November 2017 outcrop

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Volume 66 • No. 11 • November 2017

OUTCROP | November 2017

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

OUTCROP The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

910 16th Street • Suite 1214 • 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.

2017 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT

TREASURER

Larry Rasmussen larryr@whiting.com

Karen Dean deankaren@comcast.net

PRESIDENT-ELECT

TREASURER-ELECT

Terri Olson tmolson8550@gmail.com

Robin Swank robin.swank@gmail.com

1st VICE PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

Steve Sturm 303petro.images@gmail.com

Jennifer Jones jaseitzjones@gmail.com

2nd VICE PRESIDENT

1st YEAR COUNSELOR

Cat Campbell CCampbell@bayless-cos.com

Jim Emme jim_emme@yahoo.com 2nd YEAR COUNSELOR

Rob Diedrich rdiedrich@sm-energy.com

RMAG STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Barbara Kuzmic bkuzmic@rmag.org MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER

Hannah Rogers hrogers@rmag.org ACCOUNTANT

Carol Dalton cdalton@rmag.org PROJECTS SPECIALIST

Kathy Mitchell-Garton kmitchellgarton@rmag.org LEAD EDITOR

Cheryl Fountain cwhitney@alumni.nmt.edu ASSOCIATE EDITORS

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Rates and sizes can be found on page 32. Advertising rates apply to either black and white or color ads. Submit color ads in RGB color to be compatible with web format. Borders are recommended for advertisements that comprise less than one half page. Digital files must be PC compatible submitted in png, jpg, tif, pdf or eps formats at a minimum of 300 dpi. If you have any questions, please call the RMAG office at 303-573-8621.

Ad copy, signed contract and payment must be received before advertising insertion. Contact the RMAG office for details.

DEADLINES: Ad submissions are the 1st of every month for the following month’s publication.

Holly Sell holly.sell@yahoo.com Greg Guyer Greg.Guyer@halliburton.com Ron Parker ron@bhigeo.com DESIGN/LAYOUT

Nate Silva www.nate-silva.com

WEDNESDAY NOON LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS

RMAG Office: 303-573-8621 | Fax: 808-389-4090 | staff@rmag.org or www.rmag.org The Outcrop is a monthly publication of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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Outcrop | November 2017 OUTCROP

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Short Course At Liberty Oilfield Services

950 17th St., Denver, CO 80202 Registration closes November 13th.

Register at www.rmag.org.

Members: $300 Non-Member: $350 Student: $150

Details Lunch is included.

Bring colored pencils both days.

Emailed material will be provided.

1 1 . D1r . 5J u -n a1i d 6S a.d e1q u7e Never before taught in Denver.

Sequence Stratigraphic Correlation in Well-logs – a Hands-on Training Workshop Since the 1970s, sequence stratigraphy has arguably revolutionized stratigraphic analyses in the oil and gas industry because of its power to predict flow-units in petroleum reservoirs. The same sequence stratigraphic principles are also presently applied to predicting flow-units in groundwater aquifers. However, even after about 50 years since the founding of the concept, many of us are still lost in the labyrinth of terminology and struggle when it comes to applying the concepts into practice. This is particularly true in case of sparse dataset from well-logs and cores, rather than full 3-D seismic data coverage.

Our 2-day hands-on workshop aims at addressing that skill-gap in inferring sequence stratigraphic markers and systems tracts for clastic rocks in absence of seismic information. This goal will be achieved through a series of interesting correlation exercises following a brief recap of the fundamental concepts. The curriculum is focused to benefit both new hires and experienced professionals by providing real correlation examples from the industry with particular emphasis on understanding facies architecture in well-logs and cores for recognizing different depositional sequences. At the end of the course, the students will learn how to avoid common correlation pitfalls in developing a sequence stratigraphic framework and how to make valid stratigraphic predictions for petroleum exploration or groundwater remediation.

email:OUTCROP staff@rmag.org | phone: | November 2017 303.573.8621 910 16th Street #1214, Denver, CO, 80202

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fax: 888.389.4090 | | web: www.rmag.org Vol. 66, No. 11 www.rmag.org follow: @rmagdenver

OUTCROP Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

CONTENTS FEATURES

ASSOCIATION NEWS

12 2017 RMAG Award Recipients

2 RMAG 2017 Summit Sponsors

27 Lead Story: Why the West is High, A Geophysics Perspective

4 RMAG 2017 Short Course 7 Register Today: Rockbusters Bash 9 2018 RMAG Mentorship Program 23 What’s New With The RMAG Foundation?

31 Geologic/Seismic Library Giveaway

DEPARTMENTS 6 RMAG September 2017 Board of Directors Meeting

24 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Reinaldo Michelena 32 Welcome New RMAG Members!

8 President’s Letter

32 Outcrop Advertising Rates

21 In The Pipeline

33 Advertiser Index

22 RMAG Luncheon Programs: Zane Jobe

33 Calendar

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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COVER PHOTO Inclined exposure of Paleozoic strata in Clarks Fork Canyon, Wyoming.

Units shown (from left to right) include the Jefferson, Three Forks, and Madison formations (Photo by Blake Herber).

OUTCROP | November 2017

RMAG SEPTEMBER 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

By Jennifer Jones, Secretary jaseitzjones@gmail.com

you attend! The Continuing Education committee is brainstorming ideas for next year. The Publications committee expects to have two special publications in 2018 – stay tuned! Additionally, a stratigraphy short course with Dr. Junaid Sadeque is offered 11/15-16 – this has not been offered in Denver before, and should be a very interesting event.

Student, mentor, and social events are happening regularly – please be on the lookout for upcoming events, such as the Library Trivia Tour at the Denver Earth Resources Library on 10/25, the RMAG core workshop 10/26, and luncheons.

Please see the Events page on the website for more information about any of these opportunities.

As always, please check the RMAG website often for the exciting events and opportunities coming up soon! We look forward to seeing you.

The August meeting of the RMAG Board of Directors was held September 20, 2017 at 4 PM. All board members were present. Treasurer Karen Dean reported that the RMAG financials are continuing well, and the RMAG “rainy day fund” is strong year-to-date. Executive Director Barbara Kuzmic reported that membership is up slightly, with a new total of 1,794. The Fall Symposium and core workshop registration closed that day, the October core workshop registration closes 10/19.

