3-D seismic benefits from exploration through development: An Exxon perspective

Conference · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States)

OSTI ID:6917483

Johnson, M G; Gaskins, G M ^[1]; Greenlee, S M ^[2]

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1. Exxon Exploration Company, Houston, TX (United States)
2. Exxon Production Reserach Company, Houston, TX (United States)

Exxon has participated in over 370 three-dimensional (3-D) seismic surveys in 13 countries since the late-1970s. The world-wide distribution of our experience is led by western Europe, the Gulf of Mexico, and Canada. These surveys have added significant value to our upstream operations and we consider 3-D seismic to be the single most important technology to ensure the effective and cost-efficient exploration and development of our oil and gas fields. Exxon is applying 3-D seismic technology in established exploration trends, the early phases of field delineation, development decision making, and exploitation. Our use of 3-D seismic surveys has led to the addition of new reserves, drilling of fewer dry or marginal exploration wells, and optimization of the number and placement of delineation, development, and secondary recovery wells. These benefits are a result of superior structural definition, more detailed reservoir descriptions, reservoir fluid content characterizations, and quantitative interpretation methods. Although 3-D seismic surveys are expensive, when balanced against potential investments in nonproductive acreage, a costly dry hole or two, a misplaced platform, incorrect assumptions on reservoir extent and geometry, or perhaps premature field abandonment, 3-D seismic surveys in most areas are money well spent.

• OSTI ID: 6917483
• Report Number(s): CONF-9310237-; CODEN: AABUD2
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (United States), Vol. 77:9; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) mid-continent section meeting, Amarillo, TX (United States), 10-12 Oct 1993; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
WELL DRILLING
OPTIMIZATION
CANADA
EXPLORATION
GULF OF MEXICO
WESTERN EUROPE
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CARIBBEAN SEA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DRILLING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EUROPE
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration