New Plays in an Old Field: Depositional History and Source Rock Characterization at Teapot Dome, Wyoming
Abstract
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Logan Adams
Teapot Dome oilfield near the town of Midwest, Wyoming has been the testing
site of numerous drilling and production techniques since the early 1900’s. The structure
is a doubly plunging basement-cored anticline that formed during the Laramide orogeny,
with sediments ranging from Cambrian to Quaternary. The Steele, Niobrara, and Mowry
formations are potential source rocks in the area. In this study, we combine geochemical,
numerical, and well-log analysis to evaluate the potential of the field for unconventional
exploration. Rock Eval pyrolysis and oxidation of shale samples produced preliminary
results showing a mixture of type II and type III kerogen in the Niobrara and Mowry
formations, while the Steele formation had no potential for hydrocarbon generation.
These geochemical results, combined with regional tectonics, stratigraphy, and paleo
conditions, were implemented into burial history and maturation models. Results from
the modeling show that the Niobrara and Mowry formations are in the early oil
generation window, with the Mowry generating a considerably larger amount of
hydrocarbons. Finally, a detailed well log analysis is undertaken using various methods to
determine TOC content in areas where core analysis is not available. Passey, Issler, and
Schmoker are three different log analysis methods that will be tested in order to provide
an accurate correlation between Rock Eval TOC and log derived TOC. The results and
method of this study can easily be extrapolated to better constrain the basin evolution of
nearby fields. This study is significant for further exploration in other established
Laramide basins with similar formations.
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