The Steele/Niobrara of Central Wyoming: Insights into Hydrocarbon Generation-Induced Regional Over-Pressure
Schmude, David and Mark Tobey
EnCana Oil & Gas
USA, Denver, CO
The Steele/Niobrara and its equivalent units are important source
rocks throughout the Rocky Mountain region. In central Wyoming the
interval is in its early life cycle of maturation and hydrocarbon
generation, and in certain areas, sub-surface over-pressuring within
this package is associated with a maturation thresh hold for
hydrocarbon generation and saturation. Vitrinite reflectance data
demonstrate relationships between present day thermal maturity / top
of overpressure and an increase in the paleo-thermal gradients below
top of overpressure at several locations. The former relationship is
believed be related to kerogen conversion and hydrocarbon expulsion.
The latter relationship is believed to be related to the thermal
conductivity of hydrocarbon saturation within the over-pressured
interval. The data infer that the maturation of the source interval is
relatively recent, and that hydrocarbon generation is dynamic present
day. The data also suggest that hydrocarbon over-pressure cells
within this petroleum system can be inferred from well cuttings where
there is little pressure or mud log data. At one location studied, there
is evidence that a paleo over-pressure boundary has breached, and
moved down section.
Thin section, fluid inclusion, and kerogen conversion kinetics
work was undertaken to help understand the processes associated
with the development of the overpressure seals within the Steele-
Niobrara section. At one well, a larger fracture cross-cut with later
open fractures, and open veins of all sizes were observed within the
overpressure boundary, possibly suggesting periodic breaching and
healing.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90071 © 2007 AAPG Rocky Mountain Meeting, Snowbird, Utah