Geophysical Method for Exploration of Hydrocarbon

Reservoir in Kutei Basin, Eastern Kalimantan

Anjar Romadhon1, Christian Bona1, Eunike Verent Fransisca Rumajar1, Raden Fiqky Amarta Kuniandi1

1 Pertamina University, Geological Engineering

Based on the paper, the geophysical method that used to explore hydrocarbon in Kutei Basin was 2D seismic
and 3D seismic. First exploration by Kaltim Shell (1971) followed by Union Oil (1972), Total Indonesie (1982) and
Risjad Salim Resources Indonesia (1992-1999). Geophysical method that used by those company was 2D seismic.
Several 2D seismic lines were acquired and two exploration wells were drilled by Union Oil (Bontang-1 and
Bungalun-1) and one by Total Indonesie (Tutung-1). Since then, the area had not been actively explored until 2006 .
A 2D seismic survey typically contains numerous lines acquired orthogonally to the strike of geological structures
(such as faults and folds) with a minimum of lines acquired parallel to geological structures to allow line-to-line
tying of the seismic data and interpretation and mapping of structures, but 2D survey does not allow combination
and stratigraphic traps to be recognized. The new 3D seismic volumes acquired in 2007 and 2008 by Salamander
Energy, confirm that the area of study contains the northern continuation of the slope channel play that has been
discovered elsewhere in the Kutei Basin and shows the occurrence of Late Miocene-Early Pliocene slope channels,
which are similar to those that have been discovered along trend to the South. The data quality of the seismic is
generally good. In particular, 3D seismic data provide detailed information about fault distribution and subsurface
structures. Computer-based interpretation and display of 3D seismic data allow for more thorough analysis data
more than 2D. 3D survey, providing more accurate subsurface maps that can be constructed on the basis fore more
widely spaced 2D seismic lines, between which significant interpolation might be necessary.

As the result on the paper, 3D seismic data

helps geologist to interpret the occurrence of Late
Miocene-Early Pliocene slope channel more accurate,
because all of data from 3D seismic survey are more
detail and accurate than data from 2D seismic. 3D
seismic data can reveal the lack of 2D seismic data
for example the case about Bungalun-1 well that
drilled by Union Oil. Although Bungalun-1 well
showed a good petroleum system (from 2D seismic
survey), but 3D seismic data revealed that Bungalon-
1 well was not drilled on valid depth closure.
Bungalon-1 well does show supply of good quality Bungalun-1 well location, off structure after present 3D seismic mapping.
Based on new mapping, Bungalun-1 was not drilled on structure.
sand to the basin during the late Miocene to early
Pliocene but did not encounter any hydrocarbon.

Cross
section
across
Bungalu
n-1

Sea floor
image of
Bugalun-1
well by 3D
seismic