--> ABSTRACT: New Exploration Model on the Tampen High in the North Sea, by Hans Christen Ronnevik; #91020 (1995).

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New Exploration Model on the Tampen High in the North Sea

Hans Christen Ronnevik

The Tampen Region is a well established petroleum province with a large part of the Norwegian oil reserves and production. It is also expected to contain a significant part of the future reserves.

After 20 years of exploration we are still in a continuous learning phase. How many exploration-models there are yet to be defined is unknown, but with the largest infrastructure centres for oil production on decline there are no commercial reason to reduce the effort to define new exploration targets. The models have to be continuously tested and modified through drilling.

Subsurface modelling needs to integrate without simplifying qualitative and quantitative data at a detailed level for serveral disciplines. Efficient data management and the ability to model the subsurface processes are minimum requirements that are no substitute for the human abilities to see, hear, feel, understand and respond. It is mandatory that each discipline maintain its identity in the total exploration process and that there is crossdisciplinary respect. There is no single discipline that can give the final answer to subsurface modelling.

The weakest point in the exploration chain is the ability to integrate and analyze different independent parametres and processes and continuously update these in light of new data. It is also very important to be aware the quality of data and the gradual transition between data and models. It is very often the single odd data point that creates a new successful play model.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995