july 2015 outcrop
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Volume 64 • No. 7 • July 2015
OUTCROPNewsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
OUTCROP | July 2015 2 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
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Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 3 OUTCROP | July 2015
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 3 Outcrop | July 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 Tompkins Lewis
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 49. 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.
Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.
DEADLINES: Ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month’s publication.
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 5 OUTCROP | July 2015
OUTCROPNewsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
FEATURES
30 RMAG On The Rocks Field Trips: August 8
32 Lead Story: Wyoming’s Groundwater Resource Summary Report
DEPARTMENTS
6 RMAG May 2015 Board of Directors Meeting
10 President’s Letter
16 Mineral of the Month: Wavellite
20 RMAG Luncheon Programs: R.S. Bell
24 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Lane Douglas
26 Welcome New RMAG Members
29 In The Pipeline
47 Calendar
49 Advertiser Index
49 Outcrop Advertising Rates
ASSOCIATION NEWS
2 RMAG 2015 Summit Sponsors
12 RMAG Sporting Clay Tournament
41 RMAG Fall Symposium
42 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Election Results
43 RMAG Summer Industry Happy Hour
44 RMAG Golf Sponsors
45 RMAG Golf Volunteers & Committee Members
46 RMAG Golf Tournament Results
47 RMAG Foundation
48 RMAG Rockbusters Ball
COVER PHOTOThe Ghost Ranch outside of Abiquiu, New Mexico. Photo by Will Duggins
If you would like a photo on the cover please send your photos to [email protected]!
CONTENTS
OUTCROP | July 2015 6 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
The May meeting of the RMAG Board of Direc-tors was held on May 20, 2015 at 4 p.m.. Treasurer Paul Lillis reported that RMAG continues to do well financially. The May luncheon was another sell-out, and VP Chris Eisinger is accepting ideas for speakers for the 2016 schedule ([email protected]). By the time this goes to print, the AAPG ACE meeting
will be completed, and we hope the membership had an opportunity to take advantage of the technical sessions, RMAG sponsored short courses, fieldtrips, and Night at the Zoo event.
The golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course is rapidly approaching and registration is already filling
RMAG MAY 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
By Stephanie Gaswirth, [email protected]
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
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Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 7 OUTCROP | July 2015
Subsurface Contouring: The Secrets to Optimizing Your Maps for Oil & Gas Exploration
Concepts, Models and Case Studies of Dolomitization, with Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration and Development
The Petroleum System: An Investigative Method to Explore for Conventional and Unconventional Hydrocarbons
Fundamentals of Siliciclastic Sequence Stratigraphy Rock/Fluid Interactions and Natural Fracture
Development and Alteration RQ Toolkit: Using Rock Data for Reservoir Quality
Assessment Reservoir Engineering for Petroleum Geologists Practical Geomechanics Quick Guide to Carbonate Well Log Analysis Clay Minerals in Reservoir Evaluation Risk Reduction for Plays & Prospects Using
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Fundamentals EducationConference 2015
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Hosted by:Norris Conference Center- Westchase9990 Richmond Ave., Suite 102 Phone: 713-780-9300Houston, TX 77042 Fax: 713-780-9490
Registration and InformationCall AAPG toll free in the U.S. andCanada at 888.338.3387 or 918.560.2650F: 918.560.2678 • E: [email protected] W: www.aapg.org/career/training/in-person/education-conference
Upcoming Education Courses
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Education
2015 Courses:LAST CHANCEBasic Well Log Analysis July 13-17, 2015 Golden, COFractures, Folds and Faults in Thrusted July 13-18, 2015Terrains Field Seminar MontanaSeismic Interpretation in Fold- and Thrust- July 19-25, 2015Belts Field Seminar CanadaAssessment, Forecasting, and Decision-Making July 18-19, 2015Unconventional Resource Plays (with URTeC) San Antonio, TXGeomechanics for Completion Optimiziation July 18, 2015(with URTeC) San Antonio, TXIntroductory Geochemistry for Condensate-Rich July 19, 2015Shales and Tight Oil (with URTeC) San Antonio, TX
Early-bird Rates Expire Soon:Geology in Montana along the Missouri River: August 17-21, 2015Canoeing with Lewis & Clark Field Seminar MontanaDevonian Reef Facies Models, Hydrothermal Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2015Dolomitization, and Tight-Carbonate Reservoir CanadaAnalogues Field SeminarFractured Reservoirs: From Geologic August 24-28, 2015Concepts toReservoir Models - course plus field trip Casper, WYGeochemistry & Modeling of Unconventional September 13, 2015Petroleum Systems (with AAPG ICE) Melbourne, Australia
SHORT COURSESFundamentals Education Conference November 9-13, 2015 Houston, TXPractical Salt Tectonics December 1-4, 2015 Houston, TX
FIELD SEMINARSModern Terrigenous Clastic September 8-15, 2015Depositional Systems S. CarolinaComplex Geology of the Spanish Pyrenees: September 14-18, 2015Folding, Thrusting & Syntectonic Sedimentation Barcelona, SpainLacustrine Basin Exploration September 20-27, 2015 UtahSedimentology & Sequence Stratigraphic September 23-30, 2015Response of Paralic Deposits Colorado/UtahComplex Carbonate Reservoirs Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2015 ItalySequence Stratigraphy, Facies Architecture October 2-9, 2015& Reservoir Characterization of Fluvial, UtahDeltaic and Strand-Plain Deposits
HOUSTON, TEXASNOVEMBER 9-13, 2015
November 9-13, 2015 - Houston, Texas
OUTCROP | July 2015 8 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
RMAG MAy 2015 BoARd of diRectoRs MeetinG
up. On the Rocks ran its first field trip of the season, and it was a huge success. Please see the RMAG web-site for upcoming fieldtrip opportunities. Make sure to check on the RMAG blog, and the new “Member of the Month” feature. The website contains the guide-lines for nominations.
Also at the May meeting, the RMAG BOD passed a motion to approve the formation of a Corporate Advisory Board with status as a standing commit-tee of RMAG. This committee will advise the RMAG
leadership on broad matters of policy and direction, and meet about twice yearly. It will consist of senior RMAG members representing RMAG’s key sponsors, as well as its general membership from major oil companies, independents, service companies, con-sultants, government, and academia.
Mark your calendars: RMAG will be hosting an August 20 networking happy hour. It will be at Mag-giano’s from 4-6 p.m., and will include appetizers and a drink ticket for the first 150 people! We look forward to seeing you there!
