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WGA Field Trip to Hell's Half Acre

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Friday, September 13th

In-person luncheon, Ramkota (Teton Room): 800 N Poplar St, Casper, WY 82601 ($20 for lunch)

Who: Stephen Whitaker

Job Title/From: Senior Petroleum Geologist, Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute

Title: Interesting Observations at the Minnelusa Outcrop, Glendo Reservoir

 Abstract:

Subsurface work at the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute has led to the development of a new method for correlating beds within the Upper Minnelusa. This new method can be used to help develop strategies to improve and enhance production in existing fields. Outcrop work is helpful in supporting or modifying the work being conducted in the subsurface and the exposures at Glendo reservoir were looked upon as a great opportunity to do just that. Upon examination, however, it was obvious that the Minnelusa sands there had been disturbed by some penecontemporaneous event that had not-as-yet been defined. A fortuitous publication regarding a theoretical major meteor impact in extreme southeastern Wyoming, about 100 miles away, might provide a clue to the observations observed.

Biography:

Mr. Whitaker received his Bachelor’s Degree in Geology from the University of Southern California in 1975 and his Master’s Degree in Geology from the University of Colorado in 1978.  He began his professional career in Denver, working as an exploration geologist with both major and independent oil companies and helping find several new fields in the Powder River and Williston basins. The collapse of the oil industry in the mid-1980s led him to work for the Illinois State Geological Survey, where he published numerous articles and lectured on new exploration concepts and on enhanced oil recovery methods. Steve founded and ran his own oil company in 1992 and for the next 18 years owned and operated numerous oil wells in the Illinois Basin while also conducting exploration and enhanced oil recovery projects. He then worked for Devon Energy in Oklahoma City developing and evaluating unconventional oil plays in the Illinois Basin and in the Eagle Ford play in Texas. Steve has been with the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute since 2017.

Topic: “The 2024 Energy Landscape”

The dynamics of the oil and gas industry are being driven increasingly by a globalist effort to transition to renewable energy under the guise of preventing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. We will explore what oil and gas demand is doing and how the industry is responding to that with supply. The environments of regulatory pressure and geopolitics are also explored.

Biography:  Leo works mostly on reservoir descriptions and matching the most appropriate technology for the application. He specializes in horizontal well drilling and completion designs, reserves, valuations, and acquisitions work, as well as providing litigation support for oil and gas matters, and strategic guidance for oil and gas investors. Some of his recent projects include characterizing unconventional redevelopment opportunities in the Wind River Basin and conventional Muddy recompletions in the Powder River Basin using petrophysics, geomechanical models, and researching offset history. He has authored numerous articles for SPE, WGA, IADC, ASME, World Oil, Drilling Contractor, and American Oil and Gas Reporter. He publishes a weekly oil and gas industry newsletter, and serves on the Technical Review Committee for SPE’s Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering and Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology. He was named Outstanding Technical Editor in 2018. He is also a member of the Northern Rockies Chapter of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Wyoming Geological Association and a Professional Engineer in the state of Wyoming.

The WGA's 1st Annual Kids-Day-Out Field Trip

Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail

Alcova Lake, Wyoming

Meet at Cottonwood Beach at 10:00 a.m.

Explore different types of fossils, with a focus on the Dinosaur Trail, also looking at the Pterosaurs tracks and finding Belemnite fossils.

Lunch at noon. Please bring a sack/picnic lunch.

Lily Barkau is the Groundwater Section Manager of the Water Quality Division at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and has been with WDEQ for 18 years.  In her current role at WDEQ, she oversees groundwater quality assessments across the State.  She worked on the UIC Class VI primacy application with Wyoming receiving primacy of the Class VI program in 2020.  She is a Board Member for the Groundwater Research and Education Foundation and was recently appointed to the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Federal Lands CCS Permitting Task Force. 

Ms. Barkau holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wichita State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.  She is also a licensed Professional Geologist in Wyoming.  

Wyoming Geological Association, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, October 11, 2024 Presentation for the Wyoming Geological Association:

Wyoming Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration Regulations and Projects

Wyoming has been and continues to be one of the leaders in carbon capture and sequestration regulations with legislation dating back to 2009.  In 1983, Wyoming received primacy of Underground Injection Control Class I through V wells. Already having primacy of five well classes, Wyoming applied for primacy of Class VI wells in 2018 and was the second state to receive primacy of Class VI wells in 2020 for the purposes of long-term storage of carbon dioxide, also known as geologic sequestration.   Primacy programs are established pursuant to Section 1422 of the SDWA which requires applicants to meet EPA’s minimum requirements for UIC programs, including a demonstration that the state has: (1) jurisdiction over underground injection; (2) regulations that meet the federal requirements for 1422 programs; and (3) the necessary administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement penalty remedies pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 145.13 authorities.  Without primacy, operators work with EPA to obtain permits.   Three states currently have primacy of Class VI wells; North Dakota being the first, followed by Wyoming, and in December 2023, Louisiana. Since receiving primacy of Class VI wells, Wyoming has been active in working with interested parties to complete Class VI permit applications with the first three Class VI permits to construct issued in December 2023.  This presentation will provide information on Wyoming regulations for CCUS, the permitting process, and concluding with a status of projects for CCS to date.

