C NT CT. Upcoming January 2014 WGA Luncheon Meetings. Reservations: or call and leave a message at WGA office

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1 C NT CT A Publication of the Wyoming Geological Association Volume W, No. 2 February 2014 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Julia Lemaster The weather may be in the nega ves, but there s s ll lots of drilling going on. I hope everyone is staying warm. Our field conference commi ee, led by Mike Bingle Davis, is hard at work to bring us an educa onal and fun trip this summer. Make sure to block out August 15 18th on your calendar. Saturday will be a full day of talks a er having our icebreaker and keynote speaker on Friday. Sunday and Monday will be a trip up to the Bear Lodge complex with an overnight in Deadwood! The WGA calendar is full for the next few months, with speakers already being scheduled for May. The stra graphic chart and datapages are in final edits and will soon be sent for publica on. An order form will be sent to WGA members, with delivery this spring. Table of Contents President s Message p. 1 Luncheon Abstracts p. 2-3 News You Need To Know! p. 4 Review of WGA Scholarships p. 5 CALL FOR PAPERS! p. 6 AAPG 2014 DEADLINE! p. 7 If You Could Speak...? p. 8 Professional Services p Professional Development p. 11 WGA Contact Information p. 12 REMINDER WY Strat. Chart! p. 13 Calendar Quick Reference p. 14 Best Regards, Julia Lemaster Upcoming January 2014 WGA Luncheon Meetings Reservations: info@wyogeo.org or call and leave a message at WGA office Meetings: At Casper Petroleum Club, unless noted. Speakers Presentations: Begin at noon. Lunch: Buffet ($12.00), served 11:15a.m. to noon. Guests: Always Welcome! 7 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Feb FILM PRESENTATION PHILIP NELSON, USGS BRAD BERG, ANADARKO PETROLEUM COMPANY TO BE DETERMINED FILM PRESENTATION CHARACTERIZING TIGHT GAS SYSTEMS WITH PRODUCTION DATA WYOMING, UTAH, AND COLORADO CHARACTERIZING SHALE PLAYS-THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING WHAT YOU DON T KNOW TO BE DETERMIEND

2 FEBRUARY 2014 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 7 Feb Film Presentation: Gold Mining History-South Dakota Saga 14 Feb Speaker: Philip Nelson, USGS Title: Characterizing Tight Gas Systems with Production Data Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado Biography: Phil Nelson is a member of the Central Energy Resources Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, which provides domestic and worldwide assessments of undiscovered oil and gas. Earlier in his career, he held research positions in mineral exploration with Kennecott Exploration Services, radioactive waste storage with Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and oil and gas production with Sohio Petroleum Company. His career interests have been in exploration geophysics, downhole measurements, and the physical properties of rocks, with application to mineral exploration, disposal of nuclear waste, and oil and gas production and exploration. His current interests are in the characteristics of tight gas resources and the pressure regimes of sedimentary basins. Abstract: To see what can be learned about the similarities and differences of tight gas systems in Rocky Mountain basins of the United States, we examined gas, oil, and water production data from individual vertical wells in 24 fields in 5 basins. Average daily rates of gas, oil, and water production were determined after two years and seven years, mostly from wells completed before the year Prominent findings include: Gas storage and flow: gas production increases with depth for high rate (>500 mcf/day) wells, but displays no depth dependence for low-rate wells. Gas production declines to about one-half over five years, falling within a range of 0.42 to 0.70 for 17 of 24 fields. Thermal maturity: variations in oil-gas ratio (e.g., dry gas in Piceance-Mesaverde, wet gas in Wamsutter, retrograde gas in Wattenberg-Codell) reflect the level of thermal maturity of source rocks. Water production: water production in most wells is greater than can be dissolved in gas in the reservoir and commences with gas production. Exceptions are found in four fields, where extremely low water and water-gas ratios are attributed to gas expansion and the removal of water with uplift and erosion. The highest water flow rates and water-gas ratios are from fields in the Wind River Basin; these high rates are attributed to fractures that opened in an extensional stress regime. Water production is erratic with time in most fields, in part reflecting attempts by operators to reduce water flow. Although the median water influx did not increase with time in most fields, water flow for individual wells did. For example, water flow was greater at year seven than at year two in 60 percent of wells in Jonah field and in 37 percent of wells in Greater Natural Buttes field. The erratic nature of water influx at both the well and field level is likely due to variations in fracture development. Mixing: some fields show spatially uniform oil-gas ratios (Jonah and Pinedale), whereas others display considerable lateral variation (six subareas of Greater Wamsutter field). Pinedale field exhibits an unusually coherent trend of water and gas, declining at a 1:1 rate between the second and seventh year, whereas plots of water and gas decline for most fields are quite scattered. The general conclusion is that, except for Pinedale, most tight gas systems are not well mixed but show substantial spatial variation in both oil-gas and water-gas production ratios. Page 2 CONTACT February 2014

