Post on 04-Jan-2020
Volume 53 Number 5
HGSBulletinHouston Geological Society
January 2011
Recognition of and Regional Controls onSyn-halokinetic GrowthStratal Patterns in Carbonate Platformsfrom Extensional BasinsPage 30
Recognition of and Regional Controls onSyn-halokinetic GrowthStratal Patterns in Carbonate Platformsfrom Extensional BasinsPage 30
page 42
Volume 53, Number 5 January 2011
Houston Geological Society
The
In Every Issue 5 From the President
by John Tubb, Jr.
7 From the Editorby Barry Katz
32 GeoEvents Calendar 59 HGS Membership
Application
60 HPAC 61 Professional Directory
Technical Meetings 17 HGS Special Dinner Meeting
Structural Provinces and Processes of the North-centralGulf of Mexico Deepwater
21 HGS General Dinner MeetingInterpretation of a New Regional Seismic Survey, Offshore Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea Margin, Arctic Canada: Illuminating a Pivotal Piece of the Arctic Puzzle
25 HGS Northsiders Luncheon MeetingBest Practices for the Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation of Seabed Geochemical Samples to Evaluate Subsurface Hydrocarbon Generation and Entrapment
27 HGS Environmental & Engineering Dinner MeetingGeoscientific Enforcement Case Studies: Meeting the Professional Geoscientific (PG) Standard-of-care in 2011
29 HGS General Luncheon MeetingProfessionalism as it Applies to Petroleum Geoscience“The Practical Application of Ethics”
30 Joint HGS International and North American Dinner MeetingRecognition of and Regional Controls on Syn-halokineticGrowth Stratal Patterns in Carbonate Platforms from Extensional Basins
Other Features 11 GCAGS and HGS Matching Scholarships Fund
18 Winners of Sheriff Lecture Poster Competition AnnouncedAl Danforth
39 SIPES Luncheon MeetingShale Gas: Abundance or Mirage?
42 HGS K–12 OutreachJanet Combes
45 RemembranceGeorge E. Kronman
47 2010 HGS Golf Tournament
49 Government UpdateHenry M. Wise and Arlin Howles
55 AAPG Countdown
56 January Crossword, December Crossword Answers
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 BJKatz.hgs@gmail.comSubscriptions: 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: Glacial boulders Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan.
Photographed by Linda Sternbach.
Bulletin
page 30
page 21
page 4
Salt Tectonicsof Passive
MarginsA one-day short
course
page 16
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 1
2 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 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 jbtjr@sbcglobal.netPresident-elect (PE) Steve Earle Carrizo Oil and Gas 713-328-1069 steve.hgs@gmail.comVice President (VP) Amy Sullivan Shell 281-705-8280 amy.e.sullivan@mindspring.comSecretary (S) Cecelia Baum Maersk Oil Houston 713-346-5826 cecelia.hgs@gmail.comTreasurer (T) David Meaux BP 281-366-2847 dpmeaux@gmail.comTreasurer-elect (TE) Christina Higginbotham Brown & Caldwell 713-646-1107 christina.hgs@att.netEditor (E) Barry Katz Chevron 832-854-6989 BJKatz.HGS@gmail.comEditor-elect (EE) Ron Waszczak ConocoPhillips 281-293-3088 ron.f.waszczak@conocophillips.comDirector 09-11 (D3) Robert Pledger Consultant 832-512-0495 rpledger@hotmail.comDirector 09-11 (D4) Tarek Ghazi Canadian International 281-961-7632 tarek_ghazi@yahoo.comDirector 10-12 (D1) John Adamick TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co 713-860-2114 jada@tgsnopec.comDirector 10-12 (D2) Jennifer Burton Legado Resources 832-607-0074 jlbgeo@comcast.net
Committee Chairperson Phone Email Board Rep. AAPG HOD Foreman Robert Scheidemann 832-337-1325 r.scheidemann@shell.com PAcademic Liaison Christine Bradford 281-256-3476 christine.d.bradfor@lonestar.edu D3Ad Hoc Advertising Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 sandra@hgs.org EAfrican Conference Al Danforth 713-780-8622 al.danforth@att.net PArrangements (hotel contracts) Amy Sullivan 281-705-8280 amy.e.sullivan@mindspring.com VPBallot/Elections Paul Hoffman 713-871-2350 phoffman@jlaev.com SCalvert Memorial Scholarship Carl Norman 713-461-7420 dod895@aol.com PEChristmas Party Kelly Limbaugh 713-972-9200 kelly.limbaugh@globalgeophysical TECommunity Outreach Walter Light 713-823-8288 wthunderx@aol.com D3Continuing Education Rosemary Laidacker 713-805-9672 rmlgeo@gmail.com D3Directory Michael S. Benrud 713-785-8700 x104 mbenrud@sbres.com D2Earth Science Week Martha McRae 713-869-2045 mcrae_1125@comcast.net D2 Jennifer Burton 832-607-0074 jlbgeo@comcast.net D2Engineering Council of Houston Claudia Ludwig 713-723-2511 petra@hal-pc.org D4Environmental & Eng Geologists Matthew Cowan 713-777-0534 wrcowan1@hal-pc.org VPExhibits Bill Mason 281-367-2742 bill@masonenergy.com D2Field Trips Gary Moore 713-466-8960 gmoore@wellhub.com D4Finance Joe Lynch 281-496-9898 x134 jly@sptgroup.com TFoundation Fund John Adamick 713-860-2114 jada@tgsnopec .com PEGeneral Meetings Amy Sullivan 281-705-8280 amy.e.sullivan@mindspring.com VPGolf Tournament Mark Dennis 281-494-2522 mdennis@petrolog.com D1Government Affairs Arlin Howles 281-808-8629 tidenv@yahoo.com D4 Henry Wise 281-242-7190 hmwise@yahoo.com D4Guest Night Dave Reynolds 281-497-2485 dreynolds@fairfieldnodal.com D2HGS New Publications Bill Rizer 281-392-0613 rizerwd@gmail.com D1Houston Energy Council Sandi Barber 713-935-7830 sbarber@seismicmicro.com D4HPAC Winona Labrant Smith 713-952-2007 wlbrant@hal-pc.org SImperial Barrel Connie Mongold 832-315-4991 connie.mongold@shell.com D3International Explorationists Justin Vandenbrink 281-448-6188 vandenbrinkj@rpsgroup.com VPMembership Shari Sartain 281-382-9855 smsartain1@comcast.net SMembership Growth Jeff Allen 713-871-2350 jeffallen@jlaev.com D2Mudstone Conference Frank Walles 713-265-6319 frank.walles@dvn.com PMuseum of Natural Science Inda Immega 713-661-3494 immega@swbell.net D3NeoGeos Carrie Kidd 713-961-8481 carrie.kidd@bhpbilliton.com SNominations Gary Coburn 281-782-7021 GaryCoburn.HGS@gmail.com PNorth American Explorationists Steve Getz 713-871-2346 sgetz@jlaev.com VPNorthsiders David Tonner 713-516-6894 David.Tonner@weatherford.com VPOffice Management Mike Erpenbeck 832-418-0221 mike.erpenbeck@hotmail.com PEPublication Sales VOLUNTEER NEEDED D1Remembrances Art Berman 713-557-9067 bermanae@gmail.com EEShrimp Peel Lee Shelton 281-381-1093 clshelton4@yahoo.com D1Skeet Shoot Tom McCarroll 713-353-4728 tom_mccarroll@yahoo.com D1Social Media Dianna Phu 713-468-1410 dph@gemsinc.com TSpeaker Awards Mike Deming 281-925-7239 michael.deming@deepwater.com VPTechnofest Deborah Sacrey 713-468-3260 dsacrey@auburnenergy.com D2Tennis Tournament Steve Brachman 713-268-8810 sbrachman@petro-hunt.com D1Vendor’s Corner Paul Babcock 713-859-0316 pebabcock@aol.com TEVolunteer Coordinator Sue Pritchett 281-451-6522 pritchettsue@gmail.com PWeb Management Gabriela Henriquez 713-463-9476 webmaster@hgs.org D4
HGS Office Manager Sandra Babcock 713-463-9476 sandra@hgs.org
4 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Registration Form — HGS Legends Night 2011Reservations and prepayment encouraged by online reservation or send check and form to: HGS Office,
HGS Legends Night 2011, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079 or fax this form with credit card number to 281-679-5504
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________Membership No. __________________
Company:__________________________________________________________________________________________
Work Phone: ____________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________
Early bird registration $25/person (by Jan. 1, 2011) ____________ Registration $35/person (after Jan. 1, 2011)__________
No. of tickets desired: __________________________________________________ Total amount enclosed: ________________________________
(Please include names of all attendees, for registration badges): __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Credit Card number and type: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CVV or Card ID : ________________________________________________________________Expiration Date (required): __________________________________________
Name on Credit Card: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone Number of Card Holder: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for Card: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 5
From thePresidentJohn Tubb, Jr.
jbtjr@sbcglobal.net
Mark your calendar for Monday night, January 17. This will
be our HGS Legends Night. We will be honoring the four
living members of HGS who are past-presidents of both HGS
and AAPG. These distinguished members are John Amoruso,
Dick Bishop, Dan Smith, and Dave Rensink. Dave is presently
the AAPG President. These gentlemen will share their presidential
perspectives of HGS and AAPG and what the future holds for
these cornerstone societies. As a special guest, Rick Fritz, AAPG
Executive Director, is planning to attend the event and will be
part of the program.
Until January 1, 2011, the tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a
table of 10. If you are reading this article after January 1, your
ticket cost will be $35 per person or $250 for a table of 10. All
profits from this event will be divided between the HGS Calvert
Scholarship Fund and the HGS Foundation Scholarship Fund.
The HGS would really like to have a sellout crowd for this gala.
This special event has limited seating. Ashley Harris of ION
Geophysical Corporation heads up the HGS Legends Night
committee.
This past October’s events included:
• A very successful Earth Science Week, as highlighted in the
December Bulletin.
• The Upper Cambrian Microbialites trip to central Texas went
well with 23 paid participants. Thanks go to the field trip leaders,
Dr. Andre Droxler, Rice University, and Dr. Wayne Ahr, Texas
A&M University. Field Trip Chairman Gary Moore was called
out of town on business at the last minute. Richard Howe
substituted for Gary so we did not have to cancel the trip.
