How To Improve Your Exploration Success Ratio - A Case Study
Authors: Horvath Paul S. 
Published: October 2008

The purpose of this paper is to stress the importance of integrated studies which utilize all available data and its intent is to show how we can learn from experience. It can be demonstrated through studies of 51 producing fields in offshore Louisiana that in some cases wildcat wells were not optimally located thereby resulting in dry holes. By applying this experience, it is shown how we can perhaps avoid unnecessary dry holes, extend our fields and discover additional fields.

The purpose of the field studies was to determine the type of traps present, the timing of the traps, and determine where seismic hydrocarbon indicators appear to work. Integrating these field studies with other studies and evaluations reveals that one must not only have detailed seismic control and utilize the latest technology, but one must also thoroughly evaluate and integrate the geological and geophysical data if we expect to be successful in our drilling programs. In this regard we must utilize technology such as: "True Amplitude Recovery" seismic data, waveform analysis and modeling since each could contribute to our exploration program. Examples have been compiled to support this statement. These include: A PRODUCING FIELD CASE HISTORY - CLASSIC "BRIGHT SPOT", THE INITIAL WILDCAT DRY HOLE WITHIN A FIELD, THE INITIAL WILDCAT DRY HOLE BETWEEN TWO FIELDS, PROSPECTIVE AREAS BETWEEN FIELDS, AND DON'T LET THE "BRIGHT SPOT" FOOL YOU. The examples discussed revealed that in selected cases the locations of wildcat wells were not optimally located; therefore, they result in dry holes although they could be considered near misses. In other cases, it was found that further development of fields may be possible if the drilling of outpost or field extension wells would occur. To help avoid these dry holes, discover additional fields and extend existing fields a suggested exploration program is Submitted.

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to stress the importance of integrated studies which utilize all available data. It is hereby proposed that if we obtain a close grid of good quality seismic data, properly processed and integrated with the geology, utilizing model studies, we can be more successful in finding the ever elusive hydrocarbon. Too often hydrocarbon accumulations go undiscovered because 1) perhaps we do not have enough data, 2) we do not utilize the latest technology, and/or 3) we do not interpret the data properly.

It is not the intent of this paper to belittle any individual or company effort, but to show how we can learn from vast experience. From these experiences, and by utilizing a good exploration program, it is felt that we can avoid unnecessary dry holes and extend our fields as well as discover additional fields.

It can be demonstrated through studies of producing fields in offshore Louisiana that the above statement is a valid one. A recently completed field study of the offshore Louisiana Areas, from Main Pass westward to the Texas line, revealed that in isolated cases wildcat wells were not optimally located. In the preliminary study only those fields were omitted where no subsurface, production or digital seismic data were available.