3 FEBRUARY 2014 LUNCHEON SPEAKER ABSTRACTS 21 Feb Speaker: Brad Berg, Anadarko Petroleum Company Title: Characterizing Shale Plays-The Importance of Recognizing What You Don t Know Biography: Brad Berg serves as Reservoir Engineering Manager for U.S. Onshore Exploration with Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, one of the world s largest independent E&P Companies. His responsibilities include advising senior management on the commercial viability of opportunities in the company's diverse exploration portfolio. In his current role, he has been instrumental in developing the methodology and tools that Anadarko uses to evaluate unconventional resource plays. His team has assisted in the evaluation, capture, and appraisal of Anadarko's positions in the Marcellus, Maverick EagleFord, Avalon, and Ohio Utica shale plays, and they continue to support exploration efforts in other promising areas of the U.S. onshore. Brad has also served as the Reservoir Engineering Manager for Anadarko's Gulf of Mexico deepwater exploration team, asset manager for the mid-continent U.S. region, and has also contributed to the development of several world class conventional reservoirs including the Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk, and Alpine fields in Alaska. Abstract: Shale plays typically exhibit much more uncertainty in individual well performance than conventional reservoirs. Understanding this uncertainty is particularly critical during the exploration drilling program when one has relatively few wells on which to base decisions. A systematic approach to understanding and managing this uncertainty can be used to address key questions during the early phases of a drilling program, including "how many wells do I need to drill before I have confidence in the results?" and "does the well performance I ve seen to date provide the encouragement needed to keep drilling?" To answer these questions, one must quantify the uncertainty surrounding individual well results. Key elements of this evaluation process include: 1) identifying analogs that can provide insights into the level of well performance uncertainty to expect; 2) stochastically modeling the potential range of well results from the testing program; 3) deciding what level of risk is acceptable to the decision-makers; and 4) planning and executing a testing program that incorporates these elements. The primary take-away from this presentation is that it is critical to recognize, and properly characterize, uncertainty in shale well production performance when planning an exploration drilling program in shale plays. Without such an approach, the commercial potential of a play may not be adequately characterized, leaving the decision-makers without the information needed to determine the path forward. Understanding the uncertainty in well performance, and planning for it, will lead to more efficient exploration activity, and better informed decision -making. 28 Feb TO BE DETERMINED.. CONTACT February 2014 Page 3

4 NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW! WYOMING GEOLOGICAL ASSN. BOARD ELECTIONS! James Glover and Con Trumbull have been elected to serve next year as WGA s 2nd VP co chairs this year, 2014! Congratulations! JUST ANNOUNCED! Graduate Program in Geology Soon to be available in Casper! If you are interested in this new opportunity, please contact Dixie Eaton (WGA Administrator) at for more information. Page 4 CONTACT February 2014

