GEOSCIENCES

Gene Kliewer - Houston

EM technology on the move

Shell Exploration and Production B.V. has signed a global frame agreement with Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) for the provision of electromagnetic (EM) services for the next year, with optional extensions for two additional years.

The majority of the EM services performed for Shell will focus on how EMGS’s 3D capabilities can be more integrated into the exploration and production workflow, and interpreted alongside other subsurface information

Roar Bekker, EMGS chief executive officer, says: “Shell is one of the most experienced users of EM technology, having completed more than 50 surveys since its first use of our technology in 2004. We are delighted to enter into this frame agreement which further underlines Shell’s confidence in EMGS’s technology.”

Norwegian EM Technology has contracted Micromem Applied Sensor Technologies to develop a 3D electromagnetic hydrocarbon survey tool.

“NEMT needs a small, directionally sensitive magnetic sensor with a sensitivity in the pico-Tesla range that allows a high sampling rate,” says Marius J. Mes, NEMT engineering manager. “This sensor needs to be combined with a directionally sensitive electrical sensor, a technology that MASTInc. also possesses.”

Schlumberger has expanded its Deep Reading portfolio with a new electromagnetic DeepLook-EM crosswell seismic reservoir imaging technology.

“DeepLook-EM and our recently acquired Z-Seis crosswell seismic service bridge the resolution gap between well logs and surface measurements to provide customers answers at the reservoir scale,” says Colin Hulme, technical director, Deep Reading, Schlumberger. “The addition of these technologies provides the opportunity to deliver advanced reservoir monitoring answers from combined measurements and by integrating them with additional data.”

This second-generation DeepLook-EM system provides detailed resistivity profiles between wells up to 1 km (0.6 mi) apart using time-proven induction logging principles. Acquisition is performed using a dynamic transmitter sonde in one well and an array of receivers in an offset well. Receivers can be deployed in open or cased wells, according to Schlumberger.

Seismic services expand

DONG Energy A/S has contracted Paradigm to provide Geolog software for petrophyscial analysis and wireline/LWD/core data management.

“DONG Energy chose Geolog for its ability to apply the highest levels of data management, analysis, and governance to our subsurface oil and gas assets,” says Tomas Hansen, chief petrophysicist at DONG Energy. “Geolog will enable our exploration and production teams to make faster, more accurate reservoir management decisions, while facilitating our data management strategy.”

CGGVeritas has expanded its processing and imaging hub in Cairo. With its computer facility and high-speed link to its EAME compute hub in the UK, the new expanded regional hub can process all types of seismic data, including wide-azimuth and multi-azimuth.

The SVI Pro 2009 3D seismic analysis software from ffA improves volume interpretation by combining interactive analysis modules with scalable desktop high performance computing, the company says.

GoM survey, prospects

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. ASA (TGS) and Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS) have signed a cooperation agreement to combine the previously announced and ongoing TGS Hernando 3D survey and the PGS Discovery DeSoto Canyon MC3D survey into one large, seamless, 3D multi-client project in the Desoto Canyon in the Central and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas.

This joint survey, called Hernando, will cover a 365 OCS block area (8,500 sq km or 3,282 sq mi).

“This joint survey offered by TGS and PGS, and funded by oil companies, allows the application of leading-edge technology from both companies to provide the best image of complex geology in an area of significant interest to our customers in the Gulf of Mexico,” says Robert Hobbs, COO of TGS.

“The joint survey allows for a larger area to be acquired within a shorter time utilizing leading edge acquisition and imaging technology, in an area of significant interest to our customers in the Gulf of Mexico,” says Magne Reiersgard, president of PGS Marine Geophysical North and South America.

In looking at the GoM prospects, McMoRan had this to say:

“We have validated our concept for large accumulations of deep gas in multiple successful discoveries below 15,000 ft (457 m) in the Miocene trend in the shallow waters on the Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico,” according to James R. Moffett, co-chairman of McMoRan Exploration Co.

“Through our activities in 2008 to test deeper objectives, we have confirmed our belief that there are also large structures on the shelf with Miocene and older aged sands below 30,000 ft (9,144 m) in the ultra deep trend. This ultra deep play represents an exciting new exploration frontier.”

Gas indications off Australia

Advent Energy has determined that existing seismic data offshore Sydney basin in Australia, indicates gas features. Advent has previously reported the P10 unrisked gas resource estimate of 16.3 tcf for the permit.

Key indicators were interpreted from an ongoing review of 2004 seismic data. The seismic features include apparent Hydrocarbon Related Diagenetic Zones (HRDZ), potential Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO) features, and flat spots.

MEC managing director David Breeze says that the seismic evidence of extensive gas generation and migration is continuing to be examined by Advent and independent geologists and geophysicists.