TheNewMexicoLibraryol Subsurface
Dataat NMBMMR
byRonald
F.Broadhead,
NewMexico
Bureau
Resources
of Mines
andMineral
Introduction
The New MexicoLibrary of SubsurfaceData
is located in the PetroleumRecordssection
of the New Mexico Bureauof Mines and Min-
versity, University of New Mexico, and other
universitiesand colleges.It is also used by
geologistsand engineersfrom state and federal agencies,the generalpublic, and the staff
of the New Mexico Bureauof Mines and Mineral Resources.
small oil companiesdo not have the financial
resourcesto maintain large collectionsof cuttings and logs. As a result, many geologists
rely on the library as a source of their data.
Data collections
The NMBMMR has placed emphasis on
Purpose
increasing the size and diversity of its colThe ultimate purpose of the New Mexico lectionsof completioncards,geophysicallogs,
Library of SubsurfaceData is to benefit the and drill cuttings. The New Mexico Library
Stateof New Mexicoand its citizens.It does of SubsurfaceData has completion cards for
so by providing data on petroleum explo- more than 85,000wells, virtually every peration and developmentwells to geoscien- troleum exploration and development well
oil or natural gas; and 8) fusulinid determi- tists and engineerswho are striving to better ever drilled in New Mexico (Fig. 1). Comunderstand the complex geology of New
pletion cards contain information pertaining
Mexico. That complex geology controls the
to the well location, basic engineering data,
location of pools of oil and gas and deposits stratigraphic data, drill-stem tests, producof carbondioxide, helium, coal,uranium, and
tion tests, records of oil and gas shows, and
sulfur. A better understanding of geology initial production potentials. Data for comIeads to the discovery and development of
pletion cards have been obtained from comthose resources.When those resourcesare m e r c i a l v e n d o r s , t h e N e w M e x i c o O i l
discoveredand developed,jobs are created Conservation Division, the petroleum inChenoweth contain subsurfacestratigraphic and incomesrise. In addition, taxesand rovdustry, and the United StatesGeologicalSurand structuralmaps of southeastNew Mex- altiesderived from the productionof mineral v e y . A t t e m p t s a r e m a d e c o n t i n u a l l y t o
ico. Most data in the library pertain to New
resources(especiallyoil and natural gas)fund
supplement completion data for older wells.
Mexico, but selecteddata from adiacentstates a large percentage of state programs, such New cards are added to the files on a weekly
and bordering areas of Mexico are also on as education, and contribute annually to the
basisas wells are drilled and completed.Refile. The data have been securedbv comoa- state'spermanent funds.
cent donations of completion cardshave been
nies and individualsat a cost of 6illionsof
The New MexicoLibrary of SubsurfaceData received from Arapahoe Drilling Company
dollars.
is the solepublicrepositoryfor drill cuttings and geologistMyles A. Colligan.
The New Metco Library
of SubsurfaceData and other well data that cover the entire state
-of
Geophysicallogsfrom approximately37,000
is an important source
information re- of New Mexico. It contains the only publicly
wells are currently on file in the Library of
garding the exploration for, and develop- accessiblecollection of drill cuttings in New
SubsurfaceData. Generally, more than one
ment of, petroleum, carbon dioxide, helium,
Mexico, the only collectionthat can be used type of log exists for each well. Geophysical
coal, uranium, and sulfur resourceswithin
without charge, and the most complete col- logs, taken after a well has been drilled, proNew Mexico. It is also an important source lection, public or private, in the state. The
vide important geologic data on rocks peneof data regarding basicresearchinto the sub- drill-cuttings collection becomes more imtrated by the well and on the fluids present
surface geology of New Mexico. The library
portant each year becausemany oil compa- within those rocks and are virtually indisis used by industry geologists and engi- nies, in an effort to save space and money, pensable when evaluating the oil and gas
neers,and faculty and graduatesfudentsfrom
no longer maintainlarge,private collections. potential of a well. The logs are used to reNew Mexico tein, NEw Mexico State UniIn addition, many independentoperatorsand
FIGURE l-Completion
cards containing data on more than g5,000 oil and
gas wells drilled in New Mexico are stored in these files. The large filing
cabinets in the background contain geophysical logs from approiimatel!
