TAPLIN Corp.

The geophysical experience available in TAPLIN ranges through the full spectrum of geophysical science: acquisition, data processing, interpretation, modeling, imaging, and a wide array of special tools ranging from stratigraphic needs to complex structure. With over forty five years of geophysical experience in stratigraphic problems, J. P. Lindsey, TAPLIN's geophysicist, has pioneered, developed, and taught most of the reservoir stratigraphic interpretation techniques in use today. Over 8000 geophysicists and geologists have attended his seminars over a period of 15 years that exposed these methods in theory and practice. He introduced the concept of "wavelet processing", "true amplitude processing", and the use of seismic modeling of geological regimes while employed at three different corporations.

Services

Workstation 2D and 3D Seismic Interpretation

After processing the data, it is loaded on the workstation and the process of interpretation begins. This starts wth picking all faults and then progresses through picking the important reflection interfaces. From these results maps of prospect locations for drilling are made.

Prospect Generation

The analysis of the interpreted data for indications of hydrocarbon accumulations employs several modern technologies. The occurrence of porosity is usually indicated by a change in amplitude of some feature of the reflection complex. Modeling determines what this feature is and how it relates to the porosity sought. In some cases, the presence of gas can be detected by the observation of a gas-water contact positioned properly down-dip in the formation. These are subtle but visible by the trained eye. In carbonate systems, the use of amplitude is harder to relate to important reservoir conditions. The "character" of the seismic event then becomes the tell-tale evidence of favorable places to drill.

Geophysical Consulting Services

Many times, participants in a given exploration effort may not be skilled in the technologies being employed. TAPLIN acts for such partner as an adviser, attending partners meetings and translating technological issues in more understandable form for the clients benefit.

Taplin Corp. Seeks Partners for Exploiting
Oil and Gas Opportunities in Arkansas
(Read complete pdf)

Taplin Corp., an exploration company that generates oil and gas prospects has completed a two year study of approximately 900 sq. mi. in southern Arkansas (the “Area of Study”). This area has a history of major oil and gas production (>400 million bbls) dating from the 1920’s; however, there is currently very little exploration activity.

Based on its interpretation of a 2D seismic grid covering the Area of Study, Taplin has been able to identify numerous prospective fairways and many (>200) potential individual sites that exhibit porosity indications. Further, this study has revealed a new (for Arkansas) potentially productive formation that has never been drilled.

In addition to the new formation, there are many nexplored areas in the Smackover, the limestone layer that has produced the bulk of Arkansas’ oil and gas. Above the Smackover lie the Jones Sands, the Cotton Valley sands, and a number of shallower productive formations. These are all elusive targets because they are typically lensshaped and are not usually associated with structural features. Finding such targets requires 3D seismic, which has been available since the early 1990’s, but has seen only limited used in this area (<5% of the area).

All of the prospects identified in Taplin’s study were found using a 2D seismic data grid having an approximate grid dimension of 6 by 4 miles. This is a sparse grid and cannot be used to reliably position prospects for drilling. The solution is 3D seismic.

Need for Updated Seismic Technology
The vast majority of the production to date from the Area of Study was found without the benefit of modern seismic technology, such as 3D surveys, stratigraphic interpretation, and wavelet control in processing. The use of 3D seismic alone has proved able to facilitate the discovery of about 15% more hydrocarbons in the areas where production already exists. This suggests that there are still on the order of 60 million barrels of oil yet to be found in the Area of Study.

(Read complete 4 page pdf)