Wattenberg field, paleostructure-stratigraphic trap, Denver Basin Colorado

Journal Article · Mon Mar 22 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6955015

Weimer, R J; Sonnenberg, S A

The Denver basin's Wattenberg field contains reserves of about 1.3 trillion CF in the low-permeability J sandstone reservoir over a 600,000-acre area at 7600-8400 ft. Net pay is 10-50 ft thick; porosity, 8-12%; and permeability, 0.5-0.005 md. Massive hydraulic fracturing has increased the permeability around each borehole, allowing commercial-scale production. Although the field is generally regarded as a stratigraphic trap, paleostructural analysis of the area suggests that unconformities at the top of the J sandstone might also play a role in gas entrapment. Possibly the field used to lie on an ancient structural high that was later downwarped into its low structural setting.

• OSTI ID: 6955015
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 80; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030100 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves-- (-1989)
030200* -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
COLORADO
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGY
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RESERVES
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STRATIGRAPHY
USA
WELLS