First Published: GEO ExPro, December 2018
Abstract
The TGS Northern Lights 3D seismic survey (NLx) comprises a merge of five high-quality broadband-processed 3D datasets of over 10,000 km2 in the West of Shetland area. The original 3D surveys were acquired between 2012 and 2014 as a result of industry interest in the area following extensive long-offset 2D acquisition in previous years. The Northern Lights survey images a number of geological basins; this article aims to summarise the known play potential and identify areas of overlooked prospectivity in one of these: the Northern Flett Sub-Basin.
Prospectivity redefined with recent 3D seismic in this underexplored region.
Since 1972, 151 exploration wells have been drilled West of Shetland and discoveries have been made in intervals from fractured Lewisian basement through to Eocene-aged sediments. Major Oil Discoveries: Such as the Clair, Lancaster and Schiehallion fields, demonstrate the significant potential of the area. High-Profile Gas Discoveries:In the Tobermory and Cragganmore fields have increased interest in the northern region, but the recent industry downturn has slowed exploration further to the north and east.
Figure: 3D seismic profile through the Tobermory well: 34m column of gas discovered in a four-way dip closure within the Eocene Strachan fan sands. Image source: TGS.
TGS have continued to show commitment to the West of Shetland region, acquiring multi-client seismic data in areas that we believe hold future potential, such as the extensive Northern Lights 3D covering the northern limits of the Flett, Foula and Erlend Sub-Basins.
Read the full article here.