The Rockbuster’s Bash is coming up on November 9 – please see the RMAG website for ticket information.

The Board discussed the results of the membership survey, and a summary will be written up for The Outcrop. The official rollout of the monthly luncheon booth program will roll out in November – please be on the lookout for the booths when

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Register Today!

Registration is open! $35/person | Register at www.rmag.org

Professional Awards Celebration

RMAG Rockbusters Bash Join the RMAG for an evening of heavy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, a live auction, and most importantly, honoring professional award winners.

November 9, 2017 4:30pm-7:30pm

The Curtis Hotel, Denver, CO email: sta@rmag.org

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phone: 303.573.8621

Vol. 66,16th No.Street 11 | www.rmag.org 910 #1214, Denver, CO, 80202

fax: 303.476.2241 7

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web: www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | November 2017 follow: @rmagdenver

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Larry Rasmussen

Thank You to the 2017 RMAG Board and Staff

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job during her first year on the board as Secretary. Her monthly records of board meetings are about as diligent and thorough as I’ve encountered, and I appreciate the condensed summaries that she manages to crank out every month for The Outcrop. Finally, I cannot thank Counselors Jim Emme and Rob Diedrich enough for the wise and tempered advice that I have received over the past year. Although it’s his first of two years on the RMAG board, Jim brought a wide array of experience, having served for the past 10 years as a mentor and thesis committee member for geology students at Colorado School of Mines, and he was the Vice Chair of the 2015 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition in Denver. This is Rob’s second year on the board as Counselor, but he brought with him 30 years (!) of board experience with the Wyoming Geological Association, Montana Geological Society, and RMSAAPG where he is the current President of the RMS-AAPG Foundation. A big Thank You to

OUTCROP | November 2017

chair next year. Although Cat Campbell is serving her first year on the RMAG board as Second Vice President, she served for four years on the RMSAAPG board as Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect and President. She is perhaps our most visible board member as emcee for all of the luncheon talks, and she has done a great job on the board, with the Continuing Education Committee, and as chair of the Rockbusters Committee, and I am grateful for the levity that she brings to the table each month. Treasurer, Karen Dean, and Treasurer-Elect, Robin Swank, have been doing an excellent job of providing financial oversight to the board.

Karen and Robin bring a wealth of experience via owning and operating their own businesses. Additionally, Karen served on the board last year as Treasurer-Elect under John Ladd, and served as RMS-SEPM Membership Chair for 11 years. Robin has served for four years on the RMS-SEPM board as Vice President and she is their current President. Jennifer Jones has been doing a phenomenal

November is the month to give thanks, I’d like to take time to thank everyone who has volunteered to serve on the RMAG Board of Directors this year, as well as our staff of professionals who take care of day-to-day operations, providing membership with a wide array of continuing education events, social events and publications.

After serving on the Board of Directors for five years and working with four different presidents, I am confident that Terri Olson will make a great President for 2018. Terri has served previously as First Vice President, two years as Counselor, and she’s served on a number of RMAG committees. She has been vocally involved in all aspects of decision making on the Board this year as President-Elect, and it has been a pleasure working with her. First Vice President, Steve Sturm, who is serving his first term on the board, is a much-appreciated voice during board meetings, and he has played an active role in organizing and re-focusing the Publications Committee, which he will

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R M A G

Apply Accepting applications October 2, 2017 through December 18, 2017. Visit www.rmag.org to apply.

About RMAG young professionals will be paired with mentors to provide young professionals with a senior professional mentor who can provide career path and technical mentorship. RMAG provides participants with opportunities for the whole program to get together throughout the year.

February 1, 2018 December 31, 2018 email: sta@rmag.org

phone: 303.573.8621

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

910 16th Street #1214, Denver, CO, 80202

fax: 888.389.4090 9

web: www.rmag.org

OUTCROP | November 2017

follow: @rmagdenver

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

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production of The Outcrop and The Mountain Geologist. Needless to say, the work that she does for the association is invaluable and we wouldn’t be able to function without her!

I’d also like to thank Kathy Mitchel-Garton, our Projects Specialist, who assists Hannah on event registration and membership and is managing the RMAG archival and digitizing project.

all of my fellow board members for all of the hard work that they have put in this year. The association is lucky to have you and so am I. Barbara Kuzmic is the fourth RMAG Executive Director (ED) that I have worked with during my time on the board. Last year when we were looking for a replacement for Carrie Veatch, we were trying to find someone with strong non-profit ED experience who could bring leadership, diplomacy and creative energy to the association. In the short time that she has been with RMAG (she started in December of last year), she has exhibited all

of these qualities, and I, for one, am grateful that we chose Barbara to run the association. She is very interested in what we do as geologists and would love to find out more about the various industries for whom we work. Please take some time to introduce yourself to her at the next opportunity and tell her a little about what you do.

I look forward to what Barbara is able to accomplish in the coming years. Our Membership and Events Manager, Hannah Rogers, manages the membership database and website, and coordinates events registration and logistics. She also creates the graphic art for events and assists with publication

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HEY, HO, LET’S GO!1

By the time you read this, RMAG will have only two major events left for 2017 - the annual Rockbusters Bash, and a

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

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short course titled, Sequence Stratigraphic Correlation in Well Logs. The Rockbusters Bash and RMAG Professional Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 9 will be different than previous years. This year, our Rockbusters committee has organized a three-hour happy hour and networking event at The Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver, complete with heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a live auction, and music. Please check out the registration page for a complete list of our awards recipients, and a beautifully-prepared booklet featuring mineral specimens and antique maps and books offered for auction. Registration cost is low at $35, and it’s bound to be a super fun event, so please register now!

Our two-day short course, Sequence Stratigraphic Correlation in Well Logs – a Hands-on Training Workshop, will be held at Liberty Oilfield Services on Wednesday and Thursday, November 15-16, and it will be taught by Dr. Junaid Sadeque. Last year, I

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took a PTTC course on ichnology taught by Dr. Sadeque, and it was perhaps the best ichnology course I’ve ever taken. In the abstract for November’s short course, Sadeque writes: The two-day hands-on workshop focuses on inferring sequence stratigraphic markers and systems tracts for clastic rocks in the absence of seismic data. This goal will be achieved through a series of interesting correlation exercises following a brief recap of the fundamental

concepts. The curriculum is focused to benefit both new hires and experienced professionals by providing real correlation examples from the industry with particular emphasis on understanding facies architecture in well-logs and cores for recognizing different depositional sequences. Seating is limited, and registration is on a first-come first-served basis. Register now for this event as it will sell out quickly!

