Hilal Field Study: A Methodology for Exploitation and Exploration Using Sequence Stratigraphy, Operational Style Paleontology, and Composite Standard Technology

Richard W. Aurisano, Edward C. Loomis

This talk is about the use of Composite Standard techniques in field studies and a methodology developed during the study of the Hilal Field in the southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. This study effectively uses a minimum of data to construct a reliable interpretation of the field. We used the Composite Standard data in one well which is near the field and the operational "tops" paleontological data from the wells in the field to establish time correlations throughout the field and, therefore, to establish both sequence and parasequence boundaries in each well. These correlations were used to construct an interpretation of the field that is more detailed and more reliable than one from more traditional techniques. For example, the areal extent of reservoir facies can be mapped ore reliably, and facies juxtaposed across faults can be predicted and mapped more accurately.

The recognition of Sequences is comparatively easy when multidisciplinary, checklisted paleontology is used and analyses are done in the Composite Standard mode. Once a stable framework for interpretation is attained, the operational paleontology reports can be incorporated into the analyses with minimal additional cost of paleontological analyses. Any additional paleontological work can be focused on the information-deficient intervals.

The paleoenvironmental information was obtained from the checklisted paleontology and viewed in the context of the interpreted sequences and lithology from logs. This information consists of the corresponding foraminifer assemblages, paleobathymetry interpreted from the assemblages, an index of reworking, and the variation in dinoflagellate cyst diversity. Altogether, these data are used to pick the parasequence boundaries in each well.

The results obtained by using this approach to field studies are consistent among all of the data and help to quantify the interpretation in such a way to affect and effect reservoir management decisions.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995