37,000 wells.
FIGURE 2-Drill cuttings are small piecesof rock ground by the drill bit and
are valuable, irreplaceablerecords of a well.
New Mexico Ceology May 1989
construct and map the subsurfacegeology of
an area;that reconstructionis important when
developing petroleum prospectsand planning the locationsof new wells. Geophysical
logs in the library have been acquired from
the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division,
the United States Geological Survey, the
United StatesBureau of Land Management,
and private industry.
Approximately 43,500 boxes of drill cuttings from 12,900wells are currently on file.
Drill cuttings are small piecesof rock ground
by the drill bit as the well is drilled (Fig. 2).
They generallyarecollectedat 10-ftintervals.
Eachinterval is packagedseparately,and one
box of cuttings contains packagesrepresenting from 500 to 1,000ft of the well (Fig. 3).
These drill cuttings are virtually irreplaceable. They are indispensablewhen analyzing
the subsurfacegeology of an area and provide data that complement geophysicallogs
and completion cards. The library's collection constitutes the only preservedset of cuttings for many wells drilled in New Mexico.
Cuttings are donated to the library by the
petroleumindustry. lnl987, YatesPetroleum
Corporation of Artesia, New Mexico donated
their samplelibrary, consistingof 3,800boxes
of cuttings, to the Bureau. Smaller additions
and donations are made to the collection on
a weekly basis.
Descriptionsof drill cuttings and drill cores
from approximately 4,300 wells are on file.
Thesedescriptions, like geophysicallogs and
drill cuttings, are valuablewhen reconstructing and mapping the subsurfacegeology of
an area during exploration for oil, natural
gas, and other mineral resources.Cutting and
core descriptions have been made through
the years by Bureau geologists. Other descriptions have been donated by oil companiesand independentpetroleumgeologists.
Driller's logs from approximately t2,100
wells are on file. The logs are observations
and analyses made by drillers, geologists,
and engineers at the well site. They provide
much valuable data pertaining to the rocks
FIGURE 3-Approimately
are currently on file.
penetrated by the well and often record data
on showings of oil and gas.
The Library of SubsurfaceData maintains
maps and files that illustrate and describe
the boundaries of all oil and gas pools in the
state. These maps and files are continually
updated.
The library maintains and continually updates petroleum exploration maps for most
counties. These maps show the location of
all oil and gas wells; section, township, and
range lines; and larger towns and cities.
Names and total depths are shown for most
wells. Map scaleis 1 inch : 2 miles. Maps
are availablefor all New Mexico counties except Chaves,Eddy, Lea, RioArriba, SanJuan,
and Taos. Paper copies may be purchased at
$3.00per county map.
Destructive sampling
Several types of analysesrequire destructive sampling of drill cuttings. The more
common types are hydrocarbon source-rock
studies, radioactive-agedating, and micropaleontologic-biostratigraphic studies. Generally, destructive sampling of drill cuttings
is prohibited. Exceptionswill be made if the
information derived from such sampling will
provide data essential to petroleum exploration and if such data is not publicly availa b l e e l s e w h e r e .A w r i t t e n r e q u e s t t h a t
documents the sampling program must be
submitted in advance to the Bureau, and
written permission must be obtained from
the Bureau. Destructivesampling must not
entirely deplete the cuttings from any depth
interval of a well; a representativesample of
the cuttings must be left after sampling; and
the remaining sample must be of sufficient
Lending policies
volume to allow routine microscopic analyThe New MexicoLibrary of SubsurfaceData sis. Resultsof analysesthat require destrucdoesnot lend completioncards,geophysical tive samplingmust be fumished to the Bureau
logs, sample descriptions,or other records where they will be placed in the public dopreservedon paper.All recordsand data may main. If the analyseswere performed at the
be freely examined on the premises; limited
expenseof private industry, the Bureau will
volumes of paper recordsmay be photoco- agree to keep the results confidential for a
pied at nominal cost.Telephonedor written
maximum period of one year. All sampling
requests for photocopies will be honored of cuttings must be performed at the Bureau
provided information is given regarding spe- under the supervision of Bureau personnel.
cific wells, locations,etc.The purposeof this
no-lending policy is to ensure that the maxVisitors' facilities
imum amount of material is available to all
Tablesare provided for visitors to examine
those who have a need for it.
