Date of Award
12-1-2019
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geology
First Advisor
Potter-McIntyre, Sally
Abstract
All the oil and gas wells producing in the Arikaree Creek Field, Colorado targeted the Spergen Formation along similar structures within a wrench fault system; however, the wells have vastly different production values. This thesis develops a predictive model for high production in the field while also accounting for a failed waterflood event that was initiated in 2016. Petrophysical analysis of thirteen wells show that high producing wells share common characteristics of pay zone location, lithology, porosity and permeability with one another and that the Spergen Formation is not homogenous. Highly productive wells have pay zones in the lower part of the formation in sections that are dolomitized, and have anonymously high water saturation. This is likely related to the paragenesis of the formation that dolomitized the lower parts of the formation, increasing porosity and permeability, but leaving the pay zones with the high water saturation values. This heterogeneity likely accounts for the failed waterflood. Results show that the important petrophysical components for highly productive wells are the location of the payzone within the reservoir, porosity, permeability and water saturation. Additionally, homogeneity is crucial for successful waterflooding, which was not present.
Access
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