The first meeting of the Geological Society of Minnesota for 2019-2020 is the Fall Banquet at U Garden Restaurant (http://www.ugardenrestaurant.com/), 2725 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, (612) 378-1255, near the East Bank U of MN campus. This is the same location as the Spring Banquet held in May, 2019. The restaurant is on the north side of University Ave SE, east of 27th Ave SE.  Map  There is a parking lot behind the restaurant.  

The banquet starts at 5:00 PM. No reservation or registration is needed. We recommend the buffet, which is priced at $11.95 + tax & tip. Hot tea and other beverages (except water) are extra. Ordering from the menu at the posted price is also an option. To make payment easy, we encourage everyone to plan to pay using cash. The restaurant does not accept checks.

You may come for just the lecture, skipping the meal if you wish; however we encourage you to enjoy the meal also, as the restaurant appreciates our business in return for hosting this event.  

During the banquet, the Video Library will be open for returns and rentals as usual.

Following the banquet, starting at 6:30 PM, is our annual meeting, when we elect new members of the GSM Board.

Following the annual meeting, starting around 6:45 PM, is our first lecture of the year. As with all GSM lectures, this lecture is free and open to the public.

Summary:

The Bakken formation is a large, unconventional oil play in the Williston Basin of western North Dakota. A GSM field trip explored this region in August of 2014. This talk will report on our adventures in the context of the basic science of this prolific oil bearing formation. Topics discussed will include stratigraphy of the Williston Basin, paleoenvironment of Bakken deposition, genesis and maturation of oil and gas, and the technology of extraction. A “field guide” to the infrastructure of the oilfield, including well pads, drilling rigs, fracking rigs, pumpjacks, separators, storage tanks, gas flares, injection wells, gas plants, and transport by pipeline, truck & rail will also be included.

 Biography:

Randy Strobel has been a member of the GSM since 2005. He is an Associate Professor in Natural Sciences at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul where he has taught a variety of classes in biology, chemistry, and geology. He has B.S. degrees in biology and geology, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in cell biology, all from the University of Minnesota.