Earth & Energy Magazine 2011

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

CONTENTS ON THE COVER: Domingas Cristovao Martins, an international student from Luanda, Angola, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in summer 2011 with a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering.

04COLLEGE 04 LETTER FROM THE DEAN 05 OU DEDICATES VAN DYKE PLAZA 06 DAYS HONORED BY COLLEGE 07 WORKSHOP ENCORE 08 GOERINGER HONORED BY PROVOST ENERGY INDEPENDENCE 09 BOARD OF VISITORS

26 THE FIRST FIVE Y

10 A NIGHT OF RECOGNITION 11 HONORING A TRAILBLAZER

12FACULTY 12 FROM ALASKA TO AFRICA INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH, TEACHING GEOINFORMATICS PIONEER KELLER CO-EDITS BOOK

13STUDENTS

ii

13 WELCOME BACK, OKLAHOMA STYLE

16 FORUM FOR COMMUNICATION

14 TEAMING UP

17 ENGINEERS TREK FOR CANCER

15 STUDENT, TUTOR, RESEARCHER

18 PUSHING PAST THE COMFORT ZONE

16 173 STUDENTS EARN DEGREES

19 A BAYOU-STYLE CRAWFISH BOIL

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

20FEATURES 20 A MODEL FIELD CAMP 22 ON THE EDGE OF A FRONTIER 24 A CENTER FOR EARTHQUAKES

28ALUMNI 28 PAYING IT FORWARD 29 MENTEE TURNS MENTOR 30 NEVER TOO EARLY TO START 31 ENGAGING OTHERS TO GIVE BACK 32 A BALANCED APPROACH TO SERVICE 33 IN MEMORIAM: CY WAGNER JR. 36 CLASS NOTES 39 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

YEARS EARTH & ENERGY MAGAZINE Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy University of Oklahoma Š2011 Produced by: LevyMart Public Relations Designed by: Old Hat Creative Photo credits: Shevaun Williams, Robert Taylor Contact: Allison Richardson Director of Alumni Relations Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy University of Oklahoma 1510 Sarkeys Energy Center 100 E. Boyd St. Norman, OK 73019-1015 Phone: (405) 325-3821 Fax: (405) 325-3180 email: arichardson@ou.edu This publication, printed by OU Printing Services, is issued by the University of Oklahoma. 5,500 copies have been prepared and distributed at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Larry R. Grillot, Dean and Lester A. Day Family Chair Barry L. Weaver, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics Ameil Shadid, Director of Development Allison Richardson, Director of Alumni Relations Donna Ade, Staff Assistant Luanne Howk, Financial Administrator Yoana Walschap, International Outreach Web Support Constance White, Manager, Administration and Operations Naila Williams, Administrative Assistant Andrea Flores, Financial Associate UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES Linda Goeringer, Coordinator Elizabeth Ehrhardt, Academic Counselor IT FIELD REPRESENTATIVE Lisa Hendrix Web: http://www.ou.edu/mcee Facebook: OU Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy

This University in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

iii

LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Welcome to the fall 2011 edition of Earth & Energy magazine, which includes highlights from the first five years of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.

S

ince 2006, our student enrollment has increased from 460 in 2006 to more than 900 in fall 2011. Such a dramatic increase presents both opportunities and challenges, but I am pleased to report that the college

is continuing to move forward as we work to provide the best education and college experience possible.

We have outstanding faculty and staff who work to maintain high quality teaching and research, and currently are working to increase our instructional faculty and supporting resources to meet this significant increase in our student population.

We continue to focus on laboratory, “hands-on” education. This includes: • the new Bartell Field Camp that was used for the first time this past summer • upgraded Crustal Imaging Facility, where our students have access to state-of-the-art geosciences and engineering software • expanded and upgraded PE undergraduate teaching labs, which give our students the opportunity to work with industry-standard equipment • MI-SWACO fluids lab and similar facilities, which provide practical support to classroom lectures • and NOV Drilling Simulator, a major addition to the college that fits in well in the ExxonMobil Lawrence Rawl Engineering Practice Facility in the College of Engineering, with which we continue to enjoy a very positive working relationship.

In addition to labs, we now have much improved faculty and student areas, such as the remodeled Youngblood Energy Library, new computer labs and remodeled office and student project spaces in the Energy Center Tower.

Our students continue to excel. For example, at the AAPG international meeting last spring, OU was recognized as having the outstanding student chapter in the United States and at the fall 2010 SPE International meeting, OU again won the PetroBowl, marking the third win in the past four years.

We continue to have strong recruitment of our graduates by a broad range of companies. Many of our students also are successfully pursuing graduate education and careers in academia.

The success of the Mewbourne College is due in large part to the support by alumni and other supporters, particularly Curtis Mewbourne. Corporate support also has been a large factor in the college’s success.

The college is in good shape to meet the needs of our students, and promote energy and earth sciences education at the University of Oklahoma. Our challenge is to maintain our gains of the past five years, and continue to build for the future. I look forward to working with you to meet these challenges.

Larry R. Grillot Dean and Lester A. Day Family Chair

4

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

O U D E D I C AT E S VA N DY K E P L A Z A MANY COntributions recognized GENE VAN DYKE graduated from the University of Oklahoma more than 60 years ago. But the geological engineering alumnus has never stopped giving back to his alma mater.

On April 18, in recognition of his generous contributions to the university’s earth and energy programs, the newly renovated Sarkeys Energy Center plaza was named in Van Dyke’s honor.

The Gene Van Dyke Plaza, the renovation of which was made possible by a gift from Van Dyke, includes computer laboratories for earth and energy students, an executive board room for use by alumni, faculty and student leaders, and a new, state-of-the-art classroom.

“The university is grateful to have

Left to right: Janice Van Dyke Walden, Gene and Astrid Van Dyke, OU President David Boren and Mewbourne College Dean Larry Grillot

the opportunity to recognize and honor Gene Van Dyke’s long devotion

worked briefly for Kerr-McGee in

the Houston radio broadcast of OU

to OU and his provision of important

Oklahoma City and S.D. Johnson Oil

football games each year and, in

resources to benefit our students in

Co. in Wichita Falls, Texas, before

association with the OU President’s

the energy field,” says OU President

forming his company, now known

Associates program, Van Dyke

David Boren.

as Vanco Energy Co., for which

opens his home for the OU-Texas

he serves as president and CEO.

A&M pre-game celebration every

Navy Base Officer’s Quarters during

Today, Vanco Energy has operations

other year.

the tragic 1950 fire that destroyed the

offshore of the Ukraine and four

former World War II barracks and killed

countries in West Africa.

Van Dyke served as president of the

three student residents. After narrowly

A recipient of the 2010 OU

He is active in many professional and community organizations, including the OU Club of Houston,

escaping death himself, he was

Regents’ Alumni Award, Van Dyke

Petroleum Club, Houston Club,

responsible for personally informing

has made gifts to the Victor E.

American Association of Petroleum

the victims’ families.

Monnett Chair, named in honor

Geologists, Association of International

of the longtime director of OU’s

Petroleum Negotiators, Society of

Van Dyke began his oil and gas

School of Geology, whom Van Dyke

Independent Professional Earth

exploration career, first in Texas and

credits with having influenced him

Scientists, and Houston Geological

Louisiana, and then in the North

to pursue studies and a career in the

Society, which in 2000 honored him as

Sea and deepwater West Africa. He

oil business. His company sponsors

a “Living Legend in Wildcatting.”

After his graduation that year,

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

5

COLLEGE NEWS

TERESA K. AND JAMES C. DAY HONORED BY COLLEGE Dean’s Suite named for philanthropic Couple LONGTIME UNIVERSITY OF

Energy Center Board of Directors and

companies with operations in

Oklahoma supporters James C.

the Mewbourne College’s Board of

14 countries.

and Teresa K. Day, known for their

Visitors. In 2000, he joined with his

philanthropy and community

siblings to provide support for the

Corp. made a major gift to the college

involvement, were honored Jan. 10

Lester A. Day Family Chair, named

in recognition of Day’s distinguished

with the naming of the Mewbourne

in memory of their father, which

service and leadership. That year, OU

College of Earth and Energy dean’s

is designated for the dean of the

awarded him an honorary doctorate

office suite.

Mewbourne College.

of humane letters in recognition of

The James C. and Teresa K. Day

his professional achievements and

Suite on the 15th floor of Sarkeys

career with Noble Corp. in 1977. He

Energy Center houses the office of

was named president and CEO in

Teresa Day lends her time and

the dean, the college’s administrative

1984, and elected chairman of the

support to such organizations as the

staff and a conference room.

board in 1992. Under his leadership,

Fort Bend Education Foundation,

the company grew from a primarily

Boys and Girls Country, and

and expertise to the university

domestic drilling company into one

the Court Appointed Special

through service on the Sarkeys

of the largest international offshore

Advocates program.

James Day has provided vision

6

Day began his more than 30-year

At his 2007 retirement, Noble

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

service to the university.

EARTH & ENERGY

WORKSHOP ENCORE high demand for mississippian play updates

DEMAND FOR THE Oklahoma

the intermittent presence of natural

histories and field studies. These field

Geological Survey’s May 18

fracture systems.

studies highlighted porosity types,

Mississippian Play Workshop was so high that it was repeated on Aug. 2.

One of the most actively

Consulting geologist Kurt Rottmann

fracturing, completion techniques,

kicked off both workshops with a

reservoir drainage, in-fill drilling

comprehensive geological analysis

potential, and the production

sought reservoirs in Oklahoma,

that results in a better understanding

characteristics of various

the Mississippian Oil Play has the

of the subsurface geometry of

reservoir systems.

potential to become one of the most

productive facies contained within

profitable domestic onshore oil

the Mississippian interval and

Kurt Marfurt, OU; Shane Matson,

plays. Horizontal wells are ideally

development of a methodology for

Spyglass Energy Group LLC;

suited to Mississippian reservoirs,

more reliable prediction.

