The colville river unit commonly referred to as alpine is located in the colville river delta on alaskas western north slope, 34 miles west of the kuparuk river field kuparuk and eight miles north of the inupiat village of nuiqsut. Petroleum geology of the north slope alaska oil and gas. Pdf geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field. Alaska oil and gas conservation commission, 1994, conservation order no. Reeder is a geologist with the state of alaska, division of geological and geophysical surveys. Geology of kuparuk river oil field, alaska conference. Named after kuparuk river which flows north into gwydwr bay. Related materials may be found in the archives and special collections topic guides under petroleum and natural gas related. American association of petroleum geologists bulletin. The publications of the bureau of mines, which was created in 1910 to carry on investigations in connection with the waste, recovery. Pdf depositional history and reservoir description of. Petroleum geology textbooks have been an essential tool for training generations of teachers, researchers, explorers, and managers in the petroleum industry. Pepper bp upstream technology group kuparuk is a giant oilfield located on the colvilleprudhoe high, west of the prudhoe bay field, in the alaskan arctic plain. Marine sandstones of the kuparuk river formation hold an estimated 1.
Shelf depositional environments and reservoir characteristics. The kuparuk river oil field, or kuparuk, located in north slope borough, alaska, united states, is the second largest oil field in north america by area. The 23 api crude is similar in type to that in the prudhoe bay field. Characterization of hydrocarbon gas within the stratigraphic. The kuparuk oil field s average depth of oil pool is 300 feet of pay zone, with an area of field twice the size of prudhoe. Geologic interrelations relative to gas hydrates within the north. East to west geologic crosssection through six wells of the kupanik river oil field area.
This third edition of elements of petroleum geology is completely updated and revised to reflect the vast changes in the field since publication of the second edition. Sinclair oil and sohio now bp discovered the field by drilling the ugnu no 1 well. The lisburne and kuparuk river oil fields also occur within the rocks of the ellesmerian sequence. For the petroleum industry, fortune hunt alaska identifies hot spots for oil and gas, such as untapped prospects on the undeveloped eastern north slope and near central north slope infrastructure, as well as the location of shale source rocks, which generated the giant prudhoe bay and kuparuk oil fields. A north slope oil discovery already called huge just got. On alaskas north slope, conocophillips operates the kuparuk river unit kuparuk, north americas second largest oil field, 40 miles west of prudhoe bay. Combined height of headwall and underlying flow lobes is 23 meters. American association of petroleum geologists bulletin, v.
Pages in category oil fields in alaska the following 6 pages are in this category, out of 6 total. Summer 1981 assistant instructor, indiana university field camp, cardwell, montana. The lower cretaceous kuparuk formation is a major hydrocarbonproducing conventional reservoir on the north slope. Oil and gas fields of the cook inlet basin, alaska, 20 pages 3168.
Original oil inplace for the kuparuk field is estimated at approximately 5 billion barrels. Sandstones of the lower cretaceous kuparuk river formation comprise major reservoirs on the north slope of alaska. Studies show that the prudhoe bay field was tilted during tertiary time, that some oil and gas escaped, migrated toward barrow, and was trapped in the kuparuk, west sak, and ugnu fields. Total cumulative production to date is approximately 1. Sep 12, 2016 the new field, about 150 miles southeast of barrow along the colville river, and located between conocophillips alpine and kuparuk river fields, could produce at least 120,000 barrels of oil. Prudhoe bay field is 52 km long by 19 km wide 32 mi by 12 mi. At that time the prudhoe bay oil fields production had peaked due to years of sustained extraction. The 24sup 0 api crude is similar in type to that in the permotriassic reservoirs in the prudhoe bay field. Please contact an archivist for further information. Prudhoe bay field alaska colville trough ivishak formation triassic scythian. Discovered in 1969, it covers about 500 square miles 1,300 km 2. The isotopic compositions of c6 and c7 compounds in the deepest, least biodegraded west sak oils are nearly identical to those of the underlying oils from the kuparuk field but differ from the. Pdf geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska.
Geology and development history of swanson river field, cook inlet, alaska. There are many ways the field of geology contributes to the petroleum industry. The pore system in a reservoir rock contains a very large number of pore bodies whose filling by oil is controlled by. List of oil fields project gutenberg selfpublishing. Today, kuparuk produces 120,000 barrels a day from five different reservoirs. Development geologist for kuparuk oil field, north slope, and beluga river gas field, cook inlet.
World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. The swanson river oil field was discovered in 1957 by richfield oil corporation with the drilling of the swanson river unit no. Glacial geology of the toolik lake and upper kuparuk river regions. The kuparuk river field is located approximately 20 mi 32 km west of the prudhoe bay field and produces from the lower cretaceous. Obviously, this list is not anywhere near exhaustive or definitive, but this should be the most comprehensive list anywhere.
Most of these welllog inferred gas hydrates occur in six laterally continuous sandstone and conglomerate units. Field geology books waterproof pens field book covers. Geology and regional setting of the kuparuk oil field, alaska. Original oilinplace for the kuparuk field is estimated at approximately 5 billion barrels. Selected bibliography of arctic geology with emphasis on petroleum geology.
The total number of wells in the field is approximately 900. The kuparuk oil field is located on the alaskan arctic plain in the colvilleprudhoe basin, 10 to 30 mi 16 to 48 km west of the. Lateral variation in magnetic susceptibility and remanence give rise to spatial variations in the magnetic field it is expressed in so called magnetic anomalies, i. Geology field book cover this cover is made to fit all of the bound field books sold above. Framework geology, petroleum systems, and play concepts of. Geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska1 aapg. Results of an integrated petroleum systems approach. This analysis suggests that most north slope oil and gas was generated during cretaceous time. This project was successfully completed ahead of schedule and the rapidly encroaching seasonal deadline to be off of the tundra in the kuparuk field. The kuparuk oil field is located on the alaskan arctic plain in the colvilleprudhoe basin, 10 to 30 mi 16 to 48 km west of the prudhoe bay field. The fields produce sweet gas and condensate from fractured carbonates. A new oil field near the kurparuk river, west of prudhoe bay was the site i was sent to.
But it took a lot more than luck to find and produce sarawaks only onshore oil field. Here we look at some of the early textbooks in this field as a way of paying tribute to these works and their authors, upon whose shoulders stand the writers, teachers and textbooks of our time. Production begins 3 months early kuparuk comes online in december 81 from 5 gravel drill sites in 20mile square arcoowned area. The 24 api crude is similar in type to that in the permotriassic reservoirs in the prudhoe bay field. Cumulative environmental effects of oil and gas activities. This second edition of elements of petroleum geology is completely updated and revised to reflect the vast changes in the field in the fifteen years since publication of the first edition. Application of volumetric seismic attributes for complex. Geological survey most research on the effects of energy development on barren ground caribou in alaska were conducted in the 1980s or 1990s, relatively soon after the prudhoe bay. Open tension cracks are associated with steps on upper headwall and also extend 56 meters inland from its crest. In 1910, now 100 years ago, the shellroyal dutch group drilled the first discovery well in miri, sarawak.
The hilly aspect of this region is caused in part by large broadbased low hills, or pingos, created by permafrost and generally 520 m 1665 ft tall walker et al. An oil field s initial water oil saturation distribution depends on its hydrocarbon history and has a significant effect on its waterflooding potential. The deal will boost conocophillips ownership at kuparuk. Geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska1. Selected published booklets were placed in rare books. Mostly coming from user contributions, it is contextual and is meant for indicative purposes only.
Kuparuk field is located about 260 mi 418 km north of the arctic circle on north alaskan coastal plain. This book is a usefulprimer for geophysicists, geologists, and petroleum engineers in the oil industry who wish to expand their knowledge beyond their. Production began at the kuparuk river oil field on dec. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Depositional setting and reservoir geology of kuparuk river oil field. The kuparuk oil field is the second largest oil field in north america by area, and traveling by aircraft was the way i moved from site to site. Nov 12, 2014 the kuparuk oil fields average depth of oil pool is 300 feet of pay zone, with an area of field twice the size of prudhoe. The kuparuk oil field is in a somewhat hillier portion of the coastal plain gently rolling thaw lake plains walker and acevedo 1987.
Overlooked north slope formation may hold 120,000barrela. Only recently, just west of gull island, the kuparuk oil field has been drilled. Milne point the milne point field holds re coverable reserves of 100 million bar rels of oil in both the kuparuk forma tion and west sak sand. The kuparuk field was discovered in 1969 and began producing in december of 1981. The kuparuk river oil field, the second largest oil field in north america, is centered about 40 miles 64 km west of prudhoe bay. Sharjah is one of seven emirates in the uae, occupying the region immediately to the north of dubai. Major oil company plans 7 wells in alaska petroleum reserve. Kuparuk comes online in december 81 from 5 gravel drill sites in 20mile square arcoowned area. Geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska journal article carman, g. Central arctic herd caribou cross a road within the kuparuk oil field on the north slope of alaska during the summer mosquito harassment period. Wikimedia commons has media related to oil fields in alaska. This book is a usefulprimer for geophysicists, geologists, and petroleum engineers in the oil industry who wish to expand their knowledge beyond their specialized area. Taught field geology in the northern rocky mountains.
Filling history of the kuparuk field reservoir, alaskan north slope. Kuparuk oil field, alaska, a mixture of kekiktuk gas condensate and shublik oil leon i. The cumulative net pay in the kuparuk field ranges up to 90 ft 27 m, and the estimate of movable oilinplace is 4. Kuparuk is located 40 miles west of the prudhoe bay field. The kuparuk river field, located on the north slope of alaska, contains approximately 6. Geologic setting of the alaska north slope usgs publications. This oil discovery changed the face of miri from a small fishery village into a modern city. Included as middle formation in ugnuravik group new. This formation is primarily shallowmarine sandstone that hosts oil at several places in northern alaska, including the kuparuk river field. It produces approximately 120,000 barrels per day 6.
