EXPLORER - American Association of Petroleum Geologists

EXPLORER

EXPLORER2 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

Vol. 34, No. 11November 2013PRESIDENT’SCOLUMNEXPLORERDoing What We Say We Do: AAPG BusinessBY LEE F. KRYSTINIKThis month the question I’d like toconsider is:Do we do what we say we do regardingour AAPG business activities?As I have been learning my way intoAAPG’s activities as an organization andas a business I have been continuallyimpressed by the incredibly broad rangeof things AAPG volunteers and AAPG staffare doing.This can and should be consideredsomething remarkable, of which we allshould be very proud.But it also has caused me to pause andask myself if, along with our key functions,whether we are engaged in activities thatmight possibly be diffusive to our primarygoals and purpose.Some of this variability reflects theparticular pet projects of a given ExecutiveCommittee or past president. In most cases,though, the numerous projects we dowithin AAPG are driven by energetic andenthusiastic volunteers who have a personalvision – and AAPG has provided money anda path to realizing that vision.In aggregate we lumber forward,sometimes pulled by the inertia of all thoseinteresting projects and sometimes slowedas various projects pull at odds to oneanother, thus diffusing the efficiency ofAAPG and sucking money into activitiesthat may not be consistent with our primarypurposes.* * *Numerous conversations with DavidCurtiss and David Lange, our executivedirector and deputy executive director,respectively, have led me to the conclusionthat our business is in great hands. TheseKRYSTINIKguys along with their directors and avery hard-working and focused staff arean impressive team, and this year theyare bringing the first draft of a three-yearbusiness plan into effect for AAPG.The three-year business plan will bedeveloped in concert with and approvedby the Executive Committee, tied directly toour primary goals and purposes as stated inthe AAPG Bylaws and in AAPG’s long-termstrategy document.While the business plans are notconsidered written in stone, they will reflecta direct linkage to:u AAPG’s goals and aspirations for thenext year and beyond.u AAPG’s long-term strategy document.u Sound, conservative fiscal practice.In a best-case scenario, the three-yearbusiness plan should be a living document,subject to revision on an annual basis butstill linked to our long-arc strategic goals aswe prepare for AAPG’s next century.Having such a business plan in placewill greatly assist in short- and long-termfinancial planning and in prioritizingexpenditures. The plan will make it possibleto budget in a fashion consistent with ourstrategic and tactical objectives, and willhelp us in funding the things at the coreof our forward thrust – perhaps reducingexpenditures on things that may not be asclosely related to the goals and aspirationsof AAPG.Internal consistency, in turn,allows our business partnersworldwide to depend upon whatwe say we will do.All AAPG departments, Sections,Regions and committees ultimately willbe tied into the business plan to assurethat all of our activities are consistentwith and focused upon the goals andpriorities of AAPG.A significant benefit to AAPG in havingan evergreen three-year business planis that it gives the EC and successivepresidents of AAPG an opportunity to dobusiness within a framework that is internallyconsistent.Internal consistency, in turn, allows ourbusiness partners worldwide to dependupon what we say we will do.In the process, a consistent businessplan also will remove some of the whiplashthat can occur in an organization wherepresidents change each year.Randi Martinsen, our president-elect,will have input, along with the rest of theExecutive Committee, to the three-yearbusiness plan. As she takes over the reignsfrom me next July, her incoming presidentelectalso will fold into this planning process.In this way we can establish a consistentbusiness practice that is less subject tothe whims of any individual personality.This is critical in establishing and honoringbusiness arrangements – especially ininternational settings, where a consistenttone and approach over multiple successiveyears is critical to establishing businesscredibility and trust.* * *Another critical aspect of our businessplanning is the issue of having a buffer incase of a downturn.As we continue to expand ouractivities and services, the relativepercentage of an operations year that ourfinancial buffer covers becomes smaller.We have now fallen to slightly below anine-month buffer.In preparation for that “rainy day” thatWILL come in our cyclical business, wewill have to direct some of our surplus(when we have a surplus) towardbuilding that buffer to 12-18 months.This has obvious potential implicationsfor limiting expenditures or sun-settingprograms at the fringe of our plan.To build this financial strength, AAPGwill have to focus on having more yearswith a modest surplus and fewer years ofdeficit. There are several impacts implicitin meeting this need, including wherewe schedule our ACE and ICE meetings.We would be remiss on behalf of ourmembership to allow AAPG to go underduring an industry downturn because wefailed to prepare ourselves properly.So, let me hear from you …If you have suggestions for wayswe can be more fiscally prudent andimprove AAPG’s financial strength,please send a note to me: lee.krystinik@aapg.org.Let me know how AAPG can better dowhat we say we will do!STAFFAAPG Headquarters:1-800-364-2274 (U.S. & Canada only)others 1-918-584-2555Managing EditorVern Stefanicemail: vstefan@aapg.orgCommunications Project SpecialistSusie Mooreemail: smoore@aapg.orgGraphics/ProductionMatt Randolphemail: mrandolph@aapg.orgAdvertising CoordinatorSteve PraytorP.O. Box 979Tulsa, Okla. 74101telephone: (918) 560-2647(U.S. and Canada only: 1-800-288-7636)(Note: The above number is foradvertising purposes only.)fax: (918) 560-2636email: spraytor@aapg.orgCORRESPONDENTSDavid BrownCourtney ChadneyLouise S. DurhamBarry FriedmanVol. 34, No. 11Ken MilamHeather SaucierChristopher StoneTABLEofCONTENTS6Coming1012to a field near you – newtechnology that will reshape theoil and gas industry. When? Maybesooner than you think.Let’s get small: Researchers arediscovering new and exciting waysto apply nanotechnology to theenergy industry – but these days,they’re doing that by thinking BIG.Image control: Drones don’t alwaysget good press – think spying, oreven warfare. But drone technology,combined with precise photography,can make valuable contributions tothe energy industry.Scan this for themobile version of thecurrent web Explorer.The AAPG EXPLORER (ISSN 0195-2986) is published monthly for members by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1444 S. Boulder Ave., P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101-3604,(918) 584-2555. e-mail address: postmaster@aapg.org. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tulsa, OK and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to AAPG EXPLORER,P.O. Box 979, Tulsa, Okla. 74101. Canada Publication Agreement Number 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: Station A, P.O. Box 54 • Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 • E-mail: returnsIL@imex.pb.comAdvertising rates: Contact Steve Praytor, AAPG headquarters. Subscriptions: Contact Veta McCoy, AAPG headquarters. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and videos must beaccompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope to ensure return. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) does not endorse or recommend any products or servicesthat may be cited, used or discussed in AAPG publications or in presentations at events associated with AAPG. Copyright 2013 by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Allrights reserved. Note to members: $6 of annual dues pays for one year’s subscription to the EXPLORER. Airmail service for members: $55. Subscription rates for non-members: $75 for 12issues; add $72 for airmail service.242834Photo courtesy Bureau of Economic Geology.Surprise! Geoscientists make anhistoric discovery of a hugevolcano in the Pacific Ocean – in anarea first studied 20 years ago.Making a connection: A team ofAAPG members spend time withBoy Scouts at this year’s Jamboree,introducing scores of them to theworld of geology.The office: AAPG opens the AAPGAfrica Office in Lagos, Nigeria,which will be staffed by AAPGmember Delia Kuye.REGULARDEPARTMENTSMaking A Difference............................ 28ProTracks............................................. 32Regions and Sections......................... 34Historical Highlights............................ 38Policy Watch........................................ 42Geophysical Corner............................ 46Foundation Update.............................. 52In Memory........................................... 53www.Update........................................ 54Classified Ads..................................... 55Director’s Corner................................. 58Divisions Report (EMD)....................... 58ON THE COVER:Two examples of how technology andcreative thought – and sometimes, a lotof persistence – can result in explorationinnovations. Our cover photo is tied toAAPG member William W. Sager, professorin the Earth and Atmospheric SciencesDepartment at the University of Houston,who was the lead author for a team that inearly September announced it had foundin the Pacific Ocean a structure that maybe the single largest volcanco on Earth.Story on page 24. On this page, a WestCaicos satellite image resolution – and ahint at how drone technology can be avaluable tool. See page 20.WWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 20133

EXPLORERWWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 20135

EXPLOREREXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSComing soon: A whole new worldTechnology Holds the Keys to Industry’s FutureBy DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER CorrespondentWhat technologies could reshapethe future of the oil and gasindustry?Observers from the world of petroleumgeology, geophysics and engineeringdiscussed that question at this year’spremiere Unconventional ResourcesTechnology Conference (URTeC) in Denver.Predictions ranged from drillingtechnologies to digital technologies, fromlarge-scale to nanotech, from sweepefficiency to cost efficiencies. The forecastswere partly wish-list and partly punch-list,with a hint of gee-whiz in the mix.Here are a dozen technologiesidentified at URTeC that could change theindustry’s future:u Nanotechnology applications,including coatings, laminates,nanoparticulates, advanced sensors andnanoreporters.u Technology innovations to achievefully coupled reservoir simulation.u Improved technology to predict whereproppant will flow, then identify where theproppant is and what it’s doing.u Data technologies for sweet-spotidentification from minimal information andrapid determination of optimal completiondesign.u Technologies for enhanced oilrecovery from nanoperm reservoirs.u Technologies that capture and reusewaste heat, flare gas and other sacrificedby-products.u Molecular filtration for oil-water-CO 2Photo courtesy of Ken DoerrOne of the coming developments that could change our world: Technology that captures andreuses waste heat, flare gas and other sacrificed by-products. All it takes ...... seems to be the time – and money, of course – needed for researchers to turn theirintellectual and theoretical discoveries into something practical.Photo courtesy of Bureau of Economic Geologyseparation.u Data acquisition in horizontal wellsduring hydrofracturing.u Technology to identify, image andassess producing volumes, including 4-Dmicroseismic.u Data technologies drawn from outsidethe energy industry (i.e., gaming, weatherforecasting).u Technologies for nonaqueousstimulation/waterless fracturing and the useof “challenged” water in hydrofracturing.u Technological efficiencies thatimprove recovery, reduce capitalexpenditures and lead to a dramaticreduction in cost per barrel-of-oilequivalent.Data DemandsURTeC was a first-of-its-kind meetingon unconventional resources, held lastAugust and jointly sponsored by AAPG, theSociety of Exploration Geophysicists andthe Society of Petroleum Engineers.During the meeting AAPG memberMark Zoback, professor of geophysicsat Stanford University, moderatedan interactive panel discussion on“Technologies That May Transform theFuture.”Panel participants, all AAPG members,were:3 Mike Mullen, president of StimulationSee New Technology, page 86 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERNew Technologyfrom page 6Petrophysics LLC in Denver.3 Doug Valleau, director ofUnconventional Resources Technology forHess Corp. in Houston.3 Greg Leveille, general managerof Unconventional Resources forConocoPhillips Co. in Houston.Maybe surprisingly, maybe not, datatechnologies received an abundance ofattention in discussions about the industry’sfuture.“I think there’s huge potential in some ofthe softer side of information technology,”Mullen said.“One of the issues we have is that weare a very data-intensive industry,” he said.“There might be terabytes of data thatMULLENyou’re dealing with. Where do you put allthis stuff so you can find it?”Oil companies aren’t the onlyorganizations that deal with huge datavolumes, and Mullen thinks the industrycould borrow concepts from outside oil andgas. The gaming industry, for example, hasits own approach to imaging, and weatherforecasts deal with big data daily.“I can hop on my iPad and see aweather map of the entire United States“There might be terabytes ofdata that you’re dealing with.Where do you put all this stuffso you can find it?”with a pinch of my fingers,” he said. “Ithink, ‘Why can’t I do that with my oil andgas data?’”Desperately Seeking ConsistencyOne serious challenge for the industryis acquiring data that is both accurateand consistent. Data collected bystate agencies in the United States isnotoriously inconsistent and difficult toutilize, Mullen noted.“It would be nice if the professionalorganizations could put out recommendedstandards on what should be kept in thestates,” he said.The continuing process of convertingold paper files to digital files will bringbenefits for the industry, Mullen said – but italso has challenges.“The problem with paper well filesis that maybe the piece of paper you’relooking for or the information from the oneparticular day you’re looking for, someonetook that out of the file and didn’t put itback,” he said.Companies often assign low-levelstaffers to create digital informationdatabases, he noted. That can lead toerrors, omissions and low quality.“This is where databases turn intosausage,” he said. “The more you knowwhat’s in them, the less you like them.”Graphic courtesy of Gisela GiardinoA buckminsterfullerene – or a “buckyball” –is an important paart of nanotechnology.Use It or Lose It?8 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGMullen identified two other changesin the industry where new technologymakes a difference – the concept ofwhat producing “pay” is, and the muchanticipatedshift in workforce as ageneration of older professionals retire.Concepts of conventional paycutoffs “are out the window,” Mullensaid. Unconventional resource playsproduce from “unproducible” low-permzones, tight sands could revolutionizethe industry, and ideas about what willproduce change constantly.Years ago, “nobody even thought youcould produce gas from coal,” he noted.But maybe no challenge for the oil andgas industry is greater than the comingcrew change, as older workers leave theworkforce and take with them lifetimes ofexperience and knowledge.“I’ve seen it in my 37 years in theindustry,” Mullen said. “The predecessorgeneration to mine, what they took forgranted we had to learn all over again,and make it work.”Technology could have a part ineasing that shift – if the industry cancreate true knowledge databases andmake them functional.“If there was a database architecture– I keep going back to Google and Bingand the others – that to me is a greatidea,” Mullen said.In a time of very rapid technologicalchange, Mullen thinks the industry coulddo a better job of acquiring and adaptingnew technologies for its own needs.“From my viewpoint, I think somecompanies have done better than othersin keeping up,” he said. “But I think welag as a whole in utilizing the technologythat has come along.”EXPLORER


EXPLOREREXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSBig thinking about micro-possibilities‘Nano’ Potential Growing, and Growing, and ...By DAVID BROWN, EXPLORER CorrespondentNanotech researchers are doingsomething you might not expect.They’re thinking bigger these days.And they’re targeting new applicationsfor the oil and gas industry.The Advanced Energy Consortium(AEC) of the Bureau of Economic Geologyat the University of Texas-Austin leads theway in nanotechnology research for the oiland gas industry.One thing that has researchers excitedis the abundance ofpossible applicationsfor nanotech inexploration andproduction, said AECproject managerMohsen Ahmadian.“You could applynanotechnology to alot of different things,”he said. “Drilling muds,AHMADIANfluids, lubricants, drill bit enhancement. A lotof those things are already being applied inthe industry.”Bigger thinking also has grown out of therapid development of nanotechnology as afield.Ahmadian said the number of scientificpapers and patents related to nanotechhas increased exponentially in recent years.He’s also seen more and more interest fromthe industry.“Now our meetings are attended bymore than 250 people at a time – eventhe Society of Petroleum Engineers hasJust one example of nanotechnology at work in the oil field: Enhanced water flood imaging viaco-injection of contrast agent nanomaterials.sessions on nanotechnology,” he said.Still, in scientific terms, nanotech remainsalmost a brand-new field. Research isprogressing as demand builds in theindustry for new and effective applications –for increased oil production, for instance.“I wouldn’t say we are very far away fromneeding this technology,” Ahmadian said.But it’s really in its infancy.”Practical AdviceAhmadian also said some of AEC’sprojects already are moving into thepractical testing stage. To understand whatnew nanotech applications might be arrivingfirst, you need to understand what’s goingon in nanotech research.AEC has been working in the area forfive years, with most of its research projectsreally getting off the ground about four yearsago, Ahmadian said. The program hasspent about $40 million to date.“Our initial research was explorational innature. We would consider anything anyoneproposed to us,” he said.But it became apparent that not allconcepts were feasible as applications foroil and gas. Some simply would not workin the harsh environment of the reservoir,Ahmadian noted.He described four of the current areasfor research thrust at AEC:u Mobility.In Ahmadian’s words, “How do westabilize a nanoparticle in the reservoir?”u Contrast Agent.“This is basically taking some ideas frombiomedical applications,” he explained.“We are trying to develop somenanoparticles that have acoustic orelectromagnetic properties,” he said. “Andin electromagnetic, there are several areasthat could be explored.”u Sensors.“This is a top-down approach usingsemiconductor fabrication techniques,”Ahmadian said. “It could potentially log thelocation of the particle as it travels throughthe reservoir.”See Nanotechnolgy, page 1210 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

EXPLORERCall for Papers Issued for Second URTeCThe call for papers has beenissued for the second annualUnconventional ResourcesTechnology Conference – more popularlyknown as URTeC – a joint venture thatbrings together the key disciplinesand technologies engaged in thedevelopment of North American plays.URTeC, sponsored by the threelargest upstream societies – AAPG, theSociety of Petroleum Engineers and theSociety of Exploration Geophysicists –will be held Aug. 25-27 at the ColoradoConvention Center, Denver.The inaugural URTeC event attractedmore than 4,300 geoscientists andengineers.URTeC is designed to fill the uniqueneed for a peer-reviewed, science-basedunconventional resources conferencethat will take an asset team approach todevelopment of unconventional resourceplays – similar to how oil and gasprofessionals work in today’s market.This year’s technical program cochairsare AAPG Honorary memberand past president Steve Sonnenberg,Colorado School of Mines; AAPGHonorary member R. Randy Ray (SEG),R3 Exploration Corp.; and Luis Baez(SPE), BG Group.Eleven technical program themeshave been announced:u Regional Case Studies.u Characterization of UnconventionalReservoirs.u Application and Integration ofWell Data.u Understanding Your PetroleumSystem.u Optimizing Recovery FromUnconventional Reservoirs.u Optimizing Capital Efficiency.u Production Performance of Tight Oil& Gas Reservoirs.u Social Performance (HSSE).u Reserves Forecasting and Estimation.u Long Term Performance.u Emerging Unconventional Plays.The call for abstract deadline isDec. 12.To submit an abstracts, or for moredetails about the event and the technicalprogram’s sub-themes, go to www.urtec.org.Nanotechnologyfrom page 10u Nanomaterials Sensing.“For this we are making sensors fromthe bottom up,” he said, “using chemistryinstead of using the semiconductortechniques.”Ahmadian said a basic concept is “toco-inject a fluid with nanomaterials that havesome kind of contrast signals.”Getting nanoparticles or othernanomaterials into the wellbore andreservoir could have a number of payoffs.Ahmadian cited the example of waterfloods,where nanosensors could help operatorsunderstand where and when liquid isescaping into high permeability rock.“If we know where the fluids are, we cantry to divert them away from those high-permareas,” he said.Development of unconventionalresources also could see nanotechapplications, with proppant movement andeffectiveness and even gas flows measuredat the nanoscale.For those kinds of applications to work,“you need to have certain packaging,certain mobility targeting,” Ahmadianadded. “You have to have a reported wayto distinguish what happened at location Xcompared to location Y.”It’s not easy creating exactly theright nanoparticle with exactly the rightcharacteristics, and then making it doexactly what you want.“There are a lot of hurdles we need to gothrough to make something really exotic,”Ahmadian said. He called the challenges “adifficult problem.”“I think the sensor concepts are a lotmore complicated than some of the otherconcepts,” he said.“One thing that’sreally nice at AEC isthat we pride ourselveson developing a newscience.”Just Getting Started12 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGAEC already has funded almost 40projects. It has several large-companyindustry sponsors and holds regular projectreviews.“This is the brainchild of (BEGdirector and past AAPG president) ScottTinker,” Ahmadian said. “We basicallybrought together several of the largestoil companies to think about futuretechnologies, primarily looking at bypassedoil.”Today, AEC’s nanomaterial sensorprojects include smart tracers, reservoirreporters, payload delivery systemsand options for clocking and improvingenhanced oil recovery.“Our ideas are really fancy,” Ahmadiansaid. But he noted that some of the mostpractical concepts are growing out of thefanciest ideas.“One thing that’s really nice at AEC isthat we pride ourselves on developing anew science,” he said.How much impact couldnanotechnology have?Think semiconductor chips andcomputers.“This is pretty cutting edge,” Ahmadiansaid. “This is sort of like where thesemiconductor industry was 50 years or 60years ago.”EXPLORER


EXPLOREREXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSAramco Seeks InnovationAt U.S. Research CentersBy HEATHER SAUCIER, EXPLORER CorrespondentThe new Houston Saudi Aramco Research Center, dedicated solely to upstream research ingeology, geophysics, production, drilling, computational modeling and reservoir engineering.Aramco Services Company (ASC),the U.S. subsidiary of SaudiAramco, is establishing threeresearch centers in the United Statesthat focus on upstream and downstreaminnovations.The centers, which have state-ofthe-artlaboratories and top scientists,are developing groundbreaking ideasand technology in areas that includeunconventional resources, enhancedoil recovery, nanotechnology, nextgenerationfuels and advanced materials.Aramco research centers located inBoston and Detroit are operational andramping up activities, while a Houstonbasedcenter is expected to be fullyoperational by early 2014.Specifically:u The Houston center, which will beASC’s largest research and developmentcenter with more than 50,000 square feet,is dedicated solely to upstream researchin geology, geophysics, production,drilling, computational modeling andreservoir engineering.u The Detroit center will conductdownstream research in areas of fuelengineefficiency and carbon emissionmanagement.u The Boston center is combiningboth upstream and downstream researchwith focus on advanced computationalmodeling and nanotechnologyapplication to the oil and gas industry.“Research and development havealways been the cornerstones of SaudiAramco’s activities,” said Mustafa Al-Ali,director of research and developmentat ASC. “These three U.S. centers joina global network of world-renownedresearch centers established to leverageexisting scientific and academicexpertise.“The U.S. centers are located in idealplaces for innovation, collaborationand the rapid development andimplementation of solutions to majorchallenges in the industry,” he said.Sharing KnowledgeThe Houston center is located in thecity’s “Energy Corridor,” a major hub foroil and gas research and developmentactivities. It is near chemical and oil fieldfluids manufacturers as well as servicecompanies, research and developmentlabs, and top geosciences andpetroleum engineering universities.“This center will allow us to pushforward and achieve breakthroughs thatnot only benefit ASC’s parent company,but the energy industry as a whole,” Al-Ali said.The Boston center is adjacent to theMassachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) and will host upstream anddownstream teams. At the Boston center,scientists will be performing upstreamresearch including tight gas fluid flowmodeling, basin simulation, in-situsensing and intervention, and nanofluidsand nanotechnology.Downstream research will includeadvanced gas and oil nano-basedseparation technologies.The Detroit center is strategicallylocated to collaborate with leadingautomotive research organizations. Itis envisioned to play a major role inadvancing fuel-engine systems for moreresponsible automobiles.“We are aiming to take major stridesin research and development rather thanincremental steps,” Al-Ali said. “This callsfor interdisciplinary teams to supplementour petroleum engineering expertise.”The three U.S. centers are closelyaligned with Saudi Aramco’s Explorationand Petroleum Engineering Center’sAdvanced Research Center (EXPECARC) and Research & Development14 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGSee Research, page 16


EXPLOREREXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSSuper-size bugs?Photo courtesy of the VOG group, CIPR.Is it a bird? Is it a bug? Modern drones might look a bit odd, but they’re proving to be valuabletools in gaining data to help better understand geology.Drone Tech Taking OffBy LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER CorrespondentHydrocarbon exploration inarguably isbenefiting from ongoing advances intechnology – even if certain technicalapparatuses being used appear to belongin a sci-fi movie rather than the oil patch.Think drones.Sometimes looking a bit like super-sizebugs hovering in the sky, these unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs) are being used tomeet various needs in the industry, provingto be useful both onshore and offshore.They can be used, for example, toinspect oilfield equipment and pipelines andto monitor gas flares.But their significance for the geologistis the ability to acquire up-close, highlydetailed images of outcrops, particularly inhigh elevations where camera-equippedhelicopters entail the usual element of riskalong with considerable monetary output.Piloted via remote control, the drones areessentially flying robots. They can safely flyat exceptionally low altitudes, enabling theirdigital cameras to capture extremely highresolutionimages of the surface.Granted, drones per se are not a newphenomenon, actually being commonplacein the military and in certain law enforcementagencies where they are used for aerialsurveillance and myriad other tasks.They can be small enough to hold in yourhand, or they can resemble actual smallsizeaircraft. Reportedly, there is one the sizeof a hummingbird, appropriately called a“nano hummingbird.”These oddities are beginning to makeserious inroads into the private sector.This is due in large part to theavailability and incorporation of mini-sizeelectronics and special software programsto handle the various data they can gather.Helpful, Or a Nuisance?But despite their value, drones likelywon’t be crowding the skies – at least notright away.There’s controversy aplenty surroundingthe use of UAVs, given their ability toswoop down almost anywhere with nowarning to snap some detailed, highresolutionphotos of sometimes-off-limitsubjects.Certain countries, including the UnitedStates, have strict regulations for UAVsbeing used for commercial purposes,and some countries have no restrictions.The U.S. rules reportedly will be relaxedsignificantly in the near future. A numberof entities already are exempt in large part,such as universities, federal and local lawenforcement agencies.There are folks who take matters intotheir own hands.Certain private citizens are known tobuild their own drones, accompanied byspecial “goggles” to enable the users toview the photo target as if they are lookingdirectly through the camera at work aboardthe UAV.Such homemade packages can evenbe purchased for a surprisingly low price.Just don’t look for them at your local BigBox emporia.EXPLORERResearchfrom page 14Center (R&DC) located in Dhahran,Saudi Arabia.Research centers also are locatedin Dhahran and Thuwal, Saudi Arabia;Delft, Netherlands; Paris; Beijing; anda technology center in Aberdeen,Scotland.ASC and Saudi Aramco shareknowledge and expertise throughthe involvement of its professionalswith AAPG, the American PetroleumInstitute (API), the Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE),International Association of Automation,Process Industry Practices, Society ofPetroleum Engineers (SPE), Society ofExploration Geophysicists (SEG) andthe Society of Petrophysicists and WellLog Analysts (SPWLA).To support award-winning research,ASC looks for professionals withexpertise in geology, geophysics,drilling, reservoir engineering,computational modeling, productiontechnologies, chemistry, materialsscience and other fields to join its teamsand bring their perspective to the manyopportunities that lie ahead.EXPLORER16 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

