An integrated approach to evaluation of horizontal well prospects in the Niobrara Shale
- Simtech Consulting Services Inc., Golden, CO (United States)
- Cabot Oil and Gas, Denver, CO (United States)
Integrated use of surface and subsurface geologic data, structural deformation analysis from second-derivative maps, and dimensionless type curves in identifying potential horizontal well locations in the fractured Niobrara Shale of northwest Colorado is described. The analysis included construction of detailed structure maps from surface geology with tie-ins to seismic surveys and well control and of second-derivative maps that were overlaid on production data to determine the minimum radius of curvature required for commercial production. Reservoir properties were calculated for known fields from type-curve matching with type curves for dual-porosity, anisotropic reservoirs with stress-sensitive permeability. The curves were constructed for vertical and horizontal wells by use of reservoir-simulation models. Spacing and economics of drilling horizontal Niobrara wells in northwest Colorado were evaluated. The analysis suggests that recoverable oil from the fractured Niobrara in northwest Colorado averages 1,392 bbl oil/acre on the basis of a productive fracture area identified by second derivatives of the structural surface with values > 1{times}10{sup {minus}4.5}ft{sup {minus}1}. It is also indicated that horizontal well spacing in the fractured Niobrara should be >640 acres. In some instances, it may be more economical to develop the fractured Niobrara with vertical rather than horizontal wells.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 136668
- Journal Information:
- SPE Reservoir Engineering, Vol. 10, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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