WIND ENERGY

VOLUME XXXXVI NUMBER 2 NOVEMBER 2009
SIPES 2010
Convention
SIPES
Advertising —
See Page 35
QUARTERLY
www.sipes.org
Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists
WIND ENERGY
 SIPES Investors List —
See Page 15
It’s Up in the Air
 SIPES Award
Wind Power Comes to South Texas
Nominations — See
by Paul M. Strunk, #1869 & Patrick A. Nye, #3105
Page 24
Corpus Christi, Texas
 How I Became an
Note: This article is from the Corpus Christi
Independent — See
Chapter, and is the second in a new series
Page 28
submitted by SIPES Members and Chapters.
 Scholarship Winners
— See Page 33
Editorial Note: SIPES Members Paul
Strunk, #1869 and Patrick Nye, #3105,
both long-time Texas oil and gas prospect
generators from Corpus Christi, Texas
have presented this program to several
ed just south of Baffin Bay near the town
SIPES Chapters. They explain how their
of Sarita in Kenedy County. Its eighty-four
company, American Shoreline, Inc.
turbines generate 202 megawatts (MW) of
became interested in wind energy and
energy. According to the American Wind
In this issue:
subsequently developed the Peñascal
Energy Association, typically a 202 MW
Wind Farm project located in South Texas.
wind project can generate power for more
Industry Information
2
Peñascal was the first wind farm construct-
than 70,000 homes.
ed along the Texas Gulf Coast, and is locat-
(Continued on Page 20)
Cornerstone Group
8
News of Members
9
is sidetracked wrangling over the health
President’s Column
care issue, which leaves us delaying pro-
Chapter News
10
jects that may not pass the unknown
future economics. With service company
In Memoriam
11
William R. Finley, #2167
and supplier work drying up as a conse-
Lafayette, Louisiana
quence, the start up will be slower and
Chapter Meeting Info. 15
more competitive when we do get moving
again. This adds to the slow down of the
SIPES Gifts
17
economy in general and we are beginning
to see impacts at the local level that were
New Members
19
previously avoided.
Technology Corner
25
I recently read an editorial by Thomas
Sewell entitled "Clueless politics caused
Directory Corrections
30
economic disaster." In it he mentioned
how two Soviet Union-era Russian econo-
Foundation Donors
32
William R. Finley
mists demonstrated an understanding of
the free market economy that seems to
Scholarship Winners
33
Once more into the breach. Searching for
have eluded our free world economists.
a topic for this installment keeps returning
They simply suggested that everything is
Board of Directors
36
me to current events. As mentioned last
connected, so small changes can have big
time, we are facing a period of potential
(unintended) consequences. The simple
upheaval in our industry. We are waiting
example goes from a profit incentive for
for the sword to drop, while government
(Continued on Page 18)

