Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/geosciencefacpub Part of the Earth Sciences CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska -Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska -Lincoln.Fielding, Christopher R.; Whittaker, Joanne; Henrys, Stuart A.; Wilson, Terry J.; and Naish, Timothy R., "Seismic facies and stratigraphy of the Cenozoic succession in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica: Implications for tectonic, climatic and glacial history" (2008 AbstractIntegration of data from fully cored stratigraphic holes with an extensive grid of seismic reflection lines in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, has allowed the formulation of a new model for the evolution of the Cenozoic Victoria Land Basin of the West Antarctic Rift. The Early Rift phase (Eocene to Early Oligocene) is recorded by wedges of strata confined by early extensional faults, and which contain seismic facies consistent with drainage via coarse-grained fans and deltas into discrete, actively subsiding grabens and half-grabens. The Main Rift phase (Early Oligocene to Early Miocene) is represented by a lens of strata that thickens symmetrically from the basin margins into a central depocenter, and in which stratal events pass continuously over the top of the Early Rift extensional topography. Internal seismic facies and lithofacies indicate a more organized, cyclical shallow marine succession, influenced increasingly upward by cycles of glacial advance and retreat into the basin. The Passive Thermal Subsidence phase (Early Middle Miocene) is recorded by an evenly distributed sheet of strata that thickens somewhat into the depocenter but is continuous across and over the earlier rift strata to the margins of the basin. Internally, it contains similar facies to the underlying Main Rift, but preserves more evidence for clinoform sets and large channels, and in core comprises many short, condensed and strongly top-truncated stratal cycles with continued, periodic glacial influence. These patterns are interpreted to record accumulation under similar environmental conditions but in a regime of slower subsidence. The Renewed Rifting phase (Middle Miocene to Recent, largely unsampled by coring thus far) is represented by intervals that thicken significantly into the basin depocenter and that are complicated by evidence of magmatic activity (McMurdo Volcanic Group). This succession is further divided into lower and upper intervals, separated by a major unconformity that displays increasing angular discordance towards the western basin margin and Transantarctic Mountain Front. The youngest part of the stratigraphy was accumulated under the influence of flexural loading imposed by the construction of large volcanic edifices, and was formed in an environment in which little sediment was supplied from the western basin margin, su...

Following experimental success in the application of 4D technology in the Magnus and Foinaven fields and the delivery of commercial value from the application of time-lapse seismic (4D) studies in the Forties and West of Shetland fields and in the Pompano Field in the Gulf of Mexico, BP has embarked on the systematic use of 4D monitoring in its NW Europe operations to enhance value in the light of an increasing production challenge. Within the past two years, 12 datasets have been acquired over 19 fields of varied reservoir age, type and property. Although specific questions differ from field to field, in all cases a major objective is to influence the location and design of infill wells. Useful time-lapse information has been gained from post-stack matched ‘legacy’ surveys of varying data quality. However, it is clear that more value is added by custom-designed 4D surveys: seismic quality and repeatability are critical to the successful delivery of reliable time-lapse seismic monitoring. Integration of seismic data with dynamic data is still relatively ‘low-tech’ and further benefits will be gained by improvement in this area. The paradigm is shifting to a position where 4D monitoring in the North Sea is the rule rather than the exception. Now that there is clear evidence of added value in the most obvious target reservoirs, surveys are being carried out in areas that are technically more challenging – and the early results indicate that these too will be of real commercial benefit. Use of 4D data is also being progressed in other regions, including the Gulf of Mexico, and application in other basins around the world is being planned. On the technology development front, BP is seeking continuous improvements in acquisition and processing, both in quality and turnaround time, and richer integration with production and conventional well-based surveillance data. The ultimate goal is for effective reservoir management based on a range of surveillance methods.

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The Harding Field was discovered in 1988 and lies within Block 9/23b, 320 km NE of Aberdeen, on the western flank of the Crawford Ridge. Appraisal drilling found a series of Tertiary accumulations along the Crawford Ridge, and, though most have an apparent element of stratigraphic trapping, a larger structural closure is possible. The present development comprises two heavy oil accumulations, Central and South, reservoired in massive sands of the Eocene Balder Formation. Deposited by mass flow processes, these clean and well-sorted sands have been further homogenized by post depositional remobilization and injection. There are seven horizontal producers in Central and three in South, with pressure support by water injection. Reservoir quality is exceptional, with permeability in excess of ten darcies and Pi's for the horizontal producers in excess of 1000 STB/psi. Production started in April 1996 achieving a plateau rate in excess of 90 MMSTBPD with 40% of the estimated 200 MMSTB reserves recovered in the first three years.Four smaller Tertiary satellite pools are presently under appraisal and development by extended reach drilling from the platform.