Hello, my name is Devon and I am the Geologic Lab Assistant at the OGSR Library this summer. I have a range of duties including Core photography, chip sample photography, sample cutting, and shipment processing and receiving, and client assistance.

One of the first duties I conducted here at the OGSRL was sample cutting. Our clients ask for specific sets of the core to be set out where it is marked at exact depth intervals by the client. These marks indicate where I as the Geologic Lab Assistant should make the cuts. I confirm the depths making sure that the depths match the numbers indicated by the client and set up my workstation. The workstation consists of a diamond wet saw, polytube for packaging, and a hot plate to dry the samples. Before using this equipment I always make sure to have my PPE first! This includes a lab coat, goggles, and a face shield. Once the samples are cut, labeled, and packaged they can be shipped out. Often these samples are made into thin sections but there are many reasons a client may want core samples including chemical analysis, microscope photography, or even isotope testing!

Another duty I have as the Geologic Lab Assistant is chip sample photography. The library has a large inventory of chip samples from drill cuttings catalogued and placed in vials. These samples are collected at set intervals as the well is being drilled. At the library, we retrieve these samples in small bags that we wash and file and eventually place in vials with the depth interval written on the lid. Chip sample photography uses a microscope hooked up to a laboratory computer that shows the microscope view allowing us to take the best photos possible. We often take multiple photos of a sample to ensure the client gets the best understanding of the contents of each vial. Once all the photos are taken we index them by name and they are ready to be viewed by the client.

In addition to chip sample photography, we also photograph cores. The samples are photographed using a Nikon d850 and a custom-built rig to hold them in place. Core boxes are placed in the “stage” which displays pertinent information such as well license #, box #, well location, top and bottom depth, and a colour sample chart for reference. To ensure the core looks as good as possible before photos are taken the core is aggressively dusted, the best face is placed towards the camera, and pieces of the core are pushed towards the centre to ensure the best focus from the camera. The core samples are photographed in three states, Ultraviolet Fluorescence (UVF), dry, and wet. Similar to chip sample photography these photos are indexed and filed to be viewed by the client.

Overall the role of the Geological Lab Assistant is focused on the client; assisting in any way I can to ensure their work goes as smoothly as possible. If you find yourself in the OGSR Library this summer don’t hesitate to say hello and let me know if there is anything I can assist you with!

Hello, my name is Brandon and I am the Information Systems Assistant summer student. I will be entering the third year of my BSc. in Computer Science at Western University.

Throughout this summer so far, seeing how the OGSR Library stores and manages large amounts of information pertaining to the petroleum, salt and underground hydrocarbon resources, and subsurface geology for Ontario fascinates me. Furthermore, this position is a great opportunity to apply my four years of programming experience to help the Library accomplish some of its goals this summer.

So far this summer, I have been working on multiple projects focused on enhancing the digital experience for the Library’s clients. One project I’m currently working on is enhancing the user interface and tools of the core viewer page on the Library’s website. These enhancements will make it easier for clients to view core photos and analyze them for many features. Once the updated core viewer web page is completed, I will create an easy-to-follow user guide to walk clients through the web page’s functionality.

Another project I’m working on is an interactive virtual reality (VR) application where clients will be able to view and interact with 3D models of Ontario’s geological layers to get more information on well data, formation depths, and resources at different locations, all while using the Oculus Quest VR headset. Another VR application with this same purpose was developed last year by the previous Information Systems Assistant Summer Students, but I will redesign it this summer. I never thought that VR would play a role in a resource centre like the OGSR Library, and it will be very interesting to have clients use this emerging technology to gain a better understanding of the geology of Ontario.

Additionally, I have assisted the Library with data entry and data editing tasks relating to operator disposal reports.

Through these projects, I further developed my software development and problem-solving skills, and I enjoy building projects that will be used by many of the Library’s clients. I am excited to continue working on these, and other projects for the rest of the summer and to see the final products.