Geological Insights & Event News

Devin Hencmann outlines the COGCC’s (Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission) 3M (Mapping, Modeling, and Monitoring)/4M (adds mitigation) studies on the Fruitland Fm. In these studies coal bed methane (CBM) related methane seeps have been tracked over time and now include efforts to convert fugitive gas into a resource. In Prez Sez, Jim Corken highlights February’s drilling and induced seismicity talks, notes the Durango Area Field Trip filling, and the failed San Juan River permit. Other news includes our website revamp plans and early coordination for the 2020 RMS AAPG meeting.

Dave Johnson explains how the BOR’s Paradox Valley Unit cuts salinity in the Colorado river where the Dolores enters, although the brine disposal well serves as a key case of induced seismicity. Jordan Dimmick outlines how HDD (horizontal directional drilling) fresh water wells boost yields in thin alluvium. Prez Sez by President Jim Corken highlights strong meeting turnout, a “Field Trip Frenzy,” and San Juan River permit news. The Geology of Durango and the Animas Valley field trip set for April 14th is full.

David Seneshen’s abstract outlines methods for linking hydrocarbon seeps to subsurface sources using isotopes, fluorescence, metals and biomarkers, with examples from Bakken, Jonah, Michigan, DJ and Raton Basins. In Prez Sez, President Jim Corken previews Seneshen’s talk, highlights MakerLab events, elections, and plans for the Durango Area Field Trip and San Juan River Float Trip.

J. Andrew Gleason outlines NASA’s SnowEx campaign, which uses LiDAR, microwave, spectrometers and ground measurements on Red Mt Pass and Grand Mesa to evaluate techniques for mapping snow water equivalent and guide a future SWE satellite. Jim Corken’s Prez Sez highlights the successful Mancos play meeting, upcoming senior thesis posters, and 2018 field trips: a Durango stratigraphy tour and a planned San Juan River Pennsylvanian carbonates trip. Regional news includes the NMGS call for papers.

Bill Clopine outlines the Mancos Play’s tide dominated Tocito sands, organic rich distal facies, and thermal maturity zones defining oil, gas, and condensate fairways, noting strong southern oil and central gas development. Bob Brooks analyzes early 2010 Mancos horizontals to forecast performance of planned 10,000 ft laterals. In his Prez Sez, President Jim Corken thanks recent speakers, discusses dues increases, and highlights upcoming field trip planning, including candidates such as a river trip and a San Juan Basin trip.

Dr. Ali Jaffri critiques the widespread but flawed practice of correlating marginal marine sandstones as laterally continuous “layer cake” benches. He explains that rapid facies shifts make these reservoirs highly heterogeneous and that operators risk mischaracterizing geometry when assuming continuity. His talk urges log correlations that honor true stratigraphic complexity. In Prez Sez, President Jim Corken reflects on the industry’s “great crew change,” celebrates new student sponsorship programs, and calls for volunteers to serve on the Field Trip Committee.