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Cromwell Play In Southeastern Oklahoma
Late 2003 in Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, OK. Co-sponsored
by PTTC's South Midcontinent Region: Oklahoma Geological Survey: Oklahoma City
Geological Society and Tulsa Geological Society
BOTTOM LINE
A key to understanding the Cromwell is the updated stratigraphic interpretation
and nomenclature presented in the workshop. Correlation of the subsurface
Cromwell sandstone to surface rocks defined as Morrow has aided construction of
regional cross sections that assist in delineating the Cromwell play. This study
of the Cromwell is the final workshop in a series analyzing the widespread
Morrowan reservoirs in Oklahoma.
PROBLEM ADDRESSED
The Cromwell play was originally an oil play starting in the early 1900s.
Recently it has become a major gas play with less potential from oil
development. The large Cromwell fields located in the Arkoma Basin of Oklahoma
and extending into the Arbuckle Uplift are complicated structural traps at
depths of over 12,000 ft. The focus of the workshop was to evaluate the
sandstone reservoirs of the Cromwell Member of the Union Valley Formation, and
define the trapping mechanisms and reservoir trends to improve production
potential.
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PTTC has been fortunate in that
many individuals have stayed engaged with PTTC for several years.
Their dedication deserves special recognition for long-term
service and unselfish participation. PTTC posed two questions to
each of them to tap into the insights they have gained from their
long-term experience in domestic oil and natural gas production.
These gentlemen include:
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David Boneau
Southwest Region PAG Chairman
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Mike Gatens
SPE Representative
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Jay Haskell
Service Company Representative
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Brian Sims, Vice Chairman
Eastern Gulf PAG Chairman
What is the biggest
technology-related challenge facing U.S. independents?
Boneau: The drilling
targets in the U.S. are small and hard to find. We need (a) a very
much cheaper drilling method and/or (b) very much better seismic
or some substitute that can see thin zones and can see
hydrocarbons.
Gatens: Access to
advanced technologies and skilled personnel to employ them. As
reservoirs get tougher to find and/or produce in our mature
domestic basins, such as unconventional gas (CBM, tight sands, …),
top technical personnel are essential. We need to ensure continued
training of our domestic talent, at universities and through
on-the-job experience and courses. PTTC has a role to play here.
Haskell: Cost-effective
water management-from gas wells loading with water to declining
oil wells with increasing water production. Water management will
be the key to extending the economic life of many mature U.S.
wells. There has been limited R&D addressing this and more
research and new technology will be required to make a difference.
Sims: A major concern
is data availability/ preservation, especially considering today's
acquisition and consolidation trend. Data can help get discovery
wells drilled, or keep unnecessary wells from being drilled. Other
key needs are for technologies
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to identify smaller reservoir targets and
faster drilling techniques to lower development costs. The
more wells we can drill, the more oil and gas we can find.
Knowing
PTTC's mission, its evolution and what it is now, what would
you most like to see PTTC do to increase its impact? Impact is
defined as independents running with technology-related
information they receive through PTTC, making decisions and
taking action that increases production and recovery?
Boneau: I continue
to believe that PTTC needs smart people who actually go to the
office of independents and work directly with them on the best
technology for independent's needs. I realize this is
extremely difficult and very costly.
Gatens: PTTC should
continue and expand upon its various outreach programs,
including workshops, one-on-one operator meetings, and
collaborative efforts with groups like AAPG, DOE, SEG, SPE and
others. Stay in touch with domestic independents to focus on
delivering the technologies they want and need now.
Haskell: PTTC has
done an excellent job of disseminating best practices through
workshops. The workshops could be expanded in scope to obtain
solutions to field- or operator-specific problems in
conjunction with relevant technology providers. These would be
results-oriented workshops with the objective to deliver more
hydrocarbon or reduced operating expense in order to extend
field life.
Sims: PTTC has not
only increased the effectiveness of the exploration dollar but
also of the technology transfer dollar. People who are not
normally exposed to technology transfer have benefited from
the information that is available through PTTC's workshops,
website, and personal contact with staff and volunteers. Put
simply, to increase impact, PTTC must reach out and expand the
audience it serves.
PTTC values insights of its long-term stakeholders too. If
you have insights you'd like to offer on the above questions,
we welcome your comments at E-mail
hq@pttc.org. |
Solutions
From The Field