Illuminating Resolution
The latest developments in high-tech seismic vessels and ‘mega’ channel counts both on and offshore have driven a revolution in seismic data acquisition. From the Archive ‘Cover Story’. To subscribe…
Technology
Finding sweet-spots and quantifying recovery potential in unconventional plays
Using the Montney Play as an example of how a Common Risk Segment Mapping approach can be applied to quantifying Estimated Ultimate Recovery in pervasive hydrocarbon systems. When liquids-rich parts…
Ideas and Innovation
“We usually find oil in a new place with old ideas. Sometimes, we find oil in an old place with a new idea, but we seldom find much oil in an…
Shale Gas in South Africa
‘South Africa’ and ‘energy giant’ are words infrequently strung together, as the country has almost no conventional onshore or offshore hydrocarbons of note. However, over the past couple of years…
Geophysics: A Simple Guide to Volumetrics
A Simple Guide to Volumetrics We start this article with an example that many geoscientists may find uncomfortable, if not downright contentious. A top structure depth map from a depth…
Gas Hydrates – Part VIII
Hydrates in Outer Space (1) Today found widespread on Earth wherever stability conditions are met and an ample supply of natural gas is present, methane hydrate was originally thought to…
Novel digital platforms: OneGeology and OpenGeosci
OneGeology In March 2007, over 80 scientists from 43 countries gathered in Brighton, UK, to discuss the proposition of creating an online geological map of the world for the benefit of students, teachers,…
Gas Hydrates – Part VI
Hydrates in the Arctic (I) ‘You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re finished, you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about…
Three Disappointments in the Barents Sea
None of Statoil’s three wells in the Barents Sea in 2014 were associated with EM anomalies of any significance. It is therefore not surprising that not one of them proved…
Resolving Uncertainty: The Importance of Mud Logging
Mud logging is vital for rig safety and gives the first indication of the potential success of a well, but its role is not well known or understood, especially by…
Puzzling Salt Structures
Detailed salt modeling has unraveled the development of a mystifying collection of structures that are a key element in the eastern Gulf of Mexico petroleum system. Seismic mapping near recent…
Petrophysics in high angle and horizontal wells
Increasing numbers of wells are drilled horizontally or at high angles for a number of reasons – to improve reservoir exposure, avoid or target particular features, and in relief-well scenarios.…