J. Fredrick (Rick) Sarg

Research Professor, Geology and Geological Engineering

Frederick Sarg

Education

  • Ph.D, Geology, Carbonate Sedimentology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1976
  • M.Sc., Geology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 1971
  • B.Sc., Geology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 1969

 

Professional Experience

  • August, 2006 to present, Research Professor, Colorado Energy Research Institute, Colorado School of Mines, Golden. Teaching and Research program in reservoir characterization of carbonate systems.
  • 2005-2006, Senior Advisor and Instructor – Stratigraphy and Carbonates, William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., Dallas.
  • 2000-2005, Stratigraphy Coordinator, ExxonMobil Exploration Co. Lead Stratigrapher for ExxonMobil Upstream Companies.
  • 1997-2000, Scientist, Upstream Strategic Research Center, Mobil Technology Co., Dallas.
  • 1992-1997, Associate Research Advisor, Mobil E&P Technical Center, Dallas.
  • 1990-1992, Independent Consulting Geologist/Geophysicist, Midland, Texas.
  • 1988-1990, Exploration Supervisor, Lower Paleozoic Exploration Group, Permian Basin, Western Exploration Division, Exxon Co. USA.
  • 1985-1988, Research Supervisor, Carbonate Facies Section, Exxon Production Research Co.
  • 1976-1985, Stratigraphic Research Group, Exxon Production Research Co.
  • 1976, Geologist, Mobil Oil Corp.
  • 1974, summer intern, Mobil Oil Corp.

 

Honors and Awards

  • President, SEPM, Society for Sedimentary Geology, 2004-05
  • A.I. Levorsen Award, Best Paper, SW Section, AAPG Mtg., 1992
  • AAPG Distinguished Lecturer 1988-89
  • Best Paper Award SEPM Mid-Year Meeting, San Jose CA, 1984

 

Professional Societies

  • GSA Fellow
  • Active member AAPG, IAS, and SEPM
  • Life member Permian Basin Section, SEPM.

 

Committees and Activites

  • Member, SCICOM (Scientific Committee) Ocean Drilling Program 2000-03
  • Member, Division Review Committee, Earth & Planetary Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, 1997-2000
  • Secretary/Treasurer Society Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), 1998-2000
  • Visiting Professor, Baylor University, Waco, TX, Spring Semester 1992 – taught graduate course in Seismic/Sequence Stratigraphy
  • Associate Editor, AAPG Bulletin, 1985-1993
  • Co-editor, AAPG Memoir 81, Seismic Imaging of Carbonate Reservoirs and Systems, 2004
  • Co-editor, AAPG Memoir 57, Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy, 1993
  • Co-editor, SEPM Special Publication No. 44, Controls on Carbonate Platform Development, 1989
  • Member Ocean Drilling Program (ODP):
    member Sediments & Geochemical Processes Panel, Ocean Drilling Program, 1993-95
    member Editorial Review Board for Scientific Results ODP Leg 133 – Northeast Australia Continental Margin, 1991
    served on Sediments and Ocean History Panel, 1984-88

 

Publications

 

  • Sarg, J.F., and J.S. Schuelke, 2003, Integrated seismic analysis of carbonate reservoirs: from the framework to the volume attributes: The Leading Edge, v. 22, no. 7, p. 640-645.
  • Sarg, J.F., 2001, The sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, and economic importance of evaporite-carbonate transitions: a review; Sedimentary Geology, v. 140, p. 9-42.
  • Sarg, J.F., J.R. Markello, and L.J. Weber, 1999, The second-order cycle, carbonate platform growth, and reservoir, source, and trap prediction; in, Advances in Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy: Applications to Reservoirs, Outcrops, and Models, SEPM Spec. Pub. #63, p. 11-34.
  • Sarg, J.F., L.J. Weber, and J.R. Markello, 1996, Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy – Application to Exploration and Development; Carbonate Sequence Stratigraphy Short Course Notes, AAPG-SEPM Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 197p.
  • Sarg, J.F., L.J. Weber, J. R. Markello, J.K. Southwell, J.M. Thomson, J.J. Kmeck, M.E. Christal, and Y.Tanaka, 1996, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy – a summary and perspective with case history, Neogene, Papua New Guinea; in Proceedings of International Symposium on Sequence Stratigraphy in Southeast Asia, Indonesian Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1989, Middle-Late Permian depositional sequences, Permian basin, West Texas-New Mexico; in, Atlas of Seismic Stratigraphy, A.W. Bally (ed.), AAPG Studies in Geology No. 27, v.3, p.140-155.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1988, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy; in, Sea-Level Changes: An Integrated Approach, in, C. Wilgus (ed.), SEPM Special Publication No. 42, p. 155-181.
  • Sarg, J.F., and P.J. Lehmann, 1986, Lower and Middle Guadalupian facies and stratigraphy San Andres/Grayburg formations Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico: Field Conference Guidebook Permian Basin Section SEPM, Pub. No. 86-25.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1985, Permian shelf calcrete, Shattuck Member, Queen Formation (southeast New Mexico) – shelfal expression of Middle Guadalupian fall in sea level: West Texas Geol. Soc. Bulletin, v.24, p.8-16.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1984, Sedimentology of the Ames limestone (Conemaugh Group) in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area – evidence for Virgilian eustatic rise in sea level; in, Compte Rendu Ninth International Congress of Carboniferous Stratigraphy and Geology, 1979, Champaign-Urbana, Ill., v.3, p.554-560.
  • Sarg, J.F., and L.J. Skjold, 1982, Stratigraphic traps in Paleocene sands in the Balder area, North Sea; in, The Deliberate Search for the Subtle Trap, M.T. Halbouty (ed.), AAPG Memoir 32, p.197-206.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1982, Off-reef deposition (Silurian) southern Michigan basin – implications For reef genesis: SEPM Core Workshop Notes, The Depositional Spectrum of Evaporites, AAPG-SEPM National Mtg., 1982, Calgary.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1981, Petrology of the carbonate-evaporite facies transition of the Seven Rivers Formation (Guadalupian, Permian) southeast New Mexico: Jour. Sed. Pet., v. 51, p.73-96.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1977, Sedimentology of the carbonate-evaporite facies transition of the Seven Rivers Formation (Guadalupian, Permian) in southeast New Mexico; in, Upper Guadalupian Facies, Permian Reef Complex Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico and West Texas, Field Conference Guidebook, 1977, Permian Basin Section- SEPM, Pub. 77-16, p.451-478.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1976, Sedimentology of the Carbonate-Evaporite Facies Transition of the Seven Rivers Formation (Guadalupian, Permian) in Southeast New Mexico; Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 313 pages.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1971, Depositional Environments of the Ames Limestone (Conemaugh Group) in the Pittsburgh, PA Area; MS thesis, University of Pittsburgh, 47 pages.

 