Mark Przywara, NuTech Energy;

which typically are characterized

The workshops also demonstrated

Other workshop presenters were

Greg Flournoy, Schlumberger;

by low matrix porosity and

how Mississippian reservoirs behave

and Charles Wickstrom, Spyglass

permeability that are enhanced by

in detail through horizontal well

Energy Group LLC.

KANSAS

MISSOURI

MISSISSIPPIAN PLAY

TEXAS

Norman

ARKANSAS

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

7

COLLEGE NEWS

TO P H O N O R S PROVOST HONORS GOERINGER WITH OUTSTANDING ADVISING AWARD navigate through their academic

be very effective during a period

careers still is an understatement.

which has seen an 85 percent

For Goeringer, advising University of

increase in student enrollment in the

Oklahoma students is a calling.

college. Her office has continued

This past spring, Goeringer,

to be available to students, while

the Mewbourne College of Earth

showing concern for student welfare

and Energy’s coordinator of

and working to address a variety of

Undergraduate Student Services,

student problems.”

was recognized for her efforts with the Provost’s Outstanding Academic

to Goeringer’s advising

Advising Award.

responsibilities, she has taken the

In his nomination letter, Dean

Dean Larry Grillot nominated Linda Goeringer for the Provost’s Outstanding Academic Advising Award.

Grillot notes that, in addition

initiative in such areas as student

Larry Grillot calls Goeringer

tutoring, organizing the Dean’s

dedicated, highly regarded,

Advisory Council, coordinating and

conscientious and effective. “Linda

managing the college convocation,

has been a key player in efforts

and acting as secretary for academic

to better communicate with our

appeals and academic misconduct

students, assist them in the area

committees as required.

of academic advising and handle

”Many of these extra activities,”

AS STRONG A STATEMENT as

many other activities related to

he adds, “were taken at Linda’s

it is, saying that Linda Goeringer is

student needs. In particular, she

initiative to ensure that we are

passionate about helping students

has organized student services to

addressing overall student needs.”

E N E RGY I N D E P E N D E N C E summit focuses on woodford region EXPERTS gathered to discuss

“Whether firming up wind and solar power, or serving

America’s path toward greater energy independence at the

as the new fuel of choice for retired or outdated power

2011 Woodford Shale Summit, sponsored by the University of

generating plants, natural gas will play the key role in

Oklahoma and Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission this

meeting our country’s future energy demands,” says

STAKEHOLDERS

AND

past March on OU’s Norman campus.

The summit focused on key issues in the Woodford Region, a unique reservoir that has tremendous potential for both oil and gas production. Sessions explored the importance of utilizing natural gas and the symbiotic relationship between natural gas

8

Mewbourne College Dean Larry R. Grillot, who served as host for the summit.

The multi-state IOGCC promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of the nation’s domestic oil and natural

and other energy sources, as well as demand management,

gas resources while protecting health, safety and the

efficiency and renewables in the development of America’s

environment. The commission is the oldest and largest

natural gas resources and move toward energy independence.

state compact in the United States.

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

A DV I S O RY B OA R D S TO M E E T N OV. 4 COMPOSED OF UP to 30 active members who are distinguished alumni, corporate leaders and

FALL 2011 MEETING

outstanding scientists, the Mewbourne College of

SCHEDULE

Earth and Energy Board of Visitors is representative of the broad scope of earth and energy disciplines

10:30 a.m.

in general and geosciences and petroleum and

Joint meeting and luncheon Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Board of Visitors

geological engineering in particular.

The board’s purpose is to provide critical,

ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics Alumni Advisory Council

constructive advice to the dean and the other members of the College Executive Committee;

Mewbourne School of Petroleum Engineering Industry Advisory Board

help shape and actively promote the vision, goals and objectives of the college within the university, state and nation; and assist the

1:30 p.m.

Individual board and council meetings

college’s leadership with issues that impact the

6 p.m.

Trailblazer Award dinner Molly Shi Boren Ballroom Oklahoma Memorial Union

future of the college.

M E W B O U R N E CO L L E G E O F E A RT H A N D E N E RGY 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 B OA R D O F V I S I TO R S MEMBERS Chris Cheatwood, Chairman Brian O’Brien Douglas Cummings James C. Davis James C. Day James A. Gibbs Kim Hatfield Ronnie K. Irani T.H. McCasland Jr. Jere W. McKenny

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Frank J. Patterson Conley Smith Charles Stephenson Jr. Robert L. Stephenson J. Mike Stice Robert Thomas Gene Van Dyke Kenneth Waits Lew Ward III

J. Denny Bartell Al J. Hirshberg Robert McKenny Bill Z. Parker Pamela S. Pierce Ted Sandridge Cyril Wagner Jr.

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Craig Koontz Sharon Woods Minor

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

9

COLLEGE NEWS

A NIGHT FOR RECOGNITION Ten individuals were honored this past November at the 2010 Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Distinguished Awards Dinner for their extraordinary support of the University of Oklahoma and service to the industry and community.

-DPHV +HQU\, %ULDQ 2路%ULHQ , &KDUOHV 6WHSKHQVRQ , *HQH 9DQ '\NH and &\ :DJQHU were selected as recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award on the basis of their involvement with the college in the form of academic, scientific or practical contributions in their chosen field; achievements in business; and/or past or ongoing involvement with the college.

5REHUW $OOHQ , 'RXJODV &XPPLQJV , -DPHV & 'D\, 6 .LP +DWILHOG and .HQQHWK :DLWV each received the Distinguished Service Award as a result of their involvement with the college in the form of classroom speaking; advisory board membership; student mentoring, internships and hiring; other classroom or college advocacy; financial contributions; and/or support of student activities.

10

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

Charles and Peggy Stephenson

HONORING A TRAILBLAZER STEPHENSON TO BE RECOGNIZED AT NOV. 4 DInner ONE OF OKLAHOMA’S most

Vintage Petroleum Inc., from which

Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma

successful and philanthropic native

he retired as chairman of the board,

City. The couple also endowed a chair

sons will be honored with the

president and CEO. The company was

in petroleum engineering. Stephenson

Mewbourne College of Earth and

sold in 2006 to Occidental.

is a Sarkeys Energy Center Founder.

Energy’s 2011 Trailblazer Award.

Charles Stephenson, of Tulsa

Stephenson and his wife, Peggy,

Established in 2003, the

are among the university’s most loyal

Trailblazer Award honors exceptional

will be recognized as part the

and generous supporters. Their gifts

individuals in the energy industry

biennial dinner celebration slated

have helped build the Stephenson

who have pioneered operational

for 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Molly

Research and Technology Center and

or scientific practices, procedures

Shi Boren Ballroom in Oklahoma

the Stephenson Life Sciences Research

and developments for the industry,

Memorial Union.

Center on the Norman campus, and

enhancing the quality of life for

the Peggy and Charles Stephenson

Oklahoma citizens, the nation and

Oklahoma Cancer Center at the OU

the world.

A 1959 OU petroleum engineering graduate, Stephenson founded

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

11

FACULTY SPOTLIGHTS

F RO M A L A S K A TO A F R I C A KATIE KERANEN, assistant professor

data. The data are being used to

that are funded by grants from the

of geophysics, has two new grants

analyze local earthquake sources

U.S. Department of Energy and the

from the National Science Foundation.

in this region, which has produced

Oak Ridge Associated Universities

One grant supports the study of earthquakes and the major

some of the world's largest recorded earthquakes in the past.

consortium. Under the DOE-funded grant, she is examining geothermal

fault system along the subduction

The second NSF grant supports

prospects in western Nevada.

zone plate boundary in southwest Alaska. To collect data this summer,

research into the deformation of the African continent in Ethiopia,

Fieldwork includes collection of seismic reflection data, using

Keranen and colleagues from Lamont

where Keranen will deploy similar

explosive and weight-drop sources,

Doherty Earth Observatory flew on a small plane to eight sites on

instruments to study the East African Rift system and the resulting basins,

and gravity data to map basin and fault structures and to evaluate

the southwest Alaskan peninsula,

both within the rift and on the rift

installed broadband seismometers and recorded seismic sources – earthquakes and airgun shots from

shoulders. The five-year project began in September.

Keranen also is working on

geothermal fluid pathways. The ORAU grant supports the use of new and existing gravity and magnetic data to evaluate a possible impact crater site

a ship collecting seismic reflection

research projects in western Nevada

near Alamo, Nev.

I N N OVAT I O N S I N R E S E A RCH , T E ACH I N G MAYSAM POURNIK is exploring ways to develop more environmentally

keep those fractures – or channels – open, enabling the extraction of gas

well to enhance flow capacity of the rock matrix.

friendly methods of enhancing gas and oil recovery from rock, especially shale.

and oil.

Acid fracturing uses a similar

On the teaching side, Pournik has adopted an innovative method for

Pournik, an assistant professor of petroleum engineering, focuses his research on hydraulic fracturing, matrix

high-pressure injection of acid to etch cracks in the rock in an uneven fashion that will keep the channels open

gauging real-time student feedback, administering surveys and quizzes and even taking attendance. Each student

acidizing and acid fracturing, and the mechanics of fracture closure.

Hydraulic fracturing involves the

without the need for solid particles.

The process has proven successful in carbonate formations; Pournik

in his lecture classes receives an Katie Keranen in Alaska. electronic response pad, through which they can answer questions and Pournik

high-pressure injection of liquids (usually water, but other fluids, including gases, also can be used) carrying solid particles into rock formations to create fractures. When the pressure is released, the particles

is exploring whether it will work in shale formations, which can contain a significant amount of acid-soluble minerals. Matrix acidizing utilizes low injection pressure with the aim of etching the rock near the producing

can elicit responses that indicate whether they grasp the concepts being discussed and make necessary changes to improve their understanding. “It is nice to continuously see how the students are learning,” he says.

GEOINFORMATICS PIONEER KELLER CO-EDITS BOOK GEOINFORMATICS PIONEER and Oklahoma Geological Survey director Randy Keller is co-editor of

Geoinformatics: Cyberinfrastructure for the Solid Earth Sciences (Cambridge University Press, 2011). The book, which Keller edited with Chaitanya Baru of the University of California, San Diego, provides an accessible introduction to the applications of cyberinfrastructure in the Earth sciences for readers without specialist computer knowledge and presents numerous international case studies to demonstrate the benefits of geoinformatics projects across a broad spectrum of geoscience disciplines.

12

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

W E L CO M E B ACK , O K L A H O M A ST Y L E SAMSON SPONSORS BACK-TO-SCHOOL Barbecue Samson has been recruiting

TULSA-BASED SAMSON

and student organization information,

Investment Co. has a long and

was held Aug. 31 on the Brian E. and

OU students for decades. “The

storied history with the University

Saundra L. O’Brien Plaza.

university’s premier programs make

of Oklahoma and the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.

Samson’s founder, the late

The idea for sponsorship of the back-to-school barbecue for students came out of a lunch discussion

it easy to recruit top graduates,” Phelps says.

“We have recruited across

Charles Schusterman, was a 1958

in early 2010 between MCEE

disciplines for many years, and

petroleum engineering graduate. The

development director Ameil Shadid

from engineering in particular for

Schusterman family has generously

and Samson representatives about

the past eight years. We also have

supported OU in many areas, from

ways in which the company could

a formal internship program for

the acquisition of the Schusterman

continue supporting the college and

petroleum engineering and geology

Center in Tulsa to endowing student

its students. “Ameil said, ‘We have

and geophysics students as well as

scholarships and faculty chairs and

an opportunity that might be a good

development programs for

professorships. One of Samson’s most

fit for Samson,’” recalls Samson

entry-level professionals.”

recent gifts funded construction of

HR adviser Sarah Phelps. “We

the study hall at the ConocoPhillips

immediately recognized that it was

president for human resources,

School of Geology and Geosciences

a perfect fit in terms of supporting

emphasizes the enormous value of

Bartell Field Camp in Colorado.

students in an informal, fun

interacting and collaborating with OU

Kevin Morris, Samson vice

atmosphere to kick off the semester

on multiple of levels. “Our long-term

gifts comes in the form of sponsoring

for them in a positive way. Last year

success is very much entwined with

the Mewbourne College of Earth and

and this year we brought 10 Samson

the long-term success of our OU

Energy’s Welcome Back Barbecue.

employees with us, most of whom

alumni,” he says. “There is no place

are graduates of the college. It’s been

we would rather recruit and no place

really fantastic to have them there.”

from which we get better recruits.”

One of the company’s most unique

The fifth annual event, complete with free food and T-shirts, live music

MEWBOURNECOLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

13

STUDENTS

TEAMING UP ZUMWALT, BURGET A FORMIDABLE PAIR I was reluctant at first, but Ashley’s

that included ConocoPhillips,

reputation as smart, efficient and a

Schlumberger, Halliburton, Saudi

hard worker preceded her, so I joined

Amoco and Total, on what QGGMS

the team.”

does and how it could benefit them.

The two quickly realized they had similar communication and work styles. “Very few people got As in

already this fall the two have traveled to Alberta, Canada, to compete in

be a good team for other projects.”

an oil and gas industry challenge

petroleum engineering competition in which, with teammate and fellow PE senior Kylie Bohanan, they ranked in the top 15 of 700 teams and presenting a commercialization strategy for a an oil and gas software to an eightcompany consortium in San Francisco.

GeoGenome™ Mineralogy Simulator,

teams. “Individual commitment to a

was created by [Larry W. Brummet/

group effort – that is what makes a

ONEOK Chair in Poromechanics and]

team work, a company work, a society

petroleum engineering Professor

work, a civilization work.”

Younane Abousleiman. QGGMS was selected for commercialization by OU’s

and co-chaired the annual Society of Petroleum Engineers’ golf tournament, all while carrying full course loads and serving as teaching assistants, Burget for the introduction to engineering course and Zumwalt an entrepreneurship course in the Michael F. Price College of Business.

Zumwalt also serves as vice-chairman of the Campus Activities Council and is taking flight lessons. She expects to have her private pilot license by the time she graduates in May 2012.

Both have accepted postgraduation employment, Zumwalt with ExxonMobil in Houston and Burget

know a little about the value of

Center for the Creation of Economic

individual commitment to a team

Wealth during spring 2011. Zumwalt,

with Newfield Exploration in Denver.

effort. For the past two years, they

a CCEW alumna and team leader

That their futures are bright is a hard

have proven time and again that they

that semester, and Burget, a CCEW

point to argue.

are a team to be reckoned with.

intern recruited by his pal, both were

The two petroleum engineering seniors first met in a sophomore lab.

14

The software, the Quantitative

Vince Lombardi knew a little about

Ashley Zumwalt and Blake Burget

As if all of that weren’t enough,

became good friends and thought we’d

participating in an international online

LEGENDARY FOOTBALL COACH

shape in our area of expertise.”

that class, but we did,” he adds. “We

Those projects included

%ODNH %XUJHW DQG $VKOH\ =XPZDOW

It was exciting to see technology take

assigned to the project.

“The software accurately predicts

“I was in a group of five and Ashley

the rock properties useful for hydraulic

was in a group of three,” Burget

fracking and well-bore stability,”

No matter what the future holds for them, though, the two have established a bond they expect to last a very long time.

“Blake is my best friend,” Zumwalt

recalls. “She asked our professor,

Zumwalt explains. “When we had

says. “We don’t know where life will

Dr. Sondergeld, if she could have

the opportunity to present it to the

take us, but it will be good.”

someone from another team and he

consortium in San Francisco, we

asked me if I would be willing to move.

were able to educate companies

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

And it just may offer them a chance or two to team up again.

EARTH & ENERGY

ST U D E N T, T U TO R , R E S E A RCH E R HIGH SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT INTRODUCES A CAREER A HIGH SCHOOL assignment led

sedimentary petrology class in

the Bartell Field Camp near Cañon

Ellen Rosencrans to the decision that

spring 2011, Rosencrans asked him

City, Colo., which was under

geology was for her.

to write a letter of recommendation

construction when she visited on

for a position in the Research

a 2010 field trip. “I can’t wait to go

and daughter of a geophysicist

Experience for Undergraduates

back,” she says.

at Chesapeake Energy Corp., was

program at Wisconsin university.

tasked with selecting a career and

She didn’t get it, but when she told

precisely mapped out the course

interviewing someone in that field.

Elmore and thanked him for his

of her geology career, her tentative

Her father asked a geologist in his

efforts, he said he had a place for

plans include graduate school and

company to talk with her. “I loved

her in his lab. She started working

working in the energy industry.

everything she told me, so I thought I

there this past summer.

The Edmond, Okla., native

would give geology a try as a career,”

The honors student also is

While Rosencrans hasn’t

“I’m not ruling out teaching, though,” she says. “I was able

Rosencrans recalls. “I just love it.”

carrying a 16-hour course load and

to help [geology] Professor Mike

Now in her junior year in the

tutors freshman geology students

Soreghan at the ExxonMobil

ConocoPhillips School of Geology

and non-majors enrolled in

Bernard Harris Summer Science

and Geophysics, Rosencrans is

Introduction to Geology through the

Camp, ‘Earth Cycles: A Whole-Earth

working in the paleomagnetism lab of

University College Action Center.

Approach to Enhancing Learning of

CPSGG director R. Douglas Elmore.

The job was meant to be hers. As a student in Elmore’s

She is looking forward to next

the Geosciences for Middle School

summer, when she plans to attend

Students.’ That experience made

the six-week capstone course at

me consider a career in education.”

Ellen Rosencrans, shown in the Rio Grande Rift in New Mexico, is prepared for her summer 2012 capstone course at the Bartell Field Camp.

MEWBOURNECOLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

15

STUDENTS

1 7 3 ST U D E N TS E A R N D E G R E E S One hundred sixteen students participated in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy spring 2011 convocation on May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center on the OU Norman campus. Another 11 new graduates took part in the Dec. 17, 2010, graduation reception held in the Sarkeys Energy Center East Atrium.

F O R U M F O R CO M M U N I C AT I O N 2011-2012 Dean’s Advisory COuncil Initiated by Dean Larry Grillot in fall 2007, the Dean’s Advisory Council provides a forum for undergraduate and graduate student leaders from the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering and the ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics to communicate to the dean issues of concern and for the dean to keep students informed of college activities and issues and leadership to establish programs to enrich the college experience for students.

DAC representatives for 2011-2012: • Matt Miller, president Pick and Hammer

• Ethan Plunkett, president Society of Petroleum Engineers

• Kylie Bohanan, Earth Link editor MPGE

• Emilio Torres Parada, president American Association of Petroleum Geologists

• Trevor Ingle, president Pi Epsilon Tau

• Travis Cude, Earth Link editor MPGE

• Jacob Bower, president American Association of Drilling Engineers

• Bagdat Toleubay, Earth Link editor CPSGG

• Yoryenys Del Morro, president Society of Environmental Geologists

16

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

ENGINEERS

TREK FOR CANCER SPE RAISES RECORD AMOUNT FOR CANCER RESEARCH

WEARING OIL-FIELD coveralls

concert and the night of entered

members participate in support of

donated by Halliburton, a team of 15

two male participants in the

their own friends and family who

student members of the University of

Mister Relay contest, who raised

have been affected, this has been

Oklahoma chapter of the Society of

an additional $165 by asking for

one of the biggest motivators for

Petroleum Engineers walked through

donations on Campus Corner while

our team.”

the night on April 9-10 to raise

dressed in drag.

$17,500 for cancer research as part of

The $17,500 donation is a record

Plunkett, who serves as 2011-2012 SPE president, has

for both SPE and an individual team

participated in Relay for Life since

Over the past three years, the

at OU, says Ethan Plunkett who, with

high school. “Five members of my

SPE team steadily has increased

2011 MPGE graduate Kristin Weyand,

family have had cancer, and I have

its donation through generous

served as team captain.

always enjoyed raising funds to

the 2011 OU Relay for Life.

contributions from alumni and industry corporate sponsors.

