EAGE NEWSLETTER
ASIA PACIFIC
Issue-2 2014
Looking to orchestrate greater sustainability good work to build on and there will be plenty of continuity with what Gladys has been doing.
Philip Ringrose EAGE president 2014-2015
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hilip Ringrose, EAGE president writes: In my free time, I relax by playing the clarinet and the cello and this musical background has inspired me to bring harmony during my presidential year, which started at the EAGE Annual Conference in Amsterdam in June. My main aim is to persuade the membership, considerably enlarged during Gladys Gonzalez’s year at the helm, to sing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to sustainability. There is a lot of
Trivia Question Subduction between which two tectonic plates forms the Mariana Trench? A. Phillipine & Pacific B. Phillipine & Australian C. Pacific & Australian Answer on p. 6
She has put in a huge amount of effort and hats off to her because we have grown a great deal in places such as Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and most recently Latin America. I want to ensure that our growth is sustainable. In tough economic times, we need to ensure that we offer value for money to our members. Many people join the EAGE but let their membership slip after a year. We need to explain better how the Association will sustain members over the course of their careers. To that end we must offer continued focus and new agenda-setting workshops. I believe we al-
I want to ensure that our growth is sustainable. ready have a strong base from which to work, offering members a wide range of professional learning opportunities; topical conferences and workshops, a highly acclaimed portfolio of specialist publications, as well as access to a large databank of scientific research. There is always room to improve, for example, by making our events as geographically accessible and relevant as possible. In particular, I want to grow the Near Surface Geoscience division, which currently accounts for about 10% of the membership. We want this division to grow and represent around 20-30% of members in the next five years and to do that the organisation must put more focus on sustainable use of the Earth’s resources and particularly Read more on p. 2 ➤
Asia’s top geoscience event in Kuala Lumpur plans to be bigger and better than ever
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ver 2500 participants from the geoscience community are expected to attend the Asia Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition (APGCE), due to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 12-13 October 2015. Asia’s premier geoscience event will
YBhg Dato’ Wee Yiaw Hin giving away prizes at the soft launch to a riddle winner.
have the timely theme of ‘Energising Asia Through Geoscience Ideas and Solutions’. Over 40 exhibition spaces and exclusive sponsorship packages are on offer for this prestigious occasion. Read more on p. 2 ➤
What's inside EAGE/AAPG/MGS milestone in Myanmar
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Don’t miss these training courses 7 Fastrack (new feature!) Industry news And more …
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EAGE UPDATE
Looking to orchestrate greater sustainability Continued from p. 1
carbon capture and storage. Two other challenges the industry has to face, and our Association must offer new insights on, are unconventionals and deepwater exploration. Shale exploration obviously involves the specifics of fractur-
EAGE president Philip Ringrose with his predecessor Gladys Gonzalez.
ing technology and we need to create a better learning environment because the technology is moving all the time. We should develop new geomechanical models of how rocks deform to inform well optimisation, surface management technology and to answer the question: can it be done safely? We need to demonstrate that the Association is not just concerned with getting oil and gas out of the ground but with the bigger picture. This is especially important if we are to attract new generations of geoscientists and engineers who have to start their careers aware of the environmental challenges we face and will appreciative of the opportunity to address them. Next year we are organising several events in the Asia Pacific region that reflect my ambitions for the Association: among others, our new Seismic Driven Reservoir Characterization Sym-
posium and an EAGE Workshop on Broadband Marine Seismic Data. Other upcoming events are the special EAGE Education Tour lecture series on new technologies for (InSAR) satellite monitoring (EET9) and on Full Waveform Inversion (EET10). If we are active in these frontier areas our membership will grow. I joined the Association after becoming a research fellow at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in 1990 and having been very active at EAGE workshops and conferences, I was invited to join the EAGE Board three years ago. EAGE is about co-operation between many different nationalities to bring the profession forward – it’s a great model. I know I only have one year to make an impact as EAGE president, but I am confident that we can make some big steps to achieve our goals for the benefit of the Association and the environment.
