Step-Out Drilling Results at Blue Mountain, Nevada

Abstract

Step-out drilling targets based on a detailed structural model at Blue Mt. Nevada have led to high permeability entries in a well offset 1.2 km west of the developing field at Blue Mountain, Nevada. This well, 58-15, targeted shallow and deep entries based on a model with faults in the hanging wall and in the underlying range front fault zone. Drilling results showed that both zones were permeable. The deep target showed up in several productive fractures at relatively high temperatures. This result supports the general conceptual model of upflow from depth on Piedmont faults. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the successful application of a detailed structural model to well targeting and implications for the reservoir conceptual model. The structural model at Blue Mountain was developed from surface geology, gravity, well results, and seismic reflection and refraction data. Identification of noise problems with the reflection data has reduced the perceived precision of fault interpretations at depth although the general model remains valid.