Engineering and Geological Consultants
Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources: San Luis Valley & San Juan Sag, Colorado
SEG Consulting, PLLC partnered with AerialZeus, LLC and other sub-contractors to perform a Reasonable Foreseeable Development (RFD) Scenario for oil, gas, and geothermal resources for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The 10-month long study was performed for the San Luis Valley Field Office (SLVFO) which covers an area of approximately 4.83 million acres in south-central Colorado.
The report integrates public well files, seismic and gravity data, neighboring-basin production, USGS play assessments, GIS land-status layers, and geothermal gradient/heat-flow mapping. Although only a few dozen oil & gas wells have been drilled in the SLVFO and no commercial discovery has been made to date, our independent geologic, geophysical, and engineering analysis nonetheless documented source and reservoir presence—in the Niobrara Formation and Dakota-equivalent section in the San Juan Sag—defined high-to-very-low potential plays and evaluated reasonable probabilities of development and land impact potential over a 20-year period.
Geothermal energy development potential, namely enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), were also investigated through an analysis of thermal gradients, bottom hole temperature, and other publicly available geothermal data and reports to evaluate the suitability for EGS with associated land-impact estimates over a 20-year period.
The work demonstrates end-to-end capability in subsurface geology and geophysics, petroleum engineering, geothermal resource assessment, GIS/data management, and defensible federal RFD reporting and the resulting maps, tables, plates, and 20-year activity/disturbance scenarios are designed to support BLM resource-management planning and NEPA analysis.
Commercial Lithium Potential: Smackover Formation, Texas
Performed a subsurface assessment for a client’s ranch property near Dallas, TX. Project included a geological analysis to determine whether the Smackover Formation was present underlying the property using a combination of GIS data, well histories, and petrophysical logs available from the Texas Railroad Commission. Also evaluated the potential geochemical properties and Lithium concentration within the Smackover Formation in proximity to the property using the United States Geological Survey’s National Produced Waters Geochemical Database and an independent trend & regression analysis.
Decline Curve Analysis: Wolfcamp Formation and Spraberry Formation, Texas
Performed decline curve analysis and financial analysis for potential investment opportunities on non-operated assets via mineral rights acquisition. Acquired well reports and production data from the Texas Railroad Commission and performed classic decline curve analysis using hyperbolic decline equations to evaluate dozens of wells within prospective leases and made production forecasts. Lastly, performed financial calculations including net present value and the time to payoff the initial investment. Formations included the Wolfcamp Formation and Spraberry Formation in West Texas (Permian Basin) from hydraulically fractured, horizontal wells.
Soil Logging and Analysis, Natural Gas Pipeline Routes, Central and Eastern United States
Served as a remote project geologist to assist client with soil logging and classification for the development of major natural gas pipelines in accordance with client's protocols and national pipeline design standards.
Overlaid soils maps from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide assistance with soil boring location planning along proposed pipeline routes for client. Reviewed photographs and field notes from field staff of drilled soil and rock cuttings from surface to 6 foot depths and provided independent soil logging and soil classification.
Project included over 1,000 boring locations within the Central US and Eastern US. Fortune 500 company client.
Stormwater Runoff and Culvert Sizing, New Hampshire
An independent assessment of stormwater runoff and culvert sizing was performed for a residential property in New Hampshire. Watershed delineation was performed using the Spatial Analyst toolbox in ArcGIS Pro and results were compared to USGS Stream Stats for a watershed of approximately 80 acres in size.
Hydrologic calculations were performed to estimate the runoff that would occur in a 50 year storm event. Runoff was quantified using both the SCS Methods outlined in TR-55 and the Rational Method which was appropriate for the watershed size (< 200 acres).
Lastly, culvert sizing was performed using appropriate methods and nomographs outlined in the New Hampshire DOT Drainage Manual. This independent hydrologic analysis resulted in selecting a smaller culvert size and cost savings to the client.