Asia’s top geoscience event in Kuala Lumpur plans to be bigger and better than ever Continued from p. 1
EAGE Newsletter Asia Pacific Publications & Communications Manager Marcel van Loon (ml@eage.org) Regional Manager Asia Pacific Gerard Wieggerink (gw@eage.org) Publications Coordinator Marjolein van Kraanen (mws@eage.org) Account Manager Advertising Peter Leitner (plr@eage.org) Production Co Productions bv (contact@coproductions.nl) Asia Pacific Office EAGE Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd. UOA Centre Office Suite 19-15-3A No. 19, Jalan Pinang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 603 2722 0140 Fax: 603 2722 0143 E-mail: asiapacific@eage.org Website: www.eage.org Submission of articles (mws@eage.org) Newsletter on the Web (www.eage.org)
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APGCE 2015 will once again be the outcome of the combined forces of the International Conference & Exhibition Professionals (iCEP) and the European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE), aiming to give participants a high quality programme and opportunity for networking. The Call for Abstracts is currently in progress with the goal of producing a wide ranging Technical Programme of over 100 oral and poster presentations, supported by experts in their field. One new core session promises to take participants back to the rocks! Deadline for abstracts is 15 March 2015. For more information on abstract submissions, please go to www.apgce.com. Due to popular demand, the Executive Programme is making a comeback, allowing VIPs, distinguished guests and the industry’s top management executives to meet and greet in an exclusive session. All in all, participants can look forward to a rich technical programme, diverse shortcourses, exciting fieldtrips and networking oppor-
Azmir bin Zamri (right), chairman of APGCE 2015, with guests at the soft launch.
tunities built around the luncheon occasions, happy hour at the exhibition halls, and a spectacular gala night! APGCE 2015 will also be offering a a dedicated Student Programme including the EAGE Geo-Quiz, in addition some budding top talents will be recognised through the Student Excellence Award. Companies interested in exhibiting or sponsor opportunities as well as authors intending to submit an abstract for APGCE 2015, please log on to www.apgce.com.
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
EAGE UPDATE
Broadband workshop is returning to Kuala Lumpur
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s a follow-up to a highly successful EAGE Workshop on Broadband Marine Seismic, held in Kuala Lumpur, in 2013, EAGE Asia Pacific is delighted to announce the sequel. The new event to be held on 11-13 May 2015 in Kuala Lumpur will continue to consider the value of broadband ‘from acquisition to production’. A fresh perspective will be provided by recent developments in data acquisition, processing and analysis. This time the topics will focus on the benefits of broadband pre-stack data, and the enhanced value in applications beyond the stacked data such as 4D, spectral decomposition, and trace
attributes, to name a few. The workshop will also look forward to the future of broadband technology, both in terms of further potential extensions to seismic bandwidth at low frequencies, as well as the benefits these could provide. We have lined up an impressive group of people on the technical committee, and we anticipate this to be another very successful workshop. If you are interested in participating and sharing your broadband work, please submit your 1-page abstract before 31 January 2015 to asiapacific@eage.org. For all updates please visit our event website www.eage.org. We look forward to seeing you in Kuala Lumpur!
Kuala Lumpur landscape.
Time to sign up for EAGE membership benefits! Wondering why you should join the EAGE? Here are just a few reasons.
Joining EAGE is beneficial and easy!
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s a member you will receive the EAGE flagship magazine First Break every month, filled with technical articles, special topics, industry news, reports on EAGE past and upcoming events and more. In addition, you can choose one online subscription to
one of EAGE’s scientific journals (Geophysical Prospecting, Near Surface Geophysics, Geociencias Aplicadas Latinoamericanas, Petroleum Geoscience or Basin Research) and receive free access to EarthDoc, the EAGE online geoscience database with more than 55,000 scientific papers, which you can search by author, topic, keyword, etc. All this is included in your membership fee. In addition, EAGE offers a wide variety of workshops on a broad range of topics, such as: Seismic Imaging, Reservoirs in Deep Carbonate Formations and Fractured Reservoirs. Workshops have limited attendance and provide an excellent opportunity for interactive discussions about a specialized topic.
Vibrant city of Madrid, host of EAGE's next Annual Conference & Exhibition.
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
EAGE members always register at discounted rates, both for the workshops and for the larger events worldwide. EAGE’s Annual Conference & Exhibition attracts some 8000 geoscientists and engineers from all over the world. In 2015, Madrid (Spain) will host this event from 1 to 4 June 2015. For those looking for education opportunities, EAGE has a lot to offer and, being a member, you will also benefit from reduced prices for registration.
Geoscientists and engineers take advantage of the benefits offered by EAGE. Joining EAGE is easy and a growing number of geoscientists and engineers take advantage of the benefits offered. So, why not go to the EAGE website at www.eage.org and find out how to sign up or contact the EAGE Head Office at eage@eage.org.
