| OGSR Wireline
By OGSR Library
July 2017 |
Hi ,
Welcome to the third quarterly edition of OGSR Wireline
2017.
This edition features our yearly summer updates! See what's happening now in Ontario, what it's like working as a summer student at the Library, get a sneak peak of our summer projects we have underway and check out a deck of historic Sanford photos.
Let us know if you have any requests for future articles, and in the meantime,
Keep exploring,
OGSR Library Team Jordan, Liz, Candace, Matt, Brenna, Maia, Ryann,
Kyle, Bayden and Evan |
Oil and Natural Gas Production in 2016 What do the finalized numbers say about 2016 production?
| The OGSR Library is more than just a data warehouse! This article will take you through some of the summer work the Library has taken on.
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The Student Perspective A fun, yet accurate depiction inside the lives of OGSRL's summer
students
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Monthly Drilling Report - March 2017
by OGSR Library Team
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Continue Reading for Full Stories
Oil and Natural Gas Production in 2016 Jordan
Final oil and natural gas production data for 2016 has been received and cross-referenced. Production is down quite substantially for the year, although not as
much as early reporting indicated.
A total of 118 operators submitted Annual Reports to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 53 operators reported producing oil and 64 operators reported producing natural gas.
Oil production for the year was 56,867 m³ (357,683 barrels), down ten percent from the year before (see table 1 for details).
Natural gas production was 155,311 10³m³ (5.5 BCF), down three percent
from the year before (see table 1 for details).
Table 1: Oil and Natural Gas Production in 2016 vs. 2015 Reduction in oil production was significant in 2016, equaling the total production by Ontario's second largest oil producer.
Absence of new well inventory and a sharp reduction in the treatment and stimulation of existing wells are driving these steep declines in production.
Paper records for 2016 production are now available for browsing in the Library. Scans should be available for browsing online by the end of July.
Updates to the injection, disposal, and geo-geo databases are already available from the Library.
Thanks to a project funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry more historic production data is now available from the Library as well. Annual production for the province now goes back to 1863 and production by pool now goes back to the very
beginning with estimated data for Oil Springs going back to 1858! These new datasets are available to members as MS Excel spreadsheets from the Library. Summer Project Updates
Candace and Liz Geology ServicesSince 2014, the OGSRL has been providing Core photography services to its clients and continues to expand its collection this summer. Currently 44 cores (3,000+ boxes) have been photographed in white light, under both wet and dry conditions, and ultraviolet light (UV). By the end of the summer, its
expected that 600+ boxes will be added to the core photography collection. A new feature to complement the photography services, however, is a customized digitization KML file of the core photos which can be downloaded from the OGSRL’s website. This feature allows clients to search for wells that
have core photos from a geographic perspective.
Drill cutting sample photography (Figure 1a, 1b) is another new service now offered at the library. This past spring, we acquired an OMAX Trinocular Stereo Microscope and 19MP Camera which allows drill cutting samples to be photographed at high quality resolution with different magnifications. Examples of images taken with at different magnifications are displayed below.
The OGSRL accepts client photography requests, so if there is a core or sample interval that clients are interested in having photographed please don’t hesitate to contact us! Figure 1. Drill Cutting Photography
(a) Well licence T007168, Cons et al 34150, Mersea, 2 - 20 - VII. Oriskany Formation. Photograph (30X magnification) of Oriskany Formation Sand (165m), medium to coarse-grained quartz sand with minor
carbonate.
(b) Well licence N001922, Union J. Smelser No.2, Rainham -12 - V. Photograph (10X magnification) of Onondaga Formation (7.64m), dark grey, variably cherty, fossiliferous/argillaceous limestone.
GIS Services
While the geology databases at the OGSR Library have been maintained since the early petroleum days, the GIS databases are really only beginning to evolve. The Ontario subsurface dataset has and will continue to be a huge
focus of the Library, as we work to add-value and quality assurance to the existing information. Recently, the GIS department has begun to look beyond the surface, digging into the untapped physical data that is stored in our warehouse (Figure 2a).
