First Published: GEO ExPro, December 2017

 

Abstract

Evaluation of offshore Campeche Salt Basin with progressive data resolution. When Mexico opened its E&P sector, ION took a creative approach to quickly and cost-effectively evaluate this newly accessible area. First, the initial basin framework was established by reprocessing legacy 1970s data from the University of Texas, providing E&P companies with the first regional perspective across the entire basin. Then, using this knowledge, the optimum amount of new 2D data was acquired to address remaining geologic questions on the basin framework. Finally, for evaluation of the earliest rounds in the Campeche Basin, ION partnered with Schlumberger to integrate and reimage 20 legacy 3D datasets using advanced processing technologies and workflows, delivering significant imaging uplift. The combination of new and legacy data integration, geologic-based reprocessing methods and creative partnering enabled fast, cost-effective evaluation of new areas and license round blocks, allowing E&P companies to make informed investment decisions.

Regional framework for GoM

The Gulf of Mexico has undergone several renewed phases of exploration activity in the last 70 years. During the past decade, considerable focus has been on the deepwater trends of the Lower Tertiary reservoirs, where several billion barrels of reserves have been discovered. When Mexico passed its energy reform, the volume of new and legacy seismic data made available provided the framework for yet another exploration phase which may ultimately yield billions of additional barrels of reserves. As in any basin, the development and understanding of exploration play types, petroleum systems, and future potential is often guided by the quality and availability of data.

Figure: Enhanced Fast Track volume

Prior to Mexico opening its E&P sector, data was limited to proprietary surveys owned by Pemex and legacy academic studies with limited geographic extent and quality. To provide initial insight for E&P companies considering participating in Mexico, ION, in conjunction with the University of Texas (UT), reprocessed over 17,000 km of UT data, creating the first gulf-wide seismic dataset, YucatanSPAN™. This was the first time US subsurface evaluation and interpretation were extended across the entire offshore basin to Mexico. Once new acquisition offshore Mexico was permitted, ION acquired MexicoSPAN™. This program was developed with the tectonic and stratigraphic understanding from YucatanSPAN and was designed to answer regional geologic questions, creating an integrated 2D regional seismic program.

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