Ms. Randi S. Martinsen

Senior Lecturer Emerita

Office Phone: 307-766-4858
Fax Phone: (307) 766-6679

P.O. Box 3006
Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3006
Office: ESB 1012

Email: randmart@uwyo.edu
Rocky Mountain Rendezvous Website

Publications

Martinsen, R.S., 2003, Depositional remnants, part 1:Common components of the stratigraphic record with important implications for hydrocarbon exploration and production: AAPG Bulletin, v. 87, p. 1869-1882

Martinsen, R.S., 2003, Depositional remnants, part 2: Examples from the Western Interior Cretaceous basin of North America: AAPG Bulletin, v. 87, p. 1883-1909

Martinsen, R.S., 1998, Compartmentalization of sandstone reservoirs due to syndepositional faulting, Almond Formation, Washakie Basin, Wyoming, in R. M. Slatt (ed.), Compartmentalized Reservoirs in Rock Mountain Basins, p. 71-98.

Martinsen, R.S., 1997, Stratigraphic controls on the distribution of pressure compartments, in R.C. Surdam (ed.), Seals, Traps and the Petroleum System: AAPG Memoir, p. 223-241.

Martinsen, R.S., G.E. Christiansen, M.A. Olson, and R.C. Surdam, 1995, Stratigraphy and lithofacies of the Almond Formation, Washakie and Great Divide Basins, Wyoming, in R.W. Jones (ed.), Resources of Southwestern Wyoming, Wyoming Geological Association 1995 Field conference Guidebook, pp. 297-310.

Courses

GEOL1100 - Physical Geology
GEOL4310 - Advanced Stratigraphy
GEOL5170 - Petroleum Geology
GEOL5171 - Methods in Petroleum Geology
GEOL5200 - Topics in Geology
GEOL5861 - Stratigraphy

Research Statement

Petroleum geology is a highly diverse subject in which established geologic concepts are put to practical use in finding and exploiting petroleum deposits. The geologic concepts applied incorporate a broad spectrum of subdisciplines, among them, stratigraphy, sedimentology, structural geology, geophysics, geochemistry, fluid dynamics, petrophysics, geostatistics, paleontology, petrology, geomorphlogy, and geodynamics.

My research interests are concerned with the exploration for and production of hydrocarbons from stratigraphically trapped accumulations, and are focused on the clastic depositional systems of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway. Specifically, I am interested in the types and characteristics of reservoir quality rocks within these systems, controls on their distribution, and the development of models useful to hydrocarbon exploration. I am particularly interested in the influences that syn-depositional tectonics, especially faulting, have on sedimentation and reservoir compartmentalization. The Rocky Mountain region provides a unique setting in which to study stratigraphy and petroleum accumulations because it contains numerous oil and gas fields, extensive subsurface databases, and unlike petroleum basins in many other parts of the world, well-exposed outcrops of productive formations.

Recent projects include:

• Synsedimentary tectonic influences on basin physiography and depositional regime
• Sequence stratigraphic analysis and reservoir characterization of the tight gas sands in the Mesaverde Group, Greater Green River Basin Wyoming.
• Influence of syn-sedimentary faulting on the distribution and reservoir quality of sandstones.