Horizontal Drilling Potential of the Middle Member Bakken Formation,
The Bakken Formation has once again
become the focus of activity in the Williston basin. Horizontal drilling of the
middle member began in 2001 and has been restricted to
The stratigraphy in the main play area is relatively simple with each successively higher member of the Bakken Formation onlapping the underlying Three Forks Formation. These units pinch out to the south. A bottom seal is formed by the impermeable Three Forks Formation while the overlying Lodgepole Formation forms the top seal. A well developed mappable trend is readily apparent in the middle member on wireline logs over this area.
Technology has finally caught up to the Bakken Formation. The ability to fracture stimulate these horizontal wells is what makes this play work. The zone generally has between 7 to 12% porosity, permeabilities of .01 to .02 mD, and 70 to 80% oil saturation.
The facies that produce in