The new AccuLogs has tremendous tops enhancements allowing you to specify and control tops deletion, naming, tops updates, and formation aliases. Synchronize data between AccuMap and AccuLogs: choose between data currency or a historical "snapshot in time" concept. Define your geological model faster than ever before.
CSPG OFFICE
#160,540 - 5th Avenue SW
Calgary,Alberta,Canada T2P 0M2
Tel:403-264-5610 Fax:403-264-5898
Email:cspg@cspg.org Web:www.cspg.org
Office hours:Monday to Friday,8:30am to 4:00pm
Business Manager:Tim Howard
Email:tim.howard@cspg.org
Office Manager:Deanna Watkins
Email:deanna.watkins@cspg.org
Communications Manager:Jaimè Croft
Email:jaime.croft@cspg.org
Conventions Manager:Lori Humphrey-Clements
Email:lori@cspg.org
Corporate Relations Manager:Kim MacLean
Email:kim.maclean@cspg.org
EDITORS/AUTHORS
Please submit RESERVOIR articles to the CSPG office.Submission deadline is the 23th day of the month,two months prior to issue date. (i.e.,January 23 for the March issue).
To publish an article,the CSPG requires digital copies of the document.Text should be in Microsoft Word format and illustrations should be in TIFF format at 300 dpi.For additional information on manuscript preparation,refer to the Guidelines for Authors published in the CSPG Bulletin or contact the editor.
COORDINATING EDITOR & OPERATIONS
Jaimè Croft
CSPG
Tel:403-264-5610
Fax:403-264-5898
Email:jaime.croft@cspg.org
TECHNICAL EDITOR
Ben McKenzie
GEOCAN Energy Inc.
Tel:403-261-3851
Email:bjmck@telusplanet.net
ADVERTISING
Kim Maclean
Corporate Relations,CSPG
Tel:403-264-5610,Ext 205
Email:kim.maclean@cspg.org
Advertising inquiries should be directed to Kim MacLean.The deadline to reserve advertisingspace is the 23th day of the month, two months prior to issue date.All advertising artwork should be sent directly to Kim MacLean.
The RESERVOIR is published 11 times per year by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. This includes a combined issue for the months of July/August.
Advertisements,as well as inserts,mailed with the publication are paid advertisements.No endorsement or sponsorship by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists is implied.
The CSPG Rock Shop is an attractive and affordable way for advertisers to present their services to the CSPG readership.Spaces are sold at business card sizes (3.5” wide by 2” high). To reserve space or for more information,please contact Kim MacLean at 403-264-5610,ext.205.
The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the publisher.
excellent overview of what the goals, objectives,and responsibilities of the programs are for the upcoming year and beyond.Therefore,when I was asked to submit an article to the Reservoir I felt that instead of issuing a Programs update so soon after Vern’s,that I would take the opportunity to highlight another committee which I feel very fortunate to be involved with – that is the Student Industry Field Trip (SIFT).The Executive whole-heartedly agreed that this would be a great time to discuss SIFT and its benefits to the student participants.
Having recently assumed the role of Assistant Program Director for the CSPG,I am looking forward to the new challenges it presents and the opportunities it offers me to work with,and meet,other members of the CSPG.
I am confident that under the direction of Vern Stasiuk,present CSPG Program Director,we will continue our focus on increasing the level of communication between the various committees and subcommittees under our portfolio.As originally discussed in Vern’s March 2004 Reservoir article,our role is to serve as a liaison between technical committees and the CSPG Executive,as well as facilitate when new initiatives are being undertaken,or new committees and sub-committees are being established or changed.Vern’s article was an
Monetarily speaking,SIFT is the largest program funded under the direction of the Educational Trust Fund (ETF).In general,the mandate of the ETF is to promote the geosciences on a national level by providing programs to the general public and to students of all academic levels.SIFT is a successful program for the ETF,as it is very effective in supporting these goals and objectives.The SIFT program was initiated in 1978 by the CSPG,based on a concept conceived by Bill Ayrton to introduce bright, young geoscientists to the petroleum industry. One student,representing each of the Canadian Universities offering degree programs in geology,geophysics,or geological engineering,is invited to participate each year.
CONTOURING
Faulted contours
Isopachs
Volumetrics
Grid operations
New flexing options
CROSS SECTIONS
Digital and/or Rastor
Geocolumn shading
Multiple rasters/well
Stratigraphic/Structural
Shade between crossover
Dipmeter data
MAPPING OPTIONS
Bubble maps
Production charts
Log curves
Posted data
Highlighted Symbols
CROSS PLOTS
Log crossplots
“Z” crossplots
Lithologies to facies
Pickett plots
Regression curves
User defined overlays
PETRA® delivers the industry’s only easy-to-use and affordable integrated solution for today’s workflows. It provides multi-user access to large projects through geological, petrophysical and engineering analysis tools. The PetraSeis™ option extends PETRA® into 2D/3D seismic interpretation with practical tools such as RasterSeis™ Download a trial version at www.geoplus.com, or callus at 888-738-7265 (in Houston, call 713-862-9449) for more product information.
DECLINE CURVES
Compute EUR, RR, etc.
Hyperbolic or exp.
Rate/Time or Cum P/Z
User defined Econ. Limit
User defined Extrap. Time
THE CSPG GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ITS
*CORPORATE MEMBERS:
ABU DHABI OIL CO., LTD. (JAPAN)
ARCHEAN ENERGY LTD.
BAKER ATLAS
BURLINGTON RESOURCES CANADA LTD.
BG CANADA EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION, INC.
BP CANADA ENERGY COMPANY
CALPINE CANADA
CANADIAN FOREST OIL LTD.
CONOCOPHILLIPS CANADA
CORE LABORATORIES CANADA LTD.
DEVON CANADA CORPORATION
DOMINION EXPLORATION CANADA LTD.
DUVERNAY OIL CORP.
ECL CANADA
HUNT OIL COMPANY OF CANADA, INC.
HUSKY ENERGY
IHS ENERGY
IMPERIAL OIL RESOURCES LIMITED
LARIO OIL & GAS COMPANY
MJ SYSTEMS
MURPHY OIL COMPANY LTD.
NCE RESOURCES GROUP INC.
NEXEN INC.
NORTHROCK RESOURCES LTD.
PENN WEST PETROLEUM LTD.
PETRO-CANADA OIL AND GAS
REEVES WIRELINE
SAMSON CANADA
SHELL CANADA LIMITED
SPROULE ASSOCIATES LIMITED
SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
TALISMAN ENERGY INC.
TOTAL E&P CANADA LIMITED
UPTON RESOURCES INC.
*CORPORATE MEMBERS AS OF MAY 24, 2004
What is your competitive advantage?
In the game we play, we cannot survive on yesterday’s ideas. Knowledge is an important resource for industry success, and our key competitive advantage is what we know and how well we apply it.
The CSPG has always been the primary conduit for knowledge transfer within the geologic community. As oil and gas becomes even harder to find, the
knowledge needs of our industry will continue to increase almost exponentially. The CSPG will continue to provide forums for networking and the exchange of ideas.
The CSPG is not peripheral to industry success; it is a part of everything we do. When you invest in the CSPG, you invest in the future.
2004/2005 TECHNICAL LUNCHEON SEASON
TICKET REPRESENTATIVE REGISTRATION
It is once again time to plan for the CSPG bi-monthly Technical Luncheons.The CSPG has nineteen luncheons planned for the 2004/2005 Season.There are two methods for having tickets sent directly to a ticket representative in your office:
1.) FOR CORPORATE MEMBERS OF CSPG Corporate Members may order a set number of tickets per luncheon,which will be couriered to you with an invoice.For orders of less than 10 tickets per luncheon, a $5.00 handling fee will be added to the invoice.You must take the same number of tickets for each luncheon and returns are not accepted.The following month’s tickets will be sent out if the previous month’s invoice has been paid.Any changes to your standard number of tickets must be made well prior to tickets being sent out. Additional tickets may be arranged through the CSPG office.If you wish to use this option,you must register with the office by September 1,2004.
2). FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT CORPORATE MEMBERS - PREPAYMENT: For companies who are not Corporate Members you may elect to pre-purchase a set number of tickets for the 2004-2005 Season’s 19 luncheons.For orders of less than 10 tickets per luncheon,a $5.00 handling fee needs to be added to each mailing to cover courier/mailing/handling costs.Returns are not accepted and extra tickets can be purchased direct from the CSPG office.If you wish to use this option,you must register with the office by September 1,2004.Payment is required upon registration for this program.
If you wish to register in this program,please email Jaimè Croft at jaime.croft@cspg.org and a registration form will be emailed to you.
If you do not wish to use either of these options tickets can be purchased directly from the CSPG office,using cheque,cash, debit,Visa,American Express or
MasterCard.Luncheon tickets are $28.00 plus GST each and go on sale two months in advance.Please watch your Reservoir or visit www.cspg.org for luncheon abstracts.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 264-5610 or via email at jaime .croft@cspg.org
Rocky Mountain Natural Gas 2004
Rocky Mountain Section AAPG Meeting hosted by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference & Investment Forum hosted by the Colorado Oil & Gas Association www.coga.org
A UGUST 9 THROUGH 11 — C OLORADO C ONVENTION C ENTER
August - Denver Network in the Rockies!
Attendance 2,000+ including 150+ exhibitors
TECHNICAL THEMES Keynote: Scott W. Tinker, Ph.D., Director—Bureau of Economic Geology Texas State Geologist ★ Resource Pyramid ★ New O&G Plays in the Rockies ★ Unconventional Gas ★ Coalbed Methane ★ Shallow Gas ★ Applied Reservoir Models ★ New Seismic Techniques Basin and Petroleum Systems
JOINT MEGA-SESSION Keynote: Bobby S. Shackouls, CEO—Burlington Resources, Inc., Chairman—National Petroleum Council ★ Natural Gas and World Energy ★ Role of the Rockies ★ Search for Giant Oil Fields ★ Smart Development ★ Investment Forum Pre-Registration Deadline: July 9th Ph 303-861-2387 Fx 303-861-0373 www.rmag.org and www.coga.org
TECHNICAL LUNCHEONS
SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON
Determining the stratigraphic position of a horizontal well within a zone with subtle gamma ray character
SPEAKER
Ken Bowdon
Horizontal Solutions International 11:30 am Thursday,September 9,2004
TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE CALGARY, ALBERTA
Please note:
The cut-off date for ticket sales is 1:00 pm,Monday,September 6th. Ticket price is $28.00 + GST.
The objective of a horizontal well is to maximize exposure of the wellbore to the reservoir.As a result,the geologic framework of the reservoir must be the guiding principle for the planning,drilling,and completion of any horizontal well.Horizontal wells should be
planned and drilled under a new paradigm.Most horizontal wells should be drilled using the geologic framework as the primary reference point,not TVD.This new point of reference is called True Stratigraphic Position (TSP).
Determining the stratigraphic position within a zone with subtle gamma ray character can be especially challenging but no less important.Lack of character within a zone as seen on vertical wells does not necessarily mean that LWD gamma can not be used to steer a horizontal well.Very often,the true gamma character of a formation is only revealed once a horizontal well is drilled.It has been found that horizontal gamma ray response reveals subtle markers within a zone that can be readily correlated in a horizontal well if proper methods are used.
True Stratigraphic Position Modeling (TSPM) removes distortion in the MD LWD log and restores the data to its True Stratigraphic Position allowing the interpreter to identify and correlate these subtle stratigraphic markers.In this way the position of the well
SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON
Geological storage of greenhouse gases:The IEA Weyburn CO2 monitoring and storage project
SPEAKER
Steve Whittaker
Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
11:30 am
Thursday,September 23,2004
TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE CALGARY, ALBERTA
Please note:
The cut-off date for ticket sales is 1:00 pm,Monday,September 20th. Ticket price is $28.00 + GST.
Geological storage of greenhouse gases is being increasingly recognized as one of the most promising methods of mitigating CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.The IEA Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage project is an extensive study investigating the viability of greenhouse gas storage within the Weyburn Unit in southeastern Saskatchewan.As part of EnCana Corporation’s CO2-EOR program, approximately 5,000 tonnes of anthropogenic CO2 are being injected into the Weyburn
relative to the target interval can be determined with accuracy.This relative approach allows the operator to stay within the stratigraphic target,even within areas that have very subtle gamma ray character.
BIOGRAPHY
Ken Bowdon is a degreed professional geologist with over 20 years of experience.Since 1983, Mr.Bowdon has concentrated on horizontal well technology and evaluation.In April 1996,he created Bowdon Energy Company as a division of Blair Enterprises.
Ken drilled the first exploratory horizontal well in the continental United States (1986).Ken was Team Leader for Austin Chalk Horizontal Drilling Exploration Team at Oryx Energy.He evaluated and acquired more than 120,000 acres in the Austin Chalk while Chief Geologist at US Horizontal Development Corporation.Ken has authored a computer program to aid in the navigation of horizontal well bores utilizing MWD Gamma Ray.Mr.Bowdon has spent over eight years refining this technology.
reservoir daily.Produced CO2 is being recycled with the aim of ultimately storing over 20 million tonnes of CO2 in the reservoir for several thousands of years.A major component of the Weyburn Project is the assessment of the integrity of the geological container surrounding the reservoir.
Geological characterization of the Weyburn site was performed at several scales including a regional perspective that extended 200 x 200 km around the Weyburn Field covering much of the northeastern Williston Basin in Saskatchewan,North Dakota,and Montana. This large area was used to assess the importance of basin-scale hydrogeological flow and underlying tectonic features in characterizing geological CO2 storage sites.A smaller area extending ten km beyond the limits of the CO2 flood was subjected to more detailed work and used to develop a geological model for risk and performance assessment. Methods of geological characterization include regional mapping to construct a geological framework and the integration of detailed studies involving core logging,petrography and geochemistry,near-surface and deep-basin hydrogeology,seismic and high-resolution aeromagnetic geophysical investigations,and remotely sensed imagery analysis.
In general,the primary focus these efforts is to determine the nature of primary and secondary seals in the system,delineate and characterize the hydrogeological flow units, and identify potential pathways of preferential fluid migration that may be related to depositional,erosional,or tectonic features. Other principal components of the Weyburn Project include the prediction,monitoring,and verification of CO2 movement,determining the CO2 storage capacity and the application of economic limits,and performing a longterm risk assessment of the system.
BIOGRAPHY
Steve Whittaker received his B.Sc.in 1983 and Ph.D.in 1990 from the University of Saskatchewan.After graduation Dr.Whittaker was a postdoctoral fellow at Queens University and a research associate at McGill University until the mid-90s.Steve returned west and worked as a consultant to several oil and gas and environmental companies.Dr. Whittaker joined Saskatchewan Industry and Resources in 2001 to work as coordinating geoscientist for the Weyburn Project.
Steve Whittaker,Regina SK, swhittaker@ir.gov.sk.ca
DIVISION TALKS
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
Antrim series of International talks #2: Opportunities and Antrim’s involvement in the U.K.
SPEAKER
Keith Skipper
Antrim Energy Inc.
12:00 Noon
Wednesday,August 18,2004
EnCana Amphitheatre
2nd Floor, east end of the Calgary Tower Complex, 1st Street and 9th Avenue S.E., Calgary, Alberta
BIOGRAPHY
Mr.Skipper has over 25 years of international petroleum experience including positions with PanCanadian,Bridge Oil,and Amoco.
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
Structural history and tectonic analysis with respect to exploration of concession 11 in the West Sirte Basin, Libya
SPEAKER
Frank Crawford
12:00 Noon
Tuesday,August 31,2004
EnCana Amphitheatre
2nd Floor, east end of the Calgary Tower Complex, 1st Street and 9th Avenue S.E., Calgary, Alberta
Regional mapping was done on 240 wells in a 7,000 square-kilometer area of former Mobil Concession 11 in the western Sirte Basin of Libya.Over forty stratigraphic tops were used for isopach and structure mapping and integrated with the surface geology and seismic to create models for exploration.
