January 2013 Outcrop

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 62 • No. 1 • January 2013

RMAG ♦♦ DAPL

GeoLand Ski Day 2013 What: Where: When:

Ski Downhill - Cross Country - Snowboard Copper Mountain Resort Friday, March 1, 2013

7:30 a.m.

12:30 p.m.

TBA 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Schedule of Events

Buses depart promptly from Heritage Square in Golden Coffee, juice and donuts will be provided on buses Lunch on your own and a re-group opportunity Solitude Station (a mid-mountain lodge) American Eagle Nastar Race Event (details to be provided on bus) Après Ski Party: Food, beer, wine, and door prizes Kokopelli Trail Room/Jills Deck located in the Center Village Area at Base of American Flyer Buses return to Heritage Square

For Sponsorship Opportunities or Additional Information, Please Call:

RMAG Chairs ♦♦ Chris Gough ♦♦ 303-893-9020 ♦♦ Larry Bennett 720-536-2901 DAPL Chair ♦♦ Patsy Botts 303-925-0696 (x120) DAPL at 303-446-2253, fax 303-595-9701 ♦♦ RMAG at 303-573-8621

REGISTRATION FORM (PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!)

Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Company: ______________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Phone: Business: Residence: ______________________________________________ E-mail Address: __________________________________________________________ Your Shirt size: S M L XL XXL Please Reserve:

Downhill Lift Tickets, Bus Ride and Après Ski Party Downhill Lift Tickets and Après Ski Party (No bus) Bus Ride and Party Only Après Ski Party Only

# _____ (X $125) = # _____ (x $100) = # _____ (x $75) = # _____ (x $50) =

$___________ $___________ $___________ $___________

Total Enclosed $___________ Deadline for reservations is Monday, February 25th, 2013.

No cancellations after Friday February 22nd.

Make checks payable & mail to: RMAG/DAPL Ski Day, 535 16th Street, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202 OR GO ON LINE at www.RMAG.org (click on “ski button”) Vol. 62, No. 1

2

January 2013

OUTCROP

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street • Suite 1125 • Denver, CO 80202 • 303-573-8621 The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG) is a nonprofit organization whose purposes are to promote interest in geology and allied sciences and their practical application, to foster scientific research and to encourage fellowship and cooperation among its members. The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the RMAG.

2013 Officers and Board of Directors RMAG Staff

Executive Director Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org Office & Programs Manager Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org Accountant Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org

Co-Editors

Kristine Peterson k.peterson@laramidegeo.com Holly Sell hsell@nobleenergyinc.com

President – Debra Higley-Feldman higley@usgs.gov

Treasurer – Mike Kozimko mkozimko@yatespetroleum.com

President-Elect – Matt Silverman MSilverman@bayless-cos.com

Treasurer Elect – Reed Johnson reed.johnson@cometridgeresources.com

Secretary – Jacinda Nettik Brown jacinda@caerusoilandgas.com

OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES Ad Size

Cheryl Whitney cwhitney@laramidegeo.com Debbie Downs debradowns@att.net

Wednesday Noon Luncheon Reservations

RMAG Office: 303.573.8621 Fax: 303-628-0546 staff@rmag.org www.rmag.org

Counselor (1 Year) – John Ladd john.ladd@fmr.com

2nd Vice-President – Laura Mauro Johnson lmauro@newfield.com

Catherine Campbell ccampbell@bayless-cos.com

Design/Production

Counselor (2 Year) – Laura L. Wray laura.wray@wpxenergy.com

1st Vice-President – Larry Rasmussen larryr@whiting.com

Cost Per Insertion 1 Time

2 Times (each)

6 Times (each)

12 Times (each)

Full page

$330

$310

$285

$270

2/3 page

$220

$200

$185

$185

1/2 page

$175

$165

$155

$145

1/3 page

$165

$125

$115

$100

1/6 page

$75

$60

$55

$50

Professional Card

$17

$17

$14

$12

Advertising rates apply to both black and white ads and 4 color ads.

Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format.

ADVERTISING

Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page.

Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in .png, jpg, tif or eps formats at a minimum of 150 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303573-8621.

HELPFUL HINTS

Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion.

Contact the RMAG office for details.

PROFESSIONAL CARDS Will be actual size.

Both black and white, and color art will be accepted. If you are submitting digital files, please save in the PC format. Minimum resolution for jpg, tif, pdf or eps files is 150 dpi.

Simple line art and photographs provide helpful illustration. Borders are recommended on large copy. An advertising agreement will be sent to you.

OUTCROP

DEADLINES: ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month's publication.

The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 910 16th Street, Suite 1125• Denver, CO 80202

3

www.rmag.org

President’s Column

By Debra Higley

Welcoming a New Year... established and new in their careers. RMAG provides continuing education which includes publications, luncheons, short courses, field trips, symposia, and other events, including more career development courses. The career development courses will benefit by inviting the younger scientists into the RMAG planning processes.

We will investigate additional ways in which RMAG can serve you.

On January 24th, Doug Waples will present his short course on petroleum source rock kinetics for RMAG/PTTC. I highly recommend his class. For more than just conventional resources, it is important to understand the processes and analyses of thermal maturation for unconventional source/ reservoir rocks. Current belief is that there is minimal lateral migration within these lowpermeability self-sourced reservoirs. Petroleum expulsion from source rocks travels vertically outward to more permeable carrier beds, then migrates to new homes in other strata. Self-sourced unconventional oil reservoirs are within areas that are thermally mature. Vitrinite reflectance measures maximum thermal stress; while it is used as a thermal maturation indicator, it is imperfect.

This is an opportunity to learn or expand your knowledge on thermal maturation of source rocks.

It is a new year, and the first of my columns.

Every new RMAG president has a focus, such as his or her research interests and/or the important roles that volunteers play in our organization and lives...

I prefer not to include research because I do that for a living, and this is my opportunity to escape the bonds of scientific writing. My one attempt at humor years ago was in a Sussex paper that didn’t get past the reviewers…”It was a dark and stormy night on the Cretaceous epicontinental seaway. Attitude on the marine bar was charged and turbulent.” In 1997, I was awarded the coveted RMAG Shaft Award for my cartoons in the Outcrop. I prefer them to pictures of me (which look like my Mom).

One focus of my columns will be to provide information, granted this is a bit vague, but this is not a scientific paper. Our organization has morphed through time, especially the last couple of years. We have a new organization with Emily Tompkins, Executive Director; Carrie Veatch, Office and Programs Manager; and Carol Dalton, accountant, who has been a welcome presence during this transition.

RMAG will continue to evolve with changing science and membership as we meet the needs of people both

One focus of my columns will be to provide information, granted this is a bit vague, but this is not a scientific paper.

»

Vol. 62, No. 1

4

January 2013

1 0 t h A N N UA L

WINTER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

(/534/.

48 s &%"2 5!29

Five Great Days of the Finest Geoscience Training for One Low Price List of Topics::

Hosted by the Norris Conference Center:

s 2ISK AND 5NCERTAINTY FOR #ONTEMPORARY Prospect Evaluation s !SSET -ANAGEMENT IN 5NCONVENTIONAL 0LAYS s 'EOCELLULAR -ODELING IN 5NCONVENTIONAL 2ESOURCES s #ARBONATE 3EISMIC 3EQUENCE 3TRATIGRAPHY s #ARBONATE $EPOSITIONAL 3YSTEMS s 1UICK 'UIDE TO #ARBONATE 7ELL ,OG !NALYSIS s 3EISMIC !MPLITUDE )NTERPRETATION s 0RINCIPLES AND !PPLICATIONS OF 7ELL ,OGGING s &ORMATION %VALUATION OF 4HINLY BEDDED 2ESERVOIRS s h/LDv 0RE %LECTRIC ,OGS ! 1UICK 2EVIEW

803 Town & Country Lane Houston, TX 77024 Phone: 713-590-0950 Fax: 713-590-0961 Special group rate at nearby Hotel Sorella

Registration and information:

Toll-free (U.S. and Canada) 888-338-3387, or 918-560-2650 Fax: 918-560-2678 E-mail: educate@aapg.org Download a registration form at: www.aapg.org/education/wec.cfm

…and more to come!

(Four concurrent sessions each day – mix and match according to your interests and training needs. Buffet lunch and refreshments included each day.)

Small AAPG Bookstore open during breaks each day

Tuition for the week:

Price through 1/16/2013

AAPG Members..........................$1795 Non Members ............................$1895 Individual Courses ....................$475/day

Price increase after 1/16/2013

$1895 $1995 $525/day

SIGN UP NOW!

(Your five-day badge can be transferred to a friend or colleague if you can't attend all five days.)

SAVE OUTCROP

AN AAPG MEMBER $ 200 BYANDBECOMING REGISTERING BEFORE JAN. 16

5

th

www.rmag.org

RMAG November Board of Directors Meeting

By Kimberley Alanis, Secretary (Kimberley.Alanis@vantageenergy.com) The Board of Directors meeting was held on November 15, 2012 in the 2 nd floor conference room at the RMAG office. The meeting began, as usual, with an update from our treasurer reporting RMAG’s October income and expenses.

The organization has done a great job balancing the budget in 2012 and will wrap up the year with a strong financial report.

This meeting was extremely productive. The BOD passed a budget for 2013, as well as welcomed a new committee to our organization, Industry Leaders of the Future (ILF).

Please be on the lookout out for more information regarding the ILF. The Continuing Education Committee stayed very busy in 2012. They did a wonderful job of making sure that there were several successful events. The committee has put together a great line up of speakers for 2013.

RMAG will have to cancel a couple events because of the larger organization holding events around the same time.

To make sure members are getting what they need, the committee would like to have small short courses in place of some of the larger events.

Please let the committee know if there are certain topics that you would like to see covered.

The Publications Committee has welcomed a new Assistant Editor for The Mountain Geologist, Dr. George Dunne. As a reminder, The Mountain Geologist has gone digital. Please log-on to the RMAG website to get your copy.

The December Board of Director’s meeting was held as a joint meeting with the 2013 incoming Board of Directors on December 7th at the Marriott City Center.

The Publications Committee has welcomed a new Assistant Editor for The Mountain Geologist, Dr. George Dunne. As a reminder, The Mountain Geologist has gone digital.

»

OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES

Ad Size

Cost Per Insertion 1 Time

2 Times (each)

6 Times (each) 12 Times (each)

Full page

$330

$310

$285

$270

2/3 page

$220

$200

$185

$185

1/2 page

$175

$165

$155

$145

1/3 page

$165

$125

$115

$100

1/6 page

$75

$60

$55

$50

$17

$17

$14

$12

Professional Card

Vol. 62, No. 1

6

January 2013

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS Features

27 USGS Rocky Mountain Science Seminar

Geologist Best Paper Award for 2012 28 SAVE the DATE!!

32 RMAG 2013 Summit Sponsorship 33 Making Sound Decisions – 3-D Seismic Symposium

Association News

Departments

2 RMAG/DAPL GeoLand Ski Day 2013 Registration Form 11 ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! 16 Rockbusters Ball 2012 17 RMAG Members to Receive Award at RMSAAP Meeting in Salt Lake City Next Year 17 Congratulations to the New RMAG Board of Directors!

28 The Mountain

4 President's Column 6 RMAG November Board of Directors Meeting 22 In the Pipeline 25 Luncheon Program 34 New Members 35 Advertisers Index 35 Calendar of Events

8 Lead Story: The Tradeoffs in Drilling the “Perfect Horizontal Well” 26 Distinguished Lecturer – January 16th

COVER PHOTO View south of the Virgin River and The Watchman in Zion National Park in Utah.

The Watchman and most other prominent rocks in the park are Jurassic eolian Navajo Sandstone in a section with three subunits that has an aggregate maximum thickness of approximately 2,900 feet. Photo by Pete Varney.

Volume 62 • No. 1 • January 2013

OUTCROP

7

www.rmag.org

LEAD STORY The Trade-offs in Drilling the “Perfect Horizontal Well”

By K.C. Oren, Horizontal Solutions International Introduction The personas of engineers and geoscientists are often very different. And when it comes to corporate risk assessment and reward systems, company incentives for these individuals can be counterproductive to meeting corporate objectives such as attaining the highest IP in a play and achieving superior well performance in comparison with their peer group and competitors. For example, drilling team metrics and Service Company personnel objectives may be polar-opposite to Geology’s goal to attain pinpoint formation zone landings and then maintaining geologic target objectives to TD (i.e. landing and staying in zone). Consequently, asset team members often miss corporate goals for achieving the best possible results from their investment due to conflicts or unrecognized trade-offs required between departmental domains.

Sometimes competing, divergent drivers, and inherent personality differences within the asset team, and other well-operations participants, can create obvious conflict and ultimately result in a dysfunctional group. The outcome can be a breakdown of the team due to many factors including individual incentives, personalities or very simply, personal motivation. The ultimate outcome may be significant conflict between otherwise closely aligned asset team members and service company participants.

The following article will explore how to overcome these challenges and will highlight some simple concepts that will help engineers and geoscientists achieve the company’s ultimate goals together. Understanding some basic drilling (engineering) and geosteering (geological) principles and trade-offs will be featured with some recommended best practices for drilling the “perfect horizontal well’.

Every company generally shares these goals: • Safe, lowest cost wells —— Low (or no) incident reports —— Less NPT (non-productive time) for drilling and completions (D&C) —— Fastest ROP (rate-of-penetration) —— lowest D&C costs • Best overall project economics —— most time in zone —— highest IP (initial production rates) —— best EUR (highest ultimate recovery) —— fastest spud-to-production (least time to dollars) highest ROI Many companies have been able to pull their asset team together as a cohesive group that constantly attains their corporate goals and continually improves their processes. We see evidence of this daily in press releases and industry journals. Here are some excerpts: • “Approximately 60% of current Haynesville production is attributable to well and rig productivity gains made over the past three years …” – NGI Shale Daily • “Increased well productivity has been the largest driver of overall productivity gains, accounting for about two-thirds, led initially by higher initial production (IP) rates and more recently by improved decline rates.“ – NGI Shale Daily • “… many operators were seeing cycle time for drilling cut in half over the last three years and down as much as 30% in the last year alone.” EPmag.com, October 2012 (Richard Mason) • Rig [and drilling best practices] increases over the last three years account for 20% of current production, 1.8 Bcf/d or one-third of the total productivity gain …” – NGI Shale Daily

Common E&P Company Drivers Horizontal well project economic drivers are pretty consistent across all competing oil and gas companies.

Vol. 62, No. 1

• “… rigs are performing so well in complex well

8

January 2013

Lead Story environments that operators can now meet program goals with fewer units.” – EPmag.com commentary , October 2012 (Richard Mason)

The original well plan was to drill down the regional dip angle at the “best guess” landing TVD (as shown by dashed blue line in the illustration below).

