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HGS General Dinner- New Geochemical Data Show Methane in N.E. Pennsylvania Water Wells is Unrelated to Hydraulic Fracturing on 6-Feb-12 5:30 PM

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

HGS General Dinner- New Geochemical Data Show Methane in N.E. Pennsylvania Water Wells is Unrelated to Hydraulic Fracturing
Start Date: 6-Feb-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 6-Feb-12 8:30 PM
Location: Hilton Houston Westchase, Houston, TX 77042
Speaker: Lisa Molofsky

Event Details:

New Geochemical Data Show Methane in N.E. Pennsylvania

Water Wells is Unrelated to Hydraulic Fracturing

speaker : Lisa Molofsky of GSI Environmental

New data demonstrate that, counter to the conclusions of a recent study by Duke University, gas development activities in the Marcellus Shale have not caused widespread methane impacts on water wells in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Test results from over 1700 water wells sampled prior to drilling or hydraulic fracturing operations show that methane is ubiquitous in water wells throughout this region, with no statistically significant difference between gas production areas vs. non-gas production areas. Higher concentrations are observed in valleys (i.e., topographic lows), indicating that the methane is related to natural geologic features, rather than shale gas development. In addition, isotope analyses show the dissolved methane in these water wells to be primarily consistent either with thermogenic gas from the Upper and Middle Devonian formations overlying the Marcellus shale or with biogenic gas from the shallow alluvium - but not indicative of impacts by Marcellus shale gas. Historical records confirm that many shallow wells and springs have encountered natural gas from these same horizons long before the advent of shale gas development.

Consequently, the allegation that hydraulic fracturing of the Marcellus has contributed to widespread water well impacts by deep formation gas is unfounded. This apparent misinterpretation by the Duke study underscores the need for a multiple lines-of-evidence approach during the investigation of stray gas incidents that considers relevant geologic, historical, well construction, and isotopic data.

A new article co-authored by GSI and Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation in the December 5th issue of the Oil & Gas Journal (Molofsky et al., 2011) shows that gas development activities in the Marcellus Shale have not caused widespread methane impacts on water wells in northeastern Pennsylvania. This directly counters allegations made in a recent study by Duke University (Osborne et al., 2011).

Hilton Houston Westchase

9999 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX 77042

HGS E&E Dinner - Near-Surface Geophysical Applications to the Geological Wonders of Central and South Texas. on 8-Feb-12 5:30 PM

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

HGS E&E Dinner - Near-Surface Geophysical Applications to the Geological Wonders of Central and South Texas.
Start Date: 8-Feb-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 8-Feb-12 8:30 PM
Location: Black Lab in the Churchill Room, Houston, TX 77006
Speaker: Mustafa Saribudak

Event Details:

The geological wonders are being the Mt. Bonnell Fault of Edwards Aquifer, Main Barton Springs pool and Houston’s active growth faults (Hockley and Long Points).

Black Lab in the Churchill Room

4100 Montrose Blvd.

Houston, TX USA 77006

HGS International Dinner - PSDM imaging of the Petroleum Systems of the South Atlantic on 13-Feb-12 5:30 PM

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

HGS International Dinner - PSDM imaging of the Petroleum Systems of the South Atlantic
Start Date: 13-Feb-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 13-Feb-12 8:30 PM
Location: Hilton Houston Westchase, Houston, TX 77042
Speaker: Steven G. Henry, PhD

Event Details:

PSDM imaging of the Petroleum Systems of the South Atlantic

speaker Dr. Steve Henry

co-authors Al Danforth, Consultant, Houston TX

Naresh Kumar, PhD, Growth-Energy, Richardson, TX

Peter Nuttall, ION-GX Technology, Houston, TX

Sujata Venkatraman, ION-GX Technology, Houston, TX

Recently acquired (2004-10) regional (100’s Km dip oriented), long offset (10 Km), long record length (18 sec.) reflection seismic data (SPANs) has been processed to provide pre-stacked depth migrated (PSDM) images (25-40 Km) on both sides of the South Atlantic, and along the South American equatorial margin. Dip oriented lines from Angola, Congo and Gabon (63 profiles) and Brazil (69 profiles ) have been interpreted, with about 20 horizons (sequence boundaries) correlated and tied to 25 wells in West Africa and more than 75 wells in Brazil. The spacing of the dip line ranges from 10 to ~75 Km (Avg. ~50 Km). Long strike lines (1500-5000 Km) on both margins have an average spacing of about 50-100 Km. These constrain and correlate the major sequences boundaries mapped on the dip lines. This data has provided a better understanding of the existing / producing petroleum systems, extending these systems across the South Atlantic, and identifying new potential petroleum systems.

In this presentation we will show seismic data illustrating the pre-salt petroleum system in the Brazilian Santos Basin and the recent (2011) pre-salt discovery on the conjugate margin in the Angolan Kwanza Basin. Analogs for the Equatorial African Jubilee (Sierra Leon) and Venus (Ghana) discoveries in the Early Drift sequences will be shown along the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, along with a recent Early Drift discovery along the NE coast of Brazil. These petroleum systems and their relative timing will be put into context using a new model for the opening of the South Atlantic (Fig. 1). In this model the northward opening consists of a series of stalled extensions with the separation of the cratons taken up in continental strike slip faulting. This model is supported by mapping the age of the first sediments deposited on the newly formed oceanic crust.

Remarkably similar features and the timing of their development are observed on both the West African and South American margins (Fig. 2). Regional mapping (West Africa: 300 x 2000 Km, Brazil: 600 x 3000 Km) of the major features has been critical for understanding the tectono-stratigraphic relationships and have been used to define a model of diachronous rifting. In this model, failed (no ocean crust) episodes of rifting developed during periods of extension, and subsidence, with sag basins forming over the thinned crust. Shown in Figure 2 is the mapped position of sag basins (green) formed over the failed Valanginina rift. These sag basins which only overlie failed rifts, contain rich and laterally extensive source rocks (Brazil: Lagoa Feia, Angola: Organic Bucomazi / Falcao) that drive the petroleum system responsible for the pre-salt discoveries. The successful episode of rifting that separated the continents along this segment of the South Atlantic was in the Barremian (blue dashed line), and the syn-rift for this episode is volcanic with less potential for source rock development.

This regional PSDM data is also ideal for examining the Early Drift and looking for new petroleum systems such as those identified along the African Equatorial margin. As the continents separate, especially along the transform / strike slip segments, the first basins to develop have restricted circulation and therefore have potential for developing source rocks. Recent discoveries along the Brazilian Equatorial and Northeaster margins, illustrates the usefulness of reconstructing conjugate margins and the timing of their openings.

Hilton Houston Westchase

9999 Westheimer Rd.

Houston, TX 77042

HGS Bulletin Deadline for April 2012 Issue on 15-Feb-12 8:30 AM

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

HGS Bulletin Deadline for April 2012 Issue
Start Date: 15-Feb-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 15-Feb-12 5:30 PM

HGS Short Course-Critical Analysis of Shale Plays on 16-Feb-12 8:30 AM

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

HGS Short Course-Critical Analysis of Shale Plays
Start Date: 16-Feb-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 16-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: Marathon Oil Conference Center 10th floor, Houston, Texas 77056
Speaker: Gary Citron

Event Details:

HGS Continuing Education Short Course Critical Analysis of Shale Plays

Thursday February 16, 2012

8:30am to 5:30pm at the Marathon Oil Conference Center

speaker: Gary Citron, Rose and Associates

This one day course provides a brief overview of the comprehensive integrated treatment to characterize shale (and tight sand) plays.

Beginning with practical definitions and geo-formational processes, R&A describes the needed geologic ingredients and how to measure them for use in screening for successful resource plays. This is followed by the techniques to probabilistically estimate the in-place and recoverable resource potential. The geologic ingredients are then revisited in spatial form to address the geologic concerns that form the risk system to grade the plays. The volumetric assessments are complimented with an understanding of how type curves and development will impact the ultimate recovery and how a staged approach focuses the evaluation team on the key decision variables at each stage to properly assess the ultimate value a shale play may contribute to a company’s portfolio.

Seating is limited by the venue to 60
Continuing Education Credits: 8
As usual, a notebook and coffee breaks with pastries are included.
Lunch will be available in the 'Tanglewood Terrace', Marathon's cafeteria, on the same floor.

Marathon Oil Conference Center 10th floor

5555 San Felipe Street

Houston, Texas 77056

HGS Applied Geoscience Mudrocks Conference (AGC) on 20-Feb-12 8:00 AM

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

HGS Applied Geoscience Mudrocks Conference (AGC)
Start Date: 20-Feb-12 8:00 AM
End Time: 21-Feb-12 5:00 PM
Location: The Westin Houston Memorial City, Houston, TX 77024
Speaker: Multiple SMEs Government, University and Industry of Unconventional Resources

Event Details:

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

The Houston Geological Society presents (now in it's fifth year)

An Applied Geoscience Conference (AGC) titled:

"Integrated Approaches to Unconventional Reservoir Assessment and Optimization"

Utilizing Mud rock systems characterization and considerations

for improved exploitation of gas and oil from Shale/Hybrid Reservoirs

To view the brochure, click here.

To view the Mudstone Speaker Lineup, click here .

To view Sponsorship opportunities, click here.

To download the Vendor form, click here.

NOTE TO VENDORS: Conference registration is not included.

The Westin Houston Memorial City

945 Gessner

Houston, TX 77024

NAPE Expo and International Pavilion on 21-Feb-12 8:30 AM

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:30:00 GMT

NAPE Expo and International Pavilion
Start Date: 21-Feb-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 24-Feb-12 5:30 PM
Location: George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas
Speaker: Spring Prospect Expo

Event Details:

NAPE Expo February 21-24 George R Brown Convention center

NAPE 2012 Schedule of Events

Wednesday, February 22
Business Conference 9am - 5pm
International Pavilion 9am - 5pm
Icebreaker Reception 5pm - 7pm

Thursday, February 23
Expo Open 8am - 5:30pm
NAPE Charities Industry Luncheon 11:45am - 1:15pm

Friday, February 24
Expo Open 8am - 1pm

International Pavilion at NAPE
February 21-24, 2012

Hosted in conjunction with NAPE Expo, the world’s largest prospect and property expo, the NEW 2012 International Pavilion Exhibition will provide an unparalleled showcase of today’s global exploration and investment opportunities. In addition to reviewing industry activity, attendees can preview current and upcoming licensing rounds, as well as make contacts with energy ministries, state licensing authorities and NOC executives. Attendees also will gain exclusive access to speakers on leading international trends and network with other international professionals.

The 2012 International Pavilion will offer an informative opening Global Briefing Session and hosted luncheon on the first day; an exhibition of over 75 exhibitors and detailed presentations of opportunities that span over 35 countries over the two day event; and exclusive networking at the International Pavilion Reception on opening night.

Schedule of Events
Tuesday, February 21
9:00 – 11:00        Opening Session GLOBAL BRIEFING
12:00 – 1:00        LUNCHEON
11:00 – 5:00        International Pavilion EXHIBITION
1:00 – 5:00          THEATRE - Exhibitor Presentations
           (in the Exhibition Hall)
5:00 – 7:00          International Pavilion RECEPTION
         (in the Exhibition Hall)

Wednesday, February 22
8:00 – 5:00           International Pavilion EXHIBITION
8:00 – 5:00           THEATRE - Exhibitor Presentations
           (in the Exhibition Hall)
5:00 – 7:00           NAPE Preview Party

Thursday, February 23
Joint International Pavilion & NAPE Exhibitions
8:00 – 5:00 International Pavilion Exhibition
8:00 – 5:00 NAPE Exhibition

Friday, February 24
Joint International Pavilion & NAPE Exhibitions
8:00 – 1:00 International Pavilion Exhibition
8:00 – 1:00 NAPE Exhibition

GLOBAL BRIEFING
The Tuesday opening session of the International Pavilion will focus on leading international trends from international experts and industry leaders.

IP THEATRE
View high-level presentations on worldwide E&P activities and opportunities from the International Pavilion exhibitors Tuesday and Wednesday.

George R Brown Convention Center

HGS NA Dinner - Source-rock plays and sequence stratigraphy on 27-Feb-12 5:30 PM

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:30:00 GMT

HGS NA Dinner - Source-rock plays and sequence stratigraphy
Start Date: 27-Feb-12 5:30 PM
End Time: 27-Feb-12 8:30 PM
Location: Hilton Houston Westchase, Houston, TX 77042
Speaker: Dr. Bruce Hart

Event Details:

Source-rock plays and sequence stratigraphy: What makes the best part of the best plays?

Dr. Bruce S. Hart, ConocoPhillips

Stratigraphic analyses of a variety of mudstone-dominated units demonstrate that the best production from source-rock plays (i.e., the reservoir is also the source rock) is usually from thermally mature, pelagic-rich strata that can be assigned to the transgressive systems tract and condensed section (TST/CS). They are often referred to as “black shales”, although clay minerals can form 20% or less of the rock. A high TOC content (typically Type I/II) made these strata potential source rocks, and biogenic silica and/or carbonate produced “brittle” rock that is suitable for hydraulic fracture stimulations. Where deposition from suspension dominated, relatively thin (< 10 m thick) stratigraphic units can be correlated over several to many 10s of km and generally show draping to divergent/convergent geometries. Rock properties are therefore unlikely to change significantly over the length of a typical horizontal completion (~ 1 km) in these suspension deposits, unless other complications (e.g., fractures) are present. However, changes in thickness, mineralogy, thermal maturity or other stratigraphic/geologic parameters over distances of several km to 10s of km will affect hydrocarbon generation, storage and production.

The lithologic and stratigraphic characteristics of the TST/CS strata differ considerably from progradational mudstones of the highstand systems tract (HST) and the lowstand systems tract (LST). The latter are characterized by higher clay contents and more detrital silicate/carbonate as silt or coarser grain sizes. The clay content generally makes these shales less brittle than the TST/CS units. These HST/LST mudstones have lower TOC contents than the TST/CS mudstones, and the organic matter is relatively enriched in terrestrial (Type III) constituents. These strata tend to be more heterolithic than the TST/CS mudstones, and may be arranged into submarine failure complexes, prodelta lobes or other stratigraphic features that can show rapid lateral variations in lithology and thickness. These characteristics generally make these HST strata poorer source rocks and more complex to development using horizontal wells than TST/CS mudstones.