C

OSCIENCE L GE , LL RE

1: Ramones at CBGB, circa 1976 (Photo: Roberta Bayley)

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | November 2017

2017 RMAG Award Recipients HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD, 2017

• Marvin D. Brittenham

Marvin D. Brittenham

MICHAEL S. JOHNSON EXPLORER OF THE YEAR AWARD, 2017 • Christopher B. Martin OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST AWARD, 2017 • Dr. Jeffrey A. May and Dr. Donna S. Anderson GEOSCIENCES IN THE MEDIA, 2017 • Lon Abbott and Terri Cook: Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RMAG AWARD, 2017 • Dr. Paul G. Lillis • Ronald L. Parker DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE TO EARTH SCIENCE AWARD, 2017 • United States Geological Survey Core Research Center SPECIAL AWARD, 2017 • Dr. M. Raymond Thomasson • Carrie Veatch

OUTCROP | November 2017

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present Honorary Membership to Marvin (Marv) D. Brittenham in recognition of his long volunteer commitment to the geologic community and to the association.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Montana, Marv began his career with Texaco and within five years was promoted to District Geologist. While at Texaco, he earned his MS from the University of Montana. When the oil boom of the late 1970s occurred, Marv became Chief Geologist at Impel Energy and then Senior Vice President of Exploration and Land at Snyder Oil & Gas. During the crash of the late 1980s, he formed his own company before joining Columbia Gas Development in 1989 as Upper Gulf Coast Team Leader. In 1996, Marv became Vice President of Exploration at Flying J Oil & Gas in Salt Lake City and then in 2002 moved back to Denver as New Ventures USA Team Leader with Encana Oil & Gas (USA). During his stay at Encana, he oversaw numerous wildcat opportunities with the 12

Haynesville gas play being the largest discovery. Marv received the 2010 RMAG Outstanding Explorer Award in recognition of this and other discoveries. After such a productive career, he retired from Encana in 2012 and now lives in Parker, Colorado.

Mr. Brittenham has been a valued member and contributor to the local and national geologic communities. He served as Editor and Managing Editor of RMAG’s The Mountain Geologist and as co-Chair of the 2010 RMAG-COGA Energy Expo. He was elected by the RMAG as 1st Vice President (1986), President-elect (2014) and then served as President in 2015.

During his tenure as President, he began the process of designing a five-year Strategic Plan under which the association now does business. Marv has also served as President of the RMSSEPM, President of the Utah Geological Association and Vice President of Sections for the AAPG. He has authored numerous articles and presentations on Rocky Mountain geology, on teamwork and participated in forums on exploration and discovery thinking on behalf of the RMAG, COGA and AAPG. In 1987, Mr. Brittenham received the RMAG Distinguished Service to Earth Science Award.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD, 2017

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

MICHAEL S. JOHNSON EXPLORER OF THE YEAR AWARD, 2017

Christopher B. Martin The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present to Christopher B. Martin the 2017 Michael S. Johnson Explorer of the Year

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In 2016, the United States Geological Survey estimated that the Niobrara/Mancos shale play in the Piceance Basin holds about 66 TCF of gas.

In the United States, this is second only to the 84 TCF Marcellus shale play. Chris recognized the Niobrara’s potential a decade earlier that this report.

In 2005, Chris was drilling deep tests in the Piceance Basin when he noticed the Niobrara shale yielded significant gas shows when drilling through it to targets in the Dakota and Frontier Formations. The Orchard Unit 1713 Well was completed in the Dakota Formation in October

In recognition of his years of service to the association and to the geologic community, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists awards Honorary Membership, the association’s highest honor, to Marvin D. Brittenham.

Award. This award is presented in recognition of his efforts in the discovery and development of the horizontal Niobrara/Mancos shale play in the Piceance Basin, Colorado.

Chris is currently an independent Certified Petroleum Geologist residing in Loveland, Colorado. He was educated at the University of Texas at Dallas where he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geosciences. Chris spent three and a half years as Exploration Manager for Business Development at Bonanza Creek Energy in Denver. Prior to that, he was employed for eight years as Senior Exploration Geologist at Encana Oil and Gas in Denver.

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2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

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phone 406. 259. 4124 sunburstconsulting.com OUTCROP | November 2017

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of 2005 and yielded approximately 500 MCFPD of gas. In August of 2006, Chris and his co-worker Joel Fox went back into the well and completed the Niobrara shale. The results were not spectacular, but provided an early indication of the formation’s potential.

In September 2006, Chris, together with Joel Fox, cored the Niobrara Formation in the Federal 2416DT Well, completing three stages in the Niobrara and four stages in the overlying Mancos shale. Chris made it a priority to determine how much gas was being produced from each zone. By February of 2007, it was clear that most of the well’s gas production was from the Niobrara Formation.

In October 2008, Chris drilled the first of three Niobrara shale horizontal test wells. The initial program tested different azimuthal directions and lateral lengths and proved the exploration concept.

The first well was the shortest lateral at 3,500 feet and was drilled to intersect natural fractures. Following a nine-stage slick water fracture treatment, the well’s first year cumulative production was 472 MMCFG. In August 2009, the second horizontal well was drilled transverse to maximum stress and resulted in first year cumulative production of 1.29 BCFG from approximately 5,000 feet of lateral. The third well, spud in October 2009, was drilled longitudinal to maximum stress and landed approximately 5,000 feet of lateral in the Niobrara Formation, resulting in first year cumulative production of 1.3 BCFG.

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST AWARD, 2017

Dr. Jeffrey A. May and Dr. Donna S. Anderson The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present its 2017 award for Outstanding Scientist to Dr. Jeffrey A. May and Dr. Donna S. Anderson in recognition of their collaborative efforts to enhance evaluation of the resource potential of shale reservoirs.

Jeff received his B.A. in Geology from Earlham College; M.S. in Geology from Duke University, and Ph.D. in Geology from Rice University.

He worked in the oil and gas

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industry for over 30 years, until retiring in 2011 as Chief Geologist for EOG Resources.

