Abstract

The Leonardian Bone Springs Formation is a relatively new play in Southeastern New Mexico. Since the history of development is rather short as compared with other formations in the area, significant questions have arisen about how to identify potential exploration plays, and how to value the potential resources in the play so that realistic economic appraisals can be completed. Experience in mapping in the Bone Springs suggests that traditional isopach or structure maps are not precise enough to reveal the subtle nature of reservoir trapping. Presented here is a subsurface mapping technique using sequence stratigraphy to identify potential trapping mechanisms. The basic premise of this technique is the identification of regional sequence stratigraphy (usually by well log interpretation), and identifying, on a local basis, areas where thinning of the mapped interval occurs.

Having developed a mapping tool that is sensitive enough to identify stratigraphic trapping, the next question is - what is the ultimate cause of thinning in the formation? What created the porosity that entrapped the hydrocarbons? In this paper the success in modeling Bone Spring reservoirs will be reviewed.