EXPLORERFavorable regulationsEXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSNorway Proves to Be Nice for UAV TechnologyBy LOUISE S. DURHAM, EXPLORER CorrespondentDrones, i.e. unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs), are not welcome justanywhere.Their reputation as stealth machinesperforming unwelcome activities tends toovershadow the good side of these roboticconveyances.Norway is among the countries withrelatively less stringent regulations regardingUAV flights.It’s home base for a group ofresearchers using some excitingapplications of varied cutting edgetechnology, including the drone.BUCKLEYThe Virtual Outcrop Geology (VOG)research group, based in the Centre forIntegrated Petroleum Research (CIPR)“We help improve knowledgeso that new and existing fieldscan be exploited to a higherpotential.”in Bergen, is drawing attention for itsinvolvement in using an array of geospatialtechnologies – including laser scanning,image processing and the UAV – to create3-D virtual models of outcrops of geologicformation.The UAV technology can take on asignificant role in acquiring needed data ininaccessible areas, which a drone often canreach much faster than a pricier helicopter“The virtual models of the outcrops canbe used by the geologists to gain a deeperunderstanding of geological features andtheir impact on subsurface reservoirs,” saidSimon Buckley, CIPR senior researcher andproject leader in the VOG group.The VOG group was formed in 2004with the goal to expand the quantitativeapplication of outcrops in reservoirs.“The main aim of the VOG techniqueis to obtain high resolution and accurategeometric information that can be used as aframework for interpretations,” he said.“Ultimately, we don’t do exploration,”Buckley emphasized. “We help improveknowledge so that new and existing fieldscan be exploited to a higher potential.”Precisely AccurateHe noted that over the past 10 years theVOG has acquired considerable expertiseusing 3-D laser scanning to scan surfaceswithin a centimeter of accuracy.“The main contribution is the highresolution and precision,” he noted. “Thisallows the geometry of geological featuresto be recorded and measured to anincreasingly high degree, which can then beused for reservoir modeling, for example.“In fact, a common use of the virtualoutcrop model is to digitize key surfacesthat are then exported to a reservoirmodeling system and used to buildgeocellular models.“Building geocellular models fromoutcrops creates a bridge between thesubsurface and the outcrop analog,”Buckley emphasized. “The modelsprovide an improved understanding of thestratigraphic architecture and can be usedto simulate fluid flow in the analog.“They also can provide a focal point fortraining and field trips,” he added.Assets and Challenges18 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGThe specially designed, camera-equippeddrone piloted by the research team featureseight rotors displayed on spokes emanatingfrom the central body. The accoutermentmeasures only a few feet across and tips thescales at just a few pounds.It affords a stable platform for the camerasensors, being easily and quickly guidedinto position over the target area whilecontrolled by an operator nearby on theground.“UAVs are proliferating rapidly intomany applications,” Buckley said. “We sawthe advancements in both the platformtechnology and the processing methodshad reached the point where we couldadapt them into our existing workflows.“Advantages of the UAV are that itprovides optimum camera positions for takingimages, is fast to use and is cost-effective inrelation to lidar equipment,” he noted.“Challenges are perhaps mostlyrelated to logistics and operation,” hesaid. “User training is required, weatherconditions must be suitable (


EXPLORERNeuralogWWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 201321

EXPLORERUAV-acquired photostitch of West Caicos Island, illustrating the difference in resolution. The red box (left) is the location of the enlarged image in the center (note the individual boulderconglomerates in the beach facies), which in turn is magnified in the photo on the right for an even-more detailed view.UAV Technologyfrom page 20Zahm said. “You can’t acquire thatlevel of photograph from commerciallyavailable satellite pictures.“In our photos, we’re talking aboutcentimeter to millimeter resolution, whichis very different.”Zahm noted that the UAVs the RCRLgroup uses measure 24 to 30 incheswide. They can carry them to the fieldand deploy them with the cameras.“It’s sort of like taking a robotichelicopter like your kids play with andmaking it a useful tool in the field,” hejested.DEM: High resolution that allows forelevation interrogation and detailed mapping.Positive Purposes22 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGHe is a true believer in the manypositive applications for drones.“When I talk about drones to people,they tend to think about the militaryaspects, and it’s kind of a negativeconnotation,” he noted. “We have toremember that there are benefits as well,and it can be a very friendly technology.“The application of UAV technologydefinitely has improved the ease andquality of reservoir characterization,”Zahm declared.To further emphasize the friendly-useaspects, he mentioned a recent situationwhere a research partner flew a droneover a gathering of UT alums. Thisresulted in one of the attendees decidingon the spot to use a drone to assess aproperty of interest to him.Current RCRL applications of UAVsinclude:u Turks and Caicos (Bahamas) – WestCaicos (facies and fracture mapping).u China – Permo-Triassic grainstones.u Lewis Canyon (Texas) – Fault-relatedfractures.u Canyon Lake (Texas) – Fault-relatedfractures.EXPLORER


EXPLORERHistoric discovery at seaSurprise! It’s a VolcanoBy BARRY FRIEDMAN, EXPLORER CorrespondentIt’s good that William W. Sager, professorin the Earth and Atmospheric SciencesDepartment at the University of Houston(formerly professor at Texas A&M University)and lead author of a study that helpeddiscover the largest single volcano on Earth,has a high tolerance for stupid questions.All the more noteworthy as Sager, anAAPG member who has received theschool’s College of Geosciences Award forDistinguished Achievement in Research, hasmore than 110 refereed articles to his credit.On the other hand, you find the singlelargest volcano on earth, people are goingto ask how it is possible that everyone elsemissed something so big.“Things under the ocean are hard tosee,” Sager says, anticipating the question,“so we oceanographers have a greatdeal of difficulty figuring out what is theresometimes.”The difficulty, itseems, is counterintuitive.The biggerthings are, the harderthey are to locate.Sager, who hasparticipated in 41research cruises,explains it this way:“Imagine wanderingacross something theSAGERsize of New Mexico with a flashlight andtrying to figure out what it is,” which was thecase of the area in question, which came tobe known as Tamu Massif (Tamu for TexasA&M; Massif is a geologic term meaning anisolated mountain group, but also is Frenchfor – wait for it – massive), located about athousand miles east of Japan in the PacificOcean.“Indeed, this is an apt analogy becausefor all of our survey lines, we only crossed afew times,” he continued. “So imagine thatyou are riding across New Mexico on yourbike (that’s about how fast a ship goes) inthe dark with a flashlight. That’s about whatit is like.”Helpful InnovationsFor those who may havemissed the announcement,Sager was the leadauthor for a team thatin early Septemberannounced ithad found thestructure –called byothers a“supervolcano” – in thePacific Ocean.As reported, the volcano rivals in sizethe solar system’s largest known volcano,Olympus Mons on Mars.Other scientists already have said thatthe discovery will lead to the rewriting oftextbooks and rethinking of volcanology.Sager and his team reportedly firststudied Tamu Massif nearly 20 years ago,on a research trip to gather data on anundersea mountain range that contains thestructure. They didn’t realize, however, thatit was a single structure.Technological innovations have sinceentered the scene.Specifically, Sager says there weretwo developments that came togetherduring the past four years that made thediscovery – and more on that word in amoment – happen now.“Number one is that we were able touse the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, whichis a former industry seismic ship,” hesaid. “The big sound sources of this shipallowed us to shoot sound waves deepwithin the volcano and make an imagefrom the returned sound waves.”He says it was like an x-ray profile of thevolcano structure made with sound.“What these data showed us is thaton all of our profiles across Tamu Massif,we saw layering that looks like lava flowsrunning downhill from the summit,” hesaid. “In other words, there appears to beonly onesource of thelava flows, and that is atthe top of the volcano.”The second development, he said, wasa result of the cores collected by IntegratedOcean Drilling Program Expedition 324in 2009, which was completed the yearbefore the seismic survey.“We recovered lots of lava flowsamples,” he said. “What was especiallyinteresting is that the lava flows from TamuMassif were characterized by pulses offlows that are very thick – the maximum wecored is 23 meters, or about 75 feet.”That was huge.“That kind of flow occurs in placescalled ‘flood basalt provinces’ and impliesthat huge quantities of lava poured out,”he explained. “Such lava flows can runlong distances, and this is probably whyTamu Massif has a very low slope – about1 degree or less. You would have troubleknowing which way is down if you werestanding on it.”Back in Your Own BackyardBut getting back to the “discovery” ofthis, Sager wants to be careful.“I have tried to be careful with the word‘discovered,’” he said.EXPLORATIONINNOVATIONSAnd this is because, like otherscientists, he knew there were thesevolcanic mountains called oceanicplateaus in the oceans in the region, so it’snot like it was completely foreign.“Indeed, Shatsky Rise (of which TamuMassif is part) has been known for nearlya century,” he said. “We knew that ShatskyRise and others were there. In the pastfew decades, we knew that they werevolcanic.”But that was when they thought it wasa series of volcanoes – not one giantvolcano.“What happened in this study is thatwe realized it is a single volcano,” he said.“With a volcanic edifice of this size, themore likely thing would have been that it isa complex of volcanoes, similar to the BigIsland in Hawaii (which includes MaunaKea, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Hualalai andMahu Kona volcanoes).”When asked about the enormity of sucha find, he says it is almost unimaginable.“We know that birds are the present-daySee Volcano, page 26A cross section of Tamu Massif, which scientists discovered recently in the Pacific Ocean. Thetop graphic shows MCS reflection Line A B, across the axis of Tamu Massif (top graphic , MCSdata; bottom, interpretation). Dark lines highlight the intra-basement reflectors. MCS data havea nominal fold of 59 and have been processed with band-pass filtering, deconvolution, normalmoveoutcorrection, stacking and time migration. The arrow labeled U1347 shows the positionof that IODP site. Dashed boxes show the locations of figure 5 and supplementary figure S4.Vertical exaggeration: 37:1.24 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERThe team studies cores taken from the Tamu Massif expedition.Volcanofrom page 24descendants of dinosaurs,” he said. “Let’ssay we didn’t know that there were anybigger than the emu or ostrich. But then wediscovered fossils of a T-Rex or a bird ofsimilar size. That’s what we have here.”To wit, the biggest current volcanoes areon the order of 1/50th of the size of TamuMassif.”And then there is the comparison toMars.“We compared Tamu Massif withOlympus Mons, which is the biggest knownvolcano in the solar system,” he said,“so we are not surprised that there arevolcanoes of that scale.“We just didn’t know they were hiding inthe backyard.”Work ContinuesReportedly, there is now no dangerof Tamu Massif erupting. But when it diderupt, how powerful was it?“That’s really unclear,” Sager replied.“Tamu was a basaltic volcano – that’s likeKilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Youcan drive up to an eruption and have alook and go have lunch. They are notkiller eruptions.”But that doesn’t mean it won’t ruinyour day.“There was an eruption in Iceland inthe 1700s (Laki, or Lakagigar) that hadenvironmental effects in Europe,” Sagersaid, “but civilization was not wiped out.“We know the age (approximately)of Tamu Massif, and there is no obviousglitch in the geologic record that youcould say is a clear environmental effectof this volcano,” he continued. “Maybethis type of eruption did a little bit ofdamage, but not enough to wipe out theflora and fauna.“It seems likely that it would spew lotsof gases into the atmosphere and perturbclimate, at least a bit,” he said. “But that’ssomething that scientists still have towork on.”And speaking of work, when askedwhat the future holds for him after helpingto find something the size, in fact, of NewMexico, something he found by using theright flashlight, Sager, an AAPG member, issomewhat jaded and uncertain.“Naturally, I will try to get additional datafor Shatsky Rise, but this cool result doesnot translate into new funding.”How is that possible?“To get sponsorship from the NationalScience Foundation, whose funds arestretched thin, I have to convince otherscientists that I have a new hypothesisand I can devise a test that will solve thescientific problem that I am proposing –and oh, by the way, it is critical to do itright now.”Even this project, he says, was atough sell. And this from a man whohas won more than 40 research grants,totaling nearly $4.5 million.“The seismic survey of which I spokewas turned down four-five times (at onetry per year) before my colleague, JunKorenaga (Yale University), and I finallygot it funded.”And it still wasn’t easy.“In fact, we didn’t get it funded untilthe drilling program committed to goout and drill,” he said. “So, I alreadyhave submitted a proposal to collectmagnetic anomaly data over TamuMassif. The magnetic lineations formedat the spreading ridges tell us about theevolution of the oceanic crust aroundTamu Massif. They were formed aboutthe same time, so the surrounding crustwill give us clues about Tamu.“Some colleagues in Germany areproposing to go to northern Shatsky Riseto dredge some rocks for geochemicalstudies,” he added. “They are looking atthe later evolution of Shatsky Rise.“It all fits together to help make aclearer picture.”So, if that all materializes, what thenhappens next for William Sager, a manwho’s been doing this type of work inmarine geophysics for 30 years, theformer holder of the Jane and R. KenWilliams ’45 Chair in Ocean DrillingScience, Technology and Education whileat Texas A&M?And in quite possibly the greatest andmost accurate answer any scientist, anyartist has ever given, he says:“Don’t worry. I’ll keep busy.”EXPLORER26 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERMAKINGaDIFFERENCEAAPG Team Gives Scouts a Taste of GeologyBy CHRISTOPHER STONE, EXPLORER CorrespondentOne school of thought says today’steenage boy lives in a multi-mediaworld, and if we want to talk to him wehave to go to that place.On the other hand, the Boy Scouts ofAmerica believes today’s teenager does notspend enough time in nature.So what is the most meaningful way toeffectively merge these two philosophies?“BSA is trying to put more science into itsoutdoor program,” according to Rachel Hintz,who sits on the BSA STEM committee. Shegoes on to say kids have to learn the samelessons in multiple settings for the lessonsto be relevant, and she adds many homeschoolers are looking to BSA and other youthorganizations for science programming.Every four years the Boy Scouts hold ajumbo-sized camporeecalled the “Jamboree,”and nearly 35,000teens and adultsattend from all parts ofthe United States.And since the late1990s, the AAPGFoundation hasprovided sponsorshipand funding for a teamHARTPhotos courtesy of Ron HartAAPG members, funded largely by the AAPG Foundation, spent their summer sharing the worldof geology with Boy Scouts at the quadrennial Boy Scout Jamboree, held near Beckley, W. Va.of professional geologists to attend thisJamboree and provide the geology part ofthe nature study program through teachingthe Geology Merit Badge.This past summer marked the first timeBSA held its quadrennial Jamboree in itsnew 10,000-acre facility near Beckley, W.Va., and they shifted the program to deemphasizemerit badges in favor of havingmore outdoor experiences.Hence, it was decided early that geologywas an obvious good fit within the newconservation and sustainability emphasis– and the AAPG team was encouraged todevelop program aspects to “get the kidsout of the tent and into the fresh air.”Geology Field Trips – Virtual and Real“Some Scouts may be looking atgeology as a career option, where othersare casually interested,” says Ron Hart,an AAPG/Datapages staffer as well asan AAPG member who for decades hasvolunteered his time to help organize theJamboree effort.“Our challenge is how to engage kids atboth ends of the spectrum,” he added. “Ithink we were successful with our multi-levelprogram.”Fellow AAPG members Scott and JaneMcColloch, both geologists with the WestVirginia Geological and Economic Survey,developed the story for the entire team to usein explaining the geologic history of the CentralAppalachians. Scott helped organize stafftraining in the few days prior to the Jamboreeso all the team could have credible informationand be consistent in their answers.The McCollochs also led a guidedgeology hike for the Scouts with the highestlevel of interest. They taught the kids howto look for features, collect samples andSee Jamboree, page 4428 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERWWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 2013 31


