GEOINSIGHT

American Association of Petroleum Geologists University Teknologi PETRONAS Student Chapter Bulletin
July 2011 Isuue 1 Vision: "To Be The Best Student Chapter For Petroleum Geoscience Students" Mission: "To develop a sense of professionalism and knowledge-sharing culture among the students"

Board of Editors
Advisor

KNOWING YOUR PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCE EDUCATORS

Dr Abdul Hadi bin Abd. Rahman Associate Professor PhD Reservoir Sedimentology/ Petroleum Geology University of Reading, UK Room no: 16-03-29 Ext no: 05-368 7039 Dr Bernard J M Pierson Professorial Chair (Shell) PhD Marine Geology & Geophysics University of Miami, USA Room no: 16-02-05 Ext no: 05-368 7053 Askury Abd Kadir Associate Professor MSc Engineering Geology University of Leeds, UK Room no: 16-03-31 Ext no: 05-368 7084

AP Askury Abd Kadir

Editor-in-chief Kueh Mei Lin

Co-editor 1 Ruth Diane Ujang

Co-editor 2 Mark Alexander Samung

Reports Manager Noor Farahin Bt. Mohamad Morshidi Chief photographer

Dr. Abdelaziz Lotfy Abdeldayem Associate Professor PhD Geophysics Tanta University, Egypt Room no:14-03-24 Ext no: 05-368 7047

Choo Yeong Seang

Reporters Saddam Ahip Lee Kien Kok Nurul Hannah A Ghaffar

Dr Zuhar Zahir Tuan Harith Associate Professor PhD Geophysics University of Glasgow, UK Room no: 16-03-27 Ext no: 05-368 7080

Dr Deva Ghosh Professor PhD Geophysics Delft Technological University, Holland Room no: 16-03-20 Ext no: 05-368 7033

Inside GeoInsight:
Get to know your Educators Advisors Forewords Future AAPG-UTP-SC activities Past AAPG-UTP-SC activities Featured column 4 2 2 1

Dr Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya Associate Professor PhD Applied Geology Indian School of Mines, India Room no: 14-03-25 Ext no: 05-368 7347

Dr Eswaran Padmanabhan Associate Professor PhD Mineralogy, Microscopy University of Saskatchewan, Canada Room no: 16-03-15 Ext no: 05-368 7069

Dr Chow Weng Sum Associate Professor PhD Engineering Geology University Malaya, Malaysia Room no: 16-03-26 Ext no: 05-368 7064

Wan Ismail Wan Yusoff Associate Professor MSc Petroleum Geosciences University of Durham, UK Room no: 16-03-03 Ext no: 05-368 7079

Editors Note:
First of all I would like to thank the board for successfully publishing the first issue of GeoInsight despite the time constraint and assignments pilling up. Through this bulletin, we will not only bring forth the past and present activities of AAPG-UTP-SC, but also share the knowledge and experiences from fellow students, lecturers and those from the industry. You can also send us your articles and have a chance to get it published. I hope you anticipate the upcoming copies of GeoInsight. Cheers!

Dr Aaron W. Hunter Senior Lecturer PhD Earth Sciences (Palaeoecology) Birkbeck, University of London & University College London Room no: 16-03-34 Ext no: 05-368 7078

Dr Mohamed KA. MA. Khalifa Senior Lecturer PhD Seismic/Sequence Stratigraphy, Basin Analysis and Petroleum Geoscience University of New South Wales, Australia Room no: 14-03-28 Ext no: 05-368 7038

Jasmi Ab Talib Senior Lecturer MSc Geomorphology & Engineering Geology ITC, The Netherlands Room no:16-03-33 Ext no: 05-368 7087 Dr. Hilfan Khairy Lecturer PhD Petroleum Geosciences Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia Room no:14-03-31 Ext no: 05-368 7041

Ani Aiza Ashaari Lecturer MSc Geology Petroleum IFP, France Room no:16-03-32 Ext no: 05-368 7036

