Our Students in Action!
Shayda Zahrai – Dissolving minerals in the laboratory to determine how long Mars was wet.
Advisor: Dr. Megan Elwood-Madden
Research Facilities and Laboratories
The ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics has state of the art research facilities across a broad sprectrum of the geosciences. Ranging from field instruments to experimental apparatus to computing software and hardware, the CPSGG provides students with the tools necessary to complete cutting edge research.
The list of faculty on the sidebar highlights the primary research areas of our faculty. Please contact faculty for more information about laboratory facilities or related research projects.
Institute for Reservoir Characterization
Director of the Institute is Dr. Roger Slatt who has had a 14 year career in the oil and gas industry with Cities Service Co. and ARCO/ARCO International, focused on various aspects of reservoir characterization globally. He also has had a 17-year career in academia, including Head of the School of Geology and Geological Engineering at Colorado School of Mines (1992-2000), Director of the School of Geology and Geophysics at University of Oklahoma (2000-2005), and Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (1995-2000). Faculty collaborators include Drs. Younane Abousleiman (OU), Paul Philp (OU), Neal O’Brien (State University of New York-Potsdam), Eric Eslinger (The College of St. Rose, New York), Yoana Walschap (OU) and Robert Davis (Schlumberger).
Institute research focus is in the areas of unconventional resource shales, reservoir characterization and deepwater petroleum geology. More than 50 students have received their M.S. and Ph.D. degrees through Institute studies under Dr. Slatt’s direction. Courses in Introduction to Reservoir Characterization and Advanced Reservoir Characterization are offered to OU graduate students annually.
Inter-disciplinary courses on applied reservoir characterization, as well as collaborative or consortium research programs, are available through the Institute to industry professionals globally.
Devon NanoLab (Powder X-ray Diffraction)
The Devon NanoLab includes several components, including a FEI Helios 600 NanoLab focused ion beam / SEM / STEM system and an XRADIA X-ray tomography scanner. Geology and Geophysics leads efforts with powder X-ray diffraction. A Rigaku Ultima-IV X-ray diffractometer includes cross-beam optics, allowing rapid switching between Bragg-Brentano (standard) and parallel-beam (advanced) optical configurations. Scintillation and Si-strip detectors are mounted with a Y-arm system that facilitates either extremely rapid or extremely precise data collection. The Ultima IV can also be configured for Grazing Incidence measurements of thin films on diffracting surfaces. Additionally, the lab is equipped for preparation of bulk rock samples, with tools such as a McCrone Micronizing mill, and for the treatment of rock samples for clay analysis, requiring a sequence of extraction steps involving a number of chemical and physical treatments. To accomplish the clay separations, the lab contains a centrifuge, a dialysis bath, desiccators, a drying oven, a furnace, a heating water bath, and a microbalance. For data analysis, updated software tools such as MDI Jade, MDI ClaySim, and Rigaku PDXL are interfaced with the most recent powder diffraction file databases from the International Centre for Diffraction Data.
Electron Microprobe Laboratory
The electron microprobe laboratory is located in the Sarkeys Energy Center, and is built around a fully automated Cameca SX50 microanalyzer that incorporates the latest innovations in hardware, software, and computing capabilities. The five wavelength-dispersive spectrometers and a new PGT energy-dispersive detector are integrated with all analytical and imaging functions (which include secondary electron, backscattered electron, x-ray, and cathodoluminescence). The system provides quantitative elemental microanalysis of boron to uranium; rapid qualitative analysis (C to U); digital acquisition of electron, x-ray intensity, and visible luminescence images; image analysis and other data processing routines.
The S. M. Noble Electron Microscopy Laboratory, located in George Lynn Cross Hall, augments the electron microprobe facility with high- resolution SEM (JEOL 880) and TEM (JEOL 2000FX) electron microscopes.
Experimental Petrology Laboratory
The experimental petrology laboratory has facilities for mineral synthesis, studies of phase equilibria of heterogeneous reactions, exchange equilibria of homogeneous reactions, and annealing and reaction rates. In addition to sample preparation facilities, the experimental laboratory contains 18 externally heated reaction vessels for experimental operations to 900° C, 200 MPa.
Field Geophysics Lab
The Field Geophysics Lab at the University of Oklahoma includes a wide range of equipment for near-surface and basin- to crustal-scale geophysical imaging. Seismic sensors and recording equipment include 9 Nanometrics Trillium Compact broadband seismometers and 9 Taurus digitizers, 3 Geode seismic recording boxes with 72 channels on cables with 10 m, 4.5 m, or 0.5 m take-outs, and 10-Hz and 28-Hz geophones. Seismic sources include an ATV with a PEG-40 seismic 'thumper' source, a betsy gun, and sledgehammers. Potential field equipment includes a CG-5 gravimeter, a G-858 magnetometer, and 3 G-856 magnetometers. The lab owns a Sensors and Software GPR system with 100 MHz and 50 MHz antennas, and a GEM-2 for electromagnetic studies. Multiple Unix and Linux servers and a full suite of software (ProMAX, Petrel, Oasis Montaj, etc.) are available for data processing and interpretation.
Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry Laboratory
This facility is used to assess the compositions and physical properties of fluid inclusions through microthermometric techniques. In addition to specialized sample preparation equipment, the laboratory includes a new Linkam TH600 programmable heating/freezing stage on a Zeiss
Research Photomicroscope.
Gas Hydrates Laboratory
The Gas Hydrates Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma is fully equipped to conduct, monitor, and analyze gas hydrate thermodynamic and kinetic experiments. Two Parr® pressure vessels are used as hydrate reactors with external heating/cooling systems which can achieve experimental temperatures from -50 to 400 degrees Celsius. The reactors are instrumented with digital thermocouples and pressure transducers which are monitored and recorded with a custom designed Labview® system. High Pressure Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) pumps are available for fluid injection. Hoods are used for ventilation and methane and carbon dioxide sensors monitor explosion and suffocation hazards in the laboratory. Liquid nitrogen dewars are also available for sample storage and transport.
Geophysical Data Analysis and Modeling Laboratory
The Geophysical Data Analysis and Modeling Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma is a major teaching and research facility and is well equipped with software to analyze and model a variety of geophysical data. It is strongly linked to the Crustal Imaging Facility but contains six Windows X64 dual-monitor, dual-core workstations with 4GB of RAM and large dual screens. These computers contain a variety of state-of-the-art software including ENVI for the analysis of remote sensing data, OASIS Montage for analysis of gravity and magnetic data, GMSYS for modeling gravity and magnetic data in 2-D and 3-D, and ArcGIS for spatial integration of multiple types of data.
Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory
The INAA laboratory contains gamma-ray spectrometers for the determination of rare-earth element and other trace element abundances in neutron-activated geological materials.
Laurence S. Youngblood Energy Library
The current collection contains over 170,000 map sheets and approximately 92,000 catalogued volumes on the subjects of geochemistry, geology, geomorphology, geophysics, hydrology, mineralogy, paleontology, petrology, stratigraphy, structure and tectonics. The interdisciplinary nature of the earth sciences is supported by Chemistry, Math, Physics, and Engineering branch Libraries. Bizzell Memorial Library contains the biological sciences and the internationally recognized History of Science Collections.
Organic Geochemistry/Stable Isotope Laboratory
The organic geochemistry /stable isotope laboratories have state of the art wet chemistry facilities and instrumentation for the isolation and analysis of organic compounds from geologic materials.
Dr. Engel has two HPLC systems and a HP GC/MSD instrument used for the analysis of amino acids and peptides. He has a conventional stable isotope laboratory equipped with vacuum lines and a Delta E isotope ratio mass spectrometer for high precision stable carbon isotope analyses of organic matter and carbonates and stable oxygen isotope analyses of carbonates and water.
Dr. Engel also has a state of the art Thermo Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer that is equipped for continuous flow as well as with a dual inlet for conventional off-line analyses. For continuous flow, the instrument is interfaced to a Costech Elemental Analyzer for stable carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope analyses and a Thermo TC/EA system for stable hydrogen isotope analyses. The instrument is also interfaced to a Thermo gas bench system for automated analyses of carbonates (carbon, oxygen) and water samples (oxygen).
Paleomagnetics Laboratory
The shielded Paleomagnetics laboratory is used for paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic studies. Equipment includes a 2G cryogenic magnetometer with DC squids, AF and thermal demagnetizers, impulse magnetizer, field equipment, and several magnetic susceptibility systems including a AGICO MFK-FA1 Multifunction Kappabridge.
Paleontology Laboratories, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
Paleontological research is concentrated at the Sam Noble Museum, which includes fully equipped labs for invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology and paleobotany. Large collection areas house more than half-a-million specimens. In addition to various specimen preparation equipment, there are facilities for scanning electron microscopy and digital macrophotography. Exhibits in the Ancient Life Gallery are fully integrated into undergraduate classes (GEOL 1024; GEOL 3513; GEOL 4413), and allow detailed study of fossils ranging from trilobites to dinosaurs.
