Geology of the Point Arguello discovery

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5252783

Crain, W E; Mero, W E; Patterson, D

Chevron (as operator for its partners, Phillips, Champlin, and Impkemix) discovered the Point Arguello oil field in 1981. The discovery well, the Chevron et al P-0316-1, was drilled in federal waters 8.5 mi (13.7 km) south of Point Arguello, California. Delineation drilling has confirmed the discovery of a giant oil field with estimated recoverable reserves in excess of 300 million bbl of oil. The oil field is located within a small depocenter at the southern edge of the offshore Santa Maria basin. This local depocenter may contain over 15,000 ft of Neogene rocks. The Point Arguello accumulation is trapped in a large north-northwest-trending anticlinal complex. The primary reservoir is the middle and upper Miocene Monterey Formation, composed of fractured cherts, porcellanites, siliceous mudstones, and dolostones. Calculated fracture permeabilities range up to 3 darcys. Crestal wells have indicated productivities, after acid, of approximately 6,000 BOPD.

• Research Organization: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Concord, California
• OSTI ID: 5252783
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 69:4; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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