Issue 1

Vol. 15

This edition of GEO ExPro focuses on the Middle East, Land Seismic and Carbon Capture and Storage.

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Columns

5 Editorial

6 Regional Update

8 Licensing Update

10 A Minute to Read

38 GEO Science Explained: Ichnofabrics – An Invaluable Tool

46 GEO Profile: Donald Rusk – Adventures in Exploration

56 Industry Issues: Can Oil and Gas Save CCS in Europe?

64 GEO Media: An Enjoyable Textbook

66 Exploration Update

70 Global Resource Management: Where to Invest!

Features

14 Cover Story: GEO Tourism – The Grand Canyon of the Middle East

20 GEO Physics: Passive Seismic – Thinking Differently

24 Industry Issues: CCS – Clean Growth, EOR and Sushi!

28 Seismic Foldout: Norwegian Barents Sea – The Norsel High

34 Giant Fields: Rumaila–West Qurna – A Unique Supergiant Field

42 Recent Advances in Technology: Introduction to Deep Learning III

50 Seismic Foldout: Deepwater West African 3D Seismic

60 History of Oil: Max Steineke and the Structure Drill

68 Q&A: Land-Based Seismic – Looking Ahead

Articles

Ichnofabrics: An Invaluable Tool for Sedimentary Geologists

Trace fossils and ichnofacies can compensate for a lack of preserved sedimentary structures in core and outcrop studies. Modern Advanced Sedimentological Core and Outcrop Studies Bioturbation of sediments is synonymous Read More

The adventures of Donald Rusk

It is probably easier to ask Don Rusk where in the world he hasn’t looked for hydrocarbons than to ask him to list all the countries he has worked in Read More

Deepwater West African 3D Seismic

Exploring Equatorial Guinea’s distal hydrocarbon systems New 3D surveys, covering over 8,400 km2, have identified a large number of new hydrocarbon prospects in Equatorial Guinea. Several licences have recently been Read More

Growth and Future of CCS in Europe

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can be used to reduce emissions, but can oil and gas save the future of CCS in Europe? Overview of geological storage options for CO2. Read More

The First Discoveries of Oil in Saudi Arabia

In the 1930s, Chief geologist at Casoc and Aramco expat, Max Steineke revolutionised hydrocarbon exploration in the Middle East using structure drilling – which led to some of the first Read More

Action to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Is carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CSS) an essential greenhouse gas reducing technology, and what part can the oil and gas industry play in meeting reduction targets? What is CCS? Read More

Interactive Core Logging Software

This interactive core logging software can be used on tablet devices in the lab itself enabling an efficient ‘quick-start’ routine core analysis experience. Routine Core Analysis for Reliable Reservoir Characterisation Read More

Microseismic Events & Monitoring

Using near-surface sensors, the Geophysical Institute of Israel is developing new methods to detect microseismic events to reduce the cost of microseismic monitoring. Benefits of Microseismic Monitoring for CO2 Storage Read More

Land Seismic Acquisition

The challenges ahead for land seismic acquisition. Joint Ventures in Oil & Gas INOVA Geophysical is a joint venture between BGP Inc. and ION Geophysical Corporation which specialises in technology Read More

Passive Seismic: The Exploitation of Low Frequencies in Seismic Exploration

The effect of low frequencies on seismic analysis and interpretation, using passive seismic methodologies. Over the last few years there has been a long debate on the exploitation of low Read More

Basic Geophysics by Enders A. Robinson and Dean Clark

An enjoyable textbook and a must have for every geophysicist. A Book for Every Geophysicist I received this book on December 28 – excellent timing. More or less finished with Read More

Part III: An Introduction to Deep Learning

Most successes so far in deep learning have been based on supervised learning. The holy grail, however, is unsupervised learning. Have you read Part I & II? Part I Once, Read More

Successful Gas Appraisal in Colombia

Canacol announces that its Pandereta 2 appraisal well in Colombia’s Lower Magdalena Basin VIM-5 Block intersected net gas pay in the Ciénaga de Oro (CDO) Formation. Hydrocarbon Exploration & Development Read More

Hydrocarbons in the Mexican Salina del Istmo Basin

Results of appraisal well Tecoalli 2 and revised reservoir models mean that Eni has upgraded its hydrocarbon in-place estimate. Upgraded Reservoir Models Location of Eni’s Tecoalli 2 appraisal well in Read More

Recent Hydrocarbon Discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico

Exploration update on the United States as Chevron and Shell hit two major discoveries. Discovery for Chevron in the Mississippi Canyon & Shell in Alaminos Canyon Location of Chevron’s Ballymore Read More

Oil & Gas Revival in Indonesia

Indonesian Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources to auction 43 oil and gas blocks in 2018. Hydrocarbon Production in Indonesia Petroleum and other liquids supply and consumption in Indonesia, 2000–2014. Read More

The Policy Perception Index – Where to Invest?

A recent global petroleum survey suggests Norway and the UK are still considered attractive places to invest in petroleum exploration & production. Infographic results of the Global Petroleum Survey Read More

Giant Oil Fields of the World: Rumaila–West Qurna, Iraq

Rumaila–West Qurna in the Middle East is one of the world’s greatest supergiant oilfields. What is a Supergiant Field? Location of the Rumaila–West Qurna field, southern Iraq. © OECD/IEA 2012 Read More

Gas Production in Iraq

Doubling hydrocarbon production in 2022 as the giant Miran-Bina Bawi project ramps up. The Future of Gas Production in Iraq The development of gas gathering and processing infrastructure in Iraq Read More

Leading the Way in Carbon Dioxide Capture

With a 100 year history; capturing carbon dioxide now plays a pivotal role in the recovery of hydrocarbons. History of Capturing Carbon Dioxide A CO2 injection well (left) at the Read More

The Grand Canyon of the Middle East

Oman is often described as a geologist’s paradise – with good reason. Boasting a huge diversity of rocks ranging in age from Late Proterozoic basement to Quaternary sands, well exposed Read More

The global energy sector from a subsurface perspective