Central and western Concession 11 was very active structurally during Tertiary time. Recurrent movement took place during throughout the history of the basin and remained remarkably consistent in character and form.The main active elements were the Bissuich Complex in the north and the Hamim Terrace,Maamir
INFORMATION
There is no charge.Please bring your lunch. Refreshments are provided by EnCana and ECL Canada.For more information or to give a talk in the future,please contact Geoffrey Say at 403 263-0449 or e-mail at g.say@ecqc.com
Suite 319
1925 East Belt Line Road
Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 406-1526
sales@horizontalsi.com
Dan Côtè
Canadian Business Development
(403) 660-3713
dcote@horizontalsi.com
Graben,and Gattar High in the south. Discrete structural arms of the Bissuich complex extended to the southeast and were primarily responsible for controlling the oil fields in the region.
Two main periods of deformation formed pre-primary oil migration structural traps in the Early and Middle Eocene on the Hamim Terrace.Early Eocene strike-slip and normal fault movement occurred just as the main phase of Gir salt deposition was beginning.A correlation exists between the Early Gir paleothins and the oil fields.In the Middle Eocene period renewed uplift created a large anticline that correlates closely with the Upper Farrud producing area in the Ghani and
(Continued on Page 13...)
HSI's uniqueTrue Stratigraphic Position Method restores gamma ray data from a horizontal wellbore to its true stratigraphic position,quickly and accurately providing all the information needed to actively steer the well.
TSPM provides the keys to successful geo-navigation
PALAEONTOLOGY DIVISION
The Palaeontology Division runs in association with the Alberta Palaeontological Society (APS) and the Mount Royal College Earth Science Department.Its mandate is to provide a forum for CSPG members and the general public who are interested in palaeontological issues and applications. Topics are wide-ranging and range from technical dissertations on application to the oil industry to general interest such as dinosaur art and palaeontological expeditions.This is to accommodate the diverse group of 30-80 people that typically attend each talk.Unlike most of the other technical divisions the talks are held in the evenings (7:30 PM),typically the third Friday of every month.Facilities and multimedia access are provided by Mount Royal College Earth Science Department.Talks typically average about 45 minutes followed by a short question/discussion period.They are held in Mount Royal College (Lincoln Park Campus) Science Wing room B108 and B101.Speakers for the luncheons are sought from industry,museums,universities,and even the art world.Talks run from September through May with a break
through the summer.Once a year a two-day Palaeontological Symposium is held at Mount Royal College.Events include a full day of lectures,a poster session,and educational workshops.Most events are free so as to be accessible to the general public.While these talks are held in association with the APS,that society’s summer field trips require an APS membership.
If you are interested in joining the Palaeontology Division e-mail listing which currently provides monthly event reminders,or if you care to suggest a technical topic or present a talk to the division,please contact Philip Benham (Shell Canada Limited),the current Division Chair. He can be contacted at 403-691-3343 or via e-mail at programs@albertapaleo.org.
1) Mississippian Subcrops and Devonian Reef Edges – Alberta, NE BC, Sask. and NWT- completely updated in 2003/04
2) Glauconitic Channel Trends – Southern and central Alberta
3) Colony Reservoir Trends – East-central Alberta
4) Bluesky-Dunlevy Reservoir Trends – NE BC
5) Halfway-Doig Shoreline Trends – NE BC, NW AB
6) Charlie Lake Siphon, Cecil and North Pine Reservoir Trends – NE BC
-all edges are formatted as map features and as editable annotation lines and regions For
at www.sherwingeological.com
2004 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DATE: August 9-12,2004
EVENT: AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Annual Meeting
LOCATION: Denver,Colorado
INFORMATION: For more information please visit http://www.aapg.org/meetings/rms04/index.cfm
DATE: August 24-28,2004
EVENT: Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) Research Conference
LOCATION: Grand Junction,Colorado
INFORMATION: For more information please visit www.sepm.org
DATE: September 19-22,2004
EVENT: ICAM 2004,8th International Congress on Applied Mineralogy
LOCATION: Aguas de Lindoia,Brazil
INFORMATION: For more information contact EPUSP,Av.Prof.Luciano Gualberto,Trav.3,nº380,05508-900,Sao Paulo,SP,Brazil; (55) 1130915420;fax (55) 38145909;www.icam2004.org.
DATE: September 26-29,2004
EVENT: Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
LOCATION: Houston,Texas
INFORMATION: For more information please visit www.spe.org
DATE: October 22-24,2004
EVENT: INTERNATIONAL OIL & GAS CONFERENCE VENEZUELA
LOCATION: Curacao,Dutch Antilles
INFORMATION: For more information please visit www.oil-gas-conference.com
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
Zenad oil fields.The large structure lies along the zone of intersection between two tectonic trends,one SW to NE,and the other NW to SE.This relationship constitutes an exploration model for the Farrud and for the Gir and can be recognized in other undrilled parts of the study area.
Late Eocene uplift of the Ed Dib Arch negatively affected shallow oil accumulations in the Maamir Graben and on the southern Hamim Terrace.Wells drilled on this regional high are typically wet as it post-dated oil migration and also disrupted earlier traps to the north,possibly draining larger oil accumulations.A Late Miocene tectonic event caused potential oil leakage from structures in fault-controlled topographic depressions.The Farrud is wet at Ed Dib because of late uplift and its location away from the locus of Middle Miocene deformation responsible for uplift in the Ghani area.
At least 30 leads have been identified in the study area most of which are in the Gir.Five areas of interest for Cretaceous clastic exploration were delineated based upon
DATE: October 24-27,2004
EVENT: AAPG International Conference and Exhibition
LOCATION: Cancun,Mexico
INFORMATION: For more information please visit www.aapg.org
DATE: November 7-10,2004
EVENT: Geological Society of America Annual Conference
LOCATION: Denver,Colorado
INFORMATION: For more information please visit www.geosociety.org
DATE: December 7-10,2004
EVENT: Offshore Southeast Asia (OSEA)
LOCATION: Suntec City,Singapore
INFORMATION: For more information visit http://www.osea-asia.com/
DATE: December 10-12,2004
EVENT: PETEX
LOCATION: London,England
INFORMATION: For more information please visit http://www.pesgb.org.uk/pesgb/system/default.asp
(...Continued from page 11)
large areas of paleothinning in the Lower Gir evaporite units.Deep fault blocks are interpreted to underlie these shallow anomalies.Concession 11 has favorable geology for future oil discoveries.
BIOGRAPHY
Frank Crawford,P.Geol.,graduated with an M.Sc.in Geology from the University of Calgary.He has worked in a variety of positions in frontier and international exploration.His professional background has involved studies in carbonate sedimentation,structural geology,and exploration analysis in a variety of basins worldwide.
INFORMATION
There is no charge.Please bring your lunch. Refreshments are provided by EnCana and ECL Canada.For more information or to give a talk in the future,please contact Geoffrey Say at 403 263-0449 or e-mail at g.say@ecqc.com
JACK PORTERVIGNETTES OF CANADIAN PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
Martin Frobisher’s Inaugural Voyage in Search for a Northwest Passage to Cathay
The concept of an ice-free navigable Northwest Passage,albeit a myth,was first conceived once it was established that America was not conjoined with Asia and that it existed as a separate continent.Commencing in the early 16th century,adventurous mariners and
their investors,speculated that by sailing northwest,in the higher latitudes,a viable passageway would be discovered which would serve as a commercial conduit to the riches of Cathay and the Spice Islands.
As early as 1538,Gerard Mercator’s map of the world depicts a northwest strait in the arctic region of America and his later map of 1569 delineates a Strait of Anian.Sir
Humphrey Gilbert’s Discourse to prove a passage by the Northwest to Cathaia and the East Indies was,for the most part,written in 1566 and subsequently published in 1576, primarily to garner financial support for Martin Frobisher’s venture,the same year,in his search for a Northwest Passage.Gilbert’s thesis for the Strait of Anian was based on his affirmation that America was a separate continent from Eurasia and Africa and therefore could be circumnavigated.He further reinforced his concept that the absence of such a strait would impede the continuous circulation of the world’s currents which circulate from east to west around the world (1951,Wood,H.J., Exploration and Discovery:Chap.7,NorthWest Passage to Cathay;pub.Hutchinson Univ.Library;repub.,1958,Grey Arrow edition,Arrow Books,London,pp.92-94).
Commencing in 1576,Martin Frobisher,an Elizabethan mariner,was the first of many seamen who attempted to discover a Northwest Passage to Asia.Frobisher,in command of two,three-masted vessels (barks) and a small,two-masted auxiliary boat (pinnace),departed down the Thames River on June 7th with an aggregate crew of 39 seamen. After putting out to sea,the little fleet encountered stormy weather and heavy seas in the region of the Shetland Islands.It was here that the pinnace,with her crew of four, foundered and vanished without a trace. Frobisher,while sailing north of the Labrador Peninsula,in the Gabriel,under Christopher Hall’s captaincy,viewed an ice-encrusted, towering landmass,which Hall mistakenly believed to be the coast of Labrador.Frobisher took possession of the region for England, naming it Queen Elizabeth Foreland.It was subsequently renamed Resolution Island,being located of the southwest peninsular bordering Frobisher Bay.The following day,being July 31st,after 44 days at sea,Frobisher sailed into a bay situated on the southwest extremities of Baffin Island.He ventured some 150 miles into the bay,not realizing that he was approaching its upper reaches,believing that Asia lay on the bay’s northeast side and America on its southwest.He unabashedly named it “Frobishers Streytes,” convinced he had entered the Atlantic portals of the Strait of Anian,which would lead him to Cathay (1971, Morison,Samuel Eliot;The European Discovery of America:The Northern Voyages A.D.500-1600,pub.Oxford Univ.Press,New York,p.506).
(Continued on Page 22...)
EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND – SIFT TRIP 2004
This year,the CSPG-SIFT trip took place from May 2nd to the 15th.On behalf of all the students who participated:it was a huge success! During the two weeks we (the students) attended a number of lectures,seminars,and fieldtrips. These served to provide us with a general overview of the Canadian Petroleum Industry,an introduction to Western Canadian Geology,and the possibility of summer employment with an oil and gas company.The fieldtrips included day trips to
Drumheller and a working oil rig and a fourday excursion through the Rocky Mountains.And of course,through it all, there was the exploration game where we could apply the knowledge we gained each day to real life examples.
Overall,the SIFT trip was an amazing and unique learning experience that any student should be honored to be chosen for.Of course none of this would have been possible without the CSPG-ETF and numerous companies sponsoring the trip.From those
Thank you to our 2004 SIFT Sponsors:
of us interested in pursuing careers in the Oil and Gas Industry we would like to thank the companies for holding summer positions for us and giving us the opportunity to see what the industry has to offer.And to the SIFT committee members who require a very special thanks because of their avid involvement and extreme generosity.Without the devotion of volunteers,SIFT would not exist,this is obvious,but I’d like to point out that not only did they share their knowledge with us but they gave us their time,friendship, and compassion.They are what truly made SIFT an amazing and unforgettable experience.THANK YOU from the students of SIFT 2004.
Energyat Arcis goes beyond oil and natural gas. It is apparent in our team, our service and our reputation.
PARTICIPATION SURVEYS
SEISMIC DATA LIBRARY DATA MARKETING
SEISMIC DATA PROCESSING
LAND, MARINE AND DEPTH
DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES
ACQUISITION PROJECT MANAGEMENT
3D DESIGN AND MODELING GIS, MAPPING AND GOVERNMENT APPROVALS
TRENDS IN CANADIAN OIL AND GAS
Trends in Canadian Oil and Gas –
Where can we find value in a maturing basin?
This is part of a series of snapshots of the Canadian industry designed to provide up-to-date information and give possible insights into the future of oil and gas exploration.Comments are strictly the views of the authors;however,your feedback is encouraged (dave@geohelp.ab.ca).
In Canada we have the benefit of living next door to the World’s largest energy consumer;however,we also had the World’s highest cost of Resource Replacement in 2002 (J.S.Herrold Conference,2003). Fortunately,high product prices have enabled companies to generate spectacular financial results in recent years.Companies that intend to survive and thrive in the WCSB need to ensure they are truly adding value.
The maturity of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin for both conventional oil and gas makes it more and more challenging to identify appropriate opportunities.Finding these opportunities in a mature basin requires both current and reliable data on production,reserves,and costs - particularly when over 20,000 wells are drilled per year and trends are continually changing.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate gas production since 1992 from two contrasting areas in the WCSB:Northeastern Alberta and the Deep Basin of Western Alberta.A cursory glance would suggest that the Deep Basin with its growing production is a better place to find gas,however,the attached table of average well results for the last five years shows that the decision might not be so straightforward.
Table 1 lists a few different criteria that might be used to prioritize areas and formations. The blue highlight emphasizes which area and formation would be most attractive for the criteria.Full-cycle economic analysis needs to be incorporated to make a meaningful decision but it is clear that either area might be preferred depending on the business plan of a company.
Other issues that might influence a choice between these two areas include the financial strength of a company,the desire for multi-zone potential,the wish to avoid sour gas,or concerns about being shut-in by the ongoing dispute of producing gas overlying bitumen.The decisions are never simple but making the right choice for your company
BY DAVE RUSSUM, AJM PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS & GEO-HELP
Figure 1:Gas Production from Northeast Alberta since 1992 by producing formation
becomes critical as costs climb and the quality of opportunities decline.
The data for this paper came from a new product called PetroCube,which provides comprehensive,up-to-date,and independent statistical and economic evaluation data for all areas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.Check it out at www.petrocube.com.
(Dave Russum has spent more than 25 years exploring for hydrocarbons.He recently completed an exhaustive study of Canada’s future gas supply and demand.He has developed some unique approaches to both shorten the timeframe and improve the results of exploration activities.More information can be found at www.geohelp.ab.ca.)
If you attended SIFT (Student Industry Field Trip) between 1978 and 2002,we would greatly appreciate obtaining a copy of your photos during your trip to Calgary. Your photos would be scanned for our image libraryand then promptly returned to the return address provided.Photos would be used for promotional purposes such as brochures.Please send photos to the address below or call Kim MacLean at 264-5610,x 205 to request a courier.
Figure 2:Gas Production from the Deep Basin since 1992 by producing formation
MEMORIAL – GORDON EDWARD TEBBUTT,
We pause with sadness,but fond remembrance,to reflect on the life of our friend and colleague Gord Tebbutt.Gordon Edward Tebbutt was born in Clinton, Ontario,which lies between Stratford and Goderich.His family,from Leicestershire, England,had settled in the area around 1850.In that southwestern Ontario countryside he developed a keen interest in natural history,the local,fossiliferous Michigan Basin strata sparking his interest in sedimentary geology.
He completed an Honours B.Sc.in geology at the University of Western Ontario in 1962.His senior thesis was devoted to a comparative study of oolites and algal pisolites,which received the C.I.M.award for best undergraduate thesis in Canada.His M.Sc.at the University of Wyoming (Laramie,1964) dealt with the lithogenesis of Permian carbonates in that state.This led to Gord’s most widely-known contribution to geology (published with Conley and Boyd),the term fenestrae or fenestral.The term is now ubiquitous in carbonate sedimentology,describing horizontallyelongate pores or cement filled voids in carbonate mudrocks- an elegant improvement on the old term “bird’s-eyes”.
