Abstract

Ferron oil and gas field is in Castle Valley of east-central Utah. Shallow gas production from the Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale was established in 1957, and oil and gas production from the Permian Kaibab Formation (Black Box Dolomite of Welsh and others, 1979) began in 1964. As of December 1990, 38,771 bbls of oil, 10.2 BCF of gas, and 8160 bbls of water have been produced. There are currently 18 producible wells in the field; three of these are Kaibab wells, which have been shut-in for several years.

Structurally, the Ferron field is a north-northeast trending anticlinal fold. Two highs are present; closure of approximately 130 ft (40 m) is present in the northern high, and approximately 70 ft (21 m) of closure exists in the southern high.

In addition to structural trapping, stratigraphic entrapment within the Ferron Sandstone Member is caused by lenticular sandstones and interbedded shales deposited within a deltaic environment.

Permian Kaibab Formation production is from a dolomitic reservoir rock; trapping is structural, hydrodynamic, and stratigraphic.

It is the author’s belief that significant hydrocarbon potential remains within the Kaibab Formation at Ferron field. Additionally, documented shows in the Dakota, Chinle, and White Rim formations warrant further testing of these potential reservoirs in future wells.