ABSTRACT

Since its discovery in 1983, operators have drilled eight deep Wilcox wells in Travis Ward field, of which four produce from deep sands; three, which appear capable of production, have been junked and abandoned, and one produces from the Hinnant Sand at the top of the Wilcox. Also, five of eight Queen City wells have been completed; three are considered commercial. Wilcox reserve estimates range from 60 to 200 BCF.

To date, Wilcox and Queen City production is related to normal faulting associated with a deep salt and/or shale ridge within the Rio Grande Interior Salt Basin. Growth of the ridge has resulted in the Wilcox being as much as 2000 feet structurally high to the areas immediately north and south of Travis Ward field.

Knowledge of the ancestral development of ridge closure prior to faulting may be critical to successful completions at Travis Ward field. Ridge-associated sea floor topography, shelf currents, sediment source proximity, and rate of sedimentation have combined for local development of high quality clean reservoir sands.