About 40 energy-company representatives participated in an EMGS executive briefing in London on the 16 November 2011. The forum facilitated open and constructive dialogue. Candid reports on the application of 3D EM methods by Shell and Emergy Exploration were a particular source for lively discussions.
Susanne Witte, manager quantitative reservoir characterisation, Shell Global Solutions International, reported a growing interest in 3D EM methods in Shell, based partly on encouraging success rates.
However, Witte also stressed the role of “complicating factors” and the importance of careful application and integration with other data.
Jonny Hesthammer, chief executive officer of Emergy Exploration echoed this feeling of cautious optimism. His experiences of working with 3D EM data in his current position and while at Rocksource generated useful discussions with representatives from EMGS, Eni and Shell.
Hesthammer illustrated the danger of bending geophysical data to fit a geological model. He concluded his presentation with the following advice: “ Look at all the data, drill the middle of the anomaly and, if the model does not fit, accept that there may be a problem with the model!”
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , November 23, 2011; Image: EMGS