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National, State & Environmental Information
The following reports on national, state and environmental
Questions that need to be raised by both the public and
issues were presented to the SIPES Board of Directors on
politicians are: 1) Is this dependence on fossil fuels sus-
September 17, 2009. Vice President of National Energy Kenneth
tainable? 2) Can this use of fossil fuels be allowed to con-
J. Huffman, authored the National Energy Report, Dennis M.
tinue? I qualified myself in a previous article as a geologist.
Gleason wrote the State Legislative News, and J. R. Cleveland
I must also admit to being a strong capitalist. Being a firm
submitted the Environmental Committee Report. The views and
believer that if there was a better answer to the national
opinions expressed are those of the authors. Some of the informa-
and global energy situation (a better mouse trap if you like)
tion presented is in the public domain and is available from a
then the market would run with a solution without the
variety of sources; other references were selected by the authors,
need for political intervention or interference. Some peo-
and are noted on their reports.
ple would be driven for the sheer monetary reward and
 NATIONAL ENERGY
others for the well being of mankind.
Looking out across the landscape of our current world
As to the sustainability, there is no question about the
one can observe the day to day activities that make up our
coal reserves in this nation. The estimated recoverable
society and nearly all are influenced by energy. Most con-
reserves are over 268 billion short tons. The USA currently
sumers do not understand the type of fuel that is being
uses over 1 billion short tons per year. Coupled with the
spent to supply the energy required to perform the
recent release by the Potential Gas Committee's Natural
desired function for their benefit.
Gas Resource Assessment (See SIPES Quarterly August
Our nation is highly dependent on fossil fuels (oil, nat-
2009) of a 100-year supply of natural gas in the shale-gas
ural gas, coal), but also uses nuclear, hydroelectric, solar,
plays, the future supply of these fossil fuels are available at
wind, and geothermal and other renewable biofuels. The
some economic cost. BP's announcement on September 2,
source of the energy consumed is well demonstrated in
2009 of a giant field discovery at its Tiber prospect in
Figure 1.1 published by the EIA in April of 2009 for the
Keathley Canyon block 102 could be significant to domes-
2007 year. Eighty-four percent of the current consumption
tic production. The oil zones in the Lower Tertiary are
in the nation's energy supply is fossil fuel.
awaiting further appraisal to determine the size of this
new discovery. The amount of fossil fuel is less of a ques-
tion than the costs. We should not forget that the USA is
importing more than half of its energy requirements.
In addressing the second question I am hard pressed to
S I P E S H e a d q u a r t e r s
address the religion of climate change, or the socio-politi-
4925 Greenville Avenue - Suite 1106
cal and environmental ramifications of air pollution versus
Dallas, Texas 75206-4019
quality of life in this forum. I leave that to the reader. Yet I
Telephone: 214-363-1780 Fax: 214-363-8195
must add a personal view that anthropogenic climate
change cannot be proven, and air pollution can be dealt
http://www.sipes.org E-mail: sipes@sipes.org
with in an economically viable fashion for the masses
based on science rather than politics.
 NATURAL GAS/CRUDE PRICING
Natural gas inventories are projected to reach 3.8 TCF by
Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Finstrom
the end of October 2009 (the end of the injection season)
by the EIA. The amount in storage as of October 15, 2009
Admin. Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Ruvalcaba
was 3.716 TCF. This amount was 14.6% above the five-year
Member Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Davis
average. The Henry Hub natural gas price was $4.04 on
October 15, 2009. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
2009-22
-2 010 Board Meeting Dates
which is known to track gas prices was down seven tenths
(0.7) of a percent in the second quarter of 2009. This is com-
February 17-18, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lafayette, LA
pared to the 6.4 percent decrease in the first quarter.
2010 Annual Meeting Dates
Crude oil average spot pricing for West Texas
June 21-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Colorado Springs, CO
Intermediate (WTI) has been between $66.75 and $73.82 in
the third quarter. This is near the $65 to $73 range it has
traded since the end of May.
The SIPES Quarterly is published by the
Global consumption may have declined by three million
Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists.
barrels per day in the second quarter of 2009 as compared
Send your comments, letters, address changes and advertising
to earlier levels. World economic recovery is predicted in
inquiries to the SIPES Headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
(Continued)
2 _______________________________________________________________________________SIPES QUARTERLY

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National, State & Environmental Information Continued
Figure 1.1. The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption in the Nation's Energy Supply, 2007
Source: Energy Information Administration, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuels
the fourth quarter of 2009 and to be accompanied by addi-
high efficiency transmission lines costing $60 billion would
tional consumption. OPEC production of 28.7 million bar-
be needed to improve the grid system.
rels was similar to first quarter levels, with non-OPEC pro-
In 2008 the USA added 17 GW of capacity at a cost of $17
duction of 50.1 million barrels for the second quarter. This
billion. This would suggest that to make the 20% mark, an
production has OEDC inventories at 2.74 billion barrels, a
additional $275 billion would need to be invested.
61-day cover which is well above average levels.
Currently half the components for wind generation are
 ELECTRICITY
produced domestically in about seventy facilities. The
Consumption for electricity fell by 4.4 percent over the
European Wind Energy Association estimates15.1 jobs per
first half of the year as compared to the same period in
megawatt installed are created for manufacturing, devel-
2008. EIA credits the economic downturn, but this was also
opment, along with .4 jobs per megawatt for maintenance
aided by the cooling degree days in July, August, and
and operations. This would put over 500,000 jobs tied to
September being slightly below normal (769 versus 775).
the capacity called for by the president. A study conduct-
ed in Spain, after a highly subsidized solar and wind pro-
 WIND
gram, showed that every "green job" created by govern-
Global wind generating capacity by the end of 2008 was
ment money came at a cost of 2.2 regular jobs, and only
nearly 121 Gigawatts (GW). IEA wind member countries
one in ten became permanent. Spain is now suffering from
contributed 92 GW of which 17 GW were added in 2008.
high energy costs that are driving manufacturing overseas
This is up from 5 GW in 1995. The 92 GW represents about
and contributing to a recession that it appears to be enter-
2 percent of the total electrical demand in the member
ing.
countries.
The economic, environmental, national security, and
The USA at the end of 2008 had a wind generating capac-
subsidy issues will be debated as this Act moves through
ity of 25.37 GW from less than 15,000 turbines, supplying
the congressional halls. Let's hope the nation gets its
1.9 percent on the nation's electrical demand of 3,737
money's worth.
Terawatt-hours/year. President Obama in his American
 STATE LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Recovery and Reinvestment Act is proposing to provide
Senate Cap and Trade Bill
20% of the entire USA's electrical demand by 2030 by wind.
At press time, the Senate Environment and Public Works
To accomplish this, the capacity of 25.37 GW must be
Committee began hearings on Senate Bill 1733, The Clean
increased to over 300GW, a 12-fold increase in generating
Energy Jobs and American Power Act, also known as the
requirements. Depending on size, this would call for at
"Cap-and-Trade Bill." The bill was introduced in late
least an additional 150,000 turbines beyond the existing
September. The House version of this bill, known as the
15,000. An investor-owned utility concluded that a trans-
Waxman-Markey Bill, passed 219 to 212 on June 26, 2009.
mission superhighway with more than 19,000 miles of new
(Continued)
NOVEMBER 2009 _______________________________________________________________________________3