Thanks Richard and Gary.
• The HGS Golf Tournament, run by Mark Dennis, was held
on a beautiful October day with 320 golfers. Next year’s
tournament will be held on October 17, 2011.
See you at HGS Legends Night! �
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
HGS Legends Night From the President
Maps for Schools Donation
Robert Pledger
HGS made a “Maps for Schools” donation to St.
Thomas Episcopal School. Receiving the award is
Tim Russell and Erica Maw. Tim is the head of the
Middle School, teaches 8th grade physical science, and
high school geology. Tim was formerly with Amoco/BP
and served with GUPCO in Egypt. He retired from BP
after the merger. Erica has been teaching for four years
and teaches 6th grade earth science. She is also the 8th
grade girls’ homeroom teacher. St. Thomas is a private
K-12 school located here in Houston. �
6 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Anew year has arrived and it is time to look back over 2010.
As usual, the year brought us several surprises and changes,
most of which would never have been predicted. Remembering
the words of Casey Stengel “Never make predictions, especially
about the future.”
I could discuss the political changes that took place in November,
but I am a skeptic and until proven differently,
a politician remains a politician independent
of whether we color their district red or blue. I
will leave that discussion for the next editor…I
would like to focus on the Deepwater Horizon
explosion, the extension of the drilling ban, the
rig count, the prices of oil and gas, who is buy-
ing what, what has been discovered, and
changes within my family.
The year began with mixed signals. The day before the President’s
State of the Union Address, the Department of the Interior
announced that it would delay the Virginia offshore lease sale
scheduled for November 2011. The next day, the President included
this line in his address, “It means making tough decisions about
opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development.” This single
line suggested to many that there might be a change in the wind and
much of the offshore would be on a path toward
leasing and future exploration. However, the draft
budget released in February indicated the
contrary and the industry should expect a
decrease in the availability of new offshore acreage.
On April 20th the Deepwater Horizon drilling
rig exploded. Eleven lives were lost, seventeen
crewmembers were injured, and oil began to
leak from the Macondo well. Estimates of the
amount of oil that leaked remain a point of
contention. The U. S. government estimates that
4.9 million barrels of oil were spilled; BP
contends that the government number may be
over-estimated by between 20 and 50%. The
actual amount of oil spilled is probably not
important to most of us. All parties agree that it
was a large amount, which impacted the ecosystem
and livelihood of much of the Gulf Coast. What
is important to most of us, in addition to the loss of life, was the
fact that the Macondo well explosion and leak resulted in changes
to the industry that will persist for many years:
• The shutdown of drilling in U.S. offshore waters for much of
the year
• A reorganization of the agency that regulates the industry
• New regulations and requirements
• The formation of a cooperative industry
organization to respond to such incidents in
the future
• A hardening of the freeze on OCS leasing for
the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Mid and
South Atlantic through at least 2017.
Unlike offshore, where government action
slowed down activity, onshore activity did not
miss a beat. The rig count continued to slowly
increase throughout the year (Figure 1). As of December 4th,
there were 1,690 active land rigs. Much of the growth in the rig
count can be attributed to a steady increase in the number of oil
wells. At the start of the year there were 427 oil well rigs and on
December 4th there are 742 oil well rigs in operation. Horizontal
operations accounted for 966 of the rigs. One can only hope that
From theEditor
From the Edito
r
Barry KatzBJKatz.HGS@gmail.com
A Look Back at 2010
Unlike offshore, where
government action
slowed down activity,
onshore activity did not
miss a beat.
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 7
Figure 1 U. S. land drilling rig count (data from Baker Hughes Incorporated)
Letter from the Editor continued on page 9
8 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 9
the concerns expressed at different governmental levels over
fracking do not lead to significant restrictions in shale gas and
shale oil operations. We may begin to ponder whether
the restrictions on Marcellus operations in Pennsylvania are
exceptions rather than the forbearers of things to come.
The year began with the closing of ExxonMobil’s purchase of
XTO, a major move into the unconventional resource arena.
France’s Total and China’s CNOOC both entered into significant
deals with Chesapeake Energy for positions in the Barnett Shale
and the Eagle Ford Shale, respectively. India’s Reliance also took a
position in U.S. unconventionals, with a capture of a position in
the Marcellus Play. It was not only foreign companies acquiring
assets in the U.S., U.S. companies entered in the unconventional
space overseas in such places as Poland and Romania.
The steady increase in the number of rigs took place even though
the price of natural gas continued a general decline (Figure 2).
Natural gas began the year at $6.645 and in early December
closed at $4.318 per MMbtu. The drift toward lower natural gas
prices during the year was not reflected in crude oil (Figure 3).
Crude oil meandered for much of the year within an $18.00
trading range, with its low occurring in late May and a high in
November. There may be a number of reasons for the apparent
disconnect between oil and gas prices — increased availability of
North American gas a result of shale gas drilling as well as a
weakening of the U.S. dollar — but I will leave that in the hands
of the economists to debate.
Significant discoveries continued to be made globally. Near to
home there was McMoRan’s Davy Jones discovery at 28,263 feet on
the Louisiana shelf. Further a field there were major resource adds,
for example Tullow’s Owo discovery in Ghana, Petrobras’ pre-salt
Franco discovery offshore Brazil, Eni’s
Cabaça South East discovery offshore
Angola, and Chevron’s Acme gas
discovery offshore Australia. New
resources continue to be found.
Finally, there have been a number of
changes to our family, all of which
brought both my wife and I tears of
joy! The year began with the arrival of
our first granddaughter Madison. As
she made her entrance to the world,
Terry was in the delivery room with
Jeff and our daughter, Rebecca, while I
was in the waiting room, on a confer-
ence call. (It does seem that you can
never escape.) This summer, Madison
began the family tradition and took
her first cruise! (Although I’m not
sure that she will remember Alaska and those glorious glaciers.)
This summer our family grew in leaps and bounds, as our
younger daughter, Michelle was married. We welcomed David,
our new son-in-law, and also two new-granddaughters —
Catherine and Abby. The two girls and I have spent many hours
in the kitchen cooking and baking together. Being a grandparent
is wonderful! All the fun and none of the responsibilities! A few
weeks ago, we were thrilled to learn that Michelle and David are
expecting an addition to their family! So as a family we will
continue to expect change as 2011 begins. And, you know what
they say about changes, “you have to be flexible”. �
Until next month…
From the Edito
rLetter from the Editor continued from page 7 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NYMEX natural gas price (data from CNBC.com)
U.S. Crude oil price fluctuation in 2011 (data from U.S. EnergyInformation Administration)
10 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 11
In April, the GCAGS announced a program to match, dollarfor dollar, any donations received for scholarship programs of
member societies. The program runs from January 1, 2010
through June 30, 2011 and is subject to a cap of $10,000. The
HGS received two $10,000 matching scholarship donations. The
HGS Board voted in May to also match this program for funds
raised for the Calvert Memorial Fund (scholarships to graduate
students) and the HGS Foundation Fund (scholarships to
undergraduate students). This means that for every $1 received
in direct donations during the program, our local scholarship
funds will receive $3. What a deal! Please consider making a
donation to help our scholarship funds take maximum advan-
tage of the match program. Just fill out the form below and mail
to HGS along with your check. Or you can go to the HGS
Webpage, clicking on Donate to the HGS Scholarship Funds and
follow directions to donate. �
Send check and form to: HGS Office, HGS Matching Scholarship Fund, 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77079or fax this form with credit card number to 281-679-5504
Donor Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Member No.: ____________________________________________ Scholarship Contributions:
Calvert: ____________________________________________
HGS Foundation — Undergraduate: ____________________
TOTAL REMITTANCE: ______________________________
(Optional) In Memory of: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Check # __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Credit Card number and type: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Expiration Date (required): ____________________________CVV code (req’d):______________________________________
Name on Credit Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone number of Card Holder: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Billing Address for Card: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GCAGS and HGS Matching FundGCAGS and HGS Matching Scholarships Fund
$10,000$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000$3,000$2,000$1,000
$0
$10,000$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000$3,000$2,000$1,000$0
$10,000$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000$3,000$2,000$1,000
$0
$10,000$9,000$8,000$7,000$6,000$5,000$4,000$3,000$2,000$1,000$0
The Thermometer Chart above shows the relative amountof money (in $1,000 increments) that each Fund hasraised toward the GCAGS and HGS matching grants.
Calvert Memorial Fund HGS Foundation Fund
12 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 13
14 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 15
16 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
The Houston Geological Society Continuing Education Committee Presents
Salt Tectonics of Passive Margins A one-day short course offered by Mark G. Rowan (Rowan Consulting, Inc., Boulder, CO)January 25, 2011
This course introduces participants to modern concepts on salt tectonics applicable to passive margins such as the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic basins. The course will consist entirely of lecture and will use a mixture of modern seismic data,
laboratory and conceptual models, field examples, and restorations to illustrate the styles and processes of salt-related
deformation. The course is intended for geoscientists needing either an introduction to salt tectonics or an update in this con-
tinually evolving field.
Course content will include:
• Ancient salt basins: origin, tectonic setting, layered evaporites
• Mechanics of salt deformation
• Diapir initiation and evolution: differential loading, extension, contraction
• Evacuation styles: turtle structures, expulsion rollovers
• Diapir reactivation: extensional collapse, shortening, strike-slip
• Near-diapir deformation: folding, faulting
• Allochthonous salt: emplacement, styles, evolution
• Gravitational failure: processes, proximal extension, distal contraction, role of canopies
Date: January 25, 2011Location: Western Geco • 10001 Richmond Avenue • Houston TX 77042
Please make your reservations on-line through the Houston Geological Society website at
www.hgs.org
For more information about this event, contact HGS Office • 713-463-9476 • office @hgs.org
Pricing Registration fee includes, as usual, a notebook, coffee breaks with pastries,
and lunch.
Prior to midnight After midnight Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011
HGS or GSH Member: $110.00 $130.00
Emeritus Member: $65.00 $65.00
Non-Member: $135.00 $155.00
Student Member*: $65.00 $65.00
Student Non-Member*: $77.00 $77.00
*A valid, current university/college student ID will be required for admittance atthe student price. There is a limit of 10 student enrollments at the reduced price.
