--> Results of a Horizontally Drilled Hole within the Dundee Formation: Freeman-Redding Field, Clare County, MI, by Michael W. Barratt; #90900 (2001)

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Results of a Horizontally Drilled Hole within the Dundee Formation: Freeman-Redding Field, Clare County, MI

Michael W. Barratt
Newstar Energy USA, Inc

Since 1995, a total of 22 horizontal tests have been drilled through the Dundee Formation in the Michigan Basin. Published results initially indicated a high degree of economic success. A closer evaluation reveals that very few of the horizontal attempts have sustained commercial production over the last five years. Operators drilling future horizontal tests in the Dundee will be able to take advantage of results obtained to date to improve success rates of these tests. An example of a Dundee horizontal well drilled in the Freeman-Redding Field is used to illustrate evaluation and testing methods.

The Freeman-Redding Field, located in Clare County, Michigan has produced approximately 17 million bbl of oil and 2 billion ft3 of gas from the Devonian, Dundee Formation since its discovery in 1938.

The reservoir rock consists of a porous dolomite underlying a variable thickness of dense, non-porous limestone. Hydrocarbon trapping is provided by 20’ to 30’ of structural closure at the Dundee. Stratigraphic variations within the Dundee impact productivity of wells within the field.

Results from an 1800’ horizontal hole indicate that rapid variations in porosity and permeability exist laterally within the reservoir rock. Using data obtained from sample cuttings, core analysis, electric and mud logs, and production testing, tentative conclusions were derived to optimize drilling, completion, and evaluation techniques for the drilling of future Dundee horizontal holes.

Placement of economically successful horizontal holes within the Dundee reservoirs in the Michigan Basin depend upon pre-planning, thorough mapping, careful evaluation and a little bit of luck.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90900©2001 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Kalamazoo, Michigan