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Reservoir sedimentology in Mesaverde rocks at the Multi-Well Experiment site

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6379275

Three types of sandstone reservoirs are encountered in Mesaverde rocks in the US Department of Energy's Multi-Well Experiment (MWX) in the east-central Piceance Creek Basin of northwestern Colorado. Characteristics of each type of tight-gas-sand reservoir are a function of the environment in which the sandstones were deposited. Sandstone reservoirs deposited in a fluvial environment are composed of stacked point-bar deposits, creating irregular, composite sand bodies. Underlying this, distributary channel reservoirs were deposited on a delta plain as elongate lenticular bodies. They are associated with mudstones on the upper delta plain (coastal) and mudstones and coals on the lower delta plain (paludal). Below these environments is a series of blanket sandstone reservoirs deposited as regressive, wave-dominated deltas and shorelines, with inter-bedded nonmarine coals and marine shales. Best estimates of reservoir morphology, dimensions, trends, and internal characteristics can be made on the basis of sedimentological models and characteristics observed in outcrops and in core. 8 figures.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6379275
Report Number(s):
SAND-83-1078; ON: DE83013959
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English