Cooperative Agreement No.: DE-AC22-93BC14892

Contractor Name and Address: Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295

Date of Report: 31 October 1996

Award Date: 29 September 1993

Anticipated Completion Date: 28 September 1996

Government Award for Current Fiscal Year: $272,827.

Principal Investigator: James R. Wood (906) 487-2894

Project Manager: Robert E. Lemmon, Bartlesville Project Office (918) 337-4405

Reporting Period: 29 September 1993 - 28 September 1996

This project consists of two parts. In Part 1, well logs, other well data, drilling, and production data for the Pioneer Field in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California were obtained, assembled, and input to a commercial relational database manager. These data were used in PC-based geologic mapping, evaluation, and visualization software programs to produce 2-D and 3-D representations of the reservoir. Petrographic and petrophysical measurements made on samples from Pioneer Field, including core, cuttings and liquids, were used to calibrate the log suite. In Part 2, these data sets were used to develop algorithms to correlate log response to geologic and engineering measurements.

This project provides a detailed example, based on a field trial, of how to evaluate a field for EOR operations utilizing data typically available in older fields which have undergone primary development. The approach utilizes readily available, affordable PC-based computer software and analytical services. This study illustrates the steps involved in: 1) setting up a relational database to store geologic, well-log, engineering, and production data, 2) integration of data typically available for oil and gas fields with predictive models for reservoir alteration, and 3) linking these data and models with modern computer software to provide 2-D and 3-D visualizations of the reservoir and its attributes. The techniques were demonstrated through a field trial in Pioneer Field, that produces from the Monterey Formation, a reservoir which is a candidate for thermal EOR.

The Pioneer Anticline, 25 miles southwest of Bakersfield, California, which has yielded oil since 1926, was the subject of a three-year study aimed at recovering more oil. A team from Michigan Technological University of Houghton, Michigan (MTU), and Digital Petrophysics, Inc. of Bakersfield, California (DPI), undertook the study as part of the Department of Energy's Advanced Extraction and Process Technology Program. The program provides support for projects which cross-cut geoscience and engineering research in order to develop innovative technologies for increasing the recovery of some of the estimated 340 billion barrels of in-place oil remaining in U.S. reservoirs.

In recent years, low prices and declining production have increased the likelihood that oil fields will be prematurely abandoned, locking away large volumes of unrecovered oil. The major companies have sold many of their fields to smaller operators in an attempt to concentrate their efforts on fewer "core" properties and on overseas exploration. As a result, small companies with fewer resources at their disposal are becoming responsible for an ever-increasing share of U.S. production.

The goal of the MTU-DPI project was to make small independent producers who are inheriting old fields from the majors aware that high technology computer software is now available at relatively low cost. Most major oil companies rely on expensive computer workstations. In this project, a suite of relatively inexpensive, PC-based software packages, including a commercial database, a multimedia presentation manager, several well-log analysis program, a mapping and cross-section program, and 2-D and 3-D visualization programs, were tested and evaluated on Pioneer Anticline in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. These relatively inexpensive, commercially available PC-based programs can be assembled into a compatible package for a fraction of the cost of a workstation program with similar capabilities.

A field trial of the technology was performed on the Monterey and Etchegoin Formations in Pioneer Field (Appendix 1, Fig. 1). Pioneer Field is a typical small, older field that contains wells with old logs, a few wells with modern logs, and limited sidewall core coverage. It is essential to be able to extract the most information from the old logs and to accurately assess their reliability. Phases of the field trial included: data gathering; calibration of core, cuttings and liquids to well-log suites; and input of geological, petrophysical and reservoir engineering data to the various software packages. Conventional and sidewall-core data from Pioneer and nearby Cymric fields were used to develop algorithms to correlate log response with geological and engineering measurements in order to extract a maximum amount of information from old wells that only possess old electric logs. Our final output includes: computed logs of lithology, porosity, and clay content for all project wells, including those which possess only old electric logs; 2-D and 3-D representations of the reservoir and structure; and an extensive database which contains logs, maps, cross-sections, and core data and analytical data for Pioneer Field and surrounding areas assembled in a Multimedia Database Management System designed and constructed by project staff in a commercially available multimedia software package.

This project demonstrated how to use existing, proven technologies to go into an old field, assemble relevant existing data into an organized database, calibrate log data using standard and special analytical techniques, process that data into a computer image of the field, and map the reservoir and structure using relatively inexpensive PC-based computer software.

TASK 1. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

1.1 THE SPATIAL DATABASE MANAGER

The Multimedia Database Management System (MDMS) has been developed in the commercial software package Toolbook. Design and implementation was carried out by C. Asiala. Forms were developed for entering various types of data (well-log, well-production, formation tops, fault traces, petrologic, geochemical, bulk chemical, Xray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) by means of keyboard entry. Excel macro programs were written for use in electronically transferring text-formatted data to the database manager (text format is a standard mode of data transfer between software applications that have application-specific data storage formats). Regional location maps of southern San Joaquin Valley oil fields, structure contour maps of the Pioneer area, core photos, core data, thin-section and SEM photomicrographs of core materials, structural cross sections through Pioneer Anticline, an atlas of photomicrographs illustrating typical diagenetic features observed in San Joaquin Valley petroleum reservoirs, elemental and spectral data collected on FTIR standards, and all quarterly and annual reports submitted to DOE for this project were scanned into the MDMS. All data and information are accessible through drop-down menus and hotlinks in a Table of Contents (Fig. 1). A tutorial is presented up front to guide users through the MDMS and instruct them on the various ways in which data can be viewed and retrieved. Version 1.0 of the MDMS was written to CD ROM and distributed to participants in a Technology Transfer Workshop in Bakersfield, CA, in September, 1996. Version 1.1, which contains additional information and has been reorganized for easier use, is attached to this report.

All measured and computed log curves (computed curves represent parameters such as porosity, water saturation, and clay content, which were calculated from the measured log traces using specially developed algorithms) for the 45+ project wells on Pioneer Anticline are now in the MDMS in LAS (log ASCII) format, and can be exported to any commercial log evaluation program for manipulation and analysis. All log curves were written to the CD ROM in digital format.

C. Asiala developed a search engine in Microsoft Access which can be used to retrieve logs from the CD ROM. Any desired log curve can be located using queries and then exported from the CD ROM to temporary Access tables created on the computer’s hard drive. Once in the Access tables, log curves can be manipulated or transferred to log evaluation packages such as GeoGraphix’s QLA2 or Crocker’s Petrolog program for analysis and plotting. A tutorial describing how to use the search engine was written and is now available as on-line help. This CD ROM will contain not only all project results, but also all project data including all well logs in digital format, and will be the primary deliverable of the project. Detailed information on the organization and use of the Toolbook MDMS and the Microsoft Acciss log database is presented in p. 7-19 of Appendix 1.

1.1.1 DATABASE INITIALIZATION

Database initialization is complete.

1.1.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT

All project data are managed and archived in the Multimedia Database Management System that was developed in Toolbook (see Subtask 1.1). Log evaluation was carried out at differing levels of sophistication in the programs Pfeffer, QLA2, Crocker Petrolog, and Symbiolog. Maps and cross sections were prepared using GeoGraphix Exploration System software. Three-dimensional visualizations were prepared in the software package MatLab.

Microsoft Access is our relational database management platform. All of the log data are stored in Access in LAS format. All other data are stored Toolbook, in multimedia form, accessible via pulldown menus and a Table of Contents with hot links. Instructions for retrieving logs from the Access database are included in the Toolbook multimedia archive. Users can search the database by query and retrieve the logs from the main database table by well or by log type. Logs are then placed in smaller temporary Access tables from which they can be exported to applications programs. We have a log database which is independent of all of our well-log evaluation programs (Crocker Petrolog, GeoGraphix QLA2, and TerraSciences TerraStation), but is capable of exporting data to any one of them.

A commercial database containing over 77,000 geochemical analyses of brines recovered from wells throughout the United States was organized and input to Microsoft Access. Analyses of samples from California wells are now easily retrievable for use in our DOE project.

The GeoGraphix software package was acquired in fall 1995 and installed on a PC in the Subsurface Laboratory at Michigan Technological University (MTU). Since that time we have acquired an academic license and three additional seats on GeoGraphix. Graduate students S. Chittick and W. Everham attended a training course at GeoGraphix' headquarters office in December, 1995, and Professor J. Huntoon and graduate student W. Houston attended in February, 1996. The USGS Digital Land Grid was acquired. This data set contains surface data, such as the locations of roads, rivers, towns, etc., for the entire United States. Production data for all of the wells in the Pioneer Field area were acquired from the California Division of Oil and Gas. Both were loaded into GeoGraphix where they can be displayed as overlays on structure contour and other maps. Graduate student S. Chittick loaded all of DPI’s formation-top, log, and fault-trace data into GeoGraphix. He produced excellent maps of the Miocene unconformity (including all fault traces) and contoured the maps to grid. Graduate student W. Houston constructed numerous cross sections through Pioneer Anticline (Fig. 2) and constructed structure contour maps on the tops of the principal formations (Fig. 3). For additional discussion of the GeoGraphix work, see Appendix 1, p. 36-37 and 41-42.

1.2 ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

1.2.1 PROJECT COORDINATION

1.2.2 BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND QUARTERLY REPORTS

M. Gruener and A. Hein were responsible for daily management of the budget and expenditures. A. Hein prepares the quarterly financial reports and distributes all reports to DOE. J. Allan was responsible for quarterly and annual technical reports.

TASK 2. DATA COLLECTION

2.1 WELL LOGS AND WELL DATA

The tops of the Etchegoin Formation, the Monterey Formation, and the Reef Ridge Member were correlated between project wells. Top picks were made on all logs and corrected for well deviation. The top of the Monterey was mapped in detail. Fault cuts were picked from log cross sections and fault traces were plotted on the top-Monterey contour map. All of the Monterey data were loaded into GeoGraphix and a structure contour map was produced with all faults displayed (Fig. 3). Fault intersections were mapped on the tops of the Etchegoin and Reef Ridge as well.

D. Crane of DPI later completed several cross sections through the Pioneer Anticline. Faults were correlated and mapped in a much more sophisticated fashion than previously, and fault-plane maps of all of faults which cut the Miocene section in the Pioneer area were prepared. These included both normal and thrust faults. Crane picked the tops of the following formations in all project wells: the Etchegoin Formation, the Monterey Formation, the Reef Ridge Sandstone, and the Reef Ridge Shale. Formation tops are being contoured using GeoGraphix. Fault planes, with true azimuths and dips, and fault intersections with each formation were plotted in 3-D surface visualizations in MatLab. Geologic correlation and interpretation work performed by DPI is described in greater detail on p. 20-21 of Appendix 1.

Munger maps which cover the Pioneer Anticline and the entire area northward to the McKittrick Front area of Cymric Field were scanned into the Canvas (Deneba) drafting program and digitized into several "layers". J. Alex completed the digitization, editing, and coloration of the surface geological maps of the southern San Joaquin Valley which were originally prepared by Dibblee of the California Division of Mines and Geology. Alex is continuing this work by preparing several additional maps and cross sections, including a geologic map and cross section of the Pioneer area which we recently acquired from Davis-Namson Associates.

DPI completed the analysis of all Pioneer project wells using their newly developed log-evaluation program Symbiolog. An innovative procedure was developed for using modern log suites, calibrated to core data, to evaluate wells for which only old electric logs (e-logs) are available. This procedure was used to calculate parameters such as porosity, water saturation, and clay content, which are not directly measured by these old logs. The evaluation procedure is based on an iterative process in which petrophysical data collected on core material are calibrated to logs in wells with full modern log suites. Porosity, water saturation, clay content, etc., are calculated from the full log suite using algorithms and then cross-checked against values measured in core. The same parameters are then calculated using only the basic electric-log suite. Algorithms are adjusted until parameters derived from the core, the full-log suite, and the e-log-only suite all show reasonable agreement within the logged interval. When an acceptable level of agreement is achieved, the algorithms can be used to calculate porosity, saturation, and lithology in old e-log-only wells.

Successful results were achieved. Porosity, saturation, and lithology were calculated for all wells in the Pioneer study area, including wells with full modern log suites, wells with intermediate-aged log suites, and wells drilled in the 1930’s and 1940’s for which only e-log suites are available. The computed curves for all 45+ project wells were delivered to MTU. For further discussion of the Petrolog/Symbiolog work, see Appendix 1, p. 34 and 35.

2.1.1 LOG DATABASE MANAGEMENT

All measured and computed log curves are stored in the MDMS in LAS format and are retrievable using Microsoft Access as a search engine. Tops of the Miocene were picked in each of the 45 wells on the Pioneer Anticline, their X-Y locations at the appropriate depths were calculated for each well (to correct surface locations for well deviation), and both were placed in another spreadsheet from which they can be exported to any mapping or visualization program. A list of all logs in our database appears as Table 2 (after p. 19) in Appendix 1.

Log evaluation was carried out using the programs Pfeffer, QLA2, Crocker Petrolog, and Symbiolog. Pfeffer is a simple, inexpensive ($290.) log-evaluation software package developed by University of Kansas researchers; QLA2 is an intermediate-level log-evaluation package suitable for general use by exploration and development geologists that is provided as a module with the GeoGraphix Exploration System; and Crocker Petrolog and Symbiolog are sophisticated log-evaluation programs suitable for use by formation-evaluation specialists.

W. Pennington is responsible for log analyses using Pfeffer and QLA2, while DPI is responsible for log evaluations using Crocker Petrolog and Symbiolog. A comparison of the different programs was presented at our Technology Transfer Workshop in Bakersfield, CA in September, 1996, in order to provide attendees information that will enable them to perform a simple cost/benefit analysis and choose the software that is best fits their needs.

2.1.2 LOG DIGITIZATION

Digitization of all of the well logs necessary for construction of maps and 3-D visualizations of the Miocene and Pliocene reservoirs on Pioneer Anticline is complete.

2.2 CORE AND SAMPLE ACQUISITION

2.2.1A CORE AND CUTTINGS

Our conventional and sidewall core library of samples is complete. It consists of conventional cores and core analysis data from the UNOCAL McKittrick Front Nos. 415 and 418 wells in Cymric Field and the Tenneco 62x-30 well in Pioneer Field. Sidewall core and cuttings samples and core analysis data from the Gary Drilling, KLC 44, Well No. 375x in Pioneer Field are also in our sample library. Samples from all four wells underwent petrographic, petrophysical, and geochemical analysis at MTU and The University of South Florida (USF). Xray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses were performed on selected samples by R. Kramer and D. Popko at MTU and bulk chemistry analyses by Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) were performed by J. Ryan at USF.

2.2.1B ARCO/UNOCAL CORE

J. Allan arranged for the core and core data from the UNOCAL McKittrick Front Nos. 415 and 418 wells in Cymric Field to be released by UNOCAL to the California Well Sample Repository at California State University, Bakersfield for our Technology Transfer Workshop. The cores and core data from the two McKittrick Front wells are so outstanding that acquisition of core data from additional wells to calibrate our logs proved unnecessary. The cores were shipped to the Repository and are now in storage there. We hope to be able to arrange the eventual donation of the core and samples to the Repository, where they will reside in perpetuity and can be used as a resource by both industrial and research geologists. Petrophysical data from these cores were essential in the core-to-log calibration work performed by DPI.

2.2.2 FLUIDS

A data set containing over 77,000 geochemical analyses of brines recovered from wells throughout the United States was acquired from a commercial database vendor. C. Asiala designed a Microsoft Access database and archived the brine data in it.

TASK 3. DATA ANALYSIS AND MEASUREMENT

3.1 PETROPHYSICS

3.1.1 POROSITY, PERMEABILITY, FORMATION FACTOR (KPF) MEASUREMENTS

Extensive petrophysical data sets were acquired from UNOCAL for the cores from the UNOCAL McKittrick Front No. 415 and 418 wells in Cymric Field. A petrophysical data set for the Tenneco 62x-30 well in Pioneer Field was acquired independently. Petrophysical data from the cores were used to calibrate the logs in these wells. The calibrations were used to analyze existing logs and produce computed logs in uncored wells which penetrate the same stratigraphic intervals on the Pioneer Anticline (see Subtask 2.1).

3.1.2 FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (FTIR) SPECTRA

The goal of this subtask was to develop FTIR techniques to differentiate Opal A from Opal CT in Monterey Formation reservoirs. Development of a reliable suite of standards has proved difficult. Current efforts concentrate on obtaining better standards for Opal A and CT. Since the FTIR work represents the M.S. thesis research project of graduate student N. Popko, it will continue after the completion of this DOE contract.

3.2 PETROLOGY

3.2.1 XRD

R. Kramer performed XRD analyses of samples of sidewall core and cuttings from the Gary Drilling, KLC 44, Well No. 375x and of continuous core samples from the two UNOCAL McKittrick Front wells. She constructed spreadsheets and macros to store, reduce, and plot the XRD data. Reports on all Xray work were completed and written to the MDMS. Any additional work that is performed will be done in conjunction with Popko’s FTIR work.

3.2.2 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM)/IMAGE ANALYSIS

Epoxy mounts of selected Pioneer samples were subjected to image analysis and Energy Dispersive Spectral (EDS) analysis on the SEM. Polished thin sections were prepared for experimental EDS point-count analysis. Electron photomicrographs were made for many samples.All electron photomicrographs and Energy Dispersive Elemental (EDS) analyses were archived in the Toolbook Multimedia Database Management System. Image Analysis work was begun, but cut short when R. Kramer left the project.

3.2.3 PETROLOGY

Optical petrographic analyses are complete for 44 thin sections of the Monterey reservoir in our cored wells. Results include petrographic descriptions, 35mm slides, and 35mm prints of thin sections which are characteristic of each lithologic type. All photomicrographs and thin section descriptions were scanned into the MDMS. Results were presented by DPI at the AAPG Pacific Section Meeting in May, 1995.

An atlas of thin section petrology of representative reservoir samples from the southern San Joaquin Basin was acquired for the project. The atlas was compiled by M. Hayes at Chevron Research under the direction of J. Wood in 1988. The atlas, which consists of several hundred described and interpreted photomicrographs from many fields, emphasizes diagenetic alteration. The photomicrographs and their captions were scanned into the MDMS.

3.3 LOG CALIBRATION

All of the cored wells and selected uncored wells with good log suites were included in a preliminary log calibration study. Core data were plotted on a large-scale output log along with raw log data and were compared with core photographs and with the core itself. Core data were also compared with log data using a variety of statistical techniques in order to obtain correct parameters for entry into standard algorithms for calculating matrix density, porosity, and water saturation. No published analytical models exist for diatomaceous rocks, so DPI used a model it developed in-house.

Log calibration is complete for all project wells.

3.3.1 DATA PREPARATION

Environmental corrections: all logging companies provide algorithms published in chart form to correct the readings of their tools for borehole conditions, and these corrections must be applied before any analysis is performed,

Data preparation was completed for the 45+ wells in the original Pioneer Anticline study area plus five additional "regional" wells which were added to the data set to extend our picture of the Anticline up-plunge to the west. Data from these wells were entered into GeoGraphix. The additional 26 wells in our formation-tops spreadsheet are old wells which do not have usable borehole geophysical logs. The picks in these old wells were made from drillers' logs.

