International Projects

2009 Block 15 – Onshore Oman – as chief geophysical consultant to Tethys Oil (Oman) LTD since 2007, dB has designed and implemented a 285 square kilometer 3D seismic survey to assist the client in the development of the Jebel Aswad gas condensate discovery on the block.  Project duties included design of the 3D survey to meet stringent Environmental and Operational standards and to achieve a quality of seismic data suitable for advanced seismic interpretation techniques including inversion, AVO and 3D geocellular reservoir characterization.  dB conducted the competitive bid tender for seismic contractors, evaluated the bid, negotiated the seismic contract and provided the client with full documentation following the Oman Ministry of Oil and Gas requirements to insure cost recovery for the project.  dB, through sub contractor KTS Group was responsible for the on-site seismic field Q.C. while providing overall 3D seismic project management.  In support of the 3D project by utilizing subcontractor Five Oceans Environmental Services, dB developed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required for all work in Oman.  Upon completion of seismic field work, dB utilized Hardin International Seismic Processors in Dallas to perform seismic processing services and served as the final seismic data processing Q.C. on behalf of Tethys.  During 2009, dB provided complete structural interpretation and mapping of the newly acquired 3D which has been utilized to assess prospect reserves.  Additionally, dB through subcontractor Fugro-Jason is providing Tethys with an advanced seismic inversion interpretation, mapping porosity geobodies within the highly prospective Natih (carbonate) Formation. It is anticipated that full field development will begin during 2010 guided by the final reservoir mapping provided by dB, LLC.

2008 Block XXXI-36, Onshore Central Kazakhstan – under contract to the RPS Scotia Group, Inc. for Gentech International Kazakhstan LLC (www.gentechintl.com), have provided two years of full exploration technical support.   Work completed to date includes an exploration review of existing technical data and development of proprietary geological play concepts on 1,300 sq. kilometer block. Provided client with exploration technical report, presentation materials and scoping economics in support of a $50 million public offering.  Additional work included advice to client’s legal counsel on the preferred structure of the exploration work program and overall critique of key elements of the exploration contract with the government.  During 2007, conducted competitive bid tender to contract for 860 kilometer 2D seismic program, negotiated the seismic contract, provided field Q.C. services through subcontractor KTS Group and project management oversight.  Provided seismic processing Q.C. and performed the interpretation of the seismic data resulting in the development of seven drillable prospects within the block. The final drilling recommendation included risk-reward ranking and full development economic models to assist the client in overall financial assessment of the project. Currently assisting client to define and contract for the drilling of up to four (4) wildcat exploration wells during 2009. Continue to support client with technical and economic advice including onsite presentations to secure investor/partner participation in the drilling program.

2008 Bid Round – Onshore Algeria– under contract to a small public Oil and Gas Company, attended a Sonatrac data room in Algiers in October 2008 to evaluate blocks on offer for potential participation in the scheduled December 2008 bid round.  Work completed included regional geological play descriptions and assessment, petrophysical well evaluation, seismic mapping and overall assessment of the economics of each of three separate blocks.  The final technical report ranked each investment opportunity with respect to risk-reward with advice to client regarding the level of participation and work program to be bid on each block.  All work was completed within a 45 day time frame.

2008 Deep Water Black Sea – Offshore Turkey – under contract to the RPS Scotia Group, Inc., for a National Oil Company client as part of a multidisciplinary technical team, attended a data room in Ankara to evaluate various farmout opportunities being offered by TPAO, the Turkish National Oil Company.  Work included 2D and 3D seismic mapping and prospect evaluation.  Final report to client included risk-reward ranking of the various opportunities based on perceived technical risk.  Ran Monte Carlo based economics that included exploration and full development scenarios.

2007 Block D-6, Offshore East Coast, India – under contract to the RPS Scotia Group, Inc. for Reliance Industries, and in association with Geomodeling Corporation of Canada, interpretation of 400 sq. km. 3D seismic program located on prolific deep water clastic depositional system.  The gas discovery in Block D-6 was classified as the largest discovery of 2002 by IHS Energy.  Scope of work included full petrophysical evaluation of the discovery wells integrating core description, FMS, and conventional well logs.  Development of facies model based on industry standard classification systems.  Mapping of facies using advanced 3D seismic reservoir characterization processes and workstation geobody mapping techniques. Final deliverable included a fully attributed 3D geocellular model as derived from the 3D seismic data suitable for dynamic reservoir simulation.

2006 JDZ, Sao Tome/Principe & Nigeria – For privately held client, evaluated nine deep water blocks on offer through competitive bidding by the Joint Development Authority, created by international treaty between Nigeria and Sao Tome/Principe.  Scope of work included seismic interpretation of 2,500 km of regional 2D seismic data, detailed prospect mapping, evaluation of Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators and reserve estimation of recoverable oil reserves. Bidding requirements included submission of exploratory and development drilling plan with work program defined through full field development and installation of FPSO and treatment facilities.  Additionally, complete HSE and local social development programs were outlined and submitted with the technical and economic bid packages.

dB completed the full scope of work within a 45 day timeframe.  Client submitted bids on two blocks and received notice of technical qualification and winning bid status on one block.

