Quantitative Evaluation of the impact of primary strata on oil recovery factors in eolian reservoirs

This study will seek a methodology to improve (a) accuracy in estimates of oil recovery factors and (b) planning field development including well spacing and arrangement. Further, we will create and apply laboratory measurements to understand movement of petroleum fluids at small scales in order to better evaluate upscaling techniques and verify the underlying assumptions of previous works. The proposed study has the potential to impact reserves estimates and production in Wyoming, because it addresses phenomena that constitute bulk properties of all eolian reservoirs in Wyoming and their remaining reserves along with new fields that may be discovered in eolian system rocks such as the Tensleep, Minnelusa, Leo, and Navajo Sandstones.