February 2008 - Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists

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Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
Volume 57 • No. 2 • February 2008

WALT KING, PETROLEUM ENGINEER
LICENSED - COLORADO, WYOMING
RESERVES PROPERTY EVALUATION
FIELD STUDIES
OFFICE - (303) 893-1770
HOME - (303) 773-1080
410 17TH STREET, SUITE 1170 CELL - (720) 219-7897
DENVER, COLORADO 80202-4474 WAKPE@INDRA.COM
Vol. 57, No. 2
2
February 2008

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Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
CONTENTS
Features
6 Lead Story: Preview:
14th Annual 3-D Seismic
Symposium, Monday,
March 17, 2008, Downtown
Marriott Hotel - Denver,
Colorado, Rocky Mountain
Association of Geologists
and Denver Geophysical
Society
Departments
9 President’s Column
18 New & Returning Members
21 In the Pipeline
28 Friday Luncheon Programs
30 RMAG Board of Directors
Meeting – Summary
30 RMAG Auxiliary
34 Advertisers Index
34 Calendar of Events
As s o c i at i o n Ne w s
11 5th Annual AAPG Winter
Education Conference
16 Mark Your Calendars!
2008 RMAG/DGS Golf
Tournament
17 RMAG/DAPL GeoLand Ski
Day 2008 Registration
Form
23 14th Annual 3D Seismic
Symposium Registration
Form
24 RMAG Library on Sale Now
Order Form
COVER PHOTO
Colorful Tertiary and
Cretaceous strata in the
vicinity of Queens Garden
Trail at Bryce Canyon National
Park, southwestern Utah The
hoodoos (erosional spires)
are in the Eocene Claron
Formation.
Photo taken by Terri Olson in
November of 2006.
Volume 57 • No. 2 • February 2008
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Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

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The Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
820 16th Street • Suite 505 • 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.
Co-Editors
Terri Olson
tmolson@pcisys.net
Kristine Peterson
k.peterson@laramidegeo.com
Holly Sell
HSell@nobleenergyinc.com
Design/Production
Debbie Downs
debradowns@att.net
Friday Noon
Luncheon Reservations
303-623-5396
RMAG Office
Sandi Pellissier
303-573-8621
Fax: 303-628-0546
RMAGdenver@aol.com
www.rmag.org
PROFESSIONAL CARDS – Will
be actual size.
HELPFUL HINTS – 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 300 dpi. Simple line
art and photographs provide
helpful illustration. Borders are
recommended on large copy. An
advertising agreement will be
sent to you.
2008 Officers and Board of Directors
President – Steve Goolsby
sgoolsby@goolsbybrothers.com
President-Elect – Jim Mullarkey
ljoil@cs.com
1st Vice-President – Ira Pasternack
ira.pasternack@encana.com
2nd Vice-President – Kurt Reisser
kurt.reisser@gmail.com
OUTCROP ADVERTISING RATES
Black and White Advertising Rates
Size Dimensions (in.) 1 Time 2-3 Times Ea. 6 Times Ea. 12 Times Ea.
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Prof. Card 3 1/2 x 2 $17 $17 $14 $12
Four Color Advertising Rates
Secretary – Nick Harris
geologistnick@yahoo.com
Treasurer – John Ladd
johnladd@fmr.com
Counselor (1 Year) – Dave Suek
dhsuek@bclimited.com
Counselor (2 Year) – Susan Landon
susanlandon@worldnet.att.net
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www.rmag.org

