Paper submitted to EAGE Paleogene Workshop and APGCE 2026, by Tad Choi and Nicholas Hand (TGS)
Introduction
The North Sumatra Basin has a long history of hydrocarbon exploration, with numerous discoveries concentrated in onshore and shallow offshore settings. In contrast, the deeper offshore region has remained relatively underexplored, largely due to historically poor subsurface imaging, complex structural styles, and limited well control at depth. Recent advances in seismic acquisition and processing, particularly broadband 3D seismic technology, have significantly improved imaging of deep basin architecture and petroleum system elements.
Recent exploration success in the basin demonstrates that the Paleogene syn-rift interval represents a viable and underexplored play in the deeper offshore domain. This study presents an integrated seismic interpretation of a large-scale broadband 3D and reprocessed 2D seismic surveys over the Pase subbasin, highlighting how improved seismic imaging has reduced geological uncertainty and enabled confident pursuit of Paleogene syn-rift plays.