Geophysics SIG Meeting – November (Virtual Event)

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Speaker: Andy Alexander – Siccar Point Energy

Topic: Imaging volcanics and intra-volcanic reservoir intervals: comparison of OBN and Single/Dual Azimuth Broadband streamer data on the Corona Ridge, West of Shetlands, UKCS

Abstract

The Corona Ridge of the Faroes-Shetland Basin comprises the large Cambo and Rosebank discoveries as well as several significant exploration prospects and leads.The main discovered reservoirs include supra-, intra- and pre-volcanic intervals. Different vintages of seismic data exist along the ridge between Cambo and Rosebank. These surveys (with varying processing steps) overlap in two key areas (the northern part of Cambo and southern part of Rosebank). Detailed event mapping, analysis of reflectivity data and multiple attributes (including spectral decomposition) shows that these surveys have a varying ability to image the complex volcanic, intra-volcanic and pre-volcanic reservoir intervals. Of particular interest is the comparison of the imaging between OBN versus Broadband and the potential improvements from FWI velocity model building. The Corona Ridge area is progressing towards field development at Cambo and Rosebank. The ability to successfully image the reservoirs in a consistent way will be critical to ongoing success and well planning. We will present key comparisons and suggest possible improvements for future seismic acquisition and processing.

Andy Alexander is currently Chief Geophysicist at Siccar Point Energy having joined the company at its outset in July 2014 as a Geoscience Advisor. Prior to this, Andy was Chief Geophysicist at Centrica following its acquisition of Venture Production in 2010 where he worked as a Senior Geophysicist and Subsurface Manager of the Central North Sea Producing Assets. He has also been a member of the UK Exploration Task Force since 2017.

Andy began his career as a Structural Geologist with Robertson Research International Limited in North Wales in 1997 following a Geoscience degree from the University of St. Andrews and a PhD in Structural Geology and Tectonics from Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall. He developed his interest in geophysical interpretation during his years at Robertson Research and moved in 2004 to work with Odegaard (a leading seismic inversion company) prior to its acquisition by Schlumberger in 2006.