Donna received her B.A. in Earth Science from California State University, Fullerton; M.S. in Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles; and Ph.D. from the Colorado School of Mines. She has over 40 years of geologic experience, consisting of over 25 years in oil and gas exploration/exploitation and over 15 years in academia.

Donna retired from EOG Resources in 2015 as a Geological Advisor and currently serves at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) as a Research

With the discovery of the gas potential of the horizontal Niobrara play, Encana abandoned its vertical Frontier/ Dakota program and focused on the Niobrara, leading to approximately 25 horizontal wells in the Mancos and Niobrara Formations. Over 70 horizontal wells have been drilled in the play to date.

In recognition of his accomplishments in oil and gas exploration and field development during his career, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is proud to present Christopher B. Martin the 2017 Michael S. Johnson Explorer of the Year Award.

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OUTCROP | November 2017

2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

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OUTCROP | November 2017

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Associate Professor.

While at EOG, the contributions of Jeff and Donna to promote the understanding of shales as reservoirs helped EOG Resources become a recognized leader in these plays. An example is their part in the development and presentation of a week-long shale field course in the D-J and Powder River basins. Not only did Jeff and Donna share their knowledge with EOG’s technical staff, they also helped educate the geoscience community.

They received the AAPG EMD Frank Kottlowski Memorial Award (for best paper), for their talk and article “Mudrock Reservoirs—Why Depositional Fabric and Sequence Stratigraphic Framework Matter,” which was an AAPG Distinguished Lecture in 2012-13. Jeff and Donna are inspiring instructors in the classroom, at the core laboratory and in the field. Their work has reinforced the value of describing shale cores as a key tool in mudrock characterization and reservoir targeting.

Jeff continues to teach sequence stratigraphy classes to EOG staff and for Nautilus. Donna is one of three lead instructors who developed and teaches a new Mudrock Petrology course for graduate students at CSM. In recognition of their work to advance the understanding of the stratigraphy and sedimentology of mudrock formations, enabling optimum exploration and development as hydrocarbon reservoirs, The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is proud to recognize Dr. Jeffrey A. May and Dr. Donna S.

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

GEOSCIENCES IN THE MEDIA, 2017

Lon Abbott and Terri Cook: Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to award the 2017 Geosciences in the Media Award to Lon Abbott and Terri Cook for their outstanding publication Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range.

Colorado’s extraordinary geologic history is wonderfully told within the pages of Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range. The book is comprised of 21 separate chapters, or vignettes, each of which is a self-contained story and field guide of a noteworthy geologic site located along the Front Range. The subjects of the vignettes meander the reader though geologic time and

insight into recent discoveries and interpretations while finding inspiration for their next field excursion or research endeavor. A more geologically casual reader will find that the clear explanations of more complex geologic processes fully satisfy their curiosity. In addition to well-written text, the authors have provided dozens of maps, cross-sections, photographs and other figures to aid and expand the reader’s understanding of Colorado’s fascinating geologic history.

In recognition of their outstanding publication Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range and its contribution to the public understanding of geology, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists proudly presents the 2017 Geosciences in the Media Award to Lon Abbott and Terri Cook.

Anderson with its Outstanding Scientist Award for 2017.

context, from the Proterozoic metamorphics and gold-bearing Cenozoic intrusives around Idaho Springs, to the formation of the Front Range during the Laramide Orogeny, to the riveting tale of modern day flooding on the Big Thompson River, and many other wonderful stories in between. The reader is left with a broad understanding of the tectonic and climatic controls which resulted in the modern Front Range landscape and a yearning to visit the field locales of each vignette to view and further study the underlying evidence.

Geology Underfoot Along Colorado’s Front Range is superbly written and directed towards a wide audience. Lon, a Senior Instructor and Research Associate at the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado, and Terri, a freelance scientific writer who has published frequently in various media, are well-versed in the most current research of the geologic history of the Front Range. This work allows a seasoned field geologist or researcher to gain further

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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RMAG AWARD, 2017

Dr. Paul G. Lillis The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased

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Formation Evaluation • Petra® Projects Reserve Reports • Drilling Engineering • Well Plans

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(720) 351-7470 donovan@petroleum-eng.com www.petroleum-eng.com

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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OUTCROP | November 2017

2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

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Check out our website for Regional Digital Database Studies • Williston Basin Bakken-Three Forks • DJ Basin Niobrara-Codell-Greenhorn • Delaware Basin Barnett-Woodford • Michigan Basin A-1 & A-2 Carbonates

to grant Dr. Paul G. Lillis a Distinguished Service to RMAG Award for his involvement in several key elements of RMAG activities.

Dr. Lillis served as Treasurer-Elect in 2014 and Treasurer in 2015. He served on the RMAG Finance Committee from 2014 to the present and has been a key contributor to the Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Paul served as 1st Vice-President in 2012 and as Chair of the Publications Committee in 2013. As Publications Chair, Paul developed a new policy for Permissions/

The soluHon for unique and valuable geological informaHon for prospect generaHon

Each study contains o Petra database with

• Non-proprietary header data • Digital log curves • Formation tops • Petrophysical properties • Geologic map grids

o PDF maps & cross sections

Geologic & Petrophysical Resources • Articles, presentations & useful links o Tight reservoirs o Petrophysics

The Discovery Group, Inc.

geologists and petrophysicists 6795 E. Tennessee Ave., Ste 500 Denver, CO 80224 303-831-1515

www.discovery-group.com

OUTCROP | November 2017

730 17th Street, Unit B-­‐1 Denver, CO 80202 303.825.5614 derlibrary@gmail.com derlibrary.com

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Fees for Use of RMAG Publications. He developed a new Copyright Assignment and Publishing Agreement for RMAG authors and helped re-write the RMAG Author Style Guide.

Paul constructed a database of RMAG publications, assigning ISBN and Library of Congress numbers, obtained a Library of Congress ISSN for the digital version of The Mountain Geologist, and re-established an account with the Copyright Clearance Center.

Paul is lobbying to move The Mountain Geologist to the Digital Object Identifier system, which would dramatically increase revenue stream of the journal and improve its accessibility and exposure to the scientific community.

Dr. Lillis served as co-editor for three RMAG Guidebooks; Gas Shale in the Rocky Mountains and Beyond (2008), Oil and Gas Fields of Colorado (2014) and Hydrocarbon Source Rocks in Unconventional Plays, Rocky Mountain Region (2016). He served as an Associate Editor of The Mountain Geologist from 2013 to 2015, and Chair of The Mountain Geologist Best Paper of the Year Award from 2014 to 2016.

