July 2016 WGA Luncheon Meetings

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1 C NTACT A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e W y o m i n g G e o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n EST V o l u m e X I, N o. 7 J u l y PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Happy Independence Day everyone!! I hope you all are enjoying the hot weather (and have air conditioning). The trip to Idaho National Lab went off without any major hitches. Attendees got to see all that goes on at the lab and luckily no one was contaminated with radiation, thank goodness. We also took a tour around the site of EBR-I, the world s first nuclear power plant, and Craters of the Moon National Monument. It was a long drive but well worth it. The golf tournament was also a success and thank you to all the planning committee members, you guys did a great job. Thanks to all who sponsored and played in the tournament. Your contribution will help give deserving geology students some much needed scholarships. Registration has begun for the 2016 field conference to the Lander area on Aug 5-7. The trip will travel around the Granite and southeastern Wind River Mountains and will include topics on Uranium, iron, and gold mineralization as well as a tour of South Pass City. The trip is limited on quantity, so please register as soon as possible. Information can be found in the newsletter or by contacting the WGA office. Lastly, sad news hit the WGA. Don Cardinal, long time Casper geologist and WGA contributor, passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. The whole of WGA will mourn the loss of such a wonderful person and geologist. -Marron Bingle-Davis July 2016 WGA Luncheon Meetings Meetings are held at the Casper Petroleum Club unless noted. A lunch buffet ($13) is served from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Speaker s presentation begins at noon. Reservations: info@wyogeo.org or call and leave a message at WGA office Contact the WGA office to be added to the lunch reminder list. Date Name Title 1 No Meeting Guests are always welcome! 8 Simpson 200 Year Old Technology 15 Kirkwood Codell/Red River Plays 22 Giangiacomo Oil and Gas Market Dynamics 29 CONTACT Joint WGA/PHI JULY 2016 meeting: W.N. Neil McMurry and the Development of PAGE Wyoming s 1 Noble Natural Gas

2 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 8 July John Simpson, University of Tennessee Material Science How to change the world with a 200 year old technology Abstract: Retired Oak Ridge National Laboratory researcher and current University Research Professor Dr. John Simpson lead an Oak Ridge National Laboratory research team that developed a series of superhydrophobic (extremely water repellant) materials. This specific research began over ten years ago with the initial goal of making a nanostructured material that would be the most water-repellant material theoretically possible. This talk will describe the essence of this research and discuss its possible commercial and scientific uses. In addition, there will be a demonstration of the water repellency of these materials. A superhydrophobic surface is a hydrophobic surface enhanced by micro and nanostructured features. The image shows a superhydrophobic disc in a dish of water. The disc contains an array of hydrophobic glass cone pikes each having atomic sharpness ( The shape, atomic sharpness, and array uniformity make this surface the most water repelling surface ever produced (having a contact angle of >179 degrees). Dr. Simpson will discuss the fabrication process used to make this surface and how this process could be used to make other unique surfaces, membranes, and materials that could potentially change the world. For instance, we will discuss how this process could be used make a low pressure reverse osmosis membrane, high temperature (> room temperature) superconducting cables, and an artificial gill (can you say Jules Verne?). Biography: Dr. John Simpson is a University of Tennessee Research Professor and recently retired Senior Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Lab in Oak Ridge Tennessee. John worked at ORNL for 13 years on a variety of programs related to superhydrophobic and nano-structured materials. Over the past six years, Dr. Simpson was awarded the 2014 UT-Battelle Technology Commercialization Award, 2013 Battelle Distinguished Inventor Award, 2012 UT-Battelle s Excellence in Technology Transfer Award, 2015 and 2008 R&D100 Award Winner (given to the 100 most technologically significant products and advancements for each year) and Oak Ridge National Lab s 2008 Inventor of the Year. While Dr. Simpson was born, raised, and is now living in East Tennessee, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona s Optical Sciences Center and spent most of his adult life in the western US working as a research scientist for the IBM Corporation. CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 2