In a similar manner, a policy has been es- well data, maps,logs, etc. Drill cuttingsmay
be examinedin the sample-examinationroom
tablished that prohibits the lending of drill
cuttings. In many casesin the past, lending equipped with stereoscopicmicroscopes,
has resulted in nonreturn, spillage, unau- ultraviolet-light boxes, and accessoryequipthorized destructivesampling,or other loss. ment (Fig. 4). Data may be photocopiedat a
A no-lending policy has been establishedbe- nominal cost that covers exPensesof reprocause most of these cuttings are valuable, duction. Facilitiesare availableto make conirreplaceablerecords of exploration and de- tinuous photocopies of geophysical logs.
velopment activity. Exceptions to the policy However, visitors or telephone clients who
will be made only rarely, and then on a case- request copies of large amounts of data or
who require blueline copies of geophysical
by-casebasis, provided a request is made in
writing and the loan is in the best interest logs are urged to obtain that information from
commercialvendors.
of the state.
43,500boxes of drill cuttings from 12,900wells
May 1989 Nm Mexico Geology
FIGURE 4-The New Mexico Library of Subsurface Data has a sampleexamination room for visitors that is equipped with microscopesand other
equipment necessaryfor analysis of drill cuttings.
Fufure
A plan has been initiated recently to make
well-completion and production data available on computer; it will take from eight to
ten years to complete digitization of the data.
This form of cataloging on computer will allow users of the library to search more efficiently through well reiords to find the data
they need, thereby saving time and effort
that can be better devoted to other phases of
their projects.
(continueil
frompage30)
References
Binglea E. C., 1968,Geology and mineral resourcesof
Rio Aniba County, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau
of Mines and Mineral Resources,Bulletin 91, 158 pp.
Bfatu,Vlr'N., Page,N. J., and fohnson, M. G., 7977,iiap
and list of reported occunencesof platinum-group meials in the conteminous United States:U.S. Ceoiogical
Survey, MiscellaneousField Studies Map MF-861, 2
sheets.
Cavin, W. J , Connolly, R , Jr., Edwards, P. L., parchman,
M., and Woodward, L. A., 1982,Precambrianshatieraphy of Manzanitaand north Mauano Mountaini,
Ellis, R. W., 1930,New Mexico mineral deposits except
fuels: Universi$r of New Mexico, Bulletin 167, geological series, v. 4, no.2, 748 pp.
Elston, W. E., 1967,Summaiy of the mineral resources
of Bemalillo,Sandoval,and SantaFe Counties,New
Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources,Bulletin 81, 81 pp.
Eveleth,R. W., and Bieberman,R. A , 1984,Mineraland
mineral-fuel production activities in New Mexico during 1982; iz Annual Report July t, 1982, to June 30,
1983,56th year: New Mexico Bureauof Mines and Mineral Resources,pp 2733
Fain, C O , 1910,TaosCounty, New Mexico:South-Weste r n M i n e s ,v . 2 , n o . 3 , p p . 3 - 4 .
Finch, R. J., Ikramuddin,M., Mutschler,F E., and Shannon, S S., Jr , 1983,Preciousmel.alsin alkalinesuite
porphyry copper systems in westem North America
Complementary facilities at NMBMMR
Two additional facilities at the NMBMMR
complement the New Mexico Library of Subsurface Data. The GeotechnicalInformation
Center is a repository for records, publications, maps, and other reports pertaining to
mines, prospects, mineral industries, and
geology of New Mexico. Many documents
stored in the GeotechnicalInformation Center contain information valuable to those
exploring for petroleum in the state.The center is managed by Elizabeth Reynolds, (505)
835-5145.
The NMBMMR core library contains numerous drill coresfrom throughout the state.
Although most corescome from holes drilled
for mineral prospects, several are from petroleum explorationand developmentwells.
The core library is managedby JamesRobertson/ (505)835-5125.
(abs.):GeologicalSociefyof America, Abstractswith
P r o g r a m sv, . 7 5 , p . 5 7 2 .
Greenwood,N. N., and Earnshaw,A.,798/^,Chemistry
of the elements:PergamonPress,Ltd., Orford, England, 1543pp.