Paul has given several presentations to RMAG luncheon audiences, earning the award for Best Luncheon Speaker in 2015.

For his dedicated service to the Rocky Mountain

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2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO RMAG AWARD, 2017

Ronald L. Parker The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is honored to present Ronald (Ron) L. Parker a Distinguished Service to RMAG Award in recognition of his service to the association.

Ron received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University and a MS in Geology from the University of Vermont. After receiving his degrees, he worked as a Hydrogeologist for several different companies in the Vermont area. In 1995, Ron began his pursuit of a PhD from Texas A&M where he also taught undergraduate labs in mineralogy, historical geology, physical geology and petrology. This experience led him in 2001 to an Assistant Professorship of Geology and Department Chair at Earlham College in Indiana.

In 2008, he entered the oil and gas industry as Senior Geologist at Fronterra Geosciences.

Since 2016, he has served as Principal Geologist at Lonerock Geoscience LLC and Senior Geologist at Borehole Image Specialists, interpreting open hole and resistivity image logs.

Ron has served on the RMAG Publications Committee

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE TO EARTH SCIENCE AWARD, 2017

United States Geological Survey Core Research Center The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is honored to present the 2017 Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award to the United States Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) Core Research Center (CRC) in appreciation of its contributions in promoting earth science to the general public.

The CRC was established in 1974 by the U.S.G.S. to preserve valuable rock cores for use by scientists and educators from 19

government, industry and academia. In addition to cores, the CRC contains collections of well cuttings, thin sections, and fossils.

Currently, the CRC houses over 1.7 million feet of core from over 9,000 wells in 33 states. Additionally, the cuttings housed at the CRC are from 52,000 wells, representing over 238 million feet of drill hole information.

The cores stored at the CRC are an invaluable and irreplaceable resource to the global geologic community.

Each core represents a unique data point of the rock record at that location and cannot be replaced if lost or destroyed.

Hundreds of geologists, professors, and students visit the CRC each month to conduct research. While it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of scientific papers whose research includes studies of the data stored at the CRC, a conservative estimate is well into the thousands.

Students and professors from both local universities and around the world have utilized the cores and other data stored at the CRC. This research has led to a greater understanding of the geology throughout North America. Local primary schoolteachers can access free mineral samples at the CRC for use in teaching students about geology. National and local professional and non-profit societies have held classes at the CRC, allowing the transfer and

Association of Geologists, Dr. Paul G. Lillis is recognized with a Distinguished Service to RMAG Award.

since 2014 and has been a valued contributor to the association’s publications as past Assistant Editor of The Mountain Geologist and Associate Editor of the Outcrop. He presently writes Mineral of the Month articles for the Outcrop. Ron served as Field Trip Chair for the 2014 RMS-AAPG meeting where he oversaw the design and operations of three successful geological excursions.

He is also the Webpage Editor for the RMS-SEPM, acting in that capacity since 2012.

In recognition of his contributions to the association, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists grants a Distinguished Service to RMAG Award to Ronald L. Parker.

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2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

SPECIAL AWARD, 2017

Dr. M. Raymond Thomasson The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is pleased to present a Special Award to Dr. M. Raymond (Ray) Thomasson for his numerous achievements and dedicated service within the geological community.

Ray has been in the oil and gas business for 54 years and has been a member of RMAG for most of that time. He has been active in the AAPG since

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of AAPG in 1999-2000. The American Geological Institute (AGI) has also bestowed two awards including the William B. Heroy, Jr. Award in 2006, which “is given in recognition for exceptional and beneficial long-term service to the AGI”.

In addition to these contributions, Ray was also presented with a University of Missouri Leaders Award for his work on the Development Board at the University along with his other achievements.

Ray was a mentor in the 2016 RMAG Mentorship Program and has spoken at RMAG luncheons on two occasions.

He helped create a partnership between the RMAG and Great Sand Dunes National Park in which he advocated for greater geological emphasis and education at the park. He contributed a paper to the RMAG Guidebook Gas in Low Permeability Reservoirs of the Rocky Mountain Region, and presented at the 2005 RMAG/PTTC Fall Symposium.

The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is proud to recognize Dr. M. Raymond Thomasson with a Special Award for his tireless

growth of knowledge of these rocks to a larger community of geoscientists. The CRC has dealt with numerous budget cutbacks and space constraints, yet access to the facility continues to be free to all.

In recognition of its ongoing contributions to the geologic community in the Rocky Mountain region and beyond, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is proud to recognize the U.S.G.S. Core Research Center with its 2017 Distinguished Public Service to Earth Science Award.

the 1970s where he chaired the AAPG Education Committee, was an Associate AAPG Editor and was a member of the AAPG Research Committee. From 1989 to 1992 he was a member of the AAPG Corporate Liaison Committee and an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer. He has also served on numerous committees and advisory boards spanning four decades.

In 1990, he became a member of the AAPG Geophysics Committee, which he subsequently chaired from 1991 to 1995. Under his leadership, the AAPG created a symbiotic relationship with the SPWLA, SEG and SPE where publications such as “Geologic-Geophysical Integrated Studies for Colleges” and “Gravity-Magnetic Exploration Case Histories” were created.

Dr. Thomasson has received numerous AAPG awards during his career: the Distinguished Service Award (1995), the A.I. Levorsen Memorial Award (1997), an Honorary Membership Award (2003), the DPA Heritage Award (2008), the Michael T. Halbouty Award (2009) and the AAPG Certificate of Merit (2010). He was President and President-Elect

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As a diverse community of individuals working towards a worthy cause, we believe that your unique talents can bring us all forward. Volunteers are always needed and welcome!

If you would like to volunteer for any of our committees or events, please contact the RMAG office at (303) 573-8621 or staff@rmag.org

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2017 RMAG AWARD RECIPIENTS

SPECIAL AWARD, 2017

Carrie Veatch The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists is proud to grant Carrie Veatch a Special Award for 2017.

Carrie served as the Executive Director of RMAG from 2014 to 2016. She brought the ideal set of capabilities, courage and grace to take on this challenge. In a consummately professional manner, she brought out the best efforts from the staff she supervised,

Meetings and realized a solid financial position. Following the industry downturn in 2014, she showed creativity in the planning of smaller, less expensive events. Carrie also created processes to streamline numerous RMAG administrative procedures.

