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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: Reducing Geologic Risk in Frontier Deep Water
Explorations Settings, Suriname, South America
By
1 RepsolYPF
2 dGB
3 EGI
4 Patagonia
Working in frontier exploration areas usually means facing a
situation of extrapolation based on little to no available
geological and geophysical
data. Fundamentally, this is why an
area is considered frontier in nature! In order to justify drilling a
single well with costs often in excess of
$40 million, addressing geologic and
geophysical
risk becomes important.
Increasing the probability of success
through scientific applications and integration
of different disciplines becomes a
value-adding exercise as part of our job as
geoscientist.
Having worked in frontier exploration for
almost 30 years, one thing has remained
constant: a lack of data. The job is difficult
enough to begin with. Therefore, how
do we deal with convincing people to
invest the millions of dollars needed to
drill to find oil? I would offer that we
commit the resources, integrate our technologies and develop a
consistent story for our recommendations. More importantly, we
need to address the geologic and geophysical
risks associated with
specific areas and prospects to determine where best to spend our
time, energy and resources and to determine what studies will
assist in the reduction of risk.
This talk is based on RepsolYPF’s ongoing efforts to maximize
the Pg&g (probability of geological and geophysical
success) for a
frontier exploration project in the offshore deep water area of
Suriname, South America. Through the multidisciplinary integration
of play type analogues, biostratigraphy, sequence
stratigraphy and hydrocarbon charge models, a reduced risk and
increased Pg&g has been achieved. Utilization of these technologies
allows for the variations in the factors in either a positive or
negative direction. As geoscientists and explorationists, our
charge is to tell a story based on science and to use every possible
technical means available to ensure that
we recommend drilling a well that is as
low risk as possible.
In the pre-drill world, one is always comfortable with the recommendation and prognosis. The post-drill results often reveal a very different story!
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