--> Abstract: 3-D Interpretation of a Meteorite Impact Field, Red Wing Creek Field, Williston Basin, Western North Dakota, by C. Huang, B. Herber, R. Barton, P. Weimer, S. Jiang, and S. Hammon; #90090 (2009).

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3-D Interpretation of a Meteorite Impact Field, Red Wing Creek Field, Williston Basin, Western North Dakota

Huang, Chunju 1; Herber, Benjamin 1; Barton, Roger 2; Weimer, Paul 1; Jiang, Shu 1; Hammon, Stan 1
1 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
2 True Oil, Casper, WY.

The Red Wing Creek Field in the Williston Basin of North Dakota is one of a handful of oil and gas fields in the world that is known to produce from a structure that formed associated with a meteorite impact. Discovered in 1971, this field has produced 16.6 millions barrels of oil and 25 BCF of gas from 26 wells, of which 22 are still producing. Ultimate recovery is estimated to be at least 60 million barrels of oil. The impact crater consists of a central core, with a surrounding inner and outer rim. The total deformed area is about 30 square miles; the central core is 1 square mile. Production is primarily from the central core from reservoirs consisting of highly deformed carbonate strata of the Mississippian Mission Caynon Formation. Production occurs from rocks that have less than 1 mD of permeability and are highly fractured.

Interpretation of a 3-D seismic data set with select attributes allows for detailed mapping of the faults and deformed strata. Faults deform primarily the outer, inner rim and central core. The outer rim is defined by as series of arcuate normal faults, which are, in essence, an updip slide escarpment. Individual faults are a few meters to 2.5 km in length. Offset along the inner rim is about 150 to 200 m. Faults are primarily normal, to high angle reverse. Faulting density is by far greatest in the central core. Faults have a radial pattern away from the core. The decollement for the deformed Upper Mississippian interval appears to be the Lodgepole Limestone, immediately below the Mission Canyon Formation.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90090©2009 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, June 7-10, 2009