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National, State & Environmental Information Continued
Fifty-four witnesses were scheduled to testify before this
Senate committee over a three-day period. Included were
Flint Ridge Energy, Ltd of Newark,
Energy Secretary Steven Chu; EPA Administrator Lisa
Ohio is actively seeking investments
Jackson; Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; Interior
in exploratory and/or developmental
Secretary Ken Salazar; FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff;
drilling opportunities for the 3rd and
and Senator John Kerry (D-MA), a sponsor of the bill.
4th quarters of 2009 and the 1st
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), also a sponsor of the bill,
quarter of 2010. Please contact Gary
and chair of the environment committee said that the EPA
Sitler, Vice President of Exploration
estimates the bill will cost American consumers less than
at 740/344-1351 or by email at
30 cents per day.
gary@flintridgeenergy.com.
Republicans rejected these cost esti-
mates saying that no one understood
the true costs associated with the bill
According to the committee's website, the 821 page bill
because the EPA had failed to conduct a
includes the following information:
thorough cost analysis. At the begin-
 Specifies distribution of emissions allowances;
ning of November, Democratic commit-
 Ensures that the majority of investments in the bill are
tee members vowed to forge ahead
for consumer protection;
with this legislation despite a planned
 Includes new provisions to address clean coal technol-
boycott by Republicans on the panel.
ogy;
Senator Boxer
Senator Inhofe (R-OK) had hoped that
 Increases investments in energy efficiency and renew-
a boycott would encourage the EPA to
able energy;
complete a new analysis of the price of
 Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases
the climate change bill. Several sena-
investments in the transportation sector;
tors, including Kay Bailey Hutchison
 Enhances agriculture and forestry provisions;
(R-TX) sent a letter to Senator Boxer
 Directs assistance to rural communities;
insisting on a "full and complete analy-
 Includes greater assistance for small and medium
sis of the likely effects" of the measure.
refineries;
The group added a warning that if
 Enhances the role of tribes;
Senator Boxer tried to advance the leg-
 Increases the size of the market stability reserve; and
islation out of the committee without

Senator Inhofe
Promotes advanced renewable fuels
this analysis and bipartisan involvement, it would "severe-
Both the house and senate bills contain similar time
ly damage, rather than help, the chances of enacting
tables for reducing greenhouse emissions. A three percent
changes to our nation's climate and energy policies."
reduction from 2005 levels in 2012; a 42 percent reduction
Senate Majority Committee Members
in 2030; and an 83 percent reduction in 2050. For the year
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
2020, the senate version sets a 20 percent reduction from
Max Baucus (D-MT)
2005 levels compared to a 17 percent reduction in the
Thomas R. Carper (D-DE)
house bill.
Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ)
James Inhofe (R-OK), the ranking minority member of
Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)
the committee called the bill "a massive new tax on con-
Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
sumers that will have virtually no effect on climate." He
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
had previously noted that President Obama will use the
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
house-passed legislation as his main argument at a major
Tom Udall (D-NM)
U.N. climate summit in December.
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
At the start of the hearings, Senator
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY)
Max Baucus (D-MT) said he had serious
Arlen Specter (D-PA)
reservations about a major global
Senate Minority Committee Members
warming bill, and warned fellow
James M. Inhofe (R-OK)
Democrats to water down the measure
George V. Voinovich (R-OH)
in hopes of getting it through the sen-
David Vitter (R-LA)
ate. He indicated that he wanted to
John Barrasso (R-WY)
modify the bill's 2020 target date for
Mike Crapo (R-ID)
greenhouse gas emissions from 20 per-
Christopher S. Bond (R-MO)
Senator Baucus
cent below 2005 levels.
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
(Continued)
4 _______________________________________________________________________________SIPES QUARTERLY

