Speaker: James Bedford – Mantle Power, LLC
Title: New Insights into the Montana Bakken Can Lead to Higher Production
Location: Chesapeake Energy
Dates: February 15, 2023
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Cost: $30 Members $35 Non-members (lunch included)

Author BIO: Mr. Bedford is the CEO of Mantle Power Co., LLC and is working on enhancing oil and gas production while linking in geothermal electrical production. Previously, he has been a consultant specializing in Basin Analysis and Enhanced Oil Recovery. His experience includes working for OOGC (CNOOC) as Rocky Mountain manager and Senior Eagleford geologic advisor. Prior he worked for Chesapeake as a senior East Texas geologist then moving into New Ventures as a Basin Analyst for the Haynesville, Bossier, Eagleford, Marcellus, Rhinestreet, and Bakken hybrid shale plays and the conventional Mississippian play in the Midland Basin. Concurrently, he was geologic lead for 27 Permian waterfloods.  His experience includes geology, geophysics, gravity magnetics, and  oil migration. 

Presentation Abstract:  The Bakken reservoir in Montana has distinctive production characteristics. Current production recoveries range from 8 – 12% of the OOIP. In Elm Coulee Field, attempts have been made to evaluate the possibility of waterflooding the Bakken reservoir with little success.  Production to the north of Elm Coulee Field is distinctly different, recovering a mixture of oil and formation water, 35% oil and 65% water.  In both areas, the weak solution gas drive limits production as the bubble point moves from the wellbore into the formation diminishing the ability to lift oil to the pump.  The expanded gas then bubbles through the standing oil in the wellbore. Understanding the production mechanics can lead to higher production in new drill wells and enhanced recovery in existing wells. This can be achieved using different twists on existing waterflood techniques.