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Geology of the Point Arguello discovery

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6319377

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 presence of a giant oil field with estimated 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. The local depocenter may contain over 15,000 ft (4750 m) of Neogene rocks. The Point Arguello accumulation is trapped in a large north-northwest-trending anticlinal complex. The main reservoir is in the middle and upper Miocene Monterey Formation composed of fractured cherts, porcellanites, siliceous mudstones, and dolostones. Calculated fracture permeabilities range up to 3 darcies. Crestal wells have indicated productivities, after acid, of approximately 6000 BOPD.

Research Organization:
Phillips Petroleum Co., Denver, CO
OSTI ID:
6319377
Report Number(s):
CONF-8505215-
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