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National, State & Environmental Information Continued
According to news reports, Boxer and Kerry can count on
The U.S. GDP would drop by $172 billion, or 1.1%, and
about 45 "yes" or "probably yes" votes as they move for-
1.3 million jobs, or 0.9%, would be lost under the study's
ward with this legislation. There are twenty-one "fence sit-
fluid restrictions scenario. The UIC compliance approach,
ters" pivotal to passing this bill. They include both
meanwhile, would cut GDP by $84 billion, or 0.5%, and oil
Democrats and Republicans such as Senators Robert Byrd
and gas industry payrolls by 635,000 or 0.4% during the
(D-WV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Debbie Stabenow
same period, the study said.
(D-MI). Senators not likely to support this legislation
Economies of the leading U.S. gas production states
include Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND); Blanche Lincoln
(Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming and Oklahoma) would proba-
(D-AR); Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John McCain (R-AZ).
bly be hit the hardest, although many states with little or
Energy Execs Head to Washington
no oil and gas production would indirectly feel the effects
Executives from the nation's largest energy producers
rippling through the overall economy. Impacts would be
have increased their efforts to promote natural gas in
particularly severe in states with relatively small
Washington, DC. Through America's Natural Gas Alliance,
economies such as Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Utah,
business leaders traveled to Washington earlier in the fall
and Virginia.
to lobby for changes in the senate's "Cap-and-Trade" bill
The latest report follows the study's initial finds, which
that were not present in the Waxman-Markey Bill. The
API released on June 9. They indicated that the number of
alliance has been formed by gas companies such as
new U.S. wells drilled would drop 20.5%, reducing domes-
Newfield Exploration, Devon Energy and Chesapeake
tic gas production by about 10% from 2008 levels if
Energy to push for extended gas use in power generation,
Congress placed additional federal hydraulic fracturing
transportation and other fields. More than 20 members of
regulations on top of existing state programs. "Hydraulic
this group account for roughly 40% of all U.S. gas output.
fracturing is a safe, proven 50-year old technology that is
Current efforts by independent natural gas producers
critical to developing the natural gas used to heat homes,
include advertising around the nation, and face-to-face
generate electricity, and create basic materials for fertilizers
lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. They were also trying to
and plastics," said API President Jack N. Gerard. "More
educate legislators on the hydraulic fracturing process.
than 1 million wells have been completed using this tech-
The large numbers of shale gas fields found throughout
nology. Unnecessary additional regulation of this practice
the United States is giving the industry greater leverage in
would only hurt the nation's energy security and threaten
lobbying the senate where the energy executives remind-
our economy."
ed 64 of the chamber's 100 members that natural gas was
Targeting Fossil Energy Subsidies
being produced in their states.
At a United Nations speech in late September, President
Natural gas is also being presented as environmentally
Barack Obama told world leaders that his administration
friendly because it generates about half the CO2 produced
would work to "phase out fossil fuel subsidies." IPAA
when coal is burned, and about a third of the emissions
responded that this was "tantamount to massive tax
released by vehicles burning oil-based fuels. Energy exec-
increases on American energy producers and consumers."
utives met with moderate Democrats and other senators
The group noted that almost 85 percent of the energy
whose votes could be key in deciding the fate of the cli-
that drives our economy is fossil fuel based, and that over
mate change legislation.
60 percent of the overall energy most Americans depend
Impacts Estimated for Fracing Regulations
on each day is from natural gas and oil. IPAA President
A study commissioned by the API and released in
Barry Russell said in a statement that oil and gas would
October said the country's economic strength would be
continue to meet our energy needs for years to come - well
reduced by billions of dollars if hydraulic fracturing were
beyond this administration and its successors.
federally regulated. In a report by Penn Energy, it is noted
In an article by Nick Snow that was printed in the Oil and
that the number of U.S. wells would drop by 20 percent,
Gas Journal, the author pointed out that the administration
and natural gas production would fall by 10 percent.
would like the rest of the world to join the effort to move
The latest report looked at three scenarios: a hydraulic
away from fossil fuels. Statements made in late September
fracturing ban, restrictions on fluids that could be used,
by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner during the G-20 con-
and the implementation of federal underground injection
ference in Pittsburgh indicated that the administration had
control (UIC) compliance regulations in addition to cur-
worked for several weeks to build a consensus on impor-
rent state regulations. With a total ban, the study said real
tant new commitments to phase out fossil energy subsidies
gross domestic product would plunge $374 billion, or 2.3 %
over time. Secretary Geithner said that estimates by the
from the economic reference case, and 2.9 million jobs, or
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
2%, would be lost by 2014 as a result of the 79 % drop in oil
and gas well completions that would result.
(Continued)
NOVEMBER 2009 _______________________________________________________________________________5