Carrie recently moved to South Korea and has begun teaching English. Her enthusiasm, sensitivity and intelligence will suit her new role very well.

RMAG members are grateful for her contributions and leadership to the association, and are proud to recognize Carrie Veatch with a Special Award.

commitment and numerous contributions to the geological community.

the numerous volunteers and committees she organized, and the Board to which she reported.

Carrie first came to RMAG in 2012 as Office and Programs Manager. In this and her later role as Executive Director, she was well-prepared for every task and maintained a positive attitude. Her organizational and communication skills were exemplary and the Association prospered under her leadership.

During Carrie’s tenure, RMAG moved its monthly luncheon meetings to a profitable location, implemented a Five-Year Strategic Plan, hosted AAPG Section and Annual

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IN THE PIPELINE NOVEMBER 13, 2017

NOVEMBER 1, 2017 RMAG Luncheon.

Speaker: Zane Jobe. “Applying scaling relationships to enable better reservoir prediction in submarine depositional systems: Bridging the gap between geomorphology and the stratigraphic record.”

IHS Course.

Kingdom Basic Geologic Data Loading.

NOVEMBER 15-16, 2017 RMAG Short Course.

Speaker: Dr. Junaid Sadeque. “Sequence Stratigraphic Correlation in Well-Logs: A HandsOn Training. Liberty Oilfield Services, Denver.

RSVP to staff@rmag.org.

NOVEMBER 8, 2017 PTTC Rockies Short Course.

“Introduction to Petroleum Economics.”

Denver, CO. For more information contact Mary Carr(mcarr@mines.edu)303.273.3107

NOVEMBER 15, 2017 OCF Denver Chapter Luncheon.

RVSP to 303-258-6401.

NOVEMBER 9, 2017 Rockbusters Bash.

Curtis Hotel in Denver.

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

NOVEMBER 28, 2017 RMS-SEPM Luncheon.

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RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speakers: Zane Jobe — November 1, 2017

Applying scaling relationships to enable better reservoir prediction in submarine depositional systems Bridging the gap between geomorphology and the stratigraphic record

By Zane Jobe elements and barriers to flow are not only critical for successful field development, but also help to constrain the formative depositional processes. While these relationships are well-known for river systems, the scaling and kinematics of submarine depositional systems are still poorly understood. I will present new work that helps constrain the scaling relationships and kinematics for (1) submarine channels and (2) between submarine channels and the lobes/fans that they construct. This methodology links stratigraphic architecture and scaling relationships in a source-to-sink framework, leading to a more holistic understanding of submarine depositional systems and has tremendous power for hydrocarbon reservoir prediction.

Submarine depositional systems are an integral segment of source-to-sink sediment-routing systems and host large reserves of hydrocarbons. The linkages between modern geomorphic seascapes and the complexity of the stratigraphic record are, however, sometimes unclear. My research focuses on the intersection between geomorphology and the stratigraphic record, and using one to understand the other. In order to enable more accurate hydrocarbon reservoir prediction, we must understand how depositional processes sculpt the geomorphic seafloor into stratigraphic architecture. Scaling relationships are used to predict the absolute scale and spatial distribution of reservoir-forming elements (i.e., channels or lobes). In particular, the spatial arrangement and evolution (i.e., the kinematics) of reservoir forming

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and hunting and thinks that copious amounts of yard work can be cathartic.

Zane received a B.S. in Geology from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Geology from Stanford University in 2010 (advisor - Don Lowe).

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His research interests aim to better understand the stratigraphic architecture, scaling relationships, and sediment budgets for channelized depositional systems, with an emphasis on submarine environments. He also enjoys cycling

Zane Jobe is a research professor at Colorado School of Mines and the Director of the Chevron Center of Research Excellence (CoRE). Prior to Mines, Zane spent 6 years in the Clastics Research Team at Shell Oil Company.

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

WHAT’S NEW WITH THE RMAG FOUNDATION? •

The number of Trustees has increased from 5 to 7 and include: ! ! ! ! ! ! !

•

Donna Anderson – Secretary Tanya Inks Kurt Reisser Mitchell Reynolds John Robinson David Taylor – Treasurer Laura Wray – Chair

In 2017, the Foundation provided the following funding: $45,000 for scholarships $2300 for RMAG awards at the Rock Busters Bash $2000 for RMAG sponsorship $2000 for the 3D Symposium $1000 for the Teacher of the Year Award $1000 for 4 junior and senior Science Fair winners $1000 for “Anomalies: Pioneering Women in Petroleum Geology” $1000 to support student chapter leaders attending the 2017 Leadership Summit ! $500 - $1000 each year to underwrite On The Rocks Fieldtrips ! $420 for Neal J. Harr (Pick) Awards for outstanding senior geology students at 8 Colorado colleges and universities ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

•

Two new graduate student scholarships were created: ! The Michael S. Johnson Scholarship funded entirely by Mike Johnson ! The Robert M. Cluff Scholarship – funding is ongoing

• A new website was created for the Foundation: www.rmagfoundation.org • Our mailing address is:

Independence Plaza 1001 16th Street, B-180 Box 165 Denver, CO 80265

PLEASE CONSIDER A CONTRIBUTION TODAY.

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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RMAG LUNCHEON PROGRAMS Speakers: Reinaldo Michelena — December 6, 2017

Calibration and modeling of natural fractures properties using 3D poststack seismic data Reinaldo Michelena orientation), circular variance (or Fisher coefficient), and families of orientations in each cell of the seismic cube. Seismic derived orientation statistics is compared against orientations from outcrops and microseismic data to assess their validity and consistency across different scales. In the example presented in this talk, fracture orientations and families of fractures remain invariant across seven orders of magnitude, from outcrop scale to large seismic data scale. Once the correlation between seismic orientations and actual natural fractures is established, I use this information to constrain discrete fracture models of small faults and joints for different families of orientations. To finalize, I show one example of how this information is later used to constrain the generation of the pressure field in a naturally fractured reservoir by doing dual porosity flow simulation.

Natural fractures properties such as orientation, intensity, and anisotropy are routinely extracted from seismic data to help in the characterization of conventional and unconventional fractured reservoirs. These seismic derived properties, however, must be carefully checked and calibrated by using independent fracture information to increase the confidence in the interpretation of the attributes before they are used to support further characterization and development decisions. I present in this talk a workflow to extract, map, calibrate, and model natural fractures from 3D poststack seismic data that are used to constrain discrete fracture modeling and flow simulation models. The workflow starts by extracting local orientations from 3D seismic curvature. These orientations are then analyzed statistically to extract properties such as mode (dominant

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in 2003 and since then he has worked

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to help reservoir delineation and characterization, from programming and testing of algorithms to integrated interpretation of field data results. He worked 18 years for PDVSA-Intevep, the research and technical services affiliate of PDVSA. He joined iReservoir

Reinaldo Michelena received a B.S. in physics (1984) from Universidad Simón Bolívar (Venezuela) and a Ph.D. in geophysics (1993) from Stanford University. He has over 30 years of experience in research, development, and application of seismic methods

in a variety of problems and geological settings where seismic data analysis results are used to geological models for matrix and natural fractures and flow simulation models.

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SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Recent work has shown that the formation and support of regions of high topography, such as the Rocky Mountains, requires geodynamic process including crustal thickening, compositional variations, and mantle dynamics.

LEAD STORY

WHY THE WEST IS HIGH A GEOPHYSICS PERSPECTIVE

By Ryan Porter The past decade has seen numerous advances in utilizing earthquake seismology to understand the modern geologic evolution of the western US, one of the most tectonically active regions on Earth. Increases in computing power have driven the development of new analysis techniques and the deployment of new seismic networks have allowed seismologists to image the crust and upper mantle of the western US in unprecedented detail. This has led to new understandings of the interplay between crustal and upper mantle processes and the refinement of conceptual models for the modern geologic evolution of the region.

It has been accepted for almost 40 years that Cenozoic tectonism within the western US is primarily a result of plate boundary processes occurring off the western margin of the continent. Prior to the Cenozoic Era, the land surface of much of the western US interior was at or below sea level, as demonstrated by the presence of Cretaceous-age marine rocks across much of

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the region. Large swaths of the western US interior are now at elevations greater than 5,000 feet above sea level and, while the amount of uplift can be quantified, the causes of this uplift have not been well understood. Recent geophysical work by several researchers has given us a new understanding of how high topography forms, or more specifically, why the west is so high. Recent work has shown that the formation and support of regions of high topography, such as the Rocky Mountains, requires geodynamic process including crustal thickening, compositional variations, and mantle dynamics.

The catalyst for many of these advances is the EarthScope program, an NSF-sponsored initiative that led to the deployment of thousands of geophysical instruments across the US, funded researcher-led investigations, and sponsored collaborative activities to disseminate knowledge. One of the most ambitious aspects of this program was the deployment of the

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LEAD STORY Transportable Array (TA) Network by the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS). This network consisted of 400 seismometers that were moved from west to east across the US over a decade, resulting in stations placed every 75 kilometers across the continental US. The data collected by these sensors are publicly available from IRIS (http://ds.iris.edu/ ds/nodes/dmc/) and have been used by countless researchers across the globe for projects such as understanding earthquake and volcanic processes, probing the deep earth, and imaging the crust and mantle of the US to understand the driving forces behind modern tectonic processes.

In addition to the collection of new data, new data analysis techniques and improvements on existing ones have enabled the refinement of our models of the Earth’s structure and composition. One of the most notable advances is the development of ambient noise tomography, a technique that uses seismic “noise,” such as ocean waves and atmospheric disturbances, as an energy source for imaging the Earth. The relatively high frequency of this energy source allows seismologists to image the shear-wave velocity structure of the mid and lower crust in unprecedented detail.

Scattered wave imaging techniques, such as receiver functions, are used to generate images comparable to the common midpoint stacks used in active source seismology. These methods help seismologists locate major seismic velocity contrasts within the Earth, such as the boundary between the crust and upper mantle, the Mohorovičić discontinuity or Moho. Body-wave tomography, a technique analogous to CAT scans, allows for detailed imaging of the mantle and can be used to identify major features such as subducting slabs and upwelling asthenosphere.

These advances provide insights into the complicated processes necessary for high plateaus and mountains to form and remain at high elevations. In simple Airy isostasic calculations, which are used to approximate the crustal support for uplift, we assume that the low-density crust is floating on higher-density mantle. Regions of high topography are supported by thick roots of continental crust, much like an iceberg floating in the ocean. In this scenario, regions with thickened crust exhibit the highest topography.

Crustal thickening can occur through processes such

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as compression squeezing the crust together (shortening) or magmatic addition inflating the crust. We can calculate Moho depth using seismic data and from this identify regions of thick crust where this process has occurred.

Recent analyses show that crustal thickening alone is not sufficient to support the high elevations of much of the western US. This is especially true in areas such as the Colorado Plateau, Wyoming, and the Great Plains, where uplift has not been accompanied by significant compression of the crust. Similarly, for the Rocky Mountains, calculations show that crustal thickening alone is not enough to support the high elevations seen there. These regions require more nuanced mechanisms for supporting topography such as lowering crustal density through warming and compositional changes, emplacing old oceanic slabs at the base of the lithosphere, and processes such as vertical mantle flow pushing the continent upwards. It is likely these processes all contribute to raising the high mountains and plateaus we see in the western US. The concept that high topography is supported by low density crust is referred to as Pratt isostasy. This is a viable mechanism for uplifting the western US interior if processes for lowering the bulk crustal density can be identified. Given that much of the region was at sea-level at the end of the Cretaceous, these processes must have occurred since that time. Recent work by geophysicists have identified several candidate processes. These include lower crust removal (downwelling), crustal hydration, and thermal expansion of the lithosphere.

There are several ways that lower crustal removal (delamination or downwelling) can occur. If a region’s lower crust is pushed deep enough or undergoes sufficient magmatic processes, the lower crust will undergo metamorphism to form ultra-dense phases such as eclogite, that are denser than the mantle beneath it.

This dense material, or root, serves as a weight pulling the surface of the Earth down. Because of its density, this root is gravitationally unstable (wants to sink) and, if perturbed, can detach and sink into the mantle.

Once this process occurs, the whole crust will uplift.

Like a boat pumping out its bilge, the removal of these dense pieces of lithosphere causes the crust to float higher and result in higher surface elevations where

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LEAD STORY

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oceanic lithosphere.

