Student-Related Articles

Explorer Geophysical Corner By James Howard,Joshua Lomeo,Lisa Ma

Microscale Structural Analysis for Relative Permeability Prediction

The challenges in acquiring quality laboratory flow measurements in very low-permeability reservoir rock samples has furthered the development of image-based rock physics simulations of multiphase transport properties. The concept of “digital rocks” originated 50 years ago and has become more widespread recently with advances in imaging technology, computing power and robust algorithms for representing complex multiphase flow behavior at the pore scale. Simulation results based on high-resolution images have the dual role of complementing laboratory measurements on conventional reservoirs and acting as a stand-alone predictive tool for unconventional reservoirs where the very low permeability values limit what can be measured in the laboratory.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Historical Highlights By Jean-Jacques Biteau,Jean-Marie Masset

Exploration Adventures in France’s Aquitaine Basin

There are two main oil and gas producing sedimentary areas in France: the Paris Basin and the Aquitaine Basin. The presence of oil seeps and bitumen deposits has been known since ancient times in the western part of the Aquitaine basin, a 35,000-square-kilometer triangular polygon bordered to the north by the city of Bordeaux, to the east by Toulouse and to the south by the Pyrenees Mountain chain separating France from Spain. These hydrocarbon shows were observed close to surface anticlinal structures such as the Sainte-Suzanne dome, southwest of Pau or in the caprocks of salt diapirs at Salies de Bearn and Dax to the north.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Article By Charles Sternbach,John Casiano,Kristie Luchtel-Ferguson,William DeMis

Destroying the Environment to Save It

In the first part of this series, we showed the energy transition will follow an “all of the above” trajectory, irrespective of aspirational messages. Our conclusions are based on the inherent limitations of wind and solar low-density energy machines for generating base-load power: low-density energy machines would cover hundreds of millions of acres. Also in part 1, we discussed Princeton University’s Net Zero America report, an outstanding, 18-author study of five models to de-carbonize the United States by 2050. The report does not mention environmental impact of LDEMs.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Article By Heather Saucier

Demands for Geoscience Beyond Oil and Gas

While it is evident that the world will rely on oil and gas for years to come, some industry geoscientists are paving a path toward a future in alternative energy and other geoscience-related careers. Geoscientists are needed for research and development in areas of geothermal science, minerals and mining, and carbon and energy storage. They also are needed for projects that require knowledge of geology, subsurface imaging, reservoir development, satellite mapping, geotraining, multiphysics and smart data solutions.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Emphasis Article By David Brown

Upstream Oil and Gas: Now Hiring

What seemed like excellent news for the oil and gas jobs outlook turned into something less positive for companies in the first months of 2022. Hiring increased, but a few areas saw more openings than applicants. However, job hunters and even those already employed in oil and gas got some welcome security and relief, as recent cycles of industry layoffs finally turned into a round of rehires and new hires. Analysts expect this job growth to continue for the foreseeable future.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Article By Barry Friedman

New Discoveries Tease Namibia’s Hydrocarbon Potential

Located in the Orange Basin, along the passive west coast of the continental margin that straddles the borders of South Africa, there has been a discovery of an oil province in Namibia – the offshore Graf and Venus fields – that likely contains billions of barrels of oil resources. That’s according to Robin Sutherland, an exploration manager for Monitor Exploration, a UK-based private exploration company involved in oil and gas exploration in Africa. Of equal importance, he said, is the recent drilling by ReconAfrica, which “clearly proves” that the Ovambo Basin, a large pre-Cambrian basin in the far north of Namibia, is oil bearing with very significant potential. “Both of these events represent major changes to our understanding of the potential of Namibia,” said Sutherland.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer Article By Barry Friedman

Geoscientists Protect Vulnerable Populations Against Natural Disasters

This is the story of two tragedies – one in Nepal, one in India – but more importantly, how humanitarian projects by Geoscientists without Borders may help prevent the devastation of the next two. And the tragedies after that. In 2015, an earthquake struck near Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu, which is in the central part of the country. Almost 10,000 people were killed, many thousands more injured and more than 600,000 structures in Kathmandu and other nearby towns were either damaged or destroyed. Václav Kuna, a postdoctoral geophysics researcher was moved to do something about it.

Added on 01 May, 2022

Explorer President’s Column By Gretchen Gillis

Seeking Informed Dissonance

Listening to “Marcia Funebre” from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 as I write prompted me to think about what I have been hearing. Certainly, a wide range of emotions, from triumph and happiness to the misery of loss, along with beautiful dissonance. That’s why people listen to Beethoven again and again. Leaders are reminded repeatedly to publicly support decisions made by boards, even when they disagree. However, when decisions are made in an environment of misinformation, that best practice of publicly supporting decisions becomes insupportable.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Director’s Corner By David Curtiss

And Suddenly, Energy Security is an Urgent Global Concern

As we watched the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign nation, amid tremendous suffering and grievous loss of human life – in an instant, the balance of power that had defined central and western Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall was shattered. And this reality – Russia’s prominence as an energy supplier – shifted the topic of energy security firmly into the spotlight, both in Europe and across the globe.

Added on 01 April, 2022

Explorer Division Column DPA By Don Burdick

Petroleum Geology – Yes, Petroleum

Petroleum, liquid hydrocarbons, natural gas, fossil fuel, black gold, Texas tea … call it what you like, but if not for the talented geologists who find this naturally occurring organic substance deep in our planet Earth, the modern economy with cell phones, Instagram, Teslas, extreme sports and Starbucks would not exist. Yet hydrocarbons, and the people who find them, are facing the most uncertain and politically-charged future since our emergence on the world stage.

Added on 01 April, 2022

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