RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE JOHNSON ZONE WITHIN THE CHEROKEE GROUP: HUBERT FIELD COMPLEX, LOGAN COUNTY, KANSAS

This study is a focused petroleum system analysis and reservoir characterization of the Johnson Zone, a member of the Cherokee Group. The Hubert Field in Logan County in west central Kansas has been a prolific producer from the Johnson Zone and is the focal point of this study. As oil exploration continues to spread farther into western Kansas, the Johnson Zone has increased in value as an economic target. Previously, unimpressive log signatures of the Johnson Zone caused operators to neglect its potential for exploitation which resulted in a missed pay zone; however, this zone is intriguing because it produces better than well data and drill stem tests suggest. Further analysis is necessary to fully understand its producing nature. Published literature regarding the Cherokee Group in Kansas is acceptable but scarce concerning Cherokee limestone facies and nearly nonexistent concerning the Johnson Zone. Thorough analysis of the Hubert Field will yield key petroleum system characteristics. Thin section analyses and subsurface modeling via well data will assist analytical value of the Johnson Zone in the Hubert Field. The conclusion of this study should produce information leading to increased future exploration for the Johnson Zone and could lead to other overlooked horizons stratigraphically equivalent to the Johnson Zone with extrapolative similar productive characteristics.