John McCaslin
Exploration Editor
There are important exploratory and field development results to report from Nevada.
A wildcat in northeastern Nevada's Eureka County, 43 miles southwest of Elko, found oil in the Miocene Humboldt formation, opening new production 3 miles north-northwest of Blackburn field in Pine Valley. Topping off this bit of news is a 1,000 b/d oiler in Kate Spring field in Railroad Valley.
WIDESPREAD OIL SUCCESS
Nevada apparently may be standing on the edge of discovery today much like the western Overthrust Belt stood on the brink of discovery over 20 years ago.
Just as LaBarge and other Moxa arch fields in Wyoming served as lures that eventually led to discoveries in the Utah/Wyoming Overthrust Belt, the present oil fields in Nevada serve as stepping stones to the more significant thrust belt discoveries that are bound to come soon. Yet, despite the growing number of oil pools in the state, Nevada has yet to be explored.
Gary-Williams Oil Producer completed the latest find in Nevada in the Miocene Humboldt formation at 25-A Three Bar Unit in SE NE 25-28n-51e on choke for 50 b/d of oil from perforations at 4,344-84 ft. Reports from the area indicate that this wildcat also found three more prospective pay zones. Location is 3 miles north-northwest of Oligocene Indian Well, Mississippian Chainman, and Devonian Nevada formation production in Blackburn field.
The operator also reports three new wildcat stakes in the areas.
Adding to the growing Nevada oil coffers is a new well in Kate Spring field. Western General compiled 1-A Kate Spring-Federal in NW SW 28n-57e in the Pennsylvanian Ely zone at 4,438-88 ft. On initial 45 min flow test, the well made 165 b/d with a tubing pressure of 1,400 psi. The oil is heavy and gas is flared at the wellsite. Petroleum Information reports that the well made 700 b/d with tubing pressure 515 psi.
PROMISES FUTURE DISCOVERIES
Prolific oil production from unusual reservoirs continually draws exploration attention to Nevada.
We reported in 1989 that 58 wells have produced 24.4 million bbl of essentially gas-free oil from highly fractured volcanic, carbonate, and sandstone reservoirs. Oil columns range up to 1,700 ft, and a strong freshwater drive is usually present. Producing depths in the state range from 1,900 to 7,300 ft and water production is a common problem. Complex structure, unusual fluid relations, unconventional reservoir rocks, and difficult downhole conditions have contributed to Nevada's reputation as a challenging operational area, OGJ, Oct. 23, 1989, p. 92.
Producing reservoirs can be split into four gross categories: Paleozoic carbonates, Paleozoic clastics, Tertiary volcanics, and Tertiary carbonates. Most geologists agree that Nevada's potential as a major source of new oil reserves is excellent. More wildcatting will be the answer to many questions.
Copyright 1990 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.