Enhanced Carbonate Reservoir Model for an Old Reservoir Utilizing New Techniques: The Schaben Field (Mississippian), Ness County, Kansas: ABSTRACT

Abstract

The Pennsylvanian-Mississippian unconformity is a major stratigraphic event in Kansas that truncates rocks ranging from Precambrian to Mississippian. Many of the 6,000 fields in Kansas are located immediately beneath this unconformity. One example, Schaben Field located in Ness County, Kansas, has produced approximately 9 million barrels since it was discovered in 1963. Production is from the Mississippian (Osagian) cherty dolomites beneath the inconformity. The field was initially developed on a regular forty-acre spacing, but recent drilling has demonstrated the potential for additional targeted infill drilling. To develop an enhanced reservoir model for the Schabin field modern core, log, and well data were integrated with the existing data. New techniques such as [open quotes]Pseudoseismic[close quotes] and the [open quotes]Super[close quotes] Pickett plot were used to leverage the existing data and provide tools for analysis and 3D visualization. The pseudoseismic approach uses well-logs within a standard 3D seismic visualization system to provide a detailed macroscale view of karst patterns. The petrophysical analyses using the [open quotes]Super[close quotes] Pickett plot were used to recognize subtle trends and patterns for each of multiple reservoir intervals. Visual and petrographic examination of core from the field confirms karst development and indicates multiple stages of fracturing, brecciation,more » and dissolution features that were important in controlling and modifying development of reservoirs. The understanding of the reservoir heterogeneities resulting from the paleokarst model at Schaben field emphasizes the importance of integrating available data with new techniques to provide a predictive tool for discovery of additional pay within existing subunconformity fields in Kansas.« less