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
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OUTCROP | July 2015 10 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
THE 800 POUND GORILLA - UPDATED
Are we looking at the floor for U.S. crude oil prices or are we searching for the new norm? Will this be a repeat of 2008-2010 or will $60 be the future price? Stay tuned!
HOSTING ACEJust this week RMAG com-
pleted hosting the AAPG Annual
Convention & Exhibition, ACE. It was a re-sounding suc-cess in terms of the content, the preparation and the positive energy of the attendees and exhibitors. An official count of registrants was not announced, but it was likely in the 6,000
plus range, down from previous ACEs hosted by RMAG. There is no doubt the 800 Pound Goril-la played a big part in the low-er attendance.
There were a lot of positive comments regarding the tech-nical program and good atten-dance in the Exhibition Hall. I believe everyone enjoyed the venue and the setting. The weather was perfect.
The meeting organization was conducted by General Chair John Robinson and dozens of RMAG volunteers. Check out the Organizing Committee page in the program on the AAPG.org website for their names. They did an outstanding job! They could not of course control the crude oil price which was the di-rect driver for the lower atten-dance. Their efforts that started last year, including sponsor-ship and the exhibits were quite successful. The levels attained from those efforts are the indi-cators of a financial success. If
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
By Marv Brittenham
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
Celebrating Our Successes
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Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 11 OUTCROP | July 2015
PRESIDENT’S LETTER PResident’s LetteR
you followed last month’s letter ACE is a large component of RMAG’s long term financial well being.
ACE IN SUMMARY – THE ONLY SHORTFALL WAS ATTENDANCE.
Donna Anderson acted as Tech-nical Program Chair, one of the most daunting and critical tasks. Although she claims introducing Simon Win-chester at the All Convention Lun-cheon was more stressful. Of course she did exceptionally with both!
RMAG hosted a special social event, the Night at the Zoo which was attended by over 200 folks, all of whom had a great time. Scott Samp-son with the Denver Museum of Na-ture & Science gave a wonderful talk about social and electronic media threats to the well-being of our chil-dren. If you have kids or grandkids, he’s Dr. Scott on Dinosaur Train a PBS kids series that encourages out-door activities and inquisitive think-ing. A special thanks to Vice General Chair Jim Emme who secured spon-sorship for the event from Conoco, Jay Oakes for her assistance with all of the guest and social events, as well as Executive Director Car-rie Veatch and her staff who made the arrangements.
ACE was a great event and a certain cause for celebration of the efforts of our volunteers and staff.
ACE exemplified why - RMAG is The Best Place for
Rockies Geoscience.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
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OUTCROP | July 2015 12 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
2015 RMAG sPoRtinG cLAy touRnAMent
The Third Annual RMAG Sporting Clay Tourna-ment will be held at Kiowa Creek Sporting Club on the afternoon of Thursday, September 17. RMAG members and non-members are welcome to partic-ipate. The event includes both first-time shooters and experienced shooters. Participants use either a 12 or a 20 gauge shotgun, if you do not own a shot-gun you can rent one at the event. Since everyone rotates their turn to shoot, you could also share a shotgun with someone on your team. Each partici-pant will shoot 100 rounds, so bring four boxes of ei-ther 7 ½ or 8 shot shells. Shotgun shells can be pur-chased at Wal-Mart for about $6 a box, or purchased at the event for a slightly higher cost.
Sporting clay shooting has been described as golf with guns, or like a video game with guns. At the RMAG event, teams will be composed of five shooters that will rotate through 12 different stations. At each station, each person will shoot at pairs of thrown clay targets called birds. These birds are brittle clay disks that are about the size of a coffee cup, they are painted orange so that they are easy to see. When hit, they break into pieces spreading in all directions. If even one small chip breaks off the target, the bird is scored as a hit. These targets are thrown on “re-port,” which means that one bird is thrown when you say “pull,” and a second bird is thrown when your first shot is fired. At some stations, the birds are thrown as “true pairs.” Here, when you say “pull” two birds are thrown at the same time. Usually, one bird is thrown low in the air to be shot at first, direct-ly followed by a second bird thrown high in the air. Birds are thrown a different way at each station and you will find that some shots are easy for you to hit while other shots are very difficult. Even though we keep score, the event is more social than competitive. You will have opportunities to visit with colleagues before, during and after the event.
At last year’s event we had 140 participants and volunteers that shot scores ranging from a low of 12 to a high of 96. Team prizes are awarded for a wide range of shooting skills so that beginner level teams
do not compete against experienced shooters. Plan on getting your team together this summer and get some practice rounds in before the RMAG event takes place in September. There are three sporting clay courses in the Denver area that are open to the
2015 RMAG SPORTING CLAY TOURNAMENT
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 13 OUTCROP | July 2015
9 / 1 7 / 2 0 1 5The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
l a yCournament
A t K i o w a C r e e k S p o r t i n g C l u b
porting
RMAG Email: [email protected] Phone: (303) 573-8621
RMAG Fax: (303) 476-2241
Registration & Sponsorship opens July 13, 2015 at 8:00am.
Prizes for individual high score and team 1st, 2nd and 3rd flights.
Includes: round of 100 sporting clays, lunch, and door prizes.
Does not include: ammunition (please bring enough ammo for 100 clays or you may purchase ammo at Kiowa Creek). You may also rent a gun for $20 onsite.
Tournamen
t
Sporting Clay
RMAG Member Team of 5 $500 | Non-Member Team of 5 $625 RMAG Member Individual $100 | Non-Member Individual $125
OUTCROP | July 2015 14 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
public, each course is about a one-hour drive from Downtown Denver. The typical cost to shoot 100 rounds is about $45, plus the cost of the shotgun shells. Colorado Clays is lo-cated northeast of Denver, informa-tion on this course can be reviewed at their website: coloradoclays.com. Kiowa Creek is located east of Den-ver, its website is: kiowacreek.com. Quail Run is located southeast of Denver, its website is: quailruncolo-rado.com.
Sporting clays is a lot easier to learn than golf, a single one hour les-son on the fundamentals of shooting can dramatically increase one’s score. A shooting lesson may be arranged through one of the clubs listed above, or directly with a professional shot-gun shooter. Warren Watson offers a one-hour introductory shooting les-son for one or two people for $150. You will need to bring either a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun, and 150 shotgun shells per person. Warren can be reached at by an internet search of Warren Watson School of Shotgun-ning, or by calling 720-284-4799.
On the day of the event, give yourself an hour to drive to Kiowa Creek Sporting Club from Down-town Denver. Registrants will be sent a map with driving directions. The event starts with lunch at noon and shooting will begin at 1:00p.m., with a safety briefing so that everyone un-derstands how to safely load, shoot, and carry a shotgun. You can register to shoot in the event and register as a sponsor at the RMAG website RMAG.org, or you can volunteer to help at the event by calling the RMAG office at 303-573-8621.
2015 RMAG sPoRtinG cLAy touRnAMent
O I L & G A S C O M PA N YGreat Western
Great Western a rocky mountain operator
O I L & G A S C O M PA N YGreat Western
Great Western a rocky mountain operator
O I L & G A S C O M PA N YGreat Western
Great Western a rocky mountain operator » CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 15 OUTCROP | July 2015
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, QEP Resources, Inc. (NYSE: QEP) is an S&P 500 Index member company.Learn more at www.qepres.com.
POSITIONEDFOR GROWTHWith a proud legacy and an exciting future, QEP Resources is an industry leader in crude oil and natural gas exploration and production. We’re focused on some of the most prolific natural resource plays in the continental United States. These include two world-class crude oil provinces – the Williston Basin and Permian Basin; two prominent liquids-rich gas plays – the Pinedale Anticline and the Uinta Basin; and a premier dry gas asset – the Haynesville Shale.
OUTCROP | July 2015 16 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
MINERAL OF THE MONTH: JULY
By Cheryl Fountain
WAVELLITE » CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
This specimen was found in the Mauldin Mountains, Mount Ida., Montgomery CO, Arkansas. (Photo by Ron Wolf, courtesy of Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum).
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 17 OUTCROP | July 2015
MINERAL OF THE MONTH: JULY
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: Al3(OH,F)3(PO4)25H2O
COLOR: white, yellow, green and brown (Dana, 1959), clear, blue, grey (Roberts, 1975).
STREAK: white (Roberts, 1975).
LUSTER: vitreous (Dana, 1959), resinous or pearly (Rob-erts, 1975).
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: Orthorhom-bic, dipyramidal (Dana, 1959).
CRYSTAL HABIT: Finding crys-tals are very rare, it forms mostly as radiating globular aggregates (Dana, 1959).
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 2.33 (Dana, 1959).
HARDNESS: 3.5-4 (Dana, 1959).
FRACTURE: Subconchoidal-un-even and brittle (Roberts, 1975).
FORMATION: Wavellite can form in a few environments. It is found in hydrothermal veins (Roberts) in low grade aluminous meta-morphic rocks as a secondary mineral (Dana), and in phos-phate rock and limonite deposits (Roberts, 1975).
LOCATIONS: Although wavellite is found in many locations, it is never found in substantial quan-tities. There are deposits in Ala-bama, Florida, Pennsylvania and Arkansas. The mineral also forms in Saguache County, Cripple Creek district, and Teller Coun-ty Colorado, Grant County New Mexico, and reported in Toas, New Mexico although this was never confirmed (Voynick, 1997).
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1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
1700 Broadway | Suite 2300 | Denver, Colorado 80290-2300 Phone: 303.837.1661 | Fax 303.851.4923
At Whiting Petroleum, our teams are dedicated to achieving and surpassing our record results. Our hydraulic fracturing advancements, state of the art geoscience lab and expertise in exploration have made us the number one producer in North Dakota.
From shale plays to CO2 floods, Whiting teams are focused on record results to thrive at current price levels.
Whiting: A Bigger and Better TeamVisit us at www.Whiting.com
A Proud Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
MineRAL of tHe MontH: JuLy
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
OUTCROP | July 2015 18 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
DécollementConsulting
Inc.
Experience Integrity Professionalism
We, at Decollement, pride ourselves with some of the most experienced Geologists in the �ield. Our Geologists have on average, ten years of experience. We have been operational since 1979 in all of the Rocky Mountain basins. We have assisted hundreds of clients on thousands of wells.
www.decollementconsulting.com | 303-578-6875DécollementConsulting
Inc.
Experience Integrity Professionalism
We, at Decollement, pride ourselves with some of the most experienced Geologists in the �ield. Our Geologists have on average, ten years of experience. We have been operational since 1979 in all of the Rocky Mountain basins. We have assisted hundreds of clients on thousands of wells.
www.decollementconsulting.com | 303-578-6875
DécollementConsulting
Inc.
Experience Integrity Professionalism
We, at Decollement, pride ourselves with some of the most experienced Geologists in the �ield. Our Geologists have on average, ten years of experience. We have been operational since 1979 in all of the Rocky Mountain basins. We have assisted hundreds of clients on thousands of wells.
www.decollementconsulting.com | 303-578-6875
Outside of the United States, the mineral is found in Bolivia, En-gland, Ireland, France, Portugal, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bul-garia, Romania and Tasmania (Roberts, 1975).
FUN FACT: Wavellite is formed in the Valea Rea cave in Roma-nia. The clays in the cave pro-vide the aluminum while the bat guano provides the phospho-rous. Yes, I did just say bat guano (Hill, 1997).
REFERENCESDana, J., & Hulbut, C. (1959). Da-
na’s manual of mineralogy (17th ed.). New York: Wiley.
Hill, C., & Forti, P. (1997), Cave Minerals of the World (2nd ed.). Natl Speleological Society.
Roberts, W., & Rapp G. (1975), Encyclopedia of Minerals (1st ed.). Van Nostrand Rein-hold Company.
Voynick, S. (1997). New Mexi-co rockhounding: A guide to minerals, gemstones, and fos-sils. Missoula, Mont.: Mountain Press Pub.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
MineRAL of tHe MontH: JuLy
OUTCROP | July 2015 20 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS
Speaker: R.S. Bell — July 1, 2015
The Federal Aviation Admin-istration (FAA) is preparing to issue rules governing the civil use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (aka drones) in 2015, perhaps as soon as May or June. A recent FAA ruling known as “Exemption 333” was created as a transitional path forward to
enable individuals and compa-nies to legally operate drones in US air space for profit under what is known as a Certificate of Authorization (COA). Privacy advocates are fighting the use of drones tooth and nail. Some are so passionate in their advoca-cy that they seek to ban the use
of drones entirely. However, it is clear that the economic benefits of the airborne robotic technolo-gies are too numerous to ratio-nally accept the unreasonable constraint imposed by bad legis-lation borne out of fear of what might possibly happen. Drones are emerging as a technology that industry and consumers alike will come to reply on, much like how we have grown accus-tomed to using smart phones and the internet as the primary means for facilitating communi-cation and conducting business.
One significant industry that is pumping up the demand for drones is the agribusiness. Drones are employed to monitor crop health through the system-atic imaging of fields at low alti-tude using autonomously oper-ated airborne robots equipped with high definition photograph-ic and spectral imaging technol-ogies. A key factor driving the adoption of the technology is the huge savings realized through selective and limited use of amendments, herbicides, and pesticides. The very same sensor technologies used to improve profitability in the agribusi-ness are being combined with
Drones Will Change Exploration Geoscience!By R.S. Bell
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
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RMAG LuncHeon PRoGRAMs
R. S. Bell is a 35+ year veteran in application of geophysical methods to the exploration for mineral, groundwater, geothermal, and hydrocarbon resources as well as subsurface characterization for environmental and engineering investigations. He was a founder and principal of a geophysical software company as well as a market maker for an electrical geophysical technology to monitor the flow of fluid in geologic formations, oil reservoirs, and gold heap leach pads. Along with an international team of seasoned industry professionals, he formed Aerobotic Geophysical Systems, LLC, a Colorado company, to manufacturer small UAS equipped with geophysical and imaging sensors specifically designed for advanced, cost effective geoscientific mapping. He holds a BS in Applied Physics from Michigan Technological University and has decades of hands-on, practical experience in the acquisition, processing, visualization, and interpretation of geophysical data. Contact info: [email protected] | 720-220-3596
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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advancements in geophysical sensors to map surface and subsurface variations in lithology as well as lo-cate buried infrastructure relevant to the exploration for and development of oil and gas, metallic minerals, geothermal energy, and ground water resources.
The boom in the use of drones is just begin-ning to impact how exploration geoscience is be-ing done and how it will be accomplished during the next decade and beyond. The economic argu-ment for employing drones for exploration geosci-ence is that they make it possible to acquire high-er resolution data in less time at lower cost which is undoubtedly sweet music to the ears of every exploration manager challenged by the reality of significantly diminished budgets during the cur-rent period of low commodity prices. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that drones will change exploration geoscience!
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 23 OUTCROP | July 2015
Come Join PTTC at the URTEC Convention urtec.org/2015 - Field trip only registration available!
Pre-Conference Field Trip Eagle Ford – An Unconventional Mudstone Reservoir Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, 2015 Lozier Canyon, Terrell County, Texas. Fee: $550, Ground transportation, one night lodging, field guide, lunch and refreshments Instructor: Dr. Art Donovan, BP Global Exploration Post-Conference Field Trip Hidden Valley Fault Zone Canyon Lake Gorge Thursday July 23, 2015, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm Fee: $300, Includes, Ground transportation, guidebook, and lunch Instructor: Dr. David Ferrill and Ronald N. McGinnis, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas Paleozoic Stratigraphy and Reservoirs, Permian Basin–West Texas and New Mexico Thursday – Sunday July 23-26, 2015 Fee: $1600, Includes, Ground transportation, four nights lodging, field guide, lunches and refreshments Instructor: Dr. Rick Sarg, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado Appalachian Basin Gas Shale Thursday – Friday July 23-24, 2015 Fee: $1600, Includes, Ground transportation, three nights lodging, field guide, lunches and refreshments Instructor: Dr. Terry Engelder, Pennsylvania State University
One-Day Workshops to Improve Your Skills Beyond Resistivity Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center, Berthoud Hall 243 Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Dan Krygowski, Discovery Group The course assumes a basic understanding of common openhole logging measurements and their interpretation, and uses that working knowledge to consider the determination of formation fluid content through the equations which describe water saturation and water content (Archie’s equation and bulk volume water). The course illustrates how graphical methods that we once used to quickly determine fluid saturation and moveability (Pickett, Hingle, and Buckles plots) can now be used to determine calculation parameters for the equations, leaving the arithmetic to the hardware while the user concentrates on the interpretation of the data. Exercises provide the means to put the information shared here into practice. Decline Curve Analysis and Economics – A Basic Introduction Wednesday, September 23, 2015, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center, Ballroom C Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate. Instructor: Dr. L. Peter Galusky, Jr. P.E. Principal Environmental Eng. Texerra LLC.
This one-day course will provide an overview and primer on the use of decline curve forecasting of oil and gas production and economics. The course may be useful to engineering and economic professionals needing a hands-on, practical understanding of decline curve analysis to make them more effective users of petroleum economics software. Following a review of basic mathematics (tailored to class needs), Microsoft Excel will be used to “build” decline curve models and to do mathematical and economic computations. Expected course outcomes include an understanding of the mathematical concepts of decline curve analysis and the use of these methods in forecasting oil and gas production and economics. This is a beginning-level course for entry-level professionals and those new to decline curve analysis. Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring laptop computers to class.
Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, [email protected]
OUTCROP | July 2015 24 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS
Speaker: Lane Douglas — August 5, 2015
Lane’s presentation on the use of The Science of Land, will give us an introduction to the 12 skill ar-eas of land, from real property law to ethics. We shall also learn about the 12 core functions of land, from the scout to the land promoter selling a deal. And fi-nally we shall learn the 12 Products of Land, from
the area check to the saleable deal. The class shall be an interactive class which is
designed to increase retention and make the class more entertaining. It shall use an imagined land de-cision process for every task that occurs between the geologist and the engineer.
The Science of Land for the GeologistBy Lane Douglas, CPL
William “Lane” Douglas III is the CEO/Founder of Fidelity Land, LLC which he started in January 2008. Fidelity Land is a full service land personnel and land property brokerage firm that has employed numerous contract Landmen; served many clients and has given Lane a vehicle to achieve one of his major goals in life. That is, to leave a legacy of knowledge, by teaching and acting as mentor to countless Landmen. Lane was born in Lafayette, Louisiana after his parents moved there when his dad took a job as a District Landman. Lane attended the New Mexico Military Institute through High School and Junior College; returning to his roots at the University of Louisiana to earn his degree in Petroleum Land Management. His career spans more than 29 years covering 17 states, working for various major and independent oil & gas companies. He has also served his country for 22 years in the United States Army Reserve and has retired as a Major, having served in the first Desert Storm Operation. (Thank you for your service) Lane has also obtained his real estate license for Colorado and has managed to use those skills to better serve his clients and to further his knowledge of oil & gas land work. Lane still considers being married 26 years with four children and two grandkids his greatest accomplishment.
Lane is happy to be of service to this organization and is available after his talk for conversations about doing business together.Lane’s presentation on the use of The Science of Land, will give us an introduction to the 12 skill areas of land, from real property
law to ethics. We shall also learn about the 12 core functions of land, from the scout to the land promoter selling a deal. And finally we shall learn the 12 Products of Land, from the area check to the saleable deal. The class shall be an interactive class which is designed to increase retention and make the class more entertaining. It shall use an imagined land decision process for every task that occurs between the geologist and the engineer.
RMAG HAS A BLOG!
Here you can find stories, member highlights, event wrap ups, and much more. Find the RMAG blog at rmagblog.wordpress.com.
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 25 OUTCROP | July 2015
Geochemistry for Energy TM
digforenergy.com 303.531.2030
“Producers will work hard to improve efficiency and lower costs”Daniel Yergin, Who will Rule the Oil Market?, New York Times Op-Ed Online, Jan 23, 2015
DIG CAN HELP
OUTCROP | July 2015 26 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
Ronald Bell works at International Geophysical
Services, LLC in Lakewood, CO.
Peter Bengtson lives in Heidelberg, Germany.
Casey Brokaw is a student at Southern Methodist
University in Dallas, TX.
Richard Brown is a retiree of ExxonMobil
in Houston, TX.
Jeff Bugbee is a Sr Data Analyst at IHS
in Centennial, CO.
Laura Fakhrai lives in Westminster, CO.
Lauren Henderson is a student at MSU Denver
in Arvada, CO.
Kevin Hobbs lives in Albuquerque, NM.
Thomas Jeute works at Intern-Antero
Resources in Gunnison, CO.
Bryan Kaproth-Gerecht is a Geologist at Noble Energy in Denver, CO.
Stephen Leeds
WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
OUTCROP | July 2015 28 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
is a Manager at The Leeds Group in Denver, CO.
Zak Lewis lives in Gunnison, CO.
Julie Linn is a Geologist at Pinyon
Environmental in Lakewood, CO.
Maria Mejia Hernandez lives in Houston, TX.
Mike Mellin is a Project Geologist at Ur-
Energy in Casper, WY.
Randy Miller is a Senior Staff Geologist at
Montex in the Woodlands, TX.
Steve Nofsinger lives in Denver, CO.
Brandon Ostler lives in Pocatello, ID.
Susan Spancers works at Spancers & Associates,
Inc in Centennial, CO.
Amanda Wescott lives in Golden, CO.
Andrea Zuidema lives in Littleton, CO.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 29 OUTCROP | July 2015
IN THE PIPELINE
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
VOLUNTER!As a diverse community of individuals working towards a worthy
cause, we believe that your unique talents can bring us all forward. Volunteers are always needed and welcome!
UPCOMING EVENTS THAT NEED VOLUNTEERS:
• Sporting Clay Tournament• Continuing Education• Membership Committee
• Long Range Planning• Publications Committee
If you would like to volunteer for any of these committees or events, please contact the RMAG office at (303) 573-8621
JULY 1, 2015
RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Ron Bell. “Drones Will Change Exploration Geoscience!” Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy, Downtown Denver.
JULY 19-22, 2015
SPWLA Annual Symposium. Long Beach, CA.
JULY 22, 2015
Oilfield Christian Fellowship. For reservations, RSVP to [email protected] or 303-675-2602.
JULY 25, 2015
RMAG On the Rocks Field Trip. A Tour of Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine.
AUGUST 5, 2015
RMAG Luncheon. Speaker Lane Douglas. “The Science of Land for the Geologist.”
AUGUST 8, 2015
RMAG On the Rocks Field Trip. South Park.
AUGUST 8-15, 2015
Association for Women Geoscientists 2015 field trip to Puerto Rico.
The Evolution of a Caribbean Arc Island. http://www.awg.org/.
OUTCROP | July 2015 30 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
AUGUST 8
Come join us on a one-day tour through South Park to look at the wonders brought to us by multiple episodes of tectonism. Recent map-ping efforts by the Colorado Geo-logical Survey and the United States Geological Survey through the Na-tional Cooperative Mapping Pro-gram shed light on the evolution of this Colorado gem. We will look at Pennsylvanian-Permian sediments for a glimpse at the Ancestral Rocky
Mountain episode, Cretaceous and Paleocene sediments to see what they reveal about the Laramide epi-sode, Oligocene rocks for the dramat-ic age of widespread volcanism. Not to be overlooked, there is plenty of evidence for Rio Grande Rift related modification to the landscape. And if that isn’t enough, we will look for signs of evaporitic tectonism, an un-appreciated process that really mud-dies the story.
We Never Tire of the Wonders of South Park;
A One-Day Adventure through one of Colorado’s Crown Jewels
ON THE ROCKSFIELD TRIPS
TRIP GEOLOGIST: Peter Barkmann of the Colorado Geological Survey
LOGISTICS LEADER: Phyllis Scott
PROFESSIONALS: $15
STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS: $Free (Copy of school id required. Send to [email protected])
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 8/5/2015 at 4:00pm.
Kenosha Pass (Photo by Kimon Berlin, via Flickr)
Wyoming’s Groundwater
Resource Summary
Report
www.wsgs.wyo.gov
LEAD STORY
OUTCROP | July 2015 32 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
LEAD STORY
Wyoming’s Groundwater
Resource Summary
Report
www.wsgs.wyo.gov
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 33 OUTCROP | July 2015
By Karl Taboga
INTRODUCTION
Groundwater plays a significant role in human development and in maintaining important natural ecosystems. Groundwater uses range from providing freshwater drinking supplies
to irrigating crops.Groundwater can be found throughout Wyoming
in the pore spaces between soil particles and the mineral grains that form rocks. Studies by the Wyo-ming State Geological Survey (WSGS) and Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) show that about 6 percent of all freshwater used in Wyo-ming comes from groundwater sources. The other 94 percent comes from surface water. These studies are used to determine the extent of Wyoming’s aqui-fers and define their recharge areas, knowlege that is critical to the protection of the state’s groundwa-ter resource.
Groundwater is especially important in the arid West where surface water is not as ample as in other parts of the country. This is especially true for Wyo-ming’s interior areas where surface water supplies are located at great distances from where they are needed or allocated to senior water rights holders in bordering states.
