Cantrell GeoLogic

What I Do

As a geologist, the main goal of my work is to develop a better and richer understanding of the planet on which we live. My speciality - my avocation and my passion - is those most interesting of rocks and sediments, carbonates, and I use a variety of approaches and techniques, both empirical and theoretical, to understand them better. Learn more about my research and areas of study below.

Bio

I have over 38 years of worldwide industrial and academic experience. As an industry geologist, I specialized in providing robust, integrated technical solutions for reservoir problems, and have experience in a wide range of modeling and reservoir characterization field studies, utilizing data from different geoscience and engineering datasets, to produce concrete reservoir management or decision-making benefits. In addition, I served two years as an Associate Director at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia) and for three years as an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University, where I taught various carbonate and reservoir quality classes and advised graduate students. I'm currently the owner of Cantrell GeoLogic LLC.

Rocks I've Known and Loved...

Jurassic-Tertiary rocks, Arabian Peninsula
Silurian-Permian reservoirs, Permian Basin USA
Mississippian-age rocks, Williston Basin USA
Cretaceous-age rocks, Powder River Basin USA
Cretaceous-Tertiary, Maracaibo and Barinas Basins Venezuela
Tertiary-Quaternary reservoirs, Gulf of Mexico Basin USA
Ordovician-age rocks, southern Appalachians USA

Employment and Educational History

Owner and Founder of Cantrell GeoLogic LLC
Stanford University Adjunct Professor (2017-2020)
College of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Associate Director and Part-Time Professor (2015-2017)
Saudi Arabian OiI Company (Reservoir Characterization and Exploration Support, 1997-1999; Geological R&D Division Head, 1999-2002; Geological Technical Services Division Head, 2002-2004; EXPEC Advanced Research Center Chief Technologist, 2004-2008; Reservoir Quality Prediction Team Leader 2008-2014; Principal Professional 2014-2017)
Exxon Production Research Company (Reservoir Modeling and Scale-Up for Reservoir Simulation, 1996-1997)
Exxon Exploration Company (Venezuela Exploration Tender, 1995)
Exxon Company, USA - Headquarters (Reservoir Characterization & Geologic Modeling Studies, On-shore and Off-shore USA, 1994)
Exxon Company, USA - Southwestern Production Division (Field Studies, Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain Areas, USA, 1989-1994)
Exxon Production Research Company (Reservoir Characterization Studies, Middle East, 1982-1989)

University of Manchester, Manchester, UK - PhD in Geology, 2004

University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Master of Science in Geology, 1982

Schematic depositional cross section of the Lower Aptian shelf margin in eastern Arabia.

