january 2015 outcrop
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Volume 64 • No. 1 • January 2015
OUTCROPNewsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
OUTCROP | January 2015 2 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r s
B e c o m e a 2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r . V i s i t w w w . r m a g . o r g t o fi n d o u t m o r e .
T h e d e a d l i n e t o s u b m i t 2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r s h i p i s J a n u a r y 3 1 , 2 0 1 5 .
B r o n z e S p o n s o r s
G o l d S p o n s o r s
S i l v e r S p o n s o r s
2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r s
B e c o m e a 2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r . V i s i t w w w . r m a g . o r g t o fi n d o u t m o r e .
T h e d e a d l i n e t o s u b m i t 2 0 1 5 S u m m i t S p o n s o r s h i p i s J a n u a r y 3 1 , 2 0 1 5 .
B r o n z e S p o n s o r s
G o l d S p o n s o r s
S i l v e r S p o n s o r s
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 3 OUTCROP | January 2015
OUTCROPThe Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to promote interest in geology and allied sciences and their practical application, to foster scientific research and to encourage
fellowship and cooperation among its members. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the RMAG.
910 16th Street • Suite 1214 • Denver, CO 80202 • 303-573-8621
PRESIDENTMarv [email protected]
PRESIDENT-ELECTJohn Ladd
TREASURER-ELECTTom Sperr
2nd VICE PRESIDENTChris Eisinger
1st VICE PRESIDENTMel Klinger
SECRETARYStephanie B. Gaswirth
1st YEAR COUNSELORJane Estes-Jackson
TREASURERPaul Lillis
2nd YEAR COUNSELOR Terri Olson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCarrie Veatch, MA
MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER
Hannah [email protected]
PROJECTS SPECIALISTEmily [email protected]
ACCOUNTANTCarol Dalton
MANAGING EDITORWill Duggins
ASSOCIATE EDITORSHolly Sell
Greg [email protected]
Cheryl [email protected]
Andre [email protected]
DESIGN/PRODUCTIONNate Silva
2015 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS RMAG STAFF
WEDNESDAY NOON LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS
RMAG Office: 303-573-8621 | Fax: 303-476-2241 | [email protected] or www.rmag.org
The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Rates and sizes can be found on page 4. Advertising rates apply to either black and white or color ads. Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format. Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page. Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in png, jpg, tif, pdf or eps formats at a minimum of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303-573-8621.
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OUTCROP | January 2015 4 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
RMAG 2014 NoveMbeR boARd of diRectoRs MeetiNG
This month’s board meeting was held on Novem-ber 19th, 2014. As usual we started the meeting with the financial report, and the organization continues to be in good standing. The board approved moving some additional funds into the savings account, this end of the year action is in preparation for the 2015 board of directors to take the reins and start the year off on the right foot. We also discussed that the of-fice has started receiving 2015 membership renew-al dues, but there are still a lot of members that have not renewed yet. If you are like me and really don’t like getting all those reminder emails, be sure to go to the RMAG website and renew your membership as soon as possible.
The next topic of discussion was the 2014 Rock-busters Ball that was held on November 15th. Over-all feedback from the event was good, even though the event was held during that incredibly cold and snowy week that we had. We had a great turn out; the silent auction, photo booth and rock candy bar were all a big hit. I know I must have eaten thirty of those little gummy dinosaurs, no matter how old you are there is nothing like biting the tiny gummy head off of a Tyrannosaurus. I would like to thank all of the award recipients for their hard work and dedication to the RMAG organization. As you all know, RMAG is an organization that relies on the volunteers in dozens of committees to organize the
programs and publications that we all rely on. With-out these dedicated people we would not be able to put on such amazing events. If you are interested in helping with an event or publication please con-tact the RMAG office, we are always looking for more help. Most of the positions take only a couple hours a month and the more people that volunteer the big-ger and better these events will be.
By the time you read this, the 2015 board of di-rectors will have taken over and they have a full slate already set up for the year. You might be sad, but don’t worry, you will still be seeing all of the 2014 board members at meetings, luncheons and events, you can’t get rid of us that easy.
I am going to end this last article by giving you one more piece of advice, be sure to get out of the office at least once a month to see some rocks, at-tend an event or even just see the sunshine. I know you are busy, but the more time you spend in your office the weirder you get. We all already have an overwhelming amount of weird, being interested in geology, so don’t add more on top of that by work-ing alone in your office all the time. Finally, I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading along each month and I hope that I gave you a little insight on what the organization was up to. I would like to wish you all a productive, happy and healthy 2015.
RMAG 2014 NOVEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
By Nick Nelson, [email protected]
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OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 5 OUTCROP | January 2015
OUTCROPNewsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
FEATURES
10 Lead Story: Sinkholes and humans in the Delaware Basin, southeastern New Mexico and west Texas
ASSOCIATION NEWS
2 RMAG 2015 Summit Sponsors
15 2015 RMAG Symposium October 8th Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain Region
24 RMAG Annual Golf Tournament
25 3D Seismic Symposium
27 2014 Summit Sponsors Interview
28 Save the Date! Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists
29 Thank you 2014 Rockbusters Ball Sponsors
DEPARTMENTS
4 RMAG 2014 November Board of Directors Meeting
6 President’s Letter
19 RMAG Luncheon Program
20 In the Pipeline
21 Welcome New RMAG Members!
22 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Pete Stark
26 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Speaker – Paul Lillis
30 Advertiser Index
30 Calendar
COVER PHOTOAir bubbles trapped in ice – Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
CONTENTS
OUTCROP | January 2015 6 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
In October last year Harriett and I traveled to China, in part cruising the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges where a dam was just completed in 2008 finally taming the Yangtze. It sadly resulted in the displacement of millions of occupants while re-locating cities and villages to high ground in newly constructed cities and transportation infrastructure. If you think of China as a sleeping giant, don’t; every-where we went we saw evidence of how robust Chi-na is! One symbol of the sophistication is the design of dozens of new suspension bridges all uniquely beautiful. I thought that would be a fitting metaphor for how year to year continuity happens at RMAG with the “changing of the guard.”
Last month I transitioned from the crew deck to the bridge when I undertook the challenge of suc-ceeding Matt Silverman as President of RMAG. I had the pleasure of serving with him on last year’s board, benefitting from his leadership and vision. Thank you Matt for your service and for your continued role this year chairing Long Range Planning.
It’s important to build bridges across any recog-nized gaps within an organization. Like many vol-unteer based organizations, RMAG elects new board
members yearly, a potential loss of continuity. One of the strengths of RMAG is the degree of continuity it enjoys in the areas of leadership, volunteerism, funding and membership.
LEADERSHIPMatt recognized one of the elements of leader-
ship last month by commending the RMAG staff for their part in what was a very successful year. The staff is the long term, most permanent, year to year bridge for RMAG. That system worked well last year with the seamless succession in Directorship from Emily Tompkins to Carrie Veatch. Thanks to the pre-vious boards and Emily for the foresight to have such a qualified internal candidate.
The second leadership bridge is the RMAG Board of Directors. Although some new officers are elected
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
By Marv Brittenham
The Bridge – Continuity at RMAG
Yangtze River, China 2014
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Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 7 OUTCROP | January 2015
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Look for the Technical Program and Registration Announcement with the February issue of AAPG Explorer magazine.
Registration opens in February
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31 May – 3 June » Denver, Colorado » Colorado Convention Center
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OUTCROP | January 2015 8 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
PResideNt’s LetteR
each year, two thirds of the officers serve for mul-tiple years. That’s a big commitment, but essential. Thanks to last year’s Board of Directors with whom I had the pleasure to serve: Matt Silverman, Mike Dolan, Michele Bishop, Nick Nelson, Laura Wray, Reed Johnson, Paul Lillis and Terri Olson. I’m pleased to announce also the 2015 Board of Directors, some recently elected: President Marv Brittenham, Presi-dent Elect John Ladd, 1st Vice President Mel Klinger, 2nd Vice President Chris Eisinger, Secretary Stephanie Gaswirth, Treasurer Paul Lillis, Treasurer Elect Tom Sperr, Counselor (1st year) Jane Estes-Jackson and Counselor (2nd year) Terri Olson.
Many of these officers are committed to serve additional years as committee chairs, or on commit-tees, or as board liaisons. One key role is Long Range Planning to be chaired by Matt Silverman. It is com-prised of past presidents and is a valuable resource to the Board and staff for forward thinking.
VOLUNTEERISMAn army of volunteers serve RMAG as committee
chairs or members of two dozen committees, as lun-cheon or symposia organizers or speakers, as field trip leaders, as editors or authors of publications, as well as many other supportive roles. We’re very grateful for the willingness of our members to volun-teer and thank them for their service! If you are in-terested in volunteering, please contact Carrie or any of the officers. I’m sure we can find a role that fits your interest!
