Altamont-Bluebell: a major, naturally fractured stratigraphic trap, Uinta Basin, Utah

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6562877

Lucas, P T; Drexler, J M

The Altamont-Bluebell trend is composed of a highly overpressured series of oil accumulations in naturally fractured, low-porosity, Tertiary lacustrine sandstones. Postdepositional shift of the structural axis of the basin in late Tertiary time produced a regional updip pinchout of northerly derived sandstones into a lacustrine oil-shale sequence. Facies shifts during the deposition of more than 15,000 ft (4,570 m) of lacustrine sediments have resulted in a changing pattern of reservoir distribution and hydrocarbon charge at various stratigraphic levels. Reservoir performance is significantly enhanced by vertical fractures and initial fluid-pressure gradients, some of which exceed 0.8 psi/ft. The crude has a high paraffin content resulting in pour points above 100/sup 0/F (37.78/sup 0/C), gravities of 30/sup 0/ to 50/sup 0/ API, and an average GOR of 1,000 cu ft/bbl. The ultimate recovery of the field could be more than 250 million bbl.

• Research Organization: Shell Oil Co
• OSTI ID: 6562877
• Journal Information: Mem. - Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.; (United States), Vol. 24
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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