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Papers by Michael D Campbell, P.G., P.H.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists eBooks, Apr 5, 2015

Once humans landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, the goal of space exploration envisioned by Unit... more Once humans landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, the goal of space exploration envisioned by United States President John F. Kennedy in 1961 was already being realized. Achievement of this goal depended on the development of technologies to turn his vision into reality. One technology that was critical to the success of this goal was the harnessing of nuclear power to run these new systems. Nuclear systems provide power for satellite and deep space exploratory missions. In the future, they will provide propulsion for spacecraft and drive planet-based power systems. The maturation of technologies that underlie these systems ran parallel to an evolving rationale regarding the need to explore our own solar system and beyond. Since the Space Race, forward-looking analysis of our situation on Earth reveals that space exploration will one day provide natural resources that will enable further exploration and will provide new sources for our dwindling resources and offset their increasing prices or scarcity on Earth. Mining is anticipated on the Moon for increasingly valuable commodities, such as thorium (Th) and samarium (Sm), and on selected asteroids or other moons as a demonstration of technology at scales never before imagined. In addition, the discovery of helium-3 on the Moon may provide an abundant power source on the Moon and on Earth through nuclear fusion technologies. However, until the physics of fusion is solved, that resource will remain on the shelf and may even be stockpiled on the Moon until needed. It is clear that nuclear power will provide the means necessary to realize these goals while advances in other areas will provide enhanced environmental safeguards in using nuclear power in innovative ways, such as a space elevator or by a ramjet space plane to deliver materials to and from the Earth's surface and personnel and equipment into space and a space gravity tractor to nudge errant asteroids and other bodies out of collision orbits. Nuclear systems will enable humankind to expand beyond the boundaries of Earth, provide new frontiers for exploration, ensure our protection, and renew critical natural resources while advancing spin-off technology on Earth. During the past ten years, China, Japan, India, and other countries have mounted serious missions to explore the Moon and elsewhere. Recent exploration discoveries by Japan on the Moon may mark the beginning of a new race to the Moon and into space to explore for and develop natural resources, including water (from dark craters to make hydrogen for fuel and oxygen, etc.), nuclear minerals (uranium, thorium, and helium-3), rare-earth minerals, and other industrial commodities needed for use in space and on Earth in the decades ahead.

International Journal of Earth Science and Geology, 2018

As the availability of important mineral deposits on Earth declines, including nuclear minerals, ... more As the availability of important mineral deposits on Earth declines, including nuclear minerals, or as they are consumed at increasing cost, price-competitive resources from off-world will be required sooner or later as technology and large-scale project management systems are developed to handle such projects. Both exploration and mining programs will be powered by electricity generated by solar and nuclear energy in a variety of plant sizes located in deep space and on the Moon, Mars, or other bodies. Realistic economic studies comparing the price of resources available on Earth with off-world resources will be required to justify the large funds required to mine off-world resources by multinational corporations. With the primary objective of exploration in the solar system being the development of mineral and nuclear resources, sampling in remote regions in new environments will be challenging to Earth-bound planners both in terms of economic justification and technical feasibili...

The Houston area, and the Gulf Coast in general, is laced by numerous growth faults which are geo... more The Houston area, and the Gulf Coast in general, is laced by numerous growth faults which are geological hazards that are known to impact and damage house slabs, building-support structures, highways and associated foundations. Water-supply wells and pipelines, oil and gas wells and pipelines, and other anthropogenic structures are also affected by growth faults, and have cost millions of dollars to repair over the years as a result of the small, but significant, movement of these faults. At depth, these faults have created economically important oil and gas reservoirs, sulfur and uranium deposits, and geopressured-geothermal energy. But they also provide pathways for dissolved uranium and radionuclides (e.g. 226radium and 222radon) and natural gas to migrate from great depths upward into Houston’s groundwater supplies in various areas within the Evangeline and overlying Chicot Aquifers. Such pathways also allow other hazardous substances from human activities to migrate vertically ...

Selected areas of the South-Central United States outside the known uranium trends of South Texas... more Selected areas of the South-Central United States outside the known uranium trends of South Texas have a largely untested potential for the occurrence of significant uranium mineralization. These areas, underlain by Tertiary and older sediments, include parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The commonly accepted criteria employed in uranium exploration are applicable to these "frontier" areas but special consideration must also be given to the atypical geologic aspects of such areas as they may apply to relatively unique types of uranium mineralization or to the development of special exploration criteria for common types of roll-front and fault-and dome-related uranium mineralization. The procedures used in evaluating "frontier" areas should be based on comprehensive evaluations involving: 1) location and analysis of potential source rocks (e.g. intrusive igneous rocks, bentonitic sediments, unique complexes, etc.); 2) definitio...

Water well technology: field principles of exploration, drilling, and development of ground water... more Water well technology: field principles of exploration, drilling, and development of ground water and other selected minerals , Water well technology: field principles of exploration, drilling, and development of ground water an... , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

Immediately after the Fukushima tsunami disaster in 2011, nuclear power seemed doomed, again. Jap... more Immediately after the Fukushima tsunami disaster in 2011, nuclear power seemed doomed, again. Japan shut down all 54 of its reactors. Germany, Switzerland and other countries announced grand plans to phase out nuclear completely and the price of uranium plummeted by more than 40%. But today, a shift back towards nuclear energy is underway. New reactors are in planning and more are beginning construction in the U.S. and around the world. Major export economies in Europe and Asia have energyintensive industries that cannot eliminate nuclear power plants on a whim. Research shows nuclear power is gaining popularity in both governments and the general public around the world. Although the uranium spot price has been languishing in the low $40 range for some time, it is apparent to many that uranium is on the critical tipping point towards higher prices.

Uranium is an abundant element in the earth’s crust and occurs in economic concentrations in a va... more Uranium is an abundant element in the earth’s crust and occurs in economic concentrations in a variety of geological environments ranging from Precambrian (Proterozoic) in age to sediments of Tertiary age. Uranium occurs in geographic locations ranging from the cold of the high latitudes of Canada and Russia to the heat of the tropics of Australia, Africa and Brazil. It also is available as by-products from nuclear devices, from processing phosphate deposits, and from other sources. Reserve estimates are based on geophysical logs and an estimate of the physical dimensions of the mineralization. Reserve needs are based on industry estimates for new reactors and historical usage of older reactors, which depends on the reactor design. With the present expansion in the use of nuclear power expected to continue for the next 100 years, the dependence on overseas oil and gas will be reduced. This, along with reducing the use of coal over the next 30 years, will have a significant, positive...

Proceedings of SPE/EPA Exploration and Production Environmental Conference, 1995

A statistical screening method has been developed using Tolerance Limits for barium (Ba{sup +2}) ... more A statistical screening method has been developed using Tolerance Limits for barium (Ba{sup +2}) to identify contamination of a fresh-water aquifer by oilfield brines. The method requires an understanding of the local hydrochemistry of oilfield brines, inexpensive, Publicly available hydrochemical data, a single sample analysis from the suspect well and the application of a simple statistical procedure. While this method may not provide absolute evidence of oilfield brine contamination of a fresh-water aquifer, it does identify conditions where brine contamination is a strong probability over other possible sources of chlorides.

New methods, procedures, and devices are transforming the way the water-supply industry will do b... more New methods, procedures, and devices are transforming the way the water-supply industry will do business in the 21st Century. Past practices point the way to improved technological and managerial efficiency in ground-water development, water-well construction, maintenance, and protection from contamination. The cost-benefit of the use of ground water and surface water requires new ways to meet demands involving conjunctive use programs. Past practices have depleted the low-cost, high-quality ground-water resources and as a result water costs will be higher in the future as high-cost, low quality surface water resources are brought on-line. With the aid of the Internet, new developments will be distributed faster than ever before. With the aid of EPA and state regulatory programs, in cooperation with local utility management, the general public will be supplied with relevant, timely information on the quality of drinking water it consumes. The general prognosis is good. The details r...

The Geographical Journal, 1987

The Hydrological Cycle Choosing the Most Suitable Source Building a New Source Water Quality and ... more The Hydrological Cycle Choosing the Most Suitable Source Building a New Source Water Quality and Treatment Maintaining your System Water Rights Problems with External Causes. Appendices: Conversion Factors Safe Working Practices.

