Abstract

Unocal Indonesia will acquire approximately 220 km² of 3D seismic data in the Northern In-board area between Bontang and Santan in East Kalimantan in 2003. The area is composed of land, transition zone and shallow water environments. A comprehensive planning program was undertaken to better understand the critical issues that would ensure the successful completion of the survey. The goal of the seismic survey is to acquire seamless full fold seismic coverage from the beach through an existing marine 3D survey. The goal of the planning program was to allow the seismic contractor to meet the imaging objectives without interruption to the survey.

The major components of the planning program are environmental, community relations, government relations and technical. The environmental effort was focused acquiring detailed bathymetry and coral reef distribution data. The community relations efforts focused on making contractual agreements with the local communities throughout the survey area. These agreements were required to conform to Indonesian law and Unocal corporate policy. The government relations program is closely tied to the community relations efforts but also include strict adherence to the Migas explosive handling, permitting and security guidelines. Technical planning involved a detailed review of existing 2D seismic data and illumination studies.

Detailed planning is essential to the success of a 3D seismic survey of this complexity. Production acquisition will begin in September of 2003 and it is considered that the planning program will have provided the necessary basis for a high quality 3D result.