Low-frequency Seismic Noise: The Music of Oil?
Passive low-frequency seismic is an area of active research and development, and is rapidly being taken up as a new direct hydrocarbon indicator (DHI) technique for exploration. The interest in…
Technology
Salt: Deformation, Trapping and Complexities
Salt structures come in every possible shape and stretch our imagination. This means difficulties in seismic imaging, but it also means that the innovative explorationist can look for spectacular traps.…
Incorporating Geophysics into Geologic Models
New approach makes geophysical results available to engineers in a form they can use. History matching, volumetric calculations and reserve estimates may all be improved. Most oil and gas exploration…
The Dawning of Two Continents
Rifting caused the breakup of Western Gondwana into two separate continents and is responsible for the key elements of a mega petroleum system that is now being fully exploited. There…
Seismic Imaging Technology Part II
Seismic imaging is considered key to reducing risk and cost in exploratory as well as development drilling. Seismic acquisition geometry impacts the seismic image, so in this article we show…
A New Concept in Seismic Exploration
Polarcus is a new seismic company with an unusual agenda – to pioneer the acquisition of high quality towed streamer seismic data while causing minimal impact on the environment. “Our…
Visualizing Thin Sands by Advanced Seismic Interpretation
Conventional amplitude seismic interpretation may not delineate thin sands. However, through the use of horizon attributes, various seismic attributes, and the spectral decomposition of the seismic volume, it is possible…
Salt’s Effects on Petroleum Systems
Understanding the deposition of evaporites and how the subsequent deformation history can influence salt basin petroleum systems is crucial for successful resource exploration. Many of the most prolific and prospective…
Geohazard Surveying Comes of Age
Risks to hydrocarbon exploration and production as a result of geohazards on and below the seafloor can be reduced through the application of modern methods of high resolution surveying. Geohazard…
Seismic Imaging Technology Part I: Acquisition
Seismic imaging is considered key to reduce risk and cost in exploratory as well as development drilling. Although we have recently seen important advances, the authors claim that a step…
Seismic Imaging Technology Part IV
Over the last decade we have experienced several step-changes in marine seismic acquisition technologies. Because acquisition and seismic imaging are inextricably linked, these changes have impacted positively on the seismic…
Improving Wellbore Stability
Natural fractures in rocks cause drilling mud losses and wellbore stability problems. A recently developed “double porosity model” can make drilling safer and less expensive. Fractures occur naturally in the…