Subsurface Drilling Research Articles

History of Indo-Pacific coral reef systems since the last glaciation: Development patterns and controlling factors

History of Indo-Pacific coral reef systems since the last glaciation: Development patterns and controlling factors

Utilization of Fluorescent Microspheres and a Green Fluorescent Protein-Marked Strain for Assessment of Microbiological Contamination of Permafrost and Ground Ice Core Samples from the Canadian High Arctic

Fluorescent microspheres were applied in a novel fashion during subsurface drilling of permafrost and ground ice in the Canadian High Arctic to monitor the exogenous microbiological contamination of core samples obtained during the drilling process. Prior to each drill run, a concentrated fluorescent microsphere (0.5-microm diameter) solution was applied to the interior surfaces of the drill bit, core catcher, and core tube and allowed to dry. Macroscopic examination in the field demonstrated reliable transfer of the microspheres to core samples, while detailed microscopic examination revealed penetration levels of less than 1 cm from the core exterior. To monitor for microbial contamination during downstream processing of the permafrost and ground ice cores, a Pseudomonas strain expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was painted on the core exterior prior to processing. Contamination of the processed core interiors with the GFP-expressing strain was not detected by culturing the samples or by PCR to detect the gfp marker gene. These methodologies were quick, were easy to apply, and should help to monitor the exogenous microbiological contamination of pristine permafrost and ground ice samples for downstream culture-dependent and culture-independent microbial analyses.

Peel-Caribou Staging Area, Yukon Territory: assessment and remediation of DDT and other contaminants along a riverbank

The Peel-Caribou Staging Area, located along the Peel River, northern Yukon Territory, was used for exploratory drilling activities during the mid-1960s. Following abandonment of the project in 1975, waste materials were buried in a pit on site. An encroachment of the river on the waste pit in 1994 exposed the debris along with soils contamiated by DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane), metals, hydrocarbons, and dichloromethane. The results of subsurface drilling in April 2000 and contaminants analyses, along with data from a geophysical investigation, indicated contaminated soils and debris were located in a 2-metre thick layer below the high-water mark of the riverbank, with an overburden of soil varying in depths from 3 to 4 m. The validation of various field test kits — including immunoassay test kits, PetroFLAGTM analyzer, and photoionization detector — as possible analytical tools for on-site testing was conducted during the site investigations. Site remediation was conducted in January–March 2002 while the river was frozen to facilitate excavations along the frozen and exposed riverbank as well as site access. The debris along the riverbank is usually submerged in the summer and autumn due to fluctuating water levels. Following the construction of a winter overland route to the site, the contaminated soils and associated waste were excavated and transported off-site for disposal. Based on the validation exercise, immunoassay test kits were used for on-site delineation and confirmatory testing during site remediation.

Early Holocene regressive spit-platform and nearshore sedimentation on a glaciofluvial complex during the Yoldia Sea and the Ancylus Lake phases of the Baltic Basin, SW Finland

The depositional history of the Virttaankangas plain, a fan-like enlargement of the large Säkylänharju glaciofluvial ridge in SW Finland, is examined. The Säkylänharju ridge has been interpreted as having formed as an interlobate esker, and the morphology of the Virttaankangas plain as representing predominantly subaqueous glaciofluvial to glaciolacustrine deposition. This investigation uses new sedimentologic outcrop data, with extensive subsurface drilling, GPR surveys, seismic soundings, and gravimetric measurement data provided by groundwater investigations, to describe the stratigraphy, morphology and depositional history of the plain. In contrast to earlier interpretations, the results emphasise the role of littoral processes in the origin of the Virttaankangas plain. The plain is interpreted as having originated during the development of a progradational sequence of spit-platform and superimposed nearshore sediments deposited during the glacio-isostatic forced regression of the Yoldia Sea and Ancylus Lake phases of the Baltic Basin (9900–9000 14C BP). Documented depositional history supports an interval of retarded regression at the beginning of the Ancylus Lake phase I (9500–9200 14C BP) in the Säkylänharju area.