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Alluvial and shallow bedrock aquifers produce most of Wyo-ming’s groundwater. Stream sedi-ments composed of silt, sand, and gravel form alluvial aquifers which are typically recharged by the sur-face streams that flow through them. Porous sedimentary deposits of sandstone and limestone consti-tute important bedrock aquifers.
Recharge for Wyoming’s aqui-fers originates largely as direct pre-cipitation to aquifer outcrops and as snowpack in the state’s moun-tain ranges. Mountain snow is the main source of Wyoming’s surface water and groundwater. The water released during snowmelt in late spring and early summer infiltrates the ground surface to recharge un-derlying aquifers, or turns into run-off that contributes to stream and river flows. Wyoming’s semi-arid basins, characterized by low pre-cipitation, high evaporation, and re-duced soil permeability, generally provide much less recharge to un-derlying aquifers.
Groundwater is obtained from wells or springs. Some groundwa-ter in the state may be unsuitable
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
A PROUD MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
encana.com/communities/usa/djbasin
Sponsorship opportunities for the RMAG
Fall Symposium are available!
Visit www.rmag.org to learn more.
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 36
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 35 OUTCROP | July 2015
OTTR 1700 Golden Gate Drive Golden, Colorado 80403 303-‐918-‐6425 www.ottr.co (not .com)
Dear Fellow Tennis Players:
The 2015 OTTR Committee is pleased to invite you to participate in the Oilman’s Tennis Tournament of the Rockies (OTTR), which will be held August 27th – 29th at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver, Colorado. The deadline for receipt of your Entry Form is Saturday, August 1, 2015. We look forward to having you join us for a weekend filled with tennis, good friends, great times, business networking, and camaraderie.
The Registration Fee is $200 per player and not only includes your entry to play some amazing Rockies’ tennis, but also to the Thursday Cocktail Party/Reception, the Friday Evening Dinner, and the Saturday Evening Dinner/Banquet. Non Players/Guests may join in for all three days of festivities for only $50 per person. OTTR will offer participants their choice of Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Women’s Doubles. A Swag Bag will be provided to all registered participants. Player check-‐in will take place Thursday, August 27th from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Gates Tennis Center. Please check the event website for more details regarding check-‐in, event times, and locations.
Complete your OTTR registration online at WWW.OTTR.CO (not .com)
Event Sponsorship: There are four sponsorship options available, ranging from $300 to $2,000. OTTR will contribute an equal portion of the event’s proceeds to both Make-‐a-‐Wish Colorado and the Food Bank of the Rockies. Please participate and help support our event and these two great charitable organizations! http://www.ottr.co/sponsorship.html
Sincerely,
The 2015 OTTR Committee and Volunteers
Oilman’s Tennis Tournament of the Rockies
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for drinking due to poor water quality or low rates of production. The spatial occurrence, production char-acteristics, and groundwater quality of an aquifer are controlled by the amount and location of recharge and the stratigraphic and structural settings of the local geologic formations.
WYOMING’S HYDROLGEOLOGYThe availability of groundwater resources is de-
termined by Wyoming’s geology and geography. Throughout the state, mountainous and highland ar-eas separate deep intermountain basins (see map on back). Mountainous regions correspond to Precam-brian (gray) and Paleozoic (light blue) units, while basins occur where Tertiary (tan) and Quaternary (pale yellow) units are shown.
Generally, alluvial aquifers are associated with Quaternary deposits which can be seen as chan-nel outlines of Wyoming’s major rivers. Outcrops of
bedrock aquifers, typically located along the flanks of uplifts, conform to exposures of Paleozoic (light blue) and Mesozoic (Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Tri-assic) aquifers, shown in shades of green. In con-trast, little water is available from confining units, or aquitards (red), which are formations, composed of shales and claystones that restrict the flow of groundwater. Paleozoic units (gray) serve a unique hydrogeologic role in that they typically act as con-fining units when they are deeply buried beneath Wyoming’s aquifers. However, they frequently yield small volumes (< 5 gallons per minute) of ground-water to wells and springs from fractures in areas where they are exposed at the surface.
WELLS AND SPRINGS – GROUNDWATER USES
Groundwater is withdrawn from nearly 100,000 permitted wells and springs (fig. 1), which are widely
FIGURE 1: Wyoming Groundwater Wells. Graphic by Phyllis Ranz, WSGS, 2015.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 37 OUTCROP | July 2015
Highlights of the workshop on August 11th include:• GIS-Based Tools for Optimized Fluid Management in DJ Basin Shale Operations• Measurement of Hydrocarbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Uinta Basin Area• Development of a Protocol to Reconcile Methane Emission Estimates from Shale Gas Development• Basin-Scale Produced Water Management Tools and Options• Treatment and Beneficial Reuse of Produced Waters Using Per-Vaporation Based Technology• Comprehensive Approach to Treatment and Reuse of Produced Water Using Osmosis Technology
Highlights of the field trip on August 12th include:• Tour DJ Basin production facilities • Tour Water management and methane emissions facilities
Registration includes:• Continental breakfast• Lunch• Breaks• PDH certificates
Register for one or both days, $50 for the workshop, $50 for the field trip. View the full agenda and register at www.rpsea.org/events/485.
RPSEA OnShORE TEChnOLOGY WORKShOP & FiELd TRiPinteractive Workshop Focusing on Environmental issues
Facing Shale Gas developers in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Region
August 11-12, 2015Renaissance HotelDenver, Colorado
WWW.RPSEA.ORG
Safe EnvironmentSafe Technology
WWW.NETL.DOE.GOV
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distributed throughout Wyoming. High well densities are clustered in the Powder River Basin (PRB) due to coalbed natural gas (CBNG) development, as well as in the Denver Basin where irrigation wells are in wide use, and in alluvial deposits along many of Wy-oming’s major stream channels. Low well densities are generally seen in mountainous areas, in the inte-rior of the Green River Basin, and in the wilderness areas of the northwest portion of the state.
Comparative pie charts for permitted ground-water wells and withdrawals by class of use are shown in figures 2 and 3. Domestic water supply wells which constitute 42 pecent of permitted wells account for only 16 percent of withdrawals, while irrigation wells, allocated more than 28 percent of permitted withdrawals, comprise only 1.8 percent of total well permits. Total actual groundwater with-drawals are, however, only a fraction of permitted
withdrawals. In Wyoming, according to the U.S. Geo-logical Survey (USGS), actual groundwater withdraw-als are about 541 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) compared to 5,021 Mgal/d, permitted by the Wyo-ming State Engineer’s Office (SEO).
