Making an Old Gem Sparkle: The Rejuvenation of McAllen Ranch Field, Texas

Abstract

Abstract Over the last three years, Shell's McAllen Ranch Field in Hidalgo County, Texas, has increased daily production rates by nearly 300%. This dramatic increase in production is due to a combined program of recompletions, commingling and an aggressive development drilling campaign supported by a 3D seismic survey. This recent development program has been very successful; the first eighteen wells have booked over 100 BCFG and additional drilling locations are being evaluated. This paper highlights the development program which concentrated on optimizing well locations through a better understanding of structure and stratigraphy. A detailed study of the ‘S’ sand in North McAllen has shown this reservoir to be a stratigraphie trap with structurally related porosity development and capillarity controlled downdip limits. Updip production limits have been identified by the event amplitude on the 3D seismic survey and are supported by well control. Structural mapping from the 3D survey was combined with detailed isopach mapping of individual sands to locate development wells for highest reserve recovery.