Risk Reduction in Hydrocarbons Prospecting by Evaluation of Geological and Economic Constraints

Classical approaches of geological and economical analysis, focused on determining expected return are of little use in a highly uncertain environment. In the opinion of the author, the “inverse” problem is more informative and reasonable from the geological and investment point of view. According to the ‘inverse’ problem all possible ratios of initial data (geological, technological, economical) under which the study and exploration of hydrocarbon object will satisfy the given condition oriented for result must be calculated. Thus, a system of constraints (specific quantitative guidelines for managers, geologists and designers) is developed.

The paper reflects methodological and computational basis of the indicated approach, the author’s algorithm for searching geological and economic constraints is presented using the example of oil and gas bearing basins and oil and gas accumulation zones, the example of results mapping is given.