Depositional Patterns in Outcrop and the Subsurface

Example Paper

Diagenesis and its Impact on Reservoir Quality

Example Paper

Modeling Depositional Processes

Example Paper

Key Publications

Cantrell, D. L., Shah, R. A., Ou, J., Xu, C., Phillips, C., Li, X.-G., Hu, T. M. (2020) Depositional and diagenetic controls on reservoir quality: Examples from the upper Cretaceous Mishrif Formation of Iraq. Marine and Petroleum Geology, in press, doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104415.
Zhang, S., Lu. P., Cantrell, D. L., Zaretskiy, Y., Jobe, D., and Agar, S. M. (2018) Improved quantification of the porosity-permeability relationship of limestones using petrographical texture. Petroleum Geoscience, 24, 440-448.
Jacquemyn, C., Jackson, M. D., Hampson, G. J., John, C. M., Cantrell, D. L., Zűhlke, R., AbuBshait, A. J., Lindsay, R. F., and Monsen, R. (2018) Geometry, spatial arrangement and origin of carbonate grain‐dominated, scour‐fill and event‐bed deposits: Late Jurassic Jubaila Formation and Arab‐D Member, Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, 65, 1043-1066.
Eltom, H. A., Gonzalez, L. A., Hasiotis, S. T., Rankey, E. C., and Cantrell, D. L. (2017). Paleogeographic and Paleo-oceanographic Influences on Carbon Isotope Signatures: Implications for Global and Regional Correlation, Middle-Upper Jurassic of Saudi Arabia. Sed. Geology, 364, 89-102.
Al Ibrahim, M. A., Sarg, J. F., Hurley, N., Cantrell, D. L., and Humphrey, J. D. (2017) Depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy of carbonate mudrocks using conventional geologic observations, multiscale electrofacies visualization, and geochemical analysis: The case of the Tuwaiq Mountain and Hanifa Formations in a basinal setting, Saudi Arabia. AAPG Bulletin, 101, 683-714.
Eltom, H. A., Rankey, E. C., Hasiotis, S. T., Gonzalez, L. A., and Cantrell, D. L. (2017). Impact of upwelling on heterozoan, biosiliceous, and organic-rich deposits: Jurassic (Oxfordian) Hanifa Formation, Saudi Arabia. Jour. Sed. Research, 87, 1235-1258.
Swart, P. W., Cantrell, D. L., Arienzo, M. M. and Murray, S. T. (2016) Evidence for high temperature and 18O-enriched fluids in the Arab-D of the Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, 63, 1739-1752.
Lu, P. and Cantrell, D. L. (2016) Reactive transport modeling of reflux dolomitization in the Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, 63, 865-892.
Cantrell, D. L., Griffiths, C. M. and Hughes, G. W. (2015) New tools and approaches in reservoir quality prediction. In: Fundamental Controls on Fluid Flow in Carbonates: Current Workflows to Emerging Technologies (Eds. S. Agar et al.): GSL Special Publication 406, 401-425.
Cantrell, D. L., Nicholson, P., Hughes, G.W., Miller, M.M., AbdelBagi, S and Norton, K. (2014) Tethyan petroleum systems of Saudi Arabia. In: Petroleum Systems of the Tethyan Region (Eds. L. Marlow, L.A. Yose and C. Kendall): AAPG Special Publication 106, 613-639.
Cantrell, D. L., Al-Khammash, A. A. and Jenden, P. D. (2007) Characterization and significance of dedolomite in Wadi Nisah, central Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia, 12, 15-30.
Lindsay, R. F., Cantrell, D. L., Hughes, G. W., Keith, T. H., Mueller, H. W. and Russell, S. D. (2006) Ghawar Arab-D reservoir: widespread porosity in shoaling-upward carbonate cycles, Saudi Arabia. In: Giant Hydrocarbon Reservoirs of the World: From Rocks to Reservoir Characterization and Modeling (Eds. P. M. Harris and L. J. Weber): AAPG Memoir 88/SEPM Special Publication, 97-137.
Cantrell, D. L. (2006) Cortical fabrics of Upper Jurassic ooids, Arab Formation, Saudi Arabia: Implications for original carbonate mineralogy. Sed. Geology, 186, 157-170.
Swart, P. K., Cantrell, D. L., Westphal, H., Handford, C. R. and Kendall, C. (2005) Origin of dolomite from Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia: evidence from petrographic and geochemical constraints. Jour. Sed. Petrology, 75, 476-491.
Cantrell, D. L., Swart, P. K., and Hagerty, R.M. (2004) Genesis and characterization of dolomite, Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia, 9, 11-36.
Cantrell, D. L. and Hagerty, R. M. (2003) Reservoir rock classification, Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia, 8, 435-462.
Handford, C. R., Cantrell, D. L., and Keith, T. H. (2002) Regional facies relationships and sequence stratigraphy of a super-giant reservoir (Arab-D Member), Saudi Arabia. In: Sequence Stratigraphic Models for Exploration and Production: Evolving Methodology, Emerging Models and Application Histories (Ed. J. M. Armentrout). 22nd Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference, Gulf Coast Section SEPM, 539-564.
Cantrell, D. L., Swart, P. K., Handford, C. R., Kendall. C., and Westphall, H. (2001) Geology and production significance of dolomite, Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia, 6, 45-60.
Cantrell, D. L. and Hagerty, R. M. (1999) Microporosity in Arab Formation carbonates. GeoArabia, 4, 129-154.
Cantrell, D. L., and Kane, T. V. (1993) Production history and geology of the Avalon (Delaware) field; in Love, D. W., Hawley, J. W., Kues, B. S., Adams, J. W., Austin, G. S., and Barker, J. M. (eds.), Carlsbad region, New Mexico and west Texas: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 44, 81–82.
Mitchell, J. C., Lehmann, P. J., Cantrell, D. L., Al-Jallal, I. A., and Al-Thagafy, M. A. R. (1988) Lithofacies, diagenesis and depositional sequence; Arab-D Member, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. In: Giant Oil and Gas Fields - A Core Workshop (Eds. A. J. Lomando and P. M. Harris). Soc. Econ. Paleont. Mineral Core Workshop, 12, 459-514.
Cantrell, D. L. and Walker, K. R. (1985) Depositional and diagenetic patterns, ancient oolite, Middle Ordovician, eastern Tennessee. Jour. Sed. Petrology, 55, 518-531.

