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From the President - March 2015
 Presidential PonderingsIt’s a wet and cold day in January as I ponder what to expect from oil by the time you read this in March. As I look at the different web sites I see that the WTI price is $45.60 for February delivery and natural gas is $2.88 and gasoline by my house is $1.85 to $1.89. From last month, that’s down $30.00 for oil, about $0.84, and $0.84 respectively, from my ponderings last month. Goldman Sachs is calling for oil to fall to $40.00 and Bloomberg TV says that oil will make a significant recovery in two to three years. Forbes doesn’t know where the floor is but doesn’t expect oil to go above $60 through 2016. I have heard of early retirement packages, quiet layoffs, global layoffs, rig demobilizations, and budget cutbacks. Where will all of this take us? |
It’s a wet and cold day in January as I ponder what to expect from oil by the time you read this in March. As I look at the different web sites I see that the WTI price is $45.60 for February delivery and natural gas is $2.88 and gasoline by my house is $1.85 to $1.89. From last month, that’s down $30.00 for oil, about $0.84, and $0.84 respectively, from my ponderings last month. Goldman Sachs is calling for oil to fall to $40.00 and Bloomberg TV says that oil will make a significant recovery in two to three years. Forbes doesn’t know where the floor is but doesn’t expect oil to go above $60 through 2016. I have heard of early retirement packages, quiet layoffs, global layoffs, rig demobilizations, and budget cutbacks. Where will all of this take us?
Well, it should cause us to take another look at our professional development and career paths. Although these oil price crunch times bring anxiety, they also can bring opportunity. Now is a good time to look forward and plan on attending a HGS talk or taking advantage of AAPG or HGS seminars. As exploration slows down, this can create a window of opportunity for developing new skills or doing a special study.
The term networking is overused. We all say we need to do it, but do we really work at it? Social media provides new methods of networking, but how many of us truly use them? Normally, I feel so busy that I seldom access them. When I am out of the office I don’t make the time to check on those connections or friends. Now is probably a good time for me to “refresh” those connections, provide some endorsements, and make “friends” with new people. HGS can be a great source for new connections and there is no better way to make them than to attend one of our meetings. Check out the Events Calendar for March and April and sign up for a meeting.
An excellent opportunity to network and improve communications with contacts and friends would be to head up an HGS committee. If you have a talent for organization, want to improve your leadership skills, or just have a good time (Tennis and Shrimp Peel committees need leaders), the HGS needs you!
Elections are fast approaching. Chairman Barry Katz, as Head of the Nominating Committee, provided the slate of candidates in January. In February, the candidates were presented at the General Dinner meeting and nominations from the floor were entertained. Their bios should be in the April Bulletin and elections will take place in April and May. Be sure to vote!
HGS is a society run by volunteers and supported by a variety of individuals and companies. The society tries to honor deserving individuals and recognize sponsorship each year. Recognition can sometimes make the difference between someone’s continued participation and their walking away from being a part of the organization. The Board will be finalizing awards for the 2014-2015 term at its April meeting. I encourage you to go to the HGS website, review the award criteria in the June 2014 Bulletin and make nominations for the awards if you know of a deserving individual or company.
By the time this is published, the society will have honored the foundations’ scholarship awardees at Legends Night, had its 2015 Mudrocks Conference, returned to the General Lunch meeting at the Petroleum Club, and participated (I hope) in the Engineering and Science Fair. The Executive Committee will be meeting with the committee chairpersons this month to get and give status reports on the year’s activities.
I still haven’t gotten back to those Looks Back in Time in the history of HGS. However, I did see that the tennis plaques are in the office by Jill’s desk. I need to count the number of times Steve Allen has his name on them. I’m thinking that it is more than four. Steve won his championships with a different partner each time. Shows you what good partners can do! Why don’t you make HGS your partner in career development?
|
A few months ago, Ken Nemeth mentioned, in his President’s Column, that geologists harbor an intense passion for their profession. To this, I would add that we are also, as a group, quite a curious bunch. We are intrigued by incomplete data sets, challenged by trying to assemble the “jigsaw puzzle” that comes in a box without a photo on the cover, and usually not content with a partial understanding of any issue or problem. |
One of the ways we have to satisfy our curiosity is to ask questions. While seemingly trivial, the ability to ask the right question is a talent. I am sure all of us have worked with colleagues who had an uncanny ability to ask just the right question at just the right time, usually causing us to wish that we ourselves had asked it.
Asking questions is fine and it is important. I believe that how we handle the answer is even more important. This brings me back to the title of this month’s column. According to Webster’s Dictionary, one of the definitions of the verb “to hear” is “to be aware of (sound) through the ear”. The verb “to listen”, on the other hand, is defined as “to pay attention to someone or something in order to hear what is being said, sung, played, etc.” The operative part of this definition, for me, is “to pay attention”. Another definition for listening mentions processing and understanding of what someone is saying. I consider hearing as passive and listening as proactive, requiring some effort.
I am sure we have all participated in meetings or discussions in which someone has asked a question and then neglected to listen to the answer. They may have heard it, but did not make an effort to understand what was being said. This happens not only when posing questions, but also when participating in meetings or presentations. While everyone says that there is no such thing as a dumb question, I would argue that dumb questions do exist and are usually a result of hearing and not listening.
Several years ago a colleague of mine and I were sitting in a meeting where the presentation topic was relatively complex. The presenter did a good job, but the audience had to make a real effort to follow along. It was late in the day and, as usual, there was some lack of focus. My friend leaned over to me and said “They are like dogs watching television. Their heads move in response to changes on the screen and in the sound, but they have no idea what they are hearing”. If you don’t pay attention during a presentation or to the answer to a question you or someone else has asked, you risk becoming one of the “dogs watching television”.
Take the time and make the effort to listen and not just hear.
Visit to the Bindery
The good folks at PrimeSource, the firm that prints our HGS Bulletin, were kind enough to arrange a visit to Marathon Bindery, the firm that binds the Bulletin and prepares it for shipping. This finally gave me the opportunity to witness the entire process involved in the creation of the Bulletin, beginning with the electronic collection of articles and photos, the assembly of a digital version and the printing and assembly of the physical Bulletin prior to mailing to the members. Once again, I found myself impressed by the machinery used throughout the process. I planned to include photos, but it seems the speed at which the machines work is much faster than the focusing ability of my camera. I would like to thank Wayne Emmott, the owner of Marathon Bindery, for taking the time from his busy day to give us a tour of his shop and explain how things were done.
This year's Guest Night Registration is here: https://www.hgs.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1535
From the President - March 2015
| Presidential Ponderings It’s a wet and cold day in January as I ponder what to expect from oil by the time you read this in March. As I look at the different web sites I see that the WTI price is $45.60 for February delivery and natural gas is $2.88 and gasoline by my house is $1.85 to $1.89. From last month, that’s down $30.00 for oil, about $0.84, and $0.84 respectively, from my ponderings last month. Goldman Sachs is calling for oil to fall to $40.00 and Bloomberg TV says that oil will make a significant recovery in two to three years. Forbes doesn’t know where the floor is but doesn’t expect oil to go above $60 through 2016. I have heard of early retirement packages, quiet layoffs, global layoffs, rig demobilizations, and budget cutbacks. Where will all of this take us? |
It’s a wet and cold day in January as I ponder what to expect from oil by the time you read this in March. As I look at the different web sites I see that the WTI price is $45.60 for February delivery and natural gas is $2.88 and gasoline by my house is $1.85 to $1.89. From last month, that’s down $30.00 for oil, about $0.84, and $0.84 respectively, from my ponderings last month. Goldman Sachs is calling for oil to fall to $40.00 and Bloomberg TV says that oil will make a significant recovery in two to three years. Forbes doesn’t know where the floor is but doesn’t expect oil to go above $60 through 2016. I have heard of early retirement packages, quiet layoffs, global layoffs, rig demobilizations, and budget cutbacks. Where will all of this take us?