Lead Story
Preview: 14th Annual 3-D Seismic Symposium
Monday, March 17, 2008
Downtown Marriott Hotel - Denver, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and Denver Geophysical Society
By Ron W. Pritchett, Noble Energy, Inc., and R. Randy Ray, Julander Energy Company
INTRODUCTION
This popular one-day symposium will deliver outstanding examples of 3-D seismic applied for oil and gas prospects
in the Rockies. This year, the planning committee also selected areas beyond the Rockies that showcase resource
plays or methods that lead to success in seismic prospecting. The theme, for example – “Seismic for UnConventional
Plays”– proclaims the transition of non-conventional plays to be considered as conventional resources with significant
help from 3-D seismic technology.
Kickoff speaker is Peggy
Williams, Senior Exploration Editor of
Hart’s Oil and Gas Investor Magazine,
who will present “Exploration Trends
across the Globe, the Continent, and
the Rockies.” Profound changes in
the petroleum business are driven
by higher commodity prices, and
Williams will review findings on four
continents, highlighting development
in North America that will be of
interest to growing companies. In
the lunch hour, keynote Speaker
is Larry Lunardi, VP Geophysics for
Chesapeake Energy, who will inform
and enlighten with “3-D Seismic for
Unconventional Resource Plays.”
Dan Donoho (Donoho Oil &
Gas Consultants, LLC) will present
“3-D Reservoir Characterization of
Jurassic Entrada Erg-Margin Facies,
Flat Rock Field, Utah.” In the southern
Uinta Basin, a 27square-mile survey
revealed amplitude anomalies on
reservoir sandstones at a depth
of 11,500 feet. Drilling confirmed
porosity over 20%, and initial
production rates of approximately
2,500 MCFG per day. The seismic
survey was planned and acquired
in rugged terrain, and a pre-stack
model-based inversion provided a
useful forecast for Entrada reservoir
sandstone porosity in a stratigraphic
trap across the area.
How can fracture trends be
accurately mapped? Galen Treadgold
of Weinman GeoScience presents
“Fracture Prospecting with 3-D
Azimuthal Imaging.” Acoustic velocity
in the subsurface changes with
orientation or azimuth as a response
to stress and fractures. Treadgold et
al present a new imaging tool, applied
as pre-migration azimuthal velocity
analysis, that increases resolution of
fracture-permeability drilling targets.
Drilling risk is lower when wells are
located with help from this improved
resolution method, which removes
dip effects and improves the signalto-noise
ratio.
How can reservoir engineers
know shapes and extents of
hydraulic fracturing? Mark Willis,
M a s s a c h u s e t t s I n s t i t u te o f
Technology, will present “Hydraulic
Fracture Quality using Microseismic
and Time-Lapse 3-D VSP Data to
locate Scattered Seismic Energy.”
Using time-lapse 3-D data
obtained during and after hydraulic
fracturing, Willis shows how
microseismic and VSP (vertical
seismic profile) data highlight
scattered seismic events from an
induced fracture. Because gas-filled,
open fractures scatter more seismic
energy than closed fractures, fracture
intensity can be mapped in the region
of induced fracturing. An example of
this technique as applied in Jonah
Field, Wyoming, is shown.
Also related to the developing
giant gas field, Nancy House of
Encana Oil & Gas (USA) will present
“Design through Interpretation of
a Very Large 3-D VSP to Image a
Complex Area in Jonah Field,
Wyoming.” The 6½-square mile
survey led to a new interpretation
o f f a u l t a n d o v e r p r e s s u r e
compartments that will guide drilling
and development. The Encana
team employed up to 42 levels of
3C geophones in a well with an
“associated array length of 2000
feet, at the center of approximately
1,400 surface source points.” The
design allowed higher frequency
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

Preview: 14th Annual 3-D Seismic Symposium
recording and a refined interpretation
of strike-slip faulting at the southern
part of the field.
In Central America, Belize now
has a multi-million barrel oil field
(Spanish Lookout) because a Denverbased
consortium had the tenacity
and seismic image quality to make
the discovery. David Brewster of
Black Coral will describe “Seismic
Adventures in Belize,” a story
leading to drilling the Mike Usher #1
which flowed over 1,000 BOPD. The
operating company, Belize Natural
Energy Ltd (BNE), began with a 2-D
seismic grid over the project, leading
to a low impact wireless 3-D, required
by lease owners. Co-speaker Scott
MacKay will discuss how high quality
3-D solved lateral velocity contrasts
across shallow karsted carbonates,
leading to a geologic model showing
down-stepping faulted blocks and
multiple drilling targets. This talk
is significant because it shows
how problems were solved that are
common in 3-D seismic surveys; the
oil field is significant because it opens
the door for petroleum prosperity for
operators and the citizens of Belize.
In 2007, a 212-square-mile
3-D survey was done across the
Mississippian-Devonian age
Woodford Shale of the Arkoma
Basin, Oklahoma. Basin structure
is complicated with normal faulting
overprinted with thrust faulting.
Robert Tucker of Antero Resources
will describe how the seismic helped
in targeting horizontal wells for “tight
gas” recovery in this resource play.
Seismic also helped manage drilling
and completion risk, mapping faults,
unconformities and areas with “steep
panels of dip that allow better well
planning and geosteering.”
In Central America, Belize now has a
multi-million barrel oil field (Spanish Lookout)
because a Denver-based consortium had
the tenacity and seismic image quality
to make the discovery.
Industry expertise for resource
plays is shown in two widely separate
areas: the Appalachian Basin of
New York and Sichuan Province,
China. Middle Ordovician to lower
Devonian facies of New York were
examined for amplitude versus
offset anomalies. J. Scott Hornafius
of MegaEnergy will describe how
the anomalies relate to higher gas
saturation in organic-rich shales. In
the Chinese example, John Tinnin of
GX Technology will show a full-wave
(full azimuth and multicomponent)
case for detecting fractures in tight
sandstone reservoirs using 3-D
and3-C technology. The payoff will
be measured by new locations and
drilling success. In these talks,
seismic is related to reservoir-scale
petrophysics and demonstrated gas
production.
Robert D. Benson, Ph.D of
Colorado School of Mines, will
show how multicomponent (9-C)
data are integrated with geologic
and production data in two algal
mound oil fields the Paradox Basin of
southwestern Colorado. In sampling
both P and S-wave data, the study
lead to predictive models for reservoir
porosity, permeabilities, and internal
mound shapes in Pennsylvanian
carbonates. Benson maps amplitude
dimming, isochron thickening, and
ratios that relate to the presence and
limits of petroleum production.
Attendees will get their money’s
worth in this one day showcase for
3-D seismic and resource plays,
including lunch and a summary of
abstracts. All who are interested
can contact these websites for
details: Rocky Mountain Association
of Geologists: www.rmag.org, or the
Denver Geophysical Society, www.
denvergeo.org. See registration form
on page 23.
»
BARLOW & HAUN, INC.
_________________________________
Mark J. Doelger
President
Phone 307-234-1574 WY PG #737
Fax 307-234-1576
bhgeolwy@bresnan.net or mjdoelgerbh@bresnan.net
225 So. David Street, Ste. A, Casper WY 82601
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Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