Elevated chloride concentrations (>250 mg/l) were reported to the Ohio State Environmental Pro... more Elevated chloride concentrations (>250 mg/l) were reported to the Ohio State Environmental Protection Agency in the early 2000s by a rural resident using groundwater for domestic consumption from a private water well. An adjacent commercial oil and gas pipe yard had spread relatively small volumes of oilfield brines from 1998 through 2000 to control dust during summers and to de-ice on the property driveways; county and state agencies used halite and other brines on surrounding rural county and state highways during the winter. There are multiple sources in the immediate area that might have contributed to local groundwater by varying degrees, resulting in elevated chloride concentrations reported in the samples from the on-site monitoring wells and from the neighborhood water wells over the years prior to 2004, the time of our investigations.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists eBooks, Apr 5, 2015

International Journal of Earth Science and Geology, 2018

Proceedings of SPE/EPA Exploration and Production Environmental Conference, 1995

The Geographical Journal, 1987

2020 Update of ACE Conference, 2020

"Let's face it, nuclear power is in competition with natural gas and renewables," said Michael D.... more "Let's face it, nuclear power is in competition with natural gas and renewables," said Michael D. Campbell, Energy Minerals Division's Chairman of the Uranium (Nuclear & REE) Committee, and Chief Geologist / Chief Hydrogeologist of I2M Consulting, LLC, in Houston during a recent AAPG-EMD Virtual Conference, and briefly summarized in The Explorer, pp. 2-3.
Stimulated by the article to provide greater detail, Campbell indicated that there is a big move on nuclear power again these days. This is based on the committee's monitoring of energy developments over the past few years that the general public must re-evaluate their perceptions of earlier problems now that industry has grown technologically, emerging with greater abilities to lower risks and better manage nuclear incidents, such as at Three-Mile Island 3 in Pennsylvania (1979) and Fukushima in Japan (2011)." Campbell stressed that despite excessive negative media coverage and noise from agenda-driven anti-nuclear groups, combined with a few members of the political left who claim that renewables are the sole panacea to our climate-friendly energy needs of the future, nuclear power plants have safely generated electricity 24/7 over some 40 years of operation to customers throughout the U.S. and the world, contrary to the poor yearly safety records of coal, natural gas, and renewables (wind and solar). Campbell indicated that the Committee has concluded that nuclear power is in fact a safe, sustainable, reliable, climate-and business-friendly source of energy, which will be fueled by new discoveries that will provide hundreds of years of available uranium resources from a variety of secure sources.

Supplying Fuel for the Expansion of Nuclear Power in the U.S. of Nuclear Power in the U.S. - The ... more Supplying Fuel for the Expansion of Nuclear Power in the U.S. of Nuclear Power in the U.S. - The Environment vs. The Paradigm

This presentation is based on the EMD Uranium Report for 2005 (See References for URL).
The EMD Uranium Committee members include:
Joseph Evensen, Ph. D., ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
Henry M. Wise, P.G., Eagle Construction & Environmental, Inc.
and a number of Special Consultants.
Topics Discussed:
Basis of Opinions Presented
Fear of Nuclear Energy
Energy Production in the U.S. -1949 to 2003
Nuclear Generation of Electricity Nuclear Generation of Electricity - 1973 - 1999
Nuclear Power Plant Sites
Night Lights in U.S. Night Lights in U.S. - Electricity Usage Electricity Usage
Nuclear Power Plants in the World Nuclear Power Plants in the World
Nuclear Power Plants in Europe

Rocky Mountain Natural Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Strategy Conference Gas Strategy Conference & Investment Forum: Session 1
Presented by Presented by
Colorado Oil & Gas Association
August 1 August 1-3, 2005
Denver, Colorado

A Presentation at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Conference & Trade Fair, Austin, ... more A Presentation at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Conference & Trade Fair, Austin, Texas
April 30, 2008

Purpose of Presentation:

1. To Increase Communications between the General Public, Regulatory Agencies (TCEQ, RRC, TDSHS) and the Uranium Industry,
2. To Encourage Research by BEG and TWDB on Issues Important to Uranium Industry and to the General Public,
3. To Encourage Research on Health and Regulatory issues Important to the General Public,
4. To Encourage Recruiting Graduates and Professionals Interested in Working in the Uranium Industry, and
5. Encourage Geology Graduates, Academics & Others Working in Natural Resources Development in Texas to Obtain a State License as a Professional Geoscientist.

