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Using Crosswell Previous HitSeismicNext Hit Tomography to Provide Better Reservoir Resolution in the Wolfcamp Formation in Lea County, New Mexico

Cynthia L. Welch, Robert L. Martin, and Greg D. Hinterlong
ChevronTexaco, Midland, Texas

 

In the Vacuum Field located in Lea County, New Mexico, the Wolfcamp Formation consists of alternating and intermingled layers of limestone, dolomite, and shale. Located on the southeastern edge of the Northwest Shelf, the Wolfcamp was deposited in a shallow shelf environment while experiencing considerable fluctuations in sea level. The Wolfcamp appears to be laterally discontinuous based on log and 3D Previous HitseismicNext Hit Previous HitdataNext Hit, however individual reservoir-quality compartments are difficult to resolve with these methods. Depositional models of carbonates in shelf environments indicate that units of potential pay may not be laterally continuous, however they may be traceable if better resolution can be obtained regarding the depositional character of these units. In addition, identifying shale units would greatly aid in determining the best path for future horizontal wells in the Wolfcamp.

Crosswell Previous HitSeismicNext Hit Tomography was used to provide better reservoir resolution, which would lead to determining reservoir continuity, compartmentalization, and characterization. After Previous HitdataNext Hit collection, processing, and Previous HitinterpretationNext Hit, a horizontal well was drilled based on these results. The horizontal well targeted reservoir-quality intervals that had not been identified in either log or 3D Previous HitseismicNext Hit analysis. The horizontal well resulted in tests up to 121 BOPD, which was an increase of 91 BOPD from original vertical well results. In addition to providing horizontal drilling locations in the Wolfcamp, the crosswell Previous HitseismicNext Hit Previous HitdataNext Hit has provided information essential to reservoir characterization and our understanding of Wolfcamp deposition in this area. Based on the crosswell Previous HitseismicNext Hit Previous HitdataNext Hit, the Wolfcamp Formation does appear to be discontinuous with several isolated reservoir-quality compartments present. Many of these reservoir-quality compartments were not originally distinguished by either log or 3D Previous HitseismicNext Hit Previous HitdataNext Hit. In addition, this high resolution Previous HitdataNext Hit has allowed us to compare the crosswell Previous HitseismicNext Hit results with outcrop studies performed by the BEG near Van Horn, TX. Clinoforms have been identified in the crosswell Previous HitseismicNext Hit Previous HitdataNext Hit that appear highly similar to those seen in outcrop near Van Horn, TX. Future application of this Previous HitdataNext Hit exists in the merging of crosswell Previous HitseismicNext Hit, 3D Previous HitseismicNext Hit, log Previous HitdataNext Hit, and core Previous HitdataTop into one three dimensional model that will provide us with a more complete understanding of the Wolfcamp Formation in the Vacuum Field.