Browse Basin sequence stratigraphic study
J. Raggatt A , T. Gibbons A , J. Stockley A and I. Deighton ATGS Nopec.
The APPEA Journal 52(2) 703-703 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ11117
Published: 2012
Abstract
In addition to the large gas fields already discovered in the Browse Basin, there is considerable scope for further exploration success because this basin holds an estimated recoverable reserve of 30 tcf gas.
TGS has completed the Browse Basin Sequence stratigraphic study to specifically understand the many depositional environments of this basin by a comprehensive analysis of 75 key wells all tied to extensive 2D seismic interpretation.
With a standardized lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic interpretation, each well has a full 3rd order sequence boundary record across all logged sections, and was subsequently assigned detailed gross depositional environments (GDE). Tied to the GDE’s are specific and highly detailed facies associations, displayed in 26 facies maps, thereby building a robust multi-sequence geological model constrained by sequences.
These basin-wide facies maps delineate known source, reservoir and seal and propose where—within the robust geological model—potentially similar facies have been deposited and preserved. This extended abstract is delivered by the Facies Map Browser (FMB), a unique product, containing all data and interpreted maps.
The Browse Basin FMB allows users to quickly understand the basin-wide depositional history and interpreted facies. With the multi-well and multi-source background database, the FMB product has proven to shorten the exploration cycle by its sheer level of detail and wide ranging interpretation.
Jim is a staff geologist with TGS in London with 10 years of experience. Starting with offshore wellsite operations across all UK, Danish, and Norwegian sectors including the more frontier provinces of the Barents Sea and Atlantic Margin, he now concentrates on both proprietary and library geological and geophysical interpretation studies. He presently specialises in the multi-client product developed by TGS, which provide data-rich, basin wide studies using well and seismic sequence stratigraphic interpretations to model the depositional history and unique facies distribution. He has BSc (geology) from The University of Manchester. |
Tim has spent 24 years working in the oil industry. He started his career as a geophysicist with BP, initially in London before moving to Aberdeen to work on BP’s Northern North Sea producing assets. He then moved to Elf Exploration and worked a number of plays in the Central North Sea before moving into New Ventures. An interest in technology led him to change direction and work for Landmark, filling a variety of roles including project management and consulting management. A short period at Paradigm followed before he started his present role at TGS developing new business projects and being involved with the Browse project. He has an MSc (exploration geophysics) from Imperial College, London. |
James Stockley is assistant general manager and head of geology at TGS. He has more than 30 years of experience in the upstream and midstream sectors of the oil and gas industry ranging from research and development to exploration, production, and business development. He is working on the development of new multi-client products and proprietary services and the further enhancement of existing products across the world. He has an MSc (petroleum geology) from Imperial College, London |
Ian is a principal geoscientist with TGS. He has 30 years of experience in the application of both paleowaterdepth modelling and new temperature and maturity assessment techniques to basin modelling and petroleum systems analysis. This skill is now applied in frontier basin exploration scenarios using a lithosphere stretching-based approach to heat flow modelling well suited to validating seismic acquisition targets in frontier basins. He has an MSc (geology) from the University of Sydney. |
References
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