Reducing Uncertainties and Risks in Exploration and Development in the Gulf of Mexico Basin—Insights Gained from Analysis of over 100 Reservoir Analogs

Abstract

Integration of both static and dynamic data of 118 important Gulf of Mexico reservoirs into the DAKSTM database allows for comprehensive analysis (histogram, cross plot, benchmarking, characterization, similarity and dissimilarity) of key attributes, including ultimate recovery factor, depositional facies, poro-perm, trapping mechanism, drive mechanism, American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity, production rate, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, etc. This practice provides invaluable knowledge which could greatly help reduce uncertainties and risks in hydrocarbon exploration and development in the Gulf of Mexico. Preliminary analysis shows the most common trapping mechanisms are salt-related anticlines and fault-related rollover anticlines, which account for 27% and 25%, respectively. Reservoirs were mostly deposited in submarine fan channel and lobe (33%) and deltas (15%) environments, with turbidite channels to be the most common sand body type (31%). 70% of the reservoirs are sandstone and 16% are carbonates. Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) ranges 2.85–5490 million barrels of oil, with P50 of ~90 million barrels of oil. Oil recovery factors, which range 18–81% (average 44.6%), correlate positively with reservoir effective permeability and fluid mobility index. Most commonly used secondary recovery and EOR methods are continuous water injection (47%) and miscible flood (85%). The frequency and distribution of those parameters (included but not limited to those mentioned above) give insights into the implied uncertainties and risks of specific aspects of a prospect. Benchmarking of certain parameter of any reservoir in question can help identify anomalies and diagnose issues, which could possibly be solved with further study of similar analogs.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90219 © 2015 GCAGS, Houston, Texas, September 20-22, 2015