As the well’s angle is build up through the curve and landed near lateral, the actual target zone interval (between the upper orange top and green bottom markers shown above) proved to be about 6 meters shallower than predicted; i.e. the planned target landing TVD estimated from the distant offset well and seismic data time-base correlation. After landing the well the drilling and geology team hoped that by simply drilling ahead they would catch up to the regional dip and the wellbore would track back into zone.

Unfortunately by overshooting the target and landing in the softer, unconsolidated formation below the target zone, the drill bit’s tendency was to stay in the lower formation and therefore it became difficult to break back up into the upper targeted formations. The Directional Driller (DD) quickly realized that the existing drilling assembly (BHA) was not aggressive enough to drill back into the targeted zone; so the drilling team elected to pull out of the hole and pick up a new BHA at about 300m Vertical Section.

• “An operator like Marathon, who planned to ramp up to 20 rigs in the Eagle Ford, will now get by with 18, for example.” – EPmag.com, October 2012 (Richard Mason commentary) The ‘Agony of Defeat’ The above quotes are the result of improvement by gaining experience and lessons learned to constantly refine and enhance drilling and geosteering best practices. And for an asset team understanding the new unconventional business drivers and working together.

But what happens when a company is not pulling together and encounters problems that often seem to plague horizontal well projects? Let’s take a look at a fictional project that could occur in a basin near you. In this case the well was drilled in Canada with very little well control in the area; the closest offset well was more than a mile away. The operating company did have 3D seismic over the area indicating a consistent regional dip, but without the benefit of time to depth correlation from offset wells the targeted formation landing depth (TVD – true vertical depth) was still somewhat uncertain.

OUTCROP

Continued on page 10 »

9

www.rmag.org

Lead Story

Continued from page 9

After tripping back in with a more aggressive BHA they were able to cross back upward towards the targeted interval but then two problems occurred: the BHA’s resulting dogleg was so severe at the point of formation crossover that 1) the BHA quickly overshot the target zone and 2) when they were about to drill out of the top of the target the severe dogleg caused a ‘twisted off’ in their drill pipe at the lower formation crossing point (~310m). The resulting “fish” was obviously due to extreme stress and bends on the drill string at the highest point of drill string fatigue; i.e. where the most severe DL (dog leg) was present.

Then, after several days of fishing for the lost BHA and a scheduled crew change, the new DD arrived on location with the Drilling Manager’s strict orders to “get this well back on plan!” And that is exactly what the DD set out to do as the first sidetrack illustration indicates – faster ROP and right on target – at least that is what the DD thought. Unfortunately, the new DD was not told that the new target objective was more than 10m higher than original well path plan. This time, as can often be the case, key members of the team were absent or otherwise occupied and it was not until they had drilled 250 meters laterally that it was discovered the rapid ROP in the lateral interval totally had missed the objective – blissfully close to the original line – but to the chagrin of the entire asset team, entirely out of zone!

Consequently, another, second sidetrack was called for, this time by the responsible operations geologist for getting the well back into zone and staying in the predefined geological target interval. So after a very long, torturous asset team meeting with the drilling and the geosciences members to ensure that everyone was finally on the same page, the second sidetrack was kicked off and finally real progress to the target objective was

achieved – albeit briefly. So yet again, poor targeting practices and an overly aggressive BHA and drill bit created directional control problems. Again the team found themselves far out of zone – this time well above the target.

It was at this time (see the tip of the arrow pointing to the “second sidetrack” annotation) that a commercial geosteering company was called upon to provide guidance to get the well back on target and to stay in zone. The service company’s best practices proved to be a godsend to salvage as much of the well’s pay zone as possible yielding a measured success for this exploration well; enough early production to warrant another well in the area that proved to be an economic play. Had they not been able to prove up the vitality of this well with expert geosteering guidance and ultimately reached and

The resulting “fish” was obviously due to extreme stress and bends on the drill string at the highest point of drill string fatigue; i.e. where the most severe DL (dog leg) was present.

Vol. 62, No. 1

Continued on page 12 »

10

January 2013

ALL

Outcrop Ads

Geologic Art Show

The editors invite the artists of RMAG to submit a picture of their geologic art (jpeg or tiff, 300 dpi or greater). Send along a caption with an explanation of the subject matter and media details, when created, and why. The best submissions will appear in a future issue in our “virtual art show.” cwhitney@ laramidegeo.com

are in Color at No Extra Charge!

Adver tising doesn't go unnoticed, and by having your business card or larger ad in color, the impact is much greater to potential customers. Since there is no additional charge for color for our online publication, you can use full color for any ad without any additional charges.

See page 5 of this issue for our ad rates and contact the RMAG office today for more details on how to submit your ad.

Take advantage of the transition we made from offering the printed Outcrop to now posting it on the web.

OUTCROP

Color DOES make an impact!

Geologic Art Show

The editors invite the artists of RMAG to submit a picture of their geologic art (jpeg or tiff, 300 dpi or greater). Send along a caption with an explanation of the subject matter and media details, when created, and why. The best submissions will appear in a future issue in our “virtual art show.” cwhitney@ laramidegeo.com

Contact the RMAG office today for more information!

RMAG Office: 303-573-8621

Fax: 303-628-0546 staff@rmag.org • www.rmag.org Executive Director Emily Tompkins etompkins@rmag.org

11

Office & Programs Manager Carrie Veatch, MA cveatch@rmag.org

www.rmag.org

Lead Story

Continued from page 10

stayed in zone, then the operating company could very well have made the call to walk away from what later proved to be a very economic prospect and ultimately a big winner for the corporation.

As was also shown in our example above, formation heterogeneity will affect the BUR of the drilling system and trips for BHA changes are then required. A common rule of thumb is that the BHA will most likely not perform as expected … so expect and plan for the unexpected.

And be sure your well program has built in contingencies wherever possible. Many companies employ a policy of “drill the well on paper” (DWOP) first with well-rehearsed and tested contingency plans ready to be called upon when necessary.

Lessons Learned So now let’s consider just four basic guidelines (from many, many possibilities) for safely navigating the perils of horizontal drilling and avoid the “Agony of Defeat”: 1. BHA will most likely not perform as planned 2. Wellbore position uncertainty exacerbates the problem of landing the well in zone

Understanding Wellbore Position Uncertainty Problems with determining a wellbore’s actual course and precise location position at any given time is well understood and documented. Yet, many companies do not consider this when making critical decisions in both the planning and execution phases of drilling horizontal wells.

As has been documented in the Society of Petroleum Engineers paper by Stockhausen and Lesso (SPE79917), the magnitude of error of an MWD surveying system in their research has been demonstrated and is illustrated below.

Of course this research addresses the problems of MWD system errors, but does not account for the possibility of further human-induced errors. Industry

3. Targeting methodology is critical to smoother wellbores and staying in zone 4. Effective intra-company (and inter-company) communications are essential Bottom Hole Assembly Selection “Achieving a successful, efficient high dog-leg severity (DLS) can exponentially improve the performance and payout of an individual well” (Dunnahoe, EPmag.com – December 2011). By design, horizontal wells call for high DLS assemblies which can be inherently problematic for many reasons. The most obvious complications from HDLS drilling assemblies are the rotational, tensile and compressive forces imposed upon an otherwise rigid drill string and BHA. To further compound the problem, many directional service companies will err in favor of the most aggressive BHAs – especially in the curve – in order to provide directional drilling correction capabilities if they fall behind or require course changes due to unexpected formation structure or fault crossings.