President’s Column
by Steve Goolsby (sgoolsby@goolsbybrothers.com)
Budget, Budget, Budget —
Are We Going to Make it?
Imagine running an organization
in which you start a new year with
$15,000 in the bank and the last
major event you sponsored lost
$16,000. In other words, you start
the year planning a budget while
facing bankruptcy. One RMAG
Board of Directors faced exactly this
situation in the early 1990s. It is
ironic that symposia and publications
generate much of the cash flow that
our organization uses to operate,
but they can also lose large amounts
of money if they are not carefully
planned and implemented.
The problem that RMAG faced
was that the oil and gas industry
had gone into one of its downturns.
It is hard to justify the expense of
attending a symposium when you
are dealing with or facing a job layoff.
RMAG membership fell, and
attendance at RMAG events dropped.
The resulting slump in revenue
almost put RMAG under. Spectacular
work by volunteers serving on the
Board of Directors during this time
saved the society.
To keep the RMAG running,
Draconian measures were imposed
on all financial transactions for
the organization. Up to this time,
each committee managed their
own budget, and each committee
chairman basically operated
independently. I remember being
the Continuing Education Committee
chairman for several years during
the 1980s and early 1990s, and
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we basically organized the budget
for RMAG symposiums and short
courses with little or no oversight
from the board. The committee
made its own arrangements for
meeting rooms, beverages, and
speaker expenses. We were not very
concerned about whether or not the
symposium lost money or broke even.
After it became evident that RMAG
was about to go bankrupt, the Board
of Directors implemented new rules
that now dictate that each committee
must forward a budget to the Board
for approval before any money can
be spent on an event. Furthermore,
most of the meeting arrangements
are now made by the RMAG staff
rather than by the committee
itself. With the staff making the
arrangements, RMAG can negotiate
volume discounts on meeting rooms
and other expenses.
Additional policies were also
implemented to help spread the
financial risk inherent with having
major educational and social events.
For example, we often co-sponsor
our major symposiums and events
with other scientific societies now.
Good examples of this policy are
the Prospect Fair and Technofest
and the 3D Seismic Symposium.
Not only does co-sponsoring these
events help alleviate some of the
financial risk involved, it also leads
to cross-discipline integration of the
subject matter presented during the
events. This broadens the learning
9
opportunities within the meetings,
which provides an added benefit to
our members.
A n other p o l i c y t h a t was
implemented has proven to be a real
boon to RMAG. The Board of Directors
established a savings account for the
organization, which we now refer to
as the RMAG investment account.
This account was established to help
the society survive the next industry
downturn. Over the years, with good
management and on-going additions
during the better years, the account
has grown to just over $700,000.
There has been some grumbling
that with this much money in the
bank, why should the RMAG still
charge so much for their events and
membership? Why not spend the
money in the investment account
to discount things? Just how much
does it take to keep things running
during a downturn? To address this
question, RMAG Treasurer Mark
Williams and I sat down a few months
ago and reviewed the budget to try
to determine how much money would
be needed to see us through a twoor
three-year downturn. We did our
best to project what would occur,
and made some major assumptions
about our membership numbers
and event attendance. For example,
we assumed from past experience
that our membership would drop
by about a third, and that event
attendance would drop to about 50%
Continued on page 21 »
www.rmag.org

