The 5 companies dominating the niobrara shale play the. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado1 north american. The trap was formed in the deltafront environment of a northwesterly prograding delta. He states that the ability to infer and infer correctly is the goal of training in field geology p. The highest gors in the field correspond to the highest geothermal. Section of the society for sedimentary geology guide book, p. Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in. Sonnenberg colorado geological survey, department of natural resources, 1996 geology 127 pages. Page 332 as the processes thus far described continue through geological periods, the initial relief will be extinguished even under the slow processes of desert erosion, and there will appear instead large, rockfloored plains sloping toward large wastefloored plains. Book chapter wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado 1. When it comes to the wattenberg field, the states oil and gas field located under weld, larimer, boulder, adams and broomfield counties, pdc plans to begin work on around 1 wells, and start. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado subject group.
In 1981 and 1982, the cod ell sandstone, approximately 500 ft 152 m stratigraphically above the j, was developed as a new producing horizon of oil and gas. Located north of denver near the axis of the denver basin, wattenberg is estimated to have reserves of 1. Manual of field geology compton, robert r 9780471166986. Located north of denver near the axis of the denver basin, wattenberg is estimated to have. Minerals hardness 1gypsum, 2halite mineral 1 is harder or softer than a penny. Geologists aapg grants permission for a single photocopy of an item from this publication for personal. How to play the niobrara wattenberg field seeking alpha. The reservoir rocks are cretaceous sandstones, shales, and limestones deposited under marine conditions in the western interior seaway. From exploring the basic principles of geology to starting a rock and mineral collection, the practical geologist is the perfect introduction to the world of earth science. Wattenberg field over the decades, and many drillers and wellsite geologists noticed gas. Mineral 1 is harder or softer than your fingernail. Well log for the codell sandstone interval from a typical well in wattenberg field. Wattenberg field is located in the center of the denver basin in northeastern colorado and is one of the largest oil and gas fields in the united states.
After wiley reverted the publishing rights, i decided to convert geology in the field into an ebook to make it available quickly and at a reasonable price. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Horizontal drillers plowing ahead in the wattenberg oil. Hydrocarbons are nearly continuous within the wattenberg field, so the area is considered to be a basincentered gas accumulation with oil occurring as condensate.
Guide to the petroleum geology and laramide orogeny, denver basin and front range, colorado robert j. A plastic clip keeps the durable cordura cover closed and the book. Features graphics and simple field guide procedures to guide hikers through the great outdoors. Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap, denver. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado geology of. Geologic factors controlling production in the codell sandstone. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing section. For decades this little book was the primary text for many a universitys summer field camp the geologists equivalent of boot camp.
Field geology books waterproof pens field book covers. It has spaces to carry three pencils, an acid bottle and a short 6 rulerstyle map scale items not included. More producers boost their bets on oil play northeast of denver. The american association of petroleum geologists is an international organization with over 38,000 members in 100plus countries. Discovered in 1970, the field was one of the first places where massive hydraulic fracturing was performed routinely and successfully on thousands of wells. The highest net values occur on west side of map area.
Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in the. A very brief history of the wattenberg history and evolution a few land and geology matters the horizontal revolution disclaimer. Wyoming nebraska 2 0 kansas 3 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 062 0 0 03 0 0 04 0 0 05 0 0 06 0 0 0 colorado denver r a n g e f r o n t wattenberg. The wattenberg field, a target of drilling since the early 1970s, doesnt generate the same buzz among investors as wellendowed shale plays in north dakota, texas or ohiopennsylvania. Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap, denver basin. All fields have their own quirks brought on by rock character. Sadly, his book has been out of print for several years, making it difficult to get hold of a copy. Additional information on production of individual fields is available from oil and. The wattenberg field is located northeast of denver, co and produces oil, gas, and condensate from the following cretaceous horizons.
Field development and darwin a brief history of time in the. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado geology of tight. The development history and geology of wattenberg field is presented by hemborg 1993 and ladd 2001. Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in the denver. Young aapg studies in geology 24, geology of tight gas reserviors, 1986, p. Kgssubsurface geology 9distribution of kansas oil and gas. Beginning with a history of the earths formation and development, this book explores the substances that compose the planet, movements within the earth, the surface effects of weather and water, and underground landscapes. Wattenberg field stratigraphy isopach map of codell sandstone, wattenberg field.
The most important mineral resource activity in colorado during the past decade has been the discovery and development of the wattenberg gas field. Geology field book cover this cover is made to fit all of the bound field books sold above. Those who have the book often insist that their younger v. Faults and fractures in the niobrara formation of wattenberg. Upper cretaceous niobrara formation and codell sandstone member of the.
Sandstone, wattenberg field pertinent data muddy j sandstone, wattenberg field depth 7,600 8,400 ft bht, of 260 bhp, psig 2,900 gross sand, ft 50 to 100 net pay, ft 10 to 50 porosity, % 8 to 12 permeability, md 0. There is a different story coming from the wattenberg field, though. The wattenberg gas field is a large producing area of natural gas and condensate in the denver basin of central colorado, usa. Oil and gas exploration and development along the front range in. Wattenberg field produces from a large gas accumulation. The gas is contained in a stratigraphic trap straddling the axis of the denver basin. Field geology illustrated is a reliable, in depth field reference for professional geologists, serious amateur geologists, and other environmental scientists. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing. In 1981 and 1982, the codell sandstone, approximately 500 ft 152 m stratigraphically above the j, was developed as a new producing horizon of oil and gas. Geologic factors controlling production in the codell. The dj basin has the richest petroleum history of the two, dating to an oil discovery made in boulder county, colo.
Using traditional methods to train the next generation of. The codell is 5 to 20 ft thick across the wattenberg field and has formation pressure gradients that range from 0. Lower cretaceous wattenberg continuous gas field, denver basin. Isopach map of net sandstone in codell interval defined by porosity great than 10 percent. Gas, oil, and water production data were compiled from selected wells in two tight gas reservoirsthe codellniobrara interval, comprised of the codell sandstone member of the carlile shale and the niobrara formation. Trace of the wattenberg paleo high is taken from birmingham and others 2001. Field geology is done in the field, but comptons manual will give every geologist the necessary information to begin the adventure.
Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap. Stratigraphic architecture of the niobrara formation. Dakotalakota, j sandstone, d sandstone, greenhorn, codell, niobrara a, b, c, and fort hays, hygiene, terry, and larimerrocky ridge. It does contain in condensed form most of the practical skills that a field. After my father died in 2015 i was determined to revive his classic field manual which had gone out of print. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing section associated with prelithification faults, wattenberg field co. The wattenberg gas field, one of the largest natural gas deposits in the united states, is a basincentered gas field just north of the denver metropolitan area. Geologic events chart for upper cretaceous formations in the western denver. An internationally known geologistexplorationist whose mapping in. The summer field camp experience provides many students with.
The field notebook forms the main record of the data you gather in the field. Apr 27, 2012 for all the excitement surrounding the silo field, we have found the horizontal niobrara to have difficult geology. Heritage of the petroleum geologist, volume 2 aapg. Wattenberg field, colorado, produces from a large gas accumulation 1.
Wattenberg field produces from a large gas accumulation 1. Today, the dj basin is known for the wattenberg gas field, which is. This book features 200 twocolor illustrations, graphs and tables, and covers key rudiments of geology. The denver basin of eastern colorado is an 181,000 km2 70,000 mi2 asymmetrical foreland basin that has a.
The codell in wattenberg is characterized by low porosity wattenberg field and has formation pressure gradients that range from 0. The spindle field, situated in the southwest portion of the wattenberg field, produces from two marinebar complexes hygiene and terry in the middle portion of the pierre shale. The purposes of this association are to advance the science of geology. The most important mineral resource activity in colorado during the past decade has been the discovery and development of the wattenberg and adjacent. Wattenberg field colorado located in colorados dj basin, the wattenberg field, discovered in 1970, was historically a major gas field. Anadarkos niobrara assets in the wattenberg field was referred to as world class in continue reading. Nov 07, 2018 november 10, 2015 at the bank of america merrill lynch 2015 global energy conference on nov 10, 2015, anadarko presented their corporate results and guidance to date. Matuszczak memoir 24, north american oil and gas fields, 1976, p. The wattenberg basincentered field is shown in red. Hydrocarbons are nearly continuous within the wattenberg field, so the area is considered.
It usually also records the location of any samples collected, the position and orientation of any photographs taken. In particular, it should contain notes on where the data were collected, the relationships between the different rock bodies, their compositional and textural characteristics, and internal features. Richly illustrated with 688 highquality photographs and 300 interpretative sketches, this 704page book is printed on glossy paper to show important strucutural and textural features. The wattenberg gas field is a large producing area of natural gas and condensate in the. This entirely new second edition represents the first detailed, comprehensive book on field geology in 20 years. The denver basins wattenberg field contains reserves of about 1. Geologist who in 1967 discovered the denver basins wattenberg field in the.
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