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Reservoir characterization and petroleum potential of the Upper Cretaceous Wall Creek member of the Frontier Formation, western Powder River Basin, Wyoming
Dellenbach, Joseph T.
Dellenbach, Joseph T.
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2019
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2019-12-06
Abstract
Upper Cretaceous Frontier Formation sandstone deposits in the Western Powder River Basin of Wyoming have proven to be prolific hydrocarbon producers, and show great potential for further exploration and development. The Frontier Formation is composed of tight sandstones (low permeability and porosity) with the upper Wall Creek Member serving as the main petroleum target. The Frontier Formation is commonly interpreted as a progradational clastic delta system resulting from the Sevier Orogeny in Cenomanian to Turonian time spreading over a large area of the present day Powder River Basin. Sediments were eroded from the Sevier Highlands and transported eastward into the Western Interior Cretaceous Basin. The aim of this research is to interpret facies, depositional environments, diagenetic processes, and to identify potential reservoir facies in the upper Wall Creek Member. Five upward coarsening sandstone packages were identified in the Wall Creek Member using core analysis and various well logs in the study area. Core analysis suggests the sediments of the Wall Creek Member were deposited in shallow marine delta front environments. Petrographic analysis indicates that early chlorite coating of silica grains prevented quartz overgrowth and preserved some of the initial porosity. Late dissolution of calcite cementation created secondary porosity in the Wall Creek sandstones. These two diagenetic features enhance porosity and permeability and allow hydrocarbons to migrate into the system.
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