Gord’s work in carbonate geology is best placed in the context of the great wave of research devoted to carbonate facies and facies models in the 1950’s and 60’s.His Ph.D.(Rice University,1967),under James Lee Wilson,studied diagenesis of Pleistocene limestones in Belize.Gord received numerous scholarships and academic awards during these years.
A love for Western Canada’s Rocky Mountains was kindled in Gord during summers working on industry field parties. He felt fortunate to have worked,while still an undergraduate,on Chevron’s last major horse-propelled field party in the Rockies. Further work for Chevron and Amoco in the Rockies and North West Territories followed.
He began fulltime employment as an exploration geologist with Chevron Standard in 1967,just as industry had discovered major carbonate pools at Ricinus West and Rainbow,and was actively exploring deeper strata in the basin.In 1969, he moved to Banff Petroleum,which was promptly bought by Acquitaine.Gord took a position as Senior Geological Specialist at PetroCanada in1978,in the Research and Technology group.
It is fair to say that he had a hand in almost every carbonate project undertaken at PetroCanada during his time as carbonate specialist.He had the additional responsibilities of technical training, mentoring,and conducting independent research.One of Gord’s strengths was petrography,and he could often be seen working on his high-powered Zeiss microscope in the old PetroCan research lab in the University Research Park- a stateof-the-art facility in the 1980’s.Gord was amused when a Calgary artist,sponsored by the company,used his crossed-nicols photomicrographs as inspiration for abstract painting!
The 1980’s saw a change from industryconducted research to stripped-down “technical service” groups.Gord mastered this difficult transition well.One of his great qualities was patience,and he used that to impart his knowledge while assisting on projects,teaching in-house courses and leading field trips.His door was always open, particularly for students and trainees,and he was very generous with his time.Coworkers recall his unique ability to as easily explain complex geology to support staff and executives as he could discuss finer technical points with fellow specialists.
Gord had very high standards for his work. His perfectionism and attention to detail
made him ideally suited to reservoir characterization,and much of his work dealt with pore to core-scale heterogeneity and its effect on carbonate reservoirs.This work was applied in both exploration and production-related projects.He continued to do field work with PetroCanada,notably on a large helicopter party studying the Devonian of the Rockies in the late 1970s. He led numerous in-house and industry trips into the mountains,to localities like the Burnt Timber Leduc reef margin.Gord was also an active member of the C.S.P.G., A.P.P.E.G.G.A.,and S.E.P.M.He was cited in both the Alberta and International Who’s Who.
Many colleagues have expressed regret that Gord’s best work is found primarily in confidential company reports.However,he was a key editor of a classic volume on Canadian carbonate geology,CSPG Memoir 13,“Reefs,Canada and Adjacent Areas”.This arose from the CSPG-sponsored Canadian Reef Inventory Conference held in Banff in 1987.The memoir is a comprehensive description of reefs and reef localities in Canada and beyond.
Gord retired from PetroCanada in 1999.A review of his career alone,as valuable as it was,does not do him justice.He was devoted to his family,and was nearing his 38th year of marriage to Liz (Garland).His children,John and Katherine,and his extended family,found him to be a source of great strength and inspiration.They also valued his enormous generosity and appreciated how he cherished his freedom. He faced challenges resolutely and with perseverance,notably during his recent illness.
CANADIAN SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2005 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
In accordance with Article VI,subparagraph (a) of the By-Laws,the Nominating Committee hereby calls for Nominations to Stand for Election to the 2005 Executive Committee of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists.
Nominations can be made in two ways:
1) Formal Nominations are to be made in writing,signed by at least twenty-five members in good standing and endorsed by the nominee who is consenting to stand for office.Candidates nominated in this fashion will automatically be added to the Nomination Slate.Nominations should be forwarded to the CSPG office by September 15,2004.The slate of candidates will be published in the November Reservoir and the election will take place on November 30,2004.
2) Informal Nominations can be made via email or letter;please confirm that the nominee is willing to stand for the office of choice and send to CSPG Office to the attention of the Past President.Candidates nominated in this fashion will be considered for addition to the Nomination Slate by the Nominations Committee.
The following vacancies exist for 2005:
• Vice President• Assistant Finance Director
• Assistant Program Director• Assistant Services Director
Successful candidates for the Directorships will serve two-year terms and the elected Vice President,a third one-year term as Past President.Interested parties should contact the office for details and general requirements of service on the Executive.
The next year Francis Drake embarked on his epic circumnavigation voyage (1577–1580),whose purpose,apart from his entitlement to plunder,was to locate the western outlet of the Strait of Anian.After skirting the west coast of California,to possibly as far north as the southern tip of Vancouver Island,Drake concluded that the Strait of Anian,if present,must lay further to the northwest.Resigning his search,he retraced his course southward to the environs of present day San Francisco.Here he refurbished his ship,The Golden Hind,and returned to England,crossing the Pacific Ocean in 1579 and proceeding through the Moluccas (Spice Islands),reaching home in 1580 (Ibid.,1951,Wood,H.J.--- p.101).
Frobisher’s English partners,who had financed his Northwest Passage enterprise, were represented by a small group of maritime merchants,as well as a nobleman, the Earl of Warwick.The principal of this influential group was Michael Lok,who,with his colleagues,received permission from the Muscovy Company,which has previously held the rights to northwest exploration,to accede to Lok’s proposal.Martin Frobisher’s reputation as a courageous leader and highly skilled mariner had been sufficient to gain the confidence of both his organizers and the Muscovy Company as the man to lead an expedition to locate and navigate the Strait of Anian to Cathay.
The sister bark,christened Michael,with her crew of 17 sailors,under Master Owen Gryffyn,turned back to home port of her outward passage.She abandoned the Gabriel after the two ships were enveloped in fog,in ice-congested waters off the southern coast of Greenland.Gryffyn was received ignominiously in London after a spurious report that the Gabriel was “cast awaye” at sea.The consensus amongst Frobisher’s backers was that Gryffyn lacked the fortitude and resolve to accompany Frobisher on his quest to navigate a Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean (Ibid.,1971,Morison,Samuel Eliot --- p.505).
Early in August,the Gabriel sailed back to the entrance to the bay and moored off an island located near the tip of Frobisher Bay’s north bordering peninsula (Hall Peninsula). Frobisher named it Hall’s Island (Lok’s Land) in honour of the master of the Gabriel.From a lookout on a prominent hill on the island (Mount Warwick),they observed creatures in the sea,which at first appeared to be seals or porpoises.However,on closer inspection they were perceived to be natives (Eskimo), each in his own peculiar little craft (kayak). The term “Eskimo” was yet to evolve into common usage.They identified themselves as
Innuit,which translated means “people”. Seventeenth century French missionaries are believed to have assigned the name “Escoumains” which translated means “excommunicated ones,” which later was corrupted to Eskimo (1953,Swanton,John R.: The Indian Tribes of North America, Smithsonian Institution,Bureau of American Ethnology,Bull,45,pub.U.S.Govt.Printing Office,Washington,D.C.,p.556).
Frobisher,through gesturing,was able to coax a member of the natives aboard the Gabriel,in order to engage them in bartering.One of the natives in the group agreed to a request,which was communicated to him by sign language,to
pilot the Gabriel through the ”strait.” He was to lead the way in his kayak.Following the departure of the boarding natives,the wouldbe pilot was rowed ashore by five of the Gabriel’s seamen.They had been forwarned by Master Hall to convey him,for precautionary reasons,to a part of the beach removed from where his fellow natives had congregated. However,the sailors disobeyed Hall’s order and escorted their passenger directly to his awaiting party.Unfortunately for five seamen, their fate was sealed,inasmuch as they were kidnapped,never to be seen again.In deciding to engage in some independent trading with the natives,prior to returning to their ship,
(Continued on Page 34...)
