Shallow Gas Play in the Netherlands Takes Off

Since the discovery of shallow gas in the northern Dutch offshore, this play raised much interest. Nowadays, cost-effective techniques exist and the first three fields have been taken into production. No problems with sand or water production are encountered. As the state participant in E&P in the Netherlands, EBN B.V. is investigating the development potential of shallow gas in the Dutch offshore sector. A study from 2009 showed that total volumes are significant: 18-62 bcm UR. These volumes, as well as the success of the producing fields, justify analyses in much greater detail. Moreover, the widely available 3D seismic data, including a new survey in the DEF blocks (Fugro), and the tax incentive applicable to marginal fields, make shallow gas very interesting to explore. This study shows the intermediate results of the shallow gas inventory, based on individual prospect analysis. It includes a bright spot classification scheme to improve the understanding of different types of amplitude anomalies. For prospective bright spots, a volumetric assessment is accomplished resulting in factsheets that can be used as starting point for detailed exploration. More than 100 prospects have been identified, of which some 60 of significant potential, including 20 bright spots in open acreage.