October, 2003
HGS, etc Meetings

HGS Dinner Meeting

  1. "Success! Using Seismic Attributes and Horizontal Drilling to Delineate and Exploit a Diagenetic Trap, Monterey Shale, San Joaquin Valley, California "

  2. "Delineation of a Diagenetic Trap Using P-Wave and Converted-Wave Seismic Data in the Miocene McLure Shale, San Joaquin Basin, CA"

Abstract:

  1. "Success! Using Seismic Attributes and Horizontal Drilling to Delineate and Exploit a Diagenetic Trap, Monterey Shale, San Joaquin Valley, California "

  2. "Delineation of a Diagenetic Trap Using P-Wave and Converted-Wave Seismic Data in the Miocene McLure Shale, San Joaquin Basin, CA"

    North Shafter and Rose oil fields, located in California’s San Joaquin Basin, produce hydrocarbons from a subtle stratigraphic trap within the Miocene Monterey Formation. The trap-reservoir system was created during the burial process of a thick diatomaceous shale sequence that forms various diagenetic facies. Integration of well and 2D p-wave seismic data shows that a significant amplitude anomaly is present over both the reservoir (quartz) and seal (Opal-CT) facies, making delineation of the updip edge problematic. The porosity of the Opal-CT and reservoir quartz facies ranges from 50% to 24%.

    From petrophysical analysis and seismic modeling the following conclusions can be drawn. The Opal-CT and hydrocarbon-saturated quartz have nearly the same acoustic impedance. The Opal-CT is low density while the hydrocarbon-saturated quartz is low velocity. The presence of gas-saturated oil in the quartz reduces the interval velocity in a manner similar to the Gasmann effect in high porosity sandstones. The down-dip wet quartz interval is not associated with a seismic amplitude anomaly since its impedance is similar to the bounding shales. Finally, converted-wave data, which primarily images lithology rather than fluids, can be used to delineate the low density Opal-CT from the higher density quartz.

    Based on the above conclusions, 2D converted-wave data were acquired to complement the p-wave data. From these data sets the regional Opal-CT to quartz phase transformation boundary was mapped and a matrix of amplitude signature verses facies was constructed. This work then formed the basis for mapping the hydrocarbon saturated quartz facies.

Biographical Sketch:

Bob Kidney received a BS in geology from the University of Illinois CC in 1979 and a MS in geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines in 1982. He started his career in the petroleum business with Tenneco Oil in Denver, exploring the Rocky Mountain basins. While with Tenneco Bob also worked in Houston in a staff position and in their Lafayette, LA exploring in the Gulf of Mexico. After the sale of Tenneco in 1988, Bob worked for Oryx Energy in both Dallas and London. While with Oryx Bob was a member of their HCI Services Group which provided prospect evaluation support on a world wide basis, provided exploration, development and equity determination support in their London, UK office and was the Gulf of Mexico Geophysical Manager for both development and exploration. Since joining EOG Resources in 1996 Bob has worked on both exploration and development teams in the California, western Wyoming and New York. His professional interests include seismic reservoir characterization and using seismic data as a risk-reducing tool. Bob the 2003 President of the Denver Geophysical Society.

HGS International Dinner Meeting

Title: TBD

Abstract:

Biographical Sketch:

53rd GCAGS Convention

Hosted by the Baton Rouge Geological Society

Information:

Hosted by the Baton Rouge Geological Society; Contact: Harry H. Roberts, Technical Program Chairman, 331 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, Coastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; (225) 578-2964, (225) 578-2520, hrober3@lsu.edu

HGS Lunch Meeting

"The Barnett Shale Gas Play: An Unconventional Gas Play in the Fort Worth Basin - Now the Largest Gas Field in the State of Texas"

Abstract:

Biographical Sketch: