Mowry Project Phases
Phase I
Seed Funding
$500k, year 1
- Define research gaps
- Develop University of Wyoming faculty cohort
- Create a workforce of graduate students
- Gather a technical advisory board from industry partners
Phase II
Feasibility
$2.5M, year 2- 3
- Initiate field work and sample collection
- Design and conduct experiments, numerical simulations, proxy models, field test designs
Phase III
Industry
Crosswalk
$5M, year 4-5
- Graduate and place first round of students
- Start pilot testing
- Initiate experimental validation
Phase IV
Field
Deployment
Year 5+
- Continue field trials and demonstration(s)
Wyoming-Centered Research
SER has assembled a multidisciplinary team from the University of Wyoming dedicated to Mowry research, industry collaboration, and training students. With a mission focused on driving energy-related economic development within the state, SER aims to diminish uncertainties and enhance the productivity of the Mowry Petroleum System to bolster statewide production.
Wyoming boasts an annual production of approximately 80 million barrels of crude oil and nearly 1.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2009, the United States Geological Survey estimated that the untapped Mowry Petroleum System holds resources ranging from 116 to 307 million barrels of oil and gas, creating the potential for substantial economic growth for Wyoming. Benefits Wyoming-Centered Research
Despite its potential, the Mowry Petroleum System has not been a primary focus of unconventional oil and gas exploration due to its complex geochemical and geomechanical nature. Challenges complicating recovery efforts include hydraulic fracture failures, low energy drives, varying oil and water saturations, and
many more. With funding from the Wyoming Energy Authority and Wyoming Legislature, the School of Energy Resources is investigating innovative solutions to these challenges.
Resources and Challenges
In 2022, SER initiated a call for proposals for exploring the formation. Seven research projects secured seed funding during Phase I of the project. Phase II saw the integration of select Phase I projects, expanding the scope of research. This research introduced new initiatives delving into previously unexplored areas associated with the Mowry and enriching the ongoing e orts to tap into its potential.
Projects
Thirteen proposals from University of Wyoming faculty and researchers have been selected by UW’s School of Energy Resources for funding under Phase II of the Mowry project.
Challenges Ahead
- Understanding the complex geology
- Characterizing the play
- Identifying economic and policy drivers
- Finding the ideal location for extraction
Read about our accomplishes to date in addressing these challenges.
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Research Team
The research team is comprised of talented research staff, faculty, and graduate students across multiple departments at the University of Wyoming. The multidisciplinary approach of the Mowry project will address some of the challenges posed by the formation.
Collaboration Opportunities
These research initiatives are redefining the opportunity to develop the Mowry Shale in the Powder River Basin. Value will be added with industry involvement. We have identitied four key collaborative opportunities. Contact us to find out how you can participate!