Recently, the OGSR Library identified missing links between publications, data tables, physical data and GIS data available to clients and users of the facility, and have worked on
structuring our summer work around improving access. For example, the library has recently scanned its entire collection of Sanford documents. Among these were maps containing well points and other metadata which will be used to create a historic well database. The sheer volume of data that could be digitized from these historic files, as well as other collections yet to be scanned, has huge potential for researchers and members.
There are several recurring annual data releases made by the Library, many of which consist of data tables, to name a few: production, geo-geo reports, injection and disposal records, core analyses and the subsurface database. The GIS department also releases an annual Pools & Pipelines map, which shows updated pool polygon boundaries as well as production tables. This year, we will be working on re-envisioning this sheet map and its associated data into an OGSR Library Atlas (Figure
2b). We hope to roll out an Ontario Pools App within the next year as well, to accompany the data and improve its usefulness in the field.
Figure 2. OGSR Library Maps and
Models
a) The OGSR Library petroleum well database can be used to project subsurface layers across Ontario, seen below is an example of LeapfrogTM Hydro and the model currently
being worked on through a joint GSC, OGS, MNRF and OGSR project (explained below).
b) An ArcMap snapshot of hillshade and terrain used to visualize Southern Ontario relief.
Geology and GIS Special Projects
Over the past year,
the OGSRL has collaborated with several organizations to work on geology focused research projects. Some of our partners include Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Ontario Geological Survey (OGS), and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). The outcome of these projects has been very beneficial to anyone using the library’s data, as it provides them direct access to the most up-to-date geological data.
Currently, the
largest project that the OGSRL is involved in is a multi-year venture and partnered with the MNRF, OGS, and the GSC. The primary objective of the project is creating a 3D geologic and hydrogeologic model of Southern Ontario’s Paleozoic Bedrock, that will be used to characterize local and regional bedrock aquifers across south-central and south-western Ontario which covers an area of 110,000km2. Major outcomes include a revised lithostratigraphic chart and regional bedrock topography
surface (including beneath Lake Ontario), along with corrected bedrock subcropping boundaries and subsurface geological formation top picks from the Ontario petroleum well database and creating a model of the regional occurrence of bedrock groundwater. The preliminary 3D models have been created using LeapfrogTM Hydro implicit modelling software based principally on digital data for more than 300,000 formation contacts from 26,700 petroleum wells. The model displays 61 layers that
attempt to render glacial drift, bedrock topography, the regional variability of 58 Paleozoic bedrock formations and the Precambrian-Paleozoic contact (Figure 3). So far, the geology for over 50,000 formation picks has been examined using geophysical logs, core, and drill cuttings from the library. This summer the subsurface geology along the Niagara Peninsula will be examined, with special attention being given to the Amherstburg/Onondaga Formations, and the Salina, Lockport, Clinton and
Medina Groups.
Since the scope of the hydrogeology project is so large, several spin-off projects have been identified. One of them being a suite of video animations highlighting the 3D model of Southern Ontario. Through several iterations, the Library has been able to produce an animation which was presented at the GAC-MAC meeting in May, as well as the Regional Groundwater meeting back in March. Final edits will soon be made
before the animation will be released as an open file available for download. The hopes are that this media will help to educate the public on the geology and resource development of Southern Ontario.
In June, a six-month GSC mini-project was completed that investigated the subsurface distribution of quartzose sands in the Lower to Middle Devonian Strata of Southwestern Ontario. Four sandstones, which include the Columbus
Sandstone lithofacies of the Lucas Formation, the Sylvania Formation, the Springvale member of the Bois Blanc Formation and the Oriskany Formation, were characterized and mapped across southern Ontario. As part of this project, over 800 formation top picks were added or edited. A open-file report on this project is currently being drafted and will be publicly available in the near future – we will keep our readers posted!
Figure 3. 3D Hydrostratigraphic Model
Special 2017 summer geology projects at the OGSRL include the revision of the Southern Ontario’s subcropping boundaries: PART II and revising Salina salt front boundaries.