Although the descriptions and interpretations presented above have general applicability (i.e. they are the “simple case”), these concepts commonly need to be modified to account for the wide variability in depositional setting, depositional history, and geologic age, represented by gas-productive mudstones.

Hilton Houston Westchase

9999 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX 77042

HGS General Lunch - Coastal Geomorphology Across the Northern Gulf of Mexico on 29-Feb-12 11:30 AM

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

HGS General Lunch - Coastal Geomorphology Across the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Start Date: 29-Feb-12 11:30 AM
End Time: 29-Feb-12 1:00 PM
Location: Petroleum Club of Houston, Houston, TX 77002
Speaker: Bryan P. Stephens

Event Details:

Basement Controls on Subsurface Geologic Patterns and Coastal Geomorphology Across the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Implications for Subsidence Studies and Coastal Restoration

speaker Bryan P. Stephens

United States Department of the Interior - BOEM

Of all the processes that have contributed to the depositional architecture and ongoing subsidence of the Mississippi Delta, tectonic subsidence is probably the least understood. Localized vertical movements in southeast Louisiana are, in part, manifestations of ordered, basin-scale structural patterns that have exercised a profound level of control on all subsequent geological processes, including recent coastal environments and ongoing

subsidence patterns.

The arrangement of structural elements across the northern Gulf of Mexico suggests the continental margin is segmented by northwest-southeast trending transfer fault zones related to Mesozoic rifting. Observations from a diverse collection of studies are used to document a framework of fourteen major transfer-fault delimited structural corridors, 25 to 40 miles in width, thought to be characterized by varying degrees of extension, crustal attenuation and tectonic subsidence. The corridors are more finely segmented by minor transfer fault trends which also exhibit regular and predictable lateral and vertical offsets that are reflected in the overlying Tertiary cover.

This study incorporates a seismic traverse from a recent proprietary offshore 3-D survey which images offsets in the basement surface corresponding to the transfer faults that trend into southeast Louisiana. Offshore examples illustrate the structural patterns resulting from the interaction of the basement structure, salt systems and Tertiary faults and can be used as analogs for the subsurface of South Louisiana.

Several examples along the northern Gulf Coast from Florida to southwest Louisiana are used to examine the apparent relationship between the transfer-fault delimited structural corridors and coastal geomorphology. Vertical movements related to these subsurface geologic patterns appear to influence the spatial arrangement of Holocene coastal environments.

Recognition of the ordered arrangement of basement structures, faults and salt systems may provide new insights into the depositional architecture of the Mississippi Delta. Subsurface geologic templates can serve as useful analogs for understanding subsidence patterns in southeast Louisiana and the relative contributions of compaction, faulting, salt withdrawal, and isostatic adjustments. Identification of areas of relative geologic stability may influence the selection of coastal restoration projects and inform plans for a sustainable coast.

Petroleum Club of Houston

800 Bell St Ste 4300

Houston, TX 77002

South-Central Section, GSA on 7-Mar-12 8:30 AM

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:30:00 GMT

South-Central Section, GSA
Start Date: 7-Mar-12 8:30 AM
End Time: 9-Mar-12 5:30 PM
Event Details:

CALL FOR PAPERS

Abstract deadline: 6 Dec. 2011
Contact:
Dee Ann Cooper, BS, MS, PG
Research Fellow, Non-vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory,
Texas Natural Science Center, University of Texas-Austin
Cell: (409 651-7619)
Address: 17890 Nonie Lane, Lumberton, TX 77657
Alternative email: deeanncooper@mail.utexas.edu

Please submit your abstract online (form will be available in October). An abstract submission fee of US$10 for students and US$15 for all others will be charged. If you cannot submit an abstract online, please contact Linda Battan, +1-303-357-1018, lbattan@geosociety.org. For any other questions, please contact the Technical Program Chair, Jim Whitford-Stark.

Symposia and Theme Sessions are listed below; we also welcome abstract submissions to discipline sessions.

SYMPOSIA

1. Big Bend National Park and Vicinity: A Decade of Research. Don Corrick, Big Bend National Park; Dee Ann and Roger Cooper, Lamar University and the Texas Natural Science Center, The University of Texas at Austin.
Big Bend National Park is well known for its spectacular geologic diversity, with rocks spanning in age from the Ordovician to the Quaternary and structures representing three major orogenies (Ouachita-Marathon, Laramide, and Basin and Range). This multidisciplinary session is intended to bring together researchers who have been working in and around Big Bend National Park, and to highlight new geologic information learned and mapping completed since the last meeting in Alpine in 2002. Both oral and poster sessions are planned.

THEME SESSIONS

1. Tectonic History of the Trans-Pecos Region.

A billion years of tectonic history are exposed in the Trans-Pecos region of far west Texas and southern New Mexico, from Precambrian Grenville rocks and structures to the Cenozoic Rio Grande Rift. This session will focus on work in petrology, structural geology, and geophysics that have contributed to our understanding of this tectonically complex and controversial region over the past decade.

2. The Rio Grande and Its Tributaries in the Big Bend Region: Hydrology, Water Quality, and Restoration Efforts.
Jeff Bennett and Joe Sirotnak, Big Bend National Park.

This session will focus on recent important work in the Big Bend region regarding hydrology and the environment. Presentations should focus on geomorphology, water quality/quantity and habitat restoration.

3. Long-Term Biogeochemical Responses to Global Change.

John Zak, Texas Tech University

4. The Permian of the Southwest.

This session is designed to focus on recent research in the Permian of west Texas and surrounding areas.

5. Aquifers of West Texas.

James Ward, Angelo State University.
This session will bring together recent research regarding the complex aquifer system of west Texas.

6. Geoarchaeological Investigations in the Big Bend Region, Southwestern Texas.

Andy Cloud, Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross State University.

Recent archaeological and geoarchaeological investigations sponsored by the Center for Big Bend Studies of Sul Ross State University have greatly facilitated our understanding of human occupational zones within late Pleistocene and early to middle Holocene deposits in the Big Bend region of Southwestern Texas. This session will concentrate on findings dated through radiocarbon assays from the Early Paleoindian, Late Paleoindian, Early Archaic, and Middle Archaic periods, roughly spanning 7,000 years (ca. 11,000–4,000 B.P.).

7. Issues in Earth Science Education.

Guest Night 2012 to Feature Extreme Speaker May 19

Dave Reynolds - noemail@hgs.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Most geologists have a natural wanderlust to see new places and different rocks. Imagine the thrill of exploring this planet’s last frontier - Antarctica - and doing this partially underwater! This year, the annual Guest Night event will feature Susan R. Eaton who will take us on a journey to the Bottom of the World, sharing her experiences of two Antarctic expeditions. Susan's multi-media presentation is entitled “A Geoscientist in Antarctica: Following in Shackleton's Footsteps One Hundred Years Later.”