FUNDINGThe third bridge for continuity is consistent
funding of RMAG’s programs. Financial support from Summit Sponsors has become an important el-ement to allow us to maintain consistent programs from year to year. We are thankful to our Sponsors, many of whom employ our members and bene-fit from RMAG’s support of the geosciences. Mem-ber dues and program revenues also contribute to the financial health of our organization. Our rela-tionships with other organizations, like AAPG, al-low us to host high impact events which contrib-ute substantial funds to RMAG. In 2014 we hosted the Rocky Mountain Section AAPG meeting and this year we will host the AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition. Those meetings occur in five to six year cycles, greatly enhancing the financial sustainability of RMAG.
MEMBERSHIPThe foundations of our bridges derive from our
membership. RMAG has a gifted and diverse mem-bership of geoscientists. Above all, there is a great sense of belonging to a community within our orga-nization. Be an ambassador; bring a potential mem-ber to a meeting.
Feel free to contact me if you have any ideas to make RMAG better. We want to be The Best Place for Rockies Geoscience.
I hope you share my view - it is part of what has kept me engaged for 41 years at RMAG!
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Sinkholes formed in evaporitic bedrock are common features of the greater Delaware Basin re-gion in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. New sinkholes form almost annually, often associat-ed with upward artesian flow of groundwater from karstic aquifers that underlie evaporitic rocks (Land, 2009). The large gypsum cenotes at Bottomless Lakes State Park, east of Roswell, New Mexico, occur at the downstream end of the regional groundwa-ter flow system (Figure 1). These cenotes have been
excavated from gypsum and mudstone of the Seven Rivers Formation by artesian flow from the under-lying San Andres limestone aquifer. Overflow from these cenotes contributes to increased discharge and salinity in the nearby Pecos River (Land, 2003), and ultimately helps New Mexico meet its interstate com-pact obligations with its downstream neighbor, the state of Texas.
A small but significant number of sinkholes in
Sinkholes and humans in the Delaware Basin, southeastern New Mexico and west Texas
FIGURE 1: West-east hydrostratigraphic section of Roswell Artesian Basin, showing regional groundwater flow through the artesian aquifer.
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LEAD STORY
By Lewis Land
OUTCROP | January 2015 10 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 11 OUTCROP | January 2015
Come in out of the Cold for PTTC Workshops
Basic Well Log Interpretation Tuesday – Thursday, January 27-29, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom A Fee: $750, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Dan Krygowski, The Discovery Group, Denver, CO • Offers a “hands-on” approach to basic openhole well log analysis and interpretation; • Focuses on the traditional interpretation targets of lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation; • Introduces a variety of interpretation techniques in the context of the availability of newer, more extensive, data; • Is organized by the targets, or goals of the measurements, rather than by the physics of the measurements.
Hydraulic Fracturing—Measurement, Characterization, and Analysis Tuesday, February 24, 2015 Petroleum Club, Billings Montana Fee: $250 MGS Members, $275 Non-members, includes food, workbook, and PDH certificate. Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Miskimins, Baree and Associates This one-day workshop is intended to demonstrate recent advances in hydraulic fracturing techniques and how they can be used to characterize the producing reservoir. The basics of hydraulic fracturing are discussed and lead into the complexities associated with treatment design and analysis. Special issues such as non-Darcy flow, G-function analysis, and “mapping” techniques are covered. Case studies demonstrating analysis and various fracturing practices (such as “slickwater” fracs) are presented.
Well-Log Sequence Stratigraphy: Applications to Sandstones and Shales Tuesday – Thursday, March 10-12, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 243 Fee: $750, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Jeff May On completion of the course, participants will be familiar with the methodologies and skills to subdivide, correlate, and map stratigraphic units (reservoirs, seals, and source rocks) through the application of sequence-stratigraphy concepts in the interpretation of well logs from a variety of nonmarine, shallow-marine, and deep-marine environments in siliciclastic settings
Participants completing this workshop will be able to:
• Analyze the major geologic controls and their interaction on the filling of basins. • Comprehend and critically analyze the often-confusing terminology utilized in sequence stratigraphy. • Apply appropriate sequence stratigraphy models to various basin settings. • Analyze and subdivide stratigraphic successions from well logs into packages of increasing or decreasing
accommodation and identify chronostratigraphically significant surfaces. • Examine the pitfalls of lithostratigraphic vs. chronostratigraphic well-log correlations. • Correlate well logs using sequence stratigraphy concepts. • Apply reservoir-seal-source rock concepts to sequence stratigraphic cross sections. • Generate maps of genetically related sequence stratigraphic units. • Demonstrate and predict new stratigraphic prospects or previously untapped reservoir compartments. • Determine the influence of chronostratigraphic surfaces on reservoir quality and flow units.
Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, [email protected]
OUTCROP | January 2015 12 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
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the Delaware Basin are of hu-man origin, including the well-known Wink Sinks in Winkler Co., Texas (Figure 2). The first Wink Sink formed in 1980 out-side the small community of Wink, Texas, within the giant Hendrick oil field, destroying crude oil pipelines and oil field infrastructure. That sinkhole ultimately expanded to a di-ameter of more than 300 feet, but has been largely inactive for the past 34 years. In 2002 a new sinkhole formed less than two miles south of the origi-nal Wink Sink. Wink Sink no. 2 is significantly larger than its predecessor, with a maximum width of almost 800 feet and an
FIGURE 2: Anthropogenic sinkholes (red dots) in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. BLSP = Bottomless Lakes State Park.
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www.rmag.org45OUTCROP
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OUTCROP | January 2015 14 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
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estimated total volume of more than 45 million cubic feet. Both sinkholes are assumed to have formed by dissolution of salt beds in the upper Permian Sala-do Formation, in association with improperly-cased abandoned oil and water supply wells (Johnson et al., 2003).
EDDY COUNTY SINKHOLESAround 8:15 on the morning of July 16th, 2008,
a truck driver for a local water hauling company was parked at the site of a brine well in northern Eddy County that his company was operating. The opera-tor had taken over an abandoned oil well and con-verted it to an injection well, pumping fresh water into salt beds of the Salado Formation, about 500 feet deep. The salt dissolved into a brine solution
that was pumped to the surface to sell as drilling flu-id in nearby oil fields. This process, which creates a sizeable cave in the salt beds, is common in many parts of the world. Various engineering and geotech-nical methods ensure that the resulting cavities don’t collapse, but in some cases these strategies are not entirely successful.
While on location the driver noticed a rumbling noise and quickly vacated the site. Minutes later, a large sinkhole abruptly formed, engulfing the brine well and associated structures. This sinkhole (re-ferred to as the JWS sinkhole from the initials of the well operator) eventually grew to a diameter of more than 330 feet, and a depth of about 150 feet. Large concentric fractures developed around the perime-ter of the sink, threatening the integrity of a nearby
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FIGURE 3: JWS sinkhole, two weeks after initial collapse. Note pickup truck in lower right corner for scale.
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 15 OUTCROP | January 2015
A call for papers is forthcoming (Spring 2015). If you would like to participate, please email: [email protected]
With all the unconventional activity occurring across the globe, it is time to review what is driving the technical quality of the “Hot Plays” in the greater Rocky Mountain region. Please mark your calendars for what is sure to be the “HOTTEST” event of the Fall 2015 Technical Season. Geological, Geophysical, Geochemical, Petrophysical, and Structural technical drivers will be presented, describing what the RMAG membership has determineddetermined to be the Hottest Plays in the Rocky Mountains.
October 8th, 2015At the Denver City Center
Marriott
SAVE
THEE
DATE
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
presents: RMAG Fall Symposium
Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain Region
OUTCROP | January 2015 16 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
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county road (Figure 3) (Land, 2013). Less than four months later, another brine well collapse occurred a few miles to the east near the small community of Loco Hills (Figure 2), forming a sinkhole of similar dimensions.
Both of the Eddy County sinkholes formed in the mid-dle of a giant oil field where the population of pump jacks far outnumbers the population of human beings. In the after-math of these events the city of Carlsbad discovered the I&W brine well, located within the city limits (Figure 2) and with a similar geologic setting, depth,
and pumping history. Howev-er, this potential sinkhole is sit-ed beneath the intersection of two major highways, an irriga-tion canal, a feed store, a mo-bile home park, and a Jehovah’s Witnesses church. Needless to say, a catastrophic collapse would inflict extensive damage to individual property and civ-ic infrastructure, and possibly cause fatalities.
Electrical resistivity surveys of the I&W brine well site indi-cate that the area is underlain by extensive low resistivity zones that represent either open cavi-ties filled with brine in the Rus-tler and Salado Formations, or
highly fractured and brine-sat-urated intervals that may have been caused by sagging and collapse into underlying cavi-ties (Figure 4) (Land and Veni, 2012) . These low resistivity zones extend to the north be-neath the intersection of high-ways 285 and 62-180, and south beneath residential areas south of the Carlsbad Irrigation Dis-trict South Canal. The resistivity profiles also indicate that solu-tion mining of the Salado For-mation has caused significant upward stoping into overlying Rustler strata (Figure 4).