Khairul Arifin Mohd Noh Lecturer MSc Geophysics Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia Room no:16-03-21 Ext no: 05-368 7059

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ADVISORS FOREWORDS
First of all, I would like to congratulate the editorial board as well as all the AAPG members for being able to pub-lish this news bulletin for the benefit of all members. Every member must keep in mind that your chapter has been offi-cially established as the 213th AAPG Student Chapter on the 22 September 2010. So, we shall celebrate our first anniversary then. Ill celebrate alone because 22 September 2011 will be the semester break, and our first batch will be going for their internship. The belated celebrations will be enjoyed together with our 6th and 7th batches of Petroleum Geoscience students due to their semester registration period (September semester), which falls during the 4 months holidays where other students will be on their leave then. The beauty of 213 can be interpreted as the best inte-gration between the 3rd, 2nd and 1st year students. From a geological perspective, you all are well-cemented to become conglomerates, maintaining its high porosity and permeability, or reservoir, which the petroleum industry is looking for the production of hydrocarbon. I am grateful to work with everyone in generating our association forward to a certain level that can be achieved with full commitment and aspiration. Do not hesitate to share your ideas with others because sometimes, those silly ideas will be those few extraordinary, superb breakthroughs. Im looking forward to see more activities in near future with the AAPG branding. Papa Askury (AP Askury Abd Kadir)

FUTURE ACTIVITIES OF AAPG-UTP-SC

Geoscience and Petroleum Engineering Department Dean's List award ceremony Date: 29th July, 2011 Time: 3.00PM to 5.00PM Venue: Pocket C, Lecture Theater 6 Contact: Muhd. Hisyam (019-3001111) Email: hisyamdcni@gmail.com AAPGs new president Paul Weimer visits Asia Date: 14th September, 2011 Time: 10.00AM to 3.00PM Venue: University of Malaya (UM) Contact: Kueh Mei Lin (016-8087429) Email: maylin1710@gmail.com AAPG UTP SC Family Day **Proposed Date: 13th August, 2011 **Proposed Time: 4.00PM-10.00PM **Proposed Venue: Bowling Center, Ipoh Parade Contact: Mark Alexander (013-5955713) Email: kramrednaxela@gmail.com AAPG UTP SC Annual Dinner **Proposed Date: By 15th September, 2011 **Proposed Time: TBA **Proposed Venue: TBA Contact: Khairul Ikram (013-4477883) Email: khairulikram.abdulaziz@gmail.com 3D Visualization Trip **Proposed Date: 12th August, 2011 **Proposed Time: 9.00AM **Proposed Venue: PETRONAS Visualization & Collaborative Center, KLCC Contact: Mark Alexander (013-5955713) Email: kramrednaxela@gmail.com

Gua Tempurung Expedition **Proposed Date: 1st October, 2011 **Proposed Time: 8.00AM-6.00PM **Proposed Venue: Gua Tempurung, Perak Contact: Mark Alexander (013-5955713) Email: kramrednaxela@gmail.com Student Subject Matter Expert (SSME) **Proposed Date: 11th August, 2011 **Proposed Time: TBA **Proposed Venue: TBA Contact: Lee Kien Kok (012-9697982) Email: dankkl89@gmail.com Mentor and Mentee programme (MnM) **Proposed Date: 11th August, 2011 **Proposed Time: TBA **Proposed Venue: TBA Contact: Lee Kien Kok (012-9697982) Email: dankkl89@gmail.com Adjund Lecture Series **Proposed Date: 24th to 25th January, 2012 **Proposed Time: TBA **Proposed Venue: Pocket C (Lecture theater 6) Contact: Lee Kien Kok (012-9697982) Email: dankkl89@gmail.com