Susan's first Antarctic adventure was in 2010, as part of the Elysium Visual Epic Expedition which followed Sir Ernest Shackleton’s route to Antarctica and South Georgia – 100 years later. Elysium's mission was to scout, record and analyze this pristine wilderness of ice and snow, and create a visual library – both above and below the water – documenting the impacts of climate change. One of two expedition geoscientists, Susan joined Elysium's science team, lecturing on the geology and plate tectonics of Antarctica and assisting with oceanographic field studies.

As an extreme snorkeler, Susan investigated Antarctica in -2^◦C waters, coming face-to-mask with leopard seals, top predators of the Southern Ocean. During the Elysium Expedition, Susan blogged to the AAPG and other geoscience organizations. Since her return from Antarctica, she's delivered ten public presentations and has published a dozen articles on Elysium's findings, including two articles for AAPG Explorer Magazine. Through her outreach educational activities, Susan conveys her passion for science and exploration, encouraging K-12 and university students to follow their dreams.

Susan’s next Antarctic expedition is happening as you read this! The 2012 International Antarctic Expedition and Leadership on the Edge Program travels to Antarctica from February 27 to March 12, studying climate change, renewable energy and global sustainability issues. It's hoped that the HGS can sponsor part of Susan’s work on this expedition, and that we can get progress reports (blogs) from Antarctica. The HGS will be one of the first groups that will hear Susan present her findings and pictures from this trip!

An Antarctic explorer-in-the-making, Susan will participate in a third expedition planned for December 27, 2012 to January 20, 2013. Organized by the Jackson School of Geosciences (University of Texas at Austin), the expedition is part of the 125^thanniversary of the Geological Society of America. Entitled “Antarctica and the Scotia Arc: Tectonic, Climate and Life,” the expedition will study the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Western Antarctic Peninsula.

Susan is a professional geologist and geophysicist. She's developed a successful career in the Canadian energy sector, attaining the position of Vice President of Exploration in several junior oil and gas companies. Susan currently consults to the Canadian, American and international petroleum and financial sectors on exploration and production, technology innovation, and mergers and acquisitions. Equipped with a degree in journalism, she's been a reporter for CBC-TV. As a freelance writer, Susan successfully blends her scientific and journalistic skills to present engaging reports on business, science and technology, oil and gas, renewable energy, the environment and ecotourism.

Studies of Antarctica provide a useful window into the impacts of climate change -- as geologists, we know it is the norm not the exception that the climate changes. We hope that these Antarctic studies may not only provide images of what to expect but also insights on how to adapt to these changes.

Guest Night will be held at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Saturday, May 19^th. Doors open at 5:45 for the buffet dinner and cash bar. At 7:30 we move into the IMAX theater to recognize the both our Science Fair winners and our sponsors. Then we will hear Susan R. Eaton’s talk with her stunning images and videos. After a short break, we return to see a special IMAX movie (title cannot be disclosed yet). Bring your friends and family as this is a wonderful night for all ages. Registration is only available on-line (mid-April 2012) and the deadline is Noon, Monday, May 14. Sign up early as this is sure to sell out.

Click here to go to the HGS Guest Night Registration page.

Icebergs etched by the seas near the Western Antarctic Peninsula – how will climate change affect us? Credit: Photo courtesy of www.susanreaton.com

31-Jan-12 7:00 AM

Exporting America's Natural Gas

Ron Waszczak - noemail@hgs.org — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

February Editor’s column

Exporting North America’s Natural Gas

By Ron Waszczak, HGS Bulletin Editor

During very recent months, several headlines in the business news grabbed my attention, and further reading the associated columns left me astounded. Here are a few of the headlines that impressed and surprised me: “Pipeline may reverse flow to move shale gas”. “Marcellus shale gas may soon be exported – to California”. “Pipeline reversals seen to result in a single price for natural gas”. Moreover, there were these headlines regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) that confounded me: “LNG exports from northern America: When, not if” and “LNG terminal plans reverse from importing to exporting gas”. The later two stunning headlines challenged a long accepted tenet of our time, i.e. the United States meets energy needs through imports. Indeed, it has long been a fact that over 60% of the oil utilized and consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries. But now, are the upstream natural gas industry and its downstream de-gas and re-gas partners beginning to lead the U.S. out of the energy dependence paradigm?

The emergence of plans to export LNG from North America follows the dramatic rise in North America's proven gas reserves over the past few years. Current estimates for recoverable gas in the United States exceed 2.5 quadrillion cubic feet. This is more than double the estimate of 1.1 quadrillion cubic feet in 1995. Recent shale gas discoveries in British Columbia have pushed estimates for recoverable reserves in Canada to more than 1.0 quadrillion cubic feet.

These events contributed to that change: bringing on-line the production of huge newly-discovered reserves of unconventional natural gas; technological advancements in production, particularly directional drilling and hydraulic fracking; and commercialization of compression and transportation methods that allow LNG to be moved around the world oceans.

Additionally, rapidly growing gas reserves have been met with slow and slowing demand for gas. Coincident with that circumstance, underutilized LNG infrastructure — built to manage once-predicted LNG imports which never largely materialized — became assets looking for new uses, e.g. LNG exports. Owners of stranded gas and stranded infrastructure are together now searching for fertile ground in their mutual quest to develop LNG import markets overseas.

Existing U.S. LNG terminals are at Sabine, Lake Charles and Hackberry, LA; Sabine Pass and Freeport, TX; Pascagoula, MS; the Gulf of Mexico; offshore Boston, MA; Cove Point, MD; and Elba Island, GA. Existing Canada LNG terminals are at Saint John, NB and Rivière-du-Loup and Quebec City, QC. Existing Mexico LNG terminals are at North Altamira, Tamulipas, and Baja California with a terminal at Manzanillo slated for construction. Other terminals slated for construction are at Corpus Christi, Freeport and Port Lavaca, TX; offshore Florida; Logan Township, NJ, Baltimore, MD, Long Island Sound, NY and Coos Bay, OR; and Prince Rupert Island and along British Columbia's West Coast.

A global market is emerging for North American LNG exports to overseas destinations where buyers are seeking alternatives to oil and coal. It is predicted that demand from Asia and Europe will drive most worldwide natural gas export flows. Albeit, LNG exports will need to complete with other gas suppliers which include intra-continental pipeline gas. Ultimately, global and regional gas pricing will become the dominant force behind LNG bidirectional cargo movements.

While these changes that could lead the U.S. out of the energy dependence paradigm came seemingly rapidly, I am not certain that thoughtful due-diligence has been devoted to some critical questions. Questions that I hope strategy and policy makers have explored are: What are the implications for U.S. energy security of exporting North America’s natural gas? Are there sound land and sea security and safety standards for LNG terminals and ships? Will exports affect our national and regional economies? Perhaps most importantly: Have our federal, state and municipal governments created incentives for new domestic uses and increased domestic demand for natural gas? Why not use North America’s clean-burning natural gas to fuel North America’s power-generation plants, trains, trucks, buses, and automobiles?

