Dennis Kerr

Dennis Kerr

Associate ProfessorKeplinger Hall M227
918-631-3020
dennis-kerr@utulsa.edu

Dennis Kerr holds advanced degrees in geology with specialization in clastic sedimentology and has several years of experience in the petroleum industry and petroleum geology related research. His research interests include application of physical sedimentology and facies architecture to address questions regarding basin evolution and reservoir characterization. He has collaborated with faculty and students from other disciplines including geophysics, petroleum engineering and mathematics. Topics of current interest include: relationship between facies architectural elements and permeability anisotropy for eolian and meandering fluvial systems; Pennsylvanian sequence stratigraphy of northeastern Oklahoma platform and Arkoma basin and controls on distribution of oil, gas and coal resources; and tectonic evolution of the Ouachita trough (i.e. closure of Rheic Ocean) as expressed in the physical sedimentology, provenance and chemostratigraphy of the Atoka Formation.

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Ph.D., Geology, University of Wisconsin – Madison (1989)
  • M.S., Geology, San Diego State University (1982)
  • B.A., Geology California State University – Fresno (1974)

Areas of Research Focus

  • Application of physical sedimentology
  • Facies architecture to address questions regarding basin evolution and reservoir characterization
  • Relationship between facies architectural elements and permeability anisotropy for eolian and meandering fluvial systems
  • Pennsylvanian sequence stratigraphy of northeastern Oklahoma platform and Arkoma basin and controls on distribution of oil, gas and coal resources
  • Tectonic evolution of the Ouachita trough (i.e., closure of Rheic Ocean) as expressed in the physical sedimentology
  • Provenance and chemostratigraphy of the Atoka Formation.

Previous Relevant Work Experience

  • Research Associate, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin (1988 – 1991)
  • Consulting, Petroleum Geologist, Macey and Mershon Oil, Inc. (1981 – 1982)
  • Exploration Geologist, Texaco (1979 – 1981)
  • Petroleum Geologist, Macey and Mershon Oil, Inc. (1978 – 1979)

Professional Affiliations

  • Geological Society of America (Member since 1973)
  • American Association of Petroleum Geologists (Member since 1979)
  • Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) (Member since 1978)
  • Pacific Section - SEPM (Member since 1974)
  • Mid-Continent Section - SEPM (Member since 1992)
  • Tulsa Geological Society (Member since 1991)
  • Sigma Xi (Member since 1986)

Courses Taught at TU

  • Advanced Stratigraphic Analysis (GEOL 7333)
  • Clastic Sedimentology and Depositional Systems (GEOL 7313)
  • Geology of National Parks (GEOL 1043)
  • Sandstone Petrography (GEOL 7353)
  • Sedimentary Rocks and Processes (GEOL 3153)
  • Sedimentary Rocks and Processes Laboratory (GEOL 3151)
  • Tectonics and Sedimentation (GEOL 7303)

Publications

  • Diagenetic variability in middle Frio Formation gas reservoirs (Oligocene), Seeligson, and Stratton Fields, Texas
    Grigsby, J. D., and Kerr, D. R.: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 41, p. 308-319 (1991)
  • Eolian dune types preserved in the Tensleep Sandstone (Pennsylvanian-Permian,) north-central Wyoming
    Kerr, D. R., and Dott, R. H., Jr.: Sedimentary Geology, v. 56, p. 383-402 (1988)
  • Facies architecture of the Bartlesville and Skinner intervals, southwestern Rogers County, Oklahoma
    Kerr, D.R., and Aviantara, A.A.: Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 108, p. 161-174 (2002)
  • Facies architecture of the Bluejacket Sandstone in the Eufaula Lake area Oklahoma: Implications for the reservoir characterization of the subsurface Bartlesville Sandstone, in Jordan, J.F., and Schatzinger, R., eds., Reservoir Characterization-Recent Advances
    Ye, L., Kerr, D.R., and Yang, K.: American Association of Petroleum Memoir 72, p. 29-44 (1999)
  • Fluvial architecture and reservoir compartmentalization in the Oligocene middle Frio Formation, South Texas
    Kerr, D. R., and Jirik, L. A.: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 40, p. 373-380 (1990)
  • Gas reservoir quality variations and implications for resource development, Frio Formation, South Texas -- Examples from Seeligson and Stratton Fields
    Grigsby, J. D., and Kerr, D. R.: Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas, Geological Circular 93-2, 27 p. (1993)
  • Glenn Pool field, Oklahoma: A case of improved production from a mature reservoir
    Kerr, D.R., Ye, L., Bahar, A., Kelkar, M., and Montgomery, S.: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 83, p. 1-18 (1999)
  • Minipermeameter study of fluvial deposits of the Frio Formation (Oligocene), South Texas -- Implications for gas reservoir compartments, in Linville, B., Burchfield, T. E., and Wesson, T. C., eds., Reservoir Characterization III
    Kerr, D. R., Scott, A. R., Grigsby, J. D., and Levey, R. A.: PennWell Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma, p. 911-922 (1993)
  • Neogene sturzstrom deposits, Split Mountain area, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
    Abbott, P.A., Kerr, D.R., Borron, S.E., Washburn, J.L., and Rightmer, D.A.: Geological Society of America Reviews in Engineering Geology, v. 15, p. 388-411 (2002)
  • Outcrop-based 3D modeling of the Tensleep Sandstone at Alkali Creek, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, in Grammer, G.M., Harris, P.M., and Eberli, G.P., eds., Integration of outcrop and modern analogs in reservoir modeling
    Ciftci, B.N., Aviantara, A.A., Hurley, N.F., and Kerr, D.R.: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 80, p. 235-259 (2004)