Well, it should cause us to take another look at our professional development and career paths. Although these oil price crunch times bring anxiety, they also can bring opportunity. Now is a good time to look forward and plan on attending a HGS talk or taking advantage of AAPG or HGS seminars. As exploration slows down, this can create a window of opportunity for developing new skills or doing a special study.
The term networking is overused. We all say we need to do it, but do we really work at it? Social media provides new methods of networking, but how many of us truly use them? Normally, I feel so busy that I seldom access them. When I am out of the office I don’t make the time to check on those connections or friends. Now is probably a good time for me to “refresh” those connections, provide some endorsements, and make “friends” with new people. HGS can be a great source for new connections and there is no better way to make them than to attend one of our meetings. Check out the Events Calendar for March and April and sign up for a meeting.
An excellent opportunity to network and improve communications with contacts and friends would be to head up an HGS committee. If you have a talent for organization, want to improve your leadership skills, or just have a good time (Tennis and Shrimp Peel committees need leaders), the HGS needs you!
Elections are fast approaching. Chairman Barry Katz, as Head of the Nominating Committee, provided the slate of candidates in January. In February, the candidates were presented at the General Dinner meeting and nominations from the floor were entertained. Their bios should be in the April Bulletin and elections will take place in April and May. Be sure to vote!
HGS is a society run by volunteers and supported by a variety of individuals and companies. The society tries to honor deserving individuals and recognize sponsorship each year. Recognition can sometimes make the difference between someone’s continued participation and their walking away from being a part of the organization. The Board will be finalizing awards for the 2014-2015 term at its April meeting. I encourage you to go to the HGS website, review the award criteria in the June 2014 Bulletin and make nominations for the awards if you know of a deserving individual or company.
By the time this is published, the society will have honored the foundations’ scholarship awardees at Legends Night, had its 2015 Mudrocks Conference, returned to the General Lunch meeting at the Petroleum Club, and participated (I hope) in the Engineering and Science Fair. The Executive Committee will be meeting with the committee chairpersons this month to get and give status reports on the year’s activities.
I still haven’t gotten back to those Looks Back in Time in the history of HGS. However, I did see that the tennis plaques are in the office by Jill’s desk. I need to count the number of times Steve Allen has his name on them. I’m thinking that it is more than four. Steve won his championships with a different partner each time. Shows you what good partners can do! Why don’t you make HGS your partner in career development?
|
A few months ago, Ken Nemeth mentioned, in his President’s Column, that geologists harbor an intense passion for their profession. To this, I would add that we are also, as a group, quite a curious bunch. We are intrigued by incomplete data sets, challenged by trying to assemble the “jigsaw puzzle” that comes in a box without a photo on the cover, and usually not content with a partial understanding of any issue or problem. |
One of the ways we have to satisfy our curiosity is to ask questions. While seemingly trivial, the ability to ask the right question is a talent. I am sure all of us have worked with colleagues who had an uncanny ability to ask just the right question at just the right time, usually causing us to wish that we ourselves had asked it.
Asking questions is fine and it is important. I believe that how we handle the answer is even more important. This brings me back to the title of this month’s column. According to Webster’s Dictionary, one of the definitions of the verb “to hear” is “to be aware of (sound) through the ear”. The verb “to listen”, on the other hand, is defined as “to pay attention to someone or something in order to hear what is being said, sung, played, etc.” The operative part of this definition, for me, is “to pay attention”. Another definition for listening mentions processing and understanding of what someone is saying. I consider hearing as passive and listening as proactive, requiring some effort.
I am sure we have all participated in meetings or discussions in which someone has asked a question and then neglected to listen to the answer. They may have heard it, but did not make an effort to understand what was being said. This happens not only when posing questions, but also when participating in meetings or presentations. While everyone says that there is no such thing as a dumb question, I would argue that dumb questions do exist and are usually a result of hearing and not listening.
Several years ago a colleague of mine and I were sitting in a meeting where the presentation topic was relatively complex. The presenter did a good job, but the audience had to make a real effort to follow along. It was late in the day and, as usual, there was some lack of focus. My friend leaned over to me and said “They are like dogs watching television. Their heads move in response to changes on the screen and in the sound, but they have no idea what they are hearing”. If you don’t pay attention during a presentation or to the answer to a question you or someone else has asked, you risk becoming one of the “dogs watching television”.
Take the time and make the effort to listen and not just hear.
Visit to the Bindery
The good folks at PrimeSource, the firm that prints our HGS Bulletin, were kind enough to arrange a visit to Marathon Bindery, the firm that binds the Bulletin and prepares it for shipping. This finally gave me the opportunity to witness the entire process involved in the creation of the Bulletin, beginning with the electronic collection of articles and photos, the assembly of a digital version and the printing and assembly of the physical Bulletin prior to mailing to the members. Once again, I found myself impressed by the machinery used throughout the process. I planned to include photos, but it seems the speed at which the machines work is much faster than the focusing ability of my camera. I would like to thank Wayne Emmott, the owner of Marathon Bindery, for taking the time from his busy day to give us a tour of his shop and explain how things were done.
21st Annual Milton B. Dobrin Lecture
March 25, 2015
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Hilton University of Houston
4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77004
Speaker: Dr. Christine Krohn
Lecture Title: Technology and Its Impact on Tackling Earth’s Heterogeneity: Success and challenges for model-based geophysics.
There is both an opportunity and a challenge to use model-based processing methods to revolutionize our ability to characterize reservoir properties while incorporating more of the true earth complexity with relaxed acquisition requirements. For the marine case,I will highlight a high-resolution Full Wavefield Inversion (FWI) example demonstrating improved characterization of a highly heterogeneous overburden. Then, I will demonstrate with a number of near-surface examples, the complexity challenge for model-based processing on land. I will start with the Vibroseis source signature and its use for inversion of simultaneous source data. I will then show data examples of unexpectedly large vertical and horizontal variations in velocity and attenuation and their effect on P-waves, S-waves and surface waves. Finally, I will demonstrate the ability of surface-wave tomographic inversion to estimate rapidly varying surface-wave properties and then to predict and remove the complex surface waves, retaining low-frequency reflections, even with highly under-sampled 3D data.
HGS' reinstated General Lunch Meetings for 2015 were kicked off at the new Petroleum Club - Total Building with Don Clarke speaking on Ethical Fracking in the oil and gas industry. If you would like to view his presentation, please click here. If you would like to see video of his talk, please click here.
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
February 22, 2015
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) proposes to amend §3.16, relating to Log and Completion or Plugging Report, to change the deadline for operators to file well completion reports to 90 days after completion of the well or within 150 days after the date on which the drilling operation is completed, whichever is earlier. mission. For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/February132015/Proposed%20Rule...
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (three new bills listed):
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natural Resources. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. 2/10/2015 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 2/12/2015 Referred to Natural Resources. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. 2/11/2105 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 930, by Miller and Doug, Relating to water well drillers and pump installers; authorizing fees. Copies of well logs must also be sent to the local groundwater conservation district. Filed 1/26/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1113, by Clardy, Relating to the standard of review for a determination of standing in a contested case hearing conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Filed 2/3/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1191, by Isaac, Relating to the regulation of commercial development of groundwater in certain areas. Filed 2/6/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1232, by Luciio III, Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board regarding the mapping of groundwater in confined and unconfined aquifers. Filed 2/9/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1392, by Bell, Relating to the recovery of stranded oil, gas, or oil and gas from depleting Cenozoic Era reservoirs. The Texas Water Development Board shall conduct a study to define the quality and quantity of groundwater in Texas and submit the report by December 31, 2016. Filed 2/12/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1635, by Pickett, Relating to the management of groundwater, including the classification of and the obtaining of information regarding groundwater and the formulation of desired future conditions by a groundwater conservation district. A groundwater classification system will be developed that's based on salinity and takes into account total dissolved solids, geographic location and other factors determined to be relevant. Filed 2/19/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1642, by Guillen, Relating to the rights, remedies, and liability of certain owners and operators of environmentally contaminated property; authorizing a fee. Off-site contamination must be reported to the owner of the affected property by sending a copy of the final assessment report via certified mail. The affected property owner must bring suit for damages not later than 10 years after the date of notice. If the site isn't remediated within 15 years, deed recordation must be performed until the site has been cleaned up. Filed 2/19/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. 1/26/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. 1/26/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water,& Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. Future water availability and water use must be considered. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 1/27/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. 1/27/2015 Referred to Natural Resources& Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. 1/28/2015 Referred to Natural Resources& Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 413, by Seliger, Relating to qualifications for membership on the Texas Water Development Board. "The board is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One member must have experience in the field of engineering, one member must have experience in the field of public or private finance, and one member must have experience in the field of production agriculture." 2/4/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Afairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 440, by Burton, Relating to the authority of a county or municipality to prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment. A county or municipality may not prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment of oil or gas wells. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 517, by Uresti, Relating to notice of an application for a permit to drill an injection well in the territory of a groundwater conservation district. 2/18/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 521, by Fraser, Relating to the period for which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may grant or renew an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water. 2/18/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 611, by Perry, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Water well withdrawal reports will be kept confidential if the owner submits a written request. Filed 2/17/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
2/22/2015
Main Glauconite Bed (MGB) Study Guide Introduction
The Stone City Bluff is a special location on the Texas Gulf Coast Plain. It is the best of relatively few places where marine rocks of Paleogene age are exposed and available for public access. This access provides a window into Middle Eocene rocks that were deposited in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 41.8 million years ago. Geologists study outcrops such as these to understand the environments of deposition and the processes controlling sediment deposition. Information gleaned from an outcrop can help in oil exploration, paleontology, understanding of ancient climate and groundwater hydrology. The objective of this Study Guide is to present a comprehensive summary of the Main Glauconite Bed (MGB) found at Stone City Bluff. This Bed contains a rich fossil fauna and lithology that has attracted explorers and researchers since the mid 1800’s and research continues on this bed. It is hoped that with this Guide you, as an interested student, teacher or hobbiest can be part of that research. A bibliography of subject matter pertinent to the Stone City Bluff is attached with this Guide.
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
February 15, 2015
If you use Google Earth, you can now use Google Earth Professional for free. To download, go to: https://support.google.com/earth/answer/176160?hl=en
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (five new bills listed):
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natureal Resources. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. 2/10/2015 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 2/12/2015 Referred to Natural Resources. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. 2/11/2105 Referred to Environmental Regulation. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 930, by Miller and Doug, Relating to water well drillers and pump installers; authorizing fees. Copies of well logs must also be sent to the local groundwater conservation district. Filed 1/26/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1113, by Clardy, Relating to the standard of review for a determination of standing in a contested case hearing conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Filed 2/3/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1191, by Isaac, Relating to the regulation of commercial development of groundwater in certain areas. Filed 2/6/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1232, by Luciio III, Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board regarding the mapping of groundwater in confined and unconfined aquifers. Filed 2/9/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1392, by Bell, Relating to the recovery of stranded oil, gas, or oil and gas from depleting Cenozoic Era reservoirs. The Texas Water Development Board shall conduct a study to define the quality and quantity of groundwater in Texas and submit the report by December 31, 2016. Filed 2/12/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. 1/26/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. 1/26/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water,& Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. Future water availability and water use must be considered. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 1/27/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. 1/27/2015 Referred to Natural Resources& Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. 1/28/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 413, by Seliger, Relating to qualifications for membership on the Texas Water Development Board. "The board is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One member must have experience in the field of engineering, one member must have experience in the field of public or private finance, and one member must have experience in the field of production agriculture." 2/4/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Afairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 440, by Burton, Relating to the authority of a county or municipality to prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment. A county or municipality may not prohibit hydraulic fracturing treatment of oil or gas wells. 2/9/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 517, by Uresti, Relating to notice of an application for a permit to drill an injection well in the territory of a groundwater conservation district. 2/10/2015 Filed. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
SB 521, by Fraser, Relating to the period for which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may grant or renew an emergency authorization relating to the use of state water. 2/10/2015 Filed. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
I
'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
2/15/2015
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
February 8, 2015
The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (two new bills listed):
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 930, by Miller and Doug, Relating to water well drillers and pump installers; authorizing fees. Copies of well logs must also be sent to the local groundwater conservation district. Filed 1/26/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1113, by Clardy, Relating to the standard of review for a determination of standing in a contested case hearing conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Filed 2/3/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 1191, by Isaac, Relating to the regulation of commercial development of groundwater in certain areas. Filed 2/6/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. 1/26/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. 1/26/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water,& Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. Future water availability and water use must be considered. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 1/27/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. 1/27/2015 Referred to Natural Resources& Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. 1/28/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 413, by Seliger, Relating to qualifications for membership on the Texas Water Development Board. "The board is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One member must have experience in the field of engineering, one member must have experience in the field of public or private finance, and one member must have experience in the field of production agriculture." 2/4/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Afairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
2/8/2015
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto
| Date: | April 17, 2015 07:00 PM-April 19, 2015 12:00 PM (Registration Closes at 11:59 PM ET on April 02, 2015) | |
| Facility Location: | Camp Whispering Pines Garrison, TX | |
| Description: | This is a great weekend camp experience for troops looking to explore the geological history of Texas and make new friends. S’mores are included! Who: Junior Girl Scouts Where: Camp Whispering Pines When: April 17 (check-in will last from 7pm-10pm) – April 19 noon Bring: Completed permission slip (F-204) and medical form (F-185) for girl participants, camping supplies (toilet paper and soap!). Min./Max.: 20/40 girls, 10/23 adults Cost: $15/girl participant, $5/adult Deadline: two weeks before Contact: (General) Mary LeMaster, (713) 292-0357 or mlemaster@sjgs.org Note: Troops will need to bring their own meals. Troops will also need to provide a first aider and have at least one adult who has been camp trained. | |
| Price: |
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For website and other information: https://gssjc.ebiz.uapps.net/VP/Default.aspx?TabID=796&ProductId=1385357359
When I began my first job, I had no idea how complex the language of the industry I had chosen was. My first project involved analyzing several well logs and creating structure, isopach and net pay maps. Armed with two boxes of logs and a set of interpretation manuals, I began my journey into the oil-field world of special terms and abbreviations. Aside from becoming familiar with the abbreviations for various wireline log types and curves, which I will not mention specifically to avoid being accused of vendor bias, I learned the difference between sands that were porous and non-porous, or tight sands. I felt pretty good about my ability to discriminate between the two, so imagine my confusion when I found a large “Tight Hole” stamp on a well that clearly had a significant thickness of porous sand. So I began a career of learning new terms, applying familiar terms to new things; and constantly wrestling with and trying to decipher the abbreviations that we, as an industry, seem to love. When I began my career, a new geologist was expected to get well-site experience as soon and as often as it was available. My first trip to the well-site allowed me to learn yet another set of terms and abbreviations, some real and some created simply to give the new person (the geologist, in particular) a hard time, hopefully in a good natured sense. You only ask once to be directed to the dog house, an odd place to find the drillers and company man in charge. After a futile search for the blue metal stretcher (needed because the red one was broken) and the key to the V-door, I began to be a bit less naïve. The new terms and abbreviations, such as ROP, MD, TVD, KB, RT (not the resistivity related RT), BOP, joint (which I understood in a completely different context), stand, MW, kelly, monkey board, slips, and the ever confusing “gas units” seemed to arrive in a f lood.
As my career evolved, I constantly had to learn new terms. In most companies just learning the abbreviations for the various entities within the company posed a real challenge. Frequent re-organizations and mergers made this even more challenging. While working on development projects, TVT, TST, TVD became important. Net/gross, perhaps one of the more simple concepts but often used in a very poorly defined or poorly understood sense, mattered. “Walking logs” updip to create net pay maps was a useful concept. Net sand (usually based on a simple GR or SP cut-off), net reservoir (now the porosity cut-off is added) and net pay (finally water saturation, Sw, appears) form a funnel with the values successively decreasing or, sometimes, remaining the same. Seems simple, but I have personally seen analyses and presentations where the net pay was greater than the net sand.
When I was encouraged to attend training courses related to topics outside of my discipline, I became exposed to yet another set of abbreviations and terms: Bo, Bg, RF, VR, k , TOC, S1, S2, S3, Tmax, CAOF, and many others. In my opinion, the drillers are the best at creating abbreviations. My favorite abbreviation of all time came from a completion report on a well my company was participating in. The report followed a perforation job and it read “SISTASF”. Wow! Turns out, this means “Surface inspection Showed That All Shots Fired”. Obvious, no? I have always been impressed by the ability of drillers to condense 24 hours of activity into a single line composed of the first letter of every activity that occurred, even abbreviating abbreviations!
Terms and abbreviations aren’t the only things that can be confusing. After spending many years working domestically and for a single company, I had the opportunity to work in West Africa. It was there that I got tripped up by colors. Everyone knew that oil was green, gas was red and water was blue when colored on a map or on a log. The first set of maps that I looked at when arriving at my new posting seemed to be completely wrong. Our partner had clearly made a huge mistake, as the oil (green on their maps) was structurally higher than the gas (red on their maps). Thinking I had found something terribly important, I went to see my boss who was kind enough to point out that this particular company, in this particular country, used a different color convention.
Most importantly, I have learned to ask when I find a term or abbreviation that I don’t understand. I have seen very senior people pretend that they understand and then, when they began to explain to someone else, realize that they had no idea what they were talking about. Our industry uses these terms and abbreviations (or jargon, if you like) with the assumption that the audience always shares our level of understanding. Following a very good presentation on upstream and downstream strategies made by a former manager to the entire subsidiary, during which everyone shook their heads in agreement, I was approached by several people and asked to explain what upstream and downstream were. We should not be afraid to ask about what we don’t understand nor should we make it uncomfortable for those to whom we are speaking to ask us. Not long ago, I was involved in an exercise related to the way a company wanted to work. The task was to use the model to plan a project to install rain gutters. We raced off and were, virtually, ordering tools, and parts and planning the job. Before we got too far along, it became obvious that at least two of the people involved in this process had absolutely no idea what rain gutters were, even though they were happily and enthusiastically ready to install them.
By the way, my most recent unfamiliar abbreviation came from the header of one of the columns on a mudlog. It was “MSE”. It took me a while, but after asking friends and doing a bit of independent research, I now know that it stands for Mechanical Specific Energy and is a way to measure and help improve drilling efficiency. Can’t go any further than that, but I have learned a little something new.
Well, as Christmas has come and gone, it’s time to ponder what you might want to read in February. It will be old news by then, but gasoline is under $2.40 per gallon on the west side of Houston. A search of the web shows that it is as low as $1.95 near Pearland. West Texas Intermediate is $58.15 as I ponder these things. I know that some people read the Look Back in Time columns. Steve Allen informed me that it was he and not Steve Adams who partnered me to a HGS Tennis Tourney title way back when. Unfortunately for Steve, I don’t think that the tennis plaque is up at the office. I will check. I think that Steve was on the winning team about six times, but my memory may be playing tricks on me.
On December 6 I attended the workshop of the Engineering and Science Council of Houston (ECH) at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This is truly a wonderful undertaking. I did not know that many of these programs existed (http://www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=197&Ite...) at the Museum. More importantly, the University of Houston has started a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) center (http://www.uh.edu/stem/) and will take over the hosting of the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH, https://sef houston.org//). This can be an eye-opening event as you see what the young minds have defined as a problem and how they have gone about resolving it. The fair is being organized more along the lines of the Intel Education Science, Math and Technology Competitions (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/competitions.html). The Texas State competition is run under similar guidelines so this will give the Houston area competitors (18 counties!!) more preparation for the State and international competitions.
Last year’s Houston representatives did quite well at State and I believe that every one of them that went to the international event placed at the International Competition in Los Angeles. These competitions don’t come without expenses and logistical needs. With the space available at U of H, the fair organizers hope to have 1200 to 1400 teams participate this year on February 28. The fair needs judges. It also needs Special Awarding Agencies. They are looking for 800 judges this year! Please visit the web site and consider serving as a judge (https://sef houston.org/ judges-agencies). It will be time well spent.
Expenses associated with this fair increase with the number of competitors and of winners moving on to the State and International competitions. HGS assists this endeavor in three ways now:
1. HGS provides annual support to the SEFH. HGS is fortunate to be able to provide a small amount of money annually that goes towards the fair.
2. HGS provides three Interning Research Assistantships (formerly the HMNS Internships) that are presented at the HGS Guest Night. There is an opportunity to meet these outstanding students at the annual ECH SEFH banquet where HGS has three tables for its members to sit and share dinner with these awardees. There are usually extra seats at the tables so if you are interested in attending, contact Claudia Ludwig or Sue Pritchett
3. The last way that HGS supports the SEFH is through a dedicated contribution to the SEFH Foundation. This foundation was established in 2014 in an effort to provide more regular present and future funding for the fair. Last year’s HGS Board agreed to provide $50,000 to the foundation established at U of H. The money will be contributed over a five-year period. Probably the most surprising bits of information that came out of the workshop include:
•The need to reach out to children in the fourth grade
•The ninth grade may be too late
• The need to “sell” the parents as much as the children
• Perceptions about science
If you’d like to see our future scientists, sign up for the SEFH, you won’t regret it! I have asked the Young Professionals to make being a member of the HGS a part of their career development. Since bringing up that topic I have learned that Schlumberger is championing such participation. Maurice Nessim, President of Schlumberger’s PTS organization is an SEG Director at large and is championing participation in the SEG. Uwem Upong, President of Schlumberger’s SIS organization is championing participation in AAPG and professional geological societies. I hope that such activity will trickle down to HGS.
Lastly, Patrick Schorn, Schlumberger’s President of Operations and Integration, has an interview on the internal Schlumberger hub where he discusses the importance of his early participation in SPE. HGS is a great way to enhance your professional development. Consider serving on a committee or as an officer candidate. There is a local society in the Pacific section whose Board comprises 100% Young Professionals. Surely Houston could have three or four. Our Legends Night will have taken place by the time this is published. I hope that you had the opportunity to attend.
Until next month, when I have to ponder something new...
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
January 31, 2015
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) program has revised the “Release Determination Report” Form (TCEQ-00621, Rev. 1/15) to be used to report the results from the investigation of a suspected or confirmed release from an underground storage tank (UST) or above ground storage tank (AST), or permanent removal from service of a UST or any routine environmental site assessment at PST sites. This form (TCEQ-00621, revised 1/15) replaces all prior versions and effective July 1, 2015, the TCEQ will only accept information submitted on the revised form. Previous versions are considered obsolete and information received by the TCEQ on or after July 1, 2015 on previous versions of the form will need to be resubmitted on the current version.
The RDR Form (TCEQ-00621, Rev. 1/15) is now interactive and is able to be completed electronically. The revised RDR form is available on the TCEQ webpage: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/remediation/pst_rp/downloads.html#IOM
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (two new bills listed):
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 930, by Miller and Doug, Relating to water well drillers and pump installers; authorizing fees. Copies of well logs must also be sent to the local groundwater conservation district. Filed 1/26/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. 1/26/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan.The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. 1/26/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. Future water availability and water use must be considered. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. 1/27/2015 Referred to Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. 1/27/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. 1/28/2015 Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 413, by Seliger, Relating to qualifications for membership on the Texas Water Development Board. "The board is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One member must have experience in the field of engineering, one member must have experience in the field of public or private finance, and one member must have experience in the field of production agriculture." Filed 1/29/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=....