This year’s team also created

“One of our most beloved and respected professors in the

support research.

“I know we are on the verge of

petroleum engineering program has

curing this disease,” he says. “I will

and sold Engineers Club Bingo

successfully battled cancer,” says

do everything I can to make sure

Night T-shirts and homemade

Ethan Plunkett, one of SPE’s two

SPE increases its goal for Relay for

cookies, helped organize a benefit

team captains. “Although our team

Life 2012.”

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

17

STUDENTS

P U S H I N G PA ST T H E CO M F O RT Z O N E Q&A WITH KRISTIN WEYAND Kristin Weyand (B.S. petroleum engineering, 2011) was the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy’s 2011 Outstanding Senior. She currently is an artificial lift engineer for ConocoPhillips in Farmington, N.M. have students from all ethnicities and backgrounds, which I think is a great asset to the program.

In spring 2010, I spent five

University of Oklahoma’s Study Abroad program. Where did you go and what did you study?

A. When I started college, I planned to study abroad for at least a semester. Today, so much business is conducted globally that a true understanding and appreciation of other cultures is extremely important, especially in our business. You can see that just by looking at the students in the petroleum engineering program at OU. In the middle of Oklahoma, we

18

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

history. Civilizations from the Hittites and Assyrians through the

Middle East Technical University in

Romans, early Christians and Seljuk

Ankara, Turkey. OU has established

Turks have made their mark on the

some awesome exchange

land and left behind amazing relics

programs with partner universities

and structures.

I hope my experiences living

METU because it offered courses

abroad will give me a leg up in my

in petroleum engineering that

aspirations to work internationally

transferred as credits toward my

for a large petroleum company. It

degree and the courses were taught

also was a test for me: I now know

in English.

that I would be able to live for a

Q. How did that experience

period of time away from friends,

impact you personally and

Q.You participated in the

Perhaps the most incredible aspect of the country was the

months living and studying at the

all over the world. I decided on

0HZERXUQH &ROOHJH 2XWVWDQGLQJ 6HQLRU .ULVWLQ :H\DQG DQG 'HDQ /DUU\ *ULOORW

communicate in Turkish.

family and comforts of home.

professionally?

Q. Describe your position at

A. I had traveled internationally

ConocoPhillips.

before studying abroad, but the experience of living in another country—one where English was not widely spoken outside of the university setting—was an eyeopening experience. I’ve always strived to force myself outside of my comfort zone, and I definitely achieved that. I met students from European and Asian countries as diverse as Kazakhstan, Iraq, Sweden, Belarus and BosniaHerzegovina. During the semester, I spent a lot of time traveling inside of Turkey. It is a beautiful country, and I found the people to be extremely warm and welcoming, especially once I attempted to

A. I am an engineer in the Artificial Lift Group for the San Juan Business Unit in Farmington, N.M. ConocoPhillips’s assets in the San Juan Basin include more than 10,000 natural gas wells, and nearly three-quarters of those wells utilize plunger lift to aid in production.

My team specializes in optimizing our plunger-lifted wells. I currently am responsible for our ongoing plunger controller upgrade project, a multi-million-dollar program that will include nearly 700 projects over three years.

See weyand continued on page 34

EARTH & ENERGY

A BAYOU-STYLE CRAWFISH BOIL A crawfish boil in Oklahoma sounds as unlikely as a pig roast in New York City. But every spring since 2007, the University of Oklahoma student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers has hosted a crawfish boil of which even Gulf Coast bayou dwellers would be proud.

ON A WARM, cloudless Saturday

included 2010-11 SPE president John

Saturday [football games] at Owen

this past April, an estimated 500

Ammon (B.S. petroleum engineering,

Field, the crawfish boil is the most

MCEE students, faculty and staff

2011) on electric guitar, SPE vice

exciting event on OU’s campus.”

devoured 600 pounds of crawfish,

president and petroleum engineering

Blackburn agrees.

plus bowls of jambalaya and plates

senior Jon Clark on drums, and social

“The crawfish boil is the biggest

of corn on the cob and potatoes, at

chairman and petroleum engineering

purely social event of the year for

the Fifth Annual OU SPE Crawfish

senior Darryl Blackburn on guitar and

SPE,” he says. “It’s an opportunity

Boil outside on the plaza level of

lead vocals.

for students, faculty and staff to just

Sarkeys Energy Center.

The free end-of-semester

“This event is so important for

hang together and have a good time.

our college because it gives everyone

Every year we have an even better

celebration was catered by an

a chance to socialize outside of a

turnout.”

Alexandria, La.-based company and

classroom environment. Building

sponsored by Crescent Services LLC

relationships with coworkers and

of Oklahoma City and HB Rentals of

colleagues is one of the most

El Reno, Okla. Live entertainment was

important aspects of our business

provided by Dolomite, a band that

today,” Ammon says. “Besides

And what of the mounds of crustaceans and fixings?

“There was not a drop of anything left,” Blackburn says.

“That made clean-up easy.”

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

19

FEATURES

A MODEL FIELD CAMP

G

eology and geophysics

with a daylong celebration that

Cañon City Embayment, a structural

students and faculty

included tours by ATV and on foot, a

reentrant in the Colorado Front

at the University of

trio of delicious meals and heartfelt

Range, the camp offers magnificent

Oklahoma have traveled to southern

remarks by proud alumni, faculty

views of Pike’s Peak to the north and

Colorado for field study for decades.

and students.

the Great Plains to the east.

They have operated out of rented

The idea for the camp

facilities and even shared a camp

geological engineering alumnus

germinated from a chance

with another university, but they

J. Denny Bartell and his family,

encounter between Bartell and

never had a true home. Until now,

who made the lead gift for the

CPSGG director and professor

that is.

project, the field camp is located

R. Douglas Elmore on a flight from

on a 71-acre site about five miles

Houston to Oklahoma City in 2008.

On June 11, nearly 100 people

20

Named in honor of OU

“I threw out the idea of

gathered for the dedication of the

outside Cañon City, Colo. Situated

ConocoPhillips School of Geology

on the northeastern edge of the

having a summer program that

and Geophysics Bartell Field Camp

Wet Mountains and overlooking the

involved both ancient and current

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

sedimentary processes,” Bartell

remembers. “I listened to him.

recalls. “One thing led to another

We weren’t extravagant by any

and we decided we should build

means, but we do have a very

a camp in Colorado. I said I would

nice camp.”

put up the money for the base and

The benefits of the Bartell

we would pass the hat among the

Field Camp are many. First and

troops for the accoutrements.”

foremost, it provides a base for an

Bartell well remembers the field

unparalleled hands-on, real-world

camp facilities available to him as an

field experience for geology and

OU geology student.

geophysics students.

“It was a modest old Civilian

In both disciplines’ capstone

Conservation Corps camp on Lake

courses conducted at the camp,

Murray [the creation of Lake Murray

students operate “The Thumper,” an

State Park in 1937 was a CCC

apparatus attached to the back of a

project]. “Actually, ‘primitive’ is the

modified all-terrain vehicle that when

word that comes to mind,” he says.

triggered provides a shock to the

“There was no hot water other than a holding pan on the roof that the sun had heated. The first person back to camp got the hot water.”

The camp that now bears his

ground, producing seismic waves that can be picked up by geophones.

“Geology and geophysics students collect seismic data and process and interpret it from out in

name is far different. It consists of

the field,” Elmore explains. “Many of

a dining hall/kitchen/office building,

them will never collect seismic data

a study hall, 10 student cabins, two

again, but they will have done it once

student bathhouses, and faculty/staff

at the Bartell Field Camp. They’ll have

cabins with private bathrooms.

experienced the whole process.”

“The camp is beyond all

OU provost and senior vice

over other programs.

“One hallmark of a premier

expectations,” says Bartell, who

president Nancy Mergler saw the

geology program is to have its

didn’t see the facility until the

impact of that experience at the

own field camp. With the Bartell

dedication. “The most wonderful

camp dedication.

Field Camp, we can manage and

part is that there is still room to

“One has to see geologists

control our own success and have a

expand and amplify what has

close to rocks to truly understand

competitive advantage among our

been done.”

their passion for their discipline,”

peers. And the entire university has

she says. “Rock formations are

a facility for research and retreats,”

like their books, and to see them

Elmore relates.

He credits Elmore with making the most of available resources.

“We all need to tip our caps to Doug,” Bartell adds. “He stretched every dollar two times and did an outstanding job.”

What Elmore didn’t do was cut corners.

“Denny told me, ‘Doug, don’t skimp. Make it very nice,’” Elmore

interpreting these formations to others is fascinating.”

In addition to the real-world field experience provided to students, another benefit of having its own

“Getting the camp up and running took an immense amount of time, but having it open and successful is very satisfying,” he adds.

Bartell concurs. “It’s a wonderful

camp is that CPSGG can better

facility,” he adds. “The alumni

manage and control its own success

involved are very proud, and OU can

and provide a competitive advantage

be very proud.”

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

21

FEATURES

ON THE EDGE OF A FRONTIER

I

n the world of oil and gas

petrophysics research, particularly in

exploration and production, a

core analysis.

decade is but a blip on a timeline.

But only a decade has passed

“For the past six years, we have had a very good working relationship

since the oil and gas industry began

with Devon, which has supported

pursuing production from shale,

us enormously financially in shale

long ignored because of its low

research as well as with data, core

permeability, which allowed only small

samples and field experience,” says

volumes of gas to flow naturally and

Carl Sondergeld, MPGE professor

made producing more viscous oil

and Curtis Mewbourne Chair, who

virtually impossible.

with MPGE director and Eberly Chair

Not so anymore. Today, shale

Chandra Rai, directs the laboratories.

gas development is ahead of oil,

During that period, Devon has

but still in the early stages because

invested more than $20 million into

accumulations are difficult to

the rock lab, much of it for specially

characterize and commercially produce

designed equipment, to help ensure

using conventional exploration and

that the laboratory stays at the

production techniques.

forefront of shale analysis.

