Friday Seminar: Select Topics of Southern Oklahoma Geology
The conference officially begins at the Holiday Inn Ardmore I-35 on Friday afternoon, October 17, at 2:30, with a special symposium entitled Select Topics of Southern Oklahoma Geology. Offered by experts from industry, government and academia, this introduction to the geology of the area will focus on the Woodford Shale and other producing formations. Presentations will include:
Woodford Shale play update: Expanded extent in the oil window
Brian J. Cardott, Oklahoma Geological Survey
What is the potential of producing oil from the Woodford Shale, especially near the start of the oil window? How accurately can the oil window be defined? The emphasis of this presentation will be to answer these questions.
Shale gas and oil resource plays require a thermally mature hydrocarbon source rock and a brittle (e.g., Barnett style) or conventional-reservoir (e.g., Bakken style) lithology. Lacking both (1) a hydrocarbon source rock with a significant amount of oil generative organic matter at the optimum thermal maturity to generate, preserve, and expel hydrocarbons, and (2) a lithology that is susceptible to producing natural and induced fractures will negate a viable resource play.
Facies architecture and sequence stratigraphy of the Ordovician Bromide Formation (Oklahoma): A new perspective on mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp
Jesse Carlucci, Ph.D., Midwestern State University, Department of Chemistry, Geoscience, and Physics
The depositional history and environmental context of the Upper Ordovician Bromide Formation of south-central Oklahoma are reconsidered using lithofacies analysis and the characterization of sequence stratigraphic patterns at a variety of scales. Inner-ramp, middle-ramp and outer-ramp environments are present in the Bromide. The ramp stratigraphy, facies associations and bounding surfaces suggest three 3rd-order depositional sequences, and a transition from a clastic-dominated ramp (late Whiterockian) to a carbonate-dominated ramp (Mohawkian) show that the Bromide was considerably more complex than the simple transgressive-regressive cycle traditionally used to describe accommodation dynamics in the basin.
Structural Analysis of Ardmore Basin Using Balanced Cross Sections
Molly Simpson Carpenter, Chesapeake Energy; Derya Kilic, Turkiye Petrolleri A.O.; and Bryan Tapp, University of Tulsa
Subsurface studies in the Ardmore Basin compare the structural style of Sho-Vel-Tum and Eola-Roberson Fields to better understand the structural and tectonic evolution of the Ardmore Basin. The field studies are in the northern portion of the Ardmore Basin and evaluate the various models of deformation that have been proposed for this dynamic region.
Woodford Shale: Correlating Rock Properties in Outcrop and Core with Wireline Log Characteristics
Jim Puckette, Oklahoma State University
The Devonian-Mississippian (Frasnian-Tournaisian) Woodford Shale in the southern Mid-Continent region was examined in core and outcrops to document changes in composition and the effects of these changes on wireline log responses. Modern and vintage wireline logs from nearby wells were compared to outcrop and core gamma-ray curves to increase confidence in correlations. Properties of the Woodford Shale that affect log response were documented including the relative percentage of chert, concentrations of U, Th and K, phosphate, carbonate content, silt and clay.
The Symposium is free for all conference participants, but you will need to pre-register.
Following the Symposium we will adjourn to the Ardmore Convention Center, connected to the Holiday Inn, for a traditional Icebreaker reception, but with a twist: as the party concludes we will invite to the podium area geology legend Robert W. Allen, followed by Professor Jonathan D. Price, for an entertaining and fascinating conclusion to the evening.
Bob will speak on the subject, “I Never Worked a Day in My Life.” Ardmore Geological Society’s geologist laureate will relay some personal history, the importance of samples, and the discovery of the Golden Trend. He has seen major changes in the industry during his 60-plus years in the business. We can all learn something from someone with that much experience. Bob was awarded the AAPG Special Award in 2010, the Oklahoma City Geological Foundation’s Legends Award also in 2010, and the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Oklahoma’s Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.
Jon’s talk, “Oklahoma’s Volcanic Past: the Significance of Rifting and the Region’s Magmatic History,” will focus on the magmatism that shaped Oklahoma and the surrounding region. The Aulacogen’s magmatic products are exhibited in outcrop— some of which we will see on the following day — and basement-penetrating drill hole samples and provide insight into the tectonic history of the region and the general nature of continental rifting. They also control the modern and ancient weathering profile of the Wichita and Arbuckle Mountains and influence the deformation of southern Oklahoma.
Throughout the evening around the perimeter of the meeting room various poster presentations will be on display exploring several geologic subjects of interest in the Arbuckle and Mid-Continent regions. Admission to the Icebreaker and presentations is included with the professional, student and guest/spouse registration. Note: Local attendees may wish to register for the Friday events only. The cost is $45 and includes the Symposium, two drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres.
Featured Saturday Evening Speaker and Dinner
Don Clarke, consulting petroleum geologist and AAPG Distinguished Lecturer
Hydraulic Fracturing and Earthquakes: Ethically, How Do We Move Forward and Do the Right Thing?
6:00-8:30 pm, Ardmore Convention Center
Abstract: During the course of a year, a committee of professionals of diverse expertise, with backgrounds in academic research, private industry, and government service convened five public information-gathering meetings and produced a consensus report that assessed the current situation related to induced seismicity in the United States for various energy technologies including hazards, risks, government roles and responsibilities, proposed research needs and suggestions on how to move forward. The report stands as an example of how a group of objective professionals with varying viewpoints can come to a consensus and produce a useful, scientifically-grounded document to help guide developments with emerging energy technologies.
All registrants – professionals, students and guests – receive a ticket to the dinner and special presentation by Don Clarke. Locals may wish to attend the social hour and dinner only, in which case the price is $49 per person and is available through pre-registration.