The Fusselman-Devonian study of the Midland Basin is designed to enhance both exploration and development efforts that are directed at the prolific hydrocarbon reserves in the Fusselman and overlying Siluro-Devonian reservoirs. Most of the early exploration and development for these reservoirs occurred along the Fusselman truncation edge and on large seismically defined structures in the deeper portions of the Midland Basin. Recent activity has concentrated on smaller scale structural anomalies downdip from the Fusselman pinchout using 3-D seismic. All these "structural" reservoirs show a strong stratigraphic control on reservoir development and distribution. GDI has created an extensive correlation framework that documents detailed depositional and unconformity-related thickness variations in ten stratigraphic intervals. The mapping of these intervals is essential in the exploration for Fusselman/Devonian-age reservoirs.

     The Fusselman/Devonian study represents several man-years of geologic research which affords explorationists significant time savings in assimilating data and developing exploration strategies. The study area covers a six-county area including Dawson, Borden, Martin, Howard, Midland, and Glasscock counties in Texas.

     Correlations of 1,317 wells were made by defining 11 regional markers from the Silurian and Devonian of the Midland Basin. This geodigital framework provides clients with a valuable resource for interpreting the complex factors affecting reservoir quality. Descriptions of more than 3200 feet of section from 52 cores, petrographic examination of more than 300 thinsections, and log analyses of over 200 wells were incorporated in this regional synthesis.

     Fusselman/Devonian depositional models and lithofacies reservoir potential are determined through the integration of core, thinsection, log analyses, and engineering data. Six representative field studies are incorporated with a focus on Fusselman reservoir characteristics, trap types, and deliverability.

     The study components include an extensive summary text and figures, maps and cross sections, a volume containing core and thinsection descriptions integrated with core-to-log comparisons, and stratigraphic data appendices. Also included as part of the study is an executive summary and interpretive atlas. These components provide the client with a presentation format that is concise and readily useable.