Vol. 57, No. 2
10
February 2008

Mark your Calendars Now!
5th Annual
AAPG
WINTER EDUCATION
CONFERENCE
Houston, TX
February 11-15, 2008
Courses will include:
Thinking on Your Feet—Making Effective Business Presentations
Creativity Petroleum Exploration
Secrets of Career Success as a Professional Petroleum Geologist
Risk, Uncertainty and Decision-Making in Unconventional Resource Plays
Introduction to Coalbed Methane
Assessment of Unconventional Shale Resources Using Geochemistry
Geologic Interpretation of Seismic Data
Seismic Amplitude Interpretation—Lithology and Pore Fluid Estimation
Seismic Geomorphology & Seismic Stratigraphy
Seismic Stratigraphy & Seismic Geomorphology
Basic Openhole Log Interpretation
Formation Evaluation of Thinly-Bedded Reservoirs
Quick Guide to Carbonate Well Log Analysis
HOSTED BY THE NORRIS CONFERENCE CENTER
9999 RICHMOND AVE., SUITE 102
HOUSTON, TX 77042
713-780-9300; FAX: 713-780-9490
SPECIAL AAPG GROUP RATES AT NEARBY HOTELS!
Tuition for the week is only $1395 for AAPG Members,
$1495 for non-members*
or $350/day for individual courses
*(price increases to $1495/$1595 after 1/14/08)
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 http://www.aapg.org/education/wec.cfm
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www.rmag.org

Listening
for the
sounds
Success
of
SEISMIC ACQUISITION
AND PROJECT SPECIALISTS
INTERNATIONAL CREW AVAILABLE
FULL CAPABILITY - PROPRIETARY SURFACE SOURCE - WEB REPORTING
DENVER, COLORADO
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SR. VICE PRESIDENT
303.904.6760
1.866.531.9739
www.polarisexplorer.com
CALGARY, ALBERTA
BILL MOONEY
PRESIDENT
403.531.9739
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

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Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

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Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

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New & Returning Members
We l c o m e t o Ne w Me m b e r s
Mick Bradway
Mick is a Geologist for Fronterra Geosciences.
He holds a BS and an MS from University of
Montana.
Scott Lockerd
Scott is a Lab Manager/Sr. Core Analyst
for Core Laboratories. He holds a BS from
Centenary College of Louisiana. He is an active
member of the SPE.
William Hofer
William is the Subsurface Manager at
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. He holds a BS
in Geology from the University of North Dakota.
He is currently a member of the AAPG.
Richard Lange
Richard is a Geologist for Plains Exploration
and Production in TX. He holds a BS in Geology
from the University Rome La Sapienza, Italy. He
is currently a member of the AAPG.
Karen Suchaka
Karen is the President of Suchaka
Consulting, Inc. She holds a BS in Math and
Physics from Marshall University, an MA in Math
from Marshall University, and a PhD. in Math
from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Jonathan Robbins
Jonathan is a Geologist for Baker Atlas.
He holds a BS in Geology from Colorado State
University.
William Hoyt, PhD
William is the Director and Professor
of Oceanography at University of Northern
Colorado. He holds a PhD. in Marine Geology
from the University of Delaware.
Patricia Pratt
Patricia is a Business Manager for Ticora
Geosciences, Inc.
Continued on page 19 »
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

WIRELINE SERVICES
BAKKEN PROJECT - UNCONVENTIONAL OIL?
Phase I - Southeastern Saskatchewan, Phase II - North Dakota
Burt Gowdy
Technical Sales Engineer
PHASE I
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bb
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This integrated geotechnical study will build
on previous experience and studies to provide
a template of new discoveries and exploration
oriented maps of new play fairways including:
Open Hole Wireline Services
Servicing KS, OK, TX & AR
• Geology (Stratigraphy, Structure, Petrophysics,
Paleotopography, Pool Models, Productivity)
2409 South Purdue Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73128
• Reservoir Characterization (Detailed Core
Analysis, Depositional Models, Thin-Sections,
SEM, XRD)
Cell: (405) 514-0643
24 hr. Dispatch 1-918-645-1091
burt.gowdy@tuckerenergy.com
www.tuckerwireline.com
• Hydrogeology (Hydraulic System Mapping,
Source Rock Distribution, Maturity, Migration
Modelling, Fluid Chemistry)
For more information contact Cheryl Wright
(403) 269-3644, info@canadiandiscovery.com
New & Returning
Members
GDGC
GRAHAM DAVIES
GEOLOGICAL
CONSULTANTS LTD.
www.canadiandiscovery.com
Richard Banks
Richard is the President of
Scientific Computer Applications in
OK.
Diane Rogers
Diane works for Ticora Geosciences,
Inc.
Raymond Priestley
Raymond works for B ass
Enterprises Production Company,
TX. He holds an MS in Geological
Engineering from the Colorado School
of Mines and an MBA in Finance from
the University of Tulsa. He is also a
member of the AAPG.
John Everett
John is the CEO of Exploration
Signatures, CO. He holds a BS
in Geology from the University of
Oklahoma, an MS in Math from the
University of Texas, Austin, and a
PhD. in Geology from the University
of Texas, Austin.
»
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www.rmag.org

Coming in the New Year
By PTTC!!
Petra Basics
Friday, February 29, 2008, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall room 201
Fee: $150, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate
Instructor: Jewel Wellborn, Hydrocarbon Exploration & Development, Inc.
Key topics include:
Petra Main Module - Fm Top organization, Zone Functions, and Computation of Isopach.
Petra Mapping Module - Structure and Isopach using Gridding functions and hand edits.
Petra Cross Section Module - Correlation of sand bodies, and reinterpretation of Isopachs
Seismic Imaging of Carbonate Reservoirs & Seals –
Exploration & Production Applications.
Thursday and Friday, March 13 and 14, 2008, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall Rm. 243
Fee: $300, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate
Instructor: Dr. Rick Sarg, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO.
Key topics include:
Carbonate Platform Geometries,
Carbonate Seismic/Sequence Stratigraphy,
Reservoir and Seal Seismic Facies,
Seismic Expression of Karst,
Stratigraphic Trap Configuration Types and Case
Study Examples
Crash Course in Log Analysis.
Friday, April 4, 2008, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall Rm. 243
Fee: $150, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate
Instructor: Dr. John Doveton, Senior Scientist, Kansas Geologic Survey
This workshop is designed to give participants experience in spreadsheet log analysis using Microsoft Excel, as well as skills in accessing and
downloading digital logs for analysis. A spreadsheet workbook of customized log analysis routines will be supplied to participants as
freeware to use on their own logs. The workbook incorporates a variety of log analysis techniques for reservoir evaluation of porosity and
water saturation, as well as prediction of fluid recovery, and rock composition analysis.
GeoGraphix Training: An Overview and Refresher Course
Friday, April 11, 2008, 8:30 am – 5 pm,
Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall Room 201
Fee: $150, includes food at breaks, workbook, and PDH certificate
Instructor: Fred Poland, Littleton, CO
This full-day hands-on computer training course is designed for the person who has had some past experience with
GeoGraphix and would like to get some basic training in the functionality of the newest version. It may also serve as a demo for
those considering the purchase of GeoGraphix. GESxplorer and PRIZM modules will be utilized. New users will acquire tips
and tricks to create projects, maps and cross sections, employ zone manager, perform multi-well log analysis, and more.
Register online: www.pttcrockies.org
For more information, contact Mary Carr, 303.273.3107, mcarr@mines.edu
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

