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Volume 53 Number 9
HGSBulletinHouston Geological Society
May 2011
Predicting Shale Production withIntegrated, Multi-Variate StatisticsPage 25
page 31
Volume 53, Number 9 May 2011
Houston Geological Society
The
In Every Issue 5 From the President by John Tubb, Jr.
7 From the Editorby Barry Katz
34 GeoEvents Calendar 63 HGS MembershipApplication
64 HPAC 65 Professional Directory
Houston Geological SocietyOFFICERSJohn Tubb, Jr. PresidentSteven A. Earle President-electAmy Sullivan Vice PresidentDavid Meaux TreasurerChristina M. Higginbotham Treasurer-electCecelia Baum SecretaryBarry Katz Bulletin EditorRon F. Waszczak Bulletin Editor-elect
DIRECTORSJohn Adamick
Jennifer L. Burton
Tarek Ghazi
Robert Pledger
HGS OFFICE STAFFSandra Babcock Office ManagerGabriela Henriquez WebmasterMike Erpenbeck Office Committee Chair
EDITORIAL BOARDBarry Katz EditorFang Lin Advisory EditorJames Ragsdale Advisory EditorCharles Revilla Advisory EditorGabriela Henriquez Advertising EditorLisa Krueger Design Editor
The Houston Geological Society Bulletin (ISSN-018-6686) is published monthly except for July and August by the HoustonGeological Society, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079-2916. Phone: 713-463-9476; fax: 281-679-5504Editorial correspondence and material submitted for publicationshould be addressed to the Editor, Houston Geological Society Bulletin, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079-2916 or to [email protected]: Subscription to this publication is included in themembership dues ($24.00 annually). Subscription price for non-members within the contiguous U.S. is $30.00 per year. For thoseoutside the contiguous U.S. the subscription price is $46.00 per year. Single-copy price is $3.00. Periodicals postage paid inHouston, Texas.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Houston GeologicalSociety Bulletin, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston,Texas 77079-2916
About the Cover: “Up Against It” Climbers on the Navajo red sandstone rock wall in Zion NationalPark, Utah. (The blue coloration is Desert Varnish, due to manganese oxide. (April 1992) Photoby Charles Revilla
Bulletin
page 4
page 21
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 1
Technical Meetings 21 HGS General Dinner Meeting
Geology at the CrossroadsBig Bend Ranch State Park
25 HGS Northsiders Luncheon MeetingPredicting Shale Production with Integrated, Multi-Variate Statistics
31 Joint HGS International and North American Dinner MeetingNorthern MozambiqueTrue Wildcat Exploration Success
39 HGS General Luncheon MeetingExploration: The Key to Growth
Other Features
9 A Job Well Done
13 2011 HGS Annual Guest NightWildfire Paleoecology along the Cretaeceous Coast of Texas
15 Save the Date! July 21st, 2011Techno-Fest and Techno-Conference
40 SIPES Luncheon Meeting Hidden Structure Revealed by a Simple 3-D Velocity Model – McAllen Ranch Field, Hildalgo County, Texas
51 100 Hundred Years Ago
53 Government UpdateHenry M. Wise and Arlin Howles
60 May Crossword, April Crossword Answers
page 13
2 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 3
Board of Directors 2010–11http://www.hgs.org/about_hgs/leadership.asp
President (P) John Tubb, Jr. INEXAS 713-805-5649 [email protected] (PE) Steve Earle Carrizo Oil and Gas 713-328-1069 [email protected] President (VP) Amy Sullivan Shell 281-705-8280 [email protected] (S) Cecelia Baum Maersk Oil Houston 713-346-5826 [email protected] (T) David Meaux BP 281-366-2847 [email protected] (TE) Christina Higginbotham Brown & Caldwell 713-646-1107 [email protected] (E) Barry Katz Chevron 832-854-6989 [email protected] (EE) Ron Waszczak ConocoPhillips 281-293-3088 [email protected] 09-11 (D3) Robert Pledger Consultant 832-512-0495 [email protected] 09-11 (D4) Tarek Ghazi Canadian International 281-961-7632 [email protected] 10-12 (D1) John Adamick TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co 713-860-2114 [email protected] 10-12 (D2) Jennifer Burton Legado Resources 832-607-0074 [email protected]
Committee Chairperson Phone Email Board Rep. AAPG HOD Foreman Robert Scheidemann 832-337-1325 [email protected] PAcademic Liaison Christine Bradford 281-256-3476 [email protected] D3Ad Hoc Advertising Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 [email protected] EAfrican Conference Al Danforth 713-780-8622 [email protected] PArrangements (hotel contracts) Amy Sullivan 281-705-8280 [email protected] VPBallot/Elections Paul Hoffman 713-871-2350 [email protected] SCalvert Memorial Scholarship Carl Norman 713-461-7420 [email protected] PEChristmas Party Kelly Limbaugh 713-972-9200 kelly.limbaugh@globalgeophysical TECommunity Outreach Walter Light 713-823-8288 [email protected] D3Continuing Education Rosemary Laidacker 713-805-9672 [email protected] D3Directory Michael S. Benrud 713-785-8700 x104 [email protected] D2Earth Science Week Martha McRae 713-869-2045 [email protected] D2 Jennifer Burton 832-607-0074 [email protected] D2Engineering Council of Houston Claudia Ludwig 713-723-2511 [email protected] D4Environmental & Eng Geologists Matthew Cowan 713-777-0534 [email protected] VPExhibits Bill Mason 281-367-0357 [email protected] D2Field Trips Gary Moore 713-466-8960 [email protected] D4Finance Joe Lynch 281-496-9898 x134 [email protected] TFoundation Fund John Adamick 713-860-2114 jada@tgsnopec .com PEGeneral Meetings Amy Sullivan 281-705-8280 [email protected] VPGolf Tournament Mark Dennis 281-494-2522 [email protected] D1Government Affairs Arlin Howles 281-808-8629 [email protected] D4 Henry Wise 281-242-7190 [email protected] D4Guest Night Dave Reynolds 281-497-2485 [email protected] D2HGS New Publications Bill Rizer 281-392-0613 [email protected] D1Houston Energy Council Sandi Barber 713-935-7830 [email protected] D4HPAC Winona Labrant Smith 713-952-2007 [email protected] SImperial Barrel Connie Mongold 832-315-4991 [email protected] D3International Explorationists Justin Vandenbrink 281-448-6188 [email protected] VPMembership Shari Sartain 281-382-9855 [email protected] SMembership Growth Jeff Allen 713-871-2350 [email protected] D2Mudstone Conference Frank Walles 713-265-6319 [email protected] PMuseum of Natural Science Inda Immega 713-661-3494 [email protected] D3NeoGeos Carrie Kidd 713-961-8481 [email protected] SNominations Gary Coburn 281-782-7021 [email protected] PNorth American Explorationists Steve Getz 713-871-2346 [email protected] VPNorthsiders David Tonner 713-516-6894 [email protected] VPOffice Management Mike Erpenbeck 832-418-0221 [email protected] PEPublication Sales Dennis McConnell 281-362-4743 [email protected] D1Remembrances Art Berman 713-557-9067 [email protected] EEShrimp Peel Lee Shelton 281-381-1093 [email protected] D1Skeet Shoot Tom McCarroll 713-419-9414 [email protected] D1Social Media Dianna Phu 713-468-1410 [email protected] TSpeaker Awards Mike Deming 281-925-7239 [email protected] VPTechnofest Deborah Sacrey 713-468-3260 [email protected] D2Tennis Tournament Steve Brachman 713-268-8810 [email protected] D1Vendor’s Corner Paul Babcock 713-859-0316 [email protected] TEVolunteer Coordinator Sue Pritchett 281-451-6522 [email protected] PWeb Management Gabriela Henriquez 713-463-9476 [email protected] D4
HGS Office Manager Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 [email protected]
4 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Tickets
$30 - advance
$35 - at the door$35 - a ort the do$35 - a
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May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 5
From thePresidentJohn Tubb, Jr.
On Saturday March 12th, instead of going to the Cotulla, Texas
Wild Hog Cook-Off, I joined the HGS Board and met with
Spencer Yantis to discuss mission/vision, goals, strategy, and tactics
to be applied in running the Houston Geological Society. Poor
planning on my part! Spencer is a retired U of H marketing
professor.
Why did we do this? My Pop (grandfather) told me when I was
young “If you don’t know where you are going, you are never going
to get there”. The Houston Geological Society is equal in size and
scope to a small business. We have about 45 committees overseeing
the Society’s activities during the year. These committees can be
placed in four general categories: technical education, networking,
education outreach to the community, and administrative. We
wanted to review what we were doing and what we should be
doing. Most of the discussion centered on what we should be
doing.
As can be expected, the topics discussed ranged the gamut within
our four general categories. Two of the topics of special interest to
me were Web education and K-12 education. I feel the Society
should concentrate on these areas.
Two of the ideas for Web education would involve the
implementation of web-based technical talks and Webinars/Web
Symposia. With this capability the Society would have the ability
to reach out to many more of our membership (both in and out
of the Houston area) than the standard technical dinner/luncheon
sessions that we presently use. We could develop a catalog of online
technical talks that would be available to HGS members.
Extending geoscience education to our schools would help develop
well-rounded citizens and would be a source of professional
geoscientists for the future. Some of the topics mentioned were:
• Field Trips for kids
• Educational Resources online
• More Visiting Geoscientists in classrooms
• Magic Suitcase-Educational packets
• Rocks, Maps, and Bones in schools
The Corpus Christi Geological Society has developed a very
successful K-12 education plan. They provide a geologic map of
the U.S., and rock, mineral and fossil specimens to their area
schools. We have a limited Maps in School program for the
Houston area which should be expanded.
One thing Spencer shared with us involved member surveys.
When we run a survey we should ask for the things people do not
like. I would like for you readers to send me your list of things
which HGS does that you do not like and recommendations as to
how we can improve. Please send your comments to me at
[email protected]. Thanks for the input. �
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
From the President
Where is HGS Heading?
VOTEBe sure to cast your vote in the HGS election by May 10
6 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Ihave two columns remaining as the HGS Bulletin editor and I need to select my topics carefully, as my opportunities
to communicate to the membership have dwindled to a precious
few. I don’t want to stray too far from my original themes:
volunteerism, education, and mentoring. Each topic is important
to me and to the future of our profession
and the societies that support our science.
I w i l l go back to where I began –
mentoring.
Mentoring remains a very personal
relationship which to some degree is like a
marriage and needs to be based on trust.
A true mentor-protégé relationship results
in the sharing of confidences and commonly deals with issues
beyond simply technical training, such as career planning. It
provides the mentee with an effective sounding board, and
occasionally a shoulder to cry on. A good relationship may last for
a lifetime or may end after a number of years. I do not believe that
true mentors can be assigned to a professional; rather they are a
result of mutual selection.
I was lucky. My first mentor was actually my first supervisor. Some
thirty years later we still occasionally get together. To be truly
honest, I didn’t totally realize that I had a mentor for several years.
Back then, there were no formal mentors, but looking back at the
many hours that we sat in his office discussing some of my ideas
or a paper that I read, or a dataset that I generated, he truly filled
the mentor role. We talked about my career plans and what I hoped
to accomplish. No, we didn’t always agree on technical matters or
on some of my career decisions, but he was there. In fact, looking
back, I remember that Kadry’s door was always open and many of
our discussions took place late in the day, very often after most of
my colleagues had gone home. While I’m in this nostalgic mood, I
will add that I believe he is proud of what I have accomplished and
I believe that I represent part of his professional legacy.
Now that I find myself in the mentor role, I continue some of his
practices. Although one of the first into the office, I will not go
home if a question remains or if someone needs to talk, unless I
have an appointment and must make an exit. My door remains
open to my three protégés, as well as to the other members of the
staff. Rather than providing direct answers to the many questions
that I have received over the years, I prefer to guide them through
the discovery process and then discuss what they have learned.
However, I’m always there as their backup and safety net, if the
pathway to discovery has led them down a
blind alley or dead end. My hope remains
that I am able to effectively transfer what I
have learned over the last three decades to
each of my protégés and that each of them
will build upon that foundation and
surpass me in their accomplishments.
Some may view the mentor-protégé
relationship as a one way process. Most can see the advantages to
the protégé of these relationships — a teacher, career guide, and
an entrée to a professional network. But, I can tell you from my
own experience that the mentors gain as well. One of my protégés
recently celebrated her fifth year with Chevron and she delivered a
note (along with a piece of chocolate cake) which thanked me for
all that I’ve done for her. Over the years I have received similar
comments from my other mentees. Mentoring has brought me
tremendous satisfaction. The most important benefit of mentoring
for me is that my protégés will provide a technical legacy, just as
my two daughters and my grandchildren will carry forward my
bloodline. Even this iron horse will at some point rust out and
disappear from the scene.
Why did I select mentoring as this month’s topic? Simply because
mentoring is important to all of us. I ask that those of you who
have the necessary experience make yourself available to act as a
mentor. For those of you new to the game, seek out a mentor.
Remember that the mentor-protégé relationship is personal and
cannot be forced. Sometimes these relationships last forever and
sometimes they end after a brief few months. They are all valuable
and will be a learning experience. Give mentoring a try whether at
the office, at a university, or through a professional society’s
program. �
Until next month…
From theEditor
From the Editor
Barry [email protected]
Mentoring – From One Generation to the Next
I ask that those of you who
have the necessary experience
make yourself available
to act as a mentor.
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 7
Courses include: Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience—Bend Fundamentals of Siliciclastic Sequence
Stratigraphy—Holbrook Getting Started in Fluvial Stratigraphy—Holbrook Creativity in Petroleum Exploration—Beaumont & Strickland Using Well Log Analysis for Reservoir Volumetrics—Erickson Practical Oil-field Development: Important Applications of
Geol. & Petrol. Engineering—Erickson Computer Mapping for Petroleum Exploration—Leetaru Hydraulic Fracturing for Geologists—LaFollette Reservoir Engineering for Petroleum Geologists—Green Applied Seismic Geomorphology & Seismic
Stratigraphy—Posamentier Seismic Amplitude Interpretation—Hilterman Understanding Seismic Anisotropy—Thomsen
Hosted by the Norris Conference Center: 304 Houston St. Ft. Worth, TX 76102 Phone: 817-289-2400 Fax: 817-289-2411 Special AAPG group rates at nearby hotels.
Tuition for the week: AAPG Members..........................$1695 $1795 Non Members ............................$1795 $1895 Individual Courses ....................$450/day $500/day
Registration and information: Toll-free (U.S. and Canada) 888-338-3387, or 918-560-2650 Fax: 918-560-2678 E-mail: [email protected] Download a registration form at: www.aapg.org/education/sec.cfm
SIGN UP NOW!
(Four concurrent sessions each day – mix and match according to your interests and training needs. Buffet Lunch and refreshments included each day.)
SUMMER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
BY BECOMING AN AAPG MEMBERAND REGISTERING BEFORE MAY 9TH
1 s t A N N UA L
Price increase after 5/9/2011
Price through 5/9/2011
SAVE $200
Five Great Days of the Finest Geoscience Training for One Low Price
Basic Level Courses Intermediate Level Courses Advanced Level Courses
(Your five-day badge can be transferred to a friend or colleague if you can't attend all five days.)
8 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 9
The Houston Geological Society recognizes the dedication of the volunteer efforts for 2011 AAPG ACE organizing
committee. The Houston Geological Society welcomes the opportunity to host AAPG ACE and looks to the
strength of its membership to support the event. These volunteers exhibit the “can do spirit” that Steve Levine mentions
in his Welcome Letter for ACE
A Job Well Done
AAPG A Job Well Done
2011 AAPG ACE Organizing Committee General Chair Stephen Levine ConocoPhillips
General Vice Chair Marsha Bourque Marsha Bourque and Associates
General Technical Program Chair Linda Sternbach Star Creek Energy
General Technical Program Vice Chair Carl Steffensen BP
Sponsorship Chair James Cearley Chevron
Sponsorship Vice Chair Evelyn Medvin Core Laboratories
DEG Vice Chair Craig Dingler Clean Harbors Environmental
DPA Vice Chair Deborah Sacrey Auburn Energy
EMD Vice Chair Paul Basinski ConocoPhillips
SEPM Vice Chair Morgan Sullivan Chevron
AAPG Oral Sessions Chair Andrea Reynolds Shell
AAPG Poster Sessions Chair Tom Bulling BP
DEG Oral and Poster Chair Anthony Gorody Universal Geoscience Consulting, Inc.
EMD Oral and Poster Chair Larry Knox Highmount E&P
SPEM Oral Sessions Chair Bret Dixon Anadarko
SEPM Poster Sessions Chair Art Donovan BP
Field Trips Co-Chair Mike Sweet ExxonMobil
Field Trips Co-Chair Laura Banfield Consulting Geologist
Short Courses Co-Chair Denise Stone Consulting Geologist
Short Courses Co-Chair Gretchen Gillis Aramco Services Company
SEPM Short Courses Chair Jeff Lonnee Shell International E&P
SEPM Field Trips Kirt Campion Marathon
AAPG Matson Award & Braunstein Award Chair Mike Jobe Walters Oil & Gas
SPEM Awards Chair Michael Pyrcz Chevron
Teacher Program Chair Alison Henning Foster Findlay Associates, Inc.
Volunteer Chair Bonnie Milne-Andrews Swift Energy Company
2011 ACE Theme ChairsTheme 1 Molecules to Marketplace: The Business of Energy Jeff Lund Corridor Resources
Theme 2 Global Deepwater Reservoirs: Giant Leaps in E&P Art Donovan BP
Theme 3 Worldwide E&P: Opportunities in the New Decade Robin Hamilton ShellRobert Erlich Petrolifera
Theme 4 Challenged Resource Frontiers Keith Shanley Discovery GroupKevin Bohacs ExxonMobil Research Co.
Theme 5 Mudstones and Shales: Unlocking the Promise Wally Dow EOG Resources
Theme 6 Siliciclastics: Advancing Research to Resource Janok Bhattacharya University of Houston
Theme 7 Insight into Carbonates & Evaporites Steve Bachtel Chevron
Theme 8 Breakthroughs: Tectonics, Salt and Basin Analysis Martin Perlmutter Chevron
Theme 9 Integrating New Technology, Geophysics R. Randy Ray R3 Exploration& Subsurface Data
Theme 10 Energy and Environmental Horizons Michael Campbell I2M Associates, LLCAnthony Gordy Universal Geoscience Consulting, Inc.
Theme 11 The Next Geo-Generation: Who, What & When Denise Butler Shell
A Job Well Done continued on page 10
10 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
AAPG A Job Well Done A Job Well Done continued from page 9 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
General Chair Stephen Levine
General Vice Chair Marsha Bourque
General Technical ProgramChair
Linda Sternbach
General Technical ProgramVice Chair
Carl Steffensen
DEG Vice Chair Craig Dingler
EMD Vice Chair Paul Basinski
AAPG Oral Sessions ChairAndrea Reynolds
AAPG Poster Sessions Chair Tom Bulling
SEPM Poster Sessions ChairArt Donovan
Theme 1 Molecules to Market-place: The Business of Energy
Jeff Lund
Theme 2 Global DeepwaterReservoirs: Giant Leaps in E&P
Art Donovan
Theme 3 Worldwide E&P: Opportunities in the New Decade
Robin Hamilton
Theme 4 Challenged ResourceFrontiers
Keith Shanley
Theme 4 Challenged ResourceFrontiers
Kevin Bohacs
Theme 6 Siliciclastics: AdvancingResearch to Resource Janok Bhattacharya
Theme 7 Insight into Carbonates & Evaporites
Steve Bachtel
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 11
AAPG A Job Well Done
Theme 8 Breakthroughs: Tectonics,Salt and Basin AnalysisMartin Perlmutter
Theme 9 Integrating New Technology, Geophysics & Subsurface Data R. Randy Ray
Theme 10 Energy and Environmental Horizons
Michael Campbell
Theme 11 The Next Geo-Generation: Who, What & When
Denise Butler
Warren L. and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Warren L. and Florence W. Calvert Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to U.S. citizens who are graduate
students majoring in the earth sciences. Each year, half of the earnings of monies invested in the fund are paid out in
scholarships, while the remaining half is added to the corpus of the fund. This growth factor, along with the donations from
individual HGS members, allows the fund to award larger scholarships each year, to meet at least in part, the increasing costs
of a college education. This year the fund was also aided by matching funds from the HGS and the GCAGS. For the current
year, the fund awarded two $3200 scholarships and three $2700 scholarships to 5 exceptional graduate students.
The HGS and the Memorial Scholarship Fund Board gratefully acknowledge the following contributions to the Fund in 2010.
The three categories of contributions are Patron ($500 or more), Donor ($100 to $500), and Contributor (less than $100).
Patron:
Eugene A. Gibson
Donors:
Corine Armstrong Dr. Richard Bishop
Patrick T. Gordon Paul Hoffman
James Ragsdale
Contributors:
C.T. Austin Sheridan Conley
Arthur Dickinson William Howell
Jack Land Evelyn Medvin
Robert M. Mitchum Peggy Rice
Roger Simmons Thomas Tourek
Kevin Wallace
2011 HGS Annual Guest Night HGS Guest Night — Saturday, May 21, 2011
Houston Museum of Natural Science 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.Wildfire Paleoecology along the Cretaceous
Coast of Texas
The Guest Night program includes a social hour, buffet dinner and featured speaker presentation: 6:00 – 7:30 cash bar and buffet dinner – tour the museum exhibits and visit with guests
7:30 move into IMAX for presentation of awards and speakerShort intermission
9:00 IMAX movie (to be determined)No payments accepted at the door. You must prepay online (www.hgs.org)
or send this form with credit card information. Online registration opens April 18, 2011.
Member name: __________________________________________________________________Member # __________________________________
Names: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of Guest Night Tickets ____________ @ $30 each Guest Night Tickets Amount $ ________________
Total Amount remitted $ ____________________
Send check and form to: HGS Office, Guest Night 2009, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079or fax this form with credit card number to 281-679-5504
Credit Card number and type: _______________________________________________________Expiration Date (required): ______________
Name on Credit Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker:Derek MainLecturer in GeologyUniversity of Texas at Arlington
12 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 13
2011 HGS Annual Guest Night2011 HGS Annual Guest Night
Saturday, May 21, 2011Wildfire Paleoecology along the Cretaceous Coast
of Texasby Dave Reynolds
Guest Night 2011 is almost here and you need to plan now to
attend on Saturday, May 21st! We are sure to have another
sold out event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
(HMNS), which continues to be the best value for any geologist or
their guest at the very reasonable price of $30 per person. Doors
will open at 5:45 for a buffet dinner with cash bars providing an
opportunity to visit among the wonderful museum exhibits. We
will move into the IMAX theater at 7:30 for awards and
recognitions before hearing our featured speaker, Derek Main.
After a short intermission, we will see the IMAX film “Born to be
Wild 3D”, and we will wrap things up by 10:00.
This year we will hear about the Arlington Archosaur discovery
from Derek Main, a Lecturer in Geology at the University of Texas
at Arlington (UTA). Derek describes this dig as a unique snapshot
of a complete Cretaceous ecosystem. Imagine the paleo-Mississippi
delta at the location of present day Arlington. This Woodbine age
site has yielded several significant fossils — a 95-million year old
new super predator crocodile (and her babies), a new lungfish, and
a fossil that may be an early ancestor of the “duck-billed dinosaurs”
or iguanodonts. Dr. Christopher Scotese, Main’s Ph.D. advisor at
the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at UTA, notes
“the site is significant because it has such a diverse fauna of reptiles
and also abundant plant material.”
We are also excited to see the new IMAX movie “Born to be Wild
3D.” This film is about saving orphaned orangutans and elephants
in Borneo and Kenya. It is narrated by Morgan Freeman and
documents the dedication and remarkable bond between these
animals and the humans that rescue and raise them. This will be
the very first showing of this film in Houston by special
arrangement with the HMNS.
Guest Night continues to recognize those students who have
received special awards for their Science Fair entries. Please share
with us the appreciation for these students’ work as we encourage
them to continue their studies in the geosciences. �
14 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
The Houston Geological Society Continuing Education Committee Presents
RDR Structural and Fault Analysis Modulefor Petrel Speakers: Steve Freeman and Simon Harris
Rock Deformation Research (RDR)Presented by NExT, (Network of Excellence in Training)a Schlumberger Co
May 10, 2011 • 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. • Course CEUs: 4Location : Schlumberger Office
NExT Training • 5599 San Felipe Suite 1500 • Houston, TX 77056
Background to the module
This new module for Petrel that has been developed by RDR provides a broad suite of new tools to aid in all aspects of visualizing,
mapping, modeling and analyzing faults in the Petrel workflow. The module provides many new powerful tools for the
explorationist and the development geoscientist. The module also provides many new ways to better integrate the geological
information relating to faults into the reservoir simulation process.
