Preconceived Notions: ignoring hearsay and discovering new pay

Abstract

While conducting my Master's thesis research in south Texas, questions arose about a sand that sits above the main San Miguel pay zone. Operators in the area have reported that it is nonproductive. However, I could find no evidence that it has ever been tested. Upon examination, the resistivity invasion profile, with additional electric logs, core, mud logs, the position of this sand relative to the main pay zone, in relation to the overlying shales that cap it, suggested evidence to the contrary. After recompletions that targeted this sand zone in old wells proved to be productive, the notion that this overlooked sand zone was dry was proven false. It goes to show that you should never leave any stone unturned.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90292 © 2017 AAPG Southwest Section, Midland, Texas, April 29 - May 2, 2017