“Because shales are so

The Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering

fine-grained, their properties are very

has seized upon the opportunity

different from those of a conventional

to progress scientific knowledge

reservoir, so techniques we’ve used

and field applications in this new

previously to measure properties

scientific frontier. In collaboration with

don’t work on shales, so we have to

Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy

reinvent techniques and technologies

Corp., MPGE’s rock physics laboratory

to make these measurements,”

– formally known as the Integrated

Sondergeld explains.

“We employ micro-scale and

Core Characterization Center or

22

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

IC3 laboratory – has emerged as a

nano-scale technologies used in the

world leader in rock physics and

semiconductor industry to design and

From top: Geochemistry graduate student Paul Bowen, professor Carl Sondergeld and doctoral fellow Mark Curtis

EARTH & ENERGY

build unique equipment to address

consortium member companies

the challenges of shales.”

regularly bring challenging problems

economic benefits, graduate students

An example of purchases funded

While the companies reap

to the OU lab which, Sondergeld

in the IC3 lab and undergraduate

by Devon is the special dual-beam

notes, helps students

students in the adjacent Apache

scanning electron microscope that

and furthers research objectives.

Petrophysics Lab have extraordinary

has an integrated focused ion beam.

“The whole move to shale

opportunities to conduct research

With this technology, university

was a different way of thinking.

on important and interesting

researchers can reconstruct three-

These materials are impermeable,

topics. “Their work allows them to

dimensional images of fine-scale

requiring hydraulic fracturing – or

publish and present at conferences,

pores structures of shales, determine

fracking – to get the gas out of

which gets them recognized as

how pores are connected and how

them,” Sondergeld says.

valued individuals in the industry

much material within the shale is organic, all of which is important in

“Drilling a horizontal well in shale that ultimately goes down one to two

production from shale.

“The lab has provided us with a unique and invaluable tool for the exploration and evaluation of shale formations,”says Jeff Hall, vice president of exploration and exploitation for Devon Energy. “This is the type of technology that allows us to move forward with new drilling and well completion innovations.

The geological and engineering challenges we face today are far greater than anything we have seen in the history of our industry. This lab helps us to assess the production potential of formations and to find

and enhances OU’s reputation,” Sondergeld says.

“I think we now are globally

“The lab has provided us with a unique and invaluable tool for the exploration and evaluation of shale formations.”

JEFF HALL vice president of exploration and exploitation devon energy

recognized as a leading shale research center.”

Two major industry publications agree. Both the Journal for

Petroleum Technology and American Oil & Gas Reporter feature the OU rock lab in their respective June 2011 issues. In its story about the prominent role of industry-supported university research in defining the structure and elements in shale, JPT singles out OU as “an example of the competitive drive to understand these challenging rocks.” And the

Reporter’s cover story, “Advanced SEM Technology Clarifies Nanoscale

ways of producing the oil and natural miles costs between $4 million and $8

Properties of Gas Accumulations in

Three years after the original

million. The companies have certain

Shales, ” refers to OU as “an early

collaboration with Devon, MPGE

economic expectations, but it’s very

adopter of the FIB/SEM technology

established similar relationships

difficult to forecast the economic

in collaboration with Devon

with Apache Corp. and Cimarex

return because they can’t see down

Energy Corporation [that uses] the

Energy. Six other companies –

the well. Anything we can do to help

technology to make observations

ConocoPhillips, Encana, Reliance

them mitigate their risk is really

about tight shales.”

Oil & Gas, Total, Statoil and

money in the bank to them. And

Pioneer Natural Resources –

even little changes we make have

dominance in shale research is its

have since joined a dedicated

tremendous economic implications.

annual shales conference, which

consortium to study shales known

Drilling strategies and completion

draws up to 300 attendees each year.

as the Unconventional Shale

processes can be changed based on

Gas Consortium. Scientists from

what we learn in the lab.”

gas with the greatest efficiency.”

Another measure of OU’s

“At this year’s conference,

See FRONTIER continued on page 34

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

23

FEATURES

A CENTER FOR EARTHQUAKES Excerpted with permission from Sooner Magazine, Spring 2011, Published by The University of Oklahoma Foundation Inc.

W

hile mythology is replete

1952, caused damage to the State

terms an anxious public could

with explanations

Capitol Building in Oklahoma City

readily understand.

for how and why

and was felt as far away as Austin,

earthquakes happen, science tells us that they occur in response to forces

The second largest, with an

upon data collected at seismic stations, each of which is equipped

that build up over long periods of

epicenter approximately five

with a seismometer (also known as

time when two bodies of rock slide

miles east of Norman, occurred at

a seismograph) that records ground

past each other. A large earthquake

9:06 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2010. With a

motion as seismic waves go by.

produces slips measured in tens of

magnitude of 4.7, the tremor was

The OGS currently has nine seismic

meters; a small one can produce a

felt as far north as Kansas City and

stations deployed around the state.

quake with displacements as tiny as

as far south as Dallas.

a millimeter.

24

Texas, and Des Moines, Iowa.

Earthquakes are assessed based

On that sunny fall morning,

“The wave signal is converted into data we can shoot through

Oklahoma has had—and

Oklahoma Geological Survey

the air via modem or satellite and

continues to have—its share

research seismologist Austin

receive into our central recording

of earthquakes. The earliest

Holland was working nonstop,

computers,” explains Holland.

documented tremor occurred

assimilating and analyzing data

prior to statehood on Oct. 22,

and fielding a barrage of media

some assumptions to determine

1882, near Fort Gibson. The state’s

inquiries. He patiently and

how much energy was released

largest recorded earthquake, a 5.5

repeatedly explained the what,

in the earthquake to arrive at the

magnitude near El Reno on April 9,

when, where, why and how in

magnitude number.”

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

“We analyze that data and make

EARTH & ENERGY

The West Coast, the New Madrid

“Earthquakes of the size of the

information possible. Those efforts

Fault in the Mississippi Valley and

Jones events have the potential

are being aided by Earthscope, a

the Charleston, S.C., vicinity are the

of occurring almost anywhere in

multi-year initiative of the National

most active earthquake hazard areas

Oklahoma at any time,” says OGS

Science Foundation through which

in the continental United States.

director Randy Keller. “On average,

thousands of seismic, GPS and

Holland says Oklahoma is No. 2 in

about 50 measurable earthquakes

other geophysical instruments

the mid-continent area and No. 4 or

occur each year in Oklahoma, with

are being deployed to study the

5 in all of the lower 48 states.

only a few strong enough to be felt.”

structure and evolution of the

Holland explains that there

North American continent and the

seismograph stations in Oklahoma

The OGS began running

are many ways to arrive at an

processes that cause earthquakes

in partnership with volunteers

earthquake magnitude. The

and volcanic eruptions.

in 1961. The OGS Observatory

methods used by both the USGS

in rural Tulsa County south

and the OGS are among a handful

“adopting” four new seismographic

of Leonard, part of a national

of scientifically accepted magnitude

stations to complement its existing

network of state-of-the-art seismic

measurement standards.

nine. Holland and Keller will make

observatories, records the state’s

Keller likens the physics of

Through Earthscope, the OGS is

good use of the valuable information

earthquakes, as well as those

measuring earthquakes to that

the Earthscope stations will provide.

with magnitudes of 5.5 or greater

of measuring tornadoes. “For a

“Our goal is to learn as much

anywhere in the world.

tornado, the scale is based on wind

as possible about earthquakes

speed. For earthquakes, it’s the

and earthquake processes in

recorded and located more than

release of stress in the earth,” he

Oklahoma so that we can understand

2,500 earthquakes in the state. On

explains. “Neither method results in

and reduce earthquake risks to

Jan. 15, 2010, two earthquakes

perfect measures. But it’s even more

Oklahomans,” Holland says.

nine minutes apart rocked eastern

difficult to observe the deep earth

Oklahoma County near Jones.

than the atmosphere.”

Since 1977, the OGS has

They measured 4.0 and 3.8 magnitude, respectively.

The OGS constantly strives to provide the most precise earthquake

“I don’t think prediction will come in my lifetime, but increasing that knowledge will help us move toward prediction.”

OGS director Randy Keller

OGS research seismologist Austin Holland

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

25

THE FIRST FIVE YEARS

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE O

Named in honor of

C U RT I S M E W B O U R N E CHARTERED: Jan. 1, 2006

Objective

Components

• Provide an academic environment in earth sciences and engineering, energy education and research that contains the full breadth of the University of Oklahoma educational experience

• ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics

THE

• Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering • Oklahoma Geological Survey

FIRST

5 YEARS

26

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

• Sarkeys Energy Center

• Investigate the state of Oklahoma’s land, water, mineral and energy resources

ACCO M P L I S H M E N TS MEWBOURNE COLLEGE OF EARTH AND ENERGY STUDENT ENROLLMENT MPGE GRADUATE I MPGE UNDERGRADUATE I CPSGG GRADUATE I CPSGG UNDERGRADUATE

800 600 400 200 0 YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

YEAR 5

FALL 2011 ENROLLMENT:957

144 115

CPSGG UNDERGRADUATES CPSGG GRADUATES

591 107

MPGE UNDERGRADUATES MPGE GRADUATES

EARTH & ENERGY

OF EARTH AND ENERGY

• Facilities and infrastructure • Bartell Field Camp • Crustal Imaging Facility • PE undergraduate teaching labs • Mi-Swaco Fluids Lab • NOV Drilling Simulator • Mineralogy and Sedimentary Petrology labs upgrades • Youngblood Energy Library remodel

• Levels 7-9 upgrades • Computer wiring and wireless upgrade • Gene Van Dyke Plaza meeting and conference rooms • Elevator upgrades • New fire safety alarm system • Selected improvements at OGS Core Facility

• Student lounge areas • Gene Van Dyke Plaza • Atrium • Level 2 • New computer labs • Gene Van Dyke Plaza • Level 10 • Energy Center Tower • Levels 10-15 remodel

FAC U LT Y MPGE

CPSGG

15 Full-time 2 Split Appointment

14 Full-time 2 Part-time

2 Adjunct

A D M I N I ST• Coordinated R AT Ifinancial ON

• Assumed management of scholarships and fellowships

system across college

• Developed Student Services

• Standardized IT support

G OA L S • Add 20 new scholarships in 2011-2012 • Create fellowship positions for MPGE and CPGG • Increase laboratory support endowment fund • Grow unrestricted funds for use in areas of greatest need

• Increase participation in Annual Fund, which supports: • Alumni outreach • Annual scholarships • Convocation • Dean’s Student Advisory Council • Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards Dinner

• Earth and Energy magazine • Student chapter sponsorships • Student travel • Trailblazer Award Dinner • Welcome Back Barbecue

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

27

Left to right: Jordan, Dana, John Jr.,

ALUMNI John Sr. and Jennifer Doughtie

PAY I N G I T F O R WA R D EASing BURDEN ON STUDENTS IN NEED

I

f anyone understands the

Jeannine Rainbolt College of

fixture at the OU financial services

plight of students who may not

Education and the university’s

office applying for loans and grants.

have the financial wherewithal

Sooner Heritage Scholarship

“I knew everybody who worked

to get through school without

program, which provides support for

there,” he jokes. He also got to know

assistance, it is John Doughtie.

students of middle income families

longtime OU philanthropists Sandra

who still need a helping hand with

and Brian O’Brien through their son,

and his wife, Dana, have established

college expenses or who have more

Tim, who was Doughtie’s roommate.

scholarships to lighten the burden

than one student attending college.