There is room for 150 attendees.
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 17
HGS Special Dinner M
eetin
g
Structural Provinces and Processes of the North-centralGulf of Mexico Deepwater
Structural provinces in the north-central Gulf of Mexico can
be defined using different criteria. First, they can be delineated
based on the Miocene gravitational failure of the passive margin
in response to proximal clastic loading. Extension occurred near
the advancing shelf-slope break, shortening was concentrated
in the Atwater Foldbelt, and the area in between was dominated
by translation with only minor extension or contraction. The
eastern margin of this cell of basinward translation marks the
lateral edge of the Miocene depositional system and occurs along
several strike-slip structures in east-central Mississippi Canyon.
The western margin, trending NNW in central Green Canyon,
was controlled by the distribution of allochthonous salt, with
gravitational failure to the west accommodated primarily above
extensive canopies in more proximal positions.
Alternatively, structural provinces can be
identified based on the styles of salt with-
drawal, diapirism, and canopy formation. A
distal domain is characterized by vertical
feeders, broadly symmetrical evacuation
structures, and salt that spread radially to
form salt-stock canopies. In contrast, a
much larger, more proximal domain is
dominated by inclined, welded feeders,
asymmetrical expulsion rollovers, and salt that extruded primarily
basinward to form salt-tongue canopies. In some cases, salt
tongues were emplaced above deeper, still inflated Louann Salt, so
that subsequent evacuation of the underlying salt resulted in
anomalously deep canopies. Secondary minibasins later formed,
producing deep, young minibasins floored by allochthonous
welds only slightly above the Louann weld. The boundary
between the salt-stock and salt-tongue provinces is unlikely to be
related to basement architecture or Louann Salt thickness.
Instead, it is interpreted to represent a toe-of-slope that varies in
age from west to east. �
Biographical SketchMARK ROWAN received a B.S. in biology
from CalTech in 1976, an M.S. in geology
from the University of California at
Berkeley in 1982, and a Ph.D. in structural
geology from the University of Colorado
at Boulder in 1991. He spent three years at
Sohio Petroleum Co. in Denver (1982 to
1985), four years at Geo-Logic Systems in
Boulder (1985-1989), and three years at
Alastair Beach Associates in Glasgow, Scotland (1989-1992). He
then returned to the University of Colorado, and in 1996 he was
appointed a Research Assistant Professor
and headed up a large industrial research
consortium investigating Gulf of Mexico
salt tectonics. Mark left this position in 1998
and founded his own company, where he
consults and teaches for the petroleum
industry worldwide and conducts research
sponsored by industry.
Although Mark’s background includes many types of tectonic
environments, his recent research and consulting interests are
focused on the styles and processes of salt tectonics, salt-sediment
interaction, the geometry and kinematics of passive margins, and
the applications to petroleum exploration. He is the author or
coauthor of over 65 papers and 150 abstracts, is the regular
instructor for AAPG’s Salt Tectonics school, was an AAPG
Distinguished Lecturer, and is the AAPG International
Distinguished Instructor for 2009-2011.
HGS Special Dinner Meeting
Monday, January 24, 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.
Mark RowanRowan Consulting, Inc.Boulder, CO
Structural provinces in the
north-central Gulf of
Mexico can be defined
using different criteria.
18 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Winners of Sheriff Lecture Poster Competition Announced
Al Danforth, HGS International Group
Each year at the Sheriff Lecture, University of Houston graduate students bring posters describing their research. The posters are
judged by UH Geosciences Alumni (UHGAA) and the winners are selected in three tiers: 1–New Graduate Students,
2–Experienced Graduate Students and 3–Experienced Ph.D. Candidates. Besides the recognition at the event, each tier winner can also
receive travel awards from UH which could be used toward their travels to scientific conferences. The Sheriff Lecture was held at the
Westchase Hilton on 15 November.
Winners for 2010 pictured here are:
Tier 1: Kimberly Mead, “Bioturbation on
Antarctica’s Explorers Cove Seafloor: Why
animal activity has a greater impact on
the sedimentary record than animal
abundance”.
Tier 2: Soumya Roy, “S-wave velocity
from ground-roll inversion: Source-
receiver tests and statics”.
Tier 3: Duan Li, “Modified S-Transform
in time-frequency analysis of seismic
data”.
Thirty posters were on display. About 150
people attended, including some 50 stu-
dents. The full list of posters is available
on the HGS website Calendar event for 15
November.
This was the 12th annual Robert E Sheriff Lecture; the series was started by UHGAA in 1999 to honor Dr. Sheriff as an educator,
scholar, and a proponent for the geosciences.
Its mission is to:
1. Bring some of the best known geologists and geophysicists in the world to the Houston community in order to share ideas
that are highly relevant to exploration geology and geophysics and,
2. Showcase geoscience activity at the University of Houston.
This year, Dr. John Walsh, Fault Analysis Group, University College Dublin, Ireland (www.fault-analysis-group.ucd.ie) was the visiting
lecturer, speaking about “The Structure, Content, and Growth of Fault Zones within Sedimentary Sequences and their Effects on
Hydrocarbon Flow”.
Dr. John Casey (Department Head at UH) provided an update on the amazing growth and diversification at UH’s geoscience depart-
ment, which is now named the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (http://www.geosc.uh.edu/)
Swift Energy again this year sponsored the students’ meals by a grant to HGS, for which we and the students are grateful. �
Poster winners acknowledged at the at Sheriff Lecture: Pictured (left to right) Justin VandenBrink(Chair, HGS International Group), Poster winners Duan Li, Soumya Roy, and Kimberly Mead,Duane Pierce (UHGAA,) Al Danforth (HGS International Group).W
inners of Sheriff Lecture Poster Competition Announced
20 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 21
HGS General Dinner M
eetin
gHGS General Dinner Meeting
Monday, January 10, 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.
The new regional 2D BeaufortSPAN seismic survey acquired
in four phases from 2006 to 2010 in the Beaufort Sea
provides a broad, deeper view of basins and crustal structure of
the Meso-Cenozoic Canadian Arctic passive margin. The 40-km
deep PSDM seismic profiles cover 22,160 km from inner shelf to
over 2000 m water depth and include areas previously
unsurveyed due to sea-ice limits. The survey area extends from
the U.S. border and offshore Mackenzie Delta north to latitude 74°
N off Banks Island. The clastic sedimentary prism attains a thick-
Interpretation of a New Regional Seismic Survey, Offshore Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea Margin,
Arctic Canada: Illuminating a Pivotal Piece of the Arctic Puzzle
HGS General Dinner continued on page 23
Dr. Menno G. Dinkelman ION-GX Technology
BeaufordSPAN survey phases shown on a geographic base map with minimum sea ice extent in summer 2008. Acquired lines extend from near70° to 74°N latitude and over 500 Km EW. Our survey is enabled by technology and ice. Phase IV and OBC data are currently in processing.
22 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 23
ness up to 17 km and has a well-documented petroleum system
that has yielded 48 oil and gas discoveries in Cretaceous-
Oligocene sandstones of the delta region. A basin-scale geological
interpretation of the seismic data is tied to exploratory wells in
the Beaufort-Mackenzie basin and reveals significant variations
in the crustal architecture of the continental margin.
Three segments of the passive margin are recognized and defined
by orientation and structural styles, displaying variations from
typical passive margin geometry along Banks Island, to wrench
structures along the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, to a compressional
foldbelt west of Mackenzie Bay. Outboard seismic profiles image
the continent-ocean boundary (COB), oceanic crust, and the
inferred extinct spreading center of the Canada basin. The COB
is interpreted using gravity data supported by deep seismic
reflectors. Together, the geophysical data support the rotational
model of the opening of the Canada basin in early Cretaceous
time. The regional deep imaging of the distinct tectonic architecture,
structural sequence, and tectonostratigraphy of each segment are
major results of this project, and advance the understanding of
the geological framework of known and potential petroleum
basins of the Arctic margin of Canada. �
Bilgraphical SketchDR. MENNOG. DINKELMAN joined ION-GX
Technology in 2005, initially as a consultant
and then in 2006 as Chief Geologist
BasinSPAN Programs, with primary
focus on the interpretation of the Arctic,
North Atlantic, and SE Asia programs.
Prior to joining ION-GXT, Mr. Dinkelman
was active for more than 14 years as
principal geologist at the international
energy consultancy firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates, where he
provided technical, commercial, and strategic advice to energy
companies’ exploration and development
projects spanning from grass roots
exploration to reserves audits and
certifications in sedimentary basins
worldwide. Throughout the 1980s he
worked as a senior research scientist/
geologist at the exploration research
centers of Conoco and ARCO, and then
as the exploration advisor for the
Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources
in the Yemen Arabic Republic (North
Yemen). From 1973 to 1980 he was on
the faculty of the Department of
Geology at Florida State University.
Ever since his early days as a geologist
he has also intermittently worked as an
independent consulting geologist in
Europe and the United States and has
been on assignment in many countries.
Mr. Dinkelman holds degrees in the
Natural Sciences and Geology from the
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
(ETH) in Zürich, Switzerland, and a
Ph.D. in Geological Oceanography
from Oregon State University, Corvallis,
Oregon. He is a member of HGS,
GCAGS, the Society of Sedimentary
Geology and the Society of Exploration
Geophysicists. He is fluent in Dutch,
English, and German and has working
knowledge of French, Spanish, and
Italian.
HGS General Dinner continued from page 21 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HGS General Dinner M
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Three segments of the passive margin, Banks, Tuk and Foldbelt, have been distinguished in our studies. ION BeaufortSPAN Phase 1, 2 and 3 lines are shown.
24 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 25
The detection and measurement of migrated hydrocarbons
in near-surface marine sediments has become a relatively
routine exploration method in the petroleum industry to better
understand hydrocarbon charge. The presence of near-surface
migrated thermogenic hydrocarbons provides strong evidence an
active petroleum system is present as well as critical information
on source, maturity and migration pathways. There are multiple
methods currently applied by industry contractors to collect,
prepare, extract, and analyze near-surface migrated hydrocarbons
contained within marine sediments.
