Using seismic velocity to derisk oil exploration
In a recent GEO EXPRO article, we developed a field-based approach to identify natural gas prospects directly from seismic surveys. The gas fields are straight up. If the p-wave velocities…
Geology & Geophysics
How careful core description and detailed biostratigraphic analysis can delineate sub-seismic reservoir zones in a highly mud-prone system
This study was undertaken by PetroStrat in collaboration with Stratum AS (QEMSCAN), Barnwell Parker Geoscience Limited (seismic interpretation) and HM Research Associates (heavy mineral provenance analysis). Together, we have completed…
Shallow clastic targets and electro-magnetic surveys – a good match
“The most interesting test for our technology is the upcoming drilling campaign near the Wisting discovery in the Barents Sea”, said Martin Hansen, Daniel Baltar and Friedrich Roth from EMGS…
The forgotten value of (seismic) tapes
“I’m probably the only tape machine specialist left in northwest Europe”, says Egil Simones from ET Works when we meet at the EAGE Conference in Oslo this week. Egil is…
Heat flow as a basin model calibration? Not really
Many exploration geologists who work in data-lean basins or who do not have access to well data turn to published heat flow data as a calibration for basin models. More…
A geomechanics approach for natural fracture prediction
Natural fractures can provide the essential permeability in hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs. However, they exist in the sub-seismic domain and although they can be detected by well logs and cores,…
How to explain these rates?
The Jurassic Vaca Muerta unit is a treasure trove with an estimated potential of 308 TCF of gas and 16.2 billion barrels of oil. While there are various types of…
Riedel shears, my favorite kinematic indicator
Riedel shears are commonly the first set of subsidiary faults we see prior to the breakthrough of a master fault. They form systematically at an acute angle (~10-20°) to the…
Should you rely on geothermal gradients?
When I start a new project, I commonly get this question: “What is the geothermal gradient in this area?” The question stems from an underlying assumption that the gradient provides…
Permeability multipliers: allies or foes?
3D reservoir modelling is built on 2 pillars: the static and dynamic reservoir models. The static model quantifies the architecture of the reservoir and the volume in place at initial…
Geomodelling for CCS, a bridge too far?
Traditionally, geomodels are built in a simplistic fashion, taking into account the inherent degree of uncertainty in the input data. Attempting to accurately depict an unseen geological object, often multiple…
“We should have looked at that regional seismic line with more care before signing off on a plan for drilling”
We, geologists, have the primacy of observation of rocks dinned into us during our earliest work in the field, with that message then reinforced by later events in our lives.…