A New Technique: Geophysics Charter HGS Members Advance Technology

The history of the Houston Geological Society is the history of a new science-petroleum geology. Applied geophysics is an important technique of this new science. A surface elevation was the evidence for drilling Spindletop in 1901; gas and oil seepages were the evidences for drilling Sour Lake in 1901; paraffin dirt, the evidence for drilling Goose Creek in 1907. By 1920 the Gulf Coast had been combed for all such direct indications of oil fields, so new exploratory techniques had to be developed.
Doodle-bug Imported from EuropeNot to be overlooked was the wigglestick (divining rod). Many wells were drilled by two "wigglestick authorities" - Mr. Griffith of Houston and Mr. Drummett of Pierce Junction. They pursued their technique well into the twenties; their dry holes contributed much subsurface data. During the twenties, geologists began to search for sulphur water wells, as such water was considered an indication of a salt dome. Many a bright, shiny quarter was dropped into a jug of sulphur smelling water. Also, many a jar of gas was analyzed with the hopes of discovering a gas that would indicate an oil field.
E. DeGolyer, while in London in the summer of 1914, became interested in the applied use of geophysics in prospecting for oil, and in a conversation with P. C. A. Stewart he learned of the torsion balance that had been invented by Baron Roland von E6tv6s. DeGolver began to investigate the surveys that had been made in the great Hungarian Plain, and for the next six years he watched the progress of geophysical experiments in Europe. In 1920 he decided to experiment for himself as he had learned that instruments could be purchased. As president and general manager of the Amerada and vice-president and general manager of the Mexican Eagle of Mexico, he arranged for a joint field research program between the two companies. Construction was started on two instruments in August 1921, and in May 1922 DeGolyer sent [Donald C.] Barton to Budapest to receive the finished instruments and to study the method of their use.
Barton brought one instrument back to Houston and housed it in the basement of the Humble building. The oil fraternity was all agog with curiosity over this 'doodle-bug" as it was called by the skeptical. Barton, however, kept his "doodle-bug" well guarded and surrounded with mystery.
Nash Dome-First Successful Geophysical ProspectAccording to DeGolyer, the first survey made with this instrument was on Spindletop dome in December 1922, the first, or one of the first surveys made by geophysical methods in the United States. Several other known domes were surveyed and various prospects were analyzed with indefinite results. DeGolyer said: "These early surveys were entirely inadequate, both as to area and interpretation, to test the method and we were about to abandon it as too expensive and inexact when a survey of the Nash Ranch in Fort Bend County, Texas, gave a gravity maximum as definite and exact as that of Spindletop. Drilling proved a salt dome in November 1924, and oil was discovered on the flank of this dome on January 3, 1926. This was the first successful geophysical prospect to be proved in the United States and was probably the first oil pool to be discovered by geophysical methods in the entire world." The torsion balance had its ups and downs until 1938 when it was displaced by the gravimeter.
E. DeGolyer, in his Early History of Geophysics, said that as early as 1905-06, L. P. Garrett "had conceived the idea of using seismic refraction surveys as a tool to prospect for salt domes ... and, together with Mr. Robert Welch of Houston, had made inquiries as to instruments and methods. Instruments were expensive and not really adapted to work on the scale required and so the matter was dropped."
In 1920, before the Association (AAPG) at its annual convention in Dallas, Dr. J. A. Udden presented his paper "A New Method of Making Underground Observations" - in which he suggested that some such instrument as the seismograph could be used to record reflections of earth waves started on the surface by an explosion. Speaking specifically, he said: "A record of the emerged reflection of this wave from the upper surface of the Ellenburger limestone might be registered on an instrument placed at some distance from the point of explosion. The record would, of course, be a component of the direct and the reflected waves." Present day reflection shooting is based on this data of Udden's.
Four years later, in March 1924, Alexander Deussen introduced the seismograph to the Gulf Coast when he brought Dr. L. Mintrop of the Seismos Company from Oklahoma to Houston. According to Deussen, the first survey was a refraction type on the Wadsworth ranch. Work was done under Mr. Deussen's direction for the Marland, with John Weinzierl representing the company in the field.
Refraction Seismic Used to Discover Orchard Dome in Fort Bend CountyAnother Mintrop party commenced work on the Gulf Coast five or six months later under the direction of L. P. Garrett. Before the end of the year, this crew discovered Orchard dome in Fort Bend County, Texas, the first seismic discovery for the United States and possibly the first in the world. This refraction technique, in spite of its brilliant success, had a short life span-introduced in 1924, it was extensively used by 1926; after reaching its peak in March 1929, it declined rapidly, and it was later replaced by the reflection method as outlined by Dr. Udden.
With geophysical exploration for petroleum firmly established on the Gulf Coast, Donald C. Barton, in July 1929, wrote to a number of leading geologists and geophysicists relative to the feasibility of forming a geophysical society. Encouraged by replies to his letter, Dr. Barton suggested a luncheon meeting at the University Club on January 30, 1930. A committee consisting of John F. Weinzierl, J. Brian Eby and G. H. Westby was appointed to investigate the matter of affiliating with the AAPG. This committee made its report at a second meeting held March 7, 1930, but the Society of Economic Geophysicists, as it was first called, was not definitely organized until March 11, 1930. Donald C. Barton was elected President; E. E. Rosaire, Vice-President; John F. Weinzierl, Secretary- Treasurer. On May 20, 1930, the Constitution and by-laws were adopted and the name was changed to Society of Petroleum Geophysicists. In 1932 the Society became affiliated with the AAPG. On January 1, 1937, the name was officially changed to the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. As the SEG was organized in Houston by members of the Houston Geological Society, most of its officers have been from the membership of our society.
DeGolyer Helped Bring Geophysics to HGS MembersEverette DeGolyer, called "The Father of Geophysical Research," was awarded the Anthony E Lucas gold medal in 1940 by the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers "for initiating applied geophysics, directing the early practical seismic explorations and fostering applied science in financing, developing, and producing oil." While president of both the Amerada Petroleum Corporation and the Rycade Oil Company, he had division offices in Houston where he maintained large geologic staffs. As a charter member of the Houston Geological Society, he continued his membership until about 1940, although he was not always an active member.
E. DeGolyer, affectionately called "De" by his associates and friends, was a man of diverse talents. He was a member of a long list of scientific societies and served as president or director of most of them. As a geologist he wrote many technical papers. As a scientific leader he served as president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in 1925-26 and in 1945 was prese