“Sandra and Brian provided me

for a number of current and future

“It is important that all of these

with some financial support the last

University of Oklahoma students.

students have the opportunities

two years of college so Dana and

to pursue their chosen careers,”

I established a $100,000 endowed

Doughtie says.

geology scholarship in their honor

So Doughtie (B.S. geology, 1984)

Their $350,000 in commitments thus far supports endowed and annual scholarships in the

28

He has firsthand knowledge of

that awards $5,000 in scholarships

ConocoPhillips School of Geology

just how important that support can

each year,” he explains. “I want to

and Geophysics as well as the

be. As an undergraduate, he was a

See DOUGHTIE continued on page 35

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

M E N T E E T U R N S M E N TO R erickson relishes advisory role AS A PETROLEUM engineering

“The Mentoring Committee’s goal

undergraduate, Eric Erickson (B.S.,

is to provide a resource for petroleum

1997) knew the mentoring he was

engineering students seeking

receiving on campus and off would

answers to questions for which they

serve him well in his career.

don’t yet have personal experience,”

“In addition to the wonderful

he explains. “We are blessed to

faculty who provided mentorship,

have a pool of talented oil and gas

I also had key industry mentors

professionals from all facets of our

who helped guide and influence

industry, ranging from experienced

me,” Erickson recalls. “First and

line engineers to CEOs of large

foremost, my father, Larry Erickson,

corporations as well as entrepreneurs.

was instrumental in keeping me

As those who have been through

focused on the prize of a degree

some of the ups and downs of the

and good job in the business. His

industry and know how to navigate

lifelong passion for oil and gas

the sometimes choppy waters, we

became a part of me and caused me

are able to share that knowledge and

to become ever more enthused with

experience with students.”

the business as I progressed through my education at OU.” Another major influence was – and

He notes that as the oil and gas

Eric Erickson

business is on the cusp of losing much of its technical and business expertise

still is – MPGE alumnus Steve Richards

to retirement in the near future,

he delights in being part of an active

(B.S. petroleum engineering, 1974),

mentoring is more valuable than ever.

alumni board that offers some of

whom Erickson first met while

“I always avail myself to those in

those same tools to current students.

representing a group of juniors

this business seeking guidance on

His message to other alumni is

and seniors at an [MPGE] Industry

any number of topics,” he says. “I

simple: “We all have a lot to be

Advisory Board meeting. “Steve’s

never leave a mentoring opportunity

grateful for. I encourage everyone to

guidance, wisdom and generosity

without having shared something I

try and give a little back to the college

afforded me a true boost toward

hope is insightful, and usually I gain

and its students, the industry and their

the career of my dreams,” Erickson

insight through a student’s or young

respective communities. Whether it

states.”And his passion for interns

professional’s fresh perspective.

be time, talents or gifts, we all can

and new hires continues to motivate

Simply having helped someone make

contribute to each other’s success.

me to help young engineers succeed.”

the right choices for himself or herself

Erickson enthusiastically continues that mentorship tradition wearing two hats: chairman of the IAB Mentoring

“I am blessed and grateful to

makes me feel as though I’ve made a

have been afforded an opportunity to

positive impact.”

attend a great university and earn a

MPGE, Erickson says, provided

degree from a program that equipped

Committee and principal and vice

him with the tools necessary to

me to succeed,” he adds. “I want to

president of business development at

be successful through its strong

help others achieve a similar level of

Raptor Petroleum, a company he co-

academic program and exposure to a

satisfaction with their careers

founded earlier this year.

broad network of professionals. And

and life.”

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

29

ALUMNI

N E V E R TO O E A R LY TO STA RT supporting the college in multiple ways Karen, Gracie and Cody Owens

hometown, where the company has

Fund and MPGE Directors Fund. And

one of three exploration offices.

Karen maximizes their donations by

“I really enjoyed the field

taking advantage of the three-to-one

experience in Perryton and Hobbs,”

Educational Matching Gift Program

says Owens from his Oklahoma City

offered by her employer, ExxonMobil

office. “There’s nothing like being

subsidiary XTO Energy.

where the action is and learning

when we were in school and want

trade that foundation for anything.

to do our part to help others,” Cody

It really carried me forward in my

Owens explains.

engineering career.”

Today, as a reservoir engineer, he works side-by-side with geologists to reservoir engineering and economic

many opportunities to visit with

perspectives. His work doesn’t take

students about the direction in which

him to the field much anymore, but

the college is going and what they

it is just as interesting and rewarding

are learning in the classroom and

as his years in the Anadarko and

laboratory. “I gain from them as

Permian basins.

much as I hope they gain from me,” he says. “And it’s fun to be around

originating ideas for the company and

young people with a fresh, unique

finding opportunities to drill in western

perspective.”

Being home with family and

He plans to further his interaction through capstone project ideas he

friends has another advantage.

is providing to MPGE. Through the

Owens and his wife, Karen (B.S.

capstone experience, he hopes he

a bachelor of science degree in

petroleum engineering, 2006),

can provide data, answers and maybe

petroleum engineering in 2003, Owens

became parents in August.

even some advice.

After graduating from OU with

joined Mewbourne Oil Co.’s operation

“We aren’t sure what having Gracie

Owens encourages other young

office in Perryton, Texas, for a year

will do to our fall football Saturdays in

alumni to become engaged with their

followed by another year and a half

Norman,” he says with a laugh. “But

alma mater.

in the company’s Hobbs, N.M., field

we have season tickets and will come

office. In both locations, he worked on

as often as we can.”

the drilling, production and completion

30

Through Mewbourne Oil Co.’s internship program, Owens has

Oklahoma,” he says.

OKLAHOMA CITY NATIVE Cody

Their support takes non-financial forms as well.

evaluate well prospects from both the

“I love being involved in

Owens is home again.

“We both received scholarships

things on a first-hand basis. I wouldn’t

Regardless of the frequency of their

“OU graduates like me with a few years of work experience under our belts have been exposed to all aspects

side of the business. After two years

visits to campus, the couple are proud

of the industry. We can pass on that

on the reservoir side in Mewbourne

OU and MCEE alumni who support

knowledge to young people in college

Oil’s Tyler, Texas, headquarters,

the college through unrestricted gifts

now,” says Owens. “We all need to be

Owens moved again, this time to his

and contributions to the MCEE Deans

as involved as we can.”

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

E N G AG I N G OT H E R S TO G I V E B ACK CHALLENGE Becomes OPPORTUNITY WHEN SHARON MINOR completed

companies won’t let new hires

her master’s degree in geology from

work close to rigs for three years.

the University of Oklahoma in 2000,

Independents allow them to do

she was unable to find an energy

more. I have new hires watching

industry job for six months.

rigs within the first month.”

“The oil and gas industry wasn’t

That might mean joining Minor

hiring at the time,” recalls Minor,

in her work with the Cana Team

who also earned a bachelor of

assigned to the Woodford Shale

science degree in geology from OU

in Oklahoma’s Anadarko Basin or

in 1997. “I didn’t do an internship and

the Northridge Team in the Arkoma

only five companies came to campus

Basin in the eastern part of the

to recruit.” She had a part-time job in

state. “I work as a development

the university’s development office

geologist, figuring out where on

while she knocked on doors. “Finally,

our leased properties we are going

somebody opened the door and gave

to drill wells,” says Minor.

me a chance,” she says.

“Most of what I do – subsurface

That chance was a three-month

mapping from existing information

internship with Louis Dreyfus Natural

on wells in the area – is done from

Gas, a company that she says

right here in the Oklahoma City

typically didn’t hire anyone with less

office, but occasionally I get to go

than 10 years experience because it

out into the field.”

had no training program. Minor was

Sharon Minor

Development geology has been

an exception to that rule. “Dreyfus

her focus since she began her

offered me a job at the end of my

career with Dreyfus and continued

day,” she says.

As she begins her two-year term

internship. I had a good mentor and

at Dominion Exploration, which

as chairman of the Alumni Advisory

learned a lot very quickly,” she says.

purchased Dreyfus, through her

Council, one of Minor’s priorities

move to Devon four years ago.

is to engage more of her peers –

These days, Minor, a senior staff geologist at Devon Energy Corp.

“I really enjoy what I do,” she says.

geology and geophysics graduates

and chairman of the ConocoPhillips

Minor arrives at the office at

in their 30s and 40s – in giving back to the school.