To improve the detection of seabed migrated thermogenic
hydrocarbon seepage, core samples should be collected
along major migration pathways (cross stratal leakage features)
identified by conventional deep seismic and high-resolution
seafloor imaging technology. Not all targeted cores will hit
the designated feature and thus collecting replicates along
key migration features is critical. Collecting sediment samples
below the Zone of Maximum Disturbance to avoid possible
transition zone alteration effects and ROM (recent organic
matter) masking problems is critical. Choosing the coring device
best suited for local seabed conditions will maximize both
penetration and sample recovery. Real time imaging provides
greater detail to confirm feature and provides a specific feature
to target.
Multiple sections per core should be collected at variable depths
providing a depth profile. Geochemical analysis should include a
full range of hydrocarbon types; light hydrocarbon gases (C1 to
C5), middle boiling point gasoline plus range (C5 to C10),
and high molecular weight hydrocarbons (C15+). Two types of
geochemistry samples should be collected; one to capture the
volatile light hydrocarbons (C1 to C10+) and non-hydrocarbon
gases; and a second for the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons
(C12+). The light hydrocarbons require special handling
and containers to limit volatile loss and prevent post sampling
microbial alteration. Bulk sediment measurements such as
quantity of organic matter and sand percent can be very helpful.
The identification of the background versus anomalous
populations is critical when evaluating anomalous seabed hydro-
carbons. Note that the sediment hydrocarbons are normally
highly altered and may not resemble conventional reservoir gas
or oil. Mapping thermogenic hydrocarbon seeps (oil and gas)
relative to key cross-stratal migration pathways via fluid flow
modeling and seismic attribute analysis provides an effective
petroleum systems evaluation tool to better understand the
seepage relative to subsurface hydrocarbon generation and
entrapment. �
Biographical SketchMICHAEL A. ABRAMS is currently Manager
Geochemistry with Apache Corporation.
Prior to working with Apache, Michael
was Manager Petroleum Geochemistry and
Senior Research Scientist for the University
of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute
(EGI) and Senior Research Geochemist
with Exxon Product ion Research
Company. Michael has 30 years experience
in petroleum exploration, production, and
research providing integrated geochemical services. His research
interests include surface geochemistry, petroleum systems evaluation,
reservoir geochemistry, shale gas, and migration pathway
analysis. Michael chaired two AAPG Hedberg Conferences related
to near-surface seepage, was AAPG Memoir 66 co-editor for
Hydrocarbon Migration and Its Near Surface Expression, and is
co-editor of the forthcoming AAPG-SEG joint publication
Hydrocarbon Seepage: From Source to Surface. Michael has a B.S.
in geology from George Washington University, M.S. in geology
from the University of Southern California, and Ph.D. in
geochemistry from Imperial College London.
Tuesday, January 18. 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 witha 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 Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
Best Practices for the Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation of Seabed Geochemical Samples to Evaluate Subsurface Hydrocarbon Generation
and Entrapment
Michael A. AbramsApache CorporationHouston Texas
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meetin
g
26 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 27
Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) is mandated
by law to set and apply standards of professional performance
of environmental geologists, engineering geologists, and water
supply hydrogeologists through the mechanism of Professional
Geoscientific (PG) licensure for the purpose of public protection
– the highest priority of TBPG. To meet this goal, TBPG revised
Texas’ previously existing Code of Professional Standards on
September 24, 2010. Evaluations of resolved actionable PG
enforcement case studies help delineate the boundary between
specific failures to meet the expected special-diligence PG
standard-of-care from day-to-day correctable PG service errors.
Uniform compliance with the revised Code of Professional
Standards is integral to Texas public safety and environmental
protection; TBPG seeks the active participation of all Texas
licensed Professional Geoscientists in 2011. �
Biographical SketchGEORGE DUNFIELD is a licensed Professional
Geoscientist and Lead Investigator at the
Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists
(TBPG) where he represents the TBPG
in enforcement/litigation relating to
maintenance of the geoscientific standards-
of-care in Texas. He brings over 20 years of
professional geoscience consulting (e.g.,
co-owner of a small environmental-
geotechnical firm and a Senior Environmental PM with DMJM/
AECOM), research (various NASA/Ames Research Center
research and exploration projects), and regulatory (county, state
environmental protection and professional licensing Board)
experience to the TBPG.
George DunfieldTexas Board of Professional Geoscientists
HGS Environmental & EngineeringDinner Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 2011Black Lab Pub, Churchill Room • 4100 Montrose Blvd.
Social 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 Preregistered members; $30 non-members & walk-ups
The HGS prefers that you make your reservations on-line through the HGSwebsite at www.hgs.org. If you have no Internet access, you can e-mail reservations@hgs.org, or call the office at 713-463-9476 (include your name, e-mail address, meeting you are attending, phone number and membership ID#).
HGS Environmental & Engineering Dinner M
eetin
g
Geoscientific Enforcement Case Studies: Meeting the Professional Geoscientific (PG)
Standard-of-care in 2011
David Childers, ph: 713-658-0077, e-mail: dchilders@btaoil.comTotal Plaza, 1201 Louisiana St., Suite 570, Houston, TX 77002
The Houston Geological Society Continuing Education Committee Presents
Salt Tectonics of Passive Margins A one-day short course offered by Mark G. Rowan (Rowan Consulting, Inc., Boulder, CO)January 25, 2011 (see page 16)
28 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Professionalism as it applies to petroleum geoscientists is a
key and fundamental aspect of delivering on our promises
and conducting ourselves in an ethical manner. Reliability in
a geoscientist’s opinions and work product is the cornerstone
to building trust and confidence, whether it is a seismic
interpretation, prospect map, resources/reserves estimate or
expert witness testimony to name a few. Reliability is increased
when managers, companies and investors have the assurance that
the information they are evaluating was professionally prepared.
This talk discusses “professionalism” in petroleum geoscience and
highlights the important factors such as educational background,
experience, knowledge of recommended
practices, the use of advanced technology, and
last but not least, personal values – ethics.
There is, of course, always uncertainty and risk
associated with the exploration or development
of hydrocarbons. However, the proper use of
technology, recommended practices, industry
wide standards and ethical/professional
conduct not only can reduce r i sk and
uncertainty, but can also provide to companies
and investors the confidence needed to move
forward with an exploration or development
plan or program.
In the end, professionalism encompasses our use of technical
practices and standards, and our character and moral consciousness
that ultimately defines who we are and the reputation that will
follow us through our professional career. �
Biographical SketchDANIEL J. TEARPOCK serves in the role of
Chief Executive Officer of Subsurface
Consultants & Associates, LLC (SCA),
which is an international petroleum
consultancy and training firm. He is the
co-author of three textbooks, Applied
Subsurface Geological Mapping (© 1991),
Quick Look Techniques for Prospect
Eva lua t ions (© 1994) and App l i ed
Subsurface Geological Mapping with Structural Methods (© 2003),
and numerous technical articles. Mr. Tearpock was a finalist in
1996 and 1998 for the Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year program and in 1998
received the Distinguished Service Award from
Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA. He
holds a bachelors degree in geology from
Bloomsburg University, 1970; and a masters
in geology from Temple University, 1977.
He is an (AAPG/DPA) Certified Petroleum
Geologist No. 4114, State of Texas Licensed
Geologist No. 2660, and (SIPES) Certified
Earth Scientist No. 3015.
Mr. Tearpock is a member of numerous associations including
the AAPG, SPE, SIPES, SEG, GSA, HGS, EAGE, NOGS, LGS, IPA,
SEAPEX and PESGB. He is currently President of the AAPG’s
Division of Professional Affairs (2010-11). He is a founding
member and current Vice-Chairman (2010-11) of the intersociety
“Joint Committee on Reserves Evaluator Training” (JCORET).
The member societies represented on JCORET include the
AAPG, SPE, SPEE and WPC.
Wednesday, January 26, 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)and pre-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
Daniel J. TearpockSubsurface Consultants & Associates, LLC Houston, TX
HGS General Luncheon Meetin
g
Professionalism as it Applies to Petroleum Geoscience“The Practical Application of Ethics”
professionalism
encompasses our use
of technical practices
and standards, and
our character and
moral consciousness
HGS Legends Night 2011An Evening with the Legends of HGS
Monday, January 17, 2011 (see page 4)
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 29
30 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Carbonate platform facies that form above actively deforming
salt comprise an important play type in many sedimentary
basins, although the timing, location, intensity, and style of salt
deformation relative to platform growth create a vast array of
syn- and post-kinematic stratal patterns within the platforms.
Recognition of syn-halokinetic stratal patterns is critical for
predicting facies within these platforms, which will be the focus
of this presentation. Syn-halokinetic stratal patterns within
individual platform systems depend on many factors, including
the styles and kinematic history of salt structures, the volume
of original salt available, background eustatic fluctuations,
longer-wavelength tectonic subsidence patterns, the types of
carbonate sediment created within all parts of the platforms, and
accumulation rates for sediment that fills depocenters adjacent
to the platforms.
Recognition of and Regional Controls on Syn-halokineticGrowth Stratal Patterns in Carbonate Platforms from
Extensional Basins
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner M
eetin
g Joint HGS International and North American Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, January 31, 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.
Steven L. Dorobek BP AmericaHouston, TX
Saudi Arabian Shelf, Red Sea
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued on page 35
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 31
32 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
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 reservations@hgs.org, 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 Webmaster@hgs.org. 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.
HGS Legends Night 2011An Evening with the Legends of HGS,
Westchase Hilton, Page 4
S u n d a y M o n d a y T u e s d a y
January 2011W e d n e s d a y
2
9
5
10
18
252423
12
3
17 19
30 31
26
11
16
HGS Mid-year ChairFest and Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. Ninfa’s, 14737 Memorial Dr.
