AUSTRALIA ARGENTINA CANADA EGYPT NORTH SEA U.S. CENTRAL U.S. GULF
The Maule Field: An Economic Small
Field Development
J. Pyle*, K. Koster, G. Barker and P. Rose
The Maule Field: An Economic Small
Field Development
J. Pyle*, K. Koster, G. Barker and P. Rose
IntroductionIntroduction
Maule
Brimmond
Forties
Eocene penetrations with
logs, no sand
Brimmond sands present
2
Brimmond Sand FairwayBrimmond Sand Fairway
Maule Field Area
(100% Apache above Forties)
Brimmond Field
Outline
Forties O
WC
Maule Field
Outline
Brimmond Approximated Gross
Thickness
3
B. Kilhams et al.,
Petroleum Geoscience,
Vol. 17 2011, pp. 127-
142
Wet Sands Clearly Visible – NEAR STACKWet Sands Clearly Visible – NEAR STACK
2005 Near Stack Data
Dike
1
Wet sands have a class I AVO
character
4
A
A’
-ve
A
mp
litu
de
+
ve
Offset/Angle
1
Wet Sand
A A’
+ve Amplitude
-ve Amplitude
Discovery Well
(14m TVD net pay)
2
2p
Pay Sand
Forties Field
Pay Sands Have Class II AVO Response – FAR STACKPay Sands Have Class II AVO Response – FAR STACK
2005 Far Stack RAI Data
Dike
Possible OWC -1960m
Discovery Well
(14m TVD net pay)
1
2
Forties Field
5
A
A’
-ve
A
mp
litu
de
+
ve
Offset/Angle
1
2
2p
Wet Sand
Pay Sand
A A’
Continuation of discordant bedding
on far stack highlighting the oil leg
of the Maule field above a notional
OWC of -1970m TVDss
+ve Amplitude
-ve Amplitude
Maule Discovery OverviewMaule Discovery Overview
2005 Near Stack Data
Dike
Sills
Dike
Possible OWC -1960m
Discovery Well
(14m TVD net pay)
1
2
Very distinct ramp and flat
geometry on near stack data
indicating the presence of injectites
at Maule
Forties Field
6
A
A’
-ve
A
mp
litu
de
+
ve
Offset/Angle
1
2
2p
Wet Sand
Pay Sand
A A’
+ve Amplitude
-ve Amplitude
Maule Reservoir Injected Sands: Outcrop ThoughtsMaule Reservoir Injected Sands: Outcrop Thoughts
5/19/2011 7
‘Irregular, intrusive bodies with sharp lateral margins and irregular scalloped tops’ (Thompson et. Al.
1999, 2007). Images from excellent injected sands volume: AAPG Memoir 87 ‘Sand Injectites: Implications for hydrocarbon
Exploration and Production’. Editors: Andrew Hurst and Joseph Cartwright.
7
Diagnostic Signs for Eocene Sand InjectionDiagnostic Signs for Eocene Sand Injection8
Sand at base Oligocene - only
penetration of this ‘age’ sand in the
area. Well crosses a fault at this depth.
Steep dips from
density image data
‘Jacked up’ structures above injected sand
Steeply dipping seismic character’s (in places penetrated by wells)
Top Eocene Depth
9
Pre-Drill Depth MapPre-Drill Depth Map
• Anticipated
STOIIP of c.
6MMBO mean
case
• Recoverable
reserves of
2.9MMBO
10
Pre-Drill Pay Thickness DistributionPre-Drill Pay Thickness Distribution
A55x Horizontal Pilot HoleA55x Horizontal Pilot Hole11
A55w Production WellboreA55w Production Wellbore12
Pre-Drill Concepts Confirmed; Finer Details EmergePre-Drill Concepts Confirmed; Finer Details Emerge
Rugose tops, high dips
especially on entry and exit
Nearby injected lobe at a lower
elevation (as seen in discovery)-
creates sharp dip boundary at
horizontal heel
OWC -1960m?
OWC -1960m?
Seismic Top Reservoir
Oil Sand Indicator Seismic (Far Stack RAI)A55 (Pilot)
10.1m TVD
A55w
50m
A55x
A55y
23
23
5m
5m
50m
F
?
13
2010 4D Snapshot Records Sweep Pattern2010 4D Snapshot Records Sweep Pattern
2000 Far-Far Stack
Quadrature
Blue = soft
Far stack soft pick
4D hardening pick
A55w
00-10 Full Stack Difference
(4D Volume)
Red = hardening (interpreted as
water displacing oil)
Data is excellent quality with a
low signal/noise and good 4D
response
Far stack soft pick
A55w
4D hardening pick80m
Well Curtain Section
Seismic boat shot lines over Maule 4-6 weeks
after production commenced
20
00
Amp2
01
0
Incr
ea
se i
n S
w
-ve +ve
Amp
14
+ve Amplitude
-ve Amplitude
NW SE
15
A48
A11
A52
H
4D Signal Early in Field Life
T
A55w
A48
A11
A52
HH
T
A55w
2010 Far Stack Depth Map 2000-2010 4D Hardening
150m150m
+ve Amplitude
-ve Amplitude
Maule Field Project Timeline & Production HistoryMaule Field Project Timeline & Production History
Current production
steady at c.1000bopd
Initial production just 9 months
after TD of the discovery well
0.62MMBO Cumulative Production
16
SummarySummary
Economic development made possible by:
� Nearby facilities
� Small field allowance
� Flexible, low cost drilling operations
� Sense of urgency both at Apache and DECC (capitalising on 4D survey data for future development wells)
The future for Maule:
� 2nd producer location identified (aided by 4D data) & planned for Q4 2011
� Potential for further infill location(s) in thinner ‘wings’
17
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
u Andrew Hurst & Aberdeen University
u Apache’s:
u Klaas Koster
u Gregg Barker
u Phil Rose
u Paul White
18