Geoscience Specialist Support

Reservoir characterization, 3D reservoir modelling and resource assessment are tasks that require competency with industry-standard practices, tools and protocols. Full data integration is a must, as is recognition of key uncertainties. Experienced hands can speed up the process and ensure solid results as opposed to endless iterations and, in the end, garbage-in-garbage-out.

Dr Arnout is a renowned expert 3D static reservoir modeller with 27 years experience building models of carbonates, clastics and unconventionals (CBM). He has particular strengths in seismic constrained reservoir modelling and in uncertainty analysis and management. He has authored several papers on these topics published in scientific journals and/or at international conferences.

Besides his 3D geomodeller skills, Arnout is also fully versatile in seismic interpretation, seismic attribute analysis including AVO and rock physics analysis, depth conversion and mapping. He can also perform routine petrophysical analysis.

Learn more about seismic constrained reservoir modelling …

Learn more about static reservoir modelling for unconventionals …

Learn more about uncertainty management …

Please contact us if you’d like to discuss how we can assist you on subsurface assessments be it exploration support, greenfield developments or brownfield rejuvenation.

A non-exhaustive list of projects contributed to by Dr Arnout in the last few years is below:

Resource Assessment and Appraisal/Development Planning for ATP688T (2022): structure mapping (integrating surface geology mapping with subsurface data), reservoir characterization, gas resource assessment and resource maturation planning for a complex CBM asset (with volcanic intrusions locally deteriorating coal quality) onshore Queensland, Australia.

Review of the exploration potential and of high-graded prospects and leads in Offshore Mangkalihat PSC, East Kalimantan (2021): Review of plays and key leads in the block focussing on the assumptions on source maturity, charge/migration timing and effectiveness, considering data on the block and of surrounding analogues. Simultaneously I helped the client team prepare the datapack for a Competent Person Review done by a third party.

Peer review of Cheal static model (2020): on invitation of the client, performed a technical review of the static reservoir model of a complex stacked reservoirs oil field offshore New Zealand. Subsequently, I provided regular technical guidance towards implementing the review findings into an updated/improved model.

PM407&PM415 Fault-Seal study (2019): perform structural-geological assessment of the seismically mapped fault network and assess the sealing potential of the faults based on integration of well and seismic data. Aim of this study is to de-risk prospective geological risk (Pg) in the Oligo-Miocene stacked reservoirs successions mapped within the PM407 and PM415 blocks offshore Tenggol Arch and Malay Basin, Malaysia. Arnout coordinated the project and developed workflows to deliver the required results within the timeframe available.

Post-drill review of Tui field, offshore New Zealand (2019): fast-track integrated G&G and RE review of the Tui field following a disappointing result of infill drilling, to recommend on the viability and risks pertaining to the remaining drilling programme.

Indonesia Exploration review (2019): review of the petroleum systems and hydrocarbon resource potential of two exploration PSC’s (North X-Ray in Java Sea and Mangkalihat in Makassar Straits) offshore Indonesia.

PM407 Sequence Stratigraphy study (2018-19): conduct sequence stratigraphy interpretation and construct environment of deposition (EOD) maps for the key intervals of interest within the PM407 block offshore Tenggol Arch, Peninsular Malaysia. Arnout coordinated the project and provided advice and steer wrt the seismic mapping, time-to-depth conversion, use of seismic attributes and seismic-stratigraphic well correlation integrating well data (logs, biostratigraphy) and seismic.

SK438 Fault-Seal study (2019): perform structural-geological assessment of the seismically mapped fault network and assess the sealing potential of the faults based on integration of well and seismic data. Aim of this study is to de-risk prospective geological risk (Pg) in the Oligo-Miocene stacked reservoirs successions mapped within the SK438 block offshore Balingian Province, Sarawak, Malaysia. The structure geology of the block is complex due to multiple phases of deformation as evidenced by a number of angular unconformities within the prospective succession. Arnout coordinated the project and developed wokflows to deliver the required results within the timeframe available.

SK417 Fault-Seal study (2018-19): perform structural-geological assessment of the seismically mapped fault network and assess the sealing potential of the faults based on integration of well and seismic data. Aim of this study is to de-risk prospective geological risk (Pg) in the Mio-Pliocene stacked reservoirs successions mapped within the SK417 block offshore Baram Delta, Sarawak, Malaysia. Arnout coordinated the project and developed wokflows to deliver the required results within the timeframe available.

SK438 Petrophysics and Sequence Stratigraphy study (2018-19): perform petrophysical analysis of key wells, conduct sequence stratigraphy interpretation and construct environment of deposition (EOD) maps for the key intervals of interest within the SK438 block offshore Balingian Province, Sarawak, Malaysia. Arnout coordinated the project and provided advice and steer wrt the seismic mapping and well correlation via integration of well data (logs, biostratigraphy) and seismic.

SK417 Petrophysics and Sequence Stratigraphy study (2018): perform petrophysical analysis of key wells, conduct sequence stratigraphy interpretation and construct environment of deposition (EOD) maps for the key intervals of interest within the SK417 block offshore Baram Delta, Sarawak, Malaysia. Arnout coordinated the project and provided advice and steer wrt the seismic mapping and well correlation via integration of well data (logs, biostratigraphy) and seismic.

Bertam Field Development Plan Update (2018): construction of static reservoir models for the oil-producing Bertam field offshore Malay Basin, for infill opportunity identification through integrated static-dynamic modelling. Arnout coordinated the project, gave subsurface workflow advice, performed some of the key G&G tasks and provided model QA/QC. Key challenges included a combination of a thin oil rim, low structural relief, complex geology, multiple long horizontal wells that needed to be tied to the model and the need to closely honour production data. Nevertheless the project was completed to full client satisfaction within less than 5 months. Multiple infill well locations were identified and scheduled for drilling.

Bergading Deep Phase 2 FDP support (2018): 3D reservoir modelling for a complex, multi-stacked gas reservoirs field offshore Malay Basin, for the purpose of Phase 2 development (FDP update). Arnout set direction for the static reservoir re-modeling, did the initial deterministic and probabilistic resource assessment and at later stage, provided workflow steer and QA/QC for refined resource assessment via experimental design iterations with the static model.

PM307 near-field prospect identification and maturation (2018): prospect identification and maturation through detailed seismic mapping work, prospect 3D modelling, resource assessment and risking. Prospects comprise a combination trap of structure and stratigraphy as proven successful elsewhere in the basin (a series of pointbars dissected by late-stage shale plugs, mapped from seismic calibrated to offset wells). Prospect assessment and subsequent appraisal-well proposals were approved by client and by regulator PETRONAS.

Mako Field Plan-of-Development (2017-18-19): perform reservoir geological assessment and construct 3D static model for a shallow gas asset offshore Indonesia, in support of the Plan-of-development for the field. To constrain the reservoir model away from well control, seismic inversion was conducted on the dense 2D seismic grid that covers the field and these results were integrated with the wells. Securing PoD approval required liaising with regulator SKK-Migas and their appointed PoD contractor Lemigas.

West-Desaru subsurface study (2017): fast-track building of a static and dynamic model for a producing multi-stacked reservoirs oil and gas field offshore Malay Basin, for the purpose of (re)development opportunity screening.

Cornea-field “Sprint” modelling (2017): review of G&G data and legacy interpretations and subsequent fast-track building of a static model for the Cornea oil&gas field offshore NW shelf, Australia. The work included computation of the STOIIP range, assessment of key uncertainties and comparison with legacy assessments and recommending input into the Work Program & Budget for the acreage. Arnout was the lead geoscientist and coordinated the project.

Joyti resource assessment and FDP (2017): resource assessment, static-dynamic model building and concept select work for a marginal oil discovery in Cambay Basin, India. Arnout was the lead geologist and developed the conceptual model that underpinned the resource assessment. He also assisted in the seismic interpretation work, guiding the selection of seismic horizons to be interpreted and the different interpretation alternatives to be made.

Golshan & Ferdowsi MDP support (2017): G&G support (especially technical guidance and QA/QC of the geomodeling and resource assessment) for two large carbonate sour-gas discoveries offshore Persian Gulf, for the purpose of conceptual Master Development Plan compilation and submission.

Bertam field geophysics support (2017): Support to seismic re-mapping, seismic reservoir characterization and time-depth conversion of a heterogeneous thin oil-rim reservoir in Malay basin. Arnout provided workflow advice, peer review, QA/QC and analogue expertise to the project.

CCUS CarbonNet project (Victoria Gvt, Australia, 2016-17): geoscientist/advisor for the CarbonNet carbon capture and storage project. Scope included evaluation of alternative reservoirs for CO2 storage, geological considerations, compositional reservoir simulation, design of experiments.

Seligi Major Reservoirs FFR - Milestone Review 1 and support (2015-16): Remaining opportunity identification, MR1 preparation and MR2 G&G interpretation and static model building for Seligi field Major Reservoirs (a giant mature field offshore Malay Basin). MR1 (project feasibility) workscope included verification of STOIIP and uncertainty, computation and mapping of reservoir heterogeneity indicators, creaming curve analysis of well performance and generation of static inputs into POSEIDON remaining oil mapping. MR2 workscope included update of geophysical mapping, petrophysical interpretation, and a re-building of the static reservoir model ready for MR2 (static model milestone).

Block R Reservoir modeling (2014-15): Construction of seismically constrained static reservoir models for a cluster of deepwater gas discoveries offshore West Africa, for subsequent dynamic modeling, production forecasting and input to FDP. Arnout coordinated the project and also lead the development of workflows suitable to integrate seismic inversion data, detailed seismic channel mapping and conceptual geology into the static model.

Peer review assistance to Jasmine LEP1 project (2015-16). On invitation, Arnout participated as an external member in Mubadala’s global technical review panel for the purpose of peer reviewing the Life Extension Project (LEP) for the mature Jasmine field in Gulf of Thailand.

Pinnacle carbonate resource assessment support (2014-15): seismic interpretation, velocity modeling, support to special seismic studies, reservoir characterization and resource assessment support for a cluster of gas-bearing Miocene pinnacle carbonates offshore Central Luconia, in support of development feasibility screening and appraisal planning. Several Tscf’s of gas was discovered as part of the appraisal.

East Patricia FDP support (2013): Geoscience and project lead support for a multi-stack and multi-compartments reservoirs gas field offshore Sarawak, Malaysia. QA/QC of seismic interpretations, depth conversion, analysis of seismic-attributes, 3D reservoir modelling, resource assessments including, near field prospectivity identification. Project coordination including the development plan optimization stage (MR3 – dynamic modeling) and FDP compilation. Coordinated peer, partner and regulator reviews (PETRONAS FDP milestones).

Carbonate static reservoir model update (2012-13): Construction of a seismically constrained static reservoir model for a gas-bearing deepwater carbonate debris-flow reservoir offshore Indonesia, as part of an integrated field review; to assess in-place resources, quantify key uncertainties impact and provide a starting point for dynamic simulation and history matching. Project coordination and high-end technical support.

G7 full-field review (2012-13): seismic interpretation and geology support to static-dynamic modelling of a gas-producing Miocene carbonate buildup offshore Central Luconia, Malaysia, to help identify remaining potential of the field.