Global reservoir distribution 

 

StatoilHydro's experience from the Norwegian continental shelf is proving to be extremely valuable in predicting the distribution of hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs in the world's known productive basins.

Verification of the group's proprietary STATemp model for assessing exploration risk has been obtained by analysing almost 50,000 oil and gas reservoirs, representing more than a trillion barrels of discovered oil reserves.

The key parameter is reservoir temperature. That is because the optimal hydrocarbon entrapment zone lies between 60 and 120°C, irrespective of location, geological age and basin type.

This work is now being used to estimate undiscovered hydrocarbon resources and to identify promising areas for further evaluation.

Using state-of-the-art computer visualisation techniques, the world's known reservoirs can now be analysed in 3D, creating basin segments to help identify areas with high remaining exploration potential.