Charles R. Stelck
Encyclopedia
Charles Richard Stelck, OC
, FRSC
(born 1917) is an award-winning Canadian
petroleum geologist
, paleontologist
, stratigrapher
and emeritus
professor
. His research has yielded many large oil and gas finds in western Canada.
Stelck was born in Edmonton, Alberta. As a teenager he worked on summer geological field parties.
With the help of a Tegler Scholarship, Stelck attended the University of Alberta
. He switched into the geology program when his friend, Robert Folinsbee
, convinced him that it was an exciting field. He obtained a BSc
(1937) and a MSc
degree (1941). He moved to California and obtained his PhD
degree at Stanford University
.
s had once lived in what is now the Arctic
. He further hypothesized that this would mean there would be oil there now. There has been speculation that his hypothesis was not a stretch given the fact that the Norman Wells had been discovered in the early 1920s and oil seeps had been reported along the river for centuries. The explanation was not yet clear, however, since the theory of continental drift
had yet to be proposed.
Stelck observed reef material while conducting geological research in a mountainous region near Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
with a dog team. The first recorded observation of these materials were made in 1914 by Dr. T.O. Bosworth, whose 69-page report on his expedition along the Mackenzie River
led directly to the discovery of the Norman Wells oilfield.
Stelck applied his knowledge to find if reefs had existed in Alberta
. He worked with his students to develop an understanding of western Canada’s sedimentary basin and the Leduc oilfields, which demonstrated that Devonian reefs existed in Alberta and could make excellent reservoirs. Many of Stelck's former students were part of the gathering oil boom, including; Doug Layer (Leduc No. 1), and Arne Rudolph Nielsen and Tony Mason (Pembina oil field
-the largest pool of oil in Canada).
Asteroid (187680) Stelck is named in his honour.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, FRSC
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(born 1917) is an award-winning Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
petroleum geologist
Petroleum geologist
A petroleum geologist is an occupation that involves all aspects of oil discovery and production in the field of petroleum geology. Petroleum geologists are usually linked to the actual discovery of oil and the identification of possible oil deposits or leads. It can be a very labor intensive task...
, paleontologist
Paleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
, stratigrapher
Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy, a branch of geology, studies rock layers and layering . It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks....
and emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
. His research has yielded many large oil and gas finds in western Canada.
Stelck was born in Edmonton, Alberta. As a teenager he worked on summer geological field parties.
With the help of a Tegler Scholarship, Stelck attended the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. He switched into the geology program when his friend, Robert Folinsbee
Robert Folinsbee
Robert Edward Folinsbee, OC, FRSC, FGSA was a Canadian geologist, whose work involved geochronology, ore deposits, and meteorites....
, convinced him that it was an exciting field. He obtained a BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(1937) and a MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree (1941). He moved to California and obtained his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
.
Career
In the early 1940s, he took a position at the University of Alberta. While there he hypothesized that coral reefCoral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s had once lived in what is now the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
. He further hypothesized that this would mean there would be oil there now. There has been speculation that his hypothesis was not a stretch given the fact that the Norman Wells had been discovered in the early 1920s and oil seeps had been reported along the river for centuries. The explanation was not yet clear, however, since the theory of continental drift
Continental drift
Continental drift is the movement of the Earth's continents relative to each other. The hypothesis that continents 'drift' was first put forward by Abraham Ortelius in 1596 and was fully developed by Alfred Wegener in 1912...
had yet to be proposed.
Stelck observed reef material while conducting geological research in a mountainous region near Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Norman Wells is the regional centre for the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada...
with a dog team. The first recorded observation of these materials were made in 1914 by Dr. T.O. Bosworth, whose 69-page report on his expedition along the Mackenzie River
Mackenzie River
The Mackenzie River is the largest river system in Canada. It flows through a vast, isolated region of forest and tundra entirely within the country's Northwest Territories, although its many tributaries reach into four other Canadian provinces and territories...
led directly to the discovery of the Norman Wells oilfield.
Stelck applied his knowledge to find if reefs had existed in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. He worked with his students to develop an understanding of western Canada’s sedimentary basin and the Leduc oilfields, which demonstrated that Devonian reefs existed in Alberta and could make excellent reservoirs. Many of Stelck's former students were part of the gathering oil boom, including; Doug Layer (Leduc No. 1), and Arne Rudolph Nielsen and Tony Mason (Pembina oil field
Pembina oil field
The Pembina oil field is one of the largest and most prolific conventional oil fields in the province of Alberta, Canada.The mature field is centered around Drayton Valley and is named for the Pembina River, which crosses the region from south-west to north-east.It taps in the Cretaceous deposits...
-the largest pool of oil in Canada).
Asteroid (187680) Stelck is named in his honour.
Accolades
- 1960, elected to the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
- 1972, awarded the Logan MedalLogan MedalThe Logan Medal is the highest award of the Geological Association of Canada. Named after Sir William Edmond Logan, noted 19th century Canadian geologist. It is presented annually to an individual for sustained distinguished achievement in Canadian earth science.-References:*...
by the Geological Association of CanadaGeological Association of CanadaThe Geological Association of Canada promotes and develops the geological sciences in Canada. The organization holds conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of geological problems and the exchange of views in matters related to geology... - 1994, awarded the R. J. W. Douglas MedalR. J. W. Douglas MedalThe R.J.W. Douglas Medal is presented annually by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists in recognition of outstanding contributions to the understanding of sedimentary geology in Canada, commending major contributions to regional tectonics, petroleum and structural geology. The award is open...
by the Canadian Society of Petroleum GeologistsCanadian Society of Petroleum GeologistsThe Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists is a professional geological society in Canada. The CSPG works to advance the science of geology, foster professional development of members and promote community awareness of the profession... - 1997, appointed Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
- 2003, awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by the University of Alberta
- 2005, inducted into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame
Cited publications
- Stelck, C. R., 1950. Cenomanian-Albaian Forminifera of western Canada. Ph.D. School of Mineral Sciences (Geology), Stanford University, 207 pp.