Title: Subsurface Energy and Digital Innovation

Abstract:

This presentation introduces the Subsurface Energy and Digital Innovation Center (SEDI), a newly established center of excellence within the University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources.  SEDI focuses on integrating digital technologies into energy research, with core areas in Blockchain for Sustainable Energy, AI and Big Data Analytics, Scientific Machine Learning, Novel Fluids, and Digital Twins using Virtual and Augmented Reality. These initiatives are designed to tackle industry-relevant challenges, drive innovation, and promote sustainability across the energy sector—locally in Wyoming and globally.

I will highlight several ongoing projects at SEDI, showcasing practical applications and their real-world impact on energy extraction, storage, and environmental performance. These projects illustrate how SEDI is positioned to lead digital transformation within the energy sector.

Additionally, I will provide a sneak peek into a new initiative within the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering—the Integrated Rock and Fluid Dynamics Research Laboratory. This state-of-the-art facility is being developed to pioneer breakthroughs in enhanced primary recovery from unconventional reservoirs by bridging the gap between rock mechanics and fluid dynamics. This holistic approach will enable more efficient hydraulic fracturing techniques and lead to substantial advancements in unconventional resource development.

Bio:

Dr. Soheil Saraji is an Associate Professor of Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Wyoming and the director of the Subsurface Energy and Digital Innovation (SEDI) Center of Excellence. He also co-directs the Hydrocarbons Research Laboratory. With over two decades of research experience, Dr. Saraji has made significant contributions to subsurface energy extraction, storage, and carbon geo-sequestration. His work includes over 80 peer-reviewed journal publications, conference proceedings, book chapters, and U.S. patents, as well as a recent book on Sustainable Oil and Gas using Blockchain.

Topic:  A broad overview of the UW Energy Research Program

Energy Research at the School of Energy Resources 

The University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources (SER) mission is to advance energy-driven economic development for Wyoming. To fulfill this mission, the SER serves as the hub for innovative energy research projects that address emerging challenges facing the Wyoming energy landscape. This presentation will provide a broad overview of the various research initiatives and describe the significant large-scale field projects being developed across the state. 

Highlighted projects include the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project, a commercial-scale CO2 storage project located adjacent to Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Power Station, aimed at developing commercial-scale underground storage. Additionally, the carbon engineering program seeks to develop new uses of Wyoming coal. Another key initiative is the Mowry Project, a multidisciplinary effort focused on unlocking the potential of Wyoming’s largest unconventional resource. And a project that uses a novel water treatment technology to treat oil and gas produced water as feedstock for hydrogen production.  

Bio:

Scott Quillinan serves as the Senior Director of Research at the School of Energy Resources (SER), University of Wyoming. With over 18 years of experience, Quillinan focuses his work on providing solutions to Wyoming's emerging energy challenges. He and his team are known for deploying large-scale energy research projects across the state, driving advancements in areas such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), oil and gas exploration, rare earth elements, critical minerals, hydrogen, and innovative coal applications.

A licensed professional geologist, Quillinan holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Wyoming. His expertise has led to active participation in national and international committees, working groups, and delegations, where he provides strategic insights on global energy issues.

Born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming, Quillinan loves Wyoming outdoors and is an avid supporter of Wyoming Cowboys football.

Title:  Ethics in the Petroleum Industry – Issues and Overview

Abstract/Outline:

• Introduction
• Duty to Comply with Professional Ethics Rules/Codes
  • Engineers:
    • Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers
    • Society of Professional Engineers (National Society of Professional Engineers)
    • State of Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors
  • Geologists:
    • Wyoming Geological Association (American Association of Petroleum Geologists)
    • Wyoming Board of Professional Geologists
  • Consequences of Unethical Conduct/Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Common Ethical Issues
    • Conflicts of Interest
    • Confidentiality and Protecting Confidential Information
  • Conclusion

Bio:

Jacob (Jake) T. Haseman is a Shareholder Attorney at Beatty & Wozniak, P.C. in Sheridan, WY. He maintains an active energy and natural resource-based legal practice and has practiced law since graduating from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2007. Jake’s legal practice has traditionally focused on oil, gas, and water; particularly regulatory and administrative work in front of various state regulatory bodies, Federal lands, title examination and curative, litigation surrounding oil and gas, real property, contracts, and title issues, real estate transactions, eminent domain, and various title and contractual surface issues for a variety of parties in the energy and natural resources sector. 

Prior to relocating to Sheridan in 2008, Jake worked as an Honors Trial Attorney for the United States Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources Section in Washington, D.C. Jake is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Wyoming and an active member of his community, currently serving as a board member for both the Sheridan County YMCA and the Chandler H. and Mercedes K. Kibbee Foundation for Children. Jake is also an active alumni and supporter of both the University of Wyoming and the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, including serving as Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resource’s Professional Land Management Program.

Jake was raised outside Lafayette, Indiana. After receiving a natural resource-based undergraduate education in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and before receiving his legal education in Laramie, Wyoming, Jake lived and worked in the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Jake is an avid fly fisherman and enjoys exploring the mountains and open spaces of the West with his wife (Brenda), dogs (Izzy and Murphy), family and friends.