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
1/31/2015
AAPG has chosen to return to the reemerging energy epicenter of Denver, Colorado, making it a can’t-miss event in 2015. Denver has consistently drawn some of the highest-recorded crowds for ACE, and preliminary signs indicate that the 2015 event won’t disappoint. ACE is a world-class event, regularly attracting an average of 6,900 global attendees - geologists, geophysicists and engineers all looking for products and services to maximize their companies’ reserves potential. The breadth and depth of the technical program is international in scope and appeals to multiple geosciences disciplines. ACE also boasts the International Pavilion, a place where exploration and investment professionals gather. It is the place to see, discuss and understand where our industry is headed. AAPG has chosen to return to the reemerging energy epicenter of Denver, Colorado, making it a can’t-miss event in 2015. Denver has consistently drawn some of the highest-recorded crowds for ACE, and preliminary signs indicate that the 2015 event won’t disappoint.
ACE is a world-class event, regularly attracting an average of 6,900 global attendees - geologists, geophysicists and engineers all looking for products and services to maximize their companies’ reserves potential. The breadth and depth of the technical program is international in scope and appeals to multiple geosciences disciplines. ACE also boasts the International Pavilion, a place where exploration and investment professionals gather. It is the place to see, discuss and understand where our industry is headed.The world’s geosciences community meets at ACE: Industry strength:As the globe’s preeminent geosciences organization, AAPG is uniquely positioned to attract a focused audience of geoscience professionals and leaders from around the world Target audience: Approximately 8,500 geologists, geophysicists and engineers from around the world will be at ACE Technical Content: Peer-selected oral and poster presentations attract industry experts who appreciate the strength of the ACE technical program International Appeal: On average, 1,350+ geoscientists from outside the U.S. attend ACE each year making it the perfect place to make global contacts.
See more information here: http://ace.aapg.org/2015
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The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
January 24, 2015
The USGS has assessed water quality from 6600 wells in regionally extensive aquifers that supply most of the groundwater pumped for the nation's drinking water, irrigation, and other uses. A series of new USGS reports highlight how geology, hydrology, geochemistry, and chemical use affect the concentrations of individual contaminants in groundwater. Regional summaries of where and why groundwater is vulnerable to contamination now are available. The report that includes the Texas Gulf Coast can be found at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1356/. Links to the other reports can be found on the same page.
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Michael D. Campbell, with I2M Associates announces the release of “Guide to Houston Faulting.” During the mid-1990s, the Institute of Environmental Technology (IET), consisting of associates of the Environmental Litigation Associates (ELA) and other senior environmental professionals in the Houston area, taught a 4-month program designed to cross-train professional refugees from a depressed oil and gas industry for the purpose of finding employment in an expanding environmental industry. Over more than 5 years, some 400 geologists, engineers, and other professionals graduated from that program, most of whom found meaningful professional employment. When the oil and gas activity returned a few years later, the graduates offered a better background to potential employers than before they were laid off. One of the objectives of the IET program was to provide continuing support after graduation. The “Guide to Houston Faulting” is the result of more than 10 years of research and discussions on the subject of interest to those in the Houston area and elsewhere in the U.S.A. The guide can be found at: http://ela-iet.com/HouFaultGuideDecember2014.pdf
Because the current Editor for the Wise Report that appears regularly in the HGS Bulletin and is member of the Planning Committee of the HGS Engineering and Environmental Committee, Henry M. Wise, P.G., and Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H, also a member of the E & E Committee, played significant roles in the generation of this guide, they are making the guide available through this venue, and the AIPG-TX website to those who have an interest in Houston faulting and associated subsidence and related issues.
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Rima Petrossian, with the Texas Water Development Board, passes on a link to the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology’s Texas Mineral Resources Map: http://igor.beg.utexas.edu/txmineralresources/
It’s an interesting, interactive map that shows areas of Texas with economic minerals.
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (four new bills listed)::
HB 30, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 835, by Larson, Relating to research, development and utilization of brackish groundwater resources. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 836, by Larson, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. Filed 1/21/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 898, by Larson, Relating to the confidentiality of certain water well reports. Filed 1/23/2015. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. Filed 12/19/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
1/24/2015
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
January 17, 2015
The EPA is proposing new rules for in situ mining. A number of states, including Texas, already have many or all of these rules in place. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy signed a draft of the proposed rules on Dec. 31. A 90-day public-comment period on the new "Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings" opens when the final draft is published in the Federal Register. The publication date is uncertain.
An EPA fact sheet on the new rules says that the original standards were issued 1983 and revised in 1995. Since that time, in situ recovery, which uses water injected into the ground to recover uranium, has become a prominent method of uranium extraction in the U.S. The standards do not address "the alteration of groundwater that occurs during the (in situ) process," according to the fact sheet. For more information, go to: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/epa-proposing-tougher-rules-for-i...
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Michael D. Campbell, with I2M Associates, has sent in the following announcement regarding his Guide to Houston Faulting:
During the mid-1990s, the Institute of Environmental Technology (IET), consisting of associates of the Environmental Litigation Associates (ELA) and other senior environmental professionals in the Houston area, taught a 4-month program designed to cross-train professional refugees from a depressed oil and gas industry for the purpose of finding employment in an expanding environmental industry. Over more than 5 years, some 400 geologists, engineers, and other professionals graduated from that program, most of whom found meaningful professional employment. When the oil and gas activity returned a few years later, the graduates offered a better background to potential employers than before they were laid off. One of the objectives of the IET program was to provide continuing support after graduation. The Guide to Houston Faulting released today is the result of more than 10 years of research and discussions on the subject of interest to those in the Houston area and elsewhere in the U.S.A. URL to Guide: http://ela-iet.com/HouFaultGuideDecember2014.pdf
Because the current Editor for Government Update that appears regularly in the HGS Bulletin and The Wise Report and member of the Planning Committee of the HGS Engineering and Environmental Committee, Henry M. Wise, P.G., and Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H, also a member of the E & E Committee, played significant roles in the generation of this Guide, they are making the Guide available through this venue to members of the Houston Geological Society and especially those who have an interest in Houston faulting and associated subsidence and related issues.
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G
1/17/2015
Greetings and Happy New Year! The New Year brings us new opportunities, new decisions, and new ponderings. As I write this column, oil prices are hovering around $75 per barrel. I paid $2.69 for gas yesterday at my local station. Offshore drilling companies are stacking rigs. Companies are talking about reducing unconventional efforts because costs are not dropping in line with product prices. We will know next month what we had to be thankful for in November, 2014. The month after that we can ponder our 2014 Christmas season. Then by March we will see what early 2015 brought to the table. On the bright side, the cold and snow may do nice things for natural gas.
The HGS Board has been busy this past calendar year. The Office Committee and the Web Site Committee are to be commended on the work that they did in filling the two staff positions that became vacant. The directors are reviewing policy manuals, employee benefits, and officer guide books. Although it has been just a few years for some updates, the officer guidebooks have not been updated in nearly 10 years.
HGS is a Gold-Level sponsor for the AAPG Imperial Barrel Award (IBA). As such, we can nominate a member to serve as a judge for the Gulf Coast event. If you are an independent with a knowledge of basin analysis, play to prospect evaluation, and willing to spend a day or two evaluating exploration team presentations, this may interest you. Shawn Kushiyama is coordinating this effort for HGS.
On that topic, this month’s General Dinner Meeting is our Legend’s recognition night. We will be honoring two Gulf Coast professors who have guided teams to the pinnacle of success in this event and placed first at the global IBA. I hope that you signed up for this!
This month Nominations Committee Chairman Barry Katz presents the candidates for office to the HGS Board. Not only is his committee responsible for getting candidates for HGS office; it also must get candidates for the AAPG House of Delegates. House of Delegates Chairman Paul Babcock and his fellow delegates are reviewing the AAPG Houston membership list as I write. Houston area members who have not renewed their dues have been suspended from active membership in AAPG. This reduces HGS membership and could reduce the number of delegates that we have. If you use AAPG insurance, your loss of active membership could affect your coverage! While you are renewing your AAPG membership, check out your HGS membership too. Add a picture to the directory, become a Friend of the Foundations, register for an event, and sign up for a committee.