Course content
The course will be a hands-on 0.5 day workshop that will take the course participants through the tools available for:
• Structural analysis, data clean-up and fault mapping in the seismic domain.
• Fault and trap evaluation in an exploration setting.
• Fault and stratigraphic quality checks in production models.
• Fault seal and flow mapping in exploration and production cases.
• Fault transmissibility multiplier generation for incorporation within the simulator.
Please make your reservations on-line through the Houston Geological Society website at www.hgs.org or by calling the HGS office at 713-463-9476For more information about this event, contact Rosemary Laidacker • 713-805-9672 • [email protected]
Speaker Biographies Steve Freeman – Technical Director, RDR.
Steve has been with the company for over 12 years. He is currently the technical director of the company and works in both
the hydrocarbons and minerals sectors. He has a Ph.D. in structural geology and lectured in structural geology before joining
RDR. He currently co-ordinates the software, seismic and the 3D geological mapping and modeling of prospects and fields for the
group. Steve led the design of all of the tools present within the Petrel Structural and fault analysis module.
Steve has worked on hydrocarbon datasets from around the globe in both production and exploration settings. His main
focus areas on such projects are high-resolution fault mapping and 3D fault seal characterization and prediction. The majority of
his work involves taking seismic datasets from initial seismic interpretation through to final 3D geological model delivery. His
hydrocarbon and minerals work has taken him around the world with on-site work in Southern Africa, Saudi Arabia, USA,
Canada, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Norway, Sweden, South America, Egypt, Ireland and the Far East. Steve also teaches seismic interpre-
tation and geocellular model building.
Simon Harris – Software group manager, RDR.
Simon has worked for RDR for the last 15 years. He currently manages the software development group within RDR. Simon
has a Ph.D. in computational fluid dynamics and lectured in its application prior to joining RDR. Since joining the company
Simon has worked and managed projects on fault seal and structural analysis from areas including Angola, the Gulf of Mexico, the
North Sea and Nigeria. These projects have been for a wide range of national and international clients. Simon has prototyped the
majority of the algorithms present within the Petrel Structural and fault analysis module.
Simon’s current role is in the management of RDR’s software group and the development of the algorithms that go into
RDR’s software products. Simon leads software training courses to international oil and gas companies around the globe.
Pricing HGS or GSH Member: $65.00Non-Member: $90.00 There is very limited seating for thisseminar because it is hands on.Therefore we are not offering dis-counts except for HGS/GSHmembers for just this seminar.
Continuing Education
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 15
Techno-Fest was established years ago to bring new technology
to the Oil and Gas Community in a one day local setting. In
the early beginnings the event were vendors showing the latest in
their technologies of software, regional studies or speculative
seismic data with a predominant audience of geologists. Last year
the HGS added Techno-Conference. We understand that the
exploration and exploitation takes an integrated approach across
many scientific disciplines and are now expanding the breath of
the conference across disciplines of geology, geophysics and
engineering.
The Theme for this year’s Conference is “Profits in any
Environment.” René Mott, who is Chairman of Techno-Conference
is now soliciting papers in the following topics:
• onshore and offshore new technologies
• new technologies in drilling and completions
• new technologies in geophysics
• new concepts in geology
A Call for Papers is being requested from interested parties that
would like to share their case studies and proven new technology
of the past year.
There are a limited amount of speaking positions for this one-day
event.
Abstracts and speaker bios are asked to be submitted by interested
parties to René Mott ([email protected]) or Deborah Sacrey
([email protected]) in *.doc format.
Final material will need to be in power point format *.ppt for
presentations and are due June 21, 2011.
A public *.pdf file will need to be delivered at the same time to post
to the a website for participants to before the event for note taking.
Final materials may be sent to René Mott ([email protected]) for
installation at the Techno-Conference. �
Techno-Fest and Techno-ConferenceSave the Date! July 21st, 2011
Techno-Fest and Techno-Conference
Please join us in making this year’s event a sell out!
16 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
TechnoFest Sponsorship Registration SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION FORM
Summer Techno-Fest and Techno-Conference 2011Thursday, July 21st – 8:30am – 8:30pm
WESTIN GALLERIA • 5060 West Alabama, Houston, TXDescription: The HGS Emerging Technologies Group is inviting companies to come and share their new technologies and research. We are reserving space at the Westin Galleria Hotel. The event will be held on July 21st, from 8:30am to 8:30pm forboth Techno-Fest and Techno-Conference. We will have finger foods and a cash bar for Techno-Fest. People attending thisfunction will be eating and drinking while viewing the latest in technology and research. There will be a small admission fee for each person attending. An announcement will be run on the HGS site, if a URL is provided, the vendor list will be directed toward the vendor’s home page. Sponsorship opportunities include Techno-Conference Luncheon, beverage bar at Techno-Fest as well as munchies served during Techno-Fest.
Companies wishing to participate as a sponsor should fill out the following contract, and return to:Deborah SacreyAuburn Energy • 8588 Katy Freeway, Suite 260 • Houston, TX 77024 (office: 713-468-3260, fax: 713-468-3210) Include a fax cover letterE-mail me along with faxing your reply at: [email protected]
1) The undersigned hereby applies to be a general sponsor at the above mentioned Techno-Fest.
2) This contract must be signed and returned ASAP with check for amount appropriate to sponsorship level. (Check or credit card.)
General Sponsorship: � Platinum $1000 � Gold $500 � Silver $250 � Bronze $100.
3) Contact me directly if you do not receive confirmation of the application within 3 days of sending.
4) Company’s name will be posted at the event and on the website.
5) E-mail a gif or tif image of your company logo for inclusion on the HGS website.
*PLEASE INCLUDE THE CONTACT NAME FOR THIS EVENT!
� Refreshment Sponsorship � General Sponsorship
Company Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Contact Name __________________________________________________________Title: _________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________________Fax: ___________________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Let me know if you do not check your e-mail regularly. Most correspondence is by e-mail. •
URL Site: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Credit Card number and type: _______________________________________________________Expiration Date (required): ______________
Name on Credit Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please contactDeborah Sacrey, 713-468-3260 or [email protected]
Bonnie Milne-Andrews, 281-874-2841 or [email protected]
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 17
VENDOR REGISTRATION FORM
Summer Techno-Fest 2011Thursday, July 21st – 8:30am – 8:30pm
WESTIN GALLERIA • 5060 West Alabama, Houston, TXDescription: The Houston Geological Society is inviting companies to come and share their new technologies and research. Weare reserving space at the Westin Galleria Hotel in the Woodway Hall. The event will be held on July 21st, 2011 from 2:30pm to8:30pm. We will have finger foods and a cash bar. People attending this function will be eating and drinking while viewing the latestin technology and research. There will be a small admission fee for each person attending. Exhibitors will be given 2 admissionswith the booth fee. Additional admissions may be purchased. An announcement will be run on the HGS site, if a URL is provided,the vendor list will be directed toward the vendor’s home page. Please indicate if you would be interested in Sponsorship.
Booths will be piped and draped. Vendors will be responsible for ordering furniture, electrical and internet/phone hookups(if necessary).
Companies wishing to participate should fill out the following contract, and return to:Deborah SacreyAuburn Energy • 8588 Katy Freeway, Suite 260 • Houston, TX 77024 (office: 713-468-3260, fax: 713-468-3210) Include a fax cover letterE-mail me along with faxing your reply at: [email protected]
1) The undersigned hereby applies for space at the above mentioned Techno-Fest.2) This contract must be signed and returned ASAP with check for $400.00 if reserved by July 1 or $500.00 if reserved AFTER
July 1, 2010. (If you need more time to have a check cut, please contact Deborah Sacrey.) Make checks payable to HGS (Houston Geological Society). Space allocated is based on booths available at time of application.
3) Each company will be responsible for providing electrical/phone/internet. Information is included with this packet.
4) Contact me directly if you do not receive confirmation of the application within 3 days of sending.5) Setup will begin at 7:00 am on the day of the event, and must be completed by 12 NOON. Dismantling will begin at 8:30pmand must be finished by 12:00 am.
6) You will be contacted with more information at least two weeks prior to the event.
*PLEASE INCLUDE THE CONTACT NAME FOR THIS EVENT!
� Refreshment Sponsorship � General Sponsorship
Company Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Contact Name __________________________________________________________Title: _________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________________Fax: ___________________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Let me know if you do not check your e-mail regularly. Most correspondence is by e-mail. •
URL Site: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
BOOTH CHOICE: _____________ 1ST _____________ 2ND _____________ 3RD (Booth floor plan on page 17 )
Credit Card number and type: _______________________________________________________Expiration Date (required): ______________
Name on Credit Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions, please contactDeborah Sacrey, 713-468-3260 or [email protected]
Bonnie Milne-Andrews, 281-874-2841 or [email protected]
TechnoFest Vendor Registration
18 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
28th Annual HGS SKEET SHOOT Saturday, June 18, 2011Greater Houston Gun Club
6702 McHard Road, Missouri City
This tournament is a 50 target event. Shells are provided, however you must bring eye and ear protection.Greater Houston Gun Club and National Skeet Shooting Association safety rules will be in effect. Trophy winning shooters will be determined by the Lewis class system. Door prizes will be awarded by blind drawingafter the conclusion of shooting. All competitors are automatically entered into the door prize drawing, but youmust be present at the time of the drawing to win.
BBQ lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
IMPORTANT!!WE ARE LIMITED TO 160 SHOOTERS IN FOUR ROTATIONS. ENTRY FEE IS $80 PER SHOOTER
FOR REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED BY SATURDAY, JUNE 11. AFTER THAT, REGISTRATION WILL BESTRICTLY ON A “SPACE AVAILABLE” BASIS AND THE ENTRY FEE WILL BE $95 PER SHOOTER.
REGISTER EARLY!!
For more information, contact: Tom McCarroll at (713)419-9414 or [email protected].
For directions to the club, visit www.greaterhoustongunclub.com.
**********************************************************************************************
HGS SKEET SHOOT REGISTRATION FORM
Name: __________________________________ Company:____________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________ Phone:______________________________________________
Preferred shooting time: (circle one) 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00
Indicate ammunition required: (circle one) 12 gauge 20 gauge
Please return form(s) with check for $80.00 per shooter, payable to: Houston Geological Society
If you prefer to pay by credit card, please call Sandra at the HGS office, (713) 463-9476.
Mail to: Tom McCarroll • 2668 Hwy. 365 #329 • Brenham, TX 77833
Registration Fee: $_________ + Sponsor contribution: $_________ = Total: $_________
If you wish to shoot with a specific squad (5 shooters max.), please submit all forms together.
*************************************************************************************************
ALL SHOOTERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A DISCLAIMER OF RESPONSIBILTYBEFORE THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SHOOT!
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 19
For Gravity and Magnetic Data in the Gulf of MexicoCount on Fugro– Mapping Geology to the Basement...
...And beyond with the most comprehensive non-exclusive airborne, land and marine potential �elds geophysical database, including AeroMagnetic, Marine Gravity and Bathymetry data in the Gulf of Mexico. Interpretation includes:
Basement architecture Tectonic elements Structural/geologic fabric Salt mapping Depth to basement ArcGIS deliverables
For personal assistance & consultation, please contact [email protected] or 713-369-6123. www.fugro-gravmag.com
Fugro Gravity & Magnetic Services
20 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 21
Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP), located in far West Texas,
is the largest of our state parks, covering an area of over
380,000 acres (~400 square miles). The park has been a crossroads
for at least the last 11,000 years as Native Americans, ranchers,
miners, freighters, travelers, and now park visitors have lived and
traveled through. The scenery is magnificent and the landscape
varies from river lowlands, to deep canyons, across high plateaus,
and up steep mountains. Ultimately all of this is controlled by the
character and variety of the underlying geology and the processes
that created it over millions of years.
But why is Big Bend Ranch State Park a Crossroads ofGeology? Because, the park’s southern boundary follows the Rio Grande
from about 10 miles below Presidio through a series of Basin and
Range grabens for some 40 miles down-river to Lajitas at the
northwest corner of Big Bend National Park. Extensive Tertiary-
age volcanics and intrusives make up the Bofecillos Mountains in
the central part of the park, while the Solitario Dome covers the
northeastern corner, where early Cretaceous-age limestones mark
the flank of the dome and Paleozoic-age cherts, sandstones, and
shales are exposed in its core. And finally, in southeastern BBRSP
early and late Cretaceous-age shales and limestones are exposed
along the Fresno-Terlingua Monocline.
Furthermore, four of the major orogenic events that mark the
development of North America converge in BBRSP: 1) The
Appalachian/Ouachita trend extends through the Marathon basin
and can be seen in the interior of the Solitario Dome, where
deformed Ordovician-age Caballos Novaculite is well exposed (see
Photo 1). 2) Elements of the Laramide Orogeny, which formed the
Rocky Mountains, are fully exposed along the Fresno-Terlingua
Monocline, where early and late Cretaceous-age units were
asymmetrically folded. 3) Undoubtedly the most dramatic
geological event represented in the Park is the Tertiary-age
Geology at the CrossroadsBig Bend Ranch State Park
HGS General Dinner M
eetingHGS General
Dinner Meeting Monday, May 9, 2011Westchase Hilton • 9999 WestheimerSocial Hour 5:30–6:30 p.m.Dinner 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: $28 Preregistered members; $35 non-members & walk-ups
To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pre-paywith a credit card. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available.
Blaine R. HallTexas Parks and Wildlife
HGS General Dinner continued on page 23
Photo 1: The Appalachian/Ouachita trend is well-exposed in the interior of the Solitario Dome, located in the northeast part of Big Bend RanchState Park. Here the associated deformation is particularly evident in the folded and faulted band of Caballos Novaculite as viewed passing acrossthe hillside and up along the saddle.
22 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Contact:
Dennis Langlois
+1 832 351 1052
[email protected] cggveritas.com
PennsylvaniaCGGVeritas has commenced a large multi-client library program consisting of five 3D surveys in the heart of the Marcellus fairway. The programs will be acquired over the next few years targeting the Marcellus Shale.
Marcellus Shale
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 23
volcanism that built up the Bofecillos Mountains as part of the very
extensive Trans-Pecos Volcanic Field. 4) And finally, along the south
edge of BBRSP, the route of the Rio Grande
follows Basin and Range-age sediment-
filled grabens that are marked by long,
continuous normal faults exposed along
very prominent fault scarps (see Photo 2).
So come on out to Big Bend Ranch State
Park and track down the evidence of all four
events – the folds and faults, lavas and tuffs.
Revive your appreciation for the geological
enormity of time and scale and the resulting variety of landscape
and scenic beauty here at the Crossroads. �
Biographical SketchBLAINE HALL joined Texas Parks and
Wildlife in 2010 as an Interpretive
Ranger at Big Bend Ranch State Park,
where he takes a hands-on approach in
explaining the geology of the park, how
the geology controls the development of
the park’s landscape, and how the
landscape has affected the historical and
cultural development of the park. He is
uniquely suited for this position because he is able to utilize his
wide-ranging industry experience, substantial teaching experience,
and strong academic background. Blaine
completed his B.S. in Geology at UT-El
Paso, received his M.Sc. in Geological
Oceanography from Dalhousie University,
and carried out research while at Lamont-
Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia
University. His industry experience began
with Superior Oil in minerals exploration
for Proterozoic placer gold (South African
type) and kimberlites (diamonds) in the
Rockies, Canada, Kansas, and Arkansas. He then shifted into
petroleum exploration, beginning with heavy-oil reservoirs in
California for Mobil Oil, and continued with exploration and
production programs in southern South America for Mobil while
based in Buenos Aires. He went back to Argentina for Parker and
Parsley and later, Pioneer Natural Resources. After leaving industry,
Blaine returned to his native West Texas and spent the next ten
years teaching geology and mathematics at Sul Ross State
University in Alpine. While at Sul Ross, he was also very active with
the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, where he developed a
permanent exhibit on the geology of the surrounding Davis
Mountains and presented workshops for teachers and many other
youth and continuing education programs.
HGS General Dinner M
eetingHGS General Dinner continued from page 21 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The scenery…is controlled by
the character and variety of
the underlying geology and
the processes that created it
over millions of years.
Photo 2: The Basin and Range trend is seen clearly where the Rio Grande flows along the southern edge of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Here one ofthe normal faults is very well marked by the fault scarp along the north edge of Colorado Mesa, where the bounding fault extends from right to leftbeyond the photo margin. From this location, the road parallels the fault for about 2.5 miles east. This is one of the longest straight stretches of F.M.170 in the Park.
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 25
IntroductionUnconventional oil and gas plays present many integrated data
analysis challenges not encountered with
traditional plays. In conventional plays,
after validation of adequate source and
sealing mechanisms, workflows are
focused upon trap identification and
characterization of key reservoir
properties ― prominently including
porosity and thickness. In unconventional
plays; where source, trap and reservoir
are commonly synonymous, and hydraulic
fracturing of horizontal wellbores is
essential; optimized field development
requires data and workflow integration
spanning: production, drilling and completions engineering;
geomechanics; geochemistry; petrophysics, geophysics and
more. Consequent ly, the concept
of wel l targeting ― sweet spot maps ―
extends well beyond the relative simplicity
of a single porosity-thickness map to a
complex melding of multi-scale and
multi-discipline data. In this paper we
explore the application of unconventional
analysis workflows, applying non-linear,
multivariate statistics, to efficiently and
effectively integrate scores of E&P
parameters and wells ― to high-grade
productive regions.
Tuesday, May17. 2011Crowne Plaza Hotel - Greenspoint (former Sofitel)
425 North Sam Houston Pkwy E
Social 11:15 AM, Luncheon 11:30 AM
Cost: $31 pre-registered members; $35 for non-members & walk-ups.
To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pre-pay with acredit card. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available.
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
Predicting Shale Production with Integrated, Multi-Variate Statistics
Murray Roth and Bill BashoreTransform Software and Services, Inc
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
Figure 1: Barnett Shale map, cross-section, type log and details
HGS Northsiders Luncheon continued on page 27
concept of well targeting…
extends well beyond the relative
simplicity of a single porosity-
thickness map to a complex
melding of multi-scale and
multi-discipline data.
26 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 27
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
Case StudyAfter nearly 30 years of field development and the drilling and
completing of over 12,000 horizontal wells, the Barnett play of the
Fort Worth basin is the best known yet, perhaps, the most
enigmatic unconventional play (Figure 1).
Variable stress anisotropy, natural fracturing, changing reservoir
thickness, grading thermal maturity, water-bearing adjacent zones
and collapse chimney geologic features all conspire to complicate
optimized field development (Figure 2).
Far from clarifying play characteristics, univariate and bivariate
analyses of well production often create more questions than
providing answers, as shorter wells, drilled along a specific azimuth
with minimal fracturing appear as the preferred development
strategy (Figure 3).
Similarly, statistical weights for engineering-related variables that
are calculated with spatial geological and geophysical biases
removed, can be used to model optimal drilling and completions
parameters.
Figure 2: Seismic coherency and microseismic identify collapse chimneys. Type log with brittleness.
Figure 3: Production correlation with wellbore length, azimuth and number of fracture stages.
HGS Northsiders Luncheon continued from page 25_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HGS Northsiders Luncheon continued on page 29
28 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 29
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
Summary• The Barnett play is a prime example of the complexity of
modeling unconventional reservoir production, and the
inadequacy of univariate and bivariate analysis techniques
• Linear prediction techniques are also generally inadequate for
production prediction, due to azimuthal and otherwise non-
linear data correlations
• The application of non-linear data transforms can linearize the
prediction model and dramatically improve production
correlation
• In practical cases like the Barnett, when the reservoir is not
homogenous and wellbore engineering parameters are not
identical, a joint engineering, geological and geophysical approach
is required
• By compensating for parameter variations at wellbore locations,
meaningful weighted combinations of geological and geophysical
maps can predict production sweet spot locations �
Biographical SketchMURRAY ROTH is President and co-
founder of Transform Software and
Services, Inc., an E&P technology
company specializing in unconventional
interpretation. Over the past 5 years,
Murray has worked on projects from a
number of unconventional oil and gas
plays spanning the Haynesville, Eagle
Ford, Barnett, Fayetteville, Marcellus,
Woodford, Piceance, Bakken, Montney
and Horn River plays Prior to launching Transform, Murray was
Executive Vice President of both R&D and global marketing at
Landmark Graphics. Murray started his career with Geophysical
Service Inc. in 1980, gaining experience in seismic acquisition,
processing and interpretation, before joining Landmark through
Calgary-based Inverse Theory and Applications. Murray has a
degree in Astrophysics from the University of Calgary and is a
member of AAPG, APEGGA, SEG, EAGE, DGS, RMAG and SPE.
Figure 4: A variety of geochemical, geomechanical and seismic data can aid production prediction.
HGS Northsiders Luncheon continued from page 27 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 31
The petroleum systems of East Africa has gained a lot
of attention in the last few years with most of the offshore
area from the Mozambique Rovuma basin north into Kenya
being locked up by both large and small companies in hopes of
finding the next big petroleum frontier. Hints of active petroleum
systems have been seen in numerous seeps along coastal region
for decades. Exploration successes by Tullow Oil in the
modern grabens of the East Africa Rift system of Uganda as
well as the 2006 southern Tanzania Mnazi Bay discoveries by
the Artumas Group gave hope to those of us brave enough to
venture there.
Anadarko Petroleum operates two concessions in the remote
reaches of northern Mozambique: the Rovuma Offshore Area 1
and Onshore blocks. Until last year the Rovuma basin was one of
the few largely unexplored Tertiary deltas in the world. The two
Northern MozambiqueTrue Wildcat Exploration Success
Joint H
GS International and North American Dinner M
eetingJoint HGS International and North American
Dinner Meeting Monday, May 23, 2011Westchase Hilton • 9999 WestheimerSocial Hour 5:30–6:30 p.m.Dinner 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: $28 Preregistered members; $35 non-members & walk-ups
To guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website and pre-paywith a credit card. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available.
Carol LawExploration Manager East AfricaAnadarko Petroleum
HGS International Dinner continued on page 32
32 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued from page 31________________________________________________Joint H
GS International and North American Dinner M
eeting
concessions cover a combined area of approximately 25822 km2
(6.38MM acres) along the border with Tanzania (Figure 1).
Anadarko Petroleum committed to an eight well drilling campaign
in its’ entry to this frontier area in December of 2006.
During the ensuing four year period Anadarko Petroleum and
joint-venture partners took and aggressive
approach, shooting 3300 km2 of 3D seismic
and approximately 6900 line km of 2D data.
The drilling campaign began in the fall of 2009
with one well drilled in the onshore
concession, immediately followed by six
deepwater wells in offshore Area 1 in 2010.
The Rovuma basin is dominated by a Tertiary
delta deposited on relatively undeformed Cretaceous and older
sediments. It is a classic example of a linked extensional-
contractional system. Early Tertiary to present-day deformation is
interpreted to be in response to up-dip sediment loading and
regional tilting, above a master detachment in the late Cretaceous
to early Tertiary age strata.
The deepwater portion of Area 1 is dominated by the complex
interplay of two, east – west trending fold and thrust belts,
converging near the center of the 3D dataset in coalescing strike-
slip collapse systems. The northern and
southern extents of the Area 1 block are
r e l a t i v e l y und e f o rmed a l l ow i n g
f o r interpretation of sequence
stratigraphic depositional systems to be
carried in to the structurally complex portions
of the block. The shallow water potion of the
block is dominantly extensional.
The remoteness of the area adds a level of complexity rarely found
in today’s exploration concessions. Environmental concerns and
lack of existing infrastructure have made this much more than a
HGS International Dinner continued on page 37
The remoteness of the area
adds a level of complexity
rarely found in today’s
exploration concessions.
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 33
34 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Members Pre-registered Prices:General Dinner Meeting.................. $28Nonmembers & walk-ups ................ $35Env. & Eng. ...................................... $25Luncheon Meeting .......................... $30Nonmembers & walk-ups ................ $35International Explorationists .......... $28North American Explorationists ...... $28
S u n d a y M o n d a y T u e s d a y
May 2011W e d n e s d a y
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HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
“Predicting Shale Production with Integrated, Multi-Variate Statistics,”Murray Roth and Bill Bashore, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Page 25
Joint HGS International and North American
Dinner Meeting“Northern Mozambique
True Wildcat Exploration Success,” Carol Law, Westchase Hilton, Page 31
HGS Continuing Ed“RDR Structural and Fault Analysis
Module for Petrel,”Steve Freeman and Simon Harris, Schlumberger Office, NExT Training,
Houston, TX Page 14
HGS General Luncheon Meeting
“Exploration: The Key to Growth”, G. Steven Farris,
Petroleum Club Page 39
HGS General Dinner Meeting“Geology at the CrossroadsBig Bend Ranch State Park”,
Blaine R. Hall, Westchase Hilton
Page 21
Reservations:The HGS prefers that you make your reservations on-line through the HGS website atwww.hgs.org. If you have no Internet access, you can e-mail [email protected], or callthe office at 713-463-9476. Reservations for HGS meetings must be made or cancelled bythe date shown on the HGS Website calendar, normally that is 24 hours before hand oron the last business day before the event. If you make your reservation on the Website orby email, an email confirmation will be sent to you. If you do not receive a confirmation,check with the [email protected]. Once the meals are ordered and name tags and lists areprepared, no more reservations can be added even if they are sent. No shows will be billed.
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 35
T h u r s d a y
5 6 7
13
20
GEOEVENTS
28
S a t u r d a yF r i d a y
1412
21
26 27
Collarini Energy Staffing Inc.Full–Time and Temporary Exploration and Production Personnel
Geoscience � Facilities � Drilling � Production � Reservoir Engineers � Landmen � ManagementProcurement � Information Technology � Health and Safety � Accounting � Administrative Support
11111 Richmond Avenue, Suite 126 www. collarini.com 4200 South I-10 Service Road, Suite 230 Houston, Texas 77082 Metairie, Louisiana 70001 Phone (832) 251-0553 Phone (504) 887-7127 Fax (832) 251-0157 Connecting the Industry ’s Exper ts Fax (504) 887-7162
19 SIPESLuncheon Meeting
“Hidden Structure Revealed by a Simple3-D Velocity Model – McAllen RanchField, Hidalgo County, Texas”Richard C. Bain, Petroleum Club
Page 40
NABGG Scholarship Dinner
Petroleum Club, Houston, Texas
HGS Shrimp Peel6pm – 10pm
Sam Houston Race Park Page 4
HGS Annual Guest Night5:45pm – 10:00pm
Houston Museum of Natural Science Page 12
NeoGeo's SMT Picnic11:30am – 2:00pmMemorial Park
NOWyou can make
your reservations on-line at
www.hgs.org
Upcoming GeoEventsJune 5-7, 2011Southwest Section AAPG AnnualConference Ruidoso, New MexicoJuly 21, 2011TechnoFest Houston, TexasJuly 31-August 4, 2011TSOP-CSCOP Joint Meeting: Unconventional Resources, CleanCoal, and Offshore ResourcesHalifax, NS, CanadaAugust2-4, 2011AAPG Geosciences TechnologyWorkshop – US Shale PlaysFort Worth, TexasSeptember 6-8, 2011PESGB/HGS Conference on AfricanE & P London, EnglandSeptember 25-27, 2011Eastern Section AAPG Annual MeetingWashington, D.C.October 9-12, 2011Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Minneapolis, MNOctober 16-18, 201161st Annual Convention - Gulf CoastAssociation of Geological Societies Veracruz, MéxicoOctober 23-26, 2011AAPG International Conference & Exhibition Milan, ItalyNovember 22-24, 2011GSL – Conference on CO2SequestrationLondon, EnglandDecember 4-7, 2011GCSSEPM Foundation Bob F.Perkins Research ConferenceHouston, TexasApril 22-25, 2012AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition Long Beach, CaliforniaNovember 4 -7, 2012Geological Society of AmericaCharlotte, North CarolinaApril 6-9, 2014AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition Houston, Texas
36 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 37
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued from page 32_______________________________________________
Joint H
GS International and North American Dinner M
eeting
conventional exploration opportunity. Some of the world’s most
pristine eco-tourism resorts are found on islands in the offshore
area. And, the northern most regions of Mozambique have been
completely untouched by the modern technology and
conveniences we all are accustomed to. Anadarko is committed to
working in concert with the people of Mozambique to protect the
environment.
Anadarko Petroleum and its partners are excited to be leading the
hunt for “elephants” in remote northern Mozambique with four
successful, potentially commercial, deep water wildcats drilled in
2010. We are currently executing an extensive appraisal program
and two new 3D seismic acquisition programs, with plans for an
aggressive second round of exploration wells to follow. �
Biographical SketchCAROL LAW is currently the Exploration
Manager for East Africa and the
Caribbean at Anadarko Petroleum in
The Woodlands, Texas. She has worked
international and Gulf of Mexico
exploration projects for the past twenty-
seven years with several major and
independent oil and gas companies. Her
primary areas of technical expertise are
petroleum systems modeling and geochemistry. She authored the
“Evaluating Source Rocks” chapter of the AAPG Treatise of
Petroleum Geology Handbook of Petroleum Geology – Exploring
for Oil and Gas Traps.
Earthworks Seismic InversionDeterministic and Stochastic Inversion in Petrel
w w w . b l u e b a c k - r e s e r v o i r . c o m
The Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel* is an
Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel includes:
stochastic inversion
New release! ESI v2.0 coming May 2011
*Mark of Schlumberger
Stochastic InversionDeterministic Inversion
Prior Model3D errors
The Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in
Earthw Determin
for PetrelEarthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel* is an The Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in
Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel includes:
stochastic inversion
for PetrelEarthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in
Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel includes:
stochastic inversion
for Petrel* is an
Earthworks Seismic Inversion plug-in for Petrel includes:
Deterministic Inversion Stochastic InversionDeterministic Inversion
rior Model3D errors
Stochastic Inversion
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VOTEBe sure to cast your vote in the HGS election by May 10
38 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 39
Exploration has propelled Apache’s past success and will fuelfuture growth. In the early years, Apache was known for
acquisitions and exploitation. Over the past decade, the companyhas built a formidable exploration capability that has deliveredmajor discoveries including Qasr in Egypt’s Western Desert, Julimarin Australia and the Horn River Basin shale gas play in BritishColumbia, Canada. Apache recently reorganized its staff in orderto increase the company’s focus on exploration and ensure that itwill continue to be a key driver of growth. �
Biographical SketchG. STEVEN FARRIS is chairman and chiefexecutive officer of Apache Corporation,a global oil and gas exploration andproduction company. At year-end 2010,Apache had assets totaling $43 billion,estimated proved reserves of 3 billionbarrels of oil equivalent and a balancedportfolio of operating assets in the United
States, Canada, the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea, Egypt,Australia and Argentina.
Prior to appointment to his current position in January 2009, Mr.Farris was Apache’s chief executive officer, president and chiefoperating officer. He joined Apache in June 1988 as vice presidentof domestic exploration and production. He was promoted to seniorvice president in 1991 and became Apache’s president in 1994.
Previously, Mr. Farris was vice president and treasurer of TerraResources. Before working at Terra, Mr. Farris was executive vicepresident of Robert W. Berry, Inc., an independent exploration andproduction company. He holds bachelor’s degrees from OklahomaState University.
Mr. Farris is a member of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Boardof Visitors, vice chairman of America’s Natural Gas Alliance(ANGA), and a member of the board of directors of Fund forTeachers. He is a member of Business Roundtable.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011Petroleum Club • 800 Bell (downtown) Social 11:15 AM, Luncheon 11:30 AM
Cost: $30 pre-registered members; $35 for non-members & walk-ups;Emeritus/Life/Honorary: $15; Students: FREETo guarantee a seat, you must pre-register on the HGS website (www.hgs.org) andpre-pay with a credit card. Pre-registration without payment will not be accepted. You may still walk up and pay at the door, if extra seats are available.
HGS General Luncheon Meeting
G. Steven FarrisChairman and Chief Executive OfficerApache Corporation
HGS General Luncheon Meeting
Exploration: The Key to Growth
40 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Asignificant gas accumulation was discovered in an area surrounded by dry holes and marginal wells in the Vicksburg Formation in
McAllen Ranch Field, Hidalgo County, Texas by treating a seismic velocity anomaly as a geologic rather than a geophysical problem,
and by simple application of arithmetic and geometry. Due to the effects of the anomaly, seismic data displayed in time gave no indication
of the existence of an 800 acre, 150 BCFG anticlinal structure. A velocity model that used an understanding of the rock properties causing
the anomaly was able to predict its extent and severity by readily identifiable thickness changes in the anomalous units. The resulting
discovery yielded a seven-fold increase in field production within a two-year time span.
Seismic check-shot surveys indicated that a 1,500 ft (500 m) thick interval in the Frio Formation 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above the objective
reservoir had velocities that were as much as 50% faster than the overlying or underlying units. The top and base of the high-velocity unit
were correlated over a wide area using 3D seismic and well data. A three-layer 3D velocity model of the units overlying the objective reservoir
was constructed using the time surfaces of the anomalous velocity layer and the normal velocity layers above and below it. Within each
SIPES Luncheon Meeting SIPES May Luncheon Meeting
Hidden Structure Revealed by a Simple 3D VelocityModel – McAllen Ranch Field, Hidalgo County, Texas
Richard C. Bain, Chevron North America Exploration and Production, Houston, TX
Thursday, May 19, 2011Houston Petroleum Club in the Discovery Room, 800 Bell St. (downtown Houston). Social 11:15 AM, Luncheon 11:45 AM
Reservations Required:Make reservations by telephone (713-651-1639), fax (713-951-9659), website (www.sipes-houston.org), or [email protected] to B. K. Starbuck-Buongiorno by 12:00 noon on Tuesday preceding the meeting. You can now sign up for the meetingonline at www.sipes-houston.org, but payment is still required by regular mail or at the door.
Cost: $30 for SIPES Members and Chapter Affiliates who register by 12:00 Noon Tuesday; $35 for new registrations at the door. The pricefor guests, non-members and walk-ins is $35. No-shows will be billed.
Innovative solutions for exploration challenges using advanced seismic and CSEM geophysical methods.
At RSI, geophysicists, petrophysicists, EM specialists and geologists work together to develop innovative software and workflow solutions for today’sexploration and exploitation challenges.
www.rocksolidimages.com
ROCK SOLID
INNOVATION
Extraordinary Results. By Any Measure.
layer an average velocity value was assigned by contouring
known velocity control points. By computing a thickness
for each point in each layer and then summing the layers,
a depiction of the true shape and orientation of the
objective reservoir was produced. �
Biographical SketchDICK BAIN is a development geologist with Chevron’s
MidContinent/Alaska Business Unit in Houston. During
thirty-two years with Chevron he has worked a variety of
assignments in South Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico, the
Permian basin, East Texas, and South Texas. For the past
fifteen years he has been a development geologist for
Chevron’s Lobo Trend properties in Webb and Zapata
Counties, Texas, and Chevron’s Vicksburg Trend
properties in Hidalgo
County, Texas. His talk,
“Hidden Structure Revealed
by a Simple 3D Velocity
Model – McAllen Ranch
Field, Hidalgo County, Texas”,
was originally presented at
the 2010 GCAGS Annual
Convention in San Antonio.
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 41
SIPES Luncheon Meeting
Innovative solutions for exploration challenges using advanced seismic and CSEM geophysical methods.
At RSI, geophysicists, petrophysicists, EM specialists and geologists work together to develop innovative software and workflow solutions for today’sexploration and exploitation challenges.
www.rocksolidimages.com
ROCK SOLID
INNOVATION
Extraordinary Results. By Any Measure.
State of the art inversion and modeling tools for wells, seismic and CSEM data.
At RSI, geophysicists, petrophysicists, EM specialists and geologists work together to develop innovative software and workflow solutions for today’sexploration and exploitation challenges.
www.rocksolidimages.com
ROCK SOLID
INVERSION
Extraordinary Results. By Any Measure.
42 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 43
44 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
To exhibit:Mike Taylor, Exhibition Sales RepresentativeE-mail: [email protected]: +1 281 773 8836
To sponsor:Julie Simmons, Marketing ManagerE-mail: [email protected]: +1 918 560 2618
Make plans to attend the AAPG 2011 ICE in Milan.
Registration opens in May!
MORE THAN
500TECHNICALPRESENTATIONS
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 45
46 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Test Drive the New PowerLog 3.2 in a Free WorkshopSee how easily you can complete your petrophysical workflows with PowerLog 3.2:
Increased Usability:
• Improved editing functionality• All project data is at your finger tips with our searchable database.
• Multi-well processing is easy, fast & accurate.
