ADVANCES IN VISUALISATION TECHNOLOGIES: A CASE STUDY, LAHO GAS FIELD—OFFSHORE PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

A typical problem facing oil company asset teams today is the integration of new information into existing fields. Recently acquired 3D seismic for example, can add much needed detail for understanding reservoirs from producing wells. The key step of interpreting faults and surfaces, on which many other results depend, can often be time consuming and delay efforts to bring additional oil and gas production on-line. Using a volume-based approach to seismic interpretation with today’s visualisation technology, however, can lead to more accurate results produced up to four times faster than traditional line-by-line methods.

Over the last four years, visualisation technologies have advanced to the point where these new techniques provide a faster, more geologically correct interpretation and evaluation of potential reservoirs in a shorter amount of time by comparison with line-by-line methods. These advanced techniques include, but are not limited to: multiple attribute voxel interpretation; interpreting fault planes (rather than fault sticks); real-time volume rendering with the ability to create geobodies; quick reconnaissance work in volume; the ability to combine workflows using non-3D volume tools such as wave-form classification with volume interpretation.

This paper provides an example of the Laho gas field, offshore Peninsular Malaysia, where two wells were already producing gas and the operator, Petronas Carigali Sdn. Bhd (PCSB), acquired 3D data to evaluate the possibility of additional drilling locations.