Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2018, Earth and Environmental Sciences

In August 2017, a dynamite-sourced 2D seismic reflection survey was conducted along a gravel road northwest of Portland, Indiana. The main focus of the survey was to determine the orientation of a lithologic unit previously identified by Welder (2014) on a similar 2D seismic reflection survey in the same area. Drillers logs of two wells within this area identified a limestone layer below the Mt. Simon Sandstone, and a similar limestone layer was identified in a well drilled in Clark County, Ohio. As the focus of this study, this limestone layer will be informally named the `Votaw limestone'. The seismic line studied by Welder (2014) was oriented west-east; the seismic line utilized in this study is oriented north-south and crosses the previous one. Together, these seismic lines allow the true orientation of the Votaw limestone to be determined. Geophysical logs from nearby wells and two distant ones (north central Indiana and western Ohio) were used to produce synthetic seismograms which together with drillers logs were used identify the top of Eden, Trenton, Knox, Eau Claire, Mt. Simon, and Middle Run formations. The top of the Votaw limestone was associated with a reflection in the seismic data using the synthetics and the driller's logs for the nearby wells. Importantly, where the Middle Run Formation exists, the Votaw limestone occurs below the top of the Middle Run. The Votaw limestone is horizontal in both north-south and west-east seismic lines, confirming that it is truly horizontal in this area. This limestone could be present beneath the Middle Run in Warren County, Ohio, based on similar seismic characteristics of reflectors. The pre-stack CDP's were used to analyze the Amplitude Variation with Offset (AVO) response of the limestone layer. The limestone reflector primarily exhibited a negative gradient with some variations suggesting an impurity of the limestone. The limestone reflector in the area is parallel to the overlying Paleozoic reflect (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ernest Hauser Ph.D. (Advisor); Doyle Watts Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Dominic Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology; Geophysics

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2014, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Wright State University acquired two vibroseis-sourced seismic reflection lines over the Dominion East Ohio Gabor Gas Storage field near Canton, Ohio. The data were gathered over a fully charged reservoir within the Clinton interval. Seismic attributes were applied to the seismic data for interpretation. The seismic response of nearby wells was modeled for comparison with the seismic lines. Within the seismic data a gas shadow was observed. The gas shadow coincides with an area of high initial production of wells targeting the Clinton interval for production. The gas shadow is also associated with broadening of the Packer Shell sidelobe. Modelling of the seismic response of well API# 3416925010000 shows a broadening effect of the Packer Shell sidelobe similar to that seen in the seismic data. This broadening is also associated with low porosity, implying that broadening of the Packer Shell sidelobe is indicative of a poor hydrocarbon reservoir.

Committee: Doyle Watts Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Ernest Hauser Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Dominic Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Earth; Energy; Geology; Geophysics; Petroleum Geology

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2014, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Using well logs and AVO gradient analysis, I identify and characterize a package of reflectors associated with the Utica Shale from vibroseis data collected by Wright State University at the Gabor Gas Storage field near Canton, Ohio. I also correlate TOC measurements from wells to densities and velocities at the same depths. On the seismic data, I interpret prominent reflections from the top and bottom of the Utica Shale and an intra-Utica reflector of varying frequency content associated with a velocity/density low in well log data. I investigate the possibility that the lateral variation in frequency content and change in wavelet character of these reflections is influenced by velocity gradients, termed Wolf Ramps. A Matlab software script was written in order to approximate this behavior using synthetic wavelets, and the resulting model matched well with the seismic data. Additionally, I note a possible reverse fault within the Utica that could create fracture porosity and a migration pathway. To model the AVO response, an AVA volume was created from prestack data and reflection coefficients up to 30 degrees of incidence were calculated using the two-term Aki-Richards approximation. Large negative normal incidence reflection coefficients attenuated at higher angles of incidence (Class IV anomalies) were observed at the top of Utica reflector, a response consistent with a change from silica-rich nonsource shale to black source shale. Large positive normal incidence reflection coefficients decreasing at higher angles of incidence (Class I anomalies) were noted at the bottom of Utica reflector, consistent with a shift from low impedance source shale to higher impedance calcareous shale. To perform forward modeling, I used geophysical well logs and NS-EW vibroseis line data. Using Hampson Russell commercial software, acoustic impedance and reflectivity were computed from sonic and density logs. An average wavelet at the Utica two-way travel time was extracte (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Doyle Watts Ph.D. (Advisor); Ernest Hauser Ph.D. (Committee Member); David Dominic Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology; Geophysics

MS, Kent State University, 2011, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Earth Sciences

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of identifying transmissive bedrock fracture zones and regional trend(s) of fracture under the blanket of glacial till in NE Ohio by mapping hydraulic conductivitiy estimated by using the residential water well production data provided in the Water Well Log and Drilling Reports. Water Well Log and Drilling Report data for private residential water wells were collected randomly amid the wells tapped within the Sharon Sandstone aquifer. Typical Well Log and Drilling Report includes a rudimentary description of the lithological column along with the following data from the well production test: (1) static water level, (2) time duration of pumping or bailing, (3) the rate of pumping or bailing and (4) water level at the end of the production test. The data was used to estimate hydraulic conductivity from the tests in water wells within the Sharon Sandstone aquifer in Geauga County, Ohio by applying Cooper and Jacob (1946) and Jacob's (1950) approximation to Theis' (1935) non-equilibrium radial flow equation. As all the wells in the study area were neither cased nor screened within the aquifer and the production test rates were low (27.25-109.02m3/day, or 5-20gpm), the well loss can be assumed negligible. The resulting hydraulic conductivity values followed quasi-log normal distribution with the geometric mean of 9.88x10-6 m/s. (2.80 ft/day). The hydraulic conductivity values were mapped and grouped into two distinct populations: the low values presumably corresponding to the primary porosity zones within the aquifer and high values assumed corresponding to the fractured zones. The mapped patterns of the higher hydraulic conductivity values clearly followed two distinct orientations: N340E and N440W. Trends on map of hydraulic conductivity correlated fairly well with the regional fracture pattern of the Allegheny Plateau Province, the trends of N210E and N570W obtained for Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northwestern W (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Yoram Eckstein PhD (Advisor); Abdul Shakoor PhD (Committee Member); Joseph Ortiz PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geology