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Mickelson, Creek field extension: a Mesaverde unconformity trap

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7040224
The original Mickelson Creek field, discovered in 1960, is a combination structural-stratigraphic trap consisting of discontinuous fluvial sandstones draped over a structural closure. The field is located on a small subsidiary thrust feature in front of the leading edge of the Prospect fault. Drilling in 1982 discovered a separate stratigraphic accumulation downflank. Fluvial Mesaverde sandstone beds subcrop beneath the Paleocene Fort Union unconformity. Stratigraphic traps are formed in several different sandstone beds, the most areally extensive of these covering about 1800 ac, with an average net pay thickness of 15 ft. Deposition occurred in a flood-plain environment, with channel sands grading laterally into overbank muds, crevasse-splay sands, and freshwater marsh deposits. Porosity has been enhanced by dissolution of unstable framework grains, primarily feldspars, in proximity to the unconformity. Low effective porosity and small average pore-throat size have resulted in relatively low permeabilities. The reservoirs respond well to large foam-frac stimulations, with recoverable reserves ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 bcf of gas/well.
Research Organization:
Celeron Oil and Gas Co., Englewood, CO
OSTI ID:
7040224
Report Number(s):
CONF-8609129-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 70:8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English