Located north of denver near the axis of the denver basin, wattenberg is estimated to have reserves of 1. The gas is contained in a stratigraphic trap straddling the axis of the denver basin. Wattenberg field produces from a large gas accumulation 1. Field development and darwin a brief history of time in the. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing section associated with prelithification faults, wattenberg field co. Geologic factors controlling production in the codell sandstone. Kgssubsurface geology 9distribution of kansas oil and gas. It has spaces to carry three pencils, an acid bottle and a short 6 rulerstyle map scale items not included. Using traditional methods to train the next generation of. Horizontal drillers plowing ahead in the wattenberg oil. Those who have the book often insist that their younger v. Apr 27, 2012 for all the excitement surrounding the silo field, we have found the horizontal niobrara to have difficult geology. Oil and gas exploration and development along the front range in.
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. This book features 200 twocolor illustrations, graphs and tables, and covers key rudiments of geology. The codell in wattenberg is characterized by low porosity wattenberg field and has formation pressure gradients that range from 0. The field notebook forms the main record of the data you gather in the field. The denver basin of eastern colorado is an 181,000 km2 70,000 mi2 asymmetrical foreland basin that has a. Geologists aapg grants permission for a single photocopy of an item from this publication for personal. Trace of the wattenberg paleo high is taken from birmingham and others 2001.
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. 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. For decades this little book was the primary text for many a universitys summer field camp the geologists equivalent of boot camp. The american association of petroleum geologists is an international organization with over 38,000 members in 100plus countries. Geologic factors controlling production in the codell. All fields have their own quirks brought on by rock character. The book only shows its age 1985 with omission of a couple of important developments in field geology such as gps, now often used in field reports. The wattenberg field is located northeast of denver, co and produces oil, gas, and condensate from the following cretaceous horizons. The 5 companies dominating the niobrara shale play the. Wattenberg field colorado located in colorados dj basin, the wattenberg field, discovered in 1970, was historically a major gas field. There is a different story coming from the wattenberg field, though. The dj basin has the richest petroleum history of the two, dating to an oil discovery made in boulder county, colo. Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in the denver. He states that the ability to infer and infer correctly is the goal of training in field geology p.
Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap. The wattenberg gas field is a large producing area of natural gas and condensate in the denver basin of central colorado, usa. Minerals hardness 1gypsum, 2halite mineral 1 is harder or softer than a penny. Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap, denver. 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. Section of the society for sedimentary geology guide book, p.
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. More producers boost their bets on oil play northeast of denver. Isopach map of net sandstone in codell interval defined by porosity great than 10 percent. Hydrocarbons are nearly continuous within the wattenberg field, so the area is considered to be a basincentered gas accumulation with oil occurring as condensate. Geologic events chart for upper cretaceous formations in the western denver. The highest net values occur on west side of map area. Today, the dj basin is known for the wattenberg gas field, which is. The development history and geology of wattenberg field is presented by hemborg 1993 and ladd 2001. 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. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado subject group. 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. Geologist who in 1967 discovered the denver basins wattenberg field in the.
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. The trap was formed in the deltafront environment of a northwesterly prograding delta. The highest gors in the field correspond to the highest geothermal. Located north of denver near the axis of the denver basin, wattenberg is estimated to have. Upper cretaceous niobrara formation and codell sandstone member of the.
The most important mineral resource activity in colorado during the past decade has been the discovery and development of the wattenberg and adjacent. Manual of field geology compton, robert r 9780471166986. The reservoir rocks are cretaceous sandstones, shales, and limestones deposited under marine conditions in the western interior seaway. The wattenberg basincentered field is shown in red. 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. The purposes of this association are to advance the science of geology. It usually also records the location of any samples collected, the position and orientation of any photographs taken. Well log for the codell sandstone interval from a typical well in wattenberg field. Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in the. 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. A very brief history of the wattenberg history and evolution a few land and geology matters the horizontal revolution disclaimer. Hydrocarbons are nearly continuous within the wattenberg field, so the area is considered. 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. Geology field book cover this cover is made to fit all of the bound field books sold above.
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. Lower cretaceous wattenberg continuous gas field, denver basin. Book chapter wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado 1. An internationally known geologistexplorationist whose mapping in.
The wattenberg gas field is a large producing area of natural gas and condensate in the. How to play the niobrara wattenberg field seeking alpha. Matuszczak memoir 24, north american oil and gas fields, 1976, p. Stratigraphic architecture of the niobrara formation. Young aapg studies in geology 24, geology of tight gas reserviors, 1986, p. Guide to the petroleum geology and laramide orogeny, denver basin and front range, colorado robert j. 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.
With a long history of development, beginning in 1970, this field has entered a new phase of development since 2009 with the exploitation of the niobrara formation. Heritage of the petroleum geologist, volume 2 aapg. Faults and fractures in the niobrara formation of wattenberg. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado geology of tight. Wattenberg field stratigraphy isopach map of codell sandstone, wattenberg field. 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. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing. Investigation into the niobrara formation and missing section.
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. Sadly, his book has been out of print for several years, making it difficult to get hold of a copy. Lahee 1961, however, emphasizes that although field geology is based on observation, many conclusions are predicated on inferences. A plastic clip keeps the durable cordura cover closed and the book. Discovered in 1970, the field was one of the first places where massive hydraulic fracturing was performed routinely and successfully on thousands of wells. Field geology books waterproof pens field book covers. Wattenberg field, colorado, produces from a large gas accumulation 1. 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. Mineral 1 is harder or softer than your fingernail.
After my father died in 2015 i was determined to revive his classic field manual which had gone out of print. Field geology illustrated is a reliable, in depth field reference for professional geologists, serious amateur geologists, and other environmental scientists. The codell is 5 to 20 ft thick across the wattenberg field and has formation pressure gradients that range from 0. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado1 north american. Wattenberg field over the decades, and many drillers and wellsite geologists noticed gas. The most important mineral resource activity in colorado during the past decade has been the discovery and development of the wattenberg gas field. It does contain in condensed form most of the practical skills that a field. Field geology is done in the field, but comptons manual will give every geologist the necessary information to begin the adventure. The summer field camp experience provides many students with. 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. Gas, oil, and water production from wattenberg field in. Wattenberg field, denver basin, colorado geology of. Dakotalakota, j sandstone, d sandstone, greenhorn, codell, niobrara a, b, c, and fort hays, hygiene, terry, and larimerrocky ridge.
Wattenberg field, paleostructurestratigraphic trap, denver basin. This entirely new second edition represents the first detailed, comprehensive book on field geology in 20 years. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Features graphics and simple field guide procedures to guide hikers through the great outdoors. Sonnenberg colorado geological survey, department of natural resources, 1996 geology 127 pages. Wattenberg field produces from a large gas accumulation. Guide to the petroleum geology and laramide orogeny, denver. The denver basins wattenberg field contains reserves of about 1. Additional information on production of individual fields is available from oil and. Anadarkos niobrara assets in the wattenberg field was referred to as world class in continue reading. A plastic clip keeps the durable cordura cover closed and the book firmly secured.
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