Co-author

  • Snedden, J.W., Sarg, J.F (Rick), and Ying, Xudong (Don), 2003, Exploration Play Analysis from a Sequence Stratigraphic Perspective: AAPG Search and Discovery Website, www.searchanddiscovery.org
  • Snedden, J.W., Sarg, J.F (Rick), and Ying, Xudong (Don), 2002, Exploration Play Analysis from a Sequence Stratigraphic Perspective: Gulf Coast Section SEPM Foundation Research Conference Proceedings-2002, p. 79-97.
  • Snedden, J.W., Peters, K.P., and J.F. Sarg, 2001, A new geochemical- sequence stratigraphic model for the Mahakam delta and slope, Kalimantan, Indonesia: reply, AAPG Bulletin, vol. 85, no. 6, p. 1102-1105.
  • O’Grady, D.B., J.P.M. Syvitski, L. Pratson, and J.F. Sarg, 2000, Categorizing the morphologic variability of siliciclastic passive continental margins; Geology, v. 28, p. 207-210.
  • Peters, K.E., J.W. Snedden, A. Sulaeman, J.F. Sarg, and R.J. Enrico, 2000, A new geochemical-sequence stratigraphic model for the Mahakam Delta and Makassar Slope, Kalimantan, Indonesia; AAPG Bull., v. 84, p. 12-44.
  • Mansor, Y., Snedden, J.W., J.F. Sarg , Smith, B.S., Kolich, T.H., Carter, M.H., 1999, Pre-drill predictions versus post-drill results: use of sequence stratigraphic methods in reduction of exploration risk, Sarawak deep-water blocks, Malaysia: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, vol. 17, p. 247-254.
  • Snedden, J. W., J.F. (Rick) Sarg, Clutson, M.J., Maas, M., Okon, T.E., Carter, M.H., Smith, B.S., Kolich, T.H., and Md. Y. Mansor, 1996, Using sequence stratigraphic methods in high-supply deltas: examples from the ancient Mahakam and Rajang-Lupar deltas: Proceedings, Indonesian Petroleum Association, 25th Annual Convention, p. 281-295.
  • Weber, L.J., J.F. Sarg, and F.M. Wright, 1995b, Part 3. sequence stratigraphy and reservoir delineation of the Middle Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian), Paradox basin and Aneth Field, southwestern USA; in Read, J. F., and others, eds., Milankovitch Sea-Level Changes, Cycles, and Reservoirs on Carbonate Platforms in Greenhouse and Ice-House Worlds: SEPM Short Course No. 35, p.1-81.
  • Weber, L.J., F.M. Wright, J.F. Sarg, E. Shaw, L.P. Harmon, J.B. Vanderhill, and D.A. Best, 1995a, Reservoir delineation and performance: application of sequence southeast Utah, USA; in Stoudt, E.L., and Harris P.M., eds., Hydrocarbon Reservoir Characterization: Geologic Framework and Flow Modeling: SEPM Short Course No. 34, p.31-51.
  • Kennard, J., P. Southgate, J. Jackson, P. O’Brien, N. Christie-Blick, A. Holmes, and J.F. Sarg, 1992, Devonian Reef Complex and the Frasnian-Famennian Boundary, Canning Basin, Australia: A New Sequence Perspective, GEOLOGY.
  • Harris, D.G., and J.F. Sarg, 1989, Seismic modeling of a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic prograded system, Middle Permian, Permian Basin; in, Search For The Subtle Trap – Hydrocarbon Exploration in Mature Basins, J.E. Flis, R.C. Price, and J.F. Sarg (eds.), West Texas Geological Soc. Pub. No. 89-85, p.119-138.
  • Rossen, C., P.J. Lehmann, J.F. Sarg, and L.C. Pray, 1989, Geologic Guide to the Western Escarpment, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas; Permian Basin Section SEPM Pub. No. 88-30.
  • Van Wagoner, J.C., H.W. Posamentier, R.M. Mitchum, P.R. Vail, J.F. Sarg, T.S. Loutit, and J. Hardenbol, 1988, An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions; in, Sea-Level Changes: An Integrated Approach, C. Wilgus (ed.), SEPM Special Publication No. 42, p.39-45.
  • Carothers, M.C., and J.F. Sarg, 1984, Burrow constructed bioherms in Cambridge (Pine Creek) limestone (Conemaugh Group) of the Appalachian basin – a nearshore indicator; in, Compte Rendu Ninth International Congress of Carboniferous Stratigraphy and Geology, 1979, Champaign-Urbana, Ill., v.3, p.421-426.

 

Oral and Poster Presentations

 

  • Sarg, J.F., 2006, The sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, and economic importance of evaporates and evaporate-carbonate transitions; keynote presentation at 4th Latin American Sedimentological Conference, Beriloche, Argentina, November, 2006.
  • Sarg, J.F., 2006, Carbonate reservoir characterization – an integrated approach and future research directions; The First International Energy 2030 Conference, Abu Dhabi, November, 2006.
  • Sarg, J.F., and J.W. Snedden, 2006, Using Global Cycle Charts in Tectonically Active Basins, Neogene of the Southeast Asia Region, and Comparison with the Passive Margin Standard, AAPG Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas, April, 2006.
  • Weber, L.J, and J.F. Sarg, 2005, Play element prediction: carbonate plays in subaqueous evaporate settings, AAPG Annual Meeting, Calgary.
  • Sarg, J.F., 2003, Saline giants and carbonate-evaporite transitions; 12th Bathurst Meeting, International Conference of Carbonate Sedimentologists, Durham, U.K.
  • Snedden, J.W., Sarg, J,F., and K. Peters, 2002, Major deltas as complete petroleum systems: a sequence stratigraphic perspective: AAPG Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas, March 10-13, 2002.
  • Sarg, J.F., 2000, The saline giants – sedimentary extremes that are part of the earth’s rhythms; abst. with programs, GSA Annual Mtg, Reno.
  • Snedden, J.W., Sarg, J,F., and D. Ying, 1999, Exploration Play Analysis from a Sequence Stratigraphic Perspective, Norsk Petrol. For., March, 1999
  • Sarg, J.F., and L.J. Weber, 1999, Carbonate platform growth in an active tectonic setting – sequence stratigraphy, tectonic history, and evolution of Miocene reefs, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea; poster, Bathurst Conference, Cambridge.
  • Peters, K.E., J.W. Snedden, A. Sulaeman, J.F. Sarg, R.J. Enrico, 1999, A new geochemical-sequence stratigraphic model for the Mahakam Delta and Makassar Slope, Kalimantan, Indonesia: AAPG International Meeting in Birmingham, England, September, 1999, p. 393-396.
  • Bateman, J.A., E.H. Davies, J.F. Rick Sarg, and J.W. Snedden, 1999, Lowstand exploration plays of the Jeanne D’ Arc Basin (Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous), Offshore Newfoundland, Canada: AAPG International Meeting in Birmingham, England, September, 1999, p . 39-43.
  • Snedden, J.W., and J.F. Sarg, 1998, Reducing reservoir and source rock risk in deepwater plays: examples from Southeast Asia: American Association Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 82/10 p. 1968 (abstract for AAPG International Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November, 1998).
  • Snedden, J.W., and Sarg, J.F., 1998, Large scale synsedimentary tectonic control upon stratigraphic sequences in two petroleum provinces of Borneo: AAPG Annual Mtg., Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • Markello, J.R., and J.F. Sarg, 1998, Late Permian (Guadalupian) LST/TST mud-rich sponge bioherms: their sequence stratigraphic architecture and occurrence on an over-steepened, gullied ramp-margin; San Andres Fm., Last Chance Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, USA; IAS Congress, Spain.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1998, The sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, and economic importance of evaporite-carbonate transitions; IAS Congress, Spain.
  • Schuelke, J.S., J.A. Quirein, and J.F. Sarg, 1997, Reservoir architecture and porosity distribution, Pegasus Field, West Texas – an integrated sequence stratigraphic- seismic attribute study using neural networks: 67th Annual Internat. Mtg., Soc. Expl. Geophys., Expanded Abstracts, p. 668-671.
  • Mansor, Y.D., J.W. Snedden, J.F. (Rick) Sarg, B.S. Smith, T. Kolich, and M. Carter, 1997, Pre-drill predictions vs post-drill results: use of sequence stratigraphic methods in reduction of exploration risk, Sarawak Deepwater Blocks, Malaysia: In, Tectonics, Stratigraphy, and Petroleum Systems of Borneo, Conference University of Burnei Darussalam, June 22-25th, 1997, p. 60.
  • Snedden, J.W., Sarg, J.F., Faber, J.A., and J. Brown, 1996, Downdip plays: highstand versus lowstand exploration: Luncheon keynote address, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies 1996 Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas.
  • Sarg, J F., L.J. Weber, and J.R. Markello, 1996, The second-order cycle, paleoclimate, paleoceanography, and carbonate platform growth – clues from the ancient; keynote address Carbonates and Global Change: An Interdisciplinary Approach, SEPM/IAS Research Conference, Wildhaus, Switzerland.
  • Southwell, J.K., J.M. Thomson, J.J. Kmeck, M.E. Christal, J.F. Sarg, L.J. Weber, and Y. Tanaka, 1995b, Sequence stratigraphy, tectono-stratigraphic history, and evolution of Miocene ‘reefs’, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea; International Symposium on Sequence Stratigraphy in Southeast Asia, Indonesian Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1995a, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy – a current assessment; keynote address International Symposium on Sequence Stratigraphy in Southeast Asia, Indonesian Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta.
  • Candelaria, M.P., and J.F. Sarg, 1992, High Resolution Seismic Characterization of a Wolfcampian Carbonate Platform Margin, Poster Presentation AAPG-SEPM Nat. Mtg., Calgary.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1992, Tectonics, eustasy, and sequence stratigraphy – the Middle Pennsylvanian-Wolfcampian of the Permian basin; Southwest Section AAPG Mtg., Midland, TX.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1991, Tectonics, eustasy, and sequence stratigraphy – the Pennsylvanian- Wolfcampian of the Permian basin; GSA Rocky Mountain/South-Central Regional Mtg., Albuquerque.
  • Weber, L.J., F.M. Wright, J.R. Markello, and J.F. Sarg, 1991, Stratified carbonate reservoirs-parasequences as barriers to vertical fluid flow: an example from the Greater Aneth Field, Paradox basin of southeastern Utah: poster presentation AAPG Nat. Mtg., Dallas.
  • Sarg, J.F., and D.G. Harris, 1990, Seismic modeling of a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic prograded system, Middle Permian, Midland Basin; SEG Midwest Mtg., Midland, TX.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1989, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy and the controls on carbonate platform development – case study from the Permian of West Texas-New Mexico: AAPG Distinguished Lecture.
  • Sarg, J.F., 1986, Carbonate sequence stratigraphy – a case study from West Texas-New Mexico: GSA Annual Mtg., San Antonio, TX.
  • Sarg, J.F., and L.C. Pray, 1984, Unconformities and depositional sequences of seismic stratigraphic scale, Permian of western Guadalupe Mountains, Texas-New Mexico: SEPM Annual Mid-Year Mtg., San Jose, CA. (Best Paper Award)
  • Sarg, J.F., 1983, Eustatic control of cyclic carbonate-evaporite deposition (Silurian) southern Michigan basin: GSA Nat. Mtg., Indianapolis.

Contact

jsarg@mines.edu
Berthoud 311B
303-273-3729
Fax: 303-273-3859