Low-cost Non-Seismic Methods for Oil & Gas Exploration

Abstract

Abstract

Petroleum Exploration is as play perception process within a basin. The aim of explorationists is to define and discover new petroleum accumulations.

The identification of each play-element involves the acquisition of seismic data, processing and assessment techniques as well as geological integration and synthesis to outline and situate prospective structures and dedicated rock reservoir intervals. Nowadays, discovered fields are becoming smaller and thinner and there is a need to develop more focalized techniques. And the richness of seismic sections makes the seismic method as the dedicated tool for hydrocarbon exploration. Nevertheless, from the total expenditure paid for geophysics huge amounts are paid for reflection seismic and almost nothing for the other methods. And, the hydrocarbon sector remains the far most expensive compared to the other sections: i.e. mining, hydrogeology, environment, agriculture, archaeology, etc… Conversely, one should bear that seismic method has its own limitations.

Conveniently, the improvement of up to date exploration techniques has enhanced explorationists' understanding and developed the effectiveness of exploration. Consequently, while objectives are becoming reduced, exploration and assessment wells can now be positioned more precisely enhancing, thus, the chance of success through the use of discriminating multi-source geophysical data.

Gravity is a successful process of choice to assist with this endeavor. Besides, the growing intricacy of the hydrocarbon targets is the driving power behind the judicious integration of seismic and non-seismic methods into the subsurface geological modeling process together with the availability of high quality numerical data, and really integrated software, would enable explorationists to interpret all together seismic and non-seismic datasets.

This paper expresses the achieved results using non-seismic data for hydrocarbon exploration in various areas of Tunisia. It is sensitive to notice that, even though potential methods are not as accurate as acoustic methods, measurements remain low-priced and are not time-consuming for data measurement and recording; these methods can be used within rough irregular and jagged areas. These methods are employed to delineate structural highs and lows which express sedimentary thickness variation and facies change. The later constitutes important aspects in the recognition and delineation of hydrocarbon exploration systems. This remains significant both during reconnaissance stage as well as mature exploration of a permit.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90260 © 2016 AAPG/SEG International Conference & Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, September 6-9, 2016