Advanced Interpretation Tools:
• Image log analysis• Obtain more accurate resistivity determination with Laminated Shaly Sand Analysis – LSSA.
• Perform Interactive Electrofacies modeling using FaciesID.• Quantify lithologies, fluids, and porosity with StatMin.• Model Density, P, and Shear logs, and perform fluid substitution with the rock physics module – RPM.
Sign up today!Contact Jeff Martin at [email protected]
Voyage of Discovery
Multi-well Crossplot
Dip Picking Facies Classification
Phot
o: Je
ff Sc
ovil
Embassy Suites Hotel near The Galleria2911 Sage Road, Houston, TX
APRIL 29TH - MAY 1ST, 2011
KristalleLithographieRocksaholicsSacred EarthGemas N.O.
Evan A. JonesWorld Mineral
Mineral SearchThe ArkenstoneLexcel MineralsCrystal Classics
Crystal MonsterLehigh MineralsXquizit MineralsVenerable StoneDeccan Minerals
Miner’s Lunchbox
For more information contact Dave Waisman at 509.458.2331 | www.FineMineralShow.com
Majestic MineralsAtomic PerfectionWendy’s MineralsBy Nature GalleryEdward’s MineralsTop Shelf Minerals
Dave Bunk MineralsInvestments From Earth
Wright’s Rock ShopGraeber and Himes
Vasconcelos – BrazilTucson Store FixturesPetaca Fine Minerals
Superb Minerals IndiaDon and Gloria Olson
Joe Budd PhotographyJon G. Voelter Minerals
Alpine Mineral CompanyGreen Mountain Minerals
Gallery of Lapidary ArtistsThe Sunnywood CollectionFenn’s Gems and MineralsAdam’s Mountain MineralsAriana Gems and Minerals
Columbia Trading CompanyPaul Staber Minerals and FossilsWilliam Metropolis Fine MineralsCrystal Springs Mining Company
Samora Minerals/Mexican Amber
Judy and Richard Rome Jewelry Designs
Mike Bergmann and Matthew Robert Minerals
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 47
48 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
Cheated, Mistreated,Pushed Around?
Have you been cheated, mistreatedor somehow deprived of yourshare of a deal, working interestor royalty? If so, give me a call. I have twenty five years experienceas a working interest and royaltyowner in the oil and gas businessto go along with thirty five yearsof court room experience. You donot pay anything unless I win.
Robert A. Chaffin
CHAFFIN & STILES4265 San Felipe, Suite 1020
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) [email protected]
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 49
5th Floor, 9 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8DW !! Tel: +44 (0)20 7408 2000 !! Fax: +44(0)20 7408 2050 !! [email protected] !! www.pesgb.org.uk
Africa: A Legacy of Exploration and Discovery
Poster Session
The Indian Ocean Margin of South Africa; Uplift Timing, Relative
Importance of Strike Slip Movements and Dynamic Topography F. Guillocheau, Geosciences Rennes
Searching High and Low: Correlating shallow and deep structural trends along the West African Margin to determine sediment transport and hydrocarbon migration controls.
W. Dickson, DIGS and C.Schiefelbein, GSI
East African Rift System Regional Geological Interpretation Study, Utilising Earth Observation Data
M.Hall, Infoterra
Deepwater Extension of Cretaceous Fan Play in Offshore Liberia M. Tamannei, T.Hancock, P.Conn, I.Deighton, TGS
Subsidence/ Inversion of the Congo Basin, by fission-track & (U-Th-Sm)/He data
U. Glasmacher, F.Bauer, Univ of Heidelberg, D.Delvaux, RMCA
Tracing the thermal and erosional evolution of the Albertine Rift, indications from the western rift shoulder (DRC)
F. Bauer, M. Starz, U. A. Glasmacher, R. W. Grobe, Univ of Heidelberg , M. Malikwisha, V. S. Mambo & B. V. Mutete, Ruwenzori State Univ
West Africa’s maritime boundaries, from Senegal to Benin J. Veron, E. Schmid, G. Moundounga IHS
Occurrence and Prediction of High Pressure Sediments along the West African Margin
R. Swarbick, GeoPressure Technology
ArcGIS Spatial Analysis of Petroleum Systems in the Sirt Petroleum Province
G. Williams, Lynx and D Boote, consultant
The Ethiopian Rift: the magmo-tectonic framework of a syn-rift depositional system and its value as an analogue to exploration along the African margins.
M. Hammill, Getech
East African Margin - Stratigraphy to Seismic correlation of the Kenyan deepwater wells Pomboo-1 and Simba-1
A. Pardon, A. Holden, L. Hunt, Fugro-NPA
Implications of Relative Sea Level Changes on Exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean Area
W. Wornardt, Micro-Strat
Subsurface plumbing and fluid expulsion from the lower Congo Basin: evidence from 3D seismic analysis and satellite seep detection
M.Huuse, C.Serie, K. Andresen, A. Olubayo, A.Williams, N. Schoedt, L. Clausen, Univ of Manchester/Univ of Aarhus/Fugro-NPA/Maersk
The Austrian Unconformity in North Africa D. Boote, Consultant and J. Redfern, Univ of Manchester
A Clearer Image of the PreSalt in Angola
R. Borsato, PGS
10th PESGB/HGS Conference on African E&P
Timetable
50 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
HGS Welcomes New Members
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Elizabeth Baker
Scott Ball
Laura Bornatici
Robert Colpitts
Wes Crawford
Richard Evans
Changrui Gong
Alicia Hewlett
Michael Hiner
Rahcelle Kernen
Frank Krecow
David Lewis
Bernard McCormick
Jennifer Melster
Sarah Power
Nicole Taylor
Scott Waggoner
William Zagorski
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Alan Gremmel
Jason Robino
Sylvia Sims
STUDENT MEMBERS
Sameer Baral
Andrew Munoz
New Members Effective March 1, 2011
Welcome New Members
HGS Welcomes New Members
David Childers, ph: 713-658-0077, e-mail: [email protected] Plaza, 1201 Louisiana St., Suite 570, Houston, TX 77002
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 51
Ross Sterling (future governor of Texas) operated a feed store
in Humble before acquiring a few producing oil wells in
1910. Sterling and five other men (Clint Wood, M.C. Hale – rig
builder, S.K. Warrener, Charles Goddard – drilling contractor,
and Joe Fincher), pooled their physical assets and oil production,
valued at $150,000.00 (no cash) and formed the Humble Oil
Company. Sterling contributed approximately one third of the
amount. Within a few months, Walter W. Fondren joined the
company. Other significant stockholders in these early months
included Robert Blaffer, William S. Farrish, and Harry C. Wiess
(each later served as Humble president).
The company was named after the town of Humble, Texas, an
oil boom town of the early 1900s. The nearby Humble oil field’s
discovery year is generally stated as 1905, but drilling with minor
oil and gas production occurred from 1902-1904. Impressive oil
gushers at Humble included the 1905 Beatty No. 2 well,
producing 8500 BOPD from a depth of approximately 700 feet.
Several gushers of over 10,000 BOPD were brought in during
the year and the field produced over 15 million barrels of oil in
1905.
The Humble Oil Company was reorganized in 1917 as the
Humble Oil and Refining Company with a capital stock of over
$4,000,000.00. �
Main source: Sterling, Ross, Kilman, Ed, and Don Carleton,
2007, Ross Sterling – Texan: University of Texas Press, Austin,
270 pp.
100 Years Ago…February, 1911On February 16, 1911, the Humble Oil Company
Was Chartered in the State of Texas.by Jeff Spencer
52 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 53
Additional Hexavalent Chromium Information
Anchor E. Holme, with ABEngineering had the following
comments on hexavalent chromium:
“In your recent Government Update in the March 2011 HGS
Bulletin, p. 58-59, you discussed ‘EPA considers Hexavalent
Chromium in Water Supplies.’
“At several Permian Basin sites, I have worked on chromium in the
soils and ground water. All of the sites were affected by industrial
chromates as well as chromium in electroplating. Consistently, the
ratio of hexavalent chromium to total chromium was very nearly
constant. The current EPA limit for total chromium in water of
1000 ppb is equivalent to approximately double the amount of the
California hexavalent chromium limit. Traditionally, California has
been consistently very conservative on their public health limits. I
am not sure if any reliable testing for hexavalent chromium toxicity
has been done recently to support the California claim.
“Also, the EPA article left out the above documented correlation.
Thus they are misleading the public by the way they wrote the
Federal Register announcement when they left out relevant
information on their current limit of protection. They seem to
suggest that there is no consistent ratio between hexavalent
chromium and total chromium. This correlation was the very basis
of the current EPA limit, since the test for total chromium was
much simpler and less costly to perform.”
AGI Government Affairs Monthly Review (February 2011)President Releases FY 2012 Budget Request
On Valentine’s Day, President Barack Obama released the
administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget request to Congress.
An interactive graphic (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget)
provides an overview of the budget proposal and the percentage
of spending for various government priorities.
The President’s budget overview lists several key points, including
$1 trillion in deficit reductions in the FY 2012 budget request and
a five year freeze on non-security discretionary spending to reduce
the deficit by $400 billion over ten years. The key points are
followed by five key sections titled Innovate, Educate, Build,
Responsibility and Reform. Under Innovate, the request calls for
$148 billion for research and development (R&D), making the
R&D tax credit permanent. Under Educate, the request calls for
maintaining financial aid for higher education and for preparing
100,000 new science, technology, engineering, and math teachers.
Under Build, the request calls for improving infrastructure for
transportation and improving internet access. Under
Responsibility, the request calls for a freeze on non-security
spending, plus cuts to community grants, Great Lakes restoration,
water treatment plant funds, defense spending and other
programs. Under Reform, the request calls for cuts on government
travel and administration, reform through reorganization and
embracing competitive grant programs such as “Race to the Top.”
Turning to specific requests for geosciences R&D and geosciences
education, the FY 2012 plan calls for increases for the National
Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), Earth Science within the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), and Renewable Energy and
Science within the Department of Energy. The total budget for the
U.S. Geological Survey would remain nearly the same as FY 2010,
while funding for Fossil Energy, Environmental Management and
Waste Management (i.e., Yucca Mountain) within the Energy
Department would decrease.
The Geosciences Directorate (GEO) within NSF would consider
several interdisciplinary initiatives in the President's FY 2012
budget request beyond regular funding of research and related
activities. Major investments would include $282.7 million (+$87.2
million over FY 2010/CR FY 2011) for the Science, Engineering
and Education for Sustainability (SEES) NSF-wide program, $16
million (first time request) for Cyberinfrastructure Framework for
21st Century Science and Engineering (CIF21), $10 million (first
time request) for Creating a More Disaster-resilient America
(CaMRA), $13 million (-$1.6 million below FY 2010/CR FY 2011)
for a new Science and Technology Center and $13.8 million (+$1.2
million over FY 2010/CR FY 2011) for the Faculty Early Career
Developement (CAREER) program. SEES funding through GEO
would focus on clean energy and technologies to help mitigate and
adapt to environmental changes. CAREER funds would support
young investigators who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars
through outstanding research and education.
Government Update
Government Update continued on page 55
Government UpdateHenry M. Wise, P.G. and Arlin Howles, P.G.
If you’d like the most up-to-date information on Texas rules, regulations, and
governmental meetings, we direct you to the HGS website to review The Wise Report.
This report, which comes out as needed but not more often than once a week, offers
the most up-to-date information that may be of interest to Texas geologists.
54 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
2011 Houston Open Enrollment Course Schedule
www.roseassoc.com/instruction 713/528-8422
Risk Analysis, Prospect Evaluation & Exploration Economics
May 9 – 13 October 24 – 28
Project Risk, Uncertainty and Decision Analysis November 14 – 17
DHI Interpretation and Prospect Risking
November 7 - 8
Risk and Uncertainty Analysis for Unconventional Resource Plays
May 2 – 3 November 29 – 30
Play Based Exploration September 26 - 28
Course Schedule 1 Houston Open Enrollment 120
November 7 - 8 Prospect Risking
DHI Interpretation and
Course Schedule 1 Houston Open Enrollment
November 7 - 8 Prospect Risking
DHI Interpretation and
September 26 - 28 Play Based Exploration
November 29 – 30 May 2 – 3
Unconventional Resource Plays Risk and Uncertainty
Exploration Economics Analysis, Prospect Evaluation & Risk
September 26 - 28 Play Based Exploration
November 29 – 30 May 2 – 3
Unconventional Resource Plays Analysis for Risk and Uncertainty
Exploration Economics Analysis, Prospect Evaluation &
.roseassoc.com/instructionwww
November 14 – 17 Decision
Project Risk, Uncertainty and
October 24 – 28 May 9 – 13
Exploration Economics
.roseassoc.com/instruction
November 14 – 17 Analysis Decision
Project Risk, Uncertainty and
October 24 – 28 May 9 – 13
713/528-8422
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 55
Website • BrochureAd • Logo • Catalog Newsletter Design
LisaKruegerDesign.com713.664.7267
Design and Art Direction for Print and Web
Government Update continued from page 53 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The U.S. Geological Survey FY 2012 request is $1.118 billion, which
is an increase of $6.1 million over FY 2010. The request would cut
funding for programs in earthquake hazards, geologic mapping,
water resources and mineral resources. The request would
terminate the data preservation and the water research science
centers. The request would provide increases for climate change
programs and Landsat.
Critical Minerals Bills Introduced
Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced the “Critical Minerals and
Materials Promotion Act of 2011” (S.383) on February 17, 2011.
The bill would authorize several programs under the Department
of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Energy (DOE). DOI,
acting through USGS, would establish a research and development
program tasked with compiling the discovered and potential for
undiscovered resources of critical materials in the United States
and other countries as well as analyzing the current and future
critical materials domestic and global supply chains. DOE would
conduct a program of research and development to strengthen the
domestic supply chain of critical materials for clean energy
technologies. Other programs within the bill promote development
of a critical materials industry workforce through partnerships
with higher education institutions and the establishment of an
early warning system of potential critical materials and supply
problems. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources.
On the House side, Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA)
introduced the “Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization
Act” (H.R. 618) on February 10, 2011 to promote the domestic
production of rare earth elements (REEs). The legislation, first
proposed by Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania in the 111th
Congress (H.R. 6160), aims to further research through a DOE
program on advancing technology affecting REE mining,
manufacturing, and recycling, and authorizes research to find
substitutions for and less use of these materials. It has been referred
to the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on
Energy and Environment.
Congress Wants More Information about Yucca Mountain
Four members of the House Science, Space, and Technology
Committee sent a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) on February 10, 2011 requesting information on the
scientific and technical evaluation of the Yucca Mountain nuclear
waste disposal site.
Committee Chair Ralph Hall (R-TX), Vice-Chairman James
Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee
Chairman Paul Broun (R-GA), and Energy and Environment
Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) sent the letter to
each NRC commissioner asking for the immediate release of a yet
to be released safety evaluation report on Yucca Mountain that was
to be finished by August 2010. The letter says the report addresses
post-closure scientific and technical issues associated with storing
high level waste at the proposed repository. "Public disclosure of the
report and the NRC staff 's key findings is necessary to ensure fully
informed consideration of science and technology policy issues
surrounding this matter" the congressmen wrote.
On February 24, 2011 House Energy and Commerce Committee
Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Environment and the Economy
Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) sent a letter to
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu with a list of questions and requests
for information regarding the Yucca Mountain project. One
question asks whether Chu considers Yucca Mountain a
geologically safe site for the disposal of nuclear waste and requests
information regarding his decision. The congressmen inquire
about the future of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste
Management, the application licensing process, and the financial
status of the project. In the letter the lawmakers write that they have
Government Update
E. H. STORK, JR., & ASSOCIATES, INC.
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Government Update continued on page 57
56 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
2011 WTGS Fall SymposiumSeptember 28-30, 2011
Midland, TexasCALL FOR PAPERS
WolfBerry! Avalon Shale! WolfBone! Leonard Shale! WolfFork! Atoka Wash! WolfBo! Or, just plain ole’ Ellenburger, San Andres, Wolfcamp, Morrow, Abo, Yates, Devonian!
No matter what you call it, 300+ Drilling Rigs in the Permian Basin are penetrating it!The Permian Basin is HOT, and we would like to hear your story during the 2011 WTGS Fall Symposium. We are interested in technical talks, papers and/or posters with direct relevance to the evaluation, discovery, and/or production of the multiple Permian Basin plays.
Please contact one of the following Technical Co-Chairs:Lou Mazzullo 303.384.9668 [email protected] Nail 432.686.6771 [email protected]
Kevin J. McMichael
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 57
an obligation to taxpayers to deliver a waste repository for which
they have been providing money and to prevent the U.S. Treasury
from paying damages to nuclear energy companies whose contracts
with the Department of Energy to accept nuclear waste have been
breached.
House Members Question Hydraulic Fracturing
Representatives Edward Markey (D-MA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ),
who serve on the House Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter
to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on February 28, 2011, asking for
more information about hydraulic fracturing on public lands.
Their letter reacts to a detailed The New York Times story on
possible human health effects of hydraulic fracturing and other
recent stories and debates.
Hydraulic fracturing is used to extract natural gas from rock
formations, primarily shale-based formations, by pumping in water
and fluids that fracture the rock and allow the gas to migrate to
extraction sites. The news story discusses high levels of radioactivity
and other potential toxic substances that concentrate in the waste
waters and may not be disposed of properly. Given the significant
increase in the use of hydraulic fracturing throughout the U.S., there
is growing concern about a significant increase in harmful waste
water potentially contaminating drinking water and rivers.
Within days of the news story and congressional letter, a magnitude
4.5 earthquake in Arkansas increased concerns about possible
connections between seismic activity and salty waste-water
pumping in the area. In Arkansas, hydraulic fracturing is used to
extract gas and then the salty waste-water is pumped into the
abandoned injection wells. There have been more swarms of
earthquakes in Arkansas since an increase of pumping over the past
few years and the magnitude 4.5 earthquake was the largest event
in about 35 years. The Arkansas Geological Survey, the New Madrid
Seismic Network, and the U.S. Geological Survey have more
information about seismicity in the state.
With significant discoveries of natural gas resources, which are cleaner
burning, and concomitant increases in the use of hydraulic fracturing
to extract the natural gas, there needs to be consideration of the most
effective methods for dealing with the waste streams, while conserving
energy and resources throughout the extraction process.
House Energy Subcommittee to Host Hearing with Climate
Scientists
The Democrats on the Energy and Power Subcommittee of the
House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to the
subcommittee chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY) requesting that climate
scientists participate in hearings on greenhouse gas emissions
regulations within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The subcommittee has been holding hearings related to legislation,
but according to Democratic members of the subcommittee, their
requests to have climate scientists participate have been denied. The
Democrats are concerned that recent hearings have called into
question the science regarding climate change without having any
scientists respond or present testimony.
Chairman Whitfield has indicated that the subcommittee
will organize a hearing with a panel of climate scientists for
March 8, 2011.
In related news, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred
Upton (R-MI), Subcommittee Chair Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and
Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) filed an amicus brief in a court case
that questions judicial authority in making decisions about
greenhouse gas emissions. Republicans in both chambers are
questioning the authority of the judicial and the executive branches
to rule on greenhouse gas emissions without legislation from the
legislative branch.
DOI Will Look at Oil Shale Rules, Water Resources
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) Director Bob Abbey announced on February 15, 2011 that
the BLM will review the current commercial oil shale rules and
plans issued in November 2008 under the Bush Administration. If
necessary, DOI will update the rules depending on projected water
needs in the west, the latest research and technologies, and cost.
The review will look specifically at whether royalty rates for oil
shale should be established only after more is known about oil shale
technologies, whether future applications to lease should include
specific resource protection programs, and whether aspects of
existing regulation should be clarified.
Abbey stated that BLM, which recently solicited and reviewed
nominations for research, development, and deployment (RD&D)
leases for oil shale on public lands in Colorado and Utah, remains
Government Update
Government Update continued on page 59
Government Update continued from page 55 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
58 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
VOTEMay 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 59
Government UpdateGovernment Update continued from page 57 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
committed to helping companies take a bench-scale technology to
commercial scale. GAO recommended, in “Energy-Water Nexus:
A Better and Coordinated Understanding of Water Resources
Could Help Mitigate the Impacts of Potential Oil Shale
Development,” that the USGS begin an analysis of baseline water
resources conditions to increase understanding of how
groundwater and surface water are affected by commercial oil shale
activities. DOI believes that enough time exists for the review
before a “commercially and environmentally viable method for
development of oil shale” becomes profitable on a larger scale.
Report Clears NOAA of Fraud in Climate Email Debacle
At the request of Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), an outspoken
climate change skeptic, Inspector General Todd Zinser of the
Department of Commerce conducted a review (http://www.oig.
doc.gov/oig/reports/correspondence/2011.02.18_IG_to_%20Inhof
e.pdf) of stolen emails from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) at
the University of East Anglia to determine if NOAA was guilty of
impropriety or fraudulent data manipulation. The Inspector
General was to answer whether there was evidence of improper
manipulation of data; dismissal of appropriate peer review
procedures; or noncompliance of the Information Quality Act
(IQA) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Finding “no
evidence” of any of the aforementioned offenses, the report’s
findings are similar to many other conclusions reached by
independent investigations into climate data research and
stewardship. NOAA still must explain to Zinser and Inhofe why
funds were transferred to CRU in 2002 and 2003, though their
records show the funds were used to help support workshops to
aid the governments of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam with their
climate forecasting abilities. NOAA’s national and global peer-
reviewed climate data are available to the public at:
http://www.climate.gov/#dataServices.
Chinese Court Rejects Jailed U.S. Geologist’s Appeal A Beijing appeals court ruled on February 18, 2011 to uphold the
eight year prison sentence given to an American geologist who was
jailed for collecting information on the Chinese oil industry. Xue
Feng claimed that the information was commercially and publicly
available when he obtained it and was classified retroactively by the
government. Xue has been in custody for more than three years
and was fined $30,000 despite requests for his release and
repatriation to the U.S.
Publishing Company Wiley Announces Open AccessJournals Publishing company Wiley, known for specializing in journals,
books, reference works, laboratory manuals and databases,
announced on February 1, 2011, the launch of Wiley Open Access, a
new publishing program of open access journals. Three journals have
been created for open access publishing of research outcomes,
meaning authors pay to have their work accessed by users for free.
Brain and Behavior will showcase research in neurology,
neuroscience, psychiatry and psychology; Ecology and Evolution is
set to publish research relating to ecology, evolution and conservation
science; and an open microbiology journal is set to launch.
Nature Publishing Group (NPG) has also expanded the number of
its journals with an open access option. Dozens of NPG
publications now allow researchers to self-archive articles for free
or have their work published immediately for open access for a
publication fee. More information and a full list of participating
journals can be found at: http://www.nature.com/authors/author_
resources/deposition.html.
Key Reports and Publications National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
Understanding Earth’s Deep Past: Lessons for our Climate
Future (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13111)
was released March 1, 2011. The National Research Council
(NRC) has released a report identifying the value of the geological
record in helping to predict how the Earth’s future climate would
respond in an environment with high levels of atmospheric
greenhouse gases. The Earth has two fundamentally different
climate states called icehouse and greenhouse. Though for the past
30 million years the Earth has been in an icehouse state,
characterized by waxing and waning ice sheets at high latitudes, a
greenhouse state of absent or very small ice sheets has been more
common for the past 600 million years. Ancient rocks and
sediments could provide insight into various climate processes that
we haven’t observed in our current icehouse state. As part of the
report, the NRC identified research to better understand the
implications of a warmer world on the water cycle, sensitivity of
the climate system, global heat transfer, sea level and ice sheet
stability, and ecosystem thresholds and resilience. �
Vote in the HGS election by
May 10
60 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
1
2 3 4
5
6 7
8 9
10 11 12 13
14 15 16
17 18 19
20 21 22 23
24 25
26 27
28
29
30
31 32
33 34
35
36 37 38
39 40
41
42
43
44 45
46
May Crossword of Geologic Terms
ACROSS
2 An adjective used to describe a light-colored igneous rockpoor in iron and magnesium content, abundant in feldsparsand quartz.
4 An elongated mound of sand formed by wind or water.
6 A planar feature, such as a bedding plane, that has beenstrongly warped, presumably by deformation.
7 A shallow circular or elliptical depression in sand or dry soilformed by wind erosion.
8 Dark volcanic glass of felsic composition.
9 A low ridge along a stream bank, formed by deposits left whenfloodwater decelerates on leaving the channel.
10 A large, circular depression in a volcanic terrain, typicallyoriginating in collapse, explosion, or erosion.
12 The coarsest of alluvial sediments.
14 The oldest rocks recognized in a given area, a complex ofmetamorphic and igneous rocks that underlies all thesedimentary formations.