4
HGS General Dinner Meeting
“Interpretation of a New Regional SeismicSurvey, Offshore Mackenzie Delta
and Beaufort Sea Margin, Arctic Canada:Illuminating a Pivotal Piece of the Arctic
Puzzle”, Menno G. Dinkelman, Westchase Hilton, Page 21
HGS Special Meeting“Structural Provinces and Processes of theNorth-central Gulf of Mexico Deepwater,”Mark G. Rowan, Westchase Hilton, Page17
Joint HGS International & NorthAmerican Dinner Meeting
“Recognition of and Regional Controls onSyn-halokinetic Growth Stratal Patterns,”
Westchase Hilton, Page 30
HGS Continuing Ed“Salt Tectonics of Passive Margins” Mark G. Rowan, Western Geco,
Page16
HGS Northsiders Luncheon Meeting
“Best Practices for the Collection, Analysis,and Interpretation of Seabed GeochemicalSamples”, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Page 25HGS Environmental &
Engineering Dinner Meeting“Geoscientific Enforcement Case Studies”,
Black Lab Pub, Page 27
HGS General Luncheon Meeting
“Professionalism as it Applies to PetroleumGeoscience ‘The Practical Application of
Ethics’ ”, Daniel J. Tearpock, Petroleum Club
Page 29
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 33
T h u r s d a y
1
7
14
29
GEOEVENTS
22
S a t u r d a yF r i d a y
86
15
27 28
20 21
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
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Members Pre-registered Prices:General Dinner Meeting.................. $28Nonmembers & walk-ups ................ $35Env. & Eng. ...................................... $25Luncheon Meeting .......................... $30Nonmembers & walk-ups ................ $35International Explorationists .......... $28North American Explorationists ...... $28
Upcoming GeoEventsFebruary 23-25, 2011New and Emerging Plays in theEastern MediterraneanGeological Society London, EnglandMarch 27-29, 2011South-Central Section GeologicalSociety of AmericaNew Orleans, LouisianaApril 10-13, 2011AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition Houston, TexasMay 9-12, 2011AAPG Hedberg Research Conference– Natural Gas Geochemistry: Recent Developments, Applications, andTechnologies Beijing, ChinaJune 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 – U.S. 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 - GulfCoast Association of Geological Societies Veracruz, MéxicoOctober 23-26, 2011AAPG International Conference & Exhibition Milan, ItalyDecember 4-7, 2011GCSSEPM Foundation Bob F.Perkins Research ConferenceHouston, Texas
NOWyou can make
your reservations on-line at
www.hgs.org
SIPESLuncheon Meeting
“Shale Gas: Abundance or Mirage?”Arthur E. Berman, Petroleum Club
Page 39
March Bulletin Submission Deadline
34 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 35
Salt structures also vary depending on tectonic setting, with many
syn-halokinetic carbonate platforms forming in extensional
basins (i.e., sag basins, rifts, and passive margins). Incipient salt
diapirs typically create broad domal
highs at the seafloor, with plan-view
shapes that initially reflect the width
and depth of the initial perturbation
on the top salt surface. For any
given size/shape of the initial salt
diapir, seafloor deformation will be
expressed over a wider area if there is a thicker pre-halokinetic
stratigraphic succession above the salt. As diapirs rise, however,
and salt withdraws from adjacent depocenters, platforms may
form fringing systems around the diapir or the platforms may
shift laterally into the area of salt withdrawal. In extensional salt
provinces, detailed analysis of growth stratal patterns within
syn-halokinetic platforms also indicates when salt welds form.
Several examples will be shown to provide archetypes for
understanding syn-halokinetic strata.
Salt structures in sag basins are dominated by salt diapirs and
pillows; regional extension or contraction is limited because
initial salt volumes are typically small or are spatially restricted
across the basin and “regional” basement dip is gentle. In rift
basins and along passive margins, however, rift-related basement
topography and original salt thickness influence salt-related
deformation, with gravity sliding/
detachment becoming important
a long pass ive marg ins . Near
the updip depositional limits of
original salt, small salt diapirs/
pillows and minor salt-withdrawal
features are typical; along-strike
variations are related to regional variations in the amount of
syn-rift extension. The zone of limited salt updip changes
downdip into an extensional province. Typical syn-halokinetic
carbonate platforms in the extensional province include:
(1) isolated platforms on rotated fault blocks (i.e., “rafts”) with
internal growth strata that grossly mimic patterns observed in
syn-rift carbonate platforms; (2) isolated platforms on turtle
structures with internal growth strata that can record growth of
the turtle; and (3) land-attached, mixed siliciclastic-carbonate
ramps and shelves that form in fault-bounded withdrawal
depocenters or over crests of late-stage turtle structures.
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued from page 30 ______________________________________________
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner M
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Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued on page 37
Recognition of syn-halokinetic stratal
patterns is critical for predicting facies
within these platforms
36 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 37
Extensional deformation changes downdip into a transitional (or
translational) province, which is characterized by large
salt diapirs, ridges, and some allochthonous salt bodies, and
ultimately, a contractional province at the downdip limit of salt
deformation. The seaward limit of syn-halokinetic platform
facies is generally found within the transitional province, where
water depths typically become sub-photic and shallow-marine
carbonate facies are unable to form. Significant salt-related uplift
of the seafloor, however, can provide local shallow-water
substrates for isolated carbonate platform development, even far
offshore. Syn-halokinetic carbonate platform facies are rarely
associated with allochthonous salt bodies because water depths in
the zone of contraction are simply too great for shallow-marine
carbonate sedimentation.
Examples of syn-halokinetic carbonate platform reservoirs are
found in the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation of the Gulf of
Mexico, middle Cretaceous units of the South Atlantic conjugate
margins, and in the Miocene of the Red Sea region.
Accumulations of oil and gas can be significant (>250 MMBOE)
in syn-halokinetic platforms, but special conditions may be
necessary to form large accumulations, which will be discussed
during the presentation. �
Biographical SketchSTEVE DOROBEK i s a c a r bona te
sedimentologist and stratigrapher with
BP America in Houston. He provides
technical services and assessment to
various business units within BP, with
emphasis on pre-salt reservoirs and
petroleum systems of the South
Atlantic margins. Dr. Dorobek received
h i s B . S . i n g eo log y f rom Oh io
University and his Ph.D. in geology
from Virginia Tech. He previously was a professor at Washington
State University and Texas A&M University and was with Maersk
Oil and Gas in Copenhagen, Denmark, prior to joining BP. He
has served on numerous committees for AAPG, SEPM, and GSA,
and as an Associate Editor for the GSA Bulletin and Journal of
Sedimentary Research.
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner continued from page 35 ______________________________________________
Joint HGS International and North American Dinner M
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38 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 39
Shale gas plays in the United States are commercial failures, and shareholders in public
exploration and production (E&P) companies are the losers. Operators have maintained
the illusion of success through production and reserve growth subsidized by debt with a
corresponding destruction of shareholder equity. Many believe that the high initial rates and
cumulative production of shale plays prove their success. What they miss is that production
decline rates are so high that without continuous drilling overall production would plummet.
There is no doubt that the shale gas resource is very large. The concern is that much of it is
non-commercial even at price levels considerably higher than they are today.
The so-called shale gas revolution promises E&P opportunities that are geographically
immense with no barriers to entry. These ventures supposedly have no risk. Because of shale plays, we are told that there will be an
abundant supply of inexpensive gas for 100 years, and the E&P companies involved will all earn big profits. Is there any precedent for
this improbable combination of make-believe business assumptions that did not end in disappointment?
U.S. shale plays have been over-sold and are unlikely to deliver the results that investors now expect. In fact, shareholders have already
lost most of their investment. The shale gas resource is huge but the commercial portion is likely to be much smaller than what
has been claimed or hoped
for. At higher gas prices,
more of the resource makes
economic sense, but that
depends for the near term
on production discipline
that seems to be absent in
the U.S. E&P companies. It
also assumes that attendant
service costs do not escalate
at multiples similar to those
of gas prices.
For many companies, there
is no turning back: the
entire company has been
bet on the success of shale
plays. This seems to violate
what has been learned in
the E&P business about the
SIPES January Luncheon MeetingShale Gas: Abundance or Mirage?
Arthur E. Berman, Director, Labyrinth Consulting Services, Inc.
SIPES Luncheon Meetin
g
The shale plays are called
resource plays for a
reason: all are about
resources but not profit or
the shareholder.
SIPES Luncheon Meeting
continued on page 41
Thursday, January 20, 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 e-mailbkspee@aol.com to B. K. Starbuck-Buongiorno by 12:00 noon on Tuesday preceding the meeting. You can now sign up for the meeting online atwww.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 price for guests, non-members and walk-ins is $35. No-shows will be billed.
40 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 41
importance of having a balanced portfolio. In some cases companies do not have sufficient shareholder value to justify being bought
and therefore saved.
Our evaluation suggests that there is limited commercial value from these plays despite public enthusiasm and operator claims. E&P
company shareholders have subsidized low natural gas prices and have little hope of recovering their investment in the near term. The
underlying problem is a failure to grasp the concept of discounting. Reserves that are produced in small volumes over decades have lit-
tle predictable future value and are, therefore, not reserves. The shale plays are called resource plays for a reason: all are about resources
but not profit or the shareholder. �
Biographical SketchARTHUR E. BERMAN is a geological consultant with thirty-two years of experience in petroleum exploration
and production. He is specialist in prospect and play evaluation, reserve assessment, risk evaluation, sub-
surface geological and geophysical interpretation, and database management. He currently is consulting
for several E&P companies and capital groups in the energy sector.
He is a member of the National Petroleum Council and on the Board of Directors of ASPO USA. He is a
on the editorial board of The Oil Drum, and an associate editor of the AAPG (American Association of
Petroleum Geologists) Bulletin. He is a past-editor of the Houston Geological Society (HGS) Bulletin
(2004-2005) and past-Vice-President of the HGS (2008-2009).
He has published over 50 articles on geology, technology, and the petroleum industry during the past 5
years. Publication topics include petroleum exploration, oil and gas price trends and cycles, petroleum
play evaluation, sequence stratigraphy, coastal subsidence, earthquakes, tsunamis, and petroleum geopolitics. He has published 10 arti-
cles on shale gas plays including the Barnett, Haynesville and Fayetteville shales.
During the past year, he has made over 30 presentations to financial analyst conferences, oil & gas association meetings, engineering
and geological society meetings and E&P company executive committees over the past year. He is a guest lecturer at the Rice University
Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management.
He has an M.S. (geology) from the Colorado School of Mines and a B.A. (history) from Amherst College.
