Play Based Exploration, or PBE, is a phrase that is being heard more and more frequently as Explorers return to their geological roots in the increasingly demanding search for exploration opportunities, in particular those which offer the potential to add material hydrocarbon volumes to our portfolio.

The North Cross (Devonian) Unit, currently operated by Occidental Oil and Gas, was discovered in 1944. The field was developed using regular 40 acre spacing and produced under primary recovery until 1964. Subsequently, a partial pressure maintenance program was constituted to inject residue gas in an updip location in the field. Large-scale continuous CO2 injection began in April 1972 and was expanded over time to provide CO 2 support throughout the field. The field has been under continuous CO 2 flood for over four decades. Currently, over 200% hydrocarbon pore volume (HCPV) of CO2 has been injected, and over 60% of the latest estimate of its target original-oil-in-place (OOIP) has been recovered. The field continues to perform well with a gross utilization (MCF CO2 injected/bbl oil recovered) of approximately 30 MCF/BO (20 MCF/BOE). North Cross is an excellent example of a successful mature continuous CO2 flood.

This study will seek a methodology to improve (a) accuracy in estimates of oil recovery factors and (b) planning field development including well spacing and arrangement. Further, we will create and apply laboratory measurements to understand movement of petroleum fluids at small scales in order to better evaluate upscaling techniques and verify the underlying assumptions of previous works. The proposed study has the potential to impact reserves estimates and production in Wyoming, because it addresses phenomena that constitute bulk properties of all eolian reservoirs in Wyoming and their remaining reserves along with new fields that may be discovered in eolian system rocks such as the Tensleep, Minnelusa, Leo, and Navajo Sandstones.

During 2004-2010 the authors studied the sand dunes of Oman using trenches, OSL age dating and modern wind data. This work was supported by Petroleum Development Oman to define modern analogs for ancient dune reservoirs that produce oil and gas in the Sultanate. An unintended consequence of our work was the recognition of a band of high wind energy along the East Coast of Oman that might be suitable for commercial wind power extraction, especially during the peak wind season of the Indian Monsoon. Our geological work indicates that this basic wind regime has been in place for at least 200K years, and is thus not a fluke of modern times.

There are two main themes of this poster. The first theme is to provide an update on the stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Tensleep/Casper Formation of Southeast Wyoming (and parts of Northern Colorado), and oil production from these rocks. We incorporate new measured sections, stratigraphic analysis and petrographic work undertaken by the authors. To this end we created a new database in ArcGis (geographic information software) of tops and other information that updates the historical well database of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission archived in Casper. This new database has been used to create Common Risk Segment (CRS) maps of the Upper Tensleep oil play in Southeast Wyoming. These CRS maps indicate trends in Tensleep reservoir, charge and trap that are useful in planning further exploration. It is possible that use of advanced seismic techniques applied over the complex structural terrains in the identified high potential areas of SE Wyoming will produce new leads and ultimately, new discoveries.

In this issue:

• From the desk of the director
• Update on EORI Chemical Flooding Unit
• AAPG Annual Meeting Presentations
• GSA Rocky Mountain Section Meeting Papers
• New Horizons in Database Management

In this issue:

• From the desk of the director
• EOR and technology
• Low salinity waterflooding
• New staff
• Recent publications
• Events
• Looking ahead

In this issue:

• From the desk of the director
• Residual oil zones in the Tensleep Formation
• Website development and design
• Future EORI outreach and education
• EORI sponsored conferences
• Employment at EORI

In this issue:

• From the desk of the director
• Bighorn Basin RMP
• Conference update
• Coreflood system for CO2 EOR studies
• New EORI cluster and SER building
• New staff
• EORI calendar & Events

In this issue:

• Director’s Message
• Grieve Field CO2 flood simulation
• Fiddler Creek Study
• New Faces
• Staff Focus: Dr. Geoffrey Thyne
• Ken Hendricks of Anadarko Petroleum Company joins the Technical Advisory Board

• Director’s Comments
• EORI Research Updates
• 2013 Conference & Technology Transfer Update
• Minnelusa I Workshop - Introductory Concepts
• 7th Annual Wyoming CO2 Conference
• Tensleep III Workshop - ROZ and CO2 EOR
• 5th Wyoming IOR/EOR Conference
• EORI Students in the Field
• New Faces of EORI
• Save-The-Dates