--> Abstract: Early Oil Fields in West Virginia, by D. G. Patchen and M. E. Hohn; #91004 (1991)

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Early Oil Fields in West Virginia

PATCHEN, DOUGLAS G., and MICHAEL E. HOHN, West Virginia Geological Survey, Morgantown, WV

The oil industry in West Virginia began in 1860 with discovery of the Burning Springs and Volcano fields along the crest of the Burning

Springs Anticline. Three additional shallow fields were discovered by 1868 and a period of rapid development drilling began. Exploratory activity increased again in 1886 when I. C. White's test of his anticlinal theory of oil accumulation discovered the large Mannington oil field, 50 mi east of established production. Between 1890 and 1910, 54 fields were discovered, including 9 of the state's largest. By 1910, 11 of the 12 largest fields had been discovered, and by the mid 1920s, most of West Virginia's oil fields were known. The earliest fields were developed in shallow Pennsylvanian sandstones at depths less than 1000 ft. As exploration spread eastward toward the Mannington discovery, depths increased, resulting in Mississippian discoveries in the 1500-2000 ft range and deeper Uppe Devonian pools (2000-3500 feet). The average pay in these older fields is in the 5-10 ft range, with only about 12 pools having more than 15 ft of pay. Four of the largest fields also have some of the thickest pays. Most were in the mean IP range of 10-50 BOPD/well, with a few in the 60-100 range, and 4 exceptional fields 200 or more. Estimates of original oil in place (OOIP) for these old oil fields range from 1.9 to 2.5 billion barrels. Most pools contained <30 million barrels, but the 12 largest fields contained >50 million each, and 3 of these >100 million. However, most West Virginia fields have produced <10 million barrels, with 5 having produced >20 million. Thus, most of these old, shallow oil fields still retain 70-80% of their OOIP. Recovery efficiencies range b tween 5 and 50%, depending on depositional environment and presumable reservoir heterogeneity.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91004 © 1991 AAPG Annual Convention Dallas, Texas, April 7-10, 1991 (2009)