Offshore Morocco analysis6 Nov 2020 19:26
GEO ExPro
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SEISMIC FOLDOUTS AFRICA
Understanding the True Hydrocarbon Potential of the Lixus Offshore Licensing Area, Morocco
Melissa Chin and Duncan Wallace; Chariot Oil & Gas
Modern data analysis techniques are providing new insights into reservoir distribution and hydrocarbon potential of the Lixus Offshore licensing area in Morocco - redefining Neogene clastic fairways in the offshore Rharb Basin. This article appeared in Vol. 17, No. 2 - 2020
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Understanding the True Hydrocarbon Potential of the Lixus Offshore Licensing Area, Morocco
Since early 2019, Chariot Oil & Gas has performed an extensive interpretation program on over 1,700 km2 of legacy PSTM 3D seismic data, shot over the Lixus Offshore license area in 2006 and 2010. Figure 3 highlights the Mio-Pliocene siliciclastic succession, which reaches over 5 km thickness in the central area. Sediment loading of thick high net-gross reservoir systems drives syn-depositional salt and mud tectonism, controlling sediment accommodation space and developing trapping geometries for the on-block hydrocarbon accumulations and exploration prospects, including the 2009 Anchois thermogenic gas discovery.
Figure 1: Merged Miocene top reservoir seismic amplitude map. Figure 2: Location map of the Lixus license in the offshore Rharb Basin (3D seismic extent in blue).
Advancements in data analysis and imaging techniques throughout the past decade have provided insights into reservoir distribution and enabled the discrimination of gas-filled sands. Approximately 1 Tcf of remaining recoverable gas is estimated to be held in the Anchois discovery and surrounding analogous satellite prospects, with on-block resources increasing to over 2 Tcf when incorporating other Miocene targets identified to date.
As Moroccan energy demand is forecast to double between 2015 and 2030 and the country remains reliant on imported fossil fuels for 96% of its energy, understanding how to maximize value from previously overlooked indigenous exploration plays becomes increasingly important. The potential contribution of gas from the Lixus Offshore block would allow Morocco to significantly reduce its reliance on imported fuel, ushering in a new era of increased self-sufficiency and reduced environmental impact from power generation.
Regional PSTM Seismic Line Across the Lixus Licence, Offshore Morocco
Figure 3: Regional [PSTM] arbitrary seismic line across the Lixus license (display is full stack amplitude co-blended with seismic relief attribute).
This seismic foldout was taken from GEO ExPro Vol. 17, Issue No. 2. You can download the original PDF of the issue here and you will find the higher resolution version of this foldout on pages 65-68.
Resolving Neogene Clastic Fairways in the Rharb Basin, Offshore Morocco
The Lixus Offshore block is located within the Rharb Basin o