PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
1. Developing a deep understanding on ‘geological potential of an area’: Is it the focus of ‘geologists’ and ‘geophysicists’; and not ‘reservoir engineer’?
If not, then, how would a reservoir engineer would be able to evaluate the ‘economic potential’ ‘for producing hydrocarbons’ from that area?
Also, how would then a reservoir engineer - would be able to get involved - in gathering, ‘all’ the required data - from various sources - in order to develop an integrated, complex model of the saturated subsurface fluids? In essence, to what extent, the role of geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers are supposed to go in a coupled way (holistic manner) such that the exploration process initiated by geologists and geophysicists would have a smooth and in-depth translation of the fundamental basin architecture into a full fledged ‘prospective reservoirs and resources’ associated with the basin – given the constraint that different seismic methods result in data with varying limits to their resolution?
2. In general, what is the minimum number of 'prospect cross sections' (which display the details and distribution of multiple wells along with the particulars of geologic features such as reservoir, seals and source rocks) that would be required - in order to have an idea about the exploration area?
Feasible to capture both structural as well as stratigraphic cross sections with the minimum number of attempts?
3. When will the interpretation of seismic sections become challenging?
Easy to figure out the dip and strike line extents of fault traces?
Can we handle with ease, the situation, where the well fails to fall on the seismic line?
4. Whether the determination of a precise coordinate (x, y, z) value for a drilling target would be the primary output from seismic interpretation towards prospect analysis?
Feasible to attach some 'approximate Recovery Factor' to the volumetric estimates deduced from such prospect analysis?
5. How about the uninterpretable seismic data? Does it result from poor seismic data; or, from a complex reservoir physics?
6. To what extent, the data on the highest known values of water, oil and gas; and the lowest known values of oil and gas – would remain helpful – in deducing GOC, GWC & OWC?
7. Based on the geological setting and spacing of seismic lines, what should be the maximum allowable distance for projecting a seismic line that would fit all circumstances?
8. Whether stacked data always reflect the precise positioning of the events in the subsurface?
Easy to have a control over the coupled effect of velocity, travel paths, travel time, wavefield?
Under what geological conditions, pre-stack migration can be ignored at the expense of focusing only on post-stack migration?
9. Can we handle depth migration with ease - when we have inversions in the seismic velocity?