AAPG Methods in Exploration No. 14, Chapter 4: Results and
Conclusions of a Horizontal-drilling Program at South Pass 62 Salt-dome Field, by E. P.
Mason, M. J. Bastian, R. Detomo, M. N. Hashem, and A. J. Hildebrandt, Pages 49 - 65
from:
AAPG Methods in Exploration No. 14: Horizontal
Wells: Focus on the Reservoir, Edited by T. R. Carr,
E. P. Mason, and C. T. Feazel
Copyright 
2003 by The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights
reserved.
Chapter 4
Results and Conclusions of a Horizontal-drilling Program at South Pass 62 Salt-dome
Field
E. P. Mason
M. J. Bastian
R. Detomo
M. N. Hashem
A. J. Hildebrandt
Shell Exploration & Production Company
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
ABSTRACT
A horizontal-well redevelopment drilling program around the flanks of the South Pass 62
salt-dome field resulted in significant successes and costly failures. Successful wells
exploited thin, oil-filled shoreface sandstones; partially depleted zones; and massive,
sand-filled channels. Failures were those wells that attempted to connect multiple fault
blocks and drain low-resistivity/laminated-sandstone reservoirs. This paper reviews the
field history; describes the geologic setting, including a summary of significant
structural features and producing-sandstone depositional environments; discusses the
horizontal-well strategy; and examines successful and unsuccessful wells.