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EAGE UPDATE
Asian hydrocarbons hotspot to get its own geoscience event
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AGE is to be a joint organizer of a new geosiences event in what some people call the ‘hottest hotspot’ for hydrocarbon exploration in Asia if not the world. If you haven’t guessed, we are talking about Myanmar. Last August, EAGE signed an MOU with sister societies AAPG and MGS (Myanmar Geosciences Society) for the joint organization of the First Myanmar Geosciences Conference scheduled to take place on 19-20 November 2015 in Yangon, Myanmar. The three societies are excited to be working together to bring a quality geoscience event to this rather under-explored country. Gerard Wieggerink, manager for EAGE Asia
Pacific, says: ‘Both AAPG and EAGE saw a lack of a quality, focused geoscience event in this country where the industry and academic world could come together and discuss. And with the addition of the Myanmar Geoscience Society, we have found our logical local partner to work with. This also enables both AAPG and ourselves the opportunity to give back to the local community as per the mission of our societies.’ Over the last few years, Myanmar has seen an enormous increase in business activity, including the energy sector. The interest in latest bid rounds clearly demonstrates that many oil and gas companies, big and small, are very keen to explore the petroleum basins in this beautiful country.
From L-R : Peter Baillie, president, AAPG Asia Pacific Region, Gerard Wieggerink (seated) manager, EAGE Asia Pacific, U Soe Myint, president, Myanmar Geosciences Society, and Adrienne Pereira, programmes manager, AAPG Asia Pacific.
Time to catch up with latest developments in non-seismic methods
How offshore EM works. Image courtesy of EMGS.
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AGE has announced first details of a workshop on Non-seismic Methods to be held in Singapore on 14 April 2015 at the Fairmont Singapore hotel. It is adjoining the SEAPEX Exploration Conference 2015, between 15 and 17 April. In order to encourage free and open discussion, according to workshop conveners David Moore (CGG) and Allan Filipov (EMGS), the proceedings will not be published and no formal records will be kept. The workshop is to focus on integrated applications of non-seismic technologies and how they relate to exploration and production challenges. Those wanting to add real value to their existing seismic portfolio, optimize survey planning and/or de-risk well locations will have an opportunity to review the latest that non-seismic has to offer and network with some of the key providers of this technology as well as with the end-user clients.
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Non-seismic methods have often been seen as secondary to seismic in hydrocarbon exploration, but recent advances in non-seismic technologies and the emerging need to characterize subsurface systems have led to resurgence in popularity and most importantly applications of electromagnetic, gravity, magnetics, remote sensing and other non-seismic methods. With rapid acquisition rates, high resolution data and a relatively low cost, various groups have applied non-seismic techniques with noticeable success to applications in both exploration and production. These noninvasive, non-destructive and often completely passive methods provide a powerful toolbox both onshore and offshore in today’s risk averse and environmentally aware exploration workflows. The workshop acknowledges that it is time to review current methods and explore new directions for the future (e.g., magnetic gradiometry, gravity gradiometry, borehole gravimetry, microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensors, permanent sensors, etc). The objective of the workshop is to bring together exploration managers and key exploration decision-makers, in both mature and frontier regions, from research institutions, oil companies, contractors and government agencies to expand on our knowledge of these integrated geophysical solutions. This includes discussion of measuring independent geophysical attributes with a series of case studies highlighting where these non-seismic methods have provided a solution and added value. For more information or inquiries about the workshop, please visit the event’s website on www.eage.org or email asiapacific@eage.org
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
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EAGE UPDATE
Seismic’s role in reservoir characterization will be focus of Kuala Lumpur symposium
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AGE Asia Pacific is holding a three-day symposium in Kuala Lumpur on 20-22 April 2015 entitled ‘Seismic Driven Reservoir Characterization and Production Management’. The symposium aims to share the latest technology developments, best practices, opportunities and challenges of seismic application in reservoir characterization and integrated reservoir management (IRM) workflows. The event is expected to set a roadmap for more effective reservoir scale seismic applications in the E&P value chain for the Asia Pacific region. During this event international keynote speakers will provide an overview of different aspects of the petrophysics, rock physics and reservoir modelling. Authors are invited to submit extended abstracts on the development and
‘ ... set a roadmap for more effective reservoir scale seismic applications.’