**Actual date, time and venue will be informed through our blog, Facebook group and Twitter.

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PAST ACTIVITIES OF AAPG-UTP-SC Petroleum Geology Convention and Exhibition (PGCE) 2011
March 9, 2011- On the 7th and 8th of March, Petroleum Geologist Convention and exhibition was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Besides the main convention and exhibition, students get the opportunity to engage in the student programme which includes interactive talks and fun activities with great prizes. 40 students, being representatives for AAPG -UTP-SC was sent to the convention/ exhibition. Two Two batches of students were sent, comprising of all 3rd year 1st semester students and 18 2nd year 2nd semester students. This event was hoped to be an eye-opener for the students, to enable them to have a clearer and wider picture of the geosciences side in the oil and gas industry. This event is mainly attended by numerous professionals in the many fields of geosciences (paleontologists, geophysicts, geologists, sedimentologists, etc.). Apart from the professionals, the lecturers (being specialists in their respective geosubjects) also took the time to attend this wondrous event. This event was a big success and the credits certainly have to be given to the generous sponsors of the PGCE event. All students were able to learn and vibe around during the two-days event, enabling us to be more aware and well-prepared of the issues that is now taking the petroleum industry at its storm. -Ruth Diane Ujang

Foundation Engagement Series

This event aimed in providing an overview of Petroleum Geosciences and the career opportunities available in this specific industry
April 30, 2011- An engagement series has been done by newly formed student chapter in UTP, the AAPG Student Chapter on the 29th April 2011 at the Undercrofts Seminar Room 1. This engagement series was carried out mainly for the students who will pursue their studies in Bachelor of Technology in Petroleum Geosciences once they finish their Foundation Studies. This event aimed in providing an overview of Petroleum Geosciences and the career opportunities available in this specific industry. Apart from this, the engagement series also strived to create a good foundation of geology knowledge to help the foundation students for mindset preparation before pursuing their undergraduate studies. Most importantly, it is also aimed to build up the interest of the students towards geology. They were about 30 students mostly from 3rd Semester May 2010 students who attended the engagement series which started from 3.00PM to 5.00Pm. It was conducted by two prominent lecturers from the Geosciences and Petroleum Engineers Department, AP Askury Bin Abdul Kadir and Dr. Eswaran Padmanabhan. It is hoped that such Foundation Engagement Series will be conducted throughout the following years. -Saddam Ahip

Talk by Professor Dr. Jeffrey Over

July 21, 2011- The advisor of AAPG-UTP-SC, AP Askury Abdul Kadir had invited Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Over from SUNY College, Geneseo, New York to give a talk on Marcellus ShaleUnconventional super gas plays in eastern United States. During his talk, he mainly highlighted about the Marcellus Shale gas play and its estimated production gas rate, if the gas field goes under full-development phase.

During the Q&A session after the talk with Dr. Jeffrey Over.

Environmental issues were also one of the concerns which Prof. Jeffrey shared, given This talk aimed in widening the view of the that the gas field is produced. However, students pursuing geosciences studies, and according to the man itself, he have also in a part, to understand the oil and gas in- provided ideas of ways to cope dustry factors in the America. with these arising issues. The talk was held in Undercrofts Seminar Room 6 and started at 2.30 p.m. and ended at 4.30 p.m. The talk attracted more than 120 participants, with undergraduate and postgraduate students and even the lecturers being the attendees. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Over is a specialist in Paleontology and Stratigraphy. At the end of the talk, AP Askury presented a souvenir to Prof. Jeffrey as a token of appreciation from AAPG-UTP-SC. All participants were then invited to the green room for a blissful time of refreshment with the speaker. - Lee Kien Kok

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FEATURED COLUMN: Looking at Sequences Stratigraphy Using Facies Movement

