FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation Courtesy of ExxonMobil Lecture 9.

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Lecture 9

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Exploration’s Task

SuccessUneconomic

Drill Wildcats

AssessProspects

DropProspec

t

ConfirmationWell

SuccessFailureInterpret

Seismic Data

ProcessSeismic Data

AcquireSeismic Data

CapturePrime Areas

Identify Opportunities

To DevelopmentOr Production

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Remainder of this Course

Seismic Interpretation and Beyond …

Develop a Geologic Framework

Apply the Geologic Framework to Prospecting (Exploration)

Given our time constraints, we will only be able to look at a subset of the concepts, procedures

and tools that geologist and geophysicists use in the exploration phase of the oil & gas industry

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Workflow: Overview

1. Geologic Framework

2. Data Analysis

3. Prospect Elements

4. Prospect Assessment

We can subdivide the exploration work process

from seismic interpretation forward into 4 major elements

Modules 8 - 12 provide some details on each

of these basic elements

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Geologic Framework

Structural InterpretationStructural Interpretation• Faults & Folds

• Subsidence & Uplift

• Structural Trends

• Structural Features

Stratigraphic InterpretationStratigraphic Interpretation• Unconformities

• Stratal Packages

• Environments / Facies / Lithologies

• Ages

Using all available data (wells, seismic, outcrop, regional studies, gravity, magnetics, etc.) build

a framework of present-day structure and stratigraphy

FWS 04

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Applying the Framework for Prospecting

1.Data Analysis• Present-day conditions - How things are now

• Basin reconstruction - How things evolved

2.Prospect Elements• Individual elements: Source, Migration,

Reservoir, Trap, Seal

• Favorable juxtaposition of all elements

3.Prospect Assessment• Likely HC volumes in the success case

• Risking - How likely is the success case?

FWS 04 L 9 – Overview Interpretation

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

The Alpha and Beta Prospects

Reservoir

Seal

Source

Basement

Overburden

Alpha Beta

For Modules 12 through 14, we use two hypothetical leads: Alpha and Beta. Should we propose that we drill either or

both?

Sea Water