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Resource Abstract

Fluid Fingerprinting in Reservoirs and Source Rocks Collected At the Study Well, Williston Basin, North Dakota

Date Published: 6/9/2023
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Resource Abstract

This report summarizes the EERC’s pilot work to develop and test fingerprinting techniques for produced fluids (water and oil) and rock extracts acquired from the Bakken Petroleum System. In this context, “fingerprinting techniques” refer to one or more processes of quantifying unique chemical patterns in fluid samples and rock extracts that can confidently distinguish one source of water or hydrocarbon from another source. These fingerprinting methods may be used to correlate observed chemical compositions in produced fluids with specific lithofacies and may, therefore, be used to optimize unconventional production and improve oil recovery. Specific applications for fingerprinting techniques include 1) evaluating reservoir continuity/compartmentalization, 2) understanding reservoir drainage volume, 3) evaluating reservoir communication and mixing of fluids, 4) monitoring production and compositional changes in produced fluids, and 5) understanding hydrocarbon charge from the source rocks.

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