2006 Caratube Field, Kazakhstan – under contract to a privately held client, dB conducted due diligence regarding reserves determination for a potential field purchase.  Work includes onsite inspection of production equipment in Kazakhstan, technical review of all supporting geological and 3D geophysical data and interpretations and an independent assessment of proved, possible and probable reserves along with exploration upside potential.

2006 Port au Port Peninsula, Western Newfoundland – For publicly held client, dB evaluated exploratory potential of over 450,000 acre position located both onshore and offshore surrounding the Port au Port peninsula of western Newfoundland.  Scope of work included mapping and evaluation of 5,000 kilometers of 2D seismic data and the incorporation of five wells drilled by previous operators.  dB focused the Client’s efforts to acquire the first 3D seismic program in the area over identified structural traps that previously tested oil when drilled in 1994.  Based on dB recommendations, client completed a farmin to the project and was named as Operator. 

2005 Kalamkas Field, Kazakhstan – under contract to the RPS Scotia Group, Inc. dB provided geological and geophysical evaluation of Kalamkas Field in western Kazakhstan.  Scotia is the principal technical consultant to the field Operator, Mangystaumunaigaz.  Scope of work included detailed reservoir correlation of over 2,500 wells in support of a full cycle reservoir characterization and dynamic reservoir modeling.

2005 Zhetybai Field, Kazakhstan – under contract to the RPS Scotia Group, Inc. dB provided geological evaluations of Zhetybai Field in western Kazakhstan.  Scotia is the principal technical consultant to the field Operator, Mangystaumunaigaz.  Scope of work included detailed reservoir correlation of over 1,500 wells in support of a full cycle reservoir characterization and dynamic reservoir model.

Additional specific international experience of dB Personnel includes:

NORTH AFRICA

NIGER – Conducted regional airborne gravity/magnetic survey over 35 million acre Djado block located in northern Niger in the southern MurzurkBasin for Niger Hunt Oil Company.  Following this evaluation, conducted 1,500 kilometer 2D seismic program, successfully dealing with extreme logistical and security conditions.  Supervised in-field seismic processing and interpretation which resulted in the drilling of two (2) exploratory wildcat wells. 

TUNISIA – Geological and geophysical technical evaluation of the Telemzane Block, GhadamesBasin for Petro Hunt, LLC.  Provided full 2D seismic interpretation of 2,000 km, tied to four (4) wells, producing four time maps and three isochron maps.  Final deliverable products included fully functioning workstation project and a full technical report for submission to the government in support of technical work program commitment.

MIDDLE EAST

YEMEN – Extensive exploration experience in the Marib-Jawf Basin of North Yemen for Yemen Hunt Oil Company.  Managed all elements of exploration program including reprocessing and re-interpretation of 35,000 km 2D seismic survey, acquisition, processing and interpretation of 5,000 km of new 2D seismic data, acquisition, processing and interpretation of 350 sq. km 3D survey.  Small exploration team consisting of one manager, two geologists and two geophysicists supported the exploration drilling by two full time rigs – resulting in discoveries exceeding 300 million barrels of oil and 2 Tcf of gas reserves.  Conducted all bidding, contract negotiation and implementation of the work program commitments.  Performed duties as Exploration Manager conducting partner meetings, Technical Operating Committee meetings and governmental liason.

OMAN – Evaluation of blocks on offer for the 2006 Bid Round for Middle Eastern client.

SHARJA/FUJAIRAH, UAE – Interpretation of 2,100 sq. km 3D survey located offshore Sharja/Fujairah resulting in the identification of several drillable prospects with recommendations to approach the two governments to negotiate Production Sharing Agreements.

EAST AFRICA

ETHIOPIA – Served as exploration manager for Ethiopia Hunt Oil Company conducting regional evaluation of the entire OgadenBasin.  Identified the Genale River Block located in the southwestern portion of the basin on the Somalia/Kenya border.  Conducted geological field work, sampling live oil seeps, surface geochemistry sampling, 1,500 km 2D seismic and the drilling of an exploration wildcat well.  Performed duties as Exploration Manager, conducting partner meetings and all Operating Committee meetings as well as contract negotiations with the Government of Ethiopia.

ERITREA – Mapped 3,000 km of 2D spec seismic located in the southern Red Sea of Eritrea.  Using knowledge gained from Yemen experience, proposed new play concept for Mesozoic sediments not yet drilled in a newly identified rift basin—similar to the Marib-Jawf.  Prospects are identified and preliminary negotiations with the Government of Eritrea have been conducted.