Following the collapse of the JWS Sinkhole, the state ordered closure of the I&W brine well and the operator declared bank-ruptcy. Geotechnical monitor-ing of the site has been continu-ous since 2008, consisting of an array of tilt-meters and relat-ed devices that measure shifts, subsidence, and cracks in the immediate vicinity of the brine well. Geotechnical investiga-tions indicate that upward stop-ing and roof fall are occurring at a rate of about one foot per year, and in the absence of any remediation, failure will occur in 10 to 25 years. Remediation strategies that have been pro-posed include filling the cavity with grout, aggregate or mine tailings, reinforcement of the cavern ceiling with supporting beams, or a controlled collapse. No decision has been made yet, but whatever remediation strat-egy is ultimately employed, it will not be cheap.
bowler petrophy
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OUTCROP | January 2015 18 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
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REFERENCESJohnson KS, Collins EW, Seni SJ. 2003. Sinkholes
and land subsidence owing to salt dissolution near Wink, Texas, and other sites in western Tex-as and New Mexico. In: Johnson KS, Neal JT, edi-tors. Evaporite Karst and Engineering/Environ-mental Problems in the United States. Norman (OK): Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 109. p. 183-195.
Land L. 2013. Evaporite karst in the Permian Basin region of west Texas and southeastern New Mex-ico: The human impact. In: Land L, Doctor DH, Stephenson JB, editors. Proceedings of the Thir-teenth Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impact of Karst, Carlsbad, New Mexico. National Cave and Karst Research Institute Symposium 2. Carls-bad (NM): National Cave and Karst Research In-stitute. p. 113-121.
Land L, Veni G. 2012. Electrical resistivity surveys of anthropogenic karst phenomena, southeast-ern New Mexico. New Mexico Geology 34 (4): 117-125.
Land L. 2009. Anthropogenic sinkholes in the Dela-ware Basin Region: West Texas and southeastern New Mexico: West Texas Geological Society Bulle-tin 48: 10-22.
Land L. 2003. Evaporite karst and regional ground water circulation in the lower Pecos Valley. In: Johnson KS, Neal JT, editors. Evaporite Karst and Engineering/Environmental Problems in the United States. Norman (OK): Oklahoma Geologi-cal Survey Circular 109. p. 227-232.
FIGURE 4: Electrical resistivity profile across I&W brine well site. This line passes within 6 feet of the wellhead, crossing directly over the subsurface cavity excavated during solution mining operations. Low resistivity zones, shown in blue and purple, indicate brine-filled cavities or brine-saturated breccia zones.
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December 201444Vol. 63, No. 12 44
June 21st On-the-Rocks Field Trip
»
Lario Oil & Gas CompanyEstablished 1927
WWW.LARIOOIL.COM
Proud sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
created a sensational buzz in the scientific community and elsewhere is testimonial to excellent research conducted by Dr. Siddoway, her students and her collaborators. The members of the OTR field trip, on the longest day of the year, were able to catch a bit of that magic. As a final act of closure, the skies opened up as we drove back to collect our cars at the Visitor’s Center. Dime-sized hail pelted the group and made continued discussion, and even goodbyes, impossible. What started as a nice day with great potential turned into a highly memorable learning experience with impact.
References : Myrow, P.M., Taylor, J.F., Miller, J.F., Ethington, R.L., Ripperdan,
R.L., and Allen, J., 2003, Fallen Arches: Dispelling Myths Concerning Cambrian and Ordovician Paleogeography of the Rocky Mountain Region: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 115, no. 6, p. 695–713
Siddoway, C., Myrow, P., and Fitz-Díaz, E., 2013, Strata, Structures, and Enduring Enigmas: A 125th Anniversary Appraisal of Colorado Springs Geology, in Abbott, L.D., and Hancock, G.S., eds., Classic Concepts and New Directions: Exploring 125 Years of GSA Discoveries in the Rocky Mountain Region: Geological Society of America Field Guide 33, p. 331–356.
Siddoway, C, Shatford, S. and Contreras, A. A. 2013, ARMO Reactivation of Cambrian-Ordovician or Older Structures: Detrital Zircon Evidence from “Structureless” Sandstones of the Souther Front Range in Colorado Springs, GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 45, No.7, p.887. https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2013AM/webprogram/Paper226741.html
Siddoway, C. S. and G. E. Gehrels, 2014a, Basement-hosted sandstone injectites of Colorado: A Vestige of the Neoproterozoic Revealed Through Detrital Zircon Provenance Analysis, Lithosphere, doi:10.1130/L390.1
Siddoway, C. S. and G. E. Gehrels, 2014b, Cryogenian Sandstones in Colorado: A New Terrestrial Record for Laurentia (Rodinia) Revealed Through Detrital Zircon Provenance Analysis, GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 46, No. 6, p.763, https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2014AM/webprogram/Paper246788.html.
Sterne, E.J., 2006, Stacked, “Evolved” Triangle Zones along the Southeastern Flank of the Colorado Front Range: The Mountain Geologist, v. 43, p. 65–92.
Continued from page 43
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 19 OUTCROP | January 2015
For a full schedule list please visit our events page at
www.rmag.org
Questionsemail: [email protected]: (303) 573-8621
Photos courtesy of Laura Wray
Sample Menu
OUTCROP | January 2015 20 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
JANUARY 7, 2015
RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Pete Stark. “The Exploration Conundrum-Where Will Tomorrow’s Oil come from?” Held at a new location: Maggiano’s Restaurant, Downtown Denver.
JANUARY 9, 2015
DIPS Luncheon. Speaker Jim Granath. “Mexico.”
JANUARY 20, 2015
DWLS Luncheon. Speaker Shreya Ley. “Bringing Seismic Ideas to Acoustic Logging.”
JANUARY 27-29, 2015
PTTC Rockies Short Course. “Basic Well Log Interpretation.” Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO.
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Paul Lillis. “Timing of Generation and Migration of Phosphoria Oils
in the Bighorn Basin Using Re-Os Geochronometry.”
FEBRUARY 5, 2015
RMAG/DGS 21st Annual 3D Seismic Symposium.
Colorado Convention Center.
MARCH 4, 2015
RMAG Luncheon.Speaker: Dr. Steven A. TedescoTalk: Stratigraphy, geochemistry and production from thin carbonaceous mudstones and carbonates of Pennsylvanian Atokan, Cherokee and Marmaton formations in the southern Denver Basin.
MARCH 6, 2015
Geoland Ski Day
APRIL 16, 2015
RMAG Short Course: Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists
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Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 21 OUTCROP | January 2015
Khaled Ahmed is a Technical Advisor at Halliburton in Colorado
Caroline Charles works at Weatherford Labs in Colorado
John Detring is a Geologist at Baker Hughes Inc. in Colorado
Nika Fritzler works at Schlumberger in Colorado
Todd Gibbs is an Exploration Manager at Anadarko in Colorado
Abby Jones is an Operations Manager at WellDog in Colorado
Timothy Kelly works at Colorado State Land Board in Colorado
Darren Kirkwood lives in Colorado
Lisa Quoy works in Business Development at
Running Foxes Petroleum in Colorado
Monte Swan works at Magmachem Associates, LLC in Colorado
Joe Taglieri is a Geologist at Running Foxes Petroleum in Colorado
Kelli Trujillo is a Geologist/Paleontologist at Uinta
Paleontological Associates, Inc. in Wyoming
WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!
December 201448Vol. 63, No. 12 48
Our business is about more than exploration and production. It’s about improving the lives of those around us by
helping the communities in which we live and work grow and prosper. It’s about providing our employees with
opportunities to make positive contributions and constantly challenging ourselves to fif ind better solutions. It’s about
continuously striving to be a better industry partner and leaving behind a legacy of sustainability wherever we can.
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OUTCROP | January 2015 22 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 23 OUTCROP | January 2015
Global conventional oil and gas discovery vol-umes have decreased since 2010 and 2013 marked the lowest volume of annual oil discoveries since 1952. Through October 2014, the number of discov-eries, oil discovery volumes and total Boe volumes trail 2013. Without a surge in year-end discoveries, 2014 will set a new low mark for post 1952 annu-al oil discovery volumes - perhaps as little as 4.5 bil-lion barrels. Outside of North America, conventional exploration and appraisal drilling activity has aver-aged more than 5,000 wells per year since 2009 but the number of discoveries of any size has decreased by almost 50%. North American tight oil resource
additions, on the other hand, have greatly exceed-ed international conventional oil discovery volumes and the U.S. has led the world in annual oil produc-tion growth since 2008. The remarkable U.S. oil sup-ply growth combined with a slowdown in global oil demand has even generated excess oil supplies and a 25% slump in oil prices since June 2014.
