Detailed characterization of the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity (K) by direct measurement is usually impractical. A viable alternative is to use geologic information and geostatistics to characterize interconnectedness of critical K facies that have a dominant influence on fluid flow. Conditional simulation is introduced herein as a method for estimating aquifer interconnectedness.

In the western Delaware Basin and southern Central Basin Platform of Trans-Pecos Texas, Upper Permian (Ochoan) evaporite strata host locally voluminous but notoriously unpredictable, sporadic deposits of biogenic native sulfur. The two sulfur-bearing regions, the Rustler Springs (Culberson and Reeves Counties) and Fort Stockton (Pecos County) sulfur districts, encompass about 2,000 State-owned tracts that are widely distributed throughout the two districts.