Each year HGS loses members who forget to renew. Come October 1, those members get dropped from the HGS Bulletin mailing list. They won’t be receiving this bulletin or reading this column unless they go online. I encourage you to ask your coworkers if they are HGS members and get them to join if they are not. Serving as a sponsor for a new young professional is a great way to encourage them to participate in the world’s largest local professional geological society!Young professionals, have you taken an experienced professional to an HGS meeting? Have you made active participation in HGS part of your career development plan?
There is no Look Back in Time this month; I didn’t, so I have nothing to write about that subject. Jill did tell me that I had her start date wrong and I said that I would correct that. She started in September 2012. I seem to have pondered my morning away so until next month...
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
December 26, 2014
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of "Geoscience Firm" and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor; remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to the TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience; remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships; and remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms "geoscientist," "geoscience," "geoscience services," "geoscience company," or "geoscience, inc." because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG. the TBPG also proposes new rules to outline its implementation of the requirements in the Family Code Chapter 232, regarding denial of a license, nonrenewal, suspension, and reinstatement of a license due to non- payment of child support. Proposed new rules also outline the TBPG's implementation of the requirements in Texas Education Code, Chapter 57, §57.491 in regard to the nonrenewal of a Professional Geoscientist license due to a default status with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC). For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December262014/Proposed%20Rule...
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The TBPG and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in order to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 138. For more information go to: http://tbpg.state.tx.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TBAE_MOA.pdf
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (one new bill listed)::
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. Filed 12/19/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
12/26/2014
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
December 26, 2014
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of "Geoscience Firm" and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor; remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to the TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience; remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships; and remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms "geoscientist," "geoscience," "geoscience services," "geoscience company," or "geoscience, inc." because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG. the TBPG also proposes new rules to outline its implementation of the requirements in the Family Code Chapter 232, regarding denial of a license, nonrenewal, suspension, and reinstatement of a license due to non- payment of child support. Proposed new rules also outline the TBPG's implementation of the requirements in Texas Education Code, Chapter 57, §57.491 in regard to the nonrenewal of a Professional Geoscientist license due to a default status with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC). For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December262014/Proposed%20Rule...
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The TBPG and the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in order to implement the requirements of Senate Bill 138. For more information go to: http://tbpg.state.tx.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TBAE_MOA.pdf
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The following bills that may be of interest to Texas geologists have been filed. New information is listed in bold (one new bill listed)::
HB 163, by Larson, Relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues. Sets up the Southwest Water Commission to discuss water needs of the region with other states and Mexico. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 190, by Burkett, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Sets up guidelines for TCEQ analyses. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 201, by Leach, Identical to companion bill SB 109, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
HB 281, by Simmons, Relating to a limitation on the expansion of certain landfills. This is for Type I municipal solid waste landfills that are located in a municipality in a county with a population of more than 600,000 persons and not more than 500 feet from another municipality. Filed 11/12/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 77, by Ellis, Relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain entities. By 9/1/2016 twelve governmental entities, including the TCEQ, General Land Office, and the Texas Water Development Board, and every four years thereafter, shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's role with respect to climate change. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 78, by Ellis, Relating to the procedure for action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on an application for a water right. The bill sets up deadlines for reviews of applications by the TCEQ. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 109, by Taylor and Van, Identical to companion bill HB 201, Relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state water plan. Future water availability and water use must be considered. Availability includes conservation, purification and reuse. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 118, by Taylor and Van, Relating to unit operations for oil, gas, or oil and gas production from depleting reservoirs or carbon dioxide storage; authorizing a fee. Filed 11/10/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
SB 253, by Ellis, Relating to applications for permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain new or expanded facilities in certain low-income and minority communities. Filed 12/19/2014. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=...
I'll be updating this list in the future, throughout the upcoming legislative session.
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
12/26/2014
The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
December 21, 2014
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to clarify the definition of "Geoscience Firm" and remove the Geoscience Firm registration requirements currently applicable to a Professional Geoscientist who offers or performs non-exempt geoscience work for the public in Texas as a sole proprietor. TBPG proposes amendments to remove the restriction that requires a new licensee to report to TBPG within 60 days of becoming licensed the name of the firm or organization with which the licensee is employed if the employment includes the practice of geoscience. TBPG proposes amendments to remove the registration and renewal fees for sole-proprietorships. TBPG proposes amendments to remove the restriction that a business entity, unless registered, may not represent to the public that it is engaged in the non-exempt public practice of geoscience by using the terms "geoscientist," "geoscience," "geoscience services," "geoscience company," or "geoscience, inc." because usage of these terms does not require that a business entity be registered by the TBPG. TBPG also proposes new rules to outline its implementation of the requirements in the Family Code Chapter 232, regarding denial of a license, nonrenewal, suspension, and reinstatement of a license due to non- payment of child support. Proposed new rules also outline TBPG's implementation of the requirements in Texas Education Code, Chapter 57, §57.491 in regard to the nonrenewal of a Professional Geoscientist license due to a default status with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC). For more information go to: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/December262014/Proposed%20Rule...
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
12/21/2014
William F. Bishop died December 4, 2014 at his home in North Carolina. He was born Nov. 30, 1932 in Findlay, Ohio to Darl and Gertrude Bishop. He received an A.B. degree in Geology in 1954 from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio where he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and was Phi Beta Kappa. After he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 2 years, he returned to Miami and received an M.A. degree in Geology in 1957.
Bishop's major company experience included 10 years in domestic exploration with Marathon and Tenneco, 2 years in Canada and 16 years with international exploration for Ashland. He became an international consultant in 1986. The next year he worked as a subcontractor to Robertson Research International and was the principle author of a report entitled "Petroleum Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of Iraq". After that, he did basin studies and prospect evaluation in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Angola, Turkey, Iraq and Malta.
He was a prolific author, publishing 14 papers on a variety of subjects. In recognition of the quality of his papers several were republished in the AAPG and one in Foreign Reprint Series 1. His publication efforts have benefitted geologists worldwide.
Bill was also active in professional affairs. He was an AAPG delegate and active in the Houston Geological Society in various capacities, including president 1981-82. For his many innovations and contributions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1989.
For many years Bill and Julia also lived at their home Broomfields at Round Top, TX where they were engaged in the activities at Winedale, the Round Top Antique Show and the music at Festival Hill.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia Evans Bishop and their 3 children: William Sanford Bishop, NC; Sarah Evans Ninaud, Austin, TX and John Nicholas Bishop, Fredericksburg, TX. Bill and Julia have resided in NC since 1999. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to: Ashe Humane Society, P.O. Box 1776, West Jefferson, NC 28694 or Medihome Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 421. Jefferson, NC 28640.
Dr. Robert E. (Bob) Sheriff, passed peacefully at his home in Missouri City, Texas, on November 19, 2014.
Bob was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on April 19, 1922, to Reverend Charles F., a Lutheran minister, and Marjorie R. (Norton) Sheriff. The eldest of two children, Bob was raised in Mansfield and graduated from Wittenberg College in 1943 with a BS in Chemistry before attending Ohio State University for graduate work. In 1943, Bob was recruited for the famous WWII "Manhatten Project" in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and worked there until the end of the war on uranium isotope separation. In Oak Ridge he met Margaret M. Sites, another Project employee, and they married October 13, 1945. In 1949 Bob fulfilled his promise to take Margaret to Europe. After steaming overseas they biked and hitchhiked from Great Britain to Italy, the first of this couple's many international travels. Bob received his MS in Physics in 1947 and PhD in Physics in 1950 from Ohio State University and then accepted an offer from Standard of California (Chevron) to work in their new geophysical research lab in southern California. Bob worked for Chevron in a variety of geophysical and managerial positions for the next 25 years, including managing geophysical crews and drilling activity overseas in South America and Australia in the 1950's and 60's. From home base in Port of Spain, Trinidad and then Perth, Western Australia, and now with 6 young children in tow, Bob & Margaret traveled round the world 3 times on extended home leave trips before transferring back to the USA in 1966.
