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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 66 (1982)

Issue: 5. (May)

First Page: 566

Last Page: 566

Title: Sedimentology and Development of Shallow Heavy Oil Deposit, Eastburn Field, Missouri: ABSTRACT

Author(s): W. J. Ebanks, Jr., J. F. Weber

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Eastburn field, Vernon County, Missouri, produces heavy, 21° API, crude oil at a depth of 110 ft (33 m) from a thin, 20 to 30 ft (6 to 9 m), sandstone stratigraphic trap in the Cherokee Group of Middle Pennsylvanian age. Sedimentary structures, grain-size trends, and geometry of the sandstone and the nature of associated sediments indicate the fluvial-deltaic origin of the reservoir.

Development drilling at very close spacing, 200 ft (60 m) between wells, provided information from which a sedimentologic model of the Eastburn field reservoir could be developed early in project life. From this model, strategies were proposed that guided further drilling and completion of wells, extension of the field, and placement of production facilities. Development drilling guided by the sedimentologic model resulted in tripling the known volume of the heavy oil resource, with a minimum number of dry development wells being drilled.

The reservoir sandstone is composed mostly of medium to very-fine sand-sized quartz, rock fragments, and mica, with abundant interstitial detrital silt and clay. Authigenic kaolinite clay, and calcite and siderite cements reduce reservoir quality and contribute to problems in production, such as low injectivity of steam and exhaust gases in the thermal recovery process. Identification of the permeability reducing minerals aided in design of well-stimulation treatments and contributed to increased productivity.

In a few places, where contouring of the sandstone thickness was doubtful, production performance of individual wells provided additional data to guide the geologic interpretation. This synergistic approach helped to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency of the field development.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists