About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 64 (1980)

Issue: 5. (May)

First Page: 806

Last Page: 806

Title: Whitney Canyon--A Proved Giant--Only Small Part of Rocky Mountain Overthrust Belt: ABSTRACT

Author(s): David F. Work

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The Overthrust belt of the Rocky Mountain region has been the subject of extensive exploration activity since American Quasar's discovery of oil at Pineview field in 1975. The recognition of the significant potential in previously unexplored or lightly explored parts of the thrust belt has caused more than 175 wildcats to be drilled since the discovery of Pineview field. Eleven additional fields have been discovered and 100 development wells have been drilled.

Whitney Canyon/Carter Creek field is by far the largest discovery to date with reserves exceeding 3.1 Tcf of gas and 66 MM bbl of oil. At least seven pay zones have been confirmed and a 4,500 ft (1,372 m) of gas column identified. Combined flow rates exceed 75 MMcf of gas per day at Amoco Production's 457-A well.

The potential for additional discoveries is very high. With 10 or more reservoirs and several types of structural traps productive, the success ratio should remain above average as exploration spreads out from southern Wyoming and northern Utah. During 1979 the industry will drill at least three wells north and three wells south of the currently productive area. Amoco considers these prospects to have very high potential.

A major obstacle to rapidly achieving the Overthrust belt's full production potential is the time needed to design, permit, and build the necessary natural gas processing plants.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 806------------

Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists