Abstract: Nile Delta Success 2: How advanced technologies and drastically reduced cycle time can maximize exploration value

LELEK, JEFFREY, and MICHAEL SCHILLY

Since 1993, the Nile Delta has emerged as a world class gas condensate province. Driven by a new strategic plan, Amoco became the largest leaseholder In the Delta with 34,000 gross and 17,000 net sq. km. From 1993 to late 1996, Amoco and partners drilled 19 successful wells, for a success rate of 73%. Discoveries are within the Middle Miocene (deepwater sands on top of wrench faulted structures), Messinian (incised valley fills), and Pliocene (growth-faulted prograding complexes).

The phenomenal success rate reflects the use of advanced technologies, applied to data from 200 wells, 60,000 km of 2D seismic, and 5,000 sq. km of 3D. Direct hydrocarbon indicators, including bright spots, flat spots, AVO, velocity anomalies, and gas plumes were used with great success in the Pliocene (the newest play, first drilled in 1995). Detailed seismic/velocity mapping, amplitude analysis, and sequence stratigraphy have been employed in the Messinian (the oldest, established play). Because of poor data quality beneath salt, the Middle Miocene has been the most difficult to unravel. All plays have benefited from a regional basin analysis study, hydrocarbon systems analysis, and the use of an entirely digitally based, Landmark oriented work environment.

This talk will present examples of the three major plays, and the most important technologies used, with results from recent wells. It will also illustrate examples of major reductions in cycle time. These include technological shortcuts such as onboard processing as well as business shortcuts such as pre-concession planning and major cash expenditures.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria