Regional stratigraphic, lithologic and petroleum system evaluation of the Niobrara Formation, Piceance Basin, Colorado
Aya El Attar
University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Geological Sciences,
Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A
[email protected]
The Niobrara Petroleum System is an emerging oil and gas play in the Rocky Mountain Region. A study of the regional stratigraphy, lithologic variation, and source rock quality (in terms of organic matter richness and distribution) of the Niobrara Formation and its equivalent strata will be conducted in order to investigate its resource potential as an unconventional gas accumulation in the Piceance Basin. A stratigraphic framework will be constructed using regionally distributed wireline log data, primarily gamma‐ray and resistivity logs. Resulting stratigraphic correlations will be used to identify Niobrara intervals for lithologic and petroleum system evaluation. Lithology changes within the Niobrara and equivalent strata will be interpreted from photoelectric well signatures as well as from X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis conducted on available cores and well cuttings. Organic matter richness and distribution will be documented through the compilation of existing and log‐derived Total Organic Carbon (TOC) data. Results from this subsurface study will contribute to a better understanding of the petroleum system of the Niobrara.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90157©2012 AAPG Foundation 2012 Grants-in-Aid Projects