Francis, Brent P.1, L. J. (Jim) Weber2, Steve Bachtel3,
Paul M. (Mitch) Harris4, Dennis Fischer5, Jeroen A. M. Kenter6
(1) ExxonMobil Development Company, Houston, TX
(2) ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Houston, TX
(3) ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston,
(4) ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Company, San Ramon, CA
(5) TengizChevroil, Atyrau, Kazakhstan
(6) Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
ABSTRACT: Prediction and Mapping of Deep-Water Slope Carbonate Reservoirs using Seismic Data, Tengiz Field, Western Kazakhstan
The supergiant Tengiz field of western Kazakhstan produces oil from an isolated
carbonate platform (160 km2) of Devonian and Carboniferous age. An initial broad Late
Devonian platform exhibits accentuated vertical growth with punctuated backsteps during
the Lower Carboniferous (Tournaisian and Visean). The uppermost Lower Carboniferous
(Serpukhovian) is characterized by several kilometers of platform progradation, seaward of
the Late Visean platform break. Late Visean and Serpukhovian boundstone dominates slope
lithofacies.
In situ upper slope microbial boundstone and allocthonous lower slope boundstone debris
form thick and areally extensive mappable reservoirs with distinctive seismic facies and
production characteristics. Areas dominated by boundstone exhibit lower porosity (<4%)
than time equivalent grainy carbonates on the platform (8-12%), but they may have much
higher permeability and flow capacity due to extensive fractures and dissolution. The
highest rate wells (10,000 to 30,000+ barrels/day) are located at the platform margin and
within the slope.
Because platform and slope production characteristics differ significantly at Tengiz,
criteria are developed to identify, map, and assess volume of slope boundstone. Criteria
include: 1) positive structural relief above thick upper slope boundstone, 2) chaotic
reflection character frequently with high-amplitude bursts within both in situ boundstone
and boundstone debris intervals, 3) mosaic distribution of seismic amplitude, 4) isopach
thicks associated with boundstone intervals, and 5) slump scars indicative of slope
failure. Criteria described here could be applicable to other similar hydrocarbon-bearing
isolated platforms (e.g., Korolev and Kashagan) that extend from onshore western
Kazakhstan into the offshore North Caspian Sea.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.