The combination of ample oil and gas supplies and moderate oil and gas prices certainly are a com-fort for North America but the long term global out-look is a concern. Current world oil consumption is about 33 billion barrels per year and is projected to
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
The Exploration Conundrum – Where Will Tomorrow’s Oil Come From
By Pete Stark, Senior Research Director and Advisor, IHS
www.breckex.comTexas Office • Ph: 254-559-7566 • Fax: 254-559-6337
2301 US Hwy 180 East • P.O. Box 789 • Breckenridge, TX 76424Denver Office • Ph: 303-563-5301 • Fax: 303.260.6401
600 17th Street, Suite 2800 S • Denver, CO 80202
Project Planning | Acquisition | Permitting | Surveying | Safety Compliant | Results
All crews utilizing OYO GSX Wireless System
and AHV-IV 364 Commander Vibrators or Shothole
RMAG LuNcheoN PRoGRAMs
OUTCROP | January 2015 24 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
RMAG LuNcheoN PRoGRAMs
increase. Recent international conventional oil dis-coveries have averaged about 6 Bbbl per year. Even if North American tight oil has added 10 Bbbl per year the combined additions replace less than half the current consumption. Moreover, about 60 MMb/d of production is needed to replace declines in histor-ic production and to meet projected future demand. Adding to the challenge is a significant drop in return on capital employed for majors and large indepen-dents since 2008. Company returns have decreased in a relatively high priced oil environment.
Historically, conventional discoveries plus
reserve growth in historic conventional fields have offset consumption. Is this discoveries slump merely a temporary “perfect storm” in the exploration cycle or does it signal a possible paradigm shift for future oil supplies? Where are the potential future conven-tional oil hotspots and can they source a rebound in conventional oil discoveries? If not conventional, what are the options? A recent IHS study looked at the future global oil potential in four domains – con-ventional, unconventional, not-so-tight reservoirs in mature fields and heavy oil. This presentation will summarize the findings with respect to meeting pro-jected oil demand.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
Philip H. “Pete” Stark is Senior Research Director and Advisor for IHS Energy in Englewood, Colorado. Prior to joining IHS in 1969, Stark was an exploration geologist for Mobil Oil. Dr. Stark has authored papers on E&P databases, hydrocarbon shows, horizontal drilling, US natural gas, global oil and gas resources, global E&P trends, giant fields and unconventional O&G. He co-authored special IHS studies of North American gas supplies, unconventional gas supplies, North American and global tight oi. Pete
has participated in the AAPG Resources Committee and AAPG-SPE and Hedberg resource research conferences. He serves on the AAPG Corporate Advisory Board and has served on the boards of the AAPG International Pavilion. Previously, he was chairman of the Board of Visitors for the University of Wisconsin Department of Geology and Geophysics. Dr. Stark holds a BSc in geology from the University of Oklahoma and MSc and PhD degrees in geology from the University of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Department of Geology and Geophysics honored Dr. Stark’s contributions to the university and profession with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Pete also received a 2011 Honorary Member Award from the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and a 2011 IHS Chairman’s Award. Pete was named to the Denver and Houston Business Journal’s 2013 “Who’s Who in Energy” publications.
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists’Annual Golf TournamentAt Arrowhead Golf Club
Stay Tuned for [email protected] | 303.573.8621
W e d n e s d a y , J u n e 1 7 , 2 0 1 5
2015RMAG Golf
Tournament
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 25 OUTCROP | January 2015
21ST Annual
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Colorado Convention CenterDowntown Denver
3D Seismic: Mapping Our Future
Kickoff: R Randy Ray, President R3 ExplorationSpeakers: Tom Bratton, Dr. Bob Hardage,
Dr. Heloise Lynn, and many moreBasins: Appalachia, DJ, N. Louisiana, Permian, Williston, others
Keynote: Scott Key, CEO of IHS
Registration, exhibitor, sponsor formswww.3dseismicsymposium.com
OUTCROP | January 2015 26 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
Rhenium–osmium (Re–Os) geochronometry is applied to crude oils derived from the Permian Phosphoria Formation of the Bighorn Basin in Wy-oming and Montana to determine whether the ra-diogenic age reflects the timing of petroleum gen-eration, timing of migration, age of the source rock, or the timing of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The oils selected for this study are inter-preted to be derived from the Meade Peak Phos-phatic Shale and Retort Phosphatic Shale Members of the Phosphoria Formation based on oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations utilizing bulk prop-erties, elemental composition, stable carbon and sulfur isotope values, and biomarker distribu-tions. Oil was generated in the Phosphoria basin in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming as a result of burial by the subsequent deposition of Meso-zoic sediments, although some oil generation may have been influenced by the development of the
Idaho–Wyoming–Utah thrust belt. The oil migrat-ed eastward along regional dip, was trapped in a re-gional stratigraphic trap (or series of traps) by the updip impermeable evaporites of the Goose Egg For-mation, and then re-migrated into structural traps formed by the Laramide orogeny. Generation and migration occurred prior to the Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous; ~70 Ma) because the tectonic barriers from the Laramide orogeny later blocked the mi-gration pathways into successor basins such as the Bighorn Basin. Proposed timing of the beginning of oil generation and migration from eastern Idaho and western Wyoming ranges from Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous.
The Re and Os isotope data of the Phosphoria oils plot in two general trends: (1) the main trend yielding a Triassic age but with significant scatter (239 ± 43 Ma), and (2) the Torchlight trend yielding
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
Timing of generation and migration of Phosphoria oils in the Bighorn Basin
using Re–Os geochronometryBy Paul G. Lillis, U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046, MS 977, Denver
Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225, USA [email protected]
RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS
Speaker: Paul Lillis — February 4, 2015
Kestrel Geoscience, LLCLittleton, CO USA
Phone: (303) 933-5805 Cell: (720) 375-3015
[email protected] kestrelgeoscience.com
Thomas E. Hoak, Ph.D.Consulting Geoscientist
Structural GeologySeismic InterpretationMagnetic and Gravity InterpretationBasin Analysis and RestorationRegional Desk StudiesIntegrated ExplorationProspect GenerationPresentation Graphics
KESTR
EL GEOSCIENCE, LLC
Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org 27 OUTCROP | January 2015
We look forward, in the new year, to the continuing education, fellowship,
and enjoying all the outside events, i.e. Golf Tournament, Sporting Clays, Skiing,
and Rockbusters Ball.
OUTCROP | January 2015 28 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
RMAG LuNcheoN PRoGRAMs
a precise Miocene age (9.24 ± 0.39 Ma). The scatter in the main-trend regression is due, in part, to TSR in reservoirs along the eastern margin of the basin. Excluding oils that have experienced TSR, the re-gression is significantly improved, yielding an age of 211 ± 21 Ma. This revised age is consistent with some studies that have proposed Late Triassic as the beginning of Phosphoria oil generation and migra-tion, and does not seem to reflect the source rock age (Permian) or the timing of re-migration (Late Cretaceous to Eocene) associated with the Laramide orogeny. The low precision of the revised regression (± 21 Ma) is not unexpected for this oil family given the long duration of generation from a large geo-graphic area of mature Phosphoria source rock, and the possible range in the initial Os isotope values of the Meade Peak and Retort source units. Effects of re-migration may have contributed to the scatter, but thermal cracking and biodegradation likely have
had minimal or no effect on the main-trend regres-sion. The four Phosphoria-sourced oils from Torch-light and Lamb fields yield a precise Miocene age Re–Os isochron that may reflect the end of TSR in the reservoir due to cooling below a threshold tem-perature in the last 10 m.y. from uplift and erosion of overlying rocks.
The mechanism for the formation of a Re–Os isotopic relationship in a family of crude oils may involve multiple steps in the petroleum generation process. Bitumen generation from the source rock kerogen may provide a reset of the isotopic chro-nometer, and incremental expulsion of oil over the duration of the oil window may provide some of the variation seen in 187Re/188Os values from an oil family.
REFERENCELillis, P.G. and Selby, D. 2013. Evaluation of the rhe-
nium–osmium geochronometer in the Phosphoria petroleum system, Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, USA: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v.118, p. 312-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2013.04.021
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
Paul Lillis is a petroleum geochemist with the Central Energy Resources Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Denver, Colorado. He received a B.A. in geology from San Jose State University, an M.S. in geology from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Colorado School of Mines. He was a petroleum exploration geologist with Atlantic Richfield for eight years (1978 to 1986) in Colorado, California, and Texas, and has been with the USGS in Denver since 1987. His research focuses on the application of petroleum and source-rock geochemistry to identifying, characterizing, and mapping petroleum systems.
Instructor: Bruce TrudgillProfessor in Petroleum Geology at CSM
This course is aimed at petroleum geologists and engineers seeking an introduction to the interpretation of seismic reflection data. The basic
concepts of the seismic reflection method will be addressed, but the course will focus on the practical geological interpretations of seismic reflection
data applying structural and stratigraphic concepts to a number of seismic interpretation exercises.
April 16, 2015Save the DateThe Rocky Mountain Association of GeologistsPresents a 1-Day Short Course
Seismic Interpretation for Geoscientists
OUTCROP | January 2015 30 Vol. 64, No. 1 | www.rmag.org
• AAPG ..................................................................7,13
• Bowler Petrophysics ..............................................16
• Breckenridge Geophysical .....................................23
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• RBC Wealth Management ....................................20
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• Weber Law Firm, LLC ..............................................8
• Whitehead, Neil H. ................................................12
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