Background
An International E&P Company operating in a tertiary basin where gas is the norm and oil the exception was exploring for oil. In this example, relatively small amounts of oil would be worth developing, compared to the need for a huge gas discovery for the same commercial results.
Specific Challenges
Drilling results appeared to be random, and often far off predicted outcomes. A lack of understanding of the underlying geological mechanisms were resulting in finding (uncommercial?) gas deposits instead of the predicted oil, unclear expectations and needs for success in projects, and ultimately financial loss.
Solution
The Ariane software has the ability to put oil and gas “in competition” for pore space and seal capacity. With abundant active charge, often found in similar tertiary basins, oil and gas column heights are driven by the interaction between charge volume and composition, pressure and temperature, trap height and size, and top and fault seal capacity. This enables the user to predict with significantly greater success the presence of oil vs gas.
Outcome
Advanced fluid prediction gave the operator the confidence to not drill a risky prospect, which had been previously wrongly evaluated. Additionally, the operator was able to reevaluate other potential prospects, with the Ariane advanced hydrocarbon module enabling more consistent phase prediction. As a result, the chance of success was reassessed in terms of expected oil volumes, reducing significant wastage in terms of time and money.