President’s Column
Continued from page 9
or less of our current attendance.
We then looked at discretionary and
nondiscretionary budget items to
determine where and how fast budget
cuts could be made. In the end, we
determined that the society would
need about $670,000 to survive the
next downturn.
So the good news is that with
$700,000 in the bank we do have
enough to survive the next downturn.
However, the $670,000 number we
came up with is based on some big
assumptions, and is unadjusted for
inflation in the coming years. So my
opinion is that we need to stay vigilant
in watching our budget, and we need
to make sure that the investment
In the Pipeline
account remains secure. In that regard,
Mark suggested, and last year’s Board
implemented, a program to transfer a
significant portion of our investment
fund from higher-risk stock holdings to
lower risk treasury bonds. Without this
strategy, we probably would not have
the money in the investment account
to survive if the overall economy takes
a dive at the same time that oil and
gas prices drop.
Our costs for operations continue
to rise. For example, I recently watched
a news report that indicated that
hotel costs are rising rapidly due to
the continuing growth in travel in the
United States since 9-11. The report
stated that hotel costs in some areas
are almost 20% higher this year than
what they were last year. I don’t
know what the increase has been in
Denver, but hotel costs have a major
impact on our operations. After all,
hotels are where we host most of our
events. We’ve tried to build some of
these cost increases into our budget
for this year, but the bottom line is
that we need to continue to stay
conservative in our spending and to
watch every cent we spend. If we do,
then I think the RMAG will continue to
prosper. And that, in my mind, is one
of the best ways RMAG can benefit
our members.
»
February 7-8, 2008
NAPE Oil & Gas Expo.
February 11-15, 2008
5th Annual AAPG Winter Education
Conference. Houston, Texas. See page
11 for more information.
February 19, 2008
Denver Well Log Society. Chi
Modeling: Predicting Open-Hole Logs
From Cased-Hole Logs Speakers
will be John A. Quirein and Marshall
Jung,Halliburton. For reservations
e-mail Eleice Wickham at Eleice.
Wickham@BakerAtlas.com or call 303-
573-2781.
February 21, 2008
CU at the Brown. University of
Colorado Alumni Reception. See page
16 for more information.
February 27, 2008
Oilfield Christian Fellowship.
Speaker will be Justin Stone. Location:
1401 17th St., Suite 1100 (Alamo
Plaza Building, 17th and Market).
Registration from 11:45 to 12:00,
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speaker from 12:10 to 1:00. Lunch is
$15. To RSVP call 303-675-2602 or
e-mail OCF-DenverChapter@pxd.com.
March 5-7, 2008
APPEX Prospect and Property
Expo. London, England.
March 7, 2008
Geoland Ski Day. See page 17 for
more information.
March 17, 2008
3 - D S e i s m i c S y m p o s i u m .
See pages 6, 22, and 23 for more
information.
21
June 24, 2008
RMAG/DGS Golf Tournament.
More information in future Outcrops.
July 9-11, 2008
R M S - A A P G / C O G A R o c k y
Mountain Energy Epicenter.
If you have any events that you would like
to post in this column, please submit via
email to Holly Sell at holly@4DV.net or to the
RMAG office at rmagdenver@aol.com for
consideration.
www.rmag.org
»

Vol. 57, No. 2
22
February 2008

3-D SEISMIC "3D Seismic for Unconventional Plays"
The RMAG and DGS Present:
14 th ANNUAL 3-D SEISMIC SYMPOSIUM
Monday, March 17, 2008: Marriott Hotel, Downtown Denver, Colorado
The 2008 symposium features 3-D seismic case histories showing the value of seismic information as well as
the latest acquisition, interpretation, and imaging techniques. Experience the latest in 3-D technology during
your breaks in the expanded vendor area next to the main ballroom. Attendance last year: 750
Keynote Speaker: Larry Lunardi, Vice-President Geophysics, Chesapeake Energy Corp,
“3-D Seismic for Unconventional Resource Plays”
Kickoff Speaker: Peggy Williams, Senior Exploration Editor, Oil & Gas Investor Magazine
“3D Seismic and U.S. Oil & Gas Activity”
REGISTRATION FORM
Name:
Name Tag:
Company:
Email: __________________________
Address:
City: State: Zip: Day Phone:
___Registration fee THROUGH February 22nd for RMAG/DGS Members:-------------- $150.00 $
___Registration fee THROUGH February 22nd for Non-Members:-------------------------$175.00 $
___Registration fee AFTER February 22nd for BOTH Members & Non-Members:------$195.00 $
___Full-Time Student Registration:----------------------------------------------------------- $ 40.00 $
Student ID Number (required)
(No cancellations or refunds after February 22, 2008) Total Enclosed $
Payment: [ ] Check (payable to RMAG) [ ] Visa [ ] MasterCard [ ] American Express
Name on Credit Card (Print):__________________________________________________________________
__________________
Card No.:
Expiration Date:
Billing Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Signature(credit cards only) ___________________________________________________________________
Mail or FAX this registration form to:
RMAG * 820 16 th St., Ste. 505 * Denver, CO 80202 * 303-573-8621 * FAX: 303-628-0546
For Online Registration: http://www.rmag.org
If you register on line you must receive a confirmation notice by return email within 24 hours or your
registration was not accepted by our computer. Please call RMAG to register (303-573-8621).
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February 2008

