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42033-AC8
Sequence Stratigraphy and Reservoir Characterization of Subsurface Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Mixed Carbonate-Siliciclastic Passive Margin Sediments, Southeastern U.S.A

Brian Perry Coffey, Simon Fraser University

During the Sept.1, 2007-August 31, 2008 funding cycle, the PI has maintained Adjunct Faculty status at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC).  One student M.Sc. thesis has been completed at SFU, and additional data have been collected on samples from the study by the PI at UNC. A formal request has been made to SFU to remit unutilized funds allocated for student tuition and stipends to ACS.
Personnel.- One M.Sc. student (Sunde) has completed his thesis on the subsurface characterization of Lower Cretaceous sediments from the North Carolina Coastal plain. No additional students have been taken on to complete this project, because of changes in employment by the PI. It is noteworthy that four of the five undergraduates who have been involved with this project now have gained full-time employment in the energy industry in Calgary, Alberta (the one remaining student was not majoring in Earth Sciences). The one M.Sc. student also now holds a permanent position at a major petroleum company in Calgary, Alberta.
Data Analysis.- Detailed descriptions of more than 2000 thin sections of Lower Cretaceous subsurface samples have been completed from five wells, following lengthy data preparation since early 2005.  Preliminary analyses of Upper Jurassic strata from one well have been initiated by the PI, but consulting and state government job commitments have prevented time for continued sample study.  This research will continue after completion of the grant funding period, as all samples were prepared during the study. Students digitized roughly 100 wireline logs scanned by the PI and M.Sc student at state geologic survey data repositories. These data have been integral for relating lithologic responses observed in cuttings with geophysical datasets; the data subsequently have been shared with both state agencies and energy companies with renewed interest in exploration within the study area.  Preliminary biostratigraphic analyses from three wells failed to yield age-diagnostic calcareous nannofossils from intervals interpreted as the most open marine facies in this updip shelf position. Strontium isotopic analyses (completed at UNC) from core and cuttings have yielded promising results; these data should improve age resolution and also may provide insight in continental shelf response to global anoxia events. 
Field Research.- The only additional field-related research since the 2005 field season was conducted by the PI in North Carolina and British Columbia. The PI returned to SFU in April 2008 to oversee the M.Sc. student thesis defense and to oversee transport of remaining research samples to the PI’s office at UNC.
Meetings.- The PI attended the Conjugate Atlantic Margin Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia and presented one oral presentation and one poster related to the research funded by this grant.  In addition, the PI has provided results of this research with members of the Delaware and North Carolina Geological Surveys, plus several major exploration companies interested in potential hydrocarbon traps offshore of the U.S. East Coast.
Presentations.- The PI and student presented results from this study in one poster at the Conjugate Atlantic Margin Conference.  An additional oral presentation was made at this conference.  Extended abstracts were prepared for both presentations.

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