27-Jan-12 5:00 PM

HGS President: Let’s Load Up Our Plate

Steve Earle - noemail@hgs.org — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

President’s Letter for February

By Steve Earle

Let’s Load Up Our Plate

I've spent much ink on these pages to talk about the new unconventional plays. Indeed, we have the Applied Geoscience Mudstone Conference scheduled this month and I hope you have signed up. This conference is the ultimate venue in which to learn about cutting edge geoscience technology in shale plays. I want to recognize Frank Walles' fantastic Conference Committee who include Bruce Martin, Dave Tonner, Jim Schuelke, Bruce Hart, Kathy McDonald, Mike Cameron, Mike Van Horn, Randy Lafollette, Rachel Osmos, Steve Macalello and Simon Hughes. Thanks to this outstanding group.

Unconventional plays are new, hot and exciting, and truly a critical part of our energy portfolio going forward. Ignore them at your peril. However, this month I'd like to examine what the role of conventional exploration might be in our energy mix. I’m going to argue that conventional plays still matter. Here’s why.

Majors’ exploration for and development of giant fields in the deepwater and other remote areas is necessary in order for them to continue in the style to which they have become accustomed. The size of the majors simply requires that they find these large reserves to replace their production. And new giants are more likely to be discovered in areas that were not accessible before. So while deepwater trends are one important area that has blossomed, the Arctic is another area that shows big promise. Once it became apparent that unconventional reserves also held significant quantities of hydrocarbons, the majors took notice and are buying their way in. In my mind though, remote areas are a better fit for major oil companies because the competition will be less due to the large upfront costs and long startup times required, elements which exclude most independents who don't have deep pockets.

The technology required to access these remote areas is just incredible. Consider a recent article about a new deepwater record set by Shell Oil. Their Tobago Field development well, tied into the Perdido Platform in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, is the deepest subsea completion at 9,627 feet water depth. Perdido holds the current record for water depth of a production platform at about 8000 feet. Perdido can handle up to 100,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas production a day from the Tobago, Silvertip and Great White fields. These are significant reserves and it is really too bad that a story like this does not get the broader press coverage it probably deserves. In many ways, deepwater exploration is a modern-day equivalent to the space program in terms of the technological innovation required to work in these extreme environments.

The large upfront costs required to develop these giant discoveries means that companies are willing to invest considerable effort in reservoir simulation studies that require information ssuch as detailed seismic mapping, descriptions of the reservoir from cores and geological facies models that integrate the two. Shell's Upstream Americas Director, Marvin Odum, said, “Shell has applied its advanced seismic and drilling technologies at Perdido to produce additional sources of oil and gas.” This speaks to the important role that geoscientists have in both exploration for and development of these frontier discoveries.

Beyond the search for giants though, there is still plenty of running room for conventional plays in more mature areas. While individual prospects will probably be more modest in size, they should be very attractive for smaller operators. With majors chasing giants and most everyone rushing into shales and other unconventional plays, many of these traditional prospects will enjoy significant advantages such as reduced competition in the current environment, relatively low costs assuming minimal overlap with unconventional plays, ready access to infrastructure generally already in place so projects come online quickly, and quick payouts given success.

While the chances of success are significantly less than for unconventional plays, the costs can be significantly lower and successful wells typically have much better returns. There should be some real opportunities for small to moderate-sized companies with capital to test some very good conventional prospects. The NAPE prospect expo this month should be a good place to check the quality of such prospects currently on the market.

Given the scope of the unconventional resource, their development ties up tremendous amounts of capital in terms of cash, steel and manpower. The pursuit seems to have squeezed out most mature, conventional prospect generation to the dismay of many. I will point out that there are advantages to being counter-cyclical and companies that chase these mature plays largely “fly under the radar.” I think the successful companies that adopt this strategy may realize above average returns.

For all these reasons, I believe that conventional exploration should continue to be relevant for a long time. Given the sheer volume of the worldwide energy consumption, I would agree with Scott Tinker that we will need to pursue every available avenue if we hope to supply this demand.

So I say, no matter whether you work on conventional or unconventional plays, “Let's get out there and find some grease!”

27-Jan-12 5:00 PM

Legends of Unconventional Dinner Photos

Linda Sternbach - noemail@hgs.org — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Photos from the January 16 Legends of Unconventional meeting.
Featuring Dan Steward, Mike Johnson, Gregg Robertson and Bill Zagorski with HGS leaders President Steve Earle and moderator Charles Sternbach.

see the photo album on the HGS albums site at ALBUM online photo album

here are some highlights

Legend of Unconventional speakers

David Curtiss Steve Earle Paul Weimer and Charles Sternbach

steve Earle Larry Spears Claudia Ludwig and Richard Howe

Mike Johnson

Dan Steward

Bill Zagorski

Gregg Robertson

19-Jan-12 3:00 PM

Energy Day Oct 20 2012

Jennifer Burton - noemail@hgs.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:00:00 GMT

http://energydayfestival.org

Houston Energy Day will be Oct 20 2012. Energy Day is a free, family-friendly festival on Saturday, October 20, 2012 that celebrates and highlights the importance of energy in our daily lives. This day-long festival takes place at Hermann Square in front of City Hall in Downtown Houston, Texas. There will be energy exhibits, live music, food, contests and fun for all ages. In 2011, the first annual Energy Day attracted more than 12,000 attendees. Great Website at http://energydayfestival.org/about/

18-Jan-12 4:00 PM

The Wise Report

Henry Wise - noemail@hgs.org — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

January 15, 2012

The General Issues Committee of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists will be meeting on January 27, 2012 in Austin, Texas. The proposed agenda includes:

Discussion and possible action on setting dates, times, and locations for continued public discourse on developing proposed wording to answer AOR #6, involving geoscientific research performed at universities and practice of geoscience as it relates to exemptions to the Texas Geoscience Practice Act. No action will be taken on AOR #6 at this meeting.
Discussion and possible action on AOR #8 regarding P.G. Seal Requirements and “bound reports”
Discussion and possible action on AOR #9 regarding UIC plugging reports
Discussion and possible action on AOR #10 regarding whether geologic cross sections need to be sealed by a P.G. if they are bound or unbound when submitted to TCEQ
Discussion and possible action on electronically generated signatures for P.G. seals
Discussion and possible action on permissive practice regulations for house foundation design development based on soil borings or geotechnical investigations and interpretation
Discussion and possible action on underground waste injection disposal and underground natural gas sequestration--review of current industry practices and regulation

The public is invited to attend. The complete agenda can be found at: http://www.tbpg.state.tx.us/GIAgenda01-27-2012.doc

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has revised Regulatory Guidance document RG-482Common Environmental Requirements for Regulated Oil and Gas Operations. This document explains TCEQ regulations on oil and gas exploration and production. It is not a comprehensive review of such regulations. The document is found at: http://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-482.html

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report

1/15/2012

15-Jan-12 3:00 PM

The Wise Report- RRC Commission amendments

Henry Wise - noemail@hgs.org — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

January 1, 2012

The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes amendments to §3.30, relating to Memorandum of Understanding between the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the TCEQ and the RRC was last updated substantively in August 2010. Article 2 of House Bill (HB) 2694, passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature and signed by the Governor, transferred from the TCEQ to the RRC duties relating to the protection of groundwater resources from oil and gas associated activities. Specifically, the law transfers from the TCEQ to the RRC, effective September 1, 2011, those duties pertaining to the responsibility of preparing groundwater protection advisory/recommendation letters.

After the transfer, the RRC will be responsible for providing surface casing and/or groundwater protection recommendations for oil and gas activities under the jurisdiction of the RRC. In addition, Article 2 of HB 2694 amended Texas Water Code, §27.046, transferring from the TCEQ to the RRC the responsibility of issuing to permit applicants for geologic storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide a letter of determination stating that drilling and operating the anthropogenic carbon dioxide injection well for geologic storage or operating the geologic storage facility will not injure any freshwater strata in that area and that the formation or stratum to be used for the geologic storage facility is not freshwater sand.

For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/PROPOSED/16.ECONOMIC%20REGULATION.html#114-

RRC adopts new §4.635, relating to Memorandum of Understanding between the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Regarding Radiation Control Functions, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 28, 2011, issue of the Texas Register (36 TexReg 7224). The purpose of the new rule is to delineate areas of respective jurisdiction and to coordinate the respective responsibilities and duties of the RRC and the DSHS in the regulation of sources of radiation in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) §401.414, to provide consistency, effectiveness and efficiency in radiation control functions. For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/adopted/16.ECONOMIC%20REGULATION.html#801

The RRC adopts new §3.29, relating to Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure Requirements, with changes to the proposed text as published in the September 9, 2011, issue of the Texas Register (36 TexReg 5765). The e new rule is adopted to implement Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 91, Subchapter S, §91.851, relating to Disclosure of Composition of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids, as enacted by House Bill (HB) 3328 (82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011).

For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/adopted/16.ECONOMIC%20REGULATION.html#797

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report

1/1/2012

1-Jan-12 1:00 PM

The Wise Report- Texas Board Regulations

Henry Wise - noemail@hgs.org — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The Wise Report --December 26 2011

by Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) has adopted amendments to 22 TAC §§851.104, 851.108, and §851.156, concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists.

The amendments to §851.104 and §851.156 are adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the September 30, 2011, issue of the Texas Register (36 TexReg 6440). Section 851.108 is adopted without changes to the proposed text and will not be republished.

The adopted amendments to §851.104 clarify the requirements regarding the designation of licensure, registration, and certification on printed items. The adopted amendments to §851.108 clarify the information regarding the application of a license or suspending or revoking an existing license due to conviction of a crime that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of a Professional Geoscientist. The adopted amendments to §851.156 clarify the requirements regarding usage of a Professional Geoscientist's seal. For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/adopted/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#323

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report

12/26/20

26-Dec-11 1:00 PM

The Wise Report- Louisiana Registration

Henry Wise - noemail@hgs.org — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

December 17, 2011

The following is update regarding professional registration of geoscientists in Louisiana came from Wendy Davidson, AIPG. If you wish to be grandfathered there, please read:

As some of you may recall, the Louisiana Board of Professional Geoscientists was created by Act 974 of the 2010 Legislative Session. Like most things run by government, it is underfunded and behind schedule. About the only thing done so far was the election of Dr. Madhurendu Kumar as acting Chairman of the Board, even though there is no board as of yet.

Unfortunately, there are several dates and deadlines involved with the board. Anyone applying for the Professional Geoscientist designation before January 1, 2012 will not be required to submit a written examination if they meet other statutory requirements. Here is the rub: At this time, there is no application, examination, or statutory requirements. Dr. Kumar is offering the following remedy, to “put everyone’s mind at peace.” If you submit a letter to him, stating your name and personal information, and that you intend to apply for Professional Geoscientist designation, he will consider that as an application that can be grandfathered in. And you can even email him. Dr. Kumar explained he is going to lobby to have the grandfather date pushed back, as the board is far from up and running, but that will take an act of the Louisiana 2012 Legislature.

There is no way of knowing if and when that will happen. So we are recommending to everyone that is interested in having the Professional Geoscientist designation, they should go ahead and act now.

USPS ADDRESS:

Dr. Madhurendu Kumar

LADNR-Office of Conservation

617 N. Third, 9th Floor

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

EMAIL:

madhurendu.kumar@la.gov

PHONE:

225-342-5501

I've sent in my information, including a resume to Dr. Kumar.

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report

12/27/2011

19-Dec-11 8:00 AM

Let There Be Peace on Earth, And Let Peace Begin with Rare Earth Minerals

Ron Waczczak - noemail@hgs.org — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Editor’s letter December 2011

Let There Be Peace on Earth And Let Peace Begin with Rare Earth Minerals

By Ron Wasczcak, Conoco Phillips

There have been a number of articles recently published in Geology, Scientific American, and National Geographic that call attention to rare earth elements (REE) and their hosts, rare earth minerals (REM). On the periodic table, the rare earths are elements 57 through 71, and have these less than familiar names: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium. Some researchers also consider scandium 21, and yttrium 39, to be rare earth elements. Rare earth elements are contained primarily in the minerals bastnasite and monazite. Secondary resources are apatite, cheralite, eudialyte, loparite, phosphorites, xenotime, rare-earth-bearing clays, and spent uranium solutions. Though rare earth minerals are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, it is unusual to find them in concentrations high enough for economical extraction, and discovered minable concentrations are far less common than most other ores. Hence, the descriptive word “rare”.

During the past few decades, the demand for many items that utilize REEs has been rapidly rising. Items that are common and familiar include: rechargeable batteries and batteries for hybrid automobiles, automotive pollution control catalysts, and portable electronics such as laptop computers, cellular telephones, digital cameras, camcorders, compact disk and video disk players, and MP-3 players. Medical applications include dental and surgical lasers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), medical contrast agents and isotopes, and positron emission tomography (PET) scintillation detectors. Other perhaps less familiar applications of REEs in manufacturing include: light alloys for aerospace, ceramic capacitors, high-temperature superconductors, microwave filters, amplifiers in fiber-optic data transmission, chemical catalysts for self-cleaning ovens and catalytic cracking in petroleum refining, laser-range finders and precision-guided weapons systems, phosphors for televisions and monitors, fluorescent and mercury-vapor lamps and carbon arc lighting, permanent magnets stable at high temperature, high-refractive index glass and glass polishing, camera lenses and night-vision and welding goggles, and as colorants in glasses, ceramics and enamels.

The rapid rise in demand for REEs is coincident with new increasing concern over the geopolitics of discovered and undiscovered REM reserves and resources.

National Geographic has reported “China supplies 97 percent of the world’s rare earth needs and has 48 percent of the world reserves. The United States has 13 percent of world reserves, and Australia, Canada and Russia have substantial deposits as well. Until the 1980s, the United States led the world in rare earth production, thanks largely to the Mountain Pass mine in California. American dominance ended in the mid 1980s when China entered the world market with a roar. With government support, cheap labor, and lax or nonexistent environmental regulations, its rare earth industries undercut all competitors. The Mountain Pass mine closed in 2002. Over the next decade, China is expected to steadily reduce rare earth exports in order to protect the supplies of its own rapidly growing industries, which already consume about 60 percent of the rare earths produced in the country. Fears of future shortages have sent prices soaring. The world is now scrambling to find other sources of supply. “

The United States is the second largest importer of REEs; Japan is the largest importer.