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February 2008

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Friday Luncheon Programs – February 1 & 15
The Application of Hydrocarbon System and Play
Fairway Analysis for Unconventional Resource Plays:
The Case for the Utica Shale Gas Reserves and the
Bakken Shale Oil Reserves
February 1
By Jay E. Leonard
Of the many types
of unconventional
resource plays,
shale oil and shale
gas are extremely
popular.
In the United States, the exploration and development of unconventional resource
plays has achieved highly enthusiastic levels. Of the many types of unconventional
resource plays, shale oil and shale gas are extremely popular. We are beginning to
understand that these plays are more dissimilar then alike. In other words, each
shale play does not work like the Barnett and should be studied differently.
For unconventional resource shale exploration, it is desirable to identify “sweet
spots” or areas that could be drilled early to front load the economics. This talk will
address two geologically different situations; the highly mature Appalachian Utica
shale gas and the very immature Williston basin Bakken shale oil play. With either,
critical factors such as hydrocarbon generation, expulsion and timing coupled with
fracture timing and sorption define such “sweet spots”. These factors, combined
with reservoir and seal, are used to asses the presence and effectiveness of the
play and the play fairway.
Luncheon Reservations and Information
Luncheons will be held at the Marriott City Center at California and 17th St. Please check the
event listing in the lobby for the room. People gather at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at 12:00
noon, and the speaker presentation begins at about 12:20 p.m. The price of the luncheon is
$30.00. Checks should be made payable to RMAG. No reservation is required for the talk only
and the cost is $5.00. Please make your reservation prior to 10:30 a.m. on the Wednesday before
the luncheon. Please Note: If you make a reservation and do not attend the luncheon, you will
be billed for the luncheon. Cancellations are not guaranteed after 10:30 a.m. the Wednesday
before the talk. You may send someone in your stead.
Call 303-623-5396
Your attendance is welcomed and encouraged.
Bring a guest or new member!
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

Friday Luncheon Programs
It is also critical to characterize these plays on a regional scale utilizing both the
techniques of Play Fairway Analysis (PFA) coupled with conventional Hydrocarbon
System Analysis. The techniques of Hydrocarbon System Analysis along with routine
geochemical and geologic analysis provide the spatial input for the PFA. The PFA
focuses on the construction of common risk segment maps which indicate the proper
relative probability for accumulation. These relative common risk segments maps are
combined with measures of the data quantity and confidence to construct absolute
probability maps that form the basis for a spatial probability of geologic success
(Pg). Finally, the Pg maps are combined with representations of the infrastructure
in order to access the probability of commercial success.
This talk will illustrate the techniques of Hydrocarbon System Analysis and
Play Fairway Analysis with two case studies that led to exploration focus and the
acquisition of leases.
Hovenweep-Ismay Petroleum System, Blanding
Sub-basin of the Paradox Basin, Utah
February 15
By Edward B. Coalson, Coyote Oil & Gas Company, LLC, Conifer, Colorado, and Harvey
R. DuChene, 2HNK Energy, LLC, Lake City, Colorado
Oil and gas in
the Blanding
sub-basin are
produced mainly
from upper Ismay
(Desmoinesian)
carbonate mounds.
In this presentation we will cover aspects of the Hovenweep-Ismay (!) petroleum
system in the Blanding sub-basin of the Paradox Basin. Regionally, pore fluids in the
Ismay and Desert Creek zones of the Paradox Formation follow trends consistent
with the type and maturity indicators of organic material, and seem to reflect mainly
Laramide burial. Basinward (northeast) of the Blanding sub-basin, Ismay and Desert
Creek hydrocarbons are dominantly natural gas with very little mobile water. This part
of the basin is currently seeing a play for “resource-type” natural gas accumulations
in the Gothic Shale, which we will discuss briefly on the basis of rumor and innuendo.
Shelfward (southwest) of the Blanding sub-basin, Ismay and Desert Creek pore fluids
consist of oil with associated gas and significant producible water. In the Blanding
Basin itself, pore fluids are mainly oil and associated gas, with relatively little mobile
formation water. These patterns meet our criteria for a “basin-bottom” system.
Oil and gas in the Blanding sub-basin are produced mainly from upper Ismay
(Desmoinesian) carbonate mounds. The mounds form linear, subparallel trends; are
immediately underlain by thickened sections of Hovenweep Shale; are flanked by thick
salina anhydrites; and are immediately overlain by thin upper Ismay sabkha deposits
and marine carbonates of the basal Honaker Trail Formation. Correlative, but thinner,
marine-shelf upper Ismay carbonates are underlain by thin Hovenweep Shale.
Based mainly on mapping of these thickness trends and on serial stratigraphic
cross sections, we propose that the anomalously thick, productive upper Ismay
Continued on page 30 »
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www.rmag.org

December RMAG Board of Directors Meeting – Summary
By Richard Parker, Secretary (raparker@parkergeo.com)
The outgoing 2007 Board met
with the newly elected 2008 Board on
Friday, December 14 for a luncheon
meeting. We had the opportunity
to pass along some of the skills
we learned, along with some of the
mistakes we made. Jewel Wellborn,
2007 RMAG President, summarized
the activities of 2007 by commenting,
“We had way too much fun!”
I want to thank my fellow board
members for all the help they gave
me in keeping the minutes of the
Association as accurate as possible.
I enjoyed serving with this group of
dedicated, caring representatives of
the best of our industry.
The new Board will serve with
the same feeling of service to our
organization. There is going to be
a full selection of events and short
courses in 2008 for the membership
to attend. The 3D Seismic Symposium
RMAG Auxiliary
will be excellent, as usual. We also
have the opportunity to host the
2009 AAPG Annual Meeting, for
which planning has already started.
There will be lots for all of us to do,
so volunteer early and often!
Thursday, February 21st is Guest Day, so bring your favorite date to
Pinehurst Country Club for our luncheon. Social hour begins at 11:00 a.m. and
lunch is served at 12:00 noon. Learn about the Colorado National Guard-State
Partnership Program - the development of exchange programs with the military
of 56 countries.
For information or reservations please call Marion Bolyard at
303-930-9893.
»
»
Friday Luncheon Programs
Continued from page 29
carbonate mounds result from: 1) regional base-level changes, 2) differential subsidence during Hovenweep time
due to salt movements, 3) loading of the salt by thickened upper Ismay carbonates and evaporites, and 4) differential
compaction of the evaporites surrounding the carbonate-mound masses during latest Ismay and earliest Honaker
Trail deposition. We propose an indirect linkage between basement tectonics, salt movements, sediment loading, and
deposition of the mounds.
There are significant variations
in reservoir type and quality
within the study area. Bioclastic/
framework carbonates provide
superior reservoir rocks. Sucrosic to
microcrystalline dolomites provide
inferior reservoir rocks, despite
having occasionally quite high total
porosities. The proposed depositional
and petrophysical models have
implications for understanding and
predicting the distribution of upper
Ismay carbonate mounds in the
subsurface, and of the underlying
(if rare) Desert Creek productive
areas.
»
Vol. 57, No. 2
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February 2008

»
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Vol. 57, No. 2
32
February 2008

Melvin O. Glerup
Petroleum Geologist
Field Exploitation and Development
4955 Greenwich Lane
Highlands Ranch, CO 80130-5210
(303) 470-3901
moglerup@comcast.net
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www.rmag.org

Advertisers Index
AAPG ...................................4, 11, 26
Automated Mudlogging Systems.14
Barlow & Haun.................................7
Blackrock Resources LLC.............18
Canadian Discovery.......................19
CitiSmith Barney...........................18
Entrada Geosciences....................19
Gene R. George & Assoc., Inc.......18
Geological Consultants.................33
Goolsby Brothers.............................2
Glerup, Melvin O............................33
IHS Energy Group..........................25
IHS+Petra.........................................8
Infopipe............................................4
Integrated Geophysics Corp.........36
King, Walt.........................................2
MJ Systems....................................31
Neuralog.........................................22
Norwest/Questa Engineering......14
Omni Labs......................................10
Parsons, Kim..................................14
Petrolific Consulting Services......14
Polaris............................................12
Premier Data Services..................15
PTTC................................................20
Rockware.......................................27
Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing..33
Sandia Exploration Consultants...21
SECOR............................................30
Seismic Micro-Technology, Inc.....32
Sherwin Geological Resources......2
St. Anseim Exploration Co............16
TGS.................................................13
Technically Write Consulting..........2
Transform Software & Services....33
Tucker Wireline Services..............19
University of Colorado...................16
Vista GeoSciences...........................2
Whitehead, Neil, III........................18
Whitestar.......................................33
February 2008
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
RMAG
Luncheon
Speaker: Jay E.
Leonard
NAPE Oil & Gas Expo
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
5th Annual AAPG Winter Education Conference
Denver Well
Log Society
RMAG
Luncheon
Speaker:
Coalson &
DuChene
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
CU at the
Brown
24 25 26 27 28 29
Oilfield
Christian
Fellowship
Vol. 57, No. 2
34
February 2008

Rockbusters Ball 2007
Elmo Brown receiving RMAG
Honorary Membership.
Fred Julander receiving the 2007 Distinguished Service to
Earth Science Award.
Walter Arbuckle and Elliott Riggs received the
2007 Explorer of the Year Award.
Jewel Wellborn, Kris Peterson, Jane Estes-Jackson, Terri Olson received the
2007 Distinguished Service to RMAG Award
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www.rmag.org

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