Tracking Eocene Source Kitchens

Source rocks, migration pathways and trapping structures are now revealed with broadband GeoStreamer data and offer both new exploration plays and near-field opportunities.

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The Location

Location

North Madura and South Makassar

Survey Year

2017 & 2018

Survey Type

3D GeoStreamer

Configuration

10 streamers, 7 or 8 km long

Source Configuration

Triple source

Survey Size

2 558 & 4 129 sq. km

TGS acquired five MC3D surveys spanning the Indonesian archipelago. Two of these surveys, North Madura and South Makassar are located in the highly prospective Tertiary basins of the southeast Sundaland margin. Modern broadband GeoStreamer data provide a renewed perspective and reveal fresh geological insights and exploration plays.

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The Challenge

The Challenge

Exploration in the area has focused on shallow carbonate pinnacle reefs (yellow circle). Imaging below these carbonate highs has been difficult and legacy data provided extremely poor resolution of the deeper stratigraphy and structures. The challenge is to understand deeper targets and play fairways throughout the entire Tertiary sequence.

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The Solution

Data

GeoStreamer 3D

Ultra Efficient

Bin size 12.5 x 12.5 m

Processing

Full 3D demultiple

Velocity Model Building

FWI and reflection tomography

Migration

TTI Kirchhoff PSDM and SWIM

Robust imaging of the deeper geology has historically been challenging but now GeoStreamer data is resolving potential Eocene plays. Imaging artifacts introduced by carbonate platforms, where the slow velocities of deep channel incisions are in strong contrast with the fast carbonate velocity, are mitigated by generating accurate velocity models using FWI. Legacy data in the area has been unsuccessful in imaging deeper than the Kujung level, but applying advanced imaging technologies such as FWI and SWIM provides images with greater bandwidth and deeper resolution.

Eocene Source Rock Better Resolved on 3D Data

Before Image After Image
Legacy
GeoStreamer KPSDM
This comparison of legacy and 3D GeoStreamer data from the South Maskassar Basin clearly illustrates the proven Eocene source rock section (ellipse) deposited in the basin depocenter and basin flanks. This creates the opportunity for short hydrocarbon migration pathways (arrow) to any potential traps located up dip on the basin margin.

Accurate Velocity Model Building Minimizes Structural Distortions

Before Image After Image
Time
Depth
Comparison of time versus depth imaging for North Madura. An accurate velocity model generated with FWI and tomography minimizes structural distortions and improves seismic resolution beneath shallow gas channels and eroded carbonate platforms. Deeper plays are now correctly positioned enabling accurate interpretation of structures and lithologies.
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The Results

New Broadband Datasets Reveal Novel Highly Prospective Leads

These new broadband datasets successfully image the entire Tertiary section and reveal a number of new highly prospective leads. The seismic data now exposes all elements of the petroleum system, including the Eocene source rocks, and significantly derisks the reservoir, trap and seal presence.

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