RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS AND PETROLEUM POTENTIAL OF THE BAKKEN FORMATION, SOUTHWESTERN MANITOBA

The Bakken Formation lies between the Upper Devonian Three Forks (Lyle ton) Formation and the Mississippian Lodgepole Formation. The producti ve Middle Member of the Bakken Formation is a very fine- to fine-grain ed argillaceous, dolomitic sandstone to siltstone. This paper outlines the geological setting in southwestern Manitoba and presents the gene ral stratigraphy and lithology of the Bakken Formation. Conventional l og analysis techniques result in erroneous calculations of porosity an d water saturation for the lithologically complex Middle Member. This paper illustrates the log analysis techniques developed to determine a ccurate porosity and water saturation for the Bakken Middle Member. Re servoir properties and production performance under both primary and s econdary recovery for Bakken pools in Manitoba is also presented. Low drilling and completion costs; the province's drilling incentive progr am; high quality oil (over 40 degrees API); and, original oil-in-place per pool of 500 x 10(3)m(3), make the Bakken an attractive exploratio n target in Manitoba. Bakken exploration and development prospects are discussed, including a brief overview of Bakken source rock sand migr ation pathways and sample development drilling economics.