A plastic clip keeps the durable cordura cover closed and the book firmly secured. Selected bibliography of arctic geology with emphasis on. The kuparuk river oil field is west of the supergiant prudhoe bay oil field on alaskas north slope and was discovered in 1969. Braidplain and deltaic reservoir, prudhoe bay field. The geology of known oil and gas resources by petroleum system onshore alaska, in.
Actively collapsing southfacing flank of kettle shown in inset photo. Check out the geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska. The epic quest for oil, money, and power by daniel yergin, nontechnical guide to petroleum geology, exploration, d. We want to get more confidence around the geology and reservoir characteristics of the field, so thats one of the reasons we pushed back our startup date to around 20252026 now for the willow development, jepsen said. The study area was the troll field, a giant gas and oil field on the horda platform, 80 km west of the norwegian west coast. Framework geology, petroleum systems, and play concepts of the national petroleum reserve alaska authors. Kuparuk oilfield was discovered in 1969, two years following the discovery of prudhoe bay, the biggest field in north america.
Dec 02, 2017 a north slope oil discovery already called huge just got bigger, company says. National geologic map database product description page. Codeveloped first kuparuk reservoir stratigraphic zonation that is now industry standard. The kuparuk field provides an excellent example of large scale reservoir heterogeneity created by multiple sandstone bodies. It also illustrates the control of depositional facies and diagenesis on reservoir quality. The prudhoe bay oil field was established in 1968 with a small airstrip, a camp, and a peat road to an exploration before recorded history visible oil seepages used by native inhabitants of the north slope 1882 u. National assessment of oil and gas fact sheet natural bitumen resources of the united states printed on recycled paper. See more ideas about alaska, alaska the last frontier and sun dogs. It has spaces to carry three pencils, an acid bottle and a short 6 rulerstyle map scale items not included. The gull island oil field average depth of oil pool is 1,200 feet of pay zone, with an area of field at least four times the size of prudhoe, and estimated to be the richest oil field on the face of the earth. Apr 16, 2019 the sharjah gas development includes three fields, sajaa, moveyeid and kahaif, located approximately 30 kilometres inland. Kuparuk olfield, north slope, alaska hydrocarbons technology. Structurally, the field occurs between 2500 and 2800 m subsea 8200 and 9200 ft, and original oil and gascolumn thicknesses were 142 m 465 ft and 122 m 400 ft, respectively.
Kuparuk is the second largest oil field in alaska, producing about 108,000 barrels daily, behind prudhoe bays roughly 280,000 barrels. Page 331 the areas of removal are in time dissected by valleys of normal origin. Stratigraphic traps iii, aapg atlas of petroleum geology, atlas of oil and gas fields, chapter. Thomas wilson papers archives and special collections. Discovered in 1969, production at kuparuk began in 1981, increasing to a record rate of 322,000 barrels per day in 1992.
Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Braidplain and deltaic reservoir, prudhoe bay field, alaska. Part of the casebooks in earth sciences book series casebooks. Home catalog lexicon mapview new mapping standards comments.
State approves royalty cut for north slope oil field. National assessment of oil and gas fact sheet natural. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The kuparuk river oil field is located on the alaskan arctic north slope in the colvilleprudhoe trough ca.
Two major curved northsouth trending faults divide the field into three provinces. The varied disciplines of geology explore the history of the earth itself in hopes of understanding in greater detail where oil comes from and where more oil might be found, as well as the best ways to retrieve oil and utilize it once it has been retrieved. Glacial geology of the toolik lake and upper kuparuk river. This formation is generally divided into two members. Kuparuk river is a giant oil field located on the colville high, west of prudhoe bay field, on the north slope of alaska.
It is the smallest oil field for which commer cial production on the north slope has been attempted. Kuparuk reached a milestone in july 2005 when cumulative production. Kuparuk reached a milestone in july 2005 when cumulative. It also gives practical guidelines as to how a production geologist can analyze the reservoir geology and fluid flow characteristics of an oil field with the aim of improving hydrocarbon recovery.
Heavy oil is a large alaskan resource shares footprint with north slope light oil field developments comparable to light oil in total oil in place heavy oil reservoirs are challenging to produce on the north slope schrader west sak production required new technologies over the past 25 years. American association of petroleum geologists atlas of oil and gas fields, american association of petroleum geologists treatise of petroleum geology. The prudhoe bay field, located on the north slope of alaska, is the largest oil and gas field in north america. Jepsen said nuna will be part of the kuparuk river unit and its oil will be processed through kuparuk facilities. Geology and regional setting of kuparuk oil field, alaska. The oil and gas industry uses many jargons, acronyms and abbreviations. Map published by the american association of petroleum geologists. Schematic cross section through the prudhoe bay and kuparuk river oil fields illustrating possible gas migration pathways fault zones and their spatial. The scope of work for this project required the acquisition of soil and groundwater samples in point hope, ak. The main permotriassic reservoir is a thick deltaic highquality sandstone deposit about 500 ft thick with porosities of 15 to 30% bv and permeabilities ranging from 50 to 3,000 md. It explains the background to production geology in the context of oil field subsurface operations. Geology and petroleum american association of petroleum.