CSPG 2004 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
A wealth of information for planning our future
The second membership-wide survey conducted by the CSPG was an overwhelming success.An invitation to participate was sent to 1,845 current emails.In all,574 members completed the strictly-confidential investigation;this number represents an excellent 31% participation rate.For comparison,the 2002 survey had a response rate of 37%,or 532 respondents.The CSPG Membership Committee wishes to thank all of those who took the time to participate in this project, which has yielded an enormous quantity of useful information
RESULTS POSTED
The integral survey results,most with appropriate graphs,have been forwarded directly to members of the Executive and heads of all CSPG committees.These same results are also posted on the Internet, through a link on the CSPG website for all other interested groups and individuals to consult.Included in the results of the 67question survey are all the comments received for the six questions which asked for written feedback.These solicited input on such important topics as training needs of recent geology grads (#40),what topics/speakers members would like to hear at the Luncheons (#53),what members think about the Reservoir and where this publication should focus in the future (#s 58, 60,and 64),and what the goals and objectives of our Society should be (#66).
HISTORY
The Membership Committee began preparing the 2004 survey in the early fall of 2003.Announcements that the survey would be launched in the early part of 2004 through individual e-mail invitations were made in the Reservoir and at the Luncheons. The survey was carefully built on answers to the 2002 questions,as well as on responses to a request for questions made to other CSPG committees in late 2003.In the 2004 survey,some questions that were asked in 2002 were posed again,to compare with baseline information obtained two years ago; not surprisingly,the answers to several of these questions have not changed much or at all,providing confidence that the ranges of answers obtained in 2002 are representative. The survey ran for a little over a month, from around mid-March to mid-April.A brief analysis of selected results was done and submitted to the Executive in early May.At
Birth
the same time,a document was prepared for posting of all the results on the Internet,for the membership to consult.
LENGTH OF SURVEY
The last question was for feedback on the length of this survey:almost three-quarters of you stated that it was not too long,with its 67 questions.This is in part a testament to the care with which this survey was prepared as well as the interest of the membership,but also a reflection of the more user-friendly software used this time around.In 2002,the survey had 45 questions or almost 50% less than this year,and predictably almost 96% of respondents then said the survey was not too long.This indicates to the Committee that caution should be exercised in polling the membership with too large a number of questions,or too often.
Results of the 2004 investigation are providing important information to your Society and its committees as to your needs and preferences,and will help the CSPG in setting goals and directions,and maximizing benefits and relevance to you,the members.
SELECTED RESULTS
Following is a brief analysis of answers to selected questions.It is hoped that each of you will be interested in taking a look at the full compilation posted on the CSPG website,and that its content will perhaps inspire you to continue participating in improving the CSPG.
• The distribution of Age and Gender are essentially the same as they were two years ago.The majority (82.4%) of the respondents are male,but a very significant
percentage are female (17.6%);the birth histogram shows a bimodal distribution, with the first and highest peak centred around 1956,and the second centred around 1972-75.Some interesting entry errors were removed from the distribution:four members were apparently born this year,while three saw the day before the 20th Century,including one person born 20 years before the Battle of Hastings!
• Three-quarters of you are Full-time employees,while almost 12% are Consultants/contract employees.This latter number is significantly lower than that obtained in 2002 (19.7%).A category introduced in this year’s survey is Selfemployed (6%),something that could be viewed by some as the same as Consultant; combined,these categories make up 18%, not too far off the 20% of 2002.Most of you (87%) work for the Petroleum industry,in Exploration and development (71%).A new category introduced in this year’s survey, Trust,accounted for only 2% of respondents.
• For those members who are employees, Majors account for the largest single employer category (35%) but Juniors and Mid-sized together are a very significant portion (39%) and separately are about equal.
• Most of you (70%) consider yourselves Practitioners in describing your responsibilities in your current position (as opposed to Practicing executive and Executive and managerial,each about 10%).
• Over 80% of you were willing to participate in the Compensation portion of
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I.C.E. 2004
On behalf of the General Co-Chairmen for I.C.E 2004 we would like to congratulate all involved in the planning and execution of what was by all measures a very successful conference.This was the first conference to be co-sponsored by the CSPG,the Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA),and the Canadian Well Logging Society (CWLS) and consequently we saw a strong focus in the technical program towards the more topical areas of E&P activity in Canada:heavy oil and non-conventional gas.As has been the trend in the past years,a strong level of conference attendance shows continuing support from the sponsoring societies for the annual convention and we thank the membership accordingly.
Successful CSPG and related co-sponsored conferences require the active participation of a significant number of volunteers.I.C.E 2004 was fortunate in having contributions from a core group of volunteers,most of whom were not new to the task of conference planning,having participated in one or more CSPG and co-sponsored conferences in the past.The level of enthusiasm and dedication displayed by these volunteers was impressive and our success is in large part due to their exhaustive efforts.Often we forget that volunteers out of necessity spend the occasional office hour working on conference planning.Employers of these volunteers gave freely of their staff’s time;a contribution that is often as important to the success of a conference as is a monetary one.Our thanks go out to these companies for their strong support.
Although delegate registration fees provide a means of financing conferences,they are insufficient on their own.Numerous companies,whose names are listed elsewhere,generously donated to the sponsorship campaign at varying levels.All contributions were greatly appreciated and we thank the sponsors for their continued support.
A significant part of the conference each year is the trade show.We believe the trade show is multi-beneficial in that not only does it allow exhibitors access to a large group of potential clients but it also provides delegates with centralized access to the latest and greatest in petroleum E&P technology.The exhibitors are faced each year with having to decide which conferences they will attend.We are tremendously grateful to all of the I.C.E
2004 exhibitors for their unfaltering support to the annual CSPG and related cosponsored conferences.
Although I.C.E 2004 is a co-sponsored conference,much of the logistical support was provided by the CSPG.Several years ago the CSPG Committee on Conventions was formed under the leadership of one of our Past-Presidents,George Eynon.This group has been instrumental in providing continuity to yearly conference planning, effectively smoothing the waters for each successive organizing committee.In the case of I.C.E 2004 the CSPG Convention Manager,Lori Humphrey-Clements worked tirelessly to ensure that each of the conference committees was aware of their responsibilities and necessary deadlines.The General Co-chairs wish to thank the CSPG for providing such excellent support and continuity to the organizing committee.
In summary,another highly successful conference and all those who participated can take great pride in a job well done. Thank you again from the General CoChairman of I.C.E 2004,Innovation,
Collaboration and Exploitation;see you next year at the AAPG Convention.
Ian Moffat,General Co-Chair CSPG
Daryl M.Wightman,General Co-Chair CHOA
Ken Faurschou,General Co-Chair CWLS
I.C.E. SPONSOR LIST
SHAREHOLDER - $25,000 + EnCana Corporation
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE - $15,000 +
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
JOINT VENTURE - $10,000 + Nexen Inc.
ConocoPhillips Canada Limited
Schlumberger
Husky Energy Inc.
Shell Canada Ltd.
I.C.E. EXHIBITOR LIST
A.A.P.G.
Activation Laboratories Ltd.
AGAT Laboratories
Alberta Geological Survey
Americana Exploration,LLC
APEGGA
Atlantis Scientific Inc.
Auto-trol Technology (Canada) Ltd.
Baker Atlas
BC Ministry Of Energy & Mines
Beicip Inc.
BJ Services Company Canada
C.S.Lord Geoscience Centre
C.S.E.G.
Canada Fossils
Canadian Discovery Ltd.
Continental Laboratories (1985) Ltd.
Core Laboratories Canada Ltd.
Datalog Technologies Inc.
Digital Formation Inc.
Direct Geochemical
Divestco Inc.
Earth Decision Sciences Canada Ltd.
ECL Canada
ESG (Engineering Seismology Group)
ESRI Canada Ltd.
Fugro Airborne Surveys Corp.
GEDCO
geoLOGIC systems ltd.
GEO-LOGIC SYSTEMS,LLC
PARTNERSHIP - $5,000 +
GR Petrology Consultants Inc.
Suncor Energy Inc.
APEGGA
Burlington Resources
IHS Energy
Talisman Energy
VERITAS Geoservices
Reeves Wireline
Petro-Canada
Canadian Natural Resources Limited
Geological Survey of Canada - Calgary
Geo-Microbial Technologies (GMT) & PK Services
Geomodeling Technology Corp.
geoPLUS Corporation
GeoStar Solutions
Geovariances Americas,Inc.
Global Link Data Solutions Inc.
Government of Yukon
GR Petrology Consultants Inc.
Hydrocarbon Data Systems,Inc.
IHS Energy
Komarevich Originals Ltd.
Little Rock Document Services
MJ Systems
Neuralog,Inc.
Nikon Canada Inc.
NorthStar Drillstem Testers Inc.
Norwest Labs
Petcom,Inc.
Petrel - a SCHLUMBERGER product group
Petris Technology Inc.
Petrocraft Products Ltd.
PhotoSat Information Ltd.
Pro Geo Consultants
Rakhit Petroleum Consulting Ltd.
RECON Petrotechnologies Ltd.
Sanitherm Alberta
Saskatchewan Industry & Resources
Schlumberger Canada Limited
ASSOCIATE - $2,000 +
Hycal Energy Research Laboratories Ltd.
Norwest Labs
Core Laboratories Canada Ltd.
Pro Geo Consultants
United Oil & Gas Consulting Ltd.
Petrel - a Schlumberger product group
Northrock Resources Ltd.
GEDCO/SIS
Auto-trol Technology (Canada) Ltd.
Roxar,Inc.
AJM Petroleum Consultants
SDC Geologix
Sherwin Geological Consulting Ltd.
Signal Geophysical Consulting
The Imaging System Group,Inc.
TiPM Laboratory
Trivision Geosystems Ltd.
United Oil & Gas Ltd.
University Of Calgary
W.L.Gore & Associates,Inc.
Wellsight Systems Inc.
Wellsite Gas Detection Inc.
Wood MacKenzie
Outdoor Exhibitors
Precision Wireline Technologies
DATAMAXX Oilfield Corporation
Cora Lynn Drilling
Baker Atlas
the survey (not just salary or fee questions),demonstrating the sustained interest by the membership for this kind of information.
A rough bimodal distribution seems to occur in reference to salary compensation as an employee (before-tax,2003):one group (~ 30% of respondents) ranges from $50,000 to $80,000,while another (~ 32%) fits between $100,000 and $130,000.Or ~ 40% make between $90,000 and $130,000/year, depending on how you analyse the data.In 2002,a similar grouping between $95,000 and $130,000 was found (~ 30% of respondents,but this takes into account the 23% who chose the No response category). Also in 2002,another group (~ 16%) was noticed around $45,000 to $65,000.Further manipulation of the 2004 data could compare years of experience with salary. Overall high salaries indicate the booming nature of the oil & gas industry,as well as the large proportion of more experienced (and likely older) professionals.
About 63% of you get three to four weeks paid holidays from your employer.About 13% get five weeks.
Results for the question posed to those who worked as Consultants/contractors in 2003 gave daily rates centred on $600 to $700/day for about 20% of respondents.The responses in the 2002 survey were analysed and displayed a little differently;but the peak at that time clearly centred on $550 to $600/day. Another significant peak centres on $1,000 to $1,999/day (~ 11% of respondents) in the 2004 survey,suggesting that there is a distinct “higher priced” number of consultants out there,perhaps those more experienced or with a specialty in great demand.No such clear second peak occurred in 2002 (although there was perhaps a hint of such at $950 to $1000/day).
• Basically half of you expressed a high level of satisfaction with your current job as well as with your present employer.It was believed that by distinguishing between job and employer,different answers might be obtained (the latter question was not posed in 2002).This did not happen. Perhaps job satisfaction is more intimately linked with employer satisfaction than the Membership Committee had imagined.
• Almost 30% of you plan on staying with your current employer two to three years before proactively seeking a change of employment,while 14% plan on looking for another job in a year.These numbers point to the high level of mobility of the geotechnical workforce in our presently booming industry.
• Almost a third of our membership intends to retire within the next decade.Half of our present members plan on being out of the petroleum employment market within the next 15 years.Although the retirement
question was posed differently two years ago,the distribution of answers is remarkably similar if not identical between the two surveys.
• When it comes to training,78% of you believe the CSPG should expand its role in providing an increased amount of formal career training opportunities for its members by means of specific training courses.This is a strong mandate for the Society to go on with its present continuing education initiatives and even expand its role in organizing pertinent training for the membership.Fully 64% of the respondents would like the Society to spearhead some sort of structured mentoring program for beginning geologists.In your early career stages,half of you said that there was someone available at work,on an informal basis,that you considered a mentor.Check out the specific details of what members want to see the CSPG provide in terms of continuing education to its membership,on the website.
• Almost half of you think that the CSPG in its present form is somewhat useful for your career,while about a third believe the Society is very useful.The former group is an important one,at 47%;this is a slight improvement over the 2002 figure (53%). These results underline the fact that the CSPG needs to continually work hard towards making membership more relevant and beneficial to the largest possible number of members.
• The survey highlighted that the CSPG has 11 technical divisions,most of which schedule regular activities.The graph shows how each division rates in interest to the members.The results are strikingly similar
to results two years ago,except Reservoir development did increase its interest level.
• It seems that most participants in the survey felt that the Outreach programs and the Career website were the most important programs.However,a later question directly about the value of the Career website had the support of only 43% of the participants as being “high value”.
• Just over half of you have volunteered at one time or another for the CSPG,a very high figure by any stretch.An overwhelming majority (over 80%) felt their contribution was appreciated,and would volunteer again for the Society.
• To better allocate funds and resources,you were asked to evaluate an exhaustive list of the Benefits and Initiatives.Once again,it seems that the value drives for members are the hard,tangible assets,which are training,education,conventions,etc.The benefits that do not really register to members are the soft assets like the discounts on CSPG goods and services. This could be driven by the fact that most companies pay for memberships and conventions so there is no personal stake in the discounts.The other reason could be that the CSPG does not really provide good services on which members can receive discounts,which is something the Membership Committee is working towards enhancing.The results are very similar to those obtained in 2002.
• When it comes to the Luncheons,84% of survey participants got to 0 – 9 luncheons/year,14% went to 10 – 19 luncheons/year and only 1% went to 21 –29 luncheons/year.89% of the survey participants do not listen to or watch the webcasts of the luncheons.This might be expected because this benefit is really for people outside of Calgary,which is a minority of the members.
• As for the Reservoir,95% of the members think it is a useful publication,which is a very strong message.45% of participants still prefer a hard copy while only 23% want a digital copy suggesting the membership still wants the paper.As a note,in 2002, 40% of respondents wanted hard copy too. 65% of participants read advertisements and when asked to recall names of advertisers in the Reservoir,we got an impressive response,in often exhaustive lists of advertisers.
• Another encouraging feedback about the Reservoir:fully two-thirds of you Always
How valuable is membership in the CSPG to your career?
read it while about a quarter Often read this publication.Check out the full survey results and the great variety of reasons why you read the Reservoir,as well as what else you think about it.
Thank you once more to those who participated in this ambitious project.
EXECUTIVE COMMENT
This year’s SIFT took place from May 2nd to May 15th with 31 students participating.It was an action-packed two weeks consisting of lectures,field trips,and an exploration game. Students were exposed to a variety of topics including clastic and carbonate sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy,geophysics,and well logging,to name a few.Students used their new-found knowledge in an exploration game, where they form companies consisting of three or four individuals.Each company was given an initial sum of money to purchase land and drill wells.Over the course of the two weeks they went through landsales,drilling, and property evaluation,gaining an understanding of the science and business of the oil patch.At the end of the trip,each company presented their results to a panel of judges who determined the winning team for best geological interpretation and for most money earned.It was a tough decision choosing the winners as all the students did an excellent job.
As expected,field trips play a very important role in SIFT and are often one of the highlights for the students.There is a one-day tour of Dinosaur Provincial Park,with David Eberth of the Royal Tyrrell Museum,which introduces the students to the geology of southern Alberta.At the mid-point of the program there is a four-day excursion into the Canadian Rocky Mountains,with local structural specialists,that is extremely
beneficial in initiating discussions on the structural evolution and development of the Canadian Cordillera.These concepts are further exploited near the end of the trip during a flyover through a similar transect as that seen on the four-day.
