Abstract: 3-D Versus 2-D Drilling Results: Is There Still a Question?

Patricia B. Jeffers, Thomas A. Juranek, Michael R. Poffenberger

During 1991 and 1992, an aggressive drilling program in the South Texas Lower Wilcox trend was undertaken by Mobil and its partners which has provided a unique opportunity to compare results or locations selected from like vintages of 3-D and 2-D seismic data. Sixty-nine wells were drilled over this two year period, thirty-two based on 3-D seismic data and thirty-seven on the 2-D seismic data. The 3-D data set consisted of a 1991 vintage 33 sq mi seismic survey. The 2-D seismic included 1991 and 1992 vintage data plus reprocessed 1986 vintage data. The results of the sixty-nine wells drilled based on these two data sets show an improvement from a sound 70% success ratio for the 2-D data locations to a much improved 84% success ratio for the 3-D data locations. The results demonstrate he added value 3-D seismic had on the bottom line for a project within a relatively low risk producing trend.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994