Furthermore, “fatigue life reduces exponentially with increasing build rate” according to Dunnahoe, and “… catastrophic failure, and twist-off of BHA components can occur …” as was the case in the “Agony of Defeat” example resulting in the parting of the drill pipe in the HDLS area of the wellbore.

Vol. 62, No. 1

12

January 2013

Lead Story

guidelines for quantifying both systematic and random employed. In this example the survey calculation method errors are readily available to better understand and is the commonly used Radius of Curvature model; but mitigate the impact of these inaccuracies and flawed the problem illustrated here is present regardless of the procedures. This is commonly managed by our industry’s survey calculation method used.

“Ellipse of Uncertainty” definition and recommended best The best way to reconcile and minimize these errors practices employed by service companies. Directional is more frequent surveys, especially at the end of any service companies quantify these errors and use this drilling transition zone between “drilling states;” i.e. a information to help operators better understand and change from rotary drilling and sliding (oriented TF) mode manage these inherent errors, especially while drilling or sliding to rotational drilling intervals. As is shown in an active well. the third graphic, drilling the TF-oriented slide interval Now consider the use an offset well’s directional between two rotating intervals reduces the calculation surveys for prediction of a targeted formation zone for Continued on page 14 » the new, adjacent horizontal well.

And also consider that this same offset well data and directional surveys from other wells in the project is used to make seismic time to depth conversions that are subsequently used to plan and land horizontal wells. This nebulous data may also be used to define the geologic earth model for an entire asset or unconventional resource play. John deWardt, an industry expert on “Wellbore Positioning” and a panelist at the recent 2012 SPE ATCE in San Antonio noted that “managers are not asking the right questions to assure safety, well integrity and reserves values.” The panel’s consensus was that “better wellbore positioning and a better understanding of the reservoir will lead to improved reservoir models and ultimately improved recovery.” Obviously caution needs to be exercised in understanding and applying imprecise measurements in all of (Professional Card Ad Size) your company’s projects.

An additional area of wellbore position uncertainty and an opportunity to improve accuracy is illustrated below in the sequence of the three graphics. These illustrate another problem in terms of positional survey intervals and the survey calculation methodology

YOUR AD HERE Only $144.00 per year

OUTCROP

13

www.rmag.org

Lead Story

Continued from page 13

model error. This recommended best practice allows for “drilling out” the curve section and achieving a truer vector orientation at the survey station rendering the Radius of Curvature model an accurate representation of the actual well path position.

What should also be understood (and accounted for) is the distance between the MWD sensor system (survey instrument position housed in the non-magnetic drill collar) and the drilling bit bottom-hole position.

Fortunately, the implications of this offset is again a well-understood relationship for determining precise wellbore position and can be modeled in the “actual” well position calculations and may be accounted for in the ellipse of uncertainty definition. Most directional service companies adjust for the measurement position offset when “projecting” the actual location of the BHA and survey instrumentation verses the actual bit position.

Overcoming Uncertainty Challenges Addressing the above issues is essential to properly identifying the wellbore’s true position in the subsurface and for the development of an accurate geomodel and determining completion intervals. Fortunately, active horizontal well drilling decisions for landing and staying in the targeted zone (geosteering) can be made using geologic markers combined with other important data.

Geologic measurements with MWD and LWD tools can be applied independently of the uncertainties of directional survey positioning issues discussed above.

Many directional drillers will argue that they must have directional surveys and an accurate wellbore position to a) plot where they are relative to a well plan and then b) for making good targeting decisions. While the former may be true, if the ultimate goal is to stay within a geologic

Neil H. Whitehead, III Consulting Geologist PhD

CPG-AIPG

PG WY

Rocky Mountain Basins Wellsite to Petroleum Systems ArcGIS 303-679-8573

fax 303-679-8574

31634 Black Widow Way

Vol. 62, No. 1

Conifer, CO

neil3@q.com 80433-9610

14

January 2013

Lead Story

window or targeted formation zone, then the actual position of the wellbore relative to a geologic marker is the key geo-navigation parameter.

In other words, pinpointing the well’s true stratigraphic position (TSP) is really the ultimate objective for the geosteering team – that is, the operations geologist in concert with the DD and other drilling personnel’s goal is to know the wellbore’s precise stratigraphic position at any given moment, commonly referred to as geonavigation.

The TSP modeling technique is used today by geonavigation specialists to determine the relative position of the logging sensor – typically a gamma ray (GR) detector housed in the MWD system – in the subsurface by using log correlation techniques within specialized software that also provides the expert geonavigator with an apparent formation dip angle.

Using these data (TSP and apparent dip), targeting decisions and borehole course corrections may be made, also known as geosteering.

Utilizing innovative geosteering software and experienced geologists, the geosteering team can accurately track a well’s stratigraphic position, maximize target zone penetration, speed drilling decisions, restrain drilling costs and optimize completions. However, even knowing precisely where you are at any given time using the TSP navigation technique, the art of geosteering still requires special skills and leveraging certain expertise gained only through years of geologic experience and training.

• Acquire more data … including positional surveys when needed • Then use all of your data for an informed decision • Drill to a target line, NOT to a point in space!

And very importantly, what you do with the TSP navigation data in terms of targeting can be even more essential. Communicating target changes for execution by the DD is the payoff for applying accurate TSP correlations and following these (and other) geonavigation principles – therefore good geosteering following targeting best practices is dependent upon the optimal application and communication of the TSP navigational results.

Common Targeting Practices Many horizontal wells still today are drilled by risky, never-changing “stick with the plan” target method. This is a carry-over of offshore or other directional drilling programs where exploration wells or pilot wells have been drilled and a single-location target objective was planned. Yes, absolutely, directional drillers can and do pride themselves on their ability to accurately hit a target even miles away from the surface location. Many DDs have been trained for and very successfully used this methodology; but the application was very different than the geologic target objectives of unconventional resources and geonavigation.

Basic Geonavigation Principles • Do not over react – let your data tell the story • Believe average dip, BUT don’t expect to see it!

• Do not be trapped by preconceptions from offset wells and seismic data

Continued on page 18 »

OUTCROP

15

www.rmag.org

Rockbusters Ball 2012

The crowd applauds as Doug Scientist of the Year.

Catherine Campbell – Distinguished Service to RMAG Kirk Johnson and Ian Miller – Journalism “Digging Snowmastadon: Discovering and Ice Age World in the Colorado Rockies” Larry Anna – Distinguished Service to RMAG Jerry Cuzella – Honorary Member of RMAG Neil Sharp – Distinguished Service to RMAG Tim Ryan – Distinguished Public Service Orion Skinner – Explorer of the Year Doug Waples – Outstanding Scientist Larry Rasmussen – President’s Special Award More than 100 people attended, with a noticeable increase in our younger members – it was a chance to dress-up a little and socialize. The Don Stone Trio gave us really fine jazz, and we sampled fine cuisine and we had

a mellow evening. Plus we enjoyed numerous door-prizes supplied by generous donors. Ron Pritchett – the MC for the evening – delivered a few of the world’s best jokes, though opinions vary. RMAG President Pete Varney reminded Waples is announced as RMAG’s us of the important and solemn tasks that attend professional geologists, though most of us were ready to party.

