The Niger Delta Pressure Study Phase One ‘Deep and Ultra Deep Water’ is the first large scale pressure study in Africa. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) recently announced the completion of the study, created by Ikon GeoPressure and Sonar Ltd. It is sponsored by deep water operators, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Total E&P Nigeria, Chevron Nigeria, Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria, Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria (Petrobras) and Nigerian Agip Exploration, as a resource for the future of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“It is the role of governments and regulators to encourage programmes that ensure safe drilling practice and enhance exploration potential. The Niger Delta Pressure Study Phase One ‘Deep and Ultra Deep Water’ is a model project that meets these goals and has lasting value for the industry and for Nigeria.” (Director Department of Petroleum Resources, Andrew Obaje).

The ‘Deep and Ultra Deep’ phase provided DPR/NDR the opportunity to create a new database of 304 wells. It comprises 94% of the exploration and appraisal wells in the area and was sourced from all deepwater operators.

Professor Richard Swarbrick, Global Director for Ikon GeoPressure said: “The high capture of well data in the project has allowed us to build predictive relationships critical to the planning of safe deepwater wells. Patterns of pressure mapped across the study area have implications for fluid migration and trapping, enhancing the hydrocarbon potential of this area of the Niger Delta.”

The analysis and compilation of these well data was carried out in Sonar's local office, over a period of nine months, by a team of five geologists from Sonar and Ikon GeoPressure. The result is a set of digital maps and reports which will improve offshore drilling safety and enhance exploration opportunities for identifying additional hydrocarbon reserves in Nigeria. Similar benefits are expected from the next phase of the project which will investigate the continental slope and onshore.

Speaking on behalf of SNEPCo, Smart Igbokwe, GM Deepwater Exploration commented: “This study provides a valuable regional perspective incorporating a larger selection of wells than any individual operator might reasonably use in an in-house study. Shell looks forward to participating in the Onshore and Continental shelf phases of the project."

Robert Bakre, Vice Chairman, Sonar Ltd said: "The study was made possible through combining global technical experience with local business expertise. It is a unique example of knowledge transfer and building local content. That the project was delivered on time, and to such a high standard, attests to the hard work and support rendered by DPR, NAPIMS and the sponsor Oil Companies and we look forward to working with them and Ikon Science again in subsequent phases."

Tags: Ikon Science