The Vaca Muerta Formation has been extensively studied as an unconventional play and is currently in a development stage at the center of the Neuquén basin. However, some areas of the basin remain unexplored due to different kinds of geological risks. This contribution centers on the southern part of Mendoza Province and shows the studies carried out to evaluate the source rock as a potential shale reservoir and mitigate uncertainties associated with these risks.
Structural and isopach maps were made using 2D and 3D seismic data. Petrophysical evaluation based on nearby well logs identified interesting intervals. Geochemical data collection yielded encouraging results for this source rock, including rich organic content (>2% TOC) and thermal maturity values showing early to mature oil generation window. Additionally, a geomechanical model was made and recalibrated using a DFIT from a close-by well.
As a result of all these studies, some exploratory proposals were defined to assess the Vaca Muerta Formation's potential as an unconventional play in a frontier area. In 2023, a vertical pilot and two horizontal wells were drilled, validating the expected parameters and even exceeding them. Regional interpretation carried out gave rise to the extension of the potential exploration borders of Vaca Muerta Formation, revaluing a large area on the northern margin of the Colorado River.
This study focuses on evaluating the potential of the Vaca Muerta Formation as an unconventional shale oil play. The aim was to expand the exploratory boundaries for this unit towards the southern region of Mendoza Province.
Vaca Muerta Formation (Weaver, 1931, emend. Leanza 1972) serves as the primary source rock in Neuquén Basin. It is characterized by its extensive areal distribution and represents the distal facies of a series of carbonate and/or mixed systems that were established in the basin between the early Tithonian and early Valanginian stages (Legarreta and Uliana, 1991; Legarreta et al., 1993). This unit ranks among the world's largest sources of unconventional hydrocarbons, ranking Argentina as the second-largest global resource holder for unconventional gas and fourth-largest for unconventional oil (EIA, 2013).
