Improving the Exploration Process by Learning from the Past

K. Ofstad, E.-J. Kittilsen, P. Alexander-Marrack

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Print ISBN: 9780444501158
• eBook ISBN: 9780080534596
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geophysics

Learning by experience is both a part of the daily life and the exploration life. A systematic review of the past is essential to improve the exploration process by better managing risks and uncertainties. Learning through different disciplines has become a favoured technique. With new tools for interpretation and simulation, integration and data and the creation of cross-discipline teams, we can take major step forward in understanding the exploration task and its different elements.Global views and lessons learned on the Norwegian Continental Shelf on risk management and retrospective prospect assessment are presented in this book. Detailed exploration case histories from the Norwegian Continental Shelf documenting both positive and negative experiences and highlighting the benefits of integrated thinking and methods are presented. The impact of the application of various state-of-the art and developing technologies on portfolio management, opportunity evaluation and volumetric and risk assessment of prospects and discoveries are reviewed, and the future technological challenges in exploring the remaining hydrocarbon potential of the Norwegian continental Shelf are summarised.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Improving the Exploration Process by Learning from the Past
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• List of Contributors
• Chapter 1. Managing risk worldwide: global portfolio management at Shell EP
• Chapter 2. A look to the past to avoid old traps in the future
• Chapter 3. Prediction accuracy in petroleum prospect assessment: a 15 year retrospective in BP
• Chapter 4. Evaluation of Norwegian Wildcat Wells (Article 1)
• Chapter 5. Volumes before and after exploration drilling: results from the project Evaluation of Norwegian Wildcat Wells (Article 2)
• Chapter 6. Probability of discovery and the reasons for dry wells: results from the project: Evaluation of Norwegian Wildcat Wells (Article 3)
• Chapter 7. Suggestions for an improved exploration process — lessons from the project Evaluation of Norwegian Wildcat Wells (Article 4)
• Chapter 8. Exploration potential east of the Troll Field, offshore Norway, after dry well 32/4-1
• Chapter 9. Exploring the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea — Norsk Hydro's lessons from nearly 20 years of experience
• Chapter 10. The exploration experience from Midgard to Kristin — Norwegian Sea
• Chapter 11. Making exploration pay: technology, history, and discipline
• Chapter 12. From basin modelling to basin management: reuse of basin-scale simulations
• Chapter 13. Quick mapping of basin modelling results — a key for quantifying prospect sensitivities
• Chapter 14. Hydrodynamic activity and tilted oil–water contacts in the North Sea
• Chapter 15. Reservoir characterisation using 4C seismic and calibrated 3D AVO
• Chapter 16. From seismic to biomarkers — the value of additional data in continually refining geological models
• Chapter 17. Exploring mature areas: the role of technology
• Chapter 18. Managing subsurface knowledge; three initiatives in BP
• Chapter 19. Future challenges in exploring the remaining hydrocarbon potential of the Norwegian Continental Shelf
• References index
• Subject index