JAN/FEB 2024 • ISSUE 1 • VOL 51
THE MAGAZINE OF CANADIAN ENERGY GEOSCIENTISTS
Reservoir cegageos.ca
In This Issue
JAN/FEB 2024
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From the Editor
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Petrophysics in the Green Economy – Part 10: Metallic Minerals: Logging Methods
16 2023 Fellows of Geoscientists Canada Award 18 2024 CSPG Geological Calendar wrap-up
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Silurian to Devonian granitic rocks outcrop to the northwest of Burgeo in southwestern Newfoundland. The bedrock is heavily jointed. More recent glaciation has sculpted a strong linear grain into the outcrop. It is not known whether the orthogonal nature of these two linear features is somehow related. Photo by: Celeste Cunningham
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FROM THE EDITOR SARAH SCHULTZ, TECHNICAL EDITOR FOR THE RESERVOIR
HAPPY NEW YEAR! WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ISSUE OF THE CEGA RESERVOIR FOR 2024. There are a lot of great events scheduled for the upcoming year. Please check the CEGA website for up-to-date information on technical luncheons, courses and events!
In this issue we have the continuation of our regular articles: • E.R. Crain’s Part 10 of the Petrophysics in the Green Economy series
In this issue we recognize the recipients of the following awards: • 2023 Fellows of Geoscientists Canada Awards Registration is open for the 2nd edition of the EETiG Symposium in Calgary, Alberta from February 7 – 8, 2024. This year’s event is themed “Adventures in Pore Space: Shared Reservoirs in New Energy”. Registration closes on February 2nd. The abstract submission deadline for the 2024 Core Conference is January 31, 2024. This year’s event is themed “Fueling the Future: Core Insights for Energy Resource Exploration and Development”. We look forward to continuing to receive your manuscripts for our 2024 Reservoir editions!
Sarah Schultz
PUBLICATIONS INFORMATION The RESERVOIR is published 6 times per year by the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association. The purpose of the RESERVOIR is to publicize the Association’s many activities and to promote the geosciences. We look for both technical and non-technical material to publish. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in part or in full without the consent of the publisher. No official endorsement or sponsorship by the CEGA is implied
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for any advertisement, insert, or article that appears in the RESERVOIR unless otherwise noted. All submitted materials are reviewed by the editor. We reserve the right to edit all submissions, including letters to the Editor. Submissions must include your name, address, and membership number (if applicable). The material contained in this publication is intended for informational use only. While reasonable care has been taken, authors and the CEGA make no guarantees that any of the equations, schematics, or
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Petrophysics in the Green Economy
PART 10
METALLIC MINERALS: LOGGING METHODS E. R. CRAIN, P.ENG. ACCESSIBLE PETROPHYSICS LTD. SANDRA BLEUE, PETROPHYSICS OUTSOURCE INC.
INTRODUCTION This article reviews conventional borehole logs that are useful in the mining sector, followed by a more detailed discussion of some less familiar special-purpose logs with specific application to metallic mineral exploration. Both have a significant part to play in the evolving quest for greener energy solutions and in finding essential commodities.
There is much common ground in the geoscience of mineral and petroleum exploration and development, but also some fundamental differences. For example, mining operators rely on drill-cores more than borehole logs. Mine integrity and the safety of underground workers is part of the reason. Also pertinent is that miners need to know the mineral composition of an ore body with more precision than logging tools can offer. Regardless, logs and cores are used in both industries, so we will explain the differences and overlaps in these two communities.