Coverage of Topics:
1. Introduction to Uranium Exploration & Recovery:
a. The Old, The Improved, and The Missing
b. Techniques of the 1970s
c. Environmentally Friendly Approach
d. A Missing Generation of Uranium Professionals
e. Permitting Guides
f. Background Surveys
g. Surface Water & Ground Water (Water Wells)
h. Regional Hydrogeological Setting

Coverage of Topics:
1. Uranium Exploration & Recovery & Health
a. In Texas
b. In Colorado
c. Numerous Studies
d. Community Outreach
e. Project Restoration Histories

2. Project Economics & Yellowcake Processing
3. Nuclear Power: Present Usage
4 Alternative Energy Resources: Solar, Wind & Geothermal Energy
5. Predictions: 2008 to 2040

In this presentation, we will be covering a range of topics involving nuclear power. They range f... more In this presentation, we will be covering a range of topics involving nuclear power. They range from the pros & cons of nuclear power to public concerns, and to exploration,
development and production practices and anticipated yellowcake prices. We will discuss past and current uranium recovery methods, such as typical in-situ recovery systems practiced in Wyoming and Texas, have a look at typical well-field layouts, drilling, sampling and geophysical logging, both with the old standard logging methods and the "new" PFN method, which makes radiological equilibrium studies much easier and more accurate than in the past. We also will look at the typical designs of processing plants to produce yellowcake. We will then discuss the typical concerns still expressed by many anti-nuclear groups and by the media serving them, including:
• various unrealistic expectations they hold,
• various forms of mis-information they believe, and
• various half-truths they circulate.

With the above as background, we’ll summarize current conditions and our expectations on the energy picture over the next 30 years, specifically to generate electricity in the U.S., in terms of both small- and large-scale nuclear plants, and in terms of the future source of nuclear fuel (yellowcake) produced in the U.S. and overseas, and perhaps even from the Moon in the foreseeable future.

Here is what was covered during Mr. Campbell's presentation :  Gold and other Commodities on Pro... more Here is what was covered during Mr. Campbell's presentation
:
 Gold and other Commodities on Properties in Queensland, Australia
 Phosphate and Potash Properties in Queensland Australia
 Uranium Properties in South Australia and Texas
 Gold Properties in North Vietnam
 Uranium, Thorium, and Rare Earth Property in Alaska

Since the late 1980’s direct push technology (DPT, widely commercialized by GeoProbe)) has been e... more Since the late 1980’s direct push technology (DPT, widely commercialized by GeoProbe)) has been employed as an efficient and cost-effective means for collecting undisturbed samples of soil. DPT tools also provide for the sampling of soil gas, or vapor, and groundwater. At its onset, DPT technology was smaller, more mobile, and more versatile than drilling equipment for shallow environmental Investigations. Today the trend is toward larger and larger DPT equipment. GeoProbe, maker of the 6620DT rig included in this demonstration, is recognized as the leader in DPT technology.

This demonstration will focus on the GeoProbe direct push sampling of soils using two types of sampling equipment: Macro Core Sampling and Dual-Tube Sampling. The advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed. We will demonstrate field organic vapor monitoring, which often forms the basis for selection of samples and analytes, and field logging using the Unified Soil Classification System. The importance of decontamination protocol and procedures will be stressed, as well as preparation for submittal to the laboratory.

Other techniques required for drilling in sediments and consolidated formations will conclude the presentation. The former, hollow-stem auguring method is used to construct monitoring wells. The basic elements of such construction will be demonstrated, The latter involves rotary drilling by air (to remove cuttings) and by "mud" after the water table has been encountered (which serves to also remove cuttings as they are produced by the tri-cone drilling bit.

The topics covered during GeoDayz are presented to provide attendees with an introduction to the ... more The topics covered during GeoDayz are presented to provide attendees with an introduction to the methods and approaches employed during most environmental projects. The presentations are by no means intended to provide a working knowledge of these methods. This would require additional exposure and detailed discussions generally provided by company training programs using their own protocols. AIPG Webinars also offer specific coverage of some of the topics introduced during GeoDayz, and these will also help to prepare you for employment in the
environmental and associated industries.

We discuss the current status of the environmental and mining industries in the U.S. including public attitudes, the U.S. and world economy, as well as the current and anticipated future political environment regarding environmental and mining-related regulations as they relate to employment opportunities and job growth within consulting companies, industry environmental or energy groups and non-profits focusing on issues related to water, air, sensitive habitats {AKA bugs and bunnies}, windmills, solar energy and renewables in general, as well as in city, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies throughout the U.S. and overseas. We will introduce federal and state regulatory programs by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and their legislation-driven programs first introduced in the mid-1970s for currently operating industrial activities known as RCRA and for historical and abandoned sites containing constituents of concern potentially affecting human health and the environment.

These are known as CERCLA or Superfund sites. The states also have similar regulations. Because projects are conducted outside, around heavy equipment, and on lands with unknown hazards and exposure, health and safety issues constitute a large and important part of almost all environmental projects; We will discuss the major elements of health and safety; the primary features of typical project management will also be discussed in terms of establishing the scope of work, the elements of soil and groundwater sampling, laboratory selection and data QC/QA considerations, data handling and interpretation for projects ranging from Phase I site assessments, to Phase II site investigations to establish the horizontal and vertical extent of contaminants and their potential exposures affecting human health and the environment, culminating in the remediation and removal of surface and subsurface materials deemed hazardous materials.

The AAPG Energy Minerals Division's Uranium (Nuclear and REE) Committee (aka UCOM) AAPG-EMD On-Line Conference Theme 9 -Critical Mineral Exploration -The Next Energy Frontier, 2020

Summary of Coverage: -- REE Distribution in universe and solar system, moon, meteorites, Earth’s... more Summary of Coverage:

-- REE Distribution in universe and solar system, moon, meteorites, Earth’s crust, sea-floors, coal and lignite, and groundwater,

-- Mineralization processes on Earth, often associated with U and Th,

-- REE Deposits and Mines: China, U.S.(Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Alaska), Australia, Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia.

- History of REE Development: REE offer special properties for industrial applications …. Expanding use.

- As new REE applications were developed by the academic-industrial Complex in U.S. and Overseas,

- Major worldwide research efforts began in early 2000s with explosion of technical papers after 2010 dealing with exploration projects, nature of REE in deposits in the U.S. and worldwide,

- REE demand, mining, and prices have increased (with some pullback) as China held back price-controlled REE supplies with the REE Price Boom of the 2010-2013.

- Other REE sources are being sought as coproducts of metalliferous mining, recycling of electronic waste, coal-lignite, waste ash, byproducts of phosphate mining, deep-sea nodules and mattes, but with some environmental concerns along supply chain.

- Competition in REE mining and processing depends ore grade of specific REE availability with REE demand expanding … mine production only amounting to about 170,000 metric tons in 2018, but increased to 210,000 tons in 2019, (Rare Earth Oxides produced worldwide), and likely increase by 7% to 12% /yr in the future …. The current Pandemic notwithstanding.

The AAPG Energy Minerals Division's Uranium (Nuclear and REE) Committee (aka UCOM) AAPG-EMD On-Line Conference Theme 9 - Confronting the Issues , 2020

Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H. serves as Chairman of the Uranium (Nuclear & REE) Committee (UCOM... more Michael D. Campbell, P.G., P.H. serves as Chairman of the Uranium (Nuclear & REE) Committee (UCOM) of the Energy Minerals Division of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) since 2004. He is also Senior Principal and Chief Geologist and Hydrogeologist for I2M Consulting, LLC, Houston, Texas.

Mr. Campbell describes the function and make-up of the UCOM and the purpose of UCOM, which is to report to the AAPG membership and general public on the activities and status of nuclear power and on the fuel that that drives that industry, which is in direct competition with all fossil fuels and renewable energy, i.e., large-scale wind and solar projects) in producing electricity for the general public and industry.

Presented at the recent AAPG-EMD Virtual Conference: