LinkedIn Groups: In case you wonder what all the fuss is about

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” -- Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)

There is lots of valuable information available on the Web.  The problem these days is not a lack of information, but how to find your way to the information you need.  When you run into a well constructed brick wall, consider using a social network to help you find your way.  One such network is LinkedIn.

Yes, most of what passes for information on social networking sites like LinkedIn is nothing more than naked self-promotion.  Still, LinkedIn groups like Frontier & Unconventional Resources provide the opportunity for the exchange of actual information.  See the following set of posts (names have been deleted, but if you join LinkedIn and the Frontier & Unconventional Resources group, you can see them.) The tip to remember here: Ask, and you (maybe) will receive.
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LinkedIn Group: Frontier: & Unconventional Resources
Well data required for unconventionals research project (9 comments)
Started by Chris

I'm trying to source some data for a joint university MSc research project that we at Exprodat (http://www.exprodat.com/) are running on unconventionals.

Specifically I'm looking for the following well data:
- Location
- Maturity (VRo)
- Total organic carbon (%)
- Structure (thinkness/depth)

The data could be for any unconventional resource type (eg shale gas, CBM), so long as it was for a single play.

Does anyone out there know of a free data source, or where I could potentially buy some data?


If you go to the Alberta Geological survey site http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/publications/publications.aspx you will find a wealth of open file reports on "unconventionals" with some of the material you are looking for. Review the "Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin" same site for the key intervals Duvernay, Exshaw, Montney etc
Most State Geological Surveys have well data you can get for free. I know One state that has a web site where you zoom in on a state map until you are down to township size, then you can click your mouse on indiviual wells or groups of wells. Through this you can get well reports that have other links to logs and other geologic data. I know other many states have similar things. Some states will send you log data if you contact them or they may require you to send them a hard drive.

Chris• John, many thanks for the great link to the Alberta Geological survey site. This looks to have much of what I'm looking for. Regards, Chris.


Agree with Mark Smith. Oklahoma Geological Survey has a large CBM/Shale Gas database and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has a lot of free post-1995 logs that can be downloaded free.



Another good source is "The Hydrocarbon Assessment Compilation for the TGI II is a compilation of several datasets related to oil and gas accumulations for the entire TGI II area." http://www.gov.mb.ca/stem/mrd/geo/willistontgi/hydro.html The description of the project can be found at; http://www.gov.mb.ca/stem/mrd/geo/willistontgi/abouttgi.html.

The state of ND and MT both have a wealth of data also but the TGI compilation allows for quick review of the system.

Helpful are the geochemical data. "The geochemistry data is a compilation of Rock-Eval and total organic carbon (TOC) data from various sources, including GSC open file reports, Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) publications, and Manitoba Geological Survey in-house data for southwestern Manitoba, and Saskatchewan east of 106° longitude."

Very thought provoking is Leigh Price Paper: "Origins and Characteristics of the Basin-Centered Continuous Reservoir Unconventional Oil-Resource Base of the Bakken Source System, Williston Basin". http://www.eerc.und.nodak.edu/price/



Oklahoma Geological Survey has pretty decent database for the Arkoma Woodford Play. Brian Cardott is an excellent source to get details on the analysis done. I provided multiple samples for him to include in his work for the state.



Guys, you've given me more data than I know what to do with! Thanks for your fantastic responses - really appreciated!

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Here's another tip ... when that proverbial brick wall hits you in the head, consuslt with your organization's librarian for help.  And remember to follow the Desulfurization Blog (http://www.desulf.blogspot.com/) for a contiuing stream of tips and tricks to make life easier for you.