Physical and Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory
The Physical and Environmental Geochemistry Laboratory is equipped for a wide range of low to moderate temperature geochemical experiments and field sample processing. Geochemical reactors of various types including polyacrylate columns, pressure vessels, and custom-designed batch reactors, as well as stir plates, water baths, and shakers, are used to synthesize analyze the reactivity and rates of natural and laboratory materials. The solution chemistry of field water samples and laboratory experiments are characterized with various electrodes and meters. calorimetric methods using a Thermo Scientific Genesys 6 scanning UV-visible spectrophotometer, and elemental analysis with a PerkinElmer AAnalyst 800 combined flame / graphite furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Graphite-furnace capability allows determination of elements in the ppb range. Trace element work is facilitated by a Barnstead Nanopure Diamond ultrapure water system. Physical separation of clays, colloids, and nanoparticles is achieved through ultracentrifugation. A Coy Labs anaerobic chamber allows experiments to be conducted at low oxygen fugacity, mimicking many subsurface/deep water environments. A Quantachrome gas adsorption analyzer determines BET surface area and pore size distribution. Atomic force microscopy (PNI Nano-R2) is used to quantitatively determine the topography of nanoscale mineral grains and measure spatially-resolved friction forces.
Rock Deformation Facilities
Three laboratories in the school are dedicated to the characterization of deformation and measurement of rock properties of interest in structural geology: the rock deformation laboratory, the stress analysis laboratory and the models laboratory.
High Pressure Rock Deformation Laboratory - In this laboratory, experiments can be run on rock samples under confining pressures up to 3kb, pore pressures up to 3kb, and variable strain rates. In addition, fluid-flow through the specimen can be measured while the rock is under load. The pressure vessel can handle both standard axial loading and transverse piston loading for the study of layered rock folding experiments.
integrated PoroMechanics Institute (iPMI)- Formerly known as the PoroMechanics Institute (PMI) offers an integrated platform to researchers of various disciplines including petroleum engineering, geology, geophysics, civil engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering to conduct general and applied research on the mechanics of porous media, in particular geomechanics applied to exploration and production of hydrocarbons. For a listing of current labs please click here.
Shell Crustal Imaging Facility (SCIF)
The Shell Crustal Imaging Facility is a major School of Geology and Geophysics resource for teaching and for graduate student and academic staff research computing. Dr. Roger Young is SCIF's director. The computing lab comprises a subnet of 5 Sun Ultra I and II and two Sun Blade 1000 Unix workstations served by a Sun Enterprise 450 server with more than 1 Terabyte storage. An HP 650c color plotter and a black and white laser printer, a DLT tape library, and four 8 mm tape drives are among the peripheral devices available in SCIF. Also networked with SCIF is a visualization lab containing a mini-cave, an SGI workstation and a large digitizing table. Major software grants from Landmark, Schlumberger-GeoQuest, Hampson-Russell, Parallel Geoscience Corp. and GX Technologies provide an unusually comprehensive selection of the latest industry-standard software for raytrace and finite-difference modeling, 2- and 3-D seismic and radar processing, and 2D and 3-D interpretation and visualization for both seismic and ground-penetrating radar data. Gocad is available in the visualization lab.
The affiliated 3-D Alumni Teaching Lab is equipped with 7 dual-headed PC workstations running Windows 2000. PC applications for teaching exploration and reservoir seismology courses are Seismic Processing Workshop from Parallel Geoscience Corp and the complete Kingdom suite for 3-D interpretation and visualization and incorporation of well-logs.
SCIF is managed by Ms. Jan Dodson who has extensive experience in seismic data analysis, interpretation and processing. Dr. Tim Kwiatkowski is SCIF's system administrator. While Tim is skilled in a wide variety of hardware and software, it is his talent for translating scientific concepts into mathematical models for computer implementation that is a major asset for students and researchers alike.
The Geoscience Data Integration and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL)
The Geoscience Data Integration and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL) falls under the umbrella of the Crustal Imaging Facility. This lab contains 7 PC/Mac workstations that are loaded with a wide variety of software for seismic data analysis and modeling; potential field data processing, analysis and modeling; and geospatial data analysis and integration. These resources are used by several classes and by numerous undergraduate and graduate students in their research. The overarching goal of this lab is to provide the infrastructure needed to produce highly integrated, 3-D models of earth structures at the scales ranging from aquifers, to basins, to the entire lithosphere.
The digital workroom includes two dual monitor Dell PC workstations, a Sun Blade workstation, and a SGI Octane workstation. The PCs are primarily used for GIS applications, Cross section construction and 3-D modeling. The Sun Blade and SGI workstations are primarily used for seismic interpretation (Landmark and Geoquest) and 3-D visualization.
The physical modeling laboratory is equipped with controlled hydraulic and electric displacement equipment. These are employed to exert a variety of displacement boundary conditions on models made of sand, clay or plaster. Most of the experiments done in this laboratory are directed toward studies of upper crustal deformation, primarily faulting and fracturing.
Thin Section Petrography Laboratory
This laboratory contains research quality microscopes for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as faculty and researchers, to conduct petrographic research. It contains two Zeiss microscopes, including a Zeiss Imager Z1 which is capable of taking thin section photomicrographs. The lab also includes a Nikon reflecting light microscope and a Nikon binocular microscope.