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PSNew
Potential
in an
Existing Giant Field: Teapot Dome, Wyoming*
By
Sandy Raeuchle1, Dinesh Fernando1, Erin Duffey1, and Richard Talbert1
Search and Discovery Article #20031 (2006)
Posted May 12, 2006)
*Adapted from poster presentation during AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, April 10-12, 2006 -- AAPG 2006 Non-Seismic Methods: Case Studies
1Electro-Seise, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas 76107 ( [email protected] )
General Statement
Teapot Dome
Field, Natrona County, Wyoming, is listed in the top 100 largest fields in the
United States with proven reserves of 42,515,000 bbl. The field has been
exploited in the Upper Cretaceous Shannon, Second Wall Creek sandstones as well
as the Pennyslvanian Tensleep Figures 1,
2, and 3). We at Electro-Seise (ESI) found additional
potential
in these developed producing formations. Considerable
potential
lies
in the unexploited and fractured Upper Cretaceous Niobrara shales and the Lower
Cretaceous Muddy sandstones. Several million barrels of oil remain in the
subsurface yet to be drilled.
Airborne
microgravity was used
in this study to determine this
potential
. Acquisition
techniques utilized a passive sensor similar to old torsion balance types
used
to define salt domes in the Gulf Coast. Total
potential
field signals are
measured and the state-of-the-art digitally processed, producing a
three-dimensional microgravity cube for the recognition of movable hydrocarbons
at depth.
Three
dimensional seismic was merged with the gravity data. Structural maps were
derived matching the hydrocarbon “depth slices” through the prospective
horizons. New potential
pools conform to structure, giving the interpretation a
good confidence level. The 3D seismic structure maps show doubly-plunging
anticlines with very steep dips, particularly on the western flank. These
structures are set up deep within the basement rocks by lateral and
compressional movement, expressed as a flower structure.
Horizontal wells
should be considered, particularly in the fractured Niobrara shales. An early
DST in the Niobrara flowed 25,000 bopd. Clearly this sort of potential
, combined
with by-passed Muddy Sandstone pay, would provide economic wells with quick
payouts.
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Electro-Seise Microgravity
Merging Microgravity with Seismic
Teapot Dome Structure (Figures 5 and 6)
Electro-Seise Depth Slices (Figures 7 and 8)
Conclusions
The Department of Energy and RMOTC have recognized Electro-Seise technology as a stand-alone geophysical tool. |