3 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 15 July Steve Kirkwood, Kirkwood Oil and Gas Codell/Red River Plays Biography: Steve Kirkwood has served as Exploration Geologist for Kirkwood Oil & Gas LLC since graduating from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. degree in geology. Steve is responsible for the discovery and development of the West Buffalo Field in northwestern South Dakota, the development geology on the Pennel Field Extension in Fallon County, Montana, and the Cedar Hills Field in Bowman County, North Dakota (200 million barrels of oil.) In addition, he was responsible for the development geology for the Lance Creek Field in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and the discovery of the Turner Bluff Field in the Paradox Basin, Utah. He has generated major exploratory programs in the Williston Basin of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota as well as the Powder River, Big Horn and Wind River Basins of Wyoming. Steve continues to develop new exploratory programs. He is married with two children and lives in Casper, Wyoming. CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 3

4 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 22 July Leo Giangiacomo, Extreme Petroleum Technology Oil and Gas Market Dynamics Abstract: Oil and gas prices affect everything that we do in the oil industry. They seem impossible to predict. Yet, there are some elements that can be better understood and greatly improve our outlook. By dividing up the price environment and looking at all of the factors separately, we find that they can be digested more easily piece by piece, and then adding them all up to get a tighter look at the future. There will always be some pieces that cannot be evaluated with any certainty, but know what they are helps us to deal with the uncertainty better. Supply and demand forms the basis for market pricing, but demand is the most important influence on markets. Geopolitical factors layer upon supply and demand and have a higher frequency effect. Finally analysts and market psychology form the uppermost and highest frequency response to pricing. We will examine how this system works to form the pricing environment we experience. Peak oil theory is an important driver to long term markets. We will look at what peak oil is, and most importantly, why it does not seem to work today. Biography: Leo Giangiacomo is the president of Extreme Petroleum Technology. He holds a BS degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Penn State. He is a registered Professional Engineer (Petroleum) in Wyoming. In 1998, he started Extreme Petroleum Technology, Inc. doing property evaluations, expert witness work, drilling and completions, reservoir development studies, reserves reports, economic evaluations, CO2 screening studies, steam floods, and coalbed methane development, serving clients primarily in the Rocky Mountain Region, and also in Kazakhstan and Australia. In 2007, he joined with Tim McCutcheon and Kathleen Giangiacomo to build Western Interior Oil and Gas Corporation, exploring and developing properties in the Big Horn, Green River, Wind River, and Hanna Basins. He returned to consulting in 2014 when Western Interior was sold to T-Rex. Mr. Giangiacomo has authored over 15 technical papers and published articles in World Oil, Drilling Contractor, and American Oil and Gas Reporter. He is a current member of the American Association of Professional Geologists, Wyoming Geological Association, and a Twenty Five Year Club member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is a member of the Technical Review Committee for the Canadian Journal of Petroleum Technology, Reservoir Engineering and Evaluation Journal, and was named SPE Outstanding Technical Editor in CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 4

5 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 29 July Ann Chambers Noble W.N. Neil McMurry and the Development of Wyoming s Natural Gas Abstract: W. N. Neil McMurry grew up in Casper, Wyoming, during the Great Depression, leaving shortly after high school to join the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II. He was a B-17 gunner in Europe, flying two missions on D-Day. He returned home to a young wife, baby, and no job but immediately set out to find work. His first job was operating a bulldozer for Vern Rissler, and within a few years, he was in business with him as the Rissler and McMurry Company. They went on to build thousands of highway miles and numerous bridges. McMurry had a life-long interest in the energy business, dabbling in it starting in the early 1970s, and forming the McMurry Oil Company (MOC). He had a particular interest in the natural gas fields in Sublette County, home to the Pinedale Anticline and the Jonah Field. It was well known that natural gas was abundant in this area; but traditional methods of extraction, hydraulic fracturing, had proven unsuccessful in the hard rock formations. McMurry knew it could be extracted, if a new method of fracking could be developed. It started in 1992 when Neil s McMurry Oil Company, with partners John Martin and son Mick McMurry, purchased Presidio Oil s assets. Presidio was near bankruptcy, but McMurry thought three of their abandoned wells in southern Sublette County had promise. Plus, Gov. Mike Sullivan and the Wyoming State Legislature were constructing the Kern River Pipeline near the abandoned wells. Neil added BLM leases around the former Presidio wells. At the BLM oil and gas lease sales, Neil was often alone, paying the minimum $2.00 bid on many of the leases. Eventually he picked up 25,000 acres in the Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field areas. This presentation will tell the story of the Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field development by the McMurry Oil Company of Casper, Wyoming. It will start with the Presidio Oil assets purchase and BLM lease accumulations, to how Neil and Mick scraped, begged, and borrowed $258,000 to finance the abandoned boreholes from Presidio, and then set out to re-frack them. Neil brought in a young petroleum engineer, James Shaw, who came up with a whole new formula that worked. The wells success far exceeded everyone s expectations. Soon, more wells were drilled. There were a few failures, but they mostly had success -- huge success. Within a few short years, the Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field were major producers of natural gas. Eventually it became too much for MOC. It had consumed us, said Mick. In June 2000, MOC sold to Alberta Energy Company, later Encana, for about 1.1 billion Canadian dollars (US $741 million). Perhaps the most important part of McMurry s story, though, is how he has succeeded through honest business practices. His handshake and his word were better than any written contract. As we struggle with the fallout from recent recessions brought on by unethical business dealings, it is refreshing to hear about those who have achieved their goals with their characters intact. Neil McMurry is proof that it can be done. The story wouldn t be complete without a discussion on how and where McMurry spent his fortune. Some of his money became seed money for additional business ventures, but much of it was given back to those who helped him make it. Millions of McMurry dollars went to Casper College and the University of Wyoming, day-care facilities, scholarships, and the likes. The money made in Wyoming stayed in Wyoming. Neil saw to that. Editor s Note: Ann Chambers Noble, a historian, wrote Neil McMurry s biography. Published in 2010, the book Hurry McMurry; W. N. Neil McMurry; Wyoming Entrepreneur is the result of two years of extensive interviews and research. Most of the interviews were with Neil McMurry; however, John Martin and son Mick McMurry were also interviewed for their part in the Jonah Field development. (Neil and Mick McMurry are now deceased.) CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 5

6 Donald F. Cardinal, 83, passed away peacefully in his home in Casper, Wyoming, on June 27, Don was born October 28, 1932 in Deadwood, South Dakota, the son of Cecil and Margaret Cardinal. He went to high school in Lovell, WY, where he met the woman he instantly knew he would spend his life with, Alma, and married June 21, 1953 in their hometown. After serving four years in the U.S. Army as Tank Commander, Don graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Geology with Honors, then went on to receive his Master s degree in Geology from UW. Don and Alma had four children Linda, Carla, Ralph, and Caryn, and after a brief time in Oklahoma City, the Cardinal family settled down in Casper, where Don would call home for the rest of his life. Outside of his beautiful wife and loving family, the love of Don s life was geology, not just as his career, but as his hobby, his passion and the source of his greatest accomplishments. Starting with Mobil Oil Corporation as a Junior Geologist in 1958, Don spent time in Dallas, Oklahoma City and Turkey. He worked with numerous oil companies before becoming a consultant geologist in Casper in 1983, developing young exploration geologists and imparting his knowledge of the industry. He pursued his life s passion far beyond his daily work, by affiliating with the American Association of Professional Geologists, American Institute of Professional Geologists, Wyoming Chapter, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, State of Wyoming Professional Geologists and serving as President of the Wyoming Geological Association. His geological awards include the Frank A. Morgan Award which he won twice, Distinguished Service Award in 1992, WGA Honorary Member, 2000 Exemplary Member Award and in 2015, Don was recognized for his 50-plus years of service to the profession of petroleum geology by receiving the Robert J. Weimer Lifetime Contribution Award. Suring the ceremony, Don was honored for discovering or participating in numerous discoveries in Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado. He also contributed to a number of geological publications, including publishing the nomenclature chart of the state of Wyoming. It is rare to meet someone who still finds joy in their work after 50 years, yet Don kept his office open until the very end of his life, going in to work every day not because he had to, but because it was what he loved; it was who he was. CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 6

7 Don also enjoyed backpacking, fishing, reading and being an active member of Mount Hope Lutheran Church. He engaged his children in meaningful conversation, challenging them to think bigger about the world and be the best version of themselves. He took pleasure in teaching his beloved grandchildren how to play cribbage, and watching those grandchildren have children of their own. He cherished sitting on his back porch and spending time with the friends he loved dearly. He enjoyed dancing with his wife, who after 63 years, he still looked at with such love and admiration. He enjoyed telling stories about his time in the Army and his time overseas. And every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Family Reunion, he gave a toast to tell his family that there was nothing he enjoyed more than seeing them together. He lived life to the fullest and he will be dearly missed by those who had the privilege of sharing it with him. Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alma, his daughters Linda Carter, Carla (Joe) Gennaro, Caryn Young, his son Ralph (Kellie) Cardinal; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Meghan, Roxie (Eric), Katie (Matt), Brittany (Cameron), Laruen, nick, Jon and Sean; his great-grandchildren Brendan, Aiden, Cashten, Ryleigh, Adeline, Tucker and Isaiah; and his sisters Irene (Bob) Dehuff and Cleo Stevens and his special Uncle Floyd, who is like a brother to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Margaret Cardinal, and many favorite uncles. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Wyoming Hospice Center, 319 S. Wilson St., Casper, Wyoming or your favorite charity. CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 7

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14 CONTACT INFORMATION Wyoming Geological Association P.O. Box 545 Casper, WY (307) Fax (307) WGA 2016 OFFICERS CURRENT WGA COMMITTEES President Marron Bingle-Davis Sunshine Valley Petroleum Corporation President-Elect Phil Nickerson Bronco Creek Exploration 1st Vice President Mike Mellin Ur-Energy 2nd Vice President Matt Larson True Companies Secretary/Treasurer Dan Behringer True Companies Editor Annette Hein Past President AAPG Delegates Melanie Peterson Lyn George Office Administrator, Advertising & Membership Dixie Eaton Continuing Education Ralph Specht Field Conference Please contact board for info Geowives Joanie Dunlap historical Con Trumbull Library & Mudlogs Arnold Woods Nomenclature & Stratigraphy Carl Babb Don Cardinal Gary Winter Lyn George Paleontological Resources Brent Breithaupt RMS-AAPG Julia Lemaster Lyn George Scholarships Kent Sundell Social media Barb McGavern-Atkinson SPE Liaison Dave Chase U.W. Liaison Phil Nickerson CONTACT Submission deadline for August 2016 issue is Monday, July 25th. All ads must be prepaid. Send ad and payment to: WGA PO Box 545, Casper WY CONTACT ADVERTISING RATES Full Page 7.5 x 9.5 1/2 Page 7.5 x 4.5 1/4 Page 3.5 x 4.5 Business Card 3.5 x 2 Various Sizes $3.50 per column inch per month ($10 minimum) $100/month $1000/year $50/month $500/year $25/month $250/year $10/month $100/year Advertising space is also available in the membership directory and the annual field conference guidebook. Discounts are available for advertising in all three publications. CONTACT JULY 2016 PAGE 14

15 Wyoming Geological Association P.O. Box 545 Casper, Wyoming Website: Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Casper, Wyoming Permit No. 299 July 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 NO MEETING SIMPSON KIRKWOOD GIANGIA- COMO CONTACT JULY PAGE JOINT PHI MEETING