Speaker: Cars W. Symcox

Subject: Practical Integration of Geochemistry to Source-Adjacent Oil Plays: SCOOP/STACK Case Study

Carl Symcox examines the organic geochemistry of 171 oils produced across thirteen counties of the Devonian-Mississippian SCOOP and STACK plays. By comparing oil biomarker fingerprints, the source rock(s) depositional and diagenetic controls are mapped, by proxy, at basin scale. Geochemical and engineering variables are linked to drive insights into producibility, GOR, H2S risk, seal integrity, reservoir pressure, and even porosity/permeability. Some highlights include the following:

  • Mapping the Woodford and Caney/Goddard depositional systems from source-adjacent oil production
  • Fluid maturity modeling to determine statistically most successful parameters
  • Predicting capillary seal leakage, overpressure, migration, and GOR trends
  • Reservoir charge model and the future of “Geosteering for Porosity”L
  • Lessons from STACK for other source-adjacent plays (Bakken-Three Forks, Eagleford-Austin Chalk, etc.)

Biography: Carl is a postdoctoral researcher with the Oklahoma Geological Survey studying critical mineral deposits in Oklahoma key to the future of transportation, energy, and manufacturing. His research goals center on determining the viability of producing lithium rich brines from existing oilfield infrastructure and on rare earth enriched phosphate nodules in Paleozoic black shales. Carl received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College studying barium-rich brines in the Marcellus Shale, his master’s degree from the Colorado School of Mines studying lacustrine stratigraphy of Eocene saline lakes, and his doctoral degree from the University of Oklahoma studying the organic geochemistry of the SCOOP/STACK petroleum system. Carl grew up in Creek County, Oklahoma.