Volunteer Committee Descriptions
Basin Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy Division
The role of the BASS technical division of the CSPG is to provide the Canadian geoscience community with exposure to the utilisation of basin analysis and sequence stratigraphic techniques in both Canadian and international settings. The theory, application and limitations of the sequence stratigraphic correlation technique are discussed and all aspects of basin analysis are debated. Two co-chairs, aided by 2 additional volunteers, head BASS. Our lunchtime talks are held on a monthly basis through the fall, winter and spring, with attendance varying from 10 to as many as 50 people.
Emerging Petroleum Resources Division
The mandate of the Emerging Petroleum Resources Division (EPRD) is to provide a forum for CSPG members that are engaged in the search, characterization, and evaluation of resources that are commonly regarded as "unconventional" in Canada. As we look ahead for future petroleum resources, much of the production is expected to come from less conventional plays. Some of the primary emerging resources include coalbed methane, gas and oil shales, gas hydrates and very-low permeability reservoirs. All of these emerging resources have large resource estimates attached, however are currently challenged by technological or economic limitations.
Monthly luncheons are held at noon on the second Wednesday of every month in the ConocoPhillips Auditorium. Speakers for the luncheons are sought from industry, academia and research institutions to include topics on coalbed methane, gas hydrates, gas and oil shales, very low permeability reservoirs and other resources that gain attention in these "unconventional resource" arenas.
Geofluids Division
The Geofluids Division's purpose is to enhance the understanding of the role that basin hydrogeology plays in the migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons. Organizing oral presentations and field trips, pertaining to hydrogeology in sedimentary basins, attains this. We also encourage exchange of ideas between geological and environmental communities.
International Division
The international division's mandate is to provide a CSPG forum for members who are interested in learning more about the geology and hydrocarbon potential of countries other than Canada.
Technical presentations will vary between offering in depth looks at specific Basins or hydrocarbon provinces to more general hydrocarbon overviews of a particular country. Talks always aim to offer some general interest in geology (including elements of sequence stratigraphy, basin formation, structural geology etc), and general interest in geography and personal insights on the cultural aspects of other countries. Also included are thoughts on the philosophy and economic imperatives of doing business in foreign places.
Our meeting schedule is to have one informal brown-bag talk every month except during the summer. The talks are held in the EnCana Amphitheatre on the second floor of the Calgary Tower.
Palaeontology Division
The Palaeontology Division provides a forum in which to present talks on topics of palaeontology and applications of palaeontology to basin analysis for those interested in the history of life and how this may have some bearing in petroleum geology studies.
Sedimentology Division
The Sedimentology Division's mandate is to provide a forum for CSPG members that are interested in sedimentology and sedimentary processes in order to showcase what is new and current in sedimentology. Topics are wide-ranging and include both clastics and carbonates. Speakers for the luncheon talks are sought from industry and academia to include topics in sedimentology and other subjects pertaining to sedimentary processes. Cross-discipline talks are encouraged including sedimentology in relation to diagenesis, biostratigraphy, and sequence stratigraphy. Field trips and short courses may be organized periodically.
The division aims to provide informal brownbag talks every month throughout the year. The lunch-time talks start at noon and finish before 1:00 pm. Talks typically average about 45 minutes followed by a short question/discussion period. Currently, our talks are held at the Nexen Annex Theatre, +15 level, north of C-Train station, 801-7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta.
If you are interested in joining the Sedimentology Division e-mail listing which currently provides luncheon reminders, or if you care to suggest a technical topic or present a talk to the division, please contact Scott Rose at (403) 699-4780 or scott_rose@nexeninc.com.
Structural Division
The main focus of the CSPG Structural Division is to discuss deformational style and history of the Canadian Rocky Mountain foreland fold-and-thrust belt especially as it relates to the formation of different hydrocarbon traps in the Foothills, but also open to Frontier and International topics of structural interest. The division provides a forum for technical talks, field trips, and professional networking for members who are interested in Structural Geology.
