The NIPER Reservoir Assessment and Characterization Research Program incorporates elements of the near-term, mid-term and long-term objectives of the National Energy Strategy-Advanced Oil Recovery Program. The interdisciplinary NIPER team focuses on barrier island reservoirs, a high priority class of reservoirs, that contains large amounts of remaining oil in place located in mature fields with a high number of shut-in and abandoned wells. The project objectives are to: (1) identify heterogeneities that influence the movement and trapping of reservoir fluids in two examples of shoreline barrier reservoirs (Patrick Draw Field, WY and Bell Creek Field, MT); (2) develop geological and engineering reservoir characterization methods to quantify reservoir architecture and predict mobile oil saturation distribution for application of targeted infill drilling and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes; and (3) summarize reservoir and production characteristics of shoreline barrier reservoirs to determine similarities and differences. The major findings of the research include: (1) hydrogeochemical analytical techniques were demonstrated to be an inexpensive reservoir characterization tool that provides information on reservoir architecture and compartmentalization; (2) the formation water salinity in Patrick Draw Field varies widely across the field and can result in a 5 to 12% error in saturation values calculated from wireline logs if …

Second volume of a report documenting a high-sensitivity airborne radiometric and magnetic survey of the Ogden and Salt Lake City quadrangles including results of data interpretation, significance factor profile maps, stacked profiles, and histograms.

Surface remediation was completed at the former uranium mill site in Riverton, Wyoming, in 1990. Residual radioactive materials (contaminated soil and debris) were removed and disposed of at Union Carbide Corporation`s (Umetco) nearby Gas Hills Title 2 facility. Ground water in the surficial and semiconfined aquifers (known collectively as the `uppermost aquifer`) below the former mill and tailings site has been contaminated. No contamination has been detected in the deeper, confined sandstone aquifer. The contaminant plume extends off site to the south and east. The plume is constrained by surface wetlands and small streams to the east and west of the site and by the Little Wind River to the south. Fifteen monitor wells installed in 1993 were sampled to better define the contaminant plume and to provide additional water quality data for the baseline risk assessment. Samples also were collected from domestic wells in response to a request by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in January 1994. No contamination attributable to the former uranium milling operations have ever been detected in any of the domestic wells used for potable supplies.

Surface remedial action is complete at the Spook Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project site in Wyoming. Based on an evaluation of site characterization data, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, US Department of Energy, and state of Wyoming have concurred in the determination that a program to monitor ground water is not required because ground water in the uppermost aquifer is Class 3 (limited use) (40 CFR 192.21(g)(1993)).

From introduction: The Geology Department of the University of Wyoming was asked to make a geostatistical assessment of the uranium endowment of these deposits as a part of the World Class core drilling operations of the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation. This study was to include (a) the development of optimum geostatistical methodology for assessing uranium endowment in areas of close drill control (1 mile or less centers) as well as in areas of distant drill control (5 mile centers or more), (.b) the implementation of this methodology in assessing the uranium resources of the pebble conglomerates in southeastern Wyoming, and (c) the determination of the overall geostatistical uncertainty of the resource estimates. In addition, methods were to be studied for projecting the assessments into new areas, including prediction of estimate uncertainty.

A report discussing data collected during a geochemical survey for uranium in the southern Powder River Basin

The following report gives detailed results of the geochemical survey taken on the eastern flank of the Laramie Range and the northwestern edge of the Denver Basin in southeastern Wyoming. Field and laboratory data are presented for 163 groundwater and 800 stream sediment samples, and field radiometric data are presented for 103 rock samples.

Anomalously pressured gas (APG) assets, typically called ''basin-center'' gas accumulations, represent either an underdeveloped or undeveloped energy resource in the Rocky Mountain Laramide Basins (RMLB). Historically, the exploitation of these gas resources has proven to be very difficult and costly. In this topical report, an improved exploration strategy is outlined in conjunction with a more detailed description of new diagnostic techniques that more efficiently detect anomalously pressured, gas-charged domains. The ability to delineate gas-charged domains occurring below a regional velocity inversion surface allows operators to significantly reduce risk in the search for APG resources. The Wind River Basin was chosen for this demonstration because of the convergence of public data availability (i.e., thousands of mud logs and DSTs and 2400 mi of 2-D seismic lines); the evolution of new diagnostic techniques; a 175 digital sonic log suite; a regional stratigraphic framework; and corporate interest. In the exploration scheme discussed in this topical report, the basinwide gas distribution is determined in the following steps: (1) A detailed velocity model is established from sonic logs, 2-D seismic lines, and, if available, 3-D seismic data. In constructing the seismic interval velocity field, automatic picking technology using continuous, statistically-derived interval velocity selection, as well …

From abstract: Field work leading to this report was done by the U. S. Geological Survey for the Division of Raw Materials of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Nearly 24 townships were mapped in the central part of the Great Divide Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, Fourteen of these townships contain outcrops of uranium-bearing coal. Thirty coal beds were mapped, but only seven of them have uranium-bearing coal reserves as defined in this report.

"This report summarizes published geotechnical properties of raw and retorted oil shales from the Green River Formation. Basic physical properties including gradation, specific gravity and Atterberg limits and engineering properties including compaction, permeability, settlement, soundness, and strength are summarized and discussed. Where appropriate, conclusions are drawn about the suitability of retorted oil shales as a geotechnical construction material. Appendix A discusses three retorting processes used to extract oil from oil shale" (abstract, para. 2-3).

Report discussing the U.S. Geological Survey's investigation for uraniferous coal in the central region of the Great Divide Basin of Sweetwater County, Wyoming.

The following report provides information that follows investigations of radioactivity in certain rocks found in Wyoming and South Dakota during the summer of 1945. Uranium is the principal element in this report with thorium as secondary.

Abstract: Preliminary reconnaissance for uranium in the Green River Basin and the Rock Springs Uplift revealed anomalous radioactivity northwest of Oregon Buttes in the Tipton tongue of the Green River formation and in the Cathedral Bluffs tongue of the Wasatch formation, and in the Tipton tongue in Red Creek Basin.

From introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of some effects of an abandoned surface coal mine on the hydrologic environment. Specific objectives were (1) to define areas of erosion and deposition; (2) to determine if the sediment yield from an undisturbed drainage basin was less than that from a drainage basin partly disturbed by mining activity; and (3) to determine if there were differences in chemical composition of hillslope materials, sediment, and pond water in the two basins.

A report regarding uranium-bearing coal in the Red Desert, Great Divide Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

A report summarizing the geology of Crooks Gap, Fremont County, Wyoming, as related to Uranium Resources

A study of the uranium deposits of the Hulett Creek area and T L Creek quadrangle was part of a regional project by the resource Division of the Atomic Energy