Oceanic plates carry large quantities of water into the subsurface as they subduct into the mantle. Eventually, these plates reach depths great enough that the pressure and temperatures are so high that metamorphism occurs and water is released from the subducting plate into the overlying crust and mantle. This process is commonly associated with the formation of volcanic arcs in subduction zones. Within the western US, the source of fluids is likely the Farallon oceanic plate, which was subducting beneath much of the western US during the early Cenozoic. As tectonic plate geometries evolved,

the Farrallon plate subduction was replaced by strike-slip motion along the San Andreas Fault and the subduction of the modern Cocos and Juan de Fuca plates beneath Mexico and the northwestern US. Given the conditions in the western US at the time of Farallon plate subduction, this slab-derived water was likely absorbed into the lower crust lowering its density and causing regional uplift. This mechanism is viable in areas where the Farallon slab underlay the western US, which include the Colorado Plateau, the Wyoming Craton, part of the Rocky Mountains, and the western edge of the Great Plains,

detachment has occurred.

The aftermath of this removal process has been imaged within the western US upper mantle where seismic tomography shows several vertically-elongated high-velocity “blobs” at depths of 90 to 400 km. At these depths, seismic velocity is largely controlled by temperature, with cold regions exhibiting higher seismic velocities than warm regions.

Because of this, these “blobs” are inferred to be cold and are interpreted as subducted oceanplate remnants or continental lithosphere (roots) sinking into the mantle after being detached.

These features have been imaged in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon, the central Great Basin in Nevada, and the western margin of the Colorado Plateau in Utah, all regions of high topography that may have formed due this process.

The addition of fluids such as water to the crust and upper mantle can lower the density of these region and result in uplift. Water can help convert dense phases such as garnet to less dense hydrous phases such as amphibole. Seismic imaging of the crust beneath Wyoming, parts of the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Plains shows reduced lower crustal velocities in these regions relative to nearby areas. This observation is consistent with what we expect to see when fluids are added. This source of this water could be fluids released by subducting

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Lario Oil & Gas Company Established 1927

WWW.LARIOOIL.COM

Proud sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists 29

OUTCROP | November 2017

LEAD STORY ranges. Additionally, as the upward flow of mantle material occurs, it may actually push the lithosphere up, producing what geophysicists refer to as dynamic topography.

The advances in earthquake seismic imaging over the past decade highlight the fact that the deep crust and upper mantle are highly complex regions that play an important role in forming the topography and influencing the geology that we observe at the surface of the Earth. This includes processes such as the formation of volcanoes, sedimentary basins, and high mountain ranges across the American west. These efforts have shown that the there is no simple answer to questions such as: How do mountains form? or Why is Colorado so high? Instead, it is a combination of many processes that vary in influence by region. As the quality and quantity of seismic data and analysis techniques improve, we will get closer to identifying new mechanisms for uplift and quantifying the relative importance of existing ones, so that we can answer these questions in full.

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including the Denver area. Researchers have also argued that pieces of this plate are now stuck beneath parts of Wyoming and the Colorado Plateau and are providing some of the buoyancy to uplift the region.

Uplift of lithosphere can also be accomplished through heating. Mantle seismic velocities observed within the western US are the lowest seen in any continental area on Earth, which is likely due to warming associated with plate boundary processes. This is especially true in the vicinity of Yellowstone, the margins of the Colorado Plateau, and beneath the Rocky Mountains. This warming may be due to upwelling mantle associated with extension along the Rio Grande Rift and in the Basin and Range and with the Yellowstone hotspot. As hot material rises from deep within the Earth, the lithosphere heats up leading to thermal expansion, a process similar to the buoyancy forces that cause hot air balloons to float upward in the air on a cold morning. This reduced density causes the lithosphere to float higher and can help support mountain

Are You a Photographer?

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists would like to invite you to submit your digital images that capture the geology of the Rocky Mountain region.

Pore Throat to Outcrop, Modern Analogs, Oilfield Activity (Rigs), Dinosaur Trackways.

These images will be used on the cover of the Outcrop and a select number will be used in a forthcoming RMAG Calendar.

• All images will be accredited to the photographer • A brief description of the image (location, formation, significance) • The file size must be 300dpi or greater and be in TIFF or JPEG format.

• Limit 10 images/person

Submit images to: Cheryl Fountain, cwhitney@alumni.nmt.edu

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Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

Having retired from active oil exploration, I have available (FREE) multiple publications In my geologic and seismic library, including books covering the Rocky mountain basins (and more), basic concept and interpretive techniques, Guidebooks, USGS and state bulletins and professional papers.

Call Don Stone; 303-798-4674 or don@dsstone.com.

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

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WELCOME NEW RMAG MEMBERS!

is a Geologist at Halcon in Houston, Texas.

Maryam Nasizadeh

works at AvoAvaz.com.llc in Round Top, Texas.

Aaron Reimchen

Robert Butler

is a Geologist at Raymond James in Houston, Texas.

Dan Cox

is a Geology Associate at RS Energy Group in Calgary, Alberta.

Chase Daniels

Chuck Rudolph

lives in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

is retired in Denver, Colorado.

E. Marie Henry

Theresa Schwartz

is a Geophsyicist at Halcon Resources in Houston, Texas.

lives in Golden, Colorado.

Jeremy Hurshman

Dan Scott

lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

is a Geologist at SM Energy in Midland, Texas.

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• Geostar Solutions ������������������������������������ 17

• Spancers & Associates ����������������������������� 6

• Kestrel Geoscience, LLC �������������������������� 11

• Stoner Engineering (SES) ������������������������ 15

• Lario Oil & Gas Company ������������������������ 29

• Sunburst Consulting �������������������������������� 14

• MJ Systems �������������������������������������������� 10

• Tracker Resources ����������������������������������� 16

CALENDAR | NOVEMBER 2017 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1

2

3

4

8

9

10

11

PTTC Rockies Short Course.

Rockbusters Bash.

15

16

17

18

23

24

25

RMAG Luncheon.

5

12

6

13

7

14

OCF Denver Chapter Luncheon.

IHS Course.

RMAG Short Course.

19

20

21

22

THANKSGIVING The RMAG office will be closed.

26

27

28

29

The RMAG office will be closed.

30

RMS-SEPM Luncheon.

Vol. 66, No. 11 | www.rmag.org

33

OUTCROP | November 2017