The subcrop mapping project entails a four-month OGS funded project that will review and revise Southern Ontario’s bedrock subcrop surfaces and extending these surfaces beneath Lake Huron and corresponding it to geological formation boundaries across the US boarder towards Michigan. This project will build upon work funded from a similar MNRF funded project in 2016, where subcropping boundaries from GSC and OGS maps were revised and updated, as many formation boundaries were inconsistent with
bedrock top picks reported from Ontario’s petroleum wells (Figure 4). The Salina salt front boundary revision project will consist of examining Sanford’s 1977 Salt deposit maps and better delineating the dissolution boundaries of the D, F, B, and A1 Salina group salts. These dissolution boundaries have significant impacts on the overlying strata, specifically the Devonian age formation rocks, where the subsequent collapse and fracturing enabled the formation of structural domes where
hydrocarbons became trapped.
Figure 4. Revised Subcrop Boundaries
Map
The Student Perspective
By the OGSR Library Summer Team
This year we are a spectrum of new and returning students with a broad range of interests and backgrounds. These include: medical sciences (Bayden), engineering (Evan), geographic information sciences (Kyle, Maia), and geology (Maia, Ryann). Our variety of talents give
perspectives and approaches that may be used to resourcefully solve problems and complete special projects. There are many opportunities for us to develop our knowledge and bridge the gap between education and industry. We are eager to contribute to an established and evolving industry. We hope to help future prospectors reveal Ontario’s undiscovered potential. The OGSR library is very supportive of developing the abilities and talents of students. We appreciate the support, and opportunities that the library offers through which we have become a strong, crystal lattice-like unit.
Maia Somers
Honours Double Major Geology & Geography (BSc) OGSR Library Summer Student - Database and Quality Assurance Assistant
Favourite Geologic Formation: Onondaga
This is my second summer working as a student at the OGSR Library. My experience here at the library has informed me of the potential that still lies in Ontario’s resource industry. From simple daily tasks, to the trips out in the field, I find I am constantly learning new skills every day. Just when we think we’ve solved one problem, a new one arises, and there is new work to be
done to improve our databases. These improvements will help shed a light on areas where future discoveries in the oil and gas industry could be found
As I approach the end of my undergraduate studies I have found myself searching for opportunities to use the knowledge I have gained studying both geology and geography. The OGSR Library has given me a
wonderful opportunity to exercise both my skills in mapping with GIS as well as working as a geologist. Last summer I was able to build upon these skills editing the boundaries for an updated GIS-based Paleozoic Geologic map of Southern Ontario. I completed quality assurance checks for wells to confirm the boundaries of the sub-cropping stratigraphic units. This summer I am building on my previous summer project, with a focus on refining the most anomalous areas of the map. This investigation
will consist of a thorough re-picking of formations near top of bedrock using drill-cuttings and geophysical well logs. The final map will be used as a reference tool for the geology of Southern Ontario.
Updating the maps of Southern Ontario is one of many projects I will be working on this summer. I will also help develop the drill-cutting and
drill-core databases participating in core and cuttings photography, as well as re-organizing hundreds of the cores stored in our warehouse this summer. Completion of these tasks will ensure better accessibility for viewing and sampling Southern Ontario bedrock for future client research.
The Library also plans to embark on various summer field trips this
year which will continue to develop my knowledge of the industry and the geology in Ontario. We have multiple trips planned for the summer, and have already completed a day trip to the Oil Museum of Ontario and Rock Glen. We also attended the OPI Conference (May 2017) where I learned a great deal and was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to display a poster on the work which I had completed last summer, titled: Mapping the subcrop boundaries of the Paleozoic bedrock geology of
Southern Ontario.
I hope to see many future students benefit from the OGSR summer student experience as I have. Exposure to the potential for discovery, has sparked my interest in pursuing research within Ontario’s resource industry. I believe it is of great importance for students in this field of study to be
knowledgeable about the industry in Ontario so they can contribute to its development in the future.