EXPLORERRegions and Sections is a regular column in the EXPLORER offering news for and about AAPG’ssix international Regions and six domestic Sections. Contact: Carol McGowen, AAPG’s Regionsand Sections development manager, at 1-918-560-9403; or e-mail to cmcgowen@aapg.org.REGIONS&SECTIONSGlobal Growth Continues:AAPG Opens Africa OfficeBy CAROL CAIN McGOWEN, AAPG Regions and Sections Development ManagerAAPG’s newest regional office, theAAPG Africa Office, opened its doorsearly October in Lagos, Nigeria,thereby bringing AAPG closer to its manymembers in Africa.AAPG’s official address inthe Africa Region will be housedwithin the office complex ownedby the Nigerian Association ofPetroleum Explorationists (NAPE).AAPG Africa Region PresidentGilbert Odior announced recentlythe hiring of Delia Kuye, who willstaff the Lagos office as programsmanager, AAPG Africa Region.The establishment of anAfrica office and hiring of staffto serve AAPG in the Africa Region istruly an historic accomplishment – andwould not have been possible without thelongstanding relationship and mutual trustbetween AAPG, AAPG Africa Region,and the Nigerian Association of PetroleumExplorationists (NAPE).“I wish to say a big thank you to allthe AAPG Africa Region past presidents,executives and leadership for laying thefoundation for the AAPG Africa RegionOffice in Lagos,” Odior said.Kuye, an AAPG member, brings allthe right credentials to her new role withinAAPG:u She holds a bachelor’s in geology fromthe University of Reading, England, and amaster’s in integrated petroleum geosciencefrom the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.u After graduation she gained furtherindustry awareness and experience throughinternships with Marathon Oil in Aberdeenand ExxonMobil in Lagos.Her education credentials, industryexposure and, most recently, her experienceworking with a logistics firm in Lagoswill benefit AAPG in the Africa Region toexpand its programs and services.Big Growth, Big PotentialWhen the Africa Region was formed(along with the other Regions) in 1999,AAPG membership in Africa was at 460members. Since then, membership in Africahas skyrocketed to 2,721 in 2013, makingAfrica the third largest Region in terms ofmembers, after the Asia-Pacific and Europeregions, respectively.Africa, Asia-Pacific and the EuropeKUYERegion also share a common demographic;the significant increase in Student and YPmembership in these Regions accounts fora large percentage of the total membershipgrowth.Among her first assignments,Kuye will help with outreach touniversities, organizing the 2014IBA competition as well as a localStudent Chapter LeadershipSummit.Shortly after orderingfurnishings, phone and Internetfor the AAPG Africa Office, Kuyetraveled to Tulsa for a week oftraining and orientation at AAPGheadquarters. To say AAPG’snewest Region staff member hit the groundrunning would be an understatement.“We shall be improving AAPG’sAfrican-based membership and regionalpresence through intensification of outreachto students and professionals,” Kuyecommented in Tulsa.“Communication is among the greatestchallenges for this region,” she continued.“Nonetheless, working with the Regionleadership, we shall work toward eliminatingbarriers by improving communication andreducing membership challenges.”Almost immediately upon hearing theannouncement, emails poured in fromacross Africa and North America expressingcongratulations to the entire AAPG AfricaRegion leadership team for achieving thisimportant landmark in the evolution of theRegion.“This is the realization of a goal that hasbeen discussed and debated for a numberof years,” said Africa Region president-electDavid Blanchard. “Having a dedicatedprograms manager will result in growth forthe Region and signals a new chapter inattaining increased membership, holdingRegional and local events, and attractingmore affiliates.”But this major milestone in the Region’sdevelopment may have been mostmeaningful to the Region’s past presidents,Nahum Schneidermann (also knownas President #1, 1999-2001) and BayoAkinpelu (President #2, 2001-03).“This is an important event,”Schneidermann said, “recognizing thevaluable role of NAPE folks in helping toopen Nigeria, and eventually Africa, toAAPG activities.”EXPLORERProTracksfrom page 34Challenge, as well as for the best posterand oral presentation in the studentcategory.Food and beverages were provided bysponsor ExxonMobil.Undoubtedly, the impact of this ICE ona generation of young geoscientists will befar-reaching. The excitement surroundingthe Cartagena meeting and increasedattention from the Region on the valueof belonging to AAPG have resulted inrenewed interest in AAPG activities fromYPs and students.Post-ICE, taking advantage of thismomentum is the main strategy forkeeping YP and student initiatives ontrack. Increased activity from both YPsand students led to the decision to split theYP/Student liaison role into two separatepositions, and to create more local YPchapters (see diagram).With continued commitment to YP andstudent programs, the future of the AAPGin Latin America looks very promising.* * *Want to know more about YP activitiesin your area? Visit our website at aapg.org/youngpros, and contact your Region orSection representative.EXPLORER34 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERBoard Named, New Chapter Started in AngolaBy CAROL CAIN McGOWEN and DELIA KUYEAngola is Africa’s second largest oilproducer, with production in excessof 1.8 million barrels of oil per dayand a growing reserves base in excess ofabout 10 billion barrels of oil. The countryboasts huge geoscience activity plus thepresence of major oil and gas companies.Clearly, the need to have a communityand forum for the advancement ofprofessionalism and knowledge-sharingamong the growing numbers of earthscientists within Angola cannot be overemphasized.That need – for a dedicated communityfor geoscientists to come together under acommon platform, especially for technicalThe AAPG Angola Chapter will host its first field trip on Nov. 9, sponsored byChevron and led by Chevron geologists Tony Lomando and Ray Garber, bothAAPG members, on the study of Mussulo Bay modern sedimentary environments.The event is open to all geoscientists in Angola.discussion and networking – precipitatedthe formation of the new AAPG AngolaChapter board.Geoscience representatives fromChevron, Total, Gaffney-Cline, BP, Exxonand UAN University came together fortheir first meeting in July, and minutesof the founding meeting showed theboard determined to promote recruitingof industry geoscientists for AAPG andplay an active role in the planning andexecution of the inaugural as well as futureAAPG Angola Chapter events.The chapter’s inaugural event was heldOct. 9 at the Hotel Tropico in Luanda.AAPG Africa Region secretary AntonioIngles, Malongo subsurface team earthscientist with Chevron Latin America/AfricaE&P in Angola who also serves as theAAPG Angola Chapter board chair, noted,“With over 200 people in attendance, thesuccess of the inaugural event exceededexpectations.”Among the distinguished guests wasAngola’s Minister of Petroleum José M.Botelho de Vasconcelos, who gave thekeynote speech, in which he:u Acknowledged AAPG as a worldclass professional organization.u Highlighted the benefits to Angola ofAAPG’s presence in the country.u Pointed out that Angola became theseventh African country to have AAPGpresence, after Lybia, Egypt, Nigeria,South Africa, Morocco and Ghana.The event also included a technicalpresentation given by Christian Seyve,TOTAL Angola, titled, “Mussulo Bay: AModern Analog for Key Angolan Oilfields.”Other distinguished guests at theevent included Sonangol’s administratorfor upstream, and managing directorsof Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total,ConocoPhillips, BP, Statoil, Maersk Oil andSchlumberger.Fifteen fourth- and fifth-year geosciencestudents from Agostinho Neto Universityhelped with the event as volunteers.Plenty of Potential36 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGBefore the Angola Chapter, AAPGAfrica Region supported the DeepWater Offshore West Africa Conference(DOWAC), held in Angola in 2007.Many members of the AAPGcommunity within and outside AfricaRegion have had long professional tieswith Angola. For example, award-winningAAPG member Tako Koning, programchair for the new AAPG Angola Chapter,served on the organizing committees forall three regional DOWAC Conferencesheld to date.Also, the election of Antonio Inglesas secretary-treasurer for AAPG AfricaRegion 2010-12, followed by his electionas Africa Region secretary 2012-14,eventually signified it was only a matter oftime before a platform such as this wascreated in Angola.“The new AAPG Angola Chapter willprovide the opportunities for geoscientiststo gather and discuss technical issues andsolutions, which will lead to technologytransfer within the scientific communityworking the West Africa oil patch and newcontacts made across the main interestgroups present in the country and subregion,” said Africa Region President,Gilbert Odior. “This is the industry helpingitself to become more efficient and effectiveby sharing learnings in the interests of all.”Schlumberger Angola’s managingdirector David Viela gave the AAPG AfricaRegion remarks in Portuguese on behalf ofNosa Omorodion, Africa Region memberof AAPG Advisory Council and pastRegion president. Quoting Omorodion,Viela read:“With the distinguished guests presentat this inaugural event as witnesses, Iboldly re-echo this belief that the AAPGAngola Chapter will play an activecontributory role as a catalyst andrepository of ideas that will serve theAngola oil and gas community and thecountry very well in the drive to growreserves and increase production.”It was with an obvious sense of prideand relief that Ingles said:“Overall, I believe we had an AAPGevent that honors the AAPG name.”EXPLORER


EXPLORERHISTORICALHIGHLIGHTSHistorical Highlights is an ongoing EXPLORER series that celebrates the “eureka” moments of petroleumgeology, the rise of key concepts, the discoveries that made a difference, the perseverance and ingenuity ofour colleagues – and/or their luck! – through stories that emphasize the anecdotes, the good yarns and thehuman interest side of our E&P profession. If you have such a story – and who doesn’t? – and you’d like toshare it with your fellow AAPG members, contact Hans Krause at historical.highlights@yahoo.com.They listened to the professorCore Values: 70 Years of Canadian HistoryBy DON KENT and MELINDA YURKOWSKIExploration for oil and gas inSaskatchewan was initiated in 1888with the spudding of a 472-meter(1,548.5 feet) well near the settlement ofBelle Plaine some 32 kilometers (20 miles)west of Regina.Drilling was sporadic until the early yearsof World War II, when the need for securesources of oil brought about a systematicsearch for hydrocarbons. Paramount in thissearch were Imperial Oil and its subsidiary,Northwest Company (later known asNorcanols Oil and Gas), both of whichobtained large exploration reservations fromthe government of the day.Harry Edmunds, a professor in thegeology department at the University ofSaskatchewan at this time, encouragedthe government to acquire and store allsubsurface well information, includingcores and drill cuttings. The 1941 versionof the Saskatchewan Well Drilling Acthad clauses pertaining to governmentalacquisition of geological materials andspecimens, but did not specifically refer tosubmission of cores.Edmund’s urgings, however, evidentlydid not go unheeded, as the cores anddrill cuttings from the first well drilled onthe Norcanols reservation in 1942, RadvilleNo. 1, were acquired and stored at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. These andall subsequently obtained cores and drillcuttings were initially stored on the campusin a shed next to the engineering building,The converted chicken processing factory, Regina’s first core storage facility.Don Kent, a54-year memberof AAPG, was thesecond geologistassigned to carryout research atthe SubsurfaceGeologicalLaboratory, wherehe spent 13 years. KENTThe next 25 yearswere spent as a professor in thegeology department at the University ofRegina, and for 11 of his last 14 yearshe was head of the department. At theend of his last term as head he tookearly retirement to become a full timepetroleum geology consultant. In 2004he was inducted into the SaskatchewanGeological Society’sGeoscience HonorRoll for significantcontributions togeoscience inSaskatchewan.MelindaYurkowski receivedboth bachelor’sYURKOWSKI and master’sdegrees from theUniversity of Regina, then took a jobwith the Saskatchewan Departmentof Energy and Resources. She ispresently assistant chief geologist in theSaskatchewan Geological Survey, headof the Petroleum Geology Branch andgeological manager of the SubsurfaceGeological Laboratory.and eventually all were later moved to thebasement of a Saskatchewan GovernmentLiquor Board Store in downtown Saskatoon.Laurence Vigrass was among thefirst graduate students at the Universityof Saskatchewan to do a master’s thesisbased on cores and drill cuttings storedat the liquor store. He indicated that thecustodian let clients in – but after entryclients had to search for and lay out theirown cores.With these initial steps the provinceappears to have been the first politicaljurisdiction in Canada – and possiblyin North America – to mandate thepreservation of and public access to drillcores and cuttings.Discoveries Lead to ChangesCore storage in Regina beganafter discoveries of hydrocarbons inMississippian strata in the Canadian portionof the Williston Basin in southeasternSaskatchewan, and in Mesozoic strata inthe province’s southwest corner.The first location in Regina to be usedfor storage was an abandoned chickenprocessing plant located on the corner ofWinnipeg Street and 8th Avenue.The following quotes regarding thisfacility are from the recently deceasedSee Cores, page 4038 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERIn the SSGL the cores are cataloged by land location and stored in rows, racks and bins. Theyare transported to the core examination area by fork lift and laid out on conveyor tables. Asignificant contrast to the conditions described by Laurence Vigrass.40 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORGCoresfrom page 40J.G.C.M. Fuller, the 2012 SaskatchewanGeological Society Geoscience Honor Rollinductee, who arrived in Saskatchewanin 1954 as a raw recruit from a doctorateprogram at Cambridge to beginemployment with the Department of MineralResources:“On the ground floor of that buildingand in adjacent sheds, all the cores andcuttings-samples from Saskatchewan wellswere stored. The sheds were dark andunheated, requiring in winter a high level ofdetermination and fortitude to undertake anymeaningful study, but worse was to come.As the interior storage space becameexhausted, core boxes were stackedoutside, in the open. It was a managementpolicy barely tolerable for hard-rock mineralcores, but disastrous for halite and potash.When there was a rainfall, the weeds in thatpart of the yard died.“ … I was given a dun-colored cottoncoat, and a small partitioned space upstairsin the building to serve as my recovery roomafter work in the core-sheds.”Construction and ExpansionThe influx of cores became so greatfollowing the 1953 discovery of southeastSaskatchewan’s Mississippian subcropplay that the capacity of the convertedchicken plant was stretched beyond itslimits, and in 1957 construction started on anew Saskatchewan Subsurface GeologicalLaboratory (SSGL) and core storagewarehouse.This facility was opened in April 1958.Initially the lab had a 45,280-squarefootunheated core storage warehouseand 11,369 square feet of office spacethat housed a laboratory and core and drillcutting examination space.Six additions to the warehouse, themost recent in 2012, have increased itssize to 98,879 square feet. There presentlyare about 590,748 meters (1,938,126 feet)of core stored at this facility and over 4.8million vials of drill cuttings from close to35,000 wells, all from the province.Not all of the cores stored at the SSGLwere acquired through hydrocarbon-relateddrilling:u Currently there are 10,477 meters(34,373 feet) of core from 18 potash shaftpilot holes.u Cores from each shaft hole includemost of the sedimentary succession abovethe Middle Devonian Prairie Evaporite, andover 550 cores from potash test wells.u In addition, recent drilling on aCretaceous coal prospect has resulted inacquisition of approximately 8,500 meters(27,887 feet) of core.Other non-hydrocarbon related coresstored at the Subsurface Lab includediamond drill cores from drill holes that hadto penetrate a thin cover of Phanerozoicrocks in north central Saskatchewan toaccess potential mineral deposits in thePrecambrian basement. In addition, thereare a number of stratigraphic diamond drillcores taken from northern Saskatchewan’sProterozoic Athabasca Basin for uraniumexploration, as well as cores from wellsdrilled to determine the characteristics ofCretaceous diamondiferous kimberlites inthe province’s central part.Making an ImpactThe core inventory at the SSGL has beena significant source of scientific informationto industry, government and academicgeoscientists and engineers, and has beenkey in the responsible development ofSaskatchewan’s petroleum sector, whichranks second in Canada in terms of thevalue of oil production.Industry is charged a nominal feeto examine core. A no-charge policyfor professorial and student researchprojects has resulted in approximately 60undergraduate, master’s and doctoratecore- and drill cutting-related theses.Saskatchewan government petroleumgeologists who are based at the SSGL havemade good use of the core storage facilityand have published numerous governmentreports on various aspects of the geology ofthe subsurface rocks.The SSGL also plays an important role ineducating the public about Saskatchewan’sgeology and petroleum resources throughoutreach and education tours to elementaryand high school students. Outcrop andcore samples are utilized to help explaingeological concepts and the geology ofSaskatchewan to the touring groups and thestudents are offered an opportunity to viewthe warehouse facility.In addition, touring students are shownan array of drilling bits and are given ashort account on drilling processes andprocedures. As part of the most recentexpansion a 3-D theater was added to theSSGL in support of a major 3-D modelingproject of the Western Canada SedimentaryBasin and other geological terranes inSaskatchewan being undertaken by theSaskatchewan Geological Survey.EXPLORER