D. Crane of DPI picked the tops of the Etchegoin Formation, the Monterey Formation, the Reef Ridge Sand, and the Reef Ridge Shale, in all project wells, and constructed fault-plane maps for all faults in the vicinity of Pioneer Field. The data were used by M. Luo to construct 3-dimensional visualizations of the Pioneer Anticline in MatLab. The results of his 3-D visualizations, with "slice and dice" capability, are quite impressive, and were presented at our Technology Transfer Workshop.

3.3.2 MODEL SELECTION

The models that have been selected for this project can be applied to all wells with resistivity and density-neutron logs, and are capable of predicting matrix density, clay volume, diatomite facies, accessory minerals such as carbonates, porosity, permeability, water saturation, as well as providing a qualitative measure of fracturing and fracture potential. The rock analysis data that will be available from MTU will provide for better calibration of our standard models and will also allow us to apply several enhanced options that require good rock measurements. The output of these models is the primary input to the reservoir visualization program.

Final analysis of all well logs from all Pioneer project wells was completed using the program Symbiolog, developed by log analysts and programmers at DPI. Symbiolog uses a newly developed technique called multi-facies zone summation analysis. Conventional log analysis packages apply one set of cutoffs (porosity, residual water saturation, etc.) to a reservoir. Multi-facies zone summation analysis allows the user to define different facies within a reservoir and to assign a different cutoff value to each facies. Expected production within a heterogeneous reservoir can be estimated much more precisely this way than with the conventional approach.

The new parameters and algorithms were recently tested on the two McKittrick Front wells with modern logs suites by running one set of calculated logs utilizing all of the modern log and core data and a second set of calculated logs on the same intervals using only the spontaneous potential and one resistivity log. The output curves for the two runs were very similar, suggesting that output from the electric-log-only well runs will closely approximate the calculated curves which would be obtained if full modern log suites were available for all of the wells (Fig. 4).

Customized parameter tables were developed from core data and modern log suites for use in special algorithms that compute lithology, % clay, % shale, matrix type, porosity, and Sw from old electric-log data and plot the results in log form. These calculations were performed on all 45+ Pioneer project wells and computed curves were generated.

TASK 4. MODELING

4.1 GEOCHEMICAL MODELING

The geochemical modeling program CHILLER was used by J. Suchoski to model fluid-rock interaction. Results showed that identification and quantification of changes in porosity are possible. These results show that, for an arkosic assemblage undergoing reaction with seawater, the change in porosity is negligible. Addition of calcite to the reaction assemblage, and suppression of quartz and albite precipitation, can increase the change in porosity by as much a 5%. This has practical significance because of active steamflooding of the Monterey and Etchegoin Formations elsewhere in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

4.1.1 GEOCHEMICAL MASS TRANSFER

Geochemical mass transfer work using CHILLER was also performed by J. Suchoski. The stable isotope modeling program ISOTOPIA was developed and was used successfully to model the stable isotopic evolution of the fluid and the minerals.

4.1.2 THERMODYNAMIC DATABASE

Two databases were used. The thermodynamic database SOLTHERM contains thermodynamic information on fluid species, gases, and minerals. Over 400 species are contained in the database. The data are valid over a temperature range of 0^oC to 300^oC. The database containing information on oxygen isotopes, OXYBASE, is complete.

4.2 BASIN MODELING

Basin modeling work on fluid flow out of the deep San Joaquin Basin continued. M. Luo developed a number of new applications for constructing 3-D surface and volume visualizations and pseudo-seismic cross sections using the program MatLab. These new applications were demonstrated at the Technology Transfer Workshop using data from Pioneer Anticline.

4.2.1 GEOHISTORY

A. Nigrini’s one-dimensional basin modeling effort using the program BasinMod, which focused on analysis of the Elk Hills 934-29R well in the Naval Petroleum Reserve, the deepest well (24,442 feet) in the San Joaquin Valley, is complete. Results were presented in a poster display at the AAPG National Meeting in San Diego, CA, in May and in a talk and poster display at the Technology Transfer Workshop in Bakersfield, CA, in September, 1996.

The Elk Hills 934-29R well has excellent equilibrated downhole temperature profiles based on continuous temperature logging and a good vitrinite reflectance (Ro) profile that provide for calibration of the paleo-heat flow. This well is unique in that it bottoms in Cretaceous sediments, thus giving us as complete a Tertiary section in the sub-surface as has been found to date. The well has excellent equilibrated downhole temperature profiles based on continuous temperature logging and a good vitrinite reflectance (Ro) profile that provide for calibration of the paleo-heat flow. In addition, estimates of the surface temperature history are available as determined from water depth information derived from abundant fossil evidence. A generalized paleo-heat flow model for the southern San Joaquin Basin is provided by model studies of lithospheric plate interactions which predicts the thermal consequences of the complex plate interactions affecting the southern San Joaquin Valley. The results of the 1-D modeling study of Elk Hills 934-29R demonstrate that the downhole temperature profile observed in the well is not in equilibrium with observed Ro data (Fig. 5).

The predicted Ro value at the base of the well, on the assumption that the downhole temperature data represent the regional temperature field, is 2.4 compared to the observed value of 1.56. As vitrinite is believed to equilibrate relatively rapidly, the results indicate that the observed temperature profile is not in equilibrium with the regional temperature field in this region. In fact, examination of the complex structure of the Elk Hills reservoirs, which includes en echelon anticlines, transform, normal and reverse faults (suggestive of a flower structure), numerous discrete pressure compartments with differing temperature profiles, and recent seismic and tectonic activity suggests that the observed temperature fields at Elk Hills are not likely to be in equilibrium but are reflective of migrating geothermal fluids that have been released episodically in the very recent past up to the present day. It appears that the elevated temperature profile may be due to episodic release of geothermal fluids. If correct, our interpretation suggests that all reservoirs shallower than approximately 17,000 feet are prospective. This is much deeper than any of the reservoirs presently being produced in the San Joaquin Valley, which are generally shallower than 10,000 feet.

J. Allan completed a fluid inclusion study of vein carbonate samples taken from core recovered from between 12,000 and 24,000 ft in the EH 934-29R well. All of the samples contain petroleum fluid inclusions that range from light oil in the shallowest samples, through condensate in the intermediate samples, to wet gas in the deepest sample, providing evidence that hydrocarbon migration has occurred throughout this deep section.

The Elk Hills geohistory modeling study is discussed in greater detail in Appendix 1, p. 26-31. A paper describing the burial and temperature history of the EH 934-29R well is currently in preparation.

4.2.2 2-D AND 3-D FIELD VISUALIZATIONS AND BASIN MODELS

MatLab 3-D Visualizations: 3-D visualizations of the Pioneer Anticline continue to be developed in MatLab. This commercially available statistics and visualization package is both flexible and powerful and can easily perform both 3-D surface and 3-D volume visualizations. M. Luo loaded the formation-top and fault-trace data assembled by D. Crane of DPI into MatLab and constructed excellent 3-D surface and volume visualizations, which can be rotated to any orientation and sliced at any angle for viewing (Fig. 6). He added the capability to map accurate fault intersections on formation-top contour maps and project fault planes in 3 dimensions at any dip angle desired (Fig. 7). Results were presented at the Technology Transfer Workshop. The capabilities of the MatLab programs, developed entirely in-house at MTU as part of tis DOE project, are discussed in Appendix 1, p. 38-40.

B. Wei is continuing to use MatLab to produce "pseudo-seismic" sections from SP and gamma ray-logs. Using Wei’s program individual pseudo-seismic logs (log traces whose amplitudes have been color-coded to resemble seismic amplitude traces) can easily be selected from a map-view window and then displayed as well-log or pseudo-seismic cross sections (Fig. 8).

