REDUCING RESOURCE UNCERTAINTY USING SEISMIC AMPLITUDE ANALYSIS ON THE SOUTHERN RANKIN TREND, NORTHWEST AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Between 1973 and 1996 West Australian Petroleum Pty Limited (WAPET) discovered five major gas fields on the southern Rankin Trend including Spar, West Tryal Rocks, Gorgon, Chrysaor, and Dionysus (collectively termed the Greater Gorgon Resource). Recent discoveries at Chrysaor and Dionysus emphasise the role of subtle 3D seismic attributes in finding hydrocarbons and defining reserves with a minimum number of wells.

The Gorgon, Chrysaor, and Dionysus fields were covered by 3D seismic data shot in 1991 and 1995, which led WAPET to discover Chrysaor and later Dionysus. Subsequent to the 3D acquisitions, field reservoirs have been correlated with anomalous seismic events (seismic amplitude and amplitude versus offset) that conform to depth structure. Follow-up work has shown that combining these 3D seismic attributes improves the prediction of wet sands, gas sands, and other lithologies.

The resulting understanding and confidence provided by this 3D seismic has driven an aggressive exploration program and defined field reserves at a high confidence level. Results include the recent award of permit area WA-267-P to WAPET and the ongoing studies to begin development of the Greater Gorgon Resource.