By Boon Ee Juan, 3rd Year 1s Semester

Looking at Sequences Stratigraphy Using Facies Movement Deposition sequences are affected by relative sea level change and this sea level change is controlled by 3 factors: Eustatic Sea Level Change, Tectonic Subsidence, and Type and Amount of Sediment Supply. In the following explanation, sea level is referred to relative sea level. A fall and rise of sea level is considered 1 cycle. In this cycle, the depositional sequences are bounded by sequence boundaries and the depositional sequences are further divided into 4 system tracts that are bounded by surfaces. The diagram below illustrates the relationship. In a simple language, it means all the 4 systems tracts are present in 1 cycle of sea level but if one of them is missing, it is probably eroded. So, how we determine surfaces and system tracts from sequences stratigraphy? Since the 3 most common facies are coastal plain, shallow marine sand and offshore deep marine mud facies, we will choose shallow marine sand facies as our reference. The movement of this facies in depositional sequences will help us determines surfaces and system tracts. Before that, there are few terminologies that we need to understand first.

Progradation refers to the basinward movement of wedges or seaward movement of shallow marine sand facies. Retrogradation refers to the landward movement of wedges or shallow marine sand facies. Aggradation refers to the building up of deposition strata with the same facies on top of the previous one without laterally changing of facies.

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Condensed section saresequences of thin strata deposited during flooding. These thin strata are the result of low sediment accumulation because when flooding (rapid sea level rising), the accommodation space increases at the estuary. Since the sediment supply is already low, most of the sediment is deposited in the estuary and less on flooding surfaces. Hence, rapid sea level riseoutpace the rate of sediment accumulation on flooding surface. These thin condensed sections underwent a lot of bio-rework, evaporation and authigenic mineralization. They are bounded by Transgressive Surface (TS) and Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS) or in simple term, within the Transgressive Systems Tract (TST). Forced regression is a process that happens during rapid sea level fall after the High Systems Tract. The depositional sequences move basinward drastically but step by step. Regression means the seaward movement of shoreline. Forced regression means the sequences are being forced to retrieve or progradate to the sea or basinward because of the rapid fall of sea level. Surfaces Sequence boundaries (SB) are unconformities that record the erosion of previously deposited strata cause by dramatic fall in sea level. Transgressive surface (TS) is the first marine flooding surface where the shallower facies move landward and overlie the bottom shallower deposition with deep marine mud facies. Marine flooding means the shoreline is moving landward and the sea is flooding the strata below. Maximum flooding surface (MFS) is the top flooding surface in the Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) where it is the end of marine flooding. The later or next strata will have the shallow marine sand facies moving basinward. Basal surface of forced regression (BSFR) is the surface of wave erosion caused by force regression during rapid sea level fall. Systems Tracts Lowstand Systems Tract (LST) After the fall of sea level (low sea level), the sequences are deposited progradationally during a slow sea level rise. Notice that LST is bounded by SB at the bottom and TS on the top.

Transgressive Systems Tract (TST) During rapid sea level rise, the sequences are deposited retrogradationally. The first sequence that floods and overlies the shallower facies and LST sequences is TS. Notice that LST is bounded by TS at the bottom and MFS on the top.

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Highstand Systems Tract (HST) After the rise of sea level (high sea level), the sequences are deposited either progradationally or aggradationally. Just like LST, progradation or aggradation happens during a slow or constant sea level rise. Notice that HST is bounded by MFS at the bottom and SB and BSFR on the top.

Falling Stage Systems Tract (FSST) During rapid sea level fall, forced regression happens. The sequences are deposited progradationally but in stepping manner. Notice that FSST is bounded by BSFR at the bottom and SB on the top.

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Types of Sequence Boundaries Sequence boundaries mark the falling of sea level but not all fall in sea level will drop till the bottom low edge of HST until the exposure of the shelf. It is interplayed by the eustatic sea level change, tectonic subsidence, and amount of sediment supply. By referring to the example of Chrono-sequences Stratigraphy below, type 1 SB indicates a very deep sea level fall where the vertical facies changes has different lithology; type 2 SB indicates a sea level fall not that deep where the vertical facies changes has the same lithology.

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