed certificate, and a one-year CSPG membership for the Doctoral thesis that makes the most significant contribution to Canadian sedimentary geology in 2018.
M.Sc. AWARD Win $4,000, a framed certificate, and a one-year CSPG membership for the Masters thesis that makes the most significant contribution to Canadian sedimentary geology in 2018.
Winning thesis in recent years have included: A study which developed a new and robust method of interpreting complex tidal successions using the Bluesky Gething interval in the Peace River area as the study area; a field based outcrop study of the Lower Lajas Formation in the Neuquen Basin of west central Argentina; a detailed stratigraphic, sedimentological and geochemical study of the mudstone dominated Carlile Formation in Eastern Alberta with a focus on advancing the model for the deposition of mudstones; a sedimentological and neoichnological examination of a modern mixed energy estuary at Tillamook Bay on the coast of Oregon; a re interpretation of the classic Silurian reefs in Southern Ontario and Michigan; an integrated analysis of the evolution of the passive continental margin off the coast of Nova Scotia incorporating the extensive seismic data set acquired over the last 25 years; and evaporate diapirism in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 For submission, an electronic copy (.pdf format) of the thesis is preferred but a hard copy, if properly bound, will be accepted. Submitted hard-copy theses will be returned in late January 2019. Eligible theses are either produced in a Canadian Please submit electronic copy university, regardless of project location, or deal with a Canadian sedimentary/petroleum geology of thesis for judging to:
topic, regardless of the university of origin. Theses Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG) entered for the 2018 awards must have been Graduate Thesis Awards Committee submitted to a recognized university inside or outside of Canada and must have formed part of c/o Andre Chow the requirements for degrees awarded at the Fall [email protected] 2017 or Spring 2018 convocations. For submission of a hard copy thesis or additional Candidates theses must be well written and clearly information please contact Andre Chow at the and adequately illustrated above email or tel: 587-777-2154 Clastic Exploration School October 22 26, 2018, Calgary, Alberta Instructors: David James, Jim Barclay & Andy Vogan Member rate: $2500 Non-Member rate: $2700
Note from the Instructor(s): After a three + decade run, David decided to wind down the school at the close of the October 2017 CSPG class. But as famously stated “There are strange things done in the midnight sun” and that James is back could be one of them. That is because Jim and Andy, together with the CSPG unexpectedly stepped forward, and offered to continue the legacy of the class into the future. It is our hope, that with a cumulated exploration experience of the instructors boosted to well over 100 years, that the class will provide benefits to geoscientists, explorationists and to the CSPG for years to come.
Course Overview This five day school has been taught to Calgary, Houston and internationally based geologists and geophysicists for over 30 years and was initially designed as a mandatory course for all junior staff. Over the years it became apparent that more senior G/G (and Engineers) could gain great benefit from re examining the advances made in facies modeling, traces fossils, sequence stratigraphy and seismic geomorphology. Using a combination of lectures followed by core examination, all clastic depositional settings from the Western Canadian basin that contain hydrocarbons are discussed.
Emphasis will be placed on core description, identifying sedimentary structures, recognizing reservoir facies, sequence boundaries, flooding surfaces and most importantly, thinking geologically. Delegates will be exposed to a vast amount of core (600+ boxes) over 5 days. The ultimate product is the establishment of a robust stratigraphically and facies based exploration model to guide a drilling program. Core correlation and field based exercises with data sets from the Alberta Basin and the international arena will be used to reinforce the concepts. The school concludes with a lecture on the controls of reservoir quality and how they relate to depositional setting and well productivity.
For instructor biographies and more course information please go to
www.cspg.org
David James Jim Barclay Andy Vogan