Understanding Well Performance by Using Elemental Ratios in the Wolfcamp Formation, Midland Basin

Abstract

The Wolfcamp Shale Formation in the southern Midland Basin has been a prolific target of numerous operators. The Wolfcamp Shale covers an extensive area and can be stratigraphically complex, especially near the basin margins. Heterogeneity of the Wolfcamp Shale poses another problem. Wells within an area targeting the same stratigraphic interval do not necessarily produce the same. Identifying elemental ratios using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) can help correct geosteering interpretations and to understand changes in lithology affecting production.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90219 © 2015 GCAGS, Houston, Texas, September 20-22, 2015