Evan Fortner
Grade 12 High School Student (interest in Engineering) OGSR Library Summer Student - Laboratory Assistant Favourite Geologic
Formation: False G-Unit
Prior to being hired by the OGSR Library, I had some basic knowledge of the geology and petroleum industry of Ontario, as my father is an MNRF petroleum geologist. However, I had no concept of the incredible complexity of the operations of the library. Throughout my two summer terms at the library, I have gained valuable knowledge and respect for the oil and gas industry of
Ontario. I used to joke with my mother, asking if anyone actually cared about the thousands of samples and cores hidden away in the warehouse. As it turns out, many people require the diverse services of the library. Some of my specific tasks from the past two years include creating various databases for injection reports and core, as well as labelling sample vials. I have also helped with general maintenance of the building. One other aspect of the library that stood out to me was the
informative field trips during the summer which aimed to teach the staff more about the industry as well as the geography and geology of Ontario. Though my tasks have been relatively simple, I can certainly say that I have learned a lot. Overall, this new-found knowledge and friendly working environment resulted in a very positive experience.
Bayden Hodgins
Grade 13High School Student (interest in Medical Sciences) OGSR Library Summer Student - Laboratory Assistant Favourite Geologic Formation: The Salina Salts
I am a returning student to the OGSR Library this year. I'm here once again to work on Drill Core Cataloging maintenance, by photographing core and organizing the core data analyses. By the end of this summer we plan to have 600+ core boxes photographed. In my second
summer working here at the library, my knowledge of geography and geology have once again expanded. I have learned a little about mapping using ArcGIS and that there are three different types of townships in Ontario. The three townships are Geographic, Administrative and Petroleum. Geographic townships were established mostly in the 1800s. These townships are used for geographic purposes, like land surveying. Administrative townships can consist of one or more geographic townships all as one
single entity with one municipal administration and tend to change. Petroleum Townships are close to the Geographic townships and are what we used here in the library. The people that work here always make me feel welcomed even though I'm not a geology or geography student. My experience at the library so far has been educational and I believe it will continue to be! Ryann
Keen
Honors Double Major Geology and Geography (BSc) OGSR Library Summer Student - Geology and Laboratory Assistant Favourite Geologic Formation: The Salina B-Salt
As a soon to graduate Western geology student, I was surprised to discover the information I lacked regarding the geology of Southern Ontario as well as the oil and gas industry. My position as a Summer Geology Student at the OGSR Library has provided invaluable information about the wonderful geology surrounding Southern Ontario. It has given me great exposure to the industry and potential opportunity for the
near future. In just two short months, I have already gained a plethora of knowledge and skills I am eager to apply during my final year of studies at Western.
The OGSR Library is able to provide various quality services to its clients as a result of the committed staff members. I am happy to be a part of this close-knit team who carry out every task
assigned with detail in order to provide the best possible service. Throughout the summer I have worked on database entry, quality assurance, core analysis, sample prep and many other tasks as they arise. I hope to expand my geography and GIS skills in the weeks to come as I move forward in my work.
This summer I have the privilege of working on a special
salt mapping project with two of the permanent geologists here at the Library and MNR. I am currently examining previous documents for this project to ensure a solid foundation and methodology going forward with this project. As I have learned at the library, many tasks and projects are ongoing and will continue after staff haved moved on. For this reason, it is imperative that proper documentation and information of the project be available to improve the convenience for future
staff.
As an added benefit to staff at the Library, we are fortunate enough to go on a few field trips throughout the summer. We recently visited Oil Springs and Rock Glen Conservation Area to gain a better insight of the areas. Both destinations were extremely informative and some staff even brought a couple brachiopod and rugose coral fossils back with
them! We have a couple more field trips planned in the next two months which will allow us to admire the beautiful geology Southern Ontario has to offer. I look forward to these trips and absorbing as much information as I can as it solidifies my understanding of our surroundings. I am eager to apply all the skills and knowledge I have gained from my position at the OGSR Library.