The Rockbusters Ball is no simple event. The blend of activities includes introductions of RMAG officers, awards, door prizes and table-prizes, a rock-candy bar, announcements, disco-dancing, jazz, dinner, a photobooth and a party crowd near their best behavior. In smooth organization of all this, we credit the RMAG Staff: Emily Tompkins and Carrie Veatch, with help from the Professional Awards Committee.

The Rockbusters Ball is designed to give RMAG members a year-end event for meeting, greeting, and remembering the good works of hard-working geologists.

Make plans to attend in November 2013, and count on an enjoyable evening.

»

The 90th Anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists was held November 17th at Columbine Country Club. The Awards dinner was a celebration of people and events through the year. Nine were honored with special awards:

Members of the 2012 Board pose for the Rockbuster’s Ball Photo Booth: (left to right) Mark Sonnenfeld, Pete Varney, John Ladd, Larry Rasmussen, and Paul Lillis.

Rockbuster’s Ball attendees select treats to take home from the Rock Candy Bar.

Vol. 62, No. 1

16

January 2013

RMAG Members to Receive Awards at RMS-AAP Meeting in Salt Lake City Next Year

R

By Larry Rasmussen

The following RMAG members will receive awards next year at the RMA-AAPG meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A. I. Levorsen Memorial Award – Best Oral Presentation Timothy Nesheim Timothy Nesheim and Stephen Nordeng, Examination of source rocks within the Tyler Formation (Pennsylvanian), North Dakota

Logs Since 1971

L OG S G S LO LOGS

Steve Champlin Memorial Award – Best Poster Presentation Edmund ‘Gus’ Gustason Edmund ‘Gus’ Gustason & Matthew Pranter, Integrated characterization and modeling of reservoir lithofacies and reserves of the Sussex Sandstone, House Creek North area, Powder River Basin, Wyoming

OVER 6 MILLION WELL LOGS FROM THE ARCTIC TO THE GULF OF MEXICO

MP

CA WOLF

THRE

DIU

M

EAGLEFORD

BAKKEN

»

CAR

LE

VIL S E N Y HA

LBANY NEW A WOODFOR

D

MONTNEY ETT EVI L

Congratulations to the New RMAG Board of Directors!

• President Elect: Matt Silverman

IVER R N HOR

LE

• First Vice President: Larry Rasmussen • Second Vice President: Laura Mauro Johnson

DUVERN

• Secretary: Jacinda Nettik Brown

AY

BARNETT N IOBRARA UTICA

• Treasurer Elect: Reed Johnson • Counselor: Laura L. Wray Continuing from 2012 Board • President: Debra Higley

www.mjlogs.com 1-800-310-6451 OUTCROP

• Counselor: John Ladd • Treasurer: Mike Kozimko 17

»

F AY

John Runge Award – best student presentation Alyssa Franklin (& Dr. Steve Sonnenberg) Stephen Sonnenberg & Alyssa Franklin, Bakken and Three Forks Petroleum Development, Production and Potential, Western Williston Basin, Northeast Montana

KS E FOR

www.rmag.org

Lead Story

Continued from page 15

So it is not surprising that this method is still used in areas where well control is plentiful and a highly accurate geomodel predicts where a well should be landed and then drilled laterally. However, the graphic below illustrates why that can be a dangerous assumption and will not allow for the aforementioned survey inaccuracy problems and those ever-present geologic “surprises”.

Another and still a very common targeting procedure that is used by geosteerers is the “point-in-space” targeting method. Many companies have even developed an elaborate spreadsheet calculator to determine a 3D position at some predetermined distance ahead of the bit (commonly 500’) for the DD to attempt to hit.

While this 3D target can usually be achieved by the DD, this methodology does not take into consideration the final well path trajectory at the time the drilling assembly penetrates the point-in-space position.

Most of the time, another course correction is immediately required to bring the well course back into alignment with the relative formation dip angles and to get back into or stay in zone. The end result is a porpoising wellbore that requires more and more course corrections (sliding) reducing ROP, adding unnecessary torque and drag, producing production bellies, and added complications in running completion strings and creating future well maintenance problems and unnecessar y remedial activity.

In the illustration above, you can see that a single wellbore path (shown by the dashed blue line) could have been used rather Vol. 62, No. 1

than three target changes due to the misalignment of the wellbore trajectory while achieving point-in-space targets.

Finally, the targeting method that is recommended by this author and his company is the “vector-based” targeting method. This technique relies on TSP modeling and the recommended best practices already mentioned above (see “Geonavigation Best Practices”).

18

January 2013

Lead Story approach is not too different from a smooth landing of an airplane on a runway. According to Dunnahoe, “borehole quality is fundamental for drilling optimization” and “a smooth borehole leads to less chance of borehole problems …”

(EPmag.com, Dec. 2011).

Asset Team Communications The final guideline to avoid the “Agony of Defeat” and to be addressed here is the best practice of sound communications across the entire asset team.

Just some geosteering ‘rules of thumb’ to consider for assuring good communications among the team’s group members: • Create an atmosphere of ‘tribal survival’ and sharing information to leverage everyone’s knowledge and skills – especially your most senior, trusted advisors and service company personnel

Very simply, the current TSP and apparent dip angles are compared to determine a “zero vertical section” (VS0)-TVD position and desired new inclination for use by the DD over whatever course length is required to gradually land on the prescribed VS0-TVD angle (vector).

Of course the target vector can be easily updated over the course of the time that the DD is bringing the well path onto a “landing vector” and well trajectory. This

• “90% of the hours spent planning and executing drilling projects are accounted for by the service companies personnel …,” not by the operating company’s own drilling engineers – Jeremy Greenwood, EPmag.com (November 2011) • Yet the success of horizontal drilling projects is being directly attributed to upfront planning and design work by the E&P company • Consequently, be sure to include your service company personnel in your team and in all of your active communications in drilling planning and execution Continued on page 20 »

OUTCROP

19

www.rmag.org

Lead Story

Continued from page 19

Foster a Culture of “Tribal Survival” Across all Disciplines Create and support a ‘truly collaborative’ environment.

All team members should be tasked with sharing all information to leverage the domain skills and individual knowledge of other asset team members. The asset team’s success is wholly dependent upon relying upon each other and surviving together. AND, very critically, be sure to include your service providers.

• Create and nurture an environment of free exchange of data and information (leveraging company infrastructure, well documented recommended best practices)

How much of each depends upon the complexity, challenges and risks of the play. Use of real-time data can be critical to good geosteering decision support and making decisions proactively and early, rather than having to react and make costly corrections further down the wellbore. “Currently, real-time data is primarily used to improve efficiency and drive down costs” per Prichard, Roye & Cuna – JPT (January 2012).

Scale your services solutions to meet the demands and complexity of your project.

• Encourage/Reward displays of free thinking and individual expertise (harvesting your knowledge-base of people and corporate database systems) • Consider everyone’s perspective and exploit their experiences (towards attaining common end-goals) The Right Tools for the Job And finally, one more word of advice, bring to bear the appropriate tools to ensure your horizontal project’s success: • Ensure you have an appropriate collaboration platform for your team

Summary So while there are many challenges to drilling the perfect horizontal well including competing, divergent drivers, and inherent personality differences among the team, following best practices and applying the right tools for meeting the demands for the project will help assure success. This paper has provided several guidelines to ensure that your asset team understands each challenge and works together addressing each barrier and sometimes technology limitations.