SIPES Luncheon Meetin
gSIPES Luncheon Meeting continued from page 39 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
42 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
HGS K-12 Outreach Janet Combes
In November the HGS K-12 outreach booth was out and abouton two different weekends. The first Saturday in November
was spent at the Sally Ride Science Festival at Rice University.
This event brings together hundreds of 5th-8th grade girls for a
festive day of science activities. Many Houston area science
organizations and corporations were present
at the opening Street Fair, which was followed
by an astronaut speaking to the kids and
then by multiple workshops from which the
students and parents could choose two to
attend. The HGS booth at the Street Fair
was staffed by Janet Combes, Huw James,
Aubrey Waddail, and Hua Liu. The HGS
volunteers divided their time between talking
about a geologist’s job, showing off some core samples on loan
from the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), and demon-
strating how a slinky mimics earthquake motion — the slinky
freebies went in a hurry! While the HGS display focuses on petro-
leum geology, Aubrey brought in another dimension with her
poster and explanation of an environmental geologist’s job.
The second November weekend, from Friday through Sunday,
the HGS booth and volunteers were at the Houston Gem and
Mineral Society show at the Humble Civic Center. Eighteen
hundred students were registered for field trips on Friday and 300
Scouts signed up for geology badge activities on Saturday and
Sunday. Volunteers at the HGS station included Ray Durkan,
Gerrit Wind, Richard Hyde, Jim Flis, Allan Filipov, Huw James,
John Platt, Donna Davis, David Reiter, Thomas Morgan,
Maynard Little, Raymond Willis, Terry Pinkston, Mac Hooten,
and Janet Combes. The kids kept everyone on their toes with
their questions and interest while the parents, teachers, and scout
leaders were very appreciative of the support. In addition to the
K-12 petroleum geology career display, the HGS station again
had the BEG core pieces as well as some pieces of coal and salt.
The HGS booth shared the area with a station from the Houston
Museum of Natural Science organized by HGS members Neal
and Inda Immega.
Plans are underway for a formal committee
to handle such outreach events as science
and scout fairs. TEKS- and Scout-specific
posters will need to be designed and
constructed to use in addition to the current
display of general-public explanation of
a petroleum geology career. If you are
interested in working on this committee or
promoting the use of the display booth,
please watch the HGS website for more information as it becomes
available, or contact the HGS office.
The accompanying photos attempt to
capture some of the enthusiasm and
interactions at the recent Sally Ride
Festival and the HGMS show. The pictures
were taken by Aubrey Waddail and Inda
Immega, when they had time to grab their
cameras. �
Plans are underway for a
formal committee to handle
such outreach events as
science and scout fairs.
HGS K–12 Outreach
Huw James and the HGS display at the Sally Ride Science Festival heldat Rice University.
Hua Lin demonstrates slinky motion at the Sally Ride Science Festivalto a group of future scientists and a parent.
Mac Hooten at the HGMS show
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 43
HGS K–12 Outreach
Terry Pinkston and Scouts at the HGMS show Thomas Morgan at the HGMS show
Gerrit Wind and Ray Durkan on Friday at the HGMS show Allan Filipov at the HGMS show
44 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 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) 528-1000robert@chaffinlawfirm.com
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 45
RemembranceGEORGE E. KRONMAN
GEORGE KRONMAN passed away in mid-September. George was a former editor of the
Houston Geological Society Bulletin and an active member of the geological communi-
ty throughout his career. He received a B.S. in geology from State University of New
York, Cortland, in 1976 and an M.S. in geology from State University of New York,
Fredonia, in 1979 on a New York State Sea Grant Scholarship. He took several post-
graduate courses in geology at Vanderbilt University and later got an M.B.A. in finance
from the University of Houston in 1987. In addition, he attended development courses
at Columbia, Harvard, and Cornell in international strategic development, negotiations
and strategic decision-making, and critical thinking.
George began his professional career with Amoco Production Company in Houston in
1980, where he worked a variety of Mid-Continent basins and regional studies in the
offshore Gulf of Mexico. He participated in numerous offshore lease sales and drilling ventures as well as well-site opera-
tions. From 1987 to 1998, George held various management positions with Amoco, including Director of Worldwide New
Ventures, Vice President of Amoco India Petroleum Company, Vice President of Amoco Venezuela Petroleum Company,
and Exploration Manager, Amoco de Brasil.
After the Amoco-BP merger, George worked as Senior Manager for energy business consulting at Arthur Anderson from
1998-2000. He went on to become Global Subsurface Consulting Director for Halliburton/Landmark Graphics
Corporation from 2000 to 2005. Later, he served as Global Chief of Geoscience Resources and Exploration Manager for
Western Hemisphere New Ventures with Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation. From 2007 until his passing, George was
International New Ventures Manager for The Hess Corporation.
Throughout his career, George distinguished himself as a geologist and team leader with exceptional scientific and busi-
ness skills. He excelled in international work where his open, honest, and generous spirit and interpersonal skills won him
friends all over the world. George balanced a great love of travel with an abiding sense of family and faith, as well as service
to the community. He is survived by his wife Mindy and children. George was an outstanding geologist and a person of
great integrity and optimism. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him. �
Remembrance
46 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 47
2010 HGS Golf Tournament
Thank you to all the sponsors and participants of the 2010 HGS Golf Tournament! The tournament was a huge success, and thank-
fully the weather cooperated, so for the first time in three years we did not have to reschedule the tournament. Next year’s tourna-
ment is scheduled for Monday, October 17th, so mark your calendars.
Congratulations to all of the winning teams and the individual contest winners from this year’s tournament:
Marsh Course:
1st Place Gross:
Brad Jones, Chris Burkard, Bart Wilson, Eric Nefe
2nd Place Gross:
Gary Sorenson, Behtaz Compani, Gary Carver
1st Place Net:
Barry Perilloux, David Welch, Todd Boring, Alan Berlin
2nd Place Net:
Kevin Logan, Art Gray, Michael Gray, Haun
Closest to the Pin #5: Al Filipov
Closest to the Pin #14: Jason Taylor
Longest Drive #11: Michael Gray
Longest Drive #7: Michael Wall
Island Course:
1st Place Gross:
Mark Carrigan, Brett Heath, Mike Albertson, Richard Burnett
2nd Place Gross:
Matt Tyrrell, Lance Sims, Sean Barlow, Bill Roach
1st Place Net:
Berry, Rische, Johnson, Peak
2nd Place Net:
J.B. Morace, Todd Nicholson, David Chastain, Tom Adams
Closet to the Pin #3: Kelly Bentley
Closest to the Pin #12: Lee Shelton
Long Drive #11: Sean Barlow
Long Drive #7: Triny Rivera
Lake Course:
1st Place Gross:
Matt Malouf, Adam Majeski, Ryan Bailey, Shelette
2nd Place Gross:
Tim Moore, Barry Acomb, Steve Compton, Ron Howard
1st Place Net:
Nick Shilcock, James Blattman, Kent Ray, Chad Reiminger
2nd Place Net:
Linda Santiago, Derek, Folger, Forrest Burton, Thad Dunbar
Closest to the Pin #4: Ed Zinni
Closest to the Pin #15 Derek Folger
Longest Drive #11: Ryan Bailey
Longest Drive #7: Adam Majeski
2010 HGS Golf Tournam
ent
48 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
Kevin J. McMichael
First City Tower 713-655-97001001 Fannin, Suite 777 Fax 713-655-9709Houston, TX 77002 kmcmichael@claymoreexpl.com
AGI Government Affairs Monthly Review (October 2010)Congressman Questions Scientific Integrity In Relation to Oil
Spill Response
Congressman Paul Broun (R-GA), Ranking Member of the
Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight, sent a letter (http://gop.science.house.gov/Media/
documents/10.28.10broun2.pdf) on October 28, 2010, to Dr.
John Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP), criticizing OSTP for failing to comply
with a presidential directive. On March 9, 2009, President Obama
requested OSTP to prepare recommendations on scientific
integrity within 120 days, but OSTP has not yet produced a
report. Broun mentions several examples of scientific integrity
issues within the federal government related to the BP Deepwater
Horizon oil spill, and he calls for OSTP to complete the report.
The Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed a
lawsuit in October against OSTP for not providing records related
to draft recommendations on scientific integrity, and other
groups have also called for the completion of the report.
A separate letter (http://gop.science.house.gov/Media/documents/
10.28.10broun1.pdf), sent the same day by Broun, requests all
records regarding BP’s Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GRI)
from OSTP. Broun expresses frustration about a lack of trans-
parency and cooperation from the White House. Broun also sent
a letter (http://gop.science.house.gov/Media/documents/
10.28.10broun3.pdf) to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, asking
for all records related to a report, titled “Increased Safety
Measures for Energy Development in the Outer Continental
Shelf.” (http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/10/19/2010-
26296/boemre-information-collection-activity-10100182-increased
-safety-measures-for-energy-development-on) The congressman
is concerned that Salazar misrepresented peer-reviewed
recommendations in the report.
Funding for Oceans Research
Congress has recently been working on three bills that would
provide funding for geoscientists who do research related to the
oceans. The Senate is currently considering S. 1252, The Oceans
and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2009 (http://thomas.
loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S.1252:), which was introduced
by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) over a year ago, but has now
made it to the full Senate for consideration. This bill would
expand the authority of the Interagency Oceans and Human
Health Task Force. Included are provisions that would fund
ocean and climate change monitoring projects, which would be
funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). Voting could occur during the lame
duck session after the election in November.
In the House, H.R. 6344, The Marine and Hydrokinetic
Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2010 (http://thomas.
loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.06344:), was introduced in
September and referred to the Committee on Science and
Technology. It sets up a funding apparatus within the
Department of Energy (DOE) that would provide grants to
researchers and facilities that are developing technology—other
than dams—that will produce renewable hydrokinetic power.
These grants would also fund scientists doing feasibility or envi-
ronmental impact studies. The bill aims to promote partnerships
with private industry in the hopes that the technology produced
will be as cost-effective as possible.
Finally, the House is considering H.R. 6215, the Digital Coast Act
of 2010 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.
06215:), which is in the Natural Resources Subcommittee on
Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife. NOAA is interested in mapping
the 95,000 miles of U.S. shoreline that are not accurately mapped.
