The impact of gradient on reservoir facies distribution in deep-water depositional systems of the southern Rakhine Basin, Myanmar

Abstract

Woodside Energy and its joint-venture partners have a large acreage footprint in the southern offshore Rakhine Basin, where it operates the AD-5, A-7 and A-6 Blocks. Woodside is rapidly increasing its understanding of the deep-water geology and hydrocarbon potential of the area following recent exploration drilling success and through interpretation of the high-specification Thazin 3D seismic data. Detailed interpretation of the 3D seismic data has uncovered a complex interplay between the east-west orientated deep-water depositional systems derived from the paleo-Irrawaddy fluvial sediments and structure resulting from regional plate tectonics. Understanding the regional sedimentary and tectonic model is important in predicting the distribution and preservation of reservoir-seal pairs and therefore future exploration prospects. This presentation will use seismic examples and conceptual geological models to describe the key depositional elements of the deep-water systems observed in the southern Rakhine Basin, and in particular how their architecture and distribution changes in response to gradient. Although many challenges still exist in unlocking the full petroleum potential of the southern Rakhine Basin, evidence obtained from Woodside’s extensive operations over the last few years points to a range of exploration opportunities in this emerging hydrocarbon province.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90336 ©2018 AAPG Asia Pacific Region, The 4th AAPG/EAGE/MGS Myanmar Oil and Gas Conference, Myanmar: A Global Oil and Gas Hotspot: Unleashing the Petroleum Systems Potential, Yangon, Myanmar, November 13-15, 2018