Griswold, G. B., 1959,Mineral depositsof Lincoln County,
New Mexico:New Mexico Bureauof Mines and Mineril
Resources,Bdletin 67, 117 pp.
Haffty,Joseph,and Riley,L. fi.: 1971,Suggestedmethod
tor spectrochemical
analysisof geologicmaterialsby
the tire assay preconcentration-intermittenl.
d-c arc
technique; in Methods for emission spectro-chemical
analysis:American Societyfor Testingand Materials,
6th edition, pp. 1027-103i.
Harley,G. T., I 934,Thegeologyand oredepositsof Siera
County, New Mexico: Ne; Mexico Buieau of Mines
_ New MexicanPrinting Co., SantaFe,349 pp.
Jo19s, F A., 1908,Epitome of the economii geology of
New Mexico:New Metco Bureauof Immigration,Santa
F e ,4 7 p p .
fones, F A , 1915,The mineral resourcesof New Mexico:
New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources,
Bulletin 1, 77 pp
Lindgren, W., Graton, L C, and Gordon, C H., 1910,
The ore deposits of New Mexico: U.S GeologicalSurvey, ProfessionalPaper 58, 361 pp.
Mutschler, F. E., Griffin, M. 8., Stevens,D. S., and Shannon, S. S., 1r.,7985,Preciousmetal depositsrelatedto
alkaline rocks in the North American Cordillera-an
rnterpretive review: Transactions Geological Society
SouthAfrica, v.88, pp. 355-377.
Staff and hours
The New MexicoLibrary of SubsurfaceData
is manned by three full-time employees of
the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources:Ron Broadhead(Head Petroleum Geologist), Richard Chavez (Assistant
Head), and Annabelle Lopez (Petroleum
Records Clerk). The full-time staff members
are presentto process,catalog,and interpret
data and to see to the needs of visitors and
other clients.Two or three studentsare employed part-time to processnew logs and to
wash and processnew drill cuttingsprior to
storage.
The New MexicoLibrary of SubsurfaceData
is open Monday through Friday from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00p.m. The telephonenumber is
(s05)83s-s402.
tr
Northrop, S A ,'1,959, Minerals of New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 565 pp.
Owen, R., and Cox, E. T., 1865, Report on the mines of
New Mexico: J. S. Watts, Washington, D.C., 59 pp.
Page, N. J., 7986a, Descriptive model of Merensky reef
PGE; rn Cox, D. P. and Singer, D. A. (eds.), Mineral
deposit models: U S Geological Survey, Bulletin 1593,
o 1.4
Page, N. J , 7986b, Descriptive model of Duluth Cu-NiPGE; in Cox, D P and Singer, D A. (eds ), Mineral
deposit models: U S Geological Suruey, Bulletin 1693,
o16
Page, N J , 1985c, Descriptive model of Noril'sk Cu NiPGE; iz Cox, D P and Singer, D A. (eds ), Mineral
deposit models: U S Geological Survey, Bulletin 1693,
P17
Phillips, K. A., 1980, Platinum in Arizona: Arizona Department of Mineral Resources, Circular 3, 3 pp
Robertson, J. M., and Moench, R. H., 1979, The Pecos
greenstone belt: a Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequence in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains,
New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook to 30th Field Conference, pp. 165-773.
Schilling, I. H., 7960, Mineral resources of Taos County,
New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral
Resources, Bulletin 71, 124 pp.
Schmepfe, M M., and Grimaldi, F S , 1969, Determination of palladium and platinum by atomic absorption: Talanta, v. 76, pp,591-595.
U S Bureau of Mines, 1987, Mineral commodity summaries 1987: U.S. Department of the Interior, 189 pp.
Wyman, W. F., 1980, Precambrian geology of the Cow
Creek ultramafic complex, San Miguel County, New
Mexico: Unpublished M.S. thesis, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 125 pp.
Zienteck, M. L., Allcott, G., Page, N. J., and Menzie, W.
E , 1988, Opportunities for a platinum-group-element
resource appraisal of the United States: U S Geological
Survey, Open-file Report 88-254, l4pp.
n
Neu Mexico Geology May 1989