In situ inorganic and organic analysis (Pyr/CD-GC/MS) of the Martian soil, on the Mars 2005 mission

In order to obtain mineralogical information, the Mars Sample Return mission, in 2003 and 2005, will include sub-surface sampling. One expects that the effects of UV radiations and oxidizing agents are attenuated at depths corresponding to the bottom of the drilled cavity. In this case, such sampling will also allow to determine if life is or has been present at the surface of Mars. We propose to perform a preliminary in situ analysis of Martian samples: SAM ( Sample Analysis on Mars) on MSR 2005 lander. Such an analysis, performed on some parts of dedicated samples, will have the advantage of producing a ground-truth for the Earth-based analysis. Indeed, MSR 2003/2005 samples will be delivered to Earth laboratories in 2008, or 2009, depending on the duration of the quarantine, and it is not stated that some of their properties will remain unaltered during these three to 6 years. Moreover, there is a possibility that Martian sub-surface drilling delivers redundant samples: SAM could help to select, amongst the samples, which ones deserve to be sent to Earth, and, should the occasion arise, what are their unexpected peculiarities. To analyze inorganics and organics sampled at various depths, we propose to use the pyrolysis/chemical derivatization/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. This experiment may be performed using techniques already developed in the frame of other planetary (ACP/HUYGENS) or cometary (COSAC/ROSETTA) missions, which can easily be adapted to the proposed mission objective, according to the three following topics: search for organics, search for inorganics and isotope characterization.

Italian participation in the Mars exploration program

Recently agreements have been signed between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ESA and NASA for the exploration of Mars. These agreements initiate the participation of the Italian scientific community as well as the Italian industrial community in the international program to explore Mars. ASI and NASA have agreed to co-operate in a long-term systematic program of robotic exploration of Mars sustained by a series of missions to Mars in support of their respective strategic goals. The Mars Surveyor Program is a sustained series of missions to Mars, each of which will provide important focused scientific results. ASI is expecting to participate in the future missions with the provision of two sub-systems: a subsurface drill and a scientific package. The drill will be capable of drilling and collecting several samples and delivering them to instruments located within a scientific package fixed on a landed platform. ASI is also providing scientific instruments placed on a scientific package (IPSE) fixed with on the lander platform. The goals of the investigations are to study physical and mineralogical properties of bulk soil and dust (atmospheric and surface) as well as geochemical, structural, radiation and geophysical properties of subsurface materials to a depth of 0.5 meters.

GEOMETRY AND CONNECTIVITY OF DISTRIBUTARY CHANNEL SANDSTONES IN THE LATE PERMIAN MORANBAH COAL MEASURES, BOWEN BASIN, AUSTRALIA

The fluvio-deltaic Moranbah Coal Measures are an extensively mined Late Permian coal-bearing sequence that crops out along the western limb of the Bowen Basin, Queensland. Data from operating coal mines provide high resolution datasets for detailed petroleum reservoir analogue studies. In this study, data from subsurface drilling and high wall exposures were used to produce a three-dimensional sub surface model of coal and sandstone geometry in a 200 m stratigraphic section over an area of 184 km2. Detailed analysis of the interval between the extensive Goonyella Middle seam and the 'P'-Tuff identified: 1) thin (10 km long) interpreted as trunk distributary channel-fill deposits. These are flanked by finer grained sediments containing a series of heterolithic units that display large siltstone-draped accretionary cross-stratification reflecting channel/splay deposition. Reservoir continuity in the Moranbah Coal Measures is controlled by coal seam splitting and the degree of amalgamation between sandstone bodies. Analogues for potential reservoirs within these systems include 1) very thick (>40 m), vertically-stacked amalgamated sandstone sequences with good connectivity; 2) thick (>25 m) stacked sandstone units separated by carbonaceous mudstone horizons that reduce vertical connectivity; and 3) thick sing le-sequence sandstone units with good lateral connectivity Marginal zones are fine grained and often faulted, acting as barriers to connectivity between potential reservoir sandstones.

The Use of Horizontal Drilling in International Exploration

Internationally (outside the USA) more than 300 horizontal wells were drilled in 1991. Horizontal well reservoir targets generally consist of a preponderance of clastic reservoirs over carbonates in the ratio of approximately 60% to 40%. The concept of using horizontal wells as an exploration tool can be defined as a means not only of proving new reserves in undrilled plays, but as a means of re-exploring previously drilled and poorly productive terrains. The Austin Chalk play in South Texas is the prime example of this concept in action. Exploration in this case can be defined as the adding of multiple orders of additional reserves value. International basin selection criteria are discussed which can optimise the chances of finding high value additional reserves in the initial stages of an exploration campaign by using horizontal drilling (with the important help of previous subsurface coverage or pilot drilling). These criteria include the presence of self sourcing carbonate reservoirs, the presence and predictability of regional fracturing, the mechanical properties of the reservoir rocks, the presence of significant original oil or gas-in-place and the reservoir depth criteria in which horizontal drilling technology is practicable and cost-effective.

