NOVA SCOTIA CANADA: THE NEXT PLAY

Using EM seabed logging and deep imaging seismic for deepwater exploration

Expanding the geoscience knowledge of offshore Nova Scotia with tools such as Electromagnetic Logging (EM) and long-offset regional seismic data are moving offshore Nova Scotia forward in reducing exploration risk.

As new developments spur new technology, and older technologies are made more cost effective, strides are being made in offshore Nova Scotia for breakthrough geoscience. For instance, with the rapid expansion of EM logging over the past five years, the time may have come for this technology in deepwater Nova Scotia.

Carey Ryan, a consultant with Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada (PRAC), says the early stages of an EM project exploration program are progressing well. Nova Scotia participants see many key advantages for explorers with the technology. “It’s about reducing the cost of drilling and improving the probability of actually hitting hydrocarbons,” says Ryan, who is guiding the project.

Key groups in offshore Nova Scotia, including PRAC and the Nova Scotia Department of Energy, are leading the first phase of the project. They initially looked at the shelf area near Sable Island as a potential candidate site because of its past successes.

However, in reviewing each well it became quickly apparent that EM technology has not progressed to the point where it had an obvious application in this area. At that point, their attention turned towards an area off southwest Nova Scotia on the Scotian Margins, which included two existing exploratory licenses held by Canadian Superior and BEPCo.

The first step of the project involved developing a map to outline hydrocarbon prospects for the Scotian Shelf and Slope area extending between exploration Licence EL (2406), held by Canadian Superior Limited, and EL 2408, held by BEPCo Canada.

The next step will involve 2D and 3D modeling over one or more selected areas that appear to have the necessary attributes for the use of CSEMI-seabed logging. This would act as a precursor to the actual EM program, run over one or more of these areas.

EMGS is one of the leading seabed logging companies. It has been chosen to do the initial work of 1D modeling, which is occurring in the last quarter of 2007. The modeling effort will use available seismic data, geological information and well logs to see if proper conditions exist to warrant running an actual program. Ideally, positive results will lead to a survey being carried out in 2008. This technology has had remarkable success in deep water.