• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • 2016 - Mines Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Theses & Dissertations
    • 2016 - Mines Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of Mines RepositoryCommunitiesPublication DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionPublication DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    Mines Links

    Arthur Lakes LibraryColorado School of Mines

    Statistics

    Display Statistics

    Outcrop to subsurface stratigraphic analysis of the Niobrara Formation, Sand Wash Basin, Colorado, An

    • CSV
    • RefMan
    • EndNote
    • BibTex
    • RefWorks
    Thumbnail
    Name:
    Dellenbach_mines_0052N_11039.pdf
    Size:
    6.203Mb
    Format:
    PDF
    Download
    Author
    Dellenbach, Benjamin Arthur
    Advisor
    Sonnenberg, Stephen A.
    Date issued
    2016
    Keywords
    Niobrara Formation
    outcrop
    Sand Wash Basin
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    URI
    https://hdl.handle.net/11124/170256
    Abstract
    The Niobrara Formation is an unconventional oil and gas play containing continuous petroleum accumulations. In the Sand Wash Basin, historical production from the formation has largely occurred at the flanks of the basin from vertical wells that were drilled into swarms of natural fractures associated with Laramide deformation. However, as oil and gas companies explore further basinward, away from natural fracture swarms, the understanding of lateral and stratigraphic variations in mineralogy and TOC in the Niobrara Formation is critical for successful future development. This study combines information gathered from core descriptions, outcrop descriptions, XRD analysis, XRF analysis, geochemical data, and electric well log data to describe how the Niobrara Formation changes from a chalkier lithology in the eastern region of deposition to a marlier lithology in the western region of deposition. Based on the whole rock and well log data analyzed, peak carbonate deposition and TOC preservation in the Niobrara Formation of the Sand Wash Basin are interpreted to be associated with periods of maximum transgression. These periods occur in the Buck Peak Bench, Tow Creek Bench, and (to a lesser extent) the Wolf Mountain Bench. Peak TOC preservation also correlates to a discrete mineral assemblage in both the Sand Wash and DJ Basins (50 wt.% carbonates, 30 wt.% clays, and 20 wt.% quartz). This mineral assemblage represents the optimal conditions for the preservation of TOC in the Western Interior Seaway during the deposition of the Niobrara Formation. Consequently, the most prospective lateral targets in the Niobrara Formation appear to be associated with maximum transgressive events in the Buck Peak Bench and Tow Creek Bench, and possibly in the Wolf Mountain Bench. These intervals are predicted to be both high quality sources and reservoirs in the formation. The high TOC values associated with these intervals suggest favorable conditions for hydrocarbon generation. Additionally, the high carbonate content suggests favorable brittleness characteristics that make the rocks prone to fracturing (both naturally and from hydraulic stimulation).
    Rights
    Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.
    Collections
    2016 - Mines Theses & Dissertations

    entitlement

     
    DSpace software (copyright © 2002 - 2023)  DuraSpace
    Quick Guide | Contact Us
    Open Repository is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV
     

    Export search results

    The export option will allow you to export the current search results of the entered query to a file. Different formats are available for download. To export the items, click on the button corresponding with the preferred download format.

    By default, clicking on the export buttons will result in a download of the allowed maximum amount of items.

    To select a subset of the search results, click "Selective Export" button and make a selection of the items you want to export. The amount of items that can be exported at once is similarly restricted as the full export.

    After making a selection, click one of the export format buttons. The amount of items that will be exported is indicated in the bubble next to export format.