School of Geology and Geosciences

6 a.m. so she can get home to

Alumni Advisory Council, makes

Norman in time for another passion

sure that anyone she mentors

– the Alaskan malamute, Labrador

in the late 70s and early 80s, the

is immediately immersed in the

retriever mix and Boston terrier that

energy industry lost a lot of people

environment.

complete her family with husband,

who never came back. So there is a

Rick, a district sales manager for a

gap between the older alumni who

geologists, engineers, landmen and

leading provider of oxygen therapy

have consistently been involved for

others in the field so they can get

equipment and services. “He

decades and my generation,” Minor

some experience right away,” she

travels a lot, so I usually feed and

explains. “I want to see our age

explains. “A lot of major energy

exercise the dogs at the end of the

group become more involved.”

“I try to connect them with

“Because of the fluctuations

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

31

ALUMNI

A B A L A N C E D A P P ROACH TO S E R V I C E CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE FROM WITHIN He has been doing that for nearly a decade. After returning home after

committee – provide MPGE in such

an assignment in the North Sea for

areas as alumni engagement and

his then-employer, Kerr-McGee Corp.

fundraising, as well as helping

(which was acquired by Anadarko

students with capstone projects,

in 2006), Koontz was approached

internships and employment.

by a company vice president about

C

industry for technical challenges

MPGE board. He agreed to do it,

or projects that are screened and

beginning his tenure in 2003. A two-

assigned to student teams to solve

year term as vice chairman preceded

during their semester-long Capstone

his service as chairman.

course. “I had the privilege to serve for three years,” Koontz relates.

possible,” Koontz explains. “As we

“It is an interesting exercise for all

look at comparable entities at other

parties striving to integrate efforts

universities, we perceive that often

among industry, faculty and students

boards are populated with people

through the course and is always

who are very well-off financially

a challenge to get the right kind

and contribute to the universities in

of projects that can help prepare

that manner. That’s a very important

students for the transition from

part of what boards do. But the

academics to industry.”

distinction for us is that we’re not

on his plate as general

totally focused on the money side.

We try to help faculty and

He says the Internship Committee can’t take credit for the more than 90 percent success rate in

Business Services for Anadarko

students in a more intimate way, so

students receiving internships

Corp. Still, he carves out time to

we try to get the right mix of people

over the past few years, but it has

serve on the Mewbourne School

who can provide financial support,

been instrumental in rounding

of Petroleum and Geological

plus younger talent who reflect the

up opportunities for a number of

Engineering Industry Advisory

demographic shift in the energy

students. The Scholarship Committee

Board, this year as its chairman.

industry, people who have time to

assists MPGE faculty to develop

contribute and accomplish our goals,

award criteria and select recipients.

“I have a passion for helping students and young professionals

those who can help promote MPGE

learn about the energy industry

in the industry, and others who can

relationships between students

and develop professionally,”

ensure we embed students into the

and industry representatives, the

says Koontz (B.S. petroleum

industry by providing jobs.”

Mentorship Committee serves

engineering 1980, M.S. petroleum

32

as chair of the Capstone Committee

is to benefit students as much as

raig Koontz has a lot manager of International

The Capstone Committee solicits

representing Kerr-McGee on the

“One of the board’s objectives

Craig Koontz

constitute the board’s executive

The Industry Advisory Board has

Focused on cultivating

students by helping them understand

engineering 1982), a 30-year

several initiatives under way. Nine

the energy industry and mentor them

industry veteran.

committees – the chairs of which

See KOONTZ continued on page 35

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

EARTH & ENERGY

IN MEMORIAM

C Y WAG N E R J R .

Remembering an industry legend LEGENDARY OILMAN AND

the Cy and Lissa Wagner Sooner

University of Oklahoma geology

Heritage Scholarship endowment; an

generous support to the university,

alumnus Cyril “Cy” Wagner Jr. died

endowed professorship in geology

Wagner received an honorary degree

Aug. 30, 2011, in Midland, Texas, at the

and geophysics; and a Presidential

in 2006.

age of 77.

Professorship that honors outstanding

Born and raised in Tulsa, Wagner

In recognition of his steadfast and

Wagner’s service to his profession

teachers. Their generosity also

and community included serving

earned his bachelor’s degree in geology

provided for improvements in the

as chairman of the All-American

in 1956. In 1962, he formed Wagner

Laurence S. Youngblood Energy

Wildcatters Association and on

& Brown Ltd. on a handshake with

Library and renovation of the

the boards of many corporate and

business partner Jack Brown. Based in

Wagner Dining Hall, which serves the

charitable entities, including the

Midland, Wagner & Brown is among

university’s student-athletes.

Texas Medical Center, Chase Bank of

the largest privately held independent

The couple also are OU Energy

Texas, Pennzoil Corp., Rexene, El Paso

oil and gas exploration and production

Center founders, Distinguished OU

Chemical, the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic,

companies in the nation.

Associates and founding members of

and Midland Memorial Hospital.

As an investor and entrepreneur,

the Seed Sower Society, and major

He was a member of the Oklahoma

Wagner also engaged in real

donors to the Great Expectations

Hall of Fame and Petroleum Hall

estate, diversified manufacturing

Campaign for Sooner Sports and

of Fame; recipient of the American

and investments.

the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

Academy of Achievement’s Golden

In addition, Wagner was a longtime

Plate Award and Permian Basin

are longtime supporters of the

member of the Mewbourne College

Petroleum Association’s Top Hand

university. Their gifts created Lissa

Board of Visitors and also served

Award; and, with Brown, honored at

and Cy Wagner Hall, where all student

on the OU International Programs

the 2010 Permian Basin International

academic services now are housed;

Center’s Board of Visitors.

Oil Show.

Wagner, with his wife, Lissa,

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

33

ALUMNI

WEYAND continued from page 18 Q. How has your transition from

leadership and event-planning

continued from page 23

college to the workplace gone?

opportunities and helped develop my

SEM Technology Clarifies Nanoscale

A. My transition has gone

passion for philanthropy.

I attended the Annual Technical

Properties of Gas Accumulations in

smoothly, mostly due to the fact that

Conference and Exhibition three of

I interned with ConocoPhillips for the previous two summers. There’s

my four years in school, including ATCE 2010 in Florence, Italy, as the

definitely been a learning curve,

captain of the Petrobowl Team. I also

Energy Corporation [that uses] the technology to make observations

but it’s extremely satisfying to be

traveled to Barcelona, Spain, as the

about tight shales.”

contributing meaningfully to my

scribe for an SPE-sponsored shale gas conference in spring 2011.

I continue to be involved as the secretary for the SPE Four

Another measure of OU’s dominance in shale research is its annual shales conference, which draws up to 300 attendees each year.

“At this year’s conference, someone remarked that from any good shale conference you leave with more questions than answers,” Sondergeld relates. ”For the past 70 years, we have been studying reservoirs. For the past 10 years, we’ve been studying shales. We are rapidly accumulating a body of knowledge, but we have so much more to learn.”

company through my daily work.

Q. What about your OU experience stands out as preparing you for success, both

Corners section.

in school and out?

Q.

A. My participation in the Society

current MCEE students?

of Petroleum Engineers contributed

A. Get involved while on campus

the most to my success in and out of school. Networking is a huge aspect in our industry, and there is no better place on campus to meet your fellow classmates than through SPE. The organization also gave me incredible

34

FRONTIER

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

What advice do you have for

and take advantage of the amazing opportunities offered by the college and university. Academics should come first, but college life is much more satisfying when you try new experiences.

Shales,” refers to OU as “an early adopter of the FIB/SEM technology in collaboration with Devon

EARTH & ENERGY

Doughtie continued from page 28 recognize the people who helped me and pass it on for generations.”

Doughtie’s successful career in the

“I like interpreting the geologic data

hundreds of others have benefited

and providing the reserve analysis for

or will benefit from their parents’

some of LLOG’s key fields.”

generosity. “We wanted to give

Two of the Doughties’ three

energy industry that the O’Briens and

to the geology school, but we also

others help make possible includes

children plan to follow him into the

looked at other areas within the

seven years at Solatex Resources Ltd.,

industry. Jennifer, an OU sophomore,

university that have a need,” Doughtie

and another 10 as president of his own

and John Jr., a junior at the Colorado

explains. “We saw that need in the

company, Linder-Doughtie Energy.

School of Mines, both are majoring in

College of Education, where Sandra

He sold Linder-Doughtie in late 2001

petroleum engineering. “John most

O’Brien is very involved. Dana is

and early the following year joined

likely would have gone to OU if he

a former teacher, so supporting

LLOG, a premier private exploration

hadn’t had the opportunity to play

future educators is important to

and production company in the Gulf of

football in Colorado,” Doughtie says.

her. We also wanted to support the

Mexico and one of the top 10 private

The youngest sibling, sixth-grader

university’s efforts to enable all

oil and gas producers in the United

Jordan, likely will head to his father’s

Oklahoma students to attend OU, so

States. He currently manages LLOG’s

alma mater. “She says she wants to be

we contribute to the Sooner Heritage

Houston office.

a school teacher, so there’s no better

scholarship program.

He oversees five consulting groups

place to get a teaching degree than

“Creating these scholarships is one

that generate in the Gulf of Mexico and

OU,” he says. “She always has been a

of the most rewarding things we have

onshore Louisiana and Texas and enjoys

Sooner fan.”

done. It is fun for us to be able to help

While the Doughtie children are

being an active, hands-on geologist.

good students in different fields. We

“I’ve always enjoyed the exploration

lucky enough to not need financial

feel that God has blessed us so that

side of the business,” he says.

assistance to complete their degrees,

we can be a blessing to others.”

KOONTZ continued from page 32 as they approach the transition from

45–minute conference call that helps

MPGE be a world-class provider of

school to workplace.

maintain a level of commitment

energy professionals,” he says.

The Fundraising Committee seeks to address unmet needs within MPGE.

and accountability. “We want to

Aside from his work on the

make sure we are progressing on

Industry Advisory Board, Koontz

our initiatives and doing all we

has considerable interaction with

out the board: ABET, which provides

can to support the school,” Koontz

MPGE graduates and students

support in ensuring the school

explains. “We go around the ‘table’

who join Anadarko as new hires or

maintains its accreditation; Faculty

and discuss status and direction

summer interns.

