Operational Biostratigraphy: The Use of Nannoplankton in Optimizing Operational Decisions - Oil & Gas Industry

The Phase 1 drilling campaign consisted of (2) batches; three wells in each batch. While drilling the second well in batch-1, the gas-bearing interval was penetrated 120 meters deeper than expected. This 120 meter interval was composed of shale and it was unknown at time of drilling whether it was NN11A or NN9A/B in age; which would impact the unconformity interpretation and, more importantly, the 9–5/8” casing setting depth for the (4) wells remaining to be drilled. It was decided to transport representative drill cutting samples over this 120 meter interval to Shell’s Biostratigraphy Laboratory in order to carry out a “quick-look” age interpretation. Based on the quick turnaround of this biostratigraphic interpretation, KPOC was able to update the well/seismic interpretation of the NN11A unconformity resulting in the following:

• Wells were re-prioritized between batch-1 & batch-2 to allow for systematic integration of new well data during the Phase 1 drilling campaign;
• Planned well trajectories for the remaining (4) wells were evaluated and modified, where necessary, to account for the updated NN11A unconformity;
• Based on the updated NN11A unconformity interpretation; the (a) GRV and GIIP predictions were updated; and (b) proposed Phase 2 “conceptual” well locations were re-evaluated.