Geologist that published new ODNR map cutting Athens Co. fired.

Interesting article from The Athens News discussing the recent firing of Larry Wickstrom, the ODNR geologist that re-drew the oil and gas prime areas map. I've seen others discussing that this might have been an underhanded play to get leases on those lands for a lot less than they are worth. This makes me think there may be something to that idea.

http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-37060-lsthe-maprs-and-the-st...

 

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1w1vl8clda7t4Permalink Reply by 1w1vl8clda7t4 on June 8, 2012 at 12:19pm
I couldn't agree more!
Permalink Reply by Terry Smith on June 8, 2012 at 7:46am

yes, that's the old map. He said they updated it because some of their core samples and cuttings had come off the one-year proprietary restrictions, which allowed them to use that info to fine-tune the map. One group that profited was the flippers and brokers who were able to low-ball lease offers in areas that no longer were included in the play.


Here's the link to the site where you can link to the study that contains the redrawn map. It's the middle choice in the box with three study links:

http://ohiodnr.com/?TabId=23014

Also, the ODNR information suggests they thought Wickstrom was tied too closely to the industry, and was operating independently of other divisions within the ODNR. The Division of Geological Survey is only one of many.

1w1vl8clda7t4Permalink Reply by 1w1vl8clda7t4 on June 8, 2012 at 7:57am
That is simply untrue...the core sample's they used to extend the oil window in the revised map were available when the first map was drawn.
Permalink Reply by Dee A on June 8, 2012 at 9:23am

That's where I think his next job may tell a lot.

Permalink Reply by David Perotto on June 8, 2012 at 12:41pm
An opposing view for consideration. The second Uitca report, from the ODNR website, came out approximately two weeks after the initial one. If you read through the first report, the potential production from the first report is made without consideration of total carbon content of the shale. Cuttings revealing the organic carbon were included in the second report. This second report also contains disclaimers stating that there could be underperforming areas in the high potential areas as well as higher performing areas outside of the lower potential areas - such as Athens in this second report.

I dont claim to know this man's ethics or intentions, but it is possible that his reporting was honestly done. It is, however, a bit questionable how a these two studies occured within such a short window from one another.
Permalink Reply by Terry Smith on June 8, 2012 at 9:27am

Here's the story I just posted with info from the ODNR's response to our records request about Larry Wickstrom's removal as state geologist. A lot of the background was contained in my column/article from yesterday, though this is a straight news story.

http://www.athensnews.com/ohio/article-37082-records-indicate-odnrs...

Permalink Reply by Terry Smith on June 8, 2012 at 1:28pm

I just added a few paragraphs to the end of the story I posted earlier. This regards whether the ODNR intends to take down the most recent Utica/Ohio map. I'll paste that part below (McCorkle is an ODNR PR person):


On Friday, The NEWS asked McCorkle whether concerns about the redrawn Utica map and study, as expressed in Wickstrom's personnel review, would result in it being pulled from the ODNR website.

McCorkle said the agency isn't considering removing the most recent Utica map or study from the Division of Geological Survey website. "I am certain that once a new state geologist is appointed, that individual will probably evaluate that data, with current data," she said. "If a new conclusion is reached, (ODNR) Director Zehringer will take it under consideration."

She downplayed the idea that the redrawn Utica play map is somehow in error. "Scientific debate regarding the findings of the shale map is not uncommon and certainly not unexpected," she said. "As Mr. Wickstrom said at the time of its release, the information was based on his best analysis in light of available data… Again, the shale map is the agency's best analysis using existing information. It will be updated when new data becomes available."

Permalink Reply by Dee A on June 8, 2012 at 2:21pm

If they simply outlined areas on the map that had "Limited Data Available", and labeled them as "Inconclusive Due to Limited Data", instead of treating those areas as though it was definite that they weren't good, that would have been the proper way to go in my opinion. Especially due to the fact that it was such a big change from a map just previously published.

Permalink Reply by Terry Smith on June 8, 2012 at 4:47pm

Well, what I've wondered all along is why Larry W. released the map with such fanfare -- at the OOGA meeting of all places -- and then immediately began qualifying all of the information. I interviewed him a week later, and he made special pains to say that they only had a few data points (cuttings not core samples) for Athens Co. and some of the other southern counties, and that the E&P companies likely had much more specific information. So that begs the question, why release the new map in the first place, especially when it had such a concrete effect on lease offers and negotiations? I suspect his higher-ups wondered the same thing.

Permalink Reply by Pat on June 10, 2012 at 2:08am

(Terry)

I'm pleased that you have taken the time to ask questions.  I've yet to find any other media outlet taking a look at this situation the way Athens News has.    

Personally, when i reverse engineer this whole [8 month] process in my mind I feel there's been a "chumming for suckers"....hope i'm wrong [but then i'm a pessimist].  

Permalink Reply by Terry Smith on June 10, 2012 at 3:13pm

I'm genuinely astounded that none of this state's big papers - the ones with a significant presence in Columbus -- have picked up on the story. It seems like it has everything, impact, conflict, intrigue. And what happens with the deep-shale play in Ohio seems sort of important.

1w1vl8clda7t4Permalink Reply by 1w1vl8clda7t4 on June 10, 2012 at 3:37pm
They're waiting for the darker sides to unfold...it sells more papers. Ask the Plain Dealer how much their subscriptions went up when they ran stories about Jimmy Demora and his posse.

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