The difference technology can make: Exploring naturally fractured reservoirs, Powder River Bain, Wyoming
- Vastar Resources, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
- ARCO Exploration and Production Technology, Plano, TX (United States)
- Lynn Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
Vaster Resources, Inc. is actively exploring and developing Cretaceous fractured reservoirs in the southern Powder River basin by targeting both the Frontier and the Niobrara with horizontal wells. In order to identify intensely fractured zones within the play area, approximately 100 miles of 2D multi-component seismic, a 9 square mile 3D, and a multi-component VSP have been acquired supporting the drilling of five horizontal wells. Characterization and prediction of both the fracture system and basin-centered pressure compartments are critical elements in this play. The fracture system has been mapped by integrating surface outcrop studies, regional cross-sections, Landsat lineament analysis, shear-wave seismic, dipole sonic logs and FMS/FMI log data over 6000 lateral feet. This data demonstrates an early Laramide regional fracture system throughout the southern Powder River basin. Geopressure compartments within the basin exhibit rapid variations both laterally and vertically. Additionally, hydrocarbon properties vary well to well despite their close proximity, possibly signifying the degree of overpressuring evident within separate pressure cells. Pre-drill pressure prediction using long offset 2D seismic velocities, basin geohistory modeling, and mudweight, and DST pressure mapping has been utilized successfully to delineate pressure boundaries. Successfully defining the regional fracture system and local pressure variations, leads to the next obvious question - how are these two systems related? What influence do the regional fractures have on pressure compartmentalization? By integrating multiple datasets: multi-component 2D seismic; long offset seismic; and 3D high resolution seismic; these issues are being addressed within the Powder River basin.
- OSTI ID:
- 272616
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9607116-; ISSN 0149-1423; TRN: 96:003409-0025
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 80, Issue 6; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologogists (AAPG) Rocky Mountain section meeting, Billings, MT (United States), 28-31 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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