GROUNDWATER OVERUSE – AQUIFER WATER LEVEL DECLINES AND STREAMFLOW DEPLETIONS
Groundwater is not an inexhaustible resource. Its overuse can result in declining aquifer ground-water levels and subsequently, flows and changes in the timing of peak river flows impact water con-sumption, agriculture production, economic growth, recreation opportunities, and electricity generation, among other vital services.
In Wyoming, most groundwater declines have been relatively minor drops that are restricted to
Most of the water in the ground comes from precipitation that infiltrates downward from the land surface.
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36
» CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
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local areas. However, declines of more than 50 feet in some areas of the High Plains aquifer of southeast-ern Wyoming have been observed. These are being closely monitored by the SEO and the USGS. Water level declines of 600 feet and more, resulting from CBNG development have been documented in some coal seam aquifers of the PRB by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Recent data indicate that some of the coal seam aquifers in the PRB are starting to re-cover as CBM development has decreased in the last few years.
Declining groundwater levels may reduce flows from springs into nearby streams, thus diminish-ing streamflows that are appropriated to surface water rights holders. In extreme cases, flows have ceased completely in long stream reaches only to re-sume when pumping in adjacent groundwater wells was curtailed.
The connection between groundwater and sur-face water has long been recognized in the inter-state water compacts established between Wyoming and its neighboring states. The SEO has investigated a number of cases of groundwater-surface interfer-ence, most recently in Campbell, Goshen and Lara-mie counties.
SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR GROUNDWATER RESOURCE
Groundwater, like other valuable resources, must be developed and used in a sustainable manner to ensure its long term availability. The concept of “sus-tainable development” recognizes that the use of any natural resource must meet the needs of the pres-ent and future generations. Sustainable development of water resources has become increasingly import-ant. Especially since recent USGS studies have doc-umented widespread groundwater storage declines in the United States and the related effect of surface
water depletion.A groundwater development project that incor-
porates sustainable development involves detailed studies of the hydrologic system, including deter-mining the ultimate sources of groundwater with-drawals, defining the first unacceptable effect(s) of storage and surface flow depletions, and establishing minimal acceptable water levels that may result. Fur-ther, a sustainable development program includes a long term monitoring plan that utilizes adaptive management of the groundwater resource. This ap-proach has been used over the last two decades in groundwater development programs throughout the state, and funded by the Wyoming Water Develop-ment Commission.
Sources: Wyoming Water Development Commission,Wyoming State Engineer’s Office, U.S. Geological
Surveyhttp://www.wsgs.wyo.gov/Research/
Water-Resources/Groundwater.aspx
For more information on Wyoming’s groundwater resource, go to
www.wsgs.wyo.gov/Research/Water-Resources/Groundwater.aspx
» CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 41 OUTCROP | July 2015
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 determined to be the Hottest Plays in the Rocky Mountains.
2015 RMAGSymposium
Hot PlaysOctober 8th
The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologistspresents: the RMAG Fall Symposium
Hot Plays of the Rocky Mountain RegionOctober 8, 2015 at the Denver City Center Marriott
email: [email protected] phone: 303.573.8621 fax: 303.476.2241 web: www.rmag.org
Kick Off Speakers: Mark Sonnenfeld and Lyn Canter - WhitingHow mobile is your total oil saturation? SARA analysis implications for bitumen viscosity and UV fluorescence in Niobrara Marl and Bakken Shale, supported by FIB-SEM observations of kerogen, bitumen, and residual oil saturations within Niobrara Marls and Chalks.
Keynote Speaker: David Hill - EncanaStanding Tall in North America
Speaker: Jim Emme - Endeavour International CorporationPiceance Basin Rim Niobrara Play, NW Colorado Liquids-Rich Pot-O'-Gold or Blarney Stone?
Speaker: Preston Kerr - SM EnergyUnlayering the Shannon Formation
910 16th Street #1214, Denver, CO, 80202 follow: @rmagdenver
Exhibitor Registration and Sponsorship Registration are open!Please visit www.rmag.org for more information.
Registration opens July 1st!
Speaker: Randy Koepsell - SchlumbergerLayer Centric 3D Geologic Resolution to Predict Hydrolic Fracture Stimulation
Speaker: Howard Melcher - Liberty OilfieldThe Impact of Geological and Completion Parameters on Production in the Denver-Julesburg Basin
Speaker: Rob Sterling - Cirque ResourcesA Review of the Northern DJ Oil Resource Play
Speaker: Mi Zhou - SchlumbergerHigh resolution (near-well) structural analysis of lateral & vertical data, an integrated workflow – example from the Teapot Sandstone, Powder River Basin
OUTCROP | July 2015 42 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
On behalf of AAPG headquarters and AAPG Rocky Mountain Section President Catherine Campbell, we are pleased to announce the newly elected AAPG Rocky Mountain Section leader-ship position.
Member of the AAPG Advisory Council (Three-Year Term: 2015-18):John C. Lorenz, FractureStudies LLC, Edgewood, N. M.
On July 1, 2015, John will join the incoming 2015-16 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section leaders whose terms began on June 3 at the conclusion of ACE Denver.
President (One-Year Term: 2015-16):Catherine Campbell, Robert L. Bayless, Producer LLC, Golden, Colo.
Immediate Past President (One-Year Term: 2015-16):Sue Cluff, The Discovery Group, Denver
President-Elect (One-Year Term: 2015-16):Andrew Hennes, SM Energy Company, Billings, Mont.
Treasurer (One-Year Term: 2015-16):Julia Rausch Lemaster, Goolsby, Finley and Associates LLC, Casper, Wyo.
Treasurer-Elect (One-Year Term: 2015-16):Lynette George, Casper, Wyo.
Congratulations and thank you to these outstanding leaders for their service to the AAPG Rocky Mountain Section.
ANNOUNCEMENT
AAPG Rocky Mountain Section2015 Election Results
Please to contribute to the RMAG.Your RMAG contribution supports the calendar of 2015 of RMAG events, including short courses, symposia, social events, monthly luncheons, and more.
Click here to make a contribution online!
