The Value of CSEM Data in Exploration

A recent internal Statoil review of the CSEM performance in exploration shows a clear progress with time from the first early surveys to the more recent surveys. CSEM in hydrocarbon exploration has a short commercial history of less than ten years, and the progress can be explained by improvement during these years in acquisition, processing, interpretation techniques, experience, skills and tools. The economical value of CSEM data can be predicted for specific exploration settings using standard decision analysis. Based on performance tracking and review of the prediction strength, conservative estimates of the economical value of CSEM data can be more than 10 times above the typical costs for a CSEM survey and analysis.