5 REVIEW OF WGA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2014 GENE GEORGE PETROLEUM GEOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP For undergraduate and graduate geology students QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must be a junior, senior, or graduate student for the academic year and enrolled as a geoscience major at Casper College or University of Wyoming. The candidate should have a 2.9 or better overall GPA and demonstrate need for financial assistance. SOURCE OF FUNDS: In 2012 the Wyoming Geological Association established an endowment fund, the Gene George Petroleum Geology Scholarship, to honor the memory and spirit of Gene George, a highly respected petroleum geologist in Casper, Wyoming. Interest from this fund is used for the scholarship. Multiple scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded annually starting in APPLICATIONS: Application forms are posted on the Wyoming Geological Association Website. ( ) For additional information please contact Dr. Kent A. Sundell, WGA Scholarship Chairman, P. O. Box 1543, Casper, WY 82602, phone number (307) or - ksundell@caspercollege.edu. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications should be submitted (postmarked) no later than March 7, DR. J. DAVID LOVE FIELD GEOLOGY FELLOWSHIP QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: To be considered for this fellowship, an applicant must be currently enrolled in a graduate program (M.S. or Ph.D.) at a private or state college or university and be doing a field geology project. A candidate may receive the award only once. If a candidate applied, but did not receive the award previously they are encouraged to reapply with an update on their research. SOURCE OF FUNDS: In 1987 the Wyoming Geological Association established an endowment fund, the J. David Love Wyoming Field Geology Fellowship Fund, to honor J. David Love upon his retirement from the United States Geological Survey. Interest from this fund is used for the grants. APPLICATIONS: Application forms can be downloaded from the WGA website ( or obtained from Dr. Kent A. Sundell, WGA Scholarship Chairman, Casper College, P. O. Box 1543, Casper, WY 82602, phone (307) , ksundell@caspercollege. Forms for 2014 are available after Febuary 1, DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications should be submitted (postmarked) no later than March 7, STEVE CHAMPLIN SCHOLARSHIP For Undergraduate Geology Students QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must be a sophomore, junior, or senior student for the academic year and enrolled as a geoscience major at a college or university in the Rocky Mountain region. The candidate should have a 2.9 or better overall GPA and demonstrate need for financial assistance. SOURCE OF FUNDS: In August of 1985 the Wyoming Geological Association established an endowment fund, the Steve C. Champlin Scholarship Fund, to honor the memory and spirit of Steve Champlin, a highly respected exploration geologist in the Rocky Mountains (See AAPG Bulletin, 1985, v.. 69, p. 2150). Interest from this fund is used for the scholarship. Scholarships of $500 to $1,000 have been awarded annually since APPLICATIONS: Application forms are posted on the Wyoming Geological Associations website. ( ) For additional information please contact Dr. Kent A. Sundell, WGA Scholarship Chairman, P. O. Box 1543, Casper, WY 82602, phone number (307) or - ksundell@caspercollege.edu. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications should be submitted (postmarked) no later than March 7, CONTACT February 2014 Page 5

6 DEADLINE!!! CALL FOR PAPERS Page 6 CONTACT February 2014

7 AAPG ROCKY MOUNTAIN SECTION 2014 Hey Larry, where are you going to be July 20 22? Be like Larry and attend the meeting! At the RMS AAPG annual meeting, of course!! CALL ocky 2014 R! S R E P FOR PA n nual M A G P A tion A ain Sec t n u o M eeting e: deadlin t c a r t s b : NEW a ry 15, 2014 n, go to entatio s e r p Februa l r ora a poste ro ram al prog echnic t / e c n nfere 014/co s.org /2 m r g p a lude: d to inc xpecte e is g etin The me ms Progra hnical ays Tec d 2 s eacher ield Trip l, and T 4 F rt Courses a n io s s fe ho 3 S nt, Young Pro nts de ing Eve Stu rtunities etwork N d n Oppo a cial ntain eral So Sev y Mou it To subm ract for an abst ists Geolog f o n io t Associa Rock by the Hosted CONTACT February 2014 Page 7

8 IF YOU COULD SPEAK...? If you could speak about your life, your travels, your research, your interests, your ideas on technology and the future of geology as a science and a gateway to a thriving and successful economy,... then, what would you say? Tear out this page, or print it, fill in the blanks below, and scan/ /walk/ snail mail it to Dixie Eaton at the WGA office and you might be the next featured speaker on the WGA Fridayafternoon luncheon floor. You need NOT be a Member of WGA in order to present at our Friday luncheon meetings. To misquote Charles Lyell, on the science of geology,... Your presentation may be the key to our future I would like to give a presentation at a Friday-afternoon WGA luncheon. My topic is: My name is: I work for/my experience is: Principles of Geology Publ. in three volumes, Sir Charles Lyell Page 8 CONTACT February 2014

9 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE! See page 12 for space & pricing details CONTACT February 2014 Page 9

10 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE! See page 12 for space & pricing details YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE! See page 12 for space & pricing details YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE! See page 12 for space & pricing details YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE! See page 12 for space & pricing details Page 10 CONTACT February 2014

