Publications

PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) has embarked on an aggressive 3-D seismic program to support its ongoing primary field development and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects in Central Sumatra. Three surveys were recorded in 1991, with five more anticipated this year. Their sizes range from about 20 to 200 square kilometers.Economic justification for the 3-D surveys was based on many factors such as the depth of interest, anticipated field reserves, geologic complexity and others. This information was used to quantitatively rank the potential benefit of 3-D seismic for each field candidate.Careful pre-planning as well as total management commitment is required to achieve the desired results for each 3-D survey. The planning focuses on defining the geologic problem to be addressed, designing recording parameters and field geometry, deciding on size and orientation, along with the critical timing involved for each 3-D survey.The information gained from 3-D is shown to be significant and cost effective not only for EOR planning, but for primary field development as well. These concepts, along with examples, are given.