Geology reported on the dangers of a dominant world producer of REEs, as is China: “Supply and demand normally determine the market price of a commodity. As supplies shrink, prices go up. If a single country controls almost all of the production, and makes a firm decision not to export, then the entire supply of a commodity can be quickly cut off. That is a dangerous situation when new sources of supply take so long to develop.”

But hark the herald, there is news of hope in regard to potential and long term accessibility to newfound deposits of REEs. This past September the U.S. Geological Survey released its report “Resource Estimate for Afghanistan Rare Earth Prospect”, a study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO).

USGS reports that Afghanistan’s Khanneshin carbonatite contains a major potential source of rare earth elements. The prospect’s principal ore mineral is bastnasite, the same mineral that harbors most of the world’s rare earth reserves. The prospect is comparable in grade to world-class deposits in China and Mountain Pass, California. The cconservative estimate for the tonnage of this deposit puts Afghanistan sixth on a list of countries with the largest rare earth reserves, and with enough reserves to supply the world’s rare earth needs for 10 years based on current consumption. Ambassador Marc Grossman, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said “The United States will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan’s efforts to develop these resources through private-sector investment in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner that benefits the Afghan people, expands markets, and promotes regional prosperity.”

Scientific American reported on the USGS assessment: “Under military cover, U.S. geologists have mapped Afghanistan’s deposits of critical minerals. The geologists were delivered to the site in Black Hawk helicopters, and armed soldiers watched over them as they scoured the ground for clues… The embattled country could fulfill the world’s requirement for rare earth and critical minerals and end opium’s local stranglehold in the process. Overcoming the country’s opium and Taliban strongholds with a mining bonanza could change U.S. foreign policy and world stability.”

12-Dec-11 5:00 PM

Certification of Petroleum Reserves Evaluators

noemail@hgs.org — Mon, 16 May 2005 22:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 16, 2005 FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS (AAPG) Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY TO DECIDE ON CERTIFICATION OF PETROLEUM RESERVES EVALUATORS In response to concerns over the recent petroleum reserves writedowns, two industry organizations are scheduled to decide this year whether to sponsor a program to certify reserves evaluators. Regulators, the U.S. Congress and investors recently have called for reforms in how the oil and gas industry estimates and reports petroleum reserves, the lifeblood and main asset of companies with drilling and production operations. The program to train and test petroleum engineers and geologists will be modeled to some degree after the one for certified public accountants, said Dan Tearpock, who is leading the initiative for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. The Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) is also involved. Both will consider a business plan and budgeting...

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Title: Software Developer
Description:

Software Developer for innovative oil and gas service company that is designing very interesting software products for the industry. Excellent opportunity for the creative C++ developer who likes to work hard and play hard. Positions for both junior and experienced developers.

Required Experience:

One year using C++ (experience in oil and gas not required).

This Job Requires the Follow Skills:

C++ and/or NET or Java; OOD; curiosity, creativity, passion for doing things in a better way.

Education Required: BS in Computer Science or Mathematics
Planned Duration of Employment: Full Time
Position reports to: VP of Engineering

Contact info:

Mary Ann Wycoff (Add to Contacts)

The Highland Group

P.O. 239

Brenham, TX 77834
USA

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Title: Geoscientist
Description:

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Required Experience:

One year interpretation experience.

This Job Requires the Follow Skills:

Interpretation, ability to handle multiple projects, written and oral communication skills, presentation style that garners respect of clients, ability to work in team. Conversational/scientific spanish a plus.

Education Required: MS in Geophysics, Geology or related geoscience, math
Planned Duration of Employment: Full Time
Position reports to: Processing & Interpretation Manager

Contact info:

Mary Ann Wycoff (Add to Contacts)

The Highland Group

P.O. Box 239

Brenham, TX 77834
USA

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Senior Operations Geologist

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

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Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: INTERNATIONAL GEOSCIENTIST Experience:

Decades of worldwide experience in most peroliferous province with majors and independents.

Resident manager in five countries.

Skills:

Exploration

Production

Enhanced recovery

Imagery

New ventures

Rift morphology

Plate tectonics

Deviated drilling

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International exploration -new ventures manager

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Mon, 18 Jul 2011 03:00:00 GMT

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Geophysicist

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Geophysicist Experience: El Paso Corp--Houston TX (11/06-5/07) Consulting work . Processed and interpreted 570 mile 2D grid of data of various vintages in Landmark in support of New Albany black Shale Gathered internal data and purchased small amount of data in all mid-continent basins with emphasis on Arkoma and Anadarko Basins.Amerada Hess Corp (8/77-8/79) Exploration Geophysicist. Worked 3D and 2D projects on Landmark workstation, two and a half years in deepwater eastern Garden Banks and Keathley Canyon including sequence stratigraphy analysis and halokinetic studies and six months in shallow water Miocene, Pliocene and Frio Trends from Matagorda to High Island. (9/96-8/99) Three years working 3D and 2D Landmark workstation projects as well as a gravity and magnetics salt definition project in Gulf of Mexico in Viosca Knoll, S. Timbalier, Ewing Bank, East Breaks and Garden Banks. Two and a half years working Exploitation and Exploration projects on the...

Geologist, Geophysicist, Seismic Depth Model Building

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Geologist, Geophysicist, Seismic Depth Model Building Experience: Imaging Project Leader, Houston, Texas (June 2007- Present) · Presented at Congreso Mexicano del Petroleo (2011) · Presented at SEG Summer Research Workshop : Subsalt Imaging (2010) · Presented at SEG Denver Annual Meeting (2010) · Attended Michael Hudec’s “Salt and Extensional Tectonics in the Paradox Basin, Utah” field trip (2010) · Gulf of Mexico salt interpretation and regional structure interpretation · Depth velocity model building · Managing a group of interpreters · Interact with clients on a weekly/daily basis · Present results and new techniques in large and small group presentations. Skills: · Depth velocity model building (Isotropic, VTI, TTI) · Salt interpretation (Very good understanding of salt tectonics) · Proven experience with...

Petroleum Geologist/Geologist

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Petroleum Geologist/Geologist Experience: Trans Pacific Oil Corporation, Wichita, KS - Geotechnician March 2008 - August 2009 · Collaborated closely with the senior geologist to prepare, generate, and edit prospects · Created & provided contour structure maps and lease maps for prospects · Manipulated and Interpreted 3-D seismic data using SeisVision · Processed Red Top data in Wellbase in Geographix manually & via spreadsheet · Trained and supervised fellow co-workers in Geographix and SeisVision · Filed scout cards Wichita State University, Wichita, KS - Graduate Teaching Assistant August 2009-present · Teach & supervise Geology 102,111, Mineralogy, Petrology, Sedimentology labs · Lead field trips to outcrops · Grade & maintain student records CCH Inc., Wichita, KS - Release & Technical...