After retiring from Chevron in 1975, Bob served 5 years as Senior Vice-President of Development with Seiscom-Delta Corporation before joining the faculty at the University of Houston as a fully tenured Professor of Geophysics. His main interests were seismic detailing of reservoirs, 3-D seismic interpretation and seismic stratigraphy. Bob expanded his teaching activity with many US and international geophysical 1-2 week short courses. These took Margaret & Bob all over the world from the 1980's through the 2000's. In 1988 Bob took a sabbatical from UH and spent a semester teaching at Charles University in Prague. He spent another semester teaching at Curtin University in Western Australia in 1993. In 2003, Bob retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Houston with over 23 years teaching geophysics. Bob maintained an office at the University for many years afterwards as he continued to stay involved with the geoscience department and attend Friday seminars each week.
Bob & Margaret took an interest in the bright young minds they met overseas and endowed several SEG Scholarships for international students wishing to continue their studies in geophysics at the University in Houston. Bob & Margaret believed strongly in the value of education and established the endowed Faculty Chair in Applied Seismology, an endowment in Applied Geophysics, an endowed Professorship in Sequence Stratigraphy and an endowed Professorship in Geophysics at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Houston. Bob thoroughly enjoyed teaching and had faith in education as the driver in human progress. One of Bob's greatest strengths was his ability to explain complex subjects clearly and directly.
Bob is widely known and respected in the geophysical community for his numerous publications. Bob has authored and co-authored over 6 geophysical textbooks, many still in print today. Bob was an active member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAEG), and the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH). He served as First Vice President for SEG from 1972-73 and also served on numerous SEG Committees through the years. Bob was active with GSH and continued attending lectures, short courses and special interest meetings long after he retired. In 1969, Bob received the prestigious SEG Virgil Kauffman Medal for his initial publication of the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Exploration Geophysics. Along with dozens of other industry and educational awards over the years, Bob was again honored in 1998 with SEG's highest award, the Maurice Ewing Award, for his lifetime achievements in geophysics. In 2006, SEG members voted Bob's 1973 dictionary as the top geophysical book ever published for the industry, citing a copy could be found in every working exploration office.
Growing up with National Geographic magazines in the house, Bob developed a passion for adventure and travel. With a corresponding passion, Margaret proved to be the perfect companion. In their extensive travels together they visited all 7 continents and nearly 100 different countries in all parts of the world. In 1996, they fulfilled a life long goal to visit the 7th continent. From Australia, they took a small cruise ship to Antarctica and enjoyed walking with penguins, sailing past the Ross Ice Sheet and touring huts left by early Antarctica explorers. Bob's delight in travel never diminished and he and Margaret were still taking overseas trips well into their 80's.
Bob equally had passion for music and art. He was a life-long opera enthusiast. As a teenager, when the New York Opera visited Cleveland, Ohio, Bob and a friend would hitchhike to the city to attend the shows. Bob had a prodigious self-education in history, great books, geography, music and the arts. Bob attended dozens of concerts, programs and exhibits each year at the Houston Symphony, Moore's School of Music at the University of Houston, Theater Under the Stars, and especially shows at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Bob was active with Church Youth Groups and local School Board politics during his child rearing years. He was a long time member of Pines Presbyterian Church in Houston. Along with his enjoyment of reading and writing, Bob loved long walks and working in his yard.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard K. Sheriff; and son-in-law, Anthony J. Makowski III. Left to honor and cherish Bob's memory are Margaret, his wife of 69 years; sister, M. Ruth (Sheriff) Fellmeth of Canal Fulton, Ohio; daughter, Anne Makowski of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Susan Sheriff of Rowlett, Texas; daughters, Jeanne Sheriff of Fort Collins, Colorado, Susan Hunter and her husband Jim of Missouri City, Texas, Barbara Barnes and her husband Bill of Junction, Texas, and Linda Barasch and her husband Spencer of Arlington, Texas; his grandchildren, Gen Bennett and her husband Casey, Kathy Makowski, Tony Makowski IV, Rachel Patterson, Taylor Sheriff, Bill Wallberg and his wife Lauren, Laura Hunter, Jessica Hunter, Stephen Hunter, Alix Barasch, Lance Barasch, and Katie Barasch; and great-grandchildren, John, Joey and Lorelai Bennett, and Ada and Violet Wallberg.
A Memorial Service for Dr. Sheriff will be held at 2:00 PM, December 13, 2014, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX, 77478. A reception will follow immediately afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert & Margaret Sheriff Endowment in Applied Geophysics online at https://giving.uh.edu/nsm, or by mail to University of Houston, 214 Science and Research II, Houston, Texas, 77204-5008. Contact Janis Parsley at 713-743-8375 or parsleyj@uh.edu for more information.
We are in the middle of October. UT has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in Dallas; Baylor won the basketball game against TCU with 24 unanswered points in the last 11 minutes; Ole Miss and Mississippi State are angling for a showdown at the end of the season. It has been a strange fall sports season as even my alma mater (Albion College, Michigan) played basketball, winning 77-22 this past weekend (October 11)! But October means that it is time for the December Bulletin and allows me some more time to ponder.
There is much to write about as the season for giving approaches. There was the GCAGS Convention the first week in October; the Earth Science Week and Whiskey Bridge Field Trip after that; and by the time this is published there will have been the FallEducation Conferences and the Sally Ride Festival. I hope that you were able to attend and enjoy some of these events.
Christmas is a time for giving. HGS is fortunate to be able to give. The society gives to its foundations; the Gulf Coast IBA (Imperial Barrel Award) event; Outstanding Students; HMNS Summer Interns; and a recognized K-12 earth science teacher. We have agreed to commit $50,000 over five years to help establish a foundation to guarantee the financial future of the Houston Earth Science Fair. We are fortunate to be able to do these things because a dedicated group of long-serving volunteers have made such events as the African Conference, Mudrocks Symposium, Legends Night, and AAPG Annual Conventions financially very profitable and rewarding for HGS. It’s time to give those volunteers a rest and to give the next generation of leaders a chance to develop. I urge the young professionals and NeoGeos to discuss these career development opportunities with your managers and work with them to allow you to participate in a bigger way inside HGS. It’s never too late (or too early) to give now so that you can receive later. AAPG/SEG held their Student Expo in Houston at the same time as the Africa Conference in September. I haven’t seen a report on its success. However, it has been growing each year and has attracted students from as far away as Hawaii in the past!
I mentioned the GCAGS Convention in early October. This meeting took place in Lafayette and was well attended. There were several interesting sessions and John Jordan has returned with several possible talks for future HGS events. The Ethics session was well attended and several HGS speakers (Matt Cowan, Glenn Lowenstein, and Rusty Riese) made presentations. There was a highly condensed (maximum f looding surface??) presentation on fracking from AAPG Distinguished Lecturer Don Clarke that should attract a large crowd if we could have it in Houston.
As HGS President, I represent the society at the GCAGS Boardmeetings held twice each year. In addition to conducting Board business, the presidents from the 13 Affiliated Societies present reports about their recent activities. HGS is fortunate to have a longer “corporate” memory with GCAGS than many of the smaller societies. I am always surprised when I attend one of the GCAGS Board meetings and an Affiliated Society president states that he “didn’t know that” or “no one told me”. In many respects GCAGS is a multi-society version of HGS. If you don’t actively participate you don’t know what is going on. And GCAGS is undergoing some changes just like HGS has experienced this year. For the next portion of this month’s column I’d like to review some significant information that came out of this year’s annual GCAGS Board meeting.
