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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 63 (1979)

Issue: 3. (March)

First Page: 526

Last Page: 526

Title: Future Exploration Opportunities in Gulf of Mexico: ABSTRACT

Author(s): F. C. Sheffield

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Those directly responsible for evaluating recent lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico are painfully aware that the quality of prospects and amount of potential reserves are significantly reduced from what they were several years ago. We believe, however, that this may not be an irreversible situation, in that significant reserves may lie in the undrilled structures of the continental shelf, slope, and abyssal plain of the Gulf of Mexico.

Portions of the South Florida basin and deep waters of offshore Louisiana and Texas are specific areas in the Gulf of Mexico that we feel warrant further investigations by industry.

Subsurface facies and structure maps constructed from available well control, regional CDP seismic, gravity, and magnetic coverages indicate favorable conditions exist in these frontier areas for the entrapment and generation of hydrocarbons. The testing and development of these deep-water and/or deep-drilling objectives will require advanced drilling and production technology.

The most economic means by which to initiate the evaluation of these frontier areas is through stratigraphic-test programs (i.e., COST-type wells). Through the use of stratigraphic tests, better "direct" scientific knowledge can be obtained that would supply the needed exploration incentives and business inducements for industry to invest capital dollars in what may now appear to be prohibitive, high-risk areas. If successful, it would also give industry the lead time required to develop and refine technologies needed to operate in these less than favorable environments.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists