PGS is reprocessing ca. 8 000 sq. km of 3D data West of Shetland. This region has seen major exploration successes but also challenges related to subsurface structure and stratigraphy. Fully migrated 3D data will provide an improved and consistent regional geological perspective. The results will be ready in January 2022.
The 2021 PGS MegaSurveyPlus rejuvenation project targets data covering ca 8 000 sq. km west of Shetland, including GeoStreamer multisensor data acquired in 2013 and 2015. The GeoStreamer component adds content with a very high signal-to-noise ratio and a broad bandwidth into a data mix of various vintages. PGS has an excellent track record in this type of broadband reprocessing using the latest imaging workflows.
“New broadband reprocessing of a largely conventional dataset will help to confidently risk upcoming projects West of Shetlands. Advances in processing and imaging techniques, combined with increased compute power, mean that we can extract more details from the data, improve velocity models, and deliver more reliable and detailed images that will improve sub- and post-basalt imaging in general and sub-basalt assessment in particular,” comments Christopher Schou Watts, VP Sales & Services at PGS.
West of Shetland boasts giant fields in multiple petroleum plays, where nearfield exploration can exploit prospectivity and access to infrastructure. Substantial growth potential is expected in the Flett Sub-Basin extending to the northeast where new discoveries can supplement reserves and expand production from existing facilities.
Geology and Prospectivity
The Faroe Shetland Basin experienced a major Cretaceous to early Paleogene rift event, that was followed by extensive intrusions and volcanism in the latest Paleocene. The main proven reservoir units in the area are Paleocene sub- and intra-basaltic sandstones, which are found along the Rosebank structural trend and generated by inversion tectonics in the Eocene deposited within volcanic extrusions. This play is difficult to image but very prolific, as demonstrated in the Rosebank field and other discoveries in the Flett Sub-Basin.
Shows and smaller discoveries also attest to the petroleum potential in the Cretaceous and Eocene sections. The former is particularly relevant towards the flanks of the Flett Sub-Basin and the adjacent Corona and Flett/Rona ridges. Additional imaging challenges in the area are posed by shallow features such as injectites and gas chimneys while intrusives and sills further obscure the Paleocene and deeper sections.
Key factors in successful exploration and petroleum potential evaluation of the area are structural/combined trap geometry definition, the use of prestack seismic attributes, and accurate resource assessment based on reliable subsurface data.
Find Out More
For more information about Phase 1 of our FSB Rejuvenation MegaSurveyPlus, contact europe.info@pgs.com, or ask your PGS account manager about our data library coverage West of Shetland.
Contact a PGS expert
Please contact a member of our Europe team for more information.