Just a few of these best practices in review: • HBUR drilling assemblies are critical to engineering horizontal wells, but the pitfalls and proper application of these BHAs needs to be fully understood

• Established, well-grounded company drilling (and geosteering) best practices • Proven, timely communications channels and response protocols • Integrated 24/7 drilling and geosteering surveillance • Robust geosteering software and an accessible real-time drilling data portal • A highly qualified geosteering team to meet your specific project requirements —— Right level of geosteering expertise —— Many years of geoscience experience Vol. 62, No. 1

• DWOP planning with thorough contingency planning is as important for making quick, sound decisions during the drilling process

Continued on page 22 »

20

January 2013

RMAG and PTTC Present: Short Course on January 24, 2013: Speaker: Douglas Waples, PhD Source-rock Kinetics: New Methods of Determining Them, and Novel Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, Especially Unconventional Date: Thursday, January 24, 2012 Location: Denver Marriott City Center Check in: 7:15 am Pre-Registration Member Price: $200 Onsite Registration Member Price $250

Speaker: Douglas Waples, PhD Course Starts: 8:00 am Pre-Registration Non-Member Price: $250 Onsite Registration Non member Price: $300

Space is limited— Online Registration Closes: Thursday, January 17th at 5:00pm Registration Fee includes course notes handout, continental breakfast, and refreshment breaks.

Although source-rock kinetics have been widely used in basin modeling for more than 20 years, recent technical developments have greatly increased the utility of kinetics data. Source-rock kinetics can now be used for a variety of purposes not imagined only a few years ago. These new applications are extremely valuable in both conventional and unconventional exploration.

Traditional methods of measuring kinetics were slow and expensive. One new method increases the speed of laboratory analysis by a factor of approximately 20, resulting in major reductions in cost and in acquisition time. In addition, kinetics can now be determined at even lower cost for samples for which appropriate archived Rock-Eval or Source-Rock-Analyzer data are available. Studies can even be carried out using a combination of archived and newly generated pyrolysis data.

The use of archived data can greatly relieve the burden of acquiring samples where acquisition is expensive, difficult, or impossible. Finally, the kinetics obtained by the new method are more reliable and have less chance of being significantly in error than kinetics determined by the traditional method.

Congratulation to Doug for receiving the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Outstanding Scientist award for 2012!

For a complete abstract or to register, please visit www.rmag.org

OUTCROP

21

www.rmag.org

In the Pipeline January 1, 2013 RMAG Office Closed.

Pyrolysis.” Contact RMSGeoYP@gmail.com.

January 23, 2013 Oilfield Christian Fellowship Luncheon. To RSVP call Barb Burrell at 303-675-2602 or e-mail OCFDenverChapter@pxd.com.

January 9, 2013 RMAG Monthly Luncheon. Speaker Philip H. Nelson of the USGS. “Underpressued Gas Accumulations with Pressure Control at the Outcrop.”

January 24, 2013 RMAG/PTTC Present January Short Course.

Speaker Douglas Waples. “Source-rock Kinetics: New Methods of Determining Them, and Novel Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration, Especially Unconventional.”

January 11, 2013 DIPS Luncheon. Speaker David Seneshen and John Fontana. “Intergration and Evaluation of Four Geochemical Methods for Regional Onshore Petroleum Exploration in the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada.”

January 29, 2013 RMS-SEPM Luncheon. Speaker Gus Gustason.

“Fuzzy Facies.”

January 15, 2013 DWLS Luncheon. Speaker Roland Chemali.

“Geosteering for Conventional and Unconventional Resources.”

January 29-30, 2013 Denver SPE Continuing Education. “An Overview of Microseismic Imaging of Hydraulic Fracturing.”

January 15, 2013 Desk and Derrick Luncheon. For reservations, please contact RSVP@deskandderrick.org.

February 6, 2013 RMAG Monthly Luncheon, AAPG Distinguished Lecturer. Speaker Richard K. Stoneburner. “The Exploration, Appraisal and Development of Unconventional Reservoirs: A New Approach to Petroleum Geology.”

January 16, 2013 Distinguished Lecturer. Speaker Art Saller. “Diagenetic Evolution of Porosity in Carbonates During Burial.”

»

If you have any events that you would like to post in this column, please submit via email to Holly Sell at hsell@nobleenergyinc.com or to the RMAG office at staff@rmag.org for consideration.

January 17, 2013 AAPG Young Professionals Dine and Discuss.

Speaker Mark Tobey. “A Walk through Programmed

Lead Story

Continued from page 20

• Understanding wellbore position uncertainty is important in all aspects of well planning and completions engineering; and critical to geomodel definition, and offset well and seismic data correlation

is essential to a successful horizontal drilling (and completions) project • Applying the right tools to meet the demands of the job is an important first step in planning and executing an optimal horizontal project Remember, by working together across all disciplines, communicating freely and leveraging individual strengths, expertise, and experience, your project will have a better chance for achieving your company’s ultimate goal: drilling the “perfect” horizontal well.

• Drilling states (rotating or sliding) in combination with directional survey intervals is important to reducing wellbore position uncertainty • TSP modeling is most effective geonavigation process for ensuring a horizontal well can be geosteered to stay in zone and is an essential component for targeting best practices

»

I would like to acknowledge Ken Bowdon and Horizontal Solutions Intl.

(HSI) as the source of much of the material for this article.

• Good communications across the asset team while leveraging a robust collaboration platform Vol. 62, No. 1

You can find further information on the following website: http:// www.horizontalsi.com/ and http://www.horizontalsi.com/overviewvideos

22

January 2013

OUTCROP

23

www.rmag.org

For Independents and Small Companies

LOCATION we’ll lease it, permit it, gather it and sell it

• •

JLog® Petrophysical Software Consulting and Training

Jack Bowler – Bowler Petrophysics, Inc. 303 860 1641 www.jlog.biz jack@bowler-petrophysics.com

your ideas - we make them happen LEASING - PERMITTING - DAMAGES - ROW

303-279-0789

• BROCHURES • NEWSLETTERS • POSTERS • BOOKS • LOGOS • FLYERS •

Debbie Downs • Graphic Design • Desktop Publishing • Proposal Production & Design debradowns@att.net • 281.732.3220

#BLLFO 5ISFF 'PSLT /JPCSBSB &BHMFGPSE (SBOJUF 8BTI 8PPECJOF 1FSNJBO )BZOFTWJMMF #BSOFUU 8PPEGPSE FUD

• WRITING • EDITING • POWERPOINT • BINDER COVERS • ILLUSTRATIONS •

Vol. 62, No. 1

24

January 2013

Luncheon Program – January 9th

Underpressured Gas Accumulations with Pressure Control at the Outcrop

By Philip H. Nelson, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, pnelson@usgs.gov

Underpressure in confined aquifers can be studied at the scale of a sedimentary basin by converting pressure to hydraulic head.

Underpressure is manifested in oil and gas wells by pressure-depth ratios less than hydrostatic. If the ratio of the pressure measured in a drillstem test to the depth of a gas reservoir, for example, is 0.32 psi/ft, this is a value substantially less than a nominal fresh-water ratio of 0.433 psi/ft and is an indicator of underpressured conditions. Explanations for extensive underpressured systems commonly invoke a loss of gas and drop in temperature during uplift and erosion, causing an originally overpressured continuous gas system to evolve to an underpressured state. An alternative explanation relies on hydraulic continuity within a confined aquifer that sets the pressure reference for the gas accumulation.

Underpressure in confined aquifers can be studied at the scale of a sedimentary basin by converting pressure to hydraulic head. The conversion is valid only in waterdominated formations. Hydraulic head accounts for both the pressure and elevation of the drillstem test. Where hydraulic head of a confined aquifer is substantially less than the surface elevation, the aquifer is underpressured and gas accumulations supported by the aquifer will also be underpressured.

