Exploring new technologies

Hampson Russell founder Brian Russell looks at the expanding role of geophysics in oil and gas exploration.

O&G. What role does exploration geophysics play in finding oil and gas deposits?
BR. Over the last 20 years, Hampson Russell have been providing software for a small but expanding niche within the field of exploration geophysics. The discipline itself is significantly broader and provides us with the only tools for remotely sampling the reservoir in a deterministic manner. Recent developments have allowed us to meet the objective of defining these reservoirs in great detail. Techniques including 3D, 4D and multi-component seismic, amplitude versus offset (AVO) and AVO inversion have contributed significantly toward this. 3D seismic has moved from a specialist field to now being regarding as ‘the norm’ prior to most drilling. AVO and multi-component seismic give us methods of analysing the elastic properties of the reservoir, namely compressional and shear wave velocities and density, which subsequently help to discriminate between lithology and fluid variations. 4D seismic involves repeated acquisition of seismic over a period of time to allow us to track movement of fluids in the reservoir. These surface techniques are, ideally, integrated with well data to allow for a more complete description. So not only does exploration geophysics play a vital role, it is drawing, increasingly, on other disciplines to optimise our exploration and production.

O&G. How can geophysical software help discoveries in exploration geophysics?
BR. In the case of seismic analysis, raw data are acquired on land and offshore using advanced technologies. However, this data must be transformed in to images that can be interpreted by experienced geophysicists. It is geophysical software that processes the raw data to produce these images. The advent of interactive computer workstations and development of high performance hardware have facilitated this conversion. Advancements in graphics capabilities allow the geophysicist to ‘immerse’ themselves in the reservoir through fully interactive visualisation in three dimensions. Often at the heart of the software are the ideas of oil companies, service companies and academia that are combined to produce the standard tools of the interpreter. These include advanced structural imaging techniques, seismic inversion to geology, AVO methods and geostatistical approaches.

O&G. What challenges might an oil and gas company face during the deployment of such software? What advice would you give to ensure a smooth implementation?
BR. One perennial problem is that the IT available is usually at least one step behind the requirements of the geophysicist. Whether it is storage, management or processing of the data, many shortcomings remain. In today’s market another great challenge is that of human resource. The complexities of the data being acquired, processed and interpreted are such that experienced engineers and geoscientists are required to perform the tasks. Finding and retaining such people is difficult, especially with age gaps in the industry and the growing demand to replace reserves.

Close collaboration between service and oil companies will hopefully help to identify the correct software for the job and how best to use the tools. Some of Hampson Russell’s more recent developments have involved development through industry consortia. This has resulted in tools, such as our Emerge, AFI, PROMC and PRO4D modules, which have been tailor-made to fit the needs of the industry. Software maintenance programmes and upgrading of IT equipment ensures this fit remains appropriate.

O&G. Can you outline the role of geophysical contractors in exploration geophysics? What benefits are there from utilising such services?
BR. Our role is to research and deliver innovative tools in a form that is accessible to the oil company geoscientist. While these techniques may be sophisticated we should strive to determine the key process flow, which makes these methods work reliably on the data. Similarly putting the appropriate tools in to the hands of a larger number of geoscientists allows feedback for further refinement of the tools. Extensive training programs by experienced professionals should also be held regularly. Competition among the geophysical contractors also results in a proliferation of better products.

O&G. Are there any new technologies that you envision will make an impact in exploration geophysics over the next 12-18 months?
BR. New technology would expect to see much greater use of multi-component and 4D seismology. Along with the advantages mentioned above, Ocean bottom sensors (OBS) provide a convenient way of imaging beneath platforms with extensive infrastructure. Coupled with this is wide-azimuth seismic, but besides imaging beneath surface hazards, wide azimuth has the advantage of enhanced illumination of sub-salt structures. Passive seismic for real-time monitoring of the reservoir is complimenting 4D. Non-seismic techniques such as controlled source electro-magnetic (CSEM) will allow the filling of gaps in our information left by the more conventional methods.

For these technologies to have impact, contractors will have to develop equipment that is more easily and accurately deployed and produced more economically, together with a greater understanding of the concepts.

Brian Russell started his career in 1976 with Chevron Standard. He has also worked for Teknica Resource Development, Veritas Seismic and Veritas Software. In 1987, Brian co-founded Hampson-Russell along with Dan Hampson, and is Vice President. He is a past SEG- and CSEG-President and has served as Chairman of The Leading Edge editorial board.