The gradual closing of the Indonesian Seaway and the onset of northern hemisphere ice ages

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GP581/681

SEG Annual Meeting

SEG Annual Meeting

Climate Change and the Private Sector

Abstract

A stable and sustainable energy supply is one the major issues of this
Century. World-energy demand is expected to increase with about 70% in the coming 20 years, while the production of the main source of energy,
petroleum, is likely to peak in this period. The combination of rising demand and declining production of conventional oil raises the question: "what is the plan?" In the absence of a plan for a sustainable energy supply, coal and non-conventional oil are likely to become the main source of energy. These energy sources lead to much higher CO2 emissions per unit energy than than the sources currently used. Combined with the expected increase in energy use, this aggravates global warming. We face the
challenge to develop a strategy to develop a sustainable energy system with acceptable environmental impact. In my presentation I give examples what one can do as a teacher, student, consumer, businessman and as a citizen to makeprogress towards a more sustainable energy system.

Biography
Roel Snieder holds the Keck Foundation Endowed Chair of Basic Exploration Science at the Colorado School of Mines. He received in 1984 a Masters degree in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics from Princeton University, and in 1987 a Ph.D. in seismology from Utrecht University. In 1993 he was appointed as professor of seismology at Utrecht University, where from 1997-2000 he served as Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences. Roel served on the editorial boards of Geophysical Journal International, Inverse Problems, and Reviews of Geophysics. In 2000 he was elected as Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for important contributions to geophysical inverse theory, seismic tomography, and the theory of surface waves. He is author of the textbook ``A Guided Tour of Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences'' that is published by Cambridge University Press. In spring 2008 he was on a sabbatical leave and worked with the Global Climate and Energy Project.

Abstract

High technology is exciting. It fuels our passion for elegant solutions to complex problems. And high-speed workstations armed with geoscience software are uniquely qualified to address these complex problems. These machines rush through the mechanics of exploration at the speed of light. But in the shadow of these computer-based technological wonders we should never forget to embrace the elegance of the first-order solution, the exact art and subtle science of getting the basics done right.

We often discover that interpretation technology produces beautiful maps, profiles, and cross sections. It also exploits statistical correlations to make predictions of source, reservoir, and seal properties. But occasionally, even the best algorithms produce mathematically correct solutions that are geologically impossible! As good scientists we must always challenge our assumptions--including the assumption that elegant technology is always right. This is the place and time for re-examination of the basics. And by building up from a firm foundation in geoscience basics, implemented using the highest technologies, we are assured of interpreting the first-order effects first.

This lecture will present a reflection of fundamental exploration techniques, a discussion of processes and technology in use today, and offer a peek at the elegant technological solutions of the near future--all built upon sound and often forgotten basics.

Biography
Richard O. Lindsay is the Senior Geophysical Technology Advisor for Deepwater Gulf of Mexico exploration at Noble Energy, In. -- a Houston-based exploration and production company. He holds a Bachelors Degree (with distinction) from the University of Kentucky where he specialized in geology, geophysics, and cultural geography. Before entering the oil and gas exploration field, Rick worked in advanced satellite video telecommunications. He began his energy career as an exploration geophysicist with Amoco Production Company before joining Amoco Production Research in 1988, then in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1994 he was one of four founders of Diamond Geoscience Research Corp., an independent geoscience consultancy where he served as Vice President o9f Research and Development. He joined Noble Energy, Inc., in Houston in 2006.

Abstract
Passive seismic, especially microseismic monitoring, is to conventional seismic as a stethoscope is to a sonograph. It is continuous 4-D. It is accomplished by listening carefully to the sounds emanating from the earth and then diagnosing what is happening down there. Passive seismic techniques not only can create an image of the reservoir and its plumbing, but also shed light on how the fluid is flowing through the pipes.
Grasping the completeness of the passive science, one can see that it provides the opportunity to contribute over the lifetime of an oilfield from discovery to abandonment. Passive seismic can accomplish reconnaissance 3-D exploration at an attractive cost and lead to new discoveries. Microseismic monitoring of a hydrofrac can and does provide valuable information on completion and development strategy. Gas or fluid injection operations for primary or secondary recovery are prime candidates for passive monitoring to prove regulatory compliance, validate reservoir conformance and estimate recovery efficiency.

This lecture will present a view on the history and development of passive seismic techniques, a discussion of state of the art through case histories and a vision on where this technology will play a role in the smart oil field of the future.

Biography
Peter M. Duncan is founding President of MicroSeismic, Inc. a Houston based geophysical service company. He holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Toronto. He began his career as an exploration geophysicist with Shell Canada before joining Digicon Geophysical, first in Calgary then in Houston. In 1987, Duncan helped Digicon found ExploiTech Inc, an exploration and production consultancy. He was named President of ExploiTech when it became a subsidiary of Landmark Graphics in 1989. In 1992, he was one of 3 founders of 3DX Technologies Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration company where he served as Vice President and Chief Geophysicist. Duncan was 2003-2004 President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG).

Abstract

Biography