The use of high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys to delineate basement controls on thin-skinned, fractured, tight gas reservoirs: Examples from the Piceance Basin
- Advanced Resources International, Inc., Lakewood, CO (United States)
An analysis of recently-acquired, high-resolution aeromagnetic data, integrated with structural, production history, and seismic analyses of the Piceance Basin identified a strong correlation between basement structures and fractured tight gas reservoir production trend located in thin-skinned structures. Detailed reservoir characterization of fields associated with Piceance Basin thin-skinned structural traps reveals the importance of fracture-controlled production in these fields. Most importantly, many fields thought to lack fractures, demonstrate insufficient permeability for economic production unless fractures are present. Seismic interpretation indicates that many thin-skinned structures in the Piceance Basin are related to deeper-level basement features. The southwestern basin, in marked contrast, contains E/W-oriented folds such as the Debeque, Bull Creek (new), and Garmesa anticlines. Similar E/W trends are exemplified in the northwest and north-central basin by the Rangely and White River Dome anticlines, respectively. Aeromagnetic surveys, integrated with critical information about regional structure and fractured reservoir production trends, represent a relatively inexpensive method to document potential fractured tight gas reservoirs. In basins where fractured reservoirs are related to small-scale, thin-skinned structures controlled by basement deformation, aeromagnetic surveys permit a rapid first-order screening for potential exploration targets. In mature basins, aeromagnetic surveys may reveal previously-overlooked, small-scale structures containing fracture-controlled production, or overlie deeper reservoir plays not previously tested.
- OSTI ID:
- 86658
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507131-; ISSN 0149-1423; TRN: 95:004859-0061
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 79, Issue 6; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Reno, NV (United States), 16-19 Jul 1995; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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