--> Abstract: Deep-Water Site Surveys - Balancing Risk and Cost, by C. R. D. Keiller; #90923 (1999)

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KEILLER, CHARLES R.D., Enterprise Oil plc, London, UK

Abstract: Deep-Water Site Surveys - Balancing Risk and Cost

As exploration has moved into deeper waters, particularly in harsh environments, the cost of rig site surveys has risen dramatically as equipment best suited to shelf areas has been pushed to, or in some cases beyond, its limits. At water depths in excess of about 1200 metres new equipments or techniques are required to meet the stated requirements of the drillers, the rig contractors and their insurers.

In addition to exploring new technologies such as Autonomous Vehicles (AUVs), applying new techniques such as short offset 3D seismic reprocessing and perhaps finding a new role for ROVs, we also need to look carefully at the risk of NOT having the information traditionally available.

We have to design a survey or use other techniques specifically for deep water and not simply transfer shallow water practice into deeper and deeper water.

What is certain is that the huge site survey costs expended by some operators on the UKCS cannot be sustained, particularly in the current climate.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90923@1999 International Conference and Exhibition, Birmingham, England