DONATE NOW
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 43 OUTCROP | July 2015
Summer Industry Happy HourPresented by The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
CONNECT
LINKEXPLORENETWORK
ENGAGE
August 20, 2015Maggiano’s Little Italy
email: [email protected] phone: 303.573.8621 fax: 303.476.2241 web: www.rmag.org 910 16th Street #1214, Denver, CO, 80202 follow: @rmagdenver
OUTCROP | July 2015 44 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
Thank you 2015 RMAG Golf Sponsors!
GolfTournament
Beverage Cart Sponsor Water Sponsors
Golf Cart Sponsor Meal Sponsors
Steven Kirkwood
Putting Green Sponsor Driving Range Sponsor
Hole Sponsors
Cardinal Oil, LLC
Door Prize Sponsors Bag Item Sponsors
Cece CottonColorado Athletic Club
Craft Works RestaurantsDenver Earth Resource Library
LimeMercantile Dining and Provision Panzano
Spa Finder Specialty/Natural Products
The Mediterranean Restaurant (The Med) The Palm
The RioTerry W. Donze
Wild Rose MarketingWilliam H. Smith and Associates, Inc.
Spectraseis
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 45 OUTCROP | July 2015
Thank you 2015 RMAG Volunteers & Committee Members!
GolfTournament
Gerald Brummett
Brandon Sejera
Cat Campbell
Cranford Newell
Dirk Schwartz
Greg Anderson
James Spiers
Kim Roberts
Liz Arthur
Terry Donze
Terry Elzi
Tracey Brummett
Rachel Stocking
Matt Silverman
Kathy Maher
Caroline Charles
Kirsten Salter
Colleen Marland
Daniel Horner
Michelle Aurzada
Committee Members
Volunteers
Kelly Foley
Rick Williamson
Mark Wood
Joe Schindler
Stephanie Gaswirth
Laura Johnson
Kyrie Encinas
Eddie Bannias
Matt Romero
Charles Patterson
Rachel Stocking
Colleen Marland
OUTCROP | July 2015 46 Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org
GolfTournament
Tournament Results
1st Place Top Flight: 59 Tim MitchellNick GrenfellGary CasteelPaul Differding
1st Place Second Flight: 69Jason SanfilippoDylan CobbTravis CallTom Arthur
Longest Drive Men - Scott SmithLongest Drive Women - Chris PetersonClosest to the Pin Men - Jason HarmsStraightest Drive - Terry BennetPutting Contest - Aaron Fisher
Morning Tournament
Afternoon Tournament1st Place Top Flight: 59Nick KosterWalt JohnsonFrank BaumgartnerSteve Kirkwood
1st Place Second Flight: 67Todd McMohenAl OrtlipBrian BrandtDesiree Brandt
Longest Drive Men - Travis CallLongest Drive Women - Sarah DeeringClosest to the Pin Men - Joe GarciaClosest to the Pin Women - Sarah DeeringLongest Putt - John WarnStraightest Drive - Bob LundPutting Contest - Rick Trevino
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 47 OUTCROP | July 2015
CALENDAR | JULY 2015
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
2
9
16
23
30
3
10
17
24
31
4
11
18
25
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
RMAG Luncheon.
Oilfield Christian Fellowship.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
(OBSERVED)
INDEPENDENCE DAY
RMAG On the Rocks Field Trip.
SPWLA Annual Symposium.
2013-14RMAG FOUNDATION
SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIPS
McKenna FundColorado College
CSU FundBolyard FundCU Boulder
CONTRIBUTIONS
CONTRIBUTIONS
Stone/Holberg FundStudying Rocky Mtn Structural Geology
Colorado School of MinesGolden
FosterStudying Rocky Mtn Geology
AAPG - Imperial BarrelRocky Mtn Section
AAPG Student LeadershipRocky Mtn Section
Friend of Dinosaur Ridge
Golden Pick AwardRMAG Guidebook contributionAAPG Sectional meetingRockbuster Ball awards
+
Contibutions can be made at https://www.rmag.org/i4a/ams/publicLogin.cfm for RMAG membersRMAG Foundation | 910 16th Street Mall, Suite 1214 | Denver, CO 80202
Babcock FundRocky Mtn region Universities
Veterans Fundawarded to veterans attendingRocky Mtn Region Universities
University of WY Fund
Morrison Natural HistoryInner City School attendance
PTTC Futures in EnergyRocky Mtn Section
Denver Public Schoolsmineral sets
RMAG Student Summit sponsorCO Science Teacher of the YearCO State Science Fair winners
Vol. 64, No. 7 | www.rmag.org 49 OUTCROP | July 2015
• AAPG ...................................................................7, 19• Alliance Insurance Agency .................................... 28• Anschutz Exploration Corporation ......................... 26• Breckenridge Geophysical ....................................... 9• Crown Geochemistry ................................................ 6• Daub & Associates, Inc. ........................................... 8• Décollement Consulting Inc. .................................. 18• Devon ..................................................................... 21• DGS Golf Tournament ............................................ 31• Dolan Integration Group ........................................ 25• Donovan Brothers Inc. .............................................. 8• Encana .................................................................... 34• Enerplus ................................................................. 21• Fluid Inclusion Technologies .................................... 9• GeoMark ................................................................ 15• GeoSteering ........................................................... 19• Great Western Oil & Gas Company ....................... 14• Horizontal Solutions Intl. ....................................6, 10• iBall Instruments ...................................................... 4• James C. Karo Associates ..................................... 29• Johnson Geo-Consulting, LLC .................................. 8• Kestrel Geoscience, LLC .......................................... 8
• Lario Oil & Gas Company ....................................... 11• Louis J. Mazzullo, LLC .............................................. 6• Milner Geology ........................................................ 8• Mineral Appraiser, LLC .......................................... 29• MJ Systems ........................................................... 22• Nautilus .................................................................. 14• Neil H. Whitehead, III .............................................. 6• Oilman’s Tennis Tournament of the Rockies .......... 35• PTTC ....................................................................... 23• QEP Resources ....................................................... 15• RBC Wealth Management ..................................... 11• RPSEA .................................................................... 37• Samson Energy ...................................................... 20• Sinclair Petroleum Engineering, Inc. ........................ 6• Stephens Production Company .............................. 28• Stoner Engineering (SES) ....................................... 27• Stratochem Services ................................................ 4• Tracker .................................................................... 26• T•Rex Oil Inc. ........................................................... 8• Whiting Petroleum Corporation ............................. 17• William W. Little, Ph.D. ........................................... 6
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