Development of Scanning Photoacoustic Microscope

The paper describes the advantages of our scanning photoacoustic microscope (SPAM) as a nondestructive equipment for evaluating and imaging surface flaws and subsurface cracks in advanced materials. Hardware and software of the SPAM were discussed. It was found that surface flaws and subsurface drill holes in epoxy resin well analyzed by using the SPAM. This microscope was also effective in imaging the distributions of carbon fiber fluxes in a carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

The Flank Shallow Piercement Plays of Mississippi

There is an active play on the flanks of piercement salt domes in the upper Gulf Coast region from East Texas through the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin. The combination of fundamental subsurface geology, modern seismic and deeper drilling has resulted in several field discoveries in Mississippi. Reviewing the seismic, subsurface, and production information reveals the flanks of the domes are structurally and stratigraphically complicated, but commercial quantities of hydrocarbons are present. A brief review of the existing flank productive fields illustrates both the complexities and similarities of the flank dome-related fields.

Misener Sand Development Over Basement Features Defined by High-Density Ground-Based Geomagnetic Surveys in Grant County, OK: ABSTRACT

The highly prolific Misener sand production being developed in Grant County, Oklahoma, has been the focus of recent exploration efforts. These storm-surge deposits of sand have aligned themselves on trend and immediately adjacent to a series of paleostructural highs. The delineation of paleostructural highs at this unconformity is the key to successfully mapping this elusive sand. The basement rock configuration below these producing trends displays very definite anomalies. The authors anticipate this basement configuration has influenced resulting depositional sequences, particularly the Misener sand. Detailed high-density, ground-based geomagnetic surveys over the Misener-producing Hawley fields do illustrate the coincidence and possible relationship of Misener sand deposition with respect to underlying basement faults and structures. Basement highs correlate with result pre-Chattanoogan paleostructural highs at the Sylvan Shale, up against which the Misener Sand is deposited. Subsurface data, seismic records, and current drilling activity continue to enforce the evidence of preexisting structures below the Misener sand trend.

Basement Structure and Implications for Hydrothermal Circulation Patterns in the Western Moat of Long Valley Caldera, California

Detailed surface mapping, subsurface drill hole data, and geophysical modeling are the basis of a structural and hydrothermal model for the western part of Long Valley caldera. Six fault zones are recognized in the western caldera with dominant orientations of north, northwest, and northeast, sub‐parallel to regional fault trends in the surrounding Sierran basement. The internal structural geometry of the cores of 12 exogenous domes inside and outside the caldera suggests that the domes erupted at the intersections of these principal fault trends rather than along the axis of a single dike. Gravity modeling and subsurface data from deep geothermal wells indicate that the floor of the caldera is segmented into a number of discrete fault blocks with varying offsets. One of the northeast trending fault zones, designated Discovery fault in this paper, appears to be part of the original Sierran embayment that existed before caldera collapse. Recent hydrothermal alteration occurs along Discovery fault strands and composite vertical offset of intracaldera volcanic units across the entire fault zone may be as much as 400 m. Field relationships, geophysical interpretations, and interpretaions of drill hole data suggest that this fault is a fundamental flaw in the western caldera. The preexisting tectonic framework of the basement rocks controlled the configuration of the western caldera floor and, through it, the location of postcollapse eruptive centers. These deep basement structures may also provide the high fracture density which controls circulation in the present geothermal system of Long Valley.