application of technology and workflows for seismic in reservoir characterization, earth models and integrated reservoir management process covering but not limited to the following broad topics: Advancement in Seismic Acquisition and Imaging Technology; Petrophysics and Rock Physics; Seismic QI Technology and Attributes; Reservoir Modelling; Geophysical Monitoring Technology; and Reservoir Management. The deadline to submit a paper abstract for the symposium is 15 December 2014. The event will be complemented by two special lectures to held after the symposium. The first lecture, ‘Seismic Reservoir Characterization: An Earth Modelling Perspective’ will be presented by Philippe Doyen, vice president of R&D at CGG. The second lecture will come from Olav Inge Barkved (Petoro) on ‘Seismic Surveillance for Reservoir Delivery’. This latter course will provide some insights into how to embark on a seismic surveillance project and stimulate new ideas. It is beneficial especially to those with the aim of integrating time-lapse seismic data into the next level of technical and business decisions to see the benefit of tracking changes in the sub-surface on a wider scale. For more information about the symposium, Call for Papers and sponsoring opportunities, please visit the event’s website at www.eage.org or email asiapacific@eage.org.
Knowledge from EarthDoc will empower you
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arthDoc is EAGE’s online geoscience database which enables users to browse through thousands of event papers and journal articles online. The database was launched by EAGE in 2007 and has been growing significantly over the past few years and has become a well-respected source of information in the geoscience industry. Starting with roughly 4170 papers and articles at its inception EarthDoc currently contains more than 55,000 scientific documents and the number of papers and articles increases rapidly, as new material is frequently added. Although EarthDoc was launched in 2007, the database covers a much larger timespan. Papers presented at EAGE events since 1982 are included in the database. EAGE event papers are uploaded two weeks prior to the event making it possible to not only search through the past but also the future. Event papers from other so-
cieties, such as SAGA, SBGf, ACGGP and EEGS are also included. Taking EAGE’s multidisciplinary approach into account, EarthDoc also contains scientific papers published in many different journals such as the Balkan Geophysical Journal, Seismic Technology and the Journal of Environmental & Engineering Geophysics. In addition to accommodating the broad spectrum of Geosciences, EarthDoc is also focussed on the international aspect of EAGE. The journal articles and event papers included in the database are available in many different languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish and Russian. Since the end of June 2014 papers in EarthDoc are also available on a Pay Per View basis. Highlights Recent updates have increased the valuable information to be found in EarthDoc. Most re-
77th EAGE Conference & Exhibition
MADRID 2015
cently, all extended abstracts from the history of Kyoto University Geophysical Society (KUGS)’s International Symposium on Recent Advances in Exploration Geophysics were added on EarthDoc. This series of events spans 19 years and almost 180 papers, all open access. The event papers from Amsterdam ’14, EAGE’s Annual Conference & Exhibition, are now available online. As the world’s largest multidisciplinary geoscience event, the papers presented there cover many aspects of geoscience and are of a top quality. In total, the 1060 papers presented at Amsterdam ’14 have been uploaded into the database.
Trivia answer A. Phillipine & Pacific
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 15 January 2015
1-4 June 2015 | IFEMA Madrid www.eage.org/event/madrid-2015
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EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
EAGE UPDATE
Here are some amazing training courses you won’t want to miss … Dubrule explains value of geostatistics EAGE is delighted to be bringing Dr Olivier Dubrule (Total/Imperial College), a former president of EAGE, to teach his course on ‘Geostatistics for Seismic Data Integration in Earth Models’. He will be presenting on 8 December in Kuala Lumpur just before the IPTC . The goal of this popular course is to clarify the benefits of geostatistics and help spread its use by explaining the concepts and applications in a simple way. Attendance at the one-day course is aimed at providing geoscientists and reservoir modellers, and more specifically geophysicists, with a better understanding of how geostatistics fits into their workflow. Issues discussed include the simple physical interpretation of the parameters used, the tools and techniques available depending on the problem at hand, and the added-value which may result. All you need to know about full waveform inversion Need to know about full waveform inversion (FWI)? Then this is the course for you. EAGE is bringing its sponsored EAGE Education Tour (EET) 10 to Asia with a course on ‘Full Waveform Inversion: Where are the Anisotropic Parameters hiding?’. It is presented by Prof. Tariq al Khalifah of King Abdul-
lah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) who will be visiting three locations on the following dates: • 11 February 2015 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (sponsored by PGS) • 13 February 2015 - Jakarta, Indonesia (sponsored by WesternGeco) • 15 February 2015 - Perth, Australia (hosted by ASEG) The main focus will be on FWI applied to anisotropic media, but Prof Tariq al Khalifah (KAUST) will also discuss model update issues and provide analysis of its probable success in converging data into a plausible model. Rock physics course makes regional debut Following its success in Europe, EAGE is pleased to be offering to the Asian region for the first time the two-day course on ‘Explorational Rock Physics and Seismic Reservoir Prediction’ presented by Dr Per Avseth (NTNU) and Prof. Tor Arne Johansen (UiB). This short course will be held in Kuala Lumpur (10-11 February, 2015) and Perth (14-15 February, 2015). As numbers are limited for these courses, join us by booking your place at www.eage.org today or send an email to asiapacific@eage.org.
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EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
09-09-14 15:08
ISSUE-2 2014
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GEOSCIENCE COMMUNITY
Perth to welcome 24th international geoscience event focusing on geophysics and geology working together
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AGE’s Associated Society, the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) together with the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA) is staging the 24th International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Western Australia from 15-18 February, 2015 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference’s chosen theme is ‘Geophysics and Geology together for Discovery’, intended to invoke the fundamental tenets behind our shared efforts to effectively and safely discover the natural resources needed for future generations. Two key discourses related to the 2015 conference theme are: 1) acknowledging the physical properties of the earth that lead to the geophysical signatures we measure and investigate, and 2) case studies that showcase improved geological understanding based upon geophysical endeavours. National and international keynote speakers have been invited as catalysts to ensure dynamic and relevant technical sessions. The exciting line up of keynote speakers has been organised un-
Geophysics and Geology together for Discovery is the theme. der the heading of Minerals, Near Surface and Petroleum with speakers including Eric Anderson, Richard Hillis, Rosemary Knight, Per Avseth and Henry Posamentier, to name just a few. A full list of key presenters is available on the conference website. Registrants are encouraged to consider the workshops organised over the weekend leading up to the conference. Titles include: Explorational Rock Physics and Seismic Reservoir Prediction; An Introduction to Velocity
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Full Waveform Inversion: Where are the Anisotropic Parameters Hiding?; Geology for Mineral Exploration Geophysicists; AEM processing and modelling fundamentals; Geophysical signatures of mineral systems - more than bumps; and Modern 3D-IP surveying: practical techniques and short cuts - benefits, limitations and pitfalls. With spaces limited, registrants are encouraged to reserve a spot early. The committee has Perth, Western Australia.
Model Building; Geophysical Downhole Logging; AEM processing and modelling fundamentals;
worked hard to ensure that the sessions are informative and inspiring and we look forward to meeting you in February! For more information, go to www.conference.aseg.org.au.
Student Programme at ASEG-PESA For students attending the ASEG-PESA 2015, you shouldn’t miss the chance to participate in the EAGE Geo-Quiz! The EAGE Geo-Quiz is the best way to put your knowledge and skills to the test and the best place to compete against fellow students from all over the world. We’ve held successful events at EAGE’s Annual Meetings, as well as at regional conferences in Russia, Germany, Mexico, and Egypt, and Geo-Quiz contestants in session. now it’s Australia’s turn to try the Geo-Quiz. EAGE is a truly multi-disciplinary association and this is emphasized in the Geo-Quiz as well. The quiz counts several rounds with questions related to different fields in the geoscience industry. Petroleum geoscience, geology, geophysics, petrophysics, mining and drilling are just a few of the fields that students may have to deal with during the competition. The level of the questions differs and will get more difficult along the way. The competition is between teams of 2-3 students, so choose your team members well so you can tackle all the questions. The fantastic prize for the winning team in Perth is full travel funding to the EAGE 77th Conference & Exhibition 2015, being held from 1-4 June in Madrid, Spain. This will also be the chance for the team to participate in the global EAGE Geo-Quiz and compete against students from all over the world. For more details on EAGE Madrid 2015, check out the EAGE website. The EAGE Geo-Quiz in Perth will be held on Tuesday 17 February 2015 from 18:0021:00 hrs at Bob’s Bar (The Print Hall, Brookfield Place, 25 St Georges Terrace, Perth). You can register your team for the EAGE Geo-Quiz by sending an e-mail to asiapacific@eage.org. You can also register at the EAGE booth onsite at the exhibition. Spaces are limited, so don’t delay your entry and register today!
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
GEOSCIENCE COMMUNITY
2015 will be a challenge In the first of a new regular feature, An Liandong provides a quick look at BGP and his career so far with the company.
What is your current role in BGP? I am vice president of BGP International for marketing. Tell us something about your education and career so far? I joined BGP just after I graduated from China University of Geology in 1991 majoring in oil & gas geology. I have been working for BGP for 23 years. What attracted you to work in the petroleum business and BGP in particular? At that time BGP was the Bureau of Geophysical Prospecting under the Oil Ministry which matched very well with my education background. How many land and marine seismic crews does BGP operate worldwide? Currently, BGP has 130 seismic crews (115 onshore, nine transition zone, and six vessels).
What is your view of the current market for geoscience products and services? Geophysical service companies’ performance in 2014 was difficult and will be more challenging in 2015 because of the low oil price and tough marketing competition. Has BGP had to take any special precautionary measures to meet the worldwide decline in demand for E&P seismic related services? We do take some measures to tackle the challenges such as optimizing our market presence, enhancing investment and cost control, etc. What is the biggest challenge you have had to face in your career? The knowledge gap. I have to push myself to learn enough to keep pace with our international business expansion. What advice would you offer young scientists considering a career in E&P geoscience? Geophysical technology breakthroughs depend more and more on information technology advancement. It would be very help-
ful for a young generation to increase their IT-related knowledge. What sort of career opportunities are there for geoscientists in China’s oil and gas industry? In the future, China’s oil industry will focus more on unconventional oil and gas exploration. This will attract a lot of professionals. How does BGP recruit its geoscientists? BGP has an established policy and procedure to recruit geoscientists. China has several universities which provide well educated candidates. BGP also has a long-term plan to recruit high level talent from overseas to meet its demand for business globalization. Are the services of EAGE of value to geoscientists in BGP? EAGE and SEG are the two most important organizations which can provide valuable information for our geoscientists. We attend both EAGE and SEG Annual Meetings every year to meet our clients, share our technology developments and show how we can meet the requirements of our clients for seismic acquisition services.
PTTEP sponsors pioneering MSc in petroleum geophysics
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TT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) and Chiang Mai University (CMU) are to cooperate in initiating the first Master of Science Programme in Petroleum Geophysics (International Program) in Thailand and Asia. The programme is intended to produce and develop quality geophysicists to meet Thailand’s exploration and production industry needs.
Tevin Vongvanich (right), President and CEO, PTTEP, and Professor Watchara Kasinrerk (left), Vice President, (CMU).
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
The grand opening ceremony, held at the Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, was presided over by Tevin Vongvanich, president and CEO of PTTEP, and Professor Watchara Kasinrerk, CMU’s vice president for academic and education quality. The cooperation agreement was signed in 2012, driven by the need to focus on providing students with hands-on experience and advanced knowledge of the most current geophysical technologies applied in the E&P industry today. During the 18-month programme, students will be taught by local professors in conjunction with professors from renowned international institutions and universities, such as the University of Leeds, UK. Within the first five academic years, from 2014 to 2019, PTTEP will provide financial support of $5.5 million (approximately 176 million baht) for implementation of
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the programme. In the first academic year, the programme is expected to produce 12 Thai and international graduates.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
January start for major multi-client seismic campaign offshore Australia Searcher Seismic has announced its biggest survey project yet in Australian waters. In co-operation with Chinese geophysical contractor BGP, it is to undertake a multi-client campaign consisting of three separate surveys totalling 12,500 km of 2D data and 566 km2 of 3D data. The BGP Explorer vessel has been contracted to acquire the projects and is scheduled to arrive in Australia in early January to commence the work, expected to take around five months. The two 3D surveys are prospect focused, while the 12,500 km 2D is a reconnaissance survey covering both open and held acreage
BGP Explorer to be active in Australian waters.
surrounding the recent Phoenix Oil discovery in the Bedout Sub Basin. In addition to the 2D survey, a comprehensive prospectivity study has been commissioned to fast track client’s knowledge in this frontier area. Rachel Masters, global sales manager, Searcher Seismic, said the 2D survey is the largest Searcher has undertaken in Australian waters and brings Searcher’s newly acquired Australian multi-client 2D library to over 30,000 km in total. Also in cooperation with the Philippines Department of Energy, and in conjunction with SeaBird Exploration, Searcher recently completed acquisition of its Mialara 2D seismic survey, East of Palawan. The 5000 km survey coverage included the PECR5 bid round blocks 4, 5 and 6. Fast track data will be available in December to ensure ample time for evaluation of the blocks for the PECR5 bidding round. The Mialara 2D seismic survey was acquired in addition to the recently completed Pinatubo 2D seismic survey in West Luzon, which brings Searcher’s total data library in the Philippines to some 19,000 km.
