Predicting reservoir heterogeneity in the upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation in the western Powder River Basin - An integrated stratigraphic, sedimentologic, petrophysical, and geophysical study

Samuel D. Fluckiger, Andrew M. Hennes, Jeff S. Zawila, Michael H. Hofmann, Haihong Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Understanding how stratigraphic and sedimentologic heterogeneity is reflected in wireline logs and seismic attributes is crucial to predict areas of better reservoir development in tight oil plays. This study explores the predictive capability of an integrated geologic, petrologic, petrophysical and geophysical model based on detailed facies analysis of thirteen sediment cores expanded over 400 wireline log suites and 440 square miles of 3D seismic in the western Powder River Basin, Wyoming. The integrated model is focused on the upper Cretaceous (Turronian) Wall Creek member of the Frontier Formation which varies in thickness from <10m to 60m across this area, and contains a complex assembly of lithofacies, ranging from fine-grained mudstones to coarse grained sandstones, with the latter forming the legacy conventional reservoir facies. A total of twelve distinct core facies and three sub-facies were identified based on grain size, physical and biogenic sedimentary features, ichnology, and petrology. Propagation of the core facies at wireline log resolution across a geographically significant and well resolved area was accomplished by employing a principle component analysis technique utilizing standard wireline log suites. The initial twelve core facies were upscaled to nine uniquely identified log (electro) facies based upon their statistical occurrence within each individual log facies. Log facies were subsequently upscaled again into six seismic facies based upon elastic parameters. Favorable elastic and geomechanical properties distinctly correlate to net pay facies derived by wireline logs which in turn correlate to coarser-grained sandstone facies. A simultaneous, geostatistical, prestack seismic inversion was conducted on a 3D seismic volume and probability volumes of encountering each seismic facies in addition to a most likely seismic facies volume were analyzed. The fully integrated results from core to log to seismic facies along with 3D seismic inversion-derived reservoir parameters calibrated to well control offer an added geologic comprehension of the stratigraphic architecture and reservoir distribution in the Wall Creek member as well as highlighting areas of better reservoir development potential thereby demonstrating the significant value of this integrated approach.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, URTeC 2015
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9781613994337
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
EventUnconventional Resources Technology Conference, URTeC 2015 - San Antonio, United States
Duration: Jul 20 2015Jul 22 2015

Publication series

NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, URTeC 2015

Conference

ConferenceUnconventional Resources Technology Conference, URTeC 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio
Period07/20/1507/22/15

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