Kyle Tan
Major Geographic Information Sciences (BA), Minor Computer Science OGSR Library Summer Student - GIS and Database Assistant Favourite Geologic Formation: Precambrian When I first heard that I would be working with rocks and geology, I thought to myself
that I would be limited to those tasks. I was hired to be the GIS summer student who would assist in all sorts of geographic, map making, and database operations; but this job has been much more than that. It’s been a true pleasure working here at the OGSR Library, from the field trips, to the people, to the work; I can say that it is an honest, sincere, down-to-earth environment. Like the rock cores I’ve been dealing with, this job has been layered, solid, and
rewarding.
I am a fourth-year student majoring in geography, specifically the GIS field at the University of Western Ontario. Over the last four years, I’ve put in extensive and not to mention valuable hours reading and studying geography, GIS, and its many applications. This summer job gave me the opportunity to stand in the real world, and be able to gain an understanding of what a geographer does, and a true appreciation of
the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my post-secondary career.
In addition to the various GIS tasks I’ve been working on, I’ve had the opportunity to deal with rocks, and to expand my knowledge in all sorts of disciplines. I’ve had the tasks of organizing records, co-managing social media, creating GIS databases, mapping, taking photographs, and even a little detective work when trying to find
wells from historic data sources. This variety is all that I can ask for in a fulfilling student position; it truly is the spice of life and makes this summer all the more interesting.
Working at the library also helped me develop a greater appreciation for the oil and natural resources industry that we have in Ontario. Everyone seems to know each other, and it seems like one hardworking little family. I’ve been able to learn about
the pioneers of the commercial oil down at Oil Springs, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet the influencers today. Being able to see the producers and people behind the industry let me to see the true passion that others have for something most people take for granite, and really appreciate the tenacity that the industry has.
This industry has its little charms and it’s been a true pleasure working here at the OGSR Library, after
years of reading and studying about geography, it’s a revelation to be able to see the material learned in action. When oil is mentioned many people, and admittedly me, tend to think of the Middle East, or Alberta, or even America. But we needn’t look far to see where it is, we don’t need to traverse the oceans and cross the plains to get a whiff of the black gold. It’s right here in our own backyard and it gives me pride knowing that we are contributors to such an essential component of modern
society. The Sanford Files
By Brenna
Figure A: A simpler time, when Wednesday night entertainment was setting gas wells aflame on the Doran farm.
Figure B: In fact setting multiple gas wells aflame.
Figure C: An entertaining evening also leads to information being sent to the Department of Mines (but don’t send your postcards there now).
Figure D: And these antics happened all around the province. But really who doesn’t have fun with
fire? June 2017
New Licenses
Issued
| Licence No. | Licence Date | Operator
| County | Township | Status | TD (m) | | T012531 | 06/15/2017 | Union Gas
Limited
| Lambton | Dawn | LIC/NDR |
|
New Licences Issued for Existing Wells | Licence No. | Licence Date | Operator
| County
| Township | Status | TD (m) | | T003007 | 05/11/1970 | Union Gas Limited
| Lambton | Dawn | NGS/ACT | 574 | | T003147 | 12/16/1970 | Union Gas Limited | Lambton | Dawn | NGS/ACT | 577 | | T008460 | 12/05/1996 | Union Gas
Limited | Lambton
| Dawn | NGS/ACT | 575 | | T012205 | 01/09/2013 | Union Gas Limited
| Lambton | Dawn | NGS/ACT | 575 | | T012530 | 06/13/2017 | Van Der Molen, Ray | Haldimand | Walpole | GP/SUS | 277.98
|
Plugged
Wells | Licence No. | Plug Date | Operator | County | Township | Status | TD (m) | | T000535 | 06/06/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas
Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 425.5 | | T004040 | 06/10/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited
| Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 525.78 | | T004041 | 06/09/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited
| Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 522.73 | | T004095 | 06/14/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited
| Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 525.78 | | T004412 | 10/01/2016 | G.W. Clarke Oil & Gas Company | Lambton | Enniskillen | GP/ABD | 659.59 | | T004696 | 06/25/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GS/ABD | 666.29 | | T007294 | 04/28/2017 | Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. | Lambton | Moore | NGS/ABD | 784.5 | | T007486 | 05/02/2017 | Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. | Lambton | Moore | NGS/ABD | 777 | | T008335 | 06/02/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GS/ABD | 450 | | T008529 | 06/15/2017 | Dundee
Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GS/ABD | 545 | | T008531 | 06/13/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 550.5 | | T008767 | 06/30/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 894 | | T009496 | 11/09/2011 | Founder Resources Inc. | Lincoln | Gainsborough | GP/ABD | 137.8 | | T009520 | 06/17/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GS/ABD | 1070.3 | | T009879 | 06/22/2017 | Dundee Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 1055 | | T009880 | 06/13/2017 | Dundee
Oil and Gas Limited | Kent | Lake Erie | GP/ABD | 1200 | | T009918 | 03/25/2008 | Plains Midstream Canada ULC | Essex | Sandwich West | LPG/ABD | 485.5 | | T012488 | 05/31/2017 | Superior View Gas Inc. | Haldimand | Moulton | GP/ABD | 180 | | T012490 | 05/31/2017 | Superior View Gas Inc. | Haldimand | Moulton | GP/ABD | 188.67 | | T012499 | 03/09/2017 | Vermette, Susan & Bensalah, Miloud | Haldimand | Moulton | GP/ABD | 232.56 | | T012507 | 04/17/2017 | Sanders, Frank | Lambton | Warwick | OP/ABD | 120.4 | | T012508 | 03/16/2017 | Degroot,
Ken | Middlesex | Metcalfe | OPGS/ABD | 107.29 | | T012509 | 01/16/2017 | Underwood, Greg | Kent | Zone | OPGS/ABD | 115.82 | | T012511 | 03/29/2017 | The Lower Grand River Land Trust | Haldimand | Seneca | GP/ABD | 212.45 | | T012514 | 02/09/2017 | Johnston, Clifford & Wanda | Kent | Zone | OP/ABD |
| | T012516 | 05/11/2017 | ref_868a4fc1da50b46cb18281b9a940a5a7 | Welland | Thorold | PGP/ABD |
| | T012523 | 06/05/2017 | ref_26206beac357e0d9242ae8b963b032fb | Haldimand | Dunn | PGP/ABD |
| | T012524 | 06/02/2017 | ref_540431690679599f947384d1fdc739c7 | Lincoln | Gainsborough | PGP/ABD |
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Interested in learning more about Ontario’s geology? The OGSR Library can help you get started!
GIS Mapping Service (Special Offer!) $100 - Includes 1 Isopach map with base layers (Apx. 2 hours mapping) exported as a PDF
- Your choice of Isopach Surface with Elevation
Contours
- Base Layers – counties (US and Canada), lake bathymetric shaded relief, well locations and statuses
- Subcrop Boundaries of Ontario and Michigan (including stratigraphic chart correlating terminology)
- Shaded Relief (extracted
from OGSR Library DEM)
- Petroleum Pools Shapefiles with Production
- Base Layers – counties (US and Canada), lake bathymetric shaded relief, well locations and statuses
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OGSR Library BBQ
Stop by the library on July 26th at 12:00 PM for a free BBQ Lunch with Library Staff, Industry Professionals
and MNRF employees.
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Quick Tip: Production History
Want to know the production history of a
well? Easy! In the well card search tab on the OGSR Library Website, search for the well you'd like to see production for. Click on the production tab, and you'll see graphs and scans for the well! NEW THIS MONTH!
We now have production data for all Ontario pools going back to 1858 available in a single spreadsheet! Available upon request.
If you are having trouble viewing this newsletter, it can be viewed here.
What is the OGSR Library?
The Ontario Oil, Gas & Salt Resources Library is a not-for-profit corporation that manages all of Ontario's public drilling and production data from the petroleum and solution mined salt industries. This includes processing, storing, and providing safe and convenient access to all of the industry's drill core
and rock cuttings. The Library makes as much of this data as possible available through our online portal to members all over the world. The financial support of the petroleum industry and our membership make this possible.
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