EXPLORERPOLICYWATCHEdith Allison, director of AAPG’s Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C.,can be contacted at eallison@aapg.org; or by telephone at 1-202-643-6533.Confused Over Methane Data? Stand in LineBy EDITH ALLISON, GEO-DC DirectorOver the past two years largevariations in the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) estimatesof the volume of methane released duringnatural gas production have been usedby organizations arguing respectivelythat natural gas is cleaner than or dirtierthan coal.The data variation is confusing to thepublic as well as Washington, D.C., policymakers who could choose to restrict orencourage natural gas production based onits assumed environmental impact.The confusion is justified: It is not simpleto estimate how much methane escapesfrom half a million wells that use variedcompletion and production techniques.It is especially difficult to assure theexisting small sample of wells reflects theuniverse of well-completion operations suchas flowback and liquids unloading. Theseoperations are poorly sampled and showhighly most variable methane emissionvolumes – more about this later in the article.The best news is the technologies toreduce fugitive methane emissions, such asgreen completions, are improving and morewidely used.Also encouraging is the fact thatadditional studies are expected todefine and constrain some of the poorlydocumented statistics for flowback and wellunloading.* * *A timeline of methane emission studiesALLISONmay help explain how the discrepanciesdeveloped:u The EPA launched its greenhouse gas(GHG) Inventory, a national-level estimate oflarge and small emitters, 20 years ago.The GHG Reporting Program (GHGRP),which collects data from the largest GHGemitting facilities in the United States, waslaunched in response to 2008 legislation.GEO-DC now has a variety of toolsto help you get the latest information onfederal energy policy activity that affectspetroleum E&P – all without filling youremail box with clutter.u Daily Tweets from the GEO-DCdirector: 140 characters directing youto information about new regulations,scientific studies or major legislation. See@EdieAllisonAAPG on Twitter.u GEO-DC blog: Weekly, slightlylonger explanations of regulations orThe best news is the technologiesto reduce fugitive methane emissions,such as green completions, areimproving and more widely used.Most sources, including petroleumrefineries, started reporting 2010 emissionsto the GHGRP in 2011. Petroleum andnatural gas systems and CO 2 injectionprojects (for enhanced oil recovery orgeologic sequestration) reported emissionsfor the first time in September 2012 (for2011 emissions).Only facilities that emit over 25,000metric tons of CO 2 equivalents (MMCO2e)laws that are in the news. Enter theAAPG Blog Zone on the AAPG website.u Policy Watch column in your AAPGEXPLORER: Every month, featuring indepthcoverage of a topic that is in thenews or soon will be.u Action Alerts: Sign up for alertsabout draft regulations or pendinglegislation, with guides for sending aformal response to Congress or a federalagency. Go to the AAPG GEO-DC homepage, at www.aapg.org/geoDC.are required to submit reports.EPA received 2011 emissions reportsfrom 1,880 petroleum and natural gasfacilities, including natural gas production,processing, transmission, distribution,storage and LNG facilities. These were usedto estimate the 2011 Inventory that wasreleased in April 2013.u EPA’s April 2012 GHG Inventory Reportfor the first time used Natural Gas Stardata (industry reports that bragged aboutmethane emissions reduction successesfor 8,800 wells) as a surrogate for 2010emissions from 488,000 wells.Compared to prior years, the 2012 reportrevised the estimated 2010 emissionsfrom natural gas systems up by about 11percent, to 215.4 MMCO2e.u In response to the high EPA estimate,the American Petroleum Institute andAmerica’s Natural Gas Alliance (API/ANGA)surveyed industry to collect data from nearly91,000 wells, which projected that methaneemissions from natural gas systems were102.6 MMCO2e – about half the EPAestimate.More importantly, the API/ANGASeptember 2012 report pointed out theneed for additional sampling of wellunloadings, which are poorly sampledbut account for 51 percent of methaneemissions from natural gas systems in EPA’s2012 report.See Policy, page 4442 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERJamboreefrom page 28fossils, take notes and mark their locationwith GPS units.“These are the things a field geologistdoes,” Scott McColloch said, “and allowingthe boys to hold the GPS, the compassand the hammer lets them have the fullexperience. Kids respond well whenthey can put their hands on the simpleequipment.”“We also tried to engage Scouts who didnot have time to sign up for the hike,” Hartsaid. “We developed 17 points of intereston the property where a boy could see afeature and learn something about geology.For example, BSA built a series of fishingand recreational lakes for the new campproperty, “so we developed a story abouthow engineers use contours to plan theartificial lakes then seal the lake bottomswith bentonite because swelling clay canprevent leaks,” Hart said.“We also developed stories that talkedabout stream deposition, oil and gasexploration in West Virginia, coal mining, theice age in West Virginia, and even hydraulicfracturing,” he added.“All these points of interest were markedwith a green post, using a QR Code at thetop, whereby a Scout could use his smartphone to resolve the Code to a websitehosted by AAPG on behalf of the AAPGFoundation. In this way, a boy standingin line for a fun event, or walking acrossthe camp property, is able to learn waysgeology touches his everyday life, as seenthrough random acts of learning.“A teenage boy is one of nature’s morecurious creatures,” Hart said. “We wanted tocapitalize on that with the QR Codes.”There’s An App for ThatThe AAPG team members alsolocated their points of interest on a GISenabledmap of the property, usingdetailed GIS files provided by BSA andlocation information collected on thegroup during the planning meeting at theproperty. With support from both ESRIand NeoTreks Inc., a Colorado Springsbasedcompany that writes mobileapps, the team was able to developa “geocaching game” based on thegeological points of interest.Policyfrom page 42u EPA released the 2011 inventoryin April 2013. The inventory revised theestimate of 2010 emissions for natural gassystems downward to 143.6 MMCO2e, a33 percent reduction from the prior year’sreport.This change evidently reflectsconsideration of the API/ANGA surveyresults.u David T. Allen, the Melvin H. GertzRegents Chair in Chemical Engineering atthe University of Texas (UT), and 13 otherresearchers reported in the September2013 Proceedings of the NationalAcademy of Sciences on their study of190 natural gas sites. The study, whichwas supported by the EnvironmentalDefense Fund, yielded national estimatessimilar to that in EPA’s 2013 report on the2011 inventory: methane emissions were0.42 percent of gross gas production,Other program features included arock and mineral museum alongside abusy road.“Half the campers walked past ourprogram tent,” Hart said. “We placed ouryounger staff members on the tables,because younger geologists are morelikely to interact with the kids.”AAPG member Greg Hammondwas one of those; Hammond works asa wellsite geologist in Alaska and hadstories to tell the Scouts about life on a rig.“And we had two students onstaff – Bill Doyle from the University ofversus 0.47 percent for the EPA 2011inventory.The Allen group plans additionalstudies to better define the emissionsprofile of pneumatic pumps – the largestsource of methane emissions in theirinitial study – and liquids unloading, atechnology defined by few measurements.* * *The University of Texas EnvironmentalDefense Fund Study made directmeasurements of 150 production sites thatincluded 489 wells that were hydraulicallyfractured, 27 well-completion flowbacks,nine well unloadings and four workovers.u Well-completion flowbacks, whichclear liquids from the wellbore to allow gasproduction, showed methane emissionsfrom 0.01 million grams or metric ton (Mg)to 17 Mg, compared with an average of81 Mg per event in the EPA 2011 nationalemission inventory, reported in April 2013.The lower UT results reflect the growthin green completions, in which methane isOklahoma, and Alan McCreary fromConcord University (W. Va.),” Hart added.At the other end of the spectrum,AAPG member Charles Bartlett, ofAbingdon, Va., went to his first Jamboreein 1947 and came to this summit to helpeducate this current generation aboutwhere energy comes from.In all, there were 10 AAPG members onstaff at the 2013 Jamboree. In addition tothose mentioned earlier, the group includedBill Underwood of Bethany, Okla.; GaryRobinson of Aurora, Colo.; and ShermanLundy of Cedar Falls, Iowa.captured or controlled – UT samples werecollected in 2012, but the EPA data is from2011.u Well unloading technologies vary,but the ones of interest divert gasproduction from the separator, reducingthe backpressure and allowing more gasto flow, which lifts liquids out of the wellboreand improves gas flow.The UT group monitored nine unloadingevents and the API/ANGA survey usedby EPA included several thousand wells.Both studies showed a large variation inemissions levels between wells, while asmall number of wells accounted for themajority of emissions.u Pneumatic pumps and controllersshowed higher emissions than in the EPA2011 inventory, as did equipment leaks.The UT report highlights weaknesses inall the existing data sets – a fact that shouldencourage restraint by policy makers andadvocates for and against natural gasdevelopment.EXPLOREREXPLORER44 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERGEOPHYSICALCORNERThe Geophysical Corner is a regular column in the EXPLORER, edited by SatinderChopra, chief geophysicist for Arcis Seismic Solutions, Calgary, Canada, and a pastAAPG-SEG Joint Distinguished Lecturer. This month’s column deals with combiningHorizonCube and texture attributes for 3-D segmentationAdding Texture Attributes to the 3-D MixBy PAUL de GROOT, FARRUKH QAYYUM and NANNE HEMSTRAIn a previous Geophysical Corner(“A New Approach to StratigraphicInterpretation,” September EXPLORER),we introduced a new set of seismicattributes that play an important rolein extracting detailed stratigraphicinformation from seismic data.The attributes in question werederived from a HorizonCube, aninterpretation technique that providesfully interpreted seismic volumes wherehorizons are automatically trackedbetween a given set of frameworkhorizons and faults.This month, we go further andexamine one other set of attributes –specifically, texture attributes, and howthey can combine with HorizonCubeattributes for 3-D segmentation.* * *Neural networkbasedwaveformsegmentationworkflows haveproved to be ahighly valuableinstrument for seismicinterpreters to quicklyvisualize seismicpatterns in a relatively DE GROOTthin interval of interest(see figure 1). Thesenetworks comparethe input vector (thewaveform) with a setof pre-calculatedvectors that representsegment (cluster)centers.The resultingsegmentation maps QAYYUMshow for eachposition the winningsegment center –and such maps oftenreveal patterns thatcan be interpreted interms of geologicalfeatures.Neuralnetwork-basedHEMSTRAsegmentation alsocan be performed in 3-D. However, thiscannot be done by feeding the neuralnetwork with waveforms, as is donein the horizon-guided approach. Thisis because waveforms change alongthe application window while segmentcenters are fixed.The solution to this problem is to feedthe neural work with phase-independentseismic attributes, such as energy, oramplitude spectra derivatives.There are not that many uncorrelatedattributes that can be used effectivelyfor 3-D segmentation, which mayexplain why 3-D segmentation is not assuccessful as horizon-guided waveformsegmentation.There are two particular sets ofattributes, however, that can combinetogether to address the challenges of 3-Dsegmentation:u Attributes derived from aHorizonCube and that were described inthe previous article.u Texture attributes.Texture attributes are popular in imageFigure 1 – A horizon-guided UVQ waveform segmentation map.Figure 2 – A seismic display for UVQ segmentation using both texture and HorizonCube attributes.See Attributes, page 48Figure 3 – Systems tracts used as bias for UVQ segmentation.46 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERAttributesfrom page 46processing and are used in seismicinterpretation to carry out seismic faciesanalysis and highlight geo-morphologicalfeatures. They originate from imageanalysis and are based on the GreyLevel Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM),which describes the relationship betweenpixels and was developed to capture theroughness or smoothness of an image.A GLCM is a 2-D matrix of N x Ndimensions representing the amplitudevalues of the reference pixel versus theamplitudes of the neighboring pixel.The matrix is filled by comparing eachamplitude in the input area (volume)with its direct neighbor and increasingthe occurrence of the correspondingmatrix cell.This is repeated for all amplitudepairs in the input cube, which then areconverted into probabilities.The GLCM thus captureshow probable it is to find pairs ofneighbouring amplitudes in the area(volume) around the evaluation point.Texture attributes are computed in twosteps:u First, the GLCM is computed foran area (volume) around the evaluationpoint.u Second, a statistical property fromthe GLCM is returned.The GLCM input volume can be “dipsteered,”meaning that the input followsthe stratigraphic layering, which resultsin sharper attribute responses for dippingstrata.Three groups of texture attributes arecomputed from the GLCM:u Contrast (contrast, dissimilarity andhomogeneity), where measurements arecalculated through the use of weightsrelated to the distance from the GLCMdiagonal.u Orderliness (ASM, energy andentropy), where interpreters measure howregular the pixel values are within thewindow.u Statistics (mean, variance andcorrelation), which are derived from theGLCM.In each group, the attributes arehighly correlated.Through the use of both texture andthe already described HorizonCubeattributes, seismic interpreters now havetwo new groups of attributes that can beused as inputs to UVQ (UnsupervisedVector Quantization) networks for 3-Dseismic facies analysis.* * *Figure 1 (page 46) shows a horizonguidedUVQ waveform segmentationmap that captured the seismic responsebelow a maximum flooding surface in awave-dominated Pliocene deltaic setting,offshore Netherlands. The UVQ networkwas trained to segment the interval ofinterest into 10 segments.The UVQ segmentation map revealsseveral key geomorphological patternsthat help to understand the depositionalenvironment and the influence of salttectonics.The NW-SE oriented dark brown-redfeatures on the right are sand ridgesof 10-20 meters in height, developedparallel to the coast. These featuresare analogous to present day depositsobserved along the Dutch coast.Furthermore, NE-SW orienteddeepwater channel systems arerecognized (purple-red, on the left).These narrow channel-levee systemsare developed as a result of halo kineticmovement of Zechstein salt in thenortheast (upper right) corner of theimage. Up-dip these channels cross-cutthe sand ridges while down-dip theymeander and bifurcate into the basin,where turbiditic deposits could bedeveloped.* * *Figure 2 shows a seismic display forUVQ segmentation using both textureand HorizonCube attributes with energy,variance and correlation for the textureattributes; density and thickness for theHorizonCube attributes; and dip-steeredenergy as the input attribute for theneural network.There are six classes in the illustrationwith it possible to see different behaviorsin different areas.If interpreters have carried out asystems tracts interpretation, they canuse this interpretation to more or lessforce the segmentation to adhere to one’sown interpretation through a biased 3-DUVQ as seen in figure 3.* * *In addition to texture and energyattributes, figure 3 illustrates how asystems tract’s interpretation is used asbias for UVQ segmentation with, in thiscase, HorizonCube attributes not usedas input.The illustration shows the impact ofusing systems tracts as an input andthe final segmentation. These classes(such as the yellow class) can then beextracted and seen in 3-D, allowing theinterpreters to better define geobodies.HorizonCube attributes are particularlyuseful for identification of stratigraphicfeatures – such as pinch-outs, clinoforms,unconformities and condensedsections – whereas texture attributesplay an important role in seismic faciesanalysis and in highlighting geomorphologicalfeatures.When combined together,HorizonCube and texture attributes playan important role in 3-D segmentationand in identifying and mapping potentialreservoir lithology in seismic data.EXPLORER(Editor’s note: By AAPG memberFarrukh Qayyum, Paul de Groot andNanne Hemstra all are with dGB EarthSciences, Enschede, Netherlands.)48 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERInternational Conference& Exhibition 2013ICE 2013: Reasons to SmileBy VERN STEFANIC, EXPLORER Managing EditorAnew and festive setting, large crowdsmaking their way through jammedhalls, an abundance of youngerparticipants and a strong technicalprogram all combined to make this year’sAAPG International Conference andExhibition an affair to remember.The 2013 ICE was held for the firsttime in Cartagena, Colombia, attractingabout 2,000 participants who representeda diverse, decidedly non-Colombiandemographic.“We had a high number of countriesrepresented, and especially a numberof people from other Latin Americancountries,” said Victor Vega, this year’s ICEgeneral chair, who added that at presstime he has received more than 100 emailsand messages from people who were stillsaying good things about their Cartagenaexperience.“It was a very successful meeting,” hesaid. “We delivered a quality product witha diverse set of options, and also providedthe students who attended with a uniqueexperience.“We also succeeded in presentinga flavor of the Colombian culture at theopening ceremony,” he added, referringto an unforgettable performance byFundacion Musica por Colombia, a groupof young musicians that started the sessionwith a stirring rendition of the Colombiannational anthem, and then ended it with anemotional and exciting mini-concert.Vega pointed to four accomplishmentsthat defined the 2013 ICE:u The integration of the region intothe overall program – local associationsproved to be enthusiastic participants.u The participation of high levelrepresentatives from private and nationaloil companies, especially in the forums,luncheons and special sessions.u The participation of a high numberof young professionals and students (seerelated story, page 32).u A “very strong technical program,”he said, anchored by such events as theDiscovery Thinking Forum, the sessionsfeaturing national and international oilcompany officials, and the “countrysessions,” which took detailed looks atthe geology, current activities and futurepotential of important Latin Americantargets.The meeting also boasted a large,creative exhibits hall that often providedthe setting for special events – and justas often proved to be a popular placefor networking, even as attendees werebeing treated to the latest in geosciencetechnology.EXPLORER50 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERFOUNDATIONUPDATEShowing Cause: Why the Foundation MattersBy NATALIE ADAMS, AAPG Foundation ManagerDo you ever wonder why the AAPGFoundation exists?Most know that it exists to dogood things to support the geosciences– but sometimes it’s a good idea to revisitthe original intent to make sure we arefulfilling the wishes of the founders.According to the Bylaws, thespecific purposes and objectives of thiscorporation are:u To establish a permanent entity toconduct educational, charitable andscientific activities related to or allied withthe field of geology.u To make contributions to anyorganization described in Section 501(c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954,with the exception of organizationstesting for public safety.u To conduct research, both directlyand through the promotion, assistance,encouragement, support and furtheranceof studies and research, in the field ofgeology and in sciences related thereto.u To disseminate information relatingto geology and related fields throughlectures, seminars, publications,educational courses, teaching aids, andby other means and materials.u To carry on programs of continuingeducation in geology and related studies.u To assist in career guidance topersons interested in the field of geologyor related fields.u To assist public and private schools(elementary and secondary) andcolleges and universities and technicalschools in teaching and education in thefield of geology and related fields.u To provide scholarships, prizes,awards, gifts, educational loans andother kinds of support to assist or rewardpersons engaged in the study of and/or pursuit of the science of geology orrelated fields.u To establish fellowships or “chairs”in colleges and universities in order tofurther education and knowledge in thefield of geology and related fields.u To work with and support (includingcontributions from the corporation) otherorganizations with similar objectiveswhich are in themselves tax-exempteducational or scientific organizationsunder the Internal Revenue Code.u To support activities of otherorganizations with financial assistance,so long as the activity supported is one inwhich the corporation, as an organizationdescribed in Section 501(c)(3) of theInternal Revenue Code of 1954, mayengage and the financial assistance is soutilized.Our goals are lofty, and our plansare many. To learn more about how theAAPG Foundation is accomplishing thesepurposes and objectives, or to contribute toour mission, visit foundation.aapg.org.EXPLORERFour DLs HaveSpeaking DatesIn NovemberFour AAPG Distinguished Lecturerswill be touring in November,speaking to groups across theUnited States and Canada.The Distinguished Lectureprogram, funded in part by the AAPGFoundation, is the Association’sflagship initiative for spreading thelatest in science, technology andprofessional information.On tour in November are:p Alastair Fraser, this year’s AAPGShell Distinguished Lecturer, will beconcluding his tour Nov. 1 with anengagement at Western University(Petrolia Pioneers Society) in London,Ontario.Fraser will tour again in Januaryand February.p Carl Fiduk, who offers three talksdealing with the geology of the Gulf ofMexico, also concludes his first tourNov. 1, with a talk at the University ofMissouri-Columbia.p Don Clarke, this year’s AAPGDistinguished Lecturer, will have threetalks.u Nov. 4 – National Academies,Washington, D.C.u Kansas Geological Society/University of Kansas GeologyDepartment, Lawrence, Kan.u Coast Geological Society,Ventura, Calif.p Torbjorn Tornqvist, who offers twolectures on the Mississippi Delta, willhave four stops this month.u Bureau of Economic Geology, theUniversity of Texas, Austin.u Colorado School of Mines,Golden, Colo.u University of California at SantaBarbara.52 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

EXPLORERFOUNDATIONCONTRIBUTIONS (August and September 2013)General FundAudrey W. AdamsMatthew D. AdamsThomas Ikenna AlaribeKenan AliyevMichael C. AllisonEstuardo Guillermo Alvarez-CalderonGarrick A. AndersonGeorge Andrew Anderson IIIJeffrey Keith AustinJoshua Osamudiame AzobuJames A. Barlow Jr.Duncan Charles BarrChristopher M. BarrettA. Greer BarriaultArthur Oren Beall Jr.Rolando Jose Benitez Jr.Arthur E. BermanHege Marit Nordgard BolasDale BoweringJanet BristerPaul William BrittWilliam Donald BrumbaughJeffrey D. BushSusanna Sofia CalvoJoseph Kent CampbellEkaterina CaseyRobert Randall ChanpongFidel Ernesto ChavezRolin ChenChevron HumankindMatching gifts/Robert Burnett,David Salter, Douglas Hilland James SwartzMatthew Carmody ChumleyJames Dennis Clay Jr.Philip Henry Close IIIPeter John W. CockcroftGerald Robert CostiganSteven H. CraftFernando A. CuevasChris Charles CurryLawrence Harold DavisIn memory ofFrederick M. BlackMichael Edward DavisSarah Kidd DeeringBryan Clifford DelphDavid DickinsWaldemar M. DresselPatricia Fay DuBoisJoseph P. DumesnilMarc T. EckelsKyle Don EmbergTruett E. EnloeParrish Erwin Jr.Mark W. FletcherRobert Paul FouldesJesse Charles FowlerMalloy Reid French IIISusan Abigail FrenchJulio FriedmannRaychel Kellyn FristoeJune Leaver FullerFaye GeigerTravis Robert GlauserBosiljka GlumacJose Manuel Grajales-NishimuraGianluca GrandoGabriel Soares GuerraJerome Michael HallJason Elliott HanzelTijmen Hendrik Hartel Jr.Franciszek J. HasiukDonald Edward HattinEdward Wyman HeathJohn Benjamin HelmsDonpaul HendersonStewart Lawrence HenryNiall Declan HenshawPhilip Duryea HeppardMichael Francis HoffmannJenny Younker HopeMark Alun JonesThomas William JonesThomas Blaine JohnsonJohn Lawrence KammLaura Elizabeth KamrathMichael Alaetin Kasli Sr.William A. KellerRobert M. KieckheferJohn A. KieschnickTerry Gene KnightonClifford KnitterJohn A. KruppenbachRene Paul KuijperWalter Adam LauferIn memory ofDavid G. MillerLeroy LeeArthur William LeiboldRoss Henry LessentineJohn Blakley LinfordChu-Ching LiuRoy Burvil LuckYongwang MaBruce A. MacPherson Jr.Thomas M. MaherBrian Charles MallickTennille Elisa MaresCarrie Maher MartinLinda Gaye MartinPierre A.A.H. MassonEvangelia MavridouRobert W. Maxwell Jr.Keith Christopher MaynardGeorge Oliver McDaniel Jr.Gerard McGinnLacie McIntireSean Philip McWhorterZenith Samuel MerrittJoshua MessengerJack B. MillsSteven D. MitchellHugues Stanislas MonroseChristopher R.K. MooreJohn Wesley MorganDavid Frederick NicklinNational Fuel Gas CompanyFoundationMatching gift/Jianli YangChris A. OglesbyScott Conway OlsonCarel Otte Jr.Jack F. OverstreetDianne Broadaway PadgettJames Joseph ParrThomas C. PeryamMary Margaret Rose PipherDylan T. RadfordAaron Matthew ReevesAmy Marie RichardsonNatasha Marie RiggSusana Y. RithaStefanie RoemerSamuel I. RootJack RosenthalJ. Paul RostonJoy Michele RothLee R. RussellPatricia Gabriela Sarco LiraLaura Christina SasserCatherine Sarah SchindlerMartin SchoellThomas J. SchullLianabel A. SelvizRoy L. SextonDouglas Jay SeylerVinton Hubbard ShollRudolf B. SiegertOlayinka A. SijuwadeMathew Daniel SimmonsJohn SkoffHouston Leale SlateMark Alan SmithTad Monnett SmithWilliam Mark SmithBrian McKenzie SmythWilliam Mathais SpindlerEdward Anthony SteinerRichard Clay SteverChristopher “Joe” N. Stuart Jr.Michael James SweattPaul Joseph SzatkowskiMichael Dale TaylorBrian R. TuffsJames Peter TyrrellJuan Fernando UribeVolker C. VahrenkampArthur M. Van TyneRavi T. VenkateswaranWilliam G. and Patricia WatsonAlecia Lucille WawrzynskiLawrence J. WeberRobert J. WebsterDave Andrew WhellerZachary E.L. WillensSteven John WilliamsJoseph Ryan WunderlichJianli YangOscar YepesElan YogeswarenWinnie S. YuBarry Lynn ZinzMartin ZuehlkeAwards FundLinda Gaye MartinTeacher of the Year AwardJohn Frank SobehradDigital Products FundUniversity SubscriptionsCornelius White BarnesMichael Alaetin Kasli Sr.Universidad Nacional deColombiaDistinguished Lecture FundVolker C. VahrenkampHaas-Pratt DistinguishedLecture FundMarian WarrenEducation FundWilliam C. BlanksIn memory of Mary DetmarPaul H. Dudley Jr.In memory ofRichard A. UptonEdmund Richard GustasonEric Henry JohnsonSandy MeyerSteven D. MitchellSusan Smith NashJohn McCamey SweetIn memory ofMarvin D. Mangusand Walter E. BakerSteven John WilliamsDaisy M. WoodIn memory of P.W.J. WoodGrants-in-Aid FundGustavus E. ArchieMemorial GrantTravis Robert GlauserJames Joseph ParrHerbert G. Davis andShirley A. Davis Named GrantWilliam F. RipleyFred A. and Jean C. DixNamed GrantJames E. BriggsGrants-in-Aid CommitteeNamed GrantChevron HumankindMatching gift/PeterChimneyPhilip Rodney BrownIn memory ofMargaret BrownRebecca L. GriffinIn honor of Bob EsserKevin Joseph KeoghLinda Gaye MartinAlan Orval SwarmVolker C. VahrenkampBernold M. “Bruno” HansonMemorial Environmental GrantJ. Mark BakerJames E. Hooks Memorial GrantChevron HumankindMatching gift/Mark DandoJohn R. Gilbert Jr.Rosann F. HooksIn honor of Lawrence W.FunkhouserMruk Family Named GrantDenise M. CoxL. Austin Weeks Memorial GrantChevron HumankindMatching gift given byJames SwartzMarta S. Weeks Named GrantRoy L. SextonOhio Geological SocietyNamed GrantTyler McMillanRobert and Carolyn L. MabyMemorial GrantEstate of Robert LincolnMaby Jr.Robert K. GoldhammerMemorial GrantGordon Wesley Fielder IIIWeimer Family Named GrantChris A. OglesbyJames A. Hartman StudentChapter Leadership SummitFundChevron HumankindMatching gift/Stephanie ThomasWilliam Otis WilliamsImperial Barrel Award FundJohn Ernest LuckenJohn F. Bookout Jr.Military VeteransScholarship FundFrank J. BanarDalton J. Bergeron Jr.John Frank Bookout Jr.C. Scott CameronM.A. CusterKenneth and Susan DicePaul Emmett DiehlRonald L. GenterWaldine HaertleinDavid Irving MillerIn memory ofCapt. Michel E. LevyRobert and Regina NeillGeoffrey E. NicholsonMark Allan PattersonIn memory ofRaymond J. PattersonH.W. “Dub” Peace IIand Norma J.PeaceSanford Ingels PhillipsEdward Beauregard Picou Jr.Thomas Walsh RollinsIn memory of Ted RollinsJohn Colleen SilcoxDonald Eldon SingletonBill St. JohnIn memory ofWilliam MuehlbergerArthur M. Van TyneLouis O. VidrineC. Penny Webster-ScholtenWilliam V. YorkE.F. Reid Scouting FundTerri DuncanRonald L. HartBryan HawsWilliam A. KellerUniversity Research FundMichael Alaetin Kasli Sr.Visiting Geoscientist FundM.A. CusterTako KoningIn memory of K.K. LandesL. Austin WeeksUndergraduate Grant FundChevron HumankindMatching gifts/CurtisHumphris, Dieter Letsch andJames SwartzC. Scott CameronFrank Gulde EthridgeJohn Ernest LuckenIn memory ofNorman Foster,Dennis Erwyn, Earl Griffith,Gene R. George,R.H. Lippert andDon Mettler;In honor of John P.Lockridge, William J.Barrett and Bob GunnThe monthly list of AAPG Foundation contributions is based on information provided by the AAPG Foundation office.INMEMORYJ. Myles Bowen,winner of the 2011AAPG PioneerAward, has died. Hewas 84.Bowen was aretired Shell geologistwho had a long andsuccessful careeras an explorationBOWENteam leader, working(and scoring discoveries) in Venezuela,Nigeria, the North Sea and otherinternational locales.Bowen wrote of his experiences withNorth Sea Block 30/16 in the January2012 Historical Highlights column in theEXPLORER.* * *J. Myles Bowen, 84Newton Abbot, EnglandJune 16, 2013Howard Gould, 91Dekalb, Ill., Aug. 29, 2013Robert Krueger, 83Punta Gorda, Fla., April 22, 2013David Miller, 79Midland, Texas, June 9, 2013Donald Paape, 81Port Davis, Texas, Aug. 2, 2013William Speer, 84Farmington, N.M., Aug. 2, 2013John Sweet, 60Boulder, Colo., Sept. 12, 2013(Editor’s note: “In Memory” listings are based on informationreceived from the AAPG membership department.)WWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 201353

EXPLORERWWWUPDATEComing Soon – A New Website ExperienceBy JANET BRISTER, AAPG Website EditorTechnological advances seem tohappen so quickly that we can feellike the neighborhood dog chasingafter the car.Whatever would we do if we actuallycaught it?The AAPG Web team has beenchasing the Internet car for the past year.The goal is to rebuild our website contentwith new technology: responsive search,community discussion boards, globalconnections, robust calendars and aplace to let your voice be heard.This article is an update, intended tomake you aware we’ve almost caughtthat car and are about to complete thefirst phase of this project.We’ve listened to members whorepresent all demographical segmentsof AAPG, learning what all of you wouldlove to see in this website.We’ve observed the practices of thosecurrently using tools available throughfree services such as Yahoo!, Facebookand Google.Members have patiently respondedto our surveys. We then went a stepfurther and bugged our leadership withmore questions about their vision andAssociation needs.We’ve learned this Association isboth a social and a professional bodyof people. They are bonded by thescience and careers they have chosenbut have discovered deep friendships asthey work towards the common goal ofdiscovery.Sneak peek: You won’t find this online, but here’s a glimpse of the new AAPG website design.Is That Exhaust I Smell?All this has guided our results.You’ve seen hints of it here and there.For example, there is a new brandidentity that has emerged.Have you noticed this new branding?The AAPG with the graceful homageto the horizon of our world is now onmost AAPG business cards, featured atthe footer of many meeting pages andappearing on name badges and otherlabels.The new electronically delivered“Advisory” hints at what the new websitewill look like with its blue header andfooter.But just like the earth’s surface,the surface is beautiful but what liesunderneath – a wealth of information– is what is valuable to the petroleumindustry.Past AAPG president Ted Beaumontkept reminding AAPG that thisAssociation is a scientific organization.His call was to come back to thegeosciences and actively seek the nextbreakthrough.This new design attempts to pushscience to the forefront.We will be pulling papers, abstracts,books and other resources to the surface– relating them to each other throughcategories, geographical location andglobal interests and the science served.We will be connecting people throughgroups that share common interests anddisciplines. We expect it to become aresource for collaboration, mentorshipand finding answers or solutions.New Car SmellI’ve heard some people would liketo package that “new car smell” asan odorant, because for many it’s thatenticing. For all I know, there probablyare candles for that purpose.Well, with this article I hope I haveprovided a hint of new car smell –and perhaps have planted a seed ofexpectancy without creating hype.The bottom line is this: The AAPGwebsite will be noticeably different inJanuary, and there will be no gradualmove from the current site to the new.So get ready for 2014 when you canbegin finding, talking, collaboratingand contributing more to your career,this Association and the petroleumgeosciences.Good browsing!54 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

CLASSIFIED ADSYou can reach about 37,000 petroleum geologists at the lowest per-reader cost in the world with a classifiedad in the EXPLORER. Ads are at the rate of $2.90 per word, minimum charge of $60. And, for an additional$50, your ad can appear on the classified section on the AAPG web site. Your ad can reach more peoplethan ever before. Just write out your ad and send it to us. We will call you with the word count and cost. Youcan then arrange prepayment. Ads received by the first of the month will appear in the subsequent edition.CLASSIFIEDADSEXPLORERPOSITION AVAILABLEPevehouse Chair in GeosciencesTexas Tech UniversityThe Department of Geosciences at Texas TechUniversity invites applications for the Pevehouse Chair inGeosciences. The purpose of this endowed position is tosupport innovative research and education that arebroadly aligned with petroleum geosciences and mayinclude geophysics, structural geology, geomechanics,sedimentology, petrophysics, and organic geochemistry.A Ph.D. in geosciences or closely allied field is required,as is a record of research as demonstrated byprofessional publications. The chair holder will conduct avigorous, externally-funded research program, directgraduate student research, and teach undergraduateand graduate courses in his/her specialty. The position isexpected to be filled at the tenured Full Professor level.Texas Tech is a state-supported, graduate researchorienteduniversity with over 32,000 students. TheDepartment of Geosciences consists of twenty-fourtenured/tenure-track faculty, with teaching and researchemphases in solid earth geosciences, atmosphericscience, and geography. It offers degree programs insolid earth geosciences at the BS, MS, and Ph.D. levels.The chairholder will join a dynamic, growing Departmentwith more than 200 undergraduate majors and more than60 graduate students. Texas Tech is committed to growthin disciplines aligned with hydrocarbon geology throughaddition of at least one junior faculty position.The Department computer labs are equipped withGIS, geologic mapping/modeling, and seismicprocessing/interpretation software packages. Availableexperimental/analytical facilities include a stable isotopelaboratory, XRD, XRF, analytical SEM, TEM, laser ablationICP-MS, a heat flow lab, and remote sensingspectroradiometers In addition, the Department ofPetroleum Engineering maintains experimental andanalytical facilities in petrophysics, drill fluids, cement,enhanced recovery, and reservoir simulation, as well asX-ray CT/nuclear magnetic resonance imaging lab.Lubbock is located on the Southern High Plains inclose proximity to the Permian Basin. The city has apopulation of over 225,000 and the semi-arid climate isconducive to outdoor activities. Cultural amenitiesinclude musical, theatrical, and sports events, and thecity offers numerous options for shopping and dining.The city also offers the best healthcare facilities in theregion, including the university’s Health Sciences Center.The cost of living is low compared to national norms.Applicants must first go to the employment website ofthe university at http://jobs.texastech.edu. There, go to“Search Postings”, search for requisition number 87107,and fill out necessary forms in applying for the positionon-line. Then, applicants should submit a letter ofapplication, curriculum vitae, a statement of teachingand research interest, names and contact information(including e-mail address) of at least 3 professionalreferences. These documents should be uploaded to theemployment website and we request that copies byemailed or sent directly to: Dr. Calvin Barnes, PevehouseChair Search Committee, Department of Geosciences,Texas Tech University, MS 1053, Lubbock, TX 79409-1053.Additional information on the department can befound at website http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gesc/. E-mailquestions regarding the position are received at cal.barnes@ttu.edu. Review of applicants will beginimmediately and continue until the position is filled.Texas Tech University is an affirmative action/equalopportunity employer, committed to excellence throughdiversity. Texas Tech welcomes applications fromminorities, women, veterans and persons withdisabilities.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ASSISTANT PROFESSORof Earth & Atmospheric Sciences(Exploration Geophysics)Applications are invited for a tenure track position asAssistant Professor in the Department of Earth &Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This hire would become part of vibrant andgrowing program in the Geology program.Strong potential for research and teaching and musthold a Ph.D. in Geology or a related field at the time ofappointment. The successful candidate will be expectedto teach courses in the undergraduate and graduatecore curricula and develop courses in their area ofexpertise. The successful candidate will also beexpected to advise and direct graduate students and todevelop a rigorous research program that is supportedby external funding. We seek applicants with researchand teaching interests that complement departmentalstrengths. Female and ethnic minority candidates arestrongly encouraged to apply.Additional information on the Geology program canbe found on the Department’s web site:http://eas.unl.edu.To apply, go to http://employment.unl.edu requisitionF_130184 and click on Apply to this job, complete thisform and attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae,statement of research and teaching interests, and namesof at least three references via the above website.Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2014 butthe position will remain open until it is filled.The University of Nebraska is committed to apluralistic campus community through affirmative action,equal opportunity, work-life balance and dual careers.More information is available at http://www.unl.edu/svcaa/faculty/policies/work_life_balance.shtml. Lincoln isa highly livable city with affordable housing and excellentschools (http://www.unl.edu/ucomm/lincoln/).For further information, contactDr. Christopher FieldingSearch Committee Chairby email, phone, or mail at:cfielding@unl.edu,(402) 472-9801;Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences,University of Nebraska-Lincoln,214 Bessey HallLincoln, NE 68588-0340* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Assistant/Associate Professor In GeophysicsUniversity Of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma invites applications for atenure track position in Geophysics at the Assistant orAssociate Professor level. Departmental interests rangefrom the deep lithosphere, through hydrocarbonexploration, to near surface geophysics. We search for adynamic candidate to supervise students at all levels,and to conduct independent, externally funded researchprogram in his/her field of expertise.The candidate should hold a Ph.D. in Geophysics;have a demonstrated research record, and an interest inteaching undergraduate and mentoring graduatestudents in lithospheric and exploration geophysics.Salary, benefits, and start-up funds will be competitiveand commensurate with experience. The ConocoPhillipsSchool of Geology and Geophysics has a large, vibrantfaculty with a broad range of research activities andstrong ties to the petroleum industry. The student bodyincludes about 150 undergraduates and 100 MS andPhD students. The Mewbourne College of Earth &Energy possesses extensive software and computinglabs of PC and Linux platforms networked to our ownBeowulf cluster and to the OU supercomputer center(OSCER). It hosts numerous industrial consortia, aresearch institute focused on seismic monitoring, and anew field campus in Colorado for field courses ingeology and geophysics. The geophysics groupconducts active research projects on several continentsthat are funded by NSF, industry, and foreign nationalinstitutes. The College maintains a comprehensive poolof geophysical equipment including GPR, seismic (activeand passive), magnetic, and gravity instruments as wellas extensive rock physics characterization laboratories.Through collaboration with industry, we have a suite of3D seismic and microseismic data volumes that are usedfor teaching, algorithm calibration, seismicgeomorphological analysis, crustal imaging, and a rangeof open source software for lithospheric-scale research.Information about the School and College, the facilitiesand the entities that it houses can be found at http://geology.ou.edu.Review of applications will begin December 1, 2013,and on-campus interviews will start early 2014. Thesearch will continue until the position is filled. Theanticipated starting date is August 16, 2014. Applicantsare requested to submit a complete vita/resume,statement of research and teaching interests, and a list offive references who can be contacted, including phonenumbers, e-mail addresses, and mailing addresses.Questions or information requests may be addressed toChair of the Geophysics Search Committee, at (405)325-3253, or ougeophysicssearch@ou.edu. Applicationsand nominations should be addressed to GeophysicsSearch Committee, University of Oklahoma, SarkeysEnergy Center, 100 E. Boyd Street, Room 710, Norman,OK 73019-1008.The University of Oklahoma is an Affirmative Action,Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities areencouraged to apply.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Sklar Exploration Company L.L.C.(www.sklarexploration.com) is an independentexploration and production company with offices inShreveport, Louisiana and Boulder, Colorado whoseprimary business focusses on finding and developingcrude oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gasliquids. Sklar is seeking qualified applicants for positionsin its Engineering and Geoscience Departments.Sklar’s reserves are located in the lower 48 UnitedStates, includingplaces Sklar has historically been active,such as the Lower Gulf Coast basins, and the InteriorGulf Coast basins of East Texas, North Louisiana, SouthArkansas, South Mississippi and South Alabama, as wellas other places in which Sklar is expanding its presence,such as the Delaware, DJ and Williston basins. Thenature of Sklar’s reserves also vary as many of Sklar’slegacy assets are conventional oil and gas properties,but Sklar is actively exploring and developingunconventional resources. The means of finding andextracting those reserves also vary.Sklar has traditionally focused on exploration as ameans of finding reserves. While it continues to do manySee Classified, page 56WWW.AAPG.ORG NOVEMBER 201355

EXPLORERClassifiedfrom page 54exploratory projects, Sklar also evaluates acquisition anddevelopment opportunities to complement its explorationportfolio. Further, although Sklar has been a leader inhydraulic fracture stimulation in the industry for sometime, it now leverages that experience and combines itwith horizontal drilling to extract reserves. Sklar is alsocurrently active not just in primary production, but in anumber of secondary recovery projects. In conclusion,Sklar is a growing company and that growth demandsthat it expand its talent base with valuable people skilledin a variety of disciplines.The qualifications set forth below are mandatoryminimum requirements without which a candidate will notbe considered. The responsibilities include a broadrange of job functions and are described for illustrativepurposes. It is unlikely that an employee would performall the described functions, and the final job descriptionwill be tailored toward the skillset of the candidate andthe needs of the company. The position will be filled inSklar’s Boulder, Colorado office. Candidates must havestrong interpersonal skills with the ability effectively towork within a multidisciplinary team to achieve projectrelatedgoals.The benefits include:• Competitive compensation• Medical, dental, vision,life and disability insurance• 401(k) with company match up to 3%• Gym Membership Program• Company paid parking• Company furnished cell phone• Computer and vehicle for business use• Company paid continuing education.Geologist Responsibilities:• Work in an integrated team environment withGeoscience, Engineering and Land Departmentsto develop drill well, workover and recompletionproposals• Work with Geophysicists to integrate geologicaland geophysical data• Work with Accounting Department to developschedule of operations and budget• Generate exploratory oil and gas prospects, createprospect brochures and make prospectpresentations• Screen and supervise third party generatedexploratory oil and gas prospects• Evaluate reserve acquisition opportunities• Assist in preparation of year-end and semi-annualreserve reports• Assist in third party engineering reserves auditsand production forecastsQualifications:• At least 10 years of oil and gas industry experienceworking• Bachelor of Science degree in Geology required;Masters or PHD preferred• Substantial work experience in upstream oil andgas industry• Strong computer and analytical skills. Competentin use of PETRA geological software.• Demonstrated proficiency in both open-hole andcased-hole log analysis• Demonstrated proficiency in creating crosssections,structure maps, isopach maps and keyexhibits for brochure and prospect presentation• Demonstrated use of economic principles toevaluate decisionsBusiness OpportunitiesSpecialty geophysical service company is seeking anactive partner or merger with a compatible firm.Established, profitable, debt-free, large on-line database,growth opportunity and loyal clientele. Equity contributionrequired. Principals only.Respond to:AAPGAttn: Steve PraytorP.O. Box 979Tulsa, OK 74101-0979MISCELLANEOUSSAMPLES TO RENTInternational Sample Library @ Midland –Formerly Midland Sample Library. Established in 1947.Have 164,000 wells with 1,183,000,000 well samples andcores stored in 17 buildings from 26 states, Mexico,Canada and offshore Australia. We also have ageological supply inventory.Phone: (432) 682-2682Fax: (432) 682-2718* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Eliminate pilot holes and drill more horizontal payzonewith SES technical GEOSTEERING SOFTWARE! SES isfor geologists who are dissatisfied with drafting-toolmethods of geosteering. Free trial. www.makinhole.com.Stoner Engineering LLC.EMDfrom page 58the peak so simply, but the trend probablywon’t continue. Production might decline,price fluctuations might cause rates tofluctuate or a new spurt of infill drilling mightdrive it up again. The change might happenabruptly, or so gradually as to go unnoticedfor months. Thirty-five data points are not alot unless you are a politician.And when the trend changes, it will lookradical to the pundits – but less so to thoseof us who spend our lives squinting at thedetails, trying to get an idea of what reallyis going on.* * *One of the pleasures of interactingwith my colleagues in the Energy MineralsDivision and AAPG as a whole is that I amexposed to the kind of information andinsight that enables me to read through thehype and pontification about our industry.While we all wax speculative once in awhile, I do find that the flights of fancy arebetter grounded in reality.Sometimes we miss the grand changesby being so rooted in the details, but onthe whole, I think the technical focus putsimportant constraints on the extremepredictions on the jazzy Web pages ofenergy wizards.The effort to make available the besttechnical information in a variety of formatsto as wide a community as possible isone of the most valuable efforts AAPGand its technical divisions contribute toour understanding of the future, howeverunpredictable it might still be.EXPLORER56 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG


EXPLORERDIRECTOR’SCORNERAAPG Continues to Navigate the Global WatersBy DAVID K. CURTISS, AAPG Executive DirectorGlobalization hashit a road bump,according to aspecial report on theworld economy in theOctober 12 issue ofThe Economist.Over the past twodecades, advancesin technology andCURTISSpolitical choices toencourage the flow of goods, services andcapital across borders have contributedsignificantly to global economic growth.Overall this free flow of trade benefitsproducers by connecting them to muchlarger markets and consumers by loweringcosts.But, as we learned during the financialcrisis of 2008, this openness and free tradecarries not just benefits but also risks.Fear of a global contagion grippedworld markets in 2008 with the collapseof financial giant Lehman Brothers in theUnited States. Bankers across the globeworried that the conditions observed in U.S.markets would spread to other markets, asthey in fact did.Since then, “(all countries) want to enjoythe benefits of globalization, but as muchas possible they now also want to insulatethemselves from its downsides, be theyvolatile capital flows or surging imports,”writes Greg Ip, U.S. economics editor forThe Economist.Efforts to engineer this type of economicprotection can negatively affect economicgrowth. And it is here that our industry couldbe affected by this trend, if demand for oiland natural gas softens.* * *Mindful of these global economicforces at work, here at AAPG we remainfocused on serving geoscientists and otherinterested stakeholders who are interestedin petroleum geoscience – no matter wherethey may live and work. That is our mission.By way of example, in September AAPGcooperated with SEPM, the PetroChinaResearch Institute of Petroleum Explorationand Development (RIPED), and ChinaUniversity of Petroleum-Beijing to hosta research symposium on fine-grainedSome of the participants at the AAPG, SEPM, China University of Petroleum-Beijing and RIPED-PetroChina joint research symposium on Fine-Grained Sedimentary Systems and Unconventional Resources, held in September in Beijing.sedimentary systems and unconventionalresources.Nearly 200 delegates and studentsattended this symposium in Beijing to heartechnical talks from China and aroundthe world, to identify some of the keyresearch challenges to better understandthese geological systems that can containsignificant volumes of oil and natural gas.But each is unique – and one of theprincipal benefits of gathering with fellowgeoscientists at AAPG events is theopportunity to learn from each other.AAPG President Lee Krystinik wasan honorary convener of the researchsymposium and observed to me how thetechnical program prompted several newinsights and ideas that he will apply in hisown exploration activities in North America.This is how science – and exploration –advances.Our hosts were essential to thesuccessful outcome of this symposium:u State Key Laboratory of PetroleumResources and Prospecting (SKL-PRP).u Unconventional Natural Gas Institute,China University of Petroleum-Beijing(UNGI, CUP-Beijing).u Research Institute of PetroleumExploration and Development, PetroChina.u Chinese Petroleum Society (CPS).u Division of Sedimentology, theGeological Society of China (DS, GSC).And special thanks to the conveners fortheir efforts and support in launching thisinitiative, first proposed by Chengzao Jiato then-AAPG President Paul Weimer andAAPG Asia-Pacific Region President PeterBaillie at the 2012 AAPG Annual Conventionand Exhibition in Long Beach, Calif. Theyare:u AAPG member Longde Sun,PetroChina.u AAPG member Chengzao Jia,PetroChina and China University ofPetroleum.u Ningning Zhong, China University ofPetroleum.u AAPG member Keyu Liu, PetroChinaRIPED.u AAPG member Brent Lockhart,Chevron Inc.u Tom Bowman, ZaZa Energy.May this event be the first of manycollaborative efforts with our colleagues inChina as we seek to collectively advancethe world of petroleum geoscience.* * *A significant source of AAPG’s strengthis that it is an association of geoscientistsand other interested stakeholders whorepresent tremendous technical andgeographic diversity.But we have not come together as anassociation to simply be a collection oftechnical discipline niches or geographicsubgroups – there is little value in that by itself.The value comes from taking thisdiversity and focusing it on our statedpurposes:u To advance the science of geology,especially as it relates to petroleum, naturalgas, other subsurface fluids and mineralresources.u To promote the technology of exploringfor, finding and producing these materials inan economically and environmentally soundmanner.u To foster the spirit of scientific researchthroughout its membership; to disseminateinformation relating to the geology and theassociated technology of petroleum, naturalgas, other subsurface fluids and mineralresources.u To inspire and maintain a high standardof professional conduct on the part ofits members; to provide the public withmeans to recognize adequately trained andprofessionally responsible geologists.u To advance the professional well-beingof our members.As an Association we’re first andforemost about geoscience. And AAPG’sglobalization is a vital part of accomplishingthese purposes.After all, the prefix “geo-” is Greek for earth.DIVISIONSREPORTWhat Does It All Mean? Only Time Will TellBy JEREMY BOAK, EMD PresidentAfamous physicist once said thatprediction is hard, especially about thefuture. I usually have to check whetherit was the theoretical physicist Neils Bohr orthe applied physicist Yogi Berra.(It was Bohr.)But predicting is a favorite pastime ofpundits around the country, generally onthe basis of too few data – like deducingthe state of the climate from this week’sweather. Even their interpretation of whatis going on today commonly misses themark.A recent story about Shell’s withdrawalfrom a long-lived project on in situproduction of shale oil from oil shale was aninteresting example of over-interpretation ofa small dataset.The writer portrayed Shell’s retreatas sounding the death knell for anotherera of interest incommercializingshale oil production;what he missed wasthat Shell continuesits oil shale work inJordan – and whileboth Chevron andShell have nowdropped ColoradoBOAKprojects, ExxonMobil,American Shale Oil and IndependentEnergy Partners continue in situ projects inColorado.In Utah, Red Leaf Resources and EnefitAmerican Oil are actively pursuing surfaceshale oil production.Indeed, for the moment, oil shaleappears to be making important advancesin many parts of the world.58 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG* * *The same writer also ignored Shell’sdropping of two unconventional oil projectsin August in Colorado, one in September inKansas, and putting up Eagle Ford acreagefor sale at about the same time as the oilshale announcement. Clearly, Shell hadbeen forced to retrench due to a less-thansatisfactoryperformance, and Colorado oilshale was just one of the casualties.Another pundit recently said Shell hadfocused too much on gas and missed theunconventional oil opportunity – but again,clearly, it wasn’t for want of trying but ratherperhaps coming to the table too late.Despite the Shell announcements, noone is out there proclaiming the end of Shell,or the end of the era for oil-bearing shaleplays – least of all the Eagle Ford.Yet even here, a closer reading oftechnical data shows that, whatever thepundits say, the Eagle Ford is movingtoward maturity.The figure on page 56 shows a plotof the 12-month percentage increase inoil production from the Eagle Ford. In theearly days of the play, the increases wereextreme, and even in July a 12-monthincrease of 36 percent was remarkable(and likely to be revised upward). But on thelogarithmic scale it is evident that the growthrate is declining very regularly.If the trend continues, growth will be lessthan one percent in another three years,and production will peak somewhere in therange of 750,000-850,000 barrels per day.It would be nice to think I could predictSee EMD, page 56


EXPLORER60 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.AAPG.ORG

EXPLORER - American Association of Petroleum Geologists

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?