KNOX, GORDON JAMES, Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C., Muscat, Oman

ABSTRACT: Exploration in Petroleum Development in Oman: Getting a Kick into the Creaming Curve

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) currently explores an 80,000 sq mi concession area. Major discoveries were made in the early 1960s in north Oman and in south Oman in the 1970s. However, in the middle to late 1980s, discovery sizes decreased, consistent with classical creaming curves, particularly as exploration concentrated on areas around the hydrocarbon fairways. With a flattening creaming curve, the outlook did not look rosy. PDO faced the question, "Does this curve represent the future or could new ideas, a change in approach, or application of newer technologies give an upward kick to the creaming curve?"

A major strategy review took place in which the potential of all plays was reviewed. Prospects were placed into frontier, conventional, and exploratory appraisal types. String time was allocated over a five-year period on a basis of play testing for frontier plays and a steady realization of conventional and exploratory appraisal drilling as partial fulfillment of the annual exploration reserves replenishment target.

Initial results are promising, and specific challenges including new plays, one unique to Oman, have been defined beyond the aims of the original strategy. Resolution of these challenges will lead to delineation of new hydrocarbon resources in Oman.

At the same time, technological advances such as slim-hole drilling and extensive three-dimensional seismic, in concert with work-station interpretation, are being used, in order to minimize costs and increase the success ratio.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90990©1993 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, The Hague, Netherlands, October 17-20, 1993.