BOREHOLE LOGGING IN THE MINING ENVIRONMENT For clarity, we will refer to logs run for the mining industry as “borehole logs” and those
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for the oil and gas industry as “oilfield logs” or “well logs”, even though the guiding physical principles are the same. It is difficult to make direct comparisons between oilfield logging tools and borehole logging tools. Many contractors developed their own tools, and probes are often customized to suit a particular exploration challenge. The result is less standardization. Some contractors offer a complete range of services from data acquisition to mapping, while others specialize in smaller projects by supplying tool rentals. Happily, many of the borehole log names are well-known to the oilfield log analyst, as the measurement principles are the same. Acoustic, gamma ray (GR), spectral gamma ray, density, neutron and electrical logs are common to both industries. In general, borehole tools are smaller and have
reduced temperature and pressure ratings (e.g., 20 MPa and 80°C) compared to oilfield tools (100 MPa and 150°C). However, many standard oilfield tools are available in slim-hole versions and are quite suitable for mineral borehole logging. A typical slim-hole GR tool is just 42.9 mm (1-13/16 in) in diameter and approximately one meter long, compared to a mineral service contractor’s GR tool at 38 mm diameter and length of 0.63 meters. There is a striking difference in scale between borehole logging operations for mining and that for petroleum. Mining drill rigs are typically portable (even heli-portable), and boreholes are drilled to recover core or, in the case of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, to recover samples. Boreholes can be blasted or drilled, with logging equipment typically consisting of three components: a data
acquisition system to collect data from the downhole probe, a winch to deploy the probe into the borehole, and the downhole probe itself, which might be standalone or stackable.
BOREHOLE LOGGING AND CORING PROGRAMS The primary logging measurements would be one or more of the following: electrical conductivity (or resistivity), magnetic susceptibility, natural gamma radiation (total and spectral), acoustic velocity (or travel time), bulk density, and more recently, induced gamma ray spectroscopy to identify particular metallic elements in the host rock. Specialty logs, such as magnetic susceptibility, induced polarization, or high resolution temperature logs, may be used as well. In Canada, Terraplus offers auxiliary equipment, such as video inspection systems, borehole geophones, and hydrophone arrays, plus ground penetrating radar antennas for single hole investigation and cross-hole tomography. In the USA, Century Geophysical, among others, provides a wide variety of tools for the mining industry. The service providers are usually local contractors or the mining company itself.
FIGURE 1: Simplified diagram of electromagnetic tool showing phase shift between conductivity and susceptibility.(5)
The Geological Survey of Canada and the US Geological Survey have also developed their own logging tools, mostly used in mineral reconnaissance surveys. The mining industry relies heavily on coring, core description, and lab work for its geotechnical and geomechanical logs. Very detailed lithology, stratigraphy, and structural features are annotated on these logs, as well as detailed notes on grain size, texture, and rock fabric. This information is entered into 3-D modeling software. Rock strength, discontinuities, faults, and fractures are carefully mapped into the model. Borehole logs and core photos are added to complete the 3-D display. The model is constantly updated throughout the feasibility, design, development, operational, and expansion phases of a mine's long lifetime. The integrity of the mine and the safety of the workers depend on the accuracy of this model. No shortcuts allowed! The coring and logging procedures described above are also used to study geomechanical properties for dams, tunnels, highways, foundations, and many other large construction projects.
SPECIALIZED BOREHOLE LOGGING TOOLS FOR MINING APPLICATIONS This section describes some of the specialized borehole logging tools used in mineral exploration and development, including some new or experimental tools that may solve some problems that conventional tools cannot. With the exception of induced GR spectroscopy and limited use of induced polarization, these tools are not used in oilfield situations.
