Bureau of Economic Geology W. L. Fisher, DiredoreThe University of Texas at Austin. Austin, Texas 787l3-7508 Foreword The Bureau of Economic Geology, established in (1) environmental impact statements that are sub- 1909 as the successor to the Texas Geological mitted to the Office of the Governor of Texas and Survey and the Texas Mineral Survey, is a research (2) permit applications that are submitted to the entity of The University of Texas at Austin. It also Surface Mining and Reclamation Division of the functions as the State Geological Survey, a quasi-State Railroad Commission of Texas and to the Environ- agency, and the Bureau Director represents Texas in mental and Consumer Health Protection Division of the Association of American State Geologists. the Texas Department of Health. Extensive advisory, technical, and informational Major reports of the Bureau are published in The services relating to the resources and geology of University of Texas Publication series; its own Texas are provided by the Bureau. In addition, the series include Reports of Investigations, Geologic Bureau conducts basic and applied research projects Quadrangle Maps, Geologic Atlas Sheets, Environ- in energy resources, mineral resources and statistics, mental Geologic Atlases, Guidebooks, Handbooks, I coastal and environmental studies, land resources, Geological Circulars, Mineral Resource Circulars, I geologic mapping, and a variety of other research and other publications. Publications are sold for a programs in areas such as hydrogeology, basin nominal price to recover printing costs. A complete analysis, and geochemistry. Some projects are list of publications is available on request. conducted jointly with other units of the University The Annual Report of the Bureau of Economic ! as well as with State, Federal, and local agencies. Geology outlines the scope and status of current I The Texas Mining and Mineral Resources Research research projects, publications, personnel activities, I Institute is an administrative unit of the Bureau. and services in the area of Texas resources and The Bureau provides ongoing services to geology that are available to governmental agencies, I governmental agencies including reviews of industry, and the public. ADVWRY, T6aiNlCAI AND nflONALSERVIC6S GEOLOGIC MAWING A BASlC RESEARCH I RESEARCH I AND PUBLIC LAND RESOURCES ENERGY RESOURCES mvmmnoNs SERVICE IN TEXAS ~TIONS RESOURCES AND <I GEOLOGY I> MINING AND MINEUAL REU)URCE5 REsEARCHlNsnTme, MINERAL SNDIES LABORATORY, CORE RESEARCH CENrER Cover: The full-color page-size Geologic Map of Texas and accompanying text will be published in 1992. Annual Report Research and Administrative Office and Laboratories Balcones Research Center 10100 Burnet Road Austin, Texas 78758-4497 (512)471-7721 (512)471-1534 FAX 471-0140 Mailing address The University of Texas at Austin University Station, Box X Austin, Texas 78713-7508 Bureau of Economic Geology W. L. Fisher, Director The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 78713 Contents Research Energy resources investigations ..........................................................................................................2 Petroleum ........................................................................................................................................2 Gas ...................................................................................................................................................9 Coal ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Experimental and applied tectonics investigations ....................................................................... 14 Land, water, and environmental resources investigations ........................................................... 15 Waste isolation studies ..................................................................................................................15 Ground-water studies ....................................................................................................................17 Coastal studies ............................................................................................................................ 21 Mineral resources investigations ....................... .. ....................................................................23 Mapping investigations ......................................................................................................................24 Other geologic investigations ...........................................................................................................25 Contract and grant support ............................................................................................................... 26 Contract and grant reports ................................................................................................................ 28 Publications Reports of Investigations ...................................................................................................................30 Geological Circulars ...........................................................................................................................33 Other publications ..............................................................................................................................34 Services Core Research Center .........................................................................................................................36 Mineral Studies Laboratory ............................................................................................................... 36 Public Information .............................................................................................................................. 37 Reading Room/Data Center ............................................................................................................ 37 Geophysical Log Facility .................................................................................................................. 37 Highlights Soviet geoscientists visit the Bureau ................................................................................................38 Bureau conducts statewide forums on improved oil and gas recovery .....................................38 Bureau geophysical program expanded .........................................................................................-38 Awards and honors ............................................................................................................................ 38 New research staff .............................................................................................................................. 39 Jules R. DuBar retires ..........................................................................................................................39 Research Staff Publications and Activities Papers and abstracts in outside (non-BEG) publications ....................... .............................. 40 Lectures and public addresses .................... ........ ..........................................................................47 Bureau of Economic Geology seminars ...........................................................................................53 Congressional. legislative. and special testimony ..........................................................................54 Committee services. offices. and other professional responsibilities ...........................................54 University teaching/continuing education ..................................................................................... 59 Support Staff Administrative/secretarial .................................................................................................................60 Cartography ..........................................................................................................................................60 Computer resources ...........................................................................................................................60 Publications .........................................................................................................................................61 Quality assurance ...............................................................................................................................61 Sources of Funding and Budget Trends ................................................................. 62 Research The Bureau of Economic Geology was involved in the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal 56 research projects during 1991; 21 new projects Authority to determine the suitability of the site were initiated during the year. The new projects as a waste repository, (funded by State, Federal, and industrial entities) represent a range of geoscientific topics, comple- (3) a study funded by the Lower Colorado River menting the Bureau's existing variety of energy Authority to evaluate ground-water availability resource, hydrogeologic, waste isolation, experimental in a rapidly developing area in southeast Texas, and applied tectonic, coastal, mineral resource, and and mapping investigations. The Bureau's operating bud- (4) a Federally funded 5-year investigation of coastal get expanded from $12 million (1990) to more than land loss along the Texas Gulf Coast. $14 million from line-item State appropriations and