18 The return flow of water down a beach after a wave hasbroken.
20 A steep sided and flat topped hill formed by erosion of flatlaying strata where remnants of a resistant layer protect thesofter rocks underneath.
22 A sedimetary form of amorphous or extremely finegrainedsilica, partially hydrous, found in concretions and beds.
23 A large and relatively planar fracture in a rock across whichthere is no relative displacement of the two sides.
24 An extremely high-pressure metamorphic rock containinggarnet and pyroxene.
25 A rock formed when magma is too rapidly cooled to allowcrystal growth.
26 A coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock composed of quartz,orthoclase feldspar, sodic plagioclase feldspar, and micas.
28 The physical and chemical changes undergone by a sedimentduring lithification and compaction, excluding erosion andmetamorphism.
29 A glacial deposit in the form of a continuous, winding ridge,formed from the deposits of a stream flowing beneath the ice.
30 A small vent in the ground from which volcanic gases andheated groundwater emerge.
31 The science of surface landforms and their interpretation onthe basis of geology and climate.
32 An accumulation of sediment, usually sandy, which forms atthe borders or in the channels of streams or offshore from abeach.
33 A rock composed primarily of hydrous aluminum oxides andformed by weathering in tropical areas with good drainage.
37 A chemical sedimentary rock consisting of mineralsprecipitated by evaporating waters.
38 An elongate, elevated block of crust forming a ridge or
May Crossword of Geologic Terms
plateau, typically bounded by parallel, outward-dippingnormal faults.
39 The largest division of geologic time.
40 Any of a number of hydrous aluminosilicate minerals formedby weathering and hydration of other silicates.
41 A planar or gently curved fracture in the Earth's crust acrosswhich there has been relative displacement.
42 A body of sediment deposited in an ocean or lake at themouth of a stream.
43 A smooth, streamlined hill composed of till.
44 The angle by which a stratum or other planar feature deviatesfrom the horizontal.
45 A sedimentary carbonate particle composed of sphericalgrains precipitated from warm ocean water on carbonateplatforms.
46 A variety of sandstone containing abundant feldspar andquartz, frequently in angular, poorly sorted grains.
DOWN
1 A small hollow or depression formed in glacial deposits whenoutwash was deposited around a residual block of ice thatlater melted.
3 The plane that contains the Earth's orbit around the Sun.
5 In structural geology, a round orelliptical upwarp of strataresembling a short anticline.
7 A crescent-shaped sand dunemoving across a clean surface withits convex face upwind and itsconcave slip face downwind.
11 A volcanic vent filled with brecciaby the explosive escape of gases.
13 A fragment of volcanic rockformed when magma is ejectedinto the air by expanding gases.
15 The most highly metamorphosedform of coal.
16 A natural deposit in which avaluable metallic element occursin high enough concentration tomake mining economicallyfeasible.
17 A flat-topped submergedmountain or seamount found inthe ocean.
19 Unconsolidated terrestrialsediment composed of sorted orunsorted sand, gravel, and claythat has been deposited by water.
21 An igneous rock body that has forced its way in a molten stateinto surrounding country rock.
25 A hot spring that throws hot water and steam into the air.
27 Any solid material lying on top of bedrock.
28 At any place on Earth, the angle between the magnetic androtational poles.
31 A metamorphic schist containing chlorite and epidote andformed by low-temperature, low-pressure metamorphism.
34 A continuous or broken circle of coral reef and low coralislands surrounding a central lagoon.
35 An isolated hill or mountain rising above a peneplain.
36 Broad, semicircular curves in a stream that develop as thestream erodes the outer bank of a curve and deposits sedimentagainst the inner bank.
30 Failure of a metal under repeated loading
33 The phase of petroleum operations that immediately followssuccessful exploratory drilling
34 The employee directly in charge of a drilling or workover rigand crew
36 To cease efforts to produce oil or gas from a well
37 To drain off liquid or gas
40 The cutting or boring element
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 61
FI
S B A S K E T B Y P A S SW R HA C C I B IB L O C K S R N F L A I R I N G
L D O G L E G C R R GL B W A A I
B L O W D O W N D S C TL I R E I T E FO D E B U S H I N G U W IW H A G R A EO O N I T LU L D C A S I N G H E A DT B E N T O N I T E G R
R R B B U F F E RC A P R O C K C H O K E LA A C A T O RV C C O M P L E T I O N O EI A H F I L D SN Z I A D C E N T R A L I Z E RG I N T E N N R
M I G R A T I O N D I V E R T E R G VU P G S R C OT P U A I K IH R E T L D E G A S S E R
A E L B BC U T T I N G S E L B A F F L E S
S B A R R E L NA I E B R I D G E
A N N U L U S T D OC H A N N E L
May Crossword of Geologic Terms
April Crossword Puzzle Answers
62 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
HGS Bulletin Instructions to AuthorsAll materials are due by the 15th of the month, 6 weeks before issue publication. Abstracts should be 500 words or less; extended abstractsup to 1000 words; articles can be any length but brevity is preferred as we have a physical page limit within our current publishing contract. All submissions are subject to editorial review and revision.
Text should be submitted by email as an attached text or Word file or on a clearly labeled CD in Word format with a hardcopy printout to the Editor.
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64 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
As the HPAC year winds down, EdieBishop, our extraordinary President
hosted her final Board Meeting at RiverOaks Country Club, inviting her Boardand all new members of HPAC (2010-2011) to attend. What a superb outing!This was a perfect ending to heroutstanding year! Good food, fellowshipand many improvements for HPAC.
May 6, 2011, HPAC will host its Spring Luncheon/ Style Show atBraeburn Country Club, 8101 Bissonnet with installation of the2011-2012 Officers. Fashions will be furnished by Excessories ofKaty, Texas. The Show Coordinator, Marty Pearson, will be assistedby models from the HPAC membership. Mickey Murrell andWanda Shaw are the Chairs with Connie Griffith, MarionHawkins, Katherine McKinney, and Sheri McQuinn assisting.This is our final meeting for the year and one of the outstandingevents for HPAC. Make your reservations ASAP.
The member of HPAC we have selected tohighlight this month is Norma Jean Jones.She is a native Texan, born in Kingsville, thethird daughter of a man who really wanted aboy. She grew up on a farm 12 miles out ofSinton, Texas, attended Sinton public schoolsand graduated from Sinton High School. Sheleft the farm and moved to Corpus Christi,where she enrolled in night courses at Del
Mar College. She was married approximately 6 months later. Fourprecious children were born to that union, but unfortunately itended in divorce.
Norma Jean entered the Petroleum Business through Pan AmericanPetroleum Corporation and Standard of Texas as a legal secretaryin Corpus Christi. She moved to Houston, where her sister lived,worked for Gulf Oil Corporation, Powder River Oil Company, andfinally Austral Oil. There was little time left during those years foranything but holding down a job and being single mom to her twogirls and two boys. She was working at Austral in 1969 when shemarried the love of her life, Larry Jones, a petroleum geologistfrom Nebraska.
Larry and Norma Jean united their two families. Each had 4children from previous marriages and they were blessed withanother son for a total of 9 children (6 boys and 3 girls), whichcauses one to marvel at the success of their marriage. Their familyhas grown significantly now by the addition of 17 grandchildren.What a success story!
For twenty years Norma Jean enjoyed staying at home andnurturing the children. In her “spare time” she attended theUniversity of Houston and HCC, earned an Associates Degree, gother Real Estate License, completed a two-year, in-depth Adult BibleTeachers Study, and learned to play tennis (played a lot). Norma
Jean currently plays on 3 tennis teams on 3 different leagues out ofNottingham Forest. She and Larry spent time at Lake Conroeteaching all those children how to water ski; in the winter, theysnow skied and in the summer, they fished the mountain rivers.They love the outdoors!
While the children were in school Larry and Norma Jean attendedliterally hundreds of their sports events, many coached by Larry.Norma Jean spent time serving on the PTA Board, being Cub Scoutden mother, room mother, Stratford Booster worker, teachingSunday School for junior high students at Spring BranchPresbyterian Church, and serving on the Board for Spring BranchPresbyterian Church Day School.
During the last economic turndown, Norma Jean went back towork. She worked in the completely new field of sales for GTEMobilnet. She felt blessed to greatly exceed all sales quotas and waspromoted to Major Account Manager – with Exxon as her account.Norma Jean worked a total of 8 years at GTE and retired from thereto work for Larry in his company, Spartan Petroleum, andcontinues in this endeavor.
Norma Jean and Larry are both ordained Elders in the PresbyterianChurch (PCUSA). Norma Jean serves as a Stephen’s Minister atGrace Presbyterian Church where they are active members. Theyare members of Westside Tennis Club and Nottingham Forest Club.Norma Jean is a member of HPAC, and has served as HGS Liaison.She was the 2005-2006 President of Houston Geological Auxiliary(HGA).
Larry received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Universityof Nebraska where he is a member of the N Club. He started hiscareer in Gainesville, Texas, with Standard of Texas. He remains anavid Nebraska football fan. He is a member of the NebraskaGeosciences Advisory Board and a past recipient of theOutstanding Alumni Award. Larry and Norma Jean are Universityof Nebraska Foundation Trustees. Larry is a member of HGS andof AAPG where he has served as the Chair of House Delegates. Heis also a member of the AAPG Foundation Trustee Associates.Wonder what they do in their “spare time”? How we appreciateboth of them!!!!!
Remember that HPAC has several Interest Groups: Bridge(contacts: Audrey Thompkins, 7130686-0005 or Daisy Wood, 713-665-4428; Book Club (contacts: Martha Lou Broussard, 713-665-4428 or Phyllis Carter, 281-397-9888) and HPACExploring Houston (contact: Martha Lou Broussard, 713-665-4428or [email protected]).
Geologists, please encourage your spouses to join HPAC, wherethey will have the opportunity to meet other spouses of Geologists,Geophysicists, Engineers and Landmen.
An HPAC membership form is included on the next page.(Contact: Winona LaBrant Smith at 713-952-2007) �
Houston Petroleum
Auxiliary CouncilNews Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council News
Winona LaBrant Smith, HGS Liaison
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 65
ProfessionalDirectory
3-D Seismic Interpretation, FTG Gravity Modeling,Seismic Inversion and AVO analysis
6001 Savoy, Suite 110 • Houston, Texas 77036 (713) 981-4650 • (281) 242-0639
E-mail: [email protected]: www.hunter3dinc.com
You are invited to become a member of
HPAC2010–2011 dues are $20.00Mail dues payment along with the completed yearbook information
to Sally Blackhall, 8714 Sterling Gate Circle, Spring, Texas 77379YEARBOOK INFORMATION
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� Fall Event � Yearbook � SOS � Membership
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66 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
4900 Woodway, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77056p: 713-972-1150 . d: 713-335-3021 . f: [email protected] . [email protected]
www.arnold-iplaw.com
Charles S. KnoblochAttorney at Law . Registered Patent AttorneyTexas Professional Geoscientist - Geophysics
HGS GeoJob Bankwww.hgs.org/en/jobs
May 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 67
HGS GeoJob Bankwww.hgs.org/en/jobs
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68 Houston Geological Society Bulletin May 2011
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Subsurface Consultants & Associates, LLC
Upcoming 2011 Training Schedule!!Go to www.scacompanies.com/training_services for the full schedule
MAY
JUNE
JULY
05/02-03/11 Basic Petroleum Engineering for Non-Engineers Lanman Houston, Texas
05/07-11/11 Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping Agah Dubai, UAE
05/09-13/11 Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping Brewton Houston, Texas
05/23-27/11 Sequence Stratigraphy of Carbonates Sarg Houston, Texas
06/06-10/11 Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping Brewton Calgary, Canada
06/13-17/11 AVO, Inversion and Attributes: Principles and Applications Willis Houston, Texas
06/20-24/11 Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping Shoup Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
06/20-24/11 Image Log Application & Interpretation Willis Houston, Texas
07/05-08/11 Exploring, Appraising and Developing Tight Oil & Gas Reservoirs Jenkins Houston, Texas
07/06-08/11 Quality Control for Subsurface Maps (QLT's) Brewton Houston, Texas
07/11-15/11 Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping Agah Houston, Texas
07/18-22/11 Petroleum Geology of Deepwater (Turbidite) Despositional Systems Slatt Houston, Texas
07/25-29/11 Reservoir Characterization of Clastic (Sandstone) Reservoirs Slatt Houston, Texas
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