The petroleum potential of deep-water northwestPalawan Block GSEC 66

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the petroleum, potential of thedeep-water acreage of Philodrill, GSEC 66, or what the authors call the “Northwest Malampaya Block”. All the elements necessary for a major hydrocarbon accumulation are believed to be present in the block. Probable source rocks are the deep-water Nido Limestone, the pre-Nido Early Tertiary syn-rift section, and pre-Tertiary sediments. Potential reservoirs include the Nido reefal buildups, Nido and pre-Nido detrital and/or fractured carbonates, Early Miocene Galoc elastic equivalent turbidites and pre-Nido sediments. The principal play-types recognized in the area are the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene reefs and the erosional/karsted carbonate highs. After evaluation of available pre-1982 seismic data, an acquisition program of 1625 km was undertaken. Eleven leads/prospects were delineated in the area after the interpretation of this new seismic data. Two prospects were upgraded to drillable status (the Santa Monica Prospect and the Ipil Prospect). The Santa Monica Prospect is a well-defined four-way dip closure on the Nido Limestone with a vertical closure of over 1500 feet and an areal closure of over 20,500 acres. The Ipil Prospect is a gently closed feature developed at the Nido Limestone platform level with an areal closure of over 11,600 acres and a vertical relief of 400 feet. The technical merits of the delineated huge prospects, combined with the very favorable deep-water exploration terms of the Philippines and their proximity to the soon-to-be-developed Malampaya-Camago Field, make this block a very promising area for further exploration work.