Rocks of confined aquifers crop out on the eastern flanks of the Anadarko, Raton, and Denver Basins. The area of discharge in the east is located where hydraulic head and outcrop elevation are equal. However, recharge from the surface or from outcrop in the west is either restricted or nonexistent due to confining aquifers and geologic structures. In this view, underpressure of oil and gas reservoirs, whether conventional or continuous, is determined by the hydrologic setting at the scale of a sedimentary basin.

Âť

LUnCHEOn RESERv ESERvATIO ESERv vATIOnS & InFORmATIOn Luncheon will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the event listing in the lobby for the room. Check-in/walk-in registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00 noon, and the talk begins at 12:20 p.m. The luncheon price is $30.00. To listen only to the talk, walk-in price is $10.00. If you make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will be billed for the luncheon. Online registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after that time.

Call 303-573-8621 email staff@rmag.org, or register online.

Your attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Bring a guest or new member!

OUTCROP

25

www.rmag.org

Distinguished Lecturer – January 16th

Diagenetic Evolution of Porosity in Carbonates During Burial

By Art Saller

The porosity and permeability of reflux dolomites varies according to position in the dolomitizing system with less porosity and permeability in proximal parts of the dolomitizing system.

The diagenetic evolution of porosity and permeability in carbonates is complex and involves a number of independent factors. Carbonate sediments start with 40-80% porosity and generally lose porosity with time and burial (Schmoker and Halley, 1982), however there are many factors that cause higher and lower porosity in carbonates of the same age and burial depth. Alteration of carbonate sediments during shallow burial is common and includes diagenesis in seawater shortly after deposition, freshwater diagenesis during subaerial exposure, and dolomitization in hypersaline waters. Marine (seawater) diagenesis varies with depth and carbonate saturation as is shown on Enewetak Atoll. Aragonite and Mg-calcite cementation dominate in shallow seawater; however aragonite is dissolved and radiaxial calcite precipitates in moderately deep seawater. In even deeper seawater, calcite dissolves and dolomite precipitates. Freshwater (meteoric) diagenesis and dolomitization commonly rearrange and decrease porosity, but they also impart strength to the rock that reduces porosity loss during deeper burial. Pennsylvanian limestones in west Texas show that prolonged subaerial exposure progressively decreases matrix porosity but increases conduit porosity (fractures and vugs), and hence, formation permeability.

Reflux dolomitization is commonly associated with carbonates in arid climates like the Permian of the Permian Basin. The porosity and permeability of reflux dolomites varies according to position in the dolomitizing system with less porosity and permeability in proximal parts of the dolomitizing system. Dolomitization decreases rate of porosity loss with burial (Schmoker and Halley, 1982) allowing some porous dolomite reservoirs like the Smackover of south Alabama at depths of 16,000-18,000 feet. Deep burial dissolution increasing porosity is the exception, rather than the rule. In summary, unlike quartzose sandstones, a complex array of diagenetic factors generally affect the ultimate porosity, permeability and production of carbonate reservoirs.

Biography Art Saller is a stratigrapher and exploration geologist working for Cobalt International Energy in Houston, Texas. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Kansas, M.S. degree from Stanford University, and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University (1984). Art worked for Cities Service/Occidental, Unocal, and Chevron prior to joining Cobalt in 2012.

During 28 years in the petroleum industry, he has done research and provided stratigraphic support for exploration and production projects in west Texas, Canada, Angola, Indonesia, and many other locations.

Art has published numerous papers on carbonate sedimentology and deepwater siliciclastic systems as well as help edit books. In 2007, he was part of an exploration team that was given Chevron's Chairman's Award for oil discoveries in offshore Angola.

Art has helped run field trips to the Caicos Platform (Bahamas), Belize, and the Permian Basin (USA) for Cities Service/Occidental, Unocal, Chevron, university geology groups, and the Nautilus Training Consortium for more than 25 years. He is a member of AAPG and has also taught short courses for AAPG.

Âť

Vol. 62, No. 1

26

January 2013

USGS Rocky Mountain Science Seminar (Lecture BuildingFederal 25, 10:30 am)10:30 a.m.

Lecture Hall, BuildingHall, 25, Denver Center,

Date

Speaker

Title

1/8/13

Geoff Plumlee

Linking geology and health to help understand a deadly outbreak of childhood lead poisoning from artisanal gold mining, northwest Nigeria

1/15/13

Andy Manning

Potential links between climate change and water quality degredation in a mineralized watershed

1/22/13

Zach Sharp

Chlorine isotope geochemistry of Earth, Moon, and beyond

2/5/13

Becky Flowers

Epeirogeny of eustasy?

Deciphering the rise and fall of continental interiors and implications for mantle dynamics

2/19/13

Kate Whidden

Distal Facies Variability within the Upper Triassic part of the Otuk Formation in Northern Alaska

3/5/13

David John

Miocene volcanoes, hot springs, and gold deposits in the Bodie Hills, California and Nevada

3/26/13

Christian Teyssier

Oceanic and continental core complexes

4/9/13

Julie Roberge

Petrogenesis and metal budget of the Chichinautzin monogenetic field, Mexico: A melt inclusion study

Joe Colgan

Regional tectonic setting of Miocene extension and magmatism in the northern Great Basin

5/14/13

Dirk Wallschlaeger

Soluble arsenic-sulfur compounds in ambient waters - where geochemical knowledge gaps and analytical problems collide

5/28/13

Darius Semmons

Where's the value? New approaches to mapping the benefits we derive from nature

(USGS Denver)

(USGS Denver)

(U of New Mexico)

( U of Colrado)

(USGS Denver)

(USGS Menlo Park)

(U of Minnesota)

(Mexican Polytechnical Inst.)

4/23/13

(USGS Menlo Park)

(Trent University)

OUTCROP

(USGS Denver)

27

www.rmag.org

The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2012 The RMAG is pleased to announce the winner of The Mountain Geologist Best Paper Award for 2012.

The winning paper is “Quantifying Low Net:Gross, Fluvial-Lacustrine Reservoirs Using Proportional Tops and Zonation: Green River Formation, Monument Butte Field, Utah� by Darrin Burton, Bobby Sullivan, Steve D. Adams.

This extremely well written and illustrated paper presents a new method of reservoir quantification for the primary reservoir in Monument Butte field, Utah-the low net:gross, fluvial-lacustrine lower and middle Green River Formation. The authors use statistically derived proportional tops and zonation, which create a detailed, genetic sequence stratigraphic framework that can be generated quickly at every well and that is easily updated and controlled for quality. Creating proportional

zonation allows reservoir properties (i.e., net sand, average porosity, fluid saturations, etc.) to be calculated and mapped fieldwide in high stratigraphic detail. The authors demonstrate how improved modeling of reservoir character and distribution allows better integration of production, injection and zone data. They also show how data integration in a sequence stratigraphic framework provides new insights for improving reservoir management and optimizing production.

Many excellent papers were submitted this year making selecting one winner a very difficult job. In reality, all of the papers are winners, and we would like to thank all of the authors for publishing their outstanding work.

Congratulations to Darrin, Bobby, and Steve.

The Best Paper Selection Committee

SAVE the DATE!!

GeoLand Ski Day will be held on Friday March 1, 2013 at Copper Mountain Resort.

See page 2 for more information and registration form.

