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Line 31: − [[file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure1.jpg|center|framed|300 px|{{Figure number|1}}Structure contour map of Denver Basin showing location of Wattenberg Field along the basin axis northeast of Denver. Stratigraphic column of producing horizons in Wattenberg also illustrated along with approximate drilling depths. SR = source rock.]]+ − + − [[file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure2.jpg|center|framed|300 px|{{Figure number|2}}Production map for Wattenberg Field with various producing horizons color coded. Modified from Ladd<ref name=Ladd>Ladd, J. H., 2001, An overview and development history of the Wattenberg field, <i>in</i> D. Anderson, ed., Gas in the Rockies: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Denver, Colorado, p. 29–42.</ref>; unpublished map created by John Wright and Robert Weimer. Note the original boundary of the field compared to current producing areas.]]+ − + − [[file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|center|framed|300 px|{{Figure number|3}}(A) Production curve for Wattenberg Field area (includes Spindle, Hambert, Aristocrat, LaPoudre fields). The field was discovered in 1970. Horizontal drilling commenced in 2010. The addition of new horizons contributes to field growth. (B) Production curve for horizontal wells for Wattenberg Field. Modern horizontal drilling with multistage completions started in 2010. This production is included in [[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|Figure 3A]]. The new drilling and completion technologies contribute to field growth.]]+
→Introduction
Wattenberg Field is a supergiant oil and gas field located in the synclinal part of the Denver Basin ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure1.jpg|Figure 1]]). The field was discovered by Amoco Production Company in 1970 with completions in the Lower Cretaceous Muddy (J) Sandstone. Initial reserves for the Muddy (J) Sandstone were estimated to be 1.1 TCFG<ref name= Matuszczak>Matuszczak, R. A., 1973, Wattenberg Field, Denver Basin, Colorado: The Mountain Geologist, v. 10, no. 3, p. 99–105. </ref>. After the Muddy (J) development commenced, additional pays were discovered in the Terry and Hygiene sandstones (1972), Codell Sandstone (1981), Niobrara Formation (1984), and Dakota Lytle Formation (1998). Each of these formations contributes to field growth for the field ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure2.jpg|Figure 2]]). Also occurring was infill drilling activities and commingling rule changes that encouraged additional completions. Starting in 2010, the field started seeing horizontal drilling in the Codell and Niobrara, which has dramatically increased production ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|Figure 3A, B]]).
Wattenberg Field is a supergiant oil and gas field located in the synclinal part of the Denver Basin ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure1.jpg|Figure 1]]). The field was discovered by Amoco Production Company in 1970 with completions in the Lower Cretaceous Muddy (J) Sandstone. Initial reserves for the Muddy (J) Sandstone were estimated to be 1.1 TCFG<ref name= Matuszczak>Matuszczak, R. A., 1973, Wattenberg Field, Denver Basin, Colorado: The Mountain Geologist, v. 10, no. 3, p. 99–105. </ref>. After the Muddy (J) development commenced, additional pays were discovered in the Terry and Hygiene sandstones (1972), Codell Sandstone (1981), Niobrara Formation (1984), and Dakota Lytle Formation (1998). Each of these formations contributes to field growth for the field ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure2.jpg|Figure 2]]). Also occurring was infill drilling activities and commingling rule changes that encouraged additional completions. Starting in 2010, the field started seeing horizontal drilling in the Codell and Niobrara, which has dramatically increased production ([[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|Figure 3A, B]]).
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px widths=200px>
file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure1.jpg|{{Figure number|1}}Structure contour map of Denver Basin showing location of Wattenberg Field along the basin axis northeast of Denver. Stratigraphic column of producing horizons in Wattenberg also illustrated along with approximate drilling depths. SR = source rock.
file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure2.jpg|{{Figure number|2}}Production map for Wattenberg Field with various producing horizons color coded. Modified from Ladd<ref name=Ladd>Ladd, J. H., 2001, An overview and development history of the Wattenberg field, <i>in</i> D. Anderson, ed., Gas in the Rockies: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Denver, Colorado, p. 29–42.</ref>; unpublished map created by John Wright and Robert Weimer. Note the original boundary of the field compared to current producing areas.
file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|{{Figure number|3}}(A) Production curve for Wattenberg Field area (includes Spindle, Hambert, Aristocrat, LaPoudre fields). The field was discovered in 1970. Horizontal drilling commenced in 2010. The addition of new horizons contributes to field growth. (B) Production curve for horizontal wells for Wattenberg Field. Modern horizontal drilling with multistage completions started in 2010. This production is included in [[:file:M125-WattenbergField-Figure3.jpg|Figure 3A]]. The new drilling and completion technologies contribute to field growth.
</gallery>
The greater Wattenberg area (GWA) covers approximately 2600 mi<sup>2</sup>. Production occurs from approximately 4000 to 8500 ft across the field. Cumulative production from the field is currently 1060 MMBO and 9.4 TCFG from more than 40,000 wells. Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) is 1100 MMBO and 9.7 TCFG. The field is currently at peak production because of recent horizontal drilling activity in the Codell and Niobrara. The field growth observed in the field greatly exceeds original estimates of gas in place. The addition of multiple productive horizons in the field area has significantly added to the total reserve number. Other critical factors contributing to field growth are step out and infill drilling, technology advances (drilling, stimulation, and completion), horizontal drilling, and recompletions through time. The operators in the field have also changed through time, which probably also contributed to field growth by bringing in new ideas for production enhancements. The field is ranked by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) based on reserves as the fourth largest oil field and the ninth largest gas field in the United States<ref> EIA, 2015, Top 100 US oil and gas fields: US Energy Information Administration, accessed February 3, 2021, www.eia.gov.</ref>. The field is the largest field in Colorado based on cumulative production.
The greater Wattenberg area (GWA) covers approximately 2600 mi<sup>2</sup>. Production occurs from approximately 4000 to 8500 ft across the field. Cumulative production from the field is currently 1060 MMBO and 9.4 TCFG from more than 40,000 wells. Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) is 1100 MMBO and 9.7 TCFG. The field is currently at peak production because of recent horizontal drilling activity in the Codell and Niobrara. The field growth observed in the field greatly exceeds original estimates of gas in place. The addition of multiple productive horizons in the field area has significantly added to the total reserve number. Other critical factors contributing to field growth are step out and infill drilling, technology advances (drilling, stimulation, and completion), horizontal drilling, and recompletions through time. The operators in the field have also changed through time, which probably also contributed to field growth by bringing in new ideas for production enhancements. The field is ranked by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) based on reserves as the fourth largest oil field and the ninth largest gas field in the United States<ref> EIA, 2015, Top 100 US oil and gas fields: US Energy Information Administration, accessed February 3, 2021, www.eia.gov.</ref>. The field is the largest field in Colorado based on cumulative production.