Map Views of the Producing Formations in Michigan, the Michigan Basin, U. S.

Wylie, Albert S., Jr. and James R. Wood
Department of Geological & Mining Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI

State-scale maps of the current producing formations in Michigan were created in this study using GIS and relational database software. Michigan has more than 27,000 wells that have produced from the Paleozoic Formations found beneath the State according to the Department of Natural Resource’s Oil and Gas Information System. Almost 58,000 total wellbores have been drilled in the State for oil, gas, brine, enhanced recovery, disposal, and gas storage purposes according to this database. Although most of these wells are vertical, many are deviated; some have multiple laterals from a single surface location while others are horizontal.

In order to visualize the current distribution of producing wells in the State, structure and isopach maps were created for each producing horizon and where available, historical annual production plots were posted on the maps. The maps include the most important producing formations in the State (youngest to oldest): Michigan Stray, Berea, Antrim, Traverse Group, Dundee, Detroit River, Richfield, Salina, Niagaran, Trenton/Black River, and Prairie du Chien/Glenwood. Producing formations with the fewest producing wells in Michigan include the Saginaw, Parma, Marshall, Coldwater, Amherstburg, Filer, Sylvania, Clinton, and Burnt Bluff. Each of these formations continues to produce important quantities of oil and gas in Michigan and many have significant remaining exploration and exploitation/EOR potential.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90031©2004 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, October 3-5, 2004