This data is critical to emergency preparedness, shipping,
environmental health, and national security. The mapping will be
contracted out to qualified geoscientists, while NOAA will
provide a platform for data integration and promote commercial
remote-sensing technologies. Mapping projects will include
shallow bathymetric data, airborne elevation data, large-scale
land use and land cover maps, benthic habitat and aquatic
vegetation mapping, parcel data, planimetric data, and socioeco-
nomic and human use data.
Bingaman Floats Energy Measures for Lame Duck
Energy legislation may still reach the Senate floor in 2010, but
finding enough time for debate will be difficult. Senator Jeff
Bingaman (D-NM) has supported three major pieces of legislation,
including a stand-alone renewable electricity standard (RES)
(S. 3813), a tax-credit package for renewable energy sources
(S. 3935), and a set of energy efficiency standards for consumer
products (S. 3925). The RES language has already been passed by
the House in the Waxman-Markey bill, but the measure was
dropped from an oil spill response package engineered by Senate
Government U
pdate
Government Update continued on page 51
Government UpdateHenry M. Wise, P.G. and Arlin Howles, P.G.
If you’d like the most up-to-date Texas rules, regulations, and governmental
meeting information 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.
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 49
50 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 51
Government Update continued from page 49 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in July. Another measure
that Bingaman has endorsed would create a Clean Energy
Deployment Agency (CEDA) to assist in the transfer of clean
energy technologies from the lab to the marketplace. With a
Republican-controlled House in the 112th Congress, President
Obama has called for passing energy legislation in separate parts,
rather than considering one large, comprehensive energy bill.
UN Convention on Biological Diversity Proposes Geoengineering Ban Delegates to the United Nations (UN) biodiversity conference in
Nagoya, Japan, in October have taken aim at the growing field of
geoengineering, which they say could harm ecosystems across the
globe. The group has proposed a moratorium on carbon dioxide
removal (CDR) and solar radiation management (SMR) projects,
which had previously not been subject to significant rulemaking.
Geoengineering involves such schemes as sending satellite mir-
rors into space to reflect solar radiation, fertilizing the oceans
with iron to encourage plankton growth, and whitening clouds
with aerosol sprays.
Back in Washington, DC, a mock congressional hearing at the
Woodrow Wilson Institute on October 19, 2010 discussed cloud
whitening, with students from Thomas Jefferson High School
for Science and Technology serving as witnesses. Responding to
the rising interest about geoengineering, the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in October, high-
lighting the poor understanding of how geoengineering fits into
federal laws and international agreements. The House Science
and Technology Committee announced in a press release on
October 29, 2010 that they have also completed a report on geo-
engineering, titled Engineering the Climate: Research and
Strategies for International Coordination (http://democrats.
science.house.gov/Media/file/Reports/EngineeringTheClimate_
StaffReport.pdf), urging that the benefits and potential harm of
geoengineering be studied carefully.
Showdown Unfolds Over Yucca Mountain Saga In the first week of October, Gregory Jaczko, the Chairman of the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), announced that the NRC
would end its review of the proposed nuclear waste repository at
Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Jaczko initially cited the lack of a
budget for fiscal year (FY) 2011 as his reason for closing the
review. As of October 1, 2010, the government is being funded by
a Continuing Resolution (CR), which will maintain FY 2010
funding levels until December 3, 2010. Following the Yucca
Mountain Development Act, signed by President Bush in 2002,
the establishment of a repository at Yucca Mountain is required
by law. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) wants
the Yucca Mountain repository to be terminated, as do the
majority of residents in Nevada. President Obama supports the
termination of Yucca Mountain and included no funding for the
program in his FY 2011 budget request.
The five-member NRC is reviewing the Department of Energy’s
(DOE) authority to withdraw the license, which the DOE
attempted this summer at President Obama’s request. The review
follows an appeal by DOE of a ruling by the NRC’s Atomic
Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) that only Congress, through
legislation, could withdraw the application for a license.
South Carolina and Washington, which have significant
temporary nuclear waste sites, and others are now suing to
overturn Jaczko’s decision, alleging that he lacks the necessary
authority to make that decision alone. Two memos calling for a
vote on the licensing procedure from Commissioner William
Ostendorff reveal dissent within the NRC.
Members of Congress continue to question actions taken in
regards to Yucca Mountain. Two senior House Republicans, Fred
Upton (R-MI), ranking member of the Energy and Commerce
Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee, and Ed
Whitfield (R-KY), sent a letter to the NRC’s Inspector General
requesting that he conduct a review of Jaczko’s decision. Joe
Barton (R-TX), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI),
and Doc Hastings (R-WA), ranking members of the Energy and
Commerce Committee, Science and Technology Committee,
Energy Independence and Global Warming Select Committee,
and Natural Resources Committee, respectively, sent Jaczko a
letter on October 13, 2010. The letter states that Jazcko cannot
end the review based on the President’s budget request. Seven
Republican members of the House Energy and Water
Appropriations Subcommittee have also sent a letter condemning
Jaczko’s decision. Jaczko continues to stand by his decision and
the actions will likely be reviewed in the courts.
U.S. Military Pushes for Renewable Energy The U.S. military is now in the process of field-testing a solution
to one of their biggest supply challenges—energy for operations.
Transport of diesel and gasoline is a major component of supply
efforts, especially in Afghanistan, and accounts for 30 to 80 per-
cent of the load in convoys. According to the New York Times,
even though the military buys subsidized fuel at $1 per gallon,
transporting that fuel to remote operating bases can cost up to
$400 per gallon, and additionally carries a high cost in lives. A
recent report, “Sustain the Mission Project: Casualty Factors for
Fuel and Water Resupply Convoys (http://www.aepi.army.
mil/docs/whatsnew/SMP_Casualty_Cost_Factors_Final1-
09.pdf),” by the Army Environmental Policy Institute, found that
for every 24 fuel convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan, one soldier or
civilian contractor escorting those convoys is killed.
Government U
pdate
Government Update continued on page 53
52 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 53
Government U
pdate
To address this challenge, Ray Mabus, the Secretary of the Navy,
has said that the goal of the Navy and Marine Corps is for
50 percent of their fuel to come from renewable sources by 2020.
Marine Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines has been
deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan with solar panels,
energy-conserving lights, and other special renewable technologies.
While the equipment costs $50,000 to $70,000, the savings in fuel
transport costs quickly makes up for it, and the independence
from fuel resupplying is a huge tactical advantage. The Navy is
introducing hybrid vessels, and the Air Force is converting their
fleet to run on biofuels. The Marines are even developing portable
biofuel plants that can produce fuel from local crops in the field.
The military’s support for renewable energy could be the force
that makes these technologies commercially viable in civilian use.
U.S. Partners with Iceland on Geothermal Research U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Luis Arreaga and Icelandic Minister
of Industry, Energy, and Tourism Katrín Júlíusdóttir have signed
a bilateral agreement to boost geothermal energy technologies
and use, says the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Office in a press release (http://apps1.eere.
energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=416). The agree-
ment, signed on October 6, 2010, will allow an exchange of
researchers and other resources between the two countries and
attempt to identify and remove obstacles to the use of geothermal
energy. Iceland, seated over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, receives 56
percent of its energy supply from geothermal sources, while the
U.S. share is less than half of one percent. President Obama allo-
cated $350 million to promote geothermal use in the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and this announcement
continues U.S. policy to accelerate geothermal energy use.
China Restricts REE Exports The Chinese government has recently been accused of blocking
rare earth element (REE) exports to Japan, after a disagreement
over territorial waters. China operates a monopoly on mining
and extraction for these important minerals, which are used in
solar panels, rechargeable batteries, specialized military
equipment and other products. There have also been concerns
that China has halted exports to Europe and the U.S., but these
restrictions may simply be a result of export quotas. In July,
China announced a 79 percent decrease in REE exports for the
remainder of 2010. China could face penalties under World Trade
Organization (WTO) provisions if they halted exports. The U.S.
Trade Representative is already investigating claims by the United
Steelworkers that China is subsidizing exports of renewable
energy products.
Greater than 90 percent of REE production is located in China,
though deposits of the minerals are widespread: the U.S., for
example, holds approximately 13 percent of global deposits in
California, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Missouri.
None of these U.S. deposits are currently being mined, but the
Mountain Pass Mine in California, formerly the largest producer
of REE materials worldwide, is set to open again in 2012.
For details of international response, see the New York Times
account of the embargo and Germany’s reaction. As of October
28, 2010, China has resumed its export of rare earth elements
(REE) to Japan and the West. �
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Government Update continued from page 51 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
54 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
There will be 48 oral sessions (432 oral presentations) and 414 poster
sessions during the convention. The posters will be “all-day” meaning
they are set-up in the morning and available till 5:00 pm for viewing.
Many posters will also have PowerPoint versions of the poster in an
e-poster area with TV screens.
These oral programs also include some exciting moderated forums
including:
• Transforming Global E&P: Unconventional Resource Plays as
Strategic Drivers
• Taking Natural Gas Seriously: Opportunities and Challenges
• The Deepwater Horizon/Macondo Well Oil Spill —
Understanding the Impact
• Shale Plays: Technical Examination of Today’s Reality and
Tomorrow’s Future
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 55
2011Annual AAPGConvention in Houston
Countdown to AAPG
HGS Welcomes New Members
ACTIVE MEMBERS
Claudio Bartolini
Luiz Braga
Huyen Bui
Brian Cook
Henry David
Mahdy El Tablawy
Tyler Engelhardt
Lionel Fray
Michael Garrigan
Susan Harding
Evan Howell
Enrique Hung
Sriman Murphy Inkollu
Matt Jones
Ronald Kenny
Amber Koch
Walter Korenkiewicz
John LeBas
Dane Mayers
Kristy Milliken
Elizabeth Oldham
Glen Penfield
David Reiter
Michelle Ribelin
Henry Rivas
Pedro Sanchez
Peter Schmitz
David Schwartz
Mamdouh Shebl
Michael Stephens
Heather Stilwell
Eric Yerkovich
Dustin Young
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Kyle Hill
Shawn Williams
Emeritus Member
Samuel Pratt
STUDENT MEMBERS
Zheng Huang
Nicolas Guerrero
Robert Niehay
Jason Kegel
Alicia Staszyc
New Members Effective November 9, 2010
Welcome New Members
HGS Welcomes New
Mem
bers
Countdown to AAPG
56 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
January Crossword of Geologic Terms
ACROSS
2 A little valley with a stream
4 A term applied to any transparent or translucent light-colored crystalline mineral
7 Silicate glass of non-volcanic origin
10 Altered basalt
15 Relative displacement opposite sides of a fault
16 Abundant carbonate material suspended
17 Color of mineral in powder form
22 Tetrgonal mineral, TiO2
24 Cavity in lava caused by the entrapment of a gas bubble
25 Small cavity
31 Minor interval in stratigraphic classification
32 Magnetic variety of natural iron oxide
33 Extremity of an axis of a sphere
34 Meeting place of two streams
36 Erosional remnant f a nappe
38 Ejected during a volcanic eruption
39 Gap in the sedimentary record
41 Rock type formed from molten lava
42 Unstratified drift deposited by and underneath a glacier
43 Destructive processes associated with exposure to the atmosphere
44 Mineral of economic value that can be extracted at a profit
46 Generic term for a group of hydrous alumniosilicates
48 First stage or erosion cycle
Janaury Crossword of Geologic Term
s
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 57
December Crossword Puzzle Answers
DOWN
1 Vertical conduit through the Earth's crust under a volcano
3 Ocean obliterated by the Alpine-Himalayan collision
5 Part of stream where current is moving swifter than usual
6 Rock fragments derived from and lying at the base of a cliff
8 Pacific tropical cyclone
9 Lowland containing a stream
11 Radioactive hydrogen
12 An area where oil or water percolates to the surface
13 Potassium carbonate
14 Fine-grained carbonate rock
16 Toward the blowing wind
18 Deformation resulting from stress
19 Silicified wood
20 Indurated mud lacking lamination
21 Foreign to the body of rock in which it occurs
23 One plate descending beneath another
26 Mode of sediment transport in a series of leaps and jumps
27 Mud-supported carbonate rock
28 Termination of strata against overlying surface
29 The capacity to transmit a fluid
30 An exinitic maceral
35 Bare rock surface
37 English term for running stream
40 Open workings for the extraction of stone
45 Pyroclastic rock
47 Sheltered from the wind
Janaury Crossword of Geologic Term
s
58 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
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January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 59
Qualifications for Active Mem
bership
1)
H
ave
a deg
ree
in g
eolo
gy o
r an
all
ied g
eosc
ience
fro
m a
n a
ccre
dit
edco
lleg
e or
univ
ersi
ty;
or
2)
H
ave
a deg
ree
in s
cien
ce o
r en
gin
eeri
ng f
rom
an a
ccre
dit
ed c
oll
ege
or
univ
ersi
ty a
nd h
ave
bee
n e
ngag
ed i
n t
he
pro
fess
ional
stu
dy o
r pra
ctic
eof
eart
h s
cien
ce f
or
at l
east
fiv
e (5
) yea
rs.
Qualifications for Associate M
embership (including students)
1)
B
e in
volv
ed i
n t
he
appli
cati
on o
f th
e ea
rth o
r al
lied
sci
ence
s.
2)
B
e a
full
-tim
e st
uden
t en
roll
ed i
n g
eolo
gy o
r in
the
rela
ted s
cien
ces.
Apply on
line at www
.hgs.org and
clic
k on
Join HGS
Annual D
ues Expire Each June 30. (Late renew
als – $5 re-instatem
ent fee)
Annual dues are $24
.00; emeritus mem
bers pay $12.00; students are free.
Application to Become a Member of the Houston Geological Society
To the Executive Board:I
her
eby a
pply
for
�A
ctiv
e or
�A
ssoci
ate
mem
ber
ship
in t
he
Houst
on G
eolo
gic
al S
oci
ety a
nd p
ledge
to a
bid
e by i
ts
Const
ituti
on a
nd B
yla
ws.
�C
hec
k h
ere
if a
full
-tim
e st
uden
t.
Nam
e: __________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________
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Hom
e Phone:
__________________
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pany:________________________________________________________________
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pany Address:________________________________________________________
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umber:
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ailing Address:
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e O
ffic
e
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AP
G m
ember
No.:
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nvir
onm
enta
l G
eolo
gy
�
Nort
h A
mer
ican
E&
P (
oth
er t
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Gulf
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tern
atio
nal
E&
P �
Gulf
Coas
t E
&P
(onsh
ore
& o
ffsh
ore
)
School
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ork Experience
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emen
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ed i
f ac
tive
AA
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)
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e:________________________________________________________
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Mem
bership Chairman
________________________________________________
HGS Secretary
____________________________________________
revis
ed
8/6
/10
Mai
l th
is a
ppli
cati
on a
nd p
aym
ent
to:
Houston G
eological S
ociety
14811 St. M
ary’s Lan
e, Suite 250 • Houston, T
X 77079-2916
T
elep
hone:
713
-463-9
476 F
ax:
281-6
79-5
504
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t m
ethod:
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isco
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ate:
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60 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
The December Christmas Luncheon at
Lakeside Country Club was a superb
holiday celebration. The High School of
Performing and Visual Arts of the
Houston Independent School District’s
performance will be long remembered.
Our next event, Game Day, will be held
on Monday, February 14, 2011, at the
Junior League Tea Room, 1811 Briar
Oaks, Houston, Texas, 10:00am-2:00pm. The creative chair, Daisy
Wood, will be assisted by her committee, Sally Blackhall, Linda
Dobbins, Kathi Hilterman, Suzanne Howell, and Norma Jean
Jones. This party is one of the highlights of HPAC each year;
it has every type of game you wish to play, abundant prizes,
wonderful fellowship, and delicious food. Don’t miss this
memorable day!
HPAC experienced its first day trip, Exploring Houston, led by
Martha Lou Broussard. It was a great success. We watched
unleavened bread being baked on the side of a brick oven and
chocolates being made by hand. In addition we had delicious
Persian food and a taste of that chocolate.
Our next discovery trip on January 25 will be to New China Town
(now renamed Asian Town) in far west Houston. We will have a
tea tasting at the Taipei Culture Center, a visit to a temple, a walk
through an Asian market and a dim sum lunch at Ocean Palace
Restaurant. If you have always been curious about this large
community here is your chance to see it. Mark your calendar and
make your reservation when it is announced.
The date of the March trip has been changed to March 31.
Camille K. Amoruso has been chosen as our member to high-
light for the January issue of the HGS Bulletin from the virtual
garden of HPAC ladies. Camille joined the Houston Geological
Auxiliary shortly after her arrival in Houston in 1965 and has
been a faithful member ever since. She was born in Detroit,
Michigan, and earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at the
University of Michigan. She met her husband of 52 years, John
Amoruso, at the University while he was working on his master’s
degree in geology. They married after Camille graduated and
moved to Salt Lake City where John was working with Pan
American Petroleum Corporation. At that time, graducate
pharmacists were required to serve a one year apprenticeship and
pass an examination before they could be fully licensed as a
registered pharmacist. Camille started acquiring this working
experience in Salt Lake City, but six months later John was
transferred to Farmington, New Mexico. Fortunately, Camille was
welcomed with enthusiastic open arms in Farmington, where
pharmacists were needed in the rapidly growing town, a center of
the oil industry in the Four Corners area. During their three-year
stay in Farmingson, two sons were born, Jim and Mike, with
Camille working on her apprenticeship requirements. In addition,
John was frequently in the field, well sitting. It was a very busy,
but satisfying time. In 1962, John was transferred to Fort Worth,
Texas, where Camille finished her apprenticeship and became a
registered pharmacist in three states, Michigan, New Mexico, and
Texas. As the saying goes, she got here as soon as she could, even
though in short steps. After a year and a half in Fort Worth and
two years in Tyler, Camille arrived in Houston. She has been able
to practice her profession everywhere. She has been in both retail
and hospital pharmacies. Camille is in “private practice” now and
does not work formally. John says “private practice” is a full time
job, monitoring his medications and making sure he takes them.
With more free time, Camille and John have been able to travel a
little more for pleasure. They had a family Alaskan cruise this
summer with their son, Jim, his wife, Patty, their two sons,
Christopher and David, and Camille and John’s son, Mike, his
wife Cathy, their son, Andrew, and 3-year-old daughter, Camille.
Whenever possible, Camille has attended Auxiliary luncheons
and functions, and has participated with John in his many
professional activities and travels. While the boys were growing
up, Camille stayed at home, but once they were adults she joined
John, especially in his travels as President of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists and other organizations.
John says many of the members, curious about their medications,
would rather talk to Camille than him. It seems that they want
her to be their unofficial pharmacist. Camille has been a devoted
and loyal member of both HGA and HPAC; the groups are very
appreciative for her participation.
Remember that HPAC has several Interest Groups: Bridge
(contacts: Audrey Thompkins, 713-686-0005 or Daisy Wood,
713-977-7319) and/or Book Club (contacts: Martha Lou
Broussard, 713-665-4428 or Phyllis Carter, 281-397-9888) and
HPAC Exploring Houston (contact: Martha Lou Broussard,
713-665-4428 or mlbrou@rice.edu).
Geologists, please encourage your spouses to join HPAC, where
they will have the opportunity to meet other spouses of
Geologists, Geophysicists, Engineers, and Landmen. They will
participate in informative and entertaining programs, delicious
lunches, and welcoming fellowship.
An HPAC membership form is included on the next page. (Contact:
Winona LaBrant Smith at 713-952-2007)
Houston Petroleum Auxiliary CouncilNew
s Houston Petroleum Auxiliary Council NewsWinona LaBrant Smith, HGS Liaison
January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 61
ProfessionalDirectory
3-D Seismic Interpretation, FTG Gravity Modeling,Seismic Inversion and AVO analysis
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E-mail: hunter3d@wt.netWebsite: 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
Last Name First Name Name Tag
Spouse Name Name Tag HGS Member’s Company
Home Phone Business Phone Business Fax
Street Address City Zip
Email Address Home Fax
Please choose a committee assignment if you are interested.
� Fall Event � Yearbook � SOS � Membership
� Christmas Event � Spring Event � Notification � Game Day
� May Luncheon � Courtesy
62 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
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January 2011 Houston Geological Society Bulletin 63
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64 Houston Geological Society Bulletin January 2011
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