11 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Come in out of the Cold forpttc Workshops Basic Well Log Interpretation Monday-Wednesday, February 18-20, 2013, 8:30 am 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Ben Parker Student Center Ballroom BC Fee: $650, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Dan Krygowski, The Discovery Group, Denver, CO Limit: 60 persons Offers a hands-on approach to basic openhole well log analysis and interpretation; Focuses on the traditional interpretation targets of lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation; Introduces a variety of interpretation techniques in the context of the availability of newer, more extensive, data; Is organized by the targets, or goals of the measurements, rather than by the physics of the measurements. Fluvial Stratigraphy Wednesday Thursday; February 26-27, 2014 Petroleum Club, Billings Montana Fee: $475 MGS Members, $500 Non-members, includes food, workbook, and PDH certificate. Instructor: Dr. John Holbrook (Texas Christian University) Who should attend: Geologists, engineers, geophysicists, and other professionals engaged in production and/or exploration of reservoirs that were partly to mostly deposited by river and floodplain processes. Objectives and content: Fluvial reservoirs abound and are an integral source of the world petroleum supply. The primary objective of this course is to provide a primer on the range of processes that form fluvial strata and to develop from this genetic framework for assessing the stratigraphic architecture of fluvial reservoirs. The course will provide an overview of river processes and primary controls on fluvial preservation. We will use this background as a basis to explain the range of stratigraphic variations observed in fluvial strata from the bedform to the basin scale. From this foundation, we will explore best techniques for reconstructing reservoir stratigraphy from available core, seismic, well-log and outcrop data. Well-Log Sequence Stratigraphy: Applications to Sandstones and Shales Tuesday Thursday, March 11-13, 2014, 8:30 am 5 pm, Colorado School of Mines, Berthoud Hall rm. 243 Fee: $700, includes food at breaks, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: Dr. Jeff May This seminar provides a hands-on, practical approach to the sequence stratigraphic analysis of well logs and its application to welllog correlations, with a particular focus on Sandstones and Shales. The course is conducted in a workshop format within which participants are introduced to the basic concepts and models of sequence stratigraphy, followed by numerous exercises. The Trade-offs in Drilling the Perfect Horizontal Well Wednesday April 30, 2014, 8:30 am 5 pm, Fee: $250, includes lunch, class notes, and PDH certificate Instructor: KC Oren, Horizontal Solutions Intl. Class Descriptions and Register Online: For more information, contact Mary Carr, , mcarr@mines.edu CONTACT February 2014 Page 11

12 CONTACT INFORMATION Wyoming Geological Association P.O. Box 545 Casper, WY (307) Fax (307) WGA 2014 OFFICERS President Julia Lemaster Goolsby, Finley & Associates President-Elect Mike Bingle-Davis Cameco 1st Vice President Marron Bingle-Davis Sunshine Valley Petroleum Corporation Co-Vice Presidents Con Trumble James Glover Secretary/Treasurer Phil Nickerson Bronco Creek Exploration Editor Barb McGavern-Atkinson Past President Mike Hawks CURRENT WGA AAPG Delegates Mike Kozimko Tom Anderson Office Administrator and Advertising Dixie Eaton Continuing Education Ralph Specht Dance/Geowives Joanie Dunlap Martha Horn (WGA Chairwoman) Field Conference General Chair Julia Lemaster Library, Arnold Woods Membership & Directory Dixie Eaton COMMITTEES Nomenclature and Stratigraphic Committee Carl Babb Don Cardinal Gary Winter Lyn George Paleontological Resources Brent Breithaupt Scholarship Kent Sundell SPE Liaison Dave Chase U.W. Liaison Phil Nickerson CONTACT Submission deadline for March 2014 issue is Friday, February 21st. 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. Page 12 CONTACT February 2014

13 REMINDER! - WY STRAT CHART COMING SOON!! THE STRATIGRAPHIC CHART SHOULD BE DELIVERED LATE SPRING COST: $90/$110 (MEMBER/NONMEMBER) INDIVIDUAL CHART OR DATA PAGES $160/$200 (MEMBER/NONMEMBER) ENTIRE PACKAGE. CONTACT February 2014 Page 13

14 Wyoming Geological Associa on P.O. Box 545 Casper, Wyoming Website: February 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday January 2014 January FILM PRESENTATION PHILIP NELSON BRAD BERG TO BE DETERMINED 1 March Page 14 CONTACT February 2014