Kamthi - a new concept

King has described ‘Kamthi beds’ as the group of rocks disconformably overlapping the Permian coal measures. In an otherwise extremely soil covered areas in the Wardha Godavari Graben. Some of the later workers while projecting on the surface the lithics encountered in the sub-surface drilling in the Godavari Valley Coalfield subdivided these beds into lower, middle and upper horizons, by considering them to have gradational contacts, to account for the biota revealed from these litho-units.
 A reappraisal of the basic geoscientific database (geological and geophysical) and the interpretations from the surface and the sub-surface lithics have undisputedly shown that the pattern of Gondwana sedimentation in the Godavari Valley, during the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic periods, has been in an oscillating and continental fluvial regime governed by the basin configuration and palaeodrainage interrelated to their development in time and space.
 The palynofossil content unequivocally proves the presence of the Upper Permian lithics lying buried under the Lower Triassic (Kamthi) sediments. The latter has a widespread expanse in the graben, from the northwest to the southeast which is believed to be due to the further deepening of the basin floor at the time of their sedimentation.
 The possibility of Kamthi constituting the basal part of the enlarged Maleri sequence of the Triassic lithics is very much indicated thereby defining the base of the Triassic in the Godavari Graben. It is thus, considered undisputed that the Kamthi is nothing more than a concept in the geological history of this part of the Godavari Graben which is defined by its mode of occurrence as governed by the associated tectonism.

Fault Controlled Hydrogeology at a Waste Pile

AbstractGeologic mapping, subsurface drilling and monitoring well data indicate the existence of a complex and irregular ground water regime in the vicinity of a cement kiln dust pile on an inactive splay of the Garlock Fault System. Artesian flow, active seeps and water levels that are substantially higher than the elevation of apparent saturated conditions encountered during drilling show that ground water flows upward in certain localized zones. Tracing of chemical indicator parameters characteristic of kiln dust leachate shows that the dust pile is not affecting the chemistry of nearby ground water.

Limitations of Statistical Methods for Predicting Petroleum And Natural Gas Reserves and Availability

Abstract In recent years M. King Hubbert, C. L. Moore and the Energy Policy Staff (EPS) of the United States Department of the Interior have published estimates of the nation's resources or ultimate recoveries. The Hubbert and Moore methods, are similar in that they involve fitting analytic functions to historical data and projecting these into the future. There is no logical basis for assuming that future activities will be constrained to follow these or any other functions, so the Hubbert and Moore projections should be rejected as inadequate guides to policy. The EPS approach involves estimation of the extent to which the nation's potentially productive sediments have been explored and the extrapolation of the results achieved in explored areas to the unexplored. There is a logical basis to this approach that the resulting estimates are subject to two counter-balancing errors of large but unknown magnitude. Hence, this estimate should be used with caution. Introduction It is widely recognized that a reliable estimate of the amount of oil and gas in place by geographical areas would be of great value in formulating governmental and corporate policies. To be thoroughly credible, however, such an estimate would require detailed subsurface studies and exploratory drilling on a massive scale. An accurate appraisal of ultimate recoveries would be even more valuable. Such an estimate would be complicated further by the fact that it would depend not only on total resources but also on the future technology and economics of production transportation and consumption of all forms of energy. Clearly, detailed subsurface studies and accurate long term projections of future prices and technology are not available or even feasible today. Hence, most estimates of resources or ultimate recoveries do not utilize these fundamental factors but rely instead on some method of statistical projection. In the last few years three studies which can be described as essentially statistical have received publicity. These are the work of Hubbert, Moore and the EPS of the U. S. Department of the Interior. The statistical techniques of each of these studies will be reviewed to ascertain the reliability of the projections. The Hubbert Estimates Perhaps the best known projection of ultimate recovery of domestic oil and gas in recent years is that made by Hubbert for the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. In this study, Hubbert fits a particular mathematical function (the logistic curve) to historical data on cumulative gross additions to crude oil reserves on an API basis, and uses this equation to estimate total ultimate recovery. I have analyzed the Hubbert approach in some detail elsewhere, so the present paper will be restricted to a brief review of the weaknesses of the Hubbert method and the reasons for my conclusion that it is an inadequate guide to policy. Fig. 1 shows an idealized plot of Hubbert's conception of cumulative gross additions (or in his terminology, which will be used here, cumulative discoveries) and cumulative production. Both functions are logistic curves in the figure. The curve for cumulative production is identical to that for cumulative discoveries except that it is shifted t units to the right.

Some Aspects of Oil Exploration in California

Today, many of the industry9s critical problems result from an oversupply of relatively cheap oil because, on a worldwide basis, recent exploration has been too successful. California has had a glorious role in this petroleum exploration for a period of nearly 100 years. During most of this time it has ranked as the first or second oil-producing state. Furthermore, it has been a substantial foreign exporter of crude oil and products. The state9s production history is characterized by substantial annual increases up through 1953, and an annual decline since that year. The annual discovered reserves during this same period, however, show great fluctuations; since 1940 the annual discovered reserves have been relatively small and much below annual production. The principal oil-producing areas of California are the San Joaquin, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Maria, and Cuyama-Salinas basins. To the end of 1961, the 295 oil fields in the state have produced about 12.3 billion barrels of crude. The changing exploration methods are illustrated by the discovery of 6 selected oil fields. The Midway-Sunset field was discovered in 1901 by drilling near oil seeps. The Ventura Avenue oil field discovery in 1916 marked the early application of surface geology and the anticlinal theory. The Santa Fe Springs field in 1919 is important as the first discovery attributed to the geomorphologic concept of domal structure being reflected in alluviated surface topography. The 1936 Wilmington field discovery was the result of the early use of the seismic reflection method. This field is also famous as the world9s largest water-flooding operation. The Russell Ranch field discovered in 1948 exemplifies the combination of surface and subsurface geology. The Wheeler Ridge oil field discovered in 1922 in shallow Miocene sands was rediscovered in 1952 in Eocene sands below a subsurface thrust fault, an example of success by subsurface geology and deeper drilling. Present oil exploration is high in state offshore areas partly because of new techniques for drilling and completing wells in water. All petroleum geologists are challenged to find petroleum reserves at competitive costs, to contribute to the science of geology and its applications, to advance the professional competence of geologists, and to contribute to the economic prosperity of our states and our nation.

Interpretations of Foothills Structures, Alberta, Canada

During the last decade geophysical exploration in the Foothills area of Alberta has aided considerably in arriving at rough approximations, and in some cases fairly reliable data, with respect to the nature of the structural conditions above and beneath major sole faults. The compilation of structural cross sections on the basis of such surveys, plus knowledge derived from previous subsurface drilling and surface geology, are the main theme of this contribution. Several examples of structures mapped and drilled are given, together with a hypothetical case wherein the difficulties of interpretations are discussed. The structures described are Turner Valley, Highwood uplift, Jumping Pound, Brazeau uplift, Stolberg, Coalspur, Savannah Creek, and the hypothetical Alpha structure.

Geology and Development of Poza Rica Field, State of Vera Cruz, Mexico: ABSTRACT

The Poza Rica field is the most important and largest producing field in Mexico. It lies on the Gulf Coastal Plain approximately at 160 kms. south-southwest of Tampico and at 175 kms. northeast of Mexico City. The structure was found originally by geophysics through an almost simultaneous torsion balance and refraction shooting survey. Poza Rica No. 2 well, completed on May 2, 1930, as a gas producer, discovered a subsurface trap drilling in the gas cap in a porous Tamaba limestone at -2,047.3 meters (-6,715 feet). Further deepening of the well brought it in as an oil producer. It was later shut in, because of high gas-oil ratio, in 1933. Later reflection shooting revealed possible extensions and permitted development program. First exploration wells were located at distances between 600 and 1,000 meters (1,968 and 3,028 feet). Completion of wells was first accomplished through 4 3/4-inch liner. Later wells produced through 2½-inch tubing. There are at present 93 wells of which only 4 were dry through lack of porosity in the limestone. Seventy-eight are producing at present. The structure at Poza Rica, as revealed from both seismos and subsurface geology, is a broad anticline in a Tamabra limestone which is open, as yet, toward the west northwest. The highest well, Poza Rica No. 65, found the limestone at -1,947 meters (6,386 feet). The lowest producing well, Escolin No. 2, found the limestone still porous at -2,178 meters (-7,144 feet). Apparently the porous producing zone is due to a reef facies deposited on the highest part of a Cretaceous limestone anticline. Later regional tilting, and subsequent folding apparently displaced the porous zone toward the northeast flank, so that at present no porosity has been found o the south flank. Poza Rica No. 8 and No. 46 are the southernmost wells drilled to the limestone without finding it porous. This field has produced 50,380,902 M3 (316,895,800 barrels) since 1930, and is considered to have a potential reserve of 143,169,000 M3 (900,533,000 barrels). End_of_Article - Last_Page 2314------------