Reservoir potential of Cretaceous rocks, National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

Conference · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5590036

Mowatt, T C

Petrographic, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope studies of core samples from Cretaceous units in nine wells form the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA), evaluated in the context of other available information, suggest that reappraisal of regional petroleum resource potential may be warranted. Evidence of secondary porosity development, together with the character of much of the Cretaceous section, indicates the potential for reservoir rocks to have been developed diagenetically. Heretofore, it has been held that significant reservoirs were unlikely in these units. Consideration of other regional factors, including geothermal gradients, degree of maturation of organic materials, and structural and stratigraphic relationships, indicates potentially favorable conditions for development of secondary porosity elsewhere within the subsurface of NPRA, in rocks similar in nature to those studied. These same geologic factors are not inconsistent with regional potential for the generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons as well. Continental, shoreline, and nearshore depositional environments are recognized as predominant throughout the Cretaceous in this region. Thus, associated organic material is likely to be predominantly terrigenous in character. This factor has led to consideration of the region as essentially gas prone. However, recent reported work in NPRA and elsewhere indicates the possibility of generation of significant amounts of liquid hydrocarbons from at least some of these types of organic matter.

• Research Organization: Reservoirs, Inc., Denver, CO
• OSTI ID: 5590036
• Report Number(s): CONF-8408161-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 68:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ALASKA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DRILL CORES
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
MATURATION
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
USA