PetroChina Examines Reservoir Characteristics
and Reduces Offshore Exploration Risks
Case study: GeoFrame SATK software applications improve
interpretation accuracy in Longwangmiao field, Bohai Bay
Challenge
Determine best location for an
exploration well to investigate
the depositional environment in
a target formation of thin-bedded
sand layers.
Solution
Conduct a field study using the
following software:
■ GeoFrame* seismic attribute
toolkit (SATK)—to integrate
seismic interpretation and attri-
bute analysis, using attributes
from spectral decomposition
■ SeisClass* multiattribute
classification software—
for improved understanding
of reservoir targets.
Results
Produced reliable geological maps
to identify key reservoir prospects;
increased knowledge of reservoir
characteristics to generate a drilling
location for a new exploration well;
discovered gas layers with a total
thickness of hundreds of meters,
consistent with geological interpre-
tation from the study.
Maximizing LWM field reserves
The offshore Longwangmiao (LWM) field, a PetroChina Liaohe oilfield asset, is in northern
Bohai Bay. This gas field features many normal faults that divide an anticline into several
fault blocks.
At the time of this study, there was only one exploration well drilled in the LWM field,
and it encountered small gas shows from some of the formation layers. The reservoir rocks
are thin-bedded sandstones between 1,800 and 2,800 m and with average thickness of 10 m,
according to data from the drilled well. The sources of the sand and hydrocarbon were
unclear, although most of the geologists believed that the geology of the field was dominated
by a depositional environment of fluvial and deltaic facies.
PetroChina geoscientists working on exploration of the field were under increasing pressure
to maximize reserves. To confirm prospects and target reservoirs, they needed to propose
a drilling location for a new exploration well. It was important to place the well in the
best place possible because of the high cost of drilling offshore. Therefore, a precise,
high-quality reservoir characterization study was critical to reduce the risks associated
with drilling this well.
Using conventional seismic attributes
The geophysicists found fault-block traps
through conventional seismic interpretation
in the field; however, it was difficult to
predict which trap was the best one to drill.
GeoFrame geological analysis combined data
from the only available well with conventional
seismic attributes.
Unfortunately, it was still difficult to determine
a solid drilling location for the proposed well,
despite the existence of channels in the north RMS amplitude attributes map showing the
indicated by a conventional RMS™ seismic formation of interest, with an indication of
attribute map. channels existing in the north.
Schlumberger Information Solutions
Case study: GeoFrame SATK software applications improve
interpretation accuracy in Longwangmiao field, Bohai Bay
Using spectral decomposition and SeisClass software “T he combination of spectral
The geoscientists recognized not only channels in the north, but also distribution of decomposition with SeisClass
alluvial deposits in fault-block structures in the south, using maps generated by spectral
is really powerful in doing
decomposition extraction and classification in SeisClass software. This software was also
used to characterize the many thin sand layers within the formation of interest, based on geological interpretation.
the spectral decomposition extraction attributes. We successfully located an
exploration well and found
Grid attributes of different
frequencies of thin sand reservoir layers based on
layers classified using
SeisClass software. Channels the interpretation results
are indicated in the north from GeoFrame.”
and alluvial deposits in the
south (red). Drilled well
locations (green) represent Wu Dongmei
a mixed lithology where Project Chief Engineer
small amounts of gas shows
PetroChina Liaohe Oilfield
were discovered previously.

Optimizing location of exploration well

PetroChina obtained accurate geological data using sophisticated reservoir characterization
and seismic attribute analysis software tools. The geologists confidently recommended an
exploration well be drilled in the southern alluvial deposit area of the LWM field. During
drilling, gas layers with a total thickness of hundreds of meters were discovered—bringing
a high-value return on the exploration investment. The reliability of the field study results
was demonstrated by the geological characterization matching the actual discovery.
The project’s success led PetroChina to decide to acquire new 3D seismic data for further
evaluation of this gas field.

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