Characterization of the Heimdal Sandstones within Alveim, Quads 24 and 25, Norwegian North Sea

Abstract

The economics of small fields commonly mean that more attention is needed to create robust geological models ahead of development. Full integration of available core, electronic log and seismic data is essential to reduce uncertainty. In this paper we aim to illustrate how an iterative integration between disciplines has helped to evaluate prospects within the Alveim discovery as the field is delineated. Alveim lies in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, within parts of quadrants 24 and 25. The primary play is the Paleocene Heimdal Sandstones, which lie up-depositional dip from the Heimdal gas field. The first exploration wells, (24/6-2 and 25/4-3), had proved the presence of both gas and oil within the area. However, subtle closures and imaging problems within the reservoir had made it difficult to initially assess the potential volumes of the prospect. Furthermore, the hydrocarbon column varied across the development area, partially in response to the complex topography (loft) developed at top reservoir. High-order fan abandonment surfaces were recognized and utilized to understand the gross architecture of the Heimdal fan. The sedimentology and depositional processes of the uppermost sequence were then analyzed through full core description. The resulting model was then tested against the observations made from the most recent, higher resolution, seismic analysis, and was then integrated into the geological model.