Get in touch to learn more.

Honors, Awards and Activities

Advisory Board Member, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Adjunct Professor, Stanford University, 2017-2020
AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, 2015-2016
AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist
Fellow of the Geological Society of London, elected September 2009
Associate Editor for Sedimentology, journal of the International Association of Sedimentologists, 2007-2013
Part-time professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Member of the Executive Committee of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Middle East Region, 2009-2012
Patent holder of USPO # 7,319,961 "Voice Recognition Technology to Capture Geoscience Data”, for Geo-VoiceTM application
Patent applied (US 2020/0123898 A1) for "Predicting Carbonate Porosity Based on Petrographic Data"
Have published or co-published over 50 articles in the outside literature, in addition to numerous in-company reports and publications; have successfully presented work results at various Exxon, Saudi Aramco and industry forums
Have lead or co-taught numerous reservoir geology schools and seminars at KFUPM, Exxon and Saudi Aramco.

Contact Me

Cantrell GeoLogic

Bio

Rocks I've Known and Loved...

Employment and Educational History

Depositional Patterns in Outcrop and the Subsurface

Diagenesis and its Impact on Reservoir Quality

Modeling Depositional Processes

Key Publications

Cantrell, D. L., Shah, R. A., Ou, J., Xu, C., Phillips, C., Li, X.-G., Hu, T. M. (2020) Depositional and diagenetic controls on reservoir quality: Examples from the upper Cretaceous Mishrif Formation of Iraq. Marine and Petroleum Geology, in press, doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104415.

Zhang, S., Lu. P., Cantrell, D. L., Zaretskiy, Y., Jobe, D., and Agar, S. M. (2018) Improved quantification of the porosity-permeability relationship of limestones using petrographical texture. Petroleum Geoscience, 24, 440-448.

Eltom, H. A., Gonzalez, L. A., Hasiotis, S. T., Rankey, E. C., and Cantrell, D. L. (2017). Paleogeographic and Paleo-oceanographic Influences on Carbon Isotope Signatures: Implications for Global and Regional Correlation, Middle-Upper Jurassic of Saudi Arabia. Sed. Geology, 364, 89-102.

Eltom, H. A., Rankey, E. C., Hasiotis, S. T., Gonzalez, L. A., and Cantrell, D. L. (2017). Impact of upwelling on heterozoan, biosiliceous, and organic-rich deposits: Jurassic (Oxfordian) Hanifa Formation, Saudi Arabia. Jour. Sed. Research, 87, 1235-1258.

Lu, P. and Cantrell, D. L. (2016) Reactive transport modeling of reflux dolomitization in the Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, 63, 865-892.

Cantrell, D. L. (2006) Cortical fabrics of Upper Jurassic ooids, Arab Formation, Saudi Arabia: Implications for original carbonate mineralogy. Sed. Geology, 186, 157-170.

Swart, P. K., Cantrell, D. L., Westphal, H., Handford, C. R. and Kendall, C. (2005) Origin of dolomite from Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia: evidence from petrographic and geochemical constraints. Jour. Sed. Petrology, 75, 476-491.

Cantrell, D. L., Swart, P. K., Handford, C. R., Kendall. C., and Westphall, H. (2001) Geology and production significance of dolomite, Arab-D reservoir, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia, 6, 45-60.

Cantrell, D. L. and Walker, K. R. (1985) Depositional and diagenetic patterns, ancient oolite, Middle Ordovician, eastern Tennessee. Jour. Sed. Petrology, 55, 518-531.

Honors, Awards and Activities

Advisory Board Member, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Adjunct Professor, Stanford University, 2017-2020

AAPG Distinguished Lecturer, 2015-2016

AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist

Fellow of the Geological Society of London, elected September 2009

Associate Editor for Sedimentology, journal of the International Association of Sedimentologists, 2007-2013

Part-time professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Member of the Executive Committee of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Middle East Region, 2009-2012

Patent holder of USPO # 7,319,961 "Voice Recognition Technology to Capture Geoscience Data”, for Geo-VoiceTM application

Patent applied (US 2020/0123898 A1) for "Predicting Carbonate Porosity Based on Petrographic Data"

Have published or co-published over 50 articles in the outside literature, in addition to numerous in-company reports and publications; have successfully presented work results at various Exxon, Saudi Aramco and industry forums

Have lead or co-taught numerous reservoir geology schools and seminars at KFUPM, Exxon and Saudi Aramco.

Contact Me