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6 _______________________________________________________________________________SIPES QUARTERLY

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National, State & Environmental Information Continued
Development suggest that if all coun-
tries followed the G-20's lead in agree-
ing to phase out fossil fuel energy sub-
sidies over the medium term, global
greenhouse gas emissions would be
10% lower by 2050. “Eliminating hun-
dreds of billions of dollars spent on
these subsidies would help promote
faster growth and improve our capac-
ity to use taxpayers' resources more
effectively for other priorities."
 ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMITTEE REPORT
Wind Power: Wind power currently
generates about 1% of the United
States power, with expectations that
the wind can be used to generate 20%
of the country's energy by 2030. Wind
energy is considered a clean energy,
but it is facing opposition from many
environmentalists. The enormous
scale of expansion needed to produce
so much electricity worries many peo-
Kennedy, Jr. for example stated that he
facturing jobs by raising the cost of
ple. (See page 1).
supported wind power in general, but
carbon fuels. The number of new jobs
The Altamont Pass wind farm in
was against the proposed Cape Hope
created by clean-energy programs
California has 5,400 turbines. It is esti-
offshore wind farm to be located near
would not be enough to offset those
mated that each year more than 4,500
the family compound at Martha's
lost by the manufacturing industries.
birds (about 1,300 birds of prey such as
Vineyard.
There are two large manufacturing
eagles, hawks, and owls) are killed.
Developing Countries: Between
companies that support the cap-and-
Wind farms in other areas have lower
1998 and 2008 total U.S. energy con-
trade bill, Nike and Apple. A U.S. car-
kill rates, but still cause bird fatalities,
sumption climbed 4%. In that same
bon tax doesn't really hurt them
with the total number of birds killed
time China's overall energy use dou-
because most of their manufacturing
each year in the United States at about
bled. China's oil consumption climbed
is done outside the U.S. The majority
20,000 to 30,000. The massive number
by 91%, coal consumption 96%, and
of their products are made in China,
of birds that would be endangered by
natural gas consumption jumped
South Korea, Vietnam, and other
a 20-fold increase in wind farms has
240%. The growth of the Chinese
Asian countries where there are no
environmentalists concerned that
economy and its emissions threatens
carbon limits and aren't likely to be
species could be displaced or even
to cancel out all the emission reduc-
any in the near future. Being "green" is
face extinction.
tion progress made by rich countries
easier when someone else has to pay
Environmentalists recommend care-
in Europe. In India, as its economy
for it.
ful placement of wind farms outside
continues to expand, greenhouse gas
Thanks to various articles in, but not
migratory paths and away from ridge-
emissions are expected to quadruple
limited to, the following sources:
lines. Unfortunately these are often
over the next 20 years. Both of these
Newsweek, USA Today, Wall Street
areas that produce the strongest and
countries consider economic growth
Journal, In the Pipeline, The New York
most consistent winds. There is cur-
to be more important than the emis-
Times, and Wikipedia.
rently available a method of using
sion reduction strategies being
Additional sources used: Oil & Gas
radar to detect and to shut down the
pushed by more developed countries.
Journal; The Dallas Morning News;
turbines when migratory birds and
Green Jobs: Although "green" jobs
www.ipaa.org; www.americanener-
bats are approaching. This can save
are increasing in number, the clean-
gyalliance.org; www.api.org; www.-
birds, but it accentuates the intermit-
energy economy remains small. In
oipa.org; Louisiana Oil & Gas
tent nature of wind power and
2007 clean-energy accounted for less
Association (www.lago.la); www.ener-
increases the cost of development for
than one percent of the jobs in Ohio,
gyindepth.org; U.S. Senate Commit-
wind farms.
Michigan, and Indiana. In these states
tee on Environment & Public Works
Other problems facing the wind
more than 14% of the people are
(www.epw.senate.gov); and www.sci-
energy industry are noise and visual
employed in manufacturing jobs
entificamerican.com.
impact. Many people are in favor of
which are dependent on cheap coal.