Octanex and Sabah form strategic alliance
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abah International Petroleum (SIP), whose effective ownership is the Sabah Ministry of Finance in Malaysia, is investing in the Australian company Octanex to pursue upstream projects with SIP in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, areas of interest to both SIP and Octanex. SIP is immediatedly entitled to nominate two directors to join the Board of Octanex named as Datuk Kevin How Kow and Ms
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Suhnylla Kler. Various further options will see Sabah take a larger stake in the company than the initial 21%. Octanex chairman, Geoff Albers, said: ‘The agreements with SIP are most significant for Octanex in its transformation to a south east Asian focused E&P company. We look forward to welcoming SIP as a shareholder and to working together on future upstream oil and gas opportunities.’
Hawk Explorer heads to 2D seismic in Asia Pacific region
Hawk Explorer bound for Asia-Pacific work.
SeaBird Exploration’s Hawk Explorer has been booked for a 2D seismic survey in the Asia Pacific region. The survey will cover approx. 15,000 km with an estimated value of $12 million. The project is expected to start in mid-December and take around 120s complete.
Analyst warns on Thailand fiscal reform Wood Mackenzie recently presented an independent analysis of the opportunities and risks facing Thailand’s petroleum exploration and production industry at a public lecture organized by the Petroleum Institute of Thailand. As part of the presentation, Wood Mackenzie discussed findings from a report on potential fiscal reforms in Thailand. Titled ‘Thailand’s upstream outlook at risk from fiscal reform’, the report details how public calls for tougher fiscal policies may not benefit Thailand in the end. As changes create uncertainty and do not incentivise investment, it may risk future exploration activity in Thailand - an already mature petroleum province with a weak supply outlook. Craig McMahon, Wood Mackenzie’s head of APAC Research, said: ‘Thailand’s recent production growth has been offset by weak exploration performance. As a result, it has replaced less than 25% of the 2.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) reserves produced in the last decade. At current production levels, our analysis shows commercial reserves would be exhausted within nine years. During this timeframe, Thailand’s upstream sector will generate $125 billion in revenue, but to boost recovery and maximize the benefit of its oil and gas resources beyond this, there is a need for Thailand to encourage investments into the upstream sector.’
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014
INDUSTRY NEWS
CGG wins Neon Energy seismic work
A
ustralian explorer Neon Energy, based in Perth, has commissioned CGG to carry out 200 km2 of new broadband 3D seismic data over the WA-503-P offshore petroleum exploration permit, offshore Western Australia within the Dampier Sub-basin. Value of the contract is said to be $1.3 million. Water depths within the block, operated 100% by Neon, range from 50 m to 70 m, and hence within the depth capability of ‘jack-up’ drilling rigs. WA-503-P is situated inboard of the giant Northwest Shelf gas field complex and on trend with numerous oil and gas discoveries, including the Legendre and Hurricane fields. The Legendre field produced over 40 mmbbls before decommissioning, and Hurricane is thought to be of a comparable size. Two wells have been drilled within WA-503-P to date, confirming the presence of reservoir targets and a working oil system, and Neon Energy has acquired recently released data for the Hoss-1 well, drilled by Apache Energy in 2012. Block WA-503-P was awarded with a six -year term. The initial three-year primary term includes the commitment to license a minimum of 80 km2 of new broadband 3D seismic data (within year one) and complete various geological and geophysical studies. The secondary term is optional and includes an associated commitment to drill one exploration well. Neon energy managing director, Ken Charsinsky, said: ‘We are pleased to
EMGS wins first work offshore Thailand
BOA Thalassa booked for Asian contracts.
Norwegian company Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) has received a letter of intent worth $7.0 million for 3D EM data acquisition in Thailand and Myanmar for an unnamed oil company. Giles Denby, president Eastern Hemisphere of EMGS, said: ‘This is the first time we operate for this customer, also the first time we operate in Thailand. We we are of course pleased to demonstrate the value of our EM technology to this company.’ The survey will be carried out with the EMGS vessel BOA Thalassa and was expected to commence directly after the completion of a survey in Malaysia.
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
Location of Neon Energy Block W13-11.
have reached this exciting stage of exploration so early on in WA-503-P’s lifecycle, and hope to be in a position fast-track farm-out and drilling of the first exploration well once the new seismic data has been processed and interpreted.’
