Hi Sharpeye,
Thanks for sharing. And yep, you called me out; I really like the “boring geology stuff” and by getting the geological model correct, hopefully translates into commercial discoveries. Apologies for all the geology below, but I may as well share this bit of research on OEL’s western blocks with other posters, if they have a similar geological bent to me. While I was undertaking this research, I came across the Priobskoye Field in Russia, that is potentially a producing analogue for the Alaskan Nanushuk topset and Torok turbidite plays.
Below are some excerpts, as I’m personally trying to come to grips with the geological chance of success (GCOS 25-30%) placed on the western block prospect by Otto. It includes pictures of possible oil source rocks and migration pathways.
The Priobskoye Field (discovered 1980) is one of the largest stratigraphic traps in the world, covering over 5400 km2 and with a recoverable resource of 5.86 Billion Barrels Oil and 1.17 Trillion Cubic Feet of gas. The trap is a complex series of fine-grained, highly heterogeneous reservoirs varying from basin-floor fans (e.g. Torok turbidites Alaska) to slope channels and shallow-water deltas (e.g. Nanushuk topset sands Alaska). The traps are within an overall progradational ‘clinoform’ complex, with regional seals created where shoreface ravinement of the delta top sets has removed the reservoir facies landward and placed marine shales over prodelta shales and siltstones. Additional pure stratigraphic traps occur within a multitude of turbidite fans and slope channels in the ‘Achimov’ Formation. The best reservoirs are the deltaic shore face and delta-front topset sandstones. Locally, ‘massive’ deep-water sandstones and bioturbated shoreface sandstones form effective reservoirs. 3D seismic facies analysis clearly delineates many of these productive trends and can be used to high-grade ‘sweet’ spots of better reservoir-quality rock in the complex (e.g. OEL’s seismic amplitude mapping). Recognition of these better reservoir fairways can be used to enhance production with additional infill drilling and perhaps even horizontal well placement. The Priobskoye Field is a considered a good analogue for similar combination and stratigraphically trapped reservoirs in deltaic successions.
Below are some diagrams from Priobskoye and our Alaskan Nanuskuk, Torok play in OEL’s western blocks.
Size comparison of Priobskoye (outline in red) superimposed onto the Alaskan Nanushuk Formation play.
View attachment 1235193
Priobskoye seismic lines for comparison with Alaskan seismic lines - note similarities
View attachment 1235196
Model of the Priobskoye petroleum system
View attachment 1235199
Alaskan seismic line: Note similarities between clinoforms, topset sands and location of source rock with the Priobskoye petroleum system modelled above.
View attachment 1235202
Seismic line through Stony Hill oil discovery, clinoforms, possible oil migration pathway and location of source rock(HRZ)
View attachment 1235205
Approximate position of the OEL western blocks relative to Horseshoe oil topset discovery and Meltwater 2A oil well (turbidite reservoir)
View attachment 1235208
Wireline logs, lithology and oil shows in the Nanushuk Formation from the Itkillit River Unit#1 well drilled in OEL's Western Blocks.
View attachment 1235211
View attachment 1235226
Going to take a look now at some of the Hillcorp drill locations starting with BigTex. Very exciting times ahead for OEL and shareholders.
Kind regards Oldgeo.
(20min delay)