The SIFT program relies heavily on volunteers to make it a success.Many thanks are extended to the 2004 SIFT organizing committee for their efforts on this year’s trip. I would also like to thank the numerous volunteers,who assisted by giving lectures, core seminars,and field trips.The quality of these presentations is exceptional and without the contributions of these individuals we could not offer such a fantastic opportunity to the students.
I have been involved with SIFT for the last ten years and I have found it to be an extremely rewarding experience.These sentiments are frequently echoed by the other committee members,many of whom were SIFT students themselves.In addition,over the years,many individuals have stated that SIFT played a key role in their career choice.Jennifer Squance, who works at Talisman Energy,is quoted as saying “the Student Industry Field Trip exposed me to a geological career that I may not have considered.I was primarily taught about the Mining Industry during university and SIFT introduced me to the Petroleum Industry.I applied to the SIFT summer employment
program and was fortunate to have gained valuable experience in a new field of geology through a summer work term.I have now chosen petroleum geology as a career.” When asked:‘what part did SIFT play in you becoming a petroleum geologist?’,Angela Dowd,who works at Canadian Natural Resources Limited, states,“It is THE reason I’m here.I am where I am today because of a two-week field trip called SIFT.SIFT sparked my interest in petroleum geology,provided me an excellent career opportunity,and has been the catalyst for many lasting friendships.” Both Jennifer and Angela are now active SIFT committee members.
In closing,I would like to thank all the past and present volunteers,the Educational Trust Fund and the membership at large for their continued support of such a key program for the CSPG.Without this commitment,SIFT would not be the success that it is year in and year out.
Doug Hamilton Assistant Program Director
Thursday September 9th to Saturday September 11th , 2004
Calgary Centennial Arenas
This tournament is a fun, non-bodychecking hockey tournament open to all CSPG/CSEG members. Registration includes; at least three games, Saturday night windup banquet, jersey and door prizes. Each team will be comprised of players of all skill levels. Two divisions of four teams will play a round robin tournament with the top two teams playing in a final game late Saturday afternoon.
REGISTRATION FORM
NAME:
COMPANY:
ADDRESS (Company preferred):
Primary Business (please circle one of the following): Oil and Gas Consulting Service Company Student
SKILL LEVEL: Please indicate below:
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Entry must be accompanied by the full fee. Registration will be accepted on a first come first serve basis with priority given to CSPG/CSEG members until August 13th, 2004. Registration deadline is August 27, 2004 with no refunds after 5:00 p.m. September 3rd, 2004. Send cheques payable to the CSPG Hockey Tournament to the following address:
Due to the inherent risks and dangers associated with the game of hockey, the CSPG Hockey Committee, the CSPG and the CSEG are not liable for any injury or loss which a participant may experience over the course of this tournament.
FEES: Basic Registration (includes GST)
CSPG/CSEG member: $35.00 Non-member: $50.00
Guests are welcome to come join us for the windup banquet on Saturday night. The fees are as follows: Registration for Windup Only (Includes GST):
CSPG/CSEG member: $10.00 Non-member: $15.00
they unwittingly underestimated their skill at subterfuge.Their loss dealt a serious blow to the Gabriel’s original roster,which was now reduced to 13 members.
The crew of the Gabriel,after several anxious days of waiting for the possible return of their five members,were once again beset by a swarm of natives in their kayaks.Fearing an attack,Master Hall prepared his ship’s defences to prevent a boarding and ordered his men to fire the ship’s canon,which resulted in their dispersal.Frobisher,anxious to learn the fate of the five sailors,relied on Hall to devise a ploy to capture a native by luring him to the ship’s hull.Knowing that the natives were fascinated by the sound of bells,he set in motion the successive ringing of a small tinkling bell progressing in stages to a larger clanging variant.By using this musical bait,he was able to entice one of the natives in his kayak to the ship’s side.Hall,through his great strength and dexterity,plucked the astonished native from the sea and hoisted him,still snug in his kayak,onto the deck of the Gabriel. Having secured a bargaining position, Frobisher offered to release their captive for the safe return to the ship of the five seamen the natives had lured into captivity.However, the natives remained aloof and the exchange came to naught.Frobisher’s prisoner accompanied the crew back to England,where he and his kayak were to be publicly displayed. Tragically,he contracted influenza during the return of the Gabriel and died shortly after arriving in a country,which to him was so foreign and incomprehensible. Having been thwarted by the natives in his ardent attempt to rescue the five kidnapped
seamen,Frobisher,with a reduced crew, decided it was imperative for the Gabriel,to sail for home.Prior to leaving Hall’s Island, he formally took possession of the region he had discovered in the name of Queen Elizabeth and England.
Although the search for a Northwest Passage, leading to Cathay,was the principal objective of Frobisher’s expedition,it nevertheless was mandatory that he report on the natural resources of any newly discovered lands. Accordingly,the Gabriel’s final berth,before venturing out into the Labrador Sea,was at Hall’s Islet,laying off the northeast coast of Hall’s Island proper.After anchoring offshore, Frobisher ordered several seamen to row ashore in the deck boat to reconnoiter the small island,while searching for natural occurring substances or artifacts which would serve as mementoes of their voyage. Successive groups of ship’s crew took their turns,following the return to the ship of the preceding group.Since the Gabriel apparently contained a single deck boat,the relay procedure thus entitled all of the ship’s seamen to participate in the island’s search (Ibid.,1971,Morison,Samuel Eliot --- pp.507, 508).Frobisher had directed the first members ashore:“to bring him whatsoever thing they could first finde,whether it were living or dead,stocke or stone,in token of Christian possession.The most significant object collected on Hall’s Islet by one of the seamen and delivered to Frobisher was:“a piece of blacke stone much like to a sea cole in colour, which by the weight seemed to be some kind of mineral.This was a thing of no account in the judgement of the captaine at the first sight;
and yet for novelty it was kept in respect of the place from when it came.” (ref.,George Best’s narrative:True Discourse;an account of Frobisher’s voyages.) and (Ibid.,1951,H.J. Wood --- p.97).
Hall’s Islet could be considered “lands end” of the north foreland (Hall Peninsula) of Frobisher Bay facing the Labrador Sea.It was from here that the Gabriel and her crew embarked on August 26th and,encountering heavy seas offset by propitious winds, arrived safely back to London on October 9th,1576.Their return,accompanied with their native captive,a “strange man and his bote” aroused great curiosity and astonishment amongst his London admirers. Queen Elizabeth was exceedingly impressed with Frobisher’s discovery of a strait marking a gateway to the Northwest Passage that she name its south peninsula Meta Incognita (Destination Unknown) (Ibid.,1971,Morison,Samuel Eliot --- p.510).
The heavy “piece of blacke stone” picked up on Hall’s Islet by one of the Gabriel’s seaman, who apparently had an eye for the unusual, was,figuratively speaking,the lodestone whose attraction resulted in Frobisher’s return to his “Frobishers Streytes” in 1577 and again in 1578.His former preoccupation, as well as those of the Cathay and Muscovy Companies,with sailing to Cathay through the “strait” he had discovered,was put in abeyance pending his mining operations for what he perceived to be “Saint-seducing gold.” (Shakespeare:Romeo and Juliet).
To be continued...
2004 SEG/EAGE DISC - Distingushed Instructor Short Course
2004 Distinguished Instructor, Paul Weimer
Calgary: Wednesday, September 29, 2004
8AM - 5PM Metropolitan Conference Centre (Sign in at 7:30, Lunch is not included)
PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF DEEP-WATER SETTINGS
by Paul Weimer, University of Colorado
For more info & registration form, see the SEG website: (www.seg.org under Continuing Education), or CSEG website: www.cseg.ca
Deadline for course registration is Friday, September 17, 2004