Search, which assists in recruiting

of committee initiatives as well as

and hiring professors; and University

receive updates from [MPGE director]

this summer. I was privileged to

Communications and Engagement,

Dr. [Chandra] Rai on any new or

have had the opportunity to work

which reaches out to the energy

emerging issues within the school.”

closely with a passionate emerging

industry for professionals to come to

Koontz calls MPGE the feedstock for

professional, Michael Erifeyiwa,

OU to speak with students.

the industry, delivering talent that

who is a graduate student from

helps supply energy to the world.

Nigeria,” he relates. “Experiencing

Three other committees round

The Industry Advisory Board seeks to stay continuously engaged

“As a board, we want to support the

“We had several interns in

student’s energy, drive, enthusiasm,

with the school. Once a month, the

school as much as possible. Each of

creativity and extraordinary talent is

Executive Committee conducts a

our members has a passion for helping

tremendously rewarding.”

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

35

CLASS NOTES 1960s

has provided reservoir engineering

for the joint interest team at

services through his company,

Emerald Energy Resources Ltd.

Pacheco Consulting. He plans to

He also served as president of the

As supervisor of the Interagency

travel to Denver for the 2011 SPE

Nigerian Association of Petroleum

Energy Team of the U.S. Department

Annual Technical Conference in

Explorationists in 2008-2009.

of Interior Bureau of Land

Denver and would like to meet other

Management in Silt, Colo., Allen

college alumni who will attend.

6 0 I6 1 I6 2 I6 3 I6 4 I6 5 I6 6 I6 7 I6 8 I6 9

geology, 1976) retired two years

Crockett (B.S. geology, 1967) is responsible for environmental

Donald Reese (B.S. geology,

ago after 30 years of teaching

evaluations and permitting of oil

1960, M.S. geology, 1963) retired

geology at the University of Toledo,

and gas projects. He joined BLM in

in 1990 after 27 years with Chevron

where he continues his research

2006 after 31 years in consulting. He

Corp. He visited 47 states during

in archaeological geology as an

holds a doctoral degree in ecology

the first 10 years of retirement. He

emeritus professor. During the past

and evolution from the University of

resides in Midlothian, Texas.

couple of years, he has made several trips to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for

Colorado and a juris doctorate from the University of Denver.

Since graduating from OU, John Everett (B.S. geology, 1962) earned master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Texas, Austin, and held positions with Mobil Oil and the U.S. Army. He was involved in worldwide geologic exploration with Earth Satellite Corp. for 35 years, and in 2005 formed Exploration Signatures to look for oil and gas with Dan Duggan (B.S. geology, 1962) and others. He and his wife, Barbara, have five children and 12 grandchildren, and lead active lives in Fort Collins, Colo., and Cape Cod, Mass.

John Yeager (B.S. petroleum

fieldwork and has been working on a

engineering, 1962) is a retired

book about ancient Egyptian mines

attorney.

and quarries.

1970s

Paul Hunt (B.S. exploration

7 0 I7 1 I7 2 I7 3 I7 4 I7 5 I7 6 I7 7 I7 8 I7 9 John Carpenter (B.S. geology, 1973) is chief technology officer at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. He retired as a commander in the U.S. Navy after 22 years of service, which included combat in Vietnam and Desert Storm. During his military career, he commanded the Navy’s successful effort to divert the lava flow from the April 1992 eruption of Mt. Etna in Sicily.

geophysics, 1977) is vice president of exploration at Denali Oil & Gas in Houston. With his wife, Cindy, and son, Brian Paul, he rode the “Hotter ‘n’ Hell Hundred,” a 100-mile bike ride around Wichita Falls, Texas, in August 2011.

Alexander “Sandy” Kunzer (M.S. geology, 1970) retired in 2001 after a career with Shell Oil, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation searching for oil and building and repairing dams and other water infrastructure. He

Edgar Pacheco (B.S. petroleum

36

James “Jim” Harrell (M.S.

engineering, 1962), of Santa Cruz,

Victor Agbe-Davies (M.S.

and his wife, Betsy (B.S. biology,

Bolivia, worked the oil patch for 35

geology, 1978) is a consulting

1966), are enjoying retirement with

years for three companies in several

geologist in Houston. Previously, he

travel, photography and volunteering

countries. For the past 14 years, he

was general manager of exploration

from their base at the foot of the

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

9,500-foot-high Huachuca Mountains

Ronald Woods (B.S. geology,

in southern Arizona.

1980) lives in Yukon, Okla., and is a

2000s

senior geologist with Equal Energy.

0 0 I0 1 I0 2 I0 3 I0 4 I0 5 I0 6 I0 7 I0 8 I0 9

After 28 years with Kerr-McGee

He is about to have various prospects

Steven Cobb (B.S. petroleum

Corp., Tom Miller (B.S. geology,

(generated as an independent) drilled

engineering, 2011) is an operations

1978) currently is exploitation

in Oklahoma. His daughter, Jessica,

engineer for Pioneer Natural

manager at Anadarko Petroleum

is in her second year at OU.

Resources U.S.A. in Midland, Texas.

1990s

Kathryn Gardner-Vandy (B.S.

Scotia, and now is now enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in

9 0 I9 1 I9 2 I9 3 I9 4 I9 5 I9 6 I9 7 I9 8 I9 9

doctoral degree in May 2012 from the

Corp. He has spent time in Oklahoma City, Houston and Halifax, Nova

Denver. He has five grown sons, four of whom are OU graduates.

Carl Pomeroy (M.S. petroleum engineering, 1979), vice president of engineering at ERG Operating Co.,

University of Arizona’s Department of Ali Al-Hadad (M.S. petroleum

Planetary Sciences. Her dissertation

engineering, 1993) recently was

is titled “Partial Melting on FeO-rich

promoted to assistant manager for

Asteroids: Insights into Initial Stages

offshore drilling operations at Qatar

of Planetary Differentiation.”

Petroleum. He lives in Doha, Qatar.

Jonathan Gilbert (B.S. petroleum

lives in Tulsa and works in Houston and Santa Maria, Calif. He has four children, one grandchild and three pugs.

Brett Dawkins (B.S. petroleum engineering, 1995) is an Oklahoma City-based reservoir engineer with Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Fred Wagner (B.S. petroleum engineering, 1978) is an associate engineer with ExxonMobil Production Co. in Houston.

Patrick Doherty (B.S. geology 1996, M.S. geology 2000) is chief geoscientist at ConocoPhillips Alaska in Anchorage. His wife,

1980s 8 0 I8 1 I8 2 I8 3 I8 4 I8 5 I8 6 I8 7 I8 8 I8 9

geology, 2005) expects to earn her

Jenny, is a petroleum geologist, also with ConocoPhillips Alaska.

They are expecting their first child, a girl, in October.

John Pat Boyd (B.S. petroleum

engineering, 2008) is a reservoir engineer with ExxonMobil in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, where he works offshore eastern Canada assets.

Sarah Harris (B.S. petroleum engineering, 2010) is a project manager for ONEOK in Tulsa, where she manages more than $50 million in projects. Her daughter, KinLynn Elizabeth, was born April 7, 2011.

Keystone Hughes (B.S. petroleum

engineering, 1980) lives in Alva,

Eric Kubera (M.S. geophysics,

Okla., where he has started Boyd

1997) is an operations geophysicist

Engineer for horizontal drilling,

at Nexen Petroleum USA in

completion, workover, production

Plano, Texas. He and his wife, Jill

and reservoir engineering in northern

Naberhaus Kubera (B.A. elementary

Corp. in Oklahoma City. He

Oklahoma and the southern Kansas

education, 1997), have three sons,

was recently engaged and plans to

Mississippian.

Jordan and Owen, 7, and Nathan, 4.

marry in June 2012.

engineering, 2007) has been promoted from production engineer to asset manager at Chesapeake Energy

MEWBOURNE COLLEGE of EARTH AND ENERGY

37

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES Paul Munding (B.S. petroleum

Since graduating from OU in 2006,

Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. He is married

engineering, 2003) is an asset

Adela Porter (B.S. petroleum

and has two daughters, Rania Rehan,

manager at Chesapeake Energy. He

engineering) has been an

4, and Alaina Rehan, 2.

and his wife, Andrea, live in Norman

operations engineer at Devon

with their son, Luke. They are

Energy Corp. in Oklahoma City. She

Bielenis Villanueva-Triana (M.S.

expecting a daughter in November.

works completions in a horizontal

petroleum engineering, 2011)

shale play and production over

traveled for two months in

an old conventional gas field of

Colombia before beginning her job

approximately 110 wells.

as an analyst for Rystad Energy, a

Ryan O’Dell (B.S. petroleum engineering, 2007) is an exploitation engineer with Merit Energy Company in Dallas. He and

Karen Schmuhl Walker (B.S.

his wife, Megan, are expecting their

petroleum engineering, 2006)

first child, Emma Mae, in December.

married Josh Walker (B.S. petroleum engineering, 2001) in

Oyetunde Oyewole Oyewo (M.S. natural gas engineering

May 2011. She is an asset manager at Chesapeake Energy Corp.

and management, 2009)

38

is a pipeline integrity project

Rehan Shahreyar (M.S.

coordinator for ONEOK in Tulsa. He

petroleum engineering, 2004)

and his wife are expecting their first

lives in Karachi, Pakistan, where he

child, a boy, in late 2011.

is deputy chief drilling engineer for

THE UNIVERSITY o f O K L A H O M A

consulting firm in Oslo, Norway. She recently worked on a project that included analysis of North American shale plays.

EARTH & ENERGY

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• Join a web community and stay connected with friends and colleagues • Find out what’s going on in your college and school • Learn about reunions and group events • Join alumni at OU football tailgate parties and professional meetings • Sign up to receive the annual magazine Please return your information to: Allison Richardson, Director of Alumni Relations Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy University of Oklahoma Sarkeys Energy Center, Room 1510 100 E. Boyd St. Norman, OK 73019-1015 You also can email your update to mcee@ou.edu or visit our website at http://www.ou.edu/mcee

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39

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