Vol. 62, No. 1

28

January 2013

Improve Your Logging Skills Basic Well Log Interpretation

Monday-Wednesday, January 28-30, 2013, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom DE Fee: $650, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Dan Krygowski, The Discovery Group, Denver, CO Limit: 60 persons

Synopsis: The course assumes no logging knowledge, and seeks to establish an understanding of basic petrophysical measurements and interpretation techniques which can be applied to routine tasks, and upon which more complex and advanced information and techniques can be built.

The course:  Offers a “hands-on” approach to basic openhole well log analysis and interpretation;  Focuses on the traditional interpretation targets of lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation;  Introduces a variety of interpretation techniques in the context of the availability of newer, more extensive, data;  Is organized by the targets, or goals of the measurements, rather than by the physics of the measurements.

The course strives to provide a strong and coherent foundation for the understanding of other specialized interpretation techniques involving well log data, which are not covered here.

Course topics include:  An overview of petrophysical well log data acquisition;  Description of correlation/lithology, porosity, and resistivity measurements;  Determination of lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation from logs;  Interpretive techniques, both algorithmic and graphical, using logs individually and in combination;  Interpretation exercises to reinforce the interpretation methods that are covered.  Equipment needed: Calculator with exponent functions, straight-edge, pencil or pen.

Petrophysics of Unconventional Reservoirs

Thursday –Friday, January 31-February 1, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom C Fee: $450, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructors: Robert Cluff, The Discovery Group, Inc.; Michael Holmes, Digital Formation, Inc. Limit: 40 persons

The course will cover the petrophysical approaches to the evaluation of Shale Oil, Tight Gas Sands, and Shale Gas Techniques using both open and cased hole logs. Attendees will learn basic interpretation procedures to determine porosity, hydrocarbon saturation, TOC, volumes of in-place hydrocarbons, recoverable hydrocarbon estimates, and net pay criteria. Worked examples from a number of North American reservoirs will be part of a comprehensive workshop manual to be provided to all attendees.

Petroleum Geostatistics Wednesday, February 13, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom D Fee: $250, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructors: Dr. Todd Hoffman, Colorado School of Mines

The objective of Petroleum Geostatistics is to learn the basic geological and statistical concepts used to characterize hydrocarbon reservoirs. This course will teach you how to use geostatistical tools to create high quality petroleum reservoir models. Fundamental techniques such as kriging and sequential simulation will be covered along with more recent developments, for instance, Boolean methods and multipoint geostatistics. This course covers some theory but is mainly focused on practical applied procedures that can be used to create models. Participants will employ easy-to-use modeling software to put many of the techniques into practice by building basic models using freeware on their own computers.

Class Descriptions and Register Online: www.pttcrockies.org For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu

OUTCROP

29

www.rmag.org

Vol. 62, No. 1

30

January 2013

DONOVAN BROTHERS INCORPORATED

North America’s Next Big Light Oil Resource Play

Wellsite Drilling Engineering • Well Plans • Geomechanics Formation Evaluation • Optimize Drilling Using Logs

Bill Donovan

Geologist • Petroleum Engineer • PE

Sanish/Three Forks

780 E. Phillips Dr. S. • Littleton, CO 80122 (720) 351-7470 (voice) • (303) 794-7470 (message) donovan@petroleum-eng.com www.petroleum-eng.com

Canadian Discovery’s Three Forks Project confirms the excellent development potential of this impressive unconventional reservoir.

5 oil play types ranging from unconventional resource plays to more conventional subcrop plays are identified.

Contact Cheryl Wright to Subscribe 403.269.3644 | info@canadiandiscovery.com

www.canadiandiscovery.com

Saskatchewan

Bakken Studies

Manitoba

YOUR AD HERE

STUDY AREA

(Professional Card Ad Size)

Montana North Dakota

Wyoming

South Dakota

Canadian Discovery Ltd.

OUTCROP

31

Only $144.00 per year www.rmag.org

RMAG 2013 SUMMIT SPONSORS DIAMOND LEVEL

GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

BRONZE LEVEL ANSCHUTZ EXPLORATION CORP IHS GLOBAL INC TGS Interested in becoming a Summit Sponsor?

Visit www.rmag.org or email staff@rmag.org Vol. 62, No. 1

32

January 2013

Reservoir Characterization . . . Diverse Rockies and Analog Plays

Making Sound Decisions

Keynote Speaker Thomas Jorden

3D Seismic Symposium

Chairman, CEO, and President

Tuesday March 5, 2013

Cimarex Energy

Kickoff Speaker Mark Zoback

Sheraton Downtown Denver

Professor of Geophysics Stanford University “Reservoir Geomechanics Applied to Stimulation of Shale Gas / Tight Gas / Tight Oil Reservoirs�

1550 Court Place

Contact Co-Chair: Jim Thorson jim.thorson@catamountexploration.com

Exhibitor registration now open!

www.3dseismicsymposium.com Unconventional/Conventional . . . Advanced Imaging . . . More . . . !

Presented by Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists & Denver Geophysical Society OUTCROP

33

www.rmag.org

New Members

Welcome to new Active members...

Roger Anderson Roger works at AECOM – Environment in Fort Collins, Colorado.

michelle Ozarowski Michelle is a student at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

mike Bair Mike is a Geologist at Basin Resources L.L.C.

Kim Parson Kim lives in Englewood, Colorado.

Sean Bromley Sean works at Weatherford Laboratories.

Amy Richardson Amy is a Staff Geoscientist at WPX Energy.

Kelly Bruchez Kelly is a Geologist at Newfield Exploration.

Amber Robbins Amber is a Geoscience Technician at Patara Oil & Gas.

Larry Dupont Larry lives in Denver, Colorado.

Rachel Stocking Rachel is a Business Development Manager at NodalSeismic, LLC. Douglas Wight Douglas works at FIML Natural Resources.

Cassidy miller Cassidy Miller is a Geologist at Noble Energy.

Vol. 62, No. 1

34

January 2013

Âť

Evan Howell Evan is a Geologist at Noble Energy.

Advertisers Index AAPG.................................... 5, 23

Donovan Brothers Inc............. 31

Mazzullo Energy Corp............. 30

BTA Oil Producers, LLC........... 10

Discovery Group...................... 24

PTTC......................................... 29

Bowler Petrophysics............... 24

Geosteering............................. 24

RMAG and PTTC...................... 21

Breckenridge Expl. Inc........... 30

Horizontal Solutions Intl......... 28

Canadian Discovery................ 31

Imagination Specialist........... 24

Vista GeoScience, David Seneshen...................... 28

Core Lab.................................. 34

Karo, James C......................... 24

Vista GeoScience, John V. Fontana....................... 24

Decollement Consulting, Inc. 31

MJ Systems..............................17

Whitehead, Neil H., III............. 14

January 2013

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

1 NEW YEARS 2

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

3

4

5

9

10

11

12

16 RMAG

17 AAPG Young 18

19

23 Oilfield

24

26

DAY

RMAG Office Closed

6

7

8

13

14

15

RMAG Luncheon Speaker: Phillip H. Nelson DWLS Luncheon

Desk & Derrick Luncheon

20

21

22

Luncheon Speaker: Art Saller

Christian Fellowship Luncheon

27

28

29 RMS-SEPM 30

DIPS Luncheon

Professinals Dine & Discuss

RMAG/PTTC January Short Course

25

31

Luncheon

Denver SPE Continuing Education

OUTCROP

35

www.rmag.org