Thailand company celebrates 25 years in Myanmar Thai company PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) has celebrated its 25th anniversary of successful operation in Myanmar with a further commitment to sustainable development of energy resources. PTTEP resident and CEO Tevin Vongvanich marked the special occasion by underlining the Thai company’s long-term commitments in Myanmar promising a heavy outlay over the next five years. He said: ‘We are proud to have been a significant part in the E&P industry over the past 25 years, and we are committed to maintain our contributions to Myanmar’s exciting future.’ As of August 2014, PTTEP’s cumulative production of natural gas and condensate from Myanmar acreages topped 1.26 tcf and 9 million stock tank barrels (MMSTB). The $3.3 billion in capital expenditure PTTEP has set aside for its Myanmar operations will go towards seven exploration projects:
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Myanmar M11, Myanmar M3, MOGE 3, Myanmar PSC G and EP 2, and Myanmar MD-7 and MD-8. PTTEP has been an active joint venture partner in Myanmar’s two key offshore gas production projects - the Yadana and Yetagun - which came on line in 1995 and 1997, respectively. The onshore Myanmar MOGE 3, Myanmar PSC G and EP 2 are PTTEP’s latest acquisition following the recent conclusion of a production sharing contract (PSC) to step up the company’s presence in upstream activities.
Tevin Vongvanich.
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INDUSTRY NEWS / CALENDAR Polarcus launches Australian multi-client project Polarcus has begun a major multi-client project over the Roebuck Basin, offshore North West Shelf, Australia using its RightBAND acquisition system. Polarcus vessels busy over Roebuck Basin. The 15,000 km2 Capreolus 3D survey, said to be supported by strong industry funding, is designed to provide an extensive basin-wide broadband 3D seismic dataset over and adjacent to the recent Phoenix South oil discovery by Apache. It is targeting the petroleum potential within the primary Triassic and Jurassic reservoirs. Polarcus is deploying two of its A-Class 3D seismic vessels towing super-wide 12 x 120 m long offset receiver arrays. The acquisition phase is expected to last for four months, optimally placing the vessels for a two vessel programme scheduled for a major energy company offshore Sakhalin in Q2 2015. Data from the Capreolus 3D survey will be processed through a pre-stack depth migration routine by DownUnder GeoSolutions in Perth, Australia, with final data products expected to be delivered within Q2 2016.
Queensland offers Bowen Basin blocks The Queensland government is calling for expressions of interest to explore for petroleum and gas resources on highly prospective land in the Bowen Basin of central and south-west Queensland, Australia. The two parcels of land open for competitive tender for petroleum and gas exploration rights with a cash bid component covers approx. 350 km2 or 113 sub-blocks of land in the Rolleston and Injune areas of the Bowen Basin. This is one of the largest land releases for areas with petroleum and gas deposits in Queensland and is expected to provide significant employment and economic opportunities for the region. Queensland block locations.
EAGE Asia Pacific Event Calendar December 2014 10-12 December 2014 EAGE/AAPG/SEG/SPE • Eighth International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC)
April 2015 13-17 April 2015 3rd International Workshop on Rock Physics Perth, Australia | www.3iwrp.org/
20-22 May IPA • 39th IPA Convention & Exhibition
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | www.iptcnet.org/2014/kl
January 2015 12-14 January 2015 GEO • GEO 2015
14 April 2015 EAGE • Workshop on Non Seismic Methods
Jakarta, Indonesia | www.ipa.or.id
June 2015
Singapore, Singapore | www.eage.org
15-17 April SEAPEX 2015
1-4 June 2015 EAGE • Madrid 2015 77th EAGE Conference & Exhibition 2015
Singapore | www.seapex.org/sec-2015
Earth Science for Energy and Environment
New Delhi, India | www.geo-india.com
February 2015 15-18 February 2015 ASEG • 24th International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition Perth, Australia | www.conference.aseg.org.au
Madrid, Spain | www.eage.org
20-22 April 2015 EAGE • Seismic Driven Reservoir Characterization and Production Management
October 2015 12-13 October ICEP/EAGE • Asian Petroleum Geoscience Conference & Exhibition (APGCE 2015)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | www.eage.org
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | www.apgce.com
May 2015
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November 2015
11-13 May 2015 EAGE • Workshop on Broadband Marine Seismic Data from Acquisition to Production
19-20 November EAGE/AAPG/MGS • Myanmar Geoscience Conference
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | www.eage.org
Yangon, Myanmar | www.eage.org
EAGE NEWSLETTER ASIA PACIFIC
ISSUE-2 2014