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262

Midale Hydrodynamics I

Elswick, SK

RPCL

NEEW

June 1998

Play(s):
N/A
Fluid(s):
Light Oil
N/A
Area:
Elswick, SK
N/A

Through regional work conducted by RPCL it is clear that much of the Mississippian strata in southern Saskatchewan occurs within a dynamic flow system. The presence of this dynamic system is observed through a northeastward-trending potentiometric surface occurring in conjunction with increasing formation water salinities and changes in oil composition. A cursory inspection of existing oil pools suggests that structural closure and/or facies changes alone do not completely account for the observed oil accumulations. This gives rise to a number of strategic questions that affect an exploration/exploitation programs economic success.

Hydrodynamic and oil force vector modeling indicate the following:

1. Fluid flow is predominantly to the northeast (updip), with average hydraulic gradients of 0.6 to 2.5 m/km.
2. Due to the updip flow direction, oil entrapment is not hydrodynamically enhanced.
3. Hydrodynamic modeling and repeated calibration attempts to existing pools shows that structural closures in the area are insufficient to account for the current pool distribution and their size.
4. Five, possibly six, separate oil accumulations are present at Elswick. The North Elswick pool can be broken out into a minimum of two, possibly three, separate pools.

Additional exploration potential occurs along the hydrodynamically favourable accumulation sites southeast of the postulated permeability barrier south of the S. Elwick and E. Elswick pools. These prospects should be refined with further geophysics to determine if additional structural closure exists.