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Application of direct hydrocarbon indicators for exploration in a Permian-Triassic play, offshore the Netherlands
- Source: First Break, Volume 27, Issue 3, Mar 2009,
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- 01 Mar 2009
Abstract
This paper describes a case history of exploration in a Permian/Triassic play offshore the Netherlands. The seismic data in the area display clear direct hydrocarbon indicators. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how direct hydrocarbon indicators were used for the evaluation of undrilled prospects, in an attempt to determine hydrocarbon presence and hydrocarbon type. Prospect evaluation started with systematic screening of each prospect for acoustically soft amplitude anomalies and flat reflectors. Validation of hydrocarbon presence in these prospects was then attempted through the use of spatial filtering techniques for enhancing flat reflectors, and the use of a rock physics model, derived from well data, for the explaining observations. The type of hydrocarbons expected in each prospect was predicted using a comparison of forward modelling results and actual seismic observations. As a result of this approach, exploration drilling success has improved. Three recently drilled exploration wells all discovered hydrocarbons in previously validated prospects. We think that successful detection of hydrocarbons from seismic data is possible in this area due to favourable rock and fluid properties, reservoir thickness generally being greater than hydrocarbon column height, and the modest depth at which the reservoirs occur.