From exploration to production—key trends and differences in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons from Australia’s established offshore petroleum provinces
Howard Ewan A and Frances Cullen AIHS.
The APPEA Journal 55(2) 492-492 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14127
Published: 2015
Abstract
Since peaking at more than 200 MMbbl in 2000, offshore oil production in Australia has declined steadily by falling to below 100 MMbbl in 2011. Various initiatives and policies have been introduced by the Australian Government to encourage exploration of frontier basins to find a new oil province that may stop this production decline.
By analysing the exploration and production profiles of established petroleum provinces in offshore Australia, the reasons behind similarities, differences and trends can be understood. This knowledge can be applied to future exploration efforts and provides a variety of possible outcomes should success come in immature and frontier provinces.
Analysis of data mainly from the Bonaparte, Browse, Gippsland, North Carnarvon and, to a lesser extent, the Otway and Perth basins shows that early success typifies these petroleum provinces.
The degree of early success is, however, not always a good indication of later exploration results. While the creaming curves of some basins conform to the hypothetical basin creaming curve, characterised by large initial reserves increases and falling discovery size across time, it is evident that this cannot be universally applied. Considerable success much later in the exploration history of a basin is demonstrated by success-driven policy implementation, exploration incentivisation and increases in data acquisition.
In this extended abstract, the importance of using advances in technology is demonstrated by reserves additions following the opening up of deepwater areas and the increased use of high-density 2D seismic and 3D seismic data. This information supports the notion that frontier areas may hold the key to alleviating dependence on foreign supply; success in immature basins is still possible and should not be overlooked.
Howard Ewan graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, with an MSc in petroleum geoscience after gaining a first class BSc in geology and water resource management from the University of Gloucestershire. Before joining IHS as a fields analyst for the Australasia regional team in 2012, Howard worked as an exploration geologist for an oil and gas consultancy, principally interpreting seismic and well data from regions including Suriname, India and Kurdistan. Howard now works as a basins analyst for the IHS Australasia regional team, primarily covering Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. |
Frances Cullen is the regional manager for the IHS Australasia Regional Team, running the team of researchers and analysts that cover E and P activity in the area. Frances has worked for the team since 2007, covering various roles such as looking into licence, well, field and company activity. During her time with the team, she has had a number of papers published for various publications and conference events. Frances is a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA) and the South East Asia Petroleum Exploration Society (SEAPEX). She graduated from Cardiff University in 2007 and holds a bachelor’s degree in geology. |
References
Arps, J.J., and Roberts, T.G. (1958). Economics of drilling for Cretaceous oil on east flank of Denver-Julesburg Basin. AAPG Bulletin 42, 2,549–66.Geoscience Australia, 2008—Offshore Acreage Release 2008 – Government Geoscience Support. Accessed 2 January 2015. <http://www.petroleum-acreage.gov.au>.
IHS, 2015—International Exploration and Production Database. Accessed 5 January 2015. <https://www.ihs.com/pdf/International-Exploration-Production-Database-IHS_165378110913044932.pdf>.
