The last time the Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week considered the importance of geothermics was back in 2018 with Some Like It Hot. The focus at that time was on the effect subtle variations in geothermal gradient (GTG) had on the viscosity of shallow heavy oil production. At the time, the development of geothermal energy as a stable baseload source of electricity and heat was just getting started in western Canada. It is an understatement to say that a lot has changed in 6 [Read more]
Well of the Week – Now you have gone too far
Once again, the Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week celebrates the spirit of exploration. Sometimes you find a massive field and sometimes, you add to the knowledge base (aka a “science well”). Even efforts that are, perhaps, a bit misguided deserve a mention. Such is the case with Duncan Exploration Inc.’s Moyie #1 well. Whether it is the first oil well in western Canada or a gas well in one of western Canada’s largest gas fields, companies have experienced a lot of success [Read more]
Well of the Week – Image is everything
You must admit that, given the current industry focus on CCUS, geothermal, resource plays, SAGD and other endeavours, geomechanics is having a bit of a moment (again). Additionally, for readers cognizant of the geomechanical focus of Enlighten’s President, choosing 100/15-09-074-04W5/00 as the first Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week for 2024 and focusing on image logs but not geomechanics might seem off brand. In fact, this article was conceived as a follow-up to the [Read more]
Well to the Week – If at first you don’t succeed, Whip it!
Now whip it Into shape Shape it up Get straight Go forward Move ahead Try to detect it It's not too late To whip it Whip it good Devo: Whip it In the spirit of Christmas, today we offer up two Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Wells of the Week. The first, 100/14-29-109-08W6/00 is kind of like getting socks from your grandmother for Christmas. Pretty much a dry hole but there were hints of a Keg River reef and a dipmeter was part of the log suite. The second, [Read more]
Well of the Week – The Once and Future Law
Let us start with a bit of housekeeping, shall we? While this column is called the Well of the Week, I realize that the publishing interval has not always lived up to that expectation. I could cite work, vacations or any other of life’s vagaries as reasons. And sometimes you just need a break. Now, one might expect the series to be renamed but for two reasons. It already has a good if inaccurate name and I really like alliteration. So, notwithstanding any publishing date dilation, The Well [Read more]
Well of the Week – Escape From Oak Island!
The first post in this Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week series began by discussing how many people have come to the conclusion that exploring in the Second White Specks is like kicking a football held by Lucy van Pelt. What might seem promising at first will leave you lying flat on your back wondering why you still had not learned from previous experiences (I had lots of feedback from the first post, including one correspondent who referred to the Second White Specks as a [Read more]
Well of the Week – We interrupt this Second White Specks series already in progress
I originally intended to follow up last week’s Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week with a further discussion on how we could rescue the reputation of the Second White Specks. But before I could submit the article, I attended a Gulf Canada alumni reunion and memorial for a recently passed friend. It was a wonderful time to see old many old friends and mentors again. And I thought it worthwhile to pre-empt the Second White Specks series. The Well of the Week started as a way [Read more]
Well of the Week – Is this formation the Oak Island of the WCSB?
Follow along as this article delves into the distinction between a chimera and a true exploration prospect. Humans are drawn to the idea of buried treasure. A stash of pirate gold and other loot hidden just under the surface if you only know where to dig. Sure, there might be some booby traps. You might not find it with your first hole. Or your tenth. But you know it just has to be there. Such is the allure of Oak Island. Legend (or promoters) would have it that there lies Captain [Read more]
Well of the Week – A clear rule-r to guide the decision making process
Geology is a science; exploration is a business. - Marlan Downey The last couple of Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week articles have been contemplations on the drilling decision making process. This final entry in the trilogy is also a trip down memory lane to my early days at Gulf Canada Resources Inc. Let me set the stage a little bit. Back in the mid-1980’s, windows meant you had been promoted from an interior office. Our desktops were real, not virtual. And they [Read more]
Well of the Week – Without context it is just a squiggle
The Petro Ninja – Enlighten Geoscience Well of the Week is 100/11-22-049-12W5/00 discovery well for the West Pembina Nisku pinnacle reef play. Figure 1 is a production plot to show that it did okay. And that is all I have to say about the history of the Nisku pinnacle play. Psych! As if that was all I was going to write about. There are several important historical considerations beyond the story behind the odd name of Nairb Petroleums Limited, the proxy [Read more]
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