NW Australia: Extensive new 3D Broadband project to extend viable play fairways into under-explored areas

Spectrum has commenced broadband reprocessing of its Zeus and Zeebries 3D datasets as part of an extensive new Broadband 3D seismic project that is set to ignite exploration offshore NW Australia. The Olympus Project will provide, for the very first time, a regional viewpoint along one of the most prolific trends on the NW Shelf. The surveys will be processed through high-end broadband PSTM and PSDM sequences bringing modern imaging uplift to this complex geological region of the North Carnarvon Basin.

In association with Searcher Seismic, Spectrum are applying this technique to an additional 20 open file datasets which adjoin Spectrum's flagship Zeus and Zeebries surveys. The full suite of datasets, known as the 'Olympus Project' will be processed from field tapes and merged to form one conformable regional 3D volume covering over 21,300 km. This is both an exciting, and technically challenging, project and as such DownUnder GeoSolutions (DUG), has been awarded the contract for this reprocessing. Other projects in which Spectrum is utilizing the highly professional processing services of DUG include the 'Cygnus 3D' survey, also on the NW Shelf, and 'Rocket 2D' in the North Perth Basin.

The Olympus broadband reprocessing 3D project is a unique pre-stack merged dataset which will serve as a framework for extending viable play fairways to the under-explored surrounding areas and facilitate future successful exploration efforts. The project boasts strong industry interest and funding. Full final PSTM products are expected to be available Q2 2017 and PSDM Q3 2017.

[Attachment]

GEOLOGY
The Olympus Project covers the Rankin Platform and the Victoria syncline to the north. This region contains multi-level prospectivity through the Mesozoic, and a range of different trapping styles, from simple structural closures to complex stratigraphic traps.

The region to the north of the Rankin Platform has multiple potential source and reservoir systems. The project will cover an extensive fairway of Jurassic high quality reservoirs in the Angel, Calypso and Legendre Formations, with multiple potential sources including the Dingo Claystone and the underlying Muderong Shale. Although the reservoir has been de-risked by multiple wells including Andromeda-1 and Adams-1, it is expected that resolving fault seals and complex migration pathways will be the key to making further oil discoveries in the area. This issue is best resolved by interpreting the play fairway over large regions in high detail using high quality seismic data, which the Olympus Broadband 3D project will provide.

The region of the Victoria syncline also contains large and poorly tested structures within the Mungaroo Fm. Imaging of sand channels, that may contain multi-TCF gas reserves, will be greatly improved by modern Broadband 3D migration. Additional products such as 3D angle stacks will also assist in the evaluation of these targets. Initial interpretation of Spectrum's Olympus Broadband 3D and Zeebries datasets shows vast structures, which require additional 3D data to confirm closure. These are poorly tested and hold great potential as hydrocarbon prospects.

For further information or questions, please contact us.