SFA Department of Earth Sciences & Geologic Resources

?? Trace Elements in the Eagle Ford Shale: Key Insights into Geochemistry and Resource Potential The Eagle Ford Shale is a prolific hydrocarbon producer and also a geochemical treasure trove. Trace elements, though present in ppm level, play a critical role in understanding the formation’s depositional history, diagenesis, and production potential. Graduate student Natalie Girlinghouse with her advisor Dr. Julie Bloxson and USGS partner Dr. Jason Flaum, Ph.D. are studying the Eagle Ford Shale geochemistry to better understand depositional conditions in Webb and Dimmitt county compared to immature Eagle Ford in East Texas. There are also potential implications for a use of waste material (cuttings) if levels are high enough! Some elements that are commonly used for black shale geochemistry: Molybdenum (Mo): High concentrations indicate the presence of anoxic conditions during deposition, crucial for preserving organic material. Uranium (U): Its enrichment highlights reducing environments and serves as a proxy for total organic carbon (TOC). Vanadium (V) and Nickel (Ni): Often associated with organic-rich marine sediments, these elements reflect organic matter source and redox conditions. Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Provide insights into provenance, paleoclimate, and diagenetic processes. Iron (Fe) and Sulfur (S): Indicators of pyrite formation, linking trace metals to sulfurization and hydrocarbon generation potential. ??How we use these trace elements: 1?? Source Rock Evaluation: Elements like Mo, U, and V are proxies for organic richness and depositional environment, helping to identify the most productive zones. 2?? Reservoir Quality: Trace element geochemistry influences the brittleness and mechanical properties of the rock, critical for hydraulic fracturing success. 3?? Environmental Context: Variations in elements like REEs provide clues about sediment provenance and paleoclimate during deposition. 4?? Production Challenges: Elements like sulfur can impact hydrocarbon quality, while others may influence scaling or corrosion during production. ?? Understanding trace element distribution helps refine exploration strategies, optimize production, and even assess the formation’s potential for carbon capture and storage (CCUS). The geochemical fingerprint of the Eagle Ford is also invaluable for correlating subsurface data across the basin. The Eagle Ford Shale continues to fascinate geoscientists, bridging the gap between ancient processes and modern energy solutions. What insights have you gained from studying trace elements in unconventional plays? #EagleFordShale #Geochemistry #TraceElements #UnconventionalResources #GeologyRocks #SFAEarthSciences Images: Natalie is analyzing cuttings from samples donated by Black Mountain Oil & Gas and Jacob McKinney (SFA Alumni), using XRF and XRD. Organic geochemistry is being conducted by Dr. Flaum, including TOC, and carbon/oxygen isotopes.

Did you know.... That the first oil well in Texas was drilled just south Nacogdoches? In 1866, the Oil Springs area of Nacogdoches County became the site of the first oil well drilled in Texas. Lyne Taliaferro Barret was a forward-thinking entrepreneur and Civil War veteran. Barret was intrigued by the natural oil seeps in the Oil Springs area, which had long caught the attention of Native Americans and early settlers. Recognizing the potential of this untapped resource, he drilled a well to a depth of 106 feet, successfully producing oil. Although the well’s production was modest, Barret's efforts laid the groundwork for what would become Texas’s globally renowned oil industry. Barret’s well wasn’t just about striking oil—it was about sparking innovation and inspiring others to explore the natural resources beneath Texas soil. Today, his legacy reminds us geologists of the importance of persistence and foresight in shaping industries. The energy landscape in Texas has evolved tremendously, with the state now at the forefront of oil, gas, geothermal, CCUS, and renewable energy innovations. This historical well reminds us of the power of curiosity and exploration—and how small discoveries can lead to world-changing impacts. We have some BIG news coming from SFA focusing on East Texas Energy, continuing on this legacy! Stay tuned with Dr. Julie Bloxson for when we make the announcement. #TexasOilHistory #OilSprings #EnergyLeadership #Nacogdoches #GeologyRocks #EastTexasEnergy Image below: Samples of various types of oil from Gulf Coast Wells (back), showcasing the variety of colors and viscosity. Front is a vial of Pennsylvanian crude from Titusville, the first oil well drilled in the US with the goal to produce oil; a vial of crude from the Mississippi Canyon, and a vial from the Daisy Bradford discovery well of the East Texas Oilfield.

We’re thrilled to announce that Diversified is making a BIG impact at GeoGulf 2025! We have an incredible working relationship with Diversified at SFA Department of Earth Sciences & Geologic Resources, and they are constantly supporting our students, along with numerous events such as GeoGulf. This year: ?? Diversified has secured their booth ?? Bronze Sponsor ?? Sharing knowledge and presenting their work ?? Shaping the Future - Panelist on our Technology in Geology discussion panel, bringing insights into how technology is transforming our field. GeoGulf 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible conference, thanks to partners like Diversified who are driving innovation and collaboration. Make sure to visit their booth and attend their sessions! Have you submitted your abstract for GeoGulf yet? Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow with the best in the industry. #GeoGulf2025 #Diversified #GeologyMatters #TechnologyInGeology #ConferenceCountdown

Making education reachable for so many!

The countdown to GeoGulf 2025 is officially on! With just 137 days (4.5 months) to go, the excitement is building. Shoutout to DataLog and GVERSE GeoGraphix for already reserving their exhibitor booths at our Nacogdoches conference! Fingers crossed they've secured their stay at the Hotel Fredonia & Convention Center—our top recommendation that’s bound to sell out quickly. Opportunities are still available for exhibitors and sponsors! Visit the conference website to explore how you can get involved. ?? Calling all champions for the next generation of geoscientists! Would you like to sponsor student registration? Let's make it happen! #GeoGulf2025 #ConferenceCountdown #Exhibitors #Sponsors #StudentSupport Image courtesy of Visit Nacogdoches

Two weeks left to submit an abstract! We are accepting abstracts on US Gulf Coast Geology & Energy Resources. Hosted in Nacogdoches on SFA campus this year, we are excited to welcome y'all to our town!

Come join us at the Houston Gem and Mineral show through Sunday at the Humble Civic Center! Find some great gems, early Christmas gifts, and learn some great geologic information!

Come join us on SFA Campus in beautiful Nacogdoches, TX for two days of technical talks, networking, and some East Texas fun!

Today we take a quick break from our macrofossils to take a peek into the world of micropaleontology. This branch of paleontology examines microfossils, which are fossils that can only be studied with a microscope. Without magnification, many of these fossils may look like little sand grains, but there is a world of complexity to these critters. This world is where our beloved faculty member Dr. Mike T. Read resides, where he focuses on conodonts and fusulinids. Many SFA undergraduates have pursued research focusing on microfossils under his supervision. Introducing the tiniest, cutest (in my opinion) critter in micropaleontology: ostracods. These tiny guys fall into the Arthropoda subphylum Crustacea. This means ostracods share their taxonomic group with crabs, lobsters, shrimp, krill, and barnacles. Ostracods are alive and well today, but first appeared during the Early Ordovician (~485 million years ago). Their name is derived from the Greek word “ostrak?dēs” which translates to “covered with a shell” in English. The class Ostracoda, which was first described by Latreille in 1802, contains a whopping ~33,000 species. Of these, though, only about 13,000 are extant. These critters, living and extinct, lived in a diverse array of aquatic habitats. They can be found in bodies of water as large as the deep sea, to as small as ponds. Why is this fact important? Fossilized specimens are great paleoenvironment indicators, because different species of ostracods live in different settings. Fun fact: some ostracods are bioluminescent (they glow in the dark)! It’s been reported that Japanese soldiers during WWII used ostracods in bowls as a bright enough light source to read maps while still staying hidden! The sample is from Ordovician-aged material collected in Oklahoma. The photomicrograph was taken for my undergraduate research on a scanning electron microscope by Dr. Read and Dr. Jenny Rashall. The species is Acanthocytheris washburni (Stephenson) and it was collected by Dr. Read and me from the Weches Shale on N. University Drive in Nacogdoches, Texas! Kandace Muniz #paleo?#paleontology?#ostracod?#micropaleontology?#biology?#microscopic?#geology?#biology?#collections

Wesley Brown spoke about “Geophysical Characterization of Karst Geohazards in the Western Delaware Basin, Culberson County, Texas” at last week's meeting of the Shreveport Geological Society. He received a speaker’s award from the organization: a plaque with a polished slice of the Ferry Lake Anhydrite. Wesley’s co-author is Kevin Stafford. The western Delaware Basin is a vital region for energy production, but its karst geohazards pose significant challenges to infrastructure and resource development. Karst formation results from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as the gypsum found throughout the Delaware Basin in the Castille, creating underground voids, sinkholes, and unpredictable ground subsidence. These hazards are especially concerning in regions where oil, gas, and water resources are critical to the economy. By using geophysical methods to map and monitor these karst features, scientists and engineers can predict where these voids and sinkholes might appear. Techniques such as seismic reflection, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), resistivity surveys, and microgravity help identify subsurface anomalies that indicate potential hazards. ?? How Geophysics Helps: Seismic reflection is used to image subsurface layers and detect voids. -GPR provides high-resolution scans of shallow features, ideal for identifying near-surface cavities. -Electrical resistivity detects variations in the ground's electrical properties to map water pathways and voids. -Microgravity surveys help to identify mass anomalies below the surface, indicative of large subsurface features. #ShreveportGeologicalSociety?#Geology?#Geophysics?#Karst?#Geohazards #DelawareBasin #ResourceManagement #SFAEarthSciences