clean energy, but they do not want a
There is a fear that a cap-and-trade bill
wind farm located near them. Robert
(see page 3) would devastate manu-
NOVEMBER 2009 _______________________________________________________________________________7

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2009-2010 SIPES CORNERSTONE GROUP
Many thanks to the members listed below
for their continuing support of our society
 Promoter – $2500
James S. Classen — Boise, ID
Daniel L. Smith — Houston, TX
Rex D. Coppedge — Fairview, TX
Thomas J. Smith — Oklahoma City, OK
H. Jack Naumann, Jr. — Midland, TX
Marshall C. Crouch III — Denver, CO
William M. Smith — Oklahoma City, OK
 Oil Finder – $1000
Michael G. Cruson — Golden, CO
John F. Sulik — Corpus Christi, TX
Wilbur C. Bradley — Wichita, KS
Ralph J. Daigle — Houston, TX
C.G. Tyner — Houston, TX
William C. Burkett — Midland, TX
Edward K. David — Roswell, NM
M. Robin Vasicek — Midland, TX
Stewart Chuber — Schulenburg, TX
William R. Dixon — Midland, TX
G. Clint Wainwright — Houston, TX
Arlen L. Edgar — Midland, TX
C. Walter Dobie — Lafayette, LA
Scott A. Wainwright — Metairie, LA
Scott G. Heape — Addison, TX
Douglas A. Draves — San Antonio, TX
H. Vaughan Watkins, Jr. — Madison, MS
Marcus D. Maddox — Midland, TX
Duncan D. Dubroff — Houston, TX
W. David Willig — Houston, TX
J. Phil Martin — Houston, TX
Ralph C. Duchin — Tucson, AZ
 Investor – $100
Michael A. Pollok — Purcell, OK
James P. Evans III — Franklin, LA
Donald I. Andrews — Metairie, LA
John E. Scherer — Midland, TX
David A. Eyler — Midland, TX
Michael P. Arden — Navasota, TX
Paul M. Strunk — Corpus Christi, TX
Robert B. Ferguson — Lake Forest, CA
Norman K. Barker — Midland, TX
 Driller – $600
William R. Finley — Lafayette, LA
Teresa H. Becker — Houston, TX
Michael N. Austin — Broomfield, CO
Dennis M. Gleason — Arlington, TX
Raul F. Brito — Wichita, KS
William D. Bennett — San Antonio, TX William T. Goff III — Littleton, CO
Garnet W. Brock — Midland, TX
Donald C. Gifford — Dallas, TX
David G. Griffin — Midland, TX
Wallace E. Brunson — Houston, TX
Patrick J.F. Gratton — Dallas, TX
James H. Henderson — Dallas, TX
Robert D. Dougherty — Great Bend, KS
Frank W. Harrison, Jr. — Lafayette, LA
Albert R. Hensley — Rockwall, TX
Marlan W. Downey — Dallas, TX
Donald R. Hembre — Littleton, CO
Dudley J. Hughes — Flowood, MS
Gene Durkee — Fort Worth, TX
Owen R. Hopkins — Corpus Christi, TX George S. Johnson — Amarillo, TX
Michael N. Fein — Metairie, LA
Kenneth J. Huffman — Metairie, LA
Larry L. Jones — Houston, TX
Paul R. Fenemore — Irving, TX
Ralph O. Kehle — Durango, CO
Scott Laurent — Houston, TX
Cliff J. Fontenot — Brenham, TX
Harry Ptasynski — Casper, WY
Robert C. Leibrock — Midland, TX
John C. Goss — Houston, TX
Stephen D. Reynolds — Denver, CO
Peter MacKenzie — Worthington, OH
Peter G. Gray — Lafayette, LA
A. Scott Ritchie — Wichita, KS
Christophe G. Mazzini — Dallas, TX
Mark Gregg — Houston, TX
Eugene R. Sidwell — Amarillo, TX
Gerard J. Medina — Norman, OK
William R. Guffey — Dallas, TX
Gene Van Dyke — Houston, TX
Marvin A. Munchrath — Lafayette, LA
W. Kenneth Hall — Fort Worth, TX
Clifford A. Walker — Dallas, TX
Robert B. Owen — Corpus Christi, TX
Harold W. Hanke — Oklahoma City, OK
Gary W. Palmer — San Antonio, TX
 Prospector – $300
Marc H. Helsinger — Sugar Land, TX
Arthur J. Pansze, Jr. — Arvada, CO
Nolan Hirsch — Midland, TX
Robert M. Altany — Midland, TX
H. Rudy Parkison — Dallas, TX
W. Ralph Holloway — Dallas, TX
Craig F. Anderson — Houston, TX
Lloyd K. Parrish, Jr. — Wichita, KS
J.D. Hughes — Austin, TX
Robert W. Anderson — Houston, TX
Hugh C. Pendery — Dallas, TX
Michael S. Johnson — Denver, CO
Thornton E. Anderson — Wichita, KS
Lee M. Petersen — Weatherford, TX
George R. Jones — Wichita, KS
James K. Applegate — Castle Rock, CO
Edward B. Picou, Jr.— New Orleans, LA William M. Kazmann — Richardson, TX
James B. Bennett — Houston, TX
John M. Rakowski — Florissant, CO
Thomas C. Klekamp — Mandeville, LA
Arthur E. Berman — Sugar Land, TX
Julius M. Ridgway — Jackson, MS
William E. Laroche — Dallas, TX
Raymond N. Blackhall — Spring, TX
James D. Robertson — Fort Worth, TX
Jack P. Martin — Lafayette, LA
Paul W. Britt — Houston, TX
Deborah K. Sacrey — Houston, TX
Robert W. Maxwell, Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
Johnnie B. Brown — Midland, TX
C. Randall Schott — Houston, TX
Louis J. Mazzullo — Golden, CO
Brian S. Calhoun — Corpus Christi, TX Jonathan B. Selby — Austin, TX
Michael F. McKenzie — Lafayette, LA
Alfred T. Carleton, Jr. — Midland, TX
D. Craig Smith — Midland, TX
(Continued)
8 _______________________________________________________________________________SIPES QUARTERLY

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News of Members
Robert A. Cooksey, #2966, of Dallas, Texas is a new
member of the SPE Legion of Honor for members who
have had 50 consecutive years of membership.

David G. Griffin, #1861, of Midland, Texas was profiled
as an industry legend in the August 2009 issue of Oil and
Gas Investor Magazine. He is marking his 50th year in the oil
and gas business.
Constance Knight
Susan Landon

Denver area members Constance N. Knight, #3089, and
J. Sirman Hollabaugh, #2702, of Dallas, Texas is serving
Susan M. Landon, #2145, are serving on the board of the
as current president of the Dallas Geological Society.
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists. Connie is the

treasurer-elect, and Susan is a counselor, 1 year. Connie is
Thomas C. Klekamp, #2823, of New Orleans, Louisiana
also serving as vice chair of the SIPES Denver Chapter.
is serving as 2009-2010 President of the New Orleans

Geological Society.
Suzanne M. Rogers, #2729, of Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma is serving as current president of the Oklahoma
City Geological Society.

Stephen A. Sonnenberg,
#2158, of Golden, Colo-
rado, is the 2009-2010
Chair of AAPG's House of
Delegates.
David Griffin
Sirman Hollabaugh
Thomas Klekamp

Suzanne Rogers
Stephen Sonnenberg
Cornerstone Group Continued
Eric L. Michaelson — Midland, TX
William G. Watson — Midland, TX
William F. Grauten — Midland, TX
Craig E. Moore — Houston, TX
I. Wayne Woolsey — Wichita, KS
David N. Grimes — Midland, TX
Robert G. Murphy — Santa Rosa Beach, FL John C. Worley — Rockport, TX
David R. Grogan — Woodbine, MD
James F. O’Connell — Amarillo, TX
 Scout – $50
John C. Grunau — Shreveport, LA
Carl M. Padgett — Houston, TX
Donna F. Balin — San Antonio, TX
Paul E. Habermas — Houston, TX
M. Davis Payne — Midland, TX
Orville R. Berg — Shreveport, LA
Stephen F. Hennigan — Lafayette, LA
Sam H. Peppiatt — Houston, TX
Cary N. Billingsley — Midland, TX
Dick S. Horton — Edmond, OK
Ronald W. Pritchett — Centennial, CO
Richard C. Blackwell — Midland, TX
Charles R. Jones — Midland, TX
John W. Raine III — Lafayette, LA
Foy W. Boyd, Jr. — Midland, TX
Thomas M. Kirby — FPO, AE
Steven R. Russell — Amarillo, TX
E. Bernard Brauer — Corpus Christi, TX Steven R. Lockwood — Austin, TX
Wayland C. Savre — Houston, TX
Herbert L. Brewer — Dallas, TX
Jeffrey W. Lund — Houston, TX
Charles D. Schmidt — Valley Center, KS David G. Campbell — Oklahoma City, OK William J. Malin — New Orleans, LA
John T. Schulz, Jr. — Portland, TX
Gene A. Carter — Corpus Christi, TX
Roger L. Martin — Wichita, KS
Delmer L. Sloan — Midland, TX
Hardtner L. Coon — Houston, TX
Wayne D. Miller — Midland, TX
William M. Smith — Houston, TX
William L. Craig — Lafayette, LA
W. George Nancarrow — Dallas, TX
Stephen A. Sonnenberg — Golden, CO
Kent A. Deutsch — Wichita, KS
Robert M. Owens — Houston, TX
Marion E. Spitler — Carrollton, TX
Jacob D. Eisel — Boulder, CO
Wes B. Perry, Jr. — Midland, TX
M. R. Stipp — Midland, TX
Toby Elster — Wichita, KS
W. Mark Rush — Houston, TX
James P. Talbot — Argyle, TX
Bruce W. Fields — Corpus Christi, TX
Roy G. Sharrock — Dallas, TX
Richard W. Thompson, Jr. — Plano, TX
Leonard S. Fowler — Richardson, TX
Martin R. Shumway — Worthington, OH
James P. Walker — Oklahoma City, OK
William J. Furlong — New Orleans, LA
Jeffry A. Smith — Midland, TX
William A. Walker — Austin, TX
Clement E. George — Midland, TX
Steven R. Trudeau — Dallas, TX
Roy C. Walther — New Orleans, LA
Eduardo Gonzales — Carrollton, TX

NOVEMBER 2009 _______________________________________________________________________________9

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Chapter News
SAN ANTONIO
Jerry Witte, an independent opera-
tor in San Antonio, presented a dis-
cussion on “The Mega Map Project of
the Mesozoic Gulf of Mexico
Onshore” at our meeting in July. Mr.
Witte utilized two detailed regional
maps covering Florida to West Texas.
The maps featured detailed residual
gravity revealing macrotrends rarely
seen or noticed.
The SIPES National BOD with Executive Director Diane Finstrom on the right, and speaker
Pat Nye in front.
from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the bar on the
Up In The Air.” (See page 1). They dis-
roof of the hotel which allowed for
cussed an overview of the wind ener-
local SIPES members to meet and
gy business and their experience with
become acquainted with the National
projects along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Directors. All who attended had a
Paul Strunk graduated from Kansas
great time and were supplied with an
State University with a master’s
ample amount of hors o’doeuvres and
spirits. From this fortified and spiritu-
al preparation, the group made their
way down the Riverwalk to Paesanos
New member Gerald Baum, #3172, (left)
Italian Restaurant. The food was
receives his SIPES membership certificate
excellent and the attendees enjoyed
from Chapter Chairman J. L. Jones.
the ambiance and the fellowship of
In August, Allen Gilmer, founder
Paesanos and the atmosphere of the
and CEO of Drillinginfo, Inc., present-
San Antonio Riverwalk. It was a great
ed an update on the various resource
evening after a hard day of meetings
plays, funding for oil and gas projects,
for the National BOD.
and what to expect from the industry
The next day, September 17, direc-
in the forthcoming year.
tors were picked up by van and trans-
The San Antonio Chapter was fortu-
ported to the Petroleum Club for
nate to co-host the National SIPES
lunch and the monthly guest speaker
Joe Smith (center) presenting appreciation
Board of Director’s quarterly meeting
program. Paul M. Strunk, #1869, and
gifts to September luncheon speakers
which took place in September here at
Patrick A. Nye, #3105, officers of
Patrick Nye (left) and Paul Strunk (right).
the Watermark Hotel on the
American Shoreline, Inc., in Corpus
Riverwalk. There was a social hour
Christi presented “Wind Energy, It‘s
degree in geology and has over forty
years oil and gas exploration experi-
ence. He is an active member and past
director of SIPES. Pat Nye has more
than twenty-seven years experience in
oil and gas exploration and develop-
ment in South Texas. He earned a B.S.
degree in geology from Texas A&M
Kingsville, and currently serves as
chairman of the SIPES Corpus Christi
Chapter. We are all grateful for the
opportunity to host the National
Board, and trust that all involved had
a productive, informative, and fun
time in San Antonio.
J. L. Jones
Enjoying the rooftop social are Stewart and Ann Chuber of Schulenberg, Texas; Andrew Scott
Chairman
and Donna Balin of San Antonio, Texas; and Jim Hardwick of Lafayette, Louisiana.

10 ______________________________________________________________________________SIPES QUARTERLY

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