INDUCTION / ELECTROMAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY LOGS Electromagnetic methods are familiar to the oil and gas sector as induction logs. They were developed due to the popularity of oil-based mud and air-drilling systems. There was early recognition that having control data from a borehole instrument would verify the interpretation of surface magnetometer studies.(5) In the mining sector, a probe consisting of a transmitter and receiver induces current flow in the formation creating a primary magnetic field. This causes eddy currents to flow in a continuous circular distribution
FIGURE 2: Values of magnetic susceptibility in various formations, in centimetre-gram-seconds (cgs) ^ 106 units. (5)
centered around the borehole axis. These eddy currents are proportional to the formation conductivity, and they in turn generate a secondary magnetic field, which induces an alternating voltage in the receiver coil. In the resulting voltage vector, the magnitude and phase are a function of the conductivity of the formation. Phase-sensitive detectors separate the signal into its resistive (from conductivity) and reactive (from magnetism) components so that the electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility are recorded independently and simultaneously (Figure 1). The log displays magnetic susceptibility, (c [chi]), either in centimetregram seconds (cgs)^106 or SI units, and conductivity in mmho/m (mS/m). Chi relates a material’s magnetization, M, to the strength of an applied magnetic field, H, using the equation M = Chi * H. Figure 2 shows the magnetic susceptibility of various rock lithologies. Magnetic anomalies may be caused by primary igneous or sedimentary processes, or by secondary alterations where magnetic material is
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FIGURE 3: Diagram of capacitor array for a TSP logging tool.(6)
FIGURE 5: Chargeability times for various rocks and minerals.(7)
FIGURE 4: Results from a TSP log showing a lithology track, sulphide occurrences, resistivity, susceptibility, and temperature.(6)
either added or removed. Conductivity measurements can be used to detect and correlate conductive sulphides. Magnetic susceptibility can directly detect iron ore and be used to characterize and correlate sulphide units. The main benefits of borehole electromagnetic methods are their indifference to borehole rugosity and their ability to make measurements through PVC casing. In 2011, the Geological Survey of Canada sponsored the development of a new triple sensor probe (TSP), which combined an electromagnetic component to measure magnetic susceptibility, alongside a capacitive resistivity sensor and high-resolution temperature device (Figure 3, 4). The TSP allowed three measurements to be taken concurrently
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in a single logging run. The resistivity component was re-designed to use a capacitor array formed from parallel rods instead of galvanic contact electrodes which are useless in PVC cased or air-filled holes. An oscillator drives the capacitor array to produce the electrical field. This tool combination has found success in delineating base metals, such as Cu-Pb-Zn massive sulphides and nickel-sulphide deposits.(6)
INDUCED POLARIZATION LOGS Induced polarization is a method to image the conductivity and chargeability of porous rocks. It is most commonly used to delineate
FIGURE 6: Comparison of gold assay (track 1) with IP response (track 5).(8)
disseminated sulphides within a host rock. When a charging current is turned off, voltage decays over a finite time (discharging) back to zero. When the current is turned on, voltage builds up over a finite time to a maximum applied value. The current is for a time stored in the ground (capacitance), causing some material to become polarized. This phenomenon is called induced polarization.(7) Century Geophysical has a multi-parameter Induced Polarization (IP)logging tool for hard rock mining and uranium exploration (Figure 5, 6). It records SP, a single point resistance, and induced polarization, with optional natural GR. The tool features a 16 and 6-array electrode spacing, passing an alternating current through the formation, resulting in a measurement of chargeability. This lightweight tool has an outside diameter of 51 mm and is approximately 2 m long. In 1986, a Canadian study ran IP logs along with temperature, resistivity, and SP logs to evaluate IP’s usefulness in finding gold associated with pyrite within a volcanic host rock. The combined logs were very good at defining a marker bed of graphite-schist, but proved more ambiguous for the gold. The study showed the benefits of multiparameter logging acquisitions for delineating highly
altered rocks, but a statistical approach to the complex dataset needed further development.(8)
system, by Century Geophysical Corp., was found to be superior for uranium prospecting.(9)
INDUCED GR SPECTROSCOPY
More recently, CSIRO in Australia has developed Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA),(10) a spectrometric nuclear logging tool that results in a real-time downhole assay of elements in the rock. Similar in principle to the LithoScanner and Pulsar tools from the petroleum industry, the PGNAA bombards the formation with fast neutrons and measures the GR spectra generated by the nuclear reaction. The GRs’ intensity and energy create unique photopeak signatures, proportional to the elemental composition of the rock. The tool samples the surrounding rock to a depth of ~50 cm, generating in situ rock mass density and estimates of elemental composition. A main advantage over the core assay method is continuous depth coverage (no lost core) plus deeper depth of investigation. The tool is calibrated to the expected mix of mineralogy, and source/ detector configuration is designed specifically for that expected lithology.
Induced GR spectroscopy logs, sometimes called activation logs, measure the concentration of specific elements in the rock. In oilfield use, the elemental yields are transformed into minerals using a least squares algorithm to create a lithology log presentation. Capture cross section (sigma) and neutron porosity (TPHI) are the other primary measurements, carried forward from the earliest days of the pulsed neutron log. These two measurements allow us to calculate porosity and water saturation in cased holes. In mining exploration, this technology has lagged behind resistivity and GR methods, mainly due to mining’s reluctance to handle radioactive sources in the field. This is not surprising when the logging unit could be the back of a geologist’s truck. Also, developing such a specialized tool could be prohibitively expensive. Pulsed neutron methods were being used in mining in 1972, initially to detect copper. The development of a delayed-fission neutron
The PGNAA tool may feature either chemical or pulsed neutron sources and uses either BGO (NaI(T1)) or CsI detectors. The measurement range is slightly larger than oilfield tools at 0.5 RESERVOIR ISSUE 1 • JAN/FEB 2024 9
to 11 MeV. The tool has several shields to protect the detector from fast and thermal neutrons escaping from the sample and from the primary GRs generated by the source. A biological shield is built in to minimize radiation risk to logging personnel. The tool quantifies elements such as Si, Fe in iron ore, Mn in manganese ore, Cu, Ni, Ti, Cl, and many more. A benefit is that the large range of discoverable elements makes it possible to quantify “penalty” elements, which lower the grade of ore, cause smelting problems, or introduce unwanted attributes in the finished product, such as brittleness to steel.
FIGURE 7: Comparison of laboratory assays with SirologTM PGNAA values for lead.(10)
In contrast, oilfield tools, such as Schlumberger’s open-hole LithoScanner or cased-hole Pulsar, use a pulsed neutron generator. LithoScanner focuses on the element sets common to petroleum environments (e.g., silicates, carbonates, unconventional), with just four metals of interest to mining: Cu, Gd, Ni and Ti. Although the PGNAA’s element sets are geared to hard rock environments, the tools have 15 elemental outputs in common (Figure 8). The Pulsar tool is a slim-hole 42.7 mm (1-11/16 in), 5.5 m long alternative to LithoScanner. Pulsar provides a similar suite of elemental logs (with additional elements on request) and an accurate measure of TOC. Its main advantage is the fast neutron cross section (FNXS), a measurement that, being independent from resistivity-based calculations, is a fool-proof gas indicator. The results are very helpful in monitoring CO2 storage, CO2 miscible floods, and helium reservoirs. In mining boreholes, it may provide information suitable for correlation and quantification of massive sulphides.
HIGH RESOLUTION TEMPERATURE LOGS In the 1980s, the Borehole Geophysics Group of the Geological Survey of Canada developed a sensor to quantify borehole temperature to a resolution of 0.001° Celsius.(6) Roke Oil Enterprises in Calgary developed a tool with the same resolution about the same time and offered the service commercially. The resolution of most tools is 0.01°C. Temperature gradients can change by formation and results can be used to map thermal conductivity contrasts, plus detect massive sulphides. Other applications include predicting proximity to old mine workings, where the heat dissipates from the warmer underground openings; finding the base of permafrost; understanding groundwater flow patterns; and locating gas flows through “worm-holes” in the cement behind casing.
CONCLUDING REMARKS The traditional role of integrated petrophysics has been successful in the petroleum sector for many years. We hope that the technical achievements of the energy industry, so applicable to mining, do not get overlooked in the change of direction to a greener economy. Both sectors should be pooling their considerable knowledge to achieve the complex goals needed to reduce the impact of climate change.
FIGURE 8: Comparison of elements “seen” by various tools.
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Decarbonizing by electrifying the world is a monumental task. Reports suggest that metallic mineral outputs may not keep pace with demand for wind turbine construction.(1,2,3) Deeper new mines and expansion of older mines are urgently needed; this leads to increased demand for geoscientists and engineers capable of locating, detailing, and operating them. Failure to
match mineral supply to expected demand will mean failure of any plan for a “net-zero” future. We hope you will be inspired to consider new ways to improve our mineral outputs and meet the tough challenges ahead. This is the last of a 10-part series on non-petroleum uses of petrophysics and well logs. The series began in the July-August 2022 issue of the RESERVOIR, tracing a trip through the back-roads to visit the diverse applications of the science of petrophysics. If you missed an episode, go to the magazines archives at cegageos.ca.
REFERENCES 1. Exner-Pirot, H. “Drop in mining derails drive for Net Zero”. The National Post. https://epaper.nationalpost.com/article/281895892585033 (accessed May 11, 2023) 2. “Action Plan 2020: Introducing the Pan-Canadian Initiatives”. The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan. https://www.resourcedata. org/dataset/23794a95-1cae-47fd-bbca-da003845fa1d/resource/ c4f58523-3a23-4f3f-b393-f63b1efa8f70/download/f6.pdf, (page 18) (accessed May 11, 2023) 3. Government of Canada, “Government of Canada to develop guidance for best-in-class new oil and gas projects and net-zero emissions requirements by 2050”. https://www.canada.ca/en/environmentclimate-change/news/2022/04/government-of-canada-to-developguidance-for-best-in-class-new-oil-and-gas-projects-and-net-zeroemissions-requirements-by-2050.html (accessed May 11, 2023)
4. Government of Canada, “Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada”. https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/critical-minerals-in-canada/ critical-minerals-an-opportunity-for-canada.html (accessed May 11, 2023) 5. Broding, R.A. et al. “Magnetic Well Logging”. Geophysics, Volume XVII, Number 1, (January 1952) 6. Bristow, Q. and Mwenifumbo, C.J., “A new temperature, capacitiveresistivity, and magnetic-susceptibility borehole probe for mineral exploration, groundwater, and environmental applications”. Geological Survey of Canada, Technical Note 3, (2011) 7. University of British Columbia, “Introduction to induced polarization surveying”. https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/courses/eosc350/content/ methods/meth_2/ip.pdf (accessed May 11, 2023) 8. Urbancic, T.I. and Mwenifumbo, C.J., “Multiparameter Logging Techniques applied to Gold Exploration”, from Borehole Geophysics for Mining and Geotechnical Applications, ed. P.G. Killeen, Geological Survey of Canada, https://ftp.maps.canada.ca/pub/nrcan_rncan/ publications/STPublications_PublicationsST/123/123596/pa 85_27. pdf Paper 85-27, p. 13-28, 1986. 9. Hallenburg, J.K., “Nonhydrocarbon Logging”. The Log Analyst, (MayJune 1992) 10. Borsaru, M. and Charbucinski, J., “Nuclear Borehole logging techniques developed by CSIRO_EXPLORATION and MINING for in situ evaluation of coal and mineral deposits”. https://inis.iaea.org/collection/ NCLCollectionStore/_Public/29/057/29057219.pdf (accessed May 08, 2023)
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SESSION 1
SESSION 2
Session 1 on Deepening our Geological Understanding looks at geotechnical challenges and innovation within deeper and geologically older reservoirs and is hosted by Natasha Morris of E3 Lithium and Francis Morin of McDaniel & Associates.
Looking at how new energy sectors operate adjacently, sometimes collectively and sometimes competitively, is the theme of Session 2: Shared Aquifer Resources, chaired by Francis Morin of McDaniel & Associates and Steve Grasby of the Geological Survey of Canada.
Steven Donaldson from Canadian Discovery Limited kicks of the session looking at Emerging Resources: The New Race for Pore Space, addressing the need for the same geological formations across different sectors. Working through exploration processes and limited data will be the theme of the talk by Brendan Bishop titled Origin and Distribution of Lithium in WCSB brines. Kaush Rakhit will take us through the methodology and final product of building an atlas for lithium potential in NE British Columbia. Nevenka Nakevska from the Alberta Geological Survey will then discuss Formation-Scale Geothermal Favourability Mapping and Resource Quantification in Alberta. The session will close with a look at a common new-energy reservoir titled Regional Stratigraphic and Diagenetic Framework for the Basal Cambrian Sandstone, Alberta by David Herbers.
Bill Whitelaw starts the sessions with a talk titled The Great Pore Space Race: Where’s the Finish Line? This is followed by a look through a legal lens at Uncertainty, conflicts, and liability: navigating the competitive landscape for deep pore space resources with the emergence of new subsurface industries in Alberta by Nick Ettinger. Lisa Mueller will then take us through innovation in co-producted geothermal power. Howard Anderson will explore synergies between Helium and Hydrocarbon: A natural hedge. Session 2 will close with a panel discussion on different new energy sectors working in the same shared aquifer.
SESSION 3
SESSION 4
Nico Vandersalm of Tourmaline Oil and David Hills of Entropy Inc. chair Session 3: New Energy in Mature Reservoirs with a focus on how existing oil and gas operations can be utilized in the shift to new energy pathways.
Government and Industry Interactions is the theme of Session 4, chaired by Gord Brasnett of Sproule and Natasha Morris of E3 Lithium.
Michelle Lund of Conifer Energy kicks off the session on Unlocking incremental Reserves through CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery in the Redwater Leduc Pool, followed by Opportunities for Lithium recovery from flowback and produced waters of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in Western Canada: Its resource and extraction by Adam Leece. Stephen Longfield will then walk us through Exploring Shared Earth Resources- Synergies in Oil & Gas, Critical Minerals, Alternative Energies and Closed-Loop Geothermal Development. We will then look at the Regulatory Approach to Induced Seismicity by Dr. Todd Shipman. The speakers of this session will engage in a panel discussion on New Energy in Mature Reservoirs exploring themes on how to best utilize hydrocarbon resources and facilities in the shift to alternative resources.
Emily Smejkal shares Regulatory Hurdles with the Alberta No. 1 Geothermal Project in the first talk of this session, sharing learnings and challenges working with pioneering geothermal development. The Role of Geoscience in Evolving Regulatory Requirements for Commingled Abandonment is the talk by Dan Palombi of the Alberta Geological Survey, looking at the impact of geological assessment in developing regulations. Puneet Mannan from Innovate Calgary will discuss how Supporting and Delivering Innovation in New Energies can be collective wins for both the companies working in the new energy space and the jurisdictions they work with. Finally, Alexandria Shrake discusses Evolving Geoscientist Perspectives on Reconciliation: What I Wish I Knew When I Began my Career to share insights on asset development through an Indigenous relations and reconciliation lens. Gord Brasnett and Natasha Morris will conclude with a panel discussion with the session speakers on roles of government, industry, and community in the development of new energy projects.
Registration is open for the EETiG conference on February 7 and 8, 2024. This event is an exciting opportunity to collaboratively engage with geoscientists across new energy sectors. On behalf of the entire EETiG planning committee, we welcome you to join us in person for this highly engaging and energizing symposium.
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2024 UPCOMING EVENTS INFORMATION
JANUARY January 18th
Online + In Person
January 31st
Thursday | 12:00-1:00pm MST
Wednesday | 11:30-1:00pm MST
GeoWomen Talk
Technical Luncheon
STEM Moms Project—Understanding the Intersection of Women in STEM & Working Parents
The Human-Machine Partnership: Ensuring integrity, creativity, and success Speaker: Laurie Weston, SoundQi
Speaker: J ulie Hawco, P.Eng. Founder, STEM Moms Project
Location: C algary Petroleum Club, Devonian Room 319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0L5
Location: C EGA Conference Room, +15 level, 540-5 Ave SW, Calgary AB
January 24th
Online + In Person
Wednesday | 12:00-1:00pm MST
International Technical Division Dawn on the Source Rocks: Emerging Jurassic Plays of the Middle East Speaker: Jerome Biollo, P. Geo. Location: C EGA Conference Room, +15 level, 540-5 Ave SW, Calgary AB
VISIT UPCOMING EVENTS
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2024 UPCOMING EVENTS INFORMATION
FEBRUARY February 6th
Online + In Person
February 27th
Tuesday | 12:00-1:00pm MST
Tuesday | 11:30-1:00pm MST
BASS Technical Division
Technical Luncheon
Capturing CO2 Without a Trap— the Aquifer Conundrum
Forecasting the shape and length of IHS mudstone beds in the middle McMurray Formation, Fort Hills Mine, AB, Canada
Speaker: David Hills, Entropy Inc. Location: C EGA Conference Room, +15 level, 540-5 Ave SW, Calgary AB
February 22nd
Speaker: Dan Bzdziuch, Suncor Energy Location: C algary Petroleum Club, Devonian Room 319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0L5
Online + In Person
Thursday | 12:00-1:00pm MST
GeoWomen Talk 2023 Energy Industry Review Speaker: M aureen Stonehouse, P.Geo., MBA, Consulting Geologist, Stone Consulting Location: C EGA Conference Room, +15 level, 540-5 Ave SW, Calgary AB
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CEGA RECOGNIZES 2023 FELLOWS OF GEOSCIENTISTS CANADA AWARD RECIPIENTS MARK MALLAMO
CEGA members at the APEGA Member Milestone Celebration Event, from L to R: Annette Milbradt, P.Geoph., FGC; Alicia Bjarnason, P.Geol., FGC; Mark Mallamo, P.Geol., FGC; Astrid Arts, P.Geol., FGC; Gordon Stabb, P.Geol. (APEGA Life Member Award winner); Paige Mamer, P.Geo., FGC; Mandy Williams, P.Geol., FGC. Individual photo: Jon Noad, P.Geo., FGC. Coming from the “Did you know? department… Did you know that in Canada, geoscience is a regulated profession nationally… not just within our respective provinces. As many of us know all to well, to practice, a geoscientist must register as a P.Geo. and get a licence from the regulatory body – professional association – in each province or territory in which they practice (e.g. APEGA, EGBC, PGO to name a few). Recognizing the need in 1996 for a national alliance for the profession, these regulatory bodies formed Geoscientists Canada to coordinate activities and to represent the profession at a national and international level, governing Canada’s more than 10,500 Professional Geoscientists, 1,200 other geoscience licensees and another 2,400 Geoscientists-in-Training. The Geoscientists Canada Fellowship honours individuals who have given noteworthy service to the geoscience profession. Each year it honours those individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession, by the election of Fellows of Geoscientists Canada. CEGA is proud to recognize a number of our “P.Geo” and “P.Geol” CEGA members who are the 2023 recipients of Geoscientists Canada Fellowship (FGC) award. Those members include: Astrid
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Arts, Alicia Bjarnason (2021 recipient), Mark Mallamo, Jon Noad, Paige Mamer, and Mandy Williams, who were honoured at APEGA’s annual Member Milestones Celebration dinner (Calgary Branch) on November 16 this year. I don’t mind saying that APEGA put on a very impressive event at the Palliser Hotel that evening. The food and beverages were delicious, and both the company and atmosphere were enjoyable and fun! Thank you APEGA for honouring the achievements of your members, especially the Geoscientists! Similarly with how CEGA honours it’s own members each year who volunteer and contribute to our association, it is more evident to me each day of the importance to take a moment or two (and a few deep breaths), and reflect on our accomplishments and progress as a geo-profession and a community of rock nerds that are passionate about our science, and the difference it makes in this world. If you’d like to know more about Geoscientists Canada and the full list of FGC award recipients across Canada, please visit: https:// geoscientistscanada.ca/about.php
WELCOME TO THE
2024 CEGA CORE CONFERENCE! This year’s conference will be held at the Alberta Energy Regulator Core Research Center on June 20th and 21st. This will be the Thursday and Friday after the 2024 GeoConvention, which is scheduled for June 16-18th. We are excited to have another fully in-person event that facilitates hands-on learning, collaboration, and networking. The 2024 theme is “Fueling the Future: Core Insights for Energy Resource Exploration and Development.” The theme acknowledges that core work is essential for understanding the energy resources today and to establish frameworks for the energy resources of tomorrow. Together we can celebrate top-tier geotechnical work and innovations within our industry as we collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the dynamic energy sector. This year’s conference will include core presentations from outstanding researchers, oil and gas practitioners, and renewable-energy scientists. Please join us in returning to the foundation of our science by chatting
and connecting over rocks. We are excited to have presentations based on rocks from across Western Canada and beyond that encompass the ever-evolving landscape of the energy transformation. We are excited to welcome back familiar faces and meeting new ones! The highly anticipated Core Meltdown will conclude the final day of the conference on June 21st and will be a great place to continue catching up in a festive environment. On behalf of the organizing committee, we thank you for your continued support of the conference and the CEGA. Any questions can be sent to coreconference@cegageos.ca
We look forward to bringing together Canada’s geoscience community and seeing you in June! - Core Conference Committee 2024
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2024 CEGA GEOLOGICAL CALENDAR WRAP-UP Markus Ebner
Welcome to 2024! Hopefully your slide into the New Year was smooth and celebratory. By now, all of you should have received your 2024 CEGA Calendar. The 2024 Calendar is an eclectic geological smorgasbord of texture, colour and regions of the world. We have a total of four photos displaying Canadian geology this year. This includes the Best Photo winner, John Andersen’s Southern Alberta Panorama of the Milk River. Celeste Cunningham shows us a beautiful perspective of a parked helicopter juxtaposed against a fractured pluton in Newfoundland. Further afield, we see geologic beauty from the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania taken by Gord Hurlburt and the captivating colors from a classic atoll shot in Polynesia by Jim Wood. The Best subcategory of Best Aerial Photograph was won by S. Anne Reeckmann with her shot of Uluru in Australia. Take a break to flip through the calendar at the start of the year and enjoy a brief trip around the world without even leaving your easy chair.
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Personally, I would like to thank Clint Tippett for both his efforts in judging the photograph submissions and his diligent background research and editing of the captions. Thanks go to Britney Tang at the CEGA, our Production manager, who really makes the whole calendar come together. The Committee and CEGA would like to thank all the members that took the time and effort to contribute their photos to the 2024 contest. CEGA also recognizes the generous and continued support from our industry sponsors helping to make the calendar possible. 2023 ended up being a bright year, following many difficulties post-COVID and a turbulent economy. We wish you an even brighter, healthy, and more prosperous year ahead -- Cheers to your 2024 and enjoy the annual geological calendar.
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THANK YOU TO ALL THE CEGA SPONSORS DIAMOND
TITANIUM
PLATINUM
GOLD
S I LV E R
BRONZE
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS RIGSAT Communications
Petrocraft Products Ltd.
Cossack Land Services Ltd.
XRF Solutions Ltd
Spectrum
Ikon Science Ltd.
Tallman Geological
DMT Geoscience
Sigma Explorations
Whiskey Jack Resources
Torys LLP
University of Calgary
Earth Signal Processing Ltd.
GeologicAI
Athabasca Oil Corporation
RPS Group
Echo Seismic
ALT - Advanced Logic Technology
Belloy Petroleum Consulting
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
LXL Consulting
BJV Design Inc.
Skilvirkur Consulting
Svante Inc.
Project Canary
Eavor National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Hammerhead Resources Key Seismic Solutions Ltd.
Continental Laboratories (1985) Ltd. - Calgary, AB (2050)
Prairie Lithium Corporation ROGII Inc. Weatherford International
Cordax Evaluation Technologies
Peer-Solutions Synterra Technologies
Dynacore Solutions Ltd. Headwater Seismic
As of Jan 1st, 2024.