ER Mapper - J. Suchoski is developing our ability to use ER Mapper, Version 5.0, to input and output several types of graphics files to GeoGraphix. ER Mapper is a module that provides the GES with Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. We can now import aerial and satellite photos into GeoGraphix, where and overlay surface maps and surface data (roads, surface facilities, etc.) on the photographic images.

TASK 5. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

5.1 REPORTS

A Workshop Notebook that summarizes and illustrates all project activities, and a CD ROM, which contains the MDMS with all project data, maps, cross sections, interpretations, and reports, was distributed to Technology Transfer Workshop participants in September. A. Nigrini is currently preparing a paper on the BasinMod study of the deepest well in the San Joaquin Valley for publication.

5.2 MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS

The following is a summary of the Technology Transfer workshops, exhibits, and presentations made during the course of this project:

A Technology Transfer Workshop was held in the Walter Stern Library Building and at the California Well Sample Repository at California State University, Bakersfield on September 24, 1996. R. Robinson, the Director of the Repository, was instrumental in planning and arranging the event. Twenty two participants from major oil companies, independents, government agencies, and the oil and gas consulting community attended.

The Workshop included a core display and barbecue at the Repository. Cores from the McKittrick Front calibration wells (including portions of the 700-ft research core from the McKittrick Front 418 well) were on display, along with core from selected intervals in the Elk Hills 934-29R well that was used in our Geohistory modeling study. Poster displays accompanied the cores. All participants received a workshop notebook which summarized project results and Version 1.0 of the MDMS CD ROM.

In June, 1996, W. Pennington presented a talk entitled "3-D Visualization Techniques for Very Small Field Operators" at the Society of Exploration Geophysicists’ (SEG) Production and Development Forum in Vail, CO.

On April 23, 1996, A. Nigrini and R. Robinson presented the results of the Elk Hills study (see Subtask 4.2.1) at the Third Annual Community Energy night in Bakersfield, CA. This exposition, which is sponsored by organizations representing all facets of the petroleum industry, attracted an audience composed of community leaders, energy industry management, and California Division of Oil and Gas officials. The presentation was well-received, and particular interest was focused on Nigrini’s evidence that depth to economic basement is greater than previously believed in the Elk Hills area.

J. Huntoon and W. Pennington presented posters at the Society of Exploration Geologists (SEG) Development and Production Forum on "Cooperative Projects to Improve Reservoir Management" in Colorado in June, 1995. Pennington discussed the California Reservoir Visualization project and another DOE project which involves horizontal drilling in the Michigan Basin in which Michigan Tech is also participating. Huntoon presented a poster display on Technology Transfer. The Technology Transfer talk, entitled "Facilitating interaction between universities and industry: mechanisms for personnel and technology transfer", elicited much favorable comment. Our representatives at this meeting found it to be very successful in facilitating communication (and technology transfer) between various groups carrying out DOE sponsored projects.

J. Wood attended the DOE Contractor Review Meeting in June, 1995, and presented an overview of the project. Our Multimedia CD ROM system for archiving data and distributing project results elicited favorable comment.

DPI ran a booth in the Exhibit Hall at the Pacific Section AAPG Meeting in San Francisco in May, 1995. The booth featured our Pioneer Anticline project along with other projects and services offered by DPI. Posters and an album containing interpreted photomicrographs and SEM photographs prepared by R. Kramer were on display. A handout describing the project was distributed to many interested people.

In January, 1995, a meeting of all project staff was held at the University of South Florida in Tampa (where Wood was on sabbatical) to review the DOE project. The meeting afforded project members an opportunity to learn what everyone else was doing and to discuss project plans and accomplishments in an open forum. The meeting was very successful at accomplishing these goals. R. E. Lemmon, our DOE Program Manager, attended the meeting.