PINE VALLEY GAINS MORE ATTENTION AS DRILLING PACE ACTIVE IN NEVADA

G. Alan Petzet Exploration Editor Exploration in Nevada is having another strong year in 1991, with a spate of drilling probable in Pine Valley. The number of permits to drill issued in Nevada during January through April is 19, the same as in the first 4 months of 1990. Foreland Corp., Ogden, Utah, plans to drill as many as 14 exploratory and development wells in northeastern Nevada this year and possibly in early 1992 (OGJ, Apr. 22, p. 98). Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is starting up an extensive

June 10, 1991

3 min read

G. Alan Petzet
Exploration Editor

Exploration in Nevada is having another strong year in 1991, with a spate of drilling probable in Pine Valley.

The number of permits to drill issued in Nevada during January through April is 19, the same as in the first 4 months of 1990.

Foreland Corp., Ogden, Utah, plans to drill as many as 14 exploratory and development wells in northeastern Nevada this year and possibly in early 1992 (OGJ, Apr. 22, p. 98).

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is starting up an extensive exploratory drilling campaign in the state, where it holds more than 400,000 net acres of leases.

And the state's cumulative crude oil production exceeded 31 million bbl during February 1991.

Production averaged 10,890 b/d from 48 wells in January and 11,112 b/d in February from 45 wells.

Grant Canyon field, which has produced 47% of the state's cumulative production, accounted for 2 of every 3 bbl of oil produced in the state during January and February 1991, Petroleum Information reported.

Other February production was Trap Spring field 2,343 b/d, Kate Spring 763 b/d, Blackburn 588 b/d, and Eagle Springs 81 b/d. Tomera Ranch, North Willow Creek, and Three Bar fields averaged a combined 17 b/d, with some wells on production only a few days.

Kate Spring field averaged about 116 Mcfd of gas in February. It has produced 128.3 MMcf of gas since November 1988.

FORELAND PROGRAM

Foreland's primary objectives are Devonian Devil's Gate and Upper Nevada limestones, and secondary objectives include sandstones in Mississippian Chainman shale and Tertiary volcanics.

The company has identified a porosity fairway comprised of a dolomite to limestone shelf edge transition zone.

The fairway, 6-20 miles wide and 160 miles long, extends north-northeast/south-southwest from western Elko County through Eureka County and into northern Nye County.

Most of Foreland's exploratory and development drilling is to be concentrated in northern Pine Valley. The wells are to be 2,000-6,500 ft deep.

J.R. Bacon Drilling Inc., Shelby, Mont., has a farmout with Foreland for three Pine Valley exploratory tests this year and an option for two more wildcats.

Foreland also may drill at least one development well with Bacon in two well Tomera Ranch field, eastern Eureka County. It also plans to develop North Willow Creek field in Eureka County. Both fields produce from Tertiary volcanics.

Foreland is collecting more geophysical data, including gravity and controlled source audio magnetotellurics to further define its prospects.

ANADARKO'S PLANS

Anadarko is also targeting northeastern Nevada.

It plans to drill four wildcats in 1991 in Butte and Newark valleys in White Pine County, Huntington Valley in White Pine and Elko counties, and Pine Valley in Eureka County.

The wells, to be 6,000-12,000 ft deep, will evaluate mainly Devonian sediments and to a lesser extent Tertiary formations.

Anadarko has drilled 6-21 Kombs Creek-Federal, in 6-20n-62e, White Pine County, which was projected to 6,000 ft. The company has staked 30-44 Cherry Spring-Federal, a planned 6,000 ft wildcat to the northwest in Huntington Valley.

Elsewhere in the state, Marshall & Winston Inc., Midland, is drilling 1 Currie-Federal, in 12-28n-64e, Elko County, a planned 10,000 ft wildcat in Steptoe Valley 70 miles northeast of Blackburn field on a farmout from Exxon Co., U.S.A.

G-W Resources, Los Angeles, is drilling 2 Morman Ranch Unit, in 4-16n-59e, White Pine County, a wildcat 46 miles north-northeast of Trap Spring field.

Myjo Oil Co., Breckenridge, Tex., 1 Coffer, in 31-10s-48e, Nye County, a wildcat 120 miles west of Railroad Valley production, was dry at 3,900 ft.