•AAPG has 15 Affiliated Societies in the Gulf Coast. AAPG includes the Everglades Geological Society (which failed to complete the requirements for GCAGS affiliation by never attending a Board meeting) and the Florida Association of Professional Geologists (which to my knowledge has never sought affiliation with GCAGS). GCAGS recognizes 13 Affiliated Societies which are located in Florida (1), Alabama (1), Mississippi (1), Louisiana (4), Texas (5), and Mexico (1). The Mexican Society, AMGP, comprises 8 local societies of its own.
•Any member of an affiliated society is a member of GCAGS. AAPG members can claim membership in a section other than where they receive their mail. GCAGS elections are carried out by AAPG. Therefore if you are a GCAGS member, but not an AAPG member, you may miss out on voting and announcements. The differences in membership reported by AAPG for the Affiliated Societies and what the Affiliated Societies claim can vary by a few hundred people and they are definitely not one for one. I don’t know if the Everglades and FAPG vote for Advisory Council representatives, but perhaps they do.
•As we have learned since 2005, GCAGS has had some “minor” difficulties with its convention schedule. These conventions are the primary source of income for the Section. Profits from the convention are split 35% for the host society and 65% for the Section. The host society does not bear any loss if such should occur. HGS has been the beneficiary of many successful conferences and conventions. Unfortunately because of the recent convention attendance and cancellation issues that have occurred along with the “wonderful” certificate of deposit rates, GCAGS has had to make some difficult financial decisions. They are cutting back on the faculty and student grant programs. There may be some difficult decisions to make about grants next April. They have done away with several travel grant or support programs that Affiliated Societies and grant winners were not using. They have had to reduce the support that they provided to the IBA contest. They are still supporting the Owen R. Hopkins Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award. The winner of this award is typically the GCAGS candidate for the AAPG Teacher of the Year Award.
•Three years ago GCAGS began producing a peer-reviewed publication (the GCAGS Journal ) with papers solicited from those submitted in the “Call for Papers” for the convention. Barry Katz will be the editor for the Journal for 2 014 -17. GCAGS is considering separating the Journal from the convention to increase the number of papers that might be submitted and allowing more time for the review process. I will see if Barry will write something for the HGS membership after he completes his Nominations Committee duties.
•Steve Hill, the long-time GCAGS Treasurer, has announced that he is stepping down after the 2015 convention in Houston. Steve has served as GCAGS Treasurer for more than 10 years. The primary bank accounts have been handled out of Houston and the associated Finance Committee members are here in Houston. Although the treasurer does not have to come from Houston that seems to be how it has worked. (SWAAPG’s treasurer always seems to be from Midland for similar reasons.) This is a tremendous opportunity for an HGS member to step forward and make an impression on the Gulf Coast Section.
•Kate Kipper will be stepping down by year’s end as Executive Director for GCAGS. Kate has served GCAGS for 10 years. Dallas Dunlap, Chairman of the Continuity Committee, has begun a search. Currently the Director resides in Austin because of the available facility space in the BEG. However, as with Steve, this is not necessarily carved in stone. Unlike Steve’s office, this is a salaried position.
•Affiliated Societies present their reports during the lunch period at the Board meetings. I always find it intriguing to learn what the societies do for scholarship and community outreach. Back in 2009 when I was conducting surveys for the GCAGS Continuity Committee I was struck by the amount of money given for scholarships, teacher support, and faculty and student grants. As a group, more than $134,000 is annually provided to students by the GCAGS and its Affiliated Societies. Houston has outstanding programs for community outreach, but we are lagging behind several of the other societies in our furthering of the Maps and Bones in the Schools programs.
If you’ve got a penchant for organization and education, these HGS programs could sure use your leadership and participation. I sometimes wonder if writing about something causes change. In my October “Look Back in Time” I recounted our office locations and staff history. It was quite a surprise to receive letters of resignation from our Office Director Sandra Babcock and Web Master Troy Fernow after that issue went to press. As President of the Houston Geological Society I want to wish them both success in their future endeavors. Their efforts in support of HGS operations are greatly appreciated. The Board welcomes Andrea Peoples as our New Office Director. Andrea started on October 20. HGS has also hired Brittany Davis-Morris as our Web Manager effective November 10. She will be handling web questions, password resets, helping with reservations, and examining ways for us to make better use of Dianna Phu’s social media information. Please welcome Andi and Brittany to HGS. Stop by the HGS office to introduce yourself and say hello. HGS is now up to 15 employees in its history. To my knowledge we don’t have any plans to move offices even though I wrote about those locations in October also.
The General Lunch meeting is coming back for the spring. All the meetings will be at the Petroleum Club. I hope that you had a chance to participate in the NeoGeo Etiquette Dinner in October. It offered HGS members a final look at the Houston skyline from the club before it moves to its new location. Speaking of skylines, you have to get an HGS mouse pad! It displays the Houston skyline across the top with space for notes at the bottom. When the notes are full, tear off the page and use a “fresh” mouse-notes pad! I picked mine up at the HGS booth in Lafayette.
Don’t forget Legends Night next month! Not only will we be honoring HGS scholarship winners; we will also have a chance to mingle with participants from past IBA events. This is the perfect opportunity to “corner” your favorite young professional and share a dinner with them. Remember, giving now enables you to receive more later in return. Participation in HGS is an investment in your professional development and ensures the future of our Society.
A few months ago, during a discussion of various things with Lisa Krueger, our Design Editor, the conversation turned to the printing of the Bulletin . She suggested that I visit the printers and take a look at exactly how the Bulletin is prepared. As I am always interested to learn something about which I know virtually nothing, I jumped at the opportunity.
This month, I’d like to share a bit about the company and people responsible for taking the digits that we provide and transforming them into the Bulletin that we look forward to receiving early each month. Prime Source Office Solutions, located just east of I-45, north of the intersection of I-45 and I-10, was formed in 1987. It occupies a relatively modest building and provides a variety of printingand office-related services. Prime Source has been printing the HGS Bulletin since 2002. During my tour of the shop, I had the opportunity to meet three very special people and witness the printing press in operation while it was printing the coming month’s Bulletin.
Kendra Williams, the President of Prime Source, joined the company about 25 years ago and has seen it grow by acquisition, merging in over 30 businesses over the years. Her original career was as a teacher, using her degrees in Math and English from Texas A&M. According to Kendra, she quickly realized that teaching wasn’t for her and she switched careers, working for 15 years as a Pension Actuary with clients and building retirement plans prior to joining Prime Source. She takes a great deal of pride in owning and running a company that is “large enough to tackle almost anything and small enough to still give personal service in a highly competitive environment.”
Bill Aveck, the Print Shop Manager, attended high school at Houston Technical Institute to learn a trade. Not knowing what course to take, he “just closed my eyes and put my finger on PRINTING.” He graduated in 1979, top in his printing class, and then worked for mostly small printing companies until 1990 when he and his wife and opened their own printing company, BB&R Printing. After about 3 years of hard work and long hours, they merged with Prime Source, and after 21 years, he reports that he is “still printing and having fun. “ Tim Wright, the Large Press Operator (prints the Bulletin) started out in the family printing business with his father. According to Tim “I have enjoyed a 48-year career in the printing industry. In 2006, we sold our company to Prime Source and I have been employed by them ever since. It’s nice to still feel like I’m working for a family business. From pre-press, press room and bindery, I have learned many aspects of the printing process, but find that I still learn something new almost every week.” Of geological interest, Tim uses a hand lens to check the alignment on the prints.
In his October column Ken mentioned that one of the characteristics of geologists was passion for their science. I think that we also appreciate passion in any profession. The passion of the team at Prime Source is impressive. The commitment and passion for their profession that I witnessed when they were answering my questions and showing me around their shop left me with a very strong positive impression. I’d like to thank all of them for this. It is a real pleasure to meet people doing what they love, doing it well, and having fun in the process. Of course, after printing, the Bulletin still has to be bound and shipped. I hope to be able to see these operations in the future and am looking forward to sharing the experience. Until next month...Take care.
