Abstract – Good Cores Gone Bad
It is generally presumed that geologic cores provide ground truth that can be observed, felt, smelled, and even tasted. The core report summarizes what is discovered via very technical, scientific methods by very technical, scientific companies; and therefore, the core report may be similarly accepted as unassailable. However, when one understands the core analysis process one discovers that there is indeed room for error, and such error may have significant implications on how a field area is viewed by management or potential buyers.
Here, a Middle Bakken core from Mountrail Co., North Dakota is presented. Drilling, logging, and completion of this well was unremarkable and without issue. Core analysis indicated core porosities and water saturations that were pessimistic but believable, considering the well was known to be near the edge of the Bakken play. However, other contextual clues including wireline logs and log analysis, well performance, and basin familiarity suggest not only that the core report was misleading, but also 1) how to correctly utilize the core analysis, and 2) reveal implications about the reservoir poro-perm network, which can then be applied to play assessment.
Joe Bauman – Bio
Joe Bauman is a geologist for Hunt Oil Company in Dallas, Texas, where he began his geology career in 2011. His work has primarily focused on operations, development, and exploration geology in the Williston Basin, but the breadth of his experience also includes Marcellus/Utica exploration and development, divestiture & acquisition processes, legacy well behind-pipe pay evaluation, surface geology hazard assessment, disposal zone evaluation and optimization, international and Gulf of Mexico exploration, Permian Basin – Eastern Shelf development, alternative energy solutions, data science, research project design and execution, and mentoring of young geologists.
Joe is a licensed, professional geologist in Texas and holds degrees in geology from Iowa State University and Texas Tech University. An active member of the Dallas Geological Society and AAPG (as well as a member and supporter of the AAPG Women’s Network), Joe has held multiple positions during his career in both organizations; currently he is the SWS AAPG webmaster and holds the positions of Secretary, Int’l Committee Chair, and University Liaison for the Dallas Geological Society. He has presented to the Dallas Geological Society and at AAPG section meetings multiple times and was awarded the A.L. Cox Best Poster Award at the 2022 SWS AAPG meeting.