Petrophysicist

Tue, 31 May 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Petrophysicist Experience:

N/A

Skills:

N/A

Education: BS Geology Licenses: PG # 3027 Certifications: AAPG, SPWLA, HGS Ideal Job Description:

N/A

Location: Houston Location State: Texas Willing to Relocate: False Contact Info: Raymundo Martinez 5451 Cilantro Ln. Baytown Texas 77521 voice: (281) 628-3246

Raymundo Martinez
rmartinez064@comcast.net

5451 Cilantro Ln.

Baytown, Texas 77521

(281) 628-3246

Exploration Geologist

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Desired Position Title: Exploration Geologist Experience: Career Summary § Interpret and evaluate subsurface geologic data to construct integrated maps and cross sections defining subsurface structures. § Supervise and coordinate on-site open hole well-site geologic interpretations and coordinate open-hole evaluation tools and service company vendors to enhance pay zone potential. § Conduct well log analysis and recommend pay zones for production. O.T.S. Exploration Company, Houston, TX Partner and Exploration Geologist Discovered several oil plays in West Texas. Teamed with a seasoned prospect geologist and identified numerous potential structural closures to develop into salable oil prospects. Identified prospective clients and initiated communication to facilitate prospect sales. Performed well-site geology and analyzed well logs for productive pay zones. Westland Oil Development Corporation, Houston, TX ...

Home Page- HGS Bulletin

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:30:02 GMT

February 2012 Bulletin

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Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:00:51 GMT

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Office Contact Information

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:57:03 GMT

Office Location

14811 St. Marys Lane
Suite 250
Houston, TX 77079

Office Phone Numbers

Voice (713) 463-9476
Fax (281) 679-5504

Office Email Addresses

Sandra@hgs.org (Sandra Babcock)
Office@hgs.org
Ads@hgs.org
Webmaster@hgs.org

You can update your HGS contact personal information here. Click the following link to edit the on-line database . You can also contact the office staff and they will assist you.

2011 Art, Essay, and Photography Contest Awards and Recognition

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:13:35 GMT

Presented by the Houston Geological Society in celebration of National Earth Science Week In collaboration with the Consumer Energy Alliance Energy DayAnd the Houston Museum of Natural Science Energy Conservation Club October 8-16, 2011 “Our Ever Changing Earth” Awards and Recognition Art 1st place- Haley Maelyn Lumbert/ Teacher: Victoria Rivas- Dickenson Elementary, Sugar Land 2nd place- Karissa Bray/ Teacher: Victoria Rivas-Dickenson Elementary, Sugar Land 3rd place- Salam Habra/ Teacher: Sarah Sharafeldin- Iman Academy S.E., Houston Essay1st place- Allison Gentry/ Teacher Helen Roberts- Spring Branch Middle School, Houston 2nd place- Yazeed Radwan/ Teacher: Dawn Miller- Iman Academy, Houston 3rd place- Zainab Hameed/ Teacher: Dawn Miller- Iman Academy, Houston Multimedia 1st place- Sara Lyle/ Teacher: Stephanie Miller- A&M Consolidated High School, College Station 2nd place- Rama Bushra Imad- Clear Horizons Early College High...

Videos

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:48:11 GMT

HGS Legends Night January 2011 part 1

HGS Legends Night January 2011 Part 2

Exploration Potential of the Great American Carbonate Bank

EARTH SCIENCE WEEK 2011

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:36:21 GMT

The HOUSTON GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY Celebrates EARTH SCIENCE WEEK 2011 “Our Ever-Changing Earth” Information is updated and added frequently to this site. Come back and check out any activity before participating to catch the latest changes. Annual Family Energy Festival - Houston Museum of Natural Science Saturday, October 8, 11:00pm- 3:00pm We kick off the week with our annual Family Energy Festival at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Paleontology Hall and Wiess Energy Hall. The festival will feature a passport program that takes you through hands-on demonstrations, special presentations, Boy Scout badge activities, and other great programs that broaden awareness of earth science. 2nd Annual Classroom Connections - Art, Essay, and Photography Contest UPDATED We want to thank all of you who partcipated in our 2011 HGS/CEA/HMNS contest. Please join us in congratulating the winners listed below. These awards will be presented in...

HGS Advertising Opportunities

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:51:40 GMT

There are several ways to advertise your services or company with the Houston Geological Society: Website Advertisements Advertising at HGS Events Print Advertising Web Ads An ad on the Houston Geological Society Web site will be seen by many people each day. HGS website visits average about 60,000 per month. These are the different web advertising options: Web Page Sponsor Business Cards Job Postings Short Courses Ad Web Page Sponsor To have an ad posted, you must provide with the graphic and the URL it should link to when clicked. All strip ads appear in the right navigation in the home page. Strip ads are randomly displayed. Calendar ads appear on the left navigation of every page. Strip (1 yr.) $ 1,400 120 px 90 px Strip (6 mos.) $ 750 120 px 90 px Calendar (1 yr.) $ 2,500 ...

HGS Leadership 2011-2012

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:24:27 GMT

You may use the information in this executive directory strictly for HGS business purposes. Commercial uses are prohibited. President Steve Earle (713) 328-1069 steve.hgs at (@) gmail.com President-Elect Martin Cassidy (713) 503-8331 jo1955mar at (@) aol.com Vice President David Meaux (281) 366-2847 david.meaux at (@) bp.com Secretary Matthew Cowan (713) 777-0534 wrcowan1 at(@) hal-pc.org ...

HGS Leadership 2010-2011

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:22:31 GMT

You may use the information in this executive directory strictly for HGS business purposes. Commercial uses are prohibited. President John Tubb (713) 805-5649 President-Elect Steve Earle (713) 328-1069 Vice President Amy Sullivan (281) 705-8280 Secretary Cecelia Baum (713) 268-5238 Treasurer David Meaux (281)...

Downloading the HGS-GSH Membership Directory

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:06:01 GMT

Only HGS members can download a copy of the HGS-GSH Directory of members.

You will need your pre-assigned password and username in order to log on and download the membership directory. Most members already know their password. Those who have never logged on may need to read the instructions. Note that members who do not know their password and who use a spam blocker may not be able to get a copy of their password sent to them. In that case, contact the webmaster and he will set up a temporary username and password for you to log on the first time.

If you are a current member of the HGS and you are logged in, you can download the HGS-GSH Membership Directory in PDF Format. If you are not logged in, go to the home page and log in now. We recommend that you check the box "Remember Login" if you are using your own personal computer.

Next, click the link below to go to the page where you can download the Directory. If you are not a member or you are not logged in under your pre-assigned member's ID, you cannot see that page. Instead, you will see a security page warning that you are not logged in (if you are a member) or that you do not have enough rights to see that page (if you are logged in but not under your pre-assigned member's registration.)

Only active members of the HGS can download the entire directory.

The download of the pdf is at no cost to the member

Printed Directories are Sold out

To purchase a printed copy of the directory click here

Cost for the Directory is $18 and must be paid before we mail to the address furnished

The Membership Directories are only for the personal use of members of the HGS and GSH. No commercial use is permitted.

HGS Guest Night 2011

noemail@hgs.org — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Objectives: You are receiving this email because you registered for the HGS Annual Guest Night at the Science Museum on May 22, 2010. I hope you were able to attend.

The HGS Guest Night committee strives to make each event better by incorporating the suggestions and comments from the attendees. Please take a couple of minutes to let us know what you thought about the event this year.

Release Date: 24-